Analysis of public single nucleotide polymorphisms in commercial pig populations

More than 5500 pig single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were recently identified and deposited in the public domain. To test the usefulness of these public SNPs, 109 SNPs were analysed for polymorphism within six commercial pig populations. A functional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay was obtained for 103 SNPs and it was possible to validate c. 59% by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Furthermore, polymorphism was found using a relatively limited number of genomic DNA samples, indicating that these polymorphisms are segregating at a useful frequency in these populations. The high percentage of validated markers demonstrates the utility of these public pig SNPs to identify loci responsible for economically important traits in commercial pig populations.     

A suite of molecular markers for identifying species, detecting introgression and describing population structure in spadefoot toads (Spea spp.)

Two congeneric species of spadefoot toad, Spea multiplicata and Spea bombifrons, have been the focus of hybridization studies since the 1970s. Because complex hybrids are not readily distinguished phenotypically, genetic markers are needed to identify introgressed individuals. We therefore developed a set of molecular markers (amplified fragment length polymorphism, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and single nucleotide polymorphism) for identifying pure-species, F1 hybrids and more complex introgressed types. To do so, we tested a series of markers across both species and known hybrids using populations in both allopatry and sympatry. We retained those markers that differentiated the two pure-species and also consistently identified known species hybrids. These markers are well suited for identifying hybrids between these species. Moreover, those markers that show variation within each species can be used in conjunction with existing molecular markers in studies of population structure and gene flow.     

Genetic variation of the bovine thyroglobulin gene studied at the DNA level

The bovine thyroglobulin gene has been analysed for variation using restriction endonucleases. Six independent restriction fragment length polymorphisms have been identified. One of these results most probably from a 2.5-kb deletion, the others being compatible with point mutations. We determined that an individual taken at random within the Belgian White and Blue breed is, on average, heterozygous for one out of 1700 nucleotides within the thyroglobulin gene.     

Functional polymorphisms of caveolin-1 variants as potential biomarkers of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the association of caveolin-1 (CAV1) genetic variants (C239A (rs1997623), G14713A (rs3807987), G21985A (rs12672038), T29107A (rs7804372)) with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) susceptibility.

Methods: A total of 427 patients with ESCC and 427 healthy controls were genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method.

Results: There were significant differences between patients and controls in distributions of their genotypes and allelic frequencies in G14713A and T29107A polymorphisms. Furthermore, haplotype analysis revealed that haplotypes CAAT and CAGT were associated with high risk for ESCC, while haplotype CGGA was protective against ESCC. Stratified analysis showed the associations between the SNPs (G14713A and T29107A) and ESCC risk were noteworthy among female patients and patients who never smoke or drank alcohol.

Conclusions: Genetic polymorphisms of CAV1 G14713A and T29107A might affect an individual’s susceptibility in developing ESCC, making them efficient potential genetic biomarkers for early detection of ESCC.     

DNA fingerprints from blood mixes in chickens and in Turkeys

Abstract

Although DNA fingerprints are useful in individual identification and genetic linkage studies, expensive and time‐consuming laboratory procedures limit their practical application. By mixing blood from individuals within a population, a DNA fingerprint pattern representing the population can be obtained. The pattern was identical to that in which DNA from individuals was mixed, and was not improved by adjusting blood volumes according to hemoglobin levels.     

广东地区嗜肺军团菌的扩增片段长度多态性分析

【目的】了解广东部分地区2002～2007年环境水中嗜肺军团菌的基因型及遗传学关系。【方法】参考欧洲军团菌感染工作组(the European Working Group for Legionella Infections,EWGLI)制定的分型草案(1.2版),采用PstⅠ酶对我室保存的2株标准菌株及41株不同时间、不同地点的嗜肺军团菌环境分离株进行扩增片段长度多态性(amplified fragment length polymorphism,AFLP)分析,电泳图谱与EWGLI进行比对。【结果】AFLP分型结果稳定,重复性好;43株嗜肺军团菌,其不同来源菌株呈现多态性分布,经AFLP分析得到33个基因型,辨别力指数为99.79%,其中Kingmed AFLP 011为优势基因型。按Dice系数≥0.8,可分为18个群,Kingmed AFLPD群为优势群,占总菌株数的34.88%。由电泳图谱的相似性,初步推断存在EWGLI 001 Lugano型、002 Lugano、012 Rome、013 London、014 London型、015 Dresden型、021 Lyon等7个基因型,以及多个未报道的新基因型。【结论】广东地区嗜肺军团菌的基因型十分丰富,AFLP技术是其分子流行病学研究的有效手段。     

