title: Selection of genes associated with variations in the Circle of Willis in gerbils using suppression subtractive hybridization.
abstract: Deformities in the Circle of Willis (CoW) can significantly increase the risk of cerebrovascular disease in humans. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these deformities have not been understood. Based on our previous studies, variations in the CoW of gerbils are hereditary. A normal CoW is observed in approximately 60% of gerbils, a percentage that also applies to humans. Thus, gerbil is an ideal experimental model for studying variations in the CoW. To study the mechanisms underlying these variations, we selected genes associated with different types of the CoW using suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH). After evaluating the efficiency of SSH using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) on subtracted and unsubtracted cDNA and Southern blotting on SSH PCR products, 12 SSH libraries were established. We identified 4 genes (CST3, GNAS, GPx4 and PFN2) associated with variations in the CoW. These genes were identified with qPCR and Western blotting using 70 expressed sequence tags from the SSH libraries. Cloning and sequencing allowed us to demonstrate that the 4 genes were closely related to mouse genes. We may assume that these 4 genes play an important role in the development of variations in the CoW. This study provides a foundation for further research of genes related to development of variations in the CoW and the mechanisms of dysmorphosis of cerebral vessels.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Animal Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
authors.forename: Zhenkun
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Animal Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
authors.forename: Xueyun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Huo
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Animal Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
authors.forename: Shuangyue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Animal Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Animal Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
authors.forename: Changlong
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Animal Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
authors.forename: Meng
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Institute for Laboratory Animal Resources, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing 100050, China.
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.affiliation: Institute for Laboratory Animal Resources, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing 100050, China.
authors.forename: Zhengming
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Animal Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoyan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Du
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Animal Science, School of Basic Medical Science, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100069, China.
authors.forename: Zhenwen
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002941:Circle of Willis / Q000002:abnormalities*; D055316:Cystatin C / Q000235:genetics; D019205:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs / Q000235:genetics; D056726:Genetic Association Studies; D005849:Gerbillinae; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000235:genetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D000080662:Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase; D051304:Profilins / Q000235:genetics; D066251:Subtractive Hybridization Techniques
chemical_list: D055316:Cystatin C; D051304:Profilins; D000080662:Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D019205:GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gs