Isolation of high-molecular-weight DNA from mammalian cells

Morpho-anatomical characterization and DNA barcoding of Artemesia vulgaris L

Artemisia vulgaris L. belongs to Asteraceae, is a herbal plant that has various benefits in the medical field, so that its use in the medical field can be explored optimally, the plant must be thoroughly identified. This study aims to identify A. vulgaris both in terms of descriptive morpho-anatomy and DNA barcoding using BLAST and phylogenetic tree reconstruction. The morpho-anatomical character was observed on root, stem, and leaf. DNA barcoding analysis was carried out through amplification and alignment of the rbcL and matK genes. All studies were conducted on three samples from Taman Husada (Medicinal Plant Garden) Graha Famili Surabaya, Indonesia. The anatomical slide was prepared by the paraffin method. Morphological studies revealed that the leaves of A. vulgaris both on the lower-middle part and on the upper part of the stem have differences, especially in the character of the stipules, petioles, and incisions they have. Meanwhile, from the study of anatomy, A. vulgaris has an anomocytic type of stomata and its distribution is mostly on the ventral part of the leaves. Through the BLAST process and phylogenetic tree reconstruction, the plant sequences being studied are closely related to several species of the genus Artemisia as indicated by a percentage identity above 98% and branch proximity between taxa in the reconstructed phylogenetic tree.

CryoGrid-PIXUL-RNA: high throughput RNA isolation platform for tissue transcript analysis

BACKGROUND

Disease molecular complexity requires high throughput workflows to map disease pathways through analysis of vast tissue repositories. Great progress has been made in tissue multiomics analytical technologies. To match the high throughput of these advanced analytical platforms, we have previously developed a multipurpose 96-well microplate sonicator, PIXUL, that can be used in multiple workflows to extract analytes from cultured cells and tissue fragments for various downstream molecular assays. And yet, the sample preparation devices, such as PIXUL, along with the downstream multiomics analytical capabilities have not been fully exploited to interrogate tissues because storing and sampling of such biospecimens remain, in comparison, inefficient.

RESULTS

To mitigate this tissue interrogation bottleneck, we have developed a low-cost user-friendly system, CryoGrid, to catalog, cryostore and sample tissue fragments. TRIzol is widely used to isolate RNA but it is labor-intensive, hazardous, requires fume-hoods, and is an expensive reagent. Columns are also commonly used to extract RNA but they involve many steps, are prone to human errors, and are also expensive. Both TRIzol and column protocols use test tubes. We developed a microplate PIXUL-based TRIzol-free and column-free RNA isolation protocol that uses a buffer containing proteinase K (PK buffer). We have integrated the CryoGrid system with PIXUL-based PK buffer, TRIzol, and PureLink column methods to isolate RNA for gene-specific qPCR and genome-wide transcript analyses. CryoGrid-PIXUL, when integrated with either PK buffer, TRIzol or PureLink column RNA isolation protocols, yielded similar transcript profiles in frozen organs (brain, heart, kidney and liver) from a mouse model of sepsis.

CONCLUSIONS

RNA isolation using the CryoGrid-PIXUL system combined with the 96-well microplate PK buffer method offers an inexpensive user-friendly high throughput workflow to study transcriptional responses in tissues in health and disease as well as in therapeutic interventions.

Effects of SNVs in ABCA1, ABCG1, ABCG5, ABCG8, and SCARB1 Genes on Plasma Lipids, Lipoproteins, and Adiposity Markers in a Brazilian Population

Several proteins are involved in cholesterol homeostasis, as scavenger receptor class B type I and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters including ABCA1, ABCG1, ABCG5, and ABCG8. This study aimed to determine the effects of single nucleotide variants (SNVs) rs2275543 (ABCA1), rs1893590 (ABCG1), rs6720173 (ABCG5), rs6544718 (ABCG8), and rs5888 (SCARB1) on plasma lipids, lipoproteins, and adiposity markers in an asymptomatic population and its sex-specific effects. Volunteers (n = 590) were selected and plasma lipids, lipoproteins, and adiposity markers (waist-to-hip and waist-to-height ratios, lipid accumulation product and body adiposity index) were measured. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood cells according to the method adapted from Gross-Bellard. SNVs were detected in the TaqMan® OpenArray® Real-Time polymerase chain reaction platform and data analyses were performed using the TaqMan® Genotyper Software. The rs2275543*C point to an increase of high-density lipoprotein size in females while in males very-low-density lipoprotein, cholesterol, and triglycerides were statistically lower (P value < 0.05). The rs1893590*C was statistically associated with lower apolipoprotein A-I levels and higher activities of paraoxonase-1 and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (P value < 0.05). The rs6720173 was statistically associated with an increase in cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in males; moreover, rs6544718*T reduced adiposity markers in females (P value < 0.05). Regarding the rs5888, a decreased adiposity marker in the total population and in females occurred (P value < 0.05). Multivariate analysis of variance showed that SNVs could influence components of high-density lipoprotein metabolism, mainly through ABCG1 (P value < 0.05). The ABCA1 and ABCG5 variants showed sex-specific effects on lipids and lipoproteins, while SCARB1 and ABCG8 variants might influence adiposity markers in females. Our data indicate a possible role of ABCG1 on HDL metabolism.

VJ Segment Usage of TCR-Beta Repertoire in Monozygotic Cystic Fibrosis Twins

Sixteen monozygotic cystic fibrosis (CF) twin pairs of whom 14 pairs were homozygous for the most common p.Phe508del CFTR mutation were selected from the European Cystic Fibrosis Twin and Sibling Study Cohort. The monozygotic twins were examined in their T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire in peripheral blood by amplicon sequencing of the CDR3 variable region of the ß-chain. The recruitment of TCR J and V genes for recombination and selection in the thymus showed a strong genetic influence in the CF twin cohort as indicated by the shortest Jensen-Shannon distance to the twin individual. Exceptions were the clinically most discordant and/or most severely affected twin pairs where clonal expansion probably caused by recurrent pulmonary infections overshadowed the impact of the identical genomic blueprint. In general the Simpson clonality was low indicating that the population of TCRß clonotypes of the CF twins was dominated by the naïve T-cell repertoire. Intrapair sharing of clonotypes was significantly more frequent among monozygotic CF twins than among pairs of unrelated CF patients. Complete nucleotide sequence identity was observed in about 0.11% of CDR3 sequences which partially should represent persisting fetal clones derived from the same progenitor T cells. Complete amino acid sequence identity was noted in 0.59% of clonotypes. Of the nearly 40,000 frequent amino acid clonotypes shared by at least two twin siblings 99.8% were already known within the immuneACCESS database and only 73 had yet not been detected indicating that the CDR3ß repertoire of CF children and adolescents does not carry a disease-specific signature but rather shares public clones with that of the non-CF community. Clonotypes shared within twin pairs and between unrelated CF siblings were highly abundant among healthy non-CF people, less represented in individuals with infectious disease and uncommon in patients with cancer. This subset of shared CF clonotypes defines CDR3 amino acid sequences that are more common in health than in disease.

