No association between the Pro197Leu polymorphism in the glutathione peroxidase (GPX1) gene and schizophrenia

OBJECTIVE: Oxidative stress such as free radical-mediated neuronal dysfunction may be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The human glutathione peroxidase (GPX1) is a selenium-dependent enzyme, which plays an important role in the detoxification of free radicals. We therefore hypothesized that the GPX1 gene, which is located on chromosome 3p21.3, may be involved in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The aim of this study is to examine whether a potentially functional polymorphism, a proline (Pro) to leucine (Leu) substitution at codon 197 (Pro197Leu) of the human GPX1 gene, is associated with susceptibility to schizophrenia. METHODS: We genotyped the Pro197Leu polymorphism in a total of 113 nuclear families that had a proband with schizophrenia. Genetic association was tested using the transmission disequilibrium test (TDT), the sib transmission disequilibrium test (STDT), and the family-based association test (FBAT). RESULTS: The minor allele (Leu) frequency was calculated to be 0.282. We could not find significant transmission disequilibrium of the alleles for the Pro197Leu polymorphism in the GPX1 gene in association with the presence of schizophrenia in our family sample (TDT, chi2=0.03, degrees of freedom=1, P=0.86; combined TDT-STDT, Z'=-0.052, P=0.47; FBAT, Z=0.000, P=1.000). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest that the GPX1 polymorphism is unlikely to be associated with susceptibility to schizophrenia.     

Neurophysiological and psychological predictors of genetic risk for schizophrenia

Mathematical genetic analyses were performed on a sample of schizophrenic families (25 probands and 58 first-degree relatives). Heritability coefficients were estimated for EEG power spectrum parameters and their topography, and also for psychological test data on thought and speech process disorder, designed to assess altered selectivity in cognitive activity. Multiple regression equations for genetic counseling regarding the prognosis of mental illness were derived from the neurophysiological and psychological measures.     

Copolymerization reactivities and electron structure of 2-alkyl-5-vinyltetrazoles

Three novel monomers: 2-ethyl-, 2-isopropyl- and 2-tert-butyl-5-vinyltetrazole were synthesized. The copolymerizations of these monomers and 2-methyl-5-vinyltetrazole with styrene and methyl methacrylate were examined and the corresponding reactivity ratios r₁, r₂ and the Alfrey-Price Q, e values estimated. The obtained results, together with IR, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR data and quantum-chemical calculations of vinyltetrazole molecules by the AM-1 method, indicate that the type and the size of the substituent does not essentially influence the reactivity of 2-alkyl-5-vinyltetrazoles in radical copolymerization with vinyl monomers.     

体外厌氧条件下载铜蒙脱石杀菌效果的研究

载铜蒙脱石的杀菌作用通过脑心浸液肉汤 (BHI)二倍系列稀释法来判定其最小抑菌浓度 (MIC)。释放入肉汤和生理盐水中Cu2 的量通过原子吸收光谱仪测定。杀菌动力学研究采用改良的振荡瓶法。结果表明 :厌氧条件下 ,载铜蒙脱石具有很强的杀菌性能。载铜蒙脱石对放线共生放线杆菌的最小抑菌浓度为 2 .5 6mg/ml;对血液链球菌为 5 .12mg/ml。测得肉汤二倍稀释的载铜蒙脱石释放出的Cu2 量在 2 .39～ 38.6 5 ppm之间 ,在生理盐水中释放的Cu2 量为 1.85～ 15 .82ppm。本试验结果表明 ,蒙脱石无抗菌性能。     

A function of Fas-associated death domain protein in cell cycle progression localized to a single amino acid at its C-terminal region

FADD is an adaptor known to transmit apoptotic signals from members of the tumor necrosis factor receptor family. We show here that FADD has a domain implicated in cell proliferation. Mice bearing the Asp mutation in the serine 191 phosphorylation site are runted and anemic and display splenomegaly. Apoptosis is unimpaired in these mice, but they exhibit many immune developmental problems indicative of proliferative defects. Mutant FADD T cells are defective in cell cycle progression, suggesting that regulation of phosphorylation at serine 191 is essential for growth/proliferation. Remarkably, serine 191 is conserved among mammalian FADD proteins, but this C-terminal region is absent in lower organisms, suggesting that FADD acquired a domain during evolution, rendering it a "proliferation-apoptosis coupler" that balances cell proliferation and apoptosis.     

