An evaluation of the draft human genome sequence

Molecular cardiology and genetics in the 21st century--a primer

The terminology and technology of molecular genetics and recombinant DNA have become an essential part of academic cardiology and will soon be applied at the bedside. The treatise includes a brief summary of the essentials of the DNA molecule, the more common techniques, and their application to genetics and molecular cardiology. It is written to be understood by physicians, scientists, and paramedical personnel who would not necessarily have a background in molecular biology. Inherent in the DNA molecule are three properties fundamental to all of the diagnostic and therapeutic applications, namely, the ability of DNA to separate into single strands, recombine (annealment or hybridization), and the presence of the negative charge enables DNA fragments to be separated easily by electrophoresis. Genetic linkage analysis of a family with an inherited disease enables one to identify the gene without knowing its protein product. Over 50 diseases in cardiology due to single-gene disorders have been identified and multiple mutations have been detected. The new therapeutic frontier will be stem cells and nuclear transfer. Identification of genes responsible for coronary artery disease made possible by genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) mapping techniques paves the way for personalized medicine.

A conceptual and practical overview of cDNA microarray technology: implications for basic and clinical sciences

cDNA microarray is an innovative technology that facilitates the analysis of the expression of thousands of genes simultaneously. The utilization of this methodology, which is rapidly evolving, requires a combination of expertise from the biological, mathematical and statistical sciences. In this review, we attempt to provide an overview of the principles of cDNA microarray technology, the practical concerns of the analytical processing of the data obtained, the correlation of this methodology with other data analysis methods such as immunohistochemistry in tissue microarrays, and the cDNA microarray application in distinct areas of the basic and clinical sciences.

The donor chromosome breakpoint for a jumping translocation is associated with large low-copy repeats in 21q21.3

Jumping translocations (JTs) are very rare chromosome aberrations, usually identified in tumors. We report a constitutional JT between donor chromosome 21q21.3-->qter and recipients 13qter and 18qter, resulting in an approximately 15.5-Mb proximal deletion 21q in a girl with mild developmental delay and minor dysmorphic features. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies, we identified an approximately 550-kb complex inter- and intra-chromosomal low-copy repeat (LCR) adjacent to the 21q21.3 translocation breakpoint. On the recipient chromosomes 13qter and 18qter, the telomeric sequences TTAGGG were retained. Genotyping revealed that the deletion was of maternal origin. We propose that genome architecture involving LCRs may be a major mechanism responsible for the origin of jumping translocations.

Characterization of human cd200 glycoprotein receptor gene located on chromosome 3q12-13

An immunomodulatory membrane protein, CD200R displays an expression pattern restricted to myeloid cells in mice. It is the receptor for a ligand, CD200, expressed by a broad range of cell types. In this study, we describe the cloning and characterization of the human homologue of the CD200R gene. This gene maps closely to the CD200 gene on human chromosome 3q12-13. The human CD200R gene spans a region of 52 kb, consists of nine exons, and encodes a 348-amino-acid cell-surface protein consisting of two IgFF domains in a typical V/C2 arrangement. The 59-amino-acid cytoplasmic domain has two tyrosine residues, one of which is contained within a NPXY motif. In common with other IgSF genes, the CD200R gene can generate different protein isoforms through alternative splicing. An alternative spliceout form, which has not yet been described in mice, encodes a 188-amino-acid truncated soluble polypeptide containing only the V immunoglobulin domain. In contrast to murine CD200R protein, the human membrane-bound and soluble CD200R proteins have an insertion of 23 amino acids at position 23, encoded by exon 2, which generates a putative dihydroxyacid dehydratase domain. The splicing of exon 2 generates two new isoforms, encoding the membrane and soluble proteins but lacking the dyhydroxyacid dehydratase domain. Northern-blot analysis shows that both membrane-bound and soluble isoforms are expressed in the thymus, liver, spleen and placenta. By RT-PCR, we have analyzed the expression of the four transcript variants in human placenta, spleen, liver, brain and kidney.

