Organization of the HPRT gene and related sequences in the human genome

Pseudogene-free amplification of HPRT1 in quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction

Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) provides a powerful tool for precise gene expression analysis. The accuracy of the results highly depends on careful selection of a reference gene for data normalization. HPRT1 (hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase 1) is a frequently used housekeeping gene for normalizing relative expression values. However, the existence of processed pseudogenes for HPRT1 might interfere with reliable results obtained in qRT-PCR due to amplification of unintended products. Here, we designed a primer pair for pseudogene-free amplification of HPRT1 in qRT-PCR. We demonstrate that this primer pair specifically amplified HPRT1 messenger RNA (mRNA) sequence while avoiding coamplification of the pseudogenes.

Data supporting the design and evaluation of a universal primer pair for pseudogene-free amplification of HPRT1 in real-time PCR

Hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase 1 (HPRT1) is a common housekeeping gene for sample normalization in the quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain (qRT-PCR). However, co-amplification of HPRT1 pseudogenes may affect accurate results obtained in qRT-PCR. We designed a primer pair (HPSF) for pseudogene-free amplification of HPRT1 in qRT-PCR [1]. We showed specific amplification of HPRT1 mRNA in some common laboratory cell lines, including HeLa, NIH/3T3, CHO, BHK, COS-7 and VERO. This article provides data supporting the presence and location of HPRT1 pseudogenes within human and mouse genome, and the strategies used for designing primers that avoid the co-amplification of contaminating pseudogenes in qRT-PCR. In silico analysis of human genome showed three homologous sequences for HPRT1 on chromosomes 4, 5 and 11. The mRNA sequence of HPRT1 was aligned with the pseudogenes, and the primers were designed toward 5' end of HPRT1 mRNA that was only specific to HPRT1 mRNA not to the pseudogenes. The standard curve plot generated by HPSF primers showed the correlation coefficient of 0.999 and the reaction efficiency of 99.5%. Our findings suggest that HPSF primers can be recommended as a candidate primer pair for accurate and reproducible qRT-PCR assays.

Genotype-phenotype correlations in neurogenetics: Lesch-Nyhan disease as a model disorder

Establishing meaningful relationships between genetic variations and clinical disease is a fundamental goal for all human genetic disorders. However, these genotype-phenotype correlations remain incompletely characterized and sometimes conflicting for many diseases. Lesch-Nyhan disease is an X-linked recessive disorder that is caused by a wide variety of mutations in the HPRT1 gene. The gene encodes hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase, an enzyme involved in purine metabolism. The fine structure of enzyme has been established by crystallography studies, and its function can be measured with very precise biochemical assays. This rich knowledge of genetic alterations in the gene and their functional effect on its protein product provides a powerful model for exploring factors that influence genotype-phenotype correlations. The present study summarizes 615 known genetic mutations, their influence on the gene product, and their relationship to the clinical phenotype. In general, the results are compatible with the concept that the overall severity of the disease depends on how mutations ultimately influence enzyme activity. However, careful evaluation of exceptions to this concept point to several additional genetic and non-genetic factors that influence genotype-phenotype correlations. These factors are not unique to Lesch-Nyhan disease, and are relevant to most other genetic diseases. The disease therefore serves as a valuable model for understanding the challenges associated with establishing genotype-phenotype correlations for other disorders.

Pseudogenes of the human HPRT1 gene

Entrez Gene lists four HPRT1 gene pseudogenes (HPRTP1, HPRTP2, HPRTP3, and HPRTP4) mapping to chromosomes 3, 5, 11q, and 11q, respectively, as originally reported by Patel et al. in 1984 (Patel PI, et al. 1984 Somat Cell Mol Genet 10:483-493). However, the Entrez Gene reports for three of the four pseudogenes (HPRTP1, HPRTP3, and HPRTP4) are currently empty. A BLAST search of both GenBank (Homo sapiens) and the human genome found the chromosome 5 associated HPRTP2 sequence and a single chromosome 11q sequence (HPRTP3 or HPRTP4?). This chromosome 11 sequence had a unique 7.2 kb insert, which may explain why it originally appeared to be two separate pseudogenes. No evidence of a chromosome 3 associated sequence was found; however, a sequence highly homologous to HPRT1 was located on chromosome 4. All of these sequences are intronless processed pseudogenes. Lastly, a sequence highly homologous to HPRT1 exon 8 was found on chromosome 10. This homologous sequence was exactly exon 8 of a gene designated PRTFDC1, for phosphoribosyl transferase domain containing 1. This gene with unknown function is almost completely homologous to HPRT1 in exon structure (except for a 21 bp (seven amino acid) insertion in exon 1) and 68% homologous in amino acid sequence.

Eighteen-year follow-up of a patient with partial hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase deficiency and a new mutation

Hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) deficiency is an inherited disorder. Complete deficiency of HPRT activity is phenotypically expressed as the devastating Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. Partial HPRT deficiency usually causes hyperuricemia, precocious gout, and uric acid nephrolithiasis. We describe an 18-year follow-up of a 5-year old boy with partial HPRT deficiency and report a novel mutation in his HPRT gene. He presented with overproduction of uric acid and passage of uric acid renal stones, and without gout or neurological and behavioral abnormalities. Treatment with allopurinol, adequate hydration, urinary alkalization, and a low-purine diet was started. No subsequent nephrolithiasis has occurred. After 18-year of this therapy his physical and neuropsychological status were normal, merely his glomerular filtration rate (GFR, normal 97-137 mL min(-1)/1.73 m(2)) fell from normal to 65.1 mL min(-1). The most likely cause of initial renal impairment in our patient is uric and/or xanthine crystalluria. A missense and transition mutation 169A>G (57ATG>GTG, 57met>val) in exon 3 of the patient's HPRT gene was identified and the mother was the carrier of the mutation. As far as we are aware, the identified mutation has not previously been reported. We named the mutant HPRT Maribor.

