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Isolation and characterization of 19 dinucleotide repeat polymorphisms on chromosome 3p.

We have screened cosmids on chromosome 3p for (dC-dA)n.(dG-dT)n dinucleotide-repeat sequences. Eighty-nine of 155 cosmids (58%) contained (dC-dA)n.(dG-dT(n repeats as determined by colony hybridization with a (dG-dT)10 oligonucleotide probe; 29 of these were subcloned and the sequences flanking the dinucleotide repeats were determined. Nineteen of the 24 loci examined for polymorphisms by PCR were found to be polymorphic with heterozygosities ranging from 3% to 86%. These dinucleotide repeat polymorphisms will be useful markers for high-resolution mapping of genes that have been localized to 3p, including tumour suppressor genes associated with several types of cancer and genes responsible for various hereditary disorders, such as von Hippel-Lindau disease.

Animals↗

A YAC contig in Xp21 containing the adrenal hypoplasia congenita and glycerol kinase deficiency genes.

The gene loci for adrenal hypoplasia congenita (AHC) and glycerol kinase deficiency (GK) map in Xp21 distal to Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), and proximal to DXS28 (C7), by analysis of patient deletions. We have constructed a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) contig encompassing a 1.2 Mb region extending distally from DMD, and containing DXS708 (JC-1), the distal junction clone of a patient with GK and DMD. A pulsed-field gel electrophoresis map of the YAC contig identified 3 potential CpG islands. Whole YAC hybridization identified cosmids both for construction of cosmid contigs, and isolation of single copy probes. Thirteen new single copy probes and DXS28 and DXS708 were hybridized on a panel of patients; the deletion mapping indicates that the YAC contig contains both GK and at least part of AHC, and together with the physical map defines a GK critical region of 50-250 kb. In one AHC patient with a cytogenetically detectable deletion we used the new probes to characterize a complex double deletion. Non-overlapping deletions observed in other unrelated AHC patients indicate that the AHC gene is large, extending over at least 200-500 kb. This mapping provides the basis for the identification of the AHC and GK genes.

Adrenal Gland Diseases↗

Fine mapping of the FSHD gene region orientates the rearranged fragment detected by the probe p13E-11.

We have produced a fine restriction map around the locus D4F104S1 (previously designated D4S810); a probe to this locus, p13E-11, identifies a polymorphic EcoRI fragment containing 3.2kb tandem repeats and detects DNA rearrangements associated with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD). We developed an STS (D4F106S1) which maps 2kb proximal to D4F104S1, and used this to isolate a 470kb YAC (y25C2E) from the ICI YAC library and a 930kb YAC (y956A11) from the CEPH megabase library. Both YACs contain the loci D4S139, D4F35S1 and D4F104S1. A cosmid library was produced from YAC y25C2E and two cosmid contigs constructed; a 115kb contig encompassing D4S139, and one of 135kb linking D4F35S1 and D4F104S1 and extending distal to the EcoRI fragment detected by p13E-11. A fine restriction map of both these contigs has been generated, allowing the orientation of the EcoRI fragment rearranged in FSHD to be determined. YAC y956A11 was used to confirm the integrity of y25C2E and the map of this region. 9B6A, a probe to the homeobox region of the tandem repeat D4Z4, identified a cross-hybridising sequence proximal to D4F104S1, however, p13E-11 does not detect this additional locus. CpG islands were identified between D4S139 and D4F35S1 and within each copy of the tandem repeat. The probe 9B6A detected each copy of the repeat motif, suggesting there is homeobox present in every copy of the 3.2kb repeat.

Base Sequence↗

A transcript map of the Down syndrome critical region on chromosome 21.