Haplotype-based association study between PRCP gene polymorphisms and essential hypertension in Hani minority group from a remote region of China

Objective:

Prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP) is both involved in the Kallikrein-Kinin system (KKS) and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). This study aimed to determine the genetic impact of PRCP gene polymorphisms on essential hypertension (EH) in an isolated population from a remote region of China.

Methods:

A haplotype-based study was investigated in 346 EH patients and 346 normal subjects and all samples were Hani minority residents in Southwest China. A total of 11 tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in PRCP gene were tested by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method.

Results:

Single site analysis found that PRCP gene 3′UTR SNP rs3750931 was associated with EH. The minor allele G of rs3750931 was more prevalent in the EH patients compared to control subjects after Bonferroni correction (p < 0.05). Moreover, the rs3750931 G allele carriers showed higher average blood pressure (BP) level among the subjects. The H2 (GAGCACTAACA) haplotype without rs3750931 G allele showed the protective effect for EH (OR = 0.68, 95 CI 0.54–0.85, p = 0.001).

Conclusion:

The present study indicated PRCP gene rs3750931 was associated with the risk of EH. This SNP G allele could be considered as one of risk markers for EH in Hani population.

An overview of polymeric nano-biocomposites as targeted and controlled-release devices

In recent years, controlled drug delivery has become an important area of research. Nano-biocomposites can fulfil the necessary requirements of a targeted drug delivery device. This review describes use of polymeric nano-biocomposites in controlled drug delivery devices. Selection of suitable biopolymer and methods of preparation are discussed.

Genetic Association of rs2237572 Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6 Gene with Breast Cancer in Iraq

This case-control study is aimed to evaluate serum concentration of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 6 (CDK6) and the genetic association between rs2237572 CDK6 gene and breast cancer (BC) in Iraq. To attain this goal, 80 patients with BC as cases and 80 healthy individuals as controls were included. Further, BC patients were sorted according to the molecular classification into four subtypes of Luminal A, Luminal B, Her2/neu enriched and TPN. Serum concentration of CDK6 enzyme, allelic and genotypic frequencies of rs2237572 CDK6, and the occurrence of BC phenotype and its subtypes in the studied population were investigated. ELISA technique was used to perform the biochemical testing, while the molecular analysis was achieved by real-time PCR, high resolution melting analysis, conventional PCR, as well as sequencing analysis. The results revealed no significant difference in serum concentration of CDK6 enzyme between patients and healthy controls (p > 0.05). Also, no significant differences were shown between BC patients subtypes (p > 0.05). The rs2237572 CDK6 genotypes were associated with the BC and affirmed that allele C was inherited as a recessive risk factor. Moreover, a highly significant difference between patients' subtypes in the genotypic frequency of rs2237572 (p < 0.01) was noted. Furthermore, the association of rs2237572 genotypes and CDK6 serum concentration in BC patients showed a considered significant difference between C/C and T/T, C/C and T/C and the CDK6 level (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, T/T and T/C did not show any significant difference with the CDK6 level. Hence, it was concluded that the rs2237572 of CDK6 gene is significantly correlated with BC.

Genetic association study of prolylcarboxypeptidase polymorphisms with susceptibility to essential hypertension in the Yi minority of China: A case-control study based on an isolated population

Objective:

Prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP) is a negative regulator of the pressor actions of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system. It is also involved in the kallikrein–kinin system. This gene has an important role in blood pressure (BP) regulation.

Methods:

A case–control study was performed for 615 Yi participants (303 cases and 312 controls) from a remote mountainous area in Yunnan Province of China. For the PRCP gene, 11 tag single-nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method.

Results:

The PRCP gene rs12290550 was associated with the occurrence of essential hypertension (EH) and BP traits. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the rs12290550 T allele was significantly linked to the risk of EH (odds ratio (OR) = 1.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.44–2.39, p = 0.2 × 10⁻⁵). Under Bonferroni correction, the H7 TAGCACTAACA haplotype containing the risk allele rs12290550 T increased the risk of EH (OR = 4.53, 95% CI 2.29–8.93, p = 0.2×10⁻⁵).

Conclusions:

The findings of this study demonstrate the strong association of the PRCP gene with EH. rs12290550 may be a useful genetic predictor of EH in the Yi minority.

Lipase C, Hepatic Type -250A/G (rs2070895) Variant Enhances Carotid Atherosclerosis in Normolipidemic and Asymptomatic Individuals from Brazil

The common genetic variant in the promoter region of the hepatic lipase gene [LIPC -250G/A(rs2070895)] has an ambiguous association with cardiovascular disease. In this context, our study was performed to identify the relationships between the rs2070895 with carotid atherosclerosis, plasma lipids, and parameters of reverse cholesterol transport. A total of 285 normolipidemic and asymptomatic participants from an initial sample of 598,288 individuals (inclusion criteria: LDL-C ≤130 mg/dL and triglycerides ≤150 mg/dL; age: 20-75 years, both genders; confirmation of clinical, anthropometric and laboratory data; attended all visits; DNA was achieved to perform genetic analysis) were enrolled and the rs2070895 variant was genotyped by TaqMan® OpenArray® Plataform. Carotid intima-media thickness and the screening of atherosclerotic plaques were determined by B-mode ultrasonography. The rs2070895 genotype frequencies were 0.44, 0.41, and 0.15 (GG, GA, and AA, respectively). Logistic regression analysis showed that the risk of having plaques was increased in participants carrying the AA or AG genotypes (OR = 3.90; 95% CI = 1.54-10.33), despite an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, HDL diameter and apolipoprotein A-I, as compared to the GG genotype. Hepatic lipase and endogenous lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase activities were reduced (38% and 19%, respectively) and lipoprotein lipase was increased by 30% (AA vs GG). Our results provide evidence that the AA or AG genotypes of the rs2070895 were associated with carotid atherosclerosis in apparently healthy participants, probably as a consequence of reduced reverse cholesterol transport and accumulation of HDL subfraction 2 rich in triglycerides and depleted in cholesteryl esters that could become dysfunctional.

