No description available.

The grain amaranths (Amaranthus sp.) and quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) are important seed crops in South America. These crops have gained international attention in recent years for their nutritional quality and tolerance to abiotic stress. We report the identification and development of functional single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assays for both amaranth and quinoa. SNPs were identified using a genome reduction protocol and next generation sequencing. SNP assays are based on KASPar genotyping chemistry and were detected using the Fluidigm dynamic array platform. A diversity screen consisting of 41 amaranth accessions showed that the minor allele frequency (MAF) of the amaranth markers ranged from 0.05 to 0.5 with an average MAF of 0.27. A diversity screen of 113 quinoa accessions showed that the MAF of the quinoa markers ranged from 0.02 to 0.5 with an average MAF of 0.28. Linkage mapping in amaranth produced a linkage map consisting of 16 linkage groups, presumably corresponding to each of the 16 amaranth haploid chromosomes. This map spans 1288 cM with an average marker density of 3.1 cM per marker. Linkage mapping in quinoa resulted in a linkage map consisting of 29 linkage groups with 20 large linkage groups, spanning 1,404 cM with a marker density of 3.1 cM per SNP marker. The SNPs identified here represent important genomic tools needed for genetic dissection of agronomically important characteristics and advanced genetic analysis of agronomic traits in amaranth and quinoa. We also describe in detail the scalable and cost effective SNP genotyping method used in this research. This method is based on KBioscience's competitive allele specific PCR amplification of target sequences and endpoint fluorescence genotyping (KASPar) using a FRET capable plate reader or Fluidigm's dynamic array high throughput platform.

The potential value of the Y chromosome for forensic applications has been recognized for some time with the current work dedicated to Short Tandem Repeat analysis and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) discovery. This study examined the ability of two different SNP analysis methods to determine if they could be utilized in forensic applications and ultimately be developed into an established system for Y chromosome SNP analysis. This study examined two principle SNP analysis systems: single base extension and Pyrosequencing. Pyrosequencing was determined to be superior to single base extension, due to the wealth of information provided with sequencing and the flexibility of designing primers for analysis. Using Pyrosequencing, 50 Y chromosome loci were examined and the minimum loci required for maximum diversity for the development of a Y chromosome SNP analysis system were chosen. Thirteen loci were selected based on their ability to discriminate 60 different individuals from three different racial groups into 15 different haplogroups. The Y chromosome SNP analysis system developed utilized nested PCR for the amplification of all 13 loci. Then they were sequenced as groups, ranging from one to three loci, in a single reaction. The Y chromosome SNP analysis system developed here has the potential for forensic application since it has shown to be successful in the analysis of blood, buccal swabs, semen, and saliva, works with as little as 5 pg of starting DNA material, and will amplify only male DNA in the presence of male/female mixtures in which the female portion of the sample overwhelmed the male portion 30,000 to 1.

No description available.

No description available.

Autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity is related to body weight regulation. Based on the hypothesis that Most Obesities kNown Are Low In Sympathetic Activity (MONA LISA), it has been suggested that most obese subjects and animals have low sympathetic nervous system activity. Leptin, leptin receptor, and ghrelin genes influence the ANS regulation of body weight and food intake. The aim of this study was to investigate whether there are differences in leptin, the leptin receptor, or ghrelin regulation between lines of chickens selected for high (HWS) or low body weight (LWS). Intraperitoneal injections of reserpine were administrated to chickens from the HWS and LWS lines. Body weight and food intake were then compared to evaluate ANS regulation. While reserpine caused a transitory decrease in food intake and body weight in both lines, the magnitude of the change was greater in the HWS than in the LWS chickens. However, chickens from the LWS line exhibited greater catecholamine and indoleamine level changes in response to reserpine than those from the HWS line. Therefore, HWS chickens were more sensitive to the body weight-reducing effects of reserpine than LWS lines, while LWS chickens appeared to have greater sympathetic nervous system activity. Food and water intakes were differentially affected in HWS and LWS chickens in response to intracerebroventricular administration of human recombinant leptin. Leptin caused a linear decrease in food intake in the LWS line, but no effect on food intake in the HWS lines. The HWS chickens tended to have reduced water intake following leptin administration. These results suggest that the leptin receptor, or the down-stream neuropeptide regulation pathway mediating the effect of leptin; may be different between chickens from the HWS and LWS lines. Leptin, insulin like growth factor (IGF)-1, and IGF-2 concentrations in the plasma of HWS and LWS lines of chickens were evaluated. Leptin, IGF-1 and IGF-2 levels were significantly higher in the LWS than HWS chickens. The HWS female leptin concentrations were significantly lower than in HWS males or LWS females. Male chickens had greater IGF-1 concentrations in the plasma than female chickens. However, the concentration of IGF-2 did not differ between sexes. The difference in leptin concentrations in these lines and sexes may explain the differences in age of sexual maturity. Different IGF-1 and IGF-2 concentrations may be involved in the obese and anorexic conditions, fast and slow growth, and high and low food consumption found in these two lines of chickens. Differences in the gene sequence of the leptin receptor were observed in HWS and LWS lines of chickens. A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the intron between exon 8 and 9 introduced a restriction site for the enzyme Sel I in the HWS, but not the LWS line. Two SNP were detected in the leptin receptor cDNA region at nucleotides 189 and 234. At nucleotide 189, the LWS line has both a homozygous (T-T) and heterozygous (C-T), whereas the HWS line has only homozygous (T-T) form. The SNP found in nucleotide 234 introduces a restriction site Mse I in the HWS, but not the LWS line. These specific changes may be directly involved or closely linked to differences between the two lines in either the coding or regulatory domains of the leptin receptor. Differences in the leptin receptor gene expression between HWS and LWS lines of chickens in various organs and ages were observed. Leptin receptor expression in the whole brain was significantly different between sexes at 28 days-of-age in the HWS and LWS lines. The LWS line had higher leptin receptor gene expression in the liver at 2 days-of-age than at 56 and 363 days-of-age, but no differences were observed in the HWS line. In addition, at 2 days-of age, liver leptin receptor gene expression was higher in LWS than HWS chickens, but the reverse was observed at 363 days-of age. In adipose tissue, leptin receptor expression was higher in the LWS than HWS line. Leptin receptor expression in adipose tissue was greater at 363, than 28 and 56 days-of-ages. Our results showed that changes in the regulation of leptin and the leptin receptor were associated with sex, age, and growth. Differences in the ghrelin gene in the HWS and LWS lines under different feeding conditions were investigated. Both HWS and LWS chickens have six extra base pairs in the 5'-untranslated region. The LWS male ghrelin gene expression was significantly lower than in the LWS female and HWS male. The 84 day-old males had lower gene expression than 84 day-old females and 363 day-old males. When comparing different feeding methods, females allowed ad libitum feed consumption had a lower cycle threshold cycle number (CT) ratio than males allowed ad libitum feeding or fasted females. However, the inflection point cycle number of ad libitum fed females was lower than that of the ad libitum fed males, but greater than the fasted females. Ghrelin gene expression was different between the two lines of chickens, and the expression of ghrelin in chickens was influenced by body weight selection, sex, age, and feeding condition. / Ph. D.

Central to the application of genomics to animal agriculture are DNA markers, especially microsatellites and single nucleotide polymorphisms. These markers are the resources necessary for constructing genetic maps and for determining how improved and unimproved animal breeds are related. Here, DNA markers were developed for two avian species, the turkey, Meleagris gallopavo, and the budgerigar (budgie), Melopsittacus undulatus. Genomic libraries enriched for simple sequence repeats were used to generate about 70 budgie sequences of a total length of 38 kb. From these sequences, 9 primer pairs were designed and used to screen for informativeness in a panel of DNA samples from unrelated budgie samples. All but one of the nine primers evaluated were polymorphic with the number of alleles ranging from two to four. Comparative analysis involving the use of these budgie primers showed moderate sequence similarity to turkey and chicken. The genomic libraries and the comparative sequences provide useful genomic reagents that could be used to construct a budgie genome map. In the turkey, ten previously described microsatellites and a gene-based single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) were used to evaluate the relatedness of heritage varieties to a commercial strain. Estimates of Nei's genetic distance (D) and genetic differentiation (Rst) between populations using microsatellite markers showed that the commercial strain is genetically more closely related to the Bourbon Red and Narragansett and least related to the Royal palm and Spanish Black. Gene flow (Nm) level was highest between the commercial and Bourbon Red populations. The SNP analysis by PCR-RFLP revealed that the commercial strain was more closely related to the Spanish black and Narragansett and least related to the Bourbon red and Blue slate. Though results of the two marker systems, microsatellite and SNP, were inconsistent, they provide insights into using heritage turkeys to genetically improve commercial populations by introgression. The present thesis investigation showed that DNA markers provide a strong opportunity to develop genomic reagents needed to test hypotheses in little-studied agriculturally important and model avian species. / Master of Science