Repeats and correlations in human DNA sequences

We study the nucleotide-nucleotide mutual information function I(k) of the DNA sequences of the three completely sequenced human chromosomes 20, 21, and 22. We find in each human chromosome (i) the absence of the k=3 base pair (bp) sequence periodicity characteristic for protein coding regions, (ii) the absence of the k=10-11 bp sequence periodicity characteristic for both protein secondary structure and DNA bendability, and (iii) the presence of significant statistical dependencies at about k=135 bp and at about k=165 bp. We investigate to which degree the density and composition of interspersed repeats might explain these observed statistical patterns in all three human chromosomes. We use simple stochastic models to substitute known interspersed repeats and find by numerical studies that (iv) the presence of interspersed repeats dominates short-range correlations as measured by I(k) on the scale of several hundred base pairs in human chromosomes 20, 21, and 22. On the other hand, we find that (v) interspersed repeats contribute only weakly to long-range correlations due to the clustering of highly abundant Alu repeats.

High-resolution SNP scan of chromosome 6p21 in pooled samples from patients with complex diseases

We apply a high-throughput protocol of chip-based mass spectrometry (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight; MALDI-TOF) as a method of screening for differences in single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) allele frequencies. Using pooled DNA from individuals with asthma, Crohn's disease (CD), schizophrenia, type 1 diabetes (T1D), and controls, we selected 534 SNPs from an initial set of 1435 SNPs spanning a 25-Mb region on chromosome 6p21. The standard deviations of measurements of time of flight at different dots, from different PCRs, and from different pools indicate reliable results on each analysis step. In 90% of the disease-control comparisons we found allelic differences of <10%. Of the T1D samples, which served as a positive control, 10 SNPs with significant differences were observed after taking into account multiple testing. Of these 10 SNPs, 5 are located between DQB1 and DRB1, confirming the known association with the DR3 and DR4 haplotypes whereas two additional SNPs also reproduced known associations of T1D with DOB and LTA. In the CD pool also, two earlier described associations were found with SNPs close to DRB1 and MICA. Additional associations were found in the schizophrenia and asthma pools. They should be confirmed in individual samples or can be used to develop further quality criteria for accepting true differences between pools. The determination of SNP allele frequencies in pooled DNA appears to be of value in assigning further genotyping priorities also in large linkage regions.

Genetic maps of microsatellite and single-nucleotide polymorphism markers: are the distances accurate?

Genetic maps play an important role in gene mapping. Inaccurate genetic maps can hinder gene mapping by biasing lod scores and reducing the power to map a trait to a particular region. Although sequence-based physical maps can provide a unique order for markers, they do not provide information on genetic map distances. By simulation studies, I investigated how many meioses are necessary to accurately estimate genetic map distances for maps constructed from microsatellite and single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers for various intermarker distances and marker heterozygosity. To evaluate the accuracy of the generated genetic maps, the length of the 95% confidence interval for intermarker genetic distances was examined. In addition, the power to separate two adjacent markers by a nonzero map distance was investigated. The number of meioses necessary to accurately estimate map distances depends greatly not only on intermarker distances but also on marker heterozygosity. For example, for a genetic map with intermarker distances of 0.5 cM generated with 1,000 meioses, when marker heterozygosity was high (0.90), for 96% of the markers there was a nonzero map distance between adjacent markers. However, when marker heterozygosity was low (0.32), only 48% of the markers mapped to a unique position. For identical numbers of meioses and intermarker distances, genetic maps constructed from microsatellite markers will be more precise than maps assembled from SNP markers, due to the higher levels of heterozygosity for microsatellite markers.

Genome architecture catalyzes nonrecurrent chromosomal rearrangements

To investigate the potential involvement of genome architecture in nonrecurrent chromosome rearrangements, we analyzed the breakpoints of eight translocations and 18 unusual-sized deletions involving human proximal 17p. Surprisingly, we found that many deletion breakpoints occurred in low-copy repeats (LCRs); 13 were associated with novel large LCR17p structures, and 2 mapped within an LCR sequence (middle SMS-REP) within the Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS) common deletion. Three translocation breakpoints involving 17p11 were found to be located within the centromeric alpha-satellite sequence D17Z1, three within a pericentromeric segment, and one at the distal SMS-REP. Remarkably, our analysis reveals that LCRs constitute >23% of the analyzed genome sequence in proximal 17p--an experimental observation two- to fourfold higher than predictions based on virtual analysis of the genome. Our data demonstrate that higher-order genomic architecture involving LCRs plays a significant role not only in recurrent chromosome rearrangements but also in translocations and unusual-sized deletions involving 17p.

