Sequence analysis of ABO and its homologues is valid for species identification.

BACKGROUND: ABO and its paralogues, such as A3GALT2 and GGTA1, encoding α1,3-Gal(NAc) transferases, belong to the glycosyltransferase 6 (GT6) gene family. We have developed an alternative method for the identification of species based on sequence variations within the GT6 gene family, which is applicable to degraded DNA. METHODS/MATERIALS: DNA samples prepared from control mammalian species, together with an unknown sample, were polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified using one universal primer pair targeting the sequences in the last coding exons of the GT6 gene family, yielding 141-bp products derived from those multiple loci. After cloning, sequence determination and Basic Local Alignment Search Tool analysis, phylogenetic trees were constructed. RESULTS: Comparison of the sequences obtained with those references showed good concordance with each of the starting species of mammals. This system was able to identify 'mouse' or 'rodent' as the origin of the unknown sample. CONCLUSION: For the identification of species, genotyping of ABO and its homologues would be applicable for the analysis of degraded DNA samples. Although the method employed in this study is likely valid for mammals, it would not be suitable for birds, fish and reptiles. It may be possible to improve the present method for use with other species by employing an alternative universal primer set.

ABO alleles are linked with haplotypes of an erythroid cell-specific regulatory element in intron 1 with a few exceptions attributable to genetic recombination.

Recent investigation of transcriptional regulation of the ABO genes has identified a candidate erythroid cell-specific regulatory element, named the +5·8-kb site, in the first intron of ABO. Six haplotypes of the site have been reported previously. The present genetic population study demonstrated that each haplotype was mostly linked with specific ABO alleles with a few exceptions, possibly as a result of hybrid formation between common ABO alleles. Thus, investigation of these haplotypes could provide a clue to further elucidation of ABO alleles.

Presence of nucleotide substitutions in the ABO promoter in individuals with phenotypes A3 and B3.

Recently, the involvement of mutation and deletion of transcription regulatory elements in the Bm , Am , A3 and B3 phenotypes has been reported. In the present study, we carried out genetic analysis of individuals with A3 and B3 using peptide nucleic acid-clamping PCR to exclude amplification of O alleles. Two single-point mutations, -76G>C and -68G>T, were found in the ABO promoter on the A-allele in three A3 individuals and on the B allele in a B3 individual, respectively. Transient transfection of luciferase reporter plasmids carrying the same mutations into K562 cells revealed decreased luciferase activity in comparison with that carrying the wild-type promoter. These observations suggest that the mutations downregulate the promoter activity, leading to reduction in A- or B-antigen expression on red blood cells in individuals with the A3 and B3 phenotypes.

A 3.0-kb deletion including an erythroid cell-specific regulatory element in intron 1 of the ABO blood group gene in an individual with the Bm phenotype.

We developed a sequence-specific primer PCR (SSP-PCR) for detection of a 5.8-kb deletion (B(m) 5.8) involving an erythroid cell-specific regulatory element in intron 1 of the ABO blood group gene. Using this SSP-PCR, we performed genetic analysis of 382 individuals with Bm or ABm. The 5.8-kb deletion was found in 380 individuals, and disruption of the GATA motif in the regulatory element was found in one individual. Furthermore, a novel 3.0-kb deletion involving the element (B(m) 3.0) was demonstrated in the remaining individual. Comparisons of single-nucleotide polymorphisms and microsatellites in intron 1 between B(m) 5.8 and B(m) 3.0 suggested that these deletions occurred independently.