Molecular basis of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase deficiency in Italian Lesch-Nyhan patients: identification of nine novel mutations

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome (LSN, McKusick 300322) is an X-linked genetic disease due, in its typical form, to the complete absence of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT, EC 2.4.2.8) enzyme activity. It is characterized by hyperuricaemia, leading to gout and kidney stones, accompanied by severe neurological dysfunction with self-injurious behaviour, choreoathetosis and spasticity. Based on a worldwide birth incidence estimate of about 1:380000, one or two new cases are expected every year in Italy. We performed biochemical and molecular genetic studies on 28 Italian patients from 25 families who are likely to represent most living individuals with the syndrome in the country. They all had absent HPRT activity and a typical LNS phenotype. Genetic analysis identified 24 HPRT mutations, 9 of which had not been previously reported: 74C>G (P25R), IVS2+1G>C, 194-195delTC, 329-332delCAAC insTCTs, IVS9-1G>A, 506insC, IVS8-1G>C, 606G>T (L202F), 418G>C (G140R). No mutation hotspots were identified. Only two mutations were found in more than one family, indicating the lack of any major mutation causing LNS in Italy. Three mutations arose de novo , two in the proband's mother, one in the maternal grandmother. The virtual complete absence of HPRT activity was related to deletions, nonsense, or missense mutations leading to nonconservative amino acid changes.

Clinical correlates, serum autoantibodies and the role of the major histocompatibility complex in French Canadian and non-French Canadian Caucasians with SLE

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the predisposing role of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes to autoantibody production and clinical manifestations comparing French Canadian and Non-French Canadian Caucasians with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) METHODS: Ninety-one Caucasian patients with SLE were studied. Clinical manifestations, autoantibody expression and HLA-A, B, (serology), DR, DQ and C4A gene deletion (restriction fragment length polymorphism [RFLP] typing) were determined.

RESULTS

Photosensitivity was present in all SLE subjects with anti-Ro antibodies (P=0.001, RR=13.1, CI=1.8, 564). Photosensitivity was further associated with the HLA-A1, C4A gene deletion haplotype. More strikingly, C4A gene deletion was associated with anti-Ro (P=0.008, RR=4.6, CI=1.4, 16.2) and anti-La (P=0.02, RR=11.7, CI=1.4, 549) autoantibodies. This relationship was also significant for anti-Ro antibody in the French Canadian patients (P=0.01, RR=21.3, CI=1.7, 105.3). In contrast, anti-dsDNA autoantibodies were negatively associated with photosensitivity (P=0.02, RR=0.3, CI=0.07, 0.8) and correlated with HLA-DR15 (P=0.006, RR=4.2, CI=1.5, 12.8) and Dw2 (P=0.009, RR=3.9, CI=1.4, 11.9).

CONCLUSION

C4A gene deletion has a previously unrecognized powerful association with anti-Ro and anti-La autoantibodies. These results support the concept of divergent MHC gene associations with autoantibody expression and emphasize the influence of ethnicity on the immunogenetic study of SLE.

Identification of a novel tissue-specific processed HPRT gene and comparison with X-linked gene transcription in the Australian marsupial Macropus robustus

The genome of the Australian marsupial Macropus robustus contains a highly conserved processed hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase homologue, HPRT-2. Using the techniques of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and protein isoelectric focusing (IEF) we have shown this processed gene to be fully functional, but liver specific. In contrast, the unprocessed X-linked parent gene HPRT-1 was expressed in all somatic tissues. Expression of the HPRT-2 gene effectively doubles the total HPRT enzyme activity in liver compared to other tissues. Analysis of the 5'-flanking sequence of HPRT-2 revealed regions with homology to the liver-specific regulatory motifs C/EBP, NF-IL6, LF-A1 and LF-B1, although the functional significance of these regions remains unknown. Consistent with X chromosome inactivation in female mammals, transcript levels of the unprocessed X-linked gene HPRT-1 were similar in males and females in all tissues examined. No HPRT-2 activity was detected in testes, indicating that this gene does not compensate for sex chromosome inactivation during spermatogenesis. Moreover, the demonstration of very high HPRT-1 enzyme levels in testes indicated that such a compensatory mechanism may not be required. Phylogenetic analyses attribute considerable antiquity to the processed gene and PCR with conserved primers spanning exons 4-8 of genomic DNA from several different kangaroo species inferring the existence of a conserved processed HPRT-2 homologue in these marsupial species. However, no such conserved PCR product was obtained with DNA from eutherian species, suggesting that integration of HPRT-2 occurred after the separation of the metatherian and eutherian lineages.

Hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase gene analysis for Japanese patients with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome

The Lesch-Nyhan syndrome results as a consequence of a severe deficiency of functional activity of purine salvage enzyme, hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT). We performed Southern blot analysis for five patients and their families using full length cDNA of the HPRT gene as a probe. Pst I digested Southern blot analysis revealed a large deletion that included exon 2 in patient 3. The size of this deletion was about 4.4 Kb. The mother of this patient had the same mutated allele and a normal one (heterozygote). This type of mutation from a Lesch-Nyhan syndrome patient has not been previously reported. The restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) pattern was analyzed by Bam HI digested Southern blot analysis for one family who had no major gene abnormality. We determined from this analysis that the sister of the patient was a Lesch-Nyhan syndrome carrier and the fetus (brother) was normal for HPRT activity. This study shows RFLP analysis is still useful for carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis of Lesch-Nyhan syndrome.

Southern analysis reveals a large deletion at the hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase locus in a patient with Lesch-Nyhan syndrome

Whole genomic hprt clones were used in Southern analysis to screen the integrity of the hprt gene in a family that includes a patient with HPRT enzyme deficiency causal to Lesch-Nyhan syndrome. A 5 kb DNA sequence deletion was found to have its endpoints in the first and third introns. The probes identified the carrier status of female family members, aided by an RFLP carried by the mother's normal X-chromosome.

Heavy ion mutagenesis: linear energy transfer effects and genetic linkage

We have characterized a series of 69 independent mutants at the endogenous hprt locus of human TK6 lymphoblasts and over 200 independent S1-deficient mutants of the human x hamster hybrid cell line AL arising spontaneously or following low-fluence exposures to densely ionizing Fe ions (600 MeV/amu, linear energy transfer = 190 keV/microns). We find that large deletions are common. The entire hprt gene (> 44 kb) was missing in 19/39 Fe-induced mutants, while only 2/30 spontaneous mutants lost the entire hprt coding sequence. When the gene of interest (S1 locus = M1C1 gene) is located on a nonessential human chromosome 11, multilocus deletions of several million base pairs are observed frequently. The S1 mutation frequency is more than 50-fold greater than the frequency of hprt mutants in the same cells. Taken together, these results suggest that low-fluence exposures to Fe ions are often cytotoxic due to their ability to create multilocus deletions that may often include the loss of essential genes. In addition, the tumorigenic potential of these HZE heavy ions may be due to the high potential for loss of tumor suppressor genes. The relative insensitivity of the hprt locus to mutation is likely due to tight linkage to a gene that is required for viability.

