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Isolation, characterization and RFLP linkage mapping of a DNA repeat family of Solanum spegazzinii by which chromosome ends can be localized on the genetic map of potato.

In a random sample of 2263 cloned genomic DNA fragments of the wild potato species Solanum spegazzinii six related, highly repetitive fragments (SPG repeat family) were identified that were present in much higher copy numbers in S. spegazzinii when compared with the closely related cultivated potato S. tuberosum. The SPG repeat family was organized in long arrays of multiple copies. Cross hybridization experiments with 29 wild and cultivated Solanum species and with the related tomato showed specificity of the SPG repeat family for tuber-bearing Solanum species. Among tuber bearing Solanum species a high degree of variation was observed for restriction fragment length and copy number. The variation in copy number was not correlated with established taxonomic relationships between tuber-bearing Solanum species. DNA sequence analysis revealed a subrepeat structure of 120-140 base pairs embedded in longer repeat units of variable length. Length polymorphisms between highly repeated restriction fragments detected by the SPG probes were used for segregation- and linkage analysis in four mapping populations of potato, for which RFLP maps had been constructed. Twelve loci were identified, eleven of which mapped to the distal ends of nine linkage groups. All the evidence suggested that the SPG repeat family represents a satellite repeat members of which are localized in the subtelomeric region of potato chromosomes. The SPG repeat family could be used, therefore, for completing the genetic map of potato.

Base Sequence↗

Single-cell chromosomal imbalances detection by array CGH.

Genomic imbalances are a major cause of constitutional and acquired disorders. Therefore, aneuploidy screening has become the cornerstone of preimplantation, prenatal and postnatal genetic diagnosis, as well as a routine aspect of the diagnostic workup of many acquired disorders. Recently, array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) has been introduced as a rapid and high-resolution method for the detection of both benign and disease-causing genomic copy-number variations. Until now, array CGH has been performed using a significant quantity of DNA derived from a pool of cells. Here, we present an array CGH method that accurately detects chromosomal imbalances from a single lymphoblast, fibroblast and blastomere within a single day. Trisomy 13, 18, 21 and monosomy X, as well as normal ploidy levels of all other chromosomes, were accurately determined from single fibroblasts. Moreover, we showed that a segmental deletion as small as 34 Mb could be detected. Finally, we demonstrated the possibility to detect aneuploidies in single blastomeres derived from preimplantation embryos. This technique offers new possibilities for genetic analysis of single cells in general and opens the route towards aneuploidy screening and detection of unbalanced translocations in preimplantation embryos in particular.

Aneuploidy↗

M-CGH: analysing microarray-based CGH experiments.

BACKGROUND: Microarray-based comparative genomic hybridisation (array CGH) is a technique by which variation in relative copy numbers between two genomes can be analysed by competitive hybridisation to DNA microarrays. This technology has most commonly been used to detect chromosomal amplifications and deletions in cancer. Dedicated tools are needed to analyse the results of such experiments, which include appropriate visualisation, and to take into consideration the physical relation in the genome between the probes on the array. RESULTS: M-CGH is a MATLAB toolbox with a graphical user interface designed specifically for the analysis of array CGH experiments, with multiple approaches to ratio normalization. Specifically, the distributions of three classes of DNA copy numbers (gains, normal and losses) can be estimated using a maximum likelihood method. Amplicon boundaries are computed by either the fuzzy K-nearest neighbour method or a wavelet approach. The program also allows linking each genomic clone with the corresponding genomic information in the Ensembl database http://www.ensembl.org. CONCLUSIONS: M-CGH, which encompasses the basic tools needed for analysing array CGH experiments, is freely available for academics http://www.uio.no/~junbaiw/mcgh, and does not require any other MATLAB toolbox.

Chromosomes, Artificial, Bacterial↗

The RepA protein of plasmid pSC101 controls Escherichia coli cell division through the SOS response.

