Human monogenic pain syndromes have provided important insights into the molecular mechanisms tha... more Human monogenic pain syndromes have provided important insights into the molecular mechanisms that underlie normal and pathological pain states. We describe an autosomal-dominant familial episodic pain syndrome characterized by episodes of debilitating upper body pain, triggered by fasting and physical stress. Linkage and haplotype analysis mapped this phenotype to a 25 cM region on chromosome 8q12-8q13. Candidate gene sequencing identified a point mutation (N855S) in the S4 transmembrane segment of TRPA1, a key sensor for environmental irritants. The mutant channel showed a normal pharmacological profile but altered biophysical properties, with a 5-fold increase in inward current on activation at normal resting potentials. Quantitative sensory testing demonstrated normal baseline sensory thresholds but an enhanced secondary hyperalgesia to punctate stimuli on treatment with mustard oil. TRPA1 antagonists inhibit the mutant channel, promising a useful therapy for this disorder. Our findings provide evidence that variation in the TRPA1 gene can alter pain perception in humans.
El suicidio es el acto intencional de terminar con la vida. La mortalidad por suicidio en Antioqu... more El suicidio es el acto intencional de terminar con la vida. La mortalidad por suicidio en Antioquia, según el sistema de Vigilancia Epidemiológica SIVILA para el 2008 ha documentado una tasa de 5,7/100.000 habitantes - año. Por tal razón, este estudio tuvo como propósito ...
ABSTRACT Normal 0 21 false false false ES X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Defin... more ABSTRACT Normal 0 21 false false false ES X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Tabla normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} Parkinson´s is a common disease (PD) caused by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and other brain areas. Several genes and mutations have been mplicated in its pathogenesis, the latter have been identified mainly in the PARK2 gene. We report the evaluation of this gene and of its flanking region in a large family from the southwestern part of Colombia. The parents are first cousins and four out of their ten children were affected at juvenile age. Molecular evaluation included typing of microsatellites (SSTRs) and direct sequencing of the exons of the gene. Our findings showed the presence, in a homozygous manner, of the mutation c.255delA, at exon 2 of PARK2. In addition, it was possible to identify a haplotype carried by both parents, and present in a homozygous manner in the affected children. A high rate of recombinants was observed in the analysed chromosomal region. Mutation c.255delA in PARK2 had been previously reported in families from both France and Spain. Our findings reconfirm the role of the PARK2 gene in the etiology of Parkinson´s disease, in particular of its juvenile form. Furthermore, taking into account that the identified mutation had been previously found in European populations, it is likely that it came into Colombia from that continent. Alternatively, this mutation might have occurred in a recurrent manner in a close ancestor of the studied family. In order to verify both possibilities it would be necessary to test flanking markers of the mutation in both European and Colombian chromosomes carrying it. Such markers could be either STRs, as reported in this study, or SNPs. La enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) es común y se debe a degeneración de las neuronas dopaminérgicas en la sustancia nigra y en otras áreas del cerebro. Varios genes y mutaciones han sido implicados en ella y la mayoría de estas últimas han sido identificadas en el gen PARK2. Reportamos la evaluación de este gen PARK2 y de su región flanqueante en una gran familia de origen caucano, al suroccidente de Colombia. Los padres son primos hermanos y cuatro de sus diez hijos resultaron afectados en edad juvenil. La evaluación molecular incluyó tipificación de microsatélites (STR) y la secuencia directa de los exones del gen. Nuestros hallazgos evidenciaron la presencia en condición homocigota de la mutación c.255delA, en el exón 2 de PARK2. Además, se pudo identificar un haplotipo portado por ambos padres y presente en condición homocigota en los hijos afectados. Del mismo modo se observó una alta tasa de recombinantes en la extensión de la región cromosómica analizada. La mutación c.255delA en PARK2 ya había sido reportada previamente en familias tanto de Francia como de España. Nuestros resultados reconfirman la participación del gen PARK2 en la etiología de la enfermedad de Parkinson, en particular de la forma juvenil. Además, considerando que la mutación identificada en la familia que presentamos ya había sido previamente encontrada en poblaciones europeas, es probable que haya llegado a Colombia desde allí. Alternativamente, esta mutación pudo ocurrir de manera recurrente en un ancestro más cercano de la familia estudiada; para verificar ambas posibilidades sería necesario evaluar marcadores flanqueantes de la mutación, en los cromosomas europeos y colombianos portadores de la mutación. Tales marcadores pueden ser STR (como se reporta en este estudio) o alternativamente, SNP.
