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At least 397 records · Page 22Linked to original sources
PubMed1999

Genetic characterization of the pathogenic influenza A/Goose/Guangdong/1/96 (H5N1) virus: similarity of its hemagglutinin gene to those of H5N1 viruses from the 1997 outbreaks in Hong Kong.

Analysis of the sequences of all eight RNA segments of the influenza A/G oose/Guangdong/1/96 (H5N1) virus, isolated from a sick goose during an outbreak in Guangdong province, China, in 1996, revealed that the hemagglutinin (HA) gene of the virus was genetically similar to those of the H5N1 viruses isolated in Hong Kong in 1997. However, the remaining genes showed greater similarity to other avian influenza viruses. Notably, the neuraminidase gene did no have the 19-amino-acid deletion in the stalk region seen in the H5N1 Hong Kong viruses and the NS gene belonged to allele B, while that of the H5N1 Hong Kong viruses belonged to allele A. These data suggest that the H5N1 viruses isolated from the Hong Kong outbreaks derived their HA genes from a virus similar to the A/Goose/Guangdong/1/96 virus or shared a progenitor with this goose pathogen.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Genetic characterization of strain differences in the ability to mediate CD40/CD28-independent rejection of skin allografts.

Simultaneous blockade of the CD40 and CD28 T cell costimulatory pathways effectively promotes skin allograft survival in C3H/HeJ mice, extending median survival times (MSTs) beyond 100 days. This strategy is markedly less effective in C57BL/6 mice, with MSTs ranging between 20 and 30 days. In this study, we investigate the underlying genetic causes of these distinct phenotypes. Using H-2 congenic mice, we show that the genetic basis for the varied responses between these two strains is independent of the H-2 locus and T cell precursor frequency. C57BL/6 mice treated with costimulation blockade are able to generate allospecific CTL- and IFN-gamma-producing T cells within 3-4 wk posttransplant, whereas mice with a C3H background generate neither CTL- nor IFN-gamma-producing cells. Thus, differences appear to be in the generation of the immune response and not T cell homing. Strain differences in costimulation blockade-induced hyporesponsiveness persist in the absence of CD4(+) T cells, implying a direct effect on CD8(+) T cells. We demonstrate that genetic differences are important in cells of hemopoietic origin and that the costimulation blockade-resistant phenotype is dominant. Analysis of BXH recombinant inbred strains indicates that multiple loci contribute to the phenotype, and that the blockade resistance loci are preliminarily linked to 17 markers on four chromosomes. We conclude that strain variation in allograft MSTs following CD40/CD28 blockade results from the ability of CD8(+) T cells in some strains to use alternative modes of costimulation to mount an effective alloresponse.

Abatacept↗
PubMed2006

Genetic characterization and virulence role of the RALP3/LSA locus upstream of the streptolysin s operon in invasive M1T1 Group A Streptococcus.

Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is a leading human pathogen associated with a wide spectrum of mucosal and invasive infections. GAS expresses a large number of virulence determinants whose expression is under the control of several transcriptional regulatory networks. Here we performed the first mutational analysis of a genetic locus immediately upstream of the streptolysin S biosynthetic operon in several GAS genome sequences, including that of the M1T1 serotype, the leading isolates associated with serious invasive disease. The locus consists of a predicted RofA-like stand-alone transcriptional regulator (RALP3) and the largest open reading frame in the GAS genome, encoding a predicted LPXSG motif cell wall-anchored protein we have named LSA (for "large surface-anchored" protein). Comparative reverse transcription-PCR analysis of wild-type M1T1 GAS and an isogenic RALP3-deficient mutant identifies RALP3 as a global transcriptional regulator affecting expression of numerous virulence factor genes, including those for strong repression of the hyaluronic acid capsule and cysteine protease production. RALP3 contributed to GAS epithelial cell invasion and bloodstream survival. LSA was found to be under negative regulation by RALP3 and to influence GAS-epithelial cell interactions and GAS antimicrobial peptide sensitivity. Isogenic M1T1 GAS mutants lacking either RALP3 or LSA were attenuated in a murine model of systemic infection, indicating that this locus plays a role in the virulence potential of the organism.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Genetic characterization of L-Zagreb mumps vaccine strain.

