黑白花奶牛“白细胞粘附缺陷症”（LAD）的分子生物学分析与诊断

从一患白细胞粘附缺陷症（ＬＡＤ）的黑白花奶牛犊的核苷酸顺序分析中，发现牛的抗原分子分化群１８（ＣＤ１８）的基因密码有二处发生了点突变；一处在第３８３核苷酸上，在此处原有的腺瞟吟已被鸟嘌呤取代；另一处在第７７５核苷酸上，在此处原有的胞嘧啶被胸腺嘧啶取代了。在第７７５核苷酸的突变是静止的，因为它并没有使其相应的氨基酸顺序发生改变。在第３８３核苷酸的突变，使其在相应的氨基酸顺序中第１２８位氨基酸位置上的天门冬氨酸被甘氨酸（Ｄ１２８Ｇ）所替代。一种用于牛的Ｄ１２８Ｇ等位基因的快速筛选诊断方法已作了说明。在美国，在黑白花奶牛中Ｄ１２８Ｇ等位基因的携带率在公牛中占１４．１％，在母牛中占５．８％。这一突变基因已流行于世界各地的黑白花奶牛之中。     

Predicting mutation outcome from early stochastic variation in genetic interaction partners

Many mutations, including those that cause disease, only have a detrimental effect in a subset of individuals. The reasons for this are usually unknown, but may include additional genetic variation and environmental risk factors. However, phenotypic discordance remains even in the absence of genetic variation, for example between monozygotic twins, and incomplete penetrance of mutations is frequent in isogenic model organisms in homogeneous environments. Here we propose a model for incomplete penetrance based on genetic interaction networks. Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model system, we identify two compensation mechanisms that vary among individuals and influence mutation outcome. First, feedback induction of an ancestral gene duplicate differs across individuals, with high expression masking the effects of a mutation. This supports the hypothesis that redundancy is maintained in genomes to buffer stochastic developmental failure. Second, during normal embryonic development we find that there is substantial variation in the induction of molecular chaperones such as Hsp90 (DAF-21). Chaperones act as promiscuous buffers of genetic variation, and embryos with stronger induction of Hsp90 are less likely to be affected by an inherited mutation. Simultaneously quantifying the variation in these two independent responses allows the phenotypic outcome of a mutation to be more accurately predicted in individuals. Our model and methodology provide a framework for dissecting the causes of incomplete penetrance. Further, the results establish that inter-individual variation in both specific and more general buffering systems combine to determine the outcome inherited mutations in each individual.     

Haemophilia B caused by a point mutation in a donor splice junction of the human factor IX gene

Haemophilia B (Christmas disease) is an inherited, recessive, sex-linked, haemorrhagic condition caused by a defect in the intrinsic clotting factor IX. This disease occurs in males at a frequency of approximately 1 in 30,000. Patients differ in the severity of their clinical symptoms, and variation in the clotting activity and in the concentration of factor IX antigen in their plasma has been demonstrated. There is probably heterogeneity in the molecular defects of the factor IX gene causing the disease. Here we study a severely affected, antigen-negative patient, and show that the only significant sequence difference from the normal factor IX gene is a point mutation changing the obligatory GT to a TT within the donor splice junction of exon f. We infer that this change is the cause of the disease in this individual. In addition, we have used oligodeoxynucleotide probes specific for this mutation to demonstrate the feasibility of carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis for relatives of the patient.     

A human XY female with a frame shift mutation in the candidate testis-determining gene SRY

The primary decision about male or female sexual development of the human embryo depends on the presence of the Y chromosome, more specifically on a gene on the Y chromosome encoding a testis-determining factor, TDF. The human sex-determining region has been delimited to a 35-kilobase interval near the Y pseudoautosomal boundary. In this region there is a candidate gene for TDF, termed SRY, which is conserved and specific to the Y chromosome in all mammals tested. The corresponding gene from the mouse Y chromosome is deleted in a line of XY female mutant mice, and is expressed at the expected stage during male gonadal development. We have now identified a mutation in SRY in one out of 12 sex-inversed XY females with gonadal dysgenesis who do not lack large segments of the short arm of the Y chromosome. The four-nucleotide deletion occurs in a sequence of SRY encoding a conserved DNA-binding motif and results in a frame shift presumably leading to a non-functional protein. The mutation occurred de novo, because the father of the sporadic XY female that bears it has the normal sequence at the corresponding position. These results provide strong evidence for SRY being TDF.     

The scid mutation in mice causes a general defect in DNA repair

Mice homozygous for the scid mutation on chromosome 16 have a severe combined immune deficiency as a result of their inability to correctly rearrange their immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor genes. In scid mice, when precursors for B and T lymphocytes reach the stage of development requiring expression of these surface receptors, a defective recombinase system aberrantly cuts and rejoins the receptor gene segments greatly reducing the efficiency of producing functional receptors. As a result, most scid mice have no detectable B or T lymphocytes. We have demonstrated that the scid defect is not specific to lymphocyte development. Myeloid cells and fibroblasts from scid mice show a marked increase in sensitivity to ionizing radiation, indicating that the scid mutation leads to an inability to repair DNA damage induced by ionizing radiation as well as interfering with rearrangement of the immunoglobulin and T-cell receptor genes.     

