Os polimorfismos do gene da paraoxonase 1 (PON1) estão relacionados ao metabolismo lipídico conferindo efeito marginal e modesto nas concentrações séricas das lipropoteínas e sobre o risco de desenvolvimento de doença arterial coronária (DAC). O objetivo primário deste estudo é avaliar se há associação entre os polimorfismos da PON1: R192Q- rs662, R160G: rs13306698, Leu55Met: rs854560, Promoter_161: rs705381 e rs3917464 e eventos cardiovasculares em 5 anos numa sub-população com DAC estável do estudo MASS II (Medical, Angioplasty or Surgery Study II). Como objetivos secundários, investigamos a influência destes polimorfismos nas concentrações lipídicas iniciais e após 5 anos de acompanhamento, e também a sua relação com os desfechos cardiovasculares combinados no grupo randomizado para tratamento clínico exclusivo. Foram randomizados 611 pacientes para o MASS II. A população alvo deste estudo foi constituída por 518 pacientes que tiveram material genético coletado (MASS II Genético). Os polimorfismos avaliados, apesar de estarem associados ao metabolismo do HDL-c, apresentaram baixa associação com os níveis lipídicos e com o seu comportamento ao longo de 5 anos. Houve diferença nas concentrações médias de HDL-c entre os genótipos do Promoter_161, o alelo T associado a concentrações mais baixas de HDL-c (p=0,0369). Análise univariada mostrou que houve associação entre o raro alelo G do polimorfismo R160G (5 pacientes) e aumento da mortalidade, porém quando incluído no modelo ajustado por regressão logística multivariada não se mostrou preditor independente de óbito nesta população. Na análise do grupo randomizado para o tratamento médico, o polimorfismo R192Q está associado de forma independente ao novo infarto agudo do miocárdio, óbito, e eventos combinados. Genótipo GG aumentou o risco de óbito em 7,69 vezes (IC: 1.65- 35.76) e de IAM em 6,58 vezes (IC: 1.39- 30.46) quando comparado ao genótipo AA. Alelo A estava independentemente associado a ocorrência de eventos cardiovasculares combinados com um OR de 3,03 (IC: 1.29- 7.07). Em conclusão, o nosso estudo mostrou associação do alelo G na posição R160G com risco aumentado de óbito em pacientes com DAC estável. Em pacientes mantidos no tratamento clínico a posição R192Q está associada ao maior risco de óbito, IAM e eventos cardiovasculares combinados. / Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) gene polymorphisms have a known relation with lipid metabolism, conferring a marginal and modest effect on serum lipoprotein concentrations and also on development of coronary artery disease (CAD). The primary objective of this study is to investigate the association between PON1 polymorphisms: R192Q- rs662, R160G: rs13306698, Leu55Met: rs854560, Promoter_161: rs705381, and rs3917464 and 5-year follow-up cardiovascular events in a subpopulation with stable CAD from MASS II (Medical, Angioplasty or Surgery Study II). Secondary objectives will be to evaluate the influence of these polymorphisms on baseline and 5-year follow-up lipid concentrations and also its association with combined cardiovascular events in the MASS II group randomized for medical treatment. MASS II had 611 patients randomized. Target population comprises 518 patients who had genetic material sampled. Even though the polymorphisms were linked to HDL-c metabolism, there was a low association with lipid levels and changes over the 5-year follow-up. HDL-c mean concentrations were different in the Promoter_161 genotypes, T-allele was associated with lower levels (p=0.0369). Univariate analysis showed association between the rare G-allele of polymorphism R160G (5 patients) and increased mortality, but when adjusted in the multivariate logistic regression model this variable was not independent predictor of mortality in this population. In the medical treatment group, r192Q is associated with new myocardium infarction (MI), combined events and death. When compared to AA genotype, GG genotype increased the risk of death by 7.69 (CI: 1.65- 35.76) and of MI by 6.58 (CI: 1.39- 30.46). A-allele is independently associated with combined cardiovascular events with a OR of 3.03 (CI: 1.29- 7.07). In conclusion, this study showed association between G-allele on R160G position with increased mortality in patients with stable CAD. R192Q polymorphism is associated with higher risk of death, MI and combined cardiovascular events in patients treated medically.

