Essential arterial hypertension and polymorphism of angiotensinogen M235T gene

Several candidate genes, chosen from the renin‐ angiotensin system, were examined for their association with essential hypertension. The genes of the renin‐ angiotensin system (RAS) are good candidates for such an approach because this system is well known to be involved in the control of blood pressure. One of these candidate genes is the gene encoding for angiotensinogen (the most important gene of the RAS associated with essential hypertension in the most population, is the gene for angiotensin‐converting enzyme‐ ACE). One DNA polymorphism within exon 2‐ with threonine instead of methionine at position 235 (M235T) was found to be significantly associated with hypertension. The objective of this study is the analysis of M235T polymorphism in angiotensinogen gene in Romanian patients with essential hypertension as well as controls. We examined 38 patients with essential hypertension and 21 normotensive patients. In order to identify the M235T angioteninogen variant, we used the following methods: DNA extraction, PCR amplification and enzymatic digestion of the PCR product using Tth IIII restriction endonuclease enzyme. In the study groups, the M235T variant (Met?Thr in aminoacid position 235) was found more frequently in hypertensive patients (81,57%), than in control subjects (66,66%). We identified 52,63% M235T heterozygotes in the hypertensive group compared with 47,61% in the control group, and 28,94% T235T homozygotes in the hypertensive group compared with 19,04% in the control group. The results of our study suggest an association of the M235T polymorphism in the gene encoding angiotensinogen with essential hypertension     

Association of the T174M Polymorphism of the Angiotensinogen Gene with Essential Hypertension in Russians and Tatars from Bashkortostan

The alleles and genotypes of the T174M polymorphism of the angiotensinogen gene were PCR-analyzed in Russians and Tatars from Bashkortostan. The genotype frequency distribution observed in either ethnic group did not differ from that reported for other populations. The T174M polymorphism was tested for association with essential hypertension (EH). Genotypes TT, TM, and MM were found respectively in 82.56, 13.95, and 3.49% normotensive Russians and in 83.81, 16.19, and 0% normotensive Tatars. The frequency of genotype TM in patients with EH onset beyond 45 years of age was significantly higher than in controls of the same age without signs of cardiovascular disorders (51.72 vs. 11.11% in Russians and 45.45 vs. 16% in Tatars). Patients with EH onset under 45 did not differ in genotype frequency distribution from normotensive subjects of the same age. Genotype TM was associated with higher risk of EH in people over 45.     

高血压患者血管紧张素原基因调控及与细胞因子关系的研究

在高血压患者中研究血管紧张素原(AGT)基因M235T多态性、等位基因分离及与细胞因子的关系。采用聚合酶链反应结合内切酶消化进行AGT基因型分析。用双抗体夹心ELISA酶联法测定细胞因子(IL-1、IL-6、TNF)。分析高血压病组和对照组的血管紧张素原(AGT)基因235位氨基酸残基的基因型及等位基因频率,并分析细胞因子对AGT基因M235T变异的影响。结果表明：高血压组中AGT 235为TT型38例(55．88％),TM型24例(35．29％),MM型6例(8．82％),其T型和M型等位基因频率分别为73．53％和26．47％。对照组中开型28例(47．46％),TM型25例(42．37％),MM型6例(10．17％),T型和MM型等位基因频率分别为68．65％和31．35％。在AGT 235T等位基因型组中,高血压病组IL-1、IL-6、TNF浓度显著高于对照组。在AGT 235M等位基因型组中,TNF浓度高于对照组。无论大于60岁或小于60岁的高血压病与相应年龄对照组比较,IL-1、IL-6、TNF浓度均显著升高。而在高血压病或对照组内,大于60岁组与小于60岁组之间比较,IL-1、IL-6、TNF浓度均无显著性差异。说明IL-1、IL-6、TNF升高与疾病有关而与年龄无关。研究结论：高血压病AGT 235TT型和T等位基因频率高于健康对照。AGT 235TT型和T等位基因频率增高可能与高血压发生和发展有关。在AGT 235T型等位基因频率增高的人群中,细胞因子IL-1、IL-6、TNF增高可能促进高血压发病。细胞因子对高血压病患者AGT 235TT型转录及表达可能有一定的调控作用。     

