Application of logistic regression to case-control association studies involving two causative loci

Models in which two susceptibility loci jointly influence the risk of developing disease can be explored using logistic regression analysis. Comparison of likelihoods of models incorporating different sets of disease model parameters allows inferences to be drawn regarding the nature of the joint effect of the loci. We have simulated case-control samples generated assuming different two-locus models and then analysed them using logistic regression. We show that this method is practicable and that, for the models we have used, it can be expected to allow useful inferences to be drawn from sample sizes consisting of hundreds of subjects. Interactions between loci can be explored, but interactive effects do not exactly correspond with classical definitions of epistasis. We have particularly examined the issue of the extent to which it is helpful to utilise information from a previously identified locus when investigating a second, unknown locus. We show that for some models conditional analysis can have substantially greater power while for others unconditional analysis can be more powerful. Hence we conclude that in general both conditional and unconditional analyses should be performed when searching for additional loci.     

Regulatory interactions between two actin nucleators, Spire and Cappuccino

Spire and Cappuccino are actin nucleation factors that are required to establish the polarity of Drosophila melanogaster oocytes. Their mutant phenotypes are nearly identical, and the proteins interact biochemically. We find that the interaction between Spire and Cappuccino family proteins is conserved across metazoan phyla and is mediated by binding of the formin homology 2 (FH2) domain from Cappuccino (or its mammalian homologue formin-2) to the kinase noncatalytic C-lobe domain (KIND) from Spire. In vitro, the KIND domain is a monomeric folded domain. Two KIND monomers bind each FH2 dimer with nanomolar affinity and strongly inhibit actin nucleation by the FH2 domain. In contrast, formation of the Spire-Cappuccino complex enhances actin nucleation by Spire. In Drosophila oocytes, Spire localizes to the cortex early in oogenesis and disappears around stage 10b, coincident with the onset of cytoplasmic streaming.     

胎儿血红蛋白的表达调控

胎儿血红蛋白是胎儿体内主要的血红蛋白类型,是由两条α肽链和两条γ肽链组成的四聚体。出生后胎儿血红蛋白在人体中的表达急剧降低至1%,由两条α肽链和两条β肽链组成的成人血红蛋白取而代之成为主要的血红蛋白类型。β地中海贫血和镰刀型细胞贫血发病原因均基于β-珠蛋白基因发生突变,致使β-珠蛋白合成不足或异常,进而引起一系列临床症状。诸多实验结果及临床疗效表明,提高患者体内γ-珠蛋白的表达可部分替代异常β-珠蛋白从而有效缓解患者的临床症状。随着基因治疗的发展,如何安全高效的再激活胎儿血红蛋白的表达成为治疗β型地中海贫血和镰刀型细胞贫血患者的重要科学命题。本文重点回顾近年来γ-珠蛋白表达的调控机制,以期对寻找更加有效激活胎儿血红蛋白的方法提供参考。     

Bacterial evolution through the selective loss of beneficial Genes. Trade-offs in expression involving two loci

The loss of preexisting genes or gene activities during evolution is a major mechanism of ecological specialization. Evolutionary processes that can account for gene loss or inactivation have so far been restricted to one of two mechanisms: direct selection for the loss of gene activities that are disadvantageous under the conditions of selection (i.e., antagonistic pleiotropy) and selection-independent genetic drift of neutral (or nearly neutral) mutations (i.e., mutation accumulation). In this study we demonstrate with an evolved strain of Escherichia coli that a third, distinct mechanism exists by which gene activities can be lost. This selection-dependent mechanism involves the expropriation of one gene's upstream regulatory element by a second gene via a homologous recombination event. Resulting from this genetic exchange is the activation of the second gene and a concomitant inactivation of the first gene. This gene-for-gene expression tradeoff provides a net fitness gain, even if the forfeited activity of the first gene can play a positive role in fitness under the conditions of selection.     

