通过目标区域测序寻找新的自身免疫性甲状腺疾病候选基因及相关位点

自身免疫性甲状腺疾病(autoimmune thyroid disease, AITD)是一种主要由T细胞介导的器官特异性自身免疫性疾病,包括格雷夫斯病(Graves disease, GD)和桥本甲状腺炎(Hashimoto thyroiditis, HT),其发病率与遗传因素紧密相关。本研究旨在确定与AITD相关的易感基因及位点。本研究通过对100例AITD(51例HT和49例GD)患者和50例健康体检者的基因组进行目标区域测序,并对基因多态性与AITD之间的相关性进行了统计学分析,进一步进行连锁分析找到易感基因及相关位点。本研究发现了BACH2基因的5个单核苷酸多态性(single nucleotide polymorphism, SNP)位点(rs12205059、 rs62408219、 rs7742121、 rs7756574、 rs12204886)完全连锁,ARID5B基因10个SNP位点(rs12778514、 rs3740354、 rs3740353、 rs9633555、 rs9633557、 rs9633534、 rs3740352、 rs2393730、 rs...     

中国汉族高原肺水肿易感基因的全基因组关联研究

高原肺水肿(High-altitude pulmonary edema, HAPE)是一种特发于高原低氧环境的肺水肿, 是遗传和环境因素共同作用的结果。为了寻找与中国汉族高原肺水肿相关的单核苷酸多态性(Single nucleotide polymorphism, SNP)位点及易感基因, 文章利用Affymetrix SNP Array 6.0芯片, 对2010年5月至2012年7月在青海省玉树地区执行援建任务时来自平原地区的40例HAPE患者和33例健康对照进行全基因组SNP分型, 通过PLINK软件对芯片结果进行全基因组关联分析(Genome-wide association study, GWAS), 筛选出在病例组和对照组中间有显著差异(P < 10E-7)的SNP位点57个, 通过对57个SNP位点附近74个基因进行GO与Pathway富集分析, 发现这些基因与“前列腺素代谢”、“四烯酸代谢”、“氮代谢”显著相关(adjust P < 0.05), 以上代谢过程与HAPE病理生理机制相关。结果表明, 高原肺水肿受遗传多态性影响, 与多个基因以及位点相关。     

组织中少量细胞的微卫星长度精细分析

微卫星是基因组上的特殊短重复序列,微卫星不稳定的程度与一些肿瘤的分型、治疗和预后相关。目前,微卫星长度变化的检测往往是基于大量细胞,检测灵敏度低。本文整合激光显微切割技术,基于多次退火环状循环扩增（multiple annealing and looping-based amplification cycles, MALBAC）的单细胞全基因组放大技术和毛细管电泳长度测量方法,经过关键技术点的改进,建立了一套针对组织中少量细胞的多微卫星位点检测方法。研究结果表明,基于技术改进,HE染色的组织细胞经激光显微切割分选后,可成功用MALBAC技术进行全基因组放大,并在多微卫星位点的检测上,获得了高度的准确性和重复性。利用所建立的方法,发现肠型胃癌早期病变组织-肠上皮化生（intestinal metaplasia, IM）的单个腺体内部出现多种长度变化的微卫星改变,说明该癌前病变组织中DNA错配修复系统已经出现问题。本方法所获得的全基因组放大产物,也可以用于外显子组测序和全基因组测序。另外,该方法适用于任何组织的少量细胞,甚至单细胞的多微卫星位点检测,以及全基因组的研究,为精细研究少量病变细胞的基因组特征以及组织异质性提供了有效的方法。     

高原肺水肿易感基因多态性的全基因组关联分析

目的：高原肺水肿严重影响高原人群的健康。筛选高原肺水肿易感基因以用于高原肺水肿易感者的评估及防护。方法：利用Affymetrix SNP Array6．0芯片对23例高原肺水肿患者和17个健康对照进行全基因组SNP分型,利用PLINK软件进行了全基因组关联分析,利用Go和Pathway软件进行分析及作图。结果：全基因组关联分析获得39个相对显著的SNPs位点（P〈10^-4）。通过对这些SNP位点附近27个基因的c0和Pathway富集分析,发现这些基因主要参与细胞增殖调控过程、氮代谢过程和G蛋白耦联受体蛋白信号转导通路等。结论：本文发现的多态性位点及相关基因可能与高原肺水肿易感性相关。     

