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H J Jacob

Publications and source records attributed to H J Jacob.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Early development of the müllerian duct in avian embryos with reference to the human. An ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study.

In vertebrates, the female reproductive system arises from the Müllerian (paramesonephric) duct which develops in both sexes under the influence of the Wolffian (mesonephric) duct. For a better understanding of the interactions between the Müllerian duct and its adjacent tissues, we present a systematic scanning and transmission electron microscopic investigation of early stages of avian Müllerian duct development. This starts within the cranial part of the Müllerian ridge from a placode-like thickening and deepening of the coelomic epithelium containing nephrostomes as remnants of the last pronephric and first mesonephric tubules. Groups of cells detach from this placode and rapidly expand caudally as a solid cord. This becomes canalized, but the tip region remains mesenchymal and is found enclosed within the basal lamina of the Wolffian duct. Immunostaining reveals that the Müllerian duct migrates within a matrix rich in laminin and entactin. When the canalized duct has opened into the coelomic cavity, one or more secondary ducts are found immediately caudal of the main funnel, for a short period only, possibly to supply material to the expanding duct. BrdU-anti-BrdU reaction reveals a high proliferation of the duct epithelium. The thickened epithelium of the Müllerian ridge dissolves to form the mesenchymal layers of the duct. Immunostaining with vimentin argues against a cellular contribution of Wolffian duct cells to the Müllerian duct. Comparing the data from avian embryos with those of human indicates that the modalities of early Müllerian duct development are similar in both species.

Animals↗

A high-density integrated genetic linkage and radiation hybrid map of the laboratory rat.

The laboratory rat (Rattus norvegicus) is a key animal model for biomedical research. However, the genetic infrastructure required for connecting phenotype and genotype in the rat is currently incomplete. Here, we report the construction and integration of two genomic maps: a dense genetic linkage map of the rat and the first radiation hybrid (RH) map of the rat. The genetic map was constructed in two F2 intercrosses (SHRSP x BN and FHH x ACI), containing a total of 4736 simple sequence length polymorphism (SSLP) markers. Allele sizes for 4328 of the genetic markers were characterized in 48 of the most commonly used inbred strains. The RH map is a lod >/= 3 framework map, including 983 SSLPs, thereby allowing integration with markers on various genetic maps and with markers mapped on the RH panel. Together, the maps provide an integrated reference to >3000 genes and ESTs and >8500 genetic markers (5211 of our SSLPs and >3500 SSLPs developed by other groups). [Bihoreau et al. (1997); James and Tanigami, RHdb (http:www.ebi.ac.uk/RHdb/index.html); Wilder (http://www.nih.gov/niams/scientific/ratgbase); Serikawa et al. (1992); RATMAP server (http://ratmap.gen.gu.se)] RH maps (v. 2.0) have been posted on our web sites at http://goliath.ifrc.mcw.edu/LGR/index.html or http://curatools.curagen.com/ratmap. Both web sites provide an RH mapping server where investigators can localize their own RH vectors relative to this map. The raw data have been deposited in the RHdb database. Taken together, these maps provide the basic tools for rat genomics. The RH map provides the means to rapidly localize genetic markers, genes, and ESTs within the rat genome. These maps provide the basic tools for rat genomics. They will facilitate studies of multifactorial disease and functional genomics, allow construction of physical maps, and provide a scaffold for both directed and large-scale sequencing efforts and comparative genomics in this important experimental organism.

Alleles↗

An integrated genetic linkage map of the laboratory rat.

The laboratory rat, Rattus novegicus, is a major model system for physiological and pathophysiological studies, and since 1966 more than 422,000 publications describe biological studies on the rat (NCBI/Medline). The rat is becoming an increasingly important genetic model for the study of specific diseases, as well as retaining its role as a major preclinical model system for pharmaceutical development. The initial genetic linkage map of the rat contained 432 genetic markers (Jacob et al. 1995) out of 1171 developed due to the relatively low polymorphism rate of the mapping cross used (SHR x BN) when compared to the interspecific crosses in the mouse. While the rat genome project continues to localize additional markers on the linkage map, and as of 11/97 more than 3,200 loci have been mapped. Current map construction is using two different crosses (SHRSP x BN and FHH x ACI) rather than the initial mapping cross. Consequently there is a need to provide integration among the different maps. We set out to develop an integrated map, as well as increase the number of markers on the rat genetic map. The crosses available for this analysis included the original mapping cross SHR x BN reciprocal F2 intercross (448 markers), a GH x BN intercross (205 markers), a SS/Mcw x BN intercross (235 markers), and a FHH/Eur x ACI/Hsd intercross (276 markers), which is also one of the new mapping crosses. Forty-six animals from each cross were genotyped with markers polymorphic for that cross. The maps appear to cover the vast majority of the rat genome. The availability of these additional markers should facilitate more complete whole genome scans in a greater number of strains and provide additional markers in specific genomic regions of interest.

