Intraperitoneal infection with Salmonella abortusovis is partially controlled by a gene closely linked with the Ity gene.

The aim of the present study was to determine whether the Ity gene, which controls the resistance to S. typhimurium infection in mice, also governs the resistance to S. abortusovis, a serotype specific for goat and sheep. During either i.v. or i.p. infection, BALB/c mice (Itys) were not able to control the growth of S. abortusovis and eventually died from infection. In contrast CBA (Ityr) or (C.CB)F1 (Ityr/s) mice were able to control the growth of these bacteria. Using congenic C.D2 Ityr mice, we found that the gene controlling resistance to S. abortusovis was tightly linked to the Ity gene on chromosome 1. Furthermore, in the spleen and the liver of backcross BALB/c x (CBA x BALB/c) mice, the S. abortusovis resistance phenotype cosegregated with the two alleles of the Len-1 gene, a gene tightly linked to the Ity gene. By contrast, in these backcross mice, the level of infection of the peritoneal cavity, the site of inoculation, did not correlated with the Len-1 phenotype of the animal. These results provide evidence that after i.p. inoculation the control of S. abortusovis growth in the spleen and the liver is controlled by the Ity gene, but also suggest that additional gene(s) regulate the number of bacteria at the site of inoculation.     

Numerical comparisons of two formulations of the logistic regressive models with the mixed model in segregation analysis of discrete traits.

Segregation analysis of discrete traits can be conducted by the classical mixed model and the recently introduced regressive models. The mixed model assumes an underlying liability to the disease, to which a major gene, a multifactorial component, and random environment contribute independently. Affected persons have a liability exceeding a threshold. The regressive logistic models assume that the logarithm of the odds of being affected is a linear function of major genotype effects, the phenotypes of older relatives, and other covariates. A formulation of the regressive models, based on an underlying liability model, has been recently proposed. The regression coefficients on antecedents are expressed in terms of the relevant familial correlations and a one-to-one correspondence with the parameters of the mixed model can thus be established. Computer simulations are conducted to evaluate the fit of the two formulations of the regressive models to the mixed model on nuclear families. The two forms of the class D regressive model provide a good fit to a generated mixed model, in terms of both hypothesis testing and parameter estimation. The simpler class A regressive model, which assumes that the outcomes of children depend solely on the outcomes of parents, is not robust against a sib-sib correlation exceeding that specified by the model, emphasizing testing class A against class D. The studies reported here show that if the true state of nature is that described by the mixed model, then a regressive model will do just as well. Moreover, the regressive models, allowing for more patterns of family dependence, provide a flexible framework to understand gene-environment interactions in complex diseases.     

Detection of linkage under heterogeneity: comparison of the two-locus vs. admixture models.

Linkage analysis under the two-locus model and the admixture model was compared on pedigree data for a common disease stimulated under a model of genetic heterogeneity. The ascertainment of families was designed so that the samples had a large proportion of families segregating for both disease loci. The two-locus linkage analysis model did not demonstrate increased power of detecting linkage or more accurate estimates of the recombination fraction, theta than did the admixture model linkage analysis. When a sample was purposely chosen so that all of the families were segregating for both loci, then the two-locus lod score analysis was better. However, the increased power depended on assuming the correct gene frequency for the linked locus. It can be concluded that under the conditions of genetic heterogeneity examined here, testing for linkage under the admixture model is the preferred method of analysis. However, this is not a general conclusion that can apply to all two-locus disease models.     

Season of birth interacts with measures of inbreeding in multiplex schizophrenia pedigrees: evidence from genetic isolates in Daghestan

While the season-of-birth effect is one of the most consistent epidemiological features of schizophrenia, there is a lack of consistency with respect to the interaction between season of birth and family history of schizophrenia. Apart from family history, measures related to consanguinity can be used as proxy markers of genomic heterogeneity. Thus, these measures may provide an alternate, indirect index of genetic susceptibility. We had the opportunity to explore the interaction between season of birth and measure of consanguinity in well-described genetic isolates in Daghestan, some of which are known for their relatively high prevalence of schizophrenia. Our previous population-genetic study showed Daghestan has an extremely high genetic diversity between the ethnic populations and a low genetic diversity within them. The isolates selected for this study include some with more than 200 and some with less than 100 generations of demographical history since their founding. Based on pedigrees of multiply-affected families, we found that among individuals with schizophrenia, the measure of consanguinity was significantly higher in the parents of those born in winter/spring compared to those born in summer/autumn. Furthermore, compared to summer/autumn born, winter/spring born individuals with schizophrenia had an earlier age-of-onset, and more prominent auditory hallucinations. Our results suggest that the offspring of consanguineous marriages, and thus those with reduced allelic heterogeneity, may be more susceptible to the environmental factor(s) underpinning the season-of-the effect in schizophrenia.     

