Development of flow cytogenetics and physical genome mapping in chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.)

Procedures for flow cytometric analysis and sorting of mitotic chromosomes (flow cytogenetics) have been developed for chickpea (Cicer arietinum). Suspensions of intact chromosomes were prepared from root tips treated to achieve a high degree of metaphase synchrony. The optimal protocol consisted of a treatment of roots with 2mmol/L hydroxyurea for 18h, a 4.5-h recovery in hydroxyurea-free medium, 2h incubation with 10µmol/L oryzalin, and ice-water treatment overnight. This procedure resulted in an average metaphase index of 47%. Synchronized root tips were fixed in 2% formaldehyde for 20min, and chromosome suspensions prepared by mechanical homogenization of fixed root tips. More than 4×10⁵ morphologically intact chromosomes could be isolated from 15 root tips. Flow cytometric analysis of DAPI-stained chromosomes resulted in histograms of relative fluorescence intensity (flow karyotypes) containing eight peaks, representing individual chromosomes and/or groups of chromosomes with a similar relative DNA content. Five peaks could be assigned to individual chromosomes (A, B, C, G, H). The purity of sorted chromosome fractions was high, and chromosomes B and H could be sorted with 100% purity. PCR on flow-sorted chromosome fractions with primers for sequence-tagged microsatellite site (STMS) markers permitted assignment of the genetic linkage group LG8 to the smallest chickpea chromosome H. This study extends the number of legume species for which flow cytogenetics is available, and demonstrates the potential of flow cytogenetics for genome mapping in chickpea.     

TNF microsatellite alleles a2 and b3 are not primarily associated with celiac disease in the Finnish population

Abstract: Recently, an independent association between tumor necrosis factor (TNF) gene polymorphism and ceiiac disease was observed in the Irish population. We tested this association in Finnish patients with celiac disease. The TNF microsatellite alleles a2 and b3 were strongly associated (P_corr<0.0001 for both) with celiac disease when the patients were compared to the random population. However, when the comparison was made with the DQ2-matched controls, no association could be found. We therefore conclude that in Finland the TNFa2 and b3 alleles are associated with DQ2-positive haplotypes rather than celiac disease.     

Training in clinical genetics and genetic counseling in Asia

The status of training in clinical genetics and genetic counseling in Asia is at diverse stages of development and maturity. Most of the training programs are in academic training centers where exposure to patients in the clinics or in the hospital is a major component. This setting provides trainees with knowledge and skills to be competent geneticists and genetic counselors in a variety of patient care interactions. Majority of the training programs combine clinical and research training which provide trainees a broad and integrated approach in the diagnosis and management of patients while providing opportunities for research discoveries that can be translated to better patient care. The background on how the training programs in clinical genetics and genetic counseling in Asia evolved to their current status are described. Each of these countries can learn from each other through sharing of best practices and resources.     

Prevalence, geographical distribution and genealogical investigations of mutation 188 of lipoprotein lipase gene in the French Canadian population of Québec

Familial lipoprotein lipase deficiency (FLD) is of particular interest to the French Canadian population of Québec since the largest concentration of homozygotes and carriers of this genetic disease in the world resides in this area. We have previously described a missense mutation (M-188) in the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene which was present in FLD patients belonging to different ancestries, including a number of French Canadians (Monsalve MV et al. J Clin Invest 1990: 86: 728-734). In the present report, we show that this mutation, although found in largest absolute numbers among French Canadians as compared to other groups in the world, accounts for only a small proportion (24%) of all the LPL mutant alleles in this population. The M-188 occurs either in the homozygote state or as a compound heterozygote with another LPL mutation. Analysis of geographic distribution indicates that the M-188 is more prevalent in western Québec, with the highest carrier rate in the Mauricie region. Genealogical reconstruction leads to the recognition of four founders for M-188, all emigrants from France to Québec in the 17th century.     

Linkage relationships between a major gene for catechol-o-methyltransferase activity and 25 polymorphic marker systems

Segregation analysis has provided evidence suggesting the existence of a major gene for catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT) activity in man. Five large families (4 Caucasian, 1 black), with a total of 1,189 individuals, were ascertained as part of a genetic study of blood pressure. Erythrocyte COMT activity and status at 25 polymorphic genetic marker loci were determined on more than 518 individuals in these pedigrees. Genetic linkage analysis of COMT with each of the 25 marker loci was performed in two ways: (1) using parameter estimates from segregation analysis of untransformed COMT activity, and (2) using parameter estimates from segregation analysis of the power transformation of the COMT activity that maximized the likelihood of the genetic hypothesis in each family. Tight and close linkage were excluded at 21 and 15 loci, respectively. A lod score of 1.27 at θ = 0.1 was found between the loci for COMT activity and phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (PGD). Transformation of the data had little effect on the outcome of the linkage analysis.     

