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Analysis of two translocation breakpoints and identification of a negative regulatory element in patients with Rieger's syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Rieger's syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by eye, tooth, and umbilical anomalies. A gene responsible for Rieger's syndrome, PITX2, has previously been cloned using two patients with balanced translocations, t(4;16) and t(4;11), with breakpoints that lie near the gene, but which do not interrupt it. METHODS: We sequenced both breakpoint regions on chromosome 4 and screened this area for novel genes. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to determine if PITX2 was still present on the 4:16 chromosome. Both the chromosome 16 and chromosome 11 breakpoints were cloned and sequenced using panhandle polymerase chain reaction (PHPCR). Transient transfection studies were performed to compare effects on a reporter gene between native chromosome 4 sequence and chromosome 11 sequence. RESULTS: The region surrounding PITX2 on chromosome 4 is rich in repetitive elements, but no novel genes were identified. FISH demonstrated that PITX2 was intact on the 4:16 translocation chromosome. The PHPCR experiments demonstrated that the translocated regions of chromosomes 16 and 11 were repeat-rich, and transfection studies revealed a slight enhancer effect with the chromosome 4 sequence, and a strong silencer effect when the chromosome 11 sequence was present. CONCLUSIONS: Given the lack of any novel genes near either breakpoint, changes in potential regulatory elements may be the best model to explain the loss of PITX2 expression in these patients and hence the Rieger's syndrome phenotype.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

The rat clofibrate-inducible CYP4A gene subfamily. I. Complete intron and exon sequence of the CYP4A1 and CYP4A2 genes, unique exon organization, and identification of a conserved 19-bp upstream element.

The P450 CYP4A1 and CYP4A2 genes were isolated from a rat genomic library constructed in the vector lambda EMBL3 and their complete sequences were determined. The CYP4A1 and CYP4A2 genes spanned 14,144 and 10,576 bp and contained 13 and 12 exons, respectively. The CYP4A1 gene contained an additional intron that splits the exon corresponding to exon 12 of the CYP4A2 gene, resulting in a noncoding 13th exon in CYP4A1. The exon numbers of these genes were distinct among known P450 genes, and yet several intron-exon junctions along the P450 amino acid coding region were conserved with P450 genes in the CYP2, CYP11, and CYP21 gene families. On the basis of these data, the number of exons in the putative ancestral P450 gene was estimated. The evolutionary implications of this finding are discussed. No consensus TATA sequence was found upstream of either gene's transcription start site. Comparison of the CYP4A1 and CYP4A2 promoters with other genes that lack TATA boxes did not reveal any strong consensus sequence in their immediate upstream regions. However, a conserved 19-bp sequence was located at the positions of 42 and 48 bp upstream from the CYP4A1 and CYP4A2 genes' start sites, respectively. The CYP4A2 gene also contained two 378-bp direct repeats upstream from the start site; these repeats are derived from portions of the long interspersed middle repetitive element present in high copy numbers in the rat genome.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

DNA sequence variation within the beta-glucuronidase gene complex among inbred strains of mice.

Tightly linked to the gene that encodes murine beta-glucuronidase (GUS) are three GUS-specific regulatory elements. Together, these elements define the GUS gene complex. Specific alleles of each regulatory element are associated with a specific GUS structural allele. These associations define the three common forms (haplotypes) of the GUS gene complex, designated A, B, and H. As an initial step in defining the DNA determinants of each regulatory element and to develop DNA markers for the common haplotypes, we have identified several DNA variants by blot hybridization analysis of restricted genomic DNA using GUS-specific cDNA probes. Of 30 tested restriction endonucleases, 24 reveal DNA polymorphisms that distinguish B- and H-haplotype DNA from that of the A haplotype. Of these 24, 18 uncover a restriction fragment length polymorphism in which the polymorphic fragment of A-haplotype DNA is 200-300 bp larger than the corresponding fragment of B- or H-haplotype DNA. DNA sequence analysis of this polymorphic region reveals the presence of a short, interspersed repetitive element of the B2 family within A-haplotype DNA which is absent in DNAs of B- or H-haplotype mice. None of the DNA variations revealed by these analyses can be associated at this time with variation in the regulatory or structural properties of GUS among the common haplotypes. Nevertheless, they do provide useful haplotype-specific markers within the GUS gene complex which are of critical importance for DNA transfer experiments in transgenic mice and in cultured cells.

Animals↗

A repetitive DNA sequence in the salmonid fishes similar to a retroviral long terminal repeat.

