Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “coding variants”

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 1,189 records · Page 66Linked to original sources

Mouse heart Na+ channels: primary structure and function of two isoforms and alternatively spliced variants.

We isolated two full-length cDNA clones from the adult murine heart that encode two different voltage-gated Na+ channels: mH1 and mH2. Sequence comparisons indicated that mH1 is highly homologous to rat SCN5A, whereas mH2 is highly homologous to SCN4A, expressed in rat skeletal muscle. Electrophysiological properties of mH1 channels strongly resembled the tetrodotoxin (TTX)-resistant Na+ current of mouse ventricular cells, whereas mH2 channels activated at more positive potentials and were highly sensitive to TTX [50% inhibitory constant (IC50) = 11 nM]. We found that mH2 is not expressed in cardiac cells of neonatal mice, but appears to be upregulated during the development. Besides these Na+ channel isoforms, we also detected two alternatively spliced mH1 variants that were characterized by deletions within the sequence coding for the intracellular loop between domains II and III. One of the shortened channels, mH1-2, developed Na+ currents indistinguishable from those of mH1. The other splice variant (mH1-3) did not form functional channels. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction indicated that RNA preparations of the adult mouse heart contain 54% mH1, 25% mH1-2, 16% mH2, and 5% mH1-3. Conclusively, mH1 generates the main portion of the mouse cardiac TTX-resistant Na+ current and mH2 is a candidate for TTX-sensitive currents previously described in adult cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, the presence of mH1-2 and mH1-3 transcripts indicates that alternative splicing plays a role in the regulation of functional Na+ channels in cardiomyocytes.

Alternative Splicing↗

Heterogeneous PIG-A mutations in different cell lineages in paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria.

Paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is an acquired clonal defect of hematopoietic stem cells in which affected cells are characterized by the lack of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins. The lesion in PNH lies in the defective synthesis of N-acetyl-D-glucosaminyl-phosphatidylinositol (GlcNAc-Pl), the first intermediate in GPI biosynthesis. Reintroduction of the PIG-A gene into GPI(-) patient cells reportedly complements this defect. We have analyzed here PIG-A transcripts of six PNH patients. GPI+ and GPI- cell lines from each individual were used, ie, Epstein-Barr virus-transformed B-lymphoblastoid cell lines, T-cell lines, and natural killer cell clones. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and sequencing showed three different PIG-A splicing variants in GPI+ cell lines, in which the largest transcript contained the wild-type PIG-A coding region sequence. GPI-deficient cell lines showed abnormal splicing variants. Sequencing of PIG-A complementary DNA and genomic DNA showed heterogeneous mutations ranging from different point mutations to small deletions. Two lymphocyte cell lines (T- and B-cell lines) of one patient presented with the same mutation. For another patient, two different mutations were detected in one natural killer cell line. Therefore, different cell lineages have somatic mutations in PIG-A that lead to PNH.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B, Mem↗

FCGR3B gene frequencies and FCGR3 variants in a Chinese population from Zhejiang Province.

The human neutrophil antigens HNA-1a, -1b and -1c play an important role in immune neutropenia. The frequencies of the coding FCGR3B genes were determined in different populations. New FCGR3B variants were also found in some populations. This study investigated the FCGR3B gene frequencies and FCGR3 variants in a Chinese population compared with the results of Northern Germans and African Blacks (Uganda). Our results show that the gene frequencies in 413 healthy Chinese individuals from Zhejiang Province were 0.565 for FCGR3B*1, 0.430 for FCGR3B*2 and 0.00 for FCGR3B*3. The genotype frequency of FCGR3B(null) was 0.48% (2/413). Sequencing of FCGR3 revealed that in seven out of 19 Chinese individuals, cloned and sequenced DNA fragments that exhibited variants caused by single nucleotide exchanges at one or more of the polymorphic positions 141, 147, 227, 266 and 277 in exon 3 also existed in this Chinese population. From the present study, it is concluded that the FCGR3B*1 gene is more frequent in a Chinese population from Zhejiang Province than the FCGR3B*2 gene, and the FCGR3B*3 gene seems to be absent, which is in contrast to studies in the white populations. Gene variants caused by single nucleotide exchanges were found in addition to the well-known forms, but the reason for this remains unclear.

