Putative human myometrial and fibroid stem-like cells have mesenchymal stem cell and endometrial stromal cell properties.

STUDY QUESTION: Can endometrial stromal stem/progenitor cell markers, SUSD2 and CD146/CD140b, enrich for human myometrial and fibroid stem/progenitor cells? SUMMARY ANSWER: SUSD2 enriches for myometrial and fibroid cells that have mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) characteristics and can also be induced to decidualise. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Mesenchymal stem-like cells have been separately characterised in the endometrial stroma and myometrium and may contribute to diseases in their respective tissues. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Normal myometrium, fibroids and endometrium were collected from hysterectomies with informed consent. Primary cells or tissues were used from at least three patient samples for each experiment. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: Flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to characterise tissues. In vitro colony formation in normoxic and hypoxic conditions, MSC lineage differentiation (osteogenic and adipogenic) and decidualisation were used to assess stem cell activity. Xenotransplantation into immunocompromised mice was used to determine in vivo stem-like activity. Endpoint measures included quantitative PCR, colony formation, trichrome, Oil Red O and alkaline phosphatase activity staining. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: CD146+CD140b+ and/or SUSD2+ myometrial and fibroid cells were located in the perivascular region and formed more colonies in vitro compared to control cells and differentiated down adipogenic and osteogenic mesenchymal lineages in vitro. SUSD2+ myometrial cells had greater in vitro decidualisation potential, and SUSD2+ fibroid cells formed larger tumours in vivo compared to control cells. LARGE-SCALE DATA: N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Markers used in this study enrich for cells with stem/progenitor cell activity; however, they do not distinguish stem from progenitor cells. SUSD2+ myometrial cells express markers of decidualisation when treated in vitro, but in vivo assays are needed to fully demonstration their ability to decidualise. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: These results suggest a possible common MSC for the endometrial stroma and myometrium, which could be the tumour-initiating cell for uterine fibroids. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): These studies were supported by NIH grants to JMT (R01OD012206) and to ALP (F32HD081856). The authors certify that we have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Integrated Epigenome, Exome, and Transcriptome Analyses Reveal Molecular Subtypes and Homeotic Transformation in Uterine Fibroids.

Uterine fibroids are benign myometrial smooth muscle tumors of unknown etiology that, when symptomatic, are the most common indication for hysterectomy in the United States. Unsupervised clustering of results from DNA methylation analyses segregates normal myometrium from fibroids and further segregates the fibroids into subtypes characterized by MED12 mutation or activation of either HMGA2 or HMGA1 expression. Upregulation of HMGA2 expression does not always appear to be dependent on translocation but is associated with hypomethylation in the HMGA2 gene body. HOXA13 expression is upregulated in fibroids and correlates with expression of typical uterine fibroid genes. Significant overlap of differentially expressed genes is observed between cervical stroma and uterine fibroids compared with normal myometrium. These analyses show a possible role of DNA methylation in fibroid biology and suggest that homeotic transformation of myometrial cells to a more cervical stroma phenotype could be an important mechanism for etiology of the disease.

Effect of Sertraline as an Add-on Therapy in T2DM Patients with Comorbid Depression: An Open Label Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: To study the effect of sertraline on depression in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with comorbid depression. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An open label randomized control study. Patients with T2DM and moderate to severe depression were randomized to sertraline or control therapy for six months. The primary objective was the change in depression score and the secondary objectives were changes in glycemic parameters, wellbeing, and drug adherence scores at three and six months. RESULTS: The present study includes 160 T2DM patients with moderate to severe depression. Depression in these patients was evaluated using a self-reporting version of Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). A total of 80 patients each were randomized to sertraline and control groups. Sertraline significantly improved depression scores in patients with T2DM and moderate to severe depression both at 3 months and 6 months compared to the control group. The wellbeing and treatment adherence scores improved significantly in the sertraline group at 6 months. However, sertraline had no significant effect on glycemic parameters when compared to control group both at 3 months and 6 months. CONCLUSION: Sertraline significantly improves depression and drug adherence in T2DM patients with depression but has no effect on glycemic parameters.

