Cloning, genomic structure, and expression profiles of TULIP1 (GARNL1), a brain-expressed candidate gene for 14q13-linked neurological phenotypes, and its murine homologue

Previously, we have described the clinical and molecular characterization of a de novo 14q13.1-q21.1 microdeletion, less than 3.5 Mb in size, in a patient with severe microcephaly, psychomotor retardation, and other clinical anomalies. Here we report the characterization of the genomic structure of the human tuberin-like protein gene 1 (TULIP1; approved gene symbol GARNL1), a CpGisland-associated, brain-expressed candidate gene for the neurological findings in our patient, and its murine homologue. The human TULIP1 gene was mapped to chromosome band 14q13.2 by fluorescence in situ hybridization of BAC clone RP11-355C3 (GenBank Accession No. AL160231), containing the 3' region of the gene. TULIP1 spans about 271 kb of human genomic DNA and is divided into 41 exons. An untranscribed, processed pseudogene of TULIP1 was found on human chromosome band 9q31.1. The active locus TULIP1, encoding a predicted protein of 2036 amino acids, is expressed ubiquitously in pre- and postnatal human tissues. The murine homologue Tulip1 spans about 220 kb of mouse genomic DNA and is also divided into 41 exons, encoding a predicted protein of 2035 amino acids. No pseudogene could be found in the available mouse sequence data. Several splicing variants were found. Considering the location, expression profile, and predicted function, TULIP1 is a strong candidate for several neurological features seen in 14q deletion patients. Additionally we searched for mutations in the coding region of TULIP1 in subjects from a family with idiopathic basal ganglia calcification (IBGC; Fahr disease), previously linked to chromosome 14q. We identified two novel SNPs in the intron-exon boundaries; however, they did not segregate only with affected subjects in the predicted model of an autosomal dominant disease such as IBGC.     

Mapping and characterization of the mouse and human SS18 genes, two human SS18-like genes and a mouse Ss18 pseudogene.

We have previously isolated and characterized a mouse cDNA orthologous to the human synovial sarcoma associated SS18 (formerly named SSXT and SYT) cDNA. Here, we report the characterization of the genomic structure of the mouse Ss18 gene. Through in silico methods with sequence information contained in the public databases, we did the same for the human SS18 gene and two human SS18 homologous genes, SS18L1 and SS18L2. In addition, we identified a mouse Ss18 processed pseudogene and mapped it to chromosome 1, band A2-3. The mouse Ss18 gene, which is subject to extensive alternative splicing, is made up of 11 exons, spread out over approximately 45 kb of genomic sequence. The human SS18 gene is also composed of 11 exons with similar intron-exon boundaries, spreading out over about 70 kb of genomic sequence. One alternatively spliced exon, which is not included in the published SS18 cDNA, corresponds to a stretch of sequence which we previously identified in the mouse Ss18 cDNA. The human SS18L1 gene, which is also made up of 11 exons with similar intron-exon boundaries, was mapped to chromosome 20 band q13.3. The smaller SS18L2 gene, which is composed of three exons with similar boundaries as the first three exons of the other three genes, was mapped to chromosome 3 band p21. Through sequence and mutation analyses this gene could be excluded as a candidate gene for 3p21-associated renal cell cancer. In addition, we created a detailed BAC map around the human SS18 gene, placing it unequivocally between the CA-repeat marker AFMc014wf9 and the dihydrofolate reductase pseudogene DHFRP1. The next gene in this map, located distal to SS18, was found to be the TBP associated factor TAFII-105 (TAF2C2). Further analogies between the mouse Ss18 gene, the human SS18 gene and its two homologous genes were found in the putative promoter fragments. All four promoters resemble the promoters of housekeeping genes in that they are TATA-less and embedded in canonical CpG islands, thus explaining the high and widespread expression of the SS18 genes.     