Alleles↗

A replication-competent, neutralization-sensitive variant of simian immunodeficiency virus lacking 100 amino acids of envelope.

Coding sequences for the first two variable loops of the gp120 envelope glycoprotein were removed from simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) strain 239 (SIVmac239). This deletion encompassed 100 amino acids. The resulting virus replicated poorly after transfection into immortalized T-cell lines, with peak replication occurring only after 25 to 30 days. Limited passaging of SIVmac239DeltaV1V2 in cultures gave rise to a variant which had significantly improved replication kinetics but which retained the original 100-amino-acid deletion in gp120. Cloning and sequencing revealed 11 changes in the envelope, including amino acid substitutions in both gp120 (5 substitutions) and gp41(6 substitutions). Four of the five changes in gp120 are predicted to lie within and around the putative coreceptor binding domain, a region which is believed to be covered by the V1 and V2 loops in the native envelope complex. Analysis of recombinant clones surprisingly revealed that the changes in gp41 were sufficient to overcome the replication deficiency created by deletion of the V1 and V2 loops from gp120. The SIVmac239DeltaV1V2 envelope displayed a significant reduction in its ability to mediate cell-cell fusion, and the infectious titer of SIVmac239DeltaV1V2 was approximately four- to eightfold lower than that of parental SIVmac239. Although SIVmac239 is strongly dependent on both CD4 and a coreceptor for entry, envelope protein lacking the V1 and V2 loops was able to mediate fusion with CD4(-) CCR5(+) cells at 60% the level observed with CD4(+) CCR5(+) cells. Plasma from SIVmac239-infected monkeys was at least 100 to 1,000 times more effective at neutralizing SIVmac239DeltaV1V2 than SIVmac239. These results demonstrate the dispensability of the V1-V2 sequences of SIVmac239 for viral replication, a role for V1 and V2 in shielding the coreceptor binding region of the envelope, and the extreme sensitivity of a SIV lacking these sequences to antibody-mediated neutralization.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Whole-Exome and Whole-Genome Sequencing of Candidate Pharmacogenomic and Schizophrenia-Related Genes in Sudanese Families with Schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Schizophrenia is considered a neuro-developmental disorder leading to disastrous lifelong disability of the patients and their families. There is a lack of data regarding pharmacogenomics of schizophrenia in Sudan. This study aimed to identify different genes affecting the treatment outcomes in Sudanese patients with schizophrenia. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted on seven families having more than one member diagnosed with schizophrenia. This was a small exploratory family-based sequencing study involving 18 affected individuals and 8 controls from seven families. Ethical clearance and informed consent were obtained. Demographic data were collected using a standardized data collection sheet. DNA was extracted from blood samples collected from patients and control groups. Then, whole-exome and genome sequencing were performed. Sixty-six genes associated with schizophrenia, treatment, and treatment resistance were selected from the variant calling file. Variants showing single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. These variants were then classified based on their impact on the protein-coding sequence into high- and moderate-impact. Moreover, indel mutations were also identified. RESULTS: Twelve variants of seven genes (COMT, FMO1, LPL, CYP2E1, ABCC1, GRM3, CYP2C9) were identified as genes with impact and potential association with schizophrenia (p-value=0.006632). Forty-three genes had a moderate impact, and they showed a potential association with schizophrenia (p-value=0.0004436). Two variants were indel mutations (CYP2D6, DTNBP1) and showed association with schizophrenia (p-value=0.004741). The p-values were generated from different databases. CONCLUSION: This exploratory family-based sequencing study identified several potentially relevant pharmacogenomic and schizophrenia-associated variants in Sudanese families, warranting validation in larger and ethnically diverse cohorts.

antipsychotics↗

Studies of genetic variability of the uncoupling protein 1 gene in Caucasian subjects with juvenile-onset obesity.

