Human selenoprotein P gene maps to 5q31.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to J A Phillips.
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CD45 is an important surface glycoprotein which has an intrinsic tyrosine phosphatase activity and has been implicated in cell proliferation, signaling, and differentiation and is associated with the B cell receptor during signaling. In this manuscript, the role of CD45 expression in the development of B-1 malignancies in NZB mice, which serve as a model for human diseases such as chronic lymphocytic leukemia, was investigated. B-1 cells spontaneously hyperproliferate and form a clonal hyperdiploid malignant population in aging NZB mice. Phenotypic analysis indicates that the NZB malignant B-1 cells are bright for IgM, but have reduced levels of CD45 relative to normal, nonmalignant B cells (both B-1 and B-2) and are characterized by dull or negative expression of the CD45 isoform B220/6B2 normally found on all B cells. Malignant B-1 cells demonstrated decreased RNA levels of CD45 relative to IgM expression, while nonmalignant B-2 cells showed similar levels of RNA expression for both CD45 and IgM. As CD45 exists in several isoforms and B cells express the highest molecular weight isoform (B220), malignant B-1 cells were further analyzed with respect to their isoform usage. Although, at the RNA level malignant B-1 cells showed the presence of the of the B220 form of CD45, western blot analysis of B220 protein suggested a posttranslational glycosylation defect in the CD45/B220 expression recognized by the mAb 6B2. F1 recipients of premalignant NZB B-1 cells which had been sorted for IgMhi, B220/6B2negative cells developed hyperdiploid malignant donor B-1 clones earlier than did recipients of NZB B-1 cells which were bright for B220/6B2. However, all the malignant B-1 clones of NZB origin which developed in recipients of both transfer populations were B220/6B2 negative. This indicated that abnormal expression of CD45 may be prerequisite for long-term growth and malignant transformation. Thus alterations in CD45 may result in abnormal functioning of the malignant B-1 cells which may further affect the proliferation of, or signaling within, these cells.
B cell knockout mice microMT/microMT were used to examine the requirement for B cell antigen (Ag) presentation in the establishment of CD4+ T cell tolerance. CD4+T cells from microMT mice injected with exogenous protein Ag in adjuvant responded to in vitro challenge by transcription of cytokine mRNA, cytokine secretion, and proliferation. Peripheral tolerance could be established in microMT mice with a single dose of deaggragated protein. This tolerance was manifested by a loss of T cell proliferation and cytokine production (including both T helper cell type 1 [Th1]- and Th2-related cytokines), indicating that B cells are not required for the induction of peripheral T cell tolerance and suggesting that the dual zone tolerance theory is not applicable to all protein Ags and is not mediated through Ag presentation by B cells.
We have analyzed the human pituitary-specific transcription factor (Pit-1) gene using PCR amplification of DNA fragments that span intron III and contain portions of exons III and IV. A PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCRFLP) was detected in intron III by RsaI digestion, which was used to assign the human Pit-1 locus to chromosome 3p by linkage analysis of the CEPH panel. Analysis of corresponding Pit-1 segments from six nonrelated probands with familial panhypopituitary dwarfism (FPD) did not reveal any alterations in size and co-segregation of Pit-1, or a tightly linked microsatellite marker (D3S1559), and FPD was excluded in all six kindreds. Our data (1) assign Pit-1 to human chromosome 3p by linkage, (2) provide a PCRFLP and identify a variety of tightly linked markers, for analysis of FPD, and (3) exclude Pit-1 defects as the basis of at least one form of FPD.
Since the renin angiotensin system (RAS) is established as an important factor in renal disease progression, we determined whether RAS alleles that have been linked to variability in outcome in several cardiovascular diseases also affect progression of IgA nephropathy. These genetic variants include: (1) angiotensin I converting enzyme deletion polymorphism in intron 16 (ACE I/D), reported to be associated with increased risk of myocardial infarction as well as left ventricular hypertrophy; (2) a point mutation in the angiotensinogen (Agt) gene resulting in a methionine to threonine substitution at residue 235 (M235T), reported to be associated with hypertension in Caucasians; and (3) an angiotensin receptor type I (ATR) A to C transition at bp 1166 (A1166C) which shows synergy with the deleterious effects of the ACE DD genotype in myocardial infarction. We examined these polymorphisms by PCR amplification of genomic DNA samples from 64 Caucasian patients in the USA (age 6 to 83 years) with biopsy-proven IgA nephropathy whose renal status was followed for an average of almost seven years. Patients who presented with and maintained normal serum creatinine (Cr, < 1.5 mg/dl), had ACE genotype frequencies of II:35%, ID:61%, DD:4%. By contrast, in patients with progression (initially normal Cr increased to a mean of 4.5 +/- 0.86 mg/dl), ACE genotype frequencies were II:22%, ID:44%, DD:33% (P = 0.057 by Fishers's exact test, vs. non-progressors). The association of the DD genotype with progression was even more striking when patients with other risk factors (hypertension and/or heavy proteinuria) were excluded. In this subgroup, the genotype frequencies in patients with stable creatinine versus those with deterioration in renal function was 53%, 47%, and 0% versus 0%, 40%, and 60%, respectively, for II, ID, and DD genotypes (P = 0.009 by Fisher's exact test, progressors vs. non-progressors). Further, sequence analysis of the I gene polymorphism revealed a potential 13 bp silence motif. Neither the Agt 235T nor the ATR A 1166C gene variants, however, was associated with deterioration of renal function. Taken together, these results indicate that, although polymorphism in each of the three genes in the RAS system has been linked to cardiovascular diseases, only the ACE I/D polymorphism is associated with progressive deterioration in renal function in IgA nephropathy. Since previous observations link ACE polymorphism with ACE activity, these findings imply a widespread importance of ACE in modulating destructive processes in different organs.