Although plasmid copy number varies widely among different plasmid species, normally copy number is maintained within a narrow range for any given plasmid. Such copy number control has been shown to occur by regulation of the rate of plasmid DNA replication. Here we report a novel mechanism by which the pSC101 plasmid also can detect an imbalance between the cellular level of its replication protein, RepA, and plasmid-borne RepA binding sites to inhibit bacterial DNA replication and delay host cell division when RepA is in relative excess. We show that delayed cell division occurs by RepA-mediated induction of the SOS response and can be reversed by over-expression of the host DNA primase, DnaG. The effects of RepA excess are prevented by introducing a surfeit of RepA binding sites. The mechanism reported here may help to limit variation in plasmid copy number and allow repopulation of cells with plasmids when copy number falls--potentially pre-empting plasmid loss in cultures of dividing cells.

Binding Sites↗

[Microarray-based comparative genomic hybridization in the study of constitutional chromosomal abnormalities].

Chromosomal aberrations are the first cause of mental impairment and dysmorphism. Rearrangements involving large chromosomal segments can be detected by standard chromosome analysis using GTG-banding, but this technique is not suited for the detection of small chromosome abnormalities. Array comparative genomic hybridisation (array-CGH) is a method used to detect segmental DNA copy number alterations. Recently, advances in this technology have enabled high-resolution examination for identifying genetic alterations and copy number variations on a genome-wide scale. This review describes the current genomic array platforms and CGH methodologies and highlights their applications for studying constitutional disease.

Chromosome Disorders↗

Hypervariable 'minisatellite' regions in human DNA.

The human genome contains many dispersed tandem-repetitive 'minisatellite' regions detected via a shared 10-15-base pair 'core' sequence similar to the generalized recombination signal (chi) of Escherichia coli. Many minisatellites are highly polymorphic due to allelic variation in repeat copy number in the minisatellite. A probe based on a tandem-repeat of the core sequence can detect many highly variable loci simultaneously and can provide an individual-specific DNA 'fingerprint' of general use in human genetic analysis.

Alleles↗

Apparent heterozygote deficiencies observed in DNA typing data and their implications in forensic applications.

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) analysis using the Southern blot technique can be used to recognize copy number variation of variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) of conserved core sequences at several regions of the human genome. This new class of polymorphisms reveals a high degree of genetic variation, useful for individual identification purposes. Criticisms against forensic applications of such DNA typing data include the limitation of employing Hardy-Weinberg expectation of genotype frequencies, since several surveys indicate apparent deficiency of heterozygosity (or excess homozygosity) in comparison with Hardy-Weinberg expectations. This research postulates an alternative explanation of deficiency of apparent heterozygosity which is caused by the inability to detect extremely small-sized alleles (called 'non-detectable' alleles) due to the sensitivity of Southern gel electrophoresis. We show that the presence of 'non-detectable' alleles can produce pseudo-homozygosity and their frequencies can be predicted from the observed proportional heterozygote deficiency. Furthermore, in the covert presence of such 'non-detectable' alleles, we show that the gene-count method provides over-estimates of allele frequencies in the sample population, and hence the Hardy-Weinberg predictions of genotype frequencies avoid wrongful bias against suspects in forensic applications of DNA typing data. Applications of this theory to population data on six VNTR loci in US Caucasians and US Blacks suggest that the presence of 'non-detectable' alleles could be the major cause of apparent heterozygote deficiency, and the current approaches of predicting the population frequency of specific DNA phenotypes are practically free of the possible wrongful bias in courtroom applications of DNA typing data.

Alleles↗

The ner gene of Photorhabdus: effects on primary-form-specific phenotypes and outer membrane protein composition.