Our objective was to investigate whether genetic variants of the uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) gene are associated with juvenile-onset obesity or alterations in weight gain and insulin sensitivity in young healthy Caucasians. Single-strand conformation polymorphism and heteroduplex analysis of the coding region of the UCP1 gene was performed in 56 subjects randomly selected at the draft board examination from a cohort of 156 males with juvenile-onset obesity. Association studies of amino acid variants were undertaken in the cohort of males with juvenile-onset obesity, a cohort of 205 randomly selected control males, and a subgroup of this cohort comprising 76 lean subjects. Genetic variants of the coding region as well as a previously described a-->g nucleotide polymorphism of the 5'-flanking region of the UCP1 gene were examined for associations with accelerated weight gain or reduced sensitivity to insulin in a cohort of 380 young healthy Caucasians. The mutational analysis revealed five nucleotide substitutions that changed the sequence of UCP1, Arg/Trp40, Ala/Thr64, Val/Met137, Met/Leu229, and Lys/Asn257 and two nucleotide substitutions in the nontranslated region of exon 1. Among subjects with juvenile-onset obesity, the allelic frequencies of Ala/Thr64 and Met/Leu229 were both 8.2% (95% confidence interval: 5.1-11.3%) vs. 8.8% (6.0-11.6%) and 8.1% (5.3-10.9%), respectively, in the cohort of randomly selected control subjects. Among lean control subjects, the allelic frequencies of the polymorphisms were 8.2% (3.7-12.7%) and 5.6% (1.9-9.3%), respectively. In the cohort of young healthy subjects, measurements of obesity and insulin sensitivity did not differ between carriers of the Ala/Thr64 and Met/Leu229 variants and wild-type carriers. The Val/Met137 and Lys/Asn257 mutations were each found in one subject with juvenile-onset obesity, and the Arg/Trp40 mutation was found in two obese subjects and in one control subject. The allelic frequency of the nucleotide polymorphism of the 5'-flanking region of the UCP1 gene was 25.3% (22.2-28.4%) in the cohort of 380 young Danes. There were no differences in body mass index, fat mass, waist-to-hip ratio, or weight gain during childhood or adolescence between carriers and noncarriers of this nucleotide variant. Although we cannot exclude an effect of the rare mutations in the UCP1 gene on susceptibility to juvenile-onset obesity, genetic variation of the coding region of the UCP1 gene is not a common factor contributing to obesity in Caucasian subjects of Danish ancestry.

Adolescent↗

cDNA cloning, functional characterization, and tissue distribution of an alternatively spliced variant of organic cation transporter hOCT2 predominantly expressed in the human kidney.

A cDNA coding a novel organic cation transporter, hOCT2-A, was isolated from human kidney. The hOCT2-A cDNA is an alternatively spliced variant of hOCT2 with an insertion of 1169 bp. The open reading frame encodes a 483-amino acid protein that has 81% amino acid identity with hOCT2. From hydropathy analysis, hOCT2-A is predicted to have nine transmembrane domains. hOCT2-A mRNA is expressed mainly in kidney and weakly in brain, liver, colon, skeletal muscle, bone marrow, spinal cord, testis, and placenta. When expressed in HEK293 cells, hOCT2-A stimulated the uptake of tetraethylammonium (TEA) in an electrogenic manner. The transport of TEA by hOCT2-A-transfected cells was saturable with the apparent Km value of 63 microM. hOCT2-A stimulated the uptake of TEA, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium, and cimetidine as well as did hOCT2. The uptake of guanidine and choline by hOCT2-transfected cells also increased markedly but not that by hOCT2-A-transfected cells. The uptake of TEA mediated by hOCT2-A but not by hOCT2 was inhibited significantly by organic cations such as procainamide, N-acetylprocainamide, and levofloxacin, indicating that hOCT2-A differs from hOCT2 in its affinity for several compounds. These findings suggested that hOCT2-A contributes to the renal clearance of endogenous and exogenous organic cations.

