Das mitochondriale Genom und Altern

There is a lot of evidence that age-associated alterations of the mitochondrial genome occur, especially in postmitotic tissues such as brain, heart and skeletal muscle. These alterations are supposed to be a result of an attack of free radicals generated as normal byproducts of oxidative phosphorylation and lead to damage of proteins, lipids, and DNA. The alterations of mtDNA include oxidative damage of base pairs, point mutations, large-scale deletions or duplications. The 4977 bp deletion or "common deletion" reveals an age-dependent accumulation in postmitotic tissues, but not in fast-dividing tissues such as blood cells. In addition, it is observed that a tissue-specific accumulation occurs with the highest abundance in the basal ganglia, followed by skeletal muscle, heart, and lowest in cerebellar tissue. Third, pathological alterations of specific tissue, like ischemia/reperfusion events, display a pronounced accumulation of the deletion compared to age-matched controls. Because there are many mtDNA mutations, further analysis of all alterations of mtDNA will elucidate its role in the phenomenon of aging. Despite some criticisms of this free radical theory of aging, there is a lot of experimental evidence to support the important role of mitochondria in organismal aging.     

Association of an HLA‐G 14‐bp Insertion/Deletion polymorphism with high HBV replication in chronic hepatitis

Identification of an HLA‐G 14‐bp Insertion/Deletion (Ins/Del) polymorphism at the 3′ untranslated region of HLA‐G revealed its importance in HLA‐G mRNA stability and HLA‐G protein level variation. We evaluated the association between the HLA‐G 14‐bp Ins/Del polymorphism in patients with chronic Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in a case–control study. Genomic DNA was extracted from 263 patients with chronic HBV hepatitis and 246 control subjects and was examined for the HLA‐G 14‐bp Ins/Del polymorphism by PCR. The polymorphic variants were genotyped in chronic HBV seropositive cases stratified according to HBV DNA levels, fibrosis stages and in a control population. There was no statistical significant association between the 14‐bp Ins/Del polymorphism and increased susceptibility to HBV infection neither for alleles (P = 0.09) nor for genotypes (P = 0.18). The stratification of HBV patients based on HBV DNA levels revealed an association between the 14‐bp Ins/Del polymorphism and an enhanced HBV activity with high HBV DNA levels. In particular, the Ins allele was significantly associated with high HBV DNA levels (P = 0.0024, OR = 1.71, 95% CI 1.2–2.4). The genotype Ins/Ins was associated with a 2.5‐fold (95% CI, 1.29–4.88) increased risk of susceptibility to high HBV replication compared with the Del/Del and Ins/Del genotypes. This susceptibility is linked to the presence of two Ins alleles. No association was observed between the 14‐bp Ins/Del polymorphism and fibrosis stage of HBV infection. We observed an association between the 14‐bp Ins/Del polymorphism and high HBV replication characterized by high HBV DNA levels in chronic HBV patients. These results suggest a potential prognostic value for disease outcome evaluation.     

Hepatotoxic effect of ochratoxin A and citrinin,alone and in combination,and protective effect of vitamin E: In vitro study in HepG2 cell

Ochratoxin A (OTA) and citrinin (CTN) are the most commonly co-occurring mycotoxins in a wide variety of food and feed commodities. The major target organ of these toxins is kidney but liver could also be a target organ. The combined toxicity of these two toxins in kidney cells has been studied but not in liver cell. In this study HepG2 cells were exposed to OTA and CTN, alone and in combination, with a view to compare the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying OTA, CTN and OTA + CTN hepatotoxicity. OTA and CTN alone as well as in combination affected the viability of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. OTA + CTN, at a dose of 20% of IC₅₀ of each, produced effect almost similar to that produced by either of the toxins at its IC₅₀ concentration, indicating that the two toxins in combination act synergistically. The cytotoxicity of OTA + CTN on hepatocytes is mediated by increased level of intracellular ROS followed/accompanied by DNA strand breaks and mitochondria-mediated intrinsic apoptosis. Co-treatment of vitamin E (Vit E) with OTA, CTN and OTA + CTN reduced the levels of ROS and the cytotoxicity. But the genotoxic effect of OTA and OTA + CTN was not completely alleviated by Vit E treatment whereas the DNA damage as caused by CTN when treated alone was obviated, indicating that OTA induces DNA damage directly whereas CTN induces ROS-mediated DNA damage and OTA + CTN combination induces DNA damage not exclusively relying on but influenced by ROS generation. Taken together, these findings indicate that OTA and CTN in combination affect hepatocytes at very low concentrations and, thereby, pose a potential threat to public and animal health.     