人心肌肌钙蛋白I第2和第4个密码子同义突变对其在大肠埃希菌中表达的影响

目的 对人心肌肌钙蛋白I（cTnI）基因实行定点突变并进行原核表达，观察此突变对cTnI表达量的影响。方法 利用RT-PCR方法从人心肌细胞的总RNA中克隆出编码人心肌肌钙蛋白I的cDNA片段，设计引物将其第2和第4个密码子突变后插入原核表达载体形成重组体，并导人宿主菌BL21（DE3）中，经IPTG诱导表达，Ni-NTA树脂纯化后行Western blot鉴定，观察突变对cTnI表达的影响。结果 突变后的cTnI基因与对照组相比在大肠埃希菌中得到高效表达，经纯化可获得电泳单点纯的cTnI蛋白。结论 成功克隆了cTnI基因，所设计的同义突变可促进cTnI在大肠埃希菌中的高效表达。     

SNP及其在畜牧业中的应用前景

SNP(single nucleotide polymorphisns-单核苷酸多态性)是继限制性片段长度多态性和微卫星之后，新发展起来的第3代分子标记。已成为一类新的遗传标记，广泛应用于基因定位、克隆和遗传多样性研究。本文介绍了SNP的特性、检测方法及其在畜牧业研究生产中的广泛利用前景。并提出了SNP研究中遇到的一些问题。     

Polymorphism of the mast cell chymase gene (CMA1) promoter region: lack of association with asthma but association with serum total immunoglobulin E levels in adult atopic dermatitis

BACKGROUND: Mast cell chymase has the potential to be an important mediator of inflammation and remodelling in the asthmatic lung. Previous studies have examined association between promoter polymorphism of the chymase gene (CMA1) and allergic phenotypes but the significance of this polymorphism is unclear. We have examined association of a CMA1 variant in relation to asthma in a large UK Caucasian family cohort. METHODS: A polymorphism of the CMA1 gene promoter (-1903G/A) was genotyped in 341 asthmatic families and in 184 non-asthmatic adults recruited from the UK PCR-RFLP based genotyping. Association with asthma diagnosis, atopy, specific and total IgE, and atopy and asthma severity was examined. RESULTS: Case-control studies did not reveal a significant difference in allele frequency between asthmatics and controls. A significant association was found between CMA1 genotypes and total IgE levels in subjects with self-reported eczema that remained significant after correction for multiple testing (median total serum IgE GG 297 kU/L, GA 144 kU/L, AA 48.4 kU/L, Pc=0.0032). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that CMA1 promoter polymorphism does not contribute to asthma susceptibility or severity but may be involved in regulating IgE levels in patients with eczema.     

Construction and validation of a Parkinson's disease mutation genotyping array for the Parkin gene.

Parkin mutations account for the majority of familial and sporadic early onset Parkinson's disease (EOPD) cases with a known genetic association. More than 100 mutations have been described in the Parkin gene that includes homozygous, compound heterozygous, and single heterozygous mutations. We have designed a Parkin mutation genotyping array (gene chip) that includes published Parkin sequence variants and allows their simultaneous detection. The chip was validated by screening 85 PD cases and 47 controls previously tested for Parkin mutations. Similar genotyping microarrays have been developed for other genetically heterogeneous diseases including age-related macular degeneration. Here, we show the utility of a genotyping array for Parkinson's disease by analysis of 60 subjects from the Genetic Epidemiology of Parkinson Disease (GEPD) study that includes 15 early-onset PD case probands and 45 relatives.     

肝移植后单一拉米夫定干预下HBV再感染及其相关因素分析

目的　探讨在单一拉米夫定 (LMV)干预下乙型肝炎相关性肝病肝移植后HBV再感染的发生 ,并分析其发生的易感因素。方法　随访 1999～ 2 0 0 3年接受肝移植并采用单一LMV防治HBV再感染的 6 3例乙肝相关性肝病患者 ,术后定期进行乙肝标志物、肝功能及HBVDNA定量检测 ,调查HBV再感染发生率并采用Logistic回归分析方法就术前诊断、病毒学资料及抗病毒治疗等分析其可能的易感因素。结果　在不同时期共出现HBV再感染 17例 ;各时间段HBV再感染率分别是 :6个月内9.5 % (6 / 6 3,其中 5例术后HBV标志物一直未阴转 ) ,6个月～ 1年 13.2 % (7/ 5 3) ,1～ 2年 2 7.8% (10 /36 ) ,2～ 3年 4 1.2 % (7/ 17) ,3年以上 6 0 .0 % (3/ 5 ) ;患者术前HBVDNA阳性及长期服用LMV与术后再感染呈正相关 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,而术前诊断、性别、年龄及血清HBsAg和HBeAg状态与HBV再感染则未发现显著相关性。结论　单一LMV预防HBV再感染对大多数肝移植者仍有效 ,但随术后存活时间的延长HBV再感染率呈现上升 ;术前使HBVDNA阴转及建立针对LMV耐药性变异的监测对防治再感染是必要的。