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Lymphedema is the clinical manifestation of defects in lymphatic structure or function. Mutations identified in genes regulating lymphatic development result in inherited lymphedema. No mutations have yet been identified in genes mediating lymphatic function that result in inherited lymphedema. Survey microarray studies comparing lymphatic and blood endothelial cells identified expression of several connexins in lymphatic endothelial cells. Additionally, gap junctions are implicated in maintaining lymphatic flow. By sequencing GJA1, GJA4, and GJC2 in a group of families with dominantly inherited lymphedema, we identified six probands with unique missense mutations in GJC2 (encoding connexin [Cx] 47). Two larger families cosegregate lymphedema and GJC2 mutation (LOD score = 6.5). We hypothesize that missense mutations in GJC2 alter gap junction function and disrupt lymphatic flow. Until now, GJC2 mutations were only thought to cause dysmyelination, with primary expression of Cx47 limited to the central nervous system. The identification of GJC2 mutations as a cause of primary lymphedema raises the possibility of novel gap-junction-modifying agents as potential therapy for some forms of lymphedema., (Copyright 2010 The American Society of Human Genetics. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Myostatin (GDF8) is a negative regulator of muscle growth in mammals, and loss-of-function mutations are associated with increased skeletal-muscle mass in mice, cattle, and humans. Here, we show that positive natural selection has acted on human nucleotide variation at GDF8, since the observed ratio of nonsynonymous:synonymous changes among humans is significantly greater than expected under the neutral model and is strikingly different from patterns observed across mammalian orders. Furthermore, extended haplotypes around GDF8 suggest that two amino acid variants have been subject to recent positive selection. Both mutations are rare among non-Africans yet are at frequencies of up to 31% in sub-Saharan Africans. These signatures of selection at the molecular level suggest that human variation at GDF8 is associated with functional differences.

On the basis of genomewide linkage studies of families affected with age-related maculopathy (ARM), we previously identified a significant linkage peak on 10q26, which has been independently replicated by several groups. We performed a focused SNP genotyping study of our families and an additional control cohort. We identified a strong association signal overlying three genes, PLEKHA1, LOC387715, and PRSS11. All nonsynonymous SNPs in this critical region were genotyped, yielding a highly significant association (P < .00001) between PLEKHA1/LOC387715 and ARM. Although it is difficult to determine statistically which of these two genes is most important, SNPs in PLEKHA1 are more likely to account for the linkage signal in this region than are SNPs in LOC387715; thus, this gene and its alleles are implicated as an important risk factor for ARM. We also found weaker evidence supporting the possible involvement of the GRK5/RGS10 locus in ARM. These associations appear to be independent of the association of ARM with the Y402H allele of complement factor H, which has previously been reported as a major susceptibility factor for ARM. The combination of our analyses strongly implicates PLEKHA1/LOC387715 as primarily responsible for the evidence of linkage of ARM to the 10q26 locus and as a major contributor to ARM susceptibility. The association of either a single or a double copy of the high-risk allele within the PLEKHA1/LOC387715 locus accounts for an odds ratio of 5.0 (95% confidence interval 3.2-7.9) for ARM and a population attributable risk as high as 57%.

Age-related maculopathy (ARM), or age-related macular degeneration, is one of the most common causes of visual impairment in the elderly population of developed nations. In a combined analysis of two previous genomewide scans that included 391 families, containing up to 452 affected sib pairs, we found linkage evidence in four regions: 1q31, 9p13, 10q26, and 17q25. We now have added a third set of families and have performed an integrated analysis incorporating 530 families and up to 736 affected sib pairs. Under three diagnostic models, we have conducted linkage analyses using parametric (heterogeneity LOD [HLOD] scores under an autosomal dominant model) and nonparametric (Sall statistic) methods. There is ongoing evidence of susceptibility loci within the 1q31, 10q26, and 17q25 regions. If we treat the third set of families as a replication set, then two regions (10q26 and 17q25) are replicated, with LOD scores >1.0. If we pool all our data together, then four regions (1q31, 2q14.3, 10q26, and 17q25) show HLOD or Sall scores > or =2.0. Within the 1q31 region, we observed an HLOD of 2.72 (genomewide P=.061) under our least stringent diagnostic model, whereas the 17q25 region contained a maximal HLOD of 3.53 (genomewide P=.007) under our intermediate diagnostic model. We have evaluated our results with respect to the findings from several new independent genomewide linkage studies and also have completed ordered subset analyses (OSAs) with apolipoprotein E alleles, smoking history, and age at onset as stratifying covariates. The OSAs generate the interesting hypothesis that the effect of smoking on the risk of ARM is accentuated by a gene in the 10q26 region--a region implicated by four other studies.

Hypertensive nephropathy (HN) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) are significant causes of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), but no genes or loci have been associated with this phenotype among African Americans, a group at high risk. We performed a genomewide linkage scan with approximately 400 microsatellite markers on 23 individuals of a large four-generation African American family with 18 affected individuals (7 with ESRD), in which the 13-year-old proband (also with ESRD) presented with hypertension and proteinuria (2-4 g/day) and underwent a kidney biopsy that revealed FSGS-like lesions with arteriolar thickening. A genomewide scan revealed LOD scores of >2.5 for markers on chromosomes 3 and 9, and fine mapping was performed on 5 additional members (total 28 members) that showed a maximum multipoint LOD score of 5.4 in the 9q31-q32 region, under an autosomal dominant model with 99% penetrance. This 8-cM (6-Mb) region is flanked by markers D9S172 and D9S105, and further candidate gene sequencing studies excluded the coding regions of three genes (ACTL7A, ACTL7B, and CTNNAL1). To our knowledge, this is the first report of a locus, denoted as "HNP1," for the HN/FSGS phenotype in a large African American family with dominantly inherited nephropathy characterized by ESRD, hypertension, and some features of FSGS.