连续非线性规划的猴王遗传算法

仿照猴群竞争产生猴王、猴王在猴群中拥有基因遗传绝对优先权的模式建立了猴王遗传算法 将种群中的点按目标函数值的大小排序 ,保留最优点和部分较优点 ,引入部分变异染色体更换部分较劣点 ,并让最优点依次与种群中的其他点进行交叉变异得到下代种群中的新点 对多种测试函数的计算表明 :猴王算法直观易懂、程序简单、参数少、计算量小 ,是解连续非线性规划问题的有效方法     

原发性子宫内膜癌与p16基因突变及蛋白表达关系的研究

目的研究p16蛋白表达与原发性子宫内膜癌发生发展的关系和p16基因缺失突变及点突变在原发性子宫内膜癌发生发展中的地位.方法利用免疫组织化学方法、聚合酶链反应和聚合酶链反应-单链构象多态性分析技术,分别检测正常子宫内膜组织、子宫内膜癌前病变组织及原发性子宫内膜癌组织,观察p16蛋白和p16基因缺失突变及点突变.结果1)p16蛋白阳性表达率在正常子宫内膜组织和子宫内膜癌前病变组织中表达率分别为92.78%和90.00%,两者相比无差异性;在原发性子宫内膜癌组织中为66.67%,明显低于正常子宫组织及癌前病变组织;2)在42例原发性性子宫内膜癌组织中有14例发生p16基因缺失突变,4例发生了p16基因点突变,突变率为分别为33.33%和9.6%,正常子宫颈组织和子宫内膜癌前病变组织未发现p16基因缺失突变和点突变.结论1)在原发性子宫内膜癌发生发展过程中,p16蛋白的表达在高分化癌明显低于低分化癌,表明p16蛋白缺乏与子宫颈细胞增殖失控及分化不良紧密相关.2)原发性子宫内膜癌存在p16基因点突变,以低分化癌多见,但不是较频繁的事件;原发性子宫内膜癌存在p16基因缺失突变,以低分化癌多见,是较频繁的事件.3)p16蛋白表达与p16基因突变的相关性未被发现.     

Mutation rates differ among regions of the mammalian genome

In the traditional view of molecular evolution, the rate of point mutation is uniform over the genome of an organism and variation in the rate of nucleotide substitution among DNA regions reflects differential selective constraints. Here we provide evidence for significant variation in mutation rate among regions in the mammalian genome. We show first that substitutions at silent (degenerate) sites in protein-coding genes in mammals seem to be effectively neutral (or nearly so) as they do not occur significantly less frequently than substitutions in pseudogenes. We then show that the rate of silent substitution varies among genes and is correlated with the base composition of genes and their flanking DNA. This implies that the variation in both silent substitution rate and base composition can be attributed to systematic differences in the rate and pattern of mutation over regions of the genome. We propose that the differences arise because mutation patterns vary with the timing of replication of different chromosomal regions in the germline. This hypothesis can account for both the origin of isochores in mammalian genomes and the observation that silent nucleotide substitutions in different mammalian genes do not have the same molecular clock.     

An inherited limb deformity created by insertional mutagenesis in a transgenic mouse

We have created an insertional mutation that leads to a severe defect in the pattern of limb formation in the developing mouse. The novel recessive mutation is phenotypically identical and non-complementary to two previously encountered limb deformity mutations, and is closely linked to a dominant mutation that gives rise to a related limb dysmorphism. The inserted element thus provides a molecular genetic link with the control of pattern formation in the mammalian embryo.     

Identification of a disulfide bonded protein from cytoplasm ofBacillus subtilis

Conclusion In this study, P23 was found to be a disulfide-bonded cytoplasmic protein, abundant in late exponential phase and stationary phase cells, and was hardly detected in early exponential phase cells, the cells of sporulation process and spores. Therefore, synthesis of P23 was regulated by some specific factors or/and cellular environment. Conclusively, cytoplasm has a mechanism to catalyze the formation of disulfide bonds, which is consistent with Dermanet al. ’s conclusion from mutation experiment^[1].     

Cloned human phenylalanine hydroxylase gene allows prenatal diagnosis and carrier detection of classical phenylketonuria

The human gene for the hepatic enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase has been cloned and used to analyse the phenylalanine hydroxylase locus in the human genome. The detection of polymorphisms in this locus by several restriction enzymes has allowed feasibility studies of prenatal diagnosis of classical phenylketonuria and identification of carriers of the trait. Results indicate that these services could be provided for up to 75% of all families with phenylketonuric children in the general Caucasian population.     

