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Genomic variation in the mitochondrially encoded cytochrome b (MT-CYB) and 16S rRNA (MT-RNR2) genes: characterization of eight endangered Pecoran species.

In an effort to develop species-specific identification markers, we examined genetic variants and molecular signatures within genes encoding mitochondrial cytochrome b and 16S rRNA in eight endangered Pecoran species endemic to the Indian peninsula. Our results revealed that the cytochrome b gene exhibited higher sequence diversity than the 16S rRNA gene, both between and within species. However, the 16S rRNA gene harboured a larger number of species-specific mutation sites compared with the cytochrome b gene, suggesting that it could be useful for species identification. Indeed, we successfully used 'forensically informative nucleotide sequencing' (FINS) analysis of the 16S rRNA gene to identify two previously unknown biological specimens.

Animals↗

Analytical evaluation of the Tosoh HLC-723 G7 automated HPLC analyzer for hemoglobin A2 and F determination.

OBJECTIVES: The analytical performance of a new automated HPLC system (Tosoh HLV-723 G7) for Hb A(2) and Hb F quantification in blood was studied. DESIGN AND METHODS: Hb A(2) and Hb F measurements were studied for imprecision, linearity, carry-over, interferences and sample concentration effect. Method comparison study was performed with the Bio-Rad Variant II HPLC system. Hb F results were also compared with those obtained by the alkaline denaturation test. The detection of some common Hb variants was also studied. RESULTS: Hb A(2) within-run and between-run CVs were found between 0.8-2.2% and 2.9-7.2%, respectively, while CVs for Hb F were up to 10.0% in normal and between 1.9-5.3% at more clinically relevant Hb F concentrations (>1.5%). Comparison study with Bio-Rad Variant II for Hb A(2) determination showed good correlation but highlighted calibration differences. The following results were obtained in two different laboratories: y = 1.163x - 0.52, r = 0.9918, n = 144 (Lab A); y = 1.060x - 0.40, r = 0.9920, n = 93 (Lab B). With regard to the determination of Hb F, the measurements performed by the tested method was found to correlate well with the alkaline denaturation test (y = 1.0138x - 0.36, r = 0.9842, n = 20) and with the Variant II HPLC system (y = 0.812x + 0.52, r = 0.9835, n = 110). An excellent linearity (r = 0.999) was found for both Hb A(2) and Hb F in the range 0.8-19%. Hb S, Hb C and Hb D can be presumptively identified by the assigned retention time windows. CONCLUSION: The new analyzer Tosoh HLV-723 G7 was found to be a reliable method for Hb A(2) and Hb F quantification and for the presumptive identification of some common Hb variants.

Automation↗

Relaxation of glycine receptor and onconeural gene transcription control in NRSF deficient small cell lung cancer cell lines.

Negative regulation of many neuronal genes is mediated by the neuron-restrictive silencer factor (NRSF/repressor element-1 binding transcription factor, REST), which binds to the neuron-restrictive silencer element (NRSE/repressor element-1, RE-1) and thereby represses transcription of neuronal genes in non-neuronal cells. Sequence analysis of 5'-flanking regions of glycine receptor (GlyR) subunit genes revealed a consensus motif for NRSE in the GLRA1 and GLRA3, but not in GLRB, genes. In this study, we examined tumor cell lines for the expression of NRSF, GlyR subunits and onconeural genes. We identified two small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell lines lacking full-length NRSF/REST as well as its neuronal splice variants. Presence or absence of NRSF as well as its functionality in different SCLC cell lines was additionally shown in reporter gene assays. As GlyR alpha1 is selectively transcribed in NRSF/REST free cells, GlyR alpha1 transcripts might serve as positive signals for NRSF deficient cells. In contrast, GlyR beta is nearly ubiquitously transcribed in the cell lines analyzed and, therefore, should represent a useful marker for neoplastic cells. Sequence analysis of GlyR beta transcripts led to the identification of a new splice variant lacking exon 8, GlyR beta Delta8. This suggests that the lack of NRSF in SCLC cells, resulting in the relaxation of neuronal gene suppression, is an important mechanism underlying paraneoplastic expression.

