Rare Mutational Events Research Articles

Estimating the Number of Polygenic Diseases Among Six Mutually Exclusive Entities of Non-Tumors and Cancer.

In the era of precision medicine with increasing amounts of sequenced cancer and non-cancer genomes of different ancestries, we here enumerate the resulting polygenic disease entities. Based on the cell number status, we first identified six fundamental types of polygenic illnesses, five of which are non-cancerous. Like complex, non-tumor disorders, neoplasms normally carry alterations in multiple genes, including in 'Drivers' and 'Passengers'. However, tumors also lack certain genetic alterations/epigenetic changes, recently named 'Goners', which are toxic for the neoplasm and potentially constitute therapeutic targets. Drivers are considered essential for malignant transformation, whereas environmental influences vary considerably among both types of polygenic diseases. For each form, hyper-rare disorders, defined as affecting <1/108 individuals, likely represent the largest number of disease entities. Loss of redundant tumor-suppressor genes exemplifies such a profoundly rare mutational event. For non-tumor, polygenic diseases, pathway-centered taxonomies seem preferable. This classification is not readily feasible in cancer, but the inclusion of Drivers and possibly also of epigenetic changes to the existing nomenclature might serve as initial steps in this direction. Based on the detailed genetic alterations, the number of polygenic diseases is essentially countless, but different forms of nosologies may be used to restrict the number.

The multiple de novo copy number variant (MdnCNV) phenomenon presents with peri-zygotic DNA mutational signatures and multilocus pathogenic variation

BackgroundThe multiple de novo copy number variant (MdnCNV) phenotype is described by having four or more constitutional de novo CNVs (dnCNVs) arising independently throughout the human genome within one generation. It is a rare peri-zygotic mutational event, previously reported to be seen once in every 12,000 individuals referred for genome-wide chromosomal microarray analysis due to congenital abnormalities. These rare families provide a unique opportunity to understand the genetic factors of peri-zygotic genome instability and the impact of dnCNV on human diseases.MethodsChromosomal microarray analysis (CMA), array-based comparative genomic hybridization, short- and long-read genome sequencing (GS) were performed on the newly identified MdnCNV family to identify de novo mutations including dnCNVs, de novo single-nucleotide variants (dnSNVs), and indels. Short-read GS was performed on four previously published MdnCNV families for dnSNV analysis. Trio-based rare variant analysis was performed on the newly identified individual and four previously published MdnCNV families to identify potential genetic etiologies contributing to the peri-zygotic genomic instability. Lin semantic similarity scores informed quantitative human phenotype ontology analysis on three MdnCNV families to identify gene(s) driving or contributing to the clinical phenotype.ResultsIn the newly identified MdnCNV case, we revealed eight de novo tandem duplications, each ~ 1 Mb, with microhomology at 6/8 breakpoint junctions. Enrichment of de novo single-nucleotide variants (SNV; 6/79) and de novo indels (1/12) was found within 4 Mb of the dnCNV genomic regions. An elevated post-zygotic SNV mutation rate was observed in MdnCNV families. Maternal rare variant analyses identified three genes in distinct families that may contribute to the MdnCNV phenomenon. Phenotype analysis suggests that gene(s) within dnCNV regions contribute to the observed proband phenotype in 3/3 cases. CNVs in two cases, a contiguous gene duplication encompassing PMP22 and RAI1 and another duplication affecting NSD1 and SMARCC2, contribute to the clinically observed phenotypic manifestations.ConclusionsCharacteristic features of dnCNVs reported here are consistent with a microhomology-mediated break-induced replication (MMBIR)-driven mechanism during the peri-zygotic period. Maternal genetic variants in DNA repair genes potentially contribute to peri-zygotic genomic instability. Variable phenotypic features were observed across a cohort of three MdnCNV probands, and computational quantitative phenotyping revealed that two out of three had evidence for the contribution of more than one genetic locus to the proband’s phenotype supporting the hypothesis of de novo multilocus pathogenic variation (MPV) in those families.

Endovascular Biopsy for Detection of Somatic Mosaicism in Human Fusiform Cerebral Aneurysms

Endovascular Biopsy for Detection of Somatic Mosaicism in Human Fusiform Cerebral Aneurysms

Actual mutational research of 19 autosomal STRs based on restricted mutation model and big data.