The understanding of the complex genotype-phenotype architecture of human pigmentation has clear ... more The understanding of the complex genotype-phenotype architecture of human pigmentation has clear implications for the evolutionary history of humans, as well as for medical and forensic practices. Although dozens of genes have previously been associated with human skin color, knowledge about this trait remains incomplete. In particular, studies focusing on populations outside the European-North American axis are rare, and, until now, admixed populations have seldom been considered. The present study was designed to help fill this gap. Our objective was to evaluate possible associations of 18 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), located within nine genes, and one pseudogene with the Melanin Index (MI) in two admixed Brazilian populations (Gaucho, N = 352; Baiano, N = 148) with different histories of geographic and ethnic colonization. Of the total sample, four markers were found to be significantly associated with skin color, but only two (SLC24A5 rs1426654, and SLC45A2 rs16891982) were consistently associated with MI in both samples (Gaucho and Baiano). Therefore, only these 2 SNPs should be preliminarily considered to have forensic significance because they consistently showed the association independently of the admixture level of the populations studied. We do not discard that the other two markers (HERC2 rs1129038 and TYR rs1126809) might be also relevant to admixed samples, but additional studies are necessary to confirm the real importance of these markers for skin pigmentation. Finally, our study shows associations of some SNPs with MI in a modern Brazilian admixed sample, with possible applications in forensic genetics. Some classical genetic markers in Euro-North American populations are not associated with MI in our sample. Our results point out the relevance of considering population differences in selecting an appropriate set of SNPs as phenotype predictors in forensic practice. Citation: Cerqueira CCSd, Hü nemeier T, Gomez-Valdés J, Ramallo V, Volasko-Krause CD, et al. (2014) Implications of the Admixture Process in Skin Color Molecular Assessment. PLoS ONE 9(5): e96886.
The nitric oxide synthase 1 adaptor protein (NOS1AP) gene is possibly implicated in schizophrenia... more The nitric oxide synthase 1 adaptor protein (NOS1AP) gene is possibly implicated in schizophrenia etiopathogenesis. To determine the association of NOS1AP gene variants with schizophrenia and the relationship of variants with the clinical dimensions of the disorder in the Colombian population. It is a case-control study with 255 subjects per group. Markers within the NOS1AP gene were typified as well as other informative material of genetic origin so as to adjust by population stratification. A factorial analysis of the main components for each item in the Scales for Evaluating Negative Symptoms (SENS) together with the Scales for Evaluating Positive Symptoms (SEPS) to determine clinical dimensions. Association between the C/C genotype of the rs945713 marker with schizophrenia (OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.13 - 2.84) was found. The C/C genotype of the rs945713 was related to higher scores in the "affective flattening and alogia" dimension; and the A/A genotype of the rs4657181 marker was associated to lower scores in the same dimension. Significant associations of markers inside the NOS1AP gene with schizophrenia and the "affective flattening and alogia" clinical dimension were found. These results are consistent with previous studies and support the possibility that NOS1AP influences schizophrenia susceptibility. Furthermore, NOS1AP might be a modifier of schizophrenia clinical characteristics.
El objetivo del estudio fue describir la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CvRS) y su aso... more El objetivo del estudio fue describir la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CvRS) y su asociación con aspectos sociodemográficos, el exceso de peso u obesidad y la actividad física (aF) en un grupo de adolescentes de la ciudad de Medellín (Colombia). Para evaluar dichas variables se aplicaron diferentes instrumentos a 399 participantes. Las dimensiones de la CvRS con mayores puntuaciones fueron Apoyo Social y Amigos y Estado de Ánimo y Sentimientos. Ser hombre, tener una menor edad, cursar primaria, tener padres con educación superior, pertenecer a estrato socioeconómico alto, no tener obesidad por porcentaje de grasa o perímetro abdominal y presentar un nivel alto de aF se relacionaron con una mejor CvRS.