We describe the characteristics of a repetitive DNA sequence from the rainbow trout and related salmonid fishes that is similar to a retroviral long terminal repeat (LTR). The repeat is 160 bp long and contains a region of homology to the LTR of the avian sarcoma virus. Two clones with this repeat from the chum salmon also have a polypurine tract and tRNA binding site, respectively, and these clones may represent the two LTRs of a retrovirus or retroviral-like repetitive element. Copies of the repeat are also adjacent to rainbow trout and chum salmon protamine genes. These repeats may be "solo" LTRs. There appears to be some polymorphism in restriction sites between individual rainbow trout and considerable differences between salmonid fish species when the repeat is used as a probe.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Many trypanosome messenger RNAs share a common 5' terminal sequence.

The mRNAs for different variant surface antigens of Trypanosoma brucei start with the same 35 nucleotides. This sequence is encoded by a separate mini-exon, located in a 1.35-kb repetitive element. We have reported that trypanosomes contain many transcripts that hybridize to mini-exon probes, even if they do not make the surface antigens. We show here that these transcripts have the mini-exon sequence at their 5' end; they do not contain other sequences from the mini-exon repeat element and are polyadenylated. We have cloned DNA complementary to trypanosome mRNAs and randomly selected 17 clones containing mini-exon sequences. Thirteen of these are derived from different genes that do not code for surface antigens. We conclude that the mini-exon sequence is a common element at the 5' end of many trypanosome mRNAs. As the 200 genes for mini-exons are highly clustered, linkage of the mini-exon sequence to the remainder of most mRNAs may require discontinuous transcription.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Annexin A11 (ANXA11) gene structure as the progenitor of paralogous annexins and source of orthologous cDNA isoforms.

The genomic organization of the annexin A11 gene was determined in mouse and human to assess its congruity with other family members and to examine the species variation in alternative splicing patterns. Mouse annexin A11 genomic clones were characterized by restriction analysis, Southern blotting, and DNA sequencing, and the homologous human gene (HGMW-approved gene symbol ANXA11) was deciphered from high-throughput genomic sequence with coanalysis of expressed sequence tags. Exons 6-15 of the tetrad core repeat region differ from annexins A7 and A13 but are spliced identically to other phylogenetic descendents, making annexin A11 the putative primary progenitor of up to nine paralogous human annexins. The 5' regions consist of untranslated exon 1, followed by an extensive intron 1 comprising almost half the total gene length of >40 kb, and additional GC-rich exons 2-5 encoding the proline- and glycine-rich amino-terminus. Distinct cDNA isoforms in cow and human were determined to be unique to each species and hence of dubious general significance for this gene's function. Multiple transcription start sites were revealed by primer extension analysis of the mouse gene, and transfection constructs containing the prospective promoter generated transcriptional activity comparable to that of the SV40 promoter. Internal repetitive elements and vicinal gene markers were mapped for the complete human annexin A11 gene sequence to characterize the surrounding genomic environment.

3T3 Cells↗

CgT1: a non-LTR retrotransposon with restricted distribution in the fungal phytopathogen Colletotrichum gloeosporioides.

Two genetically distinct biotypes (A and B) of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides that cause different anthracnose diseases on the legumes Stylosanthes spp. have been identified in Australia. A DNA sequence that was present in biotype B and absent in biotype A was isolated by differential hybridisation of a genomic library using total genomic DNA of each biotype as hybridisation probes. This sequence also failed to hybridise to DNA of three biotypes of C. gloeosporioides from other host species and to DNA of three other species of Colletotrichum. This clone was used to isolate two cosmid clones of biotype B. Sequence analysis of these clones revealed a repetitive element of approximately 5.7 kb in length. This element, termed CgT1, was dispersed in the genome and present in about 30 copies. The element contained open reading frames encoding deduced sequence motifs homologous to gag-like proteins, reverse transcriptase and RNase H domains of non-LTR retrotransposons. The termini of CgT1 lacked long terminal repeats (LTRs) but contained a 3' A-rich domain. The insertion site of one copy of the element was flanked by short 13-bp direct repeats. These characteristics of the termini, taken together with the overall structure and sequence homologies, indicate that CgT1 belongs to the non-LTR, LINE-like retrotransposon class of elements that are present in many eukaryotes. PCR primers designed to amplify regions of CgT1 can be used to distinguish biotypes A and B in Australia. DNA fingerprinting analysis of genomic DNA using hybridisation probes derived from the terminal regions of CgT1 revealed that Australian isolates of biotype B are monomorphic. CgT1 was not detected in some isolates causing Type B disease from other countries and when CgT1 was present there was considerable polymorphism in CgT1 organisation in the genome. CgT1 is the first transposon-like element to be identified in the genus Colletotrichum and has considerable potential as a tool for the study of population structure, genome dynamics and evolution in C. gloeosporioides.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Breakpoint analysis of the pericentric inversion distinguishing human chromosome 4 from the homologous chromosome in the chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes).