Eleven mumps vaccine strains, all containing live attenuated virus, have been used throughout the world. Although L-Zagreb mumps vaccine has been licensed since 1972, only its partial nucleotide sequence was previously determined (accession numbers , and ). Therefore, we sequenced the entire genome of L-Zagreb vaccine strain (Institute of Immunology Inc., Zagreb, Croatia). In order to investigate the genetic stability of the vaccine, sequences of both L-Zagreb master seed and currently produced vaccine batch were determined and no difference between them was observed. A phylogenetic analysis based on SH gene sequence has shown that L-Zagreb strain does not belong to any of established mumps genotypes and that it is most similar to old, laboratory preserved European strains (1950s-1970s). L-Zagreb nucleotide and deduced protein sequences were compared with other mumps virus sequences obtained from the GenBank. Emphasis was put on functionally important protein regions and known antigenic epitopes. The extensive comparisons of nucleotide and deduced protein sequences between L-Zagreb vaccine strain and other previously determined mumps virus sequences have shown that while the functional regions of HN, V, and L proteins are well conserved among various mumps strains, there can be a substantial amino acid difference in antigenic epitopes of all proteins and in functional regions of F protein. No molecular pattern was identified that can be used as a distinction marker between virulent and attenuated strains.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1996

Genetic characterization of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 in blood and genital secretions: evidence for viral compartmentalization and selection during sexual transmission.

To explore the mechanism of sexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), we compared HIV-1 gp120 sequences in longitudinal samples from five acute seroconvertors with those from their corresponding sexual partners (transmitters). We used a quantitative homoduplex tracking assay to compare the overall genetic composition of HIV-1 quasispecies in each transmission pair and to track the transmitted viruses during the acute and asymptomatic stages of HIV-1 infection. In the chronically infected transmitters, HIV-1 variants in genital secretions differed from those in blood and variants in cells differed from those in cell-free plasma, indicating remarkable sequence heterogeneity in these subjects as well as compartmentalization of the virus in different bodily sites. Conversely, two of five seroconvertors had only a few related variants and three of five harbored only one viral population, indicating that in these subjects the transmitted viruses were typically homogeneous. Transmitted viruses were evident in the donor's seminal plasma (one of five cases) and even more so in their seminal cells (three of five cases), suggesting that both cell-associated and cell-free viruses can be transmitted. In every pair studied, the transmitted variant(s) represents only a minor population in the semen of the corresponding transmitter, thereby providing evidence that HIV-1 selection indeed occurs during sexual transmission.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2003

Genetic characterization of a pentatricopeptide repeat protein gene, orf687, that restores fertility in the cytoplasmic male-sterile Kosena radish.

Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) in plants is a maternally inherited inability to produce functional pollen, and is often associated with mitochondrial DNA abnormalities. Specific nuclear loci that suppress CMS, termed as restorers of fertility (Rf), have been identified. Previously, we identified an Rf for the CMS Kosena radish and used genetic analysis to identify the locus and create a contig covering the critical interval. To identify the Rf gene, we introduced each of the lambda and cosmid clones into the CMS Brassica napus and scored for fertility restoration. Fertility restoration was observed when one of the lambda clones was introduced into the CMS B. napus. Furthermore, introduction of a 4.7-kb BamHI/HpaI fragment of the lambda clone is enough to restore male fertility. A cDNA strand isolated from a positive fragment contained a predicted protein (ORF687) of 687 amino acids comprising 16 repeats of the 35-amino acid pentatricopeptide repeat (PPR) motif. Kosena CMS radish plants were found to express an allele of this gene possessing four substituted amino acids in the second and third repeats of the PPR suggesting that the domains formed by these repeats in ORF687 are essential for fertility restoration. Protein levels of the Kosena CMS-associated mitochondrial protein ORF125 were considerably reduced in plants in which fertility was restored, although mRNA expression was normal. Regarding the possible role for PPR-containing proteins in the regulation of the mitochondrial gene, we propose that ORF687 functions either directly or indirectly to lower the levels of ORF125, resulting in the restoration of fertility in CMS plants.