To determine the allelic and genotype frequencies of apolipoproteine E (APOE) gene in a represent... more To determine the allelic and genotype frequencies of apolipoproteine E (APOE) gene in a representative sample of the adult population of Medellin in 2010. A representative sample of the adult population of Medellin, was obtained by means of a multi-stage, stratified, conglomerate based sampling method. APOE genotyping was carried out on each of the participants. The sampling design was taken into consideration for the frequencies and association analysis. The frequencies of the APOE alleles E2, E3 and E4 were 3.9, 92.0 and 4.1%, respectively. The frequencies of the different APOE genotypes were as follows: 2/2, 0.2%; 2/3, 6.8%; 2/4, 0.6%; 3/3, 85.0%; 3/4, 7.2%, and 4/4, 0.3%. The allelic and genotype frequencies of APOE in an adult population of Medellin did not differ substantially from other series reported in South America. These data are important to determine the real impact of APOE on the population risk of several psychiatric diseases.
To identify and characterize high-order gene-to-gene interactions in antisocial personality disor... more To identify and characterize high-order gene-to-gene interactions in antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). Participants for case-control study were selected from the inmate male population in Bellavista prison from Medellin. The study included 310 individuals with ASPD and 200 with no ASPD. Diagnoses were made according to a best-estimate procedure based on a semistructured interview (diagnostic interview for genetic studies 3.0). We genotyped some single-nucleotide polymorphisms in candidate genes with main serotonin pathway effects. The gene-gene interaction was examined using the multifactor dimensionality reduction method version 2.0.α. We assessed model sizes of 2 and 3 loci and counted the number of replicates that contained the causal loci in the final best model that was identified using 10-fold cross validation. We find epistatic interaction with catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT), tryptophan hydroxylase, and 5-HTR2A (serotonin receptor) with ASPD. This data supports an important role of polymorphism in serotonin receptors and low enzyme activity of COMT for susceptibility to ASPD. This study suggests that gene interactions between genetic variants in COMT, 5-HTR2A and tryptophan hydroxylase gene would be associated with ASPD and influence the dopamine rewards pathways and modulate serotonin levels in ASPD.
Human monogenic pain syndromes have provided important insights into the molecular mechanisms tha... more Human monogenic pain syndromes have provided important insights into the molecular mechanisms that underlie normal and pathological pain states. We describe an autosomal-dominant familial episodic pain syndrome characterized by episodes of debilitating upper body pain, triggered by fasting and physical stress. Linkage and haplotype analysis mapped this phenotype to a 25 cM region on chromosome 8q12-8q13. Candidate gene sequencing identified a point mutation (N855S) in the S4 transmembrane segment of TRPA1, a key sensor for environmental irritants. The mutant channel showed a normal pharmacological profile but altered biophysical properties, with a 5-fold increase in inward current on activation at normal resting potentials. Quantitative sensory testing demonstrated normal baseline sensory thresholds but an enhanced secondary hyperalgesia to punctate stimuli on treatment with mustard oil. TRPA1 antagonists inhibit the mutant channel, promising a useful therapy for this disorder. Our findings provide evidence that variation in the TRPA1 gene can alter pain perception in humans.
El suicidio es el acto intencional de terminar con la vida. La mortalidad por suicidio en Antioqu... more El suicidio es el acto intencional de terminar con la vida. La mortalidad por suicidio en Antioquia, según el sistema de Vigilancia Epidemiológica SIVILA para el 2008 ha documentado una tasa de 5,7/100.000 habitantes - año. Por tal razón, este estudio tuvo como propósito ...
