Differential expression of two related organ-specific genes in pea

We have screened a pea genomic library using a cDNA probe derived from pea shoot RNA. From this screen, we isolated two closely related genes, designated as S2 and P4. An intriguing property of these two genes is the presence in their coding region of a repeated sequence that is conserved between them in sequence but not in the number of the repeating units. The predicted amino acid sequence suggests that these proteins could be exported and glycosylated. 3 S1 analysis reveals that one of the genes, S2, is expressed highly in stem, as expected from previous work. However, mRNA derived from the other gene, P4, is not detectable in stem tissue, but is present in tissue derived from pea pods. The 5 upstream sequence of S2 and P4 are 94% identical up to position -121, suggesting that sequences upstream of -121 are responsible for organ-specific expression of the two genes.     

Mapping candidate genes in Eucalyptus with emphasis on lignification genes

We used the single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) technique to map eight genes on Eucalyptus urophylla and Eucalyptus grandis linkage maps. These included four genes involved in the common phenylpropanoid pathway (caffeic acid 3-0-methyltransferase, caffeoyl CoA 3-O-methyltransferase, 4-coumarate CoA ligase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase), two genes involved in the `lignin specific' pathway (cinnamoyl CoA reductase and cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase), and two symbiosis regulated genes (EgHypar and EgTubA1). A novel source of variation which affects the SSCP pattern, i.e. the presence or absence of electrophoresis buffer upon loading the samples into the polyacrylamide gel, was found. The placement of these genes on the Eucalyptus maps was carried out using an interspecific hybrid mapping population. This will further facilitate the identification or exclusion of `positional' candidate genes for characterizing quantitative trait loci (QTL) for wood quality and vegetative propagation related traits.     

Differential expression of fungal genes at preinfection and mycorrhiza establishment between Terfezia boudieri isolates and Cistus incanus hairy root clones

Changes in gene expression by isolates of Terfezia boudieri during mycorrhization with Cistus incanus hairy roots were followed. Four fungus-hairy root clone combinations were cultivated under two sets of conditions, in which the root and the fungus were separated by a cellophane sheet or were allowed physical contact. One of the combinations produced endomycorrhizas, the other three solely ectomycorrhizas. Fragments isolated by cDNA-AFLP analysis from cellophane-separated cultures (preinfection) were used to identify differentially expressed genes by reverse Northern analysis. Genes showing no homology to known sequences constituted the largest group under both growth conditions. Some fungal genes were expressed transiently, while others exhibited altered expression patterns as conditions changed from individually growing through the preinfection stage to mycorrhizas. Genes expressed exclusively under combinations allowing either ectomycorrhiza or endomycorrhiza under a particular condition were detected. Our results point, for the first time, to some of the genes that might be involved in determining the type of association that will be formed: ecto- or endomycorrhiza.     

Differential expression of two barley SNF1-related protein kinase genes

We have amplified and cloned DNA sequences derived from a gene encoding a SNF1 (sucrose-non-fermenting 1)-related protein kinase which differs from that previously reported from barley. Northern blot and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of RNA populations, using specific probes and oligonucleotide primers, indicated that the two SNF1-related genes are differentially regulated. One is expressed in all tissues, whereas the other is expressed at high levels in the seed endosperm and aleurone, but at levels undetectable by northern blot analysis in other tissues. Comparisons with other plant SNF1-related protein kinase genes suggest that the form which is expressed at greatly enhanced levels in the seed is less similar to the other plant homologues which have been reported and may be unique to cereals.     

CSF1 gene associated with aggressive periodontitis in the Japanese population

Aggressive periodontitis (AgP) is characterized by the early onset of the rapid and progressive destruction of the alveolar bone. We investigated the correlation of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in candidate genes with AgP in the Japanese population in order to determine the genetic risk factors for this complex disease. Among 11 genes related to bone formation and resorption, 43 known SNPs were tested in 98 case and 88 control samples for association with AgP by using SNP genotyping techniques. Among these, three polymorphisms located in the colony stimulating factor 1 (CSF1) gene showed a positive association with AgP. This is the first case of an association between a CSF1 polymorphism and a human disease.     

