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Identification of a variant collagen alpha 3 (VI) in early-stage avian arteriosclerotic plaques.

A 170 kD protein, prominent in soluble extracts of rooster arteriosclerotic plaques, has been partially characterized. The protein was eluted from a size exclusion column in a broad molecular weight fraction > 100 kD. Concanavalin A and a murine polyclonal antibody raised against the isolated 170 kD protein reacted with the protein on Western blots. The 170 kD protein had an isoelectric point of approximately 5.4 and was digested by collagenase treatment. Amino acid analysis of a 70 kD fragment of the protein closely resembled that for chick collagen alpha 3 (VI). A 13 amino acid sequence within this 70 kD fragment had 69% identity and 85% homology to chicken collagen alpha 3 (VI). Soluble protein extracts from cultured plaque smooth muscle cells (SMC), and from healthy artery SMC, contained low levels of the protein. These cellular extracts also reacted with the polyclonal antibody described above. Although the protein lacks absolute amino acid sequence identity with collagen alpha 3 (VI) it shares with it many biochemical features, suggesting that the 170 kD protein is a variant species of chick collagen alpha 3 (VI).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

DNase activity in Costa Rican crotaline snake venoms: quantification of activity and identification of electrophoretic variants.

DNase activity of Costa Rican crotaline snake venoms from the genera Bothrops, Crotalus and Lachesis was quantified by an enzymodiffusion method on agarose/DNA gels containing ethidium bromide. The reaction is detected as a ring lacking fluorescence when gels are visualized under u.v. light. Electrophoresis of non-fluorescent areas demonstrated DNA degradation. All of the venoms had DNase activity, B. schlegelii being most active. Venoms from B. schlegelii and B. asper induced an inner hyper-fluorescent ring in addition to the external non-fluorescent ring, probably caused by the formation of complexes between DNA and highly basic proteins present in these venoms. In order to study the number of electrophoretic DNase variants, venoms were separated by analytical isoelectric focusing on polyacrylamide minigels, proteins were transferred to nitrocellulose paper and the paper was placed over an agarose gel containing DNA. Then the agarose gel was stained with ethidium bromide and the bands of DNase activity were visualized under u.v. light. All the venoms tested, as well as commercial DNase showed several bands with DNase activity. The majority of venom DNase variants have basic pIs although bands with acidic pIs were also present in B. godmani and L. muta venoms. No major differences in the DNase electrophoretic pattern were observed between individual venoms of adult B. asper specimens nor between lyophilized and frozen venoms.

Crotalid Venoms↗

Low-stringency single specific primer PCR, DNA sequencing and single-strand conformation polymorphism of PCR products for identification of genetic variants of human papillomavirus type 16.

Two fragments from within the long control region of the genome of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) were amplified using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Putative genetic variation among the parent viruses was assessed by complete sequence analysis and single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis of one of the fragments and by application of the recently described low-stringency single specific primer (LSSP) PCR to both PCR products. The study comprised 34 HPV16 positive samples, derived from seventeen different individuals. It is demonstrated that under experimentally standardised conditions the LSSP PCR-, sequencing- and SSCP-data display differing degrees of resolution. Based on combined LSSP PCR analyses, 33 out of 34 samples can be discriminated, whereas SSCP and direct sequencing identify 4 and 8 types, respectively. Although the variability observed among LSSP PCR patterns may be the consequence of small quantities of mutated viral amplimers, no concordant grouping of strains, identical by sequencing and SSCP analysis, can be established by either of the four theoretically possible LSSP PCR assays. Results are discussed in the context of experimental variability of the procedures or genetic heterogeneity of HPV16 pools derived from cervical swabs.

Base Sequence↗

dlk, pG2 and Pref-1 mRNAs encode similar proteins belonging to the EGF-like superfamily. Identification of polymorphic variants of this RNA.

dlk encodes a transmembrane protein member of the EGF-like family of homeotic proteins. dlk is expressed in the same type of neuroendocrine tissues and tumors as pG2, a gene cloned because of its differential expression in human pheochromocytomas versus neuroblastomas. Human dlk and pG2 cDNAs are around 98% similar in sequence, but the predicted proteins encoded by those genes are apparently unrelated. This fact suggested the existence of polymorphic variants of the same gene. We have sequenced again several pG2 and dlk clones in parallel. We identified a pG2 cDNA species corresponding to an alternatively spliced dlk mRNA, as well as several other variant forms of dlk mRNA. One of the pG2 clones resulted to be identical to human dlk and encode the same EGF-like protein. Pref-1, a cDNA isolated from 3T3-L1 fibroblasts, encodes a putative protein possessing an extracellular EGF-like domain similar to dlk, but a different intracellular region. Analysis of sequence data from different clones obtained in our laboratory confirmed some of the differences between dlk and Pref-1. However, the putative difference in the intracellular regions of dlk and Pref-1 was due to sequence artifacts. These data suggest that dlk, pG2 and Pref-1 are variant products of the same gene.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Limited polymorphism of the HLA-DQA2 promoter and identification of a variant octamer.