Association between chymase gene polymorphisms and atrial fibrillation in Chinese Han population

Background

Chymase is the major angiotensin II (Ang II)-forming enzyme in cardiovascular tissue, with an important role in atrial remodeling. This study aimed to examine the association between chymase 1 gene (CMA1) polymorphisms and atrial fibrillation (AF) in a Chinese Han population.

Methods

This case-control study enrolled 126 patients with lone AF and 120 age- and sex-matched healthy controls, all from a Chinese Han population. Five CMA1 polymorphisms were genotyped.

Results

The CMA1 polymorphism rs1800875 (G-1903A) was associated with AF. The frequency of the GG genotype was significantly higher in AF patients compared with controls (p = 0.009). Haplotype analysis further demonstrated an increased risk of AF associated with the rs1800875-G haplotype (Hap8 TGTTG, odds ratio (OR) = 1.668, 95% CI 1.132–2.458, p = 0.009), and a decreased risk for the rs1800875-A haplotype (Hap5 TATTG, OR = 0.178, 95% CI 0.042–0.749, p = 0.008).

Conclusions

CMA1 polymorphisms may be associated with AF, and the rs1800875 GG genotype might be a susceptibility factor for AF in the Chinese Han population.

High-throughput blood sample preparation for single nucleotide polymorphism genotyping in less than 25 min

Straightforward, rapid and high-throughput pretreatment for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) genotyping is critically needed in clinical practice. However, all existing SNP genotyping methods require DNA purification step, which is labor-intensive and time-consuming. We develop a protocol for SNP genotyping by combining whole blood lysis (WBL) with qPCR and justify the practicality of our method in blood samples from 140 donors, including 40 samples from healthy donors, and 100 samples from donors with either low white blood cell counts, high level of serum uric acid or triglyceride. When compared with Sanger sequencing, the gold standard for SNP genotyping, our method exhibits a 100% consistency in the aspect of sensitivity and specificity. In addition, our method can obtain amplifiable DNA within 25 mins (which is the fastest to the best of our knowledge) from 48 samples. The blood samples, even with low white blood cell counts, high level of serum uric acid or triglyceride could not affect the sensitivity and specificity of our method. Our study demonstrates that the combination of WBL and qPCR genotyping can serve as a high-throughput and robust approach for routine clinical SNP genotyping.

Duplex Lateral Flow Assay for the Simultaneous Detection of Yersinia pestis and Francisella tularensis

High-risk pathogens such as Francisella tularensis and Yersinia pestis are categorized as highly hazardous organisms that can be used as biological weapons. Given the extreme infectivity of these potential biowarfare agents, a rapid, sensitive, cost-effective, and specific method for their detection is required. Here, we report the multiplexed amplification detection of genomic DNA from Francisella tularensis and Yersinia pestis. Amplification was achieved using isothermal recombinase polymerase amplification, exploiting tailed primers, followed by detection using a nucleic-acid lateral flow assay. Excess primers were removed using a novel fishing strategy, avoiding the use of postamplification purification that requires centrifugation and infers additional assay cost. The entire assay is completed in less than 1 h, achieving limits of detection of 243 fg (1.21 × 10² genome equivalent) and 4 fg (0.85 genome equivalent) for Francisella tularensis and Yersinia pestis, respectively.

Transfection of Human Breast Epithelial Cells with Foreign Dna Using Different Transfecting Techniques

The introduction of DNA into eukaryotic cells is a powerful technique for the study of gene regulation. This requires both a technique by which genes can efficiently be introduced into cells and a recipient cell representative of the tissue under study. We have utilized a spontaneously immortalized human breast epithelial cell line, CMF-10, which is phenotypically normal for introducing a neomycin-resistant gene contained in the plasmid Homer 6 (pHo6). Three different transfection methods were tested: calcium phosphate, with and without glycerol shock, using as control NIH/3T3 cells, and strontium phosphate and electroporation. In MCF-10 cells the efficiency of calcium phosphate mediated DNA transfection, which was measured as the number of colonies growing in neomycin-containing medium, was 21 and 140 fold higher than in MCF-10 cells transfected by electroporation and strontium phosphate methods, respectively. Glycerol shock enhanced three fold transfection efficiencies. NIH/3T3 transfected cells by calcium phosphate method showed a transfection efficiency similar to that of MCF-10 cells, however, glycerol shock did not improve the efficiency. These studies revealed that calcium phosphate combined with glycerol shock is the most efficient technique for transfection of genomic DNA into human breast epithelial cells.

Collagen Gel Immobilisation Provides a Suitable Cell Matrix for Long Term Human Hepatocyte Cultures in Hybrid Reactors

An easy to apply culture technique is presented that protects a monolayer configuration of liver cells within an extracellular matrix. The Immobilising Gel (IG)-Technique not only preserves hepatocyte morphology and supports a variety of differentiated cell functions over long term periods, but also offers higher resistance of IG-culture systems against shear forces of fluids in a hybrid reactor device, as compared to other culture techniques. Human hepatocyte cultures in IG-Technique: DNA-normalised levels for the total production of cholinesterase, albumin, urea and lactate remained high throughout the investigational period (50 days). Glutamic-Pyruvic-Transaminase (GPT) release decreased after peak values during early culture adaptation. Electron Microscopic (EM) findings after the shear forces experiment revealed undisturbed subcellular structures and a preserved intercellular morphology, including bile canaliculi and desmosomes. We conclude that the IG-technique is of considerable advantage as compared to other culture systems, especially in the field of dynamic applications, e.g. hybrid reactors for artificial organ development.