Alternative Splicing↗

Evaluation of Optineurin as a candidate gene in Indian patients with primary open angle glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the role of the optineurin gene (OPTN) in Indian primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients from different parts of the country. METHODS: Two hundred patients with POAG and 200 ethnically matched normal controls were recruited from various parts of India for the study. The entire coding region of OPTN along with the intron-exon boundaries were screened by PCR and single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) followed by direct sequencing. A rapid screening method was developed for some of the observed variants by denaturing high performance liquid chromatography (dHPLC). Four variants were also confirmed by digesting the amplicon with appropriate restriction enzymes. RESULTS: Seven nucleotide changes were observed in OPTN of which one was a putative mutation in exon 16 (Arg545Gln) that was observed in six POAG patients and not in the controls (p<0.05). The remaining variants comprised four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the coding region (Thr34Thr, Met98Lys, Arg149Arg, and Asn303Lys) and two in intron 6 (879-10G>A and 879-5C>T). But frequencies of the minor allele were not significantly different among the patients and controls. The Met98Lys variant that was identified to be a potential risk factor for NTG and POAG in some Asian populations and also for modulating IOP in Caucasian populations, did not exhibit any significant association to the disease phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: Despite a putative mutation (Arg545Gln) in some patients, the present study does not suggest a significant involvement of OPTN in POAG patients of Indian origin.

Cell Cycle Proteins↗

The chimpanzee M blood-group antigen is a variant of the human M-N glycoproteins.

Chimpanzee erythrocytes express strong M but weak, occasional N blood-group activity, as detected by anti-M and anti-N reagents. We have found that the M activity is carried by a major membrane glycoprotein that is similar but not identical to the human MM glycoprotein (glycophorin A). We have isolated and characterized this glycoprotein from erythrocyte membranes of four individual chimpanzees. The purified glycoproteins strongly inhibited agglutination of M cells by rabbit anti-human M sera and only weakly inhibited the agglutination of N cells by rabbit anti-human N sera. They also displayed medium-to-strong inhibitory activity against chimpanzee iso- and crossimmune antisera tested with chimpanzee erythrocytes of various V-A-B-D and Wc specificities, which are known as chimpanzee extensions of the human type M-N system and the Miltenberger counterpart, respectively. Each glycoprotein was cleaved with CNBr into three fragments, whose size, solubility, and composition were analogous to those obtained by similar treatment of the human M-N antigens. The amino-terminal fragment was found to be a glycooctapeptide whose amino acid composition and partial sequence indicated that it is an intermediate form of the human M and N glycooctapeptides. Its carbohydrate content comprised two threonine-linked saccharide units that, although similar in composition to the human threonine-linked units, were fewer in number than the three units found in the corresponding human glycooctapeptides. Structural similarities to the human antigens strongly suggest that the amino terminus bears the major antigenic determinants of the molecule, and the occurrence in this region of numerous, albeit rare, variants among humans and in chimpanzees indicates that the corresponding coding sequence of the structural gene is particularly susceptible to mutational events. We conclude that the chimpanzee M gene product is a variant of the human type and that the chimpanzee gene is an allele of the human polymorphic M-N locus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

A point mutation in the coding sequence of the beta-hexosaminidase alpha gene results in defective processing of the enzyme protein in an unusual GM2-gangliosidosis variant.

cDNA clones were isolated from cultured fibroblasts of a patient previously reported as having GM2-gangliosidosis due to defective processing of the precursor beta-hexosaminidase alpha chain. Sequence analysis of a clone containing the entire protein coding sequence showed a single nucleotide substitution, from G to A, at nucleotide residue no. 1444, which resulted in a change in amino acid residue no. 482, from the normal glutamic acid to lysine. This transversion was confirmed in two other cDNAs from the same unamplified library. The results collectively indicate that the change from the strongly negative to strongly positive charge at amino acid residue no. 482 is responsible for the defective processing of the enzyme in this patient.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Screening a large reference sample to identify very low frequency sequence variants: comparisons between two genes.