DNA interactions of dinuclear Ru arene antitumor complexes in cell-free media

We recently synthesized and characterized water-soluble dinuclear Ru^II arene complexes, in which two {(η⁶-p-isopropyltoluene)RuCl[3-(oxo-κO)-2-methyl-4-pyridinonato-κO₄]} units were linked by flexible chains of different length [(CH₂)_n (n = 4, 6, 8, 12)]. These new dinuclear ruthenium drugs were found to exert promising cytotoxic effects in human cancer cells. In the present work DNA modifications by these new dinuclear Ru^II arene compounds, which differed in the length of the linker between the two Ru^II centers, were examined by biochemical and biophysical methods. The complexes bind DNA forming intrastrand and interstrand cross-links in one DNA molecule in the absence of proteins. An intriguing aspect of the DNA-binding mode of these dinuclear Ru^II compounds is that they can cross-link two DNA duplexes and also proteins to DNA—a feature not observed for other antitumor ruthenium complexes. Thus, the concept for the design of interhelical and DNA-protein cross-linking agents based on dinuclear Ru^II arene complexes with sufficiently long linkers between two Ru centers may result in new compounds which exhibit a variety of biological effects and can be also useful in nucleic acids research.     

Depression and the role of genes involved in dopamine metabolism and signalling

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a common psychiatric disorder and leading cause of disability worldwide. It is associated with increased mortality, especially from suicide. Heritability of MDD is estimated around 40%, suggesting that genotyping is a promising field for research into the development of MDD. According to the dopamine theory of affective disorders, a deficiency in dopaminergic neurotransmission may play a role in the major symptoms of MDD. Specific polymorphisms in genes that affect dopamine transmission could increase susceptibility to MDD. To determine the extent to which these genes influence vulnerability to MDD, we discuss genes for crucial steps in dopamine neurotransmission: synthesis, signalling and inactivation. The val158met polymorphism of the COMT gene exemplifies the lack of consensus in the literature: although it is one of the most reported polymorphisms that relates to MDD vulnerability, its role is not corroborated by meta-analysis. Gene–gene interactions and gene–environment interactions provide more explanatory potential than single gene associations. Two notable exceptions are the DRD4 and DAT gene: both have variable tandem repeat polymorphisms which may have a “single gene” influence on susceptibility to MDD.     

Mechanistic insights into antitumor effects of new dinuclear cis Pt complexes containing aromatic linkers

The primary objective was to understand more deeply the molecular mechanism underlying different antitumor effects of dinuclear Pt^II complexes containing aromatic linkers of different length, {[cis-Pt(NH₃)₂Cl]₂(4,4′-methylenedianiline)}²⁺ (1) and {[cis-Pt(NH₃)₂Cl]₂(α,α′-diamino-p-xylene)}²⁺ (2). These complexes belong to a new generation of promising polynuclear platinum drugs resistant to decomposition by sulfur nucleophiles which hampers clinical use of bifunctional polynuclear trans Pt^II complexes hitherto tested. Results obtained with the aid of methods of molecular biophysics and pharmacology reveal differences and new details of DNA modifications by 1 and 2 and recognition of these modifications by cellular components. The results indicate that the unique properties of DNA interstrand cross-links of this class of polynuclear platinum complexes and recognition of these cross-links may play a prevalent role in antitumor effects of these metallodrugs. Moreover, the results show for the first time a strong specific recognition and binding of high-mobility-group-domain proteins, which are known to modulate antitumor effects of clinically used platinum drugs, to DNA modified by a polynuclear platinum complex.     

