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Frequency of private electrophoretic variants and indirect estimates of mutation rate in Papua New Guinea.

Data on rare and private electrophoretic variants have been used to estimate mutation rates for populations belonging to 55 language groups in Papua New Guinea. Three different methods yield values of 1.42 x 10(-6), 1.40 x 10(-6), and 5.58 x 10(-6)/locus per generation. The estimates for three islands populations off the north coast of New Guinea--Manus, Karkar, and Siassi--are much lower. The variability in mutation rates estimated from rare electrophoretic variants as a function of population size is discussed. The mean mutation rate in Papua New Guinea is less than half the estimates obtained for Australian Aborigines and Amerindians.

Enzymes↗

A mathematic model for relating the drug sensitivity of tumors to their spontaneous mutation rate.

A mathematic model has been developed relating the drug sensitivity of a tumor to its own spontaneous mutation rate towards phenotypic drug resistance. The proportion as well as the absolute numbers of resistant cells will increase with time and the fraction of resistant cells within tumor colonies of the same size with vary depending on whether mutation occurs as an early or late event. Analysis of the model indicates that the probability of the appearance of a resistant phenotype increases with the mutation rate. Furthermore, for any population of tumors with a non-zero mutation rate the likelihood of there being at least one resistant cell will go from a condition of low to high probability over a very short interval in the tumor's biologic history.

Antineoplastic Agents↗

The thymidine-kinase locus of Friend erythroleukaemic cells. 1. Mutation rates and properties of mutants.

Spontaneous mutation at the thymidine-kinase locus in clone 707 of the Friend cell line has been examined. The rate of mutation in BrdU resistance was found to be 2.6 x 10(-6) cell-1 generation-1. The rate of reversion to HAT resistance was found to vary from 1.1 x 10(-7) to 2.85 x 10(-6) cell-1 generation-1 in 4 BrdU-resistant clones. Of 14 mutant clones assayed for thymidine-kinase activity only one had greater than 13% the activity of wild-type cells. Fluctuation analysis showed that mutations occurred spontaneously and were not induced by the selective agent. The mutation rate at the thymidine-kinase locus is several orders of magnitude greater than those reported for several other cells lines. There does not appear to be a general genetic instability in this cell line as the mutation rate at the HGPRT locus is similar to those found in other established cell lines. It is suggested that the high forward mutation rate at the thymidine-kinase locus may be due to only one functional thymidine-kinase allele being present in cells of this clone.

Animals↗

Regulating general mutation rates: examination of the hypermutable state model for Cairnsian adaptive mutation.

In the lac adaptive mutation system of Cairns, selected mutant colonies but not unselected mutant types appear to arise from a nongrowing population of Escherichia coli. The general mutagenesis suffered by the selected mutants has been interpreted as support for the idea that E. coli possesses an evolved (and therefore beneficial) mechanism that increases the mutation rate in response to stress (the hypermutable state model, HSM). This mechanism is proposed to allow faster genetic adaptation to stressful conditions and to explain why mutations appear directed to useful sites. Analysis of the HSM reveals that it requires implausibly intense mutagenesis (10(5) times the unselected rate) and even then cannot account for the behavior of the Cairns system. The assumptions of the HSM predict that selected revertants will carry an average of eight deleterious null mutations and thus seem unlikely to be successful in long-term evolution. The experimentally observed 35-fold increase in the level of general mutagenesis cannot account for even one Lac(+) revertant from a mutagenized subpopulation of 10(5) cells (the number proposed to enter the hypermutable state). We conclude that temporary general mutagenesis during stress is unlikely to provide a long-term selective advantage in this or any similar genetic system.

Adaptation, Biological↗

The mutation rate of the human mtDNA deletion mtDNA4977.

The human mitochondrial mutation mtDNA4977 is a 4,977-bp deletion that originates between two 13-bp direct repeats. We grew 220 colonies of cells, each from a single human cell. For each colony, we counted the number of cells and amplified the DNA by PCR to test for the presence of a deletion. To estimate the mutation fate, we used a model that describes the relationship between the mutation rate and the probability that a colony of a given size will contain no mutants, taking into account such factors as possible mitochondrial turnover and mistyping due to PCR error. We estimate that the mutation rate for mtDNA4977 in cultured human cells is 5.95 x 10(-8) per mitochondrial genome replication. This method can be applied to specific chromosomal, as well as mitochondrial, mutations.

Adult↗

Metastatic potential and spontaneous mutation rates: studies with two murine cell lines and their recently induced metastatic variants.

