Prevalence of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism in a Uruguayan population and its relation to type 1 diabetes mellitus

Vitamin D has important immuno-modulatory properties and it influences insulin secretion. It acts through a vitamin D receptor (VDR), for which several gene polymorphisms have been described. The Uruguayan population presents several epidemiological characteristics that make it different from that of other counties, including other Latin-American countries. It went through miscegenation processes, with a tri-hybrid European, Amerindian and African origin, with no contribution from isolated Amerindian communities. Such differences have important consequences for the relationship between frequencies of several genes in the general population and their association with the diabetes mellitus. We examined the prevalence of VDR gene polymorphisms in the general population and their relation to type 1 diabetes in a parent-case design. One hundred unrelated individuals from the general population and 45 parent-patient triads with a child affected with type 1 diabetes were genotyped for FokI, BsmI and TaqI VDR gene polymorphisms by RFLP-PCR. We used a transmission disequilibrium test to assess preferential transmission of parents to affected offspring. The prevalence of the three VDR polymorphisms was: allele F = 48%, B = 35%, T = 64%. The f, b, T alleles and heterozygous genotypes were found at a high frequency in this population. Among 36 informative heterozygous parental genotypes, 30 transmitted the F allele (probability of transmission = 83%). The other two polymorphisms did not show significant transmission. We suggest that FokI polymorphism indicates susceptibility to type 1 diabetes mellitus in the Uruguayan population.     

Apolipoprotein AIMarburg: Studies on two kindreds with a mutant of human apolipoprotein AI

Summary Three probands heterozygous for a mutant of apolipoprotein AI (apo AI_Marburg, Utermann et al. 1982a) were detected by screening of 2282 unrelated individuals resulting an a frequency estimate of about 1/750 in the German population. All three probands with apo AI_Marburg had hypertriglyceridemia (triglyceride above 250 mg/dl) and subnormal HDL-cholesterol (below 30 mg/dl), but no other lipoprotein abnormalities. The kindreds of two probands with AI_Marburg were studied. The family data are consistent with an autosomal codominant inheritance of the trait. A total of 16 heterozygous blood relatives with the mutant AI_Marburg were detected in these kindreds.Analysis of the plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels in relation to the apo AI phenotype was complicated by the high prevalence of diabetes mellitus and thyroid disease in one kindred and of hyperlipidemia in both kindreds. No consistent relationship between plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels, and the mutant apo AI could be demonstrated. Instead the mutant apo AI and the dyslipoproteinemia seem to co-exist independently in these kindreds. Three sibs with the homozygous apo E-2/2 phenotype were detected in one kindred, and all three sibs had subnormal LDL-cholesterol and beta-VLDL, e.g., the lipoprotein abnormality characterizing primary dysbetalipoproteinemia. Genetic apo E phenotypes and the apo AI mutant segregated independently, indicating that the structural gene loci for apo E and apo AI are not closely linked.     

Heterozygous carrier rate for type I–IV proximal spinal muscular atrophy in Chuvashes, Udmurts, and residents of the Moscow region

The first estimation of the heterozygous carrier rates for the SMN1 gene deletions and SMN2 gene duplications in populations of Russia has been performed. The numbers of SMN gene copies have been deter-mined in samples from Chuvash and Udmurt populations, as well the population of the Moscow region, by means of multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification. The heterozygous carrier rates for the CMA gene were 2.7% (1: 37 people), 2.8% (1: 36 people), and 2.8% (1: 36 people) in Chuvashes, Udmurts, and residents of the Moscow region, respectively. The SMN2 duplication frequencies have been determined in the studied groups. It is 1.5, 4, and 2.5% in Chuvashes, Udmurts, and residents of the Moscow region, respectively. The high SMN2 duplication frequency in Udmurts may explain why the SMN1 heterozygous carriage frequency in this population was overestimated in earlier PCR-RFLP analyses.     

Assessment of carriers' frequency of a novel MRE11 mutation responsible for the rare ataxia telangiectasia-like disorder

Ataxia telangiectasia-like disorder (ATLD) is a very rare variant of ataxia telangiectasia. ATLD is caused by mutations in MRE11 gene. Recently, a new missense mutation, a G-to-C change at nucleotide 630 of the MRE11 gene, was described in 10 ATLD Saudi Arabian patients from three unrelated families. This is the biggest ATLD group of patients that may suggest noticeable heterozygous carriers of G630C mutation in the general population. The aim of the present study was to assess the allelic frequency of this mutation. A cohort of 428 Saudi nationals was studied. The 630G > C mutation was genotyped by direct sequencing. Two individuals with heterozygous G630C mutation were found giving a G/C genotype frequency of 0.5% and a mutant C allele frequency of 0.2%. This indicates the presence of this rare mutation in our population with heterozygous carriers' frequency of 0.5%. The frequency could be higher in geographically isolated families with high consanguinity. Premarital, preimplementation, and prenatal screening for MRE11 G630C mutation could be useful to limit the risk of genetic diseases.     

