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Biomedical subjects

E Nanthakumar

Publications and source records attributed to E Nanthakumar.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

A genome-wide scan suggests a locus on chromosome 1q21-q23 contributes to normal variation in plasma cholesterol concentration.

To identify genes that influence plasma cholesterol, triglyceride, and high-density and low-density lipoproteins concentrations we conducted a genome-wide scan using 354 polymorphic markers spaced at 10-cM intervals in 75 obese but otherwise normal human families. The results of the genome scan using sibling pair analysis of quantitative phenotypes suggested that 1q21-q23 contains a locus that influences plasma cholesterol concentration. Chromosome 12 gave evidence of linkage to plasma triglyceride concentration (D12SPAH) and chromosomes 3, 6, 7, 10, 11, 17, and 20 yielded additional evidence of linkage for lipid phenotypes at lower levels of statistical significance. Allele sharing for markers near prominent candidate genes was either very weakly related or unrelated to sibling similarity for lipid concentrations. Together these results suggest that genes with important roles in regulating normal cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations do not coincide with the location of previously known candidate genes.

Adult↗

QTL influencing blood pressure maps to the region of PPH1 on chromosome 2q31-34 in Old Order Amish.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, renal insufficiency, and peripheral vascular disease. Although the genetic contribution to variation in blood pressure is well recognized, the specific genes involved are mostly unknown. We carried out a genome-wide scan to identify loci influencing blood pressure in the Old Order Amish population of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. METHODS AND RESULTS: Blood pressures were measured in 694 adult participants from families recruited without regard to blood pressure. We performed a quantitative linkage analysis by using 357 microsatellite markers. In multipoint analysis, strong evidence for linkage was observed with both diastolic (lod=3.36; P=0.00004) and to a lesser extent systolic (lod=1.64; P=0.003) blood pressure in the region of chromosome 2q31-34. Peak evidence for linkage occurred at map positions 217 and 221 cM from pter for diastolic and systolic blood pressure, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A gene linked to familial primary pulmonary hypertension has recently been mapped to this same region, suggesting the intriguing hypothesis that other (attenuated) mutations in this same gene may influence variation in systolic and diastolic blood pressure in this population.

Adult↗

Genome scan for human obesity and linkage to markers in 20q13.

Obesity is a highly prevalent, multigenic trait that predicts increased morbidity and mortality. Here we report results from a genome scan based on 354 markers in 513 members of 92 nuclear families ascertained through extreme obesity and normal body weight. The average marker interval was approximately 10 cM. We examined four correlated obesity phenotypes, including the body-mass index (BMI) (both as a quantitative trait and as a discrete trait with a threshold of BMI > or /=30 kg/m2) and percentage of fat (both as a quantitative trait and as a discrete trait with a threshold of 40%) as assessed by bioelectrical impedance. In the initial stage of the genome scan, four markers in 20q gave positive evidence for linkage, which was consistent across most obesity phenotypes and analytic methods. After saturating 20q with additional markers (25 markers total) in an augmented sample of 713 members from 124 families, we found linkage to several markers in a region, 20q13, previously implicated in both human and animal studies. Three markers (D20S107, D20S211, and D20S149) in 20q13 had empirical P values (based on Monte Carlo simulations, which controlled for multiple testing) < or /=. 01 for single-point analysis. In addition, the parametric, affecteds-only analysis for D20S476 yielded a LOD score of 3.06 (P=. 00009), and the affected-sib-pair test yielded a LOD score of 3.17 (P=.000067). Multipoint analyses further strengthened and localized these findings. This region includes several plausible candidate genes for obesity. Our results suggest that one or more genes affecting obesity are located in 20q13.

Black People↗

Human and mouse dopamine transporter genes: conservation of 5'-flanking sequence elements and gene structures.

Synaptic reaccumulation of the neurotransmitter dopamine is mediated by the dopamine transporter (DAT), a member of the family of twelve transmembrane domain, sodium- and chloride-dependent neurotransmitter transporters. Several DAT features, including its exclusive expression in dopaminergic neurons, implication in cocaine action, and prominent role in the mechanisms of Parkinsonism-inducing neurotoxins, make understanding of the DAT gene of interest. Isolation and characterization of the human and mouse DAT genes has allowed elucidation of similarities between each and other members of this transporter gene family. Sequences 5' to transcriptional start sites contain G-C rich, TATA-less, CAAT-less regions with striking conservation between human and mouse gene flanking regions. These studies suggest sequence elements that are candidates to contribute to the dopamine transporter's dopaminergic cell-specific expression.

Animals↗

Isolation of an active human transposable element.

Two de novo insertions of truncated L1 elements into the factor VIII gene on the X chromosome have been identified that produced hemophilia A. A full-length L1 element that is the likely progenitor of one of these insertions was isolated by its sequence identity to the factor VIII insertion. This L1 element contains two open-reading frames and is one of at least four alleles of a locus on chromosome 22 that has been occupied by an L1 element for at least 6 million years.

Alleles↗

Cloning and expression of a cocaine-sensitive dopamine transporter complementary DNA.

A rat dopamine (DA) transporter complementary DNA has been isolated with combined complementary DNA homology and expression approaches. The DA transporter is a 619-amino acid protein with 12 hydrophobic putative membrane-spanning domains and homology to the norepinephrine and gamma-aminobutyric acid transporters. The expressed complementary DNA confers transport of [3H]DA in Xenopus oocytes and in COS cells. Binding of the cocaine analog [3H]CFT ([3H]2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(4-fluorophenyl)tropane) to transfected COS cell membranes yields a pharmacological profile similar to that in striatal membranes.

Amino Acid Sequence↗