PubMed Health⌕ Search

SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “intronic polymorphism”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 1,099 records · Page 61Linked to original sources

Role of the polymorphic IL-1B, IL-1RN and TNF-A genes in distal gastric cancer in Mexico.

Several cytokine gene polymorphisms have been associated with increased risk of distal gastric cancer (GC) and its precursor histological markers in Caucasian, Asian and Portuguese populations although little is known about their role in other ethnic groups. Our study investigates the role of the IL-1B-31, IL-1RN and TNF-A-308 gene polymorphisms as risk factors for the development of GC in a Mexican population. We studied 278 patients who were enrolled at the Hospital Universitario Dr. Jose Eleuterio Gonzalez, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon. The subjects were divided into 2 groups. Sixty-three patients with histologically confirmed distal GC (mean age = 58.8 years, range = 22-84, F:M = 0.56), and 215 patients with no evidence of distal or proximal GC (mean age = 56.1 years, range = 18-92, F:M = 1.17). The IL-1B-31 and the TNF-A-308 polymorphisms were determined by PCR-RFLP and pyrosequencing, respectively, in all cases and controls. The VNTR polymorphism in intron 2 of the 1L-1RN gene was typed by PCR in 25 cases and 201 controls. The H. pylori status was determined by histology, rapid urease test, culture and serology for non-cancer controls and by histology for the GC cases. The carriage of the proinflammatory IL-1B-31*C allele was associated with increased risk of distal GC (odds ratio [OR] = 7.63, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.73-46.94, p = 0.003). When cases and controls were matched by age and gender, the OR value was higher (OR = 8.05, 95% CI = 1.8-50.22, p = 0.001). When only H. pylori GC cases and controls were compared, the OR value was 7.8 (95% CI = 1.05-161.8, p = 0.04). No association was found between any of the other polymorphisms studied and distal GC. In this Mexican population, the IL-1B proinflammatory genotype increases the risk of distal GC. These findings are similar to previous reports in Caucasian populations and underscore the importance of cytokine gene polymorphisms in the development of distal GC.

Adolescent↗

Low frequency of pathogenic mutations in the ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase gene in familial Parkinson's disease.

A coding substitution (I93M) in the ubiquitin carboxy-terminal L1 (UCH-L1) gene has recently been identified in a German family with Parkinson's disease. We have sequenced the entire coding region of the gene in 11 families who have a pattern of disease consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance. We found a polymorphism (S18Y) in exon 3, two polymorphisms in the 5' non-coding region, upstream of the transcription start, and an insertion/deletion polymorphism in intron 4. The S18Y allele is present on approximately 20% of chromosomes in a Caucasian population. These changes are, therefore, unlikely to be pathogenic. We conclude that the I93M variant must either be a rare cause of disease or a harmless substitution whose occurrence in the family reflects a chance co-occurrence.

Adult↗

Distinct haplotype in non-Ashkenazi Gaucher patients with N370S mutation.

A new polymorphism, in intron 7 of glucocerebrosidase gene, has been identified in Gaucher Disease patients. It seems to appear only in Pv1.1- alleles bearing the N370S mutation. This new sub-haplotype was only identified in Portuguese patients, of origins spanning all of the Portuguese continental territory. This finding indicates that, in the Portuguese, mutation N370S has existed in the context of two slightly different haplotypes and thus must be relatively ancient.

Gaucher Disease↗

Tissue plasminogen activator and risk of myocardial infarction. The Rotterdam Study.

BACKGROUND: Impaired fibrinolytic capacity, as assessed by euglobulin clot lysis time or plasma concentration of fibrinolytic parameters, has been associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI). We studied the association of a polymorphism in the gene for TPA and of plasma concentrations of TPA (antigen and activity) with the prevalence of MI. METHODS AND RESULTS: A case-control study was performed. Subjects with a history of MI (n = 121) and controls (n = 250) were drawn from the Rotterdam Study, a population-based cohort study of 7983 subjects > or = 55 years old. We determined TPA antigen and activity in plasma and genotyped all subjects for the Alu repeat insertion/deletion polymorphism in intron h in the TPA gene. Homozygosity for the insertion was associated with twice as many cases of MI as was homozygosity for the deletion (odds ratio, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.11-4.50). TPA antigen was positively associated with the risk of MI; compared with that in the lowest quartile, the relative risks (odds ratio) in the second, third, and upper quartiles were 1.7 (CI, 0.9-3.3), 2.3 (1.2-4.4), and 2.0 (1.0-3.8), respectively. When adjusted for body mass index, HDL and total cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, and current smoking, the risk associated with TPA antigen concentration was attenuated. Increased concentrations of TPA activity tended to be associated with an increased risk of MI. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence for an independent association of the insertion allele of the insertion/deletion polymorphism in the TPA gene with nonfatal MI. Increased TPA antigen is associated with an increased risk of MI; however, this association was not independent of cardiovascular disease risk factors.