Segments missing from the draft human genome sequence can be isolated by transformation-associated recombination cloning in yeast

The reported draft human genome sequence includes many contigs that are separated by gaps of unknown sequence. These gaps may be due to chromosomal regions that are not present in the Escherichia coli libraries used for DNA sequencing because they cannot be cloned efficiently, if at all, in bacteria. Using a yeast artificial chromosome (YAC)/ bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) library generated in yeast, we found that approximately 6% of human DNA sequences tested transformed E. coli cells less efficiently than yeast cells, and were less stable in E. coli than in yeast. When the ends of several YAC/BAC isolates cloned in yeast were sequenced and compared with the reported draft sequence, major inconsistencies were found with the sequences of those YAC/BAC isolates that transformed E. coli cells inefficiently. Two human genomic fragments were re-isolated from human DNA by transformation-associated recombination (TAR) cloning. Re-sequencing of these regions showed that the errors in the draft are the results of both missassembly and loss of specific DNA sequences during cloning in E. coli. These results show that TAR cloning might be a valuable method that could be widely used during the final stages of the Human Genome Project.

Genomic sequence and transcriptional profile of the boundary between pericentromeric satellites and genes on human chromosome arm 10p

Contiguous finished sequence from highly duplicated pericentromeric regions of human chromosomes is needed if we are to understand the role of pericentromeric instability in disease, and in gene and karyotype evolution. Here, we have constructed a BAC contig spanning the transition from pericentromeric satellites to genes on the short arm of human chromosome 10, and used this to generate 1.4 Mb of finished genomic sequence. Combining RT-PCR, in silico gene prediction, and paralogy analysis, we can identify two domains within the sequence. The proximal 600 kb consists of satellite-rich pericentromerically duplicated DNA which is transcript poor, containing only three unspliced transcripts. In contrast, the distal 850 kb contains four known genes (ZNF248, ZNF25, ZNF33A, and ZNF37A) and up to 32 additional transcripts of unknown function. This distal region also contains seven out of the eight intrachromosomal duplications within the sequence, including the p arm copy of the approximately 250-kb duplication which gave rise to ZNF33A and ZNF33B. By sequencing orthologs of the duplicated ZNF33 genes we have established that ZNF33A has diverged significantly at residues critical for DNA binding but ZNF33B has not, indicating that ZNF33B has remained constrained by selection for ancestral gene function. These results provide further evidence of gene formation within intrachromosomal duplications, but indicate that recent interchromosomal duplications at this centromere have involved transcriptionally inert, satellite rich DNA, which is likely to be heterochromatic. This suggests that any novel gene structures formed by these interchromosomal events would require relocation to a more open chromatin environment to be expressed.

A computational/functional genomics approach for the enrichment of the retinal transcriptome and the identification of positional candidate retinopathy genes

Grouping genes by virtue of their sequence similarity, functional association, or spatiotemporal distribution is an important first step in investigating function. Given the recent identification of >30,000 human genes either by analyses of genomic sequence or by derivation/assembly of ESTs, automated means of discerning gene function and association with disease are critical for the efficient processing of this large volume of data. We have designed a series of computational tools to manipulate the EST sequence database (dbEST) to predict EST clusters likely representing genes expressed exclusively or preferentially in a specific tissue. We implemented this tool by extracting 40,000 human retinal ESTs and performing in silico subtraction against 1.4 million human ESTs. This process yielded 925 ESTs likely to be specifically or preferentially expressed in the retina. We mapped all retinal-specific/predominant sequences in the human genome and produced a web-based searchable map of the retina transcriptome, onto which we overlaid the positions of all mapped but uncloned retinopathy genes. This resource has provided positional candidates for 42 of 51 uncloned retinopathies and may expedite substantially the identification of disease-associated genes. More importantly, the ability to systematically group ESTs according to their predicted expression profile is likely to be an important resource for studying gene function in a wide range of tissues and physiological systems and to identify positional candidate genes for human disorders whose phenotypic manifestations are restricted to specific tissues/organs/cell types.

Analyzing genomes: current realities and future possibilities

The rapidly developing databases of genomic sequences of human and model organisms herald the beginning of a new era in genetic analysis. New, genome-based technologies are revealing important details in the structure and diversification of mammalian genomes and are fundamentally changing the field of genetics. In the future, genomic analysis will become a standard tool of geneticists and has the potential to revolutionize the field of immunogenetics.