Short tandem repeat (STR) markers have been widely used in forensic paternity testing and individual identification, but the STR mutation might impact on the forensic result interpretation. Importantly, the STR mutation rate was underestimated due to ignoring the "hidden" mutation phenomenon in most similar studies. Considering this, we use Slooten and Ricciardi's restricted mutation model based on big data to obtain more accurate mutation rates for each marker. In this paper, the mutations of 20 autosomal STRs loci (D3S1358, D1S1656, D13S317, Penta E, D16S539, D18S51, D2S1338, CSF1PO, Penta D, TH01, vWA, D21S11, D6S1043, D7S820, D5S818, TPOX, D8S1179, D12S391, D19S433, and FGA; The restricted model does not include the correction factor of D6S1043, this paper calculates remaining 19 STR loci mutation rates) were investigated in 28,313 (Total: 78,739 individuals) confirmed parentage-testing cases in Chinese Han population. As a result, total 1665 mutations were found in all loci, including 1614 one-steps, 34 two-steps, 8 three-steps, and 9 nonintegral mutations. The loci-specific average mutation rates ranged from 0.00007700 (TPOX) to 0.00459050 (FGA) in trio's and 0.00000000 (TPOX) to 0.00344850 (FGA) in duo's. We analyzed the relationship between mutation rates of the apparent and actual, the trio's and duo's, the paternal and maternal, respectively. The results demonstrated that the actual mutation rates are more than the apparent mostly, and the values of μ1"/μ2"(apparent) are also greater than μ1/μ2 (actual) commonly (μ1", μ1; μ2", μ2 are the mutation rates of one-step and two-step). Therefore, the "hidden" mutations are identified. In addition, the mutations rates of trio's and duo's, the paternal and maternal, exhibit significant difference. Next, those mutation data are used to do a comparison with the studies of other Han populations in China, which present the temporal and regional disparities. Due to the large sample size, some rare mutation events, such as monozygotic (MZ) mutation and "fake four-step mutation", are also reported in this study. In conclusion, the estimation values of actual mutations are obtained based on big data, they can not only provide basic data for the Chinese forensic DNA and population genetics databases, but also have important significance for the development of forensic individual identification, paternity testing and genetics research.

Abstract 184: SureSelect sequencing panels and algorithms to detect copy number variations (CNVs), DNA rearrangements, microsatellite Instability and tumor mutational burden (TMB) in FFPE specimens

Abstract Background: The current standard of genomic profiling of cancer tissues relies upon multiple separate technologies to aid in tumor characterization. Here we describe an NGS panel and analysis workflow for cancer samples that can detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), insertions and deletions (INDEL), somatic copy number alterations (SCNAs), and translocations (TLs), Tumor Mutation Burden (TMB) and Microsatellite Instability (MSI) in a single assay. Methods: We have developed a SureSelect target enrichment sequencing panels for comprehensive profiling of single nucleotide variations (SNP/INDEL), gene copy number variations (CNV), and DNA translocations (TL) and relevant microsatellite regions in a single assay. The TMB panel gene list was curated based on genes found in cancer gene databases such as Clinical Interpretations of Variants in Cancer (CIViC), Cancer Genome Interpreter (CGIdb), Catalog of Somatic Mutations in Cancer Census (COSMIC), Precision Oncology Knowledge Base (OncoKB). An accompanying data analysis pipeline will provide highly sensitive and accurate detection of variants and allows for the determination TMB and MSI status. Probes have been selected for over 500 genes to detect SCNAs and translocation in several cancer subtypes. The probes are optimized with the SureSelect XTHS protocol, which enables sensitive and accurate detection of rare mutation events within a heterogeneous sample with molecular barcode-mediated error correction. The SCNAs probes target regions in the genome that help in decreasing the noise for SCNAs calling. The data analysis utilizes either a matched normal or standard control DNA to compute read depth log ratios. Aberrant regions of constant ploidy are first identified followed by the application of a variational streaming algorithm on log ratio and SNP allele frequencies to determine the major clones present in the tumor. Translocation detection was verified on lung cancer samples by analyzing split reads across the fusion breakpoints. Results: By diluting samples with known copy-number aberrations into normal DNA, a limit of detection of ⇐2.3 copies/cell was demonstrated, equivalent to the detection of 3 copies at 30% tumor fraction. A similar approach demonstrated an ability to detect EML4-ALK and SLC24A2-ROS1 translocations at 3% allele frequency. Performance of the assay was further evaluated using 100+ FFPE samples harboring rearrangements, gene amplifications, and SNP/Indels. Concordance to the reference methods (FISH, WES, WGS) was &amp;gt;90%. TMB and MSI algorithms were benchmarked using in silico analysis of TCGA data and performance of the assay was evaluated on FFPE samples with orthogonally-determined MSI/TMB status. Conclusions: This work represents an important advancement in the development of a single assay to detect copy number variation, DNA rearrangement and mutations, TMB and MSI status of a FFPE sample. Citation Format: Arjun Vadapalli, Akanksha Khare, Hanjun Shin, Ashutosh Ashutosh, Linus Forsmark, Anne Lucas, Scott Happe, Gilbert Amparo, Carlos Pabon, Jayati Ghosh, Tracy Liu, Jimmy Jin, Mike Ruvolo, Douglas Roberts. SureSelect sequencing panels and algorithms to detect copy number variations (CNVs), DNA rearrangements, microsatellite Instability and tumor mutational burden (TMB) in FFPE specimens [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 184.