Aged↗

Association of common polymorphisms in inflammatory genes interleukin (IL)6, IL8, tumor necrosis factor alpha, NFKB1, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma with colorectal cancer.

Animal models and epidemiological observations suggest that a continuous inflammatory condition predisposes to colorectal cancer (CRC), but the roles of different elements participating in inflammatory responses have been little investigated in relation to CRC. We have studied the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms in the interleukin (IL)-6 (-174 G>C), IL8 (-251T>A), tumor necrosis factor alpha (-308G>A), and PPARG (Pro12Ala) genes and the risk of CRC in a group of 377 cases and 326 controls from Barcelona, Spain. These genes are known to be important for inflammation of the colorectum and common allelic variants have been shown to have a biological effect. The PPARG Ala12 and IL8-251A genotypes are associated with reduced risk of disease (0.56, 95% CI, 0.37-0.85, P = 0.0056, and 0.70, 95% CI, 0.50-0.99, P = 0.043, respectively), whereas the IL6-174C genotype is associated with increased risk (1.53, 95% CI, 1.12-2.09, P = 0.0073). We also studied a single nucleotide polymorphism in intron 11 of the NFKB1 gene (rs1020759), which probably lacks any functional role, and found no significant association with the disease. This is the first report that IL6, IL8, and PPARG genes are important in relation to inflammation-related risk of sporadic CRC.

Aged↗

Loss of heterozygosity and analysis of mutation of p53 in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Thirty-six hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissues obtained from 34 patients were classified according to histological diagnosis into six well-differentiated HCC, 20 moderately differentiated HCC and 10 poorly differentiated HCC. High molecular weight DNA was prepared from each tumour and the corresponding non-tumour tissue. Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on chromosomes 4q, 5q, 10q, 11p, 16q, 17p, mutation of the p53 gene and polymorphism of intron 25 of the retinoblastoma (RB) gene were simultaneously analysed. The patients were composed of three cases of small HCC (the diameter of which was < 3 cm) and 31 cases of advanced HCC. Twenty-nine of 34 (85.3%) patients analysed had been exposed to hepatitis B virus and/or hepatitis C virus. The frequencies of LOH on seven chromosomes were 57.9% in 17p13.3, 45.1% in 17p, 45.1% in 11p, 41.9% in 5q, 41.9% in 16q24, 29.0% in 4q, 25.8% in 10q in advanced HCC (four of well differentiated, 18 of moderately differentiated and nine of poorly differentiated carcinoma). In contrast, LOH was observed on 4q, 5q, 16q and 17p in 33% (1/3) of the small HCC (two of well differentiated and one of moderately differentiated carcinoma). The mutation of the p53 genes and polymorphism of the RB gene were present in 25.8% (8/31) and 12.9% (4/31) of the advanced tumours, respectively, but the mutation was not found in small HCC. LOH on every chromosome and the p53 mutation were observed more frequently in more advanced tumours, and the genetic changes accumulated with the increase of the histopathological grade.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Blotting, Southern↗

Genetic polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system and the outcome of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in children.

