Search PubMed⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search PubMed

Results for “nucleotide polymorphism patterns”

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 1,207 records · Page 67Linked to original sources

Genetic variation in the 6p22.3 gene DTNBP1, the human ortholog of the mouse dysbindin gene, is associated with schizophrenia.

Prior evidence has supported the existence of multiple susceptibility genes for schizophrenia. Multipoint linkage analysis of the 270 Irish high-density pedigrees that we have studied, as well as results from several other samples, suggest that at least one such gene is located in region 6p24-21. In the present study, family-based association analysis of 36 simple sequence-length-polymorphism markers and of 17 SNP markers implicated two regions, separated by approximately 7 Mb. The first region, and the focus of this report, is 6p22.3. In this region, single-nucleotide polymorphisms within the 140-kb gene DTNBP1 (dystrobrevin-binding protein 1, or dysbindin) are strongly associated with schizophrenia. Uncorrected, empirical P values produced by the program TRANSMIT were significant (P<.01) for a number of individual SNP markers, and most remained significant when the data were restricted to include only one affected offspring per nuclear family per extended pedigree; multiple three-marker haplotypes were highly significant (P=.008-.0001) under the restricted conditions. The pattern of linkage disequilibrium is consistent with the presence of more than one susceptibility allele, but this important issue is unresolved. The number of markers tested in the adjacent genes, all of which are negative, is not sufficient to rule out the possibility that the dysbindin gene is not the actual susceptibility gene, but this possibility appears to be very unlikely. We conclude that further investigation of dysbindin is warranted.

Animals↗

Genetic diversity and biological variation among California isolates of Cucumber mosaic virus.

Genetic diversity and biological variation were compared for California isolates of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV). These fell into five pathotypes based on their reactions on three cucurbits including a susceptible squash, a melon with conventional resistance and a commercial CMV-resistant transgenic squash. Thirty-three isolates infected and caused symptoms on CMV-resistant transgenic squash. Forty-two isolates infected the CMV-resistant melon, but only 25 isolates infected both. Single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis was used to differentiate 81 California isolates into 14 groups, and the coat protein (CP) genes of 27 isolates with distinct and indistinguishable SSCP patterns were sequenced. Fourteen isolates corresponding to the different SSCP patterns were also used for phylogenetic analysis. Seventy-nine isolates belonged to CMV subgroup IA, but two belonged to CMV subgroup IB. This is the first report of subgroup IB isolates in the Americas. All CMV isolates had a nucleotide identity greater than or equal to 93.24 %. There was no correlation between CP gene variation and geographical origin, collection year, original host plant, or between the degree of CP amino acid sequence identity and the capacity to overcome transgenic and/or conventional resistance. SSCP and sequence analyses were used to compare 33 CMV isolates on CMV-resistant transgenic squash and susceptible pumpkin plants. One isolate showed sequence differences between these two hosts, but this was not due to recombination or selection pressure of transgenic resistance. CMV isolates capable of infecting cucurbits with conventional and transgenic CMV resistance were present in California, even before CMV transgenic material was available.

California↗

Molecular cloning and sequencing of porcine C5 gene and its association with immunological traits.

The complement system helps in the lysis of invading pathogens and modulates the inflammatory as well as the humoral and cellular immune responses. C5 mediates many potent inflammatory and cytolytic events after proteolytic activation by complement convertase enzymes. Hence, to investigate the role of pig C5 ( pC5) as a candidate gene for disease resistance in pigs, the complete cDNA of pC5 was sequenced, screened for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and an association analysis with various immunological parameters measured in F2 animals of a pig resource population based on a cross of Duroc and Berlin miniature pigs (DUMI) was carried out. In total, 5,422 bp of pC5 cDNA was sequenced, which codes for the 1,677-amino-acid precursor of C5. Four polymorphic sites were detected, one of which was segregating in the DUMI population in three genotypic patterns: AA, AC and CC. Classical (CH50) and alternative (AH50) complement activities, C3c levels, haptoglobin (HP) acute phase protein levels, and antibody titers against Mycoplasma (Mk) and Aujesky (ADV) vaccines were measured in the resource population. Association analysis between C5 and the immunological parameters was carried out using repeated measures mixed and general linear model analysis. The homozygote AA was found to be significantly different from the other two genotypes with respect to AH50 and CH50, whereas genotype CC was found to be significantly different from the other genotypes for C3c and HP levels. No significant difference could be seen between genotypes for antibody titers against vaccinations. Association of C5 with complement activity traits and acute phase proteins promotes pC5 as a candidate gene for innate disease resistance.