The study of breakpoints that occurred during primate evolution promises to yield valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying chromosome rearrangements in both evolution and pathology. Karyotypic differences between humans and chimpanzees include nine pericentric inversions, which may have potentiated the parapatric speciation of hominids and chimpanzees 5-6 million years ago. Detailed analysis of the respective chromosomal breakpoints is a prerequisite for any assessment of the genetic consequences of these inversions. The breakpoints of the inversion that distinguishes human chromosome 4 (HSA4) from its chimpanzee counterpart were identified by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and comparative sequence analysis. These breakpoints, at HSA4p14 and 4q21.3, do not disrupt the protein coding region of a gene, although they occur in regions with an abundance of LINE and LTR-elements. At 30 kb proximal to the breakpoint in 4q21.3, we identified an as yet unannotated gene, C4orf12, that lacks an homologous counterpart in rodents and is expressed at a 33-fold higher level in human fibroblasts as compared to chimpanzee. Seven out of 11 genes that mapped to the breakpoint regions have been previously analyzed using oligonucleotide-microarrays. One of these genes, WDFY3, exhibits a three-fold difference in expression between human and chimpanzee. To investigate whether the genomic architecture might have facilitated the inversion, comparative sequence analysis was used to identify an approximately 5-kb inverted repeat in the breakpoint regions. This inverted repeat is inexact and comprises six subrepeats with 78 to 98% complementarity. (TA)-rich repeats were also noted at the breakpoints. These findings imply that genomic architecture, and specifically high-copy repetitive elements, may have made a significant contribution to hominoid karyotype evolution, predisposing specific genomic regions to rearrangements.

Animals↗

Characterization of the 1.35 kilobase DNA repeat unit containing the conserved 35 nucleotides at the 5'-termini of variable surface glycoprotein mRNAs in Trypanosoma brucei.

We have cloned and determined the sequence of the 1.35 kb trypanosome DNA repeat unit that contains the conserved 35 nucleotides found at the 5'-ends of variable surface glycoprotein (VSG) mRNAs and present in many other trypanosome RNAs. Our data indicate that the genomic repeats, estimated by others to be present in 200-250 copies in the haploid genome (18, 21), are structurally very highly conserved but with dispersed point changes. The 1.35 kb repeat unit has an unusual stretch of multiple repetitive elements starting about 100 bp downstream from the 35 nucleotide sequence; in addition there are several potential eukaryotic transcription initiation sites throughout the repeat unit. Genomic mapping studies using portions of the repeat unit as hybridization probes suggest that the entire repeat is conserved at its multiple genomic locations.

Animals↗

Molecular evolution of the periphilin gene in relation to human endogenous retrovirus m element.

HERV-M (human endogenous retrovirus M), related to the super family of HERV-K, has a methionine (M) tRNA primer-binding site, and is located within the periphilin gene on human chromosome 12q12. HERV-M has been integrated into the periphilin gene as the truncated form, 5'LTR-gag-pol-3'LTR. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) approaches were conducted to investigate its evolutionary origins. Interestingly, the insertion of retroelements in a common ancestor genome can make different transcript variants in different species. In the case of the periphilin gene, human (10 variants) and mouse (2 variants) lineages show different transcript variants. Insertion of HERV-M (variant 1-3) could affect the protein-coding region. Also, Alusq/x (variant 4-9) and L1ME4a (mammalian-wide subfamilies of LINE-1) (variant 10) in humans and SINE (short interspersed repetitive element) and RLTR15 (the mouse putative long terminal repeat) (variant 2) in mice could be driving forces in transcript diversification of the periphilin gene during mammalian evolution. The HERV-M derived transcripts (variant 1-3) were expressed in different human tissues, whereas they were not detected in crab-eating monkey and squirrel monkey tissues by RT-PCR amplification. Taken together, HERV-M seems to have been integrated into our common ancestor genome after the divergence of simians and prosimians, and then was actively expressed during hominoid evolution.