BACKGROUND: The clinical course of primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) in children is variable, with some patients having a much more rapidly progressing course than others. The purpose of our study was to compare the frequency of three polymorphisms of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) in children with FSGS with that in healthy controls of matching ethnic groups, and to determine whether the clinical outcome of FSGS was associated with different RAS genotypes. METHODS: Three RAS genotypes were examined in 47 Jewish and Arab children with biopsy-proven primary FSGS and in a large control group: the ACE insertion/deletion polymorphism in intron 16, the M235T mutation in the angiotensinogen gene, and the A1166C in the angiotensin II type 1 receptor gene (AT1R). RESULTS: Arab patients showed a greater tendency towards progressive renal disease than their Jewish counterparts (12 of 21 vs. 9 of 26, P = 0.05) and were less likely to achieve remission (3 of 21 vs. 11 of 26, P < 0.04), despite similar clinical presentation, medical management and follow-up. The RAS allele prevalence was similar among patients and controls of matching ethnic backgrounds, and no difference in allele frequency was found between Arabs and Jews. Homozygotes for the ACE insertion genotype (II) were significantly less likely to have progressive renal disease than patients with the other genotypes (ID and DD; 0 of 6 vs. 21 of 41; P < 0.022). The other RAS polymorphisms were not associated with variations in the clinical course of childhood FSGS. CONCLUSIONS: Homozygosity for the ACE insertion allele may have a protective effect in children with FSGS and can serve as a positive prognostic indicator at diagnosis. The D allele may exert a detrimental dominant effect on outcome. Neither the ACE gene polymorphism nor the other RAS polymorphisms studied are associated with disease prevalence. The AT1R and angiotensinogen gene polymorphisms are not associated with progression of renal disease in FSGS. Ethnic differences in the clinical course of the disease are not linked to these polymorphisms.

Adolescent↗

Nitric oxide synthase polymorphisms and asthma phenotypes in Chinese children.

BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide (NO) is a key factor for balancing T-helper type 1/T-helper type 2 immunity. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in nitric oxide synthase (NOS) genes have been associated with atopy and exhaled NO concentrations in Caucasians. We investigated the association between asthma traits and genetic polymorphisms in neuronal NO synthase (NOS1) and endothelial NO synthase (NOS3) in Chinese children. METHODS: Asthmatic children between 5 and 18 years of age and non-allergic controls were recruited. Plasma total IgE was measured by microparticle immunoassay, whereas allergen-specific IgEs were measured by fluorescent enzyme immunoassay. Fractional exhaled NO concentration (FeNO) was measured by a chemiluminescence analyser. NOS1 C5266T and NOS3 G894T were genotyped by restriction fragment length polymorphism, and (AAT)n polymorphism in intron 20 of NOS1 was determined by GeneScan analysis. RESULTS: The mean (SD) ages of 295 asthmatics and 174 controls were 11.1 (3.8) years and 11.6 (4.0) years, respectively (P=0.162). NOS1 C5266T and NOS3 G894T were not associated with asthma, atopy or FeNO. However, significantly more subjects with T/T in NOS1 C5266T had increased plasma total IgE as compared with those with C/T or C/C (P=0.017). This SNP was also associated with sensitization to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (P=0.049). Among asthmatic patients, log-transformed plasma total IgE levels were significantly higher among those homozygous for 5266T of NOS1 [mean (SD): 2.84 (0.44) for T/T, 2.68 (0.42) for C/T, 2.59 (0.69) for C/C; P=0.021]. This study found a significant inter-ethnic difference in the allele frequencies of AAT repeats, and this polymorphism was associated with high plasma total IgE levels (P=0.044) but not FeNO (P=0.158). NOS3 G894T was not associated with any asthma or atopy phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: NOS1 C5266T and AAT repeats affect plasma IgE concentrations in Chinese children. On the other hand, neither NOS1 nor NOS3 SNP was associated with FeNO or the risk of having asthma.

Adolescent↗

Growth hormone 1 (GH1) gene and performance and post-race rectal temperature during the South African Ironman triathlon.

BACKGROUND: Some studies have suggested that the insertion allele of the ACE gene is associated with endurance performance, including the Ironman triathlon. It is possible that this association is due to genetic linkage between the ACE I/D locus and the T/A variant in intron 4 of the neighbouring GH1 gene. The A variant is associated with lower levels of growth hormone production. Growth hormone has multiple effects, especially on metabolism during exercise and recovery from exercise. Its production during exercise has also been shown to stimulate sweat rate and heat loss. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the GH1 gene is associated with the performance and/or post-race rectal temperatures of competitors in the South African Ironman triathlon. METHODS: A total of 169 of the fastest finishing white male triathletes who completed the 2000 and/or 2001 South African Ironman triathlon and 155 control subjects were genotyped for the T/A variant in the GH1 gene. Post-race rectal temperature was also determined in 103 of these triathletes. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the frequency of this polymorphism in the GH1 gene when the fastest finishing triathletes were compared with the control subjects. Post-race rectal temperatures were, however, significantly higher in those triathletes with an AA genotype (mean (SD) 37.7 (0.8) degrees C) compared with those with a TT genotype (37.2 (0.8) degrees C) (p = 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: The T/A polymorphism in intron 4 of the GH1 gene was not associated with performance of the fastest finishers of the South African Ironman triathlon. Post-race rectal temperatures were, however, significantly higher in the fastest finishing athletes, who were homozygous for a GH1 genotype associated with lower growth hormone production.