Candidate gene analysis of KIAA0678 encoding a DnaJ-like protein for adolescent nephronophthisis and Senior-Løken syndrome type 3

Nephronophthisis (NPH), an autosomal recessive cystic kidney disease, causes progressive renal failure. The gene for adolescent nephronophthisis (NPHP3) has been mapped to chromosome 3q21-->q22. Senior-L?ken syndrome (SLS) describes the association of NPH and Leber congenital amaurosis. Recently a locus for Senior-L?ken syndrome (SLSN3) has been localized on chromosome 3q21-->q22 containing the whole critical NPHP3 region. Within the critical NPHP3/SLSN3 region we identified the gene KIAA0678 encoding a DnaJ-like protein. KIAA0678 was considered a good functional candidate gene for NPH3 and SLS3, because molecular cha- perones are involved in the etiology of renal and retinal diseases. Analysis of the genomic structure of KIAA0678 identified 25 exons. For mutational analysis all exons and intron-exon boundaries were amplified and directly sequenced. Affected individuals of two NPH3 families and one SLS family with haplotypes indicative for homozygosity by descent for the NPHP3/SLSN3 locus were studied. No mutation in KIAA0678 was detected. We conclude, KIAA0678 most likely is not responsible for NPH and SLS in the patients studied.     

Genomic structure of murine mitochondrial DNA polymerase-gamma

We have sequenced a genomic clone of the gene encoding the mouse mitochondrial DNA polymerase. The gene consists of 23 exons, which span approximately 13.2 kb, with exons ranging in size from 53 to 768 bp. All intron-exon boundaries conform to the GT-AG rule. By comparison with the human genomic sequence, we found remarkable conservation of the gene structure; the intron-exon borders are in almost identical locations for the 22 introns. The 5' upstream region contains approximately 300 bp of homology between the mouse and human sequences that presumably contain the promoter element. This region lacks any obvious TATA domain and is relatively GC rich, consistent with the housekeeping function of the mitochondrial DNA polymerase. Finally, within the 5' flanking region, both mouse and human genes have a region of 73 bp with high homology to the tRNA-Arg gene.     

Construction of a high-resolution physical map of the chromosome 10q22-q23 dilated cardiomyopathy locus and analysis of candidate genes

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality and a leading cause of cardiac transplantation worldwide. Multiple loci and three genes encoding cardiac actin, desmin, and lamin A/C have been described for autosomal dominant DCM. Using recombination analysis, we have narrowed the 10q21-q23 locus to a region of approximately 4.1 cM. In addition, we have constructed a BAC contig, composed of 199 clones, which was used to develop a high-resolution physical map that contains the DCM critical region (approximately 3.9 Mb long). Seven genes, including ANX11, PPIF, DLG5, RPC155, RPS24, SFTPA1, and KCNMA1, have been mapped to the region of interest. RPC155, RPS24, SFTPA1, and KCNMA1 were excluded from further analysis based on their known functions and tissue-specific expression patterns. Mutational analysis of ANX11, DLG5, and PPIF revealed no disease-associated mutations. Multiple ESTs have also been mapped to the critical region.     

Structure of the human TNF receptor 1 (p60) gene (TNFR1) and localization to chromosome 12p13 [corrected]

Clones encoding the entire coding and 3' untranslated region of the human type I tumor necrosis factor receptor (p60) gene (TNFR1) were isolated by hybridization using probes derived from TNFR-1 cDNA. The gene was characterized by restriction mapping. DNA blot analysis and sequence analysis. The coding region and the 3' untranslated region are distributed over 10 exons. Each of the four repeats, comprising the extracellular ligand binding domain and characterizing a receptor superfamily, is interrupted by an intron. However, the intron-exon structure is not conserved in the nerve growth factor receptor gene, another member of this superfamily. By PCR analysis of human-mouse somatic cell hybrids and in situ hybridization using biotinylated genomic TNFR1 DNA, we localized the gene to human chromosomal band 12p13. This corresponds to the homologous murine gene localized at the distal region of mouse chromosome 6.     

Structure of equine 2'-5'oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS) gene family and FISH mapping of OAS genes to ECA8p15-->p14 and BTA17q24-->q25

Mammalian 2'-5' oligoadenylate (2-5A) synthetases are important mediators of the antiviral activity of interferons. Both human and mouse 2-5A synthetase gene families encode four forms of enzymes: small, medium, large and ubiquitin-like. In this study, the structures of four equine OAS genes were determined using DNA sequences derived from fifteen cDNA and four BAC clones. Composition of the equine OAS gene family is more similar to that of the human OAS family than the mouse Oas family. Two OAS-containing bovine BAC clones were identified in GenBank. Both equine and bovine BAC clones were physically assigned by FISH to horse and cattle chromosomes, ECA8p15-->p14 and BTA17q24--> q25, respectively. The comparative mapping data confirm conservation of synteny between ungulates, humans and rodents.     