磺酰脲类受体基因多态性与2型糖尿病的相关性研究

研 究磺酰脲类受体1（SUR1）基因外显子16-3c/t多态性在中国某南方汉族人群中是否为2型糖尿病的致病基因座。采用聚合酶链反应-限制酶酶切片段长度多态性（PCR-RFLP）方法对南方汉族46个2型糖尿病高发家系成员的SUR1基因外显子16的多态性进行分析。利用Mantel-Haenszel分层分析研究该基因座多态性与2型糖尿病的关系。在高发家系人群中,SUR1基因外显子16-3c/t多态性的基因型频率为：cc型29.3%、ct型507%、tt型20%,c等位基因频率为54.7%;患者组基因型频率为：cc型30.2% 、ct型53.8%、tt型16.0% ,c等位基因频率为57.1% ;未患病亲属组基因型频率为：cc型28.3% 、ct型47.2%、tt型24.5%,c等位基因频率为519%,两组间基因型和等位基因的差异经检验无统计学意义（分别为χ2=3.224,P=0.199;χ2=1.250,P=0264）。在性别、吸烟、饮酒、肥胖、高血压等混杂因素中的频率差异亦无显著性。c等位基因频率低于北方汉族人。在中国某南方汉族2型糖尿病高发家族人群中,未发现SUR1基因外显子16-3c/t多态性与2型糖尿病存在关联,该基因座可能不是该人群的致病基因。 Abstract:To study whether the 3c/t polymorphism of the sulfonylurea receptor 1 (SUR1) gene exon16 increased the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus in type 2 diabetes mellitus pedigrees in Han population in south area of China.Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was used in 46 type 2 diabetes mellitus pedigrees.The polymorphism in SUR1 was tested and analyzed by Mantel-Haenszel χ2 test.Frequencies of SUR1-3c/t polymorphism had no significant difference between type 2 diabetes mellitus and normal relatives（genotypes χ2=3.224,P=0.199;frequency of allele χ2=1.250,P=0.264）.In all subjects,type 2 diabetes mellitus and normal relatives,SUR1-3c/t genotypes were listed (cc:29.3%,30.2%,28.3%;ct:50.7%,53.8%,47.2%;tt:20%,16.0%,24.5% respectively).The frequencies of c were 54.7%,57.1% and 51.9% respectively.The frequency of c is lower than Han population in northern China.The results show that SUR1 exon16-3c/t polymorphism is not associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus in the population.     

A study of features of the inheritance of latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA)

A study of the genetic determination of latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA) is conducted on data consisting of clinical and genealogical data on 51 patients with LADA, 400 patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (type 1 diabetes mellitus), and 504 patients with insulin-independent diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes mellitus), along with relatives of these patients (first degree of consanguinity). Testing of the Smith model revealed the genetic independence of LADA and both type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus. A study of genetic heterogeneity in accordance with the Smith model showed that LADA shares roughly the same number of common genes with type 1 diabetes mellitus and with type 2 diabetes mellitus, which also determines the clinical course of this form of diabetes. The inheritance of LADA is described by parameters of a polygenic threshold model. Within the framework of this model, it is found that genetic factors are responsible for 60.4% of the development of the disease.     

Low prevalence of glucokinase gene mutations in gestational diabetic patients with good glycemic control

Glucokinase (GCK) plays a key role in glucose homeostasis. Gestational diabetes mellitus increases the risk of gestational complications in pregnant women and fetuses. We screened for mutations in coding and flanking regions of the GCK gene in pregnant women with or without gestational diabetes in a Brazilian population. A sample of 200 pregnant women classified as healthy (control, N = 100) or with gestational diabetes (N = 100) was analyzed for mutations in the GCK gene. All gestational diabetes mellitus patients had good glycemic control maintained by diet alone and no complications during pregnancy. Mutations were detected by single-strand conformation polymorphism and DNA sequencing. Thirteen of the 200 subjects had GCK gene mutations. The mutations detected were in intron 3 (c.43331A>G, new), intron 6 (c.47702T>C, rs2268574), intron 9 (c.48935C>T, rs2908274), and exon 10 (c.49620G>A, rs13306388). None of these GCK mutations were found to be significantly associated with gestational diabetes mellitus. In summary, we report a low frequency of GCK mutations in a pregnant Brazilian population and describe a new intronic variation (c.43331A>G, intron 3). We conclude that mutations in GCK introns and in non-translatable regions of the GCK gene do not affect glycemic control and are not correlated with gestational diabetes mellitus.     