Alleles↗
PubMed2003

Cellular and genetic characterization of human adult bone marrow-derived neural stem-like cells: a potential antiglioma cellular vector.

We describe the in vitro isolation and expansion of cells capable of forming neurosphere-like aggregates from human adult bone marrow. Cells within these passaged spheroids can differentiate into astrocytes, specific neuronal subtypes, and oligodendrocytes and have gene expression profiles similar to human fetal brain-derived neural stem cells. Genetically modified neural-competent bone marrow-derived cells efficiently migrate toward distant sites of brain injury and tumor in vivo, where they differentiate and express therapeutic transgenes when transplanted into the brains of mice. These studies suggest that adult bone marrow may serve as a large reservoir for autologous neural stem-like cells for future therapeutic strategies.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Genetic characterization of an alpha-specific gene responsible for sexual agglutinability in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: mapping and gene dose effect.

A recessive ag alpha 1 mutation leads to specific defect in sexual agglutinability specifically in alpha cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The cryptopleurine resistance gene cryR 1, closely linked to the mating type locus, was used to select alpha/alpha strains which emerged from alpha/alpha strains by mitotic nonreciprocal recombination, to genetically analyse ag alpha 1, since ag alpha 1 is expressed only in alpha mating type. The ag alpha 1 gene was found to be linked to the centromere tightly, to met3 at 4.4 cM, and to ilv 3 at 12 cM on chromosome X. Sexual agglutinability of alpha cells was shown to be dependent on the dose of the AG alpha 1 gene, using alpha/alpha isogenic strains carrying AG alpha 1/AG alpha 1, AG alpha 1/ag alpha 1 or ag alpha 1/ag alpha 1. The sst2-1 mutation did not suppress the ag alpha 1 mutation. Based on these results, function of the AG alpha 1 gene is discussed.

Cell Aggregation↗
PubMed2005

Molecular genetic characterization of tamoxifen-associated endometrial cancer.

OBJECTIVES: The non-steroidal, selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen is currently the most extensively used hormonal agent for the prevention and treatment of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. Epidemiologic studies and clinical trials have shown an increased risk of endometrial cancer with tamoxifen exposure; however, few studies have examined these tumors on a molecular level. We sought to elucidate the molecular genetic alterations found in tamoxifen-associated endometrial cancer. METHODS: Twenty-nine breast cancer patients with a history of tamoxifen use who subsequently developed endometrial cancer were retrospectively identified and matched for endometrial histologic subtype and grade to 29 endometrial cancers from breast cancer patients never exposed to tamoxifen. Endometrial tumor tissue was microdissected and genomic DNA extracted for each case. Direct DNA sequencing of the most commonly mutated genes in sporadic endometrial cancer, PTEN, K-RAS, TP53, and CTNNB1, was performed in addition to microsatellite instability (MI) studies. Fisher's Exact Test was utilized for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Of 29 tamoxifen-associated cancers, 10 (34.5%) contained PTEN mutations compared to 13 (44.8%) of the non-tamoxifen-associated cancers (P = 0.59). All PTEN mutations were found in tumors with endometrioid histology, reflecting what is seen in sporadic endometrial cancers. Mutations of K-RAS, TP53, and microsatellite instability were present in similar frequencies between the two breast cancer groups, and moreover, these were similar to mutational frequencies found in sporadic endometrial cancer. CONCLUSION: Tamoxifen and non-tamoxifen-associated endometrial carcinomas arising in women with breast cancer contain similar genetic alterations to those of sporadic endometrial carcinomas.