Most human sequence variation is in the form of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). It has been proposed that coding-region SNPs (cSNPs) be used for direct association studies to determine the genetic basis of complex traits. The success of such studies depends on the frequency of disease-associated alleles, and their distribution in different ethnic populations. If disease-associated alleles are frequent in most populations, then direct genotyping of candidate variants could show robust associations in manageable study samples. This approach is less feasible if the genetic risk from a given candidate gene is due to many infrequent alleles. Previous studies of several genes demonstrated that most variants are relatively infrequent (<0.05). These surveys genotyped small samples (n<75) and thus had limited ability to identify rare alleles. Here we evaluate the prevalence and distribution of such rare alleles by genotyping an ethnically diverse reference sample that is more than six times larger than those used in previous studies (n=450). We screened for variants in the complete coding sequence and intron-exon junctions of two candidate genes for neuropsychiatric phenotypes: SLC6A4, encoding the serotonin transporter; and SLC18A2, encoding the vesicular monoamine transporter. Both genes have unique roles in neuronal transmission, and variants in either gene might be associated with neurobehavioral phenotypes.

Alleles↗

A new strategy for mannose-binding lectin gene haplotyping.

The mannose-binding lectin 2 (MBL2) gene is polymorphic and codes for a protein with an important role in the innate immune response, whose variants have been associated with a great number of diseases. Point variations have been described in the 5' regulatory region at positions -550 (MBL2*H or *L) and -221 (*X or *Y), in the 5' untranslated sequence at position +4 (*P or *Q), and in the coding sequence of exon 1 at codons 52, 54, and 57 (MBL2*A or D, A or B, and A or C, respectively). These can be in cis or in trans configuration. The different haplotypes influence the immunological phenotype of the individual, which makes MBL2 haplotyping very important. Previously described MBL2-typing methods do not present adequate haplotype resolution or are too complex and costly. We have developed a new MBL2-typing strategy that is economical and renders rapid and reliable results without ambiguities. We typed 202 individuals of European, 32 of African, and 16 of Oriental descent. Only five to six reactions from 10 possible PCR-SSPs (sequence-specific polymerase chain reactions) were sufficient to genotype one individual unambiguously. The reactions were specific for amplification of the variants located upstream of the coding sequence. The results were associated to the results of hybridizations of the amplified products with eight sequence-specific oligonucleotide probes (SSOP). The strategy led to identification of eight alleles: MBL2*HYPA, HYPD, LYPA, LYPB, LYPD, LYQA, LYQC, and LXPA. Their frequencies in each of the groups were similar to those of other populations studied to date, with MBL2*LYPD (g.[-550G>C; -221C>G; 4T>C; 223C>T; 230A>G; 239A>G]) being novel. All samples were found to be in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Automating the identification of DNA variations using quality-based fluorescence re-sequencing: analysis of the human mitochondrial genome.

Diagnostic re-sequencing plays a central role in medical and evolutionary genetics. In this report we describe a process that applies fluorescence-based re-sequencing and an integrated set of analysis tools to automate and simplify the identification of DNA variations using the human mitochondrial genome as a model system. Two programs used in genome sequence analysis (Phred, a base-caller, and Phrap, a sequence assembler) are applied to assess the quality of each base call across the sequence. Potential DNA variants are automatically identified and 'tagged' by comparing the assembled sequence with a reference sequence. We also show that employing the Consed program to display a set of highly annotated reference sequences greatly simplifies data analysis by providing a visual database containing information on the location of the PCR primers, coding and regulatory sequences and previously known DNA variants. Among the 12 genomes sequenced 378 variants including 29 new variants were identified along with two heteroplasmic sites, automatically detected by the PolyPhred program. Overall we document the ease and speed of performing high quality and accurate fluorescence-based re-sequencing on long tracts of DNA as well as the application of new approaches to automatically find and view DNA variants among these sequences.

Base Sequence↗

Population genetics and disease susceptibility: characterization of central European haplogroups by mtDNA gene mutations, correlation with D loop variants and association with disease.

