一种新型眼皮肤白化病——OCA4

眼皮肤白化病(OCA)在遗传学上是一组由不同基因的突变导致的具有相同或相似临床症状的遗传病。根据涉及基因的不同, OCA进一步分为4型, 即眼皮肤白化病Ⅰ~Ⅳ型(OCA1~OCA4)。OCA4为近年新发现的一种眼皮肤白化病类型, 首报病例是一名土尔其后裔。与小鼠uw基因同源的MATP基因突变导致OCA4表型的发生。MATP 基因定位于5p13.3, 由7个外显子和6个内含子构成, MATP基因在转录水平上受黑素细胞特异性转录因子调控, 编码由530个氨基酸残基构成的膜相关转运蛋白。迄今, 至少已报道了18种MATP基因病理性突变和8种DNA多态性变异。     

中国荷斯坦牛ABCG2基因编码区多态性检测及生物信息学分析

目的：研究中国荷斯坦牛ABCG2基因编码区（CDS）多态性,并进行生物信息学分析。方法：以中国荷斯坦牛为材料,利用PCR-SSCP技术对ABCG2基因CDS多态性进行检测,然后预测蛋白质序列的改变,并用生物信息学软件对蛋白质序列突变前后的结构及性质进行分析。结果：在外显子9中存在一个A→G碱基突变,导致氨基酸由酪氨酸突变为半胱氨酸,将此突变命名为Y367C;在外显子14中存在一个G→A突变,导致氨基酸由精氨酸突变为谷氨酰胺,将此突变命名为R578Q。2个突变一个位于功能区与跨膜区之间,一个位于跨膜区。生物信息学分析发现,蛋白质二级结构增加了1个卷曲（C）和2个转角（T）,同时减少了3个β折叠（E）,且ABCG2蛋白的组成和一些性质也发生了改变。结论：检测到的2个单核苷酸多态性引起了ABCG2蛋白性质和二级结构的改变;为进一步研究ABCG2蛋白对产乳性状的影响奠定了基础。     

合作猪SLA-DQA基因外显子2多态性分析

旨在研究合作猪DQA基因外显子2多态性,确定其等位基因数、核苷酸多态位点、氨基酸多态位点及各个等位基因之间的遗传关系,分析其进化意义。选用PCR-SSCP对439只合作猪SLA-DQA基因外显子2的多态性进行检测;测序群体内因变异而产生的各等位基因序列,并分析序列数据。结果显示,在合作猪SLA-DQA外显子2中发现了7个新等位基因,共18个核苷酸多态位点,10个氨基酸多态位点。合作猪SLA-DQA外显子2具有较丰富的多态性,群体内可能蕴藏着更加丰富的遗传资源;合作猪SLA-DQA外显子2基因最初可能由一个等位基因突变分化成一大类基因;合作猪SLA-DQA外显子2序列与各个猪种的SLA-DQA外显子2序列具有较高的同源性,预示着这些猪种的SLA-DQA外显子2基因最早可能来源于其分歧之前的共同祖先原始序列;新发现的7个SLA-DQA外显子2等位基因,可能由遗传关系较近的两个等位基因突变产生。     

八眉猪SLA-DRA基因第4外显子多态性分析

[目的]研究八眉猪SLA-DRA基因第4外显子的多态性,确定其等位基因数以及核苷酸和氨基酸变异位点,探讨其遗传特性。[方法]采用PCR-SSCP和克隆测序的方法对八眉猪SLA-DRA基因第4外显子进行多态性检测。[结果]八眉猪SLA-DRA基因第4外显子共有3种等位基因(A、B、C),形成3种基因型(AA、BB、BC),其中B为优势等位基因,BC为优势基因型。序列对比结果表明,八眉猪SLA-DRA基因第4外显子共有3个核苷酸突变位点(c.4167AG、c.4246AG和c.4282CT),其中4 167 bp的突变导致谷氨酰胺(Q)突变为精氨酸(R)。群体遗传学分析表明,八眉猪SLA-DRA基因第4外显子的多态信息含量为0.3953,杂合度为0.7241,且八眉猪在SLA-DRA基因第4外显子上偏离了Hardy-Weinberg平衡(p0.01)。[结论]八眉猪SLA-DRA基因的第4外显子属于中度多态,并呈现出杂合子优势。     

