The gene for the alpha 4 subunit of the VLA-4 integrin maps to chromosome 2Q31-32.

The VLA-4 integrin (CD49d/CD29), initially discovered on lymphoid cells, is actually known to be highly expressed on T cells, B cells, monocytes, and derived cell lines. Unlike other VLA integrins, mainly involved in cell-matrix adhesive interactions, VLA-4 has also been implicated in several cellular interactions. Based on the published alpha 4 cDNA sequence, a 1,142-bp alpha 4 cDNA fragment was amplified using the polymerase chain reaction.

Localization of the gene encoding the alpha 2 subunit of the human VLA-2 receptor to chromosome 5q23-31.

The alpha 2 subunit of the VLA-2 receptor (CD49B) was mapped to human chromosome 5 by several independent approaches. First, the expression of the alpha 2 subunit at the protein level was investigated in a panel of human-mouse hybrid cell lines. Cell surface expression was detected by indirect immunofluorescence with monoclonal anti-alpha 2 antibody 12F1.

The Sp1 transcription factor gene (SP1) and the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor gene (VDR) are colocalized on human chromosome arm 12q and rat chromosome 7.

By means of somatic cell hybrids segregating either human or rat chromosomes, the genes encoding the transcription factor Sp1 (SP1) and the 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptor (VDR) were both assigned to human chromosome arm 12q and to rat chromosome 7. This result implies that the locus for the clinical disorder vitamin D dependency rickets type II maps on 12q. The phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH) and the retinoic acid receptor-gamma (RARG) genes also map on human chromosome arm 12q and rat chromosome 7, indicating that a synteny group is conserved on these chromosomes.

Human and rat chromosomal localization of two genes for 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase by analysis of somatic cell hybrids and in situ hybridization.

Two genes encoding 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase were localized in human and rat chromosomes. PFKFB1 (previously PFRX), which encodes the liver and muscle isozymes, was assigned to Xq22-q31 in the rat and to Xq27-q28 in the human by in situ hybridization using probes generated by the polymerase chain reaction. PFKFB2, which encodes the heart isozyme of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase, was assigned to chromosome 13 in the rat and to chromosome 1 in the human by hybridization of DNA from somatic cell hybrids.

Primary structure of pregnancy zone protein. Molecular cloning of a full-length PZP cDNA clone by the polymerase chain reaction.

A full-length cDNA clone of the human pregnancy zone protein (PZP) was cloned from the hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Hep3B. Based on the exon sequences of the PZP gene (Devriendt et al. (1989) Gene 81, 325-334; Marynen et al.

Molecular cloning of a phosphatidylinositol-anchored membrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan from human lung fibroblasts.

Two mAbs raised against the 64-kD core protein of a membrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan from human lung fibroblasts also recognize a nonhydrophobic proteoglycan which accumulates in the culture medium of the cells. Pulse-chase studies suggest that the hydrophobic cell-associated forms act as precursors for the nonhydrophobic medium-released species. The core proteins of the medium-released proteoglycans are slightly smaller than those of the hydrophobic cell-associated species, but the NH2-terminal amino acid sequences of both forms are identical.

A child, homozygous for a stop codon in exon 11, shows milder cystic fibrosis symptoms than her heterozygous nephew.

The clinical and molecular findings in an infant with mild manifestations of cystic fibrosis, who is homozygous for the G542X mutation, and her heterozygous nephew, who is severely affected, are described.

Association between XV2c/CS7/KM19/D9 haplotypes and the delta F508 mutation. A study of 57 Belgian families.

Using Southern blotting and the polymerase chain reaction, the prevalence of the haplotypes for XV2c, CS7, KM19 and D9 on CF and on normal chromosomes could be determined in 35 Belgian families. A set of primers complementary to the DNA sequence of the CF gene around the delta F508 deletion was used to amplify this particular segment of the gene. In a total of 57 families, deletion screening showed that 69 out of 116 CF chromosomes (59.

Sporadic late onset ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency in a boy with somatic mosaicism for an intragenic deletion.

Somatic mosaicism for a deletion in the ornithine transcarbamylase gene is described in a boy with sporadic late onset ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency. These findings are discussed in relation to the clinical picture of the patient and in relation to genetic counseling.

Rapid detection of hypervariable regions by the polymerase chain reaction technique.

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique has provided a substantial improvement for the detection and analysis of known genetic polymorphisms. Here, we describe the application of this method for the detection of variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) sequences. With the use of unique oligonucleotide primers, flanking the repeat sequence, and the thermostable Taq DNA polymerase, the hypervariable regions 3' of the Ha-ras gene, 3' of the apolipoprotein B gene, and 5' to the joining segments of the heavy-chain immunoglobulin gene could be amplified.

Chromosome mapping using polymerase chain reaction on somatic cell hybrids.

DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect specific human sequences in human-mouse somatic hybrids. As compared with classic Southern blotting, this technique appeared to be more sensitive and less time-consuming for gene mapping.

A genetic polymorphism in a functional domain of human pregnancy zone protein: the bait region. Genomic structure of the bait domains of human pregnancy zone protein and alpha 2 macroglobulin.