Candidate genes of hypertension with defective environmental expression

Previous studies in our laboratory have demonstrated that the thermosensitivity locus cosegregates with blood pressure and that the elevated expression and restriction fragment length polymorphism of HSP70 gene are associated with hypertension.Cell protection against environmental stressors such as heat and chemicals is often accompanied by up-regulated expression of a wide spectrum of heat shock genes(HSP).To further investigate the interrelation between HSP expression and blood pressure regulation,we employed an effective method of cloning 2 potential hypertension-related HSPs.Synthetic oligonucleotides corresponding either to a highly-conserved region of the known HSP family or a repetitive sequence in the proteinencoding gene were used as target primers for polymerase chain reaction(PCR).cDNA prepared from heat-stressed and non-stressed vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMC)of Brown Norway rats(BN.1x)and spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHRp) respectively served as template in the reaction.The PCR products were subsequently analyzed in a single-stranded conformational polymorphism(SSCP) electrophoresing system.Differential gene expression in BN.1x and SHRp was seen on autoradiographs of SSCP gel by comparing the migration patterns of PCR-amplified DNA fragments.Using this technique,we also found that HSP27 and a new member of the large HSP gene family were differentially expressed in BN.1x and SHRp VSMC.     

成簇基因的时空表达调控

成簇基因具有不同单个基因的特性,同一簇内基因大多有类似的结构,功能以及表达模式,基因之间时空表达模式及表达量高度协调,提示同一簇基因是作为统一整体进行调节的,具有共同的调节机制。基因成簇排列是实现基因时空协调表表达的基础,是遗传信息的一种高级组织形式,具有强大的进化优势,要揭示成簇基因表达调控的基本规律,应从顺式作用元件,反式作用因子,染色质等层次,进行整体的以及多基因相互作用的研究,这些机制的阐     

Comparative genome analysis with the human genome reveals chicken genes associated with fatness and body weight

The selection of meat-type chickens (broilers) for rapid growth has been accompanied by excessive fat deposition. In this study, we analysed 53 candidate genes that are associated with obesity and obesity-related traits in humans, for which we found chicken orthologues by BLAST searches. We have identified single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with significant differences in allele frequencies between broilers and layers in each of the following six candidate genes: adrenergic, beta-2-, receptor, surface (ADRB2); melanocortin 5 receptor (MC5R); leptin receptor (LEPR), McKusick-Kaufman syndrome (MKKS), milk fat globule-EGF factor 8 protein (MFGE8) and adenylate kinase 1 (AK1). To examine associations with fatness and/or body weight, we used birds of extreme phenotypes in F(2) and backcross populations with varying levels of abdominal fat weight per cent (%AFW) and body weight. We then assessed the level of gene expression by real-time PCR. In two genes, ADRB2 and MFGE8, we found significant association with %AFW. The ADRB2 gene was found to have a significantly higher expression in the liver of lean chickens compared with those of the fat individuals. We believe that this approach can be applied for the identification of other quantitative genes.     

Genetic variations in chemoattractant receptor expressed on Th2 cells (CRTH2) is associated with asthma susceptibility in Chinese children

We investigated the allele and genotype frequencies of two common CRTH2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) [G1544C and A1651G (rs 545659)] in the 3′-untranslated region and the relationship between these SNPs and serum IL-13 levels in Chinese children patients with asthma. For G1544C and A1651G SNPs, there were significant differences in allele and genotype frequencies between asthma patients and controls. Haplotype analysis yielded additional evidence of linkage disequilibrium for the 1544G–1651G haplotype (P < 0.01). Moreover, serum IL-13 levels were significantly different among genotypes in G1544C, A1651G SNPs. These results suggest that SNPs of G1544C and A1651G might be act as susceptibility genetic factors of asthma. Jinhui Wang and Yongchen Xu should be regarded as joint First Authors.     

