Possible role of GLI3 gene in the pathogenesis of idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between GLI3 gene and pathogenesis of idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus (ICTEV).</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Potential mutations in the coding region of GLI3 were detected among 84 patients with ICTEV by denaturing gradient electrophoresis. Expression of GLI3 in the ICTEV patients' disease tissues was assessed by reverse transcription PCR. Following generation of rat model for ICTEV, mRNA and protein levels of GLI3 were evaluated by real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No mutation was found in exons 1 - 8 and 13 of GLI3 gene among the 84 ICTEV patients. No expression of GLI3 gene was detected in the flexor hallucis longus of ICTEV patients or normal controls. Expression of Gli3, in terms of both mRNA and protein, was stronger in the hindlimb of ICTEV rat embryos compared with normal controls.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Mutation in the coding region of GLI3 may not be responsible for the occurrence of ICTEV. However, there may still be connection between abnormal expression of the gene and pathogenesis of ICTEV.</p>

Mechanism of GLI3 gene transcription regulation in idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the mechanism of transcription regulation of GLI3 gene in idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>pGL3-Gli3 luciferase report vectors were constructed, and the activity of Gli3 promoter was explored. A P-Match software was used to analyze the sequence upstream of the transcription start site of rat Gli3 gene, which was subsequently verified with chromatin immunoprecipitation assay (CHIP) and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Expression of the Gli3 gene was analyzed in L6 cells transfected with Hoxd13 small interference RNA(siRNA) and Hoxd13 expression vectors.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 5' region of rat Gli3 gene contains two potential binding sites for the Hoxd13 protein. CHIP and EMSA assays both confirmed that Hoxd13 can directly bind with site 2. As shown in L6 cells, expression of Gli3 may be enhanced with silencing of Hoxd13, whilst exogenous expression of Hoxd13 can down-regulate transcription of Gli3.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Hoxd13 can directly regulate the expression of Gli3 gene through a Hoxd13 binding site in the limb of rat embryo.</p>

Molecular and prenatal diagnosis of a pedigree with spinocerebellar ataxia / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify the type of a pedigree with spinocerebellar ataxia, and carry out asymptomatic carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The blood samples of two patients in the spinocerebellar ataxia pedigree were collected. Based on the clinical characteristics of the pedigree and the disease incidence in China, the regions containing the CAG repeat of the SCA1, SCA2 and SCA3/MJD genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The numbers of CAG repeats in the normal and abnormal allele fragments were identified by using agarose gel electrophoresis and DNA sequencing. We further carried out tests on the children of the patients and fetus to identify the presence of the abnormal allele.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The numbers of CAG repeat in the SCA1 and SCA2 genes were in the normal range. The CAG repeat number in one allele of SCA3/MJD gene was in the normal range, while that in the other allele was in the abnormal range. One of the children of the patients and the fetus carried the abnormal allele.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It was confirmed that the pedigree was SCA3/MJD by gene diagnosis. One of the children of the patients was asymptomatic carrier and the fetus also carried the abnormal allele.</p>

Gene diagnosis for spinal muscular atrophy and its application study / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish an effective testing system for gene diagnosis, carrier detection and prenatal diagnosis for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-six patients with SMA were directly tested with PCR-RFLP for exon 7 deletion in the SMN1 gene. Carrier detection was carried out with multi-PCR-DHPLC. Amniotic fluid was taken at the middle stage of gestation from pregnant women who had given birth to affected children.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Twenty-five out of 26 patients were diagnosed as having SMN1 gene deletion. Fifty-two of their parents were found to be carriers of exon 7 deletion. Eight of 20 fetuses were diagnosed as having SMN1 gene deletion by PCR-RFLP.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PCR-RFLP and multi-PCR-DHPLC techniques can provide rapid diagnosis for exon 7 deletion detection and carrier detection. PCR-RFLP may also be adapted for prenatal gene diagnosis of exon 7 deletion in SMN1 gene.</p>