Breast Neoplasms↗
PubMed1996

Genetic characterization of transactivation of the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 promoter: Binding of Tax to Tax-responsive element 1 is mediated by the cyclic AMP-responsive members of the CREB/ATF family of transcription factors.

To achieve a better understanding of the mechanism of transactivation by Tax of human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 Tax-responsive element 1 (TRE-1), we developed a genetic approach with Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We constructed a yeast reporter strain containing the lacZ gene under the control of the CYC1 promoter associated with three copies of TRE-1. Expression of either the cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) or CREB fused to the GAL4 activation domain (GAD) in this strain did not modify the expression of the reporter gene. Tax alone was also inactive. However, expression of the reporter gene was induced by coexpression of Tax and CREB. This effect was stronger with the GAD-CREB fusion protein. Analysis of different CREB mutants with this genetic system indicated that the C-terminal 92 amino acid residues, which include the basic domain and the leucine zipper, are necessary and sufficient to mediate transactivation by Tax. To identify cellular proteins binding to TRE-1 in a Tax-dependent manner, this strain was also used to screen a library of human cDNAs fused to GAD. Of five positive clones isolated from 0.75 x 10(6) yeast colonies, four were members of the CREB/activating transcription factor (ATF) family: CREB, two isoforms of the cyclic AMP-responsive element modulator (CREM), and ATF-1. Interestingly, these three proteins can be phosphorylated by protein kinase A and thus form a particular subgroup within the CREB/ATF family. Expression of ATF-2 in S. cerevisiae did not activate TRE-1 in the presence of Tax. This shows that in a eukaryotic nucleus, Tax specifically interacts with the basic domain-leucine zipper region of ATF-1, CREB, and CREM. The fifth clone identified in this screening corresponded to the Ku autoantigen p70 subunit. When fused to GAD, the C-terminal region of Ku was able to activate transcription via TRE-1 but this activation was not dependent on Tax.

Activating Transcription Factors↗
PubMed2002

Clinical and genetic characterization of families with triple A (Allgrove) syndrome.

Triple A (Allgrove) syndrome is characterized by achalasia, alacrima, adrenal abnormalities and a progressive neurological syndrome. Affected individuals have between two and four of these relatively common clinical problems; hence the diagnosis is often difficult in all but the classical presentation. The inheritance is autosomal recessive, and most cases of triple A have no family history. Using genetic linkage analysis in a small number of families, a locus on chromosome 12q13 was identified. The triple A gene was identified recently at this locus and called ALADIN (alacrima, achalasia, adrenal insufficiency neurologic disorder). Mutations in this gene were reported in families from North Africa and Europe. The majority of mutations were homozygous. We have identified 20 families with between two and four of the clinical features associated with the triple A syndrome. Sequencing of the triple A gene revealed five families that had a total of nine compound heterozygous mutations, and one Portuguese family (previously published) had two homozygous mutations; these changes were spread throughout the triple A gene in exons 1, 2, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 16, and the poly(A) tract. Those bearing mutations had the classical triple A syndrome of achalasia, alacrima, adrenal abnormalities and a progressive neurological syndrome. We identified a spectrum of associated neurological abnormalities in these cases, including pupil and cranial nerve abnormalities, frequent optic atrophy, autonomic neuropathy and upper and lower motor neurone signs including distal motor neuropathy and amyotrophy with severe selective ulnar nerve involvement. In these families, we have made genotype-phenotype correlations. Mutations in the triple A gene are thus an important cause of this clinically heterogeneous syndrome, and sequencing represents an important diagnostic investigation. Identifying further mutations and defining their phenotype along with functional protein analysis will help to characterize this neuroendocrine gene.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Assembly of the mitochondrial membrane system. XIX. Genetic characterization of mit- mutants with deficiencies in cytochrome oxidase and coenzyme qh2-cytochrome c reductase.