Unlocking the secrets of galectins: a challenge at the frontier of glyco-immunology

Over the last decade, we have witnessed an explosion of information regarding the function of glycoconjugates, carbohydrate-binding proteins, and the elucidation of the sugar code. This progress has yielded not only important insights into fundamental areas of glycobiology but has also influenced other fields such as immunology and molecular medicine. A family of galactoside-binding proteins, called galectins, has emerged recently as a novel kind of bioactive molecules with powerful, immunoregulatory functions. Different members of this family have been shown to modulate positively or negatively multiple steps of the inflammatory response, such as cell-matrix interactions, cell trafficking, cell survival, cell-growth regulation, chemotaxis, and proinflammatory cytokine secretion. To introduce a comprehensive overview of these new advances, here we will explore the molecular mechanisms and biochemical pathways involved in these functions. We will also examine the role of these proteins in the modulation of different pathological processes, such as chronic inflammation, autoimmunity, infection, allergic reactions, and tumor spreading. Understanding the intimate mechanisms involved in galectin functions will help to delineate selective and novel strategies for disease intervention and diagnosis.     

Prolongation of heart graft survival and spleen suppressor cell activity after donor specific blood transfusions in rats differing across the MHC

The aim of the study was the prolongation of heart allograft survival in rats after DST (donor specific blood transfusion), the characterization of T and B lymphocyte phenotypes in peripheral blood, spleen and lymph nodes and the evaluation of specific and nonspecific suppressor cell activity of spleen and blood lymphocytes of DST rats. Pretreatment of Wistar recipients with one, two and three doses of DST-s prolonged the heterotopic August graft survival to 11.0, 12.3 and 11.4 days, respectively (rats differed across the MHC). Spleen lymphocytes of transfused rats showed significant nonspecific suppressive activity in culture with syngeneic spleen lymphocytes of nontransfused rats stimulated with PHA, but not in culture with blood lymphocytes. Blood lymphocytes of transfused rats did not show any nonspecific suppressive activity. Spleen and blood lymphocytes of transfused rats did not demonstrate any specific suppressive activity in allogeneic MLC. The ratio of W3/25+/OX8+ (Th+/Tsup/cyt+) cells in peripheral blood was found increased in DST rats due to the decrease in the percentage of OX8+ cells whereas the opposite effect was observed with spleen cells (increase in the percentage of OX8+ cells after one DST). The number of OX6+ (Ia positive) cells and B cells in all transfused rats was found unchanged comparing with untreated animals.     

Mutations of the GREAT gene cause cryptorchidism

In humans, failure of testicular descent (cryptorchidism) is one of the most frequent congenital malformations, affecting 1-3% of newborn boys. The clinical consequences of this abnormality are infertility in adulthood and a significantly increased risk of testicular malignancy. Recently, we described a mouse transgene insertional mutation, crsp, causing high intraabdominal cryptorchidism in homozygous males. A candidate gene Great (G-protein-coupled receptor affecting testis descent), was identified within the transgene integration site. Great encodes a seven-transmembrane receptor with a close similarity to the glycoprotein hormone receptors. The Great gene is highly expressed in the gubernaculum, the ligament that controls testicular movement during development, and therefore may be responsible for mediating hormonal signals that affect testicular descent. Here we show that genetic targeting of the Great gene in mice causes infertile bilateral intraabdominal cryptorchidism. The mutant gubernaculae fail to differentiate, indicating that the Great gene controls their development. Mutation screening of the human GREAT gene was performed using DHPLC analysis of the genomic DNA from 60 cryptorchid patients. Nucleotide variations in GREAT cDNA were found in both the patient and the control populations. A unique missense mutation (T222P) in the ectodomain of the GREAT receptor was identified in one of the patients. This mutant receptor fails to respond to ligand stimulation, implicating the GREAT gene in the etiology in some cases of cryptorchidism in humans.     

Tetrasomy 12pter-12p13.31 in a girl with partial Pallister-Killian syndrome phenotype

A dysmorphic patient was shown to carry a small supernumerary marker chromosome. Multicolor, centromere-multicolor and regular FISH experiments proved the marker to be an analphoid 12pter derived isochromosome. Microdissection of the marker followed by reverse painting and array CGH analysis showed that the isochromosome contains approximately 6 Mb of 12pter-12p13.31 derived sequence. This is only the second report of a marker with a neocentromere 12pter and the molecular fine mapping of the duplicated region further refines the 12p region defining the Pallister-Killian syndrome phenotype. In addition, we show the feasibility of using microdissected chromosomes or chromosomal fragments to molecularly map the chromosomal breakpoints on array CGH. This technology may aid in the identification of chromosomal translocation breakpoints.