Little information exists about the effectiveness of health-promotion programs in reducing occupational injury rates. A historical cohort study was conducted to examine the relationship between personal health-risk factors and risk of occupational injury. Workers were grouped on the basis of nonoccupational risk-taking behaviors, psychosocial risks, cardiovascular risk factors, and a total risk-factor variable. All analyses were controlled for sex, smoking status, age, and job classification. An increased risk of occupational injury (P < .0001) was found to be significantly associated with nonoccupational risk-taking behavior. This association may be the result of continued risk-taking behavior in the occupational environment, or assignment of risk-taking individuals to more hazardous job tasks. Psychosocial, cardiovascular, and total risk-factor variables were not associated with an increased risk of occupational injury.
We recently assigned the human gene (GLCLC) that encodes the catalytic subunit of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (glutamate-cysteine ligase, E.C. 6.3.2.2) to human chromosome 6p12. Here we specify the chromosomal sublocalization of the human gene (GLCLR) that encodes the regulatory subunit of E.C. 6.3.2.2 to chromosome 1p21.
We examined the nucleotide sequence of the arginine vasopressin-neurophysin II gene in three kindreds with autosomal dominant neurohypophyseal diabetes insipidus. Each of the three different mutations identified represents a recurrence of a mutation previously described to cause this disease. These mutations are all transitions (C1761-->T, G1859-->A, and G279-->A) that encode amino acid substitutions Pro24-->Leu, Gly57-->Ser (both in neurophysin II), and Ala-->Thr (in the last amino acid at the C-terminus of the signal peptide). The presence of these mutations in genomic DNA was confirmed by alterations in restriction endonuclease recognition sites. A linkage map of distal chromosome 20 was constructed. To examine the possibility that these apparent recurrent mutations arose independently rather than by an ancestral founder mutation, we analyzed family origins, two polymorphic markers on chromosome 20 in close proximity with this gene (the oxytocin/XbaI restriction fragment length polymorphism and the D20S57 polymorphic CA repeat microsatellite), and/or the occurrence of a de novo mutation in our three families and in four additional families previously reported. Our results suggest that one of our families may share an ancestral founder mutation with one previously reported family, but that in the remainder of the families with identical mutations, these mutations probably arose independently.
We used signs and letters to offer free cystic fibrosis (CF) carrier screening to nonpregnant adults in stable relationships who visited numerous clinical and nonclinical sites in Nashville. A total of 179 individuals (<<1% of those eligible) elected to be tested. To understand this observation, we used questionnaires to assess individuals' attitudes about genetic testing in general and about CF carrier screening in particular (n=873). Participants expressed conflicting views about carrier screening. More than 90% of people thought that genetic testing should at least be available. Most respondents said that the views of their partners and physicians were important in their decision making, and most believed that these others favored genetic testing. Yet, more than two-thirds indicated that such factors as insurability, being "at risk," what they would need to learn, abortion, and religious beliefs were important in their decision making, opinions that mitigated against genetic testing. In particular, one-third feared that carriers would lose their health insurance, one-quarter said that they would have been more interested had they been able to provide DNA by buccal swab rather than by finger stick, and less than one-sixth believed that genetic testing was meddling in God's plan. In the face of both the low level of use of free CF carrier screening by nonpregnant couples when it was not offered in person by health-care professionals and the wide variety of concerns demonstrated, we believe that clinicians should not routinely offer carrier screening to nonpregnant individuals who do not have a family history of CF.
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A processed pseudogene for hexokinase II (HKII), the first such reported for a member of the hexokinase gene family, was isolated from a human genomic library by using a rat HKII cDNA as a probe. The pseudogene contains a region that is identical to the open reading frame of the human HKII cDNA at 97% of the nucleotide positions, but it contains several frameshift mutations, small deletions and insertions, and several stop codons. The human HKII pseudogene is located on the X chromosome and is integrated into a long interspersed nuclear repetitive DNA element (LINE). We estimate that this integration event occurred approximately 14-16 Myr (million years) ago.