Tesis por compendio / [EN] The determination of genetic biomarkers is progressively becoming more extended and popular, being commercialized even in kits for personalized medicine. Establishing specific genotype variations for each patient, such as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), could be a fundamental tool in the field of diagnosis, prognosis and therapy selection. However, the use of DNA testing is not fully implemented in general healthcare, mainly due to technical and economic barriers associated to the current technologies, which are limited only to specialized centers and large hospitals. In this thesis, the main goal was to overcome these obstacles by developing simpler, faster and more affordable point-of-care (POC) genotyping systems. Allele discrimination was achieved by employing isothermal enzymatic reactions, like recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), ligation of oligonucleotides and loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). These processes were integrated to colorimetric indicators and immunoenzymatic assays, in a microarray format. Using compact discs and polycarbonate chips as platforms, the detection was achieved through widespread electronics, like disc-reader, flatbed scanner and smartphone. To demonstrate their capacities, the resulting systems were applied for identifying SNPs in human samples, associated to therapies for tobacco smoking cessation, major depression disorder and blood clotting-related diseases. After selecting the proper conditions, all studied strategies discriminated SNPs in samples containing as low as 100 copies of genomic DNA, with an error rate below 15%. Most importantly, the developed methods have reduced assays times varying between 70 and 140 minutes, at a cost similar to a conventional PCR-based analog, but maintaining or raising amplification efficiency and eliminating the need of specialized temperature cyclers and fluorescence scanners. In conclusion, the biosensors based in isothermal reactions and consumer electronics devices greatly improve the competitivity of POC DNA analysis. It was demonstrated that the technologies developed in this thesis could support genotyping assays in low-resource areas, such as primary healthcare centers and emerging countries. Through this democratization of genetic testing and by performing adequate association studies, molecular diagnostics and personalized medicine practices could have their application extended to the clinical routine. / [ES] La determinación de biomarcadores genéticos es cada vez más extensa y popular, estando incluso comercializándose kits para medicina personalizada. Establecer las variaciones específicas en el genotipo de cada paciente, como los polimorfismos de un solo nucleótido (SNP) podría ser una herramienta fundamental en el campo del diagnóstico, pronóstico y selección de la terapia. Sin embargo, el uso de pruebas de ADN no se encuentra completamente implementado en la atención médica general, principalmente debido a las barreras técnicas y económicas asociadas a las tecnologías actuales, limitadas solamente a centros especializados y grandes hospitales. En esta tesis, el objetivo principal fue superar estos obstáculos mediante el desarrollo de sistemas de genotipado point-of-care (POC), más simples, rápidos y asequibles. La discriminación alélica se logró mediante el uso de reacciones enzimáticas isotermas, como la amplificación de la recombinasa polimerasa (RPA), la ligación de oligonucleótidos y la amplificación isotérmica mediada por bucle (LAMP). Estos procesos se integraron a indicadores colorimétricos y ensayos inmunoenzimáticos en formato de micromatriz. Utilizando discos compactos y chips de policarbonato como plataforma de ensayo, se ha logrado la detección mediante dispositivos electrónicos de consumo, como un lector de discos, escáner documental y teléfono móvil. Para demostrar sus capacidades, los sistemas resultantes se aplicaron a la identificación de SNPs en muestras humanas, asociados a terapias antitabaquismo, para depresión y enfermedades relacionadas con la coagulación de la sangre. Tras seleccionar las condiciones adecuadas, todas las estrategias estudiadas discriminaron SNPs en muestras conteniendo tan solo 100 copias de ADN genómico, con una tasa de error inferior al 15%. Más importante, los métodos desarrollados han reducido los tiempos de ensayo a valores entre 70 y 140 minutos, a un coste similar a un análogo convencional basado en la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR), pero manteniendo o aumentando la eficiencia de amplificación y eliminando la necesidad de termocicladores y escáneres de fluorescencia. En conclusión, los biosensores basados en reacciones isotérmicas y dispositivos de electrónica de consumo mejoran en gran medida la competitividad del análisis POC de ADN. Se ha demostrado que las tecnologías desarrolladas en esta tesis podrían apoyar los ensayos de genotipado en áreas de recursos escasos, como centros de atención primaria y países emergentes. A través de esta democratización de las pruebas genéticas y realización estudios de asociación adecuados, el diagnóstico molecular y las prácticas en medicina personalizada podrían extender su aplicación a la rutina clínica. / [CA] La determinació de biomarcadors genètics és cada vegada més extensa i popular, estant fins i tot comercialitzant-se kits per a medicina personalitzada. Establir les variacions específiques en el genotip de cada pacient, com els polimorfismes d'un sol nucleòtid (SNP) podria ser una eina fonamental en el camp