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DNA profiling in a genetically isolated population using three hypervariable DNA markers.

We determined the allele frequencies for three hypervariable DNA loci D2S44, D1S7 and D7S21 using the probes YNH24, MS1 and MS31 in the genetically isolated Finnish population. The allelic length ranges were 1.7- < 6.0 kb for YNH24, 1.7- < 18.0 kb for MS1 and 3.2- < 12.0 kb for MS31. High heterozygosity rates (0.94-0.96) were detected for all three probes. In 48 mother-child pairs no mutations were found using the probes YNH24 and MS31, whereas a mutation rate of 0.064 was observed for probe MS1. In addition, an unexpected four-band pattern was detected in 1 out of 170 individuals using the probe MS1, suggesting complex DNA polymorphism based on both a variable number of tandem repeats and restriction site polymorphism. Our findings also show that all three probes are valuable in individual identification in this genetically isolated population.

Adult↗

Linkage disequlibrium in the DTNBP1 (dysbindin) gene region and on chromosome 1p36 among psychotic patients from a genetic isolate in Israel: findings from identity by descent haplotype sharing analysis.

Several genes have been reported recently to be associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Because of the complexity of the inheritance of these disorders, there is an urgent need to replicate these findings and to search for additional candidate genes. The study of genetic isolates is a powerful technique that may overcome some of the obstacles caused by genetic heterogeneity and ambiguity of phenotype definition. Identity by descent (IBD) haplotype sharing analysis in these populations may be used to detect mutations within shared haplotypes in smaller samples of affected individuals. In this study, we used IBD haplotype sharing analysis to replicate positive linkage and association findings in psychotic disorders, and to identify other regions of interest. Fifty-two patients with major psychiatric disorders from a genetically isolated village in Israel were studied. By studying eight Y chromosome markers, we were able to confirm the oral tradition of members of this isolate regarding a common paternal origin. Three hundred fifty nine microsatellite markers on 9 candidate chromosomes were genotyped, and haplotypes were reconstructed using information from family members. Two highly significant (P < 0.0001) peaks of haplotype sharing were found. One was for psychotic patients with any diagnosis at the location of dysbindin, a gene previously associated with schizophrenia. The other peak was for patients with schizophrenia on chromosome 1p36. Thus, this study both replicates an earlier finding and points to a novel region of interest, which might be unique to this population.

Carrier Proteins↗

Genetic isolates in Corsica (France): linkage disequilibrium extension analysis on the Xq13 region.

Genetic isolates with a history of a small founder population, long-lasting isolation and population bottlenecks represent exceptional resources in the identification of genes involved in the pathogenesis of multifactorial diseases. In these populations, the disease allele reveals linkage disequilibrium (LD) with markers over significant genetic intervals, therefore facilitating disease locus identification. This study has been designed to examine the background LD extension in some subpopulations of Corsica. Our interest in the island of Corsica is due to its geographical and genetic proximity to the other Mediterranean island of Sardinia. Sardinian isolates in which the extension of the background LD is particularly high have been recently identified and are now the object of studies aimed at the mapping of genes involved in complex diseases. Recent evidence has highlighted that the genetic proximity between the populations of Corsica and Sardinia is particularly true for the internal conservative populations. Given these considerations, Sardinia and Corsica may represent a unique system to carry out parallel association studies whose results could be validated by comparison. In the present study, we have analyzed the LD extension on the Xq13 genomic region in three subpopulations of Corsica: Corte, Niolo and Bozio, all located in the mountainous north-center of the island. Our results show a strong degree of LD over long distance for the population of Bozio and to a less extent for the population of Niolo. Their LD extent is comparable to or higher than that reported for other isolates.

Alleles↗

Genetic heterogeneity of autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy in a genetic isolate (Amish) and evidence for a new locus.

