Molecular genetics of human serum albumin: restriction enzyme fragment length polymorphisms and analbuminemia

A colorimetric method for DNA hybridization

A general method has been developed which allows crosslinks to be produced between proteins and single-stranded DNA. Such single-stranded DNA protein complexes have been tested for blot hybridization using two colorimetrically detectable enzymes, namely peroxidase and alkaline phosphatase, as the protein moiety of the probe. After hybridization and incubation with a substrate solution sequences complementary to the probe can be visualized directly without the need of tedious cytochemical sandwich methods. This procedure will detect target sequences, a few kilobases long, in the 1- to 5-pg range.

DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms and heterozygosity in the human genome

A list is presented of published reports of DNA polymorphisms found in the human genome by restriction enzyme analysis. While the list indicates the large number of restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) detected to date, the information collated is insufficient to permit an estimate of heterozygosity for the genome as a whole. Data from our laboratory are therefore also presented on RFLPs detected using a random sample of cloned DNA segments. Such an analysis has permitted a first unbiassed estimate of heterozygosity for the human genome. Since this figure is an order of magnitude higher than previous estimates derived from protein data, the majority of polymorphic variation present in the human genome must, by implication, occur in noncoding sequences. In addition it was confirmed that enzymes containing the dinucleotide CpG in their recognition sequences detect more polymorphic variation than those that do not contain a CpG. Also presented are the clinical applications of DNA polymorphisms in the diagnosis of human genetic disease.

The positions of three restriction fragment length polymorphisms on chromosome 4 relative to known genetic markers

A library of DNA sequences cloned in lambda phage has been prepared from DNA of chromosomes sorted by cytofluorimetry to give enrichment for chromosome 4. Five sequences have been assigned to chromosome 4 using a panel of hybrid cells, and each has been localised relative to a translocation breakpoint at 4q26. Each of the probes gives a Southern blot pattern which indicates that it does not cross-hybridize with sequences found on other human chromosomes. Three of the probes reveal frequent restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) and are useful for linkage analysis.