X-linked dystonia parkinsonism syndrome (XDP, lubag): disease-specific sequence change DSC3 in TAF1/DYT3 affects genes in vesicular transport and dopamine metabolism.

X-chromosomal dystonia parkinsonism syndrome (XDP, 'lubag') is associated with sequence changes within the TAF1/DYT3 multiple transcript system. Although most sequence changes are intronic, one, disease-specific single-nucleotide change 3 (DSC3), is located within an exon (d4). Transcribed exon d4 occurs as part of multiple splice variants.

Maternal uniparental heterodisomy with partial isodisomy of a chromosome 2 carrying a splice acceptor site mutation (IVS9-2A>T) in ALS2 causes infantile-onset ascending spastic paralysis (IAHSP).

Infantile-onset ascending spastic paralysis (OMIM #607225) is a rare autosomal recessive early onset motor neuron disease caused by mutations in the gene ALS2. We report on a splice acceptor site mutation in intron 9 of ALS2 (IVS9-2A>T) in a German patient from nonconsanguineous parents. The mutation results in skipping of exon 10.

Structural and functional analysis of the human TAF1/DYT3 multiple transcript system.

We analyzed TAF1/DYT3, a complex transcript system that is composed of at least 43 exons. Thirty-eight exons code for TATA box binding protein associated factor I (TAF1). Five downstream exons (d1-d5) of yet unknown function can either form transcripts with TAF1 exons or be transcribed independently.

Transfer of plastid DNA from tobacco to the soil bacterium Acinetobacter sp. by natural transformation.

Acquisition of new genetic information by horizontal gene transfer is a major mechanism of genetic adaptation and evolution in prokaryotes. Naturally transformable cells of Acinetobacter sp. were exposed to plant DNA from leaf and root tissue of transplastomic tobacco.