The nematode-bacterium complex of Heterorhabditis-Photorhabdus is pathogenic to insect larvae. The bacteria undergo a form of phenotypic switching whereby the primary form, at the stationary phase of the growth cycle, makes a range of products and has the capacity to support nematode growth, whereas the secondary form does not express these phenotypes. The work described here investigated the mechanism regulating phenotypic variation by transforming the primary cells with secondary-form DNA on a low-copy-number vector and screening for colonies which did not produce the yellow pigment characteristic of primaries. Four transformants all carrying the same gene were found to loose primary-form-specific characteristics, and the gene was sequenced and identified as ner, a regulatory gene in gram-negative bacteria and their phages. Unexpectedly, inactivation of the endogenous gene in the secondaries did not cause them to revert to the primary phenotype, and the gene was expressed in the primary form as well as the secondary form during exponential but not stationary phase and deregulated in the plasmid-bearing primary form. These and other pieces of evidence indicate that the endogenous ner gene is not responsible for the secondary phenotype, but that ner, when overexpressed, can repress expression of primary phenotypes at stationary phase. Inactivation of the endogenous ner gene in the primary form affected the outer membrane protein profile. A number of outer membrane proteins displayed differential accumulation in the primary and secondary forms at stationary phase, and two of the primary-form-specific proteins were absent from the ner primary strain.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Interference of contaminating DNA in the quantification of a toluene-induced tod gene in Pseudomonas putida.

To determine the extent of interference of co-extracted DNA contamination in the quantification of the tod gene transcript, two different concentrations of RNA (high, 500 ng/microl; low, 250 ng/microl) from a toluene-induced culture of Pseudomonas putida were treated with different amounts of DNase (2, 4, 6 and 8 U) and incubated for 30 and 60 min. The highly sensitive and reproducible TaqMan system was used to quantify the transcript of the tod gene, the tod gene in contaminating DNA and the 16S rRNA gene in DNase-treated RNA samples. For the high RNA concentration, the shorter incubation time (30 min) lowered the level of contaminating DNA as evidenced by the presence of 2.5 x 10(6) copies of the tod gene before treatment to 1.4 x 10(5) copies/microl (8 U), whereas, irrespective of the DNase units used, the longer incubation time (60 min) considerably lowered the level of DNA contamination (2.5 x 10(6) to 6.5 x 10(2) copies of the tod gene/microl). However, for the low RNA concentration, DNase treatment was found to be equally effective in lowering the level of contaminating DNA (10(6) to 10(2) copies of the tod gene/mu), irrespective of the incubation time and the amount of DNase used. Although the results of gel electrophoresis of conventional PCR amplification of the low RNA concentration revealed the absence of the target gene in contaminating DNA, the results of the TaqMan PCR indicated that a very low amount of contaminating DNA (less than 10(3) copies of the tod gene/mul) was still present in RNA samples, even after the DNase treatment. The number of copies of the tod gene transcript in RNA samples did not show any marked variation because of the DNase treatment. However, the proportion of contaminating DNA in RNA samples considerably decreased due to the treatment (0.01 to 0.000001). Furthermore, these results suggested that the extent of the removal of contaminating DNA from RNA samples depends on the concentration of RNA, the amount of DNase used and the incubation time. It is also suggested that the copies of the catabolic genes in contaminating DNA have to be quantified along with the target genes in RNA samples to have a more accurate quantification of the target genes for better understanding of their roles in many microbial processes.

Journal Article↗

Recent advances in array comparative genomic hybridization technologies and their applications in human genetics.

Array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) is a method used to detect segmental DNA copy number alterations. Recently, advances in this technology have enabled high-resolution examination for identifying genetic alterations and copy number variations on a genome-wide scale. This review describes the current genomic array platforms and CGH methodologies, highlights their applications for studying cancer genetics, constitutional disease and human variation, and discusses visualization and analytical software programs for computational interpretation of array CGH data.

Gene Dosage↗

Evaluation of an automated DNA profiling system employing multiplex amplification of four tetrameric STR loci.