Extracorporeal Artificial Liver: The Influence of a Second Cell Layer on the Morphology and Function of Immobilized Human Hepatocytes

Hepatocytes in long-term cultures represent a promising approach to preserve liver function under standard culture conditions. Hepatocyte cultures as the key components in an extracorporeal artificial liver (EAL) in the treatment of hepatic insufficiency, would be a great advantage. However, one of the numerous unsolved problems is the limitation of the surface area of a future EAL. To decrease the dimensions of same, we modified the cell immobilization technique by placing a second layer of immobilized human hepatocytes onto a layer of pre-immobilized hepatocytes creating a “sandwich immobilization” (SI) system. Immobilization and sandwich immobilization were compared over an investigation period of 30 days: functional performance mirrored by cholinesterase (CHE) and albumin secretion showed remarkable differences only in the course of the first week, whereas we found almost no differences from day 8 on. The total DNA-values on days 0, 1, 7, 14, 21 and 30 varied strongly after the first week but were very similar up to day 30. Finally, it appears disadvantageous to enlarge number/cm2 of (human) hepatocytes in long-term cultures or for application in an EAL by means of sandwich immobilization.

Dissecting heterogeneity in paediatric Type 1 diabetes: association of TCF7L2 rs7903146 TT and low-risk human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotypes

AIMS

To test the hypothesis that non-obese individuals with childhood-onset Type 1 diabetes and the rs7903146 TT genotype would be less likely to have high-risk human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genotypes and alleles.

METHODS

We studied a cohort of 105 non-obese participants in the T1D Exchange Biobank Residual Insulin Study who had childhood-onset Type 1 diabetes [mean (sd) age at onset and recruitment, respectively, 9.9 (4.15) and 14.4 (4.13) years; 84.8% non-Hispanic white]. We analysed islet autoantibodies (glutamic acid decarboxylase 65, islet cell autoantigen 512/islet antigen-2 and zinc transporter 8), non-fasting random C-peptide levels, HLA type and TCF7L2 single nucleotide polymorphism rs7903146 in this cohort.

RESULTS

None of the 13 individuals with the rs7903146 TT genotype carried the highest Type 1 diabetes risk HLA genotype, i.e. DRB1*03:01/DR4 (DRB1*0401, *04:05 or *04:02), compared with 29.4% (27/92) of those without it (P=0.023). The DRB1*03:01 allele was present in 15.4% (2/13) of individuals with the single nucleotide polymorphism, compared with 59.8% (55/92) of those without it (P=0.003). Analyses restricted to autoantibody-positive individuals (n=80) yielded similar results. The HLA DRB1*15:01 allele, which affords dominant protection against Type 1 diabetes, was found in one participant, who had multiple islet autoantibodies and carried the rs7903146 TT genotype.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings further support the hypothesis that TCF7L2 gene variation contributes to diabetogenesis in a subset of young people with Type 1 diabetes, opening possible new pathways for therapy and prevention.

In Vitro Enzymatic and Cell Culture-Based Assays for Measuring Activity of HBV RNaseH Inhibitors

HBV is a small, enveloped DNA virus that replicates by reverse transcription via an RNA intermediate. Current anti-HBV treatment regiments that include interferon α and nucleos(t)ide analogs have insufficient efficiency, are of long duration and can be accompanied by systemic side effects. Though HBV RNaseH is essential for viral replication, it is unexploited as a drug target against HBV. RNaseH inhibitors that actively block viral replication would represent an important addition to the potential new drugs for treating HBV infection. Here we describe two methods to measure the activity of RNaseH inhibitors. DNA oligonucleotide-directed RNA cleavage assay allows low-throughput screening of compounds for potential anti-HBV RNaseH activity in vitro. Analysis of preferential inhibition of plus-polarity DNA strand synthesis by HBV RNaseH inhibitors in a cell culture model of HBV replication can be used to validate the efficiency of these compounds to block viral replication.

Induction of Fas-Mediated Apoptosis by Interferon-γ is Dependent on Granulosa Cell Differentiation and Follicular Maturation in the Rat Ovary

Fas ligand (FasL) and its receptor Fas have been implicated in granulosa cell apoptosis during follicular atresia. Although interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is believed to be involved in the regulation Fas expression in differentiated granulosa or granulosa-luteal cells, the expression of this cytokine and its role in the regulation of the granulosa cell Fas/FasL system and apoptosis during follicular maturation have not been thoroughly investigated. In the present study, we have examined the presence of IFN-γ in ovarian follicles at different stage of development by immunohistochemistry and related their relative intensities with follicular expression of Fas and FasL, and with differences in granulosa cell sensitivity to Fas activation by exogenous agonistic Anti-Fas monoclonal antibody (Fas mAb). Although IFN-γ immunostaining was detectable in oocyte and granulosa cells in antral follicles, most intense immunoreactivity for the cytokine was observed in these cells of preantral follicles. Intense immunoreactivity for IFN-γ was most evident in granulosa cells of atretic early antral follicles where increased Fas and FasL expression and apoptosis were also observed. Whereas low concentrations of IFN-γ (10-100 U/mL) significantly increased Fas expression in undifferentiated granulosa cells (from preantral or very early antral follicles) in vitro, very higher concentrations (≥ 1,000 U/mL) were required to up-regulate of Fas in differentiated cells isolated from eCG-primed (antral) follicles. Addition of agonistic Fas mAb to cultures of granulosa cells at the two stages of differentiation and pretreated with IFN-γ (100 U/mL) elicited morphological and biochemical apoptotic features which were more prominent in cells not previously exposed to the gonadotropin in vivo. These findings suggested that IFN-γ is an important physiologic intra-ovarian regulator of follicular atresia and plays a pivotal role in regulation of expression of Fas receptor and subsequent apoptotic response in undifferentiated (or poorly differentiated) granulosa cells at an early (penultimate) stage of follicular development.

Association between the ABCA1-565C/T gene promoter polymorphism and coronary heart disease severity and cholesterol efflux in the Chinese Han population

BACKGROUND

ABCA1 -565C/T gene promoter variants have been associated with the severity of coronary artery disease in Western populations. The purpose of our study was to investigate the association between the -565C/T gene polymorphism and coronary artery disease severity and cholesterol efflux in the Chinese Han population.

