Novel mutations in the gene encoding ATP-binding cassette 1 in four tangier disease kindreds.

Tangier disease (TD) is an autosomal co-dominant disorder in which homozygotes have a marked deficiency of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and, in some cases, peripheral neuropathy and premature coronary heart disease (CHD). Homozygotes are further characterized by cholesteryl ester deposition in various tissues throughout the body, most notably in those of the reticuloendothelial system. Several studies have demonstrated that the excess lipid deposition in TD is due to defective apolipoprotein-mediated efflux of cellular cholesterol and phospholipids.

Dopamine D4 gene 7-repeat allele and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Objective: Family, twin, and adoption studies show attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) to have a substantial genetic component, and some studies have reported an association between ADHD and the dopamine D4 (DRD4) gene.

Method: The authors recruited 27 triads that comprised an ADHD adult, his or her spouse, and their ADHD child. These triads were assessed for ADHD, and their DNA was genotyped for DRD4 alleles.

Genetic polymorphism of CYP2D6 and lung cancer risk.

Previous reports of the association of extensive debrisoquine metabolism, controlled by the cytochrome P450 CYP2D6, with increased lung cancer risk have been conflicting. We examined the hypothesis that genetic polymorphism at the CYP2D6 locus identifies individuals at increased risk for lung cancer in a case-control study of 98 incident Caucasian lung cancer patients and 110 age-, race-, and sex-matched controls conducted at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD. Using germ line DNA, we identified inactivating mutations at the CYP2D6 locus (CYP2D6*3, CYP2D6*4, CYP2D6*5, and CYP2D6*6A), as well as those mutations that impair but do not abolish enzyme activity (CYP2D6*9 and CYP2D6*10A).

Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy: a distinct regional myopathy with a novel molecular pathogenesis. FSH Consortium.

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is one of the most common inherited diseases of muscle. Until recently, FSHD had received little attention because of its relatively benign course and the perception that it represented a syndrome rather than a distinct myopathy. Research interest into this disease was reignited with the demonstration of linkage of FSHD to chromosome 4q35 in 1990.

Frequency of the variant allele CYP2D6(C) among North American Caucasian lung cancer patients and controls.

Previous reports of the association between the debrisoquine polymorphism and lung cancer risk are conflicting. Following the report of an association between lung cancer risk and the variant allele CYP2D6(C), we examined the presence of this allele in 98 incident Caucasian lung cancer patients and 110 age, race, and sex matched hospital controls from a case-control study conducted at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. Debrisoquine metabolic phenotype was determined by debrisoquine administration and analysis of debrisoquine and 4-hydroxydebrisoquine in the subsequent 8 h urine collected.