Cloning and functional characterization of isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase genes from Panax vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus / 药学学报

Isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase (IDI) is a key enzyme in the regulation of triterpenes biosynthesis and plays an important role in ginsenoside biosynthesis. In this study, two IDI genes, PvfIDI1 (GenBank No. MZ736417) and PvfIDI2 (GenBank No. MZ736418) were cloned from Panax vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus. The open reading frame of both PvfIDI1 and PvfIDI2 was 924 bp encoding 307 amino acids. The molecular weights of PvfIDI1 and PvfIDI2 were 34.84 kDa and 34.66 kDa, respectively, with theoretical pIs of 6.01 and 5.66. Bioinformatic analysis indicated that PvfIDI1 and PvfIDI2 contained two conserved sequences: TNTCCSHPL and WGEHELDY. Phylogenetic analysis showed that PvfIDI1 and PvfIDI2 were closely related to Panax notoginseng IDI. Expression analysis showed that both PvfIDI1 and PvfIDI2 genes are expressed in root, rhizome, stem and leaf of P. vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus. However, PvfIDI1 is highly expressed in the rhizome and PvfIDI2 is highly expressed in the stem. PvfIDI1 and PvfIDI2 recombinant proteins were expressed in E. coli; a functional coloration experiment showed that PvfIDI1 and PvfIDI2 could promote the accumulation of lycopene, indicating that both PvfIDI1 and PvfIDI2 encode functional IDI enzymes. The cloning and functional studies on PvfIDI1 and PvfIDI2 provide a foundation for the further study of IDI and the regulation of ginsenoside biosynthesis in P. vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus.

Selection of optimal qRT-PCR reference genes for Aconitum vilmorinianum / 中国中药杂志

Screening suitable reference genes is the premise of quantitative Real-time PCR(qRT-PCR)for gene expression analysis. To provide stable reference genes for expression analysis of genes in Aconitum vilmorinianum, this study selected 19 candidate re-ference genes(ACT1, ACT2, ACT3, aTUB1, aTUB2, bTUB, 18S rRNA, UBQ, eIF2, eIF3, eIF4, eIF5, CYP, GAPDH1, GAPDH2, PP2A1, PP2A2, ACP, and EF1α) based on the transcriptome data of A. vilmorinianum. qRT-PCR was conducted to profile the expression of these genes in the root, stem, leaf, and flower of A. vilmorinianum. The Ct values showed that 18S rRNA with high expression level and GAPDH2 with large expression difference among organs were not suitable as the reference genes. NormFinder and geNorm showed similar results of the expression stability of the other candidate reference genes and demonstrated PP2A1, EF1α, and CYP as the highly stable ones. However, BestKeeper suggested EF1α, ACT3, and PP2A1 as the top stable genes. In view of the different results from different softwares, the geometric mean method was employed to analyze the expression stability of the candidate re-ference genes, the results of which indicated that PP2A1, EF1α, and ACT3 were the most stable. Based on the comprehensive analysis results of geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and geometric mean method, PP2A1 and EF1α presented the most stable expression in different organs of A. vilmorinianum. PP2A1 and EF1α were the superior reference genes for gene expression profiling in different organs of A. vilmorinianum.

Cloning and Prokaryotic Expression of Squalene Epoxidase Gene from Panax vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective: To clone the squalene epoxidase genes of Panax vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus(PvfSE),and perform bioinformatics analysis and prokaryotic expression. Method: Total RNA was extracted from root of P. vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus by trizol method, and reverse-transcribed into first stand of cDNA. Specific primers for PvfSE cloning were designed according to the transcriptome data of P. vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus,and the cDNA sequence of PvfSE gene was isolated. Bioinformatics of PvfSE was analyzed by relevant software. The prokaryotic expression vector pMal-c2X-PvfSE was built to express recombinant protein in Escherichia coli cells. Result: The PvfSE gene contained a 1 887 bp open reading frame,encoding a predicted protein of 628 amino acids. The calculated molecular weight was 68.8 kDa,the theoretical isoelectric point was 9.28,the aliphatic index was 95.18,the grand average of hydropathicity was -0.060, and the instability index was 40.36. The protein was unstable. Bioinformatics analysis showed that PvfSE had two transmembrane domains and no signal peptide. PvfSE was most likely to be located in chloroplast or cytoplasmic membrane. PvfSE was a mixed protein with FAD/NAD(P) binding domain and squalene epoxidase domain. Sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that PvfSE had a relatively close relationship with CpSE1,CpSE3,OsSE1 and OsSE2,which was involved in the biosynthesis of triterpene saponins in Cucurbita pepo and Ononis spinosa. In addition,PvfSE protein was expressed in E. coli. Conclusion: In this study,PvfSE gene was cloned and expressed in BL21(DE3),which lays a foundation for the further study on the gene functions of PvfSE and the biosynthetic pathway of triterpenoid saponins in P. vietnamensis var. fuscidiscus.