Genomic clones containing the exons coding for the bait domain of human pregnancy zone protein and alpha 2 macroglobulin were isolated and fragments containing the bait exons were sequenced. It is shown that the bait domains of both alpha 2 macroglobulin and pregnancy zone protein are encoded by two exons, with conserved exon/intron boundaries. A genetic polymorphism showing either a Met or a Val residue as the sixth amino acid of the pregnancy zone protein bait domain was detected with the rare Met allele showing a gene frequency of 0.

Molecular analysis of the isochromosome 12P in the Pallister-Killian syndrome. Construction of a mouse-human hybrid cell line containing an i(12p) as the sole human chromosome.

An iso 12p chromosome from a patient with Pallister-Killian syndrome was successfully transferred into a mouse background by microcell-mediated chromosome transfer. The presence of the i(12p) chromosome was confirmed by karyotyping and by Southern blotting using five 12p and seven 12q probes. The isochromosome nature of the marker chromosome was confirmed by co-hydridization of a 12p probe with a 12q and an 8q probe.

A cluster of alpha 2-macroglobulin-related genes (alpha 2 M) on human chromosome 12p: cloning of the pregnancy-zone protein gene and an alpha 2M pseudogene.

The characterization of two alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M)-related genomic clones, isolated from two human genomic libraries by use of alpha 2M cDNA [Kan et al., Proc. Natl.

Partial primary structure of the 48- and 90-kilodalton core proteins of cell surface-associated heparan sulfate proteoglycans of lung fibroblasts. Prediction of an integral membrane domain and evidence for multiple distinct core proteins at the cell surface of human lung fibroblasts.

Heparitinase treatment of cell surface-associated heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) of human lung fibroblasts reveals core proteins with apparent Mr values of 125,000, 90,000, 64,000, 48,000 and 35,000 (Lories, V., De Boeck, H., David, G.

Regional mapping of the human gene encoding the novel pituitary polypeptide 7B2 to chromosome 15q13----q14 by in situ hybridization.

Genetic sequences encoding the novel pituitary polypeptide 7B2 were isolated from a human pituitary cDNA library. Hybridization analysis of a panel of human x mouse cell hybrids with a 7B2 cDNA probe indicated that the locus for the human 7B2 gene is probably located on chromosome 15. In situ hybridization analysis of metaphase chromosomes allowed the regional localization of the 7B2 gene to chromosome 15 at q13----q14.

Mapping of structure-function relationships in proteins with a panel of monoclonal antibodies. A study on human alpha 2 macroglobulin.

Monoclonal antibody (Mab) F2B2, directed to the receptor-recognition site of human alpha 2 macroglobulin (alpha 2M), has been instrumental in the characterization of that site and in the isolation of the receptor-binding domain. We have now prepared a panel of Mab to study the structure-function relationships in alpha 2 M, and in particular the expression of the receptor-recognition site. Reversed dot-blotting was very effective to screen hybridoma supernatant for specificities to either the native or complex form of alpha 2M.

The molecular organization of human alpha 2-macroglobulin. An immunoelectron microscopic study with monoclonal antibodies.

To study the three-dimensional organization of alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) from human plasma, immunoelectron microscopy of negatively stained specimens was used. A panel of monoclonal antibodies (mAb) with specificities typical for the two major conformers of alpha 2M (native and protease-transformed) was explored. The mAb have been selected and were classified biochemically as specific for either native or transformed alpha 2M or as reactive with both conformers.

Proteolysis of human alpha 2-macroglobulin without hydrolysis of the internal thiolesters or expression of the receptor recognition site.

Proteolysis of human alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) in the bait region is the prerequisite and necessary trigger for the trapping of the proteinase by a massive conformational change of alpha 2M. This labilization of the native conformation of alpha 2M is mediated by activation of the internal thiolesters, but the underlying mechanism is unknown. We now describe observations on proteolysis of human alpha 2M without concomitant hydrolysis of the internal thiolesters or conformational change.

Mapping of rat prostatic binding protein genes C1, C2, and C3 to rat chromosome 5 by in situ hybridization.

Rat prostatic binding protein genes C1, C2, and C3 were mapped on rat chromosome 5 by in situ hybridization on rat peripheral blood chromosome preparations using three different cDNA probes. Of the grains detected, 15.9%, 25.

A mouse monoclonal antibody to human alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) crossreacts with alpha 2M from mouse: epitope mapping and characterization of subunit structure of murine alpha 2M.

Mice were immunized with the isolated C-terminal heat-induced fragment of human alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) and the spleens were used to prepare hybridomas. A monoclonal antibody (Mab) designated F17D5 was selected for further characterization. The epitope defined by Mab F17D5 was not expressed on alpha 2M, on alpha 2M-methylamine, or on alpha 2M-proteinase complexes.

The receptor-binding domain of human alpha 2-macroglobulin. Isolation after limited proteolysis with a bacterial proteinase.

Limited proteolysis of human alpha 2-macroglobulin (alpha 2M) by a novel bacterial proteinase resulted in the isolation of a soluble 20-kDa domain. The isolated fragment contained the receptor recognition site, expressed on alpha 2M complexes, as it competed effectively with alpha 2M-trypsin for binding to the receptor on skin fibroblasts. The fragment also reacted with two monoclonal antibodies which define epitopes that are part of the receptor recognition site.