Sequencing, transcript identification, and quantitative gene expression profiling in the breast cancer loss of heterozygosity region 16q24.3 reveal three potential tumor-suppressor genes

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of chromosome 16q24.3 is a common genetic alteration observed in invasive ductal and lobular breast carcinomas. We constructed a physical map and generated genomic DNA sequence data spanning 2.4 Mb in this region. Detailed in silico and in vitro analyses of the genomic sequence data enabled the identification of 104 genes. It was hypothesized that tumor-suppressor genes would exhibit marked mRNA expression variability in a panel of breast cancer cell lines as a result of downregulation due to mutation or hypermethylation. We examined the mRNA expression profiles of the genes identified at 16q24.3 in normal breast, a normal breast epithelial cell line, and several breast cancer cell lines exhibiting 16q24.3 LOH. Three of the genes, CYBA, Hs.7970, and CBFA2T3, exhibited variability ten times higher than the baseline. The possible role of these genes as tumor suppressors is discussed.

Selectivity and promiscuity of the first and second PDZ domains of PSD-95 and synapse-associated protein 102

PDZ domains typically interact with the very carboxyl terminus of their binding partners. Type 1 PDZ domains usually require valine, leucine, or isoleucine at the very COOH-terminal (P(0)) position, and serine or threonine 2 residues upstream at P(-2). We quantitatively defined the contributions of carboxyl-terminal residues to binding selectivity of the prototypic interactions of the PDZ domains of postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95) and its homolog synapse-associated protein 90 (SAP102) with the NR2b subunit of the N-methyl-d-aspartate-type glutamate receptor. Our studies indicate that all of the last five residues of NR2b contribute to the binding selectivity. Prominent were a requirement for glutamate or glutamine at P(-3) and for valine at P(0) for high affinity binding and a preference for threonine over serine at P(-2), in the context of the last 11 residues of the NR2b COOH terminus. This analysis predicts a COOH-terminal (E/Q)(S/T)XV consensus sequence for the strongest binding to the first two PDZ domains of PSD-95 and SAP102. A search of the human genome sequences for proteins with a COOH-terminal (E/Q)(S/T)XV motif yielded 50 proteins, many of which have not been previously identified as PSD-95 or SAP102 binding partners. Two of these proteins, brain-specific angiogenesis inhibitor 1 and protein kinase Calpha, co-immunoprecipitated with PSD-95 and SAP102 from rat brain extracts.

An integrated, functionally annotated gene map of the DXS8026-ELK1 interval on human Xp11.3-Xp11.23: potential hotspot for neurogenetic disorders

Human chromosome Xp11.3-Xp11.23 encompasses the map location for a growing number of diseases with a genetic basis or genetic component. These include several eye disorders, syndromic and nonsyndromic forms of X-linked mental retardation (XLMR), X-linked neuromuscular diseases and susceptibility loci for schizophrenia, type 1 diabetes, and Graves' disease. We have constructed an approximately 2.7-Mb high-resolution physical map extending from DXS8026 to ELK1, corresponding to a genetic distance of approximately 5.5 cM. A combination of chromosome walking and sequence-tagged site (STS)-content mapping resulted in an integrated framework and transcript map, precisely positioning 10 polymorphic microsatellites (one of which is novel), 16 ESTs, and 12 known genes (RP2, PCTK1, UHX1, UBE1, RBM10, ZNF157, SYN1, ARAF1, TIMP1, PFC, ELK1, UXT). The composite map is currently anchored with 89 STSs to give an average resolution of approximately 1 STS every 30 kb. By a combination of EST database searches and in silico detection of UniGene clusters within genomic sequence generated from this template map, we have mapped several novel genes within this interval: a Na+/H+ exchanger (SLC9A7), at least two zincfinger transcription factors (KIAA0215 and Hs.68318), carbohydrate sulfotransferase-7 (CHST7), regucalcin (RGN), inactivation-escape-1 (INE1), the human ortholog of mouse neuronal protein 15.6, and four putative novel genes. Further genomic analysis enabled annotation of the sequence interval with 20 predicted pseudogenes and 21 UniGene clusters of unknown function. The combined PAC/BAC transcript map and YAC scaffold presented here clarifies previously conflicting data for markers and genes within the Xp11.3-Xp11.23 interval and provides a powerful integrated resource for functional characterization of this clonally unstable, yet gene-rich and clinically significant region of proximal Xp.