To investigate the hypothesis that increased malignant potential correlates with increased genetic instability, we measured spontaneous mutation rates for the production of ouabain-resistant mutants in two benign (nonmetastatic) murine cell lines and their recently induced metastatic variants. Metastatic variants of the NIH 3T3 and CBA SP-1 cells were induced by transfection with the h-ras oncogene. Metastatic variants were also induced from the CBA SP-1 cell line by treatment with either 2'-deoxy-5-azacytidine or hydroxyurea. Mutation rates for the parent NIH 3T3 cells and their metastatic variants were less than 3 X 10(-8) variants per cell per generation, with no significant differences between them. Rates for the CBA SP-1 line and its variants ranged from 9 X 10(-9) to 8 X 10(-8) variants per cell generation, again without statistically significant differences. We conclude that in the cell lines studied the rate of spontaneous mutation for ouabain resistance was unrelated to the acquisition of the metastatic phenotype. This conclusion was based on the view that the generation of ouabain-resistant mutants is a reflection of the overall stability of the genome. Since the spontaneous mutation rate for ouabain resistance was unchanged in cells that had recently acquired the ability to metastasize, other genetic or epigenetic events were probably responsible for progression to the malignant (metastatic) phenotype.

Animals↗

Independence of evolutionary and mutational rates after transmission of avian influenza viruses to swine.

In 1979, an H1N1 avian influenza virus crossed the species barrier, establishing a new lineage in European swine. Because there is no direct or serologic evidence of previous H1N1 strains in these pigs, these isolates provide a model for studying early evolution of influenza viruses. The evolutionary rates of both the coding and noncoding changes of the H1N1 swine strains are higher than those of human and classic swine influenza A viruses. In addition, early H1N1 swine isolates show a marked plaque heterogeneity that consistently appears after a few passages. The presence of a mutator mutation was postulated (C. Scholtissek, S. Ludwig, and W. M. Fitch, Arch. Virol. 131:237-250, 1993) to account for these observations and the successful establishment of an avian H1N1 strain in swine. To address this question, we calculated the mutation rates of A/Mallard/New York/6750/78 (H2N2) and A/Swine/Germany/2/81 (H1N1) by using the frequency of amantadine-resistant mutants. To account for the inherent variability of estimated mutation rates, we used a probabilistic model for the statistical analysis. The resulting estimated mutation rates of the two strains were not significantly different. Therefore, an increased mutation rate due to the presence of a mutator mutation is unlikely to have led to the successful introduction of avian H1N1 viruses in European swine.

Animals↗

Expected frequencies of codon use as a function of mutation rates and codon fitnesses.

A method is shown to determine the expected pattern of codon use for any given set of mutation rates between nucleotides and any set of fitnesses for the codons. If it is assumed that mutations to stop codons are lethal then those codons which can mutate in one step to a stop codon tend to be used less frequently. This tendency is however, a very small one and is not likely to be observable within a single gene. Nor is it necessarily a general tendency. For example, the leucine pretermination codons may be used preferentially when mutations to proline are deleterious. It is shown that different mutation rates (eg: transitions occurring more frequently than transversions) may have as large an effect on codon usage as would strong selection for particular codons. For the model presented, an increase in the rate of transitions strongly decreases the expected frequency of UGG and CRR codons. Other codes are moderately affected by such a change in the mutation rates. Many other models can be examined using this method.

Amino Acids↗

Moderate mutation rate in the SARS coronavirus genome and its implications.

BACKGROUND: The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) caused a severe global epidemic in 2003 which led to hundreds of deaths and many thousands of hospitalizations. The virus causing SARS was identified as a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and multiple genomic sequences have been revealed since mid-April, 2003. After a quiet summer and fall in 2003, the newly emerged SARS cases in Asia, particularly the latest cases in China, are reinforcing a wide-spread belief that the SARS epidemic would strike back. With the understanding that SARS-CoV might be with humans for years to come, knowledge of the evolutionary mechanism of the SARS-CoV, including its mutation rate and emergence time, is fundamental to battle this deadly pathogen. To date, the speed at which the deadly virus evolved in nature and the elapsed time before it was transmitted to humans remains poorly understood. RESULTS: Sixteen complete genomic sequences with available clinical histories during the SARS outbreak were analyzed. After careful examination of multiple-sequence alignment, 114 single nucleotide variations were identified. To minimize the effects of sequencing errors and additional mutations during the cell culture, three strategies were applied to estimate the mutation rate by 1) using the closely related sequences as background controls; 2) adjusting the divergence time for cell culture; or 3) using the common variants only. The mutation rate in the SARS-CoV genome was estimated to be 0.80 - 2.38 x 10-3 nucleotide substitution per site per year which is in the same order of magnitude as other RNA viruses. The non-synonymous and synonymous substitution rates were estimated to be 1.16 - 3.30 x 10-3 and 1.67 - 4.67 x 10-3 per site per year, respectively. The most recent common ancestor of the 16 sequences was inferred to be present as early as the spring of 2002. CONCLUSIONS: The estimated mutation rates in the SARS-CoV using multiple strategies were not unusual among coronaviruses and moderate compared to those in other RNA viruses. All estimates of mutation rates led to the inference that the SARS-CoV could have been with humans in the spring of 2002 without causing a severe epidemic.