A catalogue of the genes encoded by chromosome 21 would provide a framework for assigning roles in the etiology of Down syndrome (DS) to individual genes. We have begun generating such a catalogue, starting with a 1.2 Mb region surrounding the marker D21S55. Our efforts utilized the yeast artificial chromosome (YAC) and cosmid-clone based high resolution physical maps that we have constructed of this region. Direct-selection of fetal brain cDNAs with YAC DNA was used to isolate transcribed sequences. The selected cDNA fragments were analyzed by limited DNA sequence analysis, Northern blot hybridization and screening of cDNA libraries. The cDNA fragments were assigned positions on the physical map by hybridization to a collection of cosmid clones. The accurate determination of map positions for individual cDNA fragments allowed us to determine sources of variability in the cDNA selection procedure. The combined analysis and mapping was used to estimate the completeness of our mapping efforts and to identify procedures that would facilitate large-scale transcript mapping. The transcribed sequence map that we have assembled will allow the importance to DS of genes in this region to be examined and will aid in the design of strategies for larger scale efforts.

Base Sequence↗

FISH mapping and identification of canine chromosomes.

The karyotype of the domestic dog (Canis familiaris) is widely accepted as one of the most difficult mammalian karyotypes to work with. The dog has a total of 78 chromosomes; all 76 autosomes are acrocentric in morphology and show only a gradual decrease in length. Standardization of the canine karyotype has been performed in two stages. The first stage dealt only with chromosomes 1-21 which can be readily identified by conventional G-banding techniques. The remaining 17 autosomal pairs have proven to be very difficult to reliably identify by banding alone. To facilitate the identification of all canine chromosomes, chromosome-specific paint probes have been produced by DOP-PCR from flow-sorted dog chromosomes. Each paint probe has been used for FISH to identify the corresponding chromosome(s), allowing precise identification of all 78 canine chromosomes. The identification of the undesignated 17 autosomal pairs has been agreed upon by the standardization committee during the second stage of their role. Cosmid clones containing microsatellite markers may now be conclusively assigned to their chromosomal origin by simultaneous dual-color FISH with the corresponding paint probe. In this way a collection of chromosome-specific cosmid clones is being constructed, comprising at least one marker per chromosome, which will allow anchoring of existing and future linkage groups to the physical map.

Animals↗

Physical mapping of the Mycoplasma pneumoniae genome.

In order to study the genome organization of Mycoplasma pneumoniae a cosmid library of M. pneumoniae DNA was established using a newly designed cosmid vector (pcosRW2). From this library 32 overlapping clones were isolated covering a contiguous 720 kbp DNA segment representing about 90% of the genome assuming a genome size of about 800 kbp.

Base Sequence↗

Characterization of the human sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) gene and demonstration of two transcripts in both liver and testis.

A genomic cosmid clone for human sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), a liver-secreted plasma glycoprotein that binds sex steroids, was isolated with a previously characterized liver cDNA as probe. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA indicated that only one SHBG gene is present in the human haploid genome. A 3.8 Kb Xba I-fragment of the clone containing the entire coding region of SHBG was sequenced. The SHBG gene has 8 exons. The 5'-end preceding the translation start site had no TATA box or CAAT box promoter elements. Screening of a human testis cDNA library resulted in the isolation of two distinct cDNA forms. One cDNA was identical with the previously characterized liver SHBG cDNA, thus suggesting that human SHBG and the androgen binding protein (ABP) produced by Sertoli cells are coded for by the same gene. The second cDNA differed from the first by having exon I exchanged with a completely different sequence and exon VII deleted. An exon coding for the 5'-end of this cDNA was found in the cosmid clone 1.5 kb upstream of the first SHBG exon. Primer extension experiments showed the alternatively spliced transcript corresponding to the second cDNA to be present in both liver and testis. From the primary structure of this putative SHBG-gene-related protein, it may be deduced that it is a protein very different from SHBG and probably without steroid binding activity.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Generation of small mutation in large genomic fragments by homologous recombination: description of the technique and examples of its use.

