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Molecular and genetic characterization of SPT4, a gene important for transcription initiation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Mutations in the SPT4 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were isolated as suppressors of delta insertion mutations that interfere with adjacent gene transcription. Recent genetic evidence indicates that the SPT4 protein functions with two other proteins, SPT5 and SPT6, in some aspect of transcription initiation. In this work we have characterized the SPT4 gene and we demonstrate that spt4 mutations, like spt5 and spt6 mutations, cause changes in transcription. Using the cloned SPT4 gene, spt4 null mutations were constructed; in contrast to spt5 and spt6 null mutants, which are inviable, spt4 null mutants are viable and have an Spt- phenotype. The DNA sequence of the SPT4 gene predicts a protein product of 102 amino acids that contains four cysteine residues positioned similarly to those of zinc binding proteins. Mutational analysis suggests that at least some of these cysteines are essential for SPT4 function. Genetic mapping showed that SPT4 is a previously unidentified gene that maps to chromosome VII, between ADE6 and CLY8.

Base Sequence↗

Multiminicore disease in a family susceptible to malignant hyperthermia: histology, in vitro contracture tests, and genetic characterization.

BACKGROUND: Histological anomalies associated with malignant hyperthermia (MH) have been scarcely reported. In some patients susceptible to MH (MHS), central cores have been identified and a genetic association has been proposed, but multiminicore lesions have not been systematically reported. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association between multiminicores and MHS in a large family with MH with an approach combining histology, in vitro contracture tests, and genetic analysis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine members of an MH family (147 members) were investigated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Muscle biopsy specimens were analyzed histologically and with in vitro contracture tests. Genetic analyses were performed to determine the presence of mutations in the ryanodine receptor (RYR1) gene. RESULTS: According to the gold standard in vitro contracture tests, 17 patients were diagnosed as having MHS and 10 as not being susceptible. Multiminicores were found in 16 of the 17 MHS patients and in a single nonsusceptible participant. A linkage between the MH trait and the RYR1 locus in chromosome 19 was demonstrated, whereas no already known mutations were found. Two missense heterozygous mutations (R2676W and T2787S) were identified from sequencing of the entire coding complementary DNA. Overall, we found a significant association between MHS and the presence of multiminicores (chi(2) = 26.5, P<.001) on the one hand and the presence of new mutations in the RYR1 gene (chi(2) = 19.0, P<.001) on the other hand. This remarkably high occurrence of multiminicores in an MHS family is uncommon, and genetic analyses indicate that the association between multiminicores and MHS is linked to a novel R2656W and T2787S substitution present on the same allele of the RYR1 gene. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that multiminicore lesions are observed in MHS patients with neither clinical signs related to multiminicore disease nor histological features of congenital myopathies. These multiminicore lesions may be secondary to mutations in the RYR1 gene. As a consequence, these patients must be distinguished from patients with multiminicore disease and from other MHS patients for whom multiminicores are not observed.

DNA Mutational Analysis↗

Endocrine and genetic characterization of cousins with male pseudohermaphroditism: evidence that the Lubs phenotype can result from a mutation that alters the structure of the androgen receptor.

Impaired virilization of genetic males with testes (male pseudohermaphroditism) can result either from deficiency in androgen production or defects in androgen action, the latter most commonly involving an abnormal androgen receptor. We report here two maternal cousins with male pseudohermaphroditism and clinical features characteristic of the Lubs phenotype, namely apparent females with sufficient fusion of the labioscrotal folds so that a single urogenital sinus orifice is present. Testosterone levels in these genetic males rose appropriately after administration of human chorionic gonadotropin. The amount (maximal binding capacity of 24 to 30 fmol/mg protein) and hormone binding affinity (half-maximal saturation of 0.2 nM) of the androgen receptor in cultured skin fibroblasts was normal, but the receptor was qualitatively abnormal as evidenced by instability on sucrose density gradient centrifugation. The pattern of inheritance in this family is compatible with X-linkage. These findings, together with previous studies, indicate that the spectrum of abnormalities that result from defects of the androgen receptor in genetic men can encompass the entire spectrum between male and female phenotypes.

Chorionic Gonadotropin↗

Evaluation of molecular techniques for the genetic characterization of Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains.

The applicability of different PCR-based techniques, random amplified polymorphic DNA, cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence and SSRs (simple sequence repeats) to genetically identify, typify and discriminate among Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, was investigated. The analysis and comparison of the genetic profiles obtained for each of the techniques allowed determination of the degree of polymorphism, genetic diversity and relationships among the strains. Consequently, the discriminatory power and usefulness of the molecular techniques assayed was established. SSR analysis was the most effective method due to its high level of polymorphism, the ease of interpretation of the genetic profiles obtained, and the speed of use.