Previous studies have suggested that the HLA-DQA2 gene may be associated with IDDM. The apparently limited allelism at this locus prompted us to investigate whether this association might be with the level of gene expression rather than with specific alleles. The proximal promoter region of HLA-DQA2 was sequenced in three homozygous DR4;DQ8 subjects with IDDM, six homozygous DR3;DQ2 subjects (three healthy controls and three with IDDM), and selected DR4 and DR6 cell lines. This 388-bp region encompassed the known control W/Z/H/S, X, and Y boxes and included a previously unremarked variant octamer sequence 40 bp upstream of the transcription start site. Only one polymorphic site was present among these 15 sequences, found in one DR3;DQ2 subject and a DR6;DQ6 cell line. This indicates that any disease association with HLA-DQA2, at least among DR3;DQ2 individuals, cannot be accounted for solely by polymorphism of the proximal promoter region.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of a variant form of PZR lacking immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs.

PZR is an immunoglobulin superfamily protein that specifically binds tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2 through its intracellular immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motifs (ITIMs). Here we report a novel isoform of the protein designated PZR1b. PZR1b shares the same extracellular region with PZR, but it lacks intracellular ITIMs and thus the ability to recruit SHP-2. Genomic sequence analysis revealed that PZR1b is resulted from alternative gene splicing of the PZR gene localized at chromosome 1q24. Like PZR, PZR1b is widely expressed. However, the relative ratio of two forms varies in different human tissues and cells. More importantly, overexpression of PZR1b in human HT-1080 cells had a dominant negative effect by blocking concanavalin A-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of full-length PZR and recruitment of tyrosine phosphatase SHP-2. Therefore, PZR1b may have an important role in cell signaling by counteracting with PZR.

Alternative Splicing↗

Identification of sequence variants and analysis of the role of the catechol-O-methyl-transferase gene in schizophrenia susceptibility.

BACKGROUND: Deletions of 1.5-2 MB of chromosome 22q11 have been previously associated with schizophrenia. The deleted region includes proximally the region harboring genes involved in DiGeorge and velocardiofacial syndromes. Distally, it includes the gene for catechol-O-methyl-transferase (COMT), an enzyme that catalyzes the O-methylation of catecholamine neurotransmitters, including dopamine, and which therefore is considered a candidate gene for schizophrenia. METHODS: We address the issue of a direct involvement of the COMT gene in the development of schizophrenia by employing the first extensive mutational analysis of this gene in a sample of 157 schizophrenia patients and 129 healthy controls, using single-strand conformation polymorphism and chemical cleavage methodologies. RESULTS: No mutations were found, but several sequence variants were identified, including the genetic polymorphism that underlies the high/low activity of the enzyme (a Val158-->Met change, which results in the creation of an NlaIII restriction site in the low-activity allele). The distribution of the NlaIII genotypes among subsets of schizophrenia patients was analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: The results presented here argue against a major role of COMT in schizophrenia in general (although a minor effect could not be excluded) and represent a first step toward a more refined delineation of the phenotype/genotype relationship between 22q11 microdeletions and schizophrenia susceptibility.

Adult↗

Quantification of hemoglobin A2 and identification of hemoglobin variants using a fully automated hemoglobin analyzer.

The DIAMAT Analyser System is a fully automated high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) instrument originally designed for the quantification of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Buffers were developed for the separation and quantification of hemoglobin A2 on the DIAMAT. Also studied were the retention patterns of various hemoglobin variants on the DIAMAT using the buffers developed for the hemoglobin A2 quantification.

