Evidence for an Association of the Dopamine D5 Receptor Gene on Age at Onset of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within candidate genes for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are associated with the age at onset for ADHD. One hundred and forty-three SNPs were genotyped across five candidate genes ( DRD5 , SLC6A3 , HTR1B , SNAP25 , DRD4 ) for ADHD in 229 families with at least one affected offspring. SNPs with the highest estimated power to detect an association with age at onset were selected for each candidate gene, using a power-based screening procedure that does not compromise the nominal significance level. A time-to-onset analysis for family-based samples was performed on these SNPs to determine if an association exists with age at onset for ADHD. Seven consecutive SNPs surrounding the D5 dopamine receptor gene ( DRD5 ), were associated with the age at onset for ADHD; FDR adjusted q-values ranged from 0.008 to 0.023. This analysis indicates that individuals with the risk genotype develop ADHD earlier than individuals with any other genotype. A haplotype analysis across the 6 significant SNPs that were in linkage disequilibrium with one another, CTCATA , was also found to be significant (p-value = 0.02). We did not observe significant associations with age at onset for the other candidate loci tested. Although definitive conclusions await independent replication, these results suggest that a variant in DRD5 may affect age at onset for ADHD.     

Genetic analysis of the 3' untranslated region of the tumour necrosis factor shows a highly conserved region in rheumatoid arthritis affected and unaffected subjects

Tumour necrosis factor (TNF) is a key proinflammatory mediator in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The TNF locus, situated in the class III region of the MHC, is flanked by five microsatellite markers. It has previously been shown that this region influences susceptibility to RA; two TNF microsatellite haplotypes were found to be associated with RA. Evidence from murine studies has indicated that variation in the TNF 3' untranslated region (UTR) could be associated with altered regulation of TNF biosynthesis. In order to identify possible RA associated polymorphisms, more than 800 bp of the TNF 3' UTR was genetically analysed in RA affected and unaffected subjects possessing specific RA and non-RA associated TNF microsatellite haplotypes. The TNF 3' UTR region was analysed using two mutation detection methods, PCR-SSCP and NIRCA analysis and DNA sequencing. No genetic differences were observed in the human TNF 3' UTR between subjects, that is, irrespective of RA status or TNF haplotype, and also compared with previously published TNF sequences from human sources. Therefore it can be concluded that the TNF 3' UTR in this population was highly conserved and did not influence susceptibility to RA.     

Exploiting T cell receptor genes for cancer immunotherapy

Adoptive antigen-specific immunotherapy is an attractive concept for the treatment of cancer because it does not require immunocompetence of patients, and the specificity of transferred lymphocytes can be targeted against tumour-associated antigens that are poorly immunogenic and thus fail to effectively trigger autologous T cell responses. As the isolation and in vitro expansion of antigen-specific lymphocytes is difficult, 'conventional' adoptive T cell therapy can only be carried out in specialized centres in small numbers of patients. However, T cell receptor (TCR) genes isolated from antigen-specific T cells can be exploited as generic therapeutic molecules for 'unconventional' antigen-specific immunotherapy. Retroviral TCR gene transfer into patient T cells can readily produce populations of antigen-specific lymphocytes after a single round of polyclonal T cell stimulation. TCR gene modified lymphocytes are functionally competent in vitro, and can have therapeutic efficacy in murine models in vivo. TCR gene expression is stable and modified lymphocytes can develop into memory T cells. Introduction of TCR genes into CD8(+) and CD4(+) lymphocytes provides an opportunity to use the same TCR specificity to produce antigen-specific killer and helper T lymphocytes. Thus, TCR gene therapy provides an attractive strategy to develop antigen-specific immunotherapy with autologous lymphocytes as a generic treatment option.     

Role of the 2 adenine (g.11293_11294insAA) insertion polymorphism in the 3' untranslated region of the factor VII (FVII) gene: molecular characterization of a patient with severe FVII deficiency

Polymorphic variants in the gene encoding factor VII (F7) affect the plasma levels of this coagulation protein and modify the clinical phenotype of FVII deficiency in some patients. In this study we report the in vitro functional analysis of a novel polymorphic variant located in the 3' untranslated region of F7: g.11293_11294insAA. To determine whether this variant regulates FVII expression, we initially compared an expression vector containing FVII cDNA with g.11293_11294insAA with the FVII wild-type (WT) construct. The kinetics of mRNA production showed that the insertion decreases the steady-state FVII mRNA levels. To assess whether the insertion influences the phenotype of FVII-deficient patients, we evaluated its effect on the expression of FVII in a patient with severe FVII deficiency (undetectable FVII activity and antigen) carrying two additional homozygous missense variations (p.Arg277Cys and p.Arg353Gln). The two substitutions alone reduced the expression of FVII activity and antigen in vitro, but with the insertion polymorphism in our expression vector the patient's phenotype of undetectable plasma FVII was recapitulated. The insertion polymorphism in the 3' untranslated region of F7 is another modifier of FVII expression that might explain the poor genotype-phenotype correlation in some FVII-deficient patients.     