Label-Retaining, Putative Mesenchymal Stem Cells Contribute to Murine Myometrial Repair During Uterine Involution.

Uterine remodeling during pregnancy is a fundamental, dynamic process required for successful propagation of eutherian species. The uterus can increase in size up to 40-fold during pregnancy, which is largely attributed to expansion of the myometrium by hyperplasia and hypertrophy. After pregnancy, the uterus repairs the remodeled or "damaged" tissue during uterine involution (INV). Little is known about this repair process, particularly the role of mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells. The objective of this study was to identify and characterize putative mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells in the murine myometrium using a combination of label retention and mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) marker expression and a pregnancy and uterine INV model. Tet-off transgenic mice with the Cre-lox system were used to specifically label mesenchymal cells (ie, myometrial and endometrial stromal cells) within the uterus while avoiding other cell types (eg, epithelial, immune, and endothelial cells) to identify slowly dividing cells and assess their stem cell qualities. We identified myometrial label-retaining cells (LRCs) that persisted for at least 3 months, expressed CD146 and CD140b (MSC markers), and proliferated at a higher rate during uterine INV compared with nonlabeled cells. The LRCs did not appear to express either estrogen receptor alpha or progesterone receptor, nor did the number of LRCs change at different estrous stages or in response to exogenous estradiol or progesterone administration, suggesting that LRCs were not involved in normal estrous cycling. The results from this study provide important insight into putative stem/progenitor cells in the myometrium and their possible role in uterine physiology.

Dysfunction of intraflagellar transport-A causes hyperphagia-induced obesity and metabolic syndrome.

Primary cilia extend from the plasma membrane of most vertebrate cells and mediate signaling pathways. Ciliary dysfunction underlies ciliopathies, which are genetic syndromes that manifest multiple clinical features, including renal cystic disease and obesity. THM1 (also termed TTC21B or IFT139) encodes a component of the intraflagellar transport-A complex and mutations in THM1 have been identified in 5% of individuals with ciliopathies. Consistent with this, deletion of murine Thm1 during late embryonic development results in cystic kidney disease. Here, we report that deletion of murine Thm1 during adulthood results in obesity, diabetes, hypertension and fatty liver disease, with gender differences in susceptibility to weight gain and metabolic dysfunction. Pair-feeding of Thm1 conditional knock-out mice relative to control littermates prevented the obesity and related disorders, indicating that hyperphagia caused the obese phenotype. Thm1 ablation resulted in increased localization of adenylyl cyclase III in primary cilia that were shortened, with bulbous distal tips on neurons of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus, an integrative center for signals that regulate feeding and activity. In pre-obese Thm1 conditional knock-out mice, expression of anorexogenic pro-opiomelanocortin (Pomc) was decreased by 50% in the arcuate nucleus, which likely caused the hyperphagia. Fasting of Thm1 conditional knock-out mice did not alter Pomc nor orexogenic agouti-related neuropeptide (Agrp) expression, suggesting impaired sensing of changes in peripheral signals. Together, these data indicate that the Thm1-mutant ciliary defect diminishes sensitivity to feeding signals, which alters appetite regulation and leads to hyperphagia, obesity and metabolic disease.

Antibacterial effect of ultrafine nanodiamond against gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli.

We investigate the antibacterial effect of ultrafine nanodiamond particles with an average size of 5 nm against the gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli). UV-visible, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) have been employed to elucidate the nature of the interaction. The influence on bacterial growth was monitored by measuring optical densities of E. coli at 600 nm as a function of time in the presence of carboxylated nanodiamond (cND) particles (100 µg/ml ) in highly nutritious liquid Luria-Bertani medium. The SEM images prove that cND particles are attached to the bacterial cell wall surface and some portion of the bacterial cell wall undergoes destruction. Due to the change of the protein structure on the bacterial wall, a small Raman shift in the region of 1400 to 1700 cm⁻¹ was observed when E. coli interacted with cNDs. Raman mapping images show strong evidence of cND attachment at the bacterial cell wall surface. Electrotransformation of E. coli with a fluorescent protein markers experiment demonstrated that the interaction mechanisms are different for E. coli treated with cND particles, E. coli by lysozyme treatment, and E. coli that suffer lysis.

