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[Genomics of pathogenic bacteria].

The general principles of structural and functional organization of genomes in pathogenic bacteria are considered. Main data on the specific features of genomes of Chlamydia trachomatis, Rickettsia prowazekii, Treponema pallidum, Helicobacter pylori, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, Vibro cholerae and pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli are summarized. Particular attention is paid to the problems of genetic control of pathogenicity, intraspecies variations in bacterial genomes, to the environmental and evolutionary meaning of horizontal gene transfer. Whether methods for genotyping bacterial strains can be used is discussed.

Bacteria↗

Variation of clonal, mesquite-associated rhizobial and bradyrhizobial populations from surface and deep soils by symbiotic gene region restriction fragment length polymorphism and plasmid profile analysis.

Genetic characteristics of 14 Rhizobium and 9 Bradyrhizobium mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa)-nodulating strains isolated from surface (0- to 0.5-m) and deep (4- to 6-m) rooting zones were determined in order to examine the hypothesis that surface- and deep-soil symbiont populations were related but had become genetically distinct during adaptation to contrasting soil conditions. To examine genetic diversity, Southern blots of PstI-digested genomic DNA were sequentially hybridized with the nodDABC region of Rhizobium meliloti, the Klebsiella pneumoniae nifHDK region encoding nitrogenase structural genes, and the chromosome-localized ndvB region of R. meliloti. Plasmid profile and host plant nodulation assays were also made. Isolates from mesquite nodulated beans and cowpeas but not alfalfa, clover, or soybeans. Mesquite was nodulated by diverse species of symbionts (R. meliloti, Rhizobium leguminosarum bv. phaseoli, and Parasponia bradyrhizobia). There were no differences within the groups of mesquite-associated rhizobia or bradyrhizobia in cross-inoculation response. The ndvB hybridization results showed the greatest genetic diversity among rhizobial strains. The pattern of ndvB-hybridizing fragments suggested that surface and deep strains were clonally related, but groups of related strains from each soil depth could be distinguished. Less variation was found with nifHDK and nodDABC probes. Large plasmids (>1,500 kb) were observed in all rhizobia and some bradyrhizobia. Profiles of plasmids of less than 1,000 kb were related to the soil depth and the genus of the symbiont. We suggest that interacting selection pressures for symbiotic competence and free-living survival, coupled with soil conditions that restrict genetic exchange between surface and deep-soil populations, led to the observed patterns of genetic diversity.

Journal Article↗

Complexity of schistosome vector bulinine snails in Kenya: Insights from nuclear genome size variation, complete mitochondrial genome sequence, and morphometric analysis.

Investigations of nuclear genome size, complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence, and morphometrics were conducted on specimens of Bulinus snails (Gastropoda: Planorbidae) collected from 14 locations across the east coast, central Kenya, and western Kenya around the Lake Victoria region (November 2013 and January 2024). Flow cytometry measurements of DNA content (C-value) revealed unexpected variation in nuclear genome size, with diploid Bulinus africanus and B. forskalii species groups showing C-values ranging from 0.76 to 1.98 pg, while tetraploid B. truncatus had a C-value of 1.82 pg. Additionally, C-values for six B. globosus specimens from different localities ranged from 1.43 to 1.98 pg. These findings suggest that bulinine snails, particularly the B. africanus species group, have undergone genome expansion, whole genome duplication (polyploidization), or both, which have not been previously recognized. Next-generation sequencing was performed to determine and annotate 14 complete mitogenome sequences. Despite the well-conserved arrangement of protein-coding genes, two versions of mtDNA genome structure, distinguished by the tRNA-D (Asp) location, were found, designated as DCF (Asp-Cys-Phe) type (in the B. forskalii group and the B. truncatus/tropicus complex) and CF (Cys-Phe) type (in the B. africanus group). Phylogenetic analyses based on complete mtDNA sequences of bulinines from Kenya, along with cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COX1) sequences from various localities across Africa, contributed to resolving species identities and provided further support for the presence of multiple or cryptic species in the taxon B. globosus. A landmark-based morphometric analysis was ineffective in distinguishing these species. This study reveals unexpected nuclear genome size variation, provides new mitogenome sequences, and highlights the limitations of morphological analysis. It offers valuable insights into the cytogenetics, polyploidy, genomics, taxonomy, and evolution of bulinines, which serve as intermediate hosts for schistosomes responsible for human urogenital schistosomiasis and intestinal schistosomiasis in domestic and wild mammals.

