The chimeric gene CHRFAM7A, a partial duplication of the CHRNA7 gene, is a dominant negative regulator of α7*nAChR function

The human α7 neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor gene (CHRNA7) is a candidate gene for schizophrenia and an important drug target for cognitive deficits in the disorder. Activation of the α7*nAChR, results in opening of the channel and entry of mono- and divalent cations, including Ca²⁺, that presynaptically participates to neurotransmitter release and postsynaptically to down-stream changes in gene expression. Schizophrenic patients have low levels of α7*nAChR, as measured by binding of the ligand [¹²⁵I]-α-bungarotoxin (I-BTX). The structure of the gene, CHRNA7, is complex. During evolution, CHRNA7 was partially duplicated as a chimeric gene (CHRFAM7A), which is expressed in the human brain and elsewhere in the body. The association between a 2 bp deletion in CHRFAM7A and schizophrenia suggested that this duplicate gene might contribute to cognitive impairment. To examine the putative contribution of CHRFAM7A on receptor function, co-expression of α7 and the duplicate genes was carried out in cell lines and Xenopus oocytes. Expression of the duplicate alone yielded protein expression but no functional receptor and co-expression with α7 caused a significant reduction of the amplitude of the ACh-evoked currents. Reduced current amplitude was not correlated with a reduction of I-BTX binding, suggesting the presence of non-functional (ACh-silent) receptors. This hypothesis is supported by a larger increase of the ACh-evoked current by the allosteric modulator 1-(5-chloro-2,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-3-(5-methyl-isoxazol-3-yl)-urea (PNU-120596) in cells expressing the duplicate than in the control. These results suggest that CHRFAM7A acts as a dominant negative modulator of CHRNA7 function and is critical for receptor regulation in humans.     

RT-PCR法检测PD线粒体的缺失突变

目的研究线粒体DNA突变与自发性帕金森病（PD）的关系。方法从帕金森病患者以及正常对照者血液中提取线粒体DNA并运用RT-PCR法进行检测分析。结果在帕金森患者和对照组中都发现了线粒体DNA 4977bp的缺失,但是在帕金森病患者中缺失的量远大于对照组（P〈0.05）。结论线粒体DNA 4977bp的缺失可能是导致帕金森病的机制之一。     

CYP1B1 and hormone-induced cancer

Cancers in hormone-responsive tissues (e.g., breast, ovary, endometrium, prostate) occur at high incidence rates worldwide. However, their genetic basis remains poorly understood. Studies to date suggest that endogenous/exogenous oestrogen and environmental carcinogens may play a role in development and/or progression of hormone-induced cancers via oxidative oestrogen metabolism. Cytochrome P450 1B1 is a key enzyme in its oestrogen metabolism pathway, giving rise to hydroxylation and conjugation. Although CYP1B1 is expressed in many cancers, particularly high levels of expression are observed in oestrogen-mediated disease. CYP1B1 is more readily found in tumour tissue compared to normal. Given the role of CYP1B1 in pro-carcinogen and oestrogen metabolism, polymorphisms in CYP1B1 could result in modifications in its enzyme activity and subsequently lead to hormone-mediated carcinogenesis. CYP1B1 may also be involved in progression of the disease by altering the tissue response to hormones and clinical response to chemotherapy. The exact mechanism behind these events is complex and unclear. Only a few functional single nucleotide polymorphisms of CYP1B1 are known to result in amino acid substitutions and have been extensively investigated. Studies examining the contribution of different CYP1B1 alleles to hormone-mediated cancer risks are inconsistent. The main focus of this review is to appraise the available studies linking the pathogenesis of the hormone-induced cancers to various CYP1B1 polymorphisms. Additionally, we explore the role of a neuronal protein, γ-synuclein, in CYP1B1-mediated pathogenesis.     

布鲁氏菌bp26和OMP10基因的原核表达和鉴定

目的研究布鲁氏菌外膜蛋白OMP10和bp26基因的表达、克隆与测序,并对其进行初步的血清学鉴定。方法从布鲁氏菌基因组中获得OMP10和bp26基因连接入PMD18-T克隆质粒并测序,克隆入融合表达载体PGEX-4T-1,构建重组质粒PGEX-4T-1/OMP10和PGEX-4T-1/bp26,在大肠杆菌中将该蛋白表达。用western-blot分析重组表达的GST-OMP10和GST-bp26的免疫学特性。结果成功构建了PGEX-4T-1/OMP10和PGEX-4T-1/bp26原核表达载体,并在大肠杆菌中成功表达了OMP10和bp26基因,布鲁氏菌免疫动物血清能特异性识别所表达的蛋白。结论布鲁氏菌外膜蛋白OMP10和bp26基因的成功表达,它可以与布鲁氏菌免疫血清产生特异性结合反应,为之后的抗原性以及免疫原性研究打下良好的物质基础。     

