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ABSTRACT: The 677T allele of the MTHFR gene has been suggested to represent a factor of risk for male infertility. In order to confirm this association, we investigated the presence of the 677T allele in 93 Italian infertile patients, selected after the exclusion of other possible genetic causes of infertility, and in 105 Italian fertile controls. The homozygous 677TT genotype was present in 20.4% of patients and 27.6% of controls. These results do not support an association between the MTHFR 677T allele and male infertility in Italy.
Journal of endocrinological investigation 08/2003; 26(7):620-2. · 1.57 Impact Factor
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L Stuppia,
P Di Fulvio,
G Aceto,
S Pintor,
S Veschi,
V Gatta, A Colosimo,
E Cianchetti,
A Cama,
R Mariani-Costantini,
P Battista,
G Palka
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ABSTRACT: We report on the screening of the entire BRCA1/BRCA2 coding sequence by SSCP, PTT, and direct sequencing in 68 Italian families with recurrent breast or ovarian cancer. For each investigated proband, the probability of being carrier of a BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation was evaluated using the BRCAPRO software. We detected BRCA1/BRCA2 mutations in 8 patients (11.7%). However, if considering only patients with a carrier probability >10%, the detection rate was 36.8%, confirming the usefulness of the BRCAPRO software. One change (BRCA1 4172insT) was a novel mutation not reported in BIC database.
Human Mutation 08/2003; 22(2):178-9. · 5.69 Impact Factor
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BioTechniques 05/2003; 34(4):706-8. · 2.67 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Hearing impairment (HI) is the most frequent sensory defect with wide genetic heterogeneity. Approximately 80% of genetic hearing loss is non-syndromic and 15-25% of exhibit autosomal dominant inheritance. We analysed an Italian three generation family in which non-syndromic hearing impairment is transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait. Onset of HI in all affected subjects occurred in the second decade of life, with subsequent gradual progression from moderate to profound loss. HI was bilateral and symmetrical, involving all frequencies. After exclusion of the known DFNA loci with markers from the Hereditary Hearing Loss Homepage (URL: http://dnalab-www.uia.ac.be/dnalab/hhh), a genome wide scan was carried out using 358 highly informative microsatellite markers. Significant linkage (Zmax=4.21, theta=0) was obtained with chromosome 2p12 markers. The results were confirmed by multipoint analysis (Zmax=4.51), using the location score method. Haplotype analysis defined a 9.6 cM disease gene interval on chromosome 2 without overlap with the other identified loci. Fine mapping and identification of candidate genes are in progress.
Journal of Medical Genetics 05/2003; 40(4):278-81. · 6.36 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Several studies, some of which have been updated during the recent workshop entitled Genome Medicine: Gene Therapy for the Millennium (Rome, 30 September-3 October 2001), have highlighted the usefulness of extrachromosomal or episomal genes in gene targeting strategies. Due to the selectable nature of antibiotic resistance and reporter genes, targeted correction of mutated versions of these extrachromosomal genes allows an accurate quantification of correction frequency. In addition, these model systems facilitate and speed up the optimization of critical parameters for the successful application of gene targeting approaches. In fact, type of cell line, gene delivery system, molar ratio of episomal target/therapeutic constructs, nature and design of therapeutic complexes and different recombinative proteins may be critical for the actual feasibility of each method. Although virus-based approaches are now being investigated as well, this article is focusing on the targeted correction of extrachromosomal genes by the use of small DNA fragments (SDF), chimeric RNA/DNA oligonucleotides (RDO) and triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFO).
Gene Therapy 07/2002; 9(11):679-82. · 3.71 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The cellular uptake and distribution of cationic liposomes Dc-Chol/DOPECFTR gene complexes were assessed by electronic and confocal laser scanner microscopy (CLSM) for the CFTR gene transfer to human adenocarcinoma and tracheal epithelial cell lines. Cationic lipid forms unilamellar and multilamellar vesicles capable of rapid and efficient transport of gene into target cells. The number of fluorescent complexes was increasing with time in cells up to 6 hours showing a punctate and homogeneous DNA distribution in the cytoplasmatic and nuclear compartments, including the nucleolus. No significant difference in the biochemical and cellular behavior was observed between the investigated system and other systems previously tested. This study adds new insights into the CFTR cationic liposome-mediated gene delivery.
Biochemistry and molecular biology international 03/1999; 47(2):337-44.