Animals↗

Molecular diversity and physical mapping of 5S rDNA in wild and cultivated oat grasses (Poaceae: Aveneae).

5S rDNA repeats studied in five genera of Aveneae have lengths between 285 and 329 bp (Avena sativa, Avena macrostachya, 26 species of Helictotrichon, Pseudarrhenatherum longifolium, Lagurus ovatus, and Trisetum spicatum). In only a single species (Helictotrichon aetolicum) an additional repeat of 456 bp occurs infrequently. Variation is largely due to insertions or deletions in the nontranscribed spacer as determined from sequences of 163 independent clones. The 5S gene of the Aveneae studied is conserved in length and sequence except for Helictotrichon bromoides and Helictotrichon marginatum in which duplications occur at two different sites. This new type of duplication and all duplications reported to date in 5S genes of angiosperms are shown to center on defined palindromic sequences. The "uncommon" 5S gene sequences detected in some Aveneae are not necessarily nonfunctional as pseudogenes because the essential features of the internal control region are maintained even after such duplication events. In each instance such gene sequences have spacers with unmodified structure, indicating that change in gene sequence is not necessarily coupled with change in adjacent spacers. The value of 5S spacer sequences for genomic identifications in Aveneae is exemplified in A. macrostachya (perennial), A. sativa (annual), and several diploid taxa of the genus Helictotrichon.

Avena↗

The hepatitis B virus pregenome: prediction of RNA structure and implications for the emergence of deletions.

The terminally redundant pregenomic RNA of human hepatitis B virus (HBV) comprises some 3,330 nucleotides and is a replicative intermediate in the production of the circular DNA genome. Deletions are known to arise in the HBV genome during the course of chronic infection and are sometimes associated with interferon therapy. These deletions are limited to small parts of the genome such as the 357-nucleotide pre-S1 region. Long RNA molecules such as the HBV pregenome have considerable structural flexibility and will undergo secondary structure shifts between energetically favourable states in a continuous and semi-random fashion. Since prediction of structure elements that are highly conserved in different forms of one RNA molecule is now feasible by computer modelling, we have analysed the whole HBV pregenome by two different RNA structure prediction algorithms and by new methods that exploit these algorithms. Significantly, the ends of pregenomic RNA were predicted to undergo both short-range and long-range interactions, which has relevance to our knowledge of the virus replicative cycle. By incorporating phylogenetic information relating to the 6 recognised genotypes of HBV, it was possible to highlight short secondary structures that may be common to all HBV strains. For example, although the pre-S1 region was predicted to undergo local folding of a loosely defined nature, most observed pre-S1 deletions mapped to all or part of an arm carrying a better-defined structure. The loss of such sequences may be mechanistically attributable to polymerase skipping during reverse transcription, and the possible advantages of such deletions are considered.

Algorithms↗

Map-based quantitative trait locus identification.

Poultry gene mappers chose microsatellites as the main source of genetic markers for poultry genome mapping, similar to the marker type used for other farm animals, laboratory animals, and humans. Optimal strategies for applying DNA markers in poultry populations are discussed, including the number of markers to be used, genome representation, population structure, choice of markers, population size, statistical stringency for association between markers and quantitative trait loci (QTL), and biological verification of a linkage. It is shown that an efficient strategy should be based on a combination of a low stringent statistical test for the existence of linkage between a marker and QTL and an appropriate genetic test for the discrimination between true and false linkage. The source of the genetic variation to be used is discussed and, as an illustration, three types of resource populations are presented. The informativeness of different matings using various genotypes of the parents are considered and it appears that selection of markers based on the heterozygosity of the sire is the most efficient marker screening approach.

Animals↗

Mitochondrial sequence reveals high levels of gene flow between breeds of domestic sheep from Asia and Europe.