SLC30A8 基因rsl3266634 多态性与内蒙古地区汉族人群2 型糖尿 病的相关性研究

目的:研究内蒙古地区汉族人群SLC30A8(solute carrier family 30,member 8)基因rsl3266634单核苷酸多态性(Single nucleotide polymorphism,SNP)的等位基因和基因型频率分布与2型糖尿病(Type 2 diabetes,T2DM)的相关性。方法:采用等位基因特异性聚合酶链式反应(AS-PCR),对222例内蒙古地区汉族人(其中T2DM组125例,正常对照NC组97例)rsl3266634进行基因分型。结果:T2DM组中rsl3266634的C等位基因频率、CC基因型频率分别为61.2%和28.4%,均显著高于NC组的53.1%和24.7%(P值均<0.05);而T2DM组的TT基因型频率为6.4%,显著低于NC组的18.6%(P<0.05)。C等位基因携带者患T2DM的风险是T等位基因的1.64倍(OR=1.64,95%CI=1.125-2.402)。结论:SLC30A8基因rsl3266634多态性位点的C等位基因可能是T2DM的风险等位基因,该位点C/T多态性与内蒙古地区汉族人群T2DM具有相关性,可能是内蒙古地区汉族人T2DM的易感基因之一。     

Beta 3 adrenergic receptor Trp64Arg polymorphism and manifestation of coronary artery disease in Arabs

The substitution of tryptophan (Trp) by arginine (Arg) at position 64 in the beta3-adrenoceptor (beta3-AR) gene has been associated with obesity, diabetes mellitus, and coronary artery disease (CAD). We have investigated whether the Trp64Arg polymorphism is associated with the manifestation of CAD or one of its important risk factors, such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, or hypertension in the Arab population. All participating subjects were genotyped for this polymorphism using the polymerase chain reaction followed by enzymatic digestion and sequencing. In the angiographed normal control subjects (n=495), 90.3% were homozygous Trp/Trp, 9.5% were heterozygous Trp/Arg, and 0.2% were homozygous for the Arg/Arg genotype, compared to 87%, 12.3%, and 0.7%, respectively, among angiographically confirmed CAD patients (n=981). There was no statistical difference in the distribution of genotypes or allele frequencies between the CAD and control groups. We carried out a stepwise logistic regression analysis to study the possible combined effect of the genotypes and other risk factors on CAD. All variables were retained in the model, with p values of 0.014, 0.006, 0.005, < 0.001, 0.045, 0.002, < 0.001, and 0.016 for genotype, diabetes mellitus, sex, family history of CAD, obesity, myocardial infarction, smoking, and age, respectively. In conclusion, the Trp64Arg polymorphism of the beta3-AR gene does not represent an independent risk factor for CAD in Arabs. However, in the presence of other CAD risk factors, this polymorphism may be used as a predictor of CAD.     

Effect of maternal genetic heterozygosity]

The obstetrics histories of all the pregnances were studied, including the deliveries and abortions, the perinatal mortality of fetuses and the frequency of congenital malformations among newborns in 239 repeatedly pregnant women heterozygous for the gene of phenylketonuria (PKU), 40 women with the latent form of diabetes mellitus (LDM) and 96 women heterozygous for Dushenne's myopathy (MD). It was established that the frequency of women suffering from spontaneous abortions (SA) was increased as well as the SA frequency among all the pregnancies with natural results in heterozygotes for the PKU gene; it was also established that the frequency of stillborns and of the early mortality of newborns was considerably higher among women with LDM. In both these groups the frequency of congenital malformations among the newborns was also relatively high. In women heterozygous for the PKU gene the pathogenic effect was realized only during the first three months of pregnancy, while in women with LDM it was realized through all the period of pregnancy. The heterozygosity of women for MD proved not to be pathogenic for the progeny. Possible mechanisms realizing the effect of heterozygosity of women for the abovementioned recessive genes during pregnancy are discussed.     