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G Novelli,
A Mari,
F Amati, A Colosimo,
F Sangiuolo,
M Bengala,
E Conti,
A Ratti,
R Bordoni,
A Pizzuti,
A Baldini,
R Crinelli,
F Pandolfi,
M Magnani,
B Dallapiccola
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ABSTRACT: We report the genomic organization, RNA and protein expression patterns of the gene encoding for the human homolog of the yeast ubiquitin fusion-degradation protein-1 (UFD1L). This enzyme is involved in a ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic pathway (UFD), firstly described in yeast. The human UFD1L gene is organized into 12 exons ranging in size from 33 to 161 bp. Sequence analysis of the 5'-flanking region of the gene revealed a high GC content, multiple CCAAT-binding motifs, CREB, CFT, and AP-2 sites. RNA transcripts were detected in all tissues and cell lines examined, including thymus, thymocytes, T- and B-cells, fibroblasts, chorionic villi, and amniocytes. In Western blot, the UFD1L antibody demonstrated the presence of multiple protein isoforms in all the tested tissues. Expression profile and promoter characteristics suggest UFD1L is a housekeeping gene with implications in the pathogenesis of DiGeorge/velo-cardio-facial syndrome, due to 22q11.2 deletions.
Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 04/1998; 1396(2):158-62. · 4.66 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The efficacy of CFTR gene transfer mediated by cationic liposomes Dc-Chol/DOPE into cystic fibrosis (CF) tracheal epithelial cells carrying defective processing mutations (S549N/N1303K), was assessed by studying mRNA and protein expression of the recombinant product. Appreciable levels of mRNA transcripts were detected 48 h after transfection, while complete translocation of the recombinant CFTR to the apical membrane of epithelial cells was observed after 72 h following transfection. Our results suggest that in vitro restoration of a normal CFTR processing and migration to the cell plasmalemma requires 72 h at least as demonstrated by immunocyto-fluorescence using the monoclonal antibody MATG 1016. These findings are relevant onto gene transfer phase I clinical studies.
Biochemistry and molecular biology international 07/1997; 42(4):723-9.
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A Pizzuti,
F Amati,
G Calabrese,
A Mari, A Colosimo,
V Silani,
L Giardino,
A Ratti,
D Penso,
L Calzà,
G Palka,
G Scarlato,
G Novelli,
B Dallapiccola
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ABSTRACT: The Drosophila dishevelled gene (dsh) encodes a secreted glycoprotein, which regulates cell proliferation, acting as a transducer molecule for developmental processes, including segmentation and neuroblast specification. We have isolated and characterized cDNA clones from two different human dsh-homologous genes, designated as DVL-1 and DVL-3. DVL-1 and DVL-3 putative protein products show 64% amino acid identity. The DVL-1 product is 50% identical to dsh and 92% to a murine dsh homologue (Dvl-1). Both human DVL genes are widely expressed in fetal and adult tissues, including brain, lung, kidney, skeletal muscle and heart. DVL-1 locus maps to chromosome 1p36 and DVL-3 to chromosome 3q27. DVL-1 locus on chromosome 1 corresponds to the murine syntenic region where Dvl-1 is located. DVL-1 and DVL-3 are members of a human dsh-like gene family, which is probably involved in human development. Although the precise role of these genes in embryogenesis is only conjectural at present, the structural and evolutionary characteristics suggest that mutations at their loci may be involved in neural and heart developmental defects.
Human Molecular Genetics 08/1996; 5(7):953-8. · 7.64 Impact Factor
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A Pizzuti,
G Novelli,
A Mari,
A Ratti, A Colosimo,
F Amati,
D Penso,
F Sangiuolo,
G Calabrese,
G Palka,
V Silani,
M Gennarelli,
R Mingarelli,
G Scarlato,
P Scambler,
B Dallapiccola
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ABSTRACT: DiGeorge syndrome (DGS) is a developmental defect of some of the neural crest derivatives. Most DGS patients show haploinsufficiency due to interstitial deletions of the proximal long arm of chromosome 22. Deletions of 22q11 have also been reported with patients with the velocardio-facial syndrome and familial conotruncal heart defects. It has been suggested that the wide phenotype spectrum associated with 22q11 monosomy is a consequence of contiguous-gene deletions. We report the isolation of human cDNAs homologous to the Drosophila dishevelled (dsh) segment-polarity gene. Sequences homologous to the 3' UTR of these transcripts (DVL-22) were positioned within the DGS critical region and were found to be deleted in DGS patients. Human DVL mRNAs are expressed in several fetal and adult tissues, including the thymus and, at high levels, the heart. Two transcripts, 3.2 and 5kb, were detected, in northern blot analysis, with different expression patterns in the surveyed tissues when different cDNAs were used. The isolated cDNAs exhibit high amino acid homology with the mouse and Xenopus Dvl-1 gene, the only other vertebrate dsh homologues so far isolated. The pivotal role of dsh in fly development suggests an analogous key function in vertebrate embryogenesis of its homologue genes. Since DGS may be due to perturbation of differentiation mechanisms at decisive embryological stages, a Dsh-like gene in the small-region overlap (SRO) might be a candidate for the pathogenesis of this disorder.