Genetic Techniques↗

Chordoid glioma of the third ventricle: immunohistochemical and molecular genetic characterization of a novel tumor entity.

Chordoid glioma of the third ventricle was recently reported as a novel tumor entity of the central nervous system with characteristic clinical and histopathological features (Brat et al., J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 57: 283-290, 1998). Here, we report on a histopathological, immunohistochemical and molecular genetic analysis of five cases of this rare neoplasm. All tumors were immunohistochemically investigated for the expression of various differentiation antigens, the proliferation marker Ki-67, and a panel of selected proto-oncogene and tumor suppressor gene products. These studies revealed a strong expression of GFAP, vimentin, and CD34. In addition, most tumors contained small fractions of neoplastic cells immunoreactive for epithelial membrane antigen, S-100 protein, or cytokeratins. The percentage of Ki-67 positive cells was generally low (<5%). All tumors showed immunoreactivity for the epidermal growth factor receptor and schwannomin/merlin. There was no nuclear accumulation of the p53, p21 (Waf-1) and Mdm2 proteins. To examine genomic alterations associated with the development of chordoid gliomas, we screened 4 tumors by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) analysis. No chromosomal imbalances were detected. More focussed molecular genetic analyses revealed neither aberrations of the TP53 and CDKN2A tumor suppressor genes nor amplification of the EGFR, CDK4, and MDM2 proto-oncogenes. Our data strongly support the hypothesis that chordoid glioma of the third ventricle constitutes a novel tumor entity characterized by distinct morphological and immunohistochemical features, as well as a lack of chromosomal and genetic alterations commonly found in other types of gliomas or in meningiomas.

Adult↗

[Molecular genetic characterization of genus Echinococcus.].

Morphological, biological and epidemiological features of the adult and metacestode stage of the genus Echinococcus have been the most frequently used criteria for the characterization of species. But strain characterization is more complex and is based on the morphological, biological, biochemical, epidemiological and molecular features. Although morphological and biological studies have provided extremely useful information for strain characterization, that these features may be variable must be taken into consideration. They may be influenced by host and environmental factors and may not reflect distinctness at a genetic level. Although, conventional techniques may be affected by the environment or host, molecular techniques allow a direct characterization of the genome of the parasite and they are not affected by environmental factors. In this review, various data concerning molecular typing methods of the genus Echinococcus have been summarized.

English Abstract↗

Clinical, pathological and genetic characterization of hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type 1 (HSAN I).

Hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy type I (HSAN I) is the most frequent type of hereditary neuropathy that primarily affects sensory neurons. The genetic locus for HSAN I has been mapped to chromosome 9q22.1-22.3 and recently the gene was identified as SPTLC1, encoding serine palmitoyltransferase, long chain base subunit-1. Sequencing in HSAN I families have previously identified mutations in exons 5, 6 and 13 of this gene. We analysed the SPTLC1 gene for mutations in 8 families with HSAN I, 60 individuals with sporadic sensory neuropathy, 6 HSAN II families, 20 Charcot-Marie-Tooth type I families and 20 families with Charcot-Marie-Tooth type II. Six HSAN I families and a single sporadic neuropathy case had an identical SPTLC1 mutation. No mutations were found in the other groups. Genetic haplotyping across the HSAN I critical region in 5 families and the sporadic case suggested a common founder. Several characteristics, previously not widely recognized were identified, including lack of penetrance of the SPTLC1 mutation in some individuals, variability in age of onset along with an earlier age of onset in younger generations, in some patients surprisingly early and often severe motor involvement and an earlier onset characterized by motor involvement with demyelinating features in males compared to females in 4 families. The sensory findings were often disassociated with prominent pain and temperature loss. Neurophysiology mainly showed a sensory axonal neuropathy but in many individuals there was electrical evidence of demyelination. Sural nerve biopsies from six affected individuals and the post-mortem findings in 1 case showed mainly axonal loss. This in depth study on the phenotype of HSAN I in 6 families and a single sporadic case with a common founder identifies a number of poorly recognized features in this disorder and highlights the clinical heterogeneity both within and between families suggesting the influence of other genetic and acquired factors.

Acyltransferases↗

Genetic characterization of the O4 polysaccharide gene cluster from Escherichia coli.