神经调节素1基因与103例精神分裂症患者相关性

目的:探讨神经调节素1(NRG1)基因多态性与精神分裂症的相关性.方法:利用基于适配器连接介导的等位基因特异性扩增法.对精神分裂症易感基因NRG1进行多重SNP分析.选择NRG1基因中的rs2919391,rs2954041,rs2919392,rs7838692,rs2919394和rs2919393共六个SNP位点,检测了101个正常人样本和103个精神分裂症患者样本.结果:分析的5个SNP位点基因频率与基因型分布在正常人与精神分裂症患者之间未显示显著差异.结论:5个研究的SNP位点显示NRG1基因与所研究的精神分裂症患者不存在相关性.     

生长因子颗粒蛋白前体和肿瘤坏死因子受体基因启动子区改变与阿尔茨 海默病的相关性研究

目的:探讨生长因子颗粒蛋白前体(PGRN)、肿瘤坏死因子受体(TNFR)基因启动子区改变以及全基因组DNA甲基化与阿尔茨海默病的相关性。方法:收集阿尔茨海默病患者血液样本80例以及健康对照血液样本80例,PCR扩增PGRN和TNFR基因启动子区并进行测序,观察两组间的单核苷酸多态性位点是否有差异。同时,用甲基化特异性PCR法检测启动子区DNA甲基化情况以及用ELISA法检测全基因组DNA甲基化水平。结果:在TNFR基因启动子区域发现阿尔茨海默病和对照组之间在多态性位点rs4149570和rs4149569有显著性差异(P0.001和P=0.033)。阿尔茨海默病患者全基因组甲基化水平为(0.79±0.29)%,显著低于对照组的(1.00±0.36)%(P0.001)。结论:TNFR基因多态性位点rs4149570和rs4149569的变异可能与阿尔茨海默病相关,全基因组甲基化水平降低可能与阿尔茨海默病相关。     

复杂疾病的遗传易感基因区域的精细定位

以单核苷酸多态性(Single-nucleotide polymorphism, SNP)为遗传标记, 采用全基因组关联研究(Genome-wide association studies, GWAS)的策略, 已经在660多种疾病(或性状)中发现了3800多个遗传易感基因区域。但是, 其中最显著关联的遗传变异或致病性的遗传变异位点及其生物学功能并不完全清楚。这些位点的鉴定有助于阐明复杂疾病的生物学机制, 以及发现新的疾病标记物。后GWAS时代的主要任务之一就是通过精细定位研究找到复杂疾病易感基因区域内最显著关联的易感位点或致病性的易感位点并阐明其生物学功能。针对常见变异, 可通过推断或重测序增加SNP密度, 寻找最显著关联的SNP位点, 并通过功能元件分析、表达数量性状位点(Expression quantitative trait locus, eQTL)分析和单体型分析等方法寻找功能性的SNP位点和易感基因。针对罕见变异, 则可采用重测序、罕见单体型分析、家系分析和负荷检验等方法进行精细定位。文章对这些策略和所面临的问题进行了综述。     

ORMDL3基因多态性与哮喘的相关性

哮喘是一种非常复杂的表型异质性疾病,是受遗传和环境因素双重影响的多基因遗传病,通过全基因组关联研究显示,1 7号染色体ORMDL3基因是迄今为止发现的与哮喘关联最有充分证据的基因,而SNP(rs7216389)是哮喘最显著的相关标记。本综述将概述ORMDL3基因、ORMDL3基因产物功能、ORMDL3基因多态性与哮喘的相关性,及哮喘主要相关位点SNP(rs7216389)和SNP(rs1051740)等方面的研究成果。     

应用SNPstream技术检测MASP2基因的多态性

目的：应用一种高通量单核苷酸多态性（SNP）检测方法——SNPstream技术检测甘露聚糖结合凝集素相关丝氨酸蛋白酶-2（MASP2）基因的多态性。方法：收集北京汉族人群SARS病例96例和正常对照96例,用SNPstream技术检测样本的MASP2基因多态性,并用PCR产物直接测序技术对其中一个位点rs2273346进行分型,以验证SNPstream技术的准确性。结果：192例样本的MASP2基因rs2273346位点SNPstream技术分型结果与测序结果完全相符,2种方法的基因型分型结果具有很好的一致性。结论：SNPstream技术是高通量SNP检测的良好工具,准确性高,所需样本量低,在大规模人群SNP筛检中具有良好的发展前景。     