Blotting, Western↗

Human prion diseases.

The classical prion diseases in man comprise Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), Kuru and Gerstmann-Sträussler-Scheinker syndrome (GSS). Recent advances in the biochemistry and the molecular biology of the transmissible agents responsible for these human spongiform encephalopathies have prompted renewed interest in their clinical and pathological features. A broadening spectrum of human prion diseases has now been identified including novel entities such as Fatal Familial Insomnia and variants of CJD and GSS characterised by specific abnormalities in the human prion protein (PrP) gene on chromosome 20. Accumulation of PrP in the central nervous system is a characteristic feature of all these disorders, although the relationship between PrP localisation, classical neuropathology, clinical features and genotype still requires clarification. A national surveillance project for CJD was established in 1990 in the United Kingdom in order to assess the possible implications of bovine spongiform encephalopathy for human health. The identification of an apparently new variant of CJD in young patients in UK raises the possibility of such a link; further studies are required to assess the significance of this observation.

Brain↗

Genetic predisposition and mediating pathways in ischemic stroke-induced cardiac arrhythmias: a genome-wide analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The clinical presentation of stroke-heart syndrome (SHS) underscores the interplay between the central nervous system and the cardiovascular system. While cardiac arrhythmia is the prevalent form of cardiac injury in SHS patients, the causal link between ischemic stroke and cardiac arrhythmia is still unclear. METHODS: Mendelian randomization analyses and genome-wide association studies data were used to investigate the causal role of ischemic stroke on cardiac complications. Mediation and colocalization analyses were used to identify potential pathways and shared genetic variants. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with arrhythmias and ischemic stroke were used for Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. Gene expression omnibus (GEO) database from atrial fibrillation patients were used for validation. RESULTS: Mendelian randomization analyses showed a strong correlation between arrhythmias, including ventricular tachyarrhythmias and atrial fibrillation, with ischemic stroke. Diabetic microvascular (nephropathy, retinopathy) and macrovascular (cardiomyopathy, peripheral arterial disease) complications significantly mediated the effect of ischemic stroke on cardiac arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation, explaining 28.69 % and 20.48 % of the indirect effect, respectively. Colocalization analyses identified a shared causal variant in the Phosphodiesterase 3A (PDE3A) gene (rs11045239), providing genetic evidence for a shared pathogenic pathway between ischemic stroke and cardiac arrhythmias. Moreover, KEGG pathway enrichment analyses identified a role of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway in both ischemic stroke and arrhythmias. Validation using the GEO database confirmed a significant upregulation of the PDE3A gene expression in atrial fibrillation patients. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a causal link between ischemic stroke and cardiac arrhythmias, with diabetic complications as one mediating factor. The identification of a shared causal variant in the PDE3A gene and the role of the cAMP signaling pathway have the potential to improve prediction and management of SHS patients.

Humans↗

An alternatively spliced survivin variant is positively regulated by p53 and sensitizes leukemia cells to chemotherapy.

Survivin is a unique member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family, and its expression is regulated by p53. Recent identification of several functionally divergent survivin variants augments the complexity of survivin action as well as its regulation. Here we report that survivin-2B (retaining a part of intron 2 as a cryptic exon) is positively regulated by p53, and its overexpression plays a role in sensitizing leukemia cells to chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin. Doxorubicin treatment activated p53, downregulated survivin and survivin-DeltaEx3 but upregulated survivin-2B in EU-3, an acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) cell line with wild-type (wt)-p53 phenotype. In contrast, doxorubicin treatment failed to induce these alterations in EU-6 cells, a mutant-p53 ALL cell line. To specify the role of wt-p53 in regulating survivin and its variants, a temperature-sensitive p53 mutant plasmid p53-143 was transfected into EU-4, a p53-null ALL cell line, to establish a subline EU-4/p53-143. When EU-4/p53-143 cell culture was shifted from 37.5 degrees C to the wt-p53-permissive temperature (32.5 degrees C), the expression of survivin and survivin-DeltaEx3 was decreased whereas survivin-2B expression was increased, confirming the distinct regulatory effect of p53 on survivin and its variants. To clarify the role of survivin-2B in the process of apoptosis, survivin-2B cDNA was cloned into pcDNA3HA vector and transfected into EU-4 cells. Enforced expression of survivin-2B in EU-4 cells inhibited cell growth and sensitized these cells to doxorubicin-induced apoptosis. These results suggest that survivin-2B variant is a proapoptotic factor and its expression is upregulated by p53.

