Genetic linkage analysis identifies new proximal and distal flanking markers for the X-linked agammaglobulinemia gene locus, refining its localization in Xq22

Genetic linkage analysis has been instrumental in mapping thegene for X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA) to the proximal longarm of the human X chromosome, to Xq22. Due to the relativerarity of this disease the localization of the gene within Xq22has remained imprecise. We have investigated twenty-nine familiesaffected by XLA and have found no recombinants with the DXS178locus in over 30 informative meioses. DXS178 is now the mostreliable and informative locus for use in pre-natal diagnosisand carrier detection of XLA. In addition, we have identifiednew closely linked proximal and distal flanking markers forXLA, DXS442 and DXS101, respectively. These loci are separatedby 2cM, considerably reducing the extent of DNA within whichthe XLA locus can be contained. This will open up the way formore directed positional cloning efforts for the isolation ofthe XLA gene.     

A new restriction fragment length polymorphism at the DXS101 locus allows carrier detection in a family with X linked agammaglobulinaemia.

The gene responsible for X linked agammaglobulinaemia (XLA) lies in Xq22 and has recently been identified as atk. DXS101 is a polymorphic locus which is closely linked to the disease locus. In this report we describe the identification, by pulsed field gel electrophoresis, of a new polymorphism at the DXS101 locus with a predicted heterozygosity of 4.9%. Despite this low value, we show how this polymorphism has been important in carrier status determination in a family with XLA where assessment was not possible by other means.     

Using the Gene Ontology to Annotate Key Players in Parkinson’s Disease

The Gene Ontology (GO) is widely recognised as the gold standard bioinformatics resource for summarizing functional knowledge of gene products in a consistent and computable, information-rich language. GO describes cellular and organismal processes across all species, yet until now there has been a considerable gene annotation deficit within the neurological and immunological domains, both of which are relevant to Parkinson’s disease. Here we introduce the Parkinson’s disease GO Annotation Project, funded by Parkinson’s UK and supported by the GO Consortium, which is addressing this deficit by providing GO annotation to Parkinson’s-relevant human gene products, principally through expert literature curation. We discuss the steps taken to prioritise proteins, publications and cellular processes for annotation, examples of how GO annotations capture Parkinson’s-relevant information, and the advantages that a topic-focused annotation approach offers to users. Building on the existing GO resource, this project collates a vast amount of Parkinson’s-relevant literature into a set of high-quality annotations to be utilized by the research community.     

Oxybutynin efficacy in the treatment of primary enuresis

The effectiveness of oxybutynin in the treatment of primary enuresis was evaluated in a double-blind study. A total of 30 children (25 boys, five girls), at least 6 years of age, with primary enuresis and no daytime incontinence or history of other urinary tract problems were selected at random from an enuresis clinic population. The study was explained to the families and they were told how to keep records of nocturnal bed-wetting episodes and side effects. The patients were treated with a 10 mg of oxybutynin at suppertime for 28 days. Before or after the treatment period, all children received an identical placebo for 4 weeks. Two-sided paired t tests were used to compare frequency of nocturnal enuresis. Frequency during the drug regimen did not differ significantly from that during the placebo study. There were no differences in findings between boys and girls or between children who had previously taken imipramine and those who had not. The study showed no evidence that oxybutynin is effective in treating primary enuresis.     

Stability-indicating high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of chlorpropamide, tolbutamide, and their respective sulfonamide degradates.

A quantitative high-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of chlorpropamide, tolbutamide, and their respective hydrolysis products, p-chlorobenzenesulfonamide and p-toluenesulfonamide, in solid dosage forms was developed. The method is stability indicating and can be used to determine the sulfonamide hydrolysis product and the intact drug in the presence of minor degradates. Method reproducibility, demonstrated by repeated injections of a calibration standard, was 1.21%. The lower limit of quantitation of the hydrolysis products, p-chlorobenzenesulfonamide and p-toluenesulfonamide, was 0.2 microgram/5-microliter injection. The accuracy of the method for intact drugs was determined by comparison of the HPLC results to those obtained by the appropriate USP or BP assays. The mean of the results obtained by the two methods differed by 0.7% for chlorpropamide and 0.3% for tolbutamide. Pure drug samples were spiked with amounts of the hydrolysis products ranging from 20 to 120% of the intact content. The mean percent recovery for p-chlorobenzenesulfonamide was 98.6%; for p-toluenesulfonamide, it was 100.6%. A qualitative TLC procedure for the detection of chlorpropamide, p-chlorobenzenesulfonamide, dipropylurea, propylurea, n-propylamine, tolbutamide, p-toluenesulfonamide, dibutylurea, butylurea, and n-butylamine is also described.     

