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Re-evaluating genetic algorithm performance under coordinate rotation of benchmark functions. A survey of some theoretical and practical aspects of genetic algorithms.

In recent years, genetic algorithms (GAs) have become increasingly robust and easy to use. Current knowledge and many successful experiments suggest that the application of GAs is not limited to easy-to-optimize unimodal functions. Several results and GA theory give the impression that GAs easily escape from millions of local optima and reliably converge to a single global optimum. The theoretical analysis presented in this paper shows that most of the widely-used test functions have n independent parameters and that, when optimizing such functions, many GAs scale with an O(n ln n) complexity. Furthermore, it is shown that the current design of GAs and its parameter settings are optimal with respect to independent parameters. Both analysis and results show that a rotation of the coordinate system causes a severe performance loss to GAs that use a small mutation rate. In case of a rotation, the GA's complexity can increase up to O(nn) = O(exp(n ln n)). Future work should find new GA designs that solve this performance loss. As long as these problems have not been solved, the application of GAs will be limited to the optimization of easy-to-optimize functions.

Algorithms↗

Contribution of multiparameter genetic analysis to the detection of genetic alterations in hematologic neoplasia. An evaluation of combining G-band analysis, spectral karyotyping, and multiplex reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (multiplex RT-PCR).

We investigated 150 acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients and 48 acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients by multiplex RT-PCR to 7evaluate the adjuvant diagnostic effect, vis-à-vis G-banding and spectral karyotyping (SKY), and the potentials of this method for providing means for monitoring residual disease by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. An abnormal G-banded karyotype was found in 57% of AML and 68% of ALL cases. Ninety-six patients were investigated by SKY in parallel which extended or confirmed the G-banding finding in 94/96 cases. In patients with an abnormal G-banded karyotype, classification of chromosomes involved in structural aberrations by SKY was possible in 98% of the cases and SKY extended the G-banded karyotype in 34% of cases. In 32 cases, an mRNA hybrid was detected by PCR. These cases constitute 16% of the cases investigated at diagnosis (AML: 11% and ALL: 31%). In 13 of these cases, we detected an mRNA hybrid the equivalent of which was not found by G-banding or SKY (AML: 4% and ALL: 13%). By including multiplex RT-PCR, we were able to detect abnormalities in 62% of the investigated patients as opposed to 59% by G-banding. Genetic techniques complement each other and selection of relevant and targeted primer kits for the multiplex RT-PCR assay is recommended.

Chromosome Banding↗

Genetic and antigenic characterization of the matrix protein of two genetically distinct ovine lentiviruses.

Small Ruminant Lentiviruses (SRLV) are a group of non-oncogenic retroviruses including Maedi-Visna virus (MVV) and Caprine Arthritis-Encephalitis virus (CAEV), which cause a chronic, multisystemic disease in sheep and goats, respectively. Phylogenetic analyses of SRLV are based in most cases on partial pol sequences. Several reports indicate that the species specificity of these viruses is not as strict as previously thought; MVV-like viruses have been found in goat populations and vice versa. Recently, the sequencing of some Italian ovine isolates has shown the presence of a new cluster more similar to classical caprine isolates (CAEV-like). Few data are available on the variability of structural proteins involved in the antibody response of infected animals. In this study, the gag gene of two genetically distinct ovine isolates, namely the MVV-like It-561 and the CAEV-like It-Pi1, was sequenced and the epitopes of matrix protein (MA) were mapped. Recombinant MAs and their subunits from both ovine aforementioned strains were tested against a panel of sheep and goat sera. Reactive epitopes were found in all three subunits of MA, although the central subunit displayed a more consistent reactivity. Epitope mapping of this subunit demonstrated that the amino acid sequence of at least one immunodominant epitope was quite different in the two strains. This antigenic variability may affect the sensitivity of a single strain-based immunoassay and suggests that both SRLV genotypes should be used in the development of future diagnostic tests, to avoid viral strain selection during the eradication programmes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Genetic analysis in patients with left ventricular noncompaction and evidence for genetic heterogeneity.

Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a cardiomyopathy characterized by numerous excessively trabeculations and deep intertrabecular recesses. This study was performed to investigate Japanese LVNC patients for disease-causing mutations in a series of selected candidate genes. DNA was isolated from the peripheral blood of 79 cases including 20 familial cases and 59 sporadic cases. DNA samples were screened for mutations in the genes encoding G4.5 (TAZ), alpha-dystrobrevin (DTNA), alpha1-syntrophin (SNTA1), FK506 Binding protein 1A (FKBP1A or FKPB12: FKBP1A), and LIM Domain Binding protein 3 (Cypher/ZASP: LDB3), using single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis and DNA sequencing. DNA variants were identified in 6 of the 79 cases, including four familial cases and two sporadic cases. A splice acceptor mutation of intron 8 in TAZ (IVS8-1G>C) was identified in one family with isolated LVNC, resulting in deletion of exon 9 from mRNA. In a sporadic case of isolated LVNC and Barth syndrome (BTHS), a 158insC in exon 2 of TAZ resulting in a frame-shift mutation was identified. A 1876G>A substitution changing an aspartic acid to asparagine (D626N) was identified in LDB3 in four members of two families with LVNC. A 163G>A polymorphism was identified in LDB3, which changed a valine to isoleucine (V55I) in one patient with isolated LVNC. In addition, in a family with nonisolated LVNC, a 362C>T mutation was identified in DTNA. LVNC, like other forms of inherited cardiomyopathy, is a genetically heterogeneous disease, associated with variable clinical symptoms and can be inherited as an autosomal or X-linked recessive disorder.

Acyltransferases↗

Genetic recombination of bacterial plasmid DNA. Physical and genetic analysis of the products of plasmid recombination in Escherichia coli.

Derivatives of plasmid pBR322 DNA containing tet mutations were constructed by inserting XhoI linkers at various sites in the tetracycline resistance gene. Monomer plasmids containing either the tet-10 allele located at nucleotide position 23 or the tet-14 allele located at nucleotide position 1267 were used to construct a circular dimer containing one copy of each allele and a circular trimer containing one copy of the tet-10 allele and two copies of the tet-14 allele. Genetic recombination of these plasmid DNAs to produce a functional tetracycline resistance gene could be detected as the production of tetracycline-resistant progeny during the growth of transformants or using a restriction mapping assay which detected the rearrangement of the mutant alleles. The structure of individual tetracycline-resistant recombination products was determined by restriction mapping. This analysis suggested that as many as 70% of the plasmid recombination events in Escherichia coli AB1157 could have involved gene conversion events. The formation of these recombination products was most easily predicted by a model involving figure 8 recombination intermediates and the formation of symmetric regions of heteroduplex. Recombination in JC10287 delta(srlR-recA)304 occurred at 5% of the wild-type frequency and appeared to occur by a similar mechanism. Recombination in JC9604 recA56 recB21 recC22 sbcA23 occurred at 20 times the wild-type frequency and appeared to involve multiple independent recombination events.

DNA Restriction Enzymes↗

Genetic analysis of adenovirus E1A: induction of genetic instability and altered cell morphologic and growth characteristics are segregatable functions.

Single multifunctional oncoproteins contribute to genomic instability development, but relationships between one or more oncoprotein-associated activities and genetic changes accompanying tumor cell progression are uncertain. Using NIH 3T3 derivative EN/NIH 2-20 containing transcriptionally silent neomycin phosphotransferase gene (neo) integrants with undetectable spontaneous reactivations, we studied wild-type (WT) and mutant adenovirus E1A-induced neo reactivation by neo-allelic rearrangement. WT E1A expression, yielding differential splice transcripts 12S and 13S and resulting in altered cell morphologic and growth characteristics, produced neo reactivations in 9 of 21 subclones (median rate per cell, 35 x 10(-6); range, 0.33 x 10(-6) to 936 x 10(-6)). Only 3 of 17 cell lines expressing CTdl976, a '12S' functional equivalent inducing altered cell morphologic and growth characteristics while lacking the 13S trans activation domain, yielded neo reactivations (range, 0.33 x 10(-6) to 0.67 x 10(-6)). One of 21 subclones expressing NTdl646, an E1A mutant retaining the trans domain but lacking p300 binding activity and the ability to alter cell morphologic and growth characteristics, produced neo reactivations (8.7 x 10(-6)). Other E1A mutants, all lacking the ability to alter cell morphologic and growth characteristics while binding pRb but variously lacking the trans domain and binding for p107 and/or p300, displayed undetectable neo-reactivations. 98 EN/NIH 2-20 derivatives coexpressing complementary mutant E1As exhibited altered morphologic and growth features, but only 10 of these produced neo reactivations, and maximum rates (14 x 10(-6)) were substantially lower than those in comparably derived, morphologically altered E1AWT-expressing counterparts (497 x 10(-6)). These findings suggest that maximum rates of gene reactivations by genomic rearrangement require the collective activities of functional domains assembled in single multifunctional proteins (or complexes) while altered cell morphologic and growth characteristics may arise through comparable sets of functional domains distributed across more than one protein (or complex).