INTRODUÇÃO: A síndrome de Williams-Beuren (SWB) resulta de uma deleção de aproximadamente 1.5 Mb na região 7q11.23. A haploinsuficiência ocasiona alterações do desenvolvimento neurológico assim como malformações em múltiplos sistemas. OBJETIVOS: Testar utilidade de marcadores polimórficos para o diagnóstico da síndrome, determinar a proporção de pacientes com microdeleção, comparar características clínicas entre pacientes com e sem microdeleção e investigar origem parental. MÉTODOS: Selecionamos 32 pacientes com avaliação clínica para SWB atendidas no ICr. Critérios de inclusão: presença de dismorfismo craniofacial acompanhado ou não de alterações cardiovasculares, comportamento característico ou hiperacusia. Para a genotipagem do trio - afetado, mãe e pai, utilizamos os marcadores D7S1870, Eln 17/éxon18 e Hei. Análise em gel de poliacrilamida à 7% com imagens digitalizadas. RESULTADOS: Os marcadores D7S1870, Hei e Eln17/éxon18 foram 78% informativos e 22% não informativos. O marcador mais informativo foi o D7S1870 69%, seguido do Hei 55% e ELN 17/éxon18 em 43%. Houve microdeleção em 56% e ausência em 22%. A origem parental da deleção foi 9 materna e 8 paterna. As alterações craniofaciais e cardiovasculares não tiveram diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre portadores e não portadores da microdeleção. O comportamento amigável resultou numa diferença estatística muito significante (p=0,006) onde 88% tinham e 28% não tinham microdeleção. A hiperacusia teve diferença estatística significante (p=0,020) presente em 55% dos pacientes com microdeleção. CONCLUSÃO: Os dados obtidos demonstraram que os marcadores utilizados são úteis no diagnóstico da SWB e acessível para utilização em serviço público. / INTRODUCTION: Williams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) results of ~1.5 Mb commonly deleted region chromosome 7q11.23 in 90-95% of all clinically typical cases. The clinical manifestations can be variable and is a developmental disorder with multisystem manifestations caused by haploinsufficiency for contiguous genes in this region. OBJECTIVE: Polimorphic markers were tested to determine the proportion of patients with and without microdeletion, to compare the clinical features and to establish the parental origin of the deletion. METHODS: 32 probands with WBS ascertained according to well-established diagnostic criteria. Genotyping using polimorphic markers D7S1870, Eln 17/éxon18 and Hei was performed on DNA from the patients and their available parents. RESULTS: The three markers were informative in 78% and non informative in 22%. The best marker was D7S1870 with 69%, followed by Hei in 55% and ELN 17/éxon18 in 43%.The microdeletion was present in 56% and absent in 22%. Craniofacial and cardiovascular alterations did not have significant statistical differences between probands with or without microdeletion. Two following characteristics (friendly personality and hyperacusia) were more frequent in the deleted group and these differences were statistical significant (p=0,006 and 0,02 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Polimorphic markers used here demonstrated its viability and utility for the confirmation diagnosis of SWB in a public service.

Abstract not available

Understanding complex traits is a fundamental challenge in plant genetics and a prerequisite for molecular breeding. Tools for trait dissection are markers, maps, and quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis. Marker-assisted selection (MAS) is an application that integrates these tools. In this thesis research, a new sequence-based marker was evaluated, maps were constructed and used, and QTLs were detected using two types of populations. Marker-assisted selection was used to develop a novel class of barley. Restriction-site Associated DNA (RAD), a sequence based-marker technology, allows for simultaneous high-density single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) discovery and genotyping. We assessed the value of RAD markers for linkage map construction using the Oregon Wolfe Barley (OWB) mapping population. We compared a RAD-based map to a map generated using Illumina GoldenGate Assay (EST-based SNPs). The RAD markers generated a high quality map with complete genome coverage. We then used the RAD map to locate QTL for agronomic fitness traits. A paper describing this research was published (Chutimanitsakun et al., 2011). Marker-assisted selection was used to rapidly develop fall-sown barley germplasm for human food uses. The target traits were high grain β-glucan, vernalization sensitivity (VS) and low temperature tolerance (LTT). The target loci were WX and VRN-H2. Marker-assisted selection was effective in fixing target alleles at both loci and waxy starch led to increase in grain β-glucan. Unexpected segregation at VRN-H1 and VRN-H3, revealed by genome-wide association mapping (GW-AM), led to unanticipated phenotypic variation in VS and LTT. We found that GW-AM is an efficient and powerful method for identifying the genome coordinates of genes determining target traits. Precise information is obtained with perfect markers; additional research may be needed when multiple alleles are segregating at target loci and significant associations are with markers in linkage disequilibrium (LD) with the target loci. A paper describing this research will be submitted for publication. / Graduation date: 2012

Disputats. Universität Hohenheim, 2004. / Haves kun i elektronisk udg.