Autistic disorder and chromosome 15q11-q13: construction and analysis of a BAC/PAC contig

Autistic disorder (AD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects approximately 2-10/10,000 individuals. Chromosome 15q11-q13 has been implicated in the genetic etiology of AD based on (1) cytogenetic abnormalities; (2) increased recombination frequency in this region in AD versus non-AD families; (3) suggested linkage with markers D15S156, D15S219, and D15S217; and (4) evidence for significant association with polymorphisms in the gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor subunit B3 gene (GABRB3). To isolate the putative 15q11-q13 candidate AD gene, a genomic contig and physical map of the approximately 1.2-Mb region from the GABA receptor gene cluster to the OCA2 locus was generated. Twenty-one bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones, 32 P1-derived artificial chromosome (PAC) clones, and 2 P1 clones have been isolated using the markers D15S540, GABRB3, GABRA5, GABRG3, D15S822, and D15S217, as well as 34 novel markers developed from the end sequences of BAC/PAC clones. In contrast to previous findings, the markers D15S822 and D15S975 have been localized within the GABRG3 gene, which we have shown to be approximately 250 kb in size. NotI and numerous EagI restriction enzyme cut sites were identified in this region. The BAC/PAC genomic contig can be utilized for the study of genomic structure and the identification and characterization of genes and their methylation status in this autism candidate gene region on human chromosome 15q11-q13.     

cDNA and genomic cloning of HRC, a human sarcoplasmic reticulum protein, and localization of the gene to human chromosome 19 and mouse chromosome 7

Histidine-rich calcium binding protein (HRC) is a luminal sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) protein of 165 kDa identified by virtue of its ability to bind 125I-labeled low-density lipoprotein with high affinity after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (Hofmann et al., J. Biol. Chem. 264: 8260-8270, 1989). Its role in SR function is unknown. In this report, the gene encoding human HRC was localized to human chromosome 19 and mouse chromosome 7 by hybridization of a human HRC cDNA fragment to a panel of somatic cell hybrids. Known synteny between a portion of human chromosome 19 and a portion of mouse chromosome 7 and in situ hybridization of a biotin-labeled HRC probe to human chromosomes suggest a localization to a region corresponding to 19q13.3. The locus for myotonic dystrophy resides in the region 19q13.2-13.3. Therefore, we considered HRC, a muscle-specific gene, to possibly represent a "candidate gene" for myotonic muscular dystrophy. As a first step toward localizing HRC in relation to the myotonic dystrophy locus, we report the cloning of the human HRC gene, its intron-exon organization, and characterization of several informative polymorphisms to be used in future linkage studies in families with myotonic dystrophy. Of particular interest is an Alu-associated poly-d(GA) sequence located in an intron in the middle of the gene, and two stretches of acidic amino acids in the coding region of exon 1 that vary in length among different individuals.     

Construction of a physical and transcript map for a 1-Mb genomic region containing the urofacial (Ochoa) syndrome gene on 10q23-q24 and localization of the disease gene within two overlapping BAC clones (<360 kb).

Urofacial (Ochoa) syndrome is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by distorted facial expression and urinary abnormalities. Previously, we mapped the UFS gene to chromosome 10q23-q24 and narrowed the interval to one YAC clone of 1410 kb. Here, we have constructed a BAC/PAC contig of the 1-Mb region using STS content mapping with 42 BAC/PAC-end sequences, 9 previously reported and 16 newly identified microsatellite markers, and 14 EST markers. A total of 26 polymorphic microsatellite markers were genotyped for 31 UFS patients from Colombia and 2 patients from the United States. Haplotype analyses suggest that the UFS gene is located within two overlapping BAC clones, a region of <360 kb of DNA sequence. We tested 42 EST markers previously mapped to the D10S1709-D10S603 interval against the BAC/PAC contig and identified 11 ESTs located in the 1-Mb region. Four of the 11 ESTs mapped to the 360-kb UFS critical region. Shotgun sequencing of the two BAC clones and BLASTN search of the EST databases revealed 3 other ESTs contained in the UFS critical region. These results will facilitate the cloning and identification of the UFS gene.     