Acute-Phase Proteins↗

Two geographically distinct isolates of Borrelia burgdorferi from the United States share a common unique ancestor.

The genetic diversity of Borrelia burgdorferi isolates from several geographic regions was evaluated by nucleotide sequence analysis of the genes encoding 23S ribosomal RNA and outer surface protein A. Comparison of nucleotide sequences spanning 738 bp of the 23S ribosomal DNA from two unusual isolates, DN127 (Del Norte County, California) and 25015 (Millbrook, New York), to homologous sequences from other B. burgdorferi isolates from the United States and Russia identified several nucleotide sequence polymorphisms that are unique to these two isolates. Sequence analysis of a 615 nucleotide segment of the gene encoding outer surface protein A also revealed greater similarity of strains DN127 and 25015 (94.1%) compared to other US and Eurasian isolates. These data were further corroborated by genomic macrorestriction analysis, in which DN127 and 25015 demonstrated unique restriction digestion patterns. Our findings suggest that substantial genetic diversity of B. burgdorferi, rivaling that of European strains, exists among isolates from the United States. Strains DN127 and 25015 are unique among all B. burgdorferi isolates tested to date, and though isolated from opposite longitudinal extremes of the North American continent, are closely related.

Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins↗

Evidence of independent origin of multiple tumors from patients with prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: In men with prostate cancer, the gland usually contains two or more widely separate tumors. A critical issue of prostatic carcinogenesis is whether these multiple tumors are independent in origin. Molecular analysis of microsatellite (i.e., highly repeated, short nucleotide sequences) alterations in the DNA from separate tumors in the same prostate can be used to determine whether or not these separate tumors arise independently. METHODS: Four microsatellite polymorphic markers (D8S133, D8S136, and D8S137, for a putative tumor suppressor gene on chromosome 8p, and D17S855, for the BRCA1 gene on chromosome 17q) were used to examine the pattern of allelic loss in prostate cancer from 19 patients who had two or more distantly separate tumors (i.e., located on contralateral sides or separated by at least half the anterior-posterior diameter of the prostate). Forty distantly separate tumors were microdissected, DNA samples were prepared from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded wholemount prostate tissue section, and the overall frequencies of loss of heterozygosity at the four loci were determined. RESULTS: The pattern of allelic loss was compatible with independent tumor origin in 15 of 18 informative cases. A random discordant pattern of allelic deletion was observed in distantly separate tumors, whereas the same allele was consistently lost in cells from different regions of the same tumor. For three patients, the results were compatible with either intraglandular dissemination or independent origin of prostate cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that multiple tumors in some patients with prostate cancer have independent origin.

Chromosome Deletion↗

Molecular population genetic analysis of the enn subdivision of group A streptococcal emm-like genes: horizontal gene transfer and restricted variation among enn genes.