Gene flow between genetically distinct populations creates linkage disequilibrium (admixture linkage disequilibrium [ALD]) among all loci (linked and unlinked) that have different allele frequencies in the founding populations. We have explored the distribution of ALD by using computer simulation of two extreme models of admixture: the hybrid-isolation (HI) model, in which admixture occurs in a single generation, and the continuous-gene-flow (CGF) model, in which admixture occurs at a steady rate in every generation. Linkage disequilibrium patterns in African American population samples from Jackson, MS, and from coastal South Carolina resemble patterns observed in the simulated CGF populations, in two respects. First, significant association between two loci (FY and AT3) separated by 22 cM was detected in both samples. The retention of ALD over relatively large (>10 cM) chromosomal segments is characteristic of a CGF pattern of admixture but not of an HI pattern. Second, significant associations were also detected between many pairs of unlinked loci, as observed in the CGF simulation results but not in the simulated HI populations. Such a high rate of association between unlinked markers in these populations could result in false-positive linkage signals in an admixture-mapping study. However, we demonstrate that by conditioning on parental admixture, we can distinguish between true linkage and association resulting from shared ancestry. Therefore, populations with a CGF history of admixture not only are appropriate for admixture mapping but also have greater power for detection of linkage disequilibrium over large chromosomal regions than do populations that have experienced a pattern of admixture more similar to the HI model, if methods are employed that detect and adjust for disequilibrium caused by continuous admixture.

Juvenile-onset cataracts are distinguished from congenital cataracts by the initial clarity of the lens at birth and the gradual development of lens opacity in the second and third decades of life. Genomewide linkage analysis in a multigenerational pedigree, segregating for autosomal dominant juvenile-onset cataracts, identified a locus in chromosome region 3q21.2-q22.3. Because of the proximity of the gene coding for lens beaded filament structural protein-2 (BFSP2) to this locus, we screened for mutations in the coding sequence of BFSP2. We observed a unique C-->T transition, one that was not observed in 200 normal chromosomes. We predicted that this led to a nonconservative R287W substitution in exon 4 that cosegregated with cataracts. This mutation alters an evolutionarily conserved arginine residue in the central rod domain of the intermediate filament. On consideration of the proposed function of BFSP2 in the lens cytoskeleton, it is likely that this alteration is the cause of cataracts in the members of the family we studied. This is the first example of a mutation in a noncrystallin structural gene that leads to a juvenile-onset, progressive cataract.

We analyzed the European genetic contribution to 10 populations of African descent in the United States (Maywood, Illinois; Detroit; New York; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; Baltimore; Charleston, South Carolina; New Orleans; and Houston) and in Jamaica, using nine autosomal DNA markers. These markers either are population-specific or show frequency differences >45% between the parental populations and are thus especially informative for admixture. European genetic ancestry ranged from 6.8% (Jamaica) to 22.5% (New Orleans). The unique utility of these markers is reflected in the low variance associated with these admixture estimates (SEM 1.3%-2.7%). We also estimated the male and female European contribution to African Americans, on the basis of informative mtDNA (haplogroups H and L) and Y Alu polymorphic markers. Results indicate a sex-biased gene flow from Europeans, the male contribution being substantially greater than the female contribution. mtDNA haplogroups analysis shows no evidence of a significant maternal Amerindian contribution to any of the 10 populations. We detected significant nonrandom association between two markers located 22 cM apart (FY-null and AT3), most likely due to admixture linkage disequilibrium created in the interbreeding of the two parental populations. The strength of this association and the substantial genetic distance between FY and AT3 emphasize the importance of admixed populations as a useful resource for mapping traits with different prevalence in two parental populations.

Progressive X-linked cone-rod dystrophy (COD1) is a retinal disease affecting primarily the cone photoreceptors. The COD1 locus originally was localized, by the study of three independent families, to a region between Xp11.3 and Xp21.1, encompassing the retinitis pigmentosa (RP) 3 locus. We have refined the COD1 locus to a limited region of Xp11.4, using two families reported elsewhere and a new extended family. Genotype analysis was performed by use of eight microsatellite markers (tel-M6CA, DXS1068, DXS1058, DXS993, DXS228, DXS1201, DXS1003, and DXS1055-cent), spanning a distance of 20 cM. Nine-point linkage analysis, by use of the VITESSE program for X-linked disorders, established a maximum LOD score (17.5) between markers DXS1058 and DXS993, spanning 4.0 cM. Two additional markers, DXS977 and DXS556, which map between DXS1058 and DXS993, were used to further narrow the critical region. The RP3 gene, RPGR, was excluded on the basis of two obligate recombinants, observed in two independent families. In a third family, linkage analysis did not exclude the RPGR locus. The entire coding region of the RPGR gene from two affected males from family 2 was sequenced and was found to be normal. Haplotype analysis of two family branches, containing three obligate recombinants, two affected and one unaffected, defined the COD1 locus as distal to DXS993 and proximal to DXS556, a distance of approximately 1.0 Mb. This study excludes COD1 as an allelic variant of RP3 and establishes a novel locus that is sufficiently defined for positional cloning.

