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Biomedical subjects

J A Phillips

Publications and source records attributed to J A Phillips.

At least 217 records · Page 12Linked to original sources

Genetic diseases: diagnosis by restriction endonuclease analysis.

We have summarized a number of different genetic disorders which can be diagnosed at the DNA level using restriction endonuclease fragment analysis. A whole spectrum of defects can be recognized: point mutations, deletions, additions, and crossing-over products or hybrid genes. These same restriction endonuclease techniques can enable different genes to be marked by polymorphism patterns. Thus, abnormal genes can be identified even if their exact DNA lesion is unknown or cannot be directly detected. The progress that has been made with the hemoglobinopathies and the experience from this group of single gene disorders should find application to other diseases as soon as specific probes become available.

Base Sequence↗

Genetic analysis of familial isolated growth hormone deficiency type I.

Nuclear DNA from individuals belonging to nine different families in which two sibs were affected with isolated growth hormone deficiency type I were studied by restriction endonuclease analysis. By using 32P-labeled human growth hormone or the homologous human chorionic somatomammotropin complementary DNA (cDNA) sequences as a probe, the growth hormone genes of affected individuals from all families yielded normal restriction patterns. Polymorphic restriction endonuclease sites (HincII and MspI), which are closely linked to the structural gene for growth hormone on chromosome 17, were used as markers in linkage analysis of DNA of family members. Of the nine affected sib pairs two were concordant, three were possibly concordant, and four were discordant for both linked markers. Since only concordant sib pairs would have inherited the same growth hormone alleles, further studies to identify mutations of the growth hormone genes should be limited to this subgroup. It is unlikely that the discordance observed in four of the sib pairs is due to recombination, because the polymorphic HincII site is only 116 base-pairs from the -26 codon of the growth hormone gene. Thus, in at least four of the nine families, the mutation responsible for isolated growth hormone deficiency is not within or near the structural gene for growth hormone on chromosome 17.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Analysis of growth hormone genes in mice with genetic defects of growth hormone expression.

Restriction endonuclease analysis of genomic DNA was carried out for three types of dwarf mice (Little, Ames dwarf and Snell dwarf) that have genetic defects in GH expression. We found the GH genes to be present in homozygotes for each mutant allele as well as in their control litter-mates. These three type of dwarf mice may be useful in studying the molecular basis of inherited GH deficiency and as models for analogous genetic disorders of human GH expression.

Alleles↗

Homozygous alpha thalassemia/Hb G Philadelphia.

Microcytic red cells from a 70 year old Negro man with mild anemia contained only hemoglobin G-Philadelphia. Red cells from all of his children had low-normal MCV's, and contained 32-34 percent of the abnormal hemoglobin. Oxygen affinity of his blood and stability of his hemolysate were normal, suggesting that his mild anemia was not caused by the the abnormal hemoglobin. Restriction endonuclease analyses of DNA from the proband and his offspring showed that the alpha G-Philadelphia globin gene exists in only one copy per chromosome. The new gene was probably created by an unequal cross-over which deleted an alpha globin coding sequence (derived from one or both alpha globin genes), as well as some or all of the DNA sequence between those genes.

Aged↗

The genes for growth hormone and chorionic somatomammotropin are on the long arm of human chromosome 17 in region q21 to qter.

We used a cloned cDNA probe for human growth hormone and Southern blotting techniques to analyze DNA from a series of rodent x human somatic cell hybrids for the presence of growth hormone-related sequences. Our results provide evidence for the assignment of the genes for growth hormone and chorionic somatomammotropin as well as a growth hormone-like gene to human chromosome 17. Analysis of mouse x human hybrid cells containing only part of the long arm of chromosome 17 enabled us to localize these genes to region 17q21 to 17qter.

Animals↗

Molecular basis for familial isolated growth hormone deficiency.

Nuclear DNA from four individuals with familial isolated growth hormone (somatotropin) deficiency (IGHD) type A was studied by restriction endonuclease analysis. By using 32P-labeled human growth hormone (hGH) cDNA sequences as a probe, patterns seen after various digestions indicated that these individuals were homozygous for a deletion of at least 7.5 kilobases (kb) of DNA. This deletion includes the gene that encodes the normal growth hormone but does not include the variant growth hormone gene. Restriction patterns of DNAs from all family members agreed with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance of the deletion that correlates with the clinical phenotype. Furthermore, independent assortment of the two types of hGH genes suggests that these genes are nonallelic. These findings indicate that, in these families, IGHD type A is caused by deletion of the normal hGH genes and that this disorder can occur in the presence of variant hGH genes.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Population heterogeneity of the Hpa I restriction site associated with the beta globin gene: implications for prenatal diagnosis.

The Hpa I restriction endonuclease site polymorphism that results in some human beta globin genes being contained in a 13-kilobase (kb) DNA restriction fragment rather than in the usual 7.6-kb fragment has been reported to be in linkage disequilibrium with the beta S mutation. The frequency of the 13-kb fragment among Baltimore black sickle cell (SS) disease patients (58%) is lower than that reported for San Francisco black SS disease patients (87%) and similar to that reported for such New York patients (59%). There is, then, considerable heterogeneity among American black populations. Therefore, for the purposes of prenatal diagnosis, the frequency in the particular population at risk should be established. When the frequency of association of the 13-kb fragment and the beta S mutation is low, the linkage phase must also be established. When the linkage phase is known, the Hpa I pattern alone can exclude SS disease 54% of the time for Baltimore AS X AS couples.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗

The molecular basis of hemoglobin Grady.

