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Analysis of genetic variants in the 5’ regulatory region of the ALAS1 gene in South African patients with Variegate Porphyria (VP)

Thesis (MSc (Genetics))—University of Stellenbosch, 2007.

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Main Author: Du Plessis, Nelita
Other Authors: Warnich, L.
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch 2007
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access_status_str Open Access
author Du Plessis, Nelita
author2 Warnich, L.
author_browse Du Plessis, Nelita
Warnich, L.
author_facet Warnich, L.
Du Plessis, Nelita
author_sort Du Plessis, Nelita
collection Thesis
dc_rights_str_mv University of Stellenbosch
description Thesis (MSc (Genetics))—University of Stellenbosch, 2007.
format Thesis
id oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/2625
institution Stellenbosch University (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:44:33.029Z
license_str Other — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
publishDate 2007
publishDateRange 2007
publishDateSort 2007
publisher Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
publisherStr Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
record_format dspace
source_str SUNScholar — Stellenbosch University Repository
spelling oai:scholar.sun.ac.za:10019.1/2625 Analysis of genetic variants in the 5’ regulatory region of the ALAS1 gene in South African patients with Variegate Porphyria (VP) Du Plessis, Nelita Warnich, L. Zaahl, M. G. University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Agrisciences. Dept. of Genetics. Porphyria -- South Africa -- Genetic aspects Dissertations -- Genetics Theses -- Genetics Thesis (MSc (Genetics))—University of Stellenbosch, 2007. The porphyrias are a group of genetic disorders arising from mutations in either one of the final seven genes encoding the haeme synthesis enzymes. These disease-causing mutations lead to an enzyme deficiency that disrupts normal haeme production, resulting in clinical features due to the subsequent accumulation of porphyrin precursors. Like most of the porphyrias, variegate porphyria (VP) is characterized by high inter- and intra- familial clinical variability, with no apparent genotype-phenotype correlation. The delta-aminolevulinate synthase-1 gene (ALAS1) is an apparent candidate gene to explain the variable clinical expression observed in VP, since it encodes the first and rate-determining enzyme of haeme synthesis. Several studies have defined important regulatory elements for the human-, rat- and chicken ALAS1 gene that regulate expression patterns of this gene. It was hypothesized that in VP individuals, variants within/near critical regulatory sites might alter the transcription rate of this gene, and consequently increase/decrease the amount of haeme precursors accumulating as a result of the defective haeme synthesis enzyme. The aim of this study was to identify genetic variants that could influence gene expression in the proximal promoter area of the ALAS1 gene, as well as the two ALAS1-drug responsive enhancer sequences (ADRES) located further upstream. DNA (2133 bp per patient) of 19 clinically defined VP patients was analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and semiautomated DNA sequencing. Subsequently, in silico analyses using appropriate software programs, and in vitro studies using the luciferase reporter system, were performed to investigate the functionality of the identified variants on ALAS1 gene transcription... Masters 2007-11-29T12:34:45Z 2010-06-01T08:53:56Z 2007-11-29T12:34:45Z 2010-06-01T08:53:56Z 2007-03 Thesis http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/2625 en University of Stellenbosch 2698307 bytes application/pdf application/pdf Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
spellingShingle Porphyria -- South Africa -- Genetic aspects
Dissertations -- Genetics
Theses -- Genetics
Du Plessis, Nelita
Analysis of genetic variants in the 5’ regulatory region of the ALAS1 gene in South African patients with Variegate Porphyria (VP)
title Analysis of genetic variants in the 5’ regulatory region of the ALAS1 gene in South African patients with Variegate Porphyria (VP)
title_full Analysis of genetic variants in the 5’ regulatory region of the ALAS1 gene in South African patients with Variegate Porphyria (VP)
title_fullStr Analysis of genetic variants in the 5’ regulatory region of the ALAS1 gene in South African patients with Variegate Porphyria (VP)
title_full_unstemmed Analysis of genetic variants in the 5’ regulatory region of the ALAS1 gene in South African patients with Variegate Porphyria (VP)
title_short Analysis of genetic variants in the 5’ regulatory region of the ALAS1 gene in South African patients with Variegate Porphyria (VP)
title_sort analysis of genetic variants in the 5 regulatory region of the alas1 gene in south african patients with variegate porphyria vp
topic Porphyria -- South Africa -- Genetic aspects
Dissertations -- Genetics
Theses -- Genetics
url http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/2625
work_keys_str_mv AT duplessisnelita analysisofgeneticvariantsinthe5regulatoryregionofthealas1geneinsouthafricanpatientswithvariegateporphyriavp