Computational comparison of human genomic sequence assemblies for a region of chromosome 4

Much of the available human genomic sequence data exist in a fragmentary draft state following the completion of the initial high-volume sequencing performed by the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium (IHGSC) and Celera Genomics (CG). We compared six draft genome assemblies over a region of chromosome 4p (D4S394-D4S403), two consecutive releases by the IHGSC at University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), two consecutive releases from the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), the public release from CG, and a hybrid assembly we have produced using IHGSC and CG sequence data. This region presents particular problems for genomic sequence assembly algorithms as it contains a large tandem repeat and is sparsely covered by draft sequences. The six assemblies differed both in terms of their relative coverage of sequence data from the region and in their estimated rates of misassembly. The CG assembly method attained the lowest level of misassembly, whereas NCBI and UCSC assemblies had the highest levels of coverage. All assemblies examined included <60% of the publicly available sequence from the region. At least 6% of the sequence data within the CG assembly for the D4S394-D4S403 region was not present in publicly available sequence data. We also show that even in a problematic region, existing software tools can be used with high-quality mapping data to produce genomic sequence contigs with a low rate of rearrangements.

Human gene discovery through experimental definition of transcribed regions of the human genome

The sequencing of the human genome has failed to realize its primary goal: the identification of all human genes. We have learned that genes can only be identified with certainty within this vast and information-sparse structure by comparison with transcript sequences. Significantly more sequence data of this kind is required before we can claim to have deciphered our genetic blueprint.

Genome architecture, rearrangements and genomic disorders

An increasing number of human diseases are recognized to result from recurrent DNA rearrangements involving unstable genomic regions. These are termed genomic disorders, in which the clinical phenotype is a consequence of abnormal dosage of gene(s) located within the rearranged genomic fragments. Both inter- and intrachromosomal rearrangements are facilitated by the presence of region-specific low-copy repeats (LCRs) and result from nonallelic homologous recombination (NAHR) between paralogous genomic segments. LCRs usually span approximately 10-400 kb of genomic DNA, share >or= 97% sequence identity, and provide the substrates for homologous recombination, thus predisposing the region to rearrangements. Moreover, it has been suggested that higher order genomic architecture involving LCRs plays a significant role in karyotypic evolution accompanying primate speciation.

Drugs, the human genome, and individual-based medicine

The so-called "Genomic Revolution" has made possible the high-resolution sequencing of the DNA making up the human genome. One of the main conclusions of the currently available sequencing data is that individuals differ genetically from one another via sequence variations in their genomes. When affected genes are transcribed and translated, some of these sequence variations result in protein products that may affect the functioning of the proteins. This has led to widespread optimism that information on an individual's pattern of sequence variations will lead to drugs that target that individual's variant proteins and make "individual-based medicine" possible. I this chapter some of the assumptions underlying the proposed production of individual drug treatments are examined. The assumptions are viewed in the light of very recent experimental evidence about the sequence patterns found in humans. Also discussed are ancillary ethical problems in cataloging and using databases containing individuals' sequence data, what human genomic sequences are revealing about the use of animal models in developing drugs, and how evidence is mounting that the human genome is only one element serving to maintain an organism's interaction with its environment.

Accessing genetic variation: genotyping single nucleotide polymorphisms

Understanding the relationship between genetic variation and biological function on a genomic scale is expected to provide fundamental new insights into the biology, evolution and pathophysiology of humans and other species. The hope that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) will allow genes that underlie complex disease to be identified, together with progress in identifying large sets of SNPs, are the driving forces behind intense efforts to establish the technology for large-scale analysis of SNPs. New genotyping methods that are high throughput, accurate and cheap are urgently needed for gaining full access to the abundant genetic variation of organisms.

Discovery of the human genome sequence in the public and private databases

Genomes: Much heat has been generated in discussions about the key human genome sequence databases, generated by the Human Genome Project and Celera, and what specific features each offers genome researchers. Stephen W. Scherer and Joseph Cheung, who are intense users of both, offer a personal assessment of the developing contents.

The power of public access: the human genome project and the scientific process

The scientific process, and scientific progress, require a critical examination of all published reports. Recent publications detailing errors in the draft human genome sequence are an integral part of our quest to better understand nature and demonstrate the value of free access to scientific data.

What use is the human genome for understanding the mouse?

Having a working draft of the human genome sequence is proving invaluable to mouse genetic and genomic studies, providing a useful stepping-stone towards the finished sequence of the mouse genome.