Modulation of DNA repair capacity and mRNA expression levels of XRCC1, hOGG1 and XPC genes in styrene-exposed workers

Decreased levels of single-strand breaks in DNA (SSBs), reflecting DNA damage, have previously been observed with increased styrene exposure in contrast to a dose-dependent increase in the base-excision repair capacity. To clarify further the above aspects, we have investigated the associations between SSBs, micronuclei, DNA repair capacity and mRNA expression in XRCC1, hOGG1 and XPC genes on 71 styrene-exposed and 51 control individuals. Styrene concentrations at workplace and in blood characterized occupational exposure. The workers were divided into low (below 50 mg/m³) and high (above 50 mg/m³) styrene exposure groups. DNA damage and DNA repair capacity were analyzed in peripheral blood lymphocytes by Comet assay. The mRNA expression levels were determined by qPCR. A significant negative correlation was observed between SSBs and styrene concentration at workplace (R = − 0.38, p = 0.001); SSBs were also significantly higher in men (p = 0.001). The capacity to repair irradiation-induced DNA damage was the highest in the low exposure group (1.34 ± 1.00 SSB/10⁹ Da), followed by high exposure group (0.72 ± 0.81 SSB/10⁹ Da) and controls (0.65 ± 0.82 SSB/10⁹ Da). The mRNA expression levels of XRCC1, hOGG1 and XPC negatively correlated with styrene concentrations in blood and at workplace (p < 0.001) and positively with SSBs (p < 0.001). Micronuclei were not affected by styrene exposure, but were higher in older persons and in women (p < 0.001). In this study, we did not confirm previous findings on an increased DNA repair response to styrene-induced genotoxicity. However, negative correlations of SSBs and mRNA expression levels of XRCC1, hOGG1 and XPC with styrene exposure warrant further highly-targeted study.     

Interleukin 6–174 G/C promoter and variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) gene polymorphisms in sporadic Alzheimer's disease

Background

Previous studies examining the association between the interleukin 6 (IL-6)–174 C/G polymorphism and Alzheimer's disease (AD) have yielded conflicting results. Furthermore, the C allele of the IL-6 variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) polymorphism was associated with a delayed onset and a decreased risk of AD.

Methods

A total sample of 149 AD patients, and 298 age- and sex-matched unrelated caregivers from Apulia, southern Italy, were genotyped for the apolipoprotein E (APOE) polymorphism, the VNTR polymorphism in the 3' flanking region, and the -174G/C single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the promoter region of IL-6 gene on chromosome 7. Furthermore, we performed a haplotype analysis on these two polymorphisms on IL-6 locus.

Results

IL-6 VNTR and -174G/C allele and genotype frequencies were similar between AD patients and controls, also after stratification for late-onset (≥ 65 years) and early-onset (< 65 years) or APOE ε4 status. Furthermore, there was no evidence of linkage disequilibrium between the VNTR and -174G/C polymorphisms, not supporting a previous reported additive effect of both IL-6 polymorphisms on AD risk.

Conclusions

Our findings did not support a role of IL-6–174 G/C and IL-6 VNTR polymorphisms in the risk of sporadic AD in southern Italy, suggesting that these polymorphisms of IL-6 gene were at most weak genetic determinants of AD.     

A case-control association study of the polymorphism at the promoter region of the DRD4 gene in Korean boys with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder: evidence of association with the -521 C/T SNP

Recent genetic studies at the 5' end of the dopamine D4 receptor (DRD4) gene have identified several polymorphisms having a possible relationship with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This study examined the association between the -521 and -376 promoter single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the DRD4 gene and ADHD through a case-control association study in Korean boys, who constitute a single ethnic population. Ninety-four ADHD and ninety-five control boys were enrolled in this study. All of the ADHD subjects completed a comprehensive and standardized diagnostic and psychological evaluation battery including the ADHD Rating Scale-IV (ARS). Genotyping for the 2 promoter SNPs was performed. There were significant differences in the genotype and allele frequencies of the -521 C/T SNP between the ADHD and control groups (chi2=6.28, p=0.043 and chi2=6.22, p=0.013, respectively). However, the distribution of the -376 C/T genotypes and alleles were similar in the ADHD and control groups. The subtypes of ADHD were not related to either of these two SNPs. In the ADHD subjects, the -521 TT genotype group had a higher score in the inattentive subscale and a lower score in the hyperactive subscale of the parents version of ARS, although these differences did not attain statistical significance (p=0.146, p=0.082). In conclusion, there was a significant association between the -521 C/T SNP and ADHD in Korean boys. These results suggest a role of the -521 C/T SNP in the susceptibility for ADHD.