DNA from individuals heterozygous for the extended alpha-chain variant Hb Grady were studied by gene counting and restriction enzyme analysis. Neither method indicated the presence of an extra (fifth) alpha gene, which argues that if this variant arose by unequal crossing over, the event most likely involved mispairing between alleles rather than between the separate alpha 1 and alpha 2 loci.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Prenatal diagnosis of sickle cell anemia by restriction and endonuclease analysis: HindIII polymorphisms in gamma-globin genes extend test applicability.

Polymorphism for a Hpa I restriction endonuclease site associated with about 60% of beta S genes in American Blacks allows exact prenatal diagnosis of sickle cell anemia by amniocentesis in 36% of couples at risk. In three families in whom exact diagnosis by Hpa I sites was impossible, we found analysis for the presence of polymorphic HindIII sites in the G gamma and A gamma intervening sequences would allow an exact prenatal diagnosis of sickle cell status in all three. In one of these families, the presence of an A gamma HindIII site in amniocyte DNA confirmed the diagnosis (sickle cell trait) made by synthetic studies using fetal erythrocytes obtained at fetoscopy. Studies of other Black families and individuals provide evidence for linkage disequilibrium in the G gamma-A gamma-delta-beta gene complex involving the four sites, G gamma HindIII, A gamma HindIII, beta S, and Hpa I, which span 33 kilobases (kb). Ten of 14 chromosomes bearing a beta S gene in a 7.6-kb Hpa I fragment contained a G gamma but not an A gamma HindIII site, whereas 16 of 16 chromosomes bearing a beta S gene in a 13-kb Hpa I fragment lacked both the G gamma and A gamma HindIII sites. Two-thirds of beta A-bearing chromosomes lacked both G gamma and A gamma sites, whereas one-third contained either the G gamma or both G gamma and A gamma sites. These data demonstrate that combined analysis of both Hpa I and HindIII polymorphisms and verification of their linkage phase should increase the fraction of couples for whom amniocentesis can provide an exact diagnosis of sickle cell status from 36% to greater than 80%.

Anemia, Sickle Cell↗

Unequal crossing-over: a common basis of single alpha-globin genes in Asians and American blacks with hemoglobin-H disease.

The alpha-globin genes of five black Americans, two Chinese, and five Filipinos with HbH disease (an alpha-thalassemia state in which there is a single functional alpha gene) were analyzed by restriction endonuclease techniques. All subjects were found to have one chromosome 16, lacking both alpha genes, and another containing a single alpha gene (--/-alpha). Restriction endonuclease patterns of the DNA obtained from all 12 subjects were identical and compatible with unequal crossing-over as the mechanism of origin of the single alpha gene in these individuals.

Black People↗

Prenatal diagnosis of beta-thalassemias by amniocentesis: linkage analysis using multiple polymorphic restriction endonuclease sites.

In order to assess the applicability of multiple restriction endonuclease analyses of amniocyte DNA to the prenatal diagnosis of beta-thalassemias in general, we studied 12 consecutive couples at risk. DNA of both members of the 12 couples and a previous offspring of each was analyzed for the presence of 4 polymorphic restriction endonuclease sites: the Hpa I site 3' to the beta-globin gene, the Hind III site in the G gamma gene, the Hind III site in the A gamma gene, and the Bam HI site 3' to the beta-gene. Linkage disequilibrium between these sites and beta A or beta thal genes was not found, presumably due to the heterogeneity of beta thal genes. However, the high frequency of polymorphism at these sites allowed differentiation of beta A-bearing chromosomes from beta thal or beta S-bearing chromosomes in both members of 6 couples. In these couples, complete prenatal diagnosis by linkage analysis of amniocyte DNA would be possible. In the remaining 6 couples, beta A and beta thal chromosomes could be discriminated in one member. In about 50% of the pregnancies of these couples, exclusion of beta-thalassemia is possible by this analysis. These data suggest that when linkage analysis of polymorphic restriction endonuclease sites is carried out, prenatal diagnosis of beta-thalassemia states can be accomplished by amniocentesis alone in 75% of pregnancies at risk.

Amniocentesis↗

DNA restriction endonuclease analysis for localization of human beta- and delta-globin genes on chromosome 11.

DNA from a clone of a mouse-human hybrid that retained a human chromosome consisting of the major part of chromosome 11 and region q25-26-qter of the X chromosome was digested with various restriction endonucleases, subjected to electrophoresis in agarose gels, and transferred to nitrocellulose filters. The restriction digest pattern of the clone, when hybridized with a 32P-labeled plasmid fragment containing human beta-globin gene sequences, was a composite of the normal human and mouse (A9) patterns. When back-selected in 6-thioguanine to eliminate the 11 translocation chromosome, the hybrid cells showed only the A9 restriction pattern. These results substantiate the localization of beta- and delta-globin genes to human chromosome 11 and exclude the region 11q23-qter as the site.

Animals↗