The group A streptococcal emm-like genes, which encode the cell-surface M and M-like proteins, are divided into distinct mrp, emm and enn subdivisions and are clustered together in a region of the chromosome called the vir regulon. In order to understand the mechanisms involved in the evolution of emm-like genes, a 180 bp fragment of the 5' variable region of the enn gene was characterized in 31 strains for which emm sequences and multilocus enzyme electrophoretic profiles have been previously determined. The results demonstrate that nucleotide polymorphisms at the enn locus are generated predominantly by point mutations and short deletions or insertions, and that variation among enn and emm genes has arisen by similar mechanisms. However, diversity at the enn locus is restricted in comparison to the emm locus. Moreover, there is strong evidence for intragenic recombination at the enn locus and the pattern of distribution of emm and enn alleles among strains suggests that these genes may be independently acquired by horizontal transfer and recombination from distinct donor strains, thereby generating a mosaic structure for the vir regulon. The results add to a growing body of evidence that horizontal gene transfer has played a major role in the evolution of Streptococcus pyogenes vir regulons.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Isogenic variation of Helicobacter pylori strain resulting in heteroresistant antibacterial phenotypes in a single host in vivo.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotic-susceptible and -resistant Helicobacter pylori can be present simultaneously in the same host. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genomic diversity of H. pylori strains resulting in heteroresistant antibacterial phenotypes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one pairs of H. pylori strains isolated from the antrum and body displaying heteroresistant antibacterial phenotypes were included. We compared the genotypes of paired-isolates by random arbitrarily primed polymerase chain reaction (PCR), flagella gene PCR-based restriction fragment length polymorphism, and flaA gene sequencing. In metronidazole-heteroresistant isolates, the sequence variation of rdxA and frxA genes was analyzed using phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS: The DNA fingerprinting patterns of the paired isolates revealed that 12 pairs (57.1%) were identical, whereas one pair (3.8%) was different. The remaining eight pairs (38.1%) of isolates showed minor heterogenecity in fingerprinting patterns. In flaA gene sequencing, these identical and similar isolates showed close sequence similarity between the antrum and body, whereas different isolate showed 31 points of different nucleotide sequences. Phylogenetic analysis of the metronidazole-heteroresistant pairs showed consistent genetic relatedness of each paired isolates despite the sequence variation of the rdxA or frxA genes in five pairs (71.4%). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that continuing genomic diversities in the same strain may play an important role in modulating the antibiotic-heteroresistant H. pylori in vivo.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Increased migration rate observed in DNA from evidentiary material precludes the use of sample mixing to resolve forensic cases of identity.

The analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphisms in forensic DNA samples can be used to determine whether any two or more samples have the same biological origin. However, sometimes DNA recovered from evidentiary material, such as blood or semen stains, migrates at a different rate than an exemplar sample. This difference in migration, while maintaining the same overall pattern, produces a shift in the position of the bands. To verify that a shift in migration has occurred between evidence and exemplar samples, we have utilized two DNA probes that recognize DNA fragments that do not vary in size between individuals (monomorphic). The results obtained with this type of internal control show that differences in migration rate between exemplar and evidentiary samples can be recognized and accounted for and do not affect the ability to decide whether two patterns match. A common practice in many analytical tests, to show identity between two samples, is to test the properties of the samples individually and mixed. However, this approach is not applicable to all forensic DNA identity tests. In many cases, DNA from forensic samples may be irreversibly modified and this can alter the migration rate of the DNA samples. Thus, in a mixture of DNA from exemplar and evidence, the same polymorphic DNA fragments may not comigrate and produce a composite pattern which could lead to false exclusions.