Alternative Splicing↗

Two new p73 splice variants, gamma and delta, with different transcriptional activity.

p73 has been recently identified as a new structural and functional homologue of the transcription factor p53. It is expressed in either a full-length form, alpha, or a shorter beta mRNA variant, with exon 13 spliced out. Here we report the identification and functional characterization of two new p73 splicing variants, gamma (splicing out exon 11) and delta (splicing out exons 11, 12, and 13). Both gamma and delta p73 variants are expressed in human peripheral blood lymphocytes, primary keratinocytes, and different tumor cell lines, including neuroblastoma, glioblastoma, melanoma, hepatoma, and leukemia. The expression pattern of the four p73 splicing variants differs in both primary cells of different lineage and established cell lines even within the same type of tumor. A two-hybrid assay was used to characterize the homodimeric and heterodimeric interactions between the p73 variants, and showed that neither p73gamma nor p73delta interact with p53, whereas p73gamma showed strong interactions with all p73 isoforms, and p73delta binds efficiently p73alpha and p73gamma but only weakly p73beta. At the functional level, p73gamma is significantly less efficient in activating transcription of the p21(Waf1/Cip1) promoter than p53 or p73beta, whereas the effect of p73delta is intermediate and comparable to that of p73alpha. The ability of the different p73 variants to affect cell growth in p53 null osteosarcoma SAOS-2 cells correlates with their transcriptional activity on the p21(Waf1/Cip1) promoter: p73beta is the most efficient in inhibiting colony formation, whereas p73gamma is almost ineffective. Our results suggest that p73 isoforms may be differentially regulated, with four different isoforms capable of interacting among themselves and with p53. The relative expression level of each splice variant may modulate p73 transcriptional and growth suppression activities by affecting heterodimer formation.

Alternative Splicing↗

Human brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) genes, splicing patterns, and assessments of associations with substance abuse and Parkinson's Disease.

Potential roles for variants in the human BDNF gene in human brain disorders are supported by findings that include: (a) influences that this trophic factor can exert on important neurons, brain regions, and neurotransmitter systems, (b) changes in BDNF expression that follow altered neuronal activity and drug treatments, and (c) linkages or associations between genetic markers in or near BDNF and human traits and disorders that include depression, schizophrenia, addictions, and Parkinson's disease. We now report assembly of more than 70 kb of BDNF genomic sequence, delineation of 7 noncoding and 1 coding human BDNF exons, elucidation of BDNF transcripts that are initiated at several alternative promoters, identification of BDNF mRNA splicing patterns, elucidation of novel sequences that could contribute to activity-dependent BDNF mRNA transcription, targeting and/or translation, elucidation of tissue-specific and brain-region-specific use of the alternative human BDNF promoters and splicing patterns, identification of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), and simple sequence length polymorphism (SSLP) BDNF genomic variants and identification of patterns of restricted haplotype diversity at the BDNF locus. We also identified type 2 BDNF-locus transcripts that are coded by a novel gene that is overlapped with type 1 BDNF gene and transcribed in reverse orientation with several alternative splicing isoforms. Association studies of BDNF variants reveal no associations with Parkinson's disease. Comparisons between substance abusers and controls reveal modest associations. These findings increase interest in this diverse human gene.

Alternative Splicing↗

An automated image analysis system for the detection of rare autoradiographically labelled cells in the human lymphocyte HGPRT variant assay.