Alternative Splicing↗

ECHO: a nanopore sequencing-based workflow for (epi)genetic profiling of the human repeatome.

SUMMARY: The human genome is dominated by repetitive DNA, whose genetic and epigenetic variation plays a key role in gene regulation, genome stability, and disease. Recent advances in long-read sequencing now enable large-scale, haplotype-resolved, and DNA methylation-informative analysis of the human genome, including on previously inaccessible complex and repetitive regions. However, the comprehensive, simultaneous characterisation of the "human repeatome" remains challenging, largely due to the lack of comprehensive tools integrated in a single pipeline that can capture the full spectrum of variation across diverse types of DNA repeats. Here, we present ECHO, a user-friendly, Snakemake-based pipeline for the "(Epi)genomic Characterisation of Human Repetitive Elements using Oxford Nanopore Sequencing." ECHO provides a reproducible and scalable framework for end-to-end analysis of whole-genome nanopore sequencing data, enabling integrative but also tailored (epi)genetic analyses of the human repeatome. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION: ECHO is freely available at Github: https://github.com/leenput/ECHO-pipeline, with the archived version at Zenodo: https://zenodo.org/records/19068468.

Humans↗

Tools for visualization and integration of intermediate sequencing results in large disease gene discovery projects.

We describe two Java applets which are useful for insightful presentation of intermediate experimental data in gene discovery projects involving large scale sequencing. One of these applets provides a physical map of a genomic region and provides easy access to the second applet, which furnishes a detailed map of sequence contigs associated with clones on the physical map. In particular, the second applet displays all the known information about each contig, including the presence of exons, database homology 'hits', repetitive elements and other features; the graphics are linked to other World Wide Web pages, providing detailed information on each feature. These applets should be useful to other research groups working on large sequencing projects.

Chromosome Mapping↗

LNA-modified oligonucleotides are highly efficient as FISH probes.

Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a highly useful technique with a wide range of applications including the delineation of complex karyotypes, prenatal diagnosis of aneuploidies, screening for diagnostic or prognostic markers in cancer cells, gene mapping and gene expression studies. However, it is still a fairly time-consuming method with limitations in both sensitivity and resolution. Locked Nucleic Acids (LNAs) constitute a novel class of RNA analogs that have an exceptionally high affinity towards complementary DNA and RNA. Substitution of DNA oligonucleotide probes with LNA has shown to significantly increase their thermal duplex stability as well as to improve the discrimination between perfectly matched and mismatched target nucleic acids. To exploit the improved hybridization properties of LNA oligonucleotides in FISH, we have designed several LNA substituted oligonucleotide probes specific to different human-specific repetitive elements, such as the classical satellite-2, telomere and alpha-satellite repeats. In the present study we show that LNA modified oligonucleotides are excellent probes in FISH, combining high binding affinity with short hybridization time.

Cell Nucleus↗

The human immunoglobulin kappa locus: pseudogenes, unique and repetitive sequences.

The human kappa locus contains 25 pseudogenes. After seven of them were described earlier the structures of the remaining 18 are reported now, thus completing the description of all human V kappa genes and pseudogenes. Most of the pseudogenes carry several defects each. Alignments of the pseudogene sequences and comparison with the consensus sequences of the potentially functional V kappa genes indicate that, on PCR amplification of genomic DNA aimed at certain genes of the latter class, also some of the pseudogenes would be coamplified. Unique sequences, which qualify as sequence tagged sites (STS), were defined across the locus. The occurrence of 15 repetitive elements of the LINE1 type in the locus is described. The 15 sequenced Alu elements were assigned to the known Alu subfamilies of different evolutionary age. One of the Alu elements was found only in one of the copies of the kappa locus. It must, therefore, have been inserted after the duplication step which may have taken place about one million years ago. This element belongs to an Alu subfamily known to have been mobile until recently. Some aspects of the evolution of the V kappa pseudogenes and orphons (i.e. V kappa genes located outside the kappa locus) are also discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

The centromere composition of multiple repetitive sequences on rice chromosome 5.