DNA↗

Lineage-specific transmission and spatial clustering of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, in 2019-23: a population-based genomic study.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of tuberculosis in Taiwan has been influenced by the introduction of multiple Mycobacterium tuberculosis lineages and by the ageing of the population. We conducted a population-based study to investigate M tuberculosis transmission in Kaohsiung, a city in southern Taiwan. METHODS: In this study, we performed whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of M tuberculosis isolates from all culture-positive cases of tuberculosis notified in Kaohsiung between Jan 1, 2019 and Dec 31, 2023. We obtained routine epidemiological data for each case collected through the national tuberculosis control programme. We characterised the lineage composition of the isolate collection and evaluated genomic clustering of isolates, defined as a difference of 12 or fewer single-nucleotide polymorphisms. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the odds of a case belonging to a genomic cluster based on host factors (age, sex, sputum smear status, and residential region) and pathogen factors (drug resistance status and strain lineage). Spatial aggregation of large genomic clusters (including greater than or equal to ten isolates) was assessed using a non-parametric statistical clustering method. We used a Bayesian transmission tree inference method to explore the patterns of age-dependent transmission. FINDINGS: During the study period, 5667 tuberculosis cases were notified in Kaohsiung, 4916 (86&#xb7;7%) of which were culture-positive. Of these 4916 cases, whole-genome sequencing was successfully performed for 4168 (84&#xb7;8%) isolates. 1219 (29&#xb7;2%) of 4168 individuals were female and 2947 (70&#xb7;7%) were male; the median age was 69&#xb7;7 years (IQR 57&#xb7;4-80&#xb7;7). The dominant lineages were lineage 1 (1749 [42&#xb7;0%] of 4168 isolates), lineage 2 (1510 [36&#xb7;2%]), and lineage 4 (905 [21&#xb7;7%]). 1069 (25&#xb7;6%) of 4168 were genomically linked and formed 287 clusters. Lineage 2 isolates had higher odds (aOR 2&#xb7;15 [95% CI 1&#xb7;80-2&#xb7;52]) than lineage 1 isolates of genomic clustering across all regions, whereas lineage 4 isolates had a significantly higher risk (2&#xb7;75 [1&#xb7;16-6&#xb7;89]) of genomic clustering than lineage 1 only in the rural northeast region, inhabited primarily by indigenous populations. Spatial clustering analysis corroborated these lineage-region interactions. Although younger adults (<35 years) had the highest individual-level odds (5&#xb7;64 [4&#xb7;16-7&#xb7;68]) of clustering in the logistic regression analysis compared with those aged 80 years or older, the transmission inference indicated that individuals aged 55-74 years were responsible for a greater proportion of inferred transmission events, contributing 50&#xb7;8% of all transmission events. INTERPRETATION: This sequencing study revealed that older adults (aged &#x2265;65 years) might have played a substantial and under-recognised role in the transmission of tuberculosis in Taiwan. The lineage-specific clustering and spatial patterns suggested that both pathogen characteristics and host demographics shaped tuberculosis transmission dynamics. These findings support the use of integrated genomic surveillance to guide precision tuberculosis control and motivate further research on age-specific transmission pathways and targeted interventions to advance tuberculosis elimination efforts. FUNDING: Taiwan National Health Research Institutes and Taiwan National Science and Technology Council.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis↗

Catalog of 46 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the microsomal glutathione S-transferase 1 (MGST1) gene.

A major goal in our laboratory is to understand the role of common genetic variations among individual patients as regards susceptibility to common diseases and differences in therapeutic efficacy and/or side effects of drugs. As an addition to the high-density SNP (single-nucleotide polymorphism) maps of 12 glutathione S-transferase and related genes reported earlier, we provide here an SNP map of the microsomal glutathione S-transferase 1 (MGST1) gene. Among 48 healthy Japanese volunteers examined. we identified a total of 46 SNPs at this locus, 36 of which had not been reported before: 4 in the promoter region, 34 in introns, 3 in the 3' untranslated region, and 5 in the 3' flanking region. No SNP was found in 5'untranslated or coding regions. The ratio of transition to transversion was approximately 1.2:1. Among the 13 insertion-deletion polymorphisms was a 2-bp deletion in the coding region of MGST1 in DNA from one of the volunteers, which resulted in a frame-shift mutation. Since the gene product encoded by this mutant allele would lack the C-terminal half including the MAPEG (membrane-associated proteins in eicosanoid and glutathione metabolism) domain, MGST1 activity is likely to be reduced in the carrier's cells. The SNP map presented here adds to the archive of tools for studying complex genetic diseases, population migration patterns, and a variety of pharmacogenetic possibilities.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Beta(2)-adrenergic receptor polymorphisms and response to salbutamol among Indian asthmatics*.

