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Genome structure of Ri plasmid (3). Sequencing analysis of the vir region of pRi1724 in Japanese Agrobacterium rhizogenes.

The entire genome of the pRi1724 (217.6-kb) in the mikimopine type Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain MAFF03-01724 has been completely sequenced. The vir region covering 30.2-kb has found to be composed of 21 genes resembling virH1, virA, virB1-11, virG, virC1-2, and virD1-5. The structural organization of the pRi1724 vir operons in this study is exactly the same as that of the previously reported vir operons of other Ri or Ti plasmids, although the size of some ORFs showed little variations among the plasmids. We also found virE3 gene in the pRi1724 (1), but different from Ti plasmids, virE1 and virE2 that are also important for the virulence do not exist in the vir region of pRi1724.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Genomic variability in the preS1 region and determination of routes of transmission of hepatitis B virus.

On the basis of published sequence data the preS1 attachment region of hepatitis B virus (HBV) appears to be highly variable. Using a novel method for rapid DNA sequencing by the polymerase chain reaction we screened 34 HBV DNA-positive sera for mutations in a variable part of the preS1 region of the HBV genome. The sequence data were used to analyse potential chains of infection, and strongly supported the expected routes of HBV transmission among patient groups. Furthermore, sequence comparisons permitted sub-genotyping of the viruses. In the 22 cases of subtype adw, we found a very low number of point mutations. This shows that the attachment site of HBV is more highly conserved than that of other blood-transmissible viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus or hepatitis C virus.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Evolutionary consequences of domestication on the selective effects of new amino acid changing mutations in canids.

The domestication of wild canids led to dogs no longer living in the wild but instead residing alongside humans. Extreme changes in behavior and diet associated with domestication may have led to the relaxation of the selective pressure on traits that may be less important in the domesticated context. Thus, here we hypothesize that strongly deleterious mutations may have become less deleterious in domesticated populations. We test this hypothesis by estimating the distribution of fitness effects (DFE) for new amino acid changing mutations using whole-genome sequence data from 24 gray wolves and 61 breed dogs. We find that the DFE is strikingly similar across canids, with 26-28% of new amino acid changing mutations being neutral/nearly neutral (|s| < 1e-5), and 41-48% under strong purifying selection (|s| > 1e-2). Our results are robust to different model assumptions suggesting that the DFE is stable across short evolutionary timescales, even in the face of putative drastic changes in the selective pressure caused by artificial selection during domestication and breed formation. On par with previous works describing DFE evolution, our data indicate that the DFE of amino acid changing mutations depends more strongly on genome structure and organismal characteristics, and less so on shifting selective pressures or environmental factors. Given the constant DFE and previous data showing that genetic variants that differentiate wolf and dog populations are enriched in regulatory elements, we speculate that domestication may have had a larger impact on regulatory variation than on amino acid changing mutations.

Journal Article↗

rDNA intergenic region from Arabidopsis thaliana. Structural analysis, intraspecific variation and functional implications.

The ribosomal gene intergenic region from Arabidopsis thaliana contains four clusters of mutually unrelated repeated sequences. By comparison with the respective regions in two other Brassicaceae, Raphanus and Sinapis, the putative promoter sequence for RNA polymerase I was located. The homologies suggest that the RNA polymerase I promoter in Brassicaceae ranges further upstream than in animals. Upstream duplications of at least a part of the promoter region were found to be located between individual blocks of the largest internal repeat family ("A" repeats), which is made up of multiple repeats of two closely related sequences 21 or 20 bp in length. Overall structural similarities of the A. thaliana rDNA intergenic region with those from wheat and from Xenopus laevis are discussed. We also present data on the range of intraspecific length heterogeneities found in the central EcoRI fragment of the intergenic region and on the frequencies with which specific length variants occur in the genome. To determine the nature of the length heterogeneities, we sequenced the central EcoRI fragments from four independently isolated genomic clones. Three levels of rearrangements were detected. Length variation can be caused by duplication of a whole A repeat block, or, most frequently, by insertion and/or deletion of one or a few A repeat units. Surprisingly, single base mutations are extremely rare, which hints at some mechanism of homogenization which might be acting on the intergenic region. A possible function of the described sequences in transcriptional regulation is discussed and will be the aim of further investigations.

Animals↗

Widespread occurrence of alternative splicing at NAGNAG acceptors contributes to proteome plasticity.

Splice acceptors with the genomic NAGNAG motif may cause NAG insertion-deletions in transcripts, occur in 30% of human genes and are functional in at least 5% of human genes. We found five significant biases indicating that their distribution is nonrandom and that they are evolutionarily conserved and tissue-specific. Because of their subtle effects on mRNA and protein structures, these splice acceptors are often overlooked or underestimated, but they may have a great impact on biology and disease.