Coronavirus↗

Estimation of mutation rate from rare protein variants.

A method for estimating the mutation rate for protein loci from the number of rare alleles in the population is presented. It seems to have a number of advantages compared with Kimura and Ohta's method. Applying this method to Neel's data from American Indians in South America and to Nozawa's data from Japanese macaques, the mutation rate for electrophoretically detectable alleles is estimated to be (2 approximately 3) x 10(-6) per locus per generation. This estimate may not include many severely or substantially deleterious mutations.

Alleles↗

Y-chromosomal microsatellite mutation rates in a population sample from northwestern Germany.

To estimate Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat (Y-STR) mutation rates, 15 loci (i.e., DYS19, DYS389 I/II, DYS390, and DYS393; DYS437, DYS438, DYS439, and DYS385; DYS391, DYS392, YCA II, and DXYS156) were analyzed in a sample of 1,029 father/son pairs from Westphalia, northwestern Germany. Among 15,435 meiotic allele transfers, 32 mutations were observed; thus, the mutation rate across all 15 Y-STR loci was 2.1 x 10(-3) per locus (95% C.I.: 1.5-3.0 x 10(-3)). With the exception of a three-repeat mutation at DYS385, all remaining mutations were single repeat mutations. Repeat losses were more frequent than gains (20:12), and the mutation rate appeared to increase with age. The Y haplogroups that were detected in the individuals showing a mutation reflect the haplogroup distribution in the Westphalian population. Additionally, the correlation of surnames and haplotypes was tested: Only 49 surnames occurred more than once, and only two men with the same rare surname shared the same haplotype. All other men with identical surnames carried different haplotypes.

Alleles↗

Telomere dysfunction increases mutation rate and genomic instability.

The increased tumor incidence in telomerase null mice suggests that telomere dysfunction induces genetic instability. To test this directly, we examined mutation rate in the absence of telomerase in S. cerevisiae. The mutation rate in the CAN1 gene increased 10- to 100-fold in est1Delta strains as telomeres became dysfunctional. This increased mutation rate resulted from an increased frequency of terminal deletions. Chromosome fusions were recovered from est1Delta strains, suggesting that the terminal deletions may occur by a breakage-fusion-bridge type mechanism. At one locus, chromosomes with terminal deletions gained a new telomere through a Rad52p-dependent, Rad51p-independent process consistent with break-induced replication. At a second locus, more complicated rearrangements involving multiple chromosomes were seen. These data suggest that telomerase can inhibit chromosomal instability.

Amino Acid Transport Systems↗

Some comparisons between induced and spontaneous mutation rates in mouse sperm and spermatogonia.

The induction of histocompatibility gene mutations in BALB/cKh mouse sperm was determined following doses of 0, 350, or 350 + 300 rad (24 h apart) of 250 kV X-rays. The mutation rate is significantly lower than predicted on the basis of the seven-locus test and is not significantly different from the very low rate of H-loci in BALB/cKh spermatogonia. Furthermore, selection and repair are important in determining mutation rates per viable progeny of H-loci during both spermatogenesis and gestation.

Animals↗

Elevated spontaneous mutation rate in SV40-transformed Werner syndrome fibroblast cell lines.

Spontaneous mutation rates of the cells from patients with Werner syndrome were examined, and we found that the spontaneous mutation rates at the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase locus in SV40-transformed Werner syndrome cell lines were markedly elevated, compared to those in SV40-transformed normal control cell lines. Our results suggest that Werner syndrome is a mutation mutant.

Adult↗

High prevalence of the fra(X) syndrome cannot be explained by a high mutation rate.