During the past 10 years, DNA analysis has revolutionized the determination of identity in a forensic context. Statements about the biological identity of two human DNA samples now can be made with complete confidence. Although DNA markers are very powerful for distinguishing among individuals, most offer little power to distinguish ethnicity or to support any statement about the physical characteristics of an individual. Through a search of the literature and of unpublished data on allele frequencies we have identified a panel of population-specific genetic markers that enable robust ethnic-affiliation estimation for major U.S. resident populations. In this report, we identify these loci and present their levels of allele-frequency differential between ethnically defined samples, and we demonstrate, using log-likelihood analysis, that this panel of markers provides significant statistical power for ethnic-affiliation estimation. In addition to their use in forensic ethnic-affiliation estimation, population-specific genetic markers are very useful in both population- and individual-level admixture estimation and in mapping genes by use of the linkage disequilibrium created when populations hybridize.

mtDNA RFLP variation was analyzed in 42 Mongolians from Ulan Bator. All four founding lineage types (A [4.76%], B [2.38%], C [11.9%], and D [19.04%]) identified by Torroni and colleagues were detected. Seven of the nine founding lineage types proposed by Bailliet and colleagues and Merriwether and Ferrell were detected (A2 [4.76%], B [2.38%], C1 [11.9%], D1 [7.14%], D2 [11.9%], X6 [16.7%], and X7 [9.5%]). Sixty-four percent of these 42 individuals had "Amerindian founding lineage" haplotypes. A survey of 24 restriction sites yielded 16 polymorphic sites and 21 different haplotypes. The presence of all four of the founding lineages identified by the Torroni group (and seven of Merriwether and Ferrell's nine founding lineages), combined with Mongolia's location with respect to the Bering Strait, indicates that Mongolia is a potential location for the origin of the founders of the New World. Since lineage B, which is widely distributed in the New World, is absent in Siberia, we conclude that Mongolia or a geographic location common to both contemporary Mongolians and American aboriginals is the more likely origin of the founders of the New World.

Myotonic dystrophy (DM), an autosomal dominant neuromuscular disease, is caused by a CTG-repeat expansion, with affected individuals having > or = 50 repeats of this trinucleotide, at the DMPK locus of human chromosome 19q13.3. Severely affected individuals die early in life; the milder form of this disease reduces reproductive ability. Alleles in the normal range of CTG repeats are not as unstable as the (CTG)(> or = 50) alleles. In the DM families, anticipation and parental bias of allelic expansions have been noted. However, data on mechanism of maintenance of DM in populations are conflicting. We present a maximum-likelihood model for examining segregation distortion of CTG-repeat alleles in normal families. Analyzing 726 meiotic events in 95 nuclear families from the CEPH panel pedigrees, we find evidence of preferential transmission of larger alleles (of size < or = 29 repeats) from females (the probability of transmission of larger alleles is .565 +/- 0.03, different from .5 at P approximately equal .028). There is no evidence of segregation distortion during male meiosis. We propose a hypothesis that preferential transmission of larger CTG-repeat alleles during female meiosis can compensate for mutational contraction of repeats within the normal allelic size range, and reduced viability and fertility of affected individuals. Thus, the pool of premutant alleles at the DM locus can be maintained in populations, which can subsequently mutate to the full mutation status to give rise to DM.

Native Americans have been classified into four founding haplogroups with as many as seven founding lineages based on mtDNA RFLPs and DNA sequence data. mtDNA analysis was completed for 83 Yanomami from eight villages in the Surucucu and Catrimani Plateau regions of Roraima in northwestern Brazil. Samples were typed for 15 polymorphic mtDNA sites (14 RFLP sites and 1 deletion site), and a subset was sequenced for both hypervariable regions of the mitochondrial D-loop. Substantial mitochondrial diversity was detected among the Yanomami, five of seven accepted founding haplotypes and three others were observed. Of the 83 samples, 4 (4.8%) were lineage B1, 1 (1.2%) was lineage B2, 31 (37.4%) were lineage C1, 29 (34.9%) were lineage C2, 2 (2.4%) were lineage D1, 6 (7.2%) were lineage D2, 7 (8.4%) were a haplotype we designated "X6," and 3 (3.6%) were a haplotype we designated "X7." Sequence analysis found 43 haplotypes in 50 samples. B2, X6, and X7 are previously unrecognized mitochondrial founding lineage types of Native Americans. The widespread distribution of these haplotypes in the New World and Asia provides support for declaring these lineages to be New World founding types.

We have characterized eight dinucleotide (dC-dA)n.(dG-dT)n repeat loci located on human chromosome 13q in eight human populations and in a sample of chimpanzees. Even though there is substantial variation in allele frequencies at each locus, at a given locus the most frequent alleles are shared by all human populations. The level of heterozygosity is reduced in isolated or small populations, such as the Pehuenche Indians of Chile, the Dogrib of Canada, and the New Guinea highlanders. On the other hand, larger average heterozygosities are observed in large and cosmopolitan populations, such as the Sokoto population from Nigeria and German Caucasians. Conformity with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium is generally observed at these loci, unless (a) a population is isolated or small or (b) the repeat motif of the locus is not perfect (e.g., D13S197). Multilocus genotype probabilities at these microsatellite loci do not show departure from the independence rule, unless the loci are closely linked. The allele size distributions at these (CA)n loci do not follow a strict single-step stepwise-mutation model. However, this features does not compromise the ability to detect population affinities, when these loci are used simultaneously. The microsatellite loci examined here are present and, with the exception of the locus D13S197, are polymorphic in the chimpanzees, showing an overlapping distribution of allele sizes with those observed in human populations.

X-linked progressive cone dystrophy (COD1) causes progressive deterioration of visual acuity, deepening of central scotomas, macular changes, and bull's-eye lesions. The cone electroretinography (ERG) is variably abnormal in affected males, and the rod ERG may also be abnormal. The clinical picture of heterozygous females ranges from asymptomatic to a widespread spectrum of cone-mediated dysfunction. A prior linkage study demonstrated linkage between the COD1 locus and the marker locus DXS84, assigned to Xp21.1, with no recombination. In the present study, we have clinically characterized a large four-generation family with COD1 and have performed a linkage analysis using seven polymorphic markers on the short arm of the X chromosome. No recombination was observed between the disease and the marker loci DXS7 and MAOA, suggesting that the location of COD1 is in the region Xp11.3, distal to DXS84 and proximal to ARAF1.