Downregulating hedgehog signaling reduces renal cystogenic potential of mouse models.

Renal cystic diseases are a leading cause of renal failure. Mutations associated with renal cystic diseases reside in genes encoding proteins that localize to primary cilia. These cystoproteins can disrupt ciliary structure or cilia-mediated signaling, although molecular mechanisms connecting cilia function to renal cystogenesis remain unclear. The ciliary gene, Thm1(Ttc21b), negatively regulates Hedgehog signaling and is most commonly mutated in ciliopathies. We report that loss of murine Thm1 causes cystic kidney disease, with persistent proliferation of renal cells, elevated cAMP levels, and enhanced expression of Hedgehog signaling genes. Notably, the cAMP-mediated cystogenic potential of Thm1-null kidney explants was reduced by genetically deleting Gli2, a major transcriptional activator of the Hedgehog pathway, or by culturing with small molecule Hedgehog inhibitors. These Hedgehog inhibitors acted independently of protein kinase A and Wnt inhibitors. Furthermore, simultaneous deletion of Gli2 attenuated the renal cystic disease associated with deletion of Thm1. Finally, transcripts of Hedgehog target genes increased in cystic kidneys of two other orthologous mouse mutants, jck and Pkd1, and Hedgehog inhibitors reduced cystogenesis in jck and Pkd1 cultured kidneys. Thus, enhanced Hedgehog activity may have a general role in renal cystogenesis and thereby present a novel therapeutic target.

Sexual dimorphic effect in the genetic association of monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) markers with autism spectrum disorder.

Autism spectrum disorders are heritable and behaviorally-defined neurodevelopmental disorders having skewed sex ratio. Serotonin as modulator of behavior and implication of serotonergic dysfunction in ASD etiology corroborates that serotonergic system genes are potential candidates for autism susceptibility. In the current study X-chromosomal gene, MAOA responsible for degradation of serotonin is investigated for possible association with ASD using population-based approach. Study covers analysis of 8 markers in 421 subjects including cases and ethnically-matched controls from West Bengal. MAOA marker, rs6323 and various haplotypes formed between the markers show significant association with the disorder. Stratification on the basis of sex reveals significant genetic effect of rs6323 with low activity T allele posing higher risk in males, but not in females. Haplotypic association results also show differential effect both in males and females. Contrasting linkage disequilibrium pattern between pair of markers involving rs6323 in male cases and controls further supports the sex-bias in genetic association. Bioinformatic analysis shows presence of Y-encoded SRY transcription factor binding sites in the neighborhood of rs1137070. C allele of rs1137070 causes deletion of GATA-2 binding site and GATA-2 is known to interact with SRY. This is the first study highlighting male-specific effect of rs6323 marker and its haplotypes in ASD etiology and it suggests sexual dimorphic effect of MAOA in this disorder. Overall results of this study identify MAOA as a possible ASD susceptibility locus and the differential genetic effect in males and females might contribute to the sex ratio differences and molecular pathology of the disorder.

Genetic association and gene-gene interaction analyses suggest likely involvement of ITGB3 and TPH2 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the Indian population.