3T3 Cells↗

Genetic and non-genetic biomarkers related to carcinogenesis in evaluating toxicological risk from Fenarimol.

A multibiomarker approach based on the study of toxicity mechanisms at both genetic and metabolic levels has been applied to Fenarimol. With regard to genotoxicity, particular attention was given to assays for chromosomal aberration and micronuclei; clastogenic potential was assessed in human peripheral blood lymphocytes in vitro, while the induction of micronuclei was studied in male CD1 mouse bone marrow polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE). Fenarimol did not induce any significant dose-related increase in micronucleated PCEs, up to 4-fold above the control level at a single dose of 75 mg/kg b.w., was observed 24 h after treatment. Using selective biochemical markers of effect Fenarimol was found to induce CYP 2B1 isoforms in liver, kidney and lung microsomes of Swiss Albino CD1 male and female mice, as shown by the significant increase in specific 2B1-probe pentoxyresorufin O-dealkylase activity. On the contrary, CYP 3A, probed by N-demethylation of aminopyrine, were only induced in the liver. Results were corroborated by means of Western immunoblotting using rabbit polyclonal antibodies anti-CYP 2B1 and 3A. Northern blotting analysis with CYP 2B1 and 3A cDNA biotinylated probes showed that the expression of such isoforms is regulated at mRNA level. Taken as a whole, these data indicate the possible (mutagenic) cotoxic/cocarcinogenic and promoting potential of this fungicide.

Animals↗

Genetics and differential expression of NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase B8 subunit in brains of genetic strains of mice differing in voluntary alcohol consumption.

Inbred strains of mice remain a valuable resource for genetic dissection of complex traits including responses to drugs and chemicals, particularly alcohol. As a novel source of candidate genes for further analysis, we have used mRNA differential displays to identify genes with differential expression in the brains of ethanol-preferring (C57BL/6J) vs. ethanol-avoiding (A/J, BALB/c, and DBA/2J) strains, with and without ethanol i.p. treatments (4 g/kg). We report on one such gene, NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase B8 subunit, that has a higher expression in the C57BL/6J. Further, its expression also increases following ethanol treatment as compared to the three alcohol-avoiding strains. This regulatory feature follows three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region across the four strains studied. The four strains represent only two haplotypes, one C57BL/6J-specific and the other found in the three alcohol-avoiding strains. Interestingly, one of the observed SNPs (-687 A/G) is located in the putative TFIID binding site with potential to regulate the expression of this gene and contribute to genotype-specific alcohol responses and effects involving reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Alcohol Drinking↗

[Molecular chromosomic genetics in prenatal and perinatal diagnosis of chromosomal anomalies and genetic diseases].

Prenatal and perinatal diagnosis needs a rapid, accurate and overall genome analysis. Molecular chromosomic techniques such as fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) with "cold" (not radioactively labeled) probes combine techniques of both conventional chromosome banding and molecular biology. FISH is a powerful tool for detecting some genetic diseases as well as microscopic or submicroscopic chromosome rearrangements, in metaphases cells or interphase nuclei.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

Genetic polymorphism of human cytochrome P-450 (S)-mephenytoin 4-hydroxylase. Studies with human autoantibodies suggest a functionally altered cytochrome P-450 isozyme as cause of the genetic deficiency.