Mitochondrial (mt)DNA haplogroups in a German control group (n = 67) were characterized by screening mitochondrial coding regions encompassing most of the ND, tRNA and cyt b genes. We used a PCR-SSCP screening approach followed by direct sequencing of polymorphic mtDNA fragments. Five major mtDNA lineages, diverging in at least nine different haplogroups, could be defined by characteristic polymorphic sites in mitochondrial genes. Additional sequencing of two hypervariable segments (HVS-I and II) of the non-coding displacement (D) loop in all control subjects revealed that certain D loop variants were strongly correlated with lineages and haplogroups, while others represented hotspots occurring frequently in different haplogroups. The existence of identified lineages and haplogroups received support from data in the literature, obtained by use of different approaches. Subsequently, we investigated four disease groups for association with these haplogroups: (i) LHON patients (n = 55) carrying at least one of the primary/intermediate LHON mutations at nt 3460, 11778, 14484 and/or 15257; (ii) patients suffering from Wolfram or DIDMOAD syndrome (n = 8); (iii) MELAS patients (n = 9); (iv) a group of children, who died from 'sudden infant death syndrome' (SIDS) (n = 9). The distribution patterns among the haplogroups of the disease groups (LHON, DIDMOAD and SIDS) differed considerably from the control population. LHON and DIDMOAD were significantly under-represented in the most frequent German haplogroup DC, but were concentrated in a mtDNA lineage defined by polymorphisms at nt 4216 + 11251 + 16126. As this lineage diverged into two precisely defined haplogroups, LHON and DIDMOAD could be assigned to the two haplogroups separately. Strikingly, SIDS was often found in association with two rare German haplogroups. MELAS patients were equally distributed among German haplogroups and, moreover, did not reveal any accumulation of specific D loop variants. We conclude that certain European mtDNA haplogroups define a genetic susceptibility basis for various disorders.

Child↗

Nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophin-3 are sorted to dense-core vesicles and released via the regulated pathway in primary rat cortical neurons.

Neurotrophins (NTs) play an important role in the modulation of synaptic transmission and in morphological changes in synaptic structures. Although there is agreement that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is sorted to large dense-core vesicles (LDCVs) and released via the regulated secretory pathway, there has been some dispute regarding the mode of secretion of nerve growth factor (NGF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), two structurally related members of the NT family. In this study, we examined the subcellular localization and release characteristics of NGF, BDNF, and NT-3 in adenovirus-infected primary cortical neurons. We found that all members of the NT family colocalized with markers for the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi within cell bodies and in a punctate manner with a marker for LDCVs within processes. Moreover, their release was triggered by depolarization, indicating that NGF, BDNF, and NT-3 are released via the regulated secretory pathway. When neurons were coinfected with two separate adenoviruses coding for NGF or BDNF, both NTs showed almost complete vesicular colocalization within single cells, suggesting that different NTs might be packaged into shared vesicles. We also examined whether the two splice variants of NGF, the short and long precursors, differ in their release characteristics. We found that neurons infected with viruses coding for either splice variant released NGF in a regulated way. Overall, our study supports the notion that all members of the NT family undergo activity-dependent regulated release from neurons, enabling them to act as "synaptotrophins" on electrically active neurons.

Animals↗

Characterization of an immunologic polymorphism (D79H) in the heavy chain of factor V.