BACKGROUND: Serotoninergic dysfunction leads to neurodevelopmental abnormalities and behavioral impairments. Platelet hyperserotoninemia is reported as the best identified endophenotype for autism spectrum disorders. Therefore, in the present study we investigate the association of TPH2, the rate limiting enzyme in 5-HT biosynthesis and ITGB3, a serotonin quantitative trait locus with ASD in the Indian population. METHODS: Population and family-based genetic association and gene-gene interaction analyses were performed to evaluate the role of ITGB3 and TPH2 markers in ASD etiology. RESULTS: Association tests using ITGB3 markers revealed significant paternal overtransmission of T allele of rs5918 to male probands. Interestingly for TPH2, we observed significant overrepresentation of A-A (rs11179000-rs4290270), G-A (rs4570625-rs4290270), G-G-A (rs4570625-rs11179001-rs4290270) and A-G-A (rs11179000-rs11179001-rs4290270) haplotypes in the controls and maternal preferential transmission of A-A (rs11179001-rs7305115), T-A-A (rs4570625-rs11179001-rs7305115) and T-A-A (rs11179000-rs11179001-rs7305115) and nontransmission of G-G-A (rs4570625-rs11179001-rs7305115) haplotypes to the affected offspring. Moreover, interaction of ITGB3 marker, rs15908 with TPH2 markers was found to be significant and influenced by the sex of the probands. Predicted individual risk, which varied from very mild to moderate, supports combined effect of these markers in ASD. CONCLUSION: Overall results of the present study indicate likely involvement of ITGB3 and TPH2 in the pathophysiology of ASD in the Indian population.

Discerning non-disjunction in Down syndrome patients by means of GluK1-(AGAT)(n) and D21S2055-(GATA)(n) microsatellites on chromosome 21.

INTRODUCTION: Down syndrome (DS), the leading genetic cause of mental retardation, stems from non-disjunction of chromosome 21. AIM: Our aim was to discern non-disjunction in DS patients by genotyping GluK1-(AGAT)(n) and D21S2055-(GATA)(n) microsatellites on chromosome 21 using a family-based study design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We have used a PCR and automated DNA sequencing followed by appropriate statistical analysis of genotype data for the present study RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: We show that a high power of discrimination and a low probability of matching indicate that both markers may be used to distinguish between two unrelated individuals. That the D21S2055-(GATA)(n) allele distribution is evenly balanced, is indicated by a high power of exclusion [PE=0.280]. The estimated values of observed heterozygosity and polymorphism information content reveal that relative to GluK1-(AGAT)(n)[H(obs)=0.286], the D21S2055- (GATA)(n)[H(obs)=0.791] marker, is more informative. Though allele frequencies for both polymorphisms do not conform to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium proportions, we were able to discern the parental origin of non-disjunction and also garnered evidence for triallelic (1:1:1) inheritance. The estimated proportion of meiosis-I to meiosis-II errors is 2:1 in maternal and 4:1 in paternal cases for GluK1-(AGAT)(n), whereas for D21S2055-(GATA)(n), the ratio is 2:1 in both maternal and paternal cases. Results underscore a need to systematically evaluate additional chromosome 21-specific markers in the context of non-disjunction DS.

SNaPshot Assay in Quantitative Detection of Allelic Nondisjunction in Down Syndrome.

AIM: We wished to identify markers associated with allelic nondisjunction in nuclear families with Down syndrome (DS) offspring. Since the GRIK1 and GARS-AIRS-GART genes, mapping to chromosome 21q22.1, may be informative in this regard, we genotyped four single-nucleotide polymorphisms [30952599(A/G) rs363484; 30924733(A/G) rs363506; 34901423(A/G) rs2834235; 34877070(A/G) rs7283354] present in these genes using the SNaPshot(™) assay protocol. RESULTS: We have reported 30952599(A/G)-rs363484 to be monomorphic in our sample population. Genotyping revealed 35/65 families to be informative for 34877070(A/G)-rs7283354 (GARS-AIRS-GART), whereas only 25/65 and 11/65 are informative for 34901423(A/G)-rs2834235 (GARS-AIRS-GART) and 30924733(A/G)-rs363506 (GRIK1) polymorphisms, respectively. The parent- and stage-of-origin of nondisjunction could be traced in 48/65 families using at least one polymorphic marker. A single trio provided internal validation for assignment of the parent- and stage-of-origin of nondisjunction whereby the nondisjoining alleles were independently identified as G-rs363506, G-rs2834235, and G-rs7283354, respectively. An enhanced ratio of meiosis-I to meiosis-II errors during maternal or paternal meioses accounts for allelic nondisjunction. CONCLUSIONS: The SNaPshot assay is quantitative and permits multiplexing for detection of allelic nondisjunction. Inclusion of additional informative chromosome 21-specific markers may aid rapid aneuploidy detection, screening, and prenatal counseling of parents at risk of having babies with DS.