Selection in complex genetic systems IV. Multiple alleles and interactions between two loci

Summary A symmetric viability model for two loci with two alleles at one locus and m alleles at the other is suggested and analyzed. The analysis of the equilibria is complete if the two loci are absolutely linked, while if recombination is allowed the analysis is incomplete. The dynamics of the mode! resemble those of the two locus two allele model, namely that for loose linkage there will be no correlation between the loci and for tight linkage there may be strong correlation. The major caveats to this are: 1. The equilibria stable for tight linkage may belong to an array of different structures dependent on the selection and the number of alleles. 2. If both loci are overdominant in viability, the stable equilibria always contain all alleles segregating in the population; otherwise, the stable equilibria may only be two locus two allele high complementarity equilibria for tight linkage. 3. For intermediate linkage values and special selection values the boundary two locus two allele high complementarity equilibria may be stable simultaneously with the totally polymorphic central point at which there is no association between the loci.Dedicated to the memory of Ove Frydenberg.Research supported in part by a grant from the Danish Natural Science Research Council, a grant from National Science Foundation, U.S.A., and by USPHS grant NIH 10452-09-11.     

Fat body: a site of hemoglobin synthesis in Chironomus thummi (diptera)

Fourth instar larvae of Chironomus thummi were permitted to incorporate labeled amino acids and/or sigma-aminolevulinic acid (sigma-ALA) in vivo and in organ culture. The products secreted into the hemolymph or into the culture medium were examined by acrylamide gel electrophoresis. Nine electrophoretic bands can be resolved as hemoglobins without staining. When gels are sliced for scintillation counting, incorporated amino acids and sigma-ALA are shown to be associated primarily with the same nine hemoglobin bands, suggesting that hemoglobins are assembled and secreted. Staining of gels with Coomassie brilliant blue reveals that there are several bands in addition to the visible hemoglobins. These bands incorporate amino acids, but not sigma-ALA, suggesting that they are non-heme proteins. The results of culturing isolated salivary glands, gut, and fat body demonstrate that the fat body is the major site of hemoglobin synthesis and secretion. Labeled products of the gut represent about 5% of the total hemoglobins produced by the tissues, while no hemoglobins are produced by the salivary glands. Although nine hemoglobins are visibly resolved on gels, labeling techniques reveal as many as 14 hemoglobins. This is the first demonstration of hemoglobin synthesis by specific tissues in culture in an invertebrate.     

Subunit interactions of Glycera dibranchiata hemoglobin.

The coelomic cells of the polychaete annelid Glycera dibranchiata contain two hemoglobins. The monomer hemoglobin fraction is composed of one major component and two minor components as determined by starch gel electrophoresis and isoelectrofocusing, but is homogeneous as to subunit size as demonstrated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The polymer hemoglobin fraction has and initial molecular weight of Mn = 125,000 as determined by osmometry, but exhibits an increased state of aggregation upon storage. The quaternary structure of the polymer is constituted of monomeric subunits in a non-covalent state of aggregation as demonstrated by its subunit dissociation inthe presence of propyl urea. The oxygen affinity of the polymer is lower than the monomer but increases with deaggregation. The Bohr effect is present only in the polymer. Cooperativity is also characteristic of the polymer and is pH-dependent. Interestingly, cooperativity increases with intermediate states of polymer deaggregation. By far, the main organic phosphate component of the coelomic red cells is ATP accompanied by small amounts of ADP and GTP. No modulating effect of ATP on the oxygen equilibrium of either polymer or total hemolysate was found.     

Linkage of albino and hemoglobin beta-chain loci in the rabbit

Genetic linkage between the albino (c) and hemoglobin beta-chain (Hb beta) genes in rabbits was demonstrated by means of segregation data from one full-sib family. The map distance was estimated at 9 +/- 6 cM, which is similar to the 8 cM previously estimated between the same pair of loci in both mice and rats. The interspecies conservation of the chromosome segment comprising c and Hb beta thus extends outside the rodent family. Indications that it also may be conserved in man are discussed.