Flesh colour and fillet fat percentage are the two most important attributes to salmon fillet quality. A medium genetic component to body lipid percentage within commercial lines has previously been shown (h2 = 0.17-0.24). A low level of heritability (h2 = 0.16) has also been reported for flesh colour in Atlantic salmon. To investigate whether this genetic component includes loci of major effect, a genome-wide QTL scan was performed with commercially bred Atlantic salmon (Landcatch Natural Selection). Five large full-sib families (10 parents with 153 offspring) were genotyped using microsatellite markers. To utilize the large difference between sire and dam recombination rate, a two-stage genotyping was employed. Initially, the parents and offspring were genotyped for two microsatellite markers per linkage group, and sire based QTL analysis was used to detect linkage groups with significant effects on those flesh quality traits. A linear-regression based interval as analytical method was applied for QTL detection. The results revealed evidence of QTLs affecting percentage fat percentage and flesh colour on linkage groups LNS16 and LNS1 respectively. To confirm the QTL and to provide an improved estimate of position, a dam-based analysis was then employed. One major QTL was located on the genome-wide significance level for percentage fat percentage. Microsatellite marker Ssa0016NVH (at position of 1.3 cM) was found to be tightly linked to QTL affecting percentage fat percentage. In addition, a QTL affecting flesh colour was found to be flanked by microsatellite markers Ssa9.44NUIG at position of 68.7 cM and Ssa0021NVH at position of 50.6 on linkage group LNS16. The evidence for suggestive QTL affecting flesh colour on linkage group LNS1 was also revealed. In order to increase marker density within these and other linkage groups, AFLP markers were employed, 24 primer combinations resulted in a total of 489 polymorphic fragments. Among 11 fragments that were found to be linked to the microsatellite markers on linkage group LNS16, four fragments (AAG-CAC328, AGG-CAG447, AGG-CTA237 and AGG-CTC237) were tightly linked to microsatellite marker Ssa9.44NUIG, but none were found to be linked to microsatellite Ssa0021NVH. Moreover, none of the AFLP markers were found to be linked to microsatellites residing on linkage group LNS1. Using a constructed map of microsatellite and AFLP markers for linkage group LNS16, the dam based analysis revealed a significant QTL for flesh colour at the location of 189 cM, while the sire based analysis detected a significant QTL for fat percentage at the location of 80 cM. Considering the dominant nature and clustering character of AFLP markers, it was concluded that a certain primer combination in AFLP markers could be of limited use for fine mapping and QTL detection in Atlantic salmon.