Animals↗

Gene-based anchoring of the rat genetic linkage and cytogenetic maps: new regional localizations, orientation of the linkage groups, and insights into mammalian chromosome evolution.

In order to generate anchor points connecting the rat cytogenetic and genetic maps, the cytogenetic position of 62 rat markers (including 55 genes) already localized genetically was determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Whenever possible, markers located near one end of the linkage groups were included. These new localizations allowed us to unambiguously orient the 20 autosomal and the X chromosome linkage groups. The position of the centromere in the linkage map could also be determined in the case of several metacentric chromosomes. In addition, the regional localization of 15 other rat genes was determined. These new data bring useful information with respect to comparative mapping with the mouse and the human and to mammalian evolution. They illustrate, for instance, that groups of genes can remain syntenic during mammalian evolution while being subjected to intrachromosomal rearrangements in some lineages (synteny is conserved while gene order is not). This analysis also disclosed cases of synteny conservation in one the two rodent species and the human, while the synteny is split in the other rodent species: such configurations are likely examples of lineage-specific interchromosomal rearrangements associated with speciation.

Animals↗

A microsatellite genetic linkage map for zebrafish (Danio rerio).

We have constructed a zebrafish genetic linkage map consisting of 705 simple sequence-length polymorphism markers (SSLPs). The map covers 2350 centimorgans (cM) of the zebrafish genome with an average resolution of 3.3 cM. It is a complete map in genetic mapping terms (there is one linkage group for each of the 25 chromosomes), and it has been confirmed by somatic-cell hybrids and centromere-mapping using half-tetrad analysis. The markers are highly polymorphic in the zebrafish strains used for genetic crosses and provide a means to compare genetic segregation of developmental mutations between laboratories. These markers will provide an initial infrastructure for the positional cloning of the nearly 600 zebrafish genes identified as crucial to vertebrate development,and will become the anchor for the physical map of the zebrafish genome.

Animals↗

EbEST: an automated tool using expressed sequence tags to delineate gene structure.

Large numbers of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) continue to fill public and private databases with partial cDNA sequences. However, using this huge amount of ESTs to facilitate gene finding in genomic sequence imposes a challenge, especially to wet-lab scientists who often have limited computing resources. In an effort to consolidate the information hidden in the vast number of ESTs into a readable and manageable format, we have developed EbEST-a program that automates the process of using ESTs to help delineate gene structure in long stretches of genomic sequence. The EbEST program consists of three functional modules-the first module separates homologous ESTs into clusters and identifies the most informative ESTs within each cluster; the second module uses the informative ESTs to perform gapped alignment and to predict the exon-intron boundary; and the third module generates text file and graphic outputs that illustrate the orientation, exonic structure, and untranslated regions (UTRs) of putative genes in the genomic sequence being analyzed. Evaluation of EbEST with 176 human genes from the ALLSEQ set indicated that it performed in-line with several existing gene finding programs, but was more tolerant to sequencing errors. Furthermore, when EbEST was challenged with query sequences that harbor more than one gene, it suffered only a slight drop in performance, whereas the performance of the other programs evaluated decreased more. EbEST may be used as a stand-alone tool to annotate human genomic sequences with EST-derived gene elements, or can be used in conjunction with computational gene-recognition programs to increase the accuracy of gene prediction. [EbBEST is available at http://EbEST.ifrc.mcw.edu]

Base Sequence↗

Independent genetic susceptibility to cardiac hypertrophy in inherited hypertension.

