M. Esther Fárez‐Vidal

Gene expression signatures in breast cancer distinguish phenotype characteristics, histologic subtypes, and tumor invasiveness†

The development of reliable gene expression profiling technology is having an increasing impact on the understanding of breast cancer biology.

Multiplex analysis of the most common mutations related to hereditary haemochromatosis: two methods combining specific amplification with capillary electrophoresis

We present the first application of a multiplex multicolour assay for the simultaneous detection of three of the most frequent mutations related to hereditary haemochromatosis (C282Y, H63D and S65C), using fluorescent detection and capillary electrophoresis. We describe two methods: the first is based on a single base extension assay, resulting in a single base difference of the extended products; and the second is a competitive allele‐specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR), based on competition between allele‐specific primers. Specificity of the latter primers is enhanced with a mismatch at the antepenultimate nucleotide. Primers are designed to amplify products of different sizes and with different fluorescent dyes in order to accurately distinguish all possible combinations of genotypes (homozygous and heterozygous for each mutation) in a multiplex PCR analysis. An advantage of the present approach is that capillary electrophoresis analysis of the amplified products enables easy, rapid, unambiguous and high resolution discrimination between wild‐type and mutant alleles, although different mutations may be present in the multiplex analysis. This will facilitate automated genotyping for routine molecular diagnostics and large‐scale genetic studies.

Use of capillary electrophoresis for accurate determination of CAG repeats causing Huntington disease. An oligonucleotide design avoiding shadow bands

Huntington disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder associated with the expansion of a polymorphic trinucleotide CAG repeat in the HD gene. We have developed an assay to accurately determine CAG repeats that combines a novel oligonucleotide design and the resolution of capillary electrophoresis. A mismatch in the second nucleotide from the 3′ end enhanced specificity by avoiding mispriming and diminishing shadow bands and artifactual PCR products. The coupling of capillary electrophoresis analysis with the assay added the advantages of accuracy, high resolution, semi‐automation, rapid analysis and low sample consumption. Analysis of 200 chromosomes in the Spanish population sample studied (control group) gave a peak frequency for 16 CAG repeats and of 7 triplets for CCG repeats. Diagnosis of HD was confirmed in 22 of 34 individuals with a range of CAG repeats from 39 to 52. Predictive testing was also carried out for 19 relatives of the HD families diagnosed at our laboratory. The method proposed in this article provides an accurate sizing of DNA repeats that can be applied to the analysis of DNA size‐related disorders.

Frequency and clinical expression of HFE gene mutations in a Spanish population of subjects with abnormal iron metabolism

Three HFE gene mutations (HFE 845 G→A, 187 C→G and 193 A→T) are the most common mutations related to hereditary haemochromatosis (HH). The genotype for these mutations was analysed in 359 Spanish individuals with altered iron metabolism and iron overload. Various biochemical parameters were measured in serum samples from 96 of these individuals, and the effect of the genotype on these parameters was studied. Allele frequencies were 12.95% for the HFE C282Y variant, 28.97% for the HFE H63D variant and 0.69% for the HFE S65C variant, calculated in a total of 718 chromosomes. Multiple comparisons analysis showed very significant differences (p=0.001) in transferrin saturation index (TSI) between the HFE C282Y variant homozygous and control (ten healthy volunteers) groups. Highly significant (p=0.0001) and significant (p=0.005) differences in serum ferritin values were found between the HFE C282Y variant homozygous and control groups and between compound (HFE C282Y/H63D variant) heterozygous and control groups, respectively. Very significant differences (p=0.001) in serum iron values were observed between the HFE C282Y variant homozygous and control groups. TSI and serum ferritin values detected most HFE C282Y variant homozygotes and are recommended to facilitate the clinical diagnosis of HH.

A Family with Atypical Cystic Fibrosis: Brother and Sister with Heterozygosity for Both G542X and R117H:

Clinical manifestations of cystic fibrosis (CF) are variable. Genetic and environmental factors that determine whether an individual will develop associated complications are still under investigation. The present study reports the genetic analysis of a family with different clinical forms of CF and addresses the difficulty of CF diagnosis in an individual with mutant alleles G542X and R117H because of the variable phenotype associated with R117H mutation. Both children in this family were heterozygous for G542X/R117H with the same thymine sequence (7T/9T) in intron 8 of CF transmembrane conductance regulator. The girl was diagnosed with CF, whereas the boy was diagnosed with azoospermia as the sole clinical manifestation. The possible implication of the hemochromatosis gene as a CF modifier locus was analyzed because the 2 children had the same genotype. No genetic differences were detected between brother and sister that explained the different clinical manifestations of CF.

Localization of acid and alkaline phosphatases in Myxococcus coralloides D

Myxococcus coralloides produces two different phosphatases, one acid and the other alkaline. Both enzymes were localized by physical and biochemical techniques. Spheroplasts from M. coralloides released 20–30% of the phosphatase activities. Osmotic shock or treatment with high MgCl2 or LiCl concentrations did not produce a greater release. Cytochemical localization situated the phosphatases in the outer membrane and the periplasmic space. Separation of the cytoplasmic membrane and outer membrane of the cells by sucrose gradient centrifugation showed that phosphatases are located primarily in the outer membrane. membrane.