Comparison of 23S polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and amplified fragment length polymorphism techniques as typing systems for thermophilic campylobacters

In this study, we evaluated the combination of polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) molecular typing techniques for the analysis of thermophilic campylobacter species isolated from clinical and poultry samples. 23S PCR-RFLP analysis performed to fingerprint 69 strains exhibited an excellent level of typability. Eleven different types were defined at 100% linkage level following numerical analysis of band patterns. Differentiation of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli at species level was achieved although no significant relationship could be observed between the profiles and the origin of the strains. Simplified AFLP analysis of the isolates disclosed the presence of 66 different banding patterns. The resulting dendrogram showed a high diversity among the strains studied. All the isolates were grouped within eight main types with a 69% homology degree among them. Differentiation at subspecies level was possible but no significant relationship could be observed between the AFLP profiles and the origin of the strains. When used in combination, 23S PCR-RFLP and single-enzyme AFLP methods can be applied to determine taxonomic and epidemiological relationships among thermophilic campylobacters.     

单核苷酸多态性基因分型技术原理与进展

在基因组规模了解遗传变异与生物功能之间的关系可望为生物学带来全新的深入认识。本从等位基因分型机理、反应形式和检测方法等三个方面讨论SNP分型方法的现状,并简要介绍了目前应用的一些分型方法。     

高通量飞行时间质谱基因分型方法的研究

为了考察飞行时间质谱基因分型方法 (MALDI-TOF) 的位点分型成功率和分型结果质量的关系,分析了 96 个 SNPs 位点的近 10 000 个基因分型数据 (用 MALDI-TOF “4 重”实验方法检测 ). 结果显示,位点分型成功率和分型结果的质量显著正相关 . 分型成功率低于 82% 的 SNP 位点,其高质量结果占的比例开始逐渐降低 . 提示 82% 的分型成功率可以作为衡量分型结果质量的数据点 . 为了进一步提高通量并降低成本,在 MALDI-TOF “ 4 重”实验方法的基础上,发展了两种“准 8 重”实验方法 . 用新的实验方法检测了 95 个样本的 32 个 SNPs 位点 . 结果显示“混合准 8 重”实验方法与“ 4 重”实验方法相比无显著差异,而“复点准 8 重”的结果差于“ 4 重”分型方法 .     

Ecological Genetics of Tetrahymena thermophila: Mating Types, i-Antigens, Multiple Alleles and Epistasis

Until recently, Tetrahymena thermophila has rarely been isolated from nature. With improved sampling procedures, T. thermophila has been found in ponds in many northeastern states. The availability of resident populations makes possible both population and ecological genetic studies. All seven known mating types have been recovered; no eighth mating type has been found. Crosses among whole-genome homozygotes derived from Pennsylvania isolates reveal a spectrum genotypes with mating type alleles resembling traditional A (IV- and VII-) and B(I-) categories. The genotypes differ significantly with respect to mating type frequency, both among themselves and from previously described genotypes. One A-category genotype appears to lack mating type II, while one A-category and all B-category genotypes have low frequencies of mating type III, thus accounting for the low frequency of III in the pond. The low frequency of III in all five B-category genotypes examined suggests that the founding allele in this region was low for III. These and other differences are discussed both in terms of mating type frequencies in the pond and in terms of the possible molecular structure of mat alleles. By contrast, numerous variants of the cell surface immobilization antigen are found in addition to the previously described i-antigens. Variants of the known SerH alleles include those with restriction fragment length polymorphisms and temperature sensitivity as well as alleles with new antigenic specificity. Multiple alleles are present in single ponds. Genes exhibiting serially dominant epistasis over SerH genes also are found. In two instances (K and C), families of antigenically similar polypeptides are expressed in place of H i-antigen. Molecular weight differences suggest that these paralogous i-antigen genes evolve by gene duplication and unequal crossing over within central repeats. The existence of complex patterns of epistasis together with seasonal changes in i-ag frequencies suggest that i-ag play an important, but as yet unknown, ecological role related to the occurrence of frequent conjugation.     