Studies on the expression of marker genes in chickpea

Conditions were established for the optimum transient expression of beta-glucuronidase and neomycin phosphotransferase II genes introduced into zygotic embryos of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L. 6153 and CM72) by accelerated tungsten particles. Plasmid DNA at a concentration of 12 microgram per milligram of tungsten particles when accelerated with an inflow of helium gas at 60 kilogram per square centimeter through a distance of 24 centimeter in a chamber maintained at a negative pressure of 71.12 centimeter of mercury, resulted in optimal transient expression of the beta-glucuronidase gene in chickpea embryos. However, the expression of the marker genes was 20-40% higher under a cauliflower mosaic virus promoter in comparison to the Win6 and actin promoters. When Agrobacterium tumefaciens was used to transfer marker genes into zygotic embryos and the resultant plants were analysed for activity of the beta-glucuronidase and neomycin phosphotransferase II genes, both of these genes were expressed in tumorous tissues. When a disarmed strain of Agrobacterium was used, normal shoots were regenerated in which the lower parts showed expression of both genes at a frequency of 20%. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Expression profile of genes associated with mastitis in dairy cattle

In order to characterize the expression of genes associated with immune response mechanisms to mastitis, we quantified the relative expression of the IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IFN-γ and TNF- α genes in milk cells of healthy cows and cows with clinical mastitis. Total RNA was extracted from milk cells of six Black and White Holstein (BW) cows and six Gyr cows, including three animals with and three without mastitis per breed. Gene expression was analyzed by real-time PCR. IL-10 gene expression was higher in the group of BW and Gyr cows with mastitis compared to animals free of infection from both breeds (p < 0.05). It was also higher in BW Holstein animals with clinical mastitis (p < 0.001), but it was not significant when Gyr cows with and without mastitis were compared (0.05 < p < 0.10). Among healthy cows, BW Holstein animals tended to present a higher expression of all genes studied, with a significant difference for the IL-2 and IFN- γ genes (p < 0.001). For animals with mastitis no significant difference in gene expression was observed between the two breeds. These findings suggest that animals with mastitis develop a preferentially cell-mediated immune response. Further studies including larger samples are necessary to better characterize the gene expression profile in cows with mastitis.     

Differential expression of bcl-2 and bcl-x during chicken spermatogenesis

We report the isolation and characterization of a chicken testis bcl-x_L cDNA coding for a long bcl-x protein with a hydrophobic tail, and the expression of bcl-2 and bcl-x during chicken spermatogenesis. Bcl-2 is highly expressed in embryonic and immature testes enriched in spermatogonia and barely detectable in mature testes, where most of the cells are meiotic and postmeiotic. Bcl-x is expressed in both mature and immature testes, but in a lesser amount in mature testes. Differential expression of bcl-2 and bcl-x during spermatogenesis is consistent with the reported different susceptibility to apoptosis of spermatogonia, and meiotic and postmeiotic cells. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 47:26–29, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Differential expression of human 5S snoRNA genes

Four novel small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNAs), h5sn1, h5sn2, h5sn3, and h5sn4, were successfully amplified from human total RNAs using RT-PCR. They exhibited the structural hallmarks of box H/ACA snoRNAs and formed sequence complementarity to 5S rRNA. The nucleotide sequences of the snoRNAs from different donors were highly conserved as evidenced by single-stranded conformational polymorphism and direct nucleotide sequence analysis. Although their host genes had no protein-coding potential, the expression of the snoRNAs was differentially displayed in different tissues. Noticeably, h5sn2 was highly expressed in normal brain, but its expression drastically decreased in meningioma. This opens the fascinating possibility of the relationship between the processing of snoRNAs and carcinogenesis.