PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

L Henke

Publications and source records attributed to L Henke.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Distribution of the F374 allele of the SLC45A2 (MATP) gene and founder-haplotype analysis.

The membrane-associated transporter protein (MATP) plays an important role in melanin synthesis. The L374F mutation in the SLC45A2 gene encoding MATP has been suggested to be associated with skin colour in major human populations. In this study more detailed distribution of the F374 allele was investigated in 1649 unrelated subjects from 13 Eurasian populations and one African population. The highest allele frequency was observed in Germans (0.965); French and Italians showed somewhat lower frequencies; and Turks had an intermediate value (0.615). Indians and Bangladeshis from South Asia were characterized by low frequencies (0.147 and 0.059, respectively). We also found the F374 allele in some East and Southeast Asian populations, and explained this by admixture. Haplotype analysis revealed that the haplotype diversity was much lower in Germans than in Japanese, and suggest that the L374F mutation occurred only once in the ancestry of Caucasians. The large differences in distribution of the F374 allele and its haplotypes suggest that this allele may be an important factor in hypopigmentation in Caucasian populations.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

Online reference database of European Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat (STR) haplotypes.

The reference database of highly informative Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat (STR) haplotypes (YHRD), available online at http://ystr.charite.de, represents the largest collection of male-specific genetic profiles currently available for European populations. By September 2000, YHRD contained 4688 9-locus (so-called "minimal") haplotypes, 40% of which have been extended further to include two additional loci. Establishment of YHRD has been facilitated by the joint efforts of 31 forensic and anthropological institutions. All contributing laboratories have agreed to standardize their Y-STR haplotyping protocols and to participate in a quality assurance exercise prior to the inclusion of any data. In view of its collaborative character, and in order to put YHRD to its intended use, viz. the support of forensic caseworkers in their routine decision-making process, the database has been made publicly available via the Internet in February 2000. Online searches for complete or partial Y-STR haplotypes from evidentiary or non-probative material can be performed on a non-commercial basis, and yield observed haplotype counts as well as extrapolated population frequency estimates. In addition, the YHRD website provides information about the quality control test, genotyping protocols, haplotype formats and informativity, population genetic analysis, literature references, and a list of contact addresses of the contributing laboratories.

Databases, Factual↗

Sequence analysis and population data on the 'new' short tandem repeat locus D5S2360.

We have studied the sequence structure and population genetics of a 'new' short tandem repeat polymorphism at locus D5S2360 in German Caucasians. Sequencing at this locus revealed a considerable variation, which is characterized by a tetranucleotide (AGAT)(n) repeat pattern with (GAT), (AGATT), and (AG) repeats dispersed throughout the alleles. These microvariations do not necessarily alter the size of the alleles. They may vary by one or two pairs or they may remain unchanged in size. At locus D5S2360 we observed 33 allelic lengths comprising at least 36 different alleles. Population data revealed a high polymorphism with a heterozygosity rate of approximately 92.5%.

Alleles↗

Characterization of genomic rearrangements of the alpha1-acid glycoprotein/orosomucoid gene in Ghanaians.

In this study, the structure of the alpha1-acid glycoprotein (AGP), or orosomucoid (ORM), gene was investigated in a Ghanaian mother and her child, who shared an unusual variant, ORM1 S2(C), found by isoelectric focusing. Three remarkable changes of nucleotide sequence were observed: (1) The two ORM1 alleles, ORMI*S and ORMI*S2(C), had the AGP2 gene-specific sequence at one and three regions, respectively, in exon 5 to intron 5. The variant allele originating from ORMi*S was characterized by a G-to-A transition, resulting in an amino acid change from valine to methionine, which is also detected in ORM1 F2, a form that is common in Europeans. (2) The AGP2 gene of the child, inherited from the father, was duplicated, as revealed by long-range polymerase chain reaction. (3) Three new mutations were observed in two exons of the AGP2 genes of the mother and child. All of these novel genomic rearrangements, which were not observed in Japanese subjects, may have arisen through point mutation, gene conversion, and unequal crossover events. It is likely that the rearrangement of the AGP gene has often occurred in Africans.