This paper describes a fast and accurate method for the identification of autoradiographically labelled human hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT) variant lymphocytes on slide preparations using a high-speed computer image analysis system--the Fast Interval Processor (FIP). The system has been developed primarily for the analysis of cultured human peripheral blood lymphocyte populations in which the frequency of labelled cells may vary from less than one to more than 2,000 in every 10,000 cells. Evaluation experiments have demonstrated the excellent performance of FIP in the counting of labelled and total cells over this frequency range.

Autoradiography↗

The computer-assisted differentiation of hemoglobin variants.

Using a TRS-80 Radio Shack microcomputer system, we have computerized the differentiation of hemoglobin variants according to their mobilities in four methods of zone electrophoresis, each measuring a somewhat different aspect of molecular structure. In the identification routine of the program, the electrophoretic mobilities of an unknown variant are compared mathematically to the mobilities of previously analyzed variants; the computer prints out those known variants whose mobilities are within a specifiable interval on either side of the mobilities of the unknown variant. Properly specifying this interval is essential to the effectiveness of the identification. Another routine in the program classifies the variants according to any of ten molecular variables. Computerizing the identification and the information output provides a way to differentiate many variants, allows convenient handling of a large number of data on them, and facilitates their structural analysis.

Blood Protein Electrophoresis↗

NF2-related Schwannomatosis Diagnosed Before and After 30 Years of Age: Differences in Disease Presentation and Rates of Positive Genetic Testing.

OBJECTIVE: Characterize pathogenic variants, rates of mosaicism, genetic testing yield, and disease severity among patients with NF2-related schwannomatosis dichotomized by diagnosis before or after the age of 30. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis. SETTING: Tertiary referral center multidisciplinary NF2 clinic from 2021 to 2024. PATIENTS: Patients with NF2-related schwannomatosis. INTERVENTION: Next-generation sequencing. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Rates of mosaicism, genetic testing rates and yield, and overall disease severity by tumor burden. RESULTS: From 2021 to 2024, there were 32 patients &#x2265;30 years of age and 39 patients diagnosed at younger ages. Patients diagnosed &#x2265;30 years exhibited decreased likelihood of receiving genetic testing (53% vs. 85%; P =0.009) and decreased genetic yield (defined as identification of a pathogenic genetic variant in those undergoing testing; 65% vs. 85%; P =0.20). Both age groups demonstrated similar rates of pathogenic variant type with loss-of-function being the predominant variant detected in 73% vs. 67%, for &#x2265;30 vs. <30 years of age; P =0.90. Those &#x2265;30 years harbored fewer number of average anatomic regions involved by tumor (2.3 vs. 3.4; P <0.001) and decreased total number of tumors (7 vs. 12; P <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Patients diagnosed with NF2-related schwannomatosis at age &#x2265;30 years exhibited reduced disease severity compared with those diagnosed at a younger age despite harboring similar distributions of genetic pathogenic variants inclusive of loss-of-function pathogenic variants. These observations emphasize the importance of considering patient age in addition to genetic testing for diagnostic framing tailored to patients' biology and clinical context to optimize care in the setting of NF2-related schwannomatosis.

Humans↗

Identification of the dimerisation interface of human interleukin-8 by IL-8-variants containing the photoactivatable amino acid benzoyl-phenylalanine.

The three-dimensional structure of human interleukin-8 (hIL-8) was determined by the use of NMR and X-ray methodology. At high concentrations interleukin-8 and many other chemokines form a non-covalent homodimer. Several studies have been performed to investigate the relevance of the dimer on receptor activation and led to contradictory results. In order to obtain a better understanding of the dimerisation process, covalently linked homo- and heterodimers were produced by photo-induced dimerisation of hIL-8 analogues that contain the photo-activatable amino acid p-benzoyl-phenylalanine (Bpa) at different positions. Whereas the N-terminal fragment (1-54) was expressed as recombinant thioester, the C-terminal fragments (55-77) that contain Bpa either at position 65 or 74 were obtained by solid-phase peptide synthesis. The segments were combined by expressed protein ligation and led to full length IL-8 variants containing the non-proteinogenic amino acid Bpa at single positions. IP(3) activity tests showed high biological activity for the CXCR1-GFP receptor for both variants comparable to that of the native ligand. The refolded and purified ligation-products were used for dimer formation by UV-irradiation. The analysis of the reaction mixture was performed by gel-electrophoresis and mass spectrometry and showed that dimer formation of IL-8 occurred in a position dependent manner. [Bpa(74)]hIL-8 has a high tendency to form covalent dimers whereas no dimer formation was observed for the variant with Bpa at position 65. Accordingly one residue of the dimerisation interface could be identified.

