A variant of the HTRA1 gene increases susceptibility to age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of irreversible vision loss in the developed world and has a strong genetic predisposition. A locus at human chromosome 10q26 affects the risk of AMD, but the precise gene(s) have not been identified. We genotyped 581 AMD cases and 309 normal controls in a Caucasian cohort in Utah. We demonstrate that a single-nucleotide polymorphism, rs11200638, in the promoter region of HTRA1 is the most likely causal variant for AMD at 10q26 and is estimated to confer a population attributable risk of 49.3%. The HTRA1 gene encodes a secreted serine protease. Preliminary analysis of lymphocytes and retinal pigment epithelium from four AMD patients revealed that the risk allele was associated with elevated expression levels of HTRA1 mRNA and protein. We also found that drusen in the eyes of AMD patients were strongly immunolabeled with HTRA1 antibody. Together, these findings support a key role for HTRA1 in AMD susceptibility and identify a potential new pathway for AMD pathogenesis.     

Complement factor H polymorphism in age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a major cause of blindness in the elderly. We report a genome-wide screen of 96 cases and 50 controls for polymorphisms associated with AMD. Among 116,204 single-nucleotide polymorphisms genotyped, an intronic and common variant in the complement factor H gene (CFH) is strongly associated with AMD (nominal P value <10(-7)). In individuals homozygous for the risk allele, the likelihood of AMD is increased by a factor of 7.4 (95% confidence interval 2.9 to 19). Resequencing revealed a polymorphism in linkage disequilibrium with the risk allele representing a tyrosine-histidine change at amino acid 402. This polymorphism is in a region of CFH that binds heparin and C-reactive protein. The CFH gene is located on chromosome 1 in a region repeatedly linked to AMD in family-based studies.     

Complement factor H polymorphism and age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common, late-onset, and complex trait with multiple risk factors. Concentrating on a region harboring a locus for AMD on 1q25-31, the ARMD1 locus, we tested single-nucleotide polymorphisms for association with AMD in two independent case-control populations. Significant association (P = 4.95 x 10(-10)) was identified within the regulation of complement activation locus and was centered over a tyrosine-402 --> histidine-402 protein polymorphism in the gene encoding complement factor H. Possession of at least one histidine at amino acid position 402 increased the risk of AMD 2.7-fold and may account for 50% of the attributable risk of AMD.     

Complement factor H variant increases the risk of age-related macular degeneration

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of visual impairment and blindness in the elderly whose etiology remains largely unknown. Previous studies identified chromosome 1q32 as harboring a susceptibility locus for AMD. We used single-nucleotide polymorphisms to interrogate this region and identified a strongly associated haplotype in two independent data sets. DNA resequencing of the complement factor H gene within this haplotype revealed a common coding variant, Y402H, that significantly increases the risk for AMD with odds ratios between 2.45 and 5.57. This common variant likely explains approximately 43% of AMD in older adults.     

西药联合驻景丸加减方治疗年龄相关性黄斑变性的临床观察

目的 观察西药联合驻景丸加减方治疗年龄相关性黄斑变性的临床效果.方法 60例(86只眼)年龄相关性黄斑变性患者随机分为治疗组和对照组,两组均用维生素C、维生素E和施图伦滴眼液治疗,治疗组加用驻景丸加减方.比较两组视力恢复、疗效及满意度.结果 治疗组视力恢复、疗效及满意度均优于对照组(P＜0.05).结论 西药联合驻景丸加减治疗年龄相关性黄斑变性效果显著,可促进视力恢复.     

猪Myl1基因启动子克隆及多态性研究

肌球蛋白轻链1基因(Myl1)编码的不同剪切体(主要是MLC1f和MLC3f)与哺乳动物骨骼肌肌纤维类型相关.通过猪BAC文库筛选及引物步行法测序获得Myl1基因的启动子序列,采用PCR-RFLP技术分析蓝塘猪、大花白猪、大白猪、长白猪和杜洛克猪5个品种Myl1基因启动子区的多态性.结果表明,Myl1基因-678C/T位点在蓝塘和大花白等本地猪种中多态性丰富,而在杜洛克、长白和大白等外来猪种中几乎只有CC基因型.     