Alleles↗

Application of Y-chromosomal STR haplotypes to forensic genetics.

This paper delivers population genetic data on Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat (STR) polymorphisms along with reports of unusual observations and casework. Population studies were carried out on the Y-specific STR polymorphisms DYS19, DYS385 I+II, DYS389 I+II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, and DYS393 in population samples from North India, Turkey, and Germany. In all three populations the vast majority of haplotypes was observed only once, especially in the Turkish group. Highly unusual cases are reported. In a German individual, we observed the variant allele DYS392*11.1, whereas a Turkish haplotype revealed a duplication at locus DYS19. Application of Y-chromosomal STR markers to forensic genetics was demonstrated in two cases: 1) a deficient paternity case, and 2) a father/son pair, where the Amelogenin primers failed to amplify the Y-homolog. In forensic genetics, Y-chromosomal STR polymorphisms are highly welcomed as an additional tool.

Female↗

A new method for the evaluation of matches in non-recombining genomes: application to Y-chromosomal short tandem repeat (STR) haplotypes in European males.

A 9-locus microsatellite framework (minimal haplotype), previously developed for forensic purposes so as to facilitate stain analysis, personal identification and kinship testing, has been adopted for the establishment of a large reference database of male European Y-chromosomal haplotypes. The extent of population stratification pertaining to this database, an issue crucial for its practical forensic application, was assessed through analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) of the 20 regional samples included. Despite the notion of some significant haplotype frequency differences, which were found to correlate with known demographic and historic features of Europeans, AMOVA generally revealed a high level of genetic homogeneity among the populations analyzed. Owing to their high diversity, however, accurate frequency estimation is difficult for Y-STR haplotypes when realistic (i.e. moderately sized) datasets are being used. As expected, strong pair-wise and higher order allelic associations were found to exist between all markers studied, implying that haplotype frequencies cannot be estimated as products of allele frequencies. A new extrapolation method was therefore developed which treats haplotype frequencies as random variables and generates estimates of the underlying distribution functions on the basis of closely related haplotypes. This approach, termed frequency 'surveying', is based upon standard population genetics theory and can in principle be applied to any combination of markers located on the Y-chromosome or in the mitochondrial genome. Application of the method to the quality assured reference Y-STR haplotype database described herein will prove very useful for the evaluation of positive trace-donor matches in forensic casework.

Alleles↗

Characteristics and frequency of germline mutations at microsatellite loci from the human Y chromosome, as revealed by direct observation in father/son pairs.

A number of applications of analysis of human Y-chromosome microsatellite loci to human evolution and forensic science require reliable estimates of the mutation rate and knowledge of the mutational mechanism. We therefore screened a total of 4,999 meioses from father/son pairs with confirmed paternity (probability >/=99. 9%) at 15 Y-chromosomal microsatellite loci and identified 14 mutations. The locus-specific mutation-rate estimates were 0-8. 58x10-3, and the average mutation rate estimates were 3.17x10-3 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.89-4.94x10-3) across 8 tetranucleotide microsatellites and 2.80x10-3 (95% CI 1.72-4.27x10-3) across all 15 Y-chromosomal microsatellites studied. Our data show a mutational bias toward length increase, on the basis of observation of more repeat gains than losses (10:4). The data are in almost complete agreement with the stepwise-mutation model, with 13 single-repeat changes and 1 double-repeat change. Sequence analysis revealed that all mutations occurred in uninterrupted homogenous arrays of >/=11 repeats. We conclude that mutation rates and characteristics of human Y-chromosomal microsatellites are consistent with those of autosomal microsatellites. This indicates that the general mutational mechanism of microsatellites is independent of recombination.

