Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “Structural genome variation”

Search indexed PubMed citations on genomics, clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health. Explore titles, authors and supplied subject terms, then open the PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 505 records · Page 28Linked to original sources

Epidemiology: surveillance of fungal infections.

Surveillance for fungal diseases is essential to improve our understanding of their epidemiology and to enable research and prevention efforts to be prioritized. In order to conduct better surveillance for fungal diseases, it is important to develop more accurate and timely diagnostic tests, to follow rigorous epidemiological methods and to have adequate support from public health agencies and the pharmaceutical industry. Investigations of nosocomial and community outbreaks of fungal infection have also resulted in a better understanding of the sources and routes of transmission of these diseases, and of the risk factors for infection. This has led to more effective prevention and control strategies. In addition, outbreak investigations have offered excellent opportunities to develop new molecular sub-typing methods, and to evaluate and validate older ones. For example, results obtained from a global epidemiological study of the genomic structure of Cryptococcus neoformans have led to a better understanding of the epidemiology of cryptococcosis. Similarly, a study of variations in the genotype of Trichophyton rubrum has found that patients may become infected with multiple strains, which has important implications for study design when looking at the epidemiology of dermatophyte infections.

Arthrodermataceae↗

Genome-wide analysis of synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms in Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex organisms: resolution of genetic relationships among closely related microbial strains.

Several human pathogens (e.g., Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis, Bordetella pertussis, Plasmodium falciparum, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis) have very restricted unselected allelic variation in structural genes, which hinders study of the genetic relationships among strains and strain-trait correlations. To address this problem in a representative pathogen, 432 M. tuberculosis complex strains from global sources were genotyped on the basis of 230 synonymous (silent) single nucleotide polymorphisms (sSNPs) identified by comparison of four genome sequences. Eight major clusters of related genotypes were identified in M. tuberculosis sensu stricto, including a single cluster representing organisms responsible for several large outbreaks in the United States and Asia. All M. tuberculosis sensu stricto isolates of previously unknown phylogenetic position could be rapidly and unambiguously assigned to one of the eight major clusters, thus providing a facile strategy for identifying organisms that are clonally related by descent. Common clones of M. tuberculosis sensu stricto and M. bovis are distinct, deeply branching genotypic complexes whose extant members did not emerge directly from one another in the recent past. sSNP genotyping rapidly delineates relationships among closely related strains of pathogenic microbes and allows construction of genetic frameworks for examining the distribution of biomedically relevant traits such as virulence, transmissibility, and host range.

Alleles↗

Polyploidy in differentiation and evolution.

Somatic and generative (germ-line) polyploidy are more widely spread phenomena among living organisms than generally thought. The occurrence of polyploidization and related events in normal and pathological differentiation, their recognized main functions, as well as the structural specificities of polyploid nuclei are reviewed, and the relationship between ontogenetic and phylogenetic events is discussed. The mechanisms leading to the polyploid state, as well as other processes resulting in a genomic condition different from the diploid one (such as DNA under-replication, gene amplification, and chromatin elimination), are briefly sketched. The various changes in chromosomal DNA described are, in conclusion, seen as evidence supporting the paradigm of a "fluid" or dynamic organization of the eukaryotic genome, as being part of a cybernetic feedback regulation system of gene expression. A model is proposed that unifies the aspects of DNA variation, chromatin structure, and diversification in ontogenesis and phylogenesis.

Animals↗

Population structure and gene evolution in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The fully sequenced genomes of four species within the Saccharomyces sensu stricto complex provide a wealth of information for molecular-evolutionary inference. Yet virtually nothing is known about population-genetic variation within these species, including the molecular-biological and genetic-model organism S. cerevisiae. Here we investigate the population-genetic variation and population structure of S. cerevisiae by sequencing the four loci CDC19, PHD1, FZF1 and SSU1 in 27 strains. Sequence analysis demonstrates a distinct population structure in S. cerevisiae, distinguishing strains collected from a Pennsylvanian oak forest and strains collected from vineyards, perhaps due to ecological rather than geographic factors. The low level of conflict observed between the gene trees estimated for each locus implies moderate recombination in nature. High polymorphism in the gene SSU1 provides evidence of diversifying selection on its protein product, a sulfite exporter, perhaps associated with the use of sulfur-based fungicides in vineyards. FZF1, encoding a transcription factor regulating the expression level of SSU1, displays even greater polymorphism. This, the first multilocus sequence study of population structure in natural isolates of S. cerevisiae, is the first study to demonstrate population structure within S. cerevisiae, and the first study to detect historical selection on a locus important to the natural history of wine yeast.