Sequence variation present within the mitochondrial genome was used to investigate genetic diversity within sheep breeds from Asia and Europe. Comparison of 2027 bp of sequence from 121 animals revealed 44 phylogenetically informative nucleotide positions and a single insertion/deletion. A total of 57 haplotypes were observed which formed two distinct clades. Type A haplotypes were found in breeds from Asia (India, Indonesia, Mongolia, and Tibet), while type B haplotypes were observed at the highest frequency in breeds sourced from Europe (nine breeds from Austria, Aland, Finland, Spain, and northwestern Russia). The distribution of haplotypes indicates sheep appear to have the weakest population structure and the highest rate of intercontinental dispersal of any domestic animal reported to date. Only 2.7% of the sequence variation observed was partitioned between continents, which is lower than both goat (approximately 10%) and cattle (approximately 50%). Diagnostic restriction fragment length polymorphism polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR) tests which distinguish type A and B haplotypes were used to test an additional 223 animals from 17 breeds of European and Asian origin. A mixture of the two lineages was found in every breed except Suffolk and the Indian Garole, indicating introgression has played a major part during breed development and subsequent selection.

Animals↗

Nucleotide variations in the lxd region of Drosophila melanogaster: characterization of a candidate modifier of lifespan.

We have investigated the structure and function of several proteins that might influence adult lifespans in Drosophila melanogaster. The present report focuses on the gene lxd ('low xanthine dehydrogenase'), which lies in a region of chromosome III identified by QTL-mapping as potentially important for lifespan. DNA sequence of a 3780 bp genomic fragment containing the lxd locus reveals differences between long-lived and control inbred lines. In order to determine the importance of nucleotide replacements, the intron/exon boundaries have been determined, based on peptide alignment and conserved amino acids. We identified four exons in the lxd coding region. The deduced amino acid sequence of exon 4 shows 46.5% identity with Escherichia coli MoaC sequences. There are eight nucleotide substitutions in exons differentiating the inbred lines, three in exon 3 and five in exon 4. One of the exon 4 substitutions has resulted in a Thr-Ile replacement at the protein surface, but not entirely solvent exposed. This substitution is potentially a modifier of lifespan via oxygen defense, but since the activities of three molybdoenzymes are unaffected in inbred lines, this possibility seems remote.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Genomic changes associated with antigenic variation of visna virus durig persistent infection.

Visna virus undergoes antigenic change during persistent infection of sheep. Antigenic variants of visna virus were compared by using the genomic RNA and analyzing the large RNase T1-resistant oligonucleotides. Mutants isolated from a persistently infected sheep contained a small number of changes in their oligonucleotide patterns when compared with parental virus. To determine whether the changes in the nucleotide structure were clustered in one region of the genome, we determined the order of the oligonucleotides of the parental and mutant RNAs along the genome with respect to the 3' polyadenylylated end. All but one difference between the parental strain and the antigenic mutant used for mapping were located within 2 kilobases from the 3' terminus. Nucleotide sequence analyses showed that several of the oligonucleotides that differed in the parental and mutant RNAs could be accounted for by single base changes.

Animals↗

High-throughput MALDI-TOF discovery of genomic sequence polymorphisms.

We describe a comparative sequencing strategy that is based on matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) analyses of complete base-specific cleavage reactions of a target sequence. The target is converted to a DNA/RNA mosaic structure after PCR amplification using in vitro transcription. Cleavage with defined specificity is achieved by ribonucleases. The set of cleavage products is subjected to mass spectrometry without prior fractionation. The presented resequencing assay is particularly useful for single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) discovery. The combination of mass spectra from four complementary cleavage reactions detects approximately 98% of all possible homozygous and heterozygous SNPs in target sequences with a length of up to 500 bases. In general, both the identity and location of the sequence variation are determined. This was exemplified by the discovery of SNPs in the human gene coding for the cholesteryl ester transfer protein using a panel of 96 genomic DNAs.

Carrier Proteins↗

An isochore transition zone in the NF1 gene region is a conserved landmark of chromosome structure and function.