眼皮肤白化病分型及珊基因新突变的鉴定

目的了解我国眼皮肤白化病（oculocutaneous albinism,OCA）的分型和相关基因突变类型,探讨新突变可能的分子致病机制。方法应用PCR方法扩增TYR基因,经DNA序列测定检出突变,采用错配引物PCR进行新突变的群体筛查,结合生物信息学方法探讨一种新突变的致病性和可能的分子致病机制。结果10名患者中有5人存在2个突变TYR等位基因,共计8种突变类型,其中c．71G〉A（C24Y）和c．841G〉T（E281X）是OCA1A致病性新突变;C24极可能参与二硫键形成,C24Y将导致酪氨酸酶肽链内此二硫键消失,进而引起蛋白空间构象变化和功能异常而致病。结论从基因水平初步了解了我国OCA1所占的比例,探讨了TYR基因C24Y的致病性并初步阐明了其致病的分子机制。本结果丰富了人类TYR基因突变类型,为我国OCA分型诊断、产前基因诊断和遗传咨询等积累了有价值的数据资料。     

眼皮肤白化病患者酪氨酸酶基因突变的研究

目的：对临床诊断为眼皮肤白化病（OCA）患者的酪氨酸酶（TYR）基因进行突变筛查,了解我国大陆OCA患者TYR基因突变类型,探讨基因突变对人TYR蛋白结构和功能的影响。方法：应用PCR技术,扩增患者及其父母的TYR基因外显子、外显子-内含子交界区及启动子区;以DNA序列测定技术,进行突变筛查与鉴定;利用生物信息学方法,对突变引起蛋白结构和功能的改变进行预测与分析。结果：在15名患者的30个TYR等位基因内,查明11种突变;其中错义突变5种（W400L、R299H、E294K、R77Q和K142M）,无义突变3种（R116X、R278X和G295X）,插入突变2种（929insC和232insGGG）,剪切位点突变1种（IVS1-3 C〉G）;对4个突变W400L、R299H、929insC、232insGGG的生物信息学分析显示,突变的致病性与蛋白结构和功能的改变相关。结论：W400L占本研究所检出全部OCA1突变等位基因的30．0％（9／30）,可能为中国大陆人群中较常见的TYR基因突变类型;应用生物信息学分析方法对TYR基因突变的致病性做出一些合理可能的解释是可行的。     

苹果酸度相关基因MdPH1的克隆、表达及亚细胞定位分析

以苹果属（Malus）植物沧江海棠（M.ombrophila Hand.-Mazz）的果实为材料,对其发育过程中苹果酸的含量进行测定,并结合转录组测序的方法筛选控制果实酸度的候选基因。结果显示：MdPH1候选基因的编码区包含2829 bp,编码942个氨基酸;基因组序列全长为4269 bp,包含8个外显子和7个内含子。对10份苹果种质资源中PH1基因序列的分析结果表明,该基因序列中存在22个单核苷酸多态性（SNP）,其中13个位于内含子区,9个位于外显子区;位于最后一个外显子上SNP（G/A）的变异导致了编码氨基酸从缬氨酸变为异亮氨酸。MdPH1蛋白包含8个跨膜结构域,其中蛋白N端包含3个跨膜结构域,C端包含5个跨膜结构域。系统进化分析结果显示,苹果中的PH家族成员与梨（Pyrus communis L.）中的PH家族成员聚集成一簇。组织特异性表达结果发现,MdPH1基因在苹果果实中的表达量最高,其次是叶、花和根,茎中表达量最低。亚细胞定位分析表明MdPH1蛋白定位于液泡膜上。     

新疆地方绵羊TLR9基因多态性分析

通过分析TLR9基因的多态性,探究新疆不同绵羊品种抗病力的分子机制。以塔什库尔干羊、和田羊和多浪羊共107个样本为研究对象,采用PCR、测序法和生物信息学方法分析TLR9基因的SNP及氨基酸差异。发现7个SNP,其中3个位点为同义突变,4个位点为非同义突变,确定为12个等位基因,其中新发现6个等位基因。首次发现氨基酸G437R的突变。6个等位基因对应的TLR9蛋白3-D结构存在差异,可能影响机体对PAMP的识别。绵羊TLR9基因外显子2具有较高的多态性,导致LRR空间结构改变,进而影响机体对疾病的感受性。本研究为新疆南疆地区绵羊抗病育种提供基础数据。     