The overall prevalence of the fragile X [fra(X)] mutation, as determined by population studies, is approximately 1 in 850 [Gustavson et al., 1986; Webb et al., 1986]. This prevalence suggests a very high mutation rate which, in turn, suggests that many patients have to represent sporadic cases. In order to obtain an accurate estimate of the proportion of sporadic cases, we performed genealogic, cytogenetic and DNA linkage studies as well as direct analysis of the CGG repeat in relatives of 84 fra(X) probands. We did not find any evidence for the presence of sporadic cases. In 11 probands consanguinity could be proven by the detection of common ancestors, in 5 related families up to 9 generations ago. In the other 6 related families the mutation could be traced back 4-6 generations. In 3 or more generation families we were able to demonstrate that half of the probands carried the grandpaternal fra(X) gene. These results imply that rather than a high mutation rate, both Normal Transmitting Males (NTM's) and mentally normal female carriers contribute considerably to the high prevalence of the fra(X) syndrome.

Female↗

Estimation of the amount of DNA polymorphism when the neutral mutation rate varies among sites.

Knowing the amount of DNA polymorphism is essential to understand the mechanism of maintaining DNA polymorphism in a natural population. The amount of DNA polymorphism can be measured by the average number of nucleotide differences per site (pi), the proportion of segregating (polymorphic) site (s) and the minimum number of mutations per site (s*). Since the latter two quantities depend on the sample size, theta is often used as a measure of the amount of DNA polymorphism, where theta = 4Nmu, N is the effective population size and mu is the neutral mutation rate per site per generation. It is known that theta estimated from pi, s and s* under the infinite site model can be biased when the mutation rate varies among sites. We have therefore developed new methods for estimating theta under the finite site model. Using computer simulations, it has been shown that the new methods give almost unbiased estimates even when the mutation rate varies among sites substantially. Furthermore, we have also developed new statistics for testing neutrality by modifying Tajima's D statistic. Computer simulations suggest that the new test statistics can be used even when the mutation rate varies among sites.

DNA↗

Variation in mutation rate and direction between tetranucleotide STR loci in human colorectal carcinomas.

Replication error (RER) is defined as mutation events in repetitive DNA segments. To investigate further the RER phenomenon and reveal any differences in mutation outcome between different short tandem repeat (STR) loci, we have investigated the somatic mutation rate and the size distribution of new tumour alleles in four tetranucleotide STRs in a large material of unselected colorectal adenocarcinomas. DNA was extracted from the blood and carcinomas of 217 patients. All blood/tumour pairs were analysed using the STRs HUMTHO1, HUMFES/FPS, HUMVWA31/A and HUMF13A1. Mutations are detected at all four loci. There are substantial differences in mutation rate and mutation direction (i.e. expansion versus contraction) between different STR loci. In all four STRs, the majority of events represent gain or loss of a single repeat. Almost all new tumour alleles correspond to known alleles in a population database, indicating that these are also composed of integers of the four base pair repeat. There is no statistically significant size bias in the mutating alleles as compared to the allelic distribution in the population database.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Male-biased mutation rates revealed from Z and W chromosome-linked ATP synthase alpha-subunit (ATP5A1) sequences in birds.

Whether the mutation rate differs between sexes has been a matter of discussion for years. Molecular analyses of mammals have indicated that males mutate more often than females, as manifested by the faster rate of neutral sequence evolution on the Y chromosome than on the X chromosome. However, these observations can as well be interpreted as specific reduction of the X chromosome mutation rate, which would be adaptive because of reducing the number of slightly deleterious recessive mutations exposed in hemizygote males. Recently, data from birds have suggested that vertebrate mutation rates may indeed be male-biased. In birds, females are the heterogametic sex (ZW), and analyses of the Z-linked CHD1Z gene have shown that it evolves faster than its W-linked and thus female-specific homologue, CHD1W. We have now studied the second avian gene known to exist in a copy on the nonrecombining regions of both the Z and the W chromosome, viz., the ATP synthase alpha-subunit (ATP5A1). In independent comparisons of three pairs of bird species from divergent lineages, intron sequences of the Z-linked copy (ATP5A1Z) were consistently found to evolve faster than the W-linked copy (ATP5A1W). From these data we calculated male-to-female mutation rate ratios (alpha) of 1.8, 2.3, and 5.0 in Galliform, Anseriform, and Ciconiiform lineages, respectively. Therefore, this study provides independent support for a male-biased mutation rate in birds.

Animals↗