The mammalian genome is organized as a mosaic of isochores, stretches of DNA with a distinct sequence composition. Isochores form the basis of the chromosomal banding pattern, which is tightly correlated with a number of structural and functional features. We have recently demonstrated that the transition from a GC-poor isochore to a GC-rich one in the NF1 gene region occurs within 5 kb and demarcates genomic regions with high and low recombination frequency. We now report that the same transition zone separates early replicating from late replicating chromatin on the molecular level. At the isochore transition the replication fork is stalled in mid-S phase and can be visualized by fiber-FISH techniques as a Y-shaped structure. The switch in GC content and in replication timing is conserved between human and mouse, emphasizing the importance of the transition zones as landmarks of chromosome organization and function.

Animals↗

Aberrant cellular immune responses in humans infected persistently with parvovirus B19.

A subset of parvovirus B19 (B19) infected patients retains the infection for years, as defined by detection of B19 DNA in bone marrow. Thus far, analysis of B19-specific humoral immune responses and viral genome variations has not revealed a mechanism for the absent viral clearance. In this study, ex-vivo cellular immune responses were assessed by enzyme linked immunospot assay mounted against the majority of the translated viral genome. Compared to seropositive healthy individuals, individuals with B19 persistence (2-8 years) showed larger number of responses to the structural proteins (P = 0.0022), whereas responses to the non-structural protein were of lower magnitude (P = 0.012). These observations provide the first findings of immunological discrepancies between individuals with B19 persistence and healthy individuals, findings that may reflect both failed immunity and antigenic exhaustion.

Adult↗

Internal initiation of translation efficiency in different hepatitis C genotypes isolated from interferon treated patients.

Initiation of translation of hepatitis C viral RNA occurs internally and it is mediated by a segment of about 330 nucleotides termed Internal Ribosome Entry Site (IRES) located in the 5' end region. While being the most conserved part of the genome, this region also accumulates nucleotide substitutions which are often covariant. In this study we have examined the activity and sequence variation of IRES elements belonging to genotypes 1b, 2a/2c and 3a in patients that responded or not to interferon therapy. The substitutions found in the IRES region analyzed were predicted to maintain the secondary structure of the RNA. Comparison of their efficiency to promote internal initiation of translation in bicistronic constructs supported the conclusion that for both 1b and 3a genotypes, response to interferon therapy and IRES activity are unrelated, although sequence homology was not always found among isolates from patients with different type of response. IRES activity of the studied genotypes varied about 4-fold under the conditions used in our in vivo assays depending on the cell line used for transfection. Such differences were not evidenced in vitro suggesting that the differences observed depend on trans-acting factors present in the transfected cell.

Adult↗

Genetics of intracranial aneurysms.

Subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is a subtype of stroke caused by the rupture of an intracranial aneurysm. Genetic factors play an important part in the pathogenesis of SAH and intracranial aneurysms. SAH and intracranial aneurysms are complex in origin, involving the interaction of several genes and environmental factors. A disruption of the extracellular matrix of the arterial wall, which provides strength and elasticity to intracranial arteries, is a likely factor in the pathophysiology of intracranial aneurysms. In this review, we discuss the genetic association, linkage, and gene-expression studies of SAH and intracranial aneurysms. At present, four genome-wide linkage studies have identified genetic loci for intracranial aneurysms. Interestingly, three of these loci include functional candidate genes coding for structural proteins of the extracellular matrix. Of these genes, elastin and collagen type 1A2 are the most promising candidates, because allelic association with intracranial aneurysms has also been shown for these genes. However, variation in these two genes only explains a small proportion of the genetic factors involved in intracranial aneurysms. Future studies need to identify new candidate genes to help unravel the pathophysiology of the disorder.

Animals↗

Sequencing drug response with HapMap.