苹果酸度相关基因MdPH1的克隆、表达及亚细胞定位分析

以苹果属(Malus)植物沧江海棠(M. ombrophila Hand.-Mazz)的果实为材料,对其发育过程中苹果酸的含量进行测定,并结合转录组测序的方法筛选控制果实酸度的候选基因。结果显示:MdPH1候选基因的编码区包含2829 bp,编码942个氨基酸;基因组序列全长为4269 bp,包含8个外显子和7个内含子。对10份苹果种质资源中PH1基因序列的分析结果表明,该基因序列中存在22个单核苷酸多态性(SNP),其中13个位于内含子区,9个位于外显子区;位于最后一个外显子上SNP(G/A)的变异导致了编码氨基酸从缬氨酸变为异亮氨酸。MdPH1蛋白包含8个跨膜结构域,其中蛋白N端包含3个跨膜结构域,C端包含5个跨膜结构域。系统进化分析结果显示,苹果中的PH家族成员与梨(Pyrus communis L.)中的PH家族成员聚集成一簇。组织特异性表达结果发现,MdPH1基因在苹果果实中的表达量最高,其次是叶、花和根,茎中表达量最低。亚细胞定位分析表明MdPH1蛋白定位于液泡膜上。     

猪CAPN1基因部分外显子及3′UTR区的SNPs检测

以野猪、民猪和大白猪为研究对象, 根据网上公布的序列设计了7对引物, 采用测序、PCR-SSCP和PCR-RFLP方法对CAPN1基因的部分外显子和3′UTR区进行了单核苷酸多态性检测和基因型分析, 探讨CAPN1基因多态性与瘦肉率和嫩度的关系。研究发现11个SNPs, 其中5个位于外显子, 4个位于内含子, 2个位于3′UTR区, 外显子中的突变有一处是错义突变, 导致了蛋白质多肽链第260位氨基酸发生了M/V的替代。群体遗传学分析表明, 在所检测的各多态位点上, 野猪、民猪、大白猪3个品种间不同基因型的分布都存在着极显著的差异(P<0.01), 而野猪和民猪之间各基因型的分布差异不显著(P>0.05), 民猪和大白猪之间各基因型的分布存在着极显著的差异(P<0.01)。结合品种特性分析表明, P4、P6引物和3′ UTR区HinfⅠ位点所检测的不同基因型和瘦肉率具有一定的相关性。     

A frequent tyrosinase gene mutation associated with type I-A (tyrosinase-negative) oculocutaneous albinism in Puerto Rico.

We have determined the mutations in the tyrosinase gene from 12 unrelated Puerto Rican individuals who have type I-A (tyrosinase-negative) oculocutaneous albinism (OCA). All but one individual are of Hispanic descent. Nine individuals were homozygous for a missense mutation (G47D) in exon I at codon 47. Two individuals were heterozygous for the G47D mutation, with one having a missense mutation at codon 373 (T373K) in the homologous allele and the other having an undetermined mutation in the homologous allele. One individual with negroid features was homozygous for a nonsense mutation (W236X). The population migration between Puerto Rico and the Canary Islands is well recognized. Analysis of three individuals with OCA from the Canary Islands showed that one was a compound heterozygote for the G47D mutation and for a novel missense mutation (L216M), one was homozygous for a missense mutation (P81L), and one was heterozygous for the missense mutation P81L. The G47D and P81L missense mutations have been previously described in extended families in the United States. Haplotypes were determined using four polymorphisms linked to the tyrosinase locus. Haplotype analysis showed that the G47D mutation occurred on a single haplotype, consistent with a common founder for all individuals having this mutation. Two different haplotypes were found associated with the P81L mutation, suggesting that this may be either a recurring mutation for the tyrosinase gene or a recombination between haplotypes.     