The American Journal of Human Genetics 05/1996; 58(4):722-9. · 10.60 Impact Factor
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A Massari,
G Novelli, A Colosimo,
F Sangiuolo,
G Palka,
G Calabrese,
L Camurri,
G Ghirardini,
G Milani,
C Giorlandino,
G Gazzanelli,
M Malatesta,
C Romanini,
B Dallapiccola
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ABSTRACT: Fetal DNA was recovered from 17 of 39 (44%) transcervical cell (TCC) samples obtained between 7 and 9 weeks of gestation by endocervical canal flushing. Trophoblast retrieval was adequate for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of Y chromosome-specific DNA sequences and detection of paternal-specific microsatellite alleles. The fetal sex predicted by PCR in TCCs was confirmed in all cases by karyotype analysis of chorionic villi at 10 weeks of gestation. The absence of the disease-associated paternal alleles in TCC samples from two pregnancies at risk for spinal muscular atrophy and myotonic dystrophy predicted unaffected fetuses in agreement with subsequent results on chorionic villi and newborns' leukocytes. A trisomy 21 fetus was diagnosed in TCCs using fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) and semi-quantitative PCR analysis of superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD 1). Present experience indicates that TCC sampling is a promising technique for early prenatal monitoring of Mendelian disorders and chromosome aneuploidy.
Human Genetics 03/1996; 97(2):150-5. · 5.07 Impact Factor
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Cytogenetics and cell genetics 02/1996; 74(3):187-8.
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ABSTRACT: We describe the use of a polymerase chain reaction-based method followed by a DNA enzyme immunoassay for the simultaneous detection of the eight most common beta-thalassemia mutations in the Mediterranean population. The method is specific, sensitive, and easily applicable in routine clinical laboratories for the molecular diagnosis of beta-thalassemia patients and at risk couples.
International Journal of Clinical & Laboratory Research 02/1996; 26(2):136-9.
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ABSTRACT: We report the isolation and characterization of novel expressed sequences from the spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) region on human chromosome 5q13. Based on the sequence homology studies these cDNAs were grouped in four classes, one of which shows extensive homologies with the beta-glucuronidase (BG) gene, differing in exon arrangement. The other cDNAs do not show any strong homology with known DNA sequences.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 02/1995; 206(1):294-301. · 2.48 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We report here the isolation and characterization of a novel human elongation factor-1 beta (EF-1 beta) gene by cDNA selection from YAC mapping on chromosome 5q12-q14. This gene is specifically transcribed in fetal brain and in skeletal muscle and is characterized by a complete sequence homology with previously described EF-1 beta cDNAs. We also assigned the loci for three other EF-1 beta isoforms, to human chromosomes 2, 15 and X. The multiple chromosomal assignments of EF-1 beta loci demonstrates the genetic heterogeneity of human EF-1 beta peptides.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 12/1993; 197(1):154-62. · 2.48 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Physico-chemical and biological properties were studied in recombinant plasmids exposed to electric and magnetic fields (EMFs). The absence of slow-migrating DNA species and failure to identify induced DNA conformers, suggests that EMFs do not have any obvious genotoxic effect in any of the experimentally tested conditions.
Biomedecine [?] Pharmacotherapy 02/1993; 47(2-3):101-5. · 2.00 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: We report here the isolation and characterization of a novel human elongation factor-1 β (EF-1β) gene by cDNA selection from YAC mapping on chromosome 5q12-q14. This gene is specifically transcribed in fetal brain and in skeletal muscle and is characterized by a complete sequence homology with previously described EF-1β cDNAs. We also assigned the loci for three other EF-1β isoforms, to human chromosomes 2, 15 and X. The multiple chromosomal assignments of EF-1β loci demontrates the genetic heterogeneity of human EF-1β peptides.
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications 197(1):154-162. · 2.48 Impact Factor