INTRODUCTION: The beta(2)-adrenergic receptor (beta(2)AR or ADRbeta(2)) is the target for beta(2)-agonist drugs used for bronchodilation in asthma and other respiratory diseases. The aim of this study was to identify common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and haplotypes in asthmatics and healthy individuals from an Indian population, and determine the influence of beta(2)AR SNPs in responsiveness to beta(2)-agonist therapy in asthma patients. METHODS: Ten variable SNP sites within a span of 2.193 kb were identified in the beta(2)AR gene by sequencing and genotyping 374 bronchial asthma patients and healthy individuals from an Indian population. Spirometry tests were performed on 80 unrelated patients before and after administration of 200 microg of salbutamol. A post-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV(1)) change of >or= 15.3% was considered a good response, and a change of<15.3% was defined as a poor response, to salbutamol. RESULTS: The pattern of linkage disequilibrium between the ten SNPs showed a single, linked SNP block consisting of sites -468, -367, -47, -20, and 79 having strong linkage disequilibrium, while the SNPs at sites -1023, -654, 46, 252, and 523 showed very low linkage with one another and with the linked region. The SNPs were found to be organized into 16 haplotypes in the studied population. We found that patients with a homozygous Arg-16 form at nucleotide position 46 are poor responders with probability of 0.81, and patients with a homozygous Gly-16 form are good responders with a probability of 0.73. The responder status to salbutamol treatment and the genotype at nucleotide position 46 in beta(2)AR gene of an asthmatic patient are significantly associated in the studied Indian population (chi2=9.98, df=2, p=0.0068). Most importantly, this association for responsiveness to salbutamol at nucleotide position 46 is independent of other SNPs in the beta(2)AR gene. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the SNP at nucleotide position 46 has particular relevance to pharmacogenetics in the Indian population studied.

5' Untranslated Regions↗

Molecular heterogeneity in clinical isolates of Malassezia pachydermatis from dogs.

Molecular investigation of 16 strains, conventionally identified to be Malassezia pachydermatis, isolated from dogs in Japan was carried out by random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and chitin synthase 2 (CHS2) gene sequence analyses. The RAPD band patterns of 13 clinical isolates were identical to that of standard strain of M. pachydermatis (CBS-1879). The other three clinical isolates were different from the standard strain of M. pachydermatis in RAPD patterns, and two of the three isolates were identical. About 620 bp genomic DNA fragments of the CHS2 gene were amplified from the same 16 clinical isolates of M. pachydermatis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequenced. The phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide sequences of CHS2 gene fragments of the 16 clinical isolates revealed that the 13 strains were genetically very close to the standard strain of M. pachydermatis and the other two isolates were genetically close to the standard strain of M. furfur rather than M. pachydermatis. The remaining one isolate was phylogenetically distinct from all the seven Malassezia species reported so far.

Animals↗

Optimisation and validation of methods to assess single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in archival histological material.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: An increasing amount of evidence indicates that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may affect a variety of oncology related phenotypes. Occasionally, it is convenient to base studies addressing genotype-phenotype relationships on historical patient cohorts, from which only archival specimens are available. This study was conducted to validate protocols optimised for assessment of SNPs based on paraffin embedded, formalin fixed tissue samples. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 137 breast cancer patients, three TGFB1 SNPs were assessed based on archival histological specimens. In 37 of these patients, the SNPs were also assessed using cultured fibroblasts and the assays were validated by direct comparison of the results. From the remaining 100 patients, only archival material was available. In these patients, the existence of a genetic linkage pattern between the assessed TGFB1 SNPs was used to provide an indirect validation of the genotyping results. Furthermore, two different methods for DNA extraction were compared (semi-automatic DNA extraction using the ABI Prism 6100 Nucleic Acid PrepStation versus Proteinase K digestion for 5 days followed by boiling and DNA precipitation). RESULTS: Assessment of SNPs based on archival histological material is encumbered by a number of obstacles and pitfalls. However, these can be widely overcome by careful optimisation of the methods used for sample selection, DNA extraction and PCR. Within 130 samples that fulfil the criteria for analysis a highly reliable SNP assessment was observed. The study demonstrated that different 'down-stream applications' ('single nucleotide primer extension' or 'TaqMan-based' real-time PCR) could be used as genotyping procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Reliable assessment of SNPs in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens is possible but a number of precautions should be carefully taken.