The large-scale primary structure of the centromeric region of rice chromosome 5 was analyzed, the first example in a cereal species. The yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) and bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) contigs aligned on the centromere of rice chromosome 5 (CEN5) covered a distance of more than 670 kb. Strong suppression of genetic recombination, one of the features of a functional centromere, occurred along the contig region. The most remarkable feature of CEN5 is the composition of the multiple repetitive elements. Oryza-specific RCS2 short tandem repeats were clustered along less than 100 kb at one end of the contig. At least 15 copies of the conserved domain of the 1.9 kb RCE1 centromeric repeats, which are similar to the long terminal repeats (LTRs) of gypsy-type retrotransposon RIRE7, were dispersed mainly in 320 kb stretches next to RCS2 tandem clusters. Many copies of the LTR-like sequences of RIRE3 and RIRE8, another gypsy-type retrotransposon, were also found throughout the contig. On the other hand, the gagpol region was less conserved in the contig. These results indicate that the rice centromere is composed of multiple repetitive sequences with the RCS2 tandem cluster probably being situated as the core of a functional centromere of some hundreds of kilobases to megabases in length.

Base Sequence↗

Chromosomal walking and jumping to isolate DNA from the Ace and rosy loci and the bithorax complex in Drosophila melanogaster.

A chromosomal walk is described that covers 315 X 10(3) base-pairs of DNA from the 87DE region of the third chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster. The walk includes the DNA for the rosy and Ace loci, which code for xanthine dehydrogenase and acetylcholinesterase, respectively. Several dispersed repetitive elements were encountered in the walk. In every case, their positions in the chromosome differed in different strains, and so they are all presumed to be transposable elements. Several rearrangement breakpoints have been localized within the walk, including the break for In(3R) Cbx+R1 (87E1, 2-89E1, 2). One breakpoint fusion fragment of this inversion was isolated to jump from 87E into the cluster of homeotic genes of the bithorax complex, at 89E1-4.

Acetylcholinesterase↗

Use of an ordered cosmid library to deduce the genomic organization of Mycobacterium leprae.

In an attempt to unify the genetic and biological research on Mycobacterium leprae, the aetiological agent of leprosy, a cosmid library was constructed and then ordered by a combination of fingerprinting and hybridization techniques. The genome of M. leprae is represented by four contigs of overlapping clones which, together, account for nearly 2.8Mb of DNA. Several arguments suggest that the gaps between the contigs are small in size and that virtually complete coverage of the chromosome has been obtained. All of the cloned M. leprae genes have been positioned on the contig maps together with the 29 copies of the dispersed repetitive element, RLEP. These have been classified into four groups on the basis of differences in their organization. Several key housekeeping genes were identified and mapped by hybridization with heterologous probes, and the current genome map of this uncultivable pathogen comprises 72 loci.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Amplification of a specific repetitive DNA sequence for Trypanosoma rangeli identification and its potential application in epidemiological investigations.

Trypanosoma rangeli can infect humans as well as the same domestic and wild animals and triatomine vectors infected by Trypanosoma cruzi in Central and South America. This overlapping distribution complicates the epidemiology of American trypanosomiasis due to the cross-reactivity between T. rangeli and T. cruzi antigens and the presence of conserved DNA sequences in these parasites. We have isolated a T. rangeli-specific DNA repetitive element which is represented in approximately 103 copies per parasite genome and is distributed in several chromosomal bands. The 542-bp nucleotide sequence of this element, named P542, was determined and a PCR assay was standardized for its amplification. The sensitivity of the assay is high, allowing the detection of one tenth of the DNA content of a single parasite. The presence of the P542 element was confirmed in 11 T. rangeli isolates from mammalian hosts and insect vectors originating from several countries in Latin America. Negative amplification was observed with different T. cruzi strains and other trypanosomatids. The potential field application of the P542 PCR assay was investigated in simulated samples containing T. rangeli and/or T. cruzi and intestinal tract and feces of Rhodnius prolixus. Epidemiological studies were conducted in DNA preparations obtained from the digestive tracts of 12 Rhodnius colombiensis insects collected in a sylvatic area in Colombia. Positive amplification of the P542 element was obtained in 9/12 insects. We have also compared in the same samples the diagnostic performance of two PCR assays for the amplification of the variable domain of minicircle kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) and of the large subunit (LSU) of the ribosomal RNA gene of T. cruzi and T. rangeli. Data indicate that the kDNA PCR assay does not allow diagnosis of mixed infections in most insects. On the other hand, the PCR assay of the LSU RNA gene showed lower sensitivity in the detection of T. rangeli than the PCR assay of the P542 element. It is predicted that the use of sensitive detection techniques will indicate that the actual distribution of T. rangeli in America is wider than presumed.

Animals↗