Genomic organization,alternative splicing,and expression of human and mouse N-RAP,a nebulin-related LIM protein of striated muscle

Linkage analysis identifies 10q24-26 as a disease locus for dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a region including the N-RAP gene. N-RAP is a nebulin-like LIM protein that may mediate force transmission and myofibril assembly in cardiomyocytes. We describe the sequence, genomic structure, and expression of human N-RAP, as well as an initial screen to determine whether N-RAP mutations cause cardiomyopathy. Human expressed sequence tag databases were searched with the published 3,528-bp mouse N-RAP open reading frame (ORF). Putative cDNA sequences were interrogated by direct sequencing from cardiac and skeletal muscle RNA. We identified two human N-RAP isoforms with ORFs of 5,085 bp (isoform C) and 5,190 bp (isoform S), encoding products of 193-197 kDa. Genomic database searches localize N-RAP to human chromosome 10q25.3 and match isoforms C and S to 41 and 42 exons. Only isoform C is detected in human cardiac RNA; in skeletal muscle, approximately 10% is isoform C and approximately 90% is isoform S. We investigated apparent differences between human N-RAP cDNA and mouse sequences. Two mouse N-RAP isoforms with ORFs of 5,079 and 5,184 bp were identified with approximately 85% similarity to human isoforms; published mouse sequences include cloning artifacts truncating the ORF. Murine and human isoforms have similar gene structure, tissue specificity, and size. N-RAP is especially conserved within its nebulin-like and LIM domains. We expressed both N-RAP isoforms and the previously described truncated N-RAP in embryonic chick cardiomyocytes. All constructs targeted to myofibril precursors and the cell periphery, and inhibited myofibril assembly. Several human N-RAP polymorphisms were detected, but none were unique to cardiomyopathy patients. N-RAP is highly conserved and exclusively expressed in cardiac and skeletal muscle. Genetic abnormalities remain excellent candidate causes for cardiac and skeletal myopathies.     

Juxta-centromeric region of human chromosome 21 is enriched for pseudogenes and gene fragments

A physical map including four pseudogenes and 10 gene fragments and spanning 500 kb in the juxta-centromeric region of the long arm of human chromosome 21 is presented. cDNA fragments isolated from a selected cDNA library were characterized and mapped to the 831B6 YAC and to two BAC contigs that cover 250 kb of the region. An 85 kb genomic sequence located in the proximal region of the map was analyzed for putative exons. Four pseudogenes were found, including psiIGSF3, psiEIF3, psiGCT-rel whose functional copies map to chromosome 1p13, chromosome 2 and chromosome 22q11, respectively. The TTLL1 pseudogene corresponds to a new gene whose functional copy maps to chromosome 22q13. Ten gene fragments represent novel sequences that have related sequences on different human chromosomes and show 97-100% nucleotide identity to chromosome 21. These may correspond to pseudogenes on chromosome 21 and to functional genes in other chromosomes. The 85 kb genomic sequence was analyzed also for GC content, CpG islands, and repetitive sequence distribution. A GC-poor L isochore spanning 40 kb from satellite 1 was observed in the most centromeric region, next to a GC-rich H isochore that is a candidate region for the presence of functional genes. The pericentric duplication of a 7.8 kb region that is derived from the 22q13 chromosome band is described. We showed that the juxta-centromeric region of human chromosome 21 is enriched for retrotransposed pseudogenes and gene fragments transferred by interchromosome duplications, but we do not rule out the possibility that the region harbors functional genes also.     

Isolation and structural organization of the Neurospora crassa copper metallothionein gene.

The Neurospora crassa copper metallothionein gene was cloned and its complete nucleotide sequence is reported. Enriched metallothionein mRNA was used as a template for cDNA synthesis, primed by a metallothionein-specific, synthetic undecanucleotide. The sequence of the cDNA obtained allowed the synthesis of a unique 21-mer which was used to screen a genomic DNA library of N. crassa. In agreement with the published amino acid sequence, the gene codes for a polypeptide 26 amino acid residues in length. The coding region is interrupted by a small intron (94 nucleotides). The gene structure is compared with those of mammalian metallothioneins. In both cases, the coding regions are split by introns, the intron-exon boundaries, however, are in different positions. The neurospora copper metallothionein gene is, to our knowledge, the smallest gene interrupted by an intron isolated so far.