An integrated bioinformatic analysis of microarray datasets to identify biomarkers and miRNA-based regulatory networks in leishmaniasis.

Micro RNAs (miRNAs, miRs) and relevant networks might exert crucial functions during differential host cell infection by the different Leishmania species. Thus, a bioinformatic analysis of microarray datasets was developed to identify pivotal shared biomarkers and miRNA-based regulatory networks for Leishmaniasis. A transcriptomic analysis by employing a comprehensive set of gene expression profiling microarrays was conducted to identify the key genes and miRNAs relevant for Leishmania spp. infections. Accordingly, the gene expression profiles of healthy human controls were compared with those of individuals infected with Leishmania mexicana, L. major, L. donovani, and L. braziliensis. The enrichment analysis for datasets was conducted by utilizing EnrichR database, and Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) network to identify the hub genes. The prognostic value of hub genes was assessed by using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Finally, the miRNAs that interact with the hub genes were identified using miRTarBase, miRWalk, TargetScan, and miRNet. Differentially expressed genes were identified between the groups compared in this study. These genes were significantly enriched in inflammatory responses, cytokine-mediated signaling pathways and granulocyte and neutrophil chemotaxis responses. The identification of hub genes of recruited datasets suggested that TNF, SOCS3, JUN, TNFAIP3, and CXCL9 may serve as potential infection biomarkers and could deserve value as prognostic biomarkers for leishmaniasis. Additionally, inferred data from miRWalk revealed a significant degree of interaction of a number of miRNAs (hsa-miR-8085, hsa-miR-4673, hsa-miR-4743-3p, hsa-miR-892c-3p, hsa-miR-4644, hsa-miR-671-5p, hsa-miR-7106-5p, hsa-miR-4267, hsa-miR-5196-5p, and hsa-miR-4252) with the majority of the hub genes, suggesting such miRNAs play a crucial role afterwards parasite infection. The hub genes and hub miRNAs identified in this study could be potentially suggested as therapeutic targets or biomarkers for the management of leishmaniasis.

A novel nonsense variant in the ATL3 gene is associated with disturbed pain sensitivity, numbness of distal limbs and muscle weakness.

Introduction Hereditary sensory neuropathy (HSN) describes as a heterogeneous group of peripheral neuropathies. HSN type 1 (HSN1) is one subtype characterized by distal sensory impairment that occurs in the form of numbness, tingling, or pain. To date, only two variants in the atlastin GTPase 3 (ATL3) gene have been identified that result in hereditary sensory neuropathy type 1F (HSN1F) with autosomal dominantinheritance. Methods We sudied and examined who present with sensory disturbances and muscle weakness in their lower limb. Patients underwent Whole Exome Sequencing and Sanger sequencing was performed in families for validation of detected variant. Results Here, we identified two Iranian families carrying the novel heterozygous stop variant NM_015459.5: c.16C>T, p.Arg6Ter in ATL3 that led to disturbed pain and touch sensitivity. This variant in the ATL3 gene was detected in both families (NM_015459.5: c.16C>T, p.Arg6Ter) by whole-exome sequencing and confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Conclusion In this study, the subjects manifested weakness of distal limb muscles and numbness of the lower extremities. In addition, some unusual features, including hearing problems and inability to sit and walk presented in one of the patients. Eventually, we provide a case-based review of the clinical features associated with HSN1F. Hitherto, only 11 patients with HSN1F have been reported. We compared our findings to previously reported cases, suggesting that the clinical features are generally variable in the HSN1F patients.

A Review on Advanced CRISPR-Based Genome-Editing Tools: Base Editing and Prime Editing.

In the field of medicine, it is axiomatic that the need of a precise gene-editing tool is critical to employ therapeutic approaches toward pathogenic mutations, occurring in human genome. Today we know that most of genetic defects are caused by single-base pair substitutions in genomic DNA. The ability to make practically any targeted substitutions of DNA sequences at specified regions in the human genome gives us the chance to employ gene therapy in most known diseases associated with genetic variants. In this regard, CRISPR/Cas9 applications is becoming more and more popular along with the significant advancements of life sciences, by employing this technology in genome-editing and high-throughput screenings. Several CRISPR/Cas-based mammalian cell gene-editing techniques have been developed during the last decade, including nucleases, base editors, and prime editors, all of which have the exact mechanism at first glance. However, they address a subset of known pathogenic sequence mutations using different methods. First, we highlight the development of CRISPR-based gene-editing tools. Then we describe their functions and summarize the conducted research studies, which are increasing the reliability of these strategies to better efficiencies for prospective gene therapies in the near future. Lastly, we compare the capabilities of all these platforms together besides their probable limitations.