Role of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase polymorphism at codon 187 in susceptibility to lung,laryngeal and oral/pharyngeal cancers

NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase (NQO1) has been proposed to play a protective role against the toxic effects of benzo[a]pyrene quinones. The C⁶⁰⁹T base change in the NQO1 gene, resulting in a Pro¹⁸⁷Ser amino acid change in the protein, has been associated with deficient enzyme activity. We examined whether this polymorphism modified the risks of smoking-related cancers in a case-control study involving patients with lung cancer (n = 150), laryngeal cancer (n = 129), oral/pharyngeal cancer (n = 121) and control individuals (n = 172), all Caucasian smokers. No statistically significant associations were observed between the NQO1 genotypes and smoking-related cancers, although the Ser/Ser genotype was associated with a tendency towards increased risk for lung cancer (odds ratio [OR] = 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.7-6.7) and for oral/pharyngeal cancer (OR = 2.3, 95% CI 0.6-8.2). No significant interaction between the NQO1 genotype and either smoking exposure or GSTM1 genotype was found. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that lack of NQO1 activity may be involved in some smoking-related cancers. However, they were based on small numbers of individuals with the putative atrisk genotype, and the associations did not reach statistical significance. Moreover, these results contrast with those observed in some other ethnic populations, where a protective effect of the NQO1 Ser allele was found. Further studies are therefore clearly needed for a better understanding of the potential role of NQO1 activity in tobacco-related cancers.     

Characterization of Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Prions in Prion Protein-humanized Mice Carrying Distinct Codon 129 Genotypes

To date, all clinical variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) patients are homozygous for methionine at polymorphic codon 129 (129M/M) of the prion protein (PrP) gene. However, the appearance of asymptomatic secondary vCJD infection in individuals with a PRNP codon 129 genotype other than M/M and transmission studies using animal models have raised the concern that all humans might be susceptible to vCJD prions, especially via secondary infection. To reevaluate this possibility and to analyze in detail the transmission properties of vCJD prions to transgenic animals carrying distinct codon 129 genotype, we performed intracerebral inoculation of vCJD prions to humanized knock-in mice carrying all possible codon 129 genotypes (129M/M, 129M/V, or 129V/V). All humanized knock-in mouse lines were susceptible to vCJD infection, although the attack rate gradually decreased from 129M/M to 129M/V and to 129V/V. The amount of PrP deposition including florid/amyloid plaques in the brain also gradually decreased from 129M/M to 129M/V and to 129V/V. The biochemical properties of protease-resistant abnormal PrP in the brain and transmissibility of these humanized mouse-passaged vCJD prions upon subpassage into knock-in mice expressing bovine PrP were not affected by the codon 129 genotype. These results indicate that individuals with the 129V/V genotype may be more susceptible to secondary vCJD infection than expected and may lack the neuropathological characteristics observed in vCJD patients with the 129M/M genotype. Besides the molecular typing of protease-resistant PrP in the brain, transmission studies using knock-in mice carrying bovine PrP may aid the differential diagnosis of secondary vCJD infection, especially in individuals with the 129V/V genotype.     

变应性鼻炎与IRF5的单核苷酸多态性关系

目的:探讨变应性鼻炎与干扰素调节因子5(IRFS)的单核苷酸多态性(SNP)的相关性.方法:采用聚合酶链(PCR)和限制性片段长度多态性(RFL P)方法在新加坡华人中检测110例变应性鼻炎患者及101健康对照组IRF5位点上的3个单核苷酸多态性(rs4728142,rs11770589,rs2280714)计算基因型和等位基因频率.结果:IRF5基因的3个位点的基因型和等位基因频率在变应性鼻组和对照组间差异无统计学意义.结论:新加坡华人IRF5 rs4728142,rsl1770589,rs2280714多态性与变应性鼻炎无明显相关性.     