Rapid screening of myelin genes in CMT1 patients by SSCP analysis: identification of new mutations and polymorphisms in the P0 gene

Charcot-Marie-Tooth type (CMT1) disease or hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy type I (HMSNI) is an autosomal dominant peripheral neuropathy. In most CMT1 families, the disease cosegregates with a 1.5-Mb duplication on chromosome 17p11.2 (CMT1A). A few patients have been found with mutations in the peripheral myelin protein 22 (PMP-22) gene located in the CMT1A region. In other families mutations have been identified in the major peripheral myelin protein p_o gene localized on chromosome Iq21-q23 (CMT1B). We performed a rapid mutation screening of the PMP-22 and P₀ genes in non-duplicated CMT1 patients by single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis followed by direct polymerase chain reaction sequencing of genomic DNA. Six new single base changes in the P₀ gene were observed: two missense mutations in, respectively, exons 2 and 3, two nonsense mutations in exon 4, and two silent mutations or polymorphisms in, respectively, exons 3 and 6.     

Mutation detection of PKD1 identifies a novel mutation common to three families with aneurysms and/or very-early-onset disease

It is known that several of the most severe complications of autosomal-dominant polycystic kidney disease, such as intracranial aneurysms, cluster in families. There have been no studies reported to date, however, that have attempted to correlate severely affected pedigrees with a particular genotype. Until recently, in fact, mutation detection for most of the PKD1 gene was virtually impossible because of the presence of several highly homologous loci also located on chromosome 16. In this report we describe a cluster of 4 bp in exon 15 that are unique to PKD1. Forward and reverse PKD1-specific primers were designed in this location to amplify regions of the gene from exons 11-21 by use of long-range PCR. The two templates described were used to analyze 35 pedigrees selected for study because they included individuals with either intracranial aneurysms and/or very-early-onset disease. We identified eight novel truncating mutations, two missense mutations not found in a panel of controls, and several informative polymorphisms. Many of the polymorphisms were also present in the homologous loci, supporting the idea that they may serve as a reservoir for genetic variability in the PKD1 gene. Surprisingly, we found that three independently ascertained pedigrees had an identical 2-bp deletion in exon 15. This raises the possibility that particular genotypes may be associated with more-severe disease.     

Use of in silico tools for classification of novel missense mutations identified in dystrophin gene in developing countries

DMD gene which is composed of 79 exons is the largest known gene located on X chromosome (Xp21). Point mutations in the dystrophin gene are responsible for 30–35% of cases with DMD/BMD. Mutation analysis of all the exons of the DMD gene is costly in developing countries, therefore, a few of the exons are selected to be analyzed routinely in clinical laboratories. In this study, direct sequencing was used for detection of point mutations in 10 exons of dystrophin gene in patients affected with DMD without detectable large rearrangements. Freely available programs were used to predict the damaging effects of the mutations. Point mutations were successfully detected in three patients. Three novel mutations, two missense mutations located on nonconservative domains and a single nucleotide deletion, were detected. Missense mutations were predicted to change splicing efficiency. Detection of point mutations by DNA analysis followed by prediction of the pathogenecity by using bioinformatic tool might be an asset to provide proper diagnosis or genetic counseling to patients and their family.     

Mutations of the Fanconi Anemia Group A Gene (FAA) in Italian Patients

Fanconi anemia (FA) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by progressive pancytopenia, congenital malformations, and predisposition to acute myeloid leukemia. At least five complementation groups (FA-A-FA-E) have been identified. The relative prevalence of FA-A has been estimated at an average of approximately 65% but may widely vary according to ethnic background. In Italy, 11 of 12 patients analyzed by cell-fusion studies were assigned to group FA-A, suggesting an unusually high relative prevalence of this FA subtype in patients of Italian ancestry. We have screened the 43 exons of the FAA gene and their flanking intronic sequences in 38 Italian FA patients, using RNA-SSCP. Ten different mutations were detected: three nonsense and one missense substitutions, four putative splice mutations, an insertion, and a duplication. Most of the mutations are expected to cause a premature termination of the FAA protein at various sites throughout the molecule. Four protein variants were also found, three of which were polymorphisms. The missense mutation D1359Y, not found in chromosomes from healthy unrelated individuals, was responsible for a local alteration of hydrophobicity in the FAA protein, and it was likely to be pathogenic. Thus, the mutations so far encountered in the FAA gene are essentially all different. Since screening based on the analysis of single exons by genomic DNA amplification apparently detects only a minority of the mutations, methods designed to detect alterations in the genomic structure of the gene or in the FAA polypeptide may be helpful in the identification of FAA mutations.     

Mutation profile of all 49 exons of the human myosin VIIA gene,and haplotype analysis,in Usher 1B families from diverse origins.

