Glyoxalase 1 (GLO) in the chicken: Genetic variation and lack of linkage to the MHC

Electrophoretic variation of glyoxalase 1 (GLO) has been detected in chicken red-cell lysates. Three phenotypes are shown to be inherited through a diallelic system, just as in humans and mice. The chicken GLO phenotypes differ from their mammalian counterparts in that one of the homozygotes is devoid of GLO activity. The heterozygote produces two bands, while the other homozygote yields a single band of GLO activity with mobility equal to the faster of these two bands. In noninbred White Leghorn birds, the GLO ^*2 allele occurred significantly more often in birds homozygous for the B ^*1 allele at the chicken MHC than in those homozygous for B ^*19, suggesting that the products of these loci may have population associations in the chicken. Absence of close linkage between the GLO and B loci was, however, demonstrated by appropriate test crosses.     

GLO polymorphism in two Polish population samples

Summary The red cell GLO phenotypes were determined in two Polish population samples. A total of 1310 people from the region of Lublin (Southeastern Poland, n=797) and Wrocaw (Southwestern Poland, n=513) were investigated. The gene frequencies were calculated for GLO¹ (=0.4427) and GLO² (=0.5573). The evaluation of 372 mother-child pairs showed no deviation from a hereditary hypothesis.     

Rapid detection of glyoxalase I (GLO) on cellulose acetate gel and the distribution of GLO variants in a Dutch population

Summary A rapid electrophoretic procedure is described for detecting the human red cell glyoxalase I variants (GLO 1, GLO 2-1, and GLO 2) on cellulose acetate gel (cellogel) on which the sites of enzymed activity are visualized as purple bands against white background. The frequency of GLO ¹ gene in a Dutch population living in and around Leiden was found to be 0.4544.     

Gene diversity in Indian populations

Summary The phenotypes of glyoxalase I (GLO) were determined in a random population from Hessen (Germany) by high-voltage agarose gel electrophoresis. The gene frequencies in 1150 unrelated individuals were 0.4391 for GLO¹ and 0.5609 for GLO². Rare phenotypes were not observed. The segregation of phenotypes in 50 families and 32 mother-child combinations supports the assumed autosomal codominant inheritance. The possibility of a simultaneous typing for GLO, esterase D (EsD), and carbonic anhydrase₂ (CA₂) on one gel is discussed.     

Glyoxalase I polymorphism in South African Bantu-speaking Negroids

Summary The newly described genetic polymorphism of glyoxalase I (GLO) is studied in seven ethnically defined Negroid samples from South Africa (total: n=843). The allele frequencies between the different Negroid samples studied vary only marginally. However, the allele frequency of GLO¹ for the South African Negroid samples combined (i.e., p=0.259), is highly significantly lower than that for Caucasoid samples.Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), Bonn-Bad GodesbergSupported by a research fellowship (1975/76) awarded by the Alexander-von-Humboldt-Stiftung, Bonn-Bad Godesberg     

Distribution of glyoxalase I (GLO) variants in Western Europe and the Indian subcontinent

Summary English, Italian (including Sardinian), and Spanish populations from Europe and Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Punjabi, and other populations from the Indian subcontinent currently living either in Birmingham or in India were screened for electrophoretically detectable genetic variants of red cell glyoxalase I (GLO), and their frequencies were reported. All the western European populations investigated, including those reported, exhibited an incidence of close to 44% for the GLO ¹ gene. The frequency distribution of the GLO ¹ gene in various populations from the Indian subcontinent, in contrast, was found to range between 0.15 and 0.33. These observations suggest that the European populations in general are genetically more homogeneous than are the populations of the Indian subcontinent.     

Localization of the human GLO gene locus

Summary Data on the linkage relation between the GLO locus and the HLA, Bf, and PGM ₃ loci are presented. The family material includes 49 GLO/HLA-B (and/or Bf) segregating matings with 134 children informative on 199 parental meioses. Of phase-known meioses, 3 are recombinants and 75 nonrecombinants; linkage is therefore proven. From the total material a distance of 2.5 cM between GLO and HLA-B/Bf is calculated; and from the segregation in some informative family groups it is shown that GLO is situated between PGM ₃ and HLA-B/Bf.     

NTGLO: a tobacco homologue of the GLOBOSA floral homeotic gene of Antirrhinum majus: cDNA sequence and expression pattern

We report the cloning and DNA sequence of a cDNA from Nicotiana tabacum, NTGLO, as well as the pattern of expression of the NTGLO gene in wild-type tobacco plants. The NTGLO cDNA encodes a protein of 209 amino acids, which shows 73% identity with the GLO protein encoded by the GLO gene of Antirrhinum majus, a homeotic gene involved in the genetic control of flower development. Northern blot analysis shows that the NTGLO gene is expressed mainly in floral organs and, within the flower, expression is restricted to petals and stamens. The NTGLO gene most probably represents a true homologue of the GLO gene because: i) the MADS boxes, of the two genes are highly homologous (56 out of 58 amino acids are identical): ii) at the carboxyterminal a block of 19 amino acids is perfectly conserved between the NTGLO and GLO proteins and iii) their expression patterns in floral organs are identical.     