An ER export signal accelerates the surface expression of shal potassium channels in pyloric neurons of the lobster stomatogastric ganglion

The shal gene encoding the transient potassium current, I _A, plays important roles in shaping the firing properties of neurons in the pyloric network in the stomatogastric ganglion (STG) of the spiny lobster, Panulirus interruptus. However, when we overexpressed the shal protein in pyloric dilator (PD) neurons, the effect of increased I _A was compensated by a parallel upregulation of the hyperpolarization activated inward current (I _h). In an attempt to temporally separate the overexpression of shal from the compensatory up-regulation of I _h channels, we inserted an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) export signal sequence, FCYENE, into the shal gene. This signal sequence accelerated the surface expression of shal protein in Xenopus oocytes and PD neurons. However, the accelerated expression of shal still did not alter the firing properties of the injected neuron, suggesting that the compensatory upregulation of I _h occurs simultaneously with the upregulation of I _A.     

Case report: natural transmission of an AZFc Y-chromosomal microdeletion from father to his sons

Y-chromosomal microdeletions, associated with oligozoospermia or azoospermia, are usually de novo deletions in the affected patients. We report here the rare case of an affected father who transmitted a Y-chromosomal microdeletion to at least two of his three sons naturally and who also fathered a daughter. The extent of the deletion, which was determined with new STS-primers and covers 3.5 Mb, was identical in the father and his azoospermic sons. To determine any possibly modifying influence of other genes involved in spermatogenesis, we analysed two polymorphisms of the DAZL gene, the autosomal homologue of the deleted DAZ gene. DAZL and DAZ might be functionally related to each other. However, we found identical polymorphisms in exon 2 and 3 of the DAZL gene, in both father and his sons, corresponding to the most prevalent genotype in fertile men. Thus, other genes or environmental factors must modify spermatogenesis in men with identical Y-chromosomal microdeletions.     

两个遗传性非患肉性结直肠癌家系中MLH1和MSH2基因的突变检测

目的 确定两个遗传性非息肉性结直肠癌(hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer,HNPCC)家系的致病基因,选择MLH1基因和MSH2基因进行突变检测.方法 采用聚合酶链反应结合DNA直接测序法,对两个遗传性非息肉性结直肠癌家系的患者进行MLH1基因和MSH2基因的突变检测;发现变异后,采用PCR-限制性片段长度多态性或直接测序法鉴定此变异是否属于突变.结果 在家系A的患者中发现了位于MLH1基因第3外显子内的新突变c.243_244 insA;在家系B的患者中发现了MSH2基因第7外显子内的c.1215_1218dupCCGA突变,这两个突变都导致了编码蛋白的提前终止.结论 MLH1基因的c.243_244insA突变和MSH2基因的c.1215_1218dupCCGA突变分别是导致家系A和家系B发生遗传性非息肉性结直肠癌的致病突变.     

Chromosomal mapping of the uracil permease gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Summary The gene FUR4, coding for the uracil permease in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was mapped on chromosome II, at a distance of 7.8 cM from the centromere on the right arm of the chromosome. In a first step, we used the chromosome loss mapping method developed by Falco and Botstein (1983) to determine on which chromosome the gene mapped. After the observation that FUR4 was closely linked to GAL10, one of the three genes forming the gal cluster (Bassel and Mortimer 1971), we could determine precisely the position of the gene on chromosome II.     

头颈部鳞癌中抑癌基因PTEN的研究进展

The FTEN, having a dual specificity phosphatase activity, is the first tumor suppressor gene that possess phosphatase activity hitherto. Many researches have suggested that FTEN play a major role in the tumorgenesis. In clinical, the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSCC) is one of the most common ma-lignant tumors. In this review, advances in the research of FTEN and the relationship between the PTEN and HNSCC are discussed.     

压力负荷性左室肥厚大鼠心肌钠钙交换体和肌浆网钙泵的表达

目的 观察压力负荷性左室肥厚大鼠心功能异常及心肌钠钙交换体(NCX)和肌浆网钙泵(SERCA2a)的表达变化.方法 缩窄大鼠腹主动脉制备压力负荷性心肌肥厚模型,测定在体血流动力学及左室重量指数(LVWI),用RT-PCR和Western blot法检测左室组织NCX及SERCA2a的表达.结果 与假手术组相比,模型大鼠左室收缩压(LVSP)及左室舒张末压(LVEDP)均显著升高(P<0.01,P<0.001);左室重量指数显著增加(P<0.001)及左室NCX mRNA表达上调(P相似文献