汉族和维吾尔族乙型肝炎病毒耐药基因的相关临床研究

目的:利用基因芯片技术研究伊犁地区汉、维两个民族乙型肝炎病毒(HBV)耐药基因的差异性。方法:收集2014年1月-2015年12月我院收治的汉族及维吾尔族(以下简称"维族")慢性HBV感染患者各50例,患者均经基因芯片技术筛选确诊存在天然HBV耐药基因(耐核苷酸类药物),观察HBV耐药基因分型特点及对核苷酸类药物的耐药突变位点的情况。结果:汉族HBV感染患者的耐药基因型集中于B、C型,且以C型为主,而维族以D型为主,两组各基因型比较,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。汉族患者在rt204位点变异明显,而维族在rtn236t、rta181v/t+rtn236t位点变异明显,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:在新疆伊犁地区天然HBV病毒耐药基因患者中,汉族及维族耐药基因分型及耐药基因突变位点均存在显著差异,临床可通过基因芯片技术筛选变异靶点,选择合适的敏感药物。     

Variation, natural selection, and information content--a simulation

In Neo-Darwinism, variation and natural selection are the two evolutionary mechanisms that propel biological evolution. Variation implies changes in the gene pool of a population, enlarging the genetic variability from which natural selection can choose. But in the absence of natural selection, variation causes dissipation and randomization. Natural selection, in contrast, constrains this variability by decreasing the survival and fertility of the less-adapted organisms. The objective of this study is to propose a highly simplified simulation of variation and natural selection, and to relate the observed evolutionary changes in a population to its information content. The model involves an imaginary population of individuals. A quantifiable character allows the individuals to be categorized into bins. The distribution of bins (a histogram) was assumed to be Gaussian. The content of each bin was calculated after one to twelve cycles, each cycle spanning N generations (N being undefined). In a first study, selection was simulated in the absence of variation. This was modeled by assuming a differential fertility factor F that increased linearly from the lower bins (F<1.00) to the higher bins (F>1.00). The fertility factor was applied as a multiplication factor during each cycle. Several ranges of fertility were investigated. The resulting histograms became skewed to the right. In a second study, variation was simulated in the absence of selection. This was modeled by assuming that during each cycle each bin lost a fixed percentage of its content (variation factor Y) to its two adjacent bins. The resulting histograms became broader and flatter, while retaining their bilateral symmetry. Different values of Y were monitored. In a third study, various values of F and Y were combined. Our model allows the straightforward application of Shannon's equation and the calculation of a Shannon-entropy (SE) values for each histogram. Natural selection was, thus, shown to result in a progressive decrease in SE as a function of F. In other words, natural selection, when acting alone, progressively increased the information content of the population. In contrast, variation resulted in a progressive increase in SE as a function of Y. In other words, variation acting alone progressively decreased the information content of a population. When both factors, F and Y, were applied simultaneously, their relative weight determined the progressive change in SE.     

Genetic mappings in artificial genomes

This paper concerns processing of genomes of artificial (computer-simulated) organisms. Of special interest is the process of translation of genotypes into phenotypes, and utilizing the mapping information obtained during such translation. If there exists more than one genetic encoding in a single artificial life model, then the translation may also occur between different encodings. The obtained mapping information allows to present genes-phenes relationships visually and interactively to a person, in order to increase understanding of the genotype-tophenotype translation process and genetic encoding properties. As the mapping associates parts of the source sequence with the translated destination, it may be also used to trace genes, phenes, and their relationships during simulated evolution. A mappings composition procedure is formally described, and a simple method of visual mapping presentation is established. Finally, advanced visualizations of gene-phene relationships are demonstrated as practical examples of introduced techniques. These visualizations concern genotypes expressed in various encodings, including an encoding which exhibits polygenic and pleiotropic properties.     

籼粳亚种间杂交稻米脂肪含量的遗传分析

用包括基因型×环境互作效应的种子性状遗传模型,研究了籼粳亚种间杂交稻米脂肪含量的遗传特性,结果表明：在籼粳杂种中,脂肪含量的遗传表达主要受控于种子直接加性效应和母体加性效应,以前者为主．基因型X环境互作主要表现为显性（包括直接显性和母体显性）X环境以及细胞质X环境工作．直接近传率和母体遗传率都极显著．此外,根据遗传效应预测值对供试条本的利用价值作了评价．     

