Identification of rare DNA sequence variants in high-risk autism families and their prevalence in a large case/control population.

Background: Genetics clearly plays a major role in the etiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), but studies to date are only beginning to characterize the causal genetic variants responsible. Until recently, studies using multiple extended multi-generation families to identify ASD risk genes had not been undertaken.

Methods: We identified haplotypes shared among individuals with ASDs in large multiplex families, followed by targeted DNA capture and sequencing to identify potential causal variants.

Gluthatione-S-transferase P1 polymorphism I105V in familial and sporadic prostate cancer.

Several reports suggest that the glutathione-S-transferase (GST) family of enzymes is involved in a variety of cancers, due to their carcinogen-detoxification properties. A polymorphism in codon 105 of the pi variant (GSTP1 I105V), which affects the enzymatic activity of the enzyme, has been linked to the incidence of cancers from different organs. However, the published data in prostate cancer (PCa) is controversial.

Comparison of microsatellites versus single-nucleotide polymorphisms in a genome linkage screen for prostate cancer-susceptibility Loci.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers among men and has long been recognized to occur in familial clusters. Brothers and sons of affected men have a 2-3-fold increased risk of developing prostate cancer. However, identification of genetic susceptibility loci for prostate cancer has been extremely difficult.