Identification of novel pathogenic copy number variations in Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease.

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is a hereditary sensory-motor neuropathy characterized by a strong clinical and genetic heterogeneity. Over the past few years, with the occurrence of whole-exome sequencing (WES) or whole-genome sequencing (WGS), the molecular diagnosis rate has been improved by allowing the screening of more than 80 genes at one time. In CMT, except the recurrent PMP22 duplication accounting for about 60% of pathogenic variations, pathogenic copy number variations (CNVs) are rarely reported and only a few studies screening specifically CNVs have been performed. The aim of the present study was to screen for CNVs in the most prevalent genes associated with CMT in a cohort of 200 patients negative for the PMP22 duplication. CNVs were screened using the Exome Depth software on next generation sequencing (NGS) data obtained by targeted capture and sequencing of a panel of 81 CMT associated genes. Deleterious CNVs were identified in four patients (2%), in four genes: GDAP1, LRSAM1, GAN, and FGD4. All CNVs were confirmed by high-resolution oligonucleotide array Comparative Genomic Hybridization (aCGH) and/or quantitative PCR. By identifying four new CNVs in four different genes, we demonstrate that, although they are rare mutational events in CMT, CNVs might contribute significantly to mutational spectrum of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and should be searched in routine NGS diagnosis. This strategy increases the molecular diagnosis rate of patients with neuropathy.

Abstract 5119: Customizable all-in-one cancer panels to detect copy number variation, DNA rearrangement and mutations by targeted NGS