Adipose Angiotensinogen Secretion,Blood Pressure,and AGT M235T Polymorphism in Obese Patients

Objective: To investigate AGT secretion in cultured adipocytes from obese patients and its relationship with obesity‐related phenotypes, blood pressure, and the M235T polymorphism in the AGT gene. Research Methods and Procedures: Measurements, including anthropometry, body composition (DXA), and blood pressure, were performed in 61 overweight or obese women (BMI: 28 to 68 kg/m²). A subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue biopsy was used for adipocyte size determination and quantification of AGT secretion in the medium of cultured adipocytes. AGT M235T genotype was determined using polymerase chain reaction‐restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: Adipose secretion of the AGT protein (range, 140 to 2575 ng/10⁶ cells/24 h) was not significantly correlated with BMI, body fat, or blood pressure and did not vary according to the M235T polymorphism in the AGT gene. However, the AGT M235T polymorphism was associated with adipocyte size (111.6 ± 2.8, 108.8 ± 1.9, 118.2 ± 2.6 μm in MM, MT, and TT genotypes, respectively; p < 0.01) after adjustment for age and fat mass. An association between the AGT M235T polymorphism and adipocyte size (p < 0.02 adjusted for sex, age, and BMI) was found in another independent sample of 106 obese subjects (sex ratio, M/F 16/90; BMI, 29 to 70 kg/m²). Discussion: In cultured adipocytes from obese subjects, AGT secretion was not associated with body fat phenotypes, blood pressure, or fat cell size. However, results from two independent studies suggest an association between the AGT M235T polymorphism and adipocyte size.     

AGT基因SNPs与哈萨克族高血压左室肥厚关系的研究

目的探讨血管紧张素原基因（angiotensinogen gene,AGT）-6A／G,-20A／C,M235T和T174M 4个单核苷酸多态性（single nucleotide polymorphisms,SNPs）与新疆哈萨克族高血压患者左室肥厚的关系。方法采用低渗溶血法破裂血细胞、蛋白酶K消化、饱和酚／氯仿抽提法提取白细胞基因组DNA。采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片断长度多态性（polymerase chain reaction—restriction fragment length polymorphism,PCR-RFLP）技术进行个体基因型分型。结果①在不考虑年龄、高血压病史时间、性别及收缩压、舒张压对左室肥厚的影响的前提下,未发现-6A／G、-20A／C与哈萨克族高血压左室肥厚的相关关系。②在以性别作为亚变量的分析结果中,我们发现-6A／G和-20A／C分别与哈萨克族女性和男性高血压左室肥厚相关。③不同SNPs间的配对连锁不平衡分析结果显示,除M235T与T174M之间外,其他各位点间存在有统计学意义的连锁不平衡关系。④单体型分析结果发现,研究人群AGT基因-6A／G、-20A／C、M235T和T174M4个SNPs构成了11种主要的单体型,其中H2（A—G—M—T）、H5（C—A—M—M）、H6（C—A-T—T）、H9（C-A—T—M）的频率在左室肥厚、非左室肥厚两组的分布存在差异,且具有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论AGT基因-6A／G、-20A／C、M235T和T174M变异可能与新疆哈萨克族高血压左室肥厚有关。     

Association of T174M polymorphism of angiotensinogen gene with essential hypertension: A meta-analysis