Adult↗

The IVS1 +319 t>a of SOD1 gene is not an ALS causing mutation.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is caused by mutations in the gene for Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) in 10% of familial and sporadic cases. During the SOD1 analysis of 9 FALS and 121 SALS, in only one sporadic case we found the exonic mutation N19S; in 15 SALS patients we found a 319t>a variation in IVS1 sequence, at 108 bp upstream from exon 2. This variation has an unusually high frequency of 11% and is always in linkage disequilibrium with a described polymorphism in IVS3, +34a>c. The 319t>a variation is classified in two different public databases, HGMD and The ALS Online Database, as a splicing mutation and not as a polymorphism. The unusually high frequency of this mutation in our patients prompted us to determinate its frequency in 130 age- and gender- matched healthy controls and in 54 patients with Alzheimer's disease. We found again linkage disequilibrium with the polymorphism in intron 3, and the frequency of 11% and 7.8%, respectively. These results strongly support the idea that the IVS1 +319 t>a alone is not an ALS causing mutation, and that special care must be taken in the interpretation of data from mutations databases for correct genetic counselling.

Aged↗

Estrogen-receptor polymorphisms and effects of estrogen replacement on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in women with coronary disease.

BACKGROUND: Sequence variants in the gene encoding estrogen receptor alpha (ER-alpha) may modify the effects of hormone-replacement therapy on levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and other outcomes related to estrogen treatment in postmenopausal women. METHODS: We characterized 309 women with coronary artery disease who were enrolled in the Estrogen Replacement and Atherosclerosis trial with respect to eight previously described and two newly identified ER-alpha polymorphisms, and we examined the association between these polymorphisms and the response of HDL cholesterol and other lipids to treatment with estrogen alone or estrogen plus progestin. RESULTS: After adjustment for age, race, diabetes status, body-mass index, smoking status, alcohol intake, and frequency of exercise, the 18.9 percent of the women who had the IVS1-401 C/C genotype (i.e., with C on both chromosomes in intervening sequence 1 at position 401 before exon 2) had an increase in the HDL cholesterol level with hormone-replacement therapy that was more than twice the increase observed in the other women (13.1 mg per deciliter vs. 6.0 mg per deciliter, P for treatment-by-genotype interaction = 0.004); this effect was limited to changes in the HDL subfraction 3 (HDL3) (P for interaction=0.04). Similar patterns of response were observed for three other highly linked ER-alpha intron 1 polymorphisms close to the IVS1-401 site (range of P values for interaction = 0.07 to 0.005). The pattern of increased response of HDL cholesterol in women with the IVS1-401 C/C genotype was evident in both the women receiving estrogen and those receiving estrogen plus progestin, was preserved across racial and ethnic groups, and was significant among women who were compliant with the study medication (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Postmenopausal women with coronary disease who have the ER-alpha IVS1-401 C/C genotype, or several other closely related genotypes, have an augmented response of HDL cholesterol to hormone-replacement therapy.

Cholesterol, HDL↗

Analysis of an early-onset Parkinson's disease cohort for DJ-1 mutations.

The frequency and relative contribution of DJ-1 mutations in early-onset Parkinson's disease (EOPD) is currently unknown. We analyzed a cohort of 89 EOPD patients (mean age at onset of PD +/- SD, 41.5 +/- 7.2 years), ascertained independent of family history, who participated in a study of the genetic epidemiology of PD. This study includes sequence analysis of the DJ-1 gene in addition to assaying the 14,082-bp deletion spanning exons 1 to 5, previously identified in a Dutch kindred, in 89 EOPD cases. A heterozygous missense mutation in exon 5 (A104T) was identified in an EOPD case of Asian ethnicity; this sequence variant was absent in 308 control chromosomes. We identified additional sequence variation in the DJ-1 gene, including a polymorphism in the coding region in exon 5 (R98Q), three polymorphisms in the 5' untranslated region (exon 1A/1B), and two polymorphisms in intronic regions (IVS1 and IVS5). Mutations in the DJ-1 gene are rare in EOPD in both sporadic and familial cases.