Abstract Background: The current standard of genomic profiling of cancer tissues relies upon multiple separate technologies to aid in tumor characterization. Here we describe a customizable NGS design and analysis workflow for cancer samples that can detect single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), insertions and deletions (INDEL), somatic copy number alterations (SCNAs), and translocations (TLs) in a single assay. Methods: We have created a library of strategically placed target-enrichment probes to provide for specific detection of SNP/INDEL, SCNAs, and translocation in genes identified as important in several cancer subtypes. The probes are optimized with the SureSelect XTHS protocol, which enables extremely sensitive detection of rare exonic mutation events within a heterogeneous sample. SCNA detection is further enhanced with additional probes targeting high minor allele frequency SNPs within the target gene boundary. Translocation detection is enabled by targeting intronic regions of fusion gene candidates. The data analysis is performed by the software SureCall that calls SNPs across all regions covered by probes. SCNA detection utilizes either a matched normal or standard control DNA and aberrant regions are identified by jointly segmenting the read depth ratios and SNP allele frequencies. The clonal structure is discerned using two Bayesian cancer models in a hierarchical manner. Translocation are identified by analyzing split reads across putative fusion breakpoints that are supported by both high- and low-confidence reads that pass quality filters. Results: We demonstrate rare allele detection in cancer cells down to 1%. We also show detection of 3 copies of MET at 20% tumor fraction and 16 copies of ERBB2 at 2% tumor fraction. For translocations, DNA level gene fusions were detected for ALK and ROS fusion genes at &amp;lt;=3% tumor fraction. In 39 ERBB2 FISH-positive FFPE samples, ERBB2 CNV detected by AIO panel was 97.4% concordant with FISH (scored according to standard ASCO/CAP convention). Using FISH as the gold standard, the false negative rate was 2.6% and false positive rate was 2.4%. In 43 ALK FISH-positive FFPE samples, ALK fusion was detected using a small AIO lung panel which includes probes spanning introns 18/19 of the ALK gene and is 90.7% concordant with FISH (Agilent SureFISH ALK BA). Using FISH as the gold standard, the false negative rate was 9.3% and false positive rate was 2.3%. Conclusions: This work represents an important advancement in the development of a single assay to detect copy number variation, DNA rearrangement and mutations. Citation Format: Arjun Vadapalli, Ashutosh Ashutosh, Heather Tao, Linus Forsmark, Christian Le Cocq, Akansha Khare, Bahram Arezi, Gilbert Amparo, Michael Ruvolo, Carlos Pabon, Jayati Ghosh, Jimmy Jin, Tracy Liu, Douglas Roberts. Customizable all-in-one cancer panels to detect copy number variation, DNA rearrangement and mutations by targeted NGS [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5119.

Prospective Comprehensive Molecular Characterization of Lung Adenocarcinomas for Efficient Patient Matching to Approved and Emerging Therapies.

Tumor genetic testing is standard of care for patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma, but the fraction of patients who derive clinical benefit remains undefined. Here, we report the experience of 860 patients with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma analyzed prospectively for mutations in >300 cancer-associated genes. Potentially actionable genetic events were stratified into one of four levels based upon published clinical or laboratory evidence that the mutation in question confers increased sensitivity to standard or investigational therapies. Overall, 37.1% (319/860) of patients received a matched therapy guided by their tumor molecular profile. Excluding alterations associated with standard-of-care therapy, 14.4% (69/478) received matched therapy, with a clinical benefit of 52%. Use of matched therapy was strongly influenced by the level of preexistent clinical evidence that the mutation identified predicts for drug response. Analysis of genes mutated significantly more often in tumors without known actionable mutations nominated STK11 and KEAP1 as possible targetable mitogenic drivers.Significance: An increasing number of therapies that target molecular alterations required for tumor maintenance and progression have demonstrated clinical activity in patients with lung adenocarcinoma. The data reported here suggest that broader, early testing for molecular alterations that have not yet been recognized as standard-of-care predictive biomarkers of drug response could accelerate the development of targeted agents for rare mutational events and could result in improved clinical outcomes. Cancer Discov; 7(6); 596-609. ©2017 AACR.See related commentary by Liu et al., p. 555This article is highlighted in the In This Issue feature, p. 539.

Examining the Relationship between Pre-Malignant Breast Lesions, Carcinogenesis and Tumor Evolution in the Mammary Epithelium Using an Agent-Based Model.