Regional distribution of heterozygous 657del5 mutation carriers of theNBS1 gene in Wielkopolska province (Poland)

The homozygous 657del5 mutation, called Slavic mutation, of the NBS1 gene, causes the Nijmegen Breakage Syndrome (NBS). This syndrome is connected with a high incidence of malignancies in early childhood. A high frequency of NBS heterozygotes was found among patients with melanoma, breast, ovary and prostate cancer. The aim of our research was to determine the frequency of 657del5 mutation of the NBS1 gene in the population of Wielkopolska province. For this purpose, we analysed blood samples from anonymous Guthrie cards. In a group of 2090 newborns from the whole province, we found 16 heterozygous mutation carriers. The frequency of 1/131 is higher than 1/190 reported for populations from other regions in Poland. We observed differential regional distribution of heterozygous 657del5 mutation carriers within the province: among 464 samples from the eastern part of Wielkopolska we found 6 carriers (1/77), in contrast to the southern part without any carrier among 625 samples analysed. The high mean frequency of heterozygous 657del5 mutation (1/131) in Wielkopolska province may be associated with cancer incidence in this region.     

High proportion of mutant osteoblasts is compatible with normal skeletal function in mosaic carriers of osteogenesis imperfecta

Individuals with mosaicism for the autosomal dominant bone dysplasia osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) are generally identified by having more than one affected child. The mosaic carriers have both normal and mutant cell populations in somatic and germline tissues but are unaffected or minimally affected by the type I collagen mutation that manifests clinically in their heterozygous offspring. We determined the proportion of mutant osteoblasts in skeletal tissue of two mosaic carriers who each have a COL1A1 mutation in a high proportion of dermal fibroblasts. Both carriers had normal height and bone histology; the first carrier had normal lumbar spine measurements (L1-L4), as determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (Z = +1.17). In cultured cells from the first carrier, studied by labeled PCR and single-cell PCR over successive passages, the collagen mutation was present in 85% of fibroblasts and 50% and 75% of osteoblasts from her right iliac crest and left patella, respectively, with minimal selection. The second carrier was studied by PCR amplification of DNA from autopsy paraffin blocks. The proportion of heterozygous cells was 40% in calvarium, 65% in tracheal ring, and 70% in aorta. Thus, in OI, substantially normal skeletal growth, density, and histology are compatible with a 40%-75% burden of osteoblasts heterozygous for a COL1A1 mutation. These data are encouraging for mesenchymal stem-cell transplantation, since mosaic carriers are a naturally occurring model for cell therapy.     

Frequency of CCR5 delta-32 mutation in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive and HIV-exposed seronegative individuals and in general population of Medellin, Colombia

Repeated exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) does not always result in seroconversion. Modifications in coreceptors for HIV entrance to target cells are one of the factors that block the infection. We studied the frequency of Delta-32 mutation in ccr5 gene in Medellin, Colombia. Two hundred and eighteen individuals distributed in three different groups were analyzed for Delta-32 mutation in ccr5 gene by polymerase chain reaction (PCR): 29 HIV seropositive (SP), 39 exposed seronegative (ESN) and 150 individuals as a general population sample (GPS). The frequency of the Delta-32 mutant allele was 3.8% for ESN, 2.7% for GPS and 1.7% for SP. Only one homozygous mutant genotype (Delta-32/Delta-32) was found among the ESN (2.6%). The heterozygous genotype (ccr5/Delta-32) was found in eight GPS (5.3%), in one SP (3.4%) and in one ESN (2.6%). The differences in the allelic and genotypic frequencies among the three groups were not statistically significant. A comparison between the expected and the observed genotypic frequencies showed that these frequencies were significantly different for the ESN group, which indirectly suggests a protective effect of the mutant genotype (Delta-32/Delta-32). Since this mutant genotype explained the resistance of infection in only one of our ESN persons, different mechanisms of protection must be playing a more important role in this population.     

Genetic heterogeneity and population structure of Gond-related tribes in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra.

Genetic heterogeneity in nine polymorphic loci is observed among Gond-related tribes in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra. Pardhans, with their high ABO*A2 gene frequency (4.01%), low m gene frequency (57%), high P*1 gene frequency (42.7%), and high HbS trait (31.58%), differ significantly from other tribes. Per locus average heterozygosity among the studied tribes ranged from 36.24% to 40.37%, with Pardhans being more heterozygous. Analysis by FST and the empirical relationship between average allele frequencies and the ratio of within-gene to total gene diversity show that the tribes are isolated and that differentiation among them is at an early stage and approximately in conformity with expected differentiation under genetic drift. However, distances and principal components analysis reveal that Pardhans are far removed from the other tribes and from other central Dravidian tribes. Furthermore, of the various demographic parameters estimated, the high average heterozygosity in Pardhans is significantly correlated with mean marital distance (MMD), regression of MMD on wife's age, and effective population size. There is congruence between genetic and demographic data, showing that Pardhans are distinct. This conforms with Haimendorf's (1979) contention based on cultural traits that Pardhans are Gonds by historical accident and are later migrants to the Gond area from the north. The most significant and practical observation of the present study is that migration from an originally nontribal (Pardhan) to a tribal (Gond) area and admixture lead to severe disease course, differential selection pressure, and hence highly elevated HbS trait frequency.     