del diagnòstic, pronòstic i selecció de la teràpia. No obstant això, l'ús de proves d'ADN no es troba completament implementat en l'atenció mèdica general, principalment a causa de les barreres tècniques i econòmiques associades a les tecnologies actuals, limitades solament a centres especialitzats i grans hospitals. En aquesta tesi, l'objectiu principal va ser superar aquests obstacles mitjançant el desenvolupament de sistemes de genotipat point-of-care (POC), més simples, ràpids i assequibles. La discriminació al·lèlica es va aconseguir mitjançant l'ús de reaccions enzimàtiques isotermes, com l'amplificació de la recombinasa polimerasa (RPA), la lligació de oligonucleòtids i l'amplificació isotèrmica mediada per bucle (LAMP). Aquests processos es van integrar a indicadors colorimètrics i assajos inmunoenzimàtics en format de micromatriu. Utilitzant discos compactes i xips de policarbonat com a plataforma d'assaig, s'ha conseguit la detecció mitjançant dispositius electrònics de consum, com un lector de discos, escàner documental i telèfon mòbil. Per a demostrar les seues capacitats, els sistemes resultants es van aplicar a la identificació de polimorfismes en mostres humanes, associats a teràpies antitabaquisme, per a depressió i malalties relacionades amb la coagulació de la sang. Després de seleccionar les condicions adequades, totes les estratègies estudiades van ser capaces de discriminar SNPs en mostres contenint tan sols 100 còpies d'ADN genòmic, amb una taxa d'error inferior al 15%. Més important, els mètodes desenvolupats han reduït els temps d'assaig a valors entre 70 i 140 minuts, a un cost similar a un anàleg convencional basat en la reacció en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR), però mantenint o augmentant l'eficiència d'amplificació i eliminant la necessitat de termocicladors i escàners de fluorescència. En conclusió, els biosensors basats en reaccions isotèrmiques i dispositius d'electrònica de consum milloren en gran manera la competitivitat de l'anàlisi POC del ADN. S'ha demostrat que les tecnologies desenvolupades en aquesta tesi podrien donar suport als assajos de genotipat en àrees de recursos escassos, com a centres d'atenció primària i països emergents. A través d'aquesta democratització de les proves genètiques i realització estudis d'associació adequats, el diagnòstic molecular i les pràctiques en medicina personalitzada podrien estendre la seua aplicació a la rutina clínica. / [PT] A determinação de biomarcadores genéticos está tornando-se cada vez mais extensa e popular, sendo comercializada até em kits para medicina personalizada. O estabelecimento de variações específicas de genotipo para cada paciente, tais como os polimorfismo de nucleotídeo único, pode ser uma ferramenta fundamental no campo do diagnóstico, prognóstico e seleção de terapias. No entanto, o uso de testes de DNA ainda não encontra-se totalmente implementado na área de saúde geral, principalmente devido às barreiras técnicas e econômicas associadas às tecnologias atuais, limitadas apenas a centros especializados e grandes hospitais. Nesta tese, o principal objetivo foi superar esses obstáculos desenvolvendo sistemas de genotipagem point-of-care (POC) de DNA, mais simples, rápidos e acessíveis. A discriminação de alelos foi alcançada empregando reações enzimáticas isotérmicas, como amplificação por recombinase polimerase (RPA), ligação de oligonucleotídeos e amplificação isotérmica mediada por loop (LAMP). Tais processos foram integrados a indicadores colorimétricos e ensaios imunoenzimáticos, em formato micromatriz. Usando discos compactos e chips de policarbonato como plataforma de ensaio, os analitos foram detectados através de dispositivos eletrônicos de consumo, como leitor de disco, scanner de mesa e smartphone. Para demonstrar suas capacidades, os sistemas resultantes foram aplicados para identificação de polimorfismos em amostras de DNA humano, associados a terapias antitabagismo, para depressão e doenças relacionadas à coagulação do sangue. Após a seleção das condições adequadas, todas as estratégias estudadas foram capazes de discriminar SNPs em amostras contendo até 100 cópias de DNA genômico, com uma taxa de erro inferior a 15%. Mais importante, os métodos desenvolvidos reduziram o tempo de ensaio a valores entre 70 e 140 minutos, com um custo similar a um método análogo baseado em reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR), mas mantendo ou aumentando a eficiência da amplificação e eliminando a necessidade de cicladores de temperatura e scanners de fluorescência especializados. Em conclusão, os biosensores baseados em reações enzimáticas isotérmicas e dispositivos eletrônicos de consumo incrementam grandemente a competitividade da análise POC de DNA. Foi demonstrado que as tecnologias desenvolvidas nesta tese poderiam dar suporte a ensaios de genotipagem em lugares com poucos recursos, como centros de atenção primária e países emergentes. Através desta democratização dos testes genéticos e com a realização de estudos de associação adequados, o diagnóstico molecular e as práticas de medicina personalizada poderiam ter sua aplicação extendida à rotina clínica. / The authors acknowledge the financial support received from the Generalitat Valenciana (GVA-PROMETEOII/2014/040 Project and GRISOLIA/2014/024 PhD grant) and the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (MINECO CTQ2013-45875-R project) / Yamanaka, ES. (2020). Isothermal-based DNA biosensors for application in pharmacogenetics [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/148366 / Compendio