Acanthamoeba castellanii supports extracellular survival of Helicobacter pylori in co-culture

This study aimed to demonstrate whether Helicobacter pylori is able to survive in co-culture with a protozoan, Acanthamoeba castellanii, in order to further investigate a possible aqueous environmental mode of transmission. Numbers of H. pylori in co-culture with A castellanii were assessed by colony forming unit (CFU) assay and cell morphology was observed by electron microscopy. Viable and intact H. pylori in co-culture were detected and the number of H. pylori in co-culture with A. castellanii was significantly higher than in bacterial single culture. It was also shown that co-culture of H. pylori with A. castellanii physically separated by a filter membrane negated this survival effect, suggesting that adherence of H. pylori to A. castellanii affects its survival. Scanning electron microscopy revealed helical forms of H. pylori in co-culture with A. castellanii, but not in single culture. These results imply that mutual interaction between H. pylori and A. castellanii in the environment is critical for survival of H. pylori. In addition, the H. pylori gene expression profile was found to differ between single and co-cultured cells using RNA-sequence analysis.     

The DRD4 gene and severity of tics and comorbid symptoms: Main effects and interactions with delivery complications

In this study, we investigated the role of the dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) 48‐base pairs (bp) variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) and perinatal adversities regarding severity of tics and comorbid symptoms in children with tic disorders. We genotyped 110 children with tics with regard to the 48‐bp VNTR and assessed presence of prenatal smoking exposure, and pregnancy and delivery complications by parent questionnaires. We examined associations between 2, 3, 4, and 7 repeat (R) alleles and severity of tics and comorbid obsessive‐compulsive, depressive, anxious, and autistic symptoms. Through linear regressions, we investigated whether perinatal adversities and the 2R, 3R, 4R, and 7R alleles would interact with severity ratings of tics or comorbid symptoms as outcome. Presence of a 2R allele was related to more severe obsessive–compulsive symptoms, and presence of a 3R allele to increased severity of autistic features. Pregnancy complications were associated with decreased obsessive–compulsive symptom severity, and prenatal smoking exposure to more severe depressive and autistic symptoms. In children without a 3R allele delivery complications were associated with more severe tics, but in children with a 3R variant an inverse relation between delivery complications and tic severity was found. Moreover, the relation between delivery complications and internalizing symptom severity appeared to be most pronounced in children with a 2R allele. In conclusion, this study provides evidence for a role of the 48‐bp VNTR in the etiology of tic and associated disorders, and for interactions with delivery complications regarding severity of tics and co‐occurring internalizing symptoms. © 2010 Movement Disorder Society     

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor: Association of −794 CATT5–8 and −173 G>C polymorphisms with TNF-α in systemic lupus erythematosus

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is an upstream immunoregulatory cytokine associated with the pathogenesis of autoimmune inflammatory diseases. There is evidence that MIF functions in a positive feedback loop with TNF-α that could perpetuate the inflammatory process in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In this case–control study we investigated whether commonly occurring functional MIF polymorphisms are associated with SLE as well as with MIF and TNF-α serum levels in a Mexican-Mestizo population. Genotyping of the −794 CATT_5–8 (rs5844572) and −173 G>C (rs755622) MIF polymorphisms was performed by PCR and PCR–RFLP, respectively in 186 SLE patients and 200 healthy subjects. MIF and TNF-α serum levels were determined by ELISA. A significant increase of MIF and TNF-α levels was found in SLE patients. According to a genetic model, we found a significant association of genotypes carrying the −794 CATT₇ and −173^∗C risk alleles with susceptibility to SLE and with a significant increase of TNF-α. In conclusion, MIF gene polymorphisms are associated with SLE susceptibility and with an increase of TNF-α serum levels in a Mexican-Mestizo population.     

The acquisition of an inheritable 50‐bp deletion in the human mtDNA control region does not affect the mtDNA copy number in peripheral blood cells

The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region is believed to play an important biological role in mtDNA replication. Large deletions in this region are rarely found, but when they do occur they might be expected to interfere with the replication of the molecule, thus leading to a reduction of mtDNA copy number. During a survey for mtDNA sequence variations in 5,559 individuals from the general Chinese population and 2,538 individuals with medical disorders, we identified a 50‐bp deletion (m.298_347del50) in the mtDNA control region in a member of a healthy Han Chinese family belonging to haplogroup B4c1b2, as suggested by complete mtDNA genome sequencing. This deletion removes the conserved sequence block II (CSBII; region 299–315) and the replication primer location (region 317–321). However, quantification of the mtDNA copy number in this subject showed a value within a range that was observed in 20 healthy subjects without the deletion. The deletion was detected in the hair samples of the maternal relatives of the subject and exhibited variable heteroplasmy. Our current observation, together with a recent report for a benign 154‐bp deletion in the mtDNA control region, suggests that the control of mtDNA replication may be more complex than we had thought. Hum Mutat 31:1–6, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.