METHODS

A cohort of 298 acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients and 541 healthy controls was genotyped using the highly sensitive ligase detection reaction. ABCA1 -565C/T genotype was correlated with the clinical features of 164 acute myocardial infarction (AMI) patients. Monocytes from patients with various -565C/T gene polymorphisms were isolated and differentiated into foam cells by coincubation with [(3)H]-labeled acetyl-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. ABCA1 mRNA and protein expression levels were evaluated, as well as cellular cholesterol efflux.

RESULTS

The frequency of the TT genotype in the -565C/T polymorphism of ACS patients was significantly increased when compared with controls (0.211 vs. 0.162, p<0.05). The TT genotype, but not the CT or CC genotypes, in the -565C/T gene polymorphism correlated with the severity of the coronary lesion observed in AMI patients. Patients with the TT homozygote genotype also exhibited significantly lower cellular cholesterol efflux (TT [6.37%±0.554%]) levels than controls and also had the lowest levels of ABCA1 mRNA and protein expression among the group of variants. In contrast, cholesterol efflux levels in AMI patients with CT [11.35%±3.975%] and CC ([15.32%±6.293%]) genotypes were not significantly different from controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Impaired ABCA1-mediated cholesterol efflux in macrophages may be associated with the severity of the coronary lesions in AMI patients with the TT genotype at the -565C/T gene polymorphism.

Association between ABCG1 polymorphism rs1893590 and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in an asymptomatic Brazilian population

ATP binding cassette transporter G1 (ABCG1) promotes lipidation of nascent high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles, acting as an intracellular transporter. SNP rs1893590 (c.-204A > C) of ABCG1 gene has been previously studied and reported as functional over plasma HDL-C and lipoprotein lipase activity. This study aimed to investigate the relationships of SNP rs1893590 with plasma lipids and lipoproteins in a large Brazilian population. Were selected 654 asymptomatic and normolipidemic volunteers from both genders. Clinical and anthropometrical data were taken and blood samples were drawn after 12 h fasting. Plasma lipids and lipoproteins, as well as HDL particle size and volume were determined. Genomic DNA was isolated for SNP rs1893590 detection by TaqMan(®) OpenArray(®) Real-Time PCR Plataform (Applied Biosystems). Mann-Whitney U, Chi square and two-way ANOVA were the used statistical tests. No significant differences were found in the comparison analyses between the allele groups for all studied parameters. Conversely, significant interactions were observed between SNP and age over plasma HDL-C, were volunteers under 60 years with AA genotype had increased HDL-C (p = 0.048). Similar results were observed in the group with body mass index (BMI) < 25 kg/m(2), where volunteers with AA genotype had higher HDL-C levels (p = 0.0034), plus an increased HDL particle size (p = 0.01). These findings indicate that SNP rs1893590 of ABCG1 has a significant impact over HDL-C under asymptomatic clinical conditions in an age and BMI dependent way.

Allelic loss at chromosome 11q13 alters FGF3 gene expression in a human breast cancer progression model

Identification of markers with the potential to predict tumorigenic behavior is important in breast cancer, due to the variability in clinical disease progression. Genetic alterations during neoplastic progression may appear as changes in total DNA content, single genes, or gene expression. Oncogenic alterations are thought to be prognostic indices for patients with breast cancer. Breast cancer deregulation can occur in the normal cellular process and can be measured by microsatellite instability (MSI)/loss of heterozygosity (LOH). Chromosome 11 is unique in this respect, as three regions of MSI/LOH have been identified (11p15-p15.5, 11q13-q13.3 and 11q23-q24). There are many important families of genes, such as FGF, CCND1, FADD, BAD and GAD2, that are located on chromosome 11 and these play a crucial role in breast cancer progression. Among them, different members of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family of genes are clustered around human chromosome 11q13 amplicon, which are constantly altering during breast cancer progression. Therefore, in this study, locus 11q13 and FGF3 gene (11q13) function were investigated in a radiation and estrogen breast cancer model induced by high-LET (α-particle) radiation and estrogen exposure. To assess the effect of ionizing radiation and estrogen at chromosome 11q13 loci and the subsequent role of FGF3 gene expression, various microsatellite markers were chosen in this region, and allelic loses (~20-45%) were identified by PCR-SSCP analysis. Results showed an increase in FGF3 protein expression and a 6- to 8-fold change in gene expression of FGF3 and associated genes. These deregulations could be utilized as an appropriate target for therapeutic intervention in breast cancer.

Diverse chemotypes disrupt ion homeostasis in the Malaria parasite

The antimalarial spiroindolones disrupt Plasmodium falciparum Na(+) regulation and induce an alkalinization of the parasite cytosol. It has been proposed that they do so by inhibiting PfATP4, a parasite plasma membrane P-type ATPase postulated to export Na(+) and import H(+) equivalents. Here, we screened the 400 antiplasmodial compounds of the open access 'Malaria Box' for their effects on parasite ion regulation. Twenty eight compounds affected parasite Na(+) and pH regulation in a manner consistent with PfATP4 inhibition. Six of these, with chemically diverse structures, were selected for further analysis. All six showed reduced antiplasmodial activity against spiroindolone-resistant parasites carrying mutations in pfatp4. We exposed parasites to incrementally increasing concentrations of two of the six compounds and in both cases obtained resistant parasites with mutations in pfatp4. The finding that diverse chemotypes have an apparently similar mechanism of action indicates that PfATP4 may be a significant Achilles' heel for the parasite.