Cloning, Molecular↗

Response to divergent selection on meiotic recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Meiotic recombination is a key driver of evolution in sexually reproducing species, reshaping genetic diversity by generating novel allelic combinations. The rate of recombination varies substantially across living organisms depending on cis- or trans-acting genetic elements, as seen in many species, including the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Here, we report on an experimental evolution-based study to better understand the factors shaping this natural variation. Starting with a genetically diverse population of S. cerevisiae, we have carried out recurrent divergent selection on recombination rate using a fluorescence-based sorting approach in four independent lineages. After ten generations, we observed an average response of recombination rate of +28% after positive selection and -24% after negative selection, within the interval used for selection. In the adjacent region, however, we observed a weaker response in the opposite direction, and no response in four other unlinked genomic regions. Whole-genome sequencing of individuals selected for high recombination revealed mixed outcomes in the four independently evolved lineages for high genome-wide recombination rates. However, all four lineages showed selection for high recombination locally, with particular haplotypes heavily favored and sequence- or structural variation-based heterozygosity selected against within the selection interval. Overall, this experimental evolution approach provides original and useful insights into the evolvability of the meiotic recombination rate and the associated genetic determinants.

Meiotic recombination↗

Genomic structure and chromosomal localization of a human myo-inositol monophosphatase gene (IMPA).

Manic-depressive illness is a serious psychiatric disorder that in many, but far from all, patients can be treated with lithium. The main causes for discontinuation of lithium therapy are unpleasant or serious side effects and lack of response. The reason for the striking variation in clinical efficacy of lithium treatment among bipolar patients is not known. The enzyme myo-inositol monophosphatase (IMPase) has been postulated as a target for the mood-stabilizing effects of lithium, but variation in the coding region of the human IMPA gene encoding IMPase activity has not been observed in manic-depressive patients (Steen et al., Pharmacogenetics, 1996, 6, 113-116). It is nevertheless conceivable that polymorphisms or mutations in the noncoding regions of this gene could influence the lithium response in psychiatric patients. As a first step in investigating this possibility, we here report the genomic structure of the human IMPA gene. The gene is composed of at least nine exons and covers more than 20 kb of sequence on chromosome 8q21.13-q21.3. In the 3'-untranslated part of the gene, we observed a polymorphism (a G to A transition) and also two short sequences similar to the inositol/cholin-responsive element consensus. Finally, we postulate that two additional IMPA-like transcripts originate from the human genome, one from a position close to IMPA itself on chromosome 8 and the other from chromosome 18p. Our data may contribute to the identification of genetic factors involved in the pathogenesis and determination of treatment response in manic-depressive illness.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Decoding the human genome sequence.

The year 2000 is marked by the production of the sequence of the human genome. A 'working draft' of high quality sequence covering 90% of the genome has been determined and a quarter is in finished form, including the first two completed chromosomes. All sequence data from the project is made freely available to the community via the Internet, for further analysis and exploitation. The challenge which lies ahead is to decipher the information. Knowledge of the human genome sequence will enable us to understand how the genetic information determines the development, structure and function of the human body. We will be able to explore how variations within our DNA sequence cause disease, how they affect our interaction with our environment and ultimately to develop new and effective ways to improve human health.

Conserved Sequence↗

Mutational analysis of candidate genes in 24 amelogenesis imperfecta families.

Amelogenesis imperfecta (AI) is a heterogeneous group of inherited defects in dental enamel formation. The malformed enamel can be unusually thin, soft, rough and stained. The strict definition of AI includes only those cases where enamel defects occur in the absence of other symptoms. Currently, there are seven candidate genes for AI: amelogenin, enamelin, ameloblastin, tuftelin, distal-less homeobox 3, enamelysin, and kallikrein 4. To identify sequence variations in AI candidate genes in patients with isolated enamel defects, and to deduce the likely effect of each sequence variation on protein expression and structure, families with isolated enamel defects were recruited. The coding exons and nearby intron sequences were amplified for each of the AI candidate genes by using genomic DNA from the proband as template. The amplification products for the proband were sequenced. Then, other family members were tested to determine their genotype with respect to each sequence variation. All subjects received an oral examination, and intraoral photographs and dental radiographs were obtained. Out of 24 families with isolated enamel defects, only six disease-causing mutations were identified in the AI candidate genes. This finding suggests that many additional genes potentially contribute to the etiology of AI.