The information about how DNA sequence varies across the human genome is crucial for unravelling the genetic basis of drug response. A haplotype map, or HapMap, intended to reveal such a variation pattern, has been recently developed by the International HapMap Consortium. Here, we present a conceptual model for directly characterizing specific DNA sequence variants that are responsible for drug response based on the haplotype structure provided by HapMap. Our model is developed in the maximum likelihood context, incorporated by clinically meaningful mathematical functions that model drug response and implemented with the EM algorithm. Our model is employed to a pharmacogenetic study of cardiovascular disease with 107 patients. We found that the haplotype constituted by allele Gly16 (G) at codon 16 and allele Glu27 (G) at codon 27 genotyped within the beta2AR candidate gene exhibits a different effect on heart rate curve from the rest haplotypes. Parents with the diplotype consisting of two copies of haplotype GG are more sensitive in heart rate to increasing dosages of dobutamine than those with other haplotypes. This model provides a powerful tool for elucidating the genetic variants of drug response and ultimately designing personalized medications based on each patient's genetic constitution.

Algorithms↗

A strong signature of balancing selection in the 5' cis-regulatory region of CCR5.

CCR5 encodes a cell surface chemokine receptor molecule that serves as the principal coreceptor, with CD4, for HIV-type 1 (HIV-1). Varied HIV-1 susceptibility and time to progression to AIDS have been associated with polymorphisms in CCR5. Many of these polymorphisms are located in the 5' cis-regulatory region of CCR5, suggesting that it may have been a target of natural selection. We characterized CCR5 sequence variation in this region in 400 chromosomes from worldwide populations and compared it to a genome-wide analysis of 100 Alu polymorphisms typed in the same populations. Variation was substantially higher than expected and characterized by an excess of intermediate-frequency alleles. A genealogy of CCR5 haplotypes had deep branch lengths despite markedly little differentiation among populations. This finding suggested a deviation from neutrality not accounted for by population structure, which was confirmed by tests for natural selection. These results are strong evidence that balancing selection has shaped the pattern of variation in CCR5 and suggest that HIV-1 resistance afforded by CCR5 5' cis-regulatory region haplotypes may be the consequence of adaptive changes to older pathogens.

Alleles↗

Hybridization and population genetics of two macaque species in Sulawesi, Indonesia.

This study investigates hybridization and population genetics of two species of macaque monkey in Sulawesi, Indonesia, using molecular markers from mitochondrial, autosomal, and Y-chromosome DNA. Hybridization is the interbreeding of individuals from different parental taxa that are distinguishable by one or more heritable characteristics. Because hybridization can affect population structure of the parental taxa, it is an important consideration for conservation management. On the Indonesian island of Sulawesi an explosive diversification of macaques has occurred; seven of 19 species in the genus Macaca live on this island. The contact zone of the subjects of this study, M. maura and M. tonkeana, is located at the base of the southwestern peninsula of Sulawesi. Land conversion in Sulawesi is occurring at an alarming pace; currently two species of Sulawesi macaque, one of which is M. maura, are classified as endangered species. Results of this study indicate that hybridization among M. maura and M. tonkeana has led to different distributions of molecular variation in mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA in the contact zone; mitochondrial DNA shows a sharp transition from M. maura to M. tonkeana haplotypes, but nuclear DNA from the parental taxa is homogenized in a narrow hybrid zone. Similarly, within M. maura divergent mitochondrial DNA haplotypes are geographically structured but population subdivision in the nuclear genome is low or absent. In M. tonkeana, mitochondrial DNA haplotypes are geographically structured and a high level of nuclear DNA population subdivision is present in this species. These results are largely consistent with a macaque behavioral paradigm of female philopatry and obligate male dispersal, suggest that introgression between M. maura and M. tonkeana is restricted to the hybrid zone, and delineate one conservation management unit in M. maura and at least two in M. tonkeana.

Animals↗

The implications of genetic variation in human pathology.

Each human cell contains enough DNA to code for several million proteins. As a result of the technical advances which are broadly described as 'genetic engineering', each of these sequences can be isolated and purified in large amounts, free from those surrounding it in the genome. The sequences are not identical from person to person, nor even for each of a pair of chromosomes for a single person, but contain many variations. These include single base changes in both coding and non-coding regions, deletions, insertions and rearrangements. Using these changes as markers, the molecular geneticist can compare the structure and expression of normal and mutated human gene sequences and follow their inheritance in families.

Cloning, Molecular↗