The metabolism of the anticonvulsant mephenytoin is subject to a genetic polymorphism. In 2-5% of Caucasians and 18-23% of Japanese subjects a specific cytochrome P-450 isozyme, P-450 meph, is functionally deficient or missing. We have accumulated evidence that autoimmune antibodies observed in sera of patients with tienilic acid induced hepatitis (anti-liver kidney microsome 2 or anti-LKM2 antibodies) specifically recognize the cytochrome P-450 involved in the mephenytoin hydroxylation polymorphism. This is demonstrated by immunoinhibition and immunoprecipitation of microsomal (S)-mephenytoin 4-hydroxylation activity and by the recognition by anti-LKM2 antibodies of a single protein band on immunoblots of human liver microsomes after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis or isoelectric focusing. The cytochrome P-450 recognized by anti-LKM2 antibodies was immunopurified from microsomes derived from livers of extensive (EM) or poor metabolizers (PM) of (S)-mephenytoin. Comparison of the EM-type cytochrome P-450 to that isolated from PM livers revealed no difference in regard to immuno-cross-reactivity, molecular weight, isoelectric point, relative content in microsomes, two-dimensional tryptic peptide maps, one-dimensional peptide maps with three proteases, amino acid composition, and amino-terminal protein sequence. Finally, the same protein was precipitated from microsomes prepared from the liver biopsy of a subject phenotyped in vivo as a poor metabolizer of mephenytoin. These data strongly suggest that the mephenytoin hydroxylation deficiency is caused by a minor structural change leading to a functionally altered cytochrome P-450 isozyme.

Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases↗

Direct comparison of detection systems used for the development of single-cell genetic tests in preimplantation genetic diagnosis.

PURPOSE: Single-cell polymerase chain reaction (PCR) requires efficient amplification and accurate detection. We compare the accuracy of heteroduplex, fluorescent-fragment, and fluorescent single-strand conformation polymorphism (F-SSCP) analysis as detection systems for analysis of a PCR assay developed for preimplantation genetic diagnosis. METHODS: A single-cell, fluorescent multiplex PCR assay was developed for the cystic fibrosis delta F508 mutation and the short tandem repeat, D21S11. Detection systems were compared by analyzing blinded PCR products. RESULTS: Amplification rates for cystic fibrosis were 89% by heteroduplex and 91% by fragment analysis, while it was 72% for D21S11 by fragment analysis. No difference in allele dropout was detected for cystic fibrosis by any method (2%). Overall accuracy was high, > 97%, although SSCP was the least accurate. CONCLUSIONS: Heteroduplex and fragment analysis proved equal in the diagnosis of a single amplified locus. We determined that fragment analysis allows maximal accuracy of detection and permits analysis of a second loci, controlling for DNA contamination and allelic dropout.

Cystic Fibrosis↗

Superimposed histologic and genetic mapping of chromosome 9 in progression of human urinary bladder neoplasia: implications for a genetic model of multistep urothelial carcinogenesis and early detection of urinary bladder cancer.

The evolution of alterations on chromosome 9, including the putative tumor suppressor genes mapped to the 9p21-22 region (the MTS genes), was studied in relation to the progression of human urinary bladder neoplasia by using whole organ superimposed histologic and genetic mapping in cystectomy specimens and was verified in urinary bladder tumors of various pathogenetic subsets with longterm follow-up. The applicability of chromosome 9 allelic losses as non-invasive markers of urothelial neoplasia was tested on voided urine and/or bladder washings of patients with urinary bladder cancer. Although sequential multiple hits in the MTS locus were documented in the development of intraurothelial precursor lesions, the MTS genes do not seem to represent a major target for p21-23 deletions in bladder cancer. Two additional tumor suppressor genes involved in bladder neoplasia located distally and proximally to the MTS locus within p22-23 and p11-13 regions respectively were identified. Several distinct putative tumor suppressor gene loci within the q12-13, q21-22, and q34 regions were identified on the q arm. In particular, the pericentromeric q12-13 area may contain the critical tumor suppressor gene or genes for the development of early urothelial neoplasia. Allelic losses of chromosome 9 were associated with expansion of the abnormal urothelial clone which frequently involved large areas of urinary bladder mucosa. These losses could be found in a high proportion of urothelial tumors and in voided urine or bladder washing samples of nearly all patients with urinary bladder carcinoma.

Chromosome Aberrations↗

CYP2D6 genetic variation in healthy adults and psychiatric African-American subjects: implications for clinical practice and genetic testing.