Antineoplastic activity of rinvanil and phenylacetylrinvanil in leukaemia cell lines

In the search for novel chemotherapeutic agents for cancer treatment, capsaicin has been shown to inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in various types of cancer cell line, including leukaemia cell lines. The capsaicin analogues, rinvanil and phenylacetylrinvanil (PhAR), share a binding affinity for vanilloid receptors and may have biological activities similar to capsaicin; however, their anticancer potential has not yet been reported. This study analyses the antineoplastic activities of rinvanil and PhAR in leukaemia versus normal cells. P388, J774 and WEHI-3 leukaemia cell lines, as well as mouse bone marrow mononuclear cells, were cultured with varying concentrations of rinvanil and PhAR. Following this, proliferation and apoptosis were determined by the sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay and DNA ladder. Cultured leukaemia cell lines and mouse bone marrow mononuclear cells demonstrated a dose-dependent inhibition of proliferation, while non-diseased cells were less sensitive to the cytotoxic effect of capsaicin, rinvanil and PhAR. Rinvanil and PhAR also induced apoptosis in leukaemia cell lines but not in bone marrow. Given the lower IC₅₀ values for apoptosis induction in leukaemia cells compared with that of normal cells, PhAR is a promising selective anticancer agent.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene Glu298Asp polymorphism and expression in North Indian preeclamptic women

BACKGROUND

Pathophysiological processes in preeclampsia (PE) are influenced by genetic factors, nitric oxide synthases seem to play important roles, although their expression in and their role is still unclear. To better characterize the host genetic factors determining the susceptibility to PE, we evaluated the influence of polymorphisms (Glu298Asp) in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene on the risk of developing PE by checking the expression level.

METHODS

We conducted a hospital-based case-control study including 300 women with preeclampsia and 200 healthy pregnant women. Their blood samples were analyzed for levels of nitric oxide, eNOS gene polymorphism and expression. eNOS mRNA levels were determined using RT-PCR and expressed as arbitrary units after correction with control β-Actin gene mRNA levels.

RESULTS

The mRNA expression of eNOS gene was found to be significantly lower in blood (P<0.05) from women with PE compared to that from normal pregnancies. The total nitric oxide levels (P<0.001) were decreased in study Group as compared to healthy pregnant patients. The intergenotypic variation of nitric oxide levels in preeclamptic women was found to be significant (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate the relationship between reduced nitric oxide levels and eNOS gene polymorphism leading to its altered expression in preeclamptic women.

Characterization of chloroplast DNA in Chlamydomonas eugametos and C. moewusii and its inheritance in hybrid progeny

The density, molecular weight, and cellular repetition of DNA molecules associated with the β-DNA satellite of the interfertile algae Chlamydomonas eugametos and C. moewusii are reported. The similarities between these values and those for the chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) in the related alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii indicate that these satellites represent cpDNA. The buoyant densities of C. eugametos and C. moewusii cpDNAs are indistinguishable from one another, as are those of their respective nuclear DNAs. These densities differ slightly from the densities of the homologous components of C. reinhardtii whole cell DNA. All three species differ with respect to additional minor satellite DNAs and low molecular weight DNAs of unknown cellular location.Differences in the Aval and Smal restriction endonuclease fragmentation patterns of C. eugametos and C. moewusii cpDNAs were employed to study the inheritance of cpDNA in an F1 hybrid which had inherited a non-Mendelian streptomycin resistance marker (sr-2) from the C. eugametos mating-type plus (mt (+)) parent and in two homoplasmic mitotic segregants from a B 1 hybrid (F1 × C. moewusii) which had been initially heteroplasmic for the resistance marker. Although the cpDNA patterns in the F1 hybrid were similar to those of the C. eugametos ml (1) parent, important differences were noted which suggest that recombination between C. eugametos and C. moewusii cpDNA had occurred. Homoplasmic streptomycin resistant and sensitive mitotic segregants recovered from the B1 hybrid product reveal Aval restriction patterns similar to those of the respective resistant and sensitive parents. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that the sr-2 marker is located in cpDNA and that C. eugametos and C. moewusii cpDNA sequences can coexist in the same chloroplast and, at least sometimes, segregate without extensive recombination. The transmission of low molecular weight DNAs characteristic of C. moewusii but of unknown cellular origin shows no direct correlation with the transmission of the sr-2 marker.

Dispersive labelling of Chlamydomonas chloroplast DNA in (15)N- (14)N density transfer experiments

(15)N-(14)N density transfer experiments with synchronized vegetative cultures of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii revealed a dispersive labelling of chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) while the labelling of nuclear DNA was consistent with semiconservative replication. The dispersive labelling of cpDNA was progressive and extensive as after less than two net doublings of this DNA in (14)N-medium no significant amount of fully heavy, (15)N-strands could be detected in denatured cpDNA preparations; the average size of DNA in these preparations corresponded to 6% of the intact chloroplast genome or about 12 kbp. The density shifts of native cpDNA samples were found to be consistent with the net amounts of cpDNA synthesized. This observation indicates that essentially all (15)N atoms incorporated prior to the transfer were conserved and that metabolic turnover of cpDNA was probably absent. Our results are best explained by the exchange of homologous single-stranded segments between cpDNA molecules to form heteroduplex regions and by each DNA molecule undergoing several rounds of heteroduplex formation.

Simultaneous isolation of high-quality DNA, RNA, miRNA and proteins from tissues for genomic applications

Genomic technologies have revolutionized our understanding of complex Mendelian diseases and cancer. Solid tumors present several challenges for genomic analyses, such as tumor heterogeneity and tumor contamination with surrounding stroma and infiltrating lymphocytes. We developed a protocol to (i) select tissues of high cellular purity on the basis of histological analyses of immediately flanking sections and (ii) simultaneously extract genomic DNA (gDNA), mRNA, noncoding RNA (ncRNA; enriched in miRNA) and protein from the same tissues. After tissue selection, about 12-16 extractions of DNA, RNA or protein can be obtained per day. Compared with other similar approaches, this fast and reliable methodology allowed us to identify mutations in tumors with remarkable sensitivity and to perform integrative analyses of whole-genome and exome data sets, DNA copy numbers (by single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays), gene expression data (by transcriptome profiling and quantitative PCR (qPCR)) and protein levels (by western blotting and immunohistochemical analysis) from the same samples. Although we focused on renal cell carcinoma, this protocol may be adapted with minor changes to any human or animal tissue to obtain high-quality and high-yield nucleic acids and proteins.