ABSTRACT Normal 0 21 false false false ES X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Defin... more ABSTRACT Normal 0 21 false false false ES X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Tabla normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0cm; mso-para-margin-right:0cm; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0cm; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} Parkinson´s is a common disease (PD) caused by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra and other brain areas. Several genes and mutations have been mplicated in its pathogenesis, the latter have been identified mainly in the PARK2 gene. We report the evaluation of this gene and of its flanking region in a large family from the southwestern part of Colombia. The parents are first cousins and four out of their ten children were affected at juvenile age. Molecular evaluation included typing of microsatellites (SSTRs) and direct sequencing of the exons of the gene. Our findings showed the presence, in a homozygous manner, of the mutation c.255delA, at exon 2 of PARK2. In addition, it was possible to identify a haplotype carried by both parents, and present in a homozygous manner in the affected children. A high rate of recombinants was observed in the analysed chromosomal region. Mutation c.255delA in PARK2 had been previously reported in families from both France and Spain. Our findings reconfirm the role of the PARK2 gene in the etiology of Parkinson´s disease, in particular of its juvenile form. Furthermore, taking into account that the identified mutation had been previously found in European populations, it is likely that it came into Colombia from that continent. Alternatively, this mutation might have occurred in a recurrent manner in a close ancestor of the studied family. In order to verify both possibilities it would be necessary to test flanking markers of the mutation in both European and Colombian chromosomes carrying it. Such markers could be either STRs, as reported in this study, or SNPs. La enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) es común y se debe a degeneración de las neuronas dopaminérgicas en la sustancia nigra y en otras áreas del cerebro. Varios genes y mutaciones han sido implicados en ella y la mayoría de estas últimas han sido identificadas en el gen PARK2. Reportamos la evaluación de este gen PARK2 y de su región flanqueante en una gran familia de origen caucano, al suroccidente de Colombia. Los padres son primos hermanos y cuatro de sus diez hijos resultaron afectados en edad juvenil. La evaluación molecular incluyó tipificación de microsatélites (STR) y la secuencia directa de los exones del gen. Nuestros hallazgos evidenciaron la presencia en condición homocigota de la mutación c.255delA, en el exón 2 de PARK2. Además, se pudo identificar un haplotipo portado por ambos padres y presente en condición homocigota en los hijos afectados. Del mismo modo se observó una alta tasa de recombinantes en la extensión de la región cromosómica analizada. La mutación c.255delA en PARK2 ya había sido reportada previamente en familias tanto de Francia como de España. Nuestros resultados reconfirman la participación del gen PARK2 en la etiología de la enfermedad de Parkinson, en particular de la forma juvenil. Además, considerando que la mutación identificada en la familia que presentamos ya había sido previamente encontrada en poblaciones europeas, es probable que haya llegado a Colombia desde allí. Alternativamente, esta mutación pudo ocurrir de manera recurrente en un ancestro más cercano de la familia estudiada; para verificar ambas posibilidades sería necesario evaluar marcadores flanqueantes de la mutación, en los cromosomas europeos y colombianos portadores de la mutación. Tales marcadores pueden ser STR (como se reporta en este estudio) o alternativamente, SNP.
The understanding of the complex genotype-phenotype architecture of human pigmentation has clear ... more The understanding of the complex genotype-phenotype architecture of human pigmentation has clear implications for the evolutionary history of humans, as well as for medical and forensic practices. Although dozens of genes have previously been associated with human skin color, knowledge about this trait remains incomplete. In particular, studies focusing on populations outside the European-North American axis are rare, and, until now, admixed populations have seldom been considered. The present study was designed to help fill this gap. Our objective was to evaluate possible associations of 18 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), located within nine genes, and one pseudogene with the Melanin Index (MI) in two admixed Brazilian populations (Gaucho, N = 352; Baiano, N = 148) with different histories of geographic and ethnic colonization. Of the total sample, four markers were found to be significantly associated with skin color, but only two (SLC24A5 rs1426654, and SLC45A2 rs16891982) were consistently associated with MI in both samples (Gaucho and Baiano). Therefore, only these 2 SNPs should be preliminarily considered to have forensic significance because they consistently showed the association independently of the admixture level of the populations studied. We do not discard that the other two markers (HERC2 rs1129038 and TYR rs1126809) might be also relevant to admixed samples, but additional studies are necessary to confirm the real importance of these markers for skin pigmentation. Finally, our study shows associations of some SNPs with MI in a modern Brazilian admixed sample, with possible applications in forensic genetics. Some classical genetic markers in Euro-North American populations are not associated with MI in our sample. Our results point out the relevance of considering population differences in selecting an appropriate set of SNPs as phenotype predictors in forensic practice. Citation: Cerqueira CCSd, Hü nemeier T, Gomez-Valdés J, Ramallo V, Volasko-Krause CD, et al. (2014) Implications of the Admixture Process in Skin Color Molecular Assessment. PLoS ONE 9(5): e96886.