IntroductionBreast cancer, the product of numerous rare mutational events that occur over an extended time period, presents numerous challenges to investigators interested in studying the transformation from normal breast epithelium to malignancy using traditional laboratory methods, particularly with respect to characterizing transitional and pre-malignant states. Dynamic computational modeling can provide insight into these pathophysiological dynamics, and as such we use a previously validated agent-based computational model of the mammary epithelium (the DEABM) to investigate the probabilistic mechanisms by which normal populations of ductal cells could transform into states replicating features of both pre-malignant breast lesions and a diverse set of breast cancer subtypes.MethodsThe DEABM consists of simulated cellular populations governed by algorithms based on accepted and previously published cellular mechanisms. Cells respond to hormones, undergo mitosis, apoptosis and cellular differentiation. Heritable mutations to 12 genes prominently implicated in breast cancer are acquired via a probabilistic mechanism. 3000 simulations of the 40-year period of menstrual cycling were run in wild-type (WT) and BRCA1-mutated groups. Simulations were analyzed by development of hyperplastic states, incidence of malignancy, hormone receptor and HER-2 status, frequency of mutation to particular genes, and whether mutations were early events in carcinogenesis.ResultsCancer incidence in WT (2.6%) and BRCA1-mutated (45.9%) populations closely matched published epidemiologic rates. Hormone receptor expression profiles in both WT and BRCA groups also closely matched epidemiologic data. Hyperplastic populations carried more mutations than normal populations and mutations were similar to early mutations found in ER+ tumors (telomerase, E-cadherin, TGFB, RUNX3, p < .01). ER- tumors carried significantly more mutations and carried more early mutations in BRCA1, c-MYC and genes associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition.ConclusionsThe DEABM generates diverse tumors that express tumor markers consistent with epidemiologic data. The DEABM also generates non-invasive, hyperplastic populations, analogous to atypia or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), via mutations to genes known to be present in hyperplastic lesions and as early mutations in breast cancers. The results demonstrate that agent-based models are well-suited to studying tumor evolution through stages of carcinogenesis and have the potential to be used to develop prevention and treatment strategies.

Paternity testing of two female siblings with Investigator Argus X-12 kit: A case with several rare mutation and recombination events

Stable haplotypes of closely associated X-STRs have proven to be a powerful tool in kinship analysis especially for cases when father/daughter relationships are to be tested. We present a presumably easy case: A woman wanted to know whether or not her daughters have the same biological father. Initial results with Argus X-12 kit showed only one mismatch at DXS10148, which could have been explained by a paternal one-step mutation. However, comparison between the maternal haplotype and the daughters showed an incompatibility in linkage group III. To explain this, a maternal 3-step mutation in HPRTB or two mutation/recombination events in linkage group III must have occurred. Analysis of 29 autosomal STRs gave a high probability for being full siblings. Analysis of 13 additional X-STRs showed no further exclusion from having the same father. Reconstruction of possible maternal haplotypes demonstrated that two recombination events in linkage group III are very unlikely. We presume that one maternal mutation in DXS10103 and one recombination event in linkage group III must have occurred together with one paternal mutation in DXS10148.This case with 3 rare events occuring within the range of the Argus X-12 kit shows that the use of X-STRs requires not only knowledge of allele and haplotype frequencies but also of mutation rates and rare recombination events of markers within linkage groups. In special cases it would be necessary to involve further X markers. Collaboration of different laboratories will help to solve such problems.

High-Throughput, Amplicon-Based Sequencing of the CREBBP Gene as a Tool to Develop a Universal Platform-Independent Assay.

High-throughput sequencing technologies are widely used to analyse genomic variants or rare mutational events in different fields of genomic research, with a fast development of new or adapted platforms and technologies, enabling amplicon-based analysis of single target genes or even whole genome sequencing within a short period of time. Each sequencing platform is characterized by well-defined types of errors, resulting from different steps in the sequencing workflow. Here we describe a universal method to prepare amplicon libraries that can be used for sequencing on different high-throughput sequencing platforms. We have sequenced distinct exons of the CREB binding protein (CREBBP) gene and analysed the output resulting from three major deep-sequencing platforms. platform-specific errors were adjusted according to the result of sequence analysis from the remaining platforms. Additionally, bioinformatic methods are described to determine platform dependent errors. Summarizing the results we present a platform-independent cost-efficient and timesaving method that can be used as an alternative to commercially available sample-preparation kits.

Isolation of single-base genome-edited human iPS cells without antibiotic selection.

Precise editing of human genomes in pluripotent stem cells by homology-driven repair of targeted nuclease-induced cleavage has been hindered by the difficulty of isolating rare clones. We developed an efficient method to capture rare mutational events, enabling isolation of mutant lines with single-base substitutions without antibiotic selection. This method facilitates efficient induction or reversion of mutations associated with human disease in isogenic human induced pluripotent stem cells.

Population-Sequencing as a Biomarker for Sample Characterization.