Nineteen mutants of S. cerevisiae exhibiting a double deficiency in cytochrome oxidase and coenzyme QH2-cytochrome c reductase (also cytochrome b deficient) have been studied. The mutants have been crossed to a set of rho- tester strains with different segments of mitochondrial DNA. The mutants have also been crossed to mit- testers with defined genetic lesions. In addition, crosses were performed with a respiratory competent strain to ascertain whether mitotic and meiotic segregants could be isolated with only one of the two enzymatic deficiencies. The rho- testers allowed the doubly deficient mutants to be separated into two classes. Mutants in class 1 were not restored by any of the rho- testers and appeared to have separate mutations, one in cytochrome oxidase and the other in cytochrome b. Mutants in class 2 were restored by a set of rho- clones whose retained segments of mitochondrial DNA contained the cytochrome b but not the cytochrome oxidase loci. These appeared to behave as single hit mutations. Further studies, however, indicated that both class 1 and class 2 mutants carried separate mutations in two different loci. Mitotic and meiotic segregants with a single enzymatic deficiency could be isolated. In a number of strains, the mutations were mapped in known cytochrome oxidase and cytochrome b loci. The apparent discrepancy of the rho- tests for the class 2 mutants was shown to be probably due to a high unstability in one of the mutations. It has been concluded that all the doubly deficient strains carry two mutations in previously described cytochrome oxidase and cytochrome b loci. This conclusion argues against the existence of a single gene on mitochondrial DNA that controls the biosynthesis of the two respiratory enzymes.

Cell Division↗
PubMed1999

Genetic characterization of heather (Calluna vulgaris (L.) hull) subject to different management regimes across great britain

Heather plants were collected from 34 populations in Great Britain, which differed according to their geographical location and associated management histories. Comparisons of differential grazing regimes were made across 10 sites in the first year of study, whereas the influence of differential burning regimes was considered at four sites during the second year. The extent of genetic variation, both within and between the selected heather populations, was examined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based DNA fingerprinting methodologies. Initially, high genetic variation within populations obscured differences between populations. Heather stands that were geographically close proved to be genetically similar. Site latitude and longitude were strongly associated with genetic differences between heather populations; however, a range of grazing and burning management treatments had no consistent effect upon genetic diversity. The results represent the first national survey of genetic variation at the DNA level within UK populations of this important heathland species. They provided insights into the genetic structure of heather-dominated heathlands, revealing a lack of clonal dominance within populations, but rather a much more varied genetic makeup than might have been expected given the species' ability to propagate vegetatively. The processes that influence genetic diversity in heather populations are discussed, and the potential role of molecular techniques in heathland conservation is considered.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1986

The pyridine nucleotide cycle of Salmonella typhimurium: genetic characterization of the pncXA operon.

A series of Mud1 and Tn10 insertions were identified in the pncA chromosome region of Salmonella typhimurium which is responsible for the production of nicotinamide deamidase. Both pncA (resulting in no nicotinamide deamidase activity) and pncX (resulting in lowered nicotinamide deamidase activity) insertions were constructed. In addition, mutants which could utilize nicotinamide as a sole source of nitrogen were isolated. These mutants, designated pncH, hyperproduce nicotinamide deamidase. Genetic studies utilizing pncX--lacZ and pncA--lacZ operon fusions indicate that pncX::Tn10 insertions reduce transcription of pncA--lac while pncH mutations increase the expression of both pncA--lacZ and pncX-lacZ. The gene order was determined as purB--pncA--pncX--gdh with transcription of both pncA and pncX occurring in the counterclockwise direction. Merodiploid studies suggest a model whereby pncX and pncA form an operon with the major promoter occurring upstream from pncX. A second, weaker promoter for pncA must be situated between pncX and pncA. The pncH mutations appear to occur in the pncX promoter (pncXp) increasing promoter activity.

Chromosome Mapping↗