Alternative Splicing↗

Structural variability in the genome of the Thermoproteus tenax virus TTV1.

Six variants of the TTV1 genome, including the primary isolate, have been characterized. DNA sequence comparison of 'wild-type' virus (WT) and one of the variants (VT3) showed that differences are due to insertions and deletions that were confined to contiguous portions of two distinct ClaI fragments. Seven similar short DNA sequences (30-102 bp) were involved in the variation. The deletions and insertions of these short DNA sequences occurred in every case adjacent to the 8 bp consensus sequence 5'-ACXCCTAC-3' which formed the 5' flank of the segments involved.

Archaea↗

Genomic organization of a human killer cell inhibitory receptor gene.

We have cloned a region of human chromosome 19q13.4 which contains multiple killer cell inhibitory receptor (KIR) loci. By random and directed sequence analysis of these KIR-specific clones, we deduced the genomic structure of KIR genes. A locus encoding a member of the NKAT-2 family of KIRs is presented here. The structure of the gene is reminiscent of loci of the Fc receptor gene family, and the two sets of genes may derive from a common ancestor. The KIR gene contains potentially nine exons. The first two exons encode the leader sequence, as in Fc receptor genes. The third exon encodes an untranslated pseudo exon specifying an immunoglobulin domain with an in-frame stop codon. Expressed cDNAs do not contain this exon. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that certain KIR genes may have been derived from the duplication of a primordial three immunoglobulin domain structure with subsequent skipping of one exon to derive genes with two expressed immunoglobulin domains. Variation in numbers of immunoglobulin domains in different KIR genes is facilitated by conservation of splicing frame in respect to the codon triplet for each immunoglobulin domain.

Alternative Splicing↗

Identification of genetic variation and putative regulatory regions in bovine CARD15.

Mutations in caspase recruitment domain 15 (CARD15) are associated with susceptibility to Crohn's disease and Blau Syndrome. We performed comparative analyses of the bovine, murine, and human CARD15 transcripts to elucidate functionality of bovine CARD15 and examine its potential role in bovine disease resistance. Comparative analyses of intronic sequence across seven divergent species were performed to identify putative regulatory element binding motifs. High levels of interspecies conservation in sequence, genomic structure, and protein domains were detected indicating common functionality for CARD15 in cattle, human, and mouse. We identified species-specific regulatory elements in the 5' and 3' untranslated regions, suggesting that modes of regulation may have diverged across species. Thirty-one conserved putative regulatory element binding motifs were identified in the CARD15 intronic sequence of seven species. To assess the extent of genetic diversity within bovine CARD15, 41 individuals from two subspecies were sequenced and screened for polymorphisms. Thirty-six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified. Finally, 20 subspecies-specific haplotypes were predicted with 7 and 13 unique haplotypes explaining the diversity within B. taurus taurus and B. taurus indicus animals, respectively. Strong evidence for a simple causal relationship between these SNP loci and their haplotypes with Johne's disease was not detected.

3' Untranslated Regions↗

Genetic and metabolite diversity of Sundaland Heptapleurum (Araliaceae) insight into evolutionary and specialized metabolite.

BACKGROUND: The genus Heptapleurum Gaertn (previously treated as Schefflera J.R.Forst. & G.Forst.) within the Araliaceae family is recognized for its significant medicinal value and complex taxonomy. However, an integrated understanding of its evolutionary and metabolite diversity remains unexplored, especially in the Sundaland region (i.e., Java and Sumatra). Here, we integrate genomics and metabolomics to unravel the evolutionary relationships and metabolite diversity of 10 Heptapleurum species from Sundaland. RESULTS: We assembled 10 new complete plastid genomes (plastomes) and 45S nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) sequences, identifying significant variation and potential key molecular markers. Metabolomics identified 152 metabolites, mainly phenolics and terpenoids. Metabolite profiles of H. rhynchocarpum and H. capituliferum were more correlated with phylogeny than with geography; these two species were separate from the main Heptapleurum clade. Four species, H. farinosum, H. longifolium, H. rigidum, and H. fastigiatum, have almost identical plastomes and 45S nrDNA structures, suggesting they may represent closely related species with different phenotypes, as evidenced by distinctive metabolite compositions. CONCLUSIONS: Crucially, there is an incongruence between the genetic and chemical phylogenies, underscoring that while chemotaxonomy reflects functional diversity, genetic data remains the definitive standard for evolutionary inference, with the potential for reclassifying H. rhynchocarpum and H. capituliferum. This study provides a foundation for future taxonomic revisions, conservation, and drug discovery of Heptapleurum.

Phylogeny↗

Microsatellite variation within and among North American lineages of Phragmites australis.