The characterization of the banana germplasm collection from Rubona - Rwanda was investigated using morphological and cytological characteristics of the genomic groups. Genetic diversity was assessed using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA analysis. The survey was conducted to evaluate the distribution of banana cultivars in the four major growing regions of Rwanda. A total of 90 accessions from the National Banana Germplasm Collection at Rubona Rwanda were characterized and six characters of the fingers (length, width, weight, green life, post green life and length/width ratio) were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA). The cooking and beer clones were separated. The cooking clones were further grouped into three clone sets: Musakala, Nakabululu, and one that constitutes Nakitembe and Nfuuka clone sets. The AAB genomic group was separated from AAA, AB and ABB genomic groups. The results from the survey showed that East African Highland bananas are the most important genotype group in the four major banana growing regions of Rwanda ranging between 60 - 90% of banana mats counted. Several new Highland banana cultivars were recorded, such as 'Intokatoke', 'Igihuna', 'Ingenge', 'Ingaju', 'Icyerwa', 'Mitoki', 'Madamu', 'Inkokobora', 'Intokekazi', 'Bugoyi', 'Ishoki'. Amongst these cultivars, some were classified as cooking and others as brewing bananas. However, in the National Banana Germplasm Collection at Rubona - Rwanda, the uses of these cultivars are recorded differently therefore increasing the need for agro-morphological characterization. The assessment of ploidy level of accessions from the National Banana Germplasm Collection at Rubona - Rwanda, by flow cytometry showed misclassification of some accessions such as 'Pomme', 'Kamaramasenge', 'Gisubi kayinja', 'Gisubi kagongo', and 'Dibis' which were classified as diploid, diploid, triploid, and tetraploid respectively. They IV were found to be triploid, triploid, triploid, diploid and triploid. All these bananas were recently introduced into Rwanda, while the endemic Highland bananas were triploid. The genomic group and genetic similarities of 49 accessions were investigated using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA markers. The genomic group of bananas assessed were established using OPA-18 (PILLAY et al., 2000) and OPG-17 primers. These primers showed bands 441 and 443 base pairs (bp) respectively for the accessions having only the B genome. Whilst they were absent for the accessions " having an A genome. The genetic similarity was estimated via a Simple Matching coefficient which showed the lowest value 0.46 measured between 'Ingumba' and 'Ishika 'and the highest value of 0.85 between 'Kirayenda' and 'Inyabukuwe'. The data of matrix of coefficient of similarity was subjected to cluster analysis with unweighted pair group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA). Each accession was clearly separated demonstrating the usefulness of RAPDs in analysis of genetic diversity. The results of this study are very important to the Curator of the banana germplasm collection in Eastern Central Africa and for the future breeding of this crop. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.

This study compared DNA based SSR markers with total seed protein markers, used to evaluate genetic diversity of sunflower. The multiplex-ability, cost effectiveness and applicability of microsatellites as molecular markers for a genetic diversity study were investigated and evaluated based on pedigree data of the sunflower germplasm. A solution for oil and fat interference in ultrathin iso-electric focusing gels was investigated, in order to make imaging and interpretation easier and clearer. Total protein analysis was utilized for the determination of genetic diversity on the same inbred material used for the DNA analysis. Finally a correlation is made between the data obtained on DNA vs Protein compared with phenotype and expected pedigree data. A set of 73 SSR markers with known mapped positions were utilized to determine genetic similarity in a group of sunflower inbred lines. Cluster analysis of genetic similarity revealed an excellent correlation with the breeding background and source information obtained from breeders on all inbred lines used in this study. Cluster analysis gave a clear differentiation between B and R-lines, showing clearly defined heterotic groups of the proprietary set of inbred lines. The most outstanding single-locus SSR markers in the set used for this study were identified and used as a core set. Multiplex assays were designed and optimized for the most cost and time effective method for rapid variety identification. The selected markers produced robust PCR products, amplified a single locus each, were polymorphic among the elite inbred lines and supplied a good, genome-wide framework of completely co-dominant, single-locus DNA markers for molecular breeding. The use of a fluorescent-tailed primer technique resulted in a considerable cost saving. Furthermore, the SSR markers can be multiplexed through optimization, in order to avoid undesirable primer-primer interactions and non-specific amplification. First stage iso-electric focusing of total protein extracts were used to analyze sunflower looking at genetic purity and genetic variety verification on diverse sunflower germplasm. Severe visual interference was visible on most seed storage protein extracts of sunflower. This interference was visible as a distortion in the gel matrix on the anodal end of the gel, and caused important proteins to denature in the presence of heightened field strength and the absence of a uniform matrix. Adjustment of the extraction solutions removed this interference. Total protein profiles were generated with the use ultrathin layer iso-electric focusing (UTLIEF) to assess the level of genetic diversity on the same set of sunflower lines used for the SSR analysis. Finally, the genetic diversity of the sunflower germplasm was analysed by comparing proteomic, genomic and pedigree data from the same germplasm. A total of 295 alleles were amplified with a set of 73 SSR markers with known mapped positions. These were utilized to determine the genetic relatedness of a group of B-lines and R-lines of sunflower. In parallel, a total of 68 protein bands were visualized using protein samples of two types of seed storage proteins derived from exactly the same sunflower lines. Cluster analysis clearly differentiated between the B-lines and R-lines, identifying defined heterotic groups of this proprietary set of lines. The comparison of DNA and protein data for the application of genetic diversity studies is analysed, as well as the general comparison on the use of the two different molecules as markers. / Thesis (Ph.D)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2008.