Usher syndrome types I (USH1A-USH1E) are a group of autosomal recessive diseases characterized by profound congenital hearing loss, vestibular areflexia, and progressive visual loss due to retinitis pigmentosa. The human myosin VIIA gene, located on 11q14, has been shown to be responsible for Usher syndrome type 1B (USH1B). Haplotypes were constructed in 28 USH1 families by use of the following polymorphic markers spanning the USH1B locus: D11S787, D11S527, D11S1789, D11S906, D11S4186, and OMP. Affected individuals and members of their families from 12 different ethnic origins were screened for the presence of mutations in all 49 exons of the myosin VIIA gene. In 15 families myosin VIIA mutations were detected, verifying their classification as USH1B. All these mutations are novel, including three missense mutations, one premature stop codon, two splicing mutations, one frameshift, and one deletion of >2 kb comprising exons 47 and 48, a part of exon 49, and the introns between them. Three mutations were shared by more than one family, consistent with haplotype similarities. Altogether, 16 USH1B haplotypes were observed in the 15 families; most haplotypes were population specific. Several exonic and intronic polymorphisms were also detected. None of the 20 known USH1B mutations reported so far in other world populations were identified in our families.     

New mutations identified in the ocular albinism type 1 gene

As the most common form of ocular albinism, ocular albinism type I (OA1) is an X-linked disorder that has an estimated prevalence of about 1:50,000. We searched for mutations through the human genome sequence draft by direct sequencing on eighteen patients with OA1, both within the coding region and in a thousand base pairs upstream of its start site. Here, we have identified eight new mutations located in the coding region of the gene. Two independent mutations, both located in the most carboxyterminal protein regions, were further characterized by immunofluorescence confocal microscopy, thus showing an impairment in their subcellular distribution into the lysosomal compartment of Cos-7A cells. The mutations found can result in protein misfolding, thus underlining the importance of the structure-function relationships of the protein as a major pathogenic mechanism in ocular albinism. Seven individuals out of eighteen (38.9%) with a clinical diagnosis of ocular albinism showed mutations, thus underlining the discrepancies between the clinical phenotype features and their genotype correlations. We postulate that mutations that have not yet been identified are potentially located in non-coding conserved regions or regulatory sequences of the OA1 gene.     

Novel mutations in the duplicated region of the polycystic kidney disease 1 (PKD1) gene provides supporting evidence for gene conversion

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is one of the most common human single-gene disorders, and is the most common inherited form of cystic kidney disease. It is estimated that approximately 85% of ADPKD is due to mutations in the PKD1 gene, which is located on chromosome 16p13.3. Mutation analysis in this gene is difficult, because more than two-thirds of reiterated several times at 16p13.1. In this study, mutation screening in 90 ADPKD patients was carried out on exons in the duplicated region of the PKD1 gene (23-34), using genomic long-range PCR followed by nested PCR and single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP), and finally cycle sequencing. Two nonconservative missense mutations were detected in exons 25 and 31, and two conservative mutations were found in exons 24 and 29. A novel splicing mutation, which is expected to cause skipping of exon 30, was detected in one case. Moreover, six intronic variants, three silent variants, and one polymorphic variant were detected in this study. Comparison between some of these changes and published sequences from the homologous genes on 16p13.1, revealed supporting evidence for the gene conversion theory as a mechanism responsible for some of the mutations in the PKD1 gene. Factors likely to facilitate gene conversion in this region of the PKD1 gene are discussed.     

Oculocutaneous Albinism Type 1: The Last 100 Years

Research on human albinism has been central to many of the major discoveries in human genetics. These include the first evidence that Mendel's rules of genetic segregation apply to humans, first published in 1903. Contrary to initial thought that albinism is caused by mutations in a single gene, we now know that the genetics of albinism are complex. The complexity of albinism was hinted at, in early publications, but has only recently been fully appreciated with the advent of molecular techniques. Currently, 12 different genes have been identified, that when mutated, result in a different type of albinism. Oculocutaneous albinism type 1 (OCA1), resulting from mutations of the tyrosinase gene, is genetically and biochemically the best understood type of albinism. Though much of the research in albinism has involved OCA1, there are many unanswered questions about OCA1 and albinism, in general. The next 100 yr should still provide many surprises as did the first 100 yr.