The nitric oxide synthase 1 adaptor protein (NOS1AP) gene is possibly implicated in schizophrenia... more The nitric oxide synthase 1 adaptor protein (NOS1AP) gene is possibly implicated in schizophrenia etiopathogenesis. To determine the association of NOS1AP gene variants with schizophrenia and the relationship of variants with the clinical dimensions of the disorder in the Colombian population. It is a case-control study with 255 subjects per group. Markers within the NOS1AP gene were typified as well as other informative material of genetic origin so as to adjust by population stratification. A factorial analysis of the main components for each item in the Scales for Evaluating Negative Symptoms (SENS) together with the Scales for Evaluating Positive Symptoms (SEPS) to determine clinical dimensions. Association between the C/C genotype of the rs945713 marker with schizophrenia (OR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.13 - 2.84) was found. The C/C genotype of the rs945713 was related to higher scores in the "affective flattening and alogia" dimension; and the A/A genotype of the rs4657181 marker was associated to lower scores in the same dimension. Significant associations of markers inside the NOS1AP gene with schizophrenia and the "affective flattening and alogia" clinical dimension were found. These results are consistent with previous studies and support the possibility that NOS1AP influences schizophrenia susceptibility. Furthermore, NOS1AP might be a modifier of schizophrenia clinical characteristics.
El objetivo del estudio fue describir la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CvRS) y su aso... more El objetivo del estudio fue describir la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CvRS) y su asociación con aspectos sociodemográficos, el exceso de peso u obesidad y la actividad física (aF) en un grupo de adolescentes de la ciudad de Medellín (Colombia). Para evaluar dichas variables se aplicaron diferentes instrumentos a 399 participantes. Las dimensiones de la CvRS con mayores puntuaciones fueron Apoyo Social y Amigos y Estado de Ánimo y Sentimientos. Ser hombre, tener una menor edad, cursar primaria, tener padres con educación superior, pertenecer a estrato socioeconómico alto, no tener obesidad por porcentaje de grasa o perímetro abdominal y presentar un nivel alto de aF se relacionaron con una mejor CvRS.
To determine the allelic and genotype frequencies of apolipoproteine E (APOE) gene in a represent... more To determine the allelic and genotype frequencies of apolipoproteine E (APOE) gene in a representative sample of the adult population of Medellin in 2010. A representative sample of the adult population of Medellin, was obtained by means of a multi-stage, stratified, conglomerate based sampling method. APOE genotyping was carried out on each of the participants. The sampling design was taken into consideration for the frequencies and association analysis. The frequencies of the APOE alleles E2, E3 and E4 were 3.9, 92.0 and 4.1%, respectively. The frequencies of the different APOE genotypes were as follows: 2/2, 0.2%; 2/3, 6.8%; 2/4, 0.6%; 3/3, 85.0%; 3/4, 7.2%, and 4/4, 0.3%. The allelic and genotype frequencies of APOE in an adult population of Medellin did not differ substantially from other series reported in South America. These data are important to determine the real impact of APOE on the population risk of several psychiatric diseases.
To identify and characterize high-order gene-to-gene interactions in antisocial personality disor... more To identify and characterize high-order gene-to-gene interactions in antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). Participants for case-control study were selected from the inmate male population in Bellavista prison from Medellin. The study included 310 individuals with ASPD and 200 with no ASPD. Diagnoses were made according to a best-estimate procedure based on a semistructured interview (diagnostic interview for genetic studies 3.0). We genotyped some single-nucleotide polymorphisms in candidate genes with main serotonin pathway effects. The gene-gene interaction was examined using the multifactor dimensionality reduction method version 2.0.α. We assessed model sizes of 2 and 3 loci and counted the number of replicates that contained the causal loci in the final best model that was identified using 10-fold cross validation. We find epistatic interaction with catechol-O-methyl transferase (COMT), tryptophan hydroxylase, and 5-HTR2A (serotonin receptor) with ASPD. This data supports an important role of polymorphism in serotonin receptors and low enzyme activity of COMT for susceptibility to ASPD. This study suggests that gene interactions between genetic variants in COMT, 5-HTR2A and tryptophan hydroxylase gene would be associated with ASPD and influence the dopamine rewards pathways and modulate serotonin levels in ASPD.
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