We have developed a technique of homologous recombination in bacteria which allows the mutagenesis of large genomic fragments cloned in cosmids. The desired mutation is first introduced into a plasmid clone and is then transferred to the appropriate cosmid clone by the means of double antibiotic selection coupled with phenotypic selection. We describe three different types of construct made by this technique.

Cloning, Molecular↗

COUP-TF gene: a structure unique for the steroid/thyroid receptor superfamily.

Two different genomic genes for the COUP-transcription factor, COUP-TF I and COUP-TF II, have been isolated from a human cosmid genomic library using a [32P]-labeled cDNA probe. Data obtained from Southern blot analysis of these cosmid clones indicated that two closely related genes exist in the human genome and have a similar genomic organization. The genes are similar in the hormone and DNA binding domains but diverge from one another in the N-terminal region. Using DNA sequencing and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques we have determined that the structure of COUP-TF I consists only of three exons and two introns. Surprisingly, both zinc fingers (i.e., F1 and F2) are located in the first exon. Therefore, COUP-TF I is unique among the members of the steroid/thyroid hormone receptor superfamily which have been described to date.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Human major histocompatibility complex contains a new cluster of genes between the HLA-D and complement C4 loci.

A new cluster of genes has been defined in the human Major Histocompatibility Complex class III region. The seven novel genes, G12 to G18, are localised in a 160 kb segment of DNA extending from the complement gene cluster towards HLA-DR. The genes were identified by isolation of cDNA clones using cosmid genomic inserts as hybridisation probes, and by the detection of the corresponding transcripts in Northern blot analysis. Characterisation of the cosmid genomic DNA inserts, in conjunction with pulsed field gel electrophoresis analysis of uncloned DNA, for the presence of clustered sites for infrequently cutting restriction endonucleases has revealed that at least 5 of the 7 genes are associated with HTF-islands. These unmethylated CpG-rich sequences are frequently found at the 5' ends of ubiquitously expressed genes. Together with previously published data 36 genes have now been defined in a 680kb stretch of DNA within the MHC. With one gene approximately every 20kb of DNA this represents the most densely packed region of the human genome so far characterised, and is of major significance in relation to the mapping and sequence analysis of the rest of the genome.

Blotting, Northern↗

Molecular cloning and analysis of the fragile X region in man.

The fragile X syndrome (FraX), the most common inherited form of mental retardation, has been located to Xq27.3. As a step in the molecular analysis of this mutation, we have cloned a contiguous 1.8 Mb region containing the entire fragile X region in YAC and cosmid clones. The cloned area defines a region of 50 kb containing a CpG island, found to be selectively methylated in patients expressing the fragile X phenotype. In this 50kb area we have localised the breakpoints of four somatic cell hybrids selected to break at the position of the fragile site. Fluorescence in-situ hybridisation of cosmids flanking this area shows that the breakpoints, the CpG island and the fragile site coincide.

Chromosomes, Fungal↗

The application of Markov chain analysis to oligonucleotide frequency prediction and physical mapping of Drosophila melanogaster.

Here we compare several methods for predicting oligonucleotide frequencies in 691 kb of Drosophila melanogaster DNA. As in previous work on Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a relatively simple equation based on tetranucleotide frequencies can be used in predicting frequencies of higher order oligonucleotides. For example, the mean of observed/expected abundances of 4,096 hexamers was 1.07 with a sample standard deviation of .55. This simple predictor arises by considering each base on the sense strand of D. melanogaster to depend only on the three bases 5' to it (a 3rd order Markov chain) and is more accurate than the random predictor. This equation is useful in predicting restriction enzyme fragment sizes, selecting restriction enzymes that cut preferentially in coding vs noncoding regions, and in selecting probes to fingerprint clones in contig mapping. Once again, this equation well predicts the occurrence of higher order oligonucleotides, supporting our hypothesis that this predictor holds in evolutionarily diverse organisms. When ranked from highest to lowest abundance, the observed frequencies of oligomers of a given length are closely tracked by the predicted abundances of a 3rd order Markov chain. Through use of the dependence of oligomer frequencies on base composition, we report a list of oligomers that will be useful for the completion of a cosmid physical map of D. melanogaster. Presently, the library is such that it will be possible to construct large contigs using only 30 oligonucleotide probes to fingerprint cosmids.