Evidence for a ‘silent allele’ GLO 0 at the glyoxalase I locus

Summary In a three-generation family, the segregation of an apparent silent allele at the GLO I locus in association with the rare HLA haplotype AW30-CW4-BW35 was observed in four members. In two cases the assumption of homozygosity at the GLO locus would lead to mother-child exclusions. Phenotypically, the GLO activity in the GLO ⁰ carriers is clearly diminished.With rechnical assistance of Mrs. C. Walter and Mrs. M. MuellerSupported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (Ri 164/12)     

Erythrocyte glyoxalase I polymorphism in the owl monkey,Aotus

Three erythrocyte glyoxalase I phenotypes were observed in a sample of 235 karyotypically defined New World owl monkeys, Aotus. The selective distribution of glyoxalase I allele (GLO¹, GLO²) is related to the karyotype of each animal. Owl monkeys with a karyotype VI had an equal distribution of GLO¹ and GLO² genes in the population. Aotus with karyotype II, III, IV, or V had, exclusively, the GLO² allele (expressed as the fast electrophoretic phenotype), in contrast with monkeys with karyotype I or VII, which had only the GLO¹ allele (expressed as the slow electrophoretic phenotype).     

A new variant glyoxalase I allele that is readily detectable in stimulated lymphocytes and lymphoblastoid cell lines but not in circulating lymphocytes or erythrocytes

We describe an allele of the human glyoxalase GLO locus that encodes an enzymatically inactive form of the protein, which would not have been detected if only circulating erythrocytes and lymphocytes had been studied. The new allele is named GLO*3 and its protein product, GLO 3. Circulating blood cells of GLO*2/GLO*3 heterozygotes have just one electrophoretic band that migrates as the normal 2-2 dimer. Lymphoblastoid cell lines and phytohemagglutinin-stimulated lymphocytes from the same individuals have two electrophoretic bands, one with the mobility of the 2-2 dimer and one with the mobility of the 2-1 dimer that is present in GLO*2/GLO*1 heterozygotes, but a band with the mobility of the 1-1 dimer is not present. Therefore, the GLO*3 allele encodes a monomer that has the electrophoretic mobility of GLO 1 but is enzymatically inactive unless it is combined with normal monomers in 2-3 and 1-3 heterodimers. The failure to detect the GLO 3 protein in red cells and unstimulated lymphocytes is attributed to a relatively great instability or small rate of production in those cells. Consistent with this interpretation is the reduction of GLO activity in red cells of GLO*2/GLO*3 and GLO*1/GLO*3 heterozygotes to 65% or less of that in normal homozygotes and heterozygotes, while the activity of GLO*3 heterozygous lymphoblastoid cells is about 80% of normal. In contrast, the GLO activity of lymphoblastoid cells that had one copy of the GLO locus deleted by γ-irradiation was 50%–60% of normal. Our observations indicate that certain kinds of mutant alleles of the GLO locus, and perhaps other loci, may not be detected in electrophoretic surveys on circulating blood cells only. The segregation of alleles that are not expressed in circulating red and white blood cells could confuse attempts to determine parentage, as they might have in the family described here. The observations also demonstrate the feasibility of mapping human genes by using ionizing radiation to create partial chromosome deletions in cultured cells.     

NTGLO: a tobacco homologue of the GLOBOSA floral homeotic gene of Antirrhinum majus: cDNA sequence and expression pattern

We report the cloning and DNA sequence of a cDNA from Nicotiana tabacum, NTGLO, as well as the pattern of expression of the NTGLO gene in wild-type tobacco plants. The NTGLO cDNA encodes a protein of 209 amino acids, which shows 73% identity with the GLO protein encoded by the GLO gene of Antirrhinum majus, a homeotic gene involved in the genetic control of flower development. Northern blot analysis shows that the NTGLO gene is expressed mainly in floral organs and, within the flower, expression is restricted to petals and stamens. The NTGLO gene most probably represents a true homologue of the GLO gene because: i) the MADS boxes, of the two genes are highly homologous (56 out of 58 amino acids are identical): ii) at the carboxyterminal a block of 19 amino acids is perfectly conserved between the NTGLO and GLO proteins and iii) their expression patterns in floral organs are identical.     

Morphological alterations by ectopic expression of the rice OsMADS4 gene in tobacco plants

OsMADS4, a rice MADS-box gene, is a member of the GLO/PI family that specifies the identity of petals and stamens in combination with other MADS-box genes. We report here the ectopic expression of OsMADS4 fused to the CaMV 35S promoter in tobacco plants. Transgenic plants carrying the CaMV 35S promoter::OsMADS4 construct generated mutant flowers with a mosaic carpel, in which the tissue around the nectary was elongated and the styles reduced. The fruits were distorted, but viable seeds did develop. These phenotypes mimicked those of transgenic tobacco plants that ectopically express Antirrhinum GLO. However, unlike GLO, OsMADS4 did not cause any homeotic change in the first whorl of the transgenic flowers. These results suggest that the functional role of OsMADS4 in the outer whorls has diverged from that of its dicot counterparts.     