Yes / Introduction: We examined the relationship between Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype and n-3 highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) levels in participants of the seAFOod trial, who were undergoing colonoscopy surveillance after removal of colorectal polyps. Methods: Baseline and on-treatment (eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] 2 g daily or placebo for 6 months) levels of n-3 HUFAs, and plasma 18-hydroxyeicosapentaenoic acid (HEPE), were analysed according to APOE genotype (based on polymorphisms rs429358 and rs7412) in 584 participants. Results: Before treatment, APOE2/2 individuals had lower levels, and APOE4/4 participants had higher levels, of n-3 HUFAs, including EPA, than APOE3/3 counterparts (P < 0.01 for the APOE2/2 versus APOE4/4 comparison). After EPA supplementation, n-3 HUFA levels were not significantly different when stratified by APOE genotype, although APOE4 carriers displayed lower plasma 18-HEPE levels than individuals without an APOE4 allele (P = 0.002). Conclusions: APOE genotype is associated with differential n-3 HUFA and 18-HEPE levels in individuals with multiple colorectal polyps. / This project (NIHR128210) was funded by the Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) Programme, an MRC and NIHR partnership. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the MRC, NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. MAH is a NIHR Senior Investigator. MAH is supported by Cancer Research UK grant C23434/A24939.

The studies in this thesis describe the development of a microarray based minisequencing system and its application to highly parallel genotyping of single nucleotide polymorphisms. The technical developments included identification of a three-dimensional microarray surface coating with high binding capacity for oligonucleotides modified with amino groups as the most optimal one for the system. The system was also established for multiplexed, reproducible quantitative analysis of SNP alleles both on the level of DNA and RNA. The sensitivity of the system to distinguish SNP alleles present as a minority in a mixed sample was found to be 1-6%. The microarray based minisequencing system was applied in a pharmacogenetic study on antihypertensive drug response. A panel of 74 SNPs located in candidate genes related to blood pressure regulation were genotyped in DNA samples from hypertensive patients that had been treated with the antihypertensive drugs irbesartan or atenolol. Multiple regression analysis of the genotype data against the reduction in blood pressure identified genotype combinations of four to five SNPs that explain 44-56% of the reduction in blood pressure in the two treatment groups. The genotypes of two individual SNPs in the angiotensinogen (AGT) gene and a SNP in the low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene appeared to be associated to reduced blood pressure after treatment with atenolol, while a SNP in the apolipoprotein B (APOB) gene was associated to blood pressure reduction after irbesartan treatment. The genotype of one SNP in the adrenergic alpha-2A-receptor gene (ADRA2A) was related to the reduction in left ventricular mass following atenolol treatment while the genotypes of two SNPs, one in the APOB gene and one in the AGT gene were related to the reduction in left ventricular mass in the patients treated with irbesartan.