The association between T174M polymorphism of angiotensinogen gene and essential hypertension risk remains controversial. We herein performed a meta-analysis to achieve a reliable estimation of their relationship. All the studies published up to May 2013 on the association between T174M polymorphism and essential hypertension risk were identified by searching the electronic repositories PubMed, MEDLINE and EMBASE, Springer, Elsevier Science Direct, Cochrane Library and Google Scholar. Data were extracted and pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated. Ultimately, nine eligible studies, including 2188 essential hypertension cases and 2459 controls, were enrolled in this meta-analysis. No significant associations were found under the overall ORs for M-allele comparison (M vs. T, pooled OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.62–1.37), MM vs. TT (pooled OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.29–2.51), TM vs. TT n (pooled OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.63–1.32), recessive model (MM vs. TT+TM, pooled OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.35–2.30), dominant model (MM+TM vs. TT, pooled OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.60–1.38) between T174M polymorphism and risk for essential hypertension. This meta-analysis suggested that the T174M polymorphism of the angiotensinogen gene might not be associated with the susceptibility of essential hypertension in Asian or European populations.     

Mutation analysis of codons 345 and 347 of rhodopsin gene in Indian retinitis pigmentosa patients

More than 100 mutations have been reported till date in the rhodopsin gene in patients with retinitis pigmentosa. The present study was undertaken to detect the reported rhodopsin gene point mutations in Indian retinitis pigmentosa patients. We looked for presence or absence of codon 345 and 347 mutations in exon 5 of the gene using the technique of allele-specific polymerase chain reaction by designing primers for each mutation. We have examined 100 patients from 76 families irrespective of genetic categories. Surprisingly, in our sample the very widely reported highly frequent mutations of codon 347 (P → S/A/R/Q/L/T) were absent while the codon 345 mutation V → M was seen in three cases in one family (autosomal dominant form) and in one sporadic case (total two families). This is the first report on codon 345 and 347 mutation in Indian retinitis pigmentosa subjects.     

Polymorphism of angiotensinogen gene M235T in myocardial infarction and brain infarction: a meta-analysis

The angiotensinogen (AGT) gene M235T polymorphism has been reported to be associated with myocardial infarction (MI) and brain infarction (BI), but the results remain inconclusive. This meta-analysis was designed to clarify these controversies. Electronic databases were systematically searched before February 2013. A total of 38 studies with 17304 subjects met our inclusion criteria. In East Asian group, significant association was found between AGT M235T polymorphism and risk of MI (for dominant model: OR = 1.79; 95% CI = 1.04–3.06; for recessive model OR = 2.01; 95% CI = 1.21–3.36; for additive model OR = 1.79; 95% CI = 1.14–2.86) as well as BI (for dominant model: OR = 1.66; 95% CI = 1.22–2.27; for recessive model OR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.29–2.46; for additive model: OR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.34–2.00), while the M235T polymorphism did not impact the risk of MI in total population and other ethnicity. In the subgroup analyses by gender and age, there was lack of evidence for the association. This meta-analysis suggested an association between the M235T polymorphism and MI as well as BI in East Asian population. Further studies with larger numbers of worldwide participants are needed to understand the genetic basis of MI and BI.     

Transfer and expression of the human multiple drug resistance gene as potential human gene therapy

The human multiple drug resistance (MDR) gene has been used as a model for human gene transfer which could lead to human gene therapy. MDR is a transmembrane protein which pumps a number of toxic substances out of cells including several drugs used in cancer chemotherapy. Normal bone marrow cells express low levels of MDR and are particularly sensitive to the toxic effects of these drugs. There are two general applications of MDR gene therapy: (1) to provide drug-resistance to the marrow of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, and (2) as a selectable marker which when co-transferred with a non-selectable gene such as the human beta globin gene can be used to enrich the marrow for cells containing both genes. We demonstrate efficient transfer and expression of the human MDR gene in a retroviral vector into live mice and human marrow cells including CD34⁺ cells isolated from marrow and containing the bulk of human hematopoietic progenitors. MDR gene transduction corrects the sensitivity of CD34⁺ cells to taxol, an MDR drug substrate, and enriches the marrow for MDR-transduced cells. The MDR gene-containing retroviral supernatant used has been shown to be safe and free of replication-competent retrovirus. Because of the safety of the MDR retroviral supernatant, and efficient gene transfer into mouse and human marrow cells, a phase 1 clinical protocol for MDR gene transfer into cancer patients has been approved to evaluate MDR gene transfer and expression in human marrow.     