RUNX3、SLC22A4和PPAR-γ的基因多态性与溃疡性结肠炎的关系

目的:探讨RUNX3(rs2236851,A→G)、SLC22A4(rs3792876,C→T)和PPAR-γ(rs3892175,A→G)基因的单核苷酸多态性(Single Nucleotide Polymorphism,SNP)与溃疡性结肠炎(ulcerative colitis,UC)遗传易感性之间的关系.方法:选取经过临床表现、内镜、病理等方法共同确诊的UC患者81例,健康对照组154例,提取患者的全血基因组DNA,用聚合酶链反应序列特异性引物(PCR-SSP)的方法,检测UC患者、SLC22A4和PPAR-γ的基因型分布,并与健康对照组进行比较.结果:RUNX3的rs2236851位点的多态性与UC紧密相关(P<0.05);而SLC22A4的rs3792876位点与PPAR-γ的rs3892175位点的基因型分布与对照组相比.其差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论:RUNX3的rs2236851位点的基因多态性为溃疡性结肠炎的遗传易感因素,而SLC22A4的rs3792876位点与PPAR-γ的rs3892175位点的基因多态性与溃疡性结肠炎的遗传易感性无关.     

Genome Sequencing of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in Conjunction with a Medical School Human Anatomy Course

Even in cases where there is no obvious family history of disease, genome sequencing may contribute to clinical diagnosis and management. Clinical application of the genome has not yet become routine, however, in part because physicians are still learning how best to utilize such information. As an educational research exercise performed in conjunction with our medical school human anatomy course, we explored the potential utility of determining the whole genome sequence of a patient who had died following a clinical diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Medical students performed dissection and whole genome sequencing of the cadaver. Gross and microscopic findings were more consistent with the fibrosing variant of nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), as opposed to IPF per se. Variants in genes causing Mendelian disorders predisposing to IPF were not detected. However, whole genome sequencing identified several common variants associated with IPF, including a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs35705950, located in the promoter region of the gene encoding mucin glycoprotein MUC5B. The MUC5B promoter polymorphism was recently found to markedly elevate risk for IPF, though a particular association with NSIP has not been previously reported, nor has its contribution to disease risk previously been evaluated in the genome-wide context of all genetic variants. We did not identify additional predicted functional variants in a region of linkage disequilibrium (LD) adjacent to MUC5B, nor did we discover other likely risk-contributing variants elsewhere in the genome. Whole genome sequencing thus corroborates the association of rs35705950 with MUC5B dysregulation and interstitial lung disease. This novel exercise additionally served a unique mission in bridging clinical and basic science education.     

Lack of association between the rs2294008 polymorphism in the prostate stem cell antigen gene and colorectal neoplasia: a case-control and immunohistochemical study

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several solid tumours, either due to changes in protein expression, or through association with the rs2294008 polymorphism in the PSCA gene. To our knowledge, the role of PSCA in the development of colorectal neoplasia has not been explored. We performed a genotyping study to assess for associations between the rs2294008 polymorphism and risk of adenomatous polyps and colorectal cancer. DNA samples were available from 388 individuals with colorectal neoplasia and 496 controls, all of whom had undergone screening colonoscopy. In addition, we performed immunohistochemical staining for PSCA in colonic tissue representing all stages of the adenoma-carcinoma sequence. RESULTS: No genotypic associations were found between the rs2294008 polymorphism and the risk of colorectal adenomata or cancer. Immunohistochemical staining did not reveal any alteration in PSCA expression accompanying the adenoma-carcinoma sequence. CONCLUSION: From these data it seems unlikely that PSCA has a role in the initiation or progression of colorectal neoplasia.     

