Allelic enzymes

The mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus has been used extensively for studies of genetic variation within and among populations. Specifically, much attention has been given to variation in allelic frequencies for the Ldh-B locus among populations of this marine teleost distributed across a temperature dine along the Atlantic coast of North America [e.g., 100,101]. The allelic enzymes encoded... 

Resistance to trimethoprim can be due to the acquisition of plasmid encoded non-allelic variants of the chromosomal DHFR enzyme that are antibiotic unsusceptible. The genes may be part of transposons that then insert into the chromosome. For instance, in gram-negative bacteria the most widespread gene is dhfrl on transposon Tn7. 

The microsomal ethanol oxidizing system is another mechanism of ethanol metabolism. CYP2E1 may be an important enzyme in the metabolism of ethanol in heavy drinkers, who may have a 10-fold increase in activity. Two aUehc variants in the gene cl and c2) are associated with differing enzymatic activity. Approximately 40% of Japanese have the more active c2 allele, which is rare in individuals of European heritage (Sun et al. 2002). It is not believed to be a risk or protective factor in the development of alcohohsm, although current studies are examining its relationship to a variety of ethanol-related diseases. 

The H locus codes for this fiicosyltransferase. The h allele of the H locus codes for an inactive fucosyltrans-ferase therefore, individuals of the hh genotype cannot generate H substance, the precursor of the A and B antigens. Thus, individuals of the hh genotype will have red blood cells of type O, even though they may possess the enzymes necessary to make the A or B substances (see below). 

Analysis in diverse lines can facilitate identification of useful alleles that control expression of enzymes upstream of the carotenoid pathway, a feature that would not be evident from conventional end-product screening of breeding lines. Moreover, this characterization sets the stage for marker-assisted selection of superior endogenous alleles and facilitates selection of introduced transgenes that may be necessary to supplement the genotypic contribution required for a particular plant chemical outcome. 

GSH-S deficiency is a more frequent cause of GSH deficiency (HI7), and more than 20 families with this enzyme deficiency have been reported since the first report by Oort et al. (05). There are two distinct types of GSH-S deficiency with different clinical pictures. In the red blood cell type, the enzyme defect is limited to red blood cells and the only clinical presentation is mild hemolysis. In the generalized type, the deficiency is also found in tissues other than red blood cells, and the patients show not only chronic hemolytic anemia but also metabolic acidosis with marked 5-oxoprolinuria and neurologic manifestations including mental retardation. The precise mechanism of these two different phenotypes remains to be elucidated, because the existence of tissue-specific isozymes is not clear. Seven mutations at the GSH-S locus on six alleles—four missense mutations, two deletions, and one splice site mutation—have been identified (S14). 

Adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) deficiency is an inherited disorder of purine metabolism and is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner (K18, V7). This enzyme deficiency results in an inability to salvage the purine base adenine, which is oxidized via the 8-hydroxy intermediate by xanthine oxidase to 2,8-di-hydroxyadenine (2,8-DHA). This produces crystalluria and the possible formation of kidney stones due to the excretion of excessive amounts of this insoluble purine. Type I, with virtually undetectable enzyme activity, found predominantly in Caucasians, is found in homozygotes or compound heterozygotes for null alleles. Type II, with significant APRT activity, found only in Japan, is related to a missense mu-... 

Fig. 4. Modification of plant metabolic pathways for the synthesis of poly(3HAMCL) in peroxisomes. The pathways created or enhanced by the expression of transgenes (P. aeruginosa PHA synthase and C. lanceolata decanoyl-ACP thioesterase) and of mutant alleles of plant fatty acid desaturase genes are highlighted by bold arrows and the enzymes involved underlined...

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