Identification and expression analysis of C15orf3, a novel gene on chromosome 15q21.1-->q21.2.

We have isolated C15orf3, a novel human gene that lacks homology to any known gene family. The C15orf3 gene encodes a transcript of 1676 nt with an ORF of 187 amino acids and a predicted protein product size of 20.8 kDa.

Identification of seven novel SNPS (five nucleotide and two amino acid substitutions) in the connexin31 (GJB3) gene.

Connexin31 (GJB3) has been associated with hearing impairment and erythrokeratodermia variabilis. We have analyzed this gene in samples from patients with peripheral neuropathies, deafness and controls and have found several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). In the noncoding exon 1 of GJB3 two small deletions, 581del2 and 632del4 (GenBank accession number AF052692), were found at frequencies of 30% and 14%, respectively.

HMG20A and HMG20B map to human chromosomes 15q24 and 19p13.3 and constitute a distinct class of HMG-box genes with ubiquitous expression.

The HMG box encodes a conserved DNA binding domain found in many proteins and is involved in the regulation of transcription and chromatin conformation. We describe HMG20A and HMG20B, two novel human HMG box-containing genes, discovered within the EURO-IMAGE Consortium full-length cDNA sequencing initiative. The predicted proteins encoded by these two genes are 48.

Cloning and characterization of human FTCD on 21q22.3, a candidate gene for glutamate formiminotransferase deficiency.

We have identified a new human gene, FTCD, which maps to chromosome 21q22.3 and encodes the enzyme formiminotransferase cyclodeaminase, an intermediate metabolism enzyme that links histidine catabolism to folate metabolism. The major cDNA encodes a protein containing 541 amino acid residues and shows 84% identity with porcine FTCD.

Cold shock induces the insertion of a cryptic exon in the neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) mRNA.

Alternative splicing is a regulatory process of gene expression based on the flexibility in the selection of splice sites. In this manuscript we present the characterisation of an alternative splicing of the NF1 pre-mRNA induced by cold-shock conditions. We demonstrate that the accuracy of the splicing mechanism was perturbed after keeping samples for a short period of time at room temperature, resulting in the insertion of a 31-bp cryptic exon between exons 4a and 4b of the NF1 mRNA.

Application of Alu-splice PCR on chromosome 21: DSCR1 and Intersectin.

Down syndrome (DS) is a major cause of mental retardation and congenital heart defects, with an overall incidence of one in 700 live births. DS is caused by increases in the amounts of a number of normal gene products, the exact number and identity of which are presently unknown. Elucidating the molecular basis of DS relies on the identification of the gene products whose augmentation by 50% or more causes symptoms of the disease.

Mutations affecting mRNA splicing are the most common molecular defects in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1.

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is one of the most common inherited disorders in humans and is caused by mutations in the NF1 gene. To date, the majority of the reported NF1 mutations are predicted to result in protein truncation, but very few studies have correlated the causative NF1 mutation with its effect at the mRNA level. We have applied a whole NF1 cDNA screening methodology to the study of 80 unrelated NF1 patients and have identified 44 different mutations, 32 being novel, in 52 of these patients.

Splice-site mutation in the PDS gene may result in intrafamilial variability for deafness in Pendred syndrome.

Pendred syndrome is a recessive inherited disorder that consists of developmental abnormalities of the cochlea, sensorineural hearing loss, and diffuse thyroid enlargement (goiter). This disorder may account for up to 10% of cases of hereditary deafness. The disease gene (PDS) has been mapped to chromosome 7q22-q31, and encodes a chloride-iodide transport protein.

Missense mutations in the cystic fibrosis gene in adult patients with asthma.

Asthma is a complex genetic disorder that affects 5% of adults and 10% of children worldwide. The complete characterization of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene identified missense mutations in 15% of 144 unrelated adult patients with asthma, but in none of 41 subjects from the general population. The four more common mutations were analyzed in an extended sample consisting of 184 individuals from the general population and did not show a significant difference in frequency.

Cloning of the human phospholipase A2 activating protein (hPLAP) gene on the chromosome 9p21 melanoma deleted region.

Cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) is a common skin cancer. About 50% of CMM sporadic tumours have lost one copy of the chromosome 9p21 region. To identify genes involved in the initiation and/or progression of CMM we have characterised the 9p21 melanoma deleted region and screened the human expressed sequence tag (EST) databases (dbEST) to search for expressed genes.

Alu-splice cloning of human Intersectin (ITSN), a putative multivalent binding protein expressed in proliferating and differentiating neurons and overexpressed in Down syndrome.

By Alu-splice PCR we have trapped two exons and subsequently identified the full length cDNA of a human gene, Intersectin (ITSN), which maps to chromosome 21q22.1 between markers D21S320 and D21S325. The gene has the potential to code for at least two different protein isoforms by alternative splicing (ITSN-L and ITSN-S).

Human minibrain homologue (MNBH/DYRK1): characterization, alternative splicing, differential tissue expression, and overexpression in Down syndrome.

The human homologue (MNBH/DYRK1) of the Drosophila minibrain gene maps to human chromosome 21 within the Down syndrome (DS) critical region and is within the region minimally deleted in chromosome 21-linked microcephaly. As a first step in gaining insight into the role that MNBH may have in human neurogenesis, and as a lead-up to the development of mouse models for MNBH overexpression, we have characterized the gene at the molecular level. We describe here the MNBH full-length transcript, alternative splicing, expression profile, and genomic organization.

Testicular CFTR splice variants in patients with congenital absence of the vas deferens.

The involvement of the five thymidine (5T) variant in intron 8 of the cystic fibrosis membrane regulator (CFTR) gene in congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD) phenotype has been extensively demonstrated. This variant leads to alternative splicing of the CFTR gene which results in a wild-type transcript and one without exon 9. Little is known about expression of the CFTR gene in the testis.

A clinical variant of neurofibromatosis type 1: familial spinal neurofibromatosis with a frameshift mutation in the NF1 gene.

Spinal neurofibromatosis (SNF) has been considered to be an alternative form of neurofibromatosis in which spinal cord tumors are the main clinical characteristic. Familial SNF has been reported, elsewhere, in three families-two linked to markers within the gene for neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and the other not linked to NF1-but no molecular alterations have been described in these families. We describe a three-generation family that includes five members affected by SNF.

Large CAG/CTG repeat templates produced by PCR, usefulness for the DIRECT method of cloning genes with CAG/CTG repeat expansions.

We report here a simple method for generating large CAG/CTG repeat sequences. We have applied this method to clone the genomic sequence containing the CAG/CTG repeat and its upstream intronic sequence present in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 or Machado-Joseph disease (SCA3/MJD) by a modified DIRECT method. With these modifications we have considerably simplified the generation of the repeat probe used to screen for anomalous bands.

Familial progressive sensorineural deafness is mainly due to the mtDNA A1555G mutation and is enhanced by treatment of aminoglycosides.

Hearing loss involves both genetic and environmental factors. A mutation (A1555G) in the mtDNA has been associated with aminoglycoside-induced and nonsyndromic sensorineural deafness. The pathological significance of this mutation in Caucasoid families has not been established, and its relationship with antibiotic treatment is not well understood.

High heterogeneity for cystic fibrosis in Spanish families: 75 mutations account for 90% of chromosomes.

We have analyzed 640 Spanish cystic fibrosis (CF) families for mutations in the CFTR gene by direct mutation analysis, microsatellite haplotypes, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, single-strand conformation analysis and direct sequencing. Seventy-five mutations account for 90.2% of CF chromosomes.

Alu-splice PCR: a simple method to isolate exon-containing fragments from cloned human genomic DNA.

We have developed a simple, straightforward procedure to isolate exons from cloned human genomic DNA. The method is PCR based and relies upon the conservation of splice-site sequences and the frequency of Alu repeat elements in the genome to capture coding sequences. We designed two different sets of primers: a primer from each end of the Alu element and primers with the 5' or 3' splice-site consensus sequences.

Genomic organization, alternative splicing, and expression patterns of the DSCR1 (Down syndrome candidate region 1) gene.

Down syndrome is a major cause of mental retardation and congenital heart defects and is due to the presence of three copies of human chromosome 21 in the affected individual. We have identified a gene, DSCR1 (HGMW-approved symbol), from the region 21q22.1-q22.