Check out our New Publishers' Select for Free Articles

Biochemical Genetics (v.49, #3-4)

Identification, Inheritance, and Variation of Microsatellite Markers in the Black Scallop Mimachlamys varia by Alberto Arias; Ruth Freire; Juan Pablo De La Roche; Guillermo Román; Josefina Méndez; Ana Insua (pp. 139-152).

Five polymorphic microsatellite loci were identified in the black scallop Mimachlamys varia after construction of a genomic library enriched for (GT)n. To examine the transmission pattern of microsatellite alleles, several families were created and genotypes scored for three loci. The expected Mendelian ratios were found in 12 of 14 segregations examined. Unexpected segregations may be explained by a genotyping error (allelic dropout), given that when a specific allele was treated as dominant, the phenotypic ratios conformed to Mendelian expectations. The five loci were also examined in two samples from the Spanish coast. The two localities displayed similar mean values for the number of alleles per locus (7.2–8.4), allelic richness (7.2–7.9), and observed (0.389–0.484) and expected heterozygosity (0.545–0.618). Significant Hardy–Weinberg deviations were observed at three loci, with heterozygote deficiency occurring in all cases. Global multilocus θ value and allele frequencies at one locus revealed significant differentiation between the two localities.

Keywords: Mimachlamys varia ; Microsatellite markers; Segregation analysis; Genetic diversity; Population differentiation

Genetic Distinctiveness of the Korean Red-Backed Vole (Myodes regulus) from Korea, Revealed by Mitochondrial Cytochrome b Gene Sequences by Hung Sun Koh; Beong Kug Yang; Seon Wook Heo; Kyung Hee Jang; Seong Taek In (pp. 153-160).

To examine the taxonomic status of the Korean red-backed vole (Myodes regulus), the full cytochrome b sequences of 21 red-backed voles from Korea and northeast China were compared with the corresponding haplotypes from 12 species of Myodes and Eothenomys from GenBank. We identified five red-backed voles from Mount Changbai and Harbin as Myodes rufocanus and three from Harbin as M. rutilus, and we confirmed that the red-backed voles from Korea are M. regulus and not Eothenomys regulus. We found that M. regulus from Korea differed from the other five species of Myodes and that the interspecific distances between M. regulus and each of the two species from northeast China were 4.55% (M. rufocanus) and 11.1% (M. rutilus). We concluded that M. regulus is also genetically distinct and is an endemic species of Korea.

Keywords: Taxonomy; Cytochrome b ; Korean red-backed vole; Myodes regulus ; Korea

Isolation and Expression of Two Distinct Sox8 Genes in Mudloach (Misgurnus anguillicaudatus) by Xiaohua Xia; Jie Zhao; Qiyan Du; Zhongjie Chang (pp. 161-176).

To investigate the function and evolutionary origin of the SOXE subgroup, we amplified the genomic DNA of Misgurnus anguillicaudatus using a pair of degenerate primers. Using RACE, we obtained two versions of Sox8 (MaSox8a and MaSox8b) from M. anguillicaudatus. The overall sequence identity of the deduced amino acids from the two genes was 54.38%, with only one amino acid change in the high-mobility group domain. Southern blotting and evidence from the phylogenetic tree provided further proof for the existence of two Sox8 genes at the genomic level. This is the first evidence of two distinct Sox8 genes in Cypriniformes. Semi-quantitative and real-time quantitative PCR assays showed the expression trend of the genes was opposite in early embryonic development, and both were expressed ubiquitously in several adult tissues. The similar expression patterns indicated that MaSox8a and MaSox8b have possible overlapping functions.

Keywords: Sox8a ; Sox8b ; RACE-PCR; Real-time quantitative PCR; Misgurnus anguillicaudatus

Novel SNPs of the Bovine PRLR Gene Associated with Milk Production Traits by Aijun Lü; Xiucai Hu; Hong Chen; Yongjun Dong; Yanhua Zhang; Xiuqin Wang (pp. 177-189).

The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within exon 10 of the prolactin receptor gene (PRLR) were detected in Chinese Holstein cows using polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and DNA sequencing methods, and their genetic effects on milk production traits were evaluated in this study. Two newly detected SNPs (g.9206G→A and g.9681C→T) caused amino acid variations E378K and A536V, respectively, which were then preliminarily predicted at the topological level. Statistical results indicated that the two SNPs were significantly associated with milk yields, and cows with the combined genotype GGCC showed superior milk performance. A putative phosphorylation site was identified at residue 378K ([ST]-×-[RK]), which offers a partial explanation for the associations. These results suggest that the two novel SNPs within exon 10 of the PRLR gene associated with milk production traits are useful genetic markers in a selection program for Holstein dairy cattle.