Cranes are large elegant birds that occur on all continents of the world except for South America and Antarctica. Of the fifteen species of crane worldwide, three predominantly occur in southern Africa; the Wattled crane (Bugeranus carunculatus), the Blue crane (Anthropoides paradisea) and the Crowned crane (Balearica regulorum). Crane numbers throughout the world are diminishing, mostly because of the destruction of their habitat and illegal bird trading. Efforts are underway to prevent species extinction, legally and through the compilation of a studbook that contains descriptions of physical attributes, ownership, location and possible kinships of birds in captivity . This investigation, first of its kind, WdS undertaken to assess whether twelve published and unpublished microsatellite primers developed for the related Whooping crane and Red-Crowned crane could be used to fingerprint the southern African crane species using cost effective polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results obtained were then used to determine the extent of genetic variation within species and distance between species. All primer sets amplified heterologous microsatellite loci in the three crane species, however, the unpublished primers produced poorly defined fingerprints even after extensive optimization. Of the twelve microsatellite loci investigated, the Blue crane and the Wattled crane revealed a high level of polymorphism. The Blue crane displayed 76% polymorphism and the Wattled crane 92%. In contrast, for the Crowned crane, that belongs to a different subfamily, Balearicinae, only 50% of the loci were polymorphic. The alleles displayed sizes similar to that of the species for which the primers were developed. Little variation in size, less than 10 bp, was noted for the different alleles of the polymorphic loci. The number of alleles, on the other hand, at each of the polymorphic loci was found to be low. The frequency of the most prevalent allele at most of the loci was generally reasonably high. These results therefore suggest that these primer sets are not suitable for individual identification and differentiation using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Xll The observed heterozygosity of the three crane species was low; 12% in Blue crane; 7% in Crowned crane; and 13% in Wattled crane. Nei's identity further confirmed the high similarity between individuals; 66-100% for Blue crane; 55-100% for Crowned crane and 41-95% for Wattled crane. This low genetic variation is attributed to possible relatedness between birds supplied by aviculturists whom have a limited number of birds in captivity. A Hardy-Weinberg test for equilibrium revealed that most of the microsatellite loci displayed a deficiency of heterozygotes, while a few loci displayed an excess of heterozygotes. In general, the Hardy Weinberg test of equilibrium supported the notion that the individuals within each of the species might have been related. Differentiation between the three crane species ranged from 3-5%, with Blue and Wattled crane displaying a higher degree of genetic similarity when compared to the Crowned crane, known to be the oldest extant crane species. The limited allelic variation within the microsatellite loci tested, as well as the extensive genetic similarity between individuals suggests that a wide-ranging search for additional microsatellite loci that are more polymorphic and contain a larger number of alleles should be undertaken for the southern African crane species. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2006.

Ostrich (Struthio camelus) breeding is a well-developed industry in South Africa. However, successful genetic management has yet to be implemented. Parentage in colony breeding ostriches is unknown, where for a given offspring, a number of possible parents exist. Molecular markers have been extensively used in the livestock industry to resolve parentage issues and are only beginning to be utilized to address the issues of the ostrich industry. The aims of this investigation were to test known microsatellite markers developed for other ostrich subspecies in a South African Black ostrich population, and to further test these markers for their use in individual and parentage identification. DNA was extracted from venous blood obtained from two pair bred families and a colony of 97 individuals. Eleven polymorphic microsatellite markers were tested by PCR amplification of DNA samples followed by multiplexing on polyacrylamide gels to generate DNA fingerprints for each individual. Alleles were sized and quantified and used to create genotypes for each individual. Parentage analysis was performed using exclusion and likelihood methods. Pedigrees were constructed for the families by comparison of genotypes. Breeding statistics were calculated for the colony individuals. Three microsatellite markers did not amplify in this population and one marker was found to be monomorphic in this population. Four of the microsatellite markers that successfully amplified produced anonymous amplification products suggesting a second annealing site in the genome sequence of Blacks. All loci displayed low observed heterozygosities indicative of little genetic variation in this population. For the colony sample, four individuals were not assigned either parent and one female did not contribute any offspring. On average females produced 4.86 ± 2.71 fertile eggs during the sampling period with a coefficient of variation of 55.86%. A total of 79.2% of individuals were assigned paternity and 88.3% were assigned maternity. A greater number of loci are required to improve the power of parentage analysis within breeding flocks incorporating all eggs laid. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.