Relationship between genetic polymorphism of dopamine receptor and schizophrenia and its forensic significance / 法医学杂志

Schizophrenia is a common but complex mental disorder affected by multiple factors. Forensic psychiatric assessment of schizophrenia involves evaluations on many aspects, but there is no effective biological identification index for schizophrenia. Researches indicate that dysfunction of dopaminergic neurotransmission plays an important role in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia. Our study reviews the classification, genetic structure of dopamine receptors and the recent pertinent studies between the dopamine receptors and schizophrenia and its forensic significance.

SNP in differentially methylated region upstream of H19 gene in Chinese Korean nationality / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate SNP and distribution of haplotypes in differentially methylated region (DMR) upstream of H19 gene in Chinese Korean nationality in order to provide basic data for forensic application and population genetics research.@*METHODS@#One hundred and one blood samples from unrelated Chinese Korean individuals and 14 blood samples from 5 Chinese Korean intergenerational families which known genetic relationship were collected. The SNP in DMR upstream of H19 gene were investigated by PCR-cycle sequencing and McrBC digestion followed by PCR. The haplotypes detected by parentally imprinted allele (PIA) method and relevant genetic parameters were calculated.@*RESULTS@#Thirteen SNPs (rs10840167, rs2525883, rs12417375, rs4930101, rs2525882, rs2735970, rs2735971, rs11042170, rs2735972, rs10732516, rs2071094, rs2107425, and rs4930098) and five haplotypes were detected in 1 174 bp target product in DMR upstream of H19 gene, with 9 SNPs having high discrimination power as good genetic markers. The average gene diversity (GD) of haplotypes was 0.714. The maternal haplotype was confirmed correctly by PIA method from McrBC-digested products of genomic DNA.@*CONCLUSION@#High polymorphisms exist in DMR upstream of H19 gene in Chinese Korean nationality. And determination of the maternal haplotype could furthermore enhance the forensic identification efficiency of imprinted gene.

Relationship between corneal thickness and postmortem interval in rabbit / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the relationship between corneal thickness and postmortem interval (PMI) in rabbit.@*METHODS@#The rabbit model was established by air embolism. The rabbit cornea was sampled at 6-hour-interval from 0 to 72 h postmortem. After routine HE staining, the whole cornea image was collected by the optical microscope. Three markers were observed including corneal epithelial thickness (x1), corneal stromal thickness (x2) and whole corneal thickness (x3) using Motic Images Plus 2.0 image analysis software and the data were statistically analyzed to establish the regression function with PMI (y).@*RESULTS@#Within 72 h postmortem, rabbit corneal stromal thickness and whole corneal thickness increased at 12h postmortem and reached the peak at 54h postmortem. The two markers showed positive correlation with PMI. The regression functions of the two markers were y = -0.070 2 x2(2) +11.398 x2 + 1634 (R2 = 0.712 2, P < 0.05) and y = -0.074 9 x3(2) +12.036 x3 + 1819.4 (R = 0.675 0, P < 0.05), respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#The two markers of corneal stromal thickness and the whole corneal thickness showed the strong linear correlation with PMI. The correlation of the corneal stromal thickness is better than the whole corneal thickness. The two markers can be used to estimate PMI.

Influences of cycle index and volume on sensitivity of DNA detection / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the feasibility of improving the sensitivity of DNA detection by increasing the PCR cycle index and decreasing the volume of amplifying system.@*METHODS@#The DNA of semen were collected from 10 healthy irrelevant volunteers, and were quantified to 50, 40, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10 pg/microL, separately. All samples were then amplified in 10, 5, 3 microL volume and at 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 cycles, respectively. 3130 genetic analyzer was used to detect 15 autosomal STR loci.@*RESULTS@#Under the situation of 28 cycles and 3 microL volume, samples which achieved > 40 pg/microL could be correctly typed. Under the situation of 10, 5, 3 microL volume, samples which achieved > 20 pg/microL could be correctly typed at 34 cycles. When increasing the index to 36 cycles, they could not be correctly typed because of the non-specific band.@*CONCLUSION@#DNA detecting sensitivity can be improved to a certain extent by increasing the cycle index and decreasing the volume of amplifying system.