Isolation of a potentially functional HPRT processed pseudogene from the hill kangaroo Macropus robustus

A highly conserved hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase processed pseudogene (KPH) has been isolated from a female kangaroo (Macropus robustus) lambda EMBL3 genomic library. The pseudogene contains only transcribed material with all of the introns precisely removed and has possible direct repeats at either end of the message. It has a 654-nucleotide open reading frame (ORF) from the Met start codon to the stop codon that contains no additions, deletions or premature stops relative to expressed HPRT genes and, therefore, the possibility exists that it is expressed in vivo. Possible CAAT and GC boxes are present in the region 5' to the ORF and a polyadenylation signal is present in the region 3' to the ORF. If not expressed, the age of the pseudogene is estimated to be 10.7 million years. We propose that integration into the genome occurred specifically in a homocopolymeric region within a highly repeated region unique to the kangaroo genome.

Germ-line gene modification and disease prevention: some medical and ethical perspectives

There has been considerable debate about the ethics of human germ-line gene modification. As a result of recent advances in the micromanipulation of embryos and the laboratory development of transgenic mice, a lively discussion has begun concerning both the technical feasibility and the ethical acceptability of human germ-line modification for the prevention of serious disease. This article summarizes some of the recent research on germ-line gene modification in animal models. Certain monogenic deficiency diseases that ultimately might be candidates for correction by germ-line intervention are identified. Several of the most frequently considered ethical issues relative to human germ-line gene modification are considered in the context of professional ethics, parental responsibility, and public policy. Finally, it is suggested that there is merit in continuing the discussion about human germ-line intervention, so that this technique can be carefully compared with alternative strategies for preventing genetic disease.

Comparative studies of the major histocompatibility complex in French Canadian and non-French Canadian Caucasians with systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

To investigate and compare the predisposing role of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in French Canadian and non-French Canadian (mainly Anglo-Saxon descent) Caucasian subjects.

METHODS

HLA-A, B, C (serology), DR, and DQ (restriction fragment length polymorphism [RFLP] typing) were determined. RFLP defining a large C4A,21-OHA deletion (Taq I C4) and an Nco I tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) RFLP were analyzed in 91 Caucasian Canadians and 91 ethnically matched control subjects.

RESULTS

In the total SLE and non-French Canadian SLE populations, HLA-B8, DR3(DR17), Dw24, DQ2, and the C4A gene deletion were associated with SLE. These HLA specificities and the C4A gene deletion were not significantly increased in French Canadian SLE patients compared with ethnically matched controls. When present in French Canadians, the C4A gene deletion was less closely associated with HLA-DR3(DR17), Dw24, DQ2 than in other Caucasians. HLA-DQ6 was associated with SLE in French Canadians. No association of the 2-allele Nco I TNF alpha RFLP with SLE was found in this population, in either ethnic group.

CONCLUSION

These results support the importance of ethnic background in the study of MHC genes and SLE. The extended HLA-B8,DR3,C4A null haplotype is found mainly in SLE patients of Anglo-Saxon descent, while the DQ6 specificity is associated with SLE in French Canadians. This relatively genetically homogeneous Caucasian population offers the opportunity to study non-HLA-B8,DR3-linked MHC influence in SLE.

Early-onset autoimmune hepatitis is associated with a C4A gene deletion

BACKGROUND

Autoimmune hepatitis is an immunologically mediated disorder with some similarities to systemic lupus erythematosus, including an association with HLA-A1, B8, DR3. This haplotype includes a C4A, 21-OHA gene deletion. Low serum levels of complement and C4 null alleles have been reported in autoimmune hepatitis, but studies have been at the protein level only.

METHODS

Twenty-four white patients with autoimmune hepatitis were studied by Southern blots using a C4A gene complementary DNA probe. HLA A, B, and C typing was determined using standard microcytotoxicity assays, and DR and DQ specificities were determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.

RESULTS

Thirteen of 24 patients had the C4A gene deletion compared with 12 of 90 controls. HLA-A1 and B8 were increased in patients with autoimmune hepatitis, as were HLA-DR3 (DR17), Dw24, DQ2. Patients with a C4A gene deletion presented at a younger age than those without the deletion and had significantly lower serum C3 and C4 levels. The C4A gene deletion was associated with HLA-A1, B8, DR3 in all but 1 patient who was HLA-DR3 negative.

CONCLUSIONS

A C4A gene deletion is found in patients with autoimmune hepatitis, especially those presenting at a young age. This complement gene deletion may be an important factor in the development of this disease.

Screening for molecular pathologies in Lesch-Nyhan syndrome

Heteroduplex detection by hydrolink gel electrophoresis was performed to screen for small mutations in 12 Lesch-Nyhan syndrome families with characterised molecular pathology which included nine point mutations, two small deletions, and a 1-bp insertion. This modified protocol for heteroduplex detection by hydrolink gel electrophoresis detected all 12 of these mutations and was utilised to rapidly determine the carrier status of females from affected families. On the basis of these results this approach appears to be a rapid and reliable screening method for point mutations in addition to small length mutations and for carrier detection in Lesch-Nyhan syndrome.

The gene encoding hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase as target for mutational analysis: PCR cloning and sequencing of the cDNA from the rat

In this paper, the cloning and nucleotide sequence of the cDNA of the rat gene coding for hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (hprt) is reported. Knowledge of the cDNA sequence is needed, among other reasons, for the molecular analysis of hprt mutations occurring in rat cells, such as skin fibroblasts isolated according to the granuloma pouch assay. The rat hprt cDNA was synthesized and used as a template for in vitro amplification by PCR. For this purpose, oligonucleotide primers were used, the nucleotide sequences of which were based on mouse and hamster hprt cDNA sequences. Sequence analysis of 1146 bp of the amplified rat hprt cDNA showed a single open reading frame of 654 bp, encoding a protein of 218 amino acids. In the predicted rat hprt amino acid sequence, the proposed functional domains for 5'-phosphoribosyl-1-pyrophosphate (PRPP) and nucleotide binding in phosphoribosylating enzymes as well as a region near the carboxyl terminal part were highly conserved when compared with amino acid sequences of other mammalian hprt proteins. Analysis of hprt amino acid sequences of 727 independent hprt mutants from human, mouse, hamster and rat cells bearing single amino acid substitutions revealed that a large variety of amino acid changes were located in these highly conserved regions, suggesting that all 3 domains are important for proper catalytic activity. The suitability of the hprt gene as target for mutational analysis is demonstrated by the fact that amino acid changes in at least 151 of the 218 amino acid residues of the hprt protein result in a 6-thioguanine-resistant phenotype.