The gender-specific influence that the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) polymorphism has on the correlations and covariances between pairs of nine plasma lipid and apolipoprotein traits (total cholesterol; in triglycerides; high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol; apolipoproteins AI, AII, B, CII, lnCIII, and lnE) was studied in 507 unrelated individuals representative of the adult population of Rochester, MN. Analyses are presented separately for females and males. The Apo E polymorphism had a significant influence on a large number (10 of 36) of correlations and covariances in females and on a small number (3 of 36) in males. The contribution of allelic variation in the Apo E gene to the definition of multivariate measures of the 36-dimensional correlation structure was evaluated. The influence of Apo E genotype on correlation structure was gender dependent. These findings were used to demonstrate how heterogeneity of risk-factor correlations and covariances among genotype-gender subgroups of the population at large may influence the evaluation of risk of coronary artery disease.

Aniridia, an autosomal dominant ocular disorder characterized by iris hypoplasia, results from mutations in the PAX6 gene, which encodes paired box and homeobox motifs. In this report we describe five new mutations in the paired box region of the human PAX6 gene that are associated with aniridia. The paired box mutations that we detected were in both familial (three) and sporadic (two) cases. All five mutations predict truncated PAX6 proteins. Our study indicates that early premature translational termination mutations in the PAX6 gene result in haploinsufficiency and generate the aniridia phenotype.

We have analyzed the allele frequency distribution at the hypervariable locus 3' to the apolipoprotein B gene (ApoB 3' VNTR) in five well-defined human populations (Kacharis of northeast India, New Guinea Highlanders of Papua New Guinea, Dogrib Indians of Canada, Pehuenche Indians of Chile, and a relatively homogeneous Caucasian population of northern German extraction) by using the PCR technique. A total of 12 segregating alleles were detected in the pooled sample of 319 individuals. A fairly consistent bimodal pattern of allele frequency distribution, apparent in most of these geographically and genetically diverse populations, suggests that the ApoB 3' VNTR polymorphism predates the geographic dispersal of ancestral human populations. In spite of the observed high degree of polymorphism at this locus (expected heterozygosity levels 55%-78%), the genotype distributions in all populations (irrespective of their tribal or cosmopolitan nature) conform to their respective Hardy-Weinberg predictions. Furthermore, analysis of the congruence between expected heterozygosity and the observed number of alleles reveals that, in general, the allele frequency distributions at this locus are in agreement with the predictions of the classical mutation-drift models. The data also show that alleles that are shared by all populations have the highest average frequency within populations. These findings demonstrate the potential utility of highly informative hypervariable loci such as the ApoB 3' VNTR locus in population genetic research, as well as in forensic medicine and determination of biological relatedness of individuals.

The influence of the apolipoprotein E (Apo E) polymorphism and gender on the regression relationships between each of nine plasma lipid and apolipoprotein traits (total cholesterol; ln triglycerides; high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol; apolipoproteins AI, AII, B, and CII; ln CIII; and ln E) and four concomitants (age, weight, waist-to-hip ratio, and smoking) was studied in 507 unrelated individuals representative of the adult population of Rochester, MN. Analyses are presented separately for females and males. Each lipid and apolipoprotein trait exhibited at least one Apo E genotype-specific regression relationship with the concomitants investigated in this study. In most cases the heterogeneity of regression was associated with differences between the epsilon 32 and epsilon 33 genotype. This study documents that the influence of Apo E genotype on average levels of plasma lipids and apolipoproteins varies among subdivisions of the population defined by age, body size, and smoking status.

Data on 15 polymorphic protein-coding loci are used to estimate the proportion of Caucasian genes in U.S. blacks from the greater-metropolitan area of Pittsburgh. Allele frequencies from U.S. whites of the same region and from a sample of Nigerians are used as representatives of the genetic contributions of the source populations between which admixture has occurred. These materials provide 18 unique variants that occur exclusively in the blacks and 5 variants that are restricted to the Caucasians only. As a result, when all segregating alleles (52) at these 15 loci are considered, the proportion (mean +/- SE) of Caucasian genes in U.S. blacks (25.2% +/- 2.7%) is estimated with a precision much better than that of all other previous estimates. The estimate based on the frequencies of these 18 unique variants of African origin (24.8% +/- 6.2%) is also consistent with the pooled estimate obtained from the 15 loci by the weighted least-square method. The homogeneity of locus-specific estimates of admixture indicates that these loci are appropriate for studying the proportion of black genes in any admixed population involving African admixture. The advantages of employing such loci for genetic-epidemiologic studies in U.S. blacks is discussed in the context of the availability of these large number of unique African variants at these protein loci.

The influences of the apolipoprotein E (Apo E) polymorphism and of gender on the distributions of plasma levels of total cholesterol (Total-C), 1n triglycerides (1n Trig), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), and apolipoproteins AI (Apo AI), AII (Apo AII), 1n E (1nApo E), B (Apo B), CII (Apo CII), and 1n CIII (1nApo CIII) were studied in 507 unrelated individuals representative of the adult population of Rochester, MN. Apo E genotypes influenced both phenotypic level and intragenotype phenotypic variability. The mean levels of six of the nine traits were influenced significantly by Apo E genotype. Intragenotype variability in eight of the nine traits was significantly different among Apo E genotypes. These effects were estimated separately in males and females. The contribution of allelic variation in the Apo E gene to the definition of the multivariate mena and variance of the lipid and apolipoprotein hyperspace was evaluated. These findings were used to demonstrate how heterogeneity of risk-factor-trait variance among genotype/gender-specific subgroups of the population at large may influence the evaluation of risk of coronary artery disease.

