The DNA sequence of the human X chromosome

The human X chromosome has a unique biology that was shaped by its evolution as the sex chromosome shared by males and females. We have determined 99.3% of the euchromatic sequence of the X chromosome. Our analysis illustrates the autosomal origin of the mammalian sex chromosomes, the stepwise process that led to the progressive loss of recombination between X and Y, and the extent of subsequent degradation of the Y chromosome. LINE1 repeat elements cover one-third of the X chromosome, with a distribution that is consistent with their proposed role as way stations in the process of X-chromosome inactivation. We found 1,098 genes in the sequence, of which 99 encode proteins expressed in testis and in various tumour types. A disproportionately high number of mendelian diseases are documented for the X chromosome. Of this number, 168 have been explained by mutations in 113 X-linked genes, which in many cases were characterized with the aid of the DNA sequence.     

Localization of the X inactivation centre on the human X chromosome in Xq13

X-chromosome inactivation results in the strictly cis-limited inactivation of many but not all genes on one of the two X chromosomes during early development in somatic cells of mammalian females. One feature of virtually all models of X inactivation is the existence of an X-inactivation centre (XIC) required in cis for inactivation to occur. This concept predicts that all structurally abnormal X chromosomes capable of being inactivated have in common a defineable region of the X chromosome. Here we report an analysis of several such rearranged human X chromosomes and define a minimal region of overlap. The results are consistent with models invoking a single XIC and provide a molecular foothold for cloning and analysing the XIC region. One of the markers that defines this region is the XIST gene, which is expressed specifically from inactive, but not active, X chromosomes. The localization of the XIST gene to the XIC region on the human X chromosome implicates XIST in some aspect of X inactivation.     

The mapping of a cDNA from the human X-linked Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene to the mouse X chromosome

The recent discovery of sequences at the site of the Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) gene in humans has opened up the possibility of a detailed molecular analysis of the genes in humans and in related mammalian species. Until relatively recently, there was no obvious mouse model of this genetic disease for the development of therapeutic strategies. The identification of a mouse X-linked mutant showing muscular dystrophy, mdx, has provided a candidate mouse genetic homologue to the DMD locus; the relatively mild pathological features of mdx suggest it may have more in common with mutations of the Becker muscular dystrophy type at the same human locus, however. But the close genetic linkage of mdx to G6PD and Hprt on the mouse X chromosome, coupled with its comparatively mild pathology, have suggested that the mdx mutation may instead correspond to Emery Dreifuss muscular dystrophy which itself is closely linked to DNA markers at Xq28-qter in the region of G6PD on the human X chromosome. Using an interspecific mouse domesticus/spretus cross, segregating for a variety of markers on the mouse X chromosome, we have positioned on the mouse X chromosome sequences homologous to a DMD cDNA clone. These sequences map provocatively close to the mdx mutation and unexpectedly distant from sparse fur, spf, the mouse homologue of OTC (ornithine transcarbamylase) which is closely linked to DMD on the human X chromosome.     

Characterization of a murine gene expressed from the inactive X chromosome

In mammals, equal dosage of gene products encoded by the X chromosome in male and female cells is achieved by X inactivation. Although X-chromosome inactivation represents the most extensive example known of long range cis gene regulation, the mechanism by which thousands of genes on only one of a pair of identical chromosomes are turned off is poorly understood. We have recently identified a human gene (XIST) exclusively expressed from the inactive X chromosome. Here we report the isolation and characterization of its murine homologue (Xist) which localizes to the mouse X inactivation centre region and is the first murine gene found to be expressed from the inactive X chromosome. Nucleotide sequence analysis indicates that Xist may be associated with a protein product. The similar map positions and expression patterns for Xist in mouse and man suggest that this gene may have a role in X inactivation.     

Construction and characterization of a bacterial artificial chromosome library of peach

This report briefly describes the construction and characterization of a peach [ prunus persica (L.) Batch] Var. Jingyu bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library. The variety Jingyu has many important agronomic characters of stone fruits, and it is a main parent in Chinese peach breeding. After cloning of the high molecular weight peach DNA into pBeloBAC 11, we obtained over 22 000 recombinant clones. The BAC library has an average insert size of 95 kb and represents approximately 7 times peach haploid genome equivalents. After being screened with two randomly amplified polymorphic DNA markers, W4 and P20, which are linked to yellow flesh and nectarine genes of peach respectively, ten positive clones have been detected. This library is very useful for map-based cloning of peach genes and physical mapping of peach genome.     