Biological Specimen Banks↗

Haplotype analysis at the alcohol dehydrogenase gene region in New Zealand Māori.

Alcohol response is a genetically influenced trait, and there is significant variation in the patterns of alcohol consumption between Māori and Caucasians in New Zealand. Previous studies have found that a variant of the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) gene (ADH1B*47His) is associated with protection against alcohol dependence in Māori. Here we extend our investigation of the ADH genes, hypothesising a different haplotype signature in Maori compared to Caucasians. We analysed nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) spanning a 500-kb region on chromosome 4q surrounding the ADH1B variant and several other alcohol-metabolising genes (ADH 4, 5, 6, 7). Genotyping was carried out on 47 unrelated Māori individuals, and allele frequencies were compared to the Caucasian population. Large differences in minor allele frequencies were observed between Māori and Caucasian populations for six SNPs (P < 0.01). There was also strong linkage disequilibrium (LD) observed among SNP alleles in Maori indicating the presence of extended ancestral haplotype blocks (P < 0.01). Our results suggest that the Māori population has a different haplotype signature at the ADH gene region compared to Caucasians. These findings probably reflect the unique gene flow history of this genomic region in Maori and should be beneficial for designing future genetic association studies of alcohol-response traits and associated disorders in Polynesians.

Alcohol Dehydrogenase↗

Familial hypercholesterolemia. Acceptor splice site (G-->C) mutation in intron 7 of the LDL-R gene: alternate RNA editing causes exon 8 skipping or a premature stop codon in exon 8. LDL-R(Honduras-1) [LDL-R1061(-1) G-->C].

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant lipoprotein disorder caused by defects in the low density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor (R) gene. We report a novel mutation of the LDL-R gene in a 38-year-old man with homozygous FH from the province of Trujilo in Northern Honduras. The patient presented with tendinous xanthomas over the extensor tendons as well as xanthelasmas at sites of surgical scars. He was diagnosed with severe coronary artery disease requiring revascularization at age 29. After an unsuccessful course of treatment with simvastatin, the patient has been treated with plasma apheresis and macromolecular plasma filtration bi-monthly. Haplotyping of the LDL-R gene revealed homozygosity for the rare 'J' allele and a loss of the EcoRV restriction cleavage site in exon 8. Single stranded conformational polymorphism of exons 3, 6, 7, 9, 10 and 8 reveals an abnormal migration pattern in exon 8. Direct sequencing of the promoter region, exons 1, 4, 8 and 13 revealed two RFLP's and a novel mutation in intron 7. This mutation consists of G-->C transposition at the acceptor splice site of exon 8 at the last nucleotide of intron 7 [LDL-R1061(-1)G-->C]. Reverse transcriptase (RT) PCR amplification of RNA from monocytes obtained from the patient reveals a decrease in LDL-R mRNA (52% of control) and skipping of exon 8 (approximately 38%, as assessed by densitometric scanning of the amplified fragments) to form a new RNA transcript that includes exons 7 and 9 without frameshift. Alternative RNA editing leads to a new cryptic acceptor splice site 17 bp downstream in exon 8 producing a frameshift mutation and a predicted premature stop codon 1138 bp from the transcriptional start site (approxiamtely 62%). Western blotting analysis using a monoclonal antibody (C7) directed at the amino terminus of the LDL-R protein reveals a marked reduction in LDL-R protein expressed in monocytes obtained from the patient. We conclude that LDL-R1061(-1)G-->C is a novel mutation of the LDL-R gene that results in marked decrease in LDL-R mRNA levels and protein expression by two alternate RNA editing mechanisms, that cause skipping of exon 8 or the use of a novel cryptic acceptor splice site in exon 8 with a frameshift and premature stop codon. The patient continues to do well on selective plasma filtration but developed bilateral severe carotid artery disease requiring surgical intervention.