Deletion of the κ genes from mouse hybridomas established with NS-1 myelomas

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) of the IgG class produced by mouse hybridomas raised with NS-1 myelomas have been shown to contain two types of immunoglobulin light (κ) chains derived from the myelomas and antigen-stimulated spleen lymphocytes, and the hybridomas produce three mAb species with light chain heterogeneity (Abe and Inouye, 1993). In the present study, 9 hybridoma lines secreting homogeneous mAbs have been isolated from 63 lines cloned from an established hybridoma line producing three mAbs. They secrete homogeneous mAbs containing light chains derived from either myeloma or spleen cells. They contain either κ gene derived from the respective cells, and the other gene was deleted during the cultivation. The deletion frequency of the κ gene of myelomas is 3 times higher than that of spleen cells, although 80-85% of hybridomas reach the stable state containing both κ genes.

A single nucleotide polymorphism in the CYP2E1 gene promoter affects skatole content in backfat of boars of two commercial Duroc-sired crossbred populations

The prevention of unpleasant boar taint is the main reason for castration of male piglets. This study aimed to investigate how the malodorous compound skatole is affected by a single nucleotide polymorphism (g.2412 C>T at -586 ATG) in the porcine cytochrome p450 II E1 (CYP2E1) gene. 119 boars of two commercial Duroc-sired crossbred populations raised at different farms were investigated. Skatole and androstenone in backfat averaged 114±125 ng/g and 1206±895 ng/g melted fat, respectively. The frequency of the genotypes CC, CT, and TT was 25, 52, and 23%, respectively. CC boars had the highest average skatole levels (175 ng/g) compared to CT (92 ng/g) and TT (93 ng/g). Applying suggested sensory threshold levels for skatole (>150 ng/g) and androstenone (>2000 ng/g), 30% of the carcasses may be unacceptably tainted while the proportion of tainted carcasses is significantly higher within genotype CC (56.7%) compared to genotypes CT (24.3%) and TT (14.8%). Effective reduction of tainted carcasses appears feasible applying marker assisted selection.

Association of polymorphisms in prolylcarboxypeptidase and chymase genes with essential hypertension in the Chinese Han population

INTRODUCTION

The prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP) gene encodes a membrane protein that acts on angiotensin II (Ang II) and kallikrein to release vasoactive peptides. The chymase (CMA1) gene is important for Ang II generation. Therefore, the two genes might be involved in the pathogenesis of essential hypertension (EH).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eleven tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the PRCP gene and four tag SNPs and G-1903A (rs1800875) polymorphism in the CMA1 gene were genotyped in the Chinese Han population (n=1020) using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method.

RESULTS

In the PRCP gene, single site analyses indicated that the rs7104980 G allele was a susceptible factor for EH (adjusted odds ratio (OR)=1.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.62-2.43, p=0.3×10(-10)). The protective effect of Hap3 GAGCACTAACA was observed without carrying the susceptible rs7104908 G allele (OR=0.67, 95% CI 0.56-0.81, p=0.3×10(-4)) by haplotype analyses. In the case of the CMA1 gene, no associations with EH were found through single site analyses. However, haplotype analyses showed that Hap16 TTTA significantly increased the risk of EH with OR=3.15 (p=0.0002) which may be driven by interaction with a nearby SNP combination.

CONCLUSIONS

The present results indicated PRCP rs7104980 can be considered as a marker for EH and Hap3 GAGCACTAACA (PRCP) and Hap16 TTTA (CMA1) might be associated with EH in Chinese Han population.

Reappraisal of total body irradiation followed by bone marrow transplantation as a therapy for inflammatory bowel disease

The main current therapies for inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are aimed at controlling the exacerbated inflammation in the gut. Although these therapies have been successful, they are not curative and it is not possible to predict whether a beneficial response will occur or which patients will be refractory to the treatment. Total body irradiation (TBI) associated with chemotherapy is the first choice in the treatment of some hematological disorders and is an applicable option in the preparation of patients with hematologic diseases for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Then, in this study we investigated the association of TBI as immunosuppressive therapy and bone marrow cell (BMC) transplantation as a strategy to induce colitis recovery and immune reconstitution in the TNBS model of intestinal inflammation. TNBS mice treated with TBI associated with BMC transplantation presented elevated gain of weight and an overall better outcome of the disease when compared to those treated only with TBI. In addition, TBI associated or not with BMC reduced the frequency of inflammatory cells in the gut and restored the goblet cell counts. These results were accompanied by a down regulation in the production of inflammatory cytokines in the colon of mice treated with TBI alone or in association with BMC transplantation. The BMC infused were able to repopulate the ablated immune system and accumulate in the site of inflammation. However, although both treatments (TBI or TBI+BMC) were able to reduce gut inflammation, TBI alone was not enough to fully restore mice weight and these animals presented an extremely reduced survival rate when their immune system was not promptly reconstituted with BMC transplantation. Finally, these evidences suggest that the BMC transplantation is an efficient strategy to reduce the harmful effects of TBI in the colitis treatment, suggesting that radiotherapy may be an important immunosuppressive therapy in patients with IBD, by modulating the local inflammatory response.

High levels of wild-type BRCA2 suppress homologous recombination

Endogenous levels of the BRCA2 (breast cancer susceptibility 2) protein promote homologous recombination by regulating the essential strand exchange protein RAD51. To examine BRCA2 function in homologous recombination, we expressed human BRCA2 in control mouse hybridoma cells, as well as those that were depleted of endogenous Brca2 by small interfering RNA. With moderate human BRCA2 expression, homologous recombination was stimulated. Conversely, a higher level of BRCA2 reduced homologous recombination and DNA-damage-induced Rad51 foci formation. Cells expressing high levels of BRCA2 feature normal growth, increased sensitivity to mitomycin C, and increased illegitimate recombination. BRCA2-overexpressing cells are also characterized by suppression of p53 transcriptional regulation and a corresponding reduction in the expression of the p53-responsive genes Noxa and p21. Notably, in cells expressing high levels of BRCA2, small interfering RNA depletion of human BRCA2 or ectopic expression of Rad51 increases homologous recombination and decreases illegitimate recombination. Thus, high levels of wild-type BRCA2 perturb Rad51-mediated homologous recombination, and relatively normal recombination responses can be restored by rebalancing recombination factors.