Blood group B gene is barely expressed in in vitro erythroid culture of Bm-derived CD34+ cells without an erythroid cell-specific regulatory element.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Previously, a weak phenotype Am or Bm was assumed to be caused by a reduction of A or B gene expression in bone marrow cells, but not in mucus-secreting cells. However, ABO expression has not been examined in erythroid progenitor cells of Am or Bm individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out in vitro erythroid differentiation of CD34(+) cells from peripheral blood of a Bm individual harbouring a 3.0-kb deletion including an erythroid cell-specific regulatory element, named the +5.8-kb site, in intron 1 of the human ABO blood group gene. RESULTS: During the in vitro differentiation of CD34(+) cells from this Bm individual into erythroid cells, B-antigens were not detectable on the cultured cells by flow cytometric analysis, and allele-specific RT-PCR consistently detected the transcripts from the O allele, but not from the B allele. Moreover, chromatin immunoprecipitation assay demonstrated that both RUNX1 and GATA-2 or GATA-1 were bound to the +5.8-kb site in cultured erythroid cells expressing ABO. CONCLUSION: It is likely that the +5.8-kb site enhances transcription from the ABO promoter in erythroid cells through binding of RUNX1 and GATA-2 or GATA-1.

Deletion of the RUNX1 binding site in the erythroid cell-specific regulatory element of the ABO gene in two individuals with the Am phenotype.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: An erythroid cell-specific regulatory element, referred to as the +5·8-kb site, had been identified in the first intron of the human ABO blood group gene. Subsequent studies revealed that either a 5·8-kb deletion including the +5·8-kb site or disruption of a GATA factor binding motif at the site was present in all Bm and ABm individuals examined. We investigated the molecular mechanism of the Am phenotype, which is analogous to the Bm phenotype. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Genomic DNAs were prepared from peripheral blood of two Am individuals, and the nucleotide sequences were investigated using PCR and direct sequencing. Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and promoter assay with K562 cells were carried out. RESULTS: A novel 23-bp nucleotide deletion was found at the +5·8-kb site in both individuals. EMSAs demonstrated binding of the transcription factor RUNX1 to the nucleotides within the deletion. Promoter assays showed that the deletion reduced the transcriptional activity of the +5·8-kb site. CONCLUSION: Deletion of the 23-bp nucleotides including the RUNX1 binding site decreases transcription of the A allele, resulting in the reduction in A antigen expression in the Am phenotype.

Presence of nucleotide substitutions in transcriptional regulatory elements such as the erythroid cell-specific enhancer-like element and the ABO promoter in individuals with phenotypes A3 and B3, respectively.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: An erythroid cell-specific regulatory element, referred to as the +5.8-kb site, has been identified in the first intron of the human ABO blood group gene. Subsequent studies have revealed involvement of deletion or mutation at the site in phenotypes Am , Bm and ABm . We investigated the molecular mechanisms involved in the A3 and B3 phenotypes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Genomic DNAs were prepared from peripheral blood of seven A3 individuals and twelve B3 or AB3 individuals, and the nucleotide sequences were investigated using PCR and sequencing. Promoter assays were performed with K562 cells. RESULTS: Two single point-mutations at +5893 or +5909 in the site on the A-allele were found in A3 individuals, while promoter assays revealed decreased activity at the site as a result of each substitution. In two B3 individuals, a single point-mutation at -77 in the ABO promoter on the B-allele was found, and the substitution was demonstrated to reduce the promoter activity. CONCLUSION: Nucleotide substitutions in the transcriptional regulatory elements such as the +5.8-kb site and the ABO promoter appear to decrease transcription from the A- and B-alleles, resulting in reduction in A- and B-antigen expression in A3 and B3, respectively.

Monocyte expression of the human prointerleukin 1 beta gene (IL1B) is dependent on promoter sequences which bind the hematopoietic transcription factor Spi-1/PU.1.

Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) is produced primarily by stimulated monocytes, suggesting that the IL1B gene, which codes for this protein, depends upon at least one cell-type-specific factor. Our previous characterization of the IL1B promoter indicated that the region between -131 and +12 is sufficient to direct cell-type-specific expression of a reporter gene (F. Shirakawa, K. Saito, C.A. Bonagura, D.L. Galson, M.J. Fenton, A.C. Webb, and P. E. Auron, Mol. Cell. Biol. 13:1332-1344, 1993). We now show that a sequence located between positions -50 and -39 of the IL1B promoter binds the tissue-restricted Ets domain transcription factor Spi-1/PU.1 (Spi-1). Mutation of this site abrogates binding of this factor and reduces the ability of the IL1B promoter to function in macrophages. A second Spi-1 binding site located between positions -115 and -97 also is required for maximal IL1B promoter activity in the presence of the proximal Spi-1 binding site. In addition, an activation domain-deficient Spi-1 expression vector acts as a dominant-negative inhibitor of reporter gene expression in a monocyte cell line. Finally, the IL1B promoter, which is inactive in Spi-1-deficient HeLa cells, is activated in these cells by cotransfection with a Spi-1 expression vector. Thus, the cell-type-specific expression of the IL1B promoter appears to be dependent on the binding of Spi-1.

A single amino acid substitution can shift the optimum pH of DNase I for enzyme activity: biochemical and molecular analysis of the piscine DNase I family.

We purified four piscine deoxyribonucleases I (DNases I) from Anguilla japonica, Pagrus major, Cryprus carpio and Oreochromis mossambica. The purified enzymes had an optimum pH for activity of approximately 8.0, significantly higher than those of mammalian enzymes. cDNAs encoding the first three of these piscine DNases I were cloned, and the sequence of the Takifugu rubripes enzyme was obtained from a database search. Nucleotide sequence analyses revealed relatively greater structural variations among the piscine DNase I family than among the other vertebrate DNase I families. From comparison of their catalytic properties, the vertebrate DNases I could be classified into two groups: a low-pH group, such as the mammalian enzymes, with a pH optimum of 6.5-7.0, and a high-pH group, such as the reptile, amphibian and piscine enzymes, with a pH optimum of approximately 8.0. The His residue at position 44 of the former group is replaced by Asp in the latter. Replacement of Asp44 of piscine and amphibian DNases I by His decreased their optimum pH to a value similar to that of the low-pH group. Therefore, Asp44His might be involved in an evolutionarily critical change in the optimum pH for the activity of vertebrate DNases I.

Elevation of ratio of urinary N-acetylneuraminlactose to free sialic acid in some advanced cancer patients.

We estimated the levels of free sialic acid and sialylated oligosaccharides excreted in the urine of normal donors (n = 10) and patients with gastric cancer (n = 6) and colorectal cancer (n = 4). The total sialic acid level in cancer patients was similar to that in normal donors. However, the ratios of glycosidically bound sialic acids to free sialic acid were higher in some advanced cancer patients than in the normal donors. A major component of sialylated oligosaccharides was N-acetylneuraminyl alpha (2-->3) lactose. The elevation of the urinary ratio of this sialylated oligosaccharide to free sialic acid observed in some advanced cancer patients in this study may reflect the elevation of sialyltransferase activity in tumor tissues.

Progress in the study of ABO blood group system.

Progress in the study of ABO blood group system during the last three decades was reviewed according to following 5 items. 1. Structure of H-, A- and B-active saccharides isolated from the globoside fractions from human erythrocytes. 2. Enzyme characterization of a blood group A-gene specified alpha-N-acetyl-galactosaminyltransferase (A-enzyme), and a blood group B-gene specified alpha-galactosyltransferase (B-enzyme). 3. Immunological properties of the A- and B-enzyme. 4. The cDNA structures of human blood group ABO genes. 5. Transcriptional regulation of the human blood group ABO genes.

DNA polymorphisms in the 5'-flanking sequence of human ABO blood group genes and their association with the alleles for the common ABO phenotypes.

