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G Brightwell

Publications and source records attributed to G Brightwell.

13 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

An investigation of FRAXA intermediate allele phenotype in a longitudinal sample.

The FRAXA trinucleotide repeat at Xq27.3 gives rise to fragile X syndrome when fully expanded, and both premature ovarian failure (POF) and fragile X tremor and ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) when in the premutation range. Reports of phenotypic effects extending into the intermediate repeat range are inconsistent but some studies suggest that these smaller expansions predispose to special educational needs (SEN). This study utilises the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) cohort to investigate cognitive and behavioural variables that might be associated with FRAXA intermediate alleles. The current study failed to find any strong evidence of association of FRAXA intermediate alleles with SEN, behavioural problems or cognitive difficulties. However, our findings illustrate some of the difficulties encountered in identifying individuals with SEN. The power to identify specific components of cognitive and behavioural difficulties was reduced due to elective drop-out, which is characteristic of longitudinal studies. Our findings demonstrate the non-random loss of participants from this cohort and highlight problems that may arise when such data are used in genetic association studies.

Alleles↗
PubMed2005

Evaluation of molecular methods to determine enterotoxigenic status and molecular genotype of bovine, ovine, human and food isolates of Staphylococcus aureus.

This study evaluated the use of PFGE and single enzyme AFLP techniques for the determination of the genetic relationships between Staphyloccocus aureus isolates from human, bovine, ovine and food related sources and reports the prevalence of 'classic' (sea to see) and 'new' (seg, seh, sei, sej, sem, sen and seo) staphylococcal enterotoxin (se) genes in 92 S. aureus strains. A sub-set of the se genotyping results was confirmed by ELISA and the presence of SE toxin determined in isolates from different sources. A 100% correlation was observed, between detection of enterotoxin genes sea-see and expression of corresponding enterotoxin proteins in vitro. The se genotyping data generated from 90 of the S. aureus isolates showed that many of the S. aureus strains producing identical se genotypes correlated with both AFLP and PFGE pattern types. However, single enzyme AFLP technique did not possess the discriminatory power of the PFGE method, but similar clonal relationships were observed by both techniques in many of the isolates tested. Results reported here include the first comprehensive study using a single enzyme AFLP technique to investigate the genetic background of S. aureus isolates from a wide distribution including animal, human and food related sources.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

SNP genotyping using a simple and rapid single-tube modification of ARMS illustrated by analysis of 6 SNPs in a population of males with FRAXA repeat expansions.

Microsatellites have been used extensively in gene mapping, linkage and association studies but with the near completion of the human genome project (HGP) single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) have become the marker of choice. However, for association studies to be useful large numbers of SNPs must be analysed. To make these studies cost effective a simple and non-labour intensive method for SNP genotyping is essential. This work describes a single-tube modification of the amplification refractory mutation system (Biallelic-ARMS). Control amplimers flanking the SNP were amplified in a single-tube multiplex PCR with two SNP specific primers that prime in opposite directions. The SNP allele was identified on the basis of PCR product size after gel electrophoresis. Biallelic-ARMS was used to analyse six SNPs within 300 kb of the FRAXA repeat, two from the HGP SNP Database (ATL1 and FMRb) and four novel SNPs (WEX1, WEX10, WEX17 and WEX28). The study population consisted of 649 males with a range of FRAXA (10 to >200) repeat sizes. Each SNP correlated with distinct haplogroups, as identified by DXS548, FRAXAC1 and FRAXAC2 flanking microsatellite repeat patterns and confirmed the initial choice of haplogroups for FRAXA repeat stability defined by Enniset al.

Alleles↗
PubMed2001

Sequence variation within the fragile X locus.

The human genome provides a reference sequence, which is a template for resequencing studies that aim to discover and interpret the record of common ancestry that exists in extant genomes. To understand the nature and pattern of variation and linkage disequilibrium comprising this history, we present a study of approximately 31 kb spanning an approximately 70 kb region of FMR1, sequenced in a sample of 20 humans (worldwide sample) and four great apes (chimp, bonobo, and gorilla). Twenty-five polymorphic sites and two insertion/deletions, distributed in 11 unique haplotypes, were identified among humans. Africans are the only geographic group that do not share any haplotypes with other groups. Parsimony analysis reveals two main clades and suggests that the four major human geographic groups are distributed throughout the phylogenetic tree and within each major clade. An African sample appears to be most closely related to the common ancestor shared with the three other geographic groups. Nucleotide diversity, pi, for this sample is 2.63 +/- 6.28 x 10(-4). The mutation rate, mu is 6.48 x 10(-10) per base pair per year, giving an ancestral population size of approximately 6200 and a time to the most recent common ancestor of approximately 320,000 +/- 72,000 per base pair per year. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) at the FMR1 locus, evaluated by conventional LD analysis and by the length of segment shared between any two chromosomes, is extensive across the region.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Detection of PCR products using PNA strand invasion.