Apolipoprotein J (apo J) is a newly identified member of a growing family of proteins associated with various lipoprotein particles. Apo J is a glycoprotein which exists in the plasma associated with high-density lipoprotein subfractions which also contain apo A-I and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP). We have investigated the possible existence of genetic polymorphism at the apo J structural locus and have evaluated its role in lipid metabolism. By employing isoelectric focusing and immunoblotting techniques, we have screened plasma or serum samples from six population groups: U.S. whites, Amerindians, Eskimos, New Guineans, U.S. blacks, and Nigerian blacks. Apo J revealed a common two-allele polymorphism only in populations with African ancestry and was found to be monomorphic in all other population groups tested. The genetic basis of the two alleles designated--APO J*1 and APO J*2, at a single structural locus, apo J-- was confirmed in a large number of segregating families. In the U.S. blacks, the frequencies of the APO J*1 and APO J*2 alleles were .76 and .24, respectively, and in the Nigerian blacks these values were .72 and .28, respectively. In addition, a single example of a rare allele designated APO J*3 was also encountered in the U.S. black sample. In Nigerian blacks, the apo J polymorphism's impact on seven quantitative lipid traits--total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, HDL3-cholesterol, HDL2-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides--was investigated. No significant impact of the apo J polymorphism was observed for any of these lipid traits.

Elevated plasma lipoprotein (a) (LP(a] levels are an independent predictor of the development of premature atherosclerosis in humans. The LP(a) particle consists of two disulfide-linked proteins, apolipoprotein (APO) B and APO(a). The APO(a) is a highly glycosylated protein which carries the LP(a) antigen. Genetic polymorphism in the APO(a) molecule has been reported, and, depending on the sensitivity of the method used, 6-11 alleles at the APO(a) structural locus have been documented in the literature. In this investigation, we have used a high-resolution SDS-agarose electrophoresis method followed by immunoblotting to screen APO(a) polymorphism in 54 families with 130 offspring. This method identified a total of 23 different APO(a) isoforms, and their genetic basis was confirmed in families. In addition to the detectable products of 23 APO(a) alleles, the family data predict the existence of a "null" allele. Of the total 270 individuals tested, 209 (77.4%) revealed double-banded phenotypes and 61 (22.6%) revealed single-banded phenotypes. In the unrelated sample of 140 individuals, however, 114 (81.4%) and 26 (18.6%) had double- and single-banded phenotypes, respectively. When the segregation pattern of single-banded phenotypes in the unrelated sample was followed in families, only nine (6.4%) were found to be true homozygotes, and the remaining 17 (12.2%) were classified as heterozygotes for the null allele. Of the 276 possible phenotypes predicted for 23 alleles in a large population, we observed 115 (42%) phenotypes in our restricted sample. On the basis of our results from the family data, we hypothesize the existence of at least 24 alleles, including a null allele, at the APO(a) structural locus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

To determine the mode of inheritance of abdominal aortic aneurysm, data on first-degree relatives of 91 probands were collected. Results of segregation analysis performed on these data are reported. Many models, including nongenetic and genetic models, were compared using likelihood methods. The nongenetic model was rejected; statistically significant evidence in favor of a genetic model was found. Among the many genetic models compared, the most parsimonious genetic model was that susceptibility to abdominal aortic aneurysm is determined by a recessive gene at an autosomal diallelic major locus. A multifactorial component in addition to the major locus does not increase the likelihood of the data significantly.

One hundred and two benign, mature ovarian teratomas and two immature, malignant teratomas were karyotyped and scored for centromeric heteromorphisms as part of an ongoing project to determine the chromosomal karyotype and the genetic origin of ovarian teratomas and to assess their utility for gene-centromere mapping. Karyotypic analysis of the benign cases revealed 95 46,XX teratomas and 7 chromosomally abnormal teratomas (47,XXX, 47,XX,+8 [two cases], 47,XX,+15, 48,XX,+7,+12 91,XXXX,-13 [mosaic], 47,XX,-15,+21,+mar). Our study reports on the first cases of tetraploidy and structural rearrangement in benign ovarian teratomas. The two immature cases had modal chromosome numbers of 78 and 49. Centromeric heteromorphisms that were heterozygous in the host were homozygous in 65.2% (n = 58) of the benign teratomas and heterozygous in the remaining 34.8% (n = 31). Chromosome 13 heteromorphisms were the most informative, with 72.7% heterozygosity in hosts. The cytogenetic data indicate that 65% of teratomas are derived from a single germ cell after meiosis I and failure of meiosis II (type II) or endoreduplication of a mature ovum (type III); 35% arise by failure of meiosis I (type I) or mitotic division of premeiotic germ cells (type IV).

Chromosomal heteromorphisms and DNA polymorphisms have been utilized to identify the mechanisms that lead to formation of human ovarian teratomas and to construct a gene-centromere map of chromosome 1 by using those teratomas that arise by meiotic nondisjunction. Of 61 genetically informative ovarian teratomas, 21.3% arose by nondisjunction at meiosis I, and 39.3% arose by meiosis II nondisjunction. Eight polymorphic marker loci on chromosome 1p and one marker on 1q were used to estimate a gene-centromere map. The results show clear linkage of the most proximal 1p marker (NRAS) and the most proximal 1q marker (D1S61) to the centromere at a distance of 14 cM and 20 cM, respectively. Estimated gene-centromere distances suggest that, while recombination occurs normally in ovarian teratomas arising by meiosis II errors, ovarian teratomas arising by meiosis I nondisjunction have altered patterns of recombination. Furthermore, the estimated map demonstrates clear evidence of chiasma interference. Our results suggest that ovarian teratomas can provide a rapid method for mapping genes relative to the centromere.