Keywords: Cattle; Prolactin receptor gene; Single nucleotide polymorphism; Milk production traits

CTLA4 A49G Polymorphism Shows Significant Association With Glioma Risk in a Chinese Population by Qihan Wu; Xiaoying Zhan; Tonghai Dou; Hongyan Chen; Weiwei Fan; Keke Zhou; Haishi Zhang; Hongxia Zheng; Yanyan Cai; Yao Zhao; Fengping Huang; Liangfu Zhou; Ying Mao; Daru Lu (pp. 190-201).

Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen-4 (CTLA4) A49G is a polymorphism that is extensively studied in various cancers. To investigate whether it is associated with the occurrence of glioma in Chinese patients, we performed a case–control research study with 670 patients and 680 controls. In this group, we found that the genotype at this locus is significantly associated with glioma risk (GG vs. AA: P = 0.045; GG + AG vs. AA: P = 0.013). In some subgroups, G allele carriers are significantly less represented. We also observed significant correlations between the polymorphism genotype and glioma risk in patients with WHO histologic stages. We conclude that CTLA4 A49G might be a potential clinical biomarker for distinguishing persons with a high risk for developing gliomas.

Keywords: CTLA4 ; Glioma; Polymorphism; Case–control study

Development and Characterization of Microsatellite Markers for Genetic Analysis of the Swimming Crab, Portunus trituberculatus by Qianghua Xu; Ru Liu (pp. 202-212).

This study isolated and characterized 11 novel microsatellite markers for the commercially important swimming crab species, Portunus trituberculatus. Genetic diversity and population structure of two populations of P. trituberculatus in the East China Sea were assessed using these loci. The microsatellite markers produced 242 alleles, varying from 17 to 26 alleles per locus. In all the samples, the range of heterozygosity was 0.6324–0.9403 (observed) and 0.8998–0.9547 (expected). An F-statistic analysis revealed low genetic differentiation between the populations (mean F _ST = 0.0197), with 98% of the variation resulting from the within-population component. In addition, cross-amplification was tested in two other portunid species, and we found that many loci yielded useful information. The high degree of polymorphism exhibited by the 11 microsatellites suggests that these markers will be useful for both aquaculture and studies of natural populations of the genus.

Keywords: Portunus trituberculatus ; Swimming crab; Microsatellites; Population genetics

Expression of mRNA Isoforms of Latent Transforming Growth Factor-β Binding Protein-1 in Coronary Atherosclerosis and Human Tissues by Rahmi Öklü; Robin Hesketh; Stephan Wicky; James C. Metcalfe (pp. 213-225).

Latent transforming growth factor-β binding protein-1 (LTBP1) has been implicated in the control of secretion, localization, and activation of TGFβ (transforming growth factor-β). We developed a quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (Q-RT-PCR) assay using an RNA internal standard to examine the expression of three alternatively spliced isoforms of LTBP1 (LTBP1Δ41, LTBP1Δ53, and LTBP1Δ55) in a variety of human tissues. The assays were also used to determine the expression of LTBP1L and LTBP1S isoforms and total LTBP1. The Q-RT-PCR assays were highly reproducible and showed that in most tissues LTBP1Δ55 and LTBP1L were minor components of LTBP1. The proportion of LTBP1Δ41 ranged from 2% of total LTBP1 mRNA in early coronary atherosclerotic lesions to 54% in advanced lesions.

Keywords: Latent transforming growth factor-β binding protein; Q-RT-PCR; Alternative splicing; Genetic variation

Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis of Zebra Finch Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors by Wuyi Liu; Chunjiang Zhao (pp. 226-241).

The zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata) is an established organism for developmental, behavioral, and neurological research. In this study, we conducted a genomewide survey using the zebra finch genome project databases and identified 86 bHLH sequences in silico in the zebra finch genome. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that 85 proteins belong to 38 families with 29, 18, 18, 3, 11, and 6 bHLH members in supergroups A, B, C, D, E, and F, respectively. One orphan member belonged to none of these groups. Comparisons of zebra finch with chicken and human bHLH repertoires suggested that both humans and birds have a number of lineage-specific bHLH members. Chromosome distribution patterns and phylogenetic analysis suggest that the zebra finch bHLH members should have arisen through gene duplication. This study provides useful information for further research using zebra finch as a model system.