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) is a hereditary myopathy presenting clinical and genetic heterogeneity. In 1991, a recessive form (LGMD2A) was linked to chromosome 15q in a genetic isolate from the Isle of La Réunion. Confirmation of this localization was subsequently reported in Brazilian and northern Indiana Amish pedigrees. Here we report the exclusion of the LGMD2A locus in six Amish kindreds from southern Indiana that are related by multiple consanguineous links to the same northern Indiana families in which the involvement of the chromosome 15 locus was previously demonstrated. These findings indicate unexpected genetic heterogeneity of LGMD in an Indiana Amish isolate. Furthermore, genetic analyses also ruled out the possible involvement of the chromosome 2 locus recently described (LGMD2B), thus demonstrating that a mutation within at least one additional locus leads to this condition. Several candidate genes putatively involved in neuromuscular disorders were also excluded.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 15↗

Genetic isolation of transport signals directing cell surface expression.

Membrane proteins represent approximately 30% of the proteome in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The spatial localization of membrane-bound proteins is often determined by specific sequence motifs that may be regulated in response to physiological changes, such as protein interactions and receptor signalling. Identification of signalling motifs is therefore important for understanding membrane protein expression, function and transport mechanisms. We report a genetic isolation of novel motifs that confer surface expression. Further characterization showed that SWTY, one class of these isolated motifs with homology to previously reported forward transport motifs, has the ability to both override the RKR endoplasmic reticulum localization signal and potentiate steady-state surface expression. The genetically isolated SWTY motif is functionally interchangeable with a known motif in cardiac potassium channels and an identified motif in an HIV coreceptor, and operates by recruiting 14-3-3 proteins. This study expands the repertoire of and enables a screening method for membrane trafficking signals.

14-3-3 Proteins↗

The genetically isolated populations of Finland and sardinia may not be a panacea for linkage disequilibrium mapping of common disease genes.

The choice of which population to study in the mapping of common disease genes may be critical. Isolated founder populations, such as that found in Finland, have already proved extremely useful for mapping the genes for specific rare monogenic disorders and are being used in attempts to map the genes underlying common, complex diseases. But simulation results suggest that, under the common disease-common variant hypothesis, most isolated populations will prove no more useful for linkage disequilibrium (LD) mapping of common disease genes than large outbred populations. There is very little empirical data to either support or refute this conclusion at present. Therefore, we evaluated LD between 21 common microsatellite polymorphisms on chromosome 18q21 in 2 genetic isolates (Finland and Sardinia) and compared the results with those observed in two mixed populations (United Kingdom and United States of America). Mean levels of LD were similar across all four populations. Our results provide empirical support for the expectation that genetic isolates like Finland and Sardinia will not prove significantly more valuable than general populations for LD mapping of common variants underlying complex disease.

Chromosome Mapping↗

A genome-wide search for linkage-disequilibrium with type 1 diabetes in a recent genetically isolated population from the Netherlands.

Type 1 diabetes has a substantial genetic component, with consistent evidence for a susceptibility locus in the HLA-DR/DQ region (chromosome 6p) and the insulin gene region (chromosome 11p). Genome scans have identified >18 other genomic regions that may harbor putative type 1 diabetes genes. However, evidence for most regions varies in different data sets. Given the genetic heterogeneity of type 1 diabetes, studies in homogeneous genetically isolated populations may be more successful in mapping susceptibility loci than in complex outbred populations. We describe a genome-wide search in a recently Dutch isolated population. We identified 43 patients that could be traced back to a common ancestor within 15 generations and performed a genome-wide scan using a combined linkage- and association-based approach. In addition to the HLA locus, evidence for type 1 diabetes loci was observed on chromosome 8q24 (marker D8S1128) and on chromosome 17q24 (marker D17S2059). Both the 8q and 17q localization are supported by allele-sharing at adjacent markers in affected individuals. Statistical evidence for a conserved ancestral haplotype was found for chromosome 8q24.

Alleles↗

Maternal-Foetal HLA-DQB1 Incompatibility Is Associated With Pregnancy-Induced Hypertensive Disorders in a Genetically Isolated Population.