A diallelic RFLP of the CD3-epsilon chain of the clonotypic T-lymphocyte receptor is not associated with certain autoimmune diseases

Summary A diallelic restriction fragment length polymorphism of the CD3-epsilon () gene, which encodes for an invariant component of the human T-lymphocyte receptor, is observed when using genomic DNA TaqI digests probed with a CD3- chain cDNA probe. This combination shows two alleles of 9.1 kb and 8.4 kb with a frequency of 0.66 and 0.34, respectively, in the Spanish population. None of these alleles is associated with susceptibility to juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA) or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).     

Carrier screening for mucolipidosis type IV in the American Ashkenazi Jewish population

Mutations in the MCOLN1 gene cause mucolipidosis type IV (MLIV), a severely debilitating, autosomal recessive, lysosomal storage disorder. Approximately 80% of patients with MLIV are of Ashkenazi Jewish (AJ) descent, and two mutations, IVS3-2A-->G and 511del6434, account for >95% of the mutant alleles in this population. To determine the carrier frequencies of these two mutations, 2,029 anonymous, unrelated, unaffected AJ individuals from the greater New York metropolitan area were screened. A multiplex PCR method coupled with allele-specific oligonucleotide hybridization was developed, to enable large-scale screening. The frequencies of the IVS3-2A-->G and 511del6434 mutations were 0.54% and 0.25%, respectively, for a combined carrier frequency of 0.79%, or 1 in 127 individuals (95% CI 0.40%-1.17%). The addition of both AJ mutations causing this neurodegenerative disorder should be considered for prenatal carrier screening in this population.     

Insulin sensitivity is not affected by mutation of codon 972 of the human IRS-1 gene

We investigated the relationship of codon 972 polymorphism of the insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) gene with insulin resistance in the Japanese population. Among 130 patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus (DM), we identified 6 who were heterozygous for the Gly972Arg mutation. Among 144 healthy subjects, 6 were heterozygous and 1 was homozygous for the mutation. A hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp study was performed in 3 of 6 diabetic patients with the heterozygous Gly972Arg mutation and in 60 without it. Both groups showed almost the same levels of insulin sensitivity (glucose infusion rate, GIR = 50.2 +/- 3.0 vs. 51.3 +/- 12.1 micromol/kg/min). Similarly, there was no difference in insulin sensitivity between healthy subjects with and without the mutation using the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA index = 1.14 +/- 0.50 vs. 1.02 +/- 0.63). The frequency of the Gly972Arg allele was not increased in diabetic patients compared with control subjects even in aged (>50 years old) or obese (BMI >/=25) subjects. Among healthy subjects, we identified a 25-year-old male with the homozygous Gly972Arg allele. He was slightly obese (BMI = 25.5) but showed relatively high insulin sensitivity, almost equal to that of healthy subjects without the mutation (GIR = 67.2 vs. 71.8 +/- 22.0 micromol/kg/min). Because the GIR in healthy subjects was significantly higher compared with that in type-2 DM patients, we speculate that another genetic or environmental factor producing a more deleterious effect on insulin sensitivity may exist in diabetic patients. We conclude that this gene abnormality does not play a role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and type-2 DM.     

SLC30A8基因rsl3266634多态性与内蒙古地区汉族人群2型糖尿病的相关性研究

目的：研究内蒙古地区汉族人群SLC30A8（solute carrier family 30,member 8）基因rsl3266634单核苷酸多态性（Single nucleotide polymorphism,SNP）的等位基因和基因型频率分布与2型糖尿病（Type 2 diabetes,T2DM）的相关性。方法：采用等位基因特异性聚合酶链式反应（AS-PCR）,对222例内蒙古地区汉族人（其中T2DM组125例,正常对照NC组97例）rsl3266634进行基因分型。结果：T2DM组中rsl3266634的C等位基因频率、CC基因型频率分别为61.2%和28.4%,均显著高于NC组的53.1%和24.7%（P值均〈0.05）;而T2DM组的TT基因型频率为6.4%,显著低于NC组的18.6%（P〈0.05）。C等位基因携带者患T2DM的风险是T等位基因的1.64倍（OR=1.64,95%CI=1.125-2.402）。结论：SLC30A8基因rsl3266634多态性位点的C等位基因可能是T2DM的风险等位基因,该位点C/T多态性与内蒙古地区汉族人群T2DM具有相关性,可能是内蒙古地区汉族人T2DM的易感基因之一。