Adolescent↗

Molecular analysis of the human orosomucoid gene ORM1*Q0köln responsible for incompatibility in a German paternity case.

In a German paternity test, an alleged father was excluded only by reverse homozygosity of ORM1 phenotypes (mother ORM1 S, child ORM1 S and alleged father ORM1 F1) out of the 28 classical and DNA markers investigated. Without the ORM1 system the biostatistical probability of paternity was calculated to exceed 99.999%. The intensity of the immunoprinted bands of the ORM1 protein for the child and alleged father after isoelectric focusing appeared to be reduced to about half. To identify a possible null allele, gene-specific amplification followed by single-strand conformation polymorphism and sequencing analyses were carried out. Deletion of one of the two copies of a 4 bp direct repeat sequence (GTCT) in exon 4 of the consensus sequence of ORM1*F1 was observed in the child and alleged father. Thus, the sharing of a rare mutant gene, ORM1*Q0köln, increased the probability of paternity.

DNA Mutational Analysis↗

Usefulness of conventional blood groups, DNA-minisatellites, and short tandem repeat polymorphisms in paternity testing: a comparison.

A total of 215 paternity cases were analysed after testing 24 marker systems. Despite technical advantages of polymerase chain reaction related polymorphisms (automatisation, employment of robots, lesser requirements concerning of quality and quantity of DNA) it could be shown that the exclusive employment of a parentage testing kit is compromised by an increased risk of erroneous conclusions. It is estimated that in about 3-4% of the cases ambiguous situations have to be expected which are caused by the occurrence of single or double exclusions. In these cases it is impossible to decide whether the exclusions indicate either true nonpaternity or a de novo mutation. The situation might become even more complicated if an involvement of a close relative of the alleged father cannot be ruled out. We cautiously advance the hypothesis that in parentage testing DNA minisatellite polymorphisms from an optimal set of tools.

Blood Grouping and Crossmatching↗

Human orosomucoid (ORM1) subtyping: further population genetic data and reports on the feasibility to type aged blood samples and stains.

Genetic polymorphism of serum orosomucoid (ORM1) was investigated in 1072 unrelated German Caucasians using isoelectric focusing followed by Western blotting and EIA. The estimated allele frequencies were ORM1 *F1 = 0.5690, ORM1 *S = 0.3927, ORM1 *F2 = 0.0368, ORM1 *F2S = 0.0009 and ORM1 *F5 = 0.0005. The method was successfully applied to determine ORM1 phenotypes in aged blood samples and blood stains. The results indicated that the ORM protein is a informative and remarkably robust blood group system.

Alleles↗

Specificity of head-up tilt testing in adolescents: effect of various degrees of tilt challenge in normal control subjects.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to determine the specificity of commonly used tilt protocols in children. BACKGROUND: Tilt table testing is commonly utilized in the evaluation of children and adolescents with syncope despite a lack of uniformity in tilt protocols and a lack of studies of specificity in normal control subjects. METHODS: Sixty-nine normal control volunteers (12 to 18 years old, 38 male, 31 female) with no previous history of syncope, presyncope or arrhythmia underwent tilting to 80 degrees, 70 degrees or 60 degrees for a maximum of 30 min on a motorized table with a footboard support. Autonomic maneuvers, including deep breathing, carotid massage, Valsalva maneuver and diving reflex, were performed before tilt testing to determine whether the response to these maneuvers could identify subjects prone to fainting during tilt testing. RESULTS: Symptoms of presyncope and frank syncope were elicited in 24 of 69 subjects (13 male, 11 female): 6 (60%) of 10 were tilted at 80 degrees, 9 (29%) of 31 at 70 degrees and 9 (32%) of 28 at 60 degrees. Tilt testing at 80 degrees was terminated after the tenth subject by the institutional review board. The mean time to a positive test response was 10.5 min at 80 degrees, 14.2 min at 70 degrees and 13.2 min at 60 degrees. In the 80 degrees tilt, 4 of 10 subjects had a positive response within 10 minutes, whereas only 3 of 31 and 2 of 28 had a positive response within < 10 min at 70 degrees and 60 degrees tilt angles, respectively. Subjects with and without a positive response to tilt testing were similar with respect to age; gender; PR, QRS and QT intervals; and baseline heart rate and blood pressure. Likewise, responses to other autonomic function tests performed were similar in tilt-positive and tilt-negative patients. The power for detecting a significant difference between patients tilted at 80 degrees versus 60 degrees and 70 degrees was 0.45 and for detecting differences in autonomic tone between tilt-positive (n = 24) and tilt-negative (n = 45) subjects was 0.8. CONCLUSIONS: Children appear to be more susceptible to orthostatic stress than adults. Therefore, tilt protocols commonly used in adults lack specificity in teenage patients. A specificity > 85% may be obtained by performing the tilt test at 60 degrees or 70 degrees for no longer than 10 min.

