An abnormal phosphoglucomutase component in chronic lymphatic leukaemia

Unravelling the role of epigenetics in reproductive adaptations to early-life environment

Reproductive function adjusts in response to environmental conditions in order to optimize success. In humans, this plasticity includes age of pubertal onset, hormone levels and age at menopause. These reproductive characteristics vary across populations with distinct lifestyles and following specific childhood events, and point to a role for the early-life environment in shaping adult reproductive trajectories. Epigenetic mechanisms respond to external signals, exert long-term effects on gene expression and have been shown in animal and cellular studies to regulate normal reproductive function, strongly implicating their role in these adaptations. Moreover, human cohort data have revealed differential DNA methylation signatures in proxy tissues that are associated with reproductive phenotypic variation, although the cause-effect relationships are difficult to discern, calling for additional complementary approaches to establish functionality. In this Review, we summarize how adult reproductive function can be shaped by childhood events. We discuss why the influence of the childhood environment on adult reproductive function is an important consideration in understanding how reproduction is regulated and necessitates consideration by clinicians treating women with diverse life histories. The resolution of the molecular mechanisms responsible for human reproductive plasticity could also lead to new approaches for intervention by targeting these epigenetic modifications.

PGM3 locus and its genetic polymorphism in lymphocytes of the pig

PGM3 activity was investigated by means of horizontal starch gel electrophoresis. In the pig of the German Landrace three different phenotypes have been recognized: F, S and FS. Family studies suggest the occurrence of at least two alleles--PGM3F and the PGM3S at an autosomal locus.

Phosphoglucomutase 3: formal and population genetics and observations on abnormal phenotypes

514 healthy blood donors and 47 families with 122 offspring were studied for phosphoglucomutase 3 (PGM3) from leukocytes. There was a good agreement of allelic frequencies obtained compared to those reported previously in Caucasians. In addition, three individuals with abnormal phenotypes were observed: one was a patient with Hodgkin's disease, the other two were apparently healthy blood donors. In two cases, family members could be studied; none carried the abnormal type of the father. The possible background of these observations with respect to the attachment of the PGM3 locus to the immunogenetic linkage group--the major histocompatibility complex--on chromosome No. 6 in man is discussed.

Linkage group HL-A-MLC-BF (properdin factor B). The site of the Bf locus at the immunogenetic linkage group on chromosome 6

Genetic linkage between the HL-A and Bf loci could be confirmed in 43 families with 168 offspring. In 4 families, 5 recombinants out of 82 informative meiotic divisions were observed (r = 6.1%). The localisation of the Bf marker system was studied in 3 families with crossovers between HL-A and MLC. From these data the following map order of human chromosome 6 can be proposed: HL-A (1st locus) -- HL-A (2nd locus)--MLC-Bf---PGM(3). The fact that important components of the classical and alternate pathway of complement activation are governed by genes closely linked with HL-A and MLC loci leads to the proposition to include the Bf system into the Major Histocompatibility Complex in man.