Animals↗

Efficient isolation and mapping of rad genes of the fungus Coprinus cinereus using chromosome-specific libraries.

We have constructed cosmid libraries from electrophoretically separated chromosomes of the basidiomycete Coprinus cinereus. These libraries greatly facilitate the isolation of genes by complementation of mutant phenotypes and are particularly useful for map-based cloning strategies. From a library constructed from two co-migrating C.cinereus chromosomes, we isolated a clone that complements the C.cinereus rad9-1 mutation. Examination of this clone showed that it complements both the repair and meiotic defects of this mutant. Restriction fragment length polymorphism mapping using a portion of this clone showed that it maps to the rad9 locus. In addition, a single copy of transforming DNA is sufficient to complement the rad9-1 defects. Thus, we believe we have cloned the rad9 gene itself. We also used a chromosome-specific library and backcrossed isolates to rapidly identify a cosmid clone which is tightly linked to the rad11 locus and is therefore a suitable starting point for a chromosome walk. These rapid methods of gene mapping and isolation should be applicable to any organism with separable chromosomes.

Cell Cycle Proteins↗

Genomic sequences capable of committing mouse and rat fibroblasts to adipogenesis.

The mouse Swiss 3T3-F442A/3T3-C2 cell system is well suited for the isolation of genes involved in commitment to adipogenesis. 3T3-F442A cells convert to adipocytes with high efficiency in response to confluence and insulin. The sister clonal line 3T3-C2 does not respond to these signals, but can convert to adipocytes when transfected with DNA from 3T3-F442A preadipocytes or from human fat. Human fat-tissue biopsy FO46 DNA transfected into 3T3-C2 gave rise to fat foci after two rounds of transfection and selection. A cosmid library of a subclone of secondary transfectant 3T3-C2/FO46-1 was screened for the human repetitive Alu sequence. Five out of eight Alu+ recombinant clones committed 3T3-C2 cells to adipogenesis. The adipose commitment (AC) activity of one cosmid, p18A4, was found to reside in two small, non-identical, subcloned sequences 1.2kb and 2.0kb in length, each separately able to commit 3T3-C2, precrisis mouse and rat fibroblasts and the multipotential C3H10T1/2 cell line to adipogenesis. We conclude that commitment to adipogenesis can be effected in vitro with high efficiency by transfection of specific sequences into a variety of host cells.

3T3 Cells↗

Rice-barley synteny and its application to saturation mapping of the barley Rpg1 region.

In order to facilitate the map-based cloning of the barley stem rust resistance gene Rpg1, we have demonstrated a high degree of synteny at a micro level between the telomeric region of barley chromosome 1P and rice chromosome 6. We have also developed and applied a simple and efficient method for selecting useful probes from large insert genomic YAC and cosmid clones. The gene order within the most terminal 6.5 cM of barley chromosome 1P was compared with the most terminal 2.7 cM of rice chromosome 6. Nine rice probes, previously mapped in rice or isolated from YAC or cosmid clones from this region, were mapped in barley. All, except one, were in synteny with the rice gene order. The exception, probe Y617R, was duplicated in barley. One copy was located on a different chromosome and the other in a non-syntenic position on barley chromosome 1P. The barley probes from this region could not be mapped to rice, but two of them were inferred to be in a syntenic location based on their position on a rice YAC. This work demonstrates the utility of applying the results of genetic and physical mapping of the small genome cereal rice to map-based cloning of interesting genes from large genome relatives.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Identification and distribution of seven classes of middle-repetitive DNA in the Arabidopsis thaliana genome.