Studies of the HLA class II alleles involved in human responses to ragweed allergensAmbrosia artemisiifoliaV (Ra5S) andAmbrosia trifidaV (Ra5G)

Previous studies have associated skin test sensitivity and specific IgE response to Ambrosia artemisiifolia V (Amb a V) with HLA-DR2, and to Ambrosia trifida V (Amb t V) with HLA-DRw52 haplotypes in atopic individuals. Using HLA class II typing by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis with DRB, DQB and DQA DNA probes to define the HLA-D alleles, we have demonstrated the association of the DQw6 in 16 out of 16 (100%) Amb a V-responsive individuals, compared to 3 out of 18 (17%) ragweed-sensitive but Amb a V-nonresponsive individuals (p = 5.7 x 10(-6), RR greater than 75). We suggest that the DQw6 association with Amb a V sensitivity may be a reflection of an association with the DQA*0102 allele. This suggests an association of a particular HLA class II allele with an immune response to a well-characterized antigen (Amb a V). The HLA-DRw52 haplotypes in the Amb t V-sensitive individuals are not of one particular subtype. The HLA-DRw52 association with Amb t V sensitivity may reside in homologous DRB1 alleles linked on HLA-DRw52-bearing haplotypes.

The point mutation of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRTEdinburgh) and detection by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction

The change in DNA responsible for partial hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) deficiency in three brothers has been determined by polymerase chain amplification and sequencing. An A-to-G substitution at base 155 in exon 3 predicts a change in aspartic acid 52 to glycine. Allele-specific polymerase chain amplification verified the presence of the mutation in genomic DNA and provides a means of direct diagnostic assay.

Genetic variation at five trimeric and tetrameric tandem repeat loci in four human population groups

Trimeric and tetrameric short tandem repeats (STRs) represent a rich source of highly polymorphic markers in the human genome that may be studied with the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). We report the analysis of a multilocus genotype survey of 97-380 chromosomes in U.S. Black, White, Mexican-American, and Asian populations at five STR loci located on chromosomes 1, 4, 11, and X. The heterozygote frequencies of the loci ranged from 0.36 to 0.91 and the number of alleles from 6 to 20 for the 20 population and locus combinations. Relative allele frequencies exhibited differences between populations and unimodal, bimodal, and complex distributions. Although deviations were noted at some locus-population test combinations, genotype data from the loci were consistent overall with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium by three tests. Population subheterogeneity within each ethnic group was not detected by two additional tests. No mutations were detected in a total of 860 meioses for two loci studied in the CEPH kindreds and five loci studied in other families. An indirect estimate of the mutation rates gave values from 2.3 x 10(-5) to 15.9 x 10(-5) for the five loci. Higher mutation rates appear to be associated with greater numbers of tandem repeats in the core motif. The most frequent genotype for all five loci combined appears to have a frequency of 7.59 x 10(-4). Together, these results suggest that trimeric and tetrameric STR loci are useful markers for the study of new mutations and genetic linkage analysis and for application to personal identification in the medical and forensic sciences.

In vivo ionizing irradiations produce deletions in the hprt gene of human T-lymphocytes

The hprt T-lymphocyte cloning assay, which detects mutations occurring in vivo in humans, has been used to examine mutants induced in patients receiving radioimmunoglobulin therapy (RIT) for cancer. Samples from 13 patients before treatment (controls) and 15 samples from 12 patients after treatment were studied for both mutant frequencies and molecular changes in the hprt mutant T-cell clones. Patients were studied up to 48 months after treatment. Post-RIT patients showed increased mutant frequencies as compared to pre-treatment values. T-cell receptor (TCR) gene analysis of mutant T-cell clones demonstrated that 84% arose independently, both pre- and post-treatment, which is the same proportion as seen in normal individuals. However, several individuals did show large sets of mutants with the same TCR gene rearrangement patterns. Molecular analysis of mutants demonstrated a greater proportion of mutations with hprt gene changes on Southern blots after RIT treatment than before (40% versus 20%). RIT increases the proportion of mutations with total rather than partial gene deletions or other gross structural changes compared to normal individuals or pre-treatment patients. These studies are defining the spectrum for radiation-induced hprt gene mutations in vivo in human T-lymphocytes.

Determination of the mutations responsible for the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome in 17 subjects

Hypoxanthine--guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) is a purine salvage enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of hypoxanthine to inosine monophosphate and guanine to guanosine monophosphate. Previous studies of mutant HPRT proteins analyzed at the molecular level have shown a significant heterogeneity. This investigation further verifies this heterogeneity and identifies insertions, deletions, and point mutations. The direct sequencing of the polymerase chain reaction-amplified product of reverse-transcribed HPRT mRNA enabled the rapid identification of the mutations found in 17 previously uncharacterized cell lines derived from patients with the Lesch-Nyhan syndrome.

The Chinese hamster HPRT gene: restriction map, sequence analysis, and multiplex PCR deletion screen

The fine structure of the Chinese hamster hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) gene has been determined; the gene has nine exons and is dispersed over 36 kb DNA. Exons 2-9 are contained within overlapping lambda bacteriophage clones and exon 1 was obtained by an inverse polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All the exons have been sequenced, together with their immediate flanking regions, and these sequences compared to those of the mouse and human HPRT genes. Sequences immediately flanking all exons but the first show considerable homology between the different species but the region around exon 1 is less conserved, apart from the preserved location of putative functional elements. Oligonucleotide primers derived from sequences flanking the HPRT gene exons were used to amplify simultaneously seven exon-containing fragments in a multiplex PCR. This simple procedure was used to identify total and partial gene deletions among Chinese hamster HPRT-deficient mutants. The multiplex PCR is quicker to perform than Southern analysis, traditionally used to study such mutants, and also provides specific exon-containing fragments for further analysis. The Chinese hamster HPRT gene is often used as a target for mutation studies in vitro because of the ease of selection of forward and reverse mutants; the information presented here will enhance the means of investigating molecular defects within this gene.