Limited information is available on the frequency of the many CYP2D6 alleles found in African-Americans. DNA was isolated and genetic testing was performed on samples from 222 African-Americans, healthy controls (n=131), and psychiatric patients (n=91). Each DNA was tested for CYP2D6 alleles *2, *3, *4, *5, *6, *7, *8, *9, *10, *11, *14, *15, *17, *18, *19, *20, *25, *26, *29, *30, *31, *35, *36, *37, *40, *41 and *43 and 8 multiple copy alleles (*1xn, *2xn, *4xn, *41xn, *2Lxn, *17xn, *35xn and *10xn) using the AmpliChip CYP450 prototype microarray assay, along with allele-specific-PCR and PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. No significant difference was noted between controls and psychiatric patients in any CYP2D6 allele frequencies. Three subjects were genotyped as poor metabolizers (1.4%; 0.0-2.9%, 95% confidence intervals (CI)), and 10 were classified as ultrarapid metabolizers (4.5%; 1.8-7.2%, 95% CI). A new CYP2D6 allele (*58) and two new duplicated CYP2D6 alleles (*17xn and *2Lxn) not previously reported were also identified. The frequency of the CYP2D6 overexpression in African-Americans may represent a greater therapeutic challenge than its deficiency based on these results. The most common alleles found in African-Americans including CYP2D6*1, *17 and *41 need to be investigated more closely for race-specific allelic variations and the mechanism responsible for differences in allele function more closely examined. The diversity of CYP2D6 alleles suggests that nucleotide arrays or similar methods are needed to efficiently test for the most prominent/relevant CYP2D6 alleles in humans.

Adolescent↗

[Genetic hemochromatosis and the HFE gene: from molecular genetics to clinical diagnosis].

More than 90% of patients with genetic hemochromatosis carry a characteristic mutation in the HFE-gene (C282Y). HFE modulates the iron uptake by the transferrin receptor. Duodenal crypt cells of HFE-knockout mice show low intracellular iron concentrations which lead to an upregulation of the divalent metal transporter and enhanced iron uptake by duodenal enterocytes. Heterozygosity for the C282Y mutation appears to alter the course of other liver diseases like porphyria cutanea tarda and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Population genetics of multigene family with special reference to decrease of genetic correlation with distance between gene members on a chromosome.

A mathematical method is developed which enables us to treat exactly the process of coincidental evolution under mutation, unequal intrachromosomal crossing-over as well as ordinary crossing-over between homologous chromosomes in a finite population of the effective size N. It makes use of finite difference equations involving two quantities denoted by fi and phi i, in which fi is the identity coefficient of two gene members that are i steps apart on the same chromosome and phi i is that of two members i steps apart on two homologous chromosomes. When the number of genes (n) per family is large, the finite difference equations can be approximately by ordinary second-order differential equations which can then be solved analytically. Results obtained by the present method are compared with the corresponding results previously obtained by one of us (T.O.) using conventional diffusion models of gene frequency changes in population genetics. It is shown that the previous results obtained by T.O. regarding second-order statistics are essentially valid, and they give good approximations particularly when N beta is small, where beta is the rate of ordinary interchromosomal crossing-over within the multigene family.

Base Sequence↗

Impact of malaria on genetic polymorphism and genetic diseases in Africans and African Americans.

The high mortality from malaria in sub-Sahara Africa selected multiple genes that give the population a selective advantage. Identification of the genetic basis for resistance may suggest unusual approaches to development of malarial vaccines and antimalarial drugs. Some of these genes may be deleterious, although of selective advantage within the African setting, and need to be identified for counseling for disease prevention.

Africa South of the Sahara↗

Genetic control of the immune response to nuclease. V. Genetic linkage and strain distribution of anti-nuclease idiotypes.

Rat antisera raised against anti-nuclease antibodies from mouse strains A/J and SJL detect strain-specific idiotypic determinants related to the antigen-combining site. These antisera have been used to investigate the genetic linkage and strain distribution of the anti-nuclease idiotypes. Despite the existence of an H-2-linked immune response gene controlling the humoral response to nuclease, expression of the A/J anti-nuclease idiotype has been shown to be independent of genes in the H-2 region: the A/J idiotype was present in immune sera from strains A/J (H-2a) and A.BY (H-2b) but absent in sera from strains B10 (H-2b) and B10.A (H-2a). An analysis of the segregation of the A/J idiotype in offspring of the backcross (A/J x B10.A) x B10.A demonstrated linkage to the Ig-1e heavy chain allotype markers. In a small sample of backcross animals a very high apparent recombination frequency was observed, but further backcross analyses and progeny testing of putative recombinant animals will be required to substantiate this observation. Analysis of the A/J and SJL anti-nuclease idiotype markers in the BALB/c, CB.20, and BAB.14 strains indicate that these idiotypic markers may permit mapping of distinct variable region genes.

Animals↗