Correlation between genetic polymorphisms of -855 G/C and -1140 G/A in GRIN1 gene and paranoid schizophrenia / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of -855 G/C and -1140 G/A in promoter regions of GRIN1 gene and find their genetic correlation to paranoid schizophrenia as well as their applicable values in forensic medicine.@*METHODS@#The genetic polymorphisms of -855 G/C and -1140 G/A at the 5' end of GRIN1 gene were detected by PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism and PAGE in 183 healthy unrelated individuals of northern Chinese Han population and 172 patients of paranoid schizophrenia, respectively. The chi2 test was used to identify Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium of the genotype distribution. The differences of genotypes and allelic frequency distributions were compared between the two groups.@*RESULTS@#Distributions of the genotypic frequencies satisfied Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in both groups. The difference of genotypes was statistically significant between female patient group and female control group in -855 G/C distribution (P < 0.05). The differences of genotypes and allelic frequencies were statistically significant not only between the patient group and the control group but also between female patient group and female control group in -1140 G/A distribution (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The SNP of -1140 G/A in promoter regions of GRIN1 gene might positively correlate to paranoid schizophrenia. The genetic factor of schizophrenia is involved in gender tendency. And it could be useful in forensic identification of schizophrenia.

Genetic polymorphisms of four SNP loci in D5 gene of dopamine receptor in Northern Chinese Han population / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To reveal the genetic polymorphisms of four SNP loci (rs77434921, rs2076907, rs6283, rs1800762) in D5 gene of dopamine receptor (DRD5) in Northern Chinese Han population.@*METHODS@#Four SNP loci of the DRD5 gene of 206 unrelated individuals in Northern Chinese Han population were separately amplified and sequenced by PCR technique and statistically analyzed by Haploview v4.1 software.@*RESULTS@#In Northern Chinese Han population, the genotype frequency distribution of rs77434921, rs2076907, rs6283 and rs1800762 loci in the DRD5 gene were all in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. DP value was 0.145, 0.532, 0.602 and 0.159, while PE value was 0.004, 0.079, 0.196 and 0.007. A linkage disequilibrium among these four SNP loci was also demonstrated, which might infer five haplotypes.@*CONCLUSION@#rs2076907 and rs6283 loci of DRD5 gene in the Northern Chinese Han population have high genetic polymorphisms, which can be useful for forensic identification of individuals.

Genetic polymorphisms of SNP loci in the 5' and 3' region of TPH2 gene in Northern Chinese Han population / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the genetic polymorphism in the 5' and 3' region of TPH2 gene of Northern Chinese Han population and to explore its application value in forensic medicine.@*METHODS@#The sequence variants and the genetic polymorphisms of 6 SNP loci (rs4570625, rs11178997, rs11178998, rs41317118, rs17110747 and rs41317114) within a 905 bp 5' flanking region and a 1,104bp 3' flanking region of TPH2 gene were analyzed by DNA sequencing in a total of 244 unrelated healthy individuals in Northern Chinese Han population. The statistical analysis was carried out by Haploview v4.2 software.@*RESULTS@#The genotypic distributions of the 6 SNP loci in the TPH2 gene were in accordance with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. One C/T variant in 92922 site was found. There was a high linkage disequilibrium among the 3 SNP loci (rs4570625, rs11178997 and rs11178998) in the 5' region and the 3 SNP loci (rs41317118, rs17110747 and rs41317114) in the 3' region of TPH2 gene, respectively. The parameters of population genetics of 6 SNP loci were obtained.@*CONCLUSION@#There are great polymorphisms in the 5' and 3' region of TPH2 gene in Northern Chinese Han population, which could be used as genetic indexes for association analysis of the related diseases, as well as for forensic individual identification and paternity testing.

Relationship between genetic polymorphisms of 3 SNP loci in 5-HTT gene and paranoid schizophrenia / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the population genetic data of 3 SNP loci (rs25533, rs34388196 and rs1042173) of 5-hydroxytryptamine transporter (5-HTT) gene and the association with paranoid schizophrenia.@*METHODS@#Three SNP loci of 5-HTT gene were examined in 132 paranoid schizophrenia patients and 150 unrelated healthy individuals of Northern Chinese Han population by PCR-RFLP technique. The Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium test was performed using the chi-square test and the data of haplotype frequency and population genetics parameters were statistically analyzed.@*RESULTS@#Among these three SNP loci, four haplotypes were obtained. There were no statistically significant differences between the patient group and the control group (P > 0.05). The DP values of the 3 SNP loci were 0.276, 0.502 and 0.502. The PIC of them were 0.151, 0.281 and 0.281. The PE of them were 0.014, 0.072 and 0.072.@*CONCLUSION@#The three SNP loci and four haplotypes of 5-HTT gene have no association with paranoid schizophrenia, while the polymorphism still have high potential application in forensic practice.

