Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 2 of 2
Full-Text Articles in Genetics and Genomics
Genetic Approaches For The Study Of Complex Human Diseases, Julieta Lazarte
Genetic Approaches For The Study Of Complex Human Diseases, Julieta Lazarte
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
The field of human genetics has evolved from its initial narrow focus on single-gene Mendelian disorders, which largely affect children, to our current understanding that for most diseases there is continuum of rare to common variants which can exert a range of phenotypic effects. Despite advances in sequencing capabilities and our overall understanding of diseases, there remains a large proportion of heritability unexplained. Through the use of next-generation sequencing technologies and DNA microarray, I have explored a spectrum of genetic variations from rare, single and structural variants to common variants in individuals with i) “lone” atrial fibrillation; ii) familial hypercholesterolemia; …
Functional Characteristics Of Four Novel Lone Atrial Fibrillation-Linked Connexin40 Mutants, Mahmoud Noureldin
Functional Characteristics Of Four Novel Lone Atrial Fibrillation-Linked Connexin40 Mutants, Mahmoud Noureldin
Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common form of cardiac arrhythmia. Recently, four novel heterozygous Cx40 mutations, K107R, L223M, Q236H, and I257L were identified in 4 of 310 unrelated AF patients. To study possible alterations associated with these mutants, we studied their localization and function using gap junction (GJ)-deficient model cells. Cell pairs expressing Q236H alone or together with wildtype Cx43 showed a significantly lower coupling conductance. Impaired GJ function and dominant negative action on Cx43 of this mutant are consistent with previous findings on the majority of AF-linked Cx40 mutants. The remaining three novel AF-linked mutants did not show …