Association of RNA with the uracil-DNA-degrading factor has major conformational effects and is potentially involved in protein folding.

Recently, a novel uracil-DNA-degrading factor protein (UDE) was identified in Drosophila melanogaster, with homologues only in pupating insects. Its unique uracil-DNA-degrading activity and a potential domain organization pattern have been described. UDE seems to be the first representative of a new protein family with unique enzyme activity that has a putative role in insect development. In addition, UDE may also serve as potential tool in molecular biological applications. Owing to lack of homology with other proteins with known structure and/or function, de novo data are required for a detailed characterization of UDE structure and function. Here, experimental evidence is provided that recombinant protein is present in two distinct conformers. One of these contains a significant amount of RNA strongly bound to the protein, influencing its conformation. Detailed biophysical characterization of the two distinct conformational states (termed UDE and RNA-UDE) revealed essential differences. UDE cannot be converted into RNA-UDE by addition of the same RNA, implying putatively joint processes of RNA binding and protein folding in this conformational species. By real-time PCR and sequencing after random cloning, the bound RNA pool was shown to consist of UDE mRNA and the two ribosomal RNAs, also suggesting cotranslational RNA-assisted folding. This finding, on the one hand, might open a way to obtain a conformationally homogeneous UDE preparation, promoting successful crystallization; on the other hand, it might imply a further molecular function of the protein. In fact, RNA-dependent complexation of UDE was also demonstrated in a fruit fly pupal extract, suggesting physiological relevance of RNA binding of this DNA-processing enzyme.

[The first epidemiologic survey among Hungarian elite athletes: eating disorders, depression and risk factors]. / Az elso epidemiológiai felmérés a magyar élsportolók körében: evészavarok, depresszió és egyéb rizikótényezok.

UNLABELLED: It is a fact that the incidence rate of anorexia nervosa is high among athletes who are considered a high-risk population in terms of eating disorders, and it is known as anorexia athletica by specialised literature. Our goal is to assess the prevalence of eating disorders among leading Hungarian athletes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Before the 2008 Olympics we conducted questionnaire surveys in several Hungarian training camps: demographic and training data, anorexia nervosa inventory for self-rating (ANIS) and the bulimia investigation test, Edinburgh (BITE). We processed the data with the application of the SPSS software package. RESULTS: The average age was 22+/-4.9 years in the different sports (canoeing, pentathlon, handball, basketball, volleyball, weight-lifting). Average body mass index (22.15+/-2.12 kg/m2 ) was in the normal range. Prevalence of clinical anorexia nervosa was 12 (16.7%) and clinical bulimia nervosa was 5 (6.9%). The incidence rate of at least one pathological symptom was 73.6% with regard to the whole population. The prevalence of the depression episode was 37.5% by the current population. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of eating disorders among athletes was remarkably higher compared to the average population which, however, correlates with the international data. Our outcomes encourage further detailed researches.

Eating disorders from a gynecologic and endocrinologic view: hormonal changes.

Infertile women with clinical and subclinical bulimia nervosa have pathologically low FSH and LH levels, suggesting that improper nutrition has an important role in hormonal dysfunction.

[Gynecologic and endocrinologic sequelae of bulimia--hormonal changes]. / A bulimia nógyógyászati és endokrinológiai következményei--hormonális eltérések.

INTRODUCTION: Gynecological problems are one of the most frequent somatic complications of eating disorders. AIMS: The purpose of the present study was to assess the role of improper eating habits causing menstrual disturbances, anovulation and related hormonal changes. Latent bulimia nervosa is in the focus of attention since amenorrhea is considered as a diagnostic criterion of anorexia nervosa. METHOD: Subjects of the BITE (Bulimia Investigation Test, Edinburgh) test were infertile patients (n = 34) of the gynecological outpatient departments after medical examination, blood-test (LH, FSH, androstenedione, DHEAS, progesterone, testosterone, SHBG, prolactin) and ultrasonic examination (uterus and ovaries). RESULTS: Symptoms and severity subscales of the BITE test and body mass index (BMI) were close correlation (p = 0.003, p = 0.033). In comparison with previous results, EDNOS (Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified) prevalence was 48%. Of hormonal changes, low LH and FSH levels (6/6) and hyperandrogenism (5/6) were significant in patients with subclinical eating disorders (n = 6) by infertile women as compared with the "normal" infertile group (n = 18; 7/18, 8/18). CONCLUSION: The recent results suggests that unsatisfactory nutrition (bulimic binges, "crash diet") is as relevant in hormonal dysfunction, menstrual disturbances and infertility as pathologically low weight in anorexia nervosa. Excessive application of contraceptives in therapy has to be taken into consideration.