Association and its forensic significance between COMT gene and schizophrenia / 法医学杂志

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene encodes catechol-O-methyltransferase, the variant of this gene may affect the expression and metabolic activity of COMT. As the result of the changes of the effective concentration of the catecholamine neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, central nervous system dysfunctions associated with schizophrenia. This review summarizes genetic polymorphism and diversity of COMT gene. It also elaborates the relation between SNP and haplotype of COMT gene and three aspects, which including schizophrenia, attacking and violent tendency, and the frontal cognitive function of the schizophreniac. The correlativity study between genetic variation of the COMT gene and schizophrenia in patients with attacking and violent tendency may be helpful for the assessment of forensic psychiatry.

Polymorphisms of rs4906902 and rs8179184 loci in the promoter of the GABRB3 gene and their relevance with schizophrenia / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the polymorphisms of rs4906902 and rs8179184 loci in the promoter of the gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA) receptor A, beta3 subunit gene (GABRB3), and their relevance with schizophrenia.@*METHODS@#PCR and DNA sequencing were used to detect the polymorphisms of rs4906902 and rs8179184 loci in 210 healthy individuals (control group) and 206 schizophrenic patients (case group) of the Han population in northern China. The chi2 test was used to identify Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium of the genotype distribution in the control group followed by comparing differences in genotype and haplotype frequency distributions between two groups.@*RESULTS@#Distributions of the genotype frequencies fit the law of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in the control group. rs4906902 and rs8179184 loci were in linkage disequilibrium and showed two haplotypes which were T-G and C-A. The differences of genotypic frequencies and haplotype frequencies were statistically significant between the two groups (P < 0.05). The frequency of haplotype C-A in the case group was significantly higher than in the control group. Genotypic and haplotype frequencies in the maternal line and paternal line were statistically significant in the case group (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The haplotype of C-A in rs4906902 and rs8179184 loci in the promoter of GABRB3 gene may be maternally inherited and positively associated with schizophrenia and may be a useful tool in the forensic identification of schizophrenia.

Distribution specificity of human fucosyltransferase 5 and its expression and localization in spermatids / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate distribution specificity of human fucosyltransferase 5 (FUT5) as well as its expression and localization in spermatids.@*METHODS@#Human semen, vaginal swab, saliva and venous blood from healthy individuals were collected. The spermatids were isolated and the spermatid membrane protein was then extracted. Expression levels of FUT5 from human spermatid membrane, seminal plasma, vaginal fluid, saliva and serum were detected by immunoblotting technique. The expression and localization of FUT5 in spermatids were analyzed by immunofluorescent method.@*RESULTS@#Immunoblotting technique showed that FUT5 was expressed on spermatid membranes and in serum, but not in seminal plasma, vaginal fluid and saliva. The expressed FUT5 on spermatids was mostly localized on head of spermatids by fluorescent microscopy, suggesting that there was certain amount of FUT5 on human spermatid membrane, and the spermatids might be isolated from mixed stains with vaginal fluid by antigen-antibody reaction.@*CONCLUSION@#Human FUT5 shows a characteristic distribution specificity, and this feature may be used for identification of mixed stain involved in criminal sexual offence in future forensic practice.

Relationship between cholecystokinin gene -45C/T polymorphism and schizophrenia and its application in forensic medicine / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the polymorphism of cholecystokinin (CCK) gene -45C/T of schizophrenia and its application in forensic medicine.@*METHODS@#Bidirectional allele specific PCR was used to detect CCK gene -45C/T polymorphisms in 207 schizophrenic patients (case group) and 202 healthy individuals (control group) of the Han population in northern China. The chi2 test was used to identify Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium of the genotype distribution in control group. The differences of genotype and allele frequencies distributions were compared between two groups.@*RESULTS@#Distributions of the genotype frequencies satisfied the law of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in control group. The differences between genotypic frequencies and allele frequencies were not statistical significance in case group and control groups (P > 0.05). Gender-stratified analysis showed that frequency of allele T in female case group was statistically higher than that in female control group (P = 0.044).@*CONCLUSION@#CCK gene -45C/T locus T allele may be positively associated with schizophrenia in female population and useful in schizophrenia identification.