Over the past century, the spread of the common reed (Phragmites australis) has had a dramatic impact on wetland communities across North America. Although native populations of Phragmites persist, introduced invasive populations have dominated many sites and it is not clear if the two types can interbreed. This study compares patterns of differentiation in 10 microsatellite loci among North American and European Phragmites individuals with results obtained from sequencing of noncoding chloroplast DNA. Three population lineages (native, introduced and Gulf Coast) were previously identified in North America from chloroplast DNA and similar structuring was found in the nuclear genome. Each lineage was distinguished by unique alleles and allele combinations and the introduced lineage was closely related to its hypothesized source population in Europe. Size homoplasy and diagnostic base substitutions distinguishing lineages were evident at several loci, further emphasizing that native, introduced and Gulf Coast North American Phragmites lineages are genetically distinct. Gene flow between lineages was low and invasive introduced populations do not represent a hybrid population type.

Alleles↗

Trypanosome mRNAs share a common 5' spliced leader sequence.

A 5'-terminal leader sequence of 35 nucleotides was found to be present on multiple trypanosome RNAs. Based on its representation in cDNA libraries, we estimate that many, if not all, trypanosome mRNAs contain this leader. This same leader was originally identified on mRNAs encoding the molecules responsible for antigenic variation, variant surface glycoproteins. Studies of selected cDNAs containing this leader sequence revealed that leader-containing transcripts can be stage-specific, stage-regulated, or constitutive. They can be abundant or rare, and transcribed from single or multigene families. No linkage between the genomic leader sequences and the structural gene exons was observed. Possible mechanisms by which the leader sequences are added to trypanosome mRNAs are discussed.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Linkage disequilibrium and haplotype architecture for two ABC transporter genes (ABCC1 and ABCG2) in Chinese population: implications for pharmacogenomic association studies.

Information about linkage disequilibrium (LD) patterns and haplotype structures for candidate genes is instructive for the design and analysis of genetic association studies for complex diseases and drug response. ABCC1 and ABCG2 are genes coding for two multidrug resistance (MDR) associated transporters; they are also related to some pathophysiological traits. To pinpoint the LD profiles of these MDR genes in Chinese, we systemically screened 27 unrelated individuals for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the coding and regulatory regions of these genes, and thereby characterized their haplotype structures. Despite marked variations in haplotype diversity, LD pattern and intragenic recombination intensity between the two genes, both loci could be partitioned into several LD blocks, in which a modest number of haplotypes accounted for a high fraction of the sampled chromosomes. We concluded that each locus has its own genomic LD profile, but that they still share a common segmental LD architecture with low haplotype diversity. Our data will benefit genetic association studies of complex traits and drug response possibly related to these genes.

ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily G, Mem↗

The Abantu phenotype in the ABO blood group system is due to a splice-site mutation in a hybrid between a new O1-like allelic lineage and the A2 allele.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Many phenotypic variations in the expression of blood group A have been explained by variations in gene structure, but unresolved samples are frequently encountered in the reference laboratory. Among ABO subgroups, A(bantu) has the highest frequency in a specified population. The molecular basis of this phenotype is now described. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood from Black donors phenotyped as A(bantu) was subjected to genomic ABO screening and direct sequencing of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified ABO exons 1-7 and introns 2-6. Total RNA was extracted and ABO cDNA was synthesized by reverse transcription (RT)-PCR. Control material comprised Black South African, Swedish, Jordanian and Brazilian blood samples with common phenotypes. RESULTS: Genomic ABO typing indicated the presence of an A(2) allele in each A(bantu) donor, in combination with an O allele. No previously reported mutations associated with weak A or B expression were found. Direct sequencing indicated the common A(2) sequence with a single nucleotide deletion (AGGT>AGT) at the exon 4/intron 4 junction, predicted either to disrupt the reading frame (resulting in a premature stop codon) or to cause erroneous splicing (resulting in the exclusion of exon 4 from the mRNA). O mRNA, but no transcripts from the A(bantu) allele, could be detected. Surprisingly, the splice-site mutation was also found in approximately 5% of O alleles in Black South Africans, but not in other blood donors, or in non-O(1) alleles. Utilizing intron polymorphisms, the A(bantu) allele was shown to be a recombination between a new allelic lineage (O(1bantu)) and A(2), with a cross-over region near exon 5. CONCLUSION: The A(bantu) phenotype is caused by an O(1bantu)-A(2) hybrid at the ABO locus.

ABO Blood-Group System↗

Heterogeneity of ITS1 sequences in the biting midge Culicoides impunctatus (Goetghebuer) suggests a population in Argyll, Scotland, may be genetically distinct.