Cardiac hypertrophy is a common but not inevitable complication of hypertension. Variation in heart size in hypertensives may reflect independent genetic susceptibility to cardiac hypertrophy. Using an experimental genetic model, we determined the location of quantitative trait loci responsible for cardiac hypertrophy and/or hypertension. We studied 182 F2 male animals derived from a cross of the spontaneously hypertensive rat and normotensive Donryu rats. Direct mean arterial pressure (MAP) and left ventricular (LV) mass were measured at 20 weeks of age, and DNA was obtained for linkage analysis. The estimated heritability of MAP was 62% and for LV mass expressed per unit of body weight (relative LV mass) was 76%. We used 185 polymorphic markers, with an average intermarker distance of 12.3 centimorgans for a genome-wide scan in a representative subgroup of 46 animals to identify preliminary quantitative trait loci, which were then mapped in all 182 male F2 rats. Two loci showed logarithm of the odds scores of > 4.0. One on chromosome 2, Lvm-1, was linked to relative LV mass but showed no evidence of linkage to MAP. Another locus on chromosome 1, Map-1, was linked to MAP. In the same region, a locus Lvm-2 was linked with relative LV mass. These data indicate the existence of a genetic locus on chromosome 2 of the spontaneously hypertensive rat that affects relative LV mass independently of blood pressure.

Animals↗

Genetic differences define severity of renal damage after L-NAME-induced hypertension in rats.

Genetic factors are important in determining the susceptibility to renal damage. In a backcross of the hypertensive and proteinuric fawn-hooded Erasmus University Rotterdam (FHH/EUR) rat with the normotensive, nonproteinuric August Copenhagen Irish (ACI/EUR) rat, two genes (denoted Rf-1 and Rf-2) were genetically mapped for parameters of functional and structural renal damage. The aim of the present study was to investigate the susceptibility to functional and structural renal damage in heterozygous (FHH X ACI) F1 rats compared with the parental FHH and ACI strains at similar levels of systolic BP (SBP). BP elevation was induced by chronic treatment with NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) in either a low dose (LD, 75 to 100 mg/L) or a high dose (HD, 175 to 250 mg/L) in the drinking fluid. Survival of FHH rats and, to a lesser extent, F1 rats, was adversely affected by L-NAME treatment. All ACI rats except for one ACI-HD animal survived. In all strains, L-NAME caused a dose-dependent increase in SBP. At similar levels of SBP, the increase in functional renal damage, as indicated by the level of albuminuria, was higher in F1 compared with ACI, but lower compared with FHH. The same differences were found for the level of structural renal damage, as indicated by the incidence of glomerulosclerosis. Both the SBP and the average BP burden (SBP-Av), defined as SBP averaged over the period of follow-up, directly correlated with the level of albuminuria and incidence of glomerulosclerosis in all strains. However, the increase in the degree of renal damage per mmHg increase in SBP or SBP-Av was significantly higher in the F1 rats compared with ACI, but lower compared with FHH rats. Values for these F1 rats were closer to the ACI rats than to values for the FHH rats and increased above an SBP level of 180 mmHg. The F1 rats, being heterozygous for Rf-1 and Rf-2, as well as for other potential genes responsible for renal disease, were largely, but not completely, protected from hypertension-induced renal damage. It is concluded that complete susceptibility to hypertension-associated renal damage in rats primarily depends on the presence of predisposing genes for renal failure even after a significant increase in BP.

Animals↗

A large pedigree with valvuloseptal defects.

A large family with congenital heart disease is described. The pattern of inheritance suggests an autosomal dominant trait with high penetration, although the morphologic phenotype is quite variable, including Ebstein's anomaly, cleft mitral leaflet, bicuspid aortic valve, and atrioventricular canal.

Child↗

Interval mapping and congenic strains for a blood pressure QTL on rat chromosome 13.

The renin locus (Ren) on rat Chromosome (Chr) 13 had previously been shown to cosegregate with blood pressure in crosses involving Dahl salt-sensitive (S) and Dahl salt-resistant (R) rats. In the present work, interval mapping of blood pressure on Chr 13 with a large F2 (S x R), n = 233, population yielded a maximum LOD = 4.2 for linkage to blood pressure, but the quantitative trait locus (QTL) was only poorly localized to a large 35-centiMorgan (cM) segment of Chr 13. In the linkage analysis, the S-rat QTL allele (S) was associated with higher, and the R-rat QTL allele (R) with lower blood pressure, the difference between homozygotes being about 20 mm Hg. A congenic strain was made by introgressing the R-rat Ren allele into the recipient S strain. This congenic strain showed a 24 mm Hg reduction (P = 0.004) in blood pressure compared with S rats for rats fed 2% NaCl diet for 24 days; this difference was confirmed by two other independent tests. Two congenic substrains were derived from the first congenic strain with shorter R Chr 13 segments on the S background. Comparisons among these congenic strains showed that a blood pressure QTL was in the 24-cM chromosomal segment between Syt2 and D13M1Mit108. This segment does not include the renin locus, which is thus excluded from being the gene on rat Chr 13 responsible for genetic differences in blood pressure detected by linkage analysis.