Polymorphism of BF,C2, and GLO in Japanese patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus: Confirmation of an increase of BF *FT

Summary The distribution of phenotypes controlled by three HLA-linked loci BF, C2, and GLO has been studied in Japanese patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). A slight but significant higher incidence of a rare varian BF ^*FT (=^* F075) in patients was confirmed in the combined data with our previous study (Tokunaga et al. 1981 b). No significant association of C2 and GLO alleles with IDDM was found.     

Population genetics of red cell glyoxalase I (E.C.: 4.4.1.5)

Summary The polymorphism of Glyoxalase I was investigated in a population sample from Southwestern Germany. The frequency of the GLO² allele was determined to be 0.427.

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Zusammenfassung Der Polymorphismus der Glyoxalase I wurde an einer Bevölkerungsstichprobe aus Südwestdeutschland untersucht. Die Genhäufigkeit für GLO¹ beträgt 0,427.

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Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft.     

Genetic Polymorphism of the Blood Groups and Erythrocytic Enzymes in Three Ethnic Territorial Groups from the North of European Russia

Using the data on five red cell markers (AB0, PGM1, ACP1, GLO1, and ESD) polymorphisms, the population genetic structure of three ethnic territorial groups from the north of European Russia (Continental Nentsy, Kola Saami, and Russian Coast-dwellers) was described. In general, the groups studied a Caucasoid pattern of the frequency distribution of erythrocytic marker alleles. However, a substantial contribution of a Mongoloid component to the Nenets gene pool, expressed as a high frequency of the PGM1*1allele along with a low frequency of the GLO1*1allele, was observed. Three ethnic territorial groups examined were close to one another with respect to the distribution of classical biochemical markers. The interpopulation diversity was low (the mean F _ST= 0.015). The differences observed were for the most part caused by the genetic characteristics of Nentsy. The maximum interpopulation diversity was observed for the GLO1*locus (F _ST= 0.056).     

Inactivation dates of the human and guinea pig vitamin C genes

The capacity to biosynthesize ascorbic acid has been lost in a number of species including primates, guinea pigs, teleost fishes, bats, and birds. This inability results from mutations in the GLO gene coding for L-gulono-γ-lactone oxidase, the enzyme responsible for catalyzing the last step in the vitamin C biosynthetic pathway. We analyzed available primate and rodent GLO gene sequences to determine their evolutionary history. We used a method based on sequence comparisons of lineages with and without functional GLO genes to calculate inactivation dates of 61 and 14 MYA for the primate and guinea pig genes, respectively. These estimates are consistent with previous phylogeny-based estimates. An analysis of transposable element distribution in the primate and rodent GLO sequences did not reveal conclusive evidence that illegitimate recombination between repeats has contributed to the loss of exons in the primate and guinea pig genes.     

No evidence for linkage disequilibrium between Bf and GLO in African Negroids

Summary A sample of South African Negroids (n=791) was scored for each individual's Bf and GLO phenotype. (The genes for the Bf and GLO polymorphisms are included in a known cluster of linked genes on chromosome 6.) Following a ²-test the respective two series of alleles were found to be distributed at random, i.e., there was no evidence for a linkage disequilibrium. This result is discussed in terms of the linkage relationships and map distances of the genetic markers involved.Supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), Bonn-Bad GodesbergSupported by a grant from the Georg and Agnes Blumenthal-Stiftung, BerlinSupported by a research fellowship (1975/76) awarded by the Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung, Bonn-Bad Godesberg     

Expression pattern of two paralogs of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">PI</Emphasis>/<Emphasis Type="Italic">GLO</Emphasis>-like locus during <Emphasis Type="Italic">Orchis italica</Emphasis> (Orchidaceae,Orchidinae) flower development

The class B MADS-box genes belong to two distinct functional groups: the AP3/DEF-like and the PI/GLO-like sub-families. In orchids, AP3/DEF-like genes are present in four copies, each with a different role in floral organ formation, which is described in the “orchid code” model. Interestingly, the orchid PI/GLO-like genes are present in two copies in Orchidinae, whereas they are described as single copy in the other orchid lineages. The two PI/GLO-like paralogs have site-specific different selective constraints; in addition, they show relaxation of purifying selection when compared to the single-copy lineages. In this study, we present a comparative analysis of the expression patterns of the two PI/GLO-like paralogs, OrcPI and OrcPI2, in floral tissues of Orchis italica in different developmental stages using real-time PCR. The two genes show similar expression profiles in the tissue examined, with differences detectable between immature and mature inflorescence. In all cases, OrcPI2 is expressed at a higher level than OrcPI. Real-time PCR results reveal that the co-expression of the two duplicated loci could have a fully or partially redundant function. The possible evolutionary fate of OrcPI and OrcPI2 is discussed as well as their involvement in ovary development.