HLA-D region genes associated with autoantibody responses to histidyl-transfer RNA synthetase (Jo-1) and other translation-related factors in myositis

Myositis has been associated with HLA-B8 and DR3, especially in white patients with polymyositis and serum anti-Jo-1 antibodies. Twenty-eight patients with myositis and serum translation-related autoantibodies anti-Jo-1, anti-PL-7, anti-PL-12, anti-KJ, and anti-SRP were studied for HLA class II specificities by Southern blotting with HLA-DR beta, DQ beta, and DQ alpha probes. The association of HLA-DR3 (DRw17) with anti-Jo-1 antibodies in white myositis patients was confirmed (P = 0.003, relative risk 8.9). However, HLA-DRw52 haplotypes, regardless of subtype, were present in all of the white and black patients with serum anti-Jo-1 and other translation-related autoantibodies. Moreover, one anti-Jo-1 positive patient had HLA-DRw8, an HLA-DRw52 haplotype on which the DR beta 3 gene has been partially deleted. No HLA-DQ specificity or allele was common to all patients. The HLA-DR3, DR5, DRw6, and DRw8 haplotypes, which bear the HLA-DRw52 specificity, share the most homology in the DR beta 1 first hypervariable region at amino acid positions 9-13. Thus, this DR beta 1 region appears to be the most likely candidate "epitope" for translation-related autoimmune responses in inflammatory myositis.

Review of the molecular characteristics of gene mutations of the germline and somatic cells of the human

Molecular analyses of the limited number of de novo germinal mutations identified in humans indicate that an array of alterations in gene structure can be generated. Similar conclusions are derived from the large data set obtained from molecular analyses of alleles that segregate in the human population and cause genetic diseases. The molecular alterations include nucleotide substitutions as well as insertions, deletions and other rearrangements of the DNA. The lesions may be located in the coding or the noncoding regions of genes or may involve the flanking sequences. The insertions and deletions involve fragments ranging from single nucleotides to many kilobases, and involve both unique sequences and repetitive elements. The nature of the lesions observed to date as either de novo mutations or segregating variants suggests there are locus-specific characteristics of the alterations in DNA structure that are recovered as genetic diseases. Differences in mutation spectra among genetic loci appear to reflect both the structure of the target sequences and the relationship between gene structure and gene function. No induced germinal mutations have been identified, thus no data are available that reveal the relationships between mutagenic exposures and the molecular fingerprints of the lesion induced in the human germ cell and transmitted to the subsequent generations. In contrast, the prospects for analyzing the roles of genetic target, exposure history and individual responsiveness to exposure in creating particular molecular lesions in somatic cells are excellent, both for alterations of single nucleotides and for major alterations of gene structure.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Molecular changes in UV-induced and gamma-ray-induced mutations in human lymphoblastoid cells

We have characterized the structural changes in the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) gene of 14 UV-induced, 15 gamma-ray-induced and 17 spontaneous mutants of human lymphoblastoid cells selected for 6-thioguanine (6TG) resistance. Southern blot analysis using the full-length HPRT cDNA as a probe revealed that 29% (5/17) of the spontaneous mutants contained detectable alterations in their restriction fragment patterns. Among the 15 mutants induced by gamma rays, 7 (47%) had such alterations indicative of large deletions in the HPRT gene. In contrast, all 14 UV-induced mutants exhibited hybridization patterns indistinguishable from those of the wild-type cells. These results suggest that UV is likely to induce point mutations at the HPRT locus on the human chromosome and that the molecular mechanism of UV-induced mutation is quite different from that of ionizing radiation-induced mutation or spontaneous mutation in human cells.

Southern-blot analyses of human T-lymphocyte mutants induced in vitro by gamma-irradiation

G0 phase cultures of human peripheral blood T-lymphocytes from a single individual were exposed to 300 rad of gamma-irradiation from a 137Cs source and cultured in vitro for 8 days to allow phenotypic expression. Thioguanine-resistant (TGr) mutants were isolated by a cell cloning assay in microtiter plates. These mutants were studied by Southern blot analysis to define the gross structural alterations in the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (hprt) gene by use of an hprt cDNA probe. A similar analysis of the T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangement patterns was employed to define the independent nature of each mutant colony by use of TCR beta and gamma cDNA probes. 74 mutants were isolated in 5 separate experiments. TCR gene rearrangement analysis showed these to represent 24 independent mutations, of which 18 contained hprt structural alterations. These alterations included simple deletions (10/18) as well as more complex rearrangements resulting in molecular weight changes of restriction fragments representing both the 5' and 3' regions of the hprt gene (4/18 and 4/18, respectively). These results demonstrate that gamma-irradiation primarily induces TGr mutations through gross structural alterations in the hprt gene and that these alterations are randomly distributed across the gene. This approach to mutation analysis will provide information on the types of alterations induced by this irradiation, especially the extent of deletions involving the hprt gene. These results also demonstrate the feasibility of employing in vitro exposure of human T-lymphocytes to a single mutagenic agent as an aid to understanding the mechanisms of mutations occurring in vivo in humans.

Molecular characterization of hprt mutants induced by low- and high-LET radiations in human cells

Southern blotting techniques were employed to examine the spectrum of molecular alterations in DNA induced by internally emitting iodine isotopes and X-rays at and around the hprt locus in a human lymphoblastoid cell line. We analyzed 165 mutant clones using a cDNA probe for the human hprt locus, and 3 anonymous sequence probes for regions of the X chromosome which are linked to hprt. The results were compared with those for 35 spontaneously arising mutant clones. The majority of ionizing radiation-induced mutants showed changes in the normal restriction patterns at the hprt locus, whereas very few alterations were seen at linked markers along the X chromosome. Total hprt coding sequence deletions comprised 30-48% of the changes observed at this locus, while partial deletions and rearrangements comprised 14-54% of the observed changes. In the case of mutants induced by [125I]dUrd, a densely ionizing radiation, the spectrum of alterations was dose-dependent; at low doses it was not significantly different from that seen after sparsely ionizing X-ray exposure, whereas a higher proportion of gene deletions and rearrangements occurred after high doses of this incorporated isotope. Changes were rarely observed in the 3 linked markers examined. Overall, these results indicate that the distribution of mutational events at the hprt locus in irradiated human cells may not only be LET-dependent but dose-dependent, and that deletions involving large regions of the X chromosome surrounding the hprt locus are rare events.