In pregnancy, semi-allogenic foetal trophoblasts express a specific HLA profile mediating maternal leukocyte contact, crucial for placentation. Paradoxically, maternal immunomodulation requires foetal antigen recognition, especially involving certain HLA molecules. Pre-eclampsia, a severe hypertensive complication, has been linked to antigenic similarity. Previously, we showed no selection for HLA (in)compatibility in uncomplicated naturally conceived pregnancies. However, pre-eclamptic pregnancies were associated with increased total maternal-foetal HLA and HLA-C matching. These associations suggest a role for HLA mismatches in immune regulation leading to an uncomplicated pregnancy. To better understand HLA homozygosity in human reproduction, we aimed to determine if there is a preferential selection for HLA compatibility in a genetically isolated population, and its relation to hypertensive complications. A nested case-control study, comprising 125 uncomplicated pregnancies and 50 with hypertensive complications (29 with pregnancy-induced hypertension, 21 with pre-eclampsia) was conducted in a genetically isolated Dutch population (FROH 1.3-3.1). Maternal and foetal HLA-A, -B, -C, -DRB1, -DQA1, -DQB1 and maternal killer-cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genotyping were performed. Maternal-foetal HLA (mis)match counts were compared to expected values from randomisation of paternal HLA haplotypes over maternal haplotypes of the foetuses. Mismatched CD4+ T cell epitopes presented by maternal HLA class II were predicted using the PIRCHE-II algorithm. In uncomplicated pregnancies, no difference was found between observed and expected maternal-foetal HLA (mis)matches. However, pregnancies with hypertensive complications showed significantly higher observed HLA-DQB1 mismatches, reflected in PIRCHE-II scores. No significant differences were found in KIR/HLA-C frequencies. Interpretation is limited by the small sample size and the grouping of distinct hypertensive disorders. Nonetheless, maternal-foetal HLA-DQB1 mismatch seems to play a role in the aetiology of hypertensive complications during pregnancy in this population.

Humans↗

Life on the margin: genetic isolation and diversity loss in a peripheral marine ecosystem, the Baltic Sea.

Marginal populations are often isolated and under extreme selection pressures resulting in anomalous genetics. Consequently, ecosystems that are geographically and ecologically marginal might have a large share of genetically atypical populations, in need of particular concern in management of these ecosystems. To test this prediction, we analysed genetic data from 29 species inhabiting the low saline Baltic Sea, a geographically and ecologically marginal ecosystem. On average Baltic populations had lost genetic diversity compared to Atlantic populations: a pattern unrelated to dispersal capacity, generation time of species and taxonomic group of organism, but strongly related to type of genetic marker (mitochondrial DNA loci had lost c. 50% diversity, and nuclear loci 10%). Analyses of genetic isolation by geographic distance revealed clinal patterns of differentiation between Baltic and Atlantic regions. For a majority of species, clines were sigmoid with a sharp slope around the Baltic Sea entrance, indicating impeded gene flows between Baltic and Atlantic populations. Some species showed signs of allele frequencies being perturbed at the edge of their distribution inside the Baltic Sea. Despite the short geological history of the Baltic Sea (8000 years), populations inhabiting the Baltic have evolved substantially different from Atlantic populations, probably as a consequence of isolation and bottlenecks, as well as selection on adaptive traits. In addition, the Baltic Sea also acts a refuge for unique evolutionary lineages. This marginal ecosystem is thus vulnerable but also exceedingly valuable, housing unique genes, genotypes and populations that constitute an important genetic resource for management and conservation.

Animals↗

Comparison of novel and existing methods for detection of linkage disequilibrium using parent-child trios in the GAW12 genetic isolate simulated data.

A novel method for joint detection of association caused by linkage disequilibrium (LD) and estimation of both recombination fraction and linkage disequilibrium parameters was compared to several existing implementations of the transmission/disequilibrium test (TDT) and modifications of the TDT in the simulated genetic isolate data from Genetic Analysis Workshop 12. The first completely genotyped trio of affected child and parents was selected from each family in each replicate so that the TDT tests are valid tests of linkage and association, rather than being only valid as tests for linkage. In general, power to detect LD using the genome-wide scan markers was inadequate in the individual replicate samples, but the power was better when analyzing several SNP markers in candidate gene 1.

Adult↗

Occurrence of acute leukemia in females in a genetically isolated population.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia was found in six young females in a genetically isolated Syrian Jewish Community in Brooklyn, N.Y. over a 15-year period. This represents a frequency 30 times greater than the expected rate. In this community the frequency of first cousin marriages is estimated to be seven percent. Three cases were related on their maternal side, the parents of a fourth case were themselves related as were both sets of grandparents of a fifth case. In two families a history of infertility was present. On average, fathers of the cases were 5.5 years older at birth of the cases than a matched sample of community controls and 7.2 years older than a matched sample of non-community controls. The high frequency of consanguinity and the older age of the fathers may increase risk to acute leukemia for young girls in this community.