鸭SCD1基因启动子多态性对血清生化指标的遗传效应

[目的]分析鸭SCD1基因启动子多态性与血清生化指标的遗传效应,揭示鸭SCD1基因启动子的生理调控机制,为今后开展畜禽SCD1基因研究及遗传标记选育提供参考依据.[方法]构建基因组DNA池,利用PCR-RFLP结合DNA直接测序技术检测鸭SCD1基因启动子区遗传变异情况,采用MegAlign寻找SNP位点,通过在线启动子分析软件预测SNP位点对鸭SCD1基因启动子g.952260~g.954527区域转录因子的影响,并以SPSS 19.0分析启动子酶切位点变异对父母代樱桃谷鸭血清生化指标的遗传效应.[结果]从樱桃谷鸭SCD1基因启动子g.952260~g.954527区域共检测到11个SNPs位点.其中,g.952323C>A和g.952661A>G位点突变分别致使原有转录因子D1和Sp1消失;g.952702A>G位点突变则产生新的转录因子TEC1;g.952591T>C、g.952868A>T、g.952869T>G、g.952971G>C和g.953301T>C突变区域无转录因子结合位点,也未产生新的转录因子结合位点;g.952873T>G和g.954401T>C位点突变未引起转录因子改变;g.954239C>T位点突变导致原有转录因子Sp1、Sp1、Tra-1和AP-2α改变为Sp1、Tra-1、ETF和Sp1.通过PCR-Bgl II-RFLP和直接测序比对分析,发现g.952868A>T和g.952869T>G双碱基突变造成原始序列AGT952868G952869CT突变成AGA952868T952869CT,而产生新的Bgl II酶切位点,共产生3种基因型:CC(2268 bp)、CD(2268+1659+609 bp)和DD(1659+609 bp),2个等位基因(C和D).CC基因型和C等位基因分别为优势基因型和优势等位基因,其频率分别为0.710和0.805;有效等位基因数(Ne)和多态信息含量(PIC)分别为1.458和0.265,属中度多态位点;卡方(χ2)检验结果表明,Bgl II酶切位点突变所产生的基因型分布严重偏离哈代—温伯格平衡(χ2>χ20.01,P<0.01).Bgl II酶切位点变异与父母代樱桃谷鸭血清生化指标的关联性分析结果表明,总体上以DD基因型樱桃谷鸭的血清生化指标略优于其他两种基因型.[结论]樱桃谷鸭SCD1基因启动子g.952260~g.954527区域共筛查到11个SNPs位点,其中g.952868A>T和g.952869T>G位点变异产生新的Bgl II酶切位点,且该酶切位点变异可能对鸭血清生化指标有调控效应.     

不同猪种乳铁蛋白基因启动子区单核苷酸多态性分析

通过构建DNA池和测序,分析了广东蓝塘猪、大花白猪和外来长白猪3个猪种的乳铁蛋白基因启动子区和部分5'UTR区1 494 by的单核苷酸多态性.结果表明,在3个猪种中发现了24处单核苷酸突变,其中12处为转换,8处为颠换,3处为插人.1处为缺失突变.通过生物信息学方法预测了猪乳铁蛋白基因启动子转录因子结合位点,发现了5个SNP:-1032A>G、-989C>T、-740T>G、-732G缺失、-680A>G,分别位于PEA3、cAMP、STAT5、SRY转录因子结合位点上,其中-1032 A>G产生了MYTI结合位点,-680A>G导致了SRY结合位点消失,引起了转录因子结合位点的改变,但是否对启动子转录活性有影响还需要进行深人研究.     

鸭IL-2基因启动子的克隆、多态性与表达的关联分析

为研究鸭IL-2基因调控区单核苷酸多态性对其转录调控的影响,克隆获得了鸭IL-2基因启动子2 850 bp序列,与人、小鼠和原鸡的同源性分别为35.37%,37.52%和34.74%。其中,-1 400/-1 000存在集中的核心转录因子结合位点。对鸭IL-2基因启动子(-1 932/-742)进行单核苷酸多态检测和遗传多态性分析发现,该区域存在两个突变位点(C-1353A、C-1406T),且均处于Hardy-Weinberg极不平衡状态;等位基因A均为优势等位基因。单核苷酸多态与其表达水平的相关性分析发现,突变位点不同基因型与IL-2基因mRNA表达水平和IL-2蛋白水平均无显著相关关系,但基因型AA个体的mRNA表达量均高于其他基因型个体(P>0.05),表明鸭IL-2启动子等位基因A可能有促进IL-2基因转录的趋势。研究结果为IL-2基因转录调控机制的研究提供了理论基础。     

西农萨能奶山羊β-乳球蛋白基因5''''侧翼区多态性分析

根据β-乳球蛋白基因的DNA序列设计了1对引物,用PCR-RFLP技术对56只西农萨能奶山羊β-乳球蛋白基因5'侧翼区进行了多态性分析.结果发现,在西农萨能奶山羊群体中,PCR所扩增出的710 bp片段经限制性内切酶SamⅠ消化后,表现出3种基因型.等位基因A,B的频率分别为0.91和0.09,3种基因型AA,AB,BB的频率分别为0.821,0.179和0.000.经检验,在所研究的群体中,该位点处于Hardy-Weinberg平衡状态.     

Rescue of photoreceptor degeneration in rhodopsin-null Drosophila mutants by activated Rac1

Rhodopsin is essential for photoreceptor morphogenesis; photoreceptors lacking rhodopsin degenerate in humans, mice, and Drosophila. Here we report that transgenic expression of a dominant-active Drosophila Rho guanosine triphosphatase, Drac1, rescued photoreceptor morphogenesis in rhodopsin-null mutants; expression of dominant-negative Drac1 resulted in a phenotype similar to that seen in rhodopsin-null mutants. Drac1 was localized in a specialization of the photoreceptor cortical actin cytoskeleton, which was lost in rhodopsin-null mutants. Thus, rhodopsin appears to organize the actin cytoskeleton through Drac1, contributing a structural support essential for photoreceptor morphogenesis.     