Stochastic and genetic factors influence tissue-specific decline in ageing C. elegans

The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is an important model for studying the genetics of ageing, with over 50 life-extension mutations known so far. However, little is known about the pathobiology of ageing in this species, limiting attempts to connect genotype with senescent phenotype. Using ultrastructural analysis and visualization of specific cell types with green fluorescent protein, we examined cell integrity in different tissues as the animal ages. We report remarkable preservation of the nervous system, even in advanced old age, in contrast to a gradual, progressive deterioration of muscle, resembling human sarcopenia. The age-1(hx546) mutation, which extends lifespan by 60-100%, delayed some, but not all, cellular biomarkers of ageing. Strikingly, we found strong evidence that stochastic as well as genetic factors are significant in C. elegans ageing, with extensive variability both among same-age animals and between cells of the same type within individuals.     

Detection of a new mutation (1467-A) for the pedigree with mucopolysaccharidosis type Ⅱ from a Chinese family

Mucopolysaccharidosis type Ⅱ is of high genetic heterogeneity. PCR-DNA sequencing was used to study the mutation hot spots in the IDS gene of a Chinese MPS Ⅱ pedigree. A new mutation （1467-A） not yet reported worldwide was detected. This mutation located at 448th codon in the coding region of exon 9 deletes one “A” at the end of 1467 bp （cDNA）. The frame-shift mutation makes the peptide chain shorten from amino acids 550 to 459, probably altering the configuration of IDS enzyme protein remarkably and lowering the activation of IDS greatly. Therefore it is supposed to be the direct cause of the patient with MPS Ⅱ and to be a necessary premise for prenatal gene diagnosis.     

Si-1基因中一个多态位点的初步分析

 通过PCR-RFLP技术分析了Si-1基因的外显子在肿瘤样本与正常人群外周血液样本的突变情况,初步确定了Si-1基因的第15号外显子的第56位发生点突变,突变类型为C—T的置换突变,其编码的P(脯氨酸)变化为S(丝氨酸).在正常人群外周血液样本中的突变频率为14%,而在肿瘤中的突变频率为24.7%,尤其在肠癌中的突变频率高达51.5%.上述结果表明Si-1基因的外显子的突变与肿瘤间有一定关系.     

A mutation in the tRNA(Leu)(UUR) gene associated with the MELAS subgroup of mitochondrial encephalomyopathies

Mitochondrial encephalomyopathies are usually divided into three distinct clinical subgroups: (1) mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS); (2) myoclonus epilepsy associated with ragged-red fibres (MERRF); and (3) chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO) including Kearns-Sayre syndrome. Large deletions of human mitochondrial DNA and a transition mutation at the mitochondrial transfer RNALys gene give rise to CPEO including Kearns-Sayre syndrome and MERRF, respectively. Here we report an A-to-G transition mutation at nucleotide pair 3,243 in the dihydrouridine loop of mitochondrial tRNA(Leu)(UUR) that is specific to patients with MELAS. Because this mutation creates an ApaI restriction site, we could perform a simple molecular diagnostic test for the disease. The mutation was present in 26 out of 31 independent MELAS patients and 1 out of 29 CPEO patients, but absent in the 5 MERRF and 50 controls tested. Southern blot analysis confirmed that the mutant DNA always coexists with the wild-type DNA (heteroplasmy).     

Identification of Lps2 as a key transducer of MyD88-independent TIR signalling

In humans, ten Toll-like receptor (TLR) paralogues sense molecular components of microbes, initiating the production of cytokine mediators that create the inflammatory response. Using N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea, we induced a germline mutation called Lps2, which abolishes cytokine responses to double-stranded RNA and severely impairs responses to the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS), indicating that TLR3 and TLR4 might share a specific, proximal transducer. Here we identify the Lps2 mutation: a distal frameshift error in a Toll/interleukin-1 receptor/resistance (TIR) adaptor protein known as Trif or Ticam-1. Trif(Lps2) homozygotes are markedly resistant to the toxic effects of LPS, and are hypersusceptible to mouse cytomegalovirus, failing to produce type I interferons when infected. Compound homozygosity for mutations at Trif and MyD88 (a cytoplasmic TIR-domain-containing adaptor protein) loci ablates all responses to LPS, indicating that only two signalling pathways emanate from the LPS receptor. However, a Trif-independent cell population is detectable when Trif(Lps2) mutant macrophages are stimulated with LPS. This reveals that an alternative MyD88-dependent 'adaptor X' pathway is present in some, but not all, macrophages, and implies afferent immune specialization.     

一种改进的进化回归神经网络系统

对基本进化回归神经网络系统作了改进．首先提出一种可切换的适应度评估函数,使得适应度函数能够始终保持对训练误差的敏感性,保证选择机制正确而有效地复制优良个体;然后针对均匀变异对个体变异力度不够的问题,引入一种变邻接长度的集中变异方式,提高系统维持种群多样性和发现优良个体的能力。结合个体适应度同种群平均适应度的关系,给出了变异步长自适应调整策略;最后利用个体之间的汉明距离,对最优个体保留策略进行了改进,限制最优个体在种群中的重复复制。仿真结果表明综合上述改进后的进化回归神经网络系统有更好的性能。