Keywords: Zebra finch; Basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor; Genome; Phylogeny; Gene duplication

Molecular and Biochemical Evaluation of Indian Draft Breeds of Cattle (Bos indicus) by Sanjeev Singh; Suneet Sharma; J. S. Arora; B. C. Sarkhel (pp. 242-250).

Glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPX-1) enzyme detoxifies peroxides by reacting with the GSH (reduced glutathione) responsible for the maintenance of the integrity of essential biomolecules. This study was conducted on 100 animals of two Indian draft breeds of cattle (Bos indicus), Nimari, and Malvi. Genomic DNA was isolated from blood samples, and four fragments (80, 71, 78, and 442 bp) of the GPX-1 gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction. PCR-SSCP analysis in 12% PAGE with silver staining revealed polymorphism in three of the fragments (80, 71, and 442 bp) in these two cattle breeds. Breed differences for the blood biochemical parameters (serum creatine kinase and lactic acid level) and overall draft ability were studied. The genetic polymorphism identified for the GPX-1 gene in this investigation would help in the identification of alleles related to draft capacity in these animals for future genetic improvement.

Keywords: Bos indicus ; Draft ability; GPX-1; Genetic polymorphism; PCR-SSCP

Expression of Biologically Active Human Interferon Gamma in the Milk of Transgenic Mice Under the Control of the Murine Whey Acidic Protein Gene Promoter by Haydar Bagis; Digdem Aktoprakligil; Cagatay Gunes; Sezen Arat; Tolga Akkoc; Gaye Cetinkaya; Orhan Kankavi; Ali Cihan Taskin; Korhan Arslan; Munis Dundar; Vania L. Tsoncheva; Ivan G. Ivanov (pp. 251-257).

Role of HLA Allele Polymorphism in Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection and HBV Vaccine Sensitivity in Patients from Eastern Turkey by Ayse Albayrak; Mustafa Ertek; Mehmet Akin Tasyaran; Ibrahim Pirim (pp. 258-269).

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles have been associated with the clinical outcomes of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, which range from spontaneous recovery to hepatocellular carcinoma. In this study involving subjects from eastern Turkey, the frequencies of HLA-B35, HLA-CW4, HLA-DQ2, and HLA-DQ8 were markedly higher in the chronic HBV group than those in the spontaneously recovered group; the frequencies of HLA-A11 and HLA-A24 in the nonresponsive HBV vaccine group were markedly higher than those in the responsive HBV vaccine group; and the frequency of HLA-CW6 in the nonresponsive HBV vaccine group was significantly lower than in the responsive group. A complete understanding of HLA types associated with the progression to chronic HBV infection and their effects within the cell at the molecular level will be an important contribution in the development of new HBV vaccines and new treatment strategies for chronic HBV infection.

Keywords: Hepatitis B virus; HLA allele; HBV vaccination; Chronic hepatitis B

Esterase Polymorphism and the Analysis of Genetic Diversity and Structure in Cactus Populations Descended from Cereus peruvianus Plants Regenerated In Vitro by Juliana Sala; Claudete Aparecida Mangolin; Juliana Franzoni; Maria de Fátima Pires da Silva Machado (pp. 270-282).

The genetic structure of Cereus peruvianus populations descended from cultivated plants (F₁ populations) and from plants regenerated in vitro (R₁ populations) was analyzed using α- and β-esterase isozymes in native PAGE. The estimated proportion of polymorphic loci was higher (50%) in the R₁ populations than the F₁ populations (42.85%). The mean observed (0.5599) and expected (0.5620) heterozygosity in R₁ descendents was also higher than the rates in F₁ descendents (H _o = 0.4142; H _e = 0.4977). A low level of population differentiation was detected in R₁ descendents (F _st = 0.05). In contrast, population differentiation was high in F₁ descendents (0.2583). Esterase analysis using PAGE showed that artificial selection by silvicultural management provides high genetic diversity and a large genetic basis for C. peruvianus, whereas in vitro selection from callus tissue culture involves an increase of heterozygosity levels in descendents from somaclones and a low level of interpopulational divergence.

Keywords: Cactus; Somaclones; Esterases; Genetic structure of populations

Sections

Personal tools

Biochemical Genetics (v.49, #3-4)

Sections

Personal tools

Local resources

Biochemical Genetics (v.49, #3-4)