BACKGROUND: During the study of a family with hereditary factor (F)V deficiency (FV Amersfoort, 1102 A > T in exon 7) we identified an individual with 5% FV heavy chain antigen (FV(HC)) and 50% FV light chain antigen (FV(LC)). Further testing revealed that apart from the FV Amersfoort allele a second variant FV allele was segregating in this family, which encodes for a FV molecule with a reduced affinity for mAb V-23 used in the FV heavy chain ELISA (ELISA(HC)). OBJECTIVE: Identification and characterization of the molecular basis responsible for the reduced affinity of the variant FV for mAb V-23. METHODS: Family members of the proband were screened for mutations in the exons coding for the heavy chain of FV, after which the recombinant variant FV could be generated and characterized. Next, the cases and controls of the Leiden Thrombophilia Study (LETS) were genotyped for carriership of the variant FV. RESULTS: In the variant FV allele a polymorphism in exon 3 (409G > C) was identified, which predicts the replacement of aspartic acid 79 by histidin (D79H). Introduction of this mutation in recombinant FV confirmed that it reduces the affinity for binding to mAb V-23. The substitution has no effect on FV(a) stability and Xa-cofactor activity. In Caucasians the frequency of the FV-79H allele is approximately 5%. Analysis of the LETS revealed that the FV-79H allele is not associated with FV levels (FV(LC)), activated protein C sensitivity (using an activated partial thromboplastin time-based test) or risk of venous thrombosis (OR 1.07, CI 95: 0.7-1.7). CONCLUSION: The D79H substitution in FV should be considered as a neutral polymorphism. The monoclonal antibody V-23, which has a strongly reduced affinity for FV-79H, is not suitable for application in diagnostic tests.

Activated Protein C Resistance↗

Structure and function of factor IX: defects in haemophilia B.

The genetics of haemophilia B and the structure-function relationships of factor IX interactions with cofactors and substrates have been reviewed. Emphasis has been placed on contributions to our understanding made by analysis of variants. Amino acid substitutions at or near the site of activation lead to inactive factor IX or to factor IX species with decreased clotting activity. Release of the activation peptide is necessary for optimal interaction of factor IX with its cofactors and substrates. Abnormalities in the calcium binding region, whether Gla independent or dependent, also decrease clotting activity. The defects in haemophilia Bm variants somehow affect factor VII-tissue factor interactions with factor X. Other mutations may affect the factor IX heavy chain, probably at or near the active site. Amino acid substitutions may cause conformational changes in factor IX that interfere with other interactions such as with antithrombin III and factor VIII. Recombinant DNA techniques have been employed to analyse normal and abnormal factor IX genes. DNA sequence analysis of factor IX cDNA clones revealed the primary structure of the mature protein and a predicted leader peptide. Knowledge of the primary sequence of factor IX allowed identification of the specific defect in the factor IX Chapel Hill variant. Analysis of normal factor IX genomic clones has determined that the 35 kb gene is composed of eight coding exons and seven intervening sequences. Sequence analysis of the CRM+ variants will identify mutations disrupting the normal interactions of factor IX. Southern analysis of CRM- variants has revealed gross factor IX gene deletions in some cases. Such deletions have been employed for carrier deletion in some families. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms in the factor IX gene have also proven useful for carrier identification. Manipulations of the cloned factor IX gene to make specific mutations in vitro and improvements in the technology for expression of deliberately modified genes will further elucidate the relationships between factor IX structure and function.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Glucokinase gene variants in the common form of NIDDM.

To determine whether a structural defect in glucokinase could be a primary cause of glucose intolerance in the common form of NIDDM, the prevalence of mutations in the gene in 60 American black NIDDM patients was investigated. First, by Southern blot analysis of DNA from a subset of randomly selected subjects (n = 20), no gross deletions, insertions, or rearrangements of the gene were detected. Next, the 5'-untranslated and coding regions of the gene were amplified directly from genomic DNA by the polymerase chain reaction. PCR products were screened for mutations by using single-strand conformational polymorphism analysis. A total of nine variants were identified, with two in the 5'-UT regions of islet exon 1, two in the 5'-UT region of liver exon 1, and five in the coding regions. For islet exon 1, 5 of 60 NIDDM patients had both variants in the 5'-UT region; and for liver exon 1, two variants each occurred in 1 of 60 NIDDM patients. The coding region variants included a missense mutation in islet exon 1, substitution of Ala11 (GCC) with Thr11 (ACC), found in 2 patients. The biological consequences of this mutation and the mutations in the 5'-UT portion of the gene have yet to be determined. The rest of the variants were third base pair changes of codons, i.e., silent. A common polymorphism, which was in linkage equilibrium with microsatellite repeats GCK1 and GCK2, was found in intron 9, and a variant in intron 2 in both alleles of 1 patient.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Alleles↗