Adult↗

Identification of allelic variants in the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor genes of females with or without hypergonadotropic amenorrhea.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether women with idiopathic hypergonadotropic amenorrhea have unique alterations in the FSH receptor gene that could account for reduced activity. DESIGN: Compare FSH receptor genes of affected women with normally menstruating control subjects. SETTING: Center for Reproductive Health and university departments. PATIENT(S): Fourteen female subjects, including four normally menstruating controls; four sibling sisters, two of whom developed premature ovarian failure (POF); four patients with POF; one patient with 46,XX gonadal dysgenesis (GD); and one patient with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. INTERVENTION(S): Blood samples were collected. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, single-stranded conformation polymorphism analysis, gel electrophoretic mobility of amplified genomic DNA, and FSH receptor gene sequence. RESULT(S): The DNA sequencing revealed allelic variants in one RFLP-positive control. There were two silent variants and one missense variant that resulted in a change from Asp to Gly at position 334 from the start Met in the amino acid sequence. Six of 10 subjects, including controls and patients with POF and GD, had an allelic variant in which A was changed to G at position 919 which caused Thr307 to be changed to Ala. CONCLUSION(S): Allelic variants in the FSH receptor gene occur commonly in control subjects and affected patients.

Alleles↗

Characterization of the mouse integrin subunit alpha10 gene and comparison with its human homologue. Genomic structure, chromosomal localization and identification of splice variants.

Alpha10beta1 is a collagen-binding integrin expressed by chondrocytes [Camper et al. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273: 20383-20389]. In the present study, the mouse alpha10 gene was isolated from a sCos1 SVJ library and the genomic structure and chromosomal localization was determined. The alpha10 gene consists of 30 translated exons spanning a region of approximately 18 kb genomic DNA. The sequences of all exon/intron borders follow the consensus "gt-ag" rule. A transcription start site, determined by primer extension analysis, was located 38 nucleotides upstream of the initiation ATG site. The 5' flanking region of the transcription start site lacked a TATA-box. The first exon contained, in addition to 38 untranslated nucleotides, the ATG translation start site and the major part of the signal peptide. The alpha10 gene was mapped to mouse chromosome 3 by fluorescence in situ hybridization and is the only integrin subunit localized to this chromosome. When we investigated the expression of alpha10 by PCR we found that both mouse and human articular chondrocytes express extracellular splice variants of the alpha10 subunit. In mouse, exon 26 was extended into the intron by 62 nt, generating a truncated alpha10-chain. In human, exon 25 consisted of 114 nt which were alternately spliced in or out.

Alternative Splicing↗

Identification of genetic variants in the human thromboxane synthase gene (CYP5A1).

Thromboxane synthase (CYP5A1) catalyzes the conversion of prostaglandin H2 to thromboxane A2, a potent mediator of platelet aggregation, vasoconstriction and bronchoconstriction. It has been implicated in the patho-physiological process of a variety of diseases, such as atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction, stroke and asthma. On the basis of the hypothesis that variations of the CYP5A1 gene may play an important role in human diseases, we performed a screening for variations in the human CYP5A1 gene sequence. We examined genomic DNA from 200 individuals, for mutations in the promoter region, the protein encoding sequences and the 3'-untranslated region of the CYP5A1. Eleven polymorphisms have been identified in the CYP5A1 gene including eight missense mutations R61H, D161E, N246S, L357V, Q417E, E450K, T451N and R466Q. This is the first report of genetic variants in the human CYP5A1 altering the protein sequence. The effect of these variants on the metabolic activity of CYP5A1 remains to be further evaluated.

Alleles↗

Identification of HepG2 variant cell lines by short tandem repeat (STR) analysis.

In the past years, in our laboratory, several cell lines have been generated starting from a human liver (H7). Some of them have been used successfully in studies of the infection with and propagation of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C viruses. Recently, several lines of evidence indicated that the origin of these cell lines was uncertain. Therefore, we now have determined the genetic characteristics of these cell lines in comparison to HepG2 cells received from ATCC and to HepG2 isolates grown at other laboratories. Quadruplex fluorescent short tandem repeat (STR) typing and karyotyping were performed. In addition, some biochemical characteristics of selected clones were studied. Genetically, all H7-derived cell lines were identical to HepG2 cells. However, some liver-specific functions varied between the different sub-cloned lines. The H7-derived cell lines that were generated proved to be sub-cloned lines of HepG2. The problem of cross-contamination during cloning of cell lines appears to be not uncommon. We found that two out of six HepG2 isolates obtained from other laboratories were not derived from the same individual as the original HepG2 cells. Therefore, STR typing should be applied as a rapid and sensitive technique to determine and monitor the origin of cell lines and to safeguard against contamination.

Albumins↗