Oxidative stress and eNOS (Glu298Asp) gene polymorphism in preeclampsia in Indian population

Oxidative stress causing widespread endothelial dysfunction has been proposed as a key factor involved in the development of preeclampsia (PE). With this background our objective was to study oxidative stress biomarkers like nitric oxide and malondialdehyde (MDA) and to correlate these markers with endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) (Glu298Asp) gene polymorphism. This cross-sectional study included 300 pregnant women diagnosed with PE and 200 women with normal pregnancy. Plasma NO and MDA levels were analyzed using student's t test and eNOS gene polymorphism was studied by performing polymerase chain reaction amplification and restriction length polymorphism and frequencies were distributed by using χ(2) analysis. The mean plasma levels of NO were significantly lower in study group while MDA levels were significantly higher in study group (P < 0.001). Genotypic and allelic frequency of eNOS gene in both groups was found to be significant (P < 0.05). The intergenotypic variation of NO and MDA levels was found to be significant (P < 0.001). We concluded that the plasma levels of NO are decreased while MDA levels are increased in subjects with PE and that might contribute to the pathophysiology of PE. As observed in this study Glu298Asp eNOS gene polymorphism showed significant association with PE.

Gastrointestinal polyps in McCune Albright syndrome

BACKGROUND

McCune Albright syndrome (MAS), a disorder caused by somatic activating mutations in the GNAS gene, usually presents with cutaneous, skeletal, and endocrine manifestations. While focal lesions involving multiple tissues have been identified in MAS, almost nothing is known about gastrointestinal lesions in this disease.

METHODS

Two MAS patients with perioral freckling, resembling Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS), and two MAS patients without similar pigmentation underwent gastrointestinal endoscopy to establish if they had coexisting hamartomatous polyposis. Three of 4 subjects had documented GNAS mutations in peripheral blood. Genetic testing for STK11 and PRKAR1A genes was performed to exclude presence of coexistent PJS and Carney complex. Genetic testing of biopsy material was also performed.

RESULTS

Hamartomatous gastrointestinal polyps with histological features similar to those in PJS were observed in all 4 subjects, only in the stomach and/or upper duodenum. Activating GNAS mutations were found in the polyps or adjacent mucosa in 3 of 4 subjects. One patient each had mutation only in the blood or tissue, while 2 patients had both. No subject harboured any detectable PRKARIA or STK11 mutation as determined by direct DNA sequencing and copy number variation analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings confirm that gastrointestinal polyps are a common manifestation of MAS, indicate an overlap between MAS and PJS, and point towards a putative interaction between the GNAS and STK11 genes in the pathogenesis of these two disorders. The findings suggest a need for routine gastrointestinal endoscopy in patients with MAS, to establish the true incidence of polyps in these patients.

Structure and expression of a pea nuclear gene encoding a chlorophyll a/b-binding polypeptide

A nuclear gene AB80 has been isolated from a phage lambda Charon 4 library of pea DNA. The sequence of the gene has been determined and it has been shown to contain an uninterrupted reading frame of 269 amino acids, corresponding to a precursor to a constituent polypeptide of the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-protein complex. Primer extension and S1 nuclease studies defined a cap site for AB80. The first methionine codon 3' from this site is 69 nucleotides away and is the initiating codon of the open reading frame. A "TATA" sequence occurs 31 nucleotides 5' from the cap site. A second TATA sequence is found 7 nucleotides on the 5' side of the initiating methionine codon and the sequences surrounding this TATA sequence are strikingly similar to those surrounding the first TATA sequence. The mature polypeptide encoded by AB80 differs by 5 amino acids from the polypeptide corresponding to a previously characterized cDNA sequence pAB96. This result is indicative of heterogeneity within the constituent polypeptides of the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-protein complex. The sequence Arg-Lys-Ser-Ala-Thr-Thr-Lys-Lys occurs at, or near, the NH(2)-terminus of the mature polypeptide encoded by AB80. This basic peptide is of interest because of its apparent involvement in changes in excitation-energy distribution in chloroplast membranes. Some general similarities, but no extensive sequence homology, is found on comparing the transit sequence for the precursor to the chlorophyll a/b-binding polypeptide with the transit sequences previously determined for the precursors to the small subunit of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase.

Polymorphisms in PPARD, PPARG and APM1 associated with four types of traditional Chinese medicine constitutions

Based on the theory of constitution of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the human population is divided into nine constitutions including one balanced constitution (Normality) and eight unbalanced constitutions (Yang-deficiency, Yin-deficiency, Phlegm-wetness, Qi-deficiency, Wetness-heat, Blood stasis, Depressed constitution, and Inherited special constitution). Different constitutions have specific metabolic features and different susceptibility to certain diseases. However, whether a genetic basis accounts for such constitution classification is yet to be determined. Here we performed a genetic study to assess the association between genetic variations of metabolic genes including PPARD, PPARG and APM1 and the constitutions. A total of 233 individuals of the Han population in China were classified into four groups, Normality, Yang-deficiency, Yin-deficiency and Phlegm-wetness with whom 23 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the three genes were genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Biased distribution of PPARD rs2267669 and rs2076167, APM1 rs7627128 and rs1063539 in Yang-deficiency, PPARG Pro12Ala in Yin-deficiency and PPARD rs2076167, APM1 rs266729 and rs7627128 in Phlegm-wetness were observed. The frequencies of Haplotype13 (Hap13) of PPARG in Yin-deficiency, Hap25 of APM1 in Yang-deficiency and Hap2 of PPARD and Hap14 of PPARG in Phlegm-wetness, were significantly different from those in Normality, suggesting those might be group-associated haplotypes. These results suggested that single SNP and haplotypes of PPARD, PPARG and APM1 may underlie the genetic basis of the constitutions classified in TCM.

Structure of a chromosomal gene for human interferon beta

We have cloned and analyzed a chromosomal DNA segment containing the human interferon beta(1) gene from a human gene library. The nucleotide sequence of the protein-coding and the noncoding regions of the chromosomal gene was identical to the cDNA sequence reported previously. In the region upstream from the putative transcription initiation site, significant nucleotide sequence homology was observed between interferon beta(1) and alpha(1) genes. This region thus may play a role in expression of the interferon genes. From the sequence data and the result of nuclease S1 mapping experiments, we conclude that, like the interferon alpha(1) gene, the interferon beta(1) gene is devoid of intervening sequences.