Characterization of three new deletions at the 5' end of the HPRT structural gene

In a panel of seven unrelated HPRT-deficient patients three partial deletions of the 5' end of the HPRT structural gene were identified by Southern blot analysis. The deletions could be defined as the loss of exons 1-3, exons 2-3 and exon 3 respectively. In two of the deletion mutations aberrant restriction fragments occurred.

Molecular analyses of in vivo hprt mutations in human T-lymphocytes. III. Longitudinal study of hprt gene structural alterations and T-cell clonal origins

The hprt clonal assay detects mutations occurring in vivo in the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (hprt) gene of human T-lymphocytes. Analysis of 94 wild-type and 326 hprt mutant clones from 3 normal males was performed using Southern blotting with hprt and T-cell receptor (TCR) gene probes. Gross structural alterations of the hprt gene occurred in approximately 14% of the in vivo derived mutants. Breakpoints were randomly distributed across the gene with one possible mutational "hot spot" observed. Most hprt mutants were independent as judged by TCR gene rearrangement patterns indicating that the measured hprt mutant frequency is a good measure of the actual hprt mutation frequency. However, sibling mutants (generally doublets and triplets except for one nonamer) were detected. Information on the timing in vivo of the hprt mutational events and the persistence in vivo of sibling mutants was also obtained.

Fidelity of DNA polymerases in DNA amplification

Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) was used to separate and isolate the products of DNA amplification by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The strategy permitted direct enumeration and identification of point mutations created by T4, modified T7, Klenow fragment of polymerase I, and Thermus aquaticus (Taq) DNA polymerases. Incorrectly synthesized sequences were separated from the wild type by DGGE as mutant/wild-type heteroduplexes and the heteroduplex fraction was used to calculate the average error rate (mutations per base duplication). The error rate induced in the 104-base-pair low-temperature melting domain of exon 3 of the human hypoxanthine/guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) gene was approximately 3.4 x 10(-5) for modified T7, 1.3 x 10(-4) for Klenow fragment, and 2.1 x 10(-4) for Taq polymerases after a 10(6)-fold amplification. The error rate for T4 DNA polymerase was not more than 3 x 10(-6) error per base duplication. The predominant mutations were sequenced and found to be transitions of G.C to A.T for T4 and modified T7 DNA polymerases, and A.T to G.C for Taq polymerase. Klenow fragment induced both possible transitions and deletions of 2 and 4 base pairs.

Mutator phenotype of Werner syndrome is characterized by extensive deletions

Werner syndrome (WS) is a rare autosomal-recessive disorder characterized by the premature appearance of features of normal aging in young adults. The extensive phenotypic overlap between WS and normal aging suggests they may also share pathogenetic mechanisms. We reported previously that somatic cells from WS patients demonstrate a propensity to develop chromosomal aberrations, including translocations, inversions, and deletions, and that WS cell lines demonstrate a high spontaneous mutation rate to 6-thioguanine resistance. We report here the biochemical and molecular characterization of spontaneous mutations at the X chromosome-linked hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) locus in 6-thioguanine-resistant WS and control cells. Blot hybridization analysis of 89 independent spontaneous HPRT mutations in WS and control mutants lacking HPRT activity revealed an unusually high proportion of HPRT deletions in WS as compared with control cells (76% vs. 39%). Approximately half (58%) of the deletions in WS cells consisted of the loss of greater than 20 kilobases of DNA from the HPRT gene. These results suggest that an elevated somatic mutation rate, and particularly deletions, may play pathogenetically important roles in WS and in several associated age-dependent human disease processes.

Ethyl methane sulfonate- and bleomycin-generated deletion mutations at HPRT locus in xeroderma pigmentosum complementation group D fibroblasts

Immortalized fibroblasts from a male patient with xeroderma pigmentosum from complementation group D (XP-D) were treated with either ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) or bleomycin (BLM) to obtain mutations in hypoxanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) activity. The aneuploid parental cell line, MH3-XPD, was found to have a single copy of the HPRT gene, indicating that this cell line remained physically hemizygous for this locus during the transformation process. Subcloning of 6-thioguanine-resistant (6TG') isolates resulted in clones without detectable HPRT activity. Continued maintenance in elevated concentrations of 6TG (30-60 muM) produced cell populations with negligible growth in counterselection medium. No HPRT-deficient clones arose from unmutagenized cell cultures. Molecular analysis of the HPRT mutations in five clones with undetectable HPRT activity showed that four had large deletions. Two bleomycin-generated isolates were both found to have an approximately 28-kb intragenic deletion beginning with the first intron near exon 1 and ending within the fourth intron near exon 4. Messenger RNA from these clones was truncated by approximately 370 nucleotides. Our findings indicate that these two clones originated from the same mutational event within a founder cell. The three EMS-induced mutants fell into two classes: a putative point mutation or small deletion and two complete gene deletions.

Locus specificity for mutation induction in human cells exposed to accelerated heavy ions

The relative efficiencies of two types of densely ionizing particles were compared for the induction of mutations at two distinct genetic loci in human cells. Mutations to 6-thioguanine resistance (hgprt locus) or to trifluorothymidine resistance (tk) locus were scored in TK6 human lymphoblastoid cells exposed to graded doses of 40Ar ions (470 MeV/amu, LET = 95-97 keV/microns) or 28Si ions (456 MeV/amu, 61 keV/microns). The autosomal tk locus was more efficiently mutated than the X-linked hgprt locus following heavy particle irradiations. This was predominantly due to the contribution of a class of slowly growing mutants scored at the tk locus. Silicon ions were more efficient per unit dose than argon ions for the induction of mutants at either locus. When the mutant yield for a particular ion was compared with particle fluence, similar numbers of hgprt mutants are induced by equal numbers of 40Ar or 28Si ions. Comparison of the number of tk mutants with particle fluence demonstrates an increased efficiency for 28Si ions over 40Ar. These data suggest that the LET-RBE relationship may be different for individual genetic loci in human cells.

Formaldehyde-induced and spontaneous alterations in human hprt DNA sequence and mRNA expression

Human lymphoblast mutants at the X-linked hprt locus have been examined by Southern blot, Northern blot and DNA sequence analysis. A previous study had shown that approximately a third of the spontaneously-arising mutants and half those induced by formaldehyde showed no alteration in restriction fragment pattern and thus were classified as point mutations. In this report, Northern blot analysis was used to show that these point mutants fall into 4 categories: normal size and amount of RNA, normal size but reduced amounts, reduced size of RNA or no RNA. Sequence analyses of cDNAs prepared from hprt mRNAs were performed on 1 spontaneous and 7 formaldehyde-induced mutants with normal Northern blots. The spontaneous mutant was caused by an AT----GC transition. 6 of the formaldehyde-induced mutants were base substitutions, all of which occurred at AT base-pairs. There was an apparent hot spot, in that 4/6 independent mutants were AT----CG transversions at one specific site. The remaining mutant had lost exon 8.