大Y携带者不良孕产史与胚胎非整倍体率增高的关系

目的探讨1例有不良孕产史的大Y携带者的胚胎异常情况。方法1对有2次自然流产史的夫妇,男方染色体核型为46,XY,Yqh ,常规超促排卵和卵母细胞胞浆内单精子注射,受精后第3天和第4天进行胚胎活检,获取分裂球,采用18,X,Y三色着丝粒探针进行荧光原位杂交分析(FISH),第5天移植正常胚胎。异常胚胎及废弃胚胎所有分裂球第6天再次FISH确定胚胎核型。结果患者获卵19个,对其中13个M2期卵母细胞进行ICSI,12个受精,分裂11胚。10个胚胎获得明确诊断,其中4个正常胚胎,6个异常胚胎,异常发生率达60%。5个为女胚,其中1个正常核型,4个异常胚胎中2个为无序分裂,2个为嵌合体;5个为男胚,3个正常,2个异常胚胎中1个为无序分裂,1个为嵌合体。对染色体正常的1个女胚进行宫腔内移植,未获得妊娠。结论该例大Y患者胚胎非整倍体发生率增高可能是导致其不良孕产史的原因。     

Ectodysplasin-1 deficiency in a German Holstein bull associated with loss of respiratory mucous glands and chronic rhinotracheitis

A 2-year-old German Holstein bull was identified as a carrier of a mutation within the X-chromosomal ED1 gene, which encodes a TNF-related signalling molecule mainly involved in ectodermal development. The clinicopathological appearance was associated with hypotrichosis, hypodontia, and a reduced number of eccrine glands, in addition to chronic rhinotracheitis and partial squamous metaplasia. Furthermore, for the first time in an ED1-deficient animal, a complete lack of respiratory mucous glands was observed. This suggests that the ED1 gene plays a role in the development of mucous glands, the absence of which resembles a feature of X-linked anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia (ED1) in human patients.     

α2-巨球蛋白基因I1000V多态性与散发阿尔茨海默氏病的关联研究

目的近年来有研究发现α2-巨球蛋白基因(α2-macroglobulin，A2M)Ile1000Val多态与阿尔茨海默氏病(Alzheimer’s disease，AD)发病有关联，但也有相悖的研究结果报道。因此．我们利用较大的样本，观察了A2M基因Ile1000Val多态在广州及成都地区汉族老年人中的分布，并探讨其与散发AD的相关性。方法以广州地区257例散发AD患者和242名正常老年人、成都地区112例散发AD患者和113名正常老年人为对象进行病例一对照研究。用聚合酶链反应一限制性片段长度多态性方法分析A2M基因11000V多态性和载脂蛋白E基因(apolipoprotelnE，apoE)多态性。结果(1)在两地合并样本中，AD患者与对照组中等位基因A2M-1000V的频率分别为7．7％与8．7％，广州与成都地区AD患者与对照组中A2M基因I1000V多态的分布差异无统计学意义。(2)散发AD无论按是否伴有apoE—ε4或按发病年龄分成不同亚组后，A2M基因I1000V多态的分布在病例组与对照组之间差异无统计学意义。结论广州与成都汉族人群中A2M基因I1000V多态与散发AD不具有关联。     

混合遗传算法在医学图像配准中的应用

针对遗传算法和梯度算法各自的优点和缺陷,提出了遗传算法和梯度算法相结合的松散耦合和紧密耦合两种混合遗传算法,并利用基于排挤的小生境技术对其性能进行了改进,使其在搜索能力和收敛速度上都有了较大提高。利用此算法成功实现了以互信息为相似性测度的医学图像配准。计算实例结果表明,本算法能够有效克服局部极值的影响,具备较强的抗噪能力,是一个精度高、稳定性好的医学图像配准算法。     

中国广东人CYP2F1基因遗传多态性研究

目的检测广东地区正常人群和鼻咽癌患者中细胞色素P450酶系CYP2F1基因的多态性，并分析该基因遗传多态性与鼻咽癌易感性的关联。方法采用直接测序法检测40例鼻咽癌患者全血标本中CYP2F1基因全部10个外显子的多态性变化。对于等位基因频率较高的多态性位点，进一步采用错配聚合酶链反应．限制性片段长度多态性检测368例鼻咽癌患者和344名正常对照人群中该位点的等位基因频率。结果在40例鼻咽癌样本中，共检测到CYP2F1基因的35个单核苷酸多态性。其中，10个单核甘酸引起编码的氨基酸改变，1个移码突变，15～16bp之间插入C引起移码突变（15-16ins C），该等位基因频率为25％。但病例-对照分析却未能显示该位点突变与鼻咽癌易感的相关性（P〉0．05）。结论中国广东人的CYP2F1基因遗传多态性位点较多，但暂未发现与鼻咽癌的易感性关联的单一多态位点，多个多态性位点或不同基因多态性位点的协同互补作用可能才是鼻咽癌发生发展的关键影响因素。