Comparing the frequencies of restriction fragment length polymorphisms for dystrophin gene in Chinese with those from Japanese and Caucasian populations

The restriction fragment length polymorphisms distribution and frequency of dystrophin gene in Chinese were studied by using 14 subclones of the entire 14kb cDNA for the dystrophin as hybridization probes. Allelic fragments were detected in hybridization patterns of PvuⅡ/la, Taq Ⅰ/2b-3, Taq Ⅰ/5b-7, and Xba Ⅰ/10. Among them, the allelic fragments (26kb and 3.8kb) in PvuⅡ/2b-3 pattern and the allelic fragments (10.0kb and 8.4kb) in Taq Ⅰ/5b-7 patterns had never been reported previously. Compared with the data from Caucasians and Japanese, it indicated that there was a significant difference (P<0.01) of the allelic fragment frequency in Taq Ⅰ/2b-3 and Xba Ⅰ/10 patterns between Chinese and Caucasians. The frequencies of allelic fragments A2 (5.6kb) in Taq Ⅰ/8 and A2 (10.Tkb) in EcoR Ⅴ/9 were high in Caucasians, yet had not been detected in Chinese, the differences were also highly significant. But in Chinese and Caucasians, the B1B2 allelic frequencies in Taq Ⅰ/5b-7 are the same. As to the frequency of the allelic fragments A1A2 and B1B2 in Pvu Ⅱ/la, there was no significant difference between Chinese and Japanese.     

Genetic variability between two breeds based on restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) of major histocompatibility complex class I genes in the pig

Summary Restriction fragment length polymorphism analyses of SLA class I genes were performed on 55 Duroc and 24 Hampshire boars from the 1986–87 national performance tests of each breed. Few boars were inbred. Southern blotting and hybridization procedures were performed on genomic DNA isolated from white blood cells by using Pvu II, Bam HI, and Eco RI endonucleases and a swine MHC class I probe. Genetic variability within and between the two breeds was estimated in terms of nucleotide diversity, by using a mathematical analysis based on the different RFLP patterns. The nucleotide diversity calculated within each breed was less than that between the two breeds. The results from the nucleotide diversity analysis suggested that genetic variability was greater in the Duroc breed than in the Hampshire breed. A relatively high level of genetic variability was shown in the class I major histocompatibility complex genes in the pig.     

High throughput genotyping technologies.

A comprehensive genetic map containing several hundred microsatellite markers resulted from a large microsatellite mapping project. This was the first real study that introduced high throughput methods to the genetic community. This map and the concurrent technological advances, which will briefly be reviewed, led to further numerous mapping investigations of simple and complex diseases. The annotated draft sequence of approximately three billion base pairs (bp) of the human genome has been completed much sooner than many imagined, due to considerable technological advancements and the international enterprise that resulted. This was a major development for the genetics community, but is only the precursor to the next phase of studying and understanding the variation within the human genome. The awareness of the differences may help us understand the effects on the genetics of the variation between individuals and disease. It is these variations at the nucleotide level that determine the physiological differences, or phenotypes of each individual, including all biological functions at the cellular and body level. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) will provide the next high density map, and be the genetic tool to study these genetic variations. There are many sources of SNPs and exhaustive numbers of methods of SNP detection to be considered. The focus in this paper will be on the merits of selected, varied SNP typing methodologies that are emerging to genotype many individuals with the required huge number of SNPs to make the study of complex diseases and pharmacogenomics a practical and economically viable option.     

Variability in nuclear DNA among nonhuman primates: Application of molecular genetic techniques to intra- and inter-species genetic analyses

Nuclear DNA clones and sequence information derived from human genetic analyses were used to detect and characterize intra- and inter-species DNA variation at several nuclear loci in hominoids and cercopithecoids. Restriction fragment length polymorphisms were found at five loci among captive rhesus monkeys. Cross-species polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification detected an insertion within the beta-globin gene cluster in hylobatids. The combined use of cross-species PCR and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis detected both species differences and intra-species polymorphism in the homeobox cluster 2 of hominoids. These results a) demonstrate that DNA clones and nucleotide sequence information from human molecular genetics can be used to facilitate studies of the molecular genetics of nonhuman primates, and b) document specific examples of intra- and inter-species molecular variability at several loci. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.