Adult↗

SIMCOAL 2.0: a program to simulate genomic diversity over large recombining regions in a subdivided population with a complex history.

UNLABELLED: We present an extension of the program SIMCOAL, which allows for simulation of the genomic diversity of samples drawn from a set of populations with arbitrary patterns of migrations and complex demographic histories, including bottlenecks and various modes of demographic expansion. The main additions to the previous version include the possibility of arbitrary and heterogeneous recombination rates between adjacent loci and multiple coalescent events per generation, allowing for the simulation of very large samples and recombining genomic regions, together with the simulation of single nucleotide polymorphism data with frequency ascertainment bias. AVAILABILITY: http://cmpg.unibe.ch/software/simcoal2/.

Algorithms↗

Deleterious mutations at the mitochondrial ND3 gene in South American marsh rats (Holochilus).

Statistical analyses of DNA sequences have revealed patterns of nonneutral evolution in mitochondrial DNA of mice, humans, and Drosophila. Here we report patterns of mitochondrial sequence evolution in South American marsh rats (genus Holochilus). We sequenced the complete mitochondrial ND3 gene in 82 Holochilus brasiliensis and 21 H. vulpinus to test the neutral prediction that the ratio of nonsynonymous to synonymous nucleotide changes is the same within and between species. Within H. brasiliensis we observed a greater number of amino acid polymorphisms than expected based on interspecific comparisons. This contingency table analysis suggests that many amino acid polymorphisms are mildly deleterious. Several tests of the frequency distribution also revealed departures from a neutral, equilibrium model, and these departures were observed for both nonsynonymous and synonymous sites. In general, an excess of rare sites was observed, consistent with either a recent selective sweep or with populations not at mutation-drift equilibrium.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Genomic instability in phenotypically normal regenerants of medicinal plant Codonopsis lanceolata Benth. et Hook. f., as revealed by ISSR and RAPD markers.

Codonopsis lanceolata Benth. et Hook. f., commonly known as bonnet bellflower, is a high-valued herb medicine and vegetable. In this study, a large number of plants were regenerated via organogenesis from immature seed-derived calli in C. lanceolata by a simple and efficient method. Compared with the mother donor plant, the regenerated plants did not exhibit visible phenotypic variations in six major morphological traits examined at the stage of one-season-maturity under field conditions. To gain insight into the genomic stability of these regenerated plants, 63 individuals were randomly tagged among a population of more than 2,000 regenerants, and were compared with the single mother donor plant by two molecular markers, the inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Apparent genomic variation was detected in the 63 regenerants, whereas preexisting heterozygosiy in the donor plant was deemed minimal by testing 30 seedlings germinated from selfed seeds of the same donor plant. The percentages of polymorphic bands (PPB) in the ISSR and RAPD analysis were respectively 15.7 and 24.9% for the 63 regenerated plants. Cluster analysis indicates that the genetic similarity values calculated on the basis of RAPD and ISSR data among the 64 plants (63 regenerated and one donor) were respectively 0.894 and 0.933, which allow classification of the plants into distinct groups. Nineteen randomly isolated bands underlying the changed RAPD or ISSR patterns were sequenced, and three of them showed significant homology to known-function genes. Detailed pairwise sequence comparison at one locus between the donor plant and a regenerant revealed that insertion of two short (24 and 19 bp) stretches of nucleotides in the regenerated plant relative to the donor plant occurred in an apparently stochastic manner.

Base Sequence↗