内蒙古地区达斡尔族血管紧张素转换酶基因多态性分布

目的:研究内蒙古地区达斡尔族血管紧张素转换酶基因(ACE)多态性分布。方法:采用聚合酶链反应检测198例北方汉族和198例达斡尔族中血管紧张素转换酶基因插入/缺失(I/D)多态性分布。结果:ACE基因多态性,达斡尔族人群ID、DD基因频率高于北方汉族,II基因频率低于北方汉族,二组间比较均存在明显差异(P<0.05)。结论:北方汉族与达斡尔族间ACE基因多态性和等位基因频率分布存在差异。     

一种简便、快捷的胰蛋白酶抑制剂基因的分离与克隆方法

从 3个豇豆品种幼嫩叶片中分离出核基因组 DNA,参照已知的几种 Bowman-Birk型胰蛋白酶抑制剂基因序列 ,设计合成了 2 7bp,且含有 Bam H I位点的寡核苷酸引物 ,分别以 3种豇豆核基因组 DNA为模板 ,PCR扩增 ,均得到长度约为 3 40 bp的 DNA片段。产物 DNA片段经 DNA序列分析 ,结果表明三者的碱基序列相同 ,与报道的胰蛋白酶抑制剂基因相比 ,同源性为 1 0 0 %和 99.7%。     

Detection of Mycoplasma fermentans in saliva sampled from infants, preschool and school children, adolescents and adults by a polymerase chain reaction-based assay.

Attempts were made to detect Mycoplasma fermentans in saliva sampled from 201 subjects (108 males and 93 females) aged from 4 months to 59 years by a polymerase chain reaction-based assay. M. fermentans was detected in saliva from 110 (54.7%) of 201 subjects, and 10 (28.6%) of 35 subjects aged from 4 months to 3 years. Of ten positive subjects, three were aged from 16 to 23 months and five were from 26 to 31 months. The incidence tended to increase with age up to the teens. The incidence was significantly greater in teenagers than in subjects aged from 7 to 12 years, but there was no significant difference in the incidence between the group of teenagers and each of the groups of subjects older than the teenagers. Thus, it was suggested that M. fermentans colonized the mouth at the age of about 16 months up to the age of 19 years.     

LXRs激动剂T0901317对成人骨骼肌细胞FAT／CD36基因mRNA表达的影响

目的：探讨肝核受体LXRs激动剂T0901317对正常人骨骼肌细胞中FAT／CD36基因mRNA表达的影响。方法：将原代培养的5例成人骨骼肌细胞分为用肝核受体LXRs激动剂39901317（1μmol／L）作用组、T0901317（0．5μmol／L）作用组和阴性对照组,作用24h后采用sYBR Green Ⅰ实时荧光定量PCR法检测各组成人骨骼肌细胞FAT／CD36基因mRNA表达水平,并用2^-^△△Ct方法进行比较分析。结果：①以浓度为1μmol／L的T0901317作用组和0．5μmol／L的T090131作用组和对照组样本的均数进行方差分析,差别有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。②浓度为1μmol／L的T0901317作用组和0．5μmol／L的T090131作用组成人骨骼肌细胞中FAT／CD36基因的mRNA表达分别是对照组的3．03倍和2．91倍。结论：肝核受体LXRs激动剂T0901317能够提高成人骨骼肌细胞中FAT／CD36基因mRNA的表达水平,提示30901317有加快骨骼肌细胞内脂肪酸的堆积作用,推测IXRs激动剂T0901317可能会增加糖尿病患者骨骼肌胰岛素抵抗的风险。     

TECHNICAL REPORT: Rapid confirmation of gene targeting in embryonic stem cells using two long-range PCR techniques

