Genetic variations of HLA-DRB1 and susceptibility to Kawasaki disease in Taiwanese children.

Although some previous studies have reported that genetic and immunologic factors play important roles in the pathogenesis of Kawasaki disease (KD), the etiologic factors of this enigmatic pediatric disease are still poorly understood. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether polymorphisms of the human leukocyte antigen DRB1 (HLA-DRB1) gene are associated with KD and the development of coronary artery lesions (CAL) in Taiwanese children. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood samples from 145 children with KD and 331 healthy controls.

Different modes of regulation of transcription and pre-mRNA processing of the structurally juxtaposed homologs, Rnf33 and Rnf35, in eggs and in pre-implantation embryos.

Molecular events involved in gene expression in unfertilized eggs and pre-implantation embryos are beginning to be understood. In this work, we investigated the transcription and processing of two structurally juxtaposed mouse RING finger protein genes, Rnf33 and Rnf35. Transcripts of these genes are detected only in eggs and in pre-implantation embryos.

Display of different modes of transcription by the promoters of an early embryonic gene, Zfp352, in preimplantation embryos and in somatic cells.

We have previously reported a Krupple-like finger protein gene, Zfp352, which is expressed temporarily in two- to eight-cell mouse embryos. The Zfp352 gene is intron-less in the coding region but carries a solitary 4.3-kb intron in the 5'-untranslated region.

Use of a common promoter by two juxtaposed and intronless mouse early embryonic genes, Rnf33 and Rnf35: implications in zygotic gene expression.

Rnf33 and Rnf35 are mouse RING finger protein genes that are transcribed temporally in the preimplantation mouse embryo, predominantly at the two-cell embryonic stage. The genes are juxtaposed in a 20-kb genomic region and are both intronless except for a single intron in the 5' untranslated region (5'-UTR). Based on analysis of the Rnf33/35 genomic sequence and cDNA sequences derived by in silico mining, we found that the Rnf33 and Rnf35 mRNAs are apparently transcribed from the same putative promoter and may be products of alternative splicing of the same pre-mRNA generated through differential 3' cleavage and polyadenylation.

Generation of two homologous and intronless zinc-finger protein genes, zfp352 and zfp353, with different expression patterns by retrotransposition.

We have previously reported a mouse zinc-finger protein gene, Zfp352 (formerly 2czf48), that is expressed in early mouse embryos. Here, we report the genomic structure of Zfp352 and its lung-specific homolog, Zfp353. The two genes map on different chromosomes at 4C6 and 8B3.