Sequencing is accepted as the “gold” standard for genetic analysis and continues to be used as a validation and reference tool. The idea of using sequence analysis directly for sample characterization has been met with skepticism. However, herein, utility of direct use of sequencing to identify multiple genomes present in samples is presented and reviewed. All samples and “pure” isolates are populations of genomes. Population-Sequencing is the use of probabilistic matching tools in combination with large volumes of sequence information to identify genomes present, based on DNA analysis across entire genomes to determine genome assignments, to calculate confidence scores of major and minor genome content. Accurate genome identification from mixtures without culture purification steps can achieve phylogenetic classification by direct analysis of millions of DNA fragments. Genome sequencing data of mixtures can function as biomarkers for use to interrogate genetic content of samples and to establish a sample profile, inclusive of major and minor genome components, drill down to identify rare SNP and mutation events, compare relatedness of genetic content between samples, profile-to-profile, and provide a probabilistic or statistical scoring confidence for sample characterization and attribution. The application of Population-Sequencing will facilitate sample characterization and genome identification strategies.

XIV. The rationale for combining targeted and biological anti‐lymphoma drugs

XIV. The rationale for combining targeted and biological anti‐lymphoma drugs

Quantifying the effects of migration and mutation on adaptation and demography in spatially heterogeneous environments

How do mutation and gene flow influence population persistence, niche expansion and local adaptation in spatially heterogeneous environments? In this article, we analyse a demographic and evolutionary model of adaptation to an environment containing two habitats in equal frequencies, and we bridge the gap between different theoretical frameworks. Qualitatively, our model yields four qualitative types of outcomes: (i) global extinction of the population, (ii) adaptation to one habitat only, but also adaptation to both habitats with, (iii) specialized phenotypes or (iv) with generalized phenotypes, and we determine the conditions under which each equilibrium is reached. We derive new analytical approximations for the local densities and the distributions of traits in each habitat under a migration-selection-mutation balance, compute the equilibrium values of the means, variances and asymmetries of the local distributions of phenotypes, and contrast the effects of migration and mutation on the evolutionary outcome. We then check our analytical results by solving our model numerically, and also assess their robustness in the presence of demographic stochasticity. Although increased migration results in a decrease in local adaptation, mutation in our model does not influence the values of the local mean traits. Yet, both migration and mutation can have dramatic effects on population size and even lead to metapopulation extinction when selection is strong. Niche expansion, the ability for the population to adapt to both habitats, can also be prevented by small migration rates and a reduced evolutionary potential characterized by rare mutation events of small effects; however, niche expansion is otherwise the most likely outcome. Although our results are derived under the assumption of clonal reproduction, we finally show and discuss the links between our model and previous quantitative genetics models.

Plasmodium falciparum has rare correlation properties

A plot of the correlation function of a given DNA sequence has certain characteristic features common to almost all organisms. One common feature is that the correlation values at distances that are multiples of three is higher than correlation values at other distances. Because of this such a correlation plot can be divided into two or three curves with different scalings. P. falciparum has a rare correlation property which is probably unique. I have analyzed genomes of many bacteria, fungi and protozoa and found that P. falciparum is the only organism whose DNA sequence correlation plot can be divided into four curves with different scalings. This property is neither shared by other species of the Plasmodium genus nor by other AT rich genomes. This could be a hint that the DNA sequence of P. falciparum has undergone certain rare mutational events.

Plasmodium falciparum has rare correlation properties

AbstractA plot of the correlation function of a given DNA sequence has certain characteristic features common to almost all organisms. One common feature is that the correlation values at distances that are multiples of three is higher than correlation values at other distances. Because of this such a correlation plot can be divided into two or three curves with different scalings. P. falciparum has a rare correlation property which is probably unique. I have analyzed genomes of many bacteria, fungi and protozoa and found that P. falciparum is the only organism whose DNA sequence correlation plot can be divided into four curves with different scalings. This property is neither shared by other species of the Plasmodium genus nor by other AT rich genomes. This could be a hint that the DNA sequence of P. falciparum has undergone certain rare mutational events.