The genetic diversity in the full coding region of human FUT5 gene in a Chinese Han population / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To reveal the sequence variations of the full coding region of the human alpha (1,beta/1,4) fucosyltransferase 5 gene (FUT5) in a Chinese Han population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The whole coding region of the FUT5 gene was amplified and sequenced in a total of 30 unrelated Chinese Han individuals. The PCR products containing the nucleotide variants observed in the study were subcloned into plasmid pcDNA to determine all potential haplotypes in the investigated population. Genetic polymorphisms of C560T (rs778970) and C484A loci were further analyzed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RLFP) method.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In addition to seven previously reported base substitutions, two novel polymorphisms, namely C484A (Leu162Met) and T684C, were found in the coding region of the FUT5 gene in the 30 individuals. Seven haplotypes were identified by subcloning the variants into plasmid and subsequent DNA sequencing. The allele frequencies in the rs778970 locus in 160 Chinese Han individuals was 0.3031 for 560C and 0.6969 for 560T, while no polymorphism was detected in the C484A locus.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The sequence of the coding region in the human FUT5 gene demonstrated high genetic diversity, and the allelic distribution of the rs778970 locus in the Chinese populations is polymorphic.</p>

Polymorphic distribution of FUT2/01 in northern Han Chinese population / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the sequence features of FUT2/01 locus and its polymorphic distribution in Chinese population, and to discuss its application potential in forensic medicine.@*METHODS@#The alleles on FUT2/01 locus were amplified by PCR and then were sequenced. Furthermore, polymorphic distribution of the locus was analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The genotypes were characterized with fluorescence labeling followed by automatic detection system.@*RESULTS@#The sequencing results only showed the length differences which were determined by the tandem repeats variance of the core sequence. There were 9 alleles and 28 genotypes identified from 162 individuals. The discrimination power and excluding probability of paternity were 0.9639 and 0.6266, respectively. In addition, the locus could be genotyped by automatic analysis very well.@*CONCLUSION@#The FUT2/01 locus exhibits high heterozygosity and individual identification power in Chinese Han population, and may be a valuable STR system for application in forensic medicine.

Polymorphism of TPH gene T3792A locus in Han ethnic group of north China / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the polymorphism of the TPH gene T3792A locus in Han ethnic group of north China and its application value in forensic science.@*METHODS@#The polymorphism of T3792A locus of the TPH gene was analyzed by the ASPCR of blood samples from 173 unrelated individuals of north Chinese Han population.@*RESULTS@#The distribution of the T3792A locus polymorphism of the TPH gene in Han ethnic group of north China followed the Hardy-Weinberg law, with the allele A and T gene frequency of 0.486 and 0.514, respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#The TPH gene T3792A locus shows a very good genetic polymorphism, and may be applied to individual identification and paternity testing.

The association between glutamate receptor gene SNP and schizophrenia / 法医学杂志

Glutamate is a necessary excitatory neurotransmitter in human nervous system, which runs a biological function by binding with corresponding receptors. Psychiatric diseases occur when genes which encode receptors become dysfunctional. The authors have reviewed related literature and summarized the association between schizophrenia and glutamate receptor gene SNPs such as rs11146020 in GRIN1, 366C/G in GRIN2B, and rs1468412 in GRM3, etc. Due to controversial results in various studies, it is hypothesized that schizophrenia are complicated polygenic inherited diseases. Some sites such as 366C/G, 2664C/T and rs1408766 (C/T) possess with valuable genetic polymorphisms and might potentially contribute to personal identification and paternity testing. Studies in this field may have a potential significance in forensic psychiatry practice.

The association of tyrosine hydroxylase gene polymorphism with mental disorder / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the relationship between the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) gene and mental disorder by comparing the two TH gene SNP points (extron 3 and intron 9) of patients with mental disorders and normal human.@*METHODS@#DNA extracted from specimens of patients and normal subjects were quantified by using Real-time PCR.@*RESULTS@#(1) G334A distribution was: G=0.133, A=0.867 in patients with schizophrenia, G=0.116, A=0.884 in patients with depression, and G=0.214, A=0.786 in normal group. (2) C5162G distribution was: C=0.962, G=0.038 in patients with schizophrenia, C=0.959, G=0.041 in patients with depression, and C=0.961, G=0.039 in normal group.@*CONCLUSION@#There are statistically significant differences in G334A locus between normal people and patients with mental disorders, but no statistically significant differences in C5162G locus.