Amelogenesis Imperfecta↗

A phylogenetic study of the Anopheles punctulatus group of malaria vectors comparing rDNA sequence alignments derived from the mitochondrial and nuclear small ribosomal subunits.

A phylogenetic study of the members of the Anopheles punctulatus group was performed using structural and similarity-based DNA sequence alignments of the small ribosomal subunit (SSU) from both the nuclear and the mitochondrial genomes. The mitochondrial SSU gene (12S, approximately 650 bp) proved to be highly restricted by its secondary structure and displayed little informative sequence variation. Consequently, it was considered unsuitable for a phylogenetic study of these closely related mosquito species. A structural alignment of the nuclear ribosomal DNA SSU (18S, approximately 2000 bp) proved to be more informative than similarity-based alignments. Analyses showed the A. punctulatus group to be monophyletic with two major clades; a Farauti clade containing members displaying an all-black-scaled proboscis (A. farauti 1-3 and 5-7) and the Punctulatus clade containing members displaying extensive white scaling on the apical half of the proboscis (A. farauti 4, A. punctulatus, and An. sp. near punctulatus). Anopheles koliensis was positioned basal to the Farauti clade.

Animals↗

Digital DNA typing at a second hypervariable locus by minisatellite variant repeat mapping.

Minisatellite variant repeat unit mapping by PCR (MVR-PCR) assays the interspersion pattern of variant repeat units along minisatellite alleles. Mapping such internal variation in the highly polymorphic minisatellite MS31A (locus D7S21), reveals extreme levels of allelic variability, far in excess of that detectable by allele length analysis. Flanking base substitutional polymorphisms have enabled the 5' structure of large numbers of MS31A alleles to be derived from genomic DNA by allele-specific MVR-PCR. More than 100 alleles have now been mapped and all are different. Several alleles show related internal structures and some of these provide evidence of polarity in allelic variation reminiscent of that seen at two other hypervariable minisatellites, D1S8 (MS32) and D16S309 (MS205). We also describe the diploid digital coding of MS31A, including the simultaneous coding of MS31A and a second locus, MS32, by duplex MVR-PCR, which greatly enhances the potential forensic applications of this technique.

Alleles↗

Chromosome structure: DNA nucleotide sequence elements of a subset of the minichromosomes of the protozoan Trypanosoma brucei.

The genome of the protozoan Trypanosoma brucei contains a set of about 100 minichromosomes of about 50 to 150 kb in size. The small size of these chromosomes, their involvement in antigenic variation, and their mitotic stability make them ideal candidates for a structural analysis of protozoan chromosomes and their telomeres. We show that a subset of the minichromosomes is composed predominantly of simple-sequence DNA, with over 90% of the length of the minichromosome consisting of a tandem array of 177-bp repeats, indicating that these molecules have limited protein-coding capacity. Proceeding from the tip of the telomere to a chromosome internal position, a subset of the minichromosomes contained the GGGTTA telomere repeat, a 29-bp telomere-derived repeat, a region containing 74-bp G + C-rich direct repeats separated by approximately 155 bp of A + T-rich DNA that has a bent character, and 50 to 150 kb of the 177-bp repeat. Several of the minichromosome-derived telomeres did not encode protein-coding genes, indicating that the repertoire of telomeric variant cell surface glycoprotein genes is restricted to some telomeres only. The telomere organization in trypanosomes shares striking similarities to the organization of telomeres and subtelomeres in humans, yeasts, and plasmodia. An electron microscopic analysis of the minichromosomes showed that they are linear molecules without abnormal structures in the main body of the chromosome. The structure of replicating molecules indicated that minichromosomes probably have a single bidirectional origin of replication located in the body of the chromosome. We propose a model for the structure of the trypanosome minichromosomes.

Animals↗

Evidence that the large noncoding sequence is the main control region of maternally and paternally transmitted mitochondrial genomes of the marine mussel (Mytilus spp.).