The Escherichia coli O4 serotype is among those commonly isolated from urinary tract infections. In order to study the genetics of the O-antigen, the O4 biosynthesis genes from a uropathogenic E. coli have previously been cloned into E. coli K-12. A subclone, GH58, has been identified which reacts with antisera against the O4 serotype. In contrast to the wild-type parental strain, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from this clone is devoid of rhamnose and does not cross-react with O18 antisera. The recombinant plasmid from GH58, pGH58, was used to transform the rfb deletion strain HU1190. The resultant strain agglutinates in O4 antisera, but produces unpolymerized LPS. Escherichia coli K-12 strains HB101 and RC712 containing pGH58 produce polymerized LPS, indicating that the genetic background of the host can influence the LPS encoded by recombinant molecules. A cosmid, pGH84, has been identified which encompasses the entire pGH58 gene sequences and includes an additional 34 kilobases of DNA. HU1190 containing this cosmid agglutinates in O4 antisera and produces a polymerized LPS. By constructing several deletion subclones of pGH84, we have localized the genes necessary for polymerized LPS to a 5.5 kb ClaI-BamHI fragment. P1 transductants that make polymerized and unpolymerized O4 LPS have also been identified.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

Genetic characterization of stress responsiveness in Japanese quail. 2. Analyses of maternal effects, additive sex linkage effects, heterosis, and heritability by diallel crosses.

Diallel crosses were used to investigate the genetic inheritance of stress responsiveness through examination of population effects in progeny of randombred (RB) quail and quail selected for reduced (low stress, LS) or exaggerated (high stress, HS) plasma corticosterone (CS) response to brief immobilization. The three genotypes were crossed in a 3 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments that allowed all possible crosses between RB, LS, and HS males with RB, LS, and HS females. The nine crosses produced 479 progeny that were, at 28 d of age, stressed by immobilization, and a sample of blood was collected. The following quantitative genetic parameters were estimated for plasma CS: heritability, heterosis, maternal effects, sex-linkage effects, and heterosis due to the sex chromosomes. Genotypic-phenotypic correlations within RB quail and quail of the two selected lines were also obtained. Maternal effects were different (P < 0.05) from zero for the plasma CS responses of all three genotypes. Additive sex linkage effects on plasma CS responses were variable and of much less importance than maternal effects. The correlations between plasma CS response and genotype were: 0.22 for RB quail and 0.37 and 0.55 for quail of the LS and HS lines, respectively. Heterosis effects were low and most likely due to either an increase in homozygozity of genes on the sex chromosomes or an increase of maternal effects within reciprocal crosses. Heritability, estimated for the post-immobilization plasma CS response, was 0.05 for RB quail and 0.14 and 0.30 for quail of the LS and HS lines, respectively.

Alleles↗

Genetic characterization of two Eragrostis species using AFLP and morphological traits.

Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is the most important cereal crop in Ethiopia. An experiment was conducted to investigate genetic diversity among four cultivars of tef and 14 accessions of Eragrostis pilosa using radiolabelled and silver stained amplified fragment length polymorphism. Morphological traits were also evaluated. A total of 897 markers were obtained out of which 395 were polymorphic using 11 primer combinations. Cluster analysis revealed accessions of E. pilosa which are distantly related and others closely related to tef. Our previous experience also indicates that E. pilosa is crossable with tef. Those accessions distantly related to tef could be used in a crossing program to generate a population for selection and/or genetic mapping. Such genetic mapping populations will form an important entry point towards the molecular genetic dissection of the plant genus, Eragrostis, especially in the context of comparative mapping. Knowledge gained from such study, apart from tef improvement, will also be useful for many forage and turf grass species where little molecular genetic information is available. Nine cultivars or accessions had one or more unique fragments using one or more AFLP primers indicating the potential of the technology in fingerprinting tef in a breeding or seed multiplication program. The results also showed that clusters obtained using silver staining and gamma 33P-ATP labeling were similar, suggesting that silver staining could be used as an alternative to radiolabeling at least in genetic diversity analysis. Significant genetic variation was obtained for morphological traits. Of particular interest to tef breeding was short plant stature in E. pilosa which could be transferred to tef to minimize the problem of lodging. Diversity revealed at the morphological trait level was not commensurate with that observed for AFLP. This was due to the small number of available morphological traits and their interaction with the environment.