水稻OsGRAS1启动子的克隆及多样性分析

通过克隆水稻抗旱QTL区段内抗旱相关基因OsGRAS1上游1 332 bp的调控元件启动子序列,并对其进行顺式作用元件分析发现:该序列具有典型的真核生物核心启动子结构,并且包含多个与干旱胁迫相关和激素应答的调控元件;根据该序列在93-11和日本晴的同源序列间存在的插入缺失位点设计引物,在120份稻种资源中对OsGRAS1启动子片段进行序列多样性分析发现,存在4种不同类型的启动子序列,其中Ⅳ型OsGRAS1启动子比其他3种类型多了3个顺式作用元件:MYB1LEPR,GTICORE,NTBBF1ARROLB.每种序列类型选取1份材料,进行冷、盐、外源ABA和PEG胁迫处理,分析其下游基因OsGRAS1的表达水平.结果表明:Ⅳ型材料的启动子对ABA和PEG处理较其他3种类型更敏感.     

牛MYOZ1基因启动子活性分析

【目的】鉴定牛MYOZ1基因转录起始位点,确定牛MYOZ1基因核心启动子区域,为进一步研究牛MYOZ1基因的转录调控机制奠定基础。【方法】以秦川牛肌肉5′RACE准备cDNA为模板,设计5′RACE扩增试验,确定牛MYOZ1基因转录起始位点。以秦川牛外周血基因组DNA为模板,通过PCR克隆获得牛MYOZ1基因转录调控区-1 628/+61目的片段。通过生物信息学分析软件预测可能包含的转录因子结合位点,设计逐段缺失引物,获得7个亚克隆,将其分别与pGL3-Basic载体连接,得到牛MYOZ1基因启动子双荧光素酶报告基因重组质粒,通过脂质体法转染C2C12细胞系,检测7个重组质粒的荧光素酶活性,分析启动子活性。【结果】确定了牛MYOZ1基因的转录起始位点,成功克隆获得7个系列缺失的牛MYOZ1基因启动子双荧光素酶报告基因重组质粒:pMYOZ1-1 628/+61、pMYOZ1-1 430/+61、pMYOZ1-1 179/+61、pMYOZ1-932/+61、pMYOZ1-676/+61、pMYOZ1-437/+61和pMYOZ1-116/+61,其中重组质粒pMYOZ1-116/+61启动子活性极显著高于pGL3-Basic,推测牛MYOZ1基因-116/+61区域可能包含核心启动子;重组质粒pMYOZ1-1 628/+61启动子活性极显著高于pMYOZ1-1 430/+61片段活性(P0.01),表明牛MYOZ1基因启动子区域-1 628/-1 430片段可能包含启动子活性增强元件。生物信息学分析发现,牛MYOZ1基因启动子-116/+61片段可能包含SP1、GC Box、CAAT等多个重要转录因子结合位点;-1 628/-1 430片段可能包含SP1、MyoD等多个重要转录因子结合位点。【结论】成功构建了7个系列缺失的牛MYOZ1基因启动子双荧光素酶报告基因重组质粒,且初步确定了牛MYOZ1基因的核心启动子区域位于-116/+61。     

小麦TaPR1基因启动子的克隆及启动活性分析

PR1是植物病程相关（Pathogenesis related,PR）蛋白家族成员之一,参与植物抗病防御反应。研究前期明确了小麦TaPR1基因受叶锈菌及信号分子水杨酸（Salicylic acid,SA）、脱落酸（Abscisic acid,ABA）的诱导表达。本研究基于中国春小麦数据库,克隆获得了小麦TaPR1基因上游2 200 bp启动子序列,对启动子区域所包含的顺式作用元件进行分析预测,利用β-葡萄糖苷酸酶（β-Glucuronidase,GUS）组织化学染色、绿色荧光蛋白（Green fluorescent protein,GFP）观察对不同长度启动子区段进行启动活性验证,结果表明TaPR1基因启动子-2 200～-290 bp区段具有启动活性,为进一步解析TaPR1基因转录调控机制提供了理论依据。     

花烟草NaD1基因的表达及其启动子序列分析

花烟草(Nicotiala alata)的花中存在的植物防御素Nicotiala alata defensin 1(NaD1),对多种致病性真菌具有防御活性,在天然防御免疫系统中发挥着重要作用.本研究分别对花烟草根、茎、叶、花组织部分以及伸根期、旺长期、成熟期发育阶段叶片中NaD1基因的表达量进行qRT-PCR定量检测...     

猪DECR1基因SNPs筛选及其多态性分析

以大白猪、长白猪和杜洛克3个猪种共327头为试验材料,对2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase 1(DECR1)基因第6至第10外显子区域进行SNPs筛选,分析SNP突变位点的遗传多态性;采用比较基因组方法,根据人DECR1基因全长序列设计引物,筛选猪DECR1基因的SNP,经PCR-SSCP技术和测序检测...