In order to analyse further the genomic distribution of repetitive sequences in the Arabidopsis genome, we have identified and characterized seven novel repetitive sequences. Analysis of genomic representation, genomic location and DNA sequence divided the seven repeated sequences into two classes. The first was represented by three cosmid subclones (182A, 74A, 191A) carrying sequences that hybridised to up to 20 genomic fragments and showed sequence homology to the genes, Arabidopsis CCR2, Arabidopsis MYB and to various ATP-binding transport proteins. These multigene families mapped to various positions within the genome, as judged by hybridization to YAC clones constituting the Arabidopsis physical map. The second class was represented by four cosmid subclones (106B, 164A, 163A, 278A) that hybridised to between 20 and 300 genomic fragments. One of these, 106B, is a diverged, partial copy of the LTR of the Arabidopsis retrotransposon Athila. The other three sequences showed no homology to known genes or proteins. The distribution of these sequences on chromosome 4 was analysed and sequences hybridizing to 106B, 164A and 163A were found exclusively at the centromeric region of this chromosome. Their detailed arrangement at the centromeric region of chromosome 4, relative to other repeated sequence families and single copy sequences, was determined.

Arabidopsis↗

A Schizosaccharomyces pombe artificial chromosome large DNA cloning system.

The feasibility of using the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe , as a host for the propagation of cloned large fragments of human DNA has been investigated. Two acentric vector arms were utilized; these carry autonomously replicating sequences ( ars elements), selectable markers ( ura4(+) or LEU2 ) and 250 bp of S. pombe terminal telomeric repeats. All cloning was performed between the unique sites in both vector arms for the restriction endonuclease Not I. Initially the system was tested by converting six previously characterized cosmids from human chromosome 11p13 into a form that could be propagated in S.pombe as linear episomal elements of 50-60 kb in length. In all transformants analysed these cosmids were maintained intact. To test if larger fragments of human DNA could also be propagated total human DNA was digested with Not I and size fractionated by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Fractions of 100-1000 kb were ligated to Not I-digested vector arms and transformed into S.pombe protoplasts in the presence of lipofectin. Prototrophic ura+leu+transformants were obtained which upon examination by PFGE were found to contain additional linear chromosomes migrating at between 100 and 500 kb with a copy number of 5-10 copies/cell. Hybridization analyses revealed that these additional bands contained human DNA. Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) analyses of several independent clones indicated that the inserts were derived from single loci within the human genome. These analyses clearly demonstrate that it is possible to clone large fragments of heterologous DNA in fission yeast using this S.p ombe artificial chromosome system which we have called SPARC. This vector-host system will complement the various other systems for cloning large DNA fragments.

Chromosome Mapping↗

Isolation of CpG islands from large genomic clones.

Positional cloning is a powerful method for the identification of genes. Using genetic and physical mapping methods the genomic region within which a particular gene is located can relatively easily be narrowed down to a comparatively small area contained within cosmid, PAC or BAC clones. It is then a matter of identifying genes within these clones. Here we describe the appli-cation of a technique, which has been successfully used for the bulk purification of CpG islands from whole genomes, to the isolation of CpG island sequences from such clones. As CpG islands overlap transcription units they can be used to isolate full-length cDNAs for associated genes, either by probing cDNA libraries or by searching databases. CpG islands are linked with approximately 60% of human genes and because their isolation is independent of the expression profile of these genes this approach would complement other expression-based methods of gene identification. By applying this technique to a cosmid clone known to contain the PAX6 gene we successfully isolated the CpG island for this gene along with other CpG island-like sequences. Closer examination revealed that an extensive genomic region around the 5'-end of PAX6 is unusual with regard to methylation and GC content. CpG island sequences were also successfully isolated from a PAC clone carrying the MBD1 gene. These included the complete CpG island containing the first exon and regulatory sequences from MBD1.

Base Sequence↗