title: Asthma, allergy, and airway hyperresponsiveness are not linked to the beta(2)-adrenoceptor gene.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To exclude genetic linkage between the beta(2)-adrenoceptor gene and asthma, allergy, and methacholine airway hyperresponsiveness.
  
  
  METHODS
  The current study used six distinct intragene markers within the beta(2)-adrenoceptor gene, and evaluated genetic linkage between the beta(2)-adrenoceptor and asthma, allergy, or methacholine airway hyperresponsiveness in eight multiplex families.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-nine members of eight multiplex families with a high incidence of asthma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Phenotypes were characterized by history, physical examination, skin testing, pulmonary function tests, and methacholine inhalational challenge. Genetic loci were identified using restriction fragment length polymorphisms, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, and restriction enzyme digest of polymerase chain reaction-amplified fragments of the beta(2)-adrenoceptor gene.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nonparametric analysis using computer analysis software found no evidence for linkage between these markers within the beta(2)-adrenoceptor gene and asthma. Parametric exclusion analysis using a dominant inheritance model resulted in large negative lod scores (- 6.74, - 19.44, and - 49.9, respectively) for tight linkage between asthma, allergy, or methacholine airway hyperresponsiveness and these polymorphic markers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results indicate that asthma, allergy, and methacholine airway hyperresponsiveness are not linked to a dominant beta(2)-adrenoceptor gene with strong effect in these eight families with an inherited pattern of asthma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, The Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD, USA. cwe5@columbia.edu
authors.forename: Charles W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Emala
authors.forename: Christopher K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: McQuitty
authors.forename: Scott M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Eleff
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hopkins-Price
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lawyer
authors.forename: Josephine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hoh
authors.forename: Jurg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ott
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Levine
authors.forename: Carol A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Hirshman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001249:Asthma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000235:genetics*; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010375:Pedigree; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D018343:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2 / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D018343:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2