Role of SNAP25 explored in eastern Indian attention deficit hyperactivity disorder probands.

Synaptosomal-associated protein 25 (SNAP25) is an essential component for synaptic vesicle mediated release of neurotransmitters. Deficiencies or abnormal structure or function of SNAP25 protein, possibly arising through genetic variations in the relevant DNA code, has been suggested to play role in the pathology of several neurobehavioural disorders including Attention deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and a number of polymorphisms in the SNAP25 gene has been studied for association with the disorder. In the present investigation, for the first time association between ADHD and six SNAP25 polymorphisms, rs1889189, rs362569, rs362988, rs3746544, rs1051312, and rs8636 was explored in eastern Indian population. Subjects were recruited following the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders-IV. Genomic DNA isolated from peripheral blood leukocytes of ADHD probands (n = 150), their parents (n = 272) and ethnically matched controls (n = 100) was used for amplifying target sites. Data obtained were subjected to population- as well as family-based analyses. While case-control analysis revealed lack of any significant difference for alleles, family-based studies revealed a mild over transmission rs3746544 'T' and rs8636 'C' alleles (P = 0.05 and 0.03 respectively). Haplotypes formed between rs362569 "T", 362988 "G", rs3746544 "T", rs1051312 "T" and rs8636 "C" in different combinations showed statistically significant transmission to ADHD probands. Excepting rs3746544 and rs8636, all the tested sites showed very low linkage disequilibrium between them. Data obtained in this preliminary study indicates that rs3746544 'T' allele may have some role in the disease etiology in the studied Indian population.

No Evidence for Mutations that Deregulate GARS-AIRS-GART Protein Levels in Children with Down Syndrome.

UNLABELLED: GARS-AIRS-GART is crucial in studies of Down syndrome (DS)-related mental retardation due to its chromosomal location (21q22.1), involvement in de novo purine biosynthesis and over-expression in fetal DS brain postmortem samples. GARS-AIRS-GART regions important for structure-function were screened for mutations that might alter protein levels in DS patients. Mutation screening relied on multiplex/singleplex PCR-based amplification of genomic targets followed by amplicon size determination/fingerprinting. Serum protein samples were resolved by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotted with a GARS-AIRS-GART monoclonal antibody. No variation in amplicon size/fingerprints was observed in regions encoding the ATP-binding, active site residues of GARS, the structurally important glycine-rich loops of AIRS, substrate-binding, flexible and folate-binding loops of GART or the poly-adenylation signal sequences. The de novo occurrence or inheritance of large insertion/deletion/rearrangement-type mutations is therefore excluded. Immunoblots show presence of GARS-AIRS-GART protein in all patient samples, with no change in expression levels with respect to either sex or developmental age. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12291-011-0183-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Importance of gene variants and co-factors of folate metabolic pathway in the etiology of idiopathic intellectual disability.

Different components of the folate metabolic cycle are crucial for maintaining integrity of DNA. The present study was aimed at exploring the role of some important constituents of the folate cycle in the etiology of idiopathic intellectual disability (IID). Nuclear families with IID probands (n=226) and ethnically matched controls (n=181) were recruited for micronucleus, karyotype, genetic polymorphism (MTR rs1805087, MTRR rs1801394, and DHFR rs70991108), folate, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, and cysteine analysis. Significant difference in genotype frequencies in IID probands and their parents were observed for rs1805087 (P=0.03, 0.02), rs1801394 (P=0.03, 0.001), and rs70991108 ((P=0.03, 0.02) as compared to controls. IID probands showed significantly higher micronucleus frequency (P=0.01) and decreased vitamin B6 level (P=0.002). A strong correlation between rs1801394 'G' allele and micronucleus was also noticed. From the present investigation, a role of genetic polymorphisms and vitamin B6 levels could be hypothesized in the etiology of IID.