We have examined the performance and reproducibility of an automated DNA profiling system which is based on the multiplex amplification of 4 tetrameric STR loci-HUMVWFA31/A. HUMTH01, HUMF13A1 and HUMFES/FPS. The system was able to type 100 pg of purified, undegraded, genomic DNA. At lower concentrations of DNA (below 100 pg), allelec drop-out occurred due to stochastic differences in allele copy number. Minor variation of individual PCR reagent concentrations or cycling temperatures did not result in a significant effect on the efficiency of amplification of any of the 4 loci in the quadruplex system. More substantial variation of reagent concentrations or cycling temperatures outside the optimum range of the system resulted in a reduction or complete loss of signal for one or more loci. This was also observed at high ionic strength or extreme pH. However, under all reagent concentrations and conditions studied, no artefact bands that could potentially result in the mistyping of a sample were apparent within the read region (130-240 bases) of the gel. Evaluation of both native and denaturing polyacrylamide gels revealed that, although native gels displayed faster run times, the sizing precision of such gels for certain STR loci was lower than that of denaturing gels. Also, artefact bands may be present within the read region of native gels. In conclusion the quadruplex amplification system described, coupled with automated fluorescence-based detection on denaturing polyacrylamide gels, appeared to be a robust and reliable system for individual identification.

Alleles↗

Lymphocyte expression in transgenic trout by mouse immunoglobulin promoter/enhancer.

Two groups of transgenic rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum) have been produced and compared. One group harbored the reporter gene of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) associated with mouse immunoglobulin (Ig) promoter/enhancer (pUCL-CAT-E). The other group carried the same reporter gene under the control of the cytomegalovirus promoter/enhancer (pCMV-CAT). Slot blot analysis of DNA from blood cells and other tissues from pUCL-CAT-E fish showed variation of copy number between the major tissues but not between red and white blood cells. Southern blot analysis indicated that multiple copies organized in concatemers were incorporated into the genome. The pCMV-CAT fish had a pronounced expression of CAT in both white and red blood cells. In contrast, activity of CAT was found in the white blood cells of all pUCL-CAT-E fish but not in their red blood cells. Expression in white blood cells was found preferentially in sIg+ cells, indicating that B cells are the major expressors. High expression was also found in spleen and kidney, but the activity found in thymocytes was equal to the background level. Analysis of some major tissues showed high white blood cell expression associated with low tissue expression, except that liver (known to contain lymphoid tissue in fish) was higher. Thus the regulatory elements of the Ig gene from mouse induce a tissue-specific expression in fish.

Animals↗

Chromosomal alterations detected by comparative genomic hybridization in nonfunctioning endocrine pancreatic tumors.

We have used comparative genomic hybridization to investigate changes in DNA copy number in 20 nonfunctioning endocrine pancreatic tumors. The total number of regional DNA imbalances per tumor showed variation from case to case and high genetic heterogeneity was observed. From 1 to 22 chromosomal anomalies were detected in 13 of the 20 cases evaluated. Overall gains predominated over losses with a ratio of about 3.9:1 (58 gains/15 losses). The mean total number of regions displaying imbalances increased from 1.25 per tumor for benign tumors to 5.25 for malignant tumors, although statistical significance was not reached (P=0.074).

Adult↗

Characterization of the COL2A1 VNTR polymorphism.

The variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) region 3' to the collagen type II gene (COL2A1) was amplified in vitro by the polymerase chain reaction. Subsequent high-resolution gel electrophoresis showed that the five earlier reported alleles could be further subtyped. A total of 17 allelic variants with a heterozygosity of 73.0% were found in 202 unrelated Norwegians. DNA sequencing of 19 COL2A1 alleles has been performed. The internal organization of the VNTR was common for all alleles, as previously shown for a few alleles. Moreover, the polymorphism in the COL2A1 locus is mainly due to variation in the numbers of copies of two repeat units, containing 34 and 31 bp, respectively, and/or to small deletions in either of the two units. DNA sequencing of alleles with the same electrophoretic size revealed no heterogeneity such as an alternating order of the different units, a feature that might have been expected to be the result of unequal crossing-over events. The observed ordered structure of the VNTR and the possibility of single-stranded DNA from the cores in the VNTR forming hairpins and loops suggest that the COL2A1 polymorphism may have evolved mainly by replication slippage mechanisms.