Thirty-seven blood samples were analyzed for linkage from members of a single family with an anterior segment mesenchymal dysgenesis (ASMD1) with variable expressivity affecting members of at least six generations. Maximum-likelihood analysis for linkage between ASMD1 and 14 biochemical and serological markers in the family showed a probable linkage between ASMD1 and the MNS blood group on the long arm of chromosome 4 (Z = 2.36 at a recombination fraction of .09).

Orosomucoid (ORM) or alpha-1-acid glycoprotein is an acute-phase protein of human plasma whose function is suggested to be the competitive inhibition of cellular recognition by infective agents. Genetically determined variation in ORM has been reported, with two major alleles segregating in all populations studied to date. Isoelectric focusing-immunoblotting studies of ORM revealed the presence of isoprotein species that did not segregate with the predominant alleles at the ORM locus and suggested the expression of a second structural gene locus for orosomucoid (ORM2). Genetically independent variation consistent with expression of the ORM2 locus was observed in plasma samples from American blacks but was not observed in U.S. whites or sampled populations of North- and South-American Indians, Eskimos, Aleuts, or New Guinea Highlanders. The population allele frequencies for this locus were .958, .025, .006, and .011 for alleles ORM*1, ORM2*2, ORM2*3, and ORM2*4, respectively. Family studies confirm the autosomal codominant inheritance of the observed phenotypes.

Native peoples of the New World, including Amerindians and admixed Latin Americans such as Mexican-Americans, are highly susceptible to diseases of the gallbladder. These include cholesterol cholelithiasis (gallstones) and its complications, as well as cancer of the gallbladder. Although there is clearly some necessary dietary or other environmental risk factor involved, the pattern of disease prevalence is geographically associated with the distribution of genes of aboriginal Amerindian origin, and levels of risk generally correspond to the degree of Amerindian admixture. This pattern differs from that generally associated with Westernization, which suggests a gene-environment interaction, and that within an admixed population there is a subset whose risk is underestimated when admixture is ignored. The risk that an individual of a susceptible New World genotype will undergo a cholecystectomy by age 85 can approach 40% in Mexican-American females, and their risk of gallbladder cancer can reach several percent. These are heretofore unrecognized levels of risk, especially of the latter, because previous studies have not accounted for admixture or for the loss of at-risk individuals due to cholecystectomy. A genetic susceptibility may, thus, be as "carcinogenic" in New World peoples as any known major environmental exposure; yet, while the risk has a genetic basis, its expression as gallbladder cancer is so delayed as to lead only very rarely to multiply-affected families. Estimates in this paper are derived in part from two studies of Mexican-Americans in Starr County and Laredo, Texas.

Electrophoretic variants at 22 genetic loci in the Aymara, mestizo, and Spanish populations of northern Chile are presented, and their possible role in adaptation to hypoxic environments are discussed. Some apparently unique variants were found.

Genetic variation at various human apolipoprotein gene loci plays a vital role in modulating lipid metabolism. However, information regarding genetic variation at apolipoprotein loci is scanty, and the available data are largely restricted to Caucasian populations. Using recently developed isoelectric focusing-immunoblotting techniques, we have screened a large number of serum samples from Nigerian blacks to investigate structural variation at six apolipoprotein loci: A-I, A-II, A-IV, C-II, E, and H. With the exception of a single example of a putative APO A-I variant, the APO A-I and A-II loci were found to be monomorphic. Several new variants have been identified at the APO A-IV locus, which are apparently restricted to the black gene pool. By comparison with Caucasians, in whom APO C-II is invariant, four allelic variants have been identified in the Nigerians at the APO C-II structural locus. A common three-allele polymorphism has been observed for APO E, with a striking high frequency of the APO E*4 allele. In addition to three common alleles, the APO H locus is characterized by having an allele marker unique to blacks. The mean heterozygosity at these apolipoprotein loci is higher in Nigerian blacks as compared with the Caucasians.

Two DNA markers, the met oncogene and the anonymous probe, pJ3.11, previously reported to be tightly linked to cystic fibrosis (CF), were used for linkage analysis in 26 families with two or more individuals affected with CF. A new high frequency polymorphism was identified using BanI and the pmetD probe. The results of linkage analysis were as follows: between met and CF, lod score of 18.2 at theta of .009; between pJ3.11 and CF, lod score of 12.1 at theta of 0; and between met and pJ3.11, lod score of 16.7 at theta of 0. These data indicate that most or all of CF is due to an abnormality at a single locus and that the DNA markers are useful for prenatal diagnosis and heterozygote detection within affected families.

One hundred twenty-eight blood samples were drawn from members of a single family with atypical vitelliform macular dystrophy (VMD-1) characterized by variable expressivity in affected members of at least 5 generations. Because of the late onset of detectable retinal lesions in most family members, phenotype data from only 93 individuals who were at least 14 years of age were analyzed for linkage. Phenotype data from the remaining 35 members of the family who were under age 14 were excluded from the analysis. Maximum-likelihood analysis for linkage between VMD-1 and 13 biochemical and serological markers in the family demonstrated linkage between VMD-1 and the soluble glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT1) locus, which has been tentatively assigned to the short arm of chromosome 16. A maximum lod score of Z = 4.34 (odds favoring linkage of approximately 22,000 to 1) was obtained at a recombination fraction of theta = .05.

A total of 315 individuals, mainly of Aymara origin, from western Bolivia were examined for genetic variation at eight red cell antigen and 19 serum protein and red cell enzyme loci. The gene frequencies for polymorphic loci and the discovery of several rare variants are discussed in terms of previous work among the Aymara and the closely related Quechua. The effect of inclusion of related individuals in the sample on gene frequency, variance of gene frequency and genetic distance, is discussed.