Amino Acid Substitution↗

Identification of a cadmium-binding protein from a cadmium-resistant variant of human lymphoblastoid cells (WI-L2).

Cadmium-binding protein synthesis and induction by cadmium chloride were studied in the human lymphoblastoid cell line WI-L2. Lymphoblasts were adapted to growth in 5 microM cadmium chloride (Cdr) and these cells were 2.5-fold more resistant to cadmium than the parental line. There was no difference in the cellular protein profile between the parental line and lymphoblasts grown for a short period, less than 10 days, in cadmium chloride as measured by [35S]cysteine labelling and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. A basal level of cadmium binding protein was apparent, however, by gel filtration. The Cdr lymphoblasts were found to synthesize a substantial amount of cadmium-binding protein, approximately 25-fold more than the parental line. The cadmium-binding protein has the following properties which are consistent with its being a metallothionein: (1) [35S]Cysteine-labelled protein eluted at a Ve/Vo = 2.1 on a Sephadex G-75 column; (2) the molecular weight was estimated as 11 kDa on 7-17% SDS polyacrylamide gels; (3) the protein was heat-stable; (4) the unlabelled protein bound 109Cd2+.

Cadmium↗

Identification of three mouse mu-opioid receptor (MOR) gene (Oprm1) splice variants containing a newly identified alternatively spliced exon.

The mouse mu-opioid receptor gene, Oprm1, is recognized currently to contain 17 alternatively spliced exons that generate 24 splice variants encoding at least 11 morphine-binding isoforms of the receptor. Here, we identify three new MOR splice variants that contain a previously undescribed exon, exon 18, and provide evidence that they are expressed in two mouse strains. The transcripts containing the newly identified exon 18 encode two new putative mu-opioid receptor isoforms, MOR-1V and MOR-1W. In mouse Oprm1, exon 18 is located between the described exons 10 and 6. Exon 18 appears to be conserved in the rat genome between exons 4 and 7. A BLAST search of the non-redundant GenBank database suggests that human OPRM1 may also contain exon 18. Analysis of mouse brain mRNA by RT-PCR suggests that MOR-1Vii transcripts are expressed in all areas of the brain analyzed, whereas expression of MOR-1Vi transcripts was restricted to thalamus and striatum. MOR-1W transcripts are expressed most highly in the hypothalamus, thalamus and striatum. In summary, we have identified three brain expressed, alternatively spliced mouse MOR splice variants containing a novel exon and encoding new putative MOR isoforms, MOR-1V and MOR-1W.

Alternative Splicing↗

The primary structure of water buffalo alpha(s1)- and beta-casein identification of phosphorylation sites and characterization of a novel beta-casein variant.

The primary structure of water buffalo alpha(s1)-casein and of beta-casein A and B variants has been determined using a combination of mass spectrometry and Edman degradation procedures. The phosphorylated residues were localized on the tryptic phosphopeptides after performing a beta-elimination/thiol derivatization. Water buffalo alpha(s1)-casein, resolved in three discrete bands by isoelectric focusing, was found to consist of a single protein containing eight, seven, or six phosphate groups. Compared to bovine alpha(s1)-casein C variant, the water buffalo alpha(s1)-casein presented ten amino acid substitutions, seven of which involved charged amino acid residues. With respect to bovine betaA2-casein variant, the two water buffalo beta-casein variants A and B presented four and five amino acid substitutions, respectively. In addition to the phosphoserines, a phosphothreonine residue was identified in variant A. From the phylogenetic point of view, both water buffalo beta-casein variants seem to be homologous to bovine betaA2-casein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification, characterization and purification of the lantibiotic staphylococcin T, a natural gallidermin variant.