Cloning of phenotypically different human lymphocytes originating from a single stem cell

By using hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (hprt) gene alterations and chromosome aberrations as in vivo cellular markers, human T, NK, and B cells originating from a single stem cell have been successfully cloned from the peripheral blood of an atomic bomb survivor from Hiroshima. These mutant lymphocytes were selectively cloned, taking advantage of their resistance to a purine analogue, 6-thioguanine. The cloned lymphocytes possessed the same hprt gene alterations and the same chromosome aberration (20q-), but exhibited different surface or functional phenotypes and different rearrangements of TCR or Ig genes. The chromosome aberration patterns strongly suggested that the original stem cell initiated differentiation into each cell type after exposure to atomic bomb radiation. Since the person studied here was exposed to the bomb at 17 yr age, the results suggested that common stem cells exist in adults for at least T, NK, and B cells. The use of hprt gene alterations as specific cellular markers provides a novel method for identifying stem cells in the lymphocyte lineage and for studying lymphocyte differentiation in humans.

Molecular characterization of thymidine kinase mutants of human cells induced by densely ionizing radiation

In order to characterize the nature of mutants induced by densely ionizing radiations at an autosomal locus, we have isolated a series of 99 thymidine kinase (tk) mutants of human TK6 lymphoblastoid cells irradiated with either fast neutrons or accelerated argon ions. Individual mutant clones were examined for alterations in their restriction fragment pattern after hybridization with a human cDNA probe for tk. A restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) allowed identification of the active tk allele. Among the neutron-induced mutants, 34/52 exhibited loss of the previously active allele while 6/52 exhibited intragenic rearrangements. Among the argon-induced mutants 27/46 exhibited allele loss and 10/46 showed rearrangements within the tk locus. The remaining mutants had restriction patterns indistinguishable from the TK6 parent. Each of the mutant clones was further examined for structural alterations within the c-erbA1 locus which has been localized to chromosome 17q11-q22, at some unknown distance from the human tk locus at chromosome 17q21-q22. A substantial proportion (54%) of tk mutants induced by densely ionizing radiation showed loss of the c-erb locus on the homologous chromosome, suggesting that the mutations involve large-scale genetic changes.

A comparison of mutation induction at the tk and hprt loci in human lymphoblastoid cells; quantitative differences are due to an additional class of mutations at the autosomal tk locus

X-Rays, ethyl methanesulfonate and ICR-191 induced 2 classes of trifluorothymidine-resistant mutants at the autosomal tk locus in human lymphoblastoid cells. These classes were differentiated by their growth rates; some mutants grew with a normal doubling time of 14-18 h (tk-NG), while others grew much more slowly, with doubling times of 21-44 h (tk-SG). Only mutants with normal growth rates were observed at the X-linked hprt locus; the frequencies of mutations induced at hprt were equal to those induced for tk-NG mutants. Thus, more mutations overall (by up to a factor of 6) were induced at tk than at hprt. These results are discussed in relation to recent studies in rodent cells, in which much greater mutation frequencies were observed at autosomal loci.

C4A gene deletion and HLA associations in black Americans with systemic lupus erythematosus

In North America and European Caucasoids with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) there is an increased frequency of a C4A, CYP21A gene deletion, largely associated with the HLA-B8,DR3,C4A*QO extended haplotype. There have been no consistent HLA associations reported for SLE in blacks, although an increased frequency of serologically determined C4A null alleles has been reported in two studies. We studied 79 black American SLE patients and 68 black controls by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis to determine if a C4A gene deletion was a genetic risk factor for SLE. Moreover, the nature of the deletion and any HLA phenotypic associations were sought. Nineteen of 79 (24%) patients compared to 5 of 68 (7.4%) controls had a phenotypic C4A,CYP21A gene deletion (P = .005; RR = 4). A homozygous deletion in four patients gave a genotypic frequency of 23/158 (14.5%) SLE patients vs 5/136 (3.7%) controls (P = .001; RR = 4.5). The deletion was associated with HLA-DR2 (P = .03) and HLA-DR3 (P = .03). Moreover, all subjects with the deletion had HLA-DR2 or DR3 (P = 7.7 x 10(-6). HLA-B44 was also associated with the deletion (P = .02), and eight of the nine HLA-B44 positives also carried HLA-DR2. HLA-B8 approached significance (P = .08) and was always accompanied by HLA-DR3. Finally, this black population demonstrated a unique C4B gene size polymorphism with 80% C4B "short" as compared to the 40% C4B "short" frequency reported in whites. We conclude that a large C4A,CYP21A gene deletion, particularly associated with the HLA-B44, -DR2, and -DR3 alleles, is the strongest genetic risk factor thus far identified for SLE susceptibility in black Americans. Furthermore, the unique preponderance of the C4B "short" gene form may be a factor in the actual formation of the deletion.

Hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase. Genetic evidence for identical mutations in two partially deficient subjects

In past reports of hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) deficiency a marked degree of molecular heterogeneity has been noted. We have previously described two apparently unrelated subjects with partial HPRT deficiency, G.S. and D.B., who have a mutant form of HPRT with remarkably similar alterations in physical and kinetic properties. The mutation in G.S. is a serine to leucine substitution at amino acid 110 as determined by amino acid sequence analysis. This mutant enzyme has been designated HPRTLondon. We have examined HPRT cDNA from D.B. using two different methods to determine if the similar properties of mutant HPRT from these two subjects are the result of a common mutation. HPRT cDNA clones were obtained by routine cloning techniques and by polymerase chain reaction amplification of single-stranded cDNA reverse transcribed from mRNA derived from subject D.B. Dideoxynucleotide sequencing revealed a single mutation, a C to T transition at bp 329 in clones generated by both methods. This mutation in D.B. predicts the identical amino acid substitution described in HPRTLondon. A C to T nucleotide transition at 329 in D.B. creates an Hpa I site in exon 4 of the HPRT gene. Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA isolated from lymphoblasts derived from G.S. and D.B. revealed that both have this additional Hpa I site, indicating that the similarly altered protein sequence is due to the identical transition in the HPRT gene.

