ABSTRACT
Origin and evolution of tetraploid Elymus fibrosus (Schrenk) Tzvelev were characterized using low-copy nuclear gene Rpb2 (the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II), and chloroplast region trnL-trnF (spacer between the tRNA Leu (UAA) gene and the tRNA-Phe (GAA) gene). Ten accessions of E. fibrosus along with 19 Elymus species with StH genomic constitution and diploid species in the tribe Triticeae were analyzed. Chloroplast trnL-trnF sequence data suggested that Pseudoroegneria (St genome) was the maternal donor of E. fibrosus. Rpb2 data confirmed the presence of StH genomes in E. fibrosus, and suggested that St and H genomes in E. fibrosus each is more likely originated from single gene pool. Single origin of E. fibrosus might be one of the reasons causing genetic diversity in E. fibrosus lower than those in E. caninus and E. trachycaulus, which have similar ecological preferences and breeding systems with E. fibrosus, and each was originated from multiple sources. Convergent evolution of St and H copy Rpb2 sequences in some accessions of E. fibrosus might have occurred during the evolutionary history of this allotetraploid.
Subject(s)
Chloroplasts/genetics , Elymus/genetics , Genetic Variation , Biological Evolution , DNA, Chloroplast/genetics , DNA, Plant/genetics , Diploidy , Elymus/physiology , Evolution, Molecular , Genome, Plant , Phylogeny , Plant Proteins/genetics , Polyploidy , RNA Polymerase II/geneticsABSTRACT
Mucopolysaccharidosis IVA (MPS IVA) is an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorder caused by the deficiency of N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase (GALNS). Molecular mutational analysis was performed by PCR product sequencing for fourteen exons and exon-intron boundaries of GALNS gene in 21 patients from 19 unrelated families with severe MPS IVA in South China. We identified fifteen different mutations, including 10 reported mutations (p.P125L, p.G290S, p.M318R, p.G340D, p.L366P, p.R386C, p.A392V, c.1243-1G>C, p.L440RfsX54 and p.X523E) and five novel mutations (p.N177S, p.G290R, p.F306S, p.W403_T404delinsCS, p.W520X). All five novel mutations were inherited from parents of the patients and not found in 100 normal control alleles. Three mutations, p.M318R, p.L366P and p.R386C were common, accounting for 36.8% of mutant alleles investigated. One patient homozygous of p.A392V and the other two unrelated patients homozygous of p.L366P presented classical disease course. The results show that the GALNS gene has a different mutational spectrum in South China as compared to other regions. The p.A392V and p.L366P mutations were associated with severe phenotype of MPS IVA.
Subject(s)
Chondroitinsulfatases/genetics , Mucopolysaccharidosis IV/genetics , Mutation , Adolescent , Adult , Base Sequence , Case-Control Studies , Child , China , Conserved Sequence , Female , Homozygote , Humans , Male , Molecular Sequence Data , Mucopolysaccharidosis IV/etiology , Young AdultABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical characteristics of Wolman disease and diagnostic methods using enzymatic and molecular analysis. METHOD: Lysosomal acid lipase activity was measured using 4-methylumbelliferyl oleate in the leukocytes of an infant suspected of Wolman disease and LIPA gene mutational analysis was performed by PCR and direct sequencing in the proband and his parents. After the diagnosis was confirmed, the clinical, biochemical, radiological and histopathological findings in this case of Wolman disease were retrospectively reviewed. RESULT: The sixteen-day-old boy was failing to thrive with progressive vomiting, abdominal distention and hepatosplenomegaly. Abdominal X-ray revealed adrenal calcifications which were confirmed on abdominal CT scan. Xanthomatosis were observed on enlarged liver, spleen and lymph nodes during abdominal surgery. Liver and lymph node biopsy showed foamy histiocytes. The lysosomal acid lipase activity in leukocytes was 3.5 nmol/(mg·h) [control 35.5 - 105.8 nmol/(mg·h)]. Serum chitotriosidase activity was 315.8 nmol/(ml·h) [control 0 - 53 nmol/(ml·h)]. The patient was homozygote for a novel insert mutation allele c.318 ins T, p. Phe106fsX4 in exon 4 on LIPA gene. His both parents were carriers of the mutation. CONCLUSION: The clinical features of Wolman disease include early onset of vomiting, abdominal distention, growth failure, hepatosplenomegaly and bilateral adrenal calcification after birth. A plain abdominal X-ray film should be taken to check for the typical pattern of adrenal calcification in suspected cases of Wolman disease. The enzymatic and molecular analyses of lysosomal acid lipase can confirm the diagnosis of Wolman disease.