Automated sequencing of complete mitochondrial genomes from laser-capture microdissected samples

Mitochondrial DNA mutations have been related to both aging and a variety of diseases such as cancer. Due to the relatively small size of the genome (16 kb) and with the use of automated DNA sequencing, the entire genome can be sequenced from clinical specimens in days. We present a reliable approach to complete mitochondrial genome sequencing from laser-capture microdissected human clinical cancer specimens that overcome the inherent limitations of relatively small tissue samples and partial DNA degradation, which are unavoidable when laser-capture microdissection is used to attain pure populations of cells from heterogeneous tissues obtained from surgical procedures. The acquisition of sufficient template combined with a standard set of 18 pairs of PCR primers allows for the efficient amplification of the genome. Subsequent single-stranded amplification is performed using 36 sequencing primers, and samples are run on an ABI PRISM 3100 Genetic Analyzer. The use of this procedure should allow even investigators with little experience sequencing from clinical specimens success in complete mitochondrial genome sequencing.     

IL-17A基因单核苷酸位点多态性与胃癌预后的相关性研究

探讨白介素17A基因多态性与胃癌预后的关系。129例研究对象纳入生存分析,分成死亡和存活两组,用基因测序的方法检测血液样本IL-17A基因SNP位点rs3748067、rs17880588基因型分布。rs3748067位点有3种基因型T/T、C/T、C/C,rs17880588位点有2种基因型A/G、G/G。比较存活组和死亡组之间的基因型分布频率和单点等位基因分布频率,发现rs3748067的基因型C/T在死亡组的分布频率较存活组高,基因型T/T和C/C在死亡组的分布频率低于存活组,两组之间分布频率差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。杂合型C/T基因型在存活组分布低于死亡组(OR=2.051,CI=0.016~1.420),该位点基因型杂合可能为胃癌预后的一种危险因素。rs17880588的两种基因型A/G、G/G在存活组和死亡组的分布频率差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:IL-17A基因rs3748067位点SNP与胃癌预后可能有相关性。     

前列腺干细胞抗原（PSCA）在肿瘤诊断及治疗中的应用*

前列腺干细胞抗原(PSCA)是最早发现于前列腺癌的GPI锚定的细胞膜蛋白,PSCA的在正常或肿瘤细胞中的具体的病理生理功能还不清楚。PSCA在前列腺癌、胰腺癌、膀胱癌等肿瘤中表达增加,相反在食管癌和胃癌中表达降低可能在胃上皮中发挥肿瘤抑制功能,PSCA发挥致瘤和抑瘤两种截然不同的作用与细胞所处的环境不同有关。除此之外,PSCA作为肿瘤的免疫治疗的靶点也显示出其良好的临床应用潜力。因此PSCA不仅成为肿瘤诊断和预后判断的生物学标记也是肿瘤免疫治疗重要的候选靶蛋白。本文对PSCA的功能和在前列腺癌以及其他肿瘤的临床诊断、预后判断以及治疗应用中的研究进展进行了综述,并讨论了未来PSCA的研究前景。     

Genome coverage and sequence fidelity of phi29 polymerase-based multiple strand displacement whole genome amplification

Major efforts are underway to systematically define the somatic and germline genetic variations causally associated with disease. Genome-wide genetic analysis of actual clinical samples is, however, limited by the paucity of genomic DNA available. Here we have tested the fidelity and genome representation of phi29 polymerase-based genome amplification (phi29MDA) using direct sequencing and high density oligonucleotide arrays probing >10,000 SNP alleles. Genome representation was comprehensive and estimated to be 99.82% complete, although six regions encompassing a maximum of 5.62 Mb failed to amplify. There was no degradation in the accuracy of SNP genotyping and, in direct sequencing experiments sampling 500,000 bp, the estimated error rate (9.5 x 10(-6)) was the same as in paired unamplified samples. The detection of cancer-associated loss of heterozygosity and copy number changes, including homozygous deletion and gene amplification, were similarly robust. These results suggest that phi29MDA yields high fidelity, near-complete genome representation suitable for high resolution genetic analysis.     