Clinical and molecular characterization of a cohort of patients with novel nucleotide alterations of the Dystrophin gene detected by direct sequencing

BackgroundDuchenne and Becker Muscular dystrophies (DMD/BMD) are allelic disorders caused by mutations in the dystrophin gene, which encodes a sarcolemmal protein responsible for muscle integrity. Deletions and duplications account for approximately 75% of mutations in DMD and 85% in BMD. The implementation of techniques allowing complete gene sequencing has focused attention on small point mutations and other mechanisms underlying complex rearrangements.MethodsWe selected 47 patients (41 families; 35 DMD, 6 BMD) without deletions and duplications in DMD gene (excluded by multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification and multiplex polymerase chain reaction analysis). This cohort was investigated by systematic direct sequence analysis to study sequence variation. We focused our attention on rare mutational events which were further studied through transcript analysis.ResultsWe identified 40 different nucleotide alterations in DMD gene and their clinical correlates; altogether, 16 mutations were novel. DMD probands carried 9 microinsertions/microdeletions, 19 nonsense mutations, and 7 splice-site mutations. BMD patients carried 2 nonsense mutations, 2 splice-site mutations, 1 missense substitution, and 1 single base insertion. The most frequent stop codon was TGA (n = 10 patients), followed by TAG (n = 7) and TAA (n = 4). We also analyzed the molecular mechanisms of five rare mutational events. They are two frame-shifting mutations in the DMD gene 3'end in BMD and three novel splicing defects: IVS42: c.6118-3C>A, which causes a leaky splice-site; c.9560A>G, which determines a cryptic splice-site activation and c.9564-426 T>G, which creates pseudoexon retention within IVS65.ConclusionThe analysis of our patients' sample, carrying point mutations or complex rearrangements in DMD gene, contributes to the knowledge on phenotypic correlations in dystrophinopatic patients and can provide a better understanding of pre-mRNA maturation defects and dystrophin functional domains. These data can have a prognostic relevance and can be useful in directing new therapeutic approaches, which rely on a precise definition of the genetic defects as well as their molecular consequences.

Mitotic recombination counteracts the benefits of genetic segregation

The ubiquity of sexual reproduction despite its cost has lead to an extensive body of research on the evolution and maintenance of sexual reproduction. Previous work has suggested that sexual reproduction can substantially speed up the rate of adaptation in diploid populations, because sexual populations are able to produce the fittest homozygous genotype by segregation and mating of heterozygous individuals. In contrast, asexual populations must wait for two rare mutational events, one producing a heterozygous carrier and the second converting a heterozygous to a homozygous carrier, before a beneficial mutation can become fixed. By avoiding this additional waiting time, it was shown that the benefits of segregation could overcome a twofold cost of sex. This previous result ignores mitotic recombination (MR), however. Here, we show that MR significantly hastens the spread of beneficial mutations in asexual populations. Indeed, given empirical data on MR, we find that adaptation in asexual populations proceeds as fast as that in sexual populations, especially when beneficial alleles are partially recessive. We conclude that asexual populations can gain most of the benefit of segregation through MR while avoiding the costs associated with sexual reproduction.

White grapes arose through the mutation of two similar and adjacent regulatory genes

Most of the thousands of grapevine cultivars (Vitis vinifera L.) can be divided into two groups, red and white, based on the presence or absence of anthocyanin in the berry skin, which has been found from genetic experiments to be controlled by a single locus. A regulatory gene, VvMYBA1, which could activate anthocyanin biosynthesis in a transient assay, was recently shown not to be transcribed in white berries due to the presence of a retrotransposon in the promoter. We have found that the berry colour locus comprises two very similar genes, VvMYBA1 and VvMYBA2, located on a single bacterial artificial chromosome. Either gene can regulate colour in the grape berry. The white berry allele of VvMYBA2 is inactivated by two non-conservative mutations, one leads to an amino acid substitution and the other to a frame shift resulting in a smaller protein. Transient assays showed that either mutation removed the ability of the regulator to switch on anthocyanin biosynthesis. VvMYBA2 sequence analyses, together with marker information, confirmed that 55 white cultivars all contain the white berry allele, but not red berry alleles. These results suggest that all extant white cultivars of grape vines have a common origin. We conclude that rare mutational events occurring in two adjacent genes were essential for the genesis of the white grapes used to produce the white wines and white table grapes we enjoy today.