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome: molecular investigation of three French Canadian families using a hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase cDNA probe

Using human hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) cDNA and an anonymous probe 36B-2, we examined the segregation of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) alleles with the Lesch-Nyhan phenotype in three affected families. Two families were informative. Five carriers of the mutation in one family and two potential carriers in the second were heterozygous for either one or both polymorphisms allowing for prenatal diagnosis. Southern blot patterns in patients from these three families indicated the absence of major structural alterations in the defective gene. Northern analysis using HPRT cDNA as a probe revealed no hybridizing RNA in one patient, whereas normal size mRNA was expressed at a very low level in the second and at a level comparable to normal in the third. These data are consistent with heterogeneity of Lesch-Nyhan genetic lesions resulting from point mutations or small DNA deletions or rearrangements, which may affect transcription, stability, or integrity of the HPRT message.

Lack of dose-rate effect for mutation induction by gamma-rays in human TK6 cells

Survival and mutation induction in a human lymphoblastoid cell line ('TK6'), after acute X- and low dose rate continuous gamma-irradiation, were investigated using the hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT)- and the thymidine kinase (TK)-mutation assay. The surviving fraction after acute exposure decreased exponentially (D0 = 0.47 Gy). The HGPRT- and TK-mutation frequencies after acute X- and continuous gamma-irradiation (2.7 and 27 mGy/h) showed linear responses and no dose-rate dependence.

The molecular nature of spontaneous and chemically induced mutations in the hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyl transferase gene in rat liver epithelial cells

The molecular nature of mutations in 6-thioguanine-resistant hypoxanthine/guanine phosphoribosyl transferase (HGPRT)-deficient clones of an adult rat liver (ARL) epithelial cell line mutated by benzo[a]pyrene or aflatoxin B1 was studied. DNA from these clones or spontaneous HGPRT-deficient mutants was subjected to Southern blotting using an HGPRT probe following DNA digestion with the restriction enzymes BamH1, EcoR1, HindIII or XbaI. With either the chemically induced or spontaneous mutants, no difference in restriction fragment pattern was observed between any of the mutants and their wild-type parent. However, differences were found between two lines ARL 6 and ARL 14 and the lines ARL 18, ARL 19 and DNA from Fischer rat hepatocytes. Although the variants did not display loss of HGPRT activity. It is suggested that deletion or loss of a pseudogene sequence could be the basis for the alterations in restriction fragment patterns.

Characterization, evolutionary relationships, and chromosome location of processed mouse HPRT pseudogene

Studies on a cell line with amplified copies of the mouse hypoxanthine-guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HPRT) gene and HPRT gene transfer experiments revealed the existence of a nonfunctional HPRT-related sequence in the mouse genome. This sequence was isolated and found to be a processed HPRT pseudogene. With the exception of a small internal deletion, the pseudogene is believed to comprise a complete reverse transcript of HPRT mRNA, although the 3' end of the pseudogene was lost in the cloning process. A probe from a region flanking the mouse pseudogene was used to investigate the evolutionary relationships of mammalian HPRT pseudogenes. The pseudogenes in mouse and Chinese hamster appear to have a common origin, but no homology to any of the four known human HPRT pseudogenes was detected. A pseudogene-linked restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to map the pseudogene to the distal end of mouse chromosome 17.

Molecular heterogeneity of complement component C4-null and 21-hydroxylase genes in systemic lupus erythematosus

C4A-null alleles (C4A*Q0) and hereditary complete C4 deficiency (homozygous C4A*Q0,C4B*Q0) are associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Using Southern blot analysis with C4 and 21-hydroxylase (21-OH) DNA probes, we studied SLE patients and normal control subjects with or without C4A*Q0, and 2 C4-deficient SLE patients. A previously reported large C4A,21-OHA gene deletion associated in normal subjects with the HLA-A1;B8;DR3;C4AQ0 haplotype was detected by the appearance of a new C4 Hind III 8.5-kb fragment and disappearance of a 3.2-kb 21-OH Taq I fragment. In 3 SLE patients with homozygous C4A*Q0 and 15 with heterozygous C4A*Q0, this deletion pattern occurred almost exclusively in association with the HLA-B8;DR3;C4A*Q0 phenotype; the one exception was a black SLE patient. Other C4A*Q0-bearing HLA phenotypes in white patients and black patients with SLE, and the 2 completely C4-deficient SLE patients, had normal DNA hybridization to both C4 and 21-OH probes. The genetic basis for C4-null alleles in SLE is heterogeneous. A large C4A,21-OHA deletion occurs mainly on the HLA-B8;DR3;C4AQ0 haplotype in SLE and controls. Other HLA haplotypes bearing C4A*Q0 have normal C4 and 21-OH genes, as demonstrated by Southern blot analysis.

Chromosomal localization of the genes for the vitronectin and fibronectin receptors alpha subunits and for platelet glycoproteins IIb and IIIa

The integrins, a family of related membrane receptors involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, are heterodimeric complexes of alpha and beta subunits. To begin to understand the evolution of these complexes, we studied the genomic organization of several alpha and beta integrin subunits. Using both somatic cell hybrids and an in situ hybridization technique, we have determined the chromosomal location of the genes for the alpha subunits of the vitronectin receptor (VNR alpha), the fibronectin receptor (FNR alpha), and for the alpha subunit of the platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex, GPIIb. In addition, we have determined the chromosomal location of the gene for the beta subunit of the GPIIb/IIIa heterodimer, GPIIIa. Our studies indicate that the alpha subunits do not localize to a single locus, but that each is found on a different chromosome. The gene for VNR alpha is located on chromosome 2, the gene for FNR alpha is on chromosome 12q11----13, and the gene for GPIIb is on chromosome 17q21----23. In contrast to the chromosomal dispersion of the alpha subunits, the genes for GPIIb and GPIIIa are physically close, with the gene for GPIIIa also located on chromosome 17q21----23. These studies indicate that the genes for the alpha subunits of the integrin family have been dispersed during evolution while GPIIb and GPIIIa are in close physical proximity. This physical proximity of GPIIb and GPIIIa may be involved in the concurrent expression of these proteins by megakaryocytes, and may result in linkage disequilibrium between these two genes, which would limit the use of restriction length polymorphisms in linkage studies of GPIIb/IIIa abnormalities in small kindreds.