Staphylococcin T (StT), an antibacterial agent produced by a Staphylococcus cohnii T strain, was purified to homogeneity by ammonium sulphate precipitation, gel filtration, cation exchange and fast performance liquid chromatography (FPLC). The final yield was about 20%, and over a 1000-fold increase in the specific activity was obtained. Mass determination (2166 Da), amino acid sequencing (Ile-Ala-Xaa-Lys-Phe-Leu-Xaa-Xaa-Pro-Gly-Xaa-Ala-Lys-block) and DNA sequencing demonstrated that StT is identical to gallidermin, a lanthionine-containing antimicrobial peptide. StT has a broad spectrum of bactericidal activity against Gram-positive and some Gram-negative bacteria. StT appears to damage cell membrane, and as a result causes an efflux of ions and an immediate block in macromolecular synthesis. Moreover, electron microscopic observations reveal morphological changes, with a loss of ribosomes and condensation of the nucleoid DNA. These changes are followed by a dissolution of the cell contents resulting in a bacterial ghost composed of seemingly intact cell walls with remnants of the cytoplasmic membrane and internal structure. Since StT exhibits antimicrobial activity especially against the Staphylococcus species, this compound may be of use in the treatment of staphylococcal infections.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of the structural mutation responsible for the dibucaine-resistant (atypical) variant form of human serum cholinesterase.

A point mutation in the gene for human serum cholinesterase was identified that changes Asp-70 to Gly in the atypical form of serum cholinesterase. The mutation in nucleotide 209, which changes codon 70 from GAT to GGT, was found by sequencing a genomic clone and sequencing selected regions of DNA amplified by the polymerase chain reaction. The entire coding sequences for usual and atypical cholinesterases were compared, and no other consistent base differences were found. A polymorphic site near the C terminus of the coded region was detected, but neither allele at this locus segregated consistently with the atypical trait. The nucleotide-209 mutation was detected in all five atypical cholinesterase families examined. There was complete concordance between this mutation and serum cholinesterase phenotypes for all 14 heterozygous and 6 homozygous atypical subjects tested. The mutation causes the loss of a Sau3A1 restriction site; the resulting DNA fragment length polymorphism was verified by electrophoresis of 32P-labeled DNA restriction fragments from usual and atypical subjects. Dot-blot hybridization analysis with a 19-mer allele-specific probe to the DNA amplified by the polymerase chain reaction distinguished between the usual and atypical genotypes. We conclude that the Asp-70----Gly mutation (acidic to neutral amino acid substitution) accounts for reduced affinity of atypical cholinesterase for choline esters and that Asp-70 must be an important component of the anionic site. Heterogeneity in atypical alleles may exist, but the Asp-70 point mutation may represent an appreciable portion of the atypical gene pool.

Base Sequence↗

Identification of proximal sequence element nucleotides contributing to the differential expression of variant U4 small nuclear RNA genes.

The two U4 genes in the chicken genome code for distinct sequence variants of U4 small nuclear RNA that are differentially expressed during development. Whereas U4B RNA is constitutively expressed, U4X RNA is specifically down-regulated relative to U4B in a tissue-specific manner during development. To investigate mechanisms controlling the differential expression of the U4B and U4X genes, chimeric U4 genes were constructed and their transcriptional activities assayed by injection into Xenopus oocytes or by transfection of CV-1 cells. The proximal regulatory region of the U4B gene and the enhancers of both the U4B and U4X genes functioned efficiently in each expression system. However, the proximal region of the U4X gene was inactive. To localize and identify the responsible nucleotides, reciprocal point mutations were introduced into the U4X and U4B proximal regulatory regions. The results indicate that the U4X gene contains a suboptimal proximal sequence element, and that this results primarily from the identities of the nucleotides at positions -61 and -57 relative to the transcription start site.

Animals↗