Animals↗

Difference in susceptibility of developing renal damage in normotensive fawn-hooded (FHL) and August x Copenhagen Irish (ACI) rats after N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester induced hypertension.

Previous studies using the fawn-hooded hypertensive (FHH) rat have indicated that genetic factors appear to be important in determining the susceptibility to develop renal damage. This was further investigated by comparing the effects of N(omega)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) induced hypertension on functional and structural renal damage in two normotensive strains, the resistant August x Copenhagen Irish rat (ACI) and the normotensive fawn-hooded (FHL) rat, which also appears to carry a susceptibility locus for renal failure. Male rats were studied during chronic treatment with L-NAME in either a low dose (LD, 75 to 100 mg/L drinking fluid) or a high dose (HD, 175 to 250 mg/L). Survival of FHL rats was adversely affected by L-NAME treatment. All FHL-HD and 6 of 14 FHL-LD rats died before the end of the 11 weeks of follow-up, whereas all treated ACI rats except for one ACI-HD animal survived. In both strains, L-NAME caused a dose dependent increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP). However, at similar levels of SBP, the increase in albuminuria (UaV) was significantly higher in FHL compared with ACI, as was the incidence of glomerulosclerosis (GS). Both the SBP and the blood pressure burden (SBP-Av), defined as SBP averaged over the period of follow-up, directly correlated with UaV and GS in both strains. However, the increase in the degree of renal damage per millimeter of mercury increase in SBP or SBP-Av was significantly higher in the FHL than in the ACI rats. Our findings clearly show that FHL rats are more susceptible to developing renal damage after induction of hypertension by chronic L-NAME treatment. We conclude that there is an interaction between blood pressure and the genetic susceptibility to renal disease in the FHL rat.

Albuminuria↗

Transfer of a salt-resistant renin allele raises blood pressure in Dahl salt-sensitive rats.

To evaluate the role of the renin gene in the development of hypertension in Dahl salt-sensitive rats (SS/Jr/Hsd), we derived a congenic strain of rats homozygous for the salt-resistant renin allele (S/renrr) and compared them with a control strain homozygous for the salt-sensitive renin allele (S/ren(ss). Mean arterial pressure was significantly higher in 12-week-old S/renrr rats fed a high salt (8.0%) diet for 3 weeks than in S/ren(ss) rats or in SS/Jr/Hsd rats rederived from the foundation colony we used to generate the cogenic strain (195 +/- 3 [n = 49] versus 168 +/- 3 [n = 17] or 161 +/- 3 [n = 16] mm Hg). Mean arterial pressure was also higher in S/renrr rats than in S/ren(ss) rats raised from birth on either a very low salt (0.1%) diet (119 +/- 9 [n = 6] versus 100 +/- 7 [n = 7] mm Hg) or a low salt (0.4%) diet (143 +/- 1 [n = 22] versus 117 +/- 3 [n = 10] mm Hg). Plasma renin activity of S/renrr rats was significantly higher than that of S/ren(ss) rats fed a very low salt diet (5.7 +/- 2.0 versus 1.8 +/- 0.3) ng angiotensin l/mL per hour), a low salt diet (4.4 +/- 1.0 versus 1.1 +/- 0.3), or a high salt diet (1.5 +/- 0.2 versus 0.9 +/- 0.1). Urinary protein excretion was greater in S/renrr rats than in S/ren(ss) rats fed a high salt diet (244.2 +/- 48.5 versus 43.6 +/- 19.5 mg/24 h), and this was associated with significant reductions in renal blood flow (3.3 +/- 0.6 versus 4.6 +/- 0.5 mL/min per gram kidney weight) and glomerular filtration rate (0.49 +/- 0.11 versus 0.82 +/- 0.08 mL/min per gram kidney weight). Captopril (20 mg/kg i.v.) had no effect on blood pressure in S/ren(ss) rats fed a low salt diet, but it lowered blood pressure by 20 mm Hg in S/ren(rr) rats to the same level seen in untreated S/ren(ss) rats. Chronic administration of captopril (5 mg/100 mL drinking water) reduced blood pressure in S/renrr rats fed a high salt diet (170 +/- 5 mm Hg) to the same level seen in untreated S/ren(ss) rats, whereas it had no significant effect on blood pressure in S/ren(ss) rats. These results indicate that transfer of a salt-resistant renin allele to SS/Jr/Hsd rats raises plasma renin activity and augments the severity of hypertension and renal disease.

Alleles↗