No abstract

A high level of cytogenetic expression of the rare folate-sensitive fragile site FRA12A is significantly associated with mental retardation. Here, we identify an elongated polymorphic CGG repeat as the molecular basis of FRA12A. This repeat is in the 5' untranslated region of the gene DIP2B, which encodes a protein with a DMAP1-binding domain, which suggests a role in DNA methylation machinery. DIP2B mRNA levels were halved in two subjects with FRA12A with mental retardation in whom the repeat expansion was methylated. In two individuals without mental retardation but with an expanded and methylated repeat, DIP2B expression was reduced to approximately two-thirds of the values observed in controls. Interestingly, a carrier of an unmethylated CGG-repeat expansion showed increased levels of DIP2B mRNA, which suggests that the repeat elongation increases gene expression, as previously described for the fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome. These data suggest that deficiency of DIP2B, a brain-expressed gene, may mediate the neurocognitive problems associated with FRA12A.

No abstract

The Ento- and Ectoprocta are sometimes placed together in the Bryozoa, which have variously been regarded as proto- or deuterostomes. However, Entoprocta have also been allied to the pseudocoelomates, while Ectoprocta are often united with the Brachiopoda and Phoronida in the (super)phylum Lophophorata. Hence, the phylogenetic relationships of these taxa are still much debated. We determined complete 18S rRNA sequences of two entoprocts, an ectoproct, an inarticulate brachiopod, a phoronid, two annelids, and a platyhelminth. Phylogenetic analyses of these data show that (1) entoprocts and lophophorates have spiralian, protostomous affinities, (2) Ento- and Ectoprocta are not sister taxa, (3) phoronids and brachiopods form a monophyletic clade, and (4) neither Ectoprocta or Annelida appear to be monophyletic. Both deuterostomous and pseudocoelomate features may have arisen at least two times in evolutionary history. These results advocate a Spiralia-Radialia-based classification rather than one based on the Protostomia-Deuterostomia concept.

The 18S rRNA sequences of 12 molluscs, representing the extant classes Gastropoda, Bivalvia, Polyplacophora, Scaphopoda, and Caudofoveata, were determined and compared with selected known 18S rRNA sequences of Metazoa, including other Mollusca. These data do not provide support for a close relationship between Platyhelminthes (Turbellaria) and Mollusca, but rather suggest that the latter group belongs to a clade of eutrochozoan coelomates. The 18S rRNA data fail to recover molluscan, bivalve, or gastropod monophyly. However, the branching pattern of the eutrochozoan phyla and classes is unstable, probably due to the explosive Cambrian radiation during which these groups arose. Similarly, the 18S rRNA data do not provide a reliable signal for the molluscan interclass relationships. Nevertheless, we obtained strong preliminary support for phylogenetic inferences at more restricted taxonomic levels, such as the monophyly of Polyplacophora, Caenogastropoda, Euthyneura, Heterodonta, and Arcoida.

No abstract

No abstract

Previous allozyme analyses of the hermaphroditic terrestrial slugs Anon fasciatus, A. circurnscniptus and A. silvaticus (subgenus Carinarion) have suggested that in North America these species are each single monomorphic strains. However, new data on 18 putative enzyme loci show that in western Europe the three taxa, respectively, consist of at least three, two and 12 homozygous multilocus genotypes (strains), which regularly co-occur. The current opinion that American and European Carinanion populations are similarly structured, and that colonization events did not affect the population genetics of North American Carinarion, should therefore be readdressed. The present data also provide the first indication of heterozygosity and possible outcrossing in Caninarion. Nevertheless, uniparental reproduction is confirmed as the main breeding system in West European Carinanion, although the high incidence of multistrain populations in A. silvaticus and A. fasciatus appears at variance with the current model of population genetic structuring in selfing terrestrial pulmonates. Finally, the systematic status of the three Carinarion spp. is tentatively questioned.