Both the maternal (F-type) and paternal (M-type) mitochondrial genomes of the Mytilus species complex M. edulis/galloprovincialis contain a noncoding sequence between the l-rRNA and the tRNA(Tyr) genes, here called the large unassigned region (LUR). The LUR, which is shorter in M genomes, is capable of forming secondary structures and contains motifs of significant sequence similarity with elements known to have specific functions in the sea urchin and the mammalian control region. Such features are not present in other noncoding regions of the F or M Mytilus mtDNA. The LUR can be divided on the basis of indels and nucleotide variation in three domains, which is reminiscent of the tripartite structure of the mammalian control region. These features suggest that the LUR is the main control region of the Mytilus mitochondrial genome. The middle domain has diverged by only 1.5% between F and M genomes, while the average divergence over the whole molecule is approximately 20%. In contrast, the first domain is among the most divergent parts of the genome. This suggests that different parts of the LUR are under different selection constraints that are also different from those acting on the coding parts of the molecule.

Animals↗

Norwalk-like viruses: demonstration of genomic diversity by polymerase chain reaction.

A reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) amplification procedure was developed for the detection of Norwalk-like viruses in fecal specimens. Ninety-nine fecal specimens collected in the United Kingdom and containing small round-structured virus particles as determined by electron microscopy were tested. They came from 50 outbreaks and 16 sporadic cases of viral gastroenteritis. RT-PCR products of the appropriate size for Norwalk virus RNA were detected in 15 specimens from three outbreaks, suggesting that viruses closely related to Norwalk virus have not been circulating widely in the United Kingdom in recent years. From four isolates, the RT-PCR amplification products of two genomic regions were sequenced and the degree of genomic variation was compared. DNA sequencing of the PCR products revealed strong similarities among strains from the United Kingdom (approximately 97% for both regions amplified) but significant differences from Norwalk virus (67 to 78%). All of the viruses detected by RT-PCR were classified as serotype UK2 by solid-phase immune electron microscopy or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. These findings provide evidence of a genomic relationship between Norwalk virus and serotype UK2 small round-structured viruses.

Base Sequence↗

Genomic characterization of Alzheimer's disease and genotype-related phenotypic analysis of biological markers in dementia.

More than 180 genes distributed across the human genome are potentially involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The AD population shows a higher genetic variation rate than the control population. Significant differences in allelic distribution and frequency exist when AD-related polygenic clusters are compared with other forms of dementia, indicating that the genetic component in neurodegenerative dementia differs from that of other CNS disorders. The characterization of AD genotype-related phenotypic profiles reveals substantial differences in biological markers among AD clusters associated with different genes and/or allelic combinations. AD and dementia with vascular component (DVC) are the most prevalent forms of dementia. Both clinical entities share many similarities, but they differ in their major phenotypic and genotypic profiles, as revealed by structural and functional genomics studies. Comparative phenotypic studies have identified significant differences in 25% of more than 100 parametric variables, including anthropometric values, cardiovascular function, blood pressure, lipid metabolism, uric acid metabolism, peripheral calcium homeostasis, liver function, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, red and white blood cells, regional brain atrophy, and brain blood flow velocity. Functional genomic studies incorporating apolipoprotein E (APOE)-related changes in biological markers extended the difference between AD and DVC by up to 57%. Structural genomic studies with AD-related genes, including APP, MAPT, APOE, PS1, PS2, A2M, ACE, AGT, cFOS, and PRNP, demonstrate different genetic profiles in AD and DVC, with an absolute genetic variation rate in the range of 30-80%, depending upon genes and genetic clusters. The relative polymorphic variation in genetic clusters integrated by two, three or four genes associated with AD ranges from 1 to 3%. The main phenotypic differences in AD are genotype dependent, indicating a powerful influence of polygenic factors on the AD phenotypic profile. All these genotypic and phenotypic variations bring about important consequences for the pharmacogenomics of AD.

Adolescent↗

Identification of probable genomic packaging signal sequence from SARS-CoV genome by bioinformatics analysis.

AIM: To predict the probable genomic packaging signal of SARS-CoV by bioinformatics analysis. The derived packaging signal may be used to design antisense RNA and RNA interfere (RNAi) drugs treating SARS. METHODS: Based on the studies about the genomic packaging signals of MHV and BCoV, especially the information about primary and secondary structures, the putative genomic packaging signal of SARS-CoV were analyzed by using bioinformatic tools. Multi-alignment for the genomic sequences was performed among SARS-CoV, MHV, BCoV, PEDV and HCoV 229E. Secondary structures of RNA sequences were also predicted for the identification of the possible genomic packaging signals. Meanwhile, the N and M proteins of all five viruses were analyzed to study the evolutionary relationship with genomic packaging signals. RESULTS: The putative genomic packaging signal of SARS-CoV locates at the 3' end of ORF1b near that of MHV and BCoV, where is the most variable region of this gene. The RNA secondary structure of SARS-CoV genomic packaging signal is very similar to that of MHV and BCoV. The same result was also obtained in studying the genomic packaging signals of PEDV and HCoV 229E. Further more, the genomic sequence multi-alignment indicated that the locations of packaging signals of SARS-CoV, PEDV, and HCoV overlaped each other. It seems that the mutation rate of packaging signal sequences is much higher than the N protein, while only subtle variations for the M protein. CONCLUSIONS: The probable genomic packaging signal of SARS-CoV is analogous to that of MHV and BCoV, with the corresponding secondary RNA structure locating at the similar region of ORF1b. The positions where genomic packaging signals exist have suffered rounds of mutations, which may influence the primary structures of the N and M proteins consequently.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

