Mapping of the 5' terminal nucleotides of Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 sgRNAs

Grapevine leafroll-associated virus 3 (GLRaV-3) is a positive sense, single stranded RNA virus that has a detrimental effect on wine and table grapes worldwide. Previous studies have shown that GLRaV-3, like other closteroviruses produces subgenomic (sg) RNAs during replication and that these sgRNAs are deployed for the expression of the ORFs on the 3' half of the genome. In this study a dsRNA blot confirmed the presence of three, 3' co-terminal sgRNAs species [sgRNA(ORF3/4), sgRNA(ORF5) and sgRNA(ORF6)] in GLRaV-3-infected plant material when using a probe directed at the coat protein. The specific 5' terminal nucleotides for these sgRNAs as well as four additional sgRNAs [sgRNA(ORF7), sgRNA(ORF8), sgRNA(ORF9) and sgRNA(ORF10-12)] were determined by RLM-RACE for GLRaV-3 isolate GP18.

Overrepresentation of the founder PPOX gene mutation R59W in a South African patient with severe clinical manifestation of porphyria

A patient, who presented with abdominal pain and severe photosensitivity that resulted in scarring and mutilation of the fingers, nose and ears, was referred for biochemical assessment of porphyria and DNA screening. Although these clinical manifestations were suggestive of both acute porphyria and congenital erythropoietic porphyria, the biochemical profile was consistent with variegate porphyria (VP). Analysis of the protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPOX) gene underlying VP resulted in the identification of the founder mutation R59W in a heterozygous state in this patient. Despite extensive mutation analysis, no other potential disease-causing genetic alterations could be detected in the PPOX gene or the uroporphyrinogen III synthase gene. Slight overrepresentation of the mutant PPOX allele was however, observed repeatedly in DNA of the proband compared to other R59W heterozygotes, including his mother who also tested positive for mutation R59W using restriction enzyme analysis and direct DNA sequencing. Confirmation of this phenomenon by real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis and microsatellite analysis, using highly informative markers flanking the PPOX gene, raised the possibility of partial homozygosity for VP in this patient. This study represents the first report of overrepresentation of mutation R59W in a patient with a severe form of VP. A homozygote for the R59W mutation has never been detected, and the severe clinical manifestation observed in our patient is consistent with the hypothesis that such a genotype will not be compatible with life.