Ribosomal DNA (rDNA) internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) is a useful genomic region for understanding evolutionary and genetic relationships. In the current study, variation in ITS1 from eight Culicoides species was analysed by PCR, DNA restriction analysis, cloning, and sequencing. ITS1 variants were essentially homogenized within a species, as sequences were identical or closely related. However, Culicoides impunctatus ITS1 sequences derived from one (Argyll) of five populations contained considerable genomic diversity. The secondary structure of each ITS1 was computed. The structure aided the production of an accurate alignment and the identification of a large indel. A phylogenetic analysis was performed. Some of the sequences from the diverse Argyll C. impunctatus population were more related to Culicoides imicola, a vector of animal pathogens in the Old World, than they were to the other C. impunctatus sequences. Thus, the rDNA ITS1 regions of individuals in the Argyll C. impunctatus population were not conforming to the general theory of rDNA homogenization through molecular drive.

Animals↗

A genome-wide departure from the standard neutral model in natural populations of Drosophila.

We analyze nucleotide polymorphism data for a large number of loci in areas of normal to high recombination in Drosophila melanogaster and D. simulans (24 and 16 loci, respectively). We find a genome-wide, systematic departure from the neutral expectation for a panmictic population at equilibrium in natural populations of both species. The distribution of sequence-based estimates of 2Nc across loci is inconsistent with the assumptions of the standard neutral theory, given the observed levels of nucleotide diversity and accepted values for recombination and mutation rates. Under these assumptions, most estimates of 2Nc are severalfold too low; in other words, both species exhibit greater intralocus linkage disequilibrium than expected. Variation in recombination or mutation rates is not sufficient to account for the excess of linkage disequilibrium. While an equilibrium island model does not seem to account for the data, more complicated forms of population structure may. A proper test of alternative demographic models will require loci to be sampled in a more consistent fashion.

Animals↗

In silico whole-genome screening for cancer-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms located in human mRNA untranslated regions.

BACKGROUND: A promising application of the huge amounts of genetic data currently available lies in developing a better understanding of complex diseases, such as cancer. Analysis of publicly available databases can help identify potential candidates for genes or mutations specifically related to the cancer phenotype. In spite of their huge potential to affect gene function, no systematic attention has been paid so far to the changes that occur in untranslated regions of mRNA. RESULTS: In this study, we used Expressed Sequence Tag (EST) databases as a source for cancer-related sequence polymorphism discovery at the whole-genome level. Using a novel computational procedure, we focused on the identification of untranslated region (UTR)-localized non-coding Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (UTR-SNPs) significantly associated with the tumoral state. To explore possible relationships between genetic mutation and phenotypic variation, bioinformatic tools were used to predict the potential impact of cancer-associated UTR-SNPs on mRNA secondary structure and UTR regulatory elements. We provide a comprehensive and unbiased description of cancer-associated UTR-SNPs that may be useful to define genotypic markers or to propose polymorphisms that can act to alter gene expression levels. Our results suggest that a fraction of cancer-associated UTR-SNPs may have functional consequences on mRNA stability and/or expression. CONCLUSION: We have undertaken a comprehensive effort to identify cancer-associated polymorphisms in untranslated regions of mRNA and to characterize putative functional UTR-SNPs. Alteration of translational control can change the expression of genes in tumor cells, causing an increase or decrease in the concentration of specific proteins. Through the description of testable candidates and the experimental validation of a number of UTR-SNPs discovered on the secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) gene, this report illustrates the utility of a cross-talk between in silico transcriptomics and cancer genetics.

Computational Biology↗

Host specificity, evolutionary relationships and macrogeographic differentiation among Ascaris populations from humans and pigs.

We describe a variety of restriction site polymorphisms in the introns of Ascaris nuclear genes and in the ribosomal DNA spacers. We use these markers, in addition to previously described mitochondrial variation, to clarify our understanding of the epidemiology of Ascaris in Guatemalan villages where humans and pigs occur in sympatry and to describe the genetic structure of host-associated Ascaris populations from world-wide locations. Intron sequences were amplified from individual worms and alleles defined by endonuclease digestion. Two loci were monomorphic, while 4 length variants and 22 point mutations were detected in the other 7 loci. Within sympatric Guatemalan populations no single locus from either the nuclear or mitochondrial genome was fixed for alternative alleles, although allele frequencies were significantly different at many loci. Phenograms constructed from multilocus nuclear genotypes of individual worms failed to reveal a single case of cross-infection, and demonstrate that divergent mtDNA genotypes are segregating within host-associated populations. On a world-wide scale, the data suggest that extant worm populations result from a single host shift, although characterization of genetic variation in additional loci will be necessary to confirm this. The direction and the geographical origin of the host shift were unresolved. Overall 65% of nuclear genetic variation was found within populations, host (human or pig) explained 18%, while geographical variation within host-associated populations explained 17%. The results (a) demonstrate the utility of introns for studying the epidemiology of parasites showing limited allozyme variation (b) suggest that programmes aiming to control Ascaris infection in the human population can safely ignore zoonotic infection from pigs and (c) illustrate the problems inherent in using single genetic markers to make inferences about the epidemiology of closely related parasite taxa.

Animals↗