Genetic Variation and Disease II Flashcards
What are the benefits of next generation DNA sequencing?
- More sensitive to detect previously unknown SNPs
- Has made DNA sequencing cheaper
Outline the process of next-generation DNA sequencing. PART 1
- DNA chopped at random into small fragments
- Adapters attach to ends of genomic DNA fragments
- Double stranded fragments separated into single strands and attached to solid surface e.g glass slide
- Individual fragments amplified by PCR - adapters act as primer sequences
Outline the process of next-generation DNA sequencing. PART 2
- SEQUENCING REACTION - fragments act as templates for synthesis of complementary strands
- New complementary bases to which base specific cluorescent label attached, added one at a time
- Fluorescent signal read using camera to reveal base pair sequence of each fragment
- Fragments put together by aligned against a reference genome
What are the advantages of next-generation DNA sequencing?
- Entire genome can be sequenced (however requires bioinformaticians)
How would gene sequencing within a child with epilepsy work?
- SNPs within genes of interest identified
- Usually an SNP which has been reported to be associated with epilepsy
- If not, labelled as a variant of uncertain significance - identified by genetic testing but may or may not be significantly associated with disease or risk of disease.
What are alleles?
- Two or more alternative forms of a gene occupying the same genetic locus
- Carry 2 alleles at each gene locus - 1 maternally, 1 paternally inherited
Describe the Mendelian law of segregation.
- Sexually reproducing organisms possess genes that occur in pairs
- Only one member of this pair transmitted to offspring
What does Mendel’s law of segregation say about chromosomes during meiosis? PART 1
- Genes on chromosomes segregate during meiosis
- Transmitted as distinct entities from one generation to next
- Two alleles for each trait separate during meiosis
- Each gamete contains a random collection of paternally and maternally inherited chromosomes
What does Mendel’s law of segregation say about chromosomes during meiosis? PART 2
- During fertilisation, alleles pair again
- 4 possible combinations of alleles
- INDEPENDENT ASSORTMENT - genes on different loci transmitted independently
What is the main difference between dominant and recessive inheritance?
- One allele at a locus can mask another allele at same locus
- Dominant allele exerts effect in homozygous and heterozygous forms
- Recessive allele only exerts effect in homozygous form
Describe autosomal dominant disease transmission. PART 1
- Occurs when an unaffected parent mates with affected heterozygote
- Affected parent can either pass a normal or diseased allele therefore chance of child with disease is 0.5
- Affects autosomes - so males and females affected equally
Describe autosomal dominant disease transmission. PART 2
- No skipping of generations - if individual has disease, one parent must have it. Causes vertical transmission patterns
- Inheritance is independent - recurrence risk of another affected child is still 50%
- FATHER SON TRANSMISSION IS POSSIBLE
- EXAMPLE: Huntingdon’s
Describe autosomal recessive inheritance
- Most commonly both parents are heterozygous carriers
- So 25% chance of offspring having disease
- Usually observed in siblings but not normally in ealier generations
- Males and females affected equally. Consanguinity sometimes seen.
Give an example of an autosomal recessive condition.
CYSTIC FIBROSIS
What are most dominant diseases more severe in?
- More severe in homozygotes than in heterozygotes e.g achondroplasia
- Dominant alleles produce disease in heterozygotes, recessive alleles don’t (due to being masked)