An analytical isoelectric focusing method in 3 M urea followed by immunoblotting has been devised to detect genetic and biochemical variation in the glycoprotein hemopexin (HPX) in human plasma or serum. HPX reveals extensive microheterogeneity with multiple major and minor components that are susceptible to neuraminidase treatment, suggesting that the observed biochemical variation is due to differences in sialic acid content between HPX isoproteins. However, charge differences that persist in HPX isoproteins following neuraminidase treatment suggest the presence of genetically determined HPX variation, and this is confirmed by population and family studies. HPX was found to be monomorphic, with an invariant pattern, in U.S. whites; but it is polymorphic in U.S. blacks, with three alleles controlled by a single locus, a situation that demonstrates an autosomal codominant pattern of inheritance. The HPX 1, HPX 2, and HPX 3 allele frequencies in U.S. blacks are .941, .018, and .041, respectively.

Genetic polymorphism of the C1R subcomponent of human complement component C1 has been detected in normal plasma samples using the high resolving power of isoelectric focusing in 6 M urea followed by immunoblotting. There are two common alleles at the C1R structural locus that show autosomal codominant inheritance. The C1R*1 and C1R*2 allele frequencies in U.S. white and U.S. black blood donors are: .934, .066, and .899, .101, respectively.

The Dogrib, an Amerindian tribe residing in the Northwest Territories of Canada, were typed for DNA and protein polymorphism at the apolipoprotein A-I/C-III/A-IV gene cluster. Variation was seen at three previously described RFLPs detected with the enzymes SstI, PstI, and XmnI, though frequencies of these polymorphisms differ significantly from those reported in other populations. They exhibit no variation at two previously reported PvuII sites. No variation was seen in the APO A-I or APO A-IV gene products, with the Dogrib showing the most common isoelectric-focusing/immunoblot patterns of other world populations. Haplotype frequencies computed from inferred haplotypes and by maximum likelihood estimation did not differ significantly. The extent of nonrandom association of these sites is highly significant (P less than .00001), though pairwise analysis shows significance between the SstI and XmnI sites only. Levels of fasting triglyceride and fasting total cholesterol were determined for each individual. Analysis of covariance shows that fasting triglyceride levels in women vary significantly with the XmnI genotype. These results suggest that genetic variation at the APO A-I/C-III/A-IV gene cluster may be a useful tool for the study of quantitative lipoprotein variation in the Dogrib.

Plasma samples from a large number of different ethnic groups, consisting of U.S. whites, U.S. blacks, Eskimos from Kodiak and St. Lawrence Island, Aleuts of the Pribilof Islands, and three Amerindian groups from Canada and Mexico have been analyzed by isoelectric focusing followed by immunoblotting to determine the magnitude of genetic variation at the F XIIIB structural locus. The synthesis of published data and our new data demonstrate remarkable variation in the distribution of the three common alleles at this locus and establishes F XIIIB as an extremely informative marker for population differentiation and evolutionary studies. Genetic distance analysis based on this variation separates Caucasian, black, and Mongoloid populations into three distinct clusters.

Blood specimens from a sample of 373 Marshall Islanders were studied with reference to variants of 23 serum proteins and erythrocyte enzymes. Six of the traits studied exhibited genetic polymorphisms (adenosine deaminase, phosphoglucomutase1, acid phosphatase, 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, haptoglobin, and group specific component). There were in addition four "rare" variants (albumin, transferrin, lactate dehydrogenase, and galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase) involving nine persons, among 8,503 determinations. The frequency of rare variants in Micronesians was compared with the frequencies in West European Caucasians and Amerindians. There are many difficulties in such comparisons, and although the observed values for the three ethnic groups differ by a factor of three (the Micronesians exhibiting the lowest frequency), it is felt that no firm conclusions concerning differences between ethnic groups can be drawn at this time.

Previous investigators have reported loose linkage in both sexes for phosphoglycolate phosphatase (PGP) and haptoglobin alpha (HPA). We present results of linkage studies between PGP and HPA in two data sets, one from Houston and the other an update of an earlier report from Los Angeles. Using quadratic interpolation to estimate the male (theta m) and female (theta f) recombination values from bivariate lod tables, we found for the Houston data that theta m = 0.43 and theta f = 0.03 at the maximum lod score of z = 2.23. For the Los Angeles series, we found that theta m = 0.31, theta f = 0.48, and z = 0.27. We invoke heterogeneity in the recombination value in different families as an explanation of our findings. We also recommend that bivariate lod tables should always be generated, even though not reported. This is because the usual assumption of theta m = theta f (and, rarely, theta f = 1.8 theta f) under which lod scores are computed may be invalid in many cases.

Apolipoprotein D (APO D) is a constituent of plasma high-density lipoproteins. Its precise role in lipid metabolism is not well established, though it may be involved in cholesterol esterification and cholester ester transport to the liver for catabolism. No genetic polymorphism has been reported in the APO D gene product. To investigate the extent of genetic variation at the APO D structural locus, we have developed an isoelectric focusing-immunoblotting technique and have screened a large number of plasma samples from U.S. whites, U.S. blacks, Nigerian blacks, the Aleuts of the Pribilof Islands, Eskimo groups from Kodiak Island and St. Lawrence Island, and Amerindian populations from Mexico and Canada. Except for the U.S. blacks and Nigerian blacks, the APO D locus is monomorphic in all other population groups tested. In populations with black ancestry, the products of two alleles, APO D*1 and APO D*2, have been observed at respective allele frequencies .987 and .013 in U.S. blacks and .978 and .022 in Nigerian blacks. The detection of a unique protein polymorphism in blacks makes APO D a useful black marker of significance in anthropogenetics and racial admixture studies. In addition to the interindividual variation observed, APO D reveals extensive intraindividual molecular variation with a multiple banding pattern. The basis of this molecular variation is explained, in part, by variation in the number of terminal sialic acid residues. We have investigated the effect of the APO D polymorphism on triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-, VLDL-, HDL-, and HDL3 cholesterol in 352 Nigerian blacks (190 males and 162 females).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Genetic polymorphism of human apolipoprotein A-IV has been detected by means of a simple and rapid one-dimensional isoelectric-focusing technique followed by immunoblotting. In plasma samples of normal U.S. whites and blacks, the specificity and sensitivity of the technique have been demonstrated to elucidate biochemical and genetic variation present in the APO A-IV molecule. Two common alleles, APO A-IV 1 and APO A-IV 2, have been observed with respective frequencies of .909 and .088 in whites and .961 and .035 in blacks. In addition, the products of two rare alleles designated APO A-IV 3 and APO A-IV 4 also have been observed. Family studies show autosomal codominant transmission of four alleles coded by a single structural locus.