Base Sequence↗

Electron microscopy of analysis of circular repetitive mitochondrial DNA molecules from genetically characterized rho- mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

1. We have studied mtDNA purified from nine p- petite mutants in which most of the wild type sequence has been deleted but the genetic markers conferring resistance to erythromycin of oligomycin or paromomycin have been retained. 2. All mtDNA contained numerous circular molecules. The size distribution of the circles conformed to a multimeric series which was characteristic for each mutant. We conclude that any one region of the wild type mtDNA molecule, when maintained in a p- clone, while other regions are deleted, can give rise to a multimeric series of circles. 3. In tandem straight repetitive mtDNAs the circles contain odd and even number of unit sequence repeats. In palindrome repetitive mtDNAs the circles contain mostly even number of unit sequence repeats. Thus, one straight or two inverted repeats constitute the monomeric unit of circularization. 4. We found that the frequency distribution of circles follows on a number basis a simple rule: frequency of numeric circles = 1/n frequency of monomeric circles, for n = 2, 3 and 4. Thus, on a mass basis each class represents the same fraction of total mtDNA and the mitochondrial genome has the same probability to constitute one monomeric circle or to be a part of n-meric circle. We interpret this finding that in vivo all molecules are circular. 5. Four mutants displayed a single multimeric series of circles ranging from 0.3 mum to 2.4 mum monomer circle length. Five mutants displayed multiple different multimeric series. In the latter case, the longest unit sequence repeat length was equal to the sum of the two shorter unit sequence repeat lengths. Sorting out, recombination and internal deletions of circular repetitive p- mtDNA molecules are discussed.

Centrifugation, Density Gradient↗

Genetic characterization of Batai virus indicates a genomic reassortment between orthobunyaviruses in nature.

Two viruses were isolated from bovine blood in the southernmost part of Japan in 1994 and 2001, respectively. Genetic analyses showed that the viruses were Batai virus of the genus Orthobunyavirus of the family Bunyaviridae. The sequencing of three genomic RNA segments of the Japanese and Malaysian Batai virus strains revealed that the M RNA segment of Batai virus had high sequence identity with that of Ngari virus. Our results indicate that Ngari virus is a genetic reassortant with S and L RNA segments from Bunyamwera virus and an M RNA segment from Batai virus.

Animals↗

Phenotypic and Genetic Characterization of 64 Egyptian Children With Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis.

BACKGROUND: Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCLs) are the most common neurodegenerative diseases in childhood. This study aimed to investigate the phenotypic and genetic spectrum of NCLs in Egypt. METHODS: This descriptive study involved children with NCLs diagnosed and managed at five Egyptian centers between 2019 and 2024. Demographic, clinical, brain imaging, and genetic data were systematically evaluated. Identified variants in NCL-related genes were classified following the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines. RESULTS: The cohort included 64 Egyptian children (from 57 families) with eight NCL types. The most commonly identified genotype was CLN2 (17/64, 27%), followed by CLN1 and CLN7 (12/64, 19% each). Patients generally exhibited the classic manifestations of NCLs, particularly motor regression (64/64, 100%), cognitive decline (64/64, 100%), language impairment (64/64, 100%), epilepsy (57/64, 89%), and vision loss (47/64, 73%). Notably, developmental regression (12/17, 71%) was the predominant presenting symptom for CLN2. Brain imaging generally showed typical cerebral and cerebellar atrophy in 95% (61/64) and 84% (54/64) of cases, respectively. Nevertheless, thalamic abnormalities were observed in only 16% (10/64) of cases. A total of 46 distinct variants were identified across eight NCL-related genes, including 23 novel ones, with the majority (33/46, 72%) being private. There was a median diagnostic delay of 2 years, and none of the patients received specific therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This study reports the largest cohort of children with NCLs from Egypt, including 12 patients with the less-commonly reported CLN7 subtype, which expands the demographic, clinical, and molecular spectrum of these diseases.

Humans↗

Genetic Characterization of a Stable F' lac Plasmid.

A mutant F' plasmid has been isolated in a strain of Salmonella typhimurium harboring F(ts114)lac. This mutant, designated FlacS, exhibits unique genetic stability in strains of S. typhimurium and Escherichia coli. It shows no thermolability and is lost at frequencies of 20 to 100 times less than the wild-type F'lac (F42) in the same genetic backgrounds. The FlacS is also insensitive to conventional plasmid curing agents, whereas both F(ts114)lac and F42 are readily cured. The nature of the mutation(s) conferring stability to the FlacS is unclear, but plasmid linkage has been established. The high frequency of conjugal transfer of the FlacS and its behavior in recombination-deficient strains of S. typhimurium and E. coli argue against its stability being due to stable chromosomal integration. The FlacS is also capable of transferring chromosomal markers in S. typhimurium and E. coli mating systems. No major differences in chromosomal mobilization have been observed among F42, F(ts114)lac, and FlacS donors of either genus.

Journal Article↗