Previously we found that minisatellite located on the 5'-flanking sequence far from the transcription start site of the human ABO blood group genes and containing four tandem repeats of a 43 base pair (bp) consensus sequence was an enhancer element for the transcription of the ABO genes. Concerning the number of tandem repeats in the minisatellite, there are at least three alleles: ABOU1*1, ABOU1*3, and ABOU1*4. Besides the variability of the minisatellite, another location of the 5'-flanking sequence has two alleles associated with the insertion of the 35 bp DNA segment: ABOU2*0 allele with an uneventful sequence and ABOU2*1 allele with the 35-bp insertion, respectively. Both of the DNA polymorphisms are closely associated with the common alleles of blood group ABO phenotypes. Namely, the 5'-flanking configuration consisting of the alleles ABOU1*1 and ABOU2*0 links up with the common A1 allele, whereas, the other 5'-flanking configuration consisting of the alleles ABOU1*4 and ABOU2*1 links up with common B and O alleles (abbreviated as 1-0-A1, 4-1-B and 4-1-O). In these linkages between three loci of alleles of 102 unrelated healthy individuals, two are not consistent with the rules described above. One is 3-1-O and the other is 4-1-A2. These findings suggest that the 3 or 4 times repeats of a 43 bp consensus sequence at ABOU1 locus and the 35 bp-insertion at ABOU2 locus found in 5'-flanking sequence of the B and O genes are incidental to the ABO gene evolution, subject to the ancestral A1 gene.

Regional differences in homicide patterns in five areas of Japan.

This article describes regional differences in the homicide patterns which occurred in Sapporo City and the surrounding area, and in Akita, Ibaraki, Chiba and Toyama prefectures in Japan. Information collected from each case of homicide included factors such as age, sex of the victim and assailant, causes of death, disposition of the offender, relationship between assailant and victim, reasons for criminal action, et al. The statistical features of homicidal episodes among the five different regions showed considerable variation, as follows. The mean death rates for homicide (number of victims per 100,000 of population) during the period 1986-1995 were 0.44 (Sapporo), 0.8 (Akita), 0.58 (Toyama), 0.7 (Ibaraki) and 0.75 (Chiba), respectively. Close family relationship between the victim and assailant was observed in the homicidal acts which occurred in Sapporo, Akita and Toyama. Assailant's relationship to victim was commonly extra-familial in Ibaraki and Chiba-neighboring megalopolis Tokyo, where some events of murder by a foreigner occurred. Homicide by female assailant, murder by mentally abnormal killers and homicide-suicide events were closely associated with family members. And these factors contributed to the considerable number of victims in Sapporo, Akita and Toyama. But, this close family relationship of the victim to the assailant did not correspond with the elevation in the number of deaths, and it was rather inversely related to the higher death rates recognized in Ibaraki and Chiba. This comparative study suggested that rapid urbanization considerably affects regional differences in homicide patterns.

Estimation of postmortem interval using kinetic analysis of the third component of complement (C3) cleavage.

To estimate postmortem interval (PMI), spontaneous cleavage of the third component of complement (C3) was studied in aged blood and cadaveric blood by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. Using the kinetics of C3 cleavage in vitro described as dC/dt = -kC, where C is the concentration of native C3 at time t and k is a first-order rate constant, Arrhenius' equation, and another equation which assumes a linear drop of body temperature after death, the percentages of C3 cleavage were calculated. There was a significant positive correlation between the calculated percentages and the measured percentages of up to 10% in cadaveric blood. We found that the comparison between the calculated percentage of C3 cleavage for each optional postmortem interval and the measured percentage of up to 10% in cadaveric blood leads to the estimation of PMI. This approach is one step towards the development of an accurate method for determining PMI based on C3 cleavage, that is, on a first-order reaction.

Estimation of postmortem interval based on the third component of complement (C3) cleavage.

To estimate postmortem interval (PMI), the spontaneous conversion of the native third component of complement (C3) to its derived fragments in whole blood was studied by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. C3 cleavages in vitro at different temperatures showed that the incubation of whole blood at a higher temperature led to a faster conversion of beta 1C (native C3) to beta 1A (C3c). In cadaveric blood, we found a significant positive correlation between percentage of C3 cleavage and PMI. From these results, it is possible to estimate PMI from the ratios of C3 cleavage.

Acute cerebellar hemorrhage in a patient with Klinefelter syndrome: XXY karyotype obtained postmortem from cells from pericardial fluid.