Gene targeting in mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells generally includes the analysis of numerous colonies to identify a few with mutations resulting from homologous recombination with a targeting vector. Thus, simple and efficient screening methods are needed to identify targeted clones. Optimal screening approaches require probes from outside of the region included in the targeting vector to avoid detection of the more common random insertions. However, the use of large genomic fragments in targeting vectors can limit the availability of cloned DNA, thus necessitating a strategy to obtain unique flanking sequences. We describe a rapid method to identify sequences adjacent to cloned DNA using long-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification from a genomic DNA library, followed by direct nucleotide sequencing of the amplified fragment. We have used this technique in two independent gene targeting experiments to obtain genomic DNA sequences flanking the mouse cholecystokinin (CCK) and gastrin genes. The sequences were then used to design primers to characterize ES cell lines with CCK or gastrin targeted gene mutations, employing a second long-range PCR approach. Our results show that these two long-range PCR methods are generally useful to rapidly and accurately characterize allele structures in ES cells     

Involvement of differential gene expression and mRNA stability in the developmental regulation of the hsp 30 gene family in heat-shocked Xenopus laevis embryos

Four complete hsp 30 genes have been isolated from Xenopus laevis: hsp 30A, hsp 30B (a pseudogene), hsp 30C, and hsp 30D. The hsp 30A and hsp 30C genes are first heat inducible at the early tailbud stage, as determined by RNase protection and RT-PCR assays. In this study, we determined by RT-PCR that the hsp 30D gene was first heat inducible (33^oC for 1 h) at the mid-tailbud stage, approximately 1 day later in development than hsp 30A and hsp 30C. Furthermore, using Northern blot analysis, we detected the presence of very low levels of hsp 30 mRNA at the heat-shocked late blastula stage. The relative levels of these pre-tailbud (PTB) hsp 30 mRNAs increased at the gastrula and neurula stage followed by a dramatic enhancement in heat shocked tail-bud and tadpole stage embryos (50- to 100- fold relative to late blastula). Interestingly, treatment of blastula or gastrula embryos at high temperatures (37^oC for 1 h) or with the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, followed by heat shock, led to enhanced accumulation of the pre-tailbud (PTB) hsp 30 mRNAs. hsp 70, hsp 87, and actin messages were not stabilized at high temperatures or by cycloheximide treatment. Finally, hsp 30D mRNA was not detected by RT-PCR analysis of cycloheximidetreated, heat-shocked blastula stage embryos, confirming that it is not a member of the PTB hsp 30 mRNAs. This study indicates that differential gene expression and mRNA stability are involved in the regulation of hsp 30 gene expression during early Xenopus laevis development. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

PCR screening of 3-amino-5-hydroxybenzoic acid synthase gene leads to identification of ansamycins and AHBA-related antibiotic producers in Actinomycetes

Aims:  The 3-amino-5-hydroxybenzoic acid (AHBA) synthase is one of the essential and unique enzymes for AHBA biosynthesis. The possibility of screening for ansamycin or AHBA-related antibiotic-producing strains from Actinomycetes by targeting an AHBA synthase gene was explored.
Methods and Results:  A pair of degenerated primers designed according to the conserved regions of five known AHBA synthases was used to detect AHBA synthase genes within the genomic DNA of Actinomycetes. PCR screening resulted in obtaining 33 AHBA synthase gene-positive strains from 2000 newly isolated Actinomycetes. Phylogenetic analysis of these gene fragments along with those involved in the biosynthesis of structurally determined ansamycins showed that the genes with close phylogenetic relationships might be involved in the biosynthesis of compounds with the same/similar structures. Four strains have been proved to be actual geldanamycin or rifamycin producers by chemical characterization of their fermentation products.
Conclusions:  The results confirmed the feasibility of using the AHBA synthase gene as a probe in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening of ansamycin or AHBA-related antibiotic-producing strains.
Significance and Impact of the Study:  The PCR screening of AHBA synthase gene represents a direct and sensitive molecular method for rapid detection of AHBA-related antibiotic-producing strains.