The unique ability of homopyrimidine peptide nucleic acid (PNA) to strand invade homopurine sites of duplex DNA offers a potential alternative to existing techniques for rapid detection of PCR products. From gel shift studies, PNA was found to specifically strand invade homopurine sites that had been incorporated into an amplicon during the PCR cycle. This was achieved by adding a homopyrimidine sequence to the 5'-terminus of a PCR primer. The position of the strand invasion sites at the termini of the DNA duplex offers kinetic advantages for PNA strand invasion, since the termini of DNA duplexes are known to be unwound. This unwound state was demonstrated using a novel assay that determined single-stranded regions within the amplicon. The presence of the PNA moiety in strand invasion complexes was confirmed by a novel electroblot, an Enzyme Linked Nucleic Acid assay and by an increase in stability as demonstrated by T(m)studies with the Idaho RapidCycler. Since the strand invasion sites can be controlled through selection of the homopurine sequence there is great flexibility for designing strand invasion motifs unique to a particular PCR amplicon, thus providing a huge potential for differentiating and detecting multiplex PCR products.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed1999

Fluorescent detection techniques for real-time multiplex strand specific detection of Bacillus anthracis using rapid PCR.

Speed is a key area in our development of PCR assays for Bacillus anthracis. We believe that the strand specific detection of amplicons within 10 min is a realistic goal and that this will be achieved through fluorescent in-tube assays. We have used the Idaho LightCycler to study and develop candidate assays for B. anthracis. New strand specific fluorescent methods have been developed and a number of formats have been studied for speed and sensitivity. Internal controls have been developed as a method of improving our assay confidence. In this communication we will introduce the field of rapid PCR whilst discussing previous work in the areas described above, the development of our own rapid assay and a novel internal control system for B. anthracis. This work used PCR assays and hardware that are either commercially available, or have been previously described in open literature publications.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Development of internal controls for PCR detection of Bacillus anthracis.

This work describes the development and evaluation of a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of Bacillus anthracis strains harbouring plasmid pX02. The multiplex also incorporated an internal control (IC) to avoid false negative reactions. Internal controls consisted of plasmids containing modified PCR target sequences, corresponding to the capC and BA813 genes of B. anthracis, which were then co-amplified with the original target sequences using the same set of amplimers. The initial IC construct comprised of an internally deleted form of the genomic target sequence cloned into pUC19. A series of nested DNA fragments corresponding to the 23S rRNA sequences of Bacillus cereus were then subcloned into the point of deletion, producing a number of IC constructs with similar sequences but increasing product size on PCR amplification. Neither the presence of IC DNA template or IC PCR product size affected the specificity or non-specific cross-reactivity of the original PCR assay. The concentration of IC was critical, too much IC DNA template would out compete the genomic DNA template, thus giving a false negative result. However, when the concentration of IC was optimal assay sensitivity was not compromised.

Bacillus anthracis↗
PubMed1998

Genetic targets for the detection and identification of Venezuelan equine encephalitis viruses.

Rt-PCR probes targeted to different gene sequences of VEE (Venezuelan equine encephalitis) virus strain TC-83 were assessed for their sensitivity, specificity and non-specific cross-reactivity. A generic VEE virus amplimer (VNSP4F2/VNSP4R2), targeted against nsP4 was identified, which was sensitive (detected at least 10 pfu) and robust (worked over a wide range of salt concentrations and annealing temperatures). An E2 amplimer designed against TC-83, (VE2F/VE2R), identified VEE strains TRD (1AB), P676 (1C), 3880 (1D) Everglades (2) vRNA whilst a second E2 primer pair designed against strain 68U201, (68UF/68UR), identified all the remaining VEE viruses in the sero-complex. This would suggest that the VEE virus E2 gene can be sub-divided at the genetic level into two separate groups making it a useful target for differentiation of serosubtypes 1 and 2 from the other VEE virus subtypes. Using a panel of amplimers targeted to different VEE genes and strains it was possible to distinguish between most of the serotypes, but most importantly, we were able to detect the epizootic strains TRD and P676 as well as other VEE viruses implicated in human disease (sero-subtypes 1D and 1E).

