Molecular Cloning and Chromosomal Localization to 17q21 of the Human WNT3 Gene

In mouse mammary tumors, the Wnt-3 gene can be activated by proviral insertion. Here we report on the isolation of a human homolog, WNT3. A genomic clone was isolated by use of mouse Wnt-3 sequences as a probe, after which cDNA containing most of the protein-encoding domain of the human gene was obtained by PCR. Comparison between the deduced mouse and human WNT-3 protein sequences showed four changes in 333 amino acids. WNT3 is located on chromosome 17q21. The gene was not found to be amplified or rearranged in a collection of human breast tumors.     

两个紧密连锁的小麦苯丙氨酸解氨酶基因的分离与鉴定

利用一个小麦苯丙氨酸解氨酶基因PCR片段为探针,从小麦核DNA基因库中筛选出一个阳性噬菌体克隆,该克隆含有两个高度同源、紧密连锁、转录方向相同的小麦苯丙氨酸解氨酶基因PAL1与PAL2,它们之间的核酸序列同源性。为93％,相距约7kb,利用PAL1特异片段进行Southern分析,表明该基因在小麦基因组中具有多个拷贝。Northern杂交表明,经秆锈菌接种诱导,苯丙氨酸解氨酶基因在一对小麦抗-感近等基因系中差异表达：抗病等基因系中国春-Sr11携带与接种菌无毒性基因P11相对应的抗病基因Sr11,在接种4d后开始诱导表达,8d后表达量更高;而缺少抗病基因的感病系中国春-sr11接种6d后才开始表达,8d后的表达量与抗病系中6d时相当。用秆锈菌诱导物和几丁质寡聚物处理小麦悬浮细胞,均可在2h内激活苯丙氨酸解氨酶基因表达,但真菌诱导物在早期的诱导活性显著高于几丁质寡聚物。从转录水平证实了小麦苯丙氨酸解氨酶基因在秆锈菌诱导的抗性反应中具有重要作用。     

The Gene for Human Glutaredoxin (GLRX) Is Localized to Human Chromosome 5q14

Glutaredoxin is a small protein (12 kDa) catalyzing glutathione-dependent disulfide oxidoreduction reactions in a coupled system with NADPH, GSH, and glutathione reductase. A cDNA encoding the human glutaredoxin gene (HGMW-approved symbol GLRX) has recently been isolated and cloned from a human fetal spleen cDNA library. The screening of a human genomic library in Charon 4A led to the identification of three genomic clones. Using fluorescencein situhybridization to metaphase chromosomes with one genomic clone as a probe, the human glutaredoxin gene was localized to chromosomal region 5q14. This localization at chromosome 5 was in agreement with the somatic cell hybrid analysis, using DNA from a human–hamster and a human–mouse hybrid panel and using a human glutaredoxin cDNA as a probe.     

A Novel Human Gene Encoding a G-Protein-Coupled Receptor (GPR15) Is Located on Chromosome 3

We used sequence similarities among G-protein-coupled receptor genes to discover a novel receptor gene. Using primers based on conserved regions of the opioid-related receptors, we isolated a PCR product that was used to locate the full-length coding region of a novel human receptor gene, which we have namedGPR15.A comparison of the amino acid sequence of the receptor encoded byGPR15with other receptors revealed that it shared sequence identity with the angiotensin II AT1 and AT2 receptors, the interleukin 8b receptor, and the orphan receptors GPR1 and AGTL1.GPR15was mapped to human chromosome 3q11.2–q13.1.     

Familial Site-specific Ovarian Cancer Is Linked to BRCA1 on 17q12-21

In a study of nine families with “site-specific” ovarian cancer (criterion: three or more cases of epithelial ovarian cancer and no cases of breast cancer diagnosed at age <50 years) we have obtained evidence of linkage to the breast-ovarian cancer susceptibility gene, BRCA1 on 17q12-21. If the risk of cancer in these families is assumed to be restricted to the ovary, the best estimate of the proportion of families linked to BRCA1 is .78 (95% confidence interval .32–1.0). If predisposition to both breast and ovarian cancer is assumed, the proportion linked is 1.0 (95% confidence interval .46–1.0). The linkage of familial site-specific ovarian cancer to BRCA1 indicates the possibility of predictive testing in such families; however, this is only appropriate in families where the evidence for linkage to BRCA1 is conclusive.     

Two familial cases with trisomy 15q dist due to a rcp(5;15)(p14;q21)

Summary A trisomy of the distal long arm of chromosome 15 (q21qter) resulting in similar phenotypic and developmental abnormalities in two related children (a boy and a girl) is described. The chromosome defect was due to malsegregation of a balanced translocation (5;15)(p14;q21) in one of the parents. It was inherited in four generations and accompanied by recurrent miscarriages. Comparison of these patients with four previously published cases of trisomy 15q dist reveals a pattern of common features including: microdolichocephaly with characteristic strikingly protuberant occiput and predominance of the visceral over the cerebral cranium; peculiar facial dysmorphism—narrow antimongoloid palpebral fissures; large, malformed, low-set ears; micrognathy; long philtrum; short neck; cardiopathy; profound encephalopathy with lack of suck and swallow reflexes; and no growth retardation.     