Adolescent↗

Population genetic and family data for the human minisatellite locus D16S309 (MS205) in Germans.

The distribution of restriction fragments at the DNA minisatellite locus D16S309 was estimated by investigating blood samples from 2617 unrelated West German Caucasians and 1269 offspring. Furthermore segregation of fragments was studied in a large family and in trios. Altogether 2296 meioses were studied, revealing 7 paternal and 3 maternal mutations. Inspection of "phenotypes" did not reveal any remarkable deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.

Adult↗

Novel polymorphisms and haplotypes in the human coagulation factor XIII A-subunit gene.

Novel polymorphic sites within the coding region of the human coagulation factor XIII A-subunit (F13A) gene and their haplotypic combinations with the other polymorphic sites thus far reported are presented. Polymorphic bands were detected in exons 2, 5, 8, 12 and 14 by using single strand conformational polymorphism analysis and antithetic forms of the polymorphic exons were linked with each other, cosegregating as distinct sequence haplotypes. In Finnish, German, and Russian populations a total of 18 haplotypes were observed of possible 72 haplotypic combinations of the 5 exons. Ten of the haplotypes detected were found to have no novel mutations but to be only combinations of preexisting mutations. No tightly associated combinations in pairwise comparisons between antithetic forms of the polymorphic exons were observed, indicating that there may be recombinational hotspots within the F13A gene region.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

GEDNAP IV and V. The 4th and 5th Stain Blind Trials using DNA technology.

In the collaborative exercise GEDNAP IV one EDTA blood sample (2 ml) and 5 bloodstains (0.5 ml on cotton) were investigated and in GEDNAP V, a total of 8 bloodstains (0.5 ml on cotton), including 2 mixed bloodstains. DNA typing was carried out using the RFLP systems YNH24/Hinf I and MS43a/Hinf I and the PCR systems HLA DQ alpha, D1S80, ApoB and YNZ22. In both exercises approximately 20 laboratories obtained results using the RFLP systems. Of the PCR systems, D1S80 was the most commonly used (14 labs in GEDNAP IV; 18 labs in GEDNAP V). The interlaboratory standard deviation for YNH24 in both exercises was approx. 0.6%, for MS43a 0.7-2.2% (GEDNAP IV) and 0.4-1.4% (GEDNAP V), depending on the fragment size. The fragment size calculation performed in each laboratory yielded a standard deviation twice that obtained when the fragment size calculation was performed centrally (IfR, Münster). In GEDNAP III, a system-specific corridor was developed to define the limits of deviation; this was modified for the present study by combining the fragment size ranges of YNH24 and MS43a. In both studies a subgroup of laboratories was involved in preliminary exercises using three PCR VNTRs and the system HLA DQ alpha. Owing to the substantial variation in experience of the participating laboratories with PCR typing the results obtained in these two studies do not fulfil the basic quality criteria of the GEDNAP studies.

Apolipoproteins B↗