Adult↗

Close linkage of human chromosomal pepsinogen A genes.

We have obtained a clone containing two pepsinogen A genes in a single insert by screening a recombinant cosmid library for human genomic DNA. Restriction endonuclease mappings of this cloned DNA showed that these two genes are very similar, but distinct in structure, and that they are closely linked to one another in the human chromosome DNA. The close arrangement of the genes with very similar structures could facilitate the homologous recombination or the unequal crossing-over which accounts for high frequency of haplotype variation in copy number of pepsinogen A genes as reported by Taggart et al.

Cloning, Molecular↗

[EcoRI- and BamHI-families of repeated sequences in mustelids].

The restriction enzymes EcoRI and BamHI digest the genomic DNAs from six mustelids species Mustela lutreola, M. vision, M. erminea, M. sibirica, Vormela peregusna, producing repeated fragments varying in length. Some fragments were hybridized to chromosomes and restriction digests of DNAs from some mustelids and other mammals. The 0.7 kb EcoRI repeats from DNA of M. erminea are dispersed over chromosomes of carnivors. The 1.35, 1.9 and 2.7 kb BamHI repeats from DNA of polecat M. putorius furo are specific for mustelids. These repeats demonstrate interspecific variation in length and the number of copies. All BamHI repeats have no strict tandem organization. The 1.9 kb BamHI repeats are concentrated in the heterochromatic pericentromeric regions and additional chromosome arms. The 1.35 kb BamHI repeats are only located in the centromeric regions of chromosomes of five species and are absent in Vormela peregusna.

Animals↗

Restriction enzyme analysis of the germ line limited DNA of Ascaris suum.

The germ line limited DNA of Ascaris suum was isolated from sperm and testis as a satellite DNA component in Hoechst 33 258 -- CsCl gradients. Employing restriction enzyme analysis, we show that the germ line limited DNA is composed entirely of two families of tandemly repeated sequences, one repeat unit is 125 bp, and the other 131 bp long. The total appr. 5 x 10(5) copies of the two families are physically separated from each other (segmental arrangement). Several repeat unit variants within both families could be detected. The copies of sequence variants are arranged in tandem (subsegmental arrangement). Reassociation and hybridization experiments revealed similar sequences of the two repeat units. The archaeotypic core sequence of both repeat units is probably a tetranucleotide which shows a 'theme and variation' pattern. During chromatin diminution in the presoma cells the satellite DNA is eliminated from the chromosomes. However, a limited number of tandemly repeated copies of both kinds of repeat units could be detected in the soma genome using radioactive probes of both repeat units in Southern blots of muscle and intestine of adult animals. The tandem arrangement and the hierarchical pattern of restriction sites throughout different subfamilies supports the model of successive segmental amplification events during the evolution of the germ line limited DNA. Since the germ line limited satellite DNA is exclusively located at the ends of the chromosomes, a fold back structure for the telomeric DNA sequences is proposed which might have generated this DNA.

Animals↗

Epstein-Barr virus genomes in lymphoid cells: activation in mitosis and chromosomal location.

Biotin-labeled Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific DNA probes have been used to detect viral genomes by in situ hybridization. Immunocytochemically amplified signals produced by the hybridized probe allow visualization of viral DNA even in cells previously reported to contain only one or two EBV genomes. In EBV producer lymphoid cell lines, such as B95-8, P3HR-1, or Daudi, activation of latent EBV DNA could be observed in mitotic cells; in non-virus-producing cells of these same lines, EBV was found to be present in low copy numbers. Noninducible cell lines such as IB4, AW-Ramos, and Namalwa exhibited low but clearly positive hybridization. Unexpectedly, significant variations in the amounts of EBV DNA per cell were observed between individual cells of these lines. The EBV DNA in the cloned IB4 cell line was localized to chromosome 4 in metaphase cells, but in the noncloned converted line AW-Ramos, the location of integrated viral DNA was essentially random.

Cell Line↗