Adult↗

Mutation analysis of the dystrophin gene in Southern French DMD or BMD families: from Southern blot to protein truncation test.

Data from 6 years of experience in molecular diagnosis of Duchenne (DMD) and Becker (BMD) muscular dystrophy in Southern France are reported. DMD and BMD patients have been extensively analyzed for deletions and for point mutations in the dystrophin gene. By scanning the whole coding sequence as reverse-transcribed from lymphocytes or muscular RNA by the protein truncation test, we have reached a minimum of an 86% detection rate for point mutations responsible for DMD; these mutations consist of nonsense, frameshifting, and splicing mutations. Four of 12 small alterations identified in our sample are novel and described in this study. We also present an improved protocol for the automated detection of fluorescently labeled duplex polymerase chain reactions of six known intragenic microsatellites (Dys II, TG 15, STRs 44, 45, 49, and 50). Accurate sizing of the alleles at each locus was performed, and we elucidated the sequence of several repeat units. Allele frequencies at each of the six microsatellite loci and at one restriction fragment length polymorphism site (intron 16/TaqI) were defined in a sample of normal, DMD, and BMD X chromosomes from Southern France. The determination of the grandparental origin of either deletions or point mutations revealed differences depending on the type of the mutation, with most of the deletions occurring in oogenesis and most of the point mutations occurring in spermatogenesis.

Blotting, Southern↗

Evidence against a major role of PEG1/MEST in Silver-Russell syndrome.

Silver-Russell syndrome (SRS) is a heterogeneous disorder characterised by interauterine and postnatal growth retardation, with or without additional dysmorphic features. Most cases are sporadic but a few familial cases have been described. A subset of patients exhibit maternal uniparental disomy for chromosome 7 (mUPD7) strongly suggesting that genomic imprinting plays a role in the aetiology of the disease. We and others have recently characterised the human PEG1/MEST gene, the first imprinted gene known to be located on chromosome 7. Although the function of PEG1/MEST is unknown, the paternal-specific expression of this gene and its location at 7q32, render it a promising candidate for SRS. As a prerequisite for mutation screening in 49 patients with SRS and 9 with primordial growth retardation (PGR), we determined the complete genomic structure of the PEG1/MEST gene which consists of 12 exons. Apart from one silent mutation and two novel polymorphisms, nucleotide changes were not detected in any of these patients. Moreover, methylation patterns of the 5' region of PEG1/MEST were found to be normal in 35 SRS and 9 PGR patients and different from the pattern seen in patients with mUPD7. These findings strongly argue against a role of PEG1/MEST in the majority of Silver-Russell syndrome cases.

Abnormalities, Multiple↗

Angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism in preeclampsia and normal pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism in pregnant women with and without preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN: Preeclampsia was defined as hypertension and pathologic proteinuria in pregnant women after gestational week 20. Genomic DNA was isolated from leukocytes. The insertion-deletion polymorphism in intron 16 of the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene was detected in DNA samples with the use of the polymerase chain reaction. Chi-squared and Student t tests were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In preeclampsia (n=51 women) angiotensin-converting enzyme genotypes were deletion-D (DD) in 16 women (31%), insertion-I (II) in 12 women (24%), and insertion-deletion in 23 women (45%); in the control group (n=71), the angiotensin-converting enzyme genotypes were DD in 21 women (30%), II in 17 women (24%), and insertion-deletion in 33 women (46%). Angiotensin-converting enzyme genotype distribution and allelic frequencies were not different between groups. CONCLUSION: No difference in the angiotensin-converting enzyme genotype distribution was found between preeclampsia and normal pregnancy. The results showed no association between angiotensin-converting enzyme polymorphism and the development of preeclampsia.

Alleles↗

Variations in the NRAMP1 gene and susceptibility to tuberculosis in West Africans.