Acute Disease↗

The ascertainment of multiplex schizophrenia pedigrees from Daghestan genetic isolates (Northern Caucasus, Russia).

This article describes the preliminary ascertainment of multiplex schizophrenia pedigrees from the isolated mountain region of Daghestan (Northern Caucasus, Russia). Daghestan has a population of two million people and contains 26 aboriginal ethnic groups. Many of the ethnic groups reside in remote mountain villages that can be classified as 'primary isolates'. Prolonged reproductive isolation and severe environmental conditions in the highlands have created diverse, genetically isolated ethnic populations in Daghestan. A number of the isolates in this region contain large extended multiplex schizophrenia pedigrees that are ideal for genetic analyses. During summer expeditions of 1996 and 1997, 14 separate large multiplex schizophrenia pedigrees were ascertained from 14 different mountain villages. Of the 14 kindreds, one had 50 schizophrenic cases available for ascertainment, one had 32, and another had 24. Seven of the remaining pedigrees had between 11 and 23 living cases. Within the kindreds, the number of males with chronic schizophrenia was at least twice that of females. The average age of onset of schizophrenia is 21.2 years for offspring of consanguineous marriages and 17.4 years for offspring of nonconsanguineous marriages (P = 0.033). Although the pedigrees ascertained from the remote mountain villages may not be representative of the general population, they are unique kindreds for mapping schizophrenia susceptibility genes.

Ethnicity↗

GNB3 gene C825T and ACE gene I/D polymorphisms in essential hypertension in a Kazakh genetic isolate.

The Kazakh inhabitants living in Barkol pasture of northeast China belong to a genetic isolate characterized by ethnically homogeneous and a communal pastoral lifestyle. To investigate whether the polymorphisms in the G-protein beta-3 subunit (GNB3) gene and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene are associated with essential hypertension (EH), we carried out a case-control study of 290 hypertensive subjects and 244 normotensive (NT) controls randomly selected from Kazakh populations of Barkol. A previous medical history of diabetes and hypertension, and body mass index (BMI) was recorded. Plasma glucose, triglyceride, and cholesterol were measured. The insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of the ACE gene and the C825T polymorphism of the GNB3 gene were determined by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The distributions of genotypes and alleles for the two polymorphisms did not differ significantly between the case and control populations, and odds ratio of EH related to the ACE gene D allele and GNB3 gene T allele was not significantly different from 1.0. Logistic regression analysis shows the variation at the GNB3 and ACE did not have any statistically significant synergistic effect on blood pressure (BP). Stratification of NT and untreated hypertensives according to I/D polymorphism of ACE gene and C825T polymorphism of GNB3 gene disclosed no significant difference across genotypes with respect to BMI, glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol, systolic and diastolic BP. In conclusion, the polymorphisms in the GNB3 gene and ACE gene, solely or combined, did not confer a significantly increased risk for the development of EH in the Kazakh isolate of northeast China.

Adult↗

Analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms in three genes shows evidence for genetic isolation of certain Aspergillus flavus vegetative compatibility groups.

Genetic exchange by asexual filamentous fungi is presumed to be limited to isolates in the same vegetative compatibility group (VCG). To evaluate genetic isolation of Aspergillus flavus due to vegetative incompatibility, three gene regions were chosen that contained closely spaced nucleotides that were polymorphic among some of the six VCGs examined. A member of each VCG was collected from five regions across the southern United States. Isolates belonging to the same VCG had similar sets of single nucleotide polymorphisms regardless of isolate origin. The six VCGs formed four genetically distinct groups. Although recombination between certain pairs of VCGs could not be excluded, none was found for YV36, the VCG that includes the atoxigenic A. flavus isolate currently used to mitigate aflatoxin contamination in cotton in Arizona.

Aspergillus flavus↗

Early-onset Parkinson's disease caused by a novel parkin mutation in a genetic isolate from north-eastern Brazil.