Fiber length variability within the flexor carpi ulnaris and flexor carpi radialis muscles: implications for surgical tendon transfer

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to understand the detailed architectural properties of the human flexor carpi radialis (FCR) and flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) muscles and their implications for tendon transfer surgery. METHODS: Muscle fiber length was measured in 6 separate regions of the FCU and FCR from 10 cadaveric specimens. Sarcomere length was measured by laser diffraction for normalization. Moment arms were estimated by measuring tendon excursion with respect to joint angle. The position of entry of the motor nerve branches into each muscle also was measured to establish limits for the safe length of muscle mobilization. RESULTS: Muscle fiber length varied significantly along both the FCU and FCR. Fiber length variability in the FCU was twice that of the FCR. Although the average fiber length for both muscles across all regions was similar (62.6 +/- 2.1 mm for the FCR and 63.1 +/- 4.0 mm for the FCU), the proximal fibers of the FCU were longer compared with the proximal fibers of the FCR and the distal fibers of the FCU were shorter compared with the distal fibers of the FCR. The 99% confidence interval for the second nerve branch entry into the muscles was located approximately 69 mm distal to the medial epicondyle for the FCU and approximately 73 mm distal for the FCR. CONCLUSIONS: These data show different designs of both the FCU and the FCR. The functional significance of fiber length variability is not clear but imply that, when used in tendon transfer, the properly mobilized FCU has a much greater excursion.     

Nitroreductase: a prodrug-activating enzyme for cancer gene therapy

1. The prodrug CB1954 (5-(aziridin-1-yl)-2,4-dinitrobenzamide) is activated by Escherichia coli nitroreductase (NTR) to a potent DNA-crosslinking agent. 2. Virus-mediated expression of NTR in tumour cells sensitizes them to CB1954 in vitro and in vivo, providing the basis for a strategy of cancer gene therapy. 3. A phase I trial of CB1954 in cancer patients has been completed, documenting the pharmacokinetics and establishing an acceptable dose. Subsequent trials of the replication-defective adenovirus CTL102 in patients with resectable tumours have documented expression of NTR in injected colorectal liver metastases, hepatocellular carcinoma, head and neck cancer and prostate cancer. Trials combining CTL102 and CB1954 are underway. 4. An oncolytic (replication-competent) adenovirus vector allowed increased expression of NTR in vitro and in a mouse tumour model, resulting in a greater reduction in tumour growth when combined with CB1954 treatment. 5. Alternative prodrugs may eventually prove superior to CB1954; a nitroaryl phosphoramide mustard prodrug activated by NTR shows a greater therapeutic index than CB1954 in a human ovarian carcinoma. 6. The crystal structure of NTR provided the basis for site-directed mutagenesis, which has identified a number of mutants with improved kinetics of CB1954 activation. These can provide improved cell sensitization to CB1954. Combinations of these are being tested. 7. The basis for a positive selection for improved NTR variants has been demonstrated.     

Generation of Escherichia coli nitroreductase mutants conferring improved cell sensitization to the prodrug CB1954

Escherichia coli nitroreductase (NTR) activates the prodrug CB1954 to a cytotoxic derivative, allowing selective sensitization of NTR-expressing cells or tumors to the prodrug. This is one of several enzyme-prodrug combinations that are under development for cancer gene therapy, and the system has now entered clinical trials. Enhancing the catalytic efficiency of NTR for CB1954 could improve its therapeutic potential. From the crystal structure of an enzyme-ligand complex, we identified nine amino acid residues within the active site that could directly influence prodrug binding and catalysis. Mutant libraries were generated for each of these residues and clones screened for their ability to sensitize E. coli to CB1954. Amino acid substitutions at six positions conferred markedly greater sensitivity to CB1954 than did the WT enzyme; the best mutants, at residue F124, resulted in approximately 5-fold improvement. Using an adenovirus vector, we introduced the F124K NTR mutant into human SK-OV-3 ovarian carcinoma cells and showed it to be approximately 5-fold more potent in sensitizing the cells to CB1954 at the clinically relevant prodrug concentration of 1 micro M than was the WT enzyme. Enhanced mutant NTRs such as F124K should improve the efficacy of the NTR/CB1954 combination in cancer gene therapy.