In vitro replication of mitochondrial plasmid mp1 from the higher plant Chenopodium album (L.): a remnant of bacterial rolling circle and conjugative plasmids?

According to the endosymbiotic theory, mitochondrial genomes evolved from the chromosome of an alpha-proteobacterium-like ancestor and developed during evolution an extraordinary variation in size, structure and replication. We studied in vitro DNA replication of the mitochondrial circular plasmid mp1 (1309 bp) from the higher plant Chenopodium album (L.) as a model system that replicates in a manner reminiscent of bacterial rolling circle plasmids. Several mp1 subclones were tested for their ability to support DNA replication using a newly developed in vitro system. Neutral/neutral two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of the in vitro products revealed typical simple Y patterns of intermediates consistent with a rolling circle type of replication. Replication activity was very high for a BamHI-restricted total plasmid DNA clone, a 464 bp BamHI/KpnI fragment and a 363 bp BamHI/SmaI fragment. Further subcloning of a 148 bp BamHI/EcoRI fragment resulted in the strongest in vitro DNA replication activity, while a 1161 bp-template outside of this region resulted in a substantial loss of activity. Electron microscopic studies of in vitro DNA replication products from the highly active clones also revealed sigma-shaped molecules. These results support our in vivo data for the presence of a predominant replication origin between positions 628 and 776 on the plasmid map. This sequence shares homology with double-stranded rolling circle origin (dso) or transfer origin (oriT) nicking motifs from bacterial plasmids. mp1 is the first described rolling circle plasmid in eukaryotes.

Base Sequence↗

Molecular cloning and complete nucleotide sequence of the genome of Japanese encephalitis virus Beijing-1 strain.

The genomic RNA of the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) Beijing-1 strain was reversely transcribed and the synthesized cDNA was molecularly cloned. Six continuous cDNA clones that cover the entire virus genome were established and sequenced to determine the complete nucleotide sequence of the JEV RNA. The precise genomic size was estimated as 10,965 bases long. With flanking 95 bases at the 5' and 583 bases at the 3' non-coding regions, one long open reading frame (ORF) was revealed encoding a virus polyprotein with 3,429 amino acid residues. Because of sequence homologies observed between JEV and other flaviviruses, the genome organization of JEV appears to be identical with other flaviviruses. Genetic variation detected among flavivirus genomes is consistent with the established serological relatedness between JEV and other members of flaviviruses. The secondary structure of the JEV genome is deduced and discussed concerning its involvement in genome replication.

Base Sequence↗

Hepatitis E: review.

Hepatitis E is endemic, often provoking epidemics in many developing countries. It resembles hepatitis A clinically and epidemiologically but show a higher mortality rate and less infectiousness. Several lines of evidence strongly support the assumption that humans become immunized once they contract hepatitis E. Because of the low infectiousness, most of the adult population of endemic areas are susceptible to hepatitis E until an epidemic occurs, although they are almost always infected with hepatitis A during infancy. Epidemics are caused by accidental contamination by the hepatitis E virus (HEV) in feces of water provided to these people. The liver change reveals necroinflammation related to the immune-mediated mechanism. The HEV is molecularly cloned and sequenced and has a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome, 7,194 nucleotides followed by a poly (A) tail. There are three open reading frames. The non-structural gene, approximately 5 kb is located at the 5' end, while the structural gene, approximately 2 kb is located at the 3' end of the genome. There is a low level of nucleotide variations among HEV strains isolated from Myanmar and China and a single serotype appears to exist. The HEV may be a new RNA virus or belong to Caliciviridae family. Further investigation include in vitro propagation, elucidation of the gene replication, global seroepidemiology and vaccination of the HEV.

Animals↗