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Redox regulation of Brn-2/N-Oct-3 POU domain DNA binding activity and proteolytic formation of N-Oct-5 during melanoma cell nuclear extraction.

Reversible oxidation sensitivity of N-Oct-3 DNA binding activity was seen when melanoma extracts and recombinant Brn-2 protein were treated with a variety of metals, hydrogen peroxide and the cysteine disulphide bond forming agent diamide. Western blot analysis of diamide-oxidized N-Oct-3 protein indicated that this was likely to be due to intramolecular disulphide bonding. The potential role of oxidative loss of N-Oct-3 DNA binding activity is discussed in relation to redox changes that may occur during the early phase of apoptosis in neuronal cell lines and tissues. Brn-2 C-terminal antibody Western blot analysis of melanoma cell line nuclear extracts prepared using a combination of sodium dodecyl sulphate and NP-40 detergent cell lysis procedures demonstrated the formation of N-Oct-5 DNA binding activity via N-terminal proteolytic clipping of Brn-2/N-Oct-3.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Serum-dependent and cell cycle-dependent expression from a cytomegalovirus-based mammalian expression vector.

Cytomegalovirus-based mammalian expression vectors are widely used to drive the expression of transfected genes in cultured cells. Immunofluorescent staining of the WT1 protein in 3T3 and 293 cell clones, stably transfected with a cyomegalovirus (CMV) expression vector carrying a cDNA coding for the tumour suppressor protein WT1, showed extreme cell to cell variation in the amount of recombinant protein expressed, indicative of cell cycle dependence. This was investigated further by Western blot and FACS analysis which showed that WT1 protein expression was highest in S phase and almost absent in G0/G1. Northern blot analysis of cell clones expressing sense or antisense WT1 cDNAs regulated by the CMV promoter/enhancer showed that RNA expression was also cell cycle-dependent. Western blotting of cells expressing a luciferase reporter gene driven by the CMV promoter/enhancer also showed apparent cell cycle-dependent expression. We further demonstrated that the expression of these gene constructs was serum responsive with a 10-fold increase in expression occurring 2 h after the addition of serum. These results show that the CMV promoter/enhancer system varied in its response to serum and the cell cycle state. Therefore, care must be taken when interpreting any phenotypic alterations (or lack of them) produced in cells transfected with CMV-based expression vectors.

3T3 Cells↗
PubMed1990

Hen egg white lysozyme expressed in, and secreted from, Aspergillus niger is correctly processed and folded.

We transformed Aspergillus niger with the full length cDNA gene encoding hen egg-white lysozyme (HEWL) and its secretion signal sequence. Lysozyme levels up to 12 mg/l were secreted when expression was controlled by the A. awamori glucoamylase (GAM) promoter and 1 mg/l when controlled by the A. nidulans glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPD) promoter. N-terminal sequence analysis of the recombinant protein indicated that the signal peptide was correctly processed by the A. niger secretory apparatus. The specific catalytic activity of the recombinant protein was identical to that of authentic hen lysozyme. The recombinant HEWL was examined by 2D 1H-NMR spectroscopy and shown to have a spectrum identical to that of authentic HEWL indicating that the protein was correctly folded.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pleiotropic effects of regulatory ros mutants of Agrobacterium radiobacter and their interaction with Fe and glucose.

Four exo mutants of Agrobacterium radiobacter, defective in the synthesis of acidic exopolysaccharide were complemented by a gene from that species, which is similar to the transcriptional regulator, ros, of A. tumefaciens. It was confirmed that this A. radiobacter gene, which we term rosAR, like ros, repressed its own transcription as well as that of virC and virD, two loci involved in tumorigenesis. The sequence of RosAR suggested that it might bind to a transition metal and its repressor abilities were shown to require Fe in the medium; repression was also enhanced with increasing levels of glucose. Certain rosAR mutants, in which its 3' end was removed were dominant; i.e., when plasmids containing such mutant forms of the gene were introduced into wild-type A. radiobacter, the transconjugants were nonmucoid. Such effects were also seen in a wide range of bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Xanthomonas. Several mutants that were complementd by rosAR also accumulated protoporphyrin, suggesting a defect in haem synthesis.

Alleles↗