Cloning and expression analysis of novel Aux/IAA family genes in Gossypium hirsutum

The associations between polymorphisms of prostate stem cell antigen (PSCA-rs2294008C > T and -rs2976392G > A) and gastric cancer (GC) risk for Eastern Asians have been commonly studied, but the results were conflicting. The aim of the present study was to further assess the associations by the method of meta-analysis. The databases of Medline, Embase and CNKI (up to May 25th, 2011) were retrieved to identify eligible case-control studies. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were used to present the strength of the associations. In total, eight case-control studies in seven articles with 16792 individuals (9738 cases of GC and 7054 controls) were included in this meta-analysis. Through quantitative analyses, we found that T allele of rs2294008C > T and A allele of rs2976392G > A were significantly associated with increased GC risk [rs2294008C > T: OR (95%CI) = 1.31 (1.22-1.42), P_z-test < 0.001, P_{heterogeneity} = 0.166 for TT vs. C carriers; rs2976392G > A: OR (95%CI) = 1.36(1.24-1.50), P_z-test = 0.015, P_{heterogeneity} = 0.111 for AA vs. G carriers]. The results of subgroup analyses (according to histopathology, countries and sources of controls) indicated that T allele of rs2294008C > T and A allele rs2976392G > A were associated with increased risk of both intestinal- and diffuse-type GC, and associated with increased risk of GC for Chinese, Japanese, Koreans, PCC and HCC/PHCC. Furthermore, T allele of rs2294008C > T was also associated with increased risk of cardia and non-cardia GC, and associated with increased risk of GC for males and females. Besides those, this meta-analysis also indicated that the interactions between T allele of rs2294008C > T and A allele of rs2976392G > A was associated with increased risk of GC (A-T vs. G-T: OR = 1.16, 95%CI = 1.06-1.27, P_z-test = 0.001, P_{heterogeneity} = 0.835). Although modest limitations and potential bias cannot be eliminated, this meta-analysis suggests that PSCA -rs2294008C > T and -rs2976392G > A are potential factors of GC development for Eastern Asians, and future work may incorporate these findings and evaluate these variants as potential markers for screening and early diagnosis of GC.     

A tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction for the detection of rs8099917 IL28B genotype

Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP, rs8099917, rs12979860) near the IL28B gene have been illustrated as outcome predictors of hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment with pegylated interferon/ribavirin. The aim of the present study was to design a simple tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (T-ARMS-PCR) for the evaluation of the rs8099917 IL28B gene polymorphism. We efficiently designed a T-ARMS-PCR for detection of rs8099917 IL28B. Using this method, we genotyped 83 subjects with NAFLD (nonalcoholic fatty liver disease) and 93 healthy subjects. No significant differences were found in allelic and genotypic frequencies of rs8099917 IL28B gene polymorphism between NAFLD subjects and controls. The frequency of minor allele (G allele) was 0.13 in healthy and 0.19 in NAFLD subjects. In conclusion, we designed a simple, inexpensive, and reproducible T-ARMS-PCR for detection of rs8099917 IL28B polymorphism which can be used for routine assay. In addition, we found that rs8099917 polymorphism is not a risk factor for predisposition to NAFLD in a sample of Iranian population. Larger studies with different ethnics are required to validate our findings.     

An AS-qPCR-based method for the detection of Alzheimer's disease-related SNPs

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most serious neurodegenerative diseases in the world and has a strong genetic predisposition. At present, there is still no effective method for the early diagnosis and prevention of AD. Accumulating evidence shows the association of several loci with AD risk, such as apolipoprotein E (APOE) and translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 40 (TOMM40). However, for routine disease diagnosis in clinics, genotype detection methods based on gene sequencing technology are time-consuming and excessively costly. Thus, in this study, we developed a high-sensitivity, low-cost, and convenient single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) detection assay method based on allele-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (AS-qPCR) technology, which can be used to determine the SNP genotype in APOE and TOMM40. A total of 40 patients were recruited from the outpatient department of the memory clinic of Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. The SNP detection assay method includes three steps. First, positive plasmids with different genotypes (TT/CC/TC) in APOE rs429358, rs7412, and TOMM40 rs11556505 were prepared. Second, 3′-T/3′-C primers were designed to amplify these positive plasmids for each SNP site. Finally, we calculated the log10 of the copy number ratio for each positive plasmid, and the genotype interpretation interval was established. Based on this method, we investigated whether the SNPs in 40 patients could be accurately calculated using AS-qPCR technology. The accuracy of SNP detection was verified by PCR-Pooling sequencing. The results showed that SNP genotypes assessed by AS-qPCR technology corresponded perfectly to the results obtained by conventional DNA sequencing. We have developed a genotype detection method for AD based on AS-qPCR, which can be performed easily, rapidly, accurately, and at low cost. The method will contribute to the early diagnosis of patients with late-onset Alzheimer's and the detection of large clinical samples in the future.