Twenty-two molecular diagnostic laboratories from 14 countries participated in a consortium study to estimate the impact of Factor VIII gene inversions in severe hemophilia A. A total of 2,093 patients with severe hemophilia A were studied; of those, 740 (35%) had a type 1 (distal) factor VIII inversion, and 140 (7%) showed a type 2 (proximal) inversion. In 25 cases, the molecular analysis showed additional abnormal or polymorphic patterns. Ninety-eight percent of 532 mothers of patients with inversions were carriers of the abnormal factor VIII gene; when only mothers of nonfamilial cases were studied, 9 de novo inversions in maternal germ cells were observed among 225 cases (approximately 1 de novo maternal origin of the inversion in 25 mothers of sporadic cases). When the maternal grandparental origin was examined, the inversions occurred de novo in male germ cells in 69 cases and female germ cells in 1 case. The presence of factor VIII inversions is not a major predisposing factor for the development of factor VIII inhibitors; however, slightly more patients with severe hemophilia A and factor VIII inversions develop inhibitors (130 of 642 [20%]) than patients with severe hemophilia A without inversions (131 of 821 [16%]).
Pseudomonas cepacia colonization of the lung is associated with increased morbidity and mortality for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. The lack of a sensitive detection method for Pseudomonas cepacia in CF sputum has resulted in controversy regarding its epidemiology. We designed a PCR method to detect P. cepacia using P. cepacia 16 S rRNA sequences as the amplification target region. The PCR amplification with purified DNA as template yielded the expected 209-bp products from P. cepacia, but not from related Pseudomonas species of medical importance or other bacteria which have been reported to colonize CF patients. In serial dilution experiments as few as 10(2) P. cepacia CFU were detectable. When sputum samples from three CF patients chronically colonized with P. cepacia and P. aeruginosa were analyzed, P. cepacia was detected in all three specimens by PCR, but only in two when selective culture was performed. Our data support the potential role of PCR technology in the rapid, sensitive, and definitive detection of P. cepacia in CF sputum samples, even in the context of concomitant P. aeruginosa colonization.
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Assignment of the human gene (GLCLC) that encodes the heavy or catalytic subunit of gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (glutamate-cysteine ligase; EC 6.3.2.2) to human chromosome 6 was accomplished by hybridization to Southern blotted somatic cell hybrid DNA. This assignment was confirmed by PCR from somatic cell hybrid DNAs.
Carbamyl Phosphate Synthetase I (CPS1) (EC 6.3.4.16) is a highly conserved mitochondrial enzyme catalyzing the first committed step of waste nitrogen metabolism in the urea cycle. Using FISH for physical mapping and CEPH families for linkage analysis, we mapped the CPS1 gene (CPS1) to 2q34-->q35, reassigning it from 2p where it was originally mapped.
The genetic basis of familial primary pulmonary hypertension (FPPH) is unknown, but the clinical and pathologic features are the same as in sporadically occurring primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH). Because few families with this disease have been reported, the mode of inheritance and genetic features have not been clearly established. We previously reported a tendency for decreasing age of onset in subsequent generations of affected families. The purpose of this study was to examine the pattern of inheritance in a large number of families in an attempt to find clues to pathogenesis. From 24 families we studied 429 members, 124 of whom were known to carry the gene for disease. We constructed cumulative mortality curves for each gender of the 99 affected individuals. We analyzed gender ratios of progeny of affected members and carriers and compared age at death of affected members by generation. More females (160) than males (122) were born to persons carrying the gene, p < 0.01, suggesting selective wastage of male fetuses or an abnormal primary sex ratio. Genetic anticipation was confirmed; the age at death was 45.6 +/- 14.5 versus 36.3 +/- 12.6 versus 24.2 +/- 11 standard deviation (SD) years in successive generations, p < 0.05. Five cases of male-to-male transmission were observed, excluding X-linkage. Age at death was the same for males and females. More females had the gene (84 females, 40 males) and more females with the gene developed disease (72 of 84 females [86%] versus 27 of 40 males [68%]). The disease has highly variable penetrance among families.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
We performed two studies using only written and video materials to educate people about cystic fibrosis (CF) and carrier screening. Participants were randomized to receive written or video materials. All received a brief questionnaire. Subjects in group I (n = 238) were (1) individuals in steady relationships and their partners, (2) > or = 18 years old, and (3) not pregnant. Those who accepted free screening and were not demonstrable carriers were sent a letter explaining their results and another questionnaire. Subjects in group II (n = 108) were parents seeking well child care in a university clinic. The main outcome measures were ability to answer questions correctly about (1) health status of CF carriers and people with CF, (2) the possibility of false-negative results, and (3) for those who had screening, the implications of their own results. Written and video materials were equally effective in conveying information. Prior to screening, subjects answered an average of 86% of questions correctly. Subjects with less formal education answered fewer questions correctly; 60% of those with less than a high school education had adequate knowledge of the health consequences of having CF or being a carrier, compared with > or = 94% of college graduates. Performance improved after screening. Where neither partner was a demonstrable carrier, 88% knew their own and their partner's test results, and 90% indicated that their risk of having a child with CF was not zero. Written and video educational materials can be used without face-to-face counseling to inform most people about carrier screening and their test results. These materials may be less effective for those with lower educational backgrounds.