Role of gene-gene/gene-environment interaction in the etiology of eastern Indian ADHD probands.

Associations between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and genetic polymorphisms in the dopamine receptors, transporter and metabolizing enzymes have been reported in different ethnic groups. Gene variants may affect disease outcome by acting synergistically or antagonistically and thus their combined effect becomes an important aspect to study in the disease etiology. In the present investigation, interaction between ten functional polymorphisms in DRD4, DAT1, MAOA, COMT, and DBH genes were explored in the Indo-Caucasoid population. ADHD cases were recruited based on DSM-IV criteria. Peripheral blood samples were collected from ADHD probands (N=126), their parents (N=233) and controls (N=96) after obtaining informed written consent for participation. Genomic DNA was subjected to PCR based analysis of single nucleotide polymorphisms and variable number of tandem repeats (VNTRs). Data obtained was examined for population as well as family-based association analyses. While case-control analysis revealed higher occurrence of DAT1 intron 8 VNTR 5R allele (P=0.02) in cases, significant preferential transmission of the 7R-T (DRD4 exon3 VNTR-rs1800955) and 3R-T (MAOA-u VNTR-rs6323) haplotypes were noticed from parents to probands (P=0.02 and 0.002 respectively). Gene-gene interaction analysis revealed significant additive effect of DBH rs1108580 and DRD4 rs1800955 with significant main effects of DRD4 exon3 VNTR, DAT1 3'UTR and intron 8 VNTR, MAOA u-VNTR, rs6323, COMT rs4680, rs362204, DBH rs1611115 and rs1108580 thereby pointing towards a strong association of these markers with ADHD. Correlation between gene variants, high ADHD score and low DBH enzymatic activity was also noticed, especially in male probands. From these observations, an impact of the studied sites on the disease etiology could be speculated in this ethnic group.

An association analysis of reelin gene (RELN) polymorphisms with childhood epilepsy in eastern Indian population from West Bengal.

Epilepsy is a common neurological condition characterized by unprovoked seizure attacks. Early brain developmental abnormalities involving neuronal migration and lamination are implicated in childhood epilepsy. Reelin, a neuronal-signaling molecule plays a crucial role in these migratory processes. Therefore, reelin gene (RELN), which is located on human chromosome 7q22 is considered as a potential candidate gene for childhood epilepsy. In this study, we recruited 63 patients with childhood-onset epilepsy and 103 healthy controls from West Bengal in India. Genomic DNA isolated from leukocytes of cases and control individuals were used for genotyping analysis of 16 markers of RELN. Case-control analysis revealed significant over-representation of G/C and (G/C+C/C) genotypes, and C allele of exon 22 G/C marker (rs362691) in cases as compared to controls. Pair-wise linkage disequilibrium analysis demonstrated two separate LD blocks with moderately high D' values in epileptic cases. Based on these data, we have carried out haplotype case-control analysis. Even though we found over-representation of A-C haplotype of intron 12 A/C/exon 22 G/C markers and haplotype combination involving G-allele of exon 22 marker in cases and controls, respectively, the overall test was not significant. LD in this region involving this marker was also more robust in epileptic cases. Taken together, the results provide possible evidences for association of exon 22 G/C marker or any marker in the vicinity, which is in LD with this marker with epilepsy in the West Bengal population. Further investigations involving higher sample sizes are warranted to validate the present finding.

A study of GluK1 kainate receptor polymorphisms in Down syndrome reveals allelic non-disjunction at 1173(C/T).