Construction of a bacterial artificial chromosome library of S-type CMS maize mitochondria

In order to isolate mitochondrial genes easily, we have developed a new method to construct S-type CMS maize mitochondrial gene library by means of embedding mitochondria and enzymatic digesting mitochondriain situ, preparing mtDNA by electrophoresis, digesting LMP agarose with β-agarase, using BAC vector and electroporation. About 2 500 white clones of Mo17 CMS-J mitochondrial gene library were obtained with the average size of 18.24 kb, ranging from 5 to 40 kb, 63.6% inserts came from mitochondrial genome and represented 48 × mitochondrial genome equivalents. All the probes had detected the positive clones in the gene library. It is helpful to elucidating the maize mitochondrial genome structure and mechanism of S-type CMS, and may give some valuable reference to the construction of other plant mitochondrial genome library.     

基于流式细胞技术的两种槭属植物基因组大小测定

【目的】槭属植物具有重要的园林观赏价值和药用价值,开发应用前景广阔,但该属植物分子生物学及基因组学研究还相对匮乏,此次研究利用流式细胞仪技术对该属中鸡爪槭和元宝枫基因组大小进行测定,为后期槭属植物的细胞遗传学和基因组学研究奠定基础。【方法】以鸡爪槭(Acer palmatum)和元宝枫(A. truncatum)的嫩叶为材料,首次采用LB01解离液和碘化丙啶(PI)荧光染料,利用基因组大小已知的玉米(Zea mays L.)CE-777作为内标,建立适合于该两种材料的流式细胞术基因组大小测定方法。【结果】LB01解离液对测定样品与内标解离效果均较好,粒子清晰集中,无重叠峰且区分度良好,最后测得鸡爪槭的基因组1C含量为0.840 4 pg,元宝枫的基因组1C含量为0.756 0 pg。【结论】基于流式细胞仪技术,选取合适的样品处理方法,可成功测定鸡爪槭和元宝枫的基因组大小。该结果和方法可丰富槭属植物的基因库,为揭示该属植物的物种起源和进化提供重要依据,也为其后期的基因组测序工作奠定了重要基础。     

Functional genomic analysis of C. elegans chromosome I by systematic RNA interference

Complete genomic sequence is known for two multicellular eukaryotes, the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans and the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, and it will soon be known for humans. However, biological function has been assigned to only a small proportion of the predicted genes in any animal. Here we have used RNA-mediated interference (RNAi) to target nearly 90% of predicted genes on C. elegans chromosome I by feeding worms with bacteria that express double-stranded RNA. We have assigned function to 13.9% of the genes analysed, increasing the number of sequenced genes with known phenotypes on chromosome I from 70 to 378. Although most genes with sterile or embryonic lethal RNAi phenotypes are involved in basal cell metabolism, many genes giving post-embryonic phenotypes have conserved sequences but unknown function. In addition, conserved genes are significantly more likely to have an RNAi phenotype than are genes with no conservation. We have constructed a reusable library of bacterial clones that will permit unlimited RNAi screens in the future; this should help develop a more complete view of the relationships between the genome, gene function and the environment.     

Construction and characterization of a bacterial artificial chromosome library of rice 5460F

Thermo-sensitive genie male sterile (TGMS) rice has a number of desirable characteristics for hybrid rice production. Many studies have demonstrated that the sterility of TGMS rice is controlled by a single recessive gene. It has been mapped for the first time on chromosome 8 and namedtms 1. Several AFLP markers which tightly linked to thetms 1 gene have been identified recently. In order to develop a detailed physical map of thetms1 gene-encompassing region and finally clone thetms1 gene, a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library of rice 5460F (the fertile mutant line of TGMS rice 5460S) using a modified vector pECBAC1 has been constructed. The constructed 5460F BAC library consists of 16 896 clones with an average insert size of 119 kb, which represents about 4.7 times rice haploid genome equivalents. Neither chloroplast nor mitochondrial DNA was detected from the library. The library was screened with three single copy sequence amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers which tightly linked totms1 gene as probes and eight positive clones were identified.