We describe clinical and molecular findings in a genetic isolate from north-eastern Brazil with early-onset Parkinson's disease (PD) and a novel mutation in the parkin gene. Genealogical studies could connect 255 individuals, of whom 15 had PD. Geographic isolation and multiple consanguineous marriages initially suggested an autosomal recessive inheritance for PD in these patients. The available individuals were personally examined, and DNA was obtained from 26 members: ten early-onset PD patients, one case with likely neuroleptic-induced parkinsonism and 15 unaffected relatives. The average age at onset of PD symptoms was 30.8 years (range 12-46). Haplotype analysis revealed homozygosity in the PD patients for markers across the PARK2 locus. Genomic sequencing identified a novel homozygous splice-site parkin mutation (IVS1 + 1G/T), which completely co-segregated with the early-onset PD phenotype. cDNA analysis confirmed the total loss of parkin transcript in homozygous mutation carriers, delineating this as a loss-of-function mutation. The case with neuroleptic-induced parkinsonism and 13 of 15 healthy relatives were heterozygous carriers of the mutation. The absence of PD in heterozygous carriers indicates a genuinely recessive nature of this mutation, suggesting that parkin haploinsufficiency is not a relevant risk factor for early- or late-onset PD. However, parkin haploinsufficiency could facilitate the emergence of neuroleptic-induced parkinsonism. The cluster reported here, which to our knowledge is the largest described to date with early-onset PD and parkin mutations, also offers a unique opportunity for the search of modifiers of the parkin-related disease.

Adolescent↗

A Complete Picture of the CYP2D6 Heterogeneity in Northeastern Italian Genetic Isolates.

The CYP2D6 gene is a highly polymorphic pharmacogene involved in the metabolism of 25% of commonly used drugs. We aim to assess the feasibility of extracting relevant pharmacogenomic information from Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) data and to highlight any difference in CYP2D6 allele frequencies between the northeastern Italian and European populations. To achieve this aim, WGS was performed on two cohorts: 664 individuals from six different isolated communities (FIC) and 123 outbred Italian individuals (FOP). In silico CYP2D6 genotyping was performed and allele frequencies from the FIC cohort were compared to those of FOP and European individuals from 1000 Genomes. Interestingly, 18 alleles identified in FIC were absent in the control cohorts. In particular, 13 individuals carried the extremely rare CYP2D6*28x2 allele, whose activity is unknown. Moreover, we identified a carrier of the CYP2D6*34x2 allele, which has never been described before. The population structure and genetic differentiation of the cohorts were investigated, revealing that the genetic isolates differ only slightly from the outbred and the European populations, but still offer new insight into CYP2D6 heterogeneity. The findings described here will be relevant to tailoring the treatments in the northeastern Italian population.

Cytochrome P-450 CYP2D6↗

Isolation, genetic mapping and some characterization of a mutation in Escherichia coli that affects the processing of ribonuleic acid.

Temperature-sensitive mutants were isolated from an rnc (RNase III-) strain of Escherichia coli, and their rRNA metabolism was analyzed on 3% polyacrylamide gels. One of these mutants was unable to produce 23S and 5S rRNAs at the nonpermissive temperature. When an rnc+ allele was introduced to this strain, it remained temperature sensitive. At the nonpermissive temperature, this strain could then produce 23S rRNA but was unable to make normal levels of 5S rRNA. In matings and transduction experiments, the defect in rRNA metabolism and temperature sensitivity behaved as a syndrome caused by a single point mutation, which was mapped at min 23.5 on the E. coli chromosome. This mutation probably affects an enzyme, ribonuclease E (RNase E), which introduces a cut in the nascent rRNA transcript between the 23S and the 5S rRNA cistrons. The mutation rne is recessive with respect to temperature sensitivity and the pattern of rRNA. Revertants able to grow at 43 degrees and with normal metabolism of rRNA were isolated; genetic analysis showed that they do not contain the original rne mutation, suggesting that they were true revertants. By combining the rne mutation with an rnc mutation, double rnc rne strains were synthesized, which behaved very similarly to the original rnc strain from which the rne mutation was isolated. Such strains have RNA metabolism that is similar to that of rnc strains at permissive temperatures, but at the nonpermissive temperature they fail to synthesize p23, m23, and 5S rRNAs. Thus, the experiments reported here, together with previous studies, suggest the existence of a new processing ribonuclease activity in Escherichia coli, which is called ribonuclease E.

Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel↗