Human alpha-L-fucosidase is a lysosomal enzyme responsible for hydrolysis of alpha-L-fucoside linkages in fucoglycoconjugates. A single gene, FUCA 1, located on chromosome 1p34.1-1p36.1 encodes for alpha-L-fucosidase activity. To gain insight into the nature of the molecular defects leading to fucosidosis, we have characterized the genomic structure of FUCA 1. Restriction-endonuclease analysis suggests that at least seven exons dispersed over 22 kb are present in genomic FUCA 1. Two restriction-fragment-length polymorphisms (RFLPs) have been identified in the Caucasian population. The PvuII and BglI RFLPs each have two codominant alleles in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Allele frequencies for the PvuII RFLP are .70/.30, and those for the BglI RFLP .63/.37. Both RFLPs are in strong linkage disequilibrium with each other, with a correlation coefficient of .94. The polymorphism information content (PIC) of the combined DNA markers is .38, high enough to be useful in the prenatal diagnosis of fucosidosis. The combined lod score for linkage between the fucosidosis mutation and FUCA 1 markers in two families was significant at a recombination fraction of 0. This suggests that the fucosidosis mutation resides in FUCA 1.

Human beta 2-glycoprotein I has recently been identified as a component of several human plasma lipoprotein fractions and therefore termed as apolipoprotein H. Its metabolic function in lipid metabolism is not known with certainty, though it may be involved in very-low-density-lipoprotein metabolism. Previously, inherited quantitative variation in beta 2-glycoprotein I has been suggested in man. In this investigation, we document the evidence of genetically determined structural polymorphism of apolipoprotein H or beta 2-glycoprotein I by using thin-layer polyacrylamide isoelectric focusing gels followed by immunological identification by double antibody staining. The apolipoprotein H structural locus is characterized by the occurrence of three common alleles in U.S. whites and blacks. The frequency distributions of the three alleles designated APO H1, APO H2, and APO H3 are .059, .882, and .059 in whites and .017, .902, and .068 in blacks, respectively. In addition, the gene product of a fourth allele, APO H4, has been observed at polymorphic frequency in black individuals and may represent a black marker variant. Family data confirm the hypothesis of four alleles at a single APO H gene locus with an autosomal codominant pattern of inheritance.

Gardner Syndrome (GS) is an autosomal dominant variant of colorectal polyposis with essentially complete penetrance. It is distinguished from the other polyposis syndromes by its delayed age at onset, the number of polyps, and its extracolonic manifestations. The presence of epidermal cysts, bony osteomata, desmoid tumors, and dental anomalies are distinguishing features of this syndrome. Recently, multiple and bilateral patches of congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (CHRPE) have been described in three families with classical GS. Tight linkage of the GS and CHRPE phenotypes (Z = 9.752; theta = 0) suggested that CHRPE is a pleiotropic effect of the Gardner mutation within the families in which the ophthalmic trait occurs and is thus a useful marker for the early detection of GS gene carriers. We have analyzed six new families segregating for classic GS and CHRPE. Linkage was tested between GS and CHRPE and between these two phenotypes and a battery of 22 informative biochemical and serological markers. We have extended the linkage analysis on two GS-CHRPE families originally reported elsewhere. Linkage between GS and CHRPE at theta = 0 was observed in all families, a result supporting our original suggestion that CHRPE is a congenital manifestation of the GS mutation. Exclusionary linkage data presented confirm that, for linkage analysis in these families, the CHRPE phenotype is a more powerful marker than other phenotypic features of GS.

Isoelectric focusing and immunoblotting reveals considerable biochemical and genetic variation in the C1R subcomponent of the first complement component. The nature of the intraindividual biochemical variation can be explained by differences in sialic acid content because after digestion with neuraminidase the terminal sialic acids are removed to yield a single major band corresponding to the C1R polypeptide. Plasma samples from a large number of different ethnic groups, consisting of U.S. whites, U.S. blacks, Nigerian blacks, and Inuit, Aleut, and Amerindian populations from the Western Hemisphere have revealed genetically determined charge variation with heterozygous phenotypes consisting of two major asialo bands, indicating that the underlying variation is not due to variation in sialic acid content. Two previously reported common alleles, C1R*1 and CIR*2, have been observed in all studied populations, the notable exception being the Dogrib Indian population, which is devoid of the C1R*2 allele. Several new alleles--designated C1R*3, C1R*4, C1R*5, C1R*6, and C1R*7-have been observed, with variable frequencies ranging from the occurrence in a single individual and related family members to the polymorphic occurrence of certain alleles in several populations. Of these new alleles, the C1R*5 is of considerable interest in population and anthropological genetics studies. The C1R*5 allele is widely distributed, at a frequency of .03 to .17, in all of the North American aboriginal populations screened. This allele is not present in U.S. whites but is present at a polymorphic frequency in U.S. and Nigerian blacks.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)