A case of Klinefelter syndrome and a spontaneous cerebellar hemorrhage in a 12-year-old boy is presented. Autopsy revealed that the hemorrhage was due to the rupture of a dilated artery in an arteriovenous malformation in the right cerebellar hemisphere. The small, undescended testes exhibited partial atrophy of the seminiferous tubules. Postmortem chromosome analysis of cells from the pericardial fluid demonstrated a 47, XXY karyotype. He had previous surgical treatment for bilateral thumb polydactyly and patent ductus arteriosus. In juvenile cases of sudden death with overlapping morphological dysgenesis, postmortem karyotyping may provide important diagnostic information.

Homicide patterns in the Toyama Prefecture, Japan.

Homicides occurring in the Toyama prefecture, Japan, during the past 10 years were reviewed. Between 1985 and 1994, 56 offenders committed 63 homicides. The mean death rate for homicide was 0.55 per 100,000. The ratio of male to female victims was 1:1, while 82% of the assailants were male and 18% were female. The victim and the assailant had a close family relationship in 58.7% of the cases. Dyadic death (homicide followed by suicide) accounted for 27% of all victims. Twenty-nine per cent of the victims were murdered by mentally unstable offenders, and in almost half (44%) of the cases the offender was convicted. Homicides during robbery were rare (only two cases), and there was only one homicide during sexual assault. Death was caused by blunt instrument injury in 38.1% of cases, asphyxia in 31.7%, stabbing in 17.5%, burns in 9.5% and shooting in 3.2% (only two cases). The majority (80%) of homicides occurred at the residence of the victim(s). None of the victims had a history of drug abuse. Social conditions in Toyama prefecture, and their possible relevance to local homicide patterns, are discussed briefly.

Forensic application of angiography on injured brain.

Craniocerebral angiography, injecting radiopaque contrast medium through the common carotid arteries under the normal blood pressure, was a very useful way to search the cerebral injuries, especially the location of arterial rupture. We think our post-mortem examination using angiography will open up a new way to investigate cerebral injuries.

[Five years' experience with new medical examiner's system in Tsukuba].

Medical examiner's system has been authorized by the act of Autopsy and preservation of corpses and the government ordinance for medical examiner's system since 1949 in Japan, and introduced only in five large cities (Tokyo metropolis, Osaka, Kobe, Yokohama, Nagoya). Recently in Ibaraki Prefecture, new forensic medical service system (Tsukuba Medical Examiner's office) was instituted. This new system is not authorized by the government ordinance, but authorized by the regional ordinance of Ibaraki prefectural governor, therefore this system is enforce only in Ibaraki prefecture. In our new system, medical examiner does not have discretionary power to order an autopsy, and family have a right to reject it, therefore an autopsy rate is very low (about 2%). One hundred and forty four autopsies have been conducted under this system. Ninety four of 144 autopsy cases (67%) were dead from sickness or natural death, in remaining 50 cases manner of death was accidental, suicidal or undetermined. The medical examiner does not conduct autopsies for criminal investigation or homicide cases in Ibaraki prefecture. These autopsies are conducted at the department of legal medicine, University of Tsukuba.

[Analysis of pedestrian injuries in traffic accidents: impact point, injury portion, and injury severity].

We conducted in-depth case studies of traffic accidents involving 118 pedestrians, who were struck by the fronts of bonnet-type cars. The data were reviewed in order to correlate injury severity with pedestrian age, and area of body contact, contact surface of vehicle or the local environment, and impact speed. It was found that head injuries caused by impacts against the top surface of car bonnets and leg injuries caused by front bumpers both showed high incidence rates. Both head and leg injuries caused by striking the vehicle were more severe than those caused by striking the road surface. In cases of impact between the head and the solid portion of the vehicle, such as the A-pillar, or in cases of secondary impact between the head and underhood solid structures such as shock tower, injuries tended to be more severe. The location of head impact varied according to the stature of the pedestrians.