Familial Chordoma, a Tumor of Notochordal Remnants, Is Linked to Chromosome 7q33

Chordoma is a rare tumor originating from notochordal remnants that is usually diagnosed during midlife. We performed a genomewide analysis for linkage in a family with 10 individuals affected by chordoma. The maximum two-point LOD score based on only the affected individuals was 2.21, at recombination fraction 0, at marker D7S2195 on chromosome 7q. Combined analysis of additional members of this family (11 affected individuals) and of two unrelated families (one with 2 affected individuals and the other with 3 affected individuals), with 20 markers on 7q, showed a maximum two-point LOD score of 4.05 at marker D7S500. Multipoint analysis based on only the affected individuals gave a maximum LOD score of 4.78, with an approximate 2-LOD support interval from marker D7S512 to marker D7S684. Haplotype analysis of the three families showed a minimal disease-gene region from D7S512 to D7S684, a distance of 11.1 cM and approximately 7.1 Mb. No loss of heterozygosity was found at markers D7S1804, D7S1824, and D7S2195 in four tumor samples from affected family members. These results map a locus for familial chordoma to 7q33. Further analysis of this region, to identify this gene, is ongoing.     

Metabolic Syndrome Is Linked to Chromosome 7q21 and Associated With Genetic Variants in CD36 and GNAT3 in Mexican Americans

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) has been rising alarmingly worldwide, including in the United States, but knowledge on specific genetic determinants of MS is very limited. Therefore, we planned to identify the genetic determinants of MS as defined by National Cholesterol Education Program/Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP/ATPIII) criteria. We performed linkage screen for MS using data from 692 Mexican Americans, who participated in the San Antonio Family Diabetes/Gallbladder Study (SAFDGS). We found strong evidence for linkage of MS on chromosome 7q (LOD = 3.6, empirical P = 6.0 × 10(-5)), between markers D7S2212 and D7S821. In addition, six chromosomal regions exhibited potential evidence for linkage (LOD ≥1.2) with MS. Furthermore, we examined 29 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the fatty acid translocase (FAT or CD36, 18 SNPs) gene and guanine nucleotide binding protein, α transducing 3 (GNAT3, 11 SNPs) gene, located within the 1-LOD support interval region for their association with MS and its related traits. Several SNPs were associated with MS and its related traits. Remarkably, rs11760281 in GNAT3 and rs1194197 near CD36 exhibited the strongest associations with MS (P = 0.0003, relative risk (RR) = 1.6 and P = 0.004, RR = 1.7, respectively) and several other related traits. These two variants explained ~18% of the MS linkage evidence on chromosome 7q21, and together conferred approximately threefold increase in MS risk (RR = 2.7). In conclusion, our linkage and subsequent association studies implicate a region on chromosome 7q21 to influence MS in Mexican Americans.     

Assignment of the dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPP4) gene to pig Chromosome 15q21

A porcine 2-kb partial dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPP4, EC 3.4.14.5) cDNA clone and a porcine 16-kb genomic fragment containing parts of the DPP4 gene were isolated, characterized, and used as probes to map the DPP4 gene to pig Chr (Chr) 15q21 by fluorescence in situ hybridization. A two-allele RFLP was revealed for the DPP4 gene. This polymorphism was utilized in a linkage test against the erythrocyte antigen G (EAG), previously assigned to Chr 15, and the microsatellite S0088, which is linked to EAG. The linkage analyses revealed significant evidence for linkage confirming the assignment of DPP4 to Chr 15.     

Partial trisomy 21 with 45 chromosomes due to translocation of two chromosomes 21 onto a chromosome 14 : 45,XX-14,-21,+t(14q21q21q) (author's transl)

A patient with the phenotype of trisomy 21 and increased activity of superoxide dismutase A is reported with partial trisomy for the distal portion of 21q. The exceptional feature in this case is a 45-chromosome karyotype due to the translocation of two chromosomes 21 onto the distal end of 14q.     

Structural and Functional Characterization of Human Chromosome 13q14 and Its Potential Tumor Suppressor Genes

Works on chromosome 13 mapping supported by the Russian program Human Genome are reviewed. Emphasis is placed on studies of region 13q14.3, which is often lost in some human tumors and potentially contains tumor suppressor genes (TSG). A strategy of TSG search is described. As the resolution of genome analysis improved, a minimal overlap of genetic loss in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) was established for chromosome 13. A map of expressed sequences was constructed for the region containing the overlap, and candidate TSG of chromosome 13q14 were identified. The candidate genes were analyzed both structurally and functionally, and their possible role in tumorigenesis was considered. Assuming haploinsufficiency as a genetic mechanism controlling B-CLL, a new strategy was proposed for mutation screening aimed at identifying potential TSG of region 13q14.