BACKGROUND: Genetic factors may affect the susceptibility to tuberculosis, but no specific genes governing susceptibility have been identified. In mice, natural resistance to infection with some mycobacteria is influenced by the gene for natural-resistance-associated macrophage protein 1 (Nramp1), but the role of the human homologue of this gene, NRAMP1, in tuberculosis is unknown. We typed polymorphisms in NRAMP1 in a case-control study of tuberculosis in the Gambia, West Africa. METHODS: Sequence-specific oligonucleotide hybridization and microsatellite analysis were used to type NRAMP1 polymorphisms in 410 adults (mean age, 34.7 years) with smear-positive pulmonary tuberculosis and 417 ethnically matched, healthy controls. Patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection were excluded. RESULTS: Four NRAMP1 polymorphisms were each significantly associated with tuberculosis. Subjects who were heterozygous for two NRAMP1 polymorphisms in intron 4 and the 3' untranslated region of the gene were particularly overrepresented among those with tuberculosis, as compared with those with the most common NRAMP1 genotype (odds ratio, 4.07; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.86 to 9.12; chi-square= 14.58; P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Genetic variation in NRAMP1 affects susceptibility to tuberculosis in West Africans.

Adult↗

Association of polymorphisms of interleukin-1 beta gene and Helicobacter pylori infection with the risk of gastric ulcer.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) plays an important role in gastric inflammation and physiology. Functional polymorphisms of IL-1 beta gene have been related to different risks of gastric cancer and duodenal ulcer but their role in gastric ulcer remains unknown. In this study, we investigate a plausible association between gastric ulcer and the polymorphisms in the IL-1 beta and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RN) genes. The relationships among the cytokine genotyping, other environmental risks such as Helicobacter pylori infection and smoking, and clinical characteristics of gastric ulcer were also determined. METHODOLOGY: Peripheral blood DNAs from 120 unrelated Taiwan Chinese patients with gastric ulcer and 238 ethnically matched healthy controls were genotyped for the promoter (position -31 and -511) and Taq I polymorphism (position +3954) in the IL-1 beta gene and the variable number of tandem repeats polymorphisms in intron 2 of the IL-1RN gene. The status of Helicobacter pylori infection was determined by serology. RESULTS: The seropositive rate of Helicobacter pylori (95/120 vs. 134/238, OR: 2.95, 95%CI 1.77-4.91), habitual smoking (67/120 vs. 82/238, OR: 2.40, 95%CI 1.54-3.77) and blood group O (63/120 vs. 98/238, OR: 1.55, 95%CI 1.0-2.41) were significantly higher in patients with gastric ulcer than controls. The distributions of allele frequencies of IL-1 beta (-31 C/T or -511 C/T or +3954) and IL-1RN were similar between patients with gastric ulcer and controls. No significant differences were observed, including those analyzed after stratification of the infected population and by the ulcer subgroup. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggested that Helicobacter pylori infection, cigarette smoking, and blood group O are risk factors of gastric ulcer and IL-1 beta or IL-1RN polymorphisms do not influence susceptibility to gastric ulcer in a Taiwanese population.

Aged↗

Structure and chromosome localization of the human CASP8 gene.

The human CASP8 gene, whose product is also known as caspase 8 and FLICE, encodes an interleukin-1beta converting enzyme (ICE)-related cysteine protease that is activated by the engagement of several different death receptors. Caspase 8 is immediately recruited to the Fas receptor once it oligomerizes, and its protease activity is crucial for the apoptotic response generated by the resulting death-inducing signaling complex (DISC). We report here that the CASP8 gene contains at least 11 exons spanning approximately 30kb on human chromosome band 2q33-34. This region of human chromosome 2 was previously reported as the location of the CASP10 gene, whose product is closely related to caspase 8. Chromosome 2 band q33-34 is also involved in tumorigenesis, with loss of heterogeneity (LOH) being reported in a number of tumors. We also report EcoRI and HindIII polymorphisms that may prove to be useful in disease analysis. Both caspases 8 and 10 contain long pro-domains with duplicated death effector domains (DEDs), as well as their corresponding cysteine protease catalytic domains. Thus, it appears that CASP8 and CASP10 have evolved by tandem gene duplication, much like the CASP1, CASP4 and CASP5 gene cluster on human chromosome 11q22.2-22.3.

Blotting, Northern↗