Biomedical subjects

S D E Park

Publications and source records attributed to S D E Park.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Mitochondrial DNA sequence diversity in extant Irish horse populations and in ancient horses.

Equine mitochondrial DNA sequence variation was investigated in three indigenous Irish horse populations (Irish Draught Horse, Kerry Bog Pony and Connemara Pony) and, for context, in 69 other horse populations. There was no evidence of Irish Draught Horse or Connemara Pony sequence clustering, although the majority of Irish Draught Horse sequences (47%) were assigned to haplogroup D. Conversely, 31% of the Kerry Bog Pony sequences were assigned to the rare haplogroup E. In addition to the extant population analyses, ancient DNA sequences were generated from three out of four Irish archaeological specimens, all of which were assigned to haplogroup A.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Comparative RNA expression analyses from small-scale, single-donor platelet samples.

BACKGROUND: Comparisons of platelet RNAs could provide crucial information on platelet function, thrombopoiesis and the etiology of megakaryocyte (MK) or platelet disorders. OBJECTIVES: We developed a method for stringent purification of platelets from small blood samples from single donors. Purity of the platelet preparations was verified by an RT-PCR assay. We tested three methods to identify the differences in RNA between platelet sources. METHODS: Differential hybridization to cDNA macro-arrays and suppressive-subtractive hybridization PCR (SSH-PCR) were used to compare RNAs from normal platelets to those from a Bernard-Soulier syndrome (BSS) patient. Affymetrix GeneChip U133 plus 2.0 arrays were used to compare male and female platelet RNAs. RESULTS: Macroarrays identified approximately 7500 platelet transcripts, but failed to identify differentially expressed transcripts with confidence. SSH-PCR produced libraries almost exclusively of mitochondrial-derived transcripts, but included nuclear-encoded genes that could not be confirmed by immunoblotting of normal and BSS platelet lysates. The Affymetrix platform gave reproducible profiles from our small-scale purified platelet preparations, whereas a partially purified platelet preparation produced a drastically skewed transcript profile. The microarray analysis identified the heparanase precursor transcript as overexpressed in female platelets, and we observed variable yet consistently higher levels of heparanase protein in female platelets compared with male platelets in four independent donor pairs. CONCLUSIONS: This demonstrates for the first time that differential platelet transcript levels can identify changes in expression level of platelet proteins. Combined with our small-scale platelet preparation method, this establishes a system to compare platelets from the limited clinical sources to help elucidate molecular bases for platelet or megakaryocyte pathologies.

Blood Platelets↗

PubMed2003

Feasibility and utility of microsatellite markers in archaeological cattle remains from a Viking Age settlement in Dublin.

Nineteen cattle bones from the Viking 10th and early 11th century levels in Dublin were assessed for presence of reliable genotypes from three autosomal markers. Due to the good preservational condition of the samples, it was possible to amplify and type at least two out of three of the microsatellite markers (CSRM60, HEL1 and ILSTS001) in 11 specimens. Full three-loci genotypes were obtained from a subset of seven of these samples. A comparative analysis was performed using data from the same three markers in 11 extant British, Irish and Nordic cattle breeds. Although the medieval remains displayed lower levels of diversity than the modern European breeds, the results fit within the ranges obtained from the extant populations. The results indicate a probable origin for the ancient Irish cattle as the remains group significantly more closely with breeds from the British Isles than with those from Scandinavia. The data collected indicate that microsatellites may be useful for the further study of ancient cattle.

Animals↗