吉富罗非鱼IGF2基因分离及其单核苷酸多态性与体型、增重相关性

胰岛素样生长因子2(insulin-like growth factor2,IGF2)是控制动物生长和脂肪沉积的重要基因之一。本文采用PCR方法分离了吉富罗非鱼(GIFT strain Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus)IGF2基因5475bp,包含由4个外显子组成的整个阅读框669bp以及3个内含子。通过比对吉富罗非鱼10个个体IGF2序列,共发现11处单核苷酸多态性(single nucleotide polymorphism,SNP)位点,本文检测了内含子1的621nt(C/T)和外显子3的161nt(A/G)两位点在192尾吉富罗非鱼中的基因型分布,并分析不同基因型与体型、增重的相关性。使用四引物扩增受阻体系PCR检测内含子1的621nt基因型,结果显示,CC、CT、TT基因型频率在雄鱼中分别为0.32、0.32、0.36,在雌鱼中分别为0.38、0.38、0.24;与体型、增重的相关性分析表明,此位点不同基因型只与雄鱼体型(体高/体长)显著相关(P0.05),CC型个体显著高于CT和TT型个体。外显子3的A/G转换导致了MSPⅠ酶切位点改变,使用PCR-RFLP法检测该位点基因型,结果显示整个群体中不存在AA基因型,在雄鱼中,GG、AG基因型频率分别为0.71、0.29,而雌鱼中则为0.75和0.25;与体型、增重的相关性分析表明,此位点不同基因型只与雄鱼增重极显著相关(P0.01),GG型的雄鱼明显较AG型增重快。     

Comparative analysis of the differential regeneration response of various genotypes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum durum</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum dicoccum</Emphasis>

An efficient genotype independent, in vitro regeneration system was developed for nine popular Indian wheat cultivars, three each of Triticum aestivum L. viz., CPAN1676, HD2329 and PBW343, Triticum durum Desf. viz., PDW215, PDW233 and WH896, and Triticum dicoccum Schrank. Schubl. viz., DDK1001, DDK1025 and DDK1029, by manipulating the concentration and time of exposure to the growth regulator, thidiazuron (TDZ). A total of 18 (for immature inflorescence and embryo explant) and six (for mature embryo explant) different combinations of growth regulators were tried for callusing and regeneration, respectively. Media combination with low concentration of TDZ (2.2 μM) in combination to auxin and/or cytokinin (depending upon culture stage), was found to be effective for immature and mature explants. Compact, nodular and highly embryogenic calli were obtained by using immature embryo, immature inflorescence and mature embryo explants, and regeneration frequency up to 25 shoots/explant with an overall 80% regeneration was achieved. Comparable regeneration frequency was achieved for mature embryo explants. No separate hormone combination for rooting was required and plantlets ready to transfer to soil could be obtained in a short period of 8–10 weeks. This protocol can be used for raising transgenic plants for functional genomics analysis of agronomically important traits in the three species of wheat.     

Induction and comparison of different in vitro morphogenesis pathways using embryo of cumin (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cuminum cyminum</Emphasis> L.) as a model material

In this study, using cumin embryo as explant and manipulating plant growth regulators (PGRs) in regeneration medium, the main in vitro morphogenesis pathways including direct shoot organogenesis, direct somatic embryogenesis, indirect somatic embryogenesis, and indirect shoot organogenesis were obtained. The effects of PGRs, subculture, and light on the induction and progression of different pathways were studied in detail. Direct shoot organogenesis occurred on the meristematic zone, while direct somatic embryogenesis was observed on hypocotyl part of cumin embryo (more differentiated part). Application of BAP (0.1 mgl⁻¹) was the sole triggering factor for induction of callus and indirect regeneration pathways. Exogenous IAA played the central role in the direct somatic embryogenesis pathway; however, the combined effects of IAA and NAA along with the high endogenous cytokinin level resulted in direct shoot organogenesis. Subculturing revealed accelerating effects on direct somatic embryogenesis pathway and callus formation. Conversely, subculturing had negative effect on direct shoot organogenesis pathway. In certain combinations of PGRs, like 0.4 mgl⁻¹ IAA + 0.4 mgl⁻¹ NAA, co-induction and co-regeneration of different pathways were observed. Investigation of genotype dependencies of different pathways showed that direct pathways are more genotype-dependent, stable, and faster than indirect pathways. This research presents the embryo of cumin as a convenient model material for induction and comparison of different morphogenesis pathways.