Mechanisms underlying Down syndrome (DS)-related mental retardation (MR) remain poorly understood. In trisomic offspring, non-disjunction may result in the reduction to homozygosity of a susceptibility allele inherited from a heterozygous parent. Accordingly, we sought evidence for allelic non-disjunction in the GluK1 gene that encodes the critical kainite-binding glutamate receptor subunit-5, maps to chromosome 21q22.1 in the DS critical region and is expressed in brain regions responsible for learning and memory. Three polymorphisms of GluK1 [522(A/C) rs363538; 1173(C/T) rs363430 and 2705(T/C) rs363504] were genotyped in 86 DS patient families by means of PCR-coupled RFLP assays and evaluated with respect to allele frequency, heterozygosity, linkage disequilibrium, stage and parental origin of allelic non-disjunction. We report that the distribution of allele frequencies is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Moderate heterozygosity (0.339) and a major allele frequency of 0.78 render the 1173(C/T) marker informative. Pair-wise comparisons reveal that 522(A/C)-1173(C/T) [chi;{2} = 31.2, df = 1, p = 0.0001; D' = 0.42] and 1173(C/T)-2705(T/C) [chi;{2} = 18.3, df = 1, p = 0.0001; D' = 0.34] are in significant linkage disequilibrium of weak magnitude. The estimated ratio of meiosis-I to meiosis-II errors arising from allelic non-disjunction of 1173(C/T) is 4:1 in maternal cases and 2:1 in paternal cases. Studies including additional markers and patient samples are warranted to further substantiate present findings.

Analysis of serotonin receptor 2A gene (HTR2A): association study with autism spectrum disorder in the Indian population and investigation of the gene expression in peripheral blood leukocytes.

Several studies suggest involvement of serotoninergic system in the pathophysiology of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The 5-HT receptor binding studies using (3)H-lysergic acid diethylamide ((3)H-LSD) and linkage analysis provided evidences to consider HTR2A as a potential candidate gene for ASD. The three SNPs, -1438A/G (rs6311), 102T/C (rs6313) and 1354C/T (rs6314) of HTR2A have been well studied in the etiology of various neuropsychiatric disorders. But studies on association of this gene with ASD are limited to two reports from American and Korean populations. Additionally there are reports, which demonstrated paternal imprinting of HTR2A with expression from only one allele. So far no reports are available on HTR2A and its association with any neuropsychiatric disorders from Indian population. Therefore, the present study investigates association of the above mentioned three markers of HTR2A with ASD in Indian population using population and family-based approaches. The study also deals with allelic expression pattern of HTR2A in Peripheral Blood Leukocytes (PBLs) to understand the parental imprinting status. The genotyping analyses were carried out for probands, parents and controls. The subsequent association analyses did not show association of these markers with ASD. So, HTR2A is unlikely to be a genetic marker for ASD in Indian population. The expression analyses showed absence of monoallelic expression, suggesting lack of parental imprinting of HTR2A gene. However, we noticed methylation of the CpG sites at -1438A/G and 102T/C loci of HTR2A gene. Further bioinformatics analysis revealed absence of CpG islands in the promoter of the gene supporting biallelic expression pattern of HTR2A in PBLs.

No causal role for the G482T and G689T polymorphisms in translation regulation of serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) or association with attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The G482T and G689T polymorphisms in the 3'-UTR of serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) are implicated in translational regulation and allelic variants may mediate susceptibility to attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Accordingly, we examined influence of allelic variation on stable secondary structure formation and on seed sequences necessary for microRNA-binding. Furthermore, 90 ADHD cases from India were genotyped for these markers and tested for association with ADHD. METHODS: The Mfold software was used for secondary structure predictions and miRNA-binding sequences were obtained from the PicTar database. Using a family-based study design we assessed genetic association by means of the haplotype-based haplotype relative risk (HHRR) and transmission disequilibrium test (TDT) statistics. With respect to G689T, previously published TDT data were included in pooled analysis. RESULT: Secondary structure analysis reveals that G482, U482, G689 and U689 conformers are energetically similar. Unlike G482, the U482 change maps within a loop and this conformer differs in free energy by approximately 4.4kcal/mol. While G482T is proximal to various miRNA-binding sequences, it is not part of the seed sequence for any of them. Thus, G482T and G689T polymorphisms do not regulate SLC6A4 translation in cis. From the HHRR (chi(2)=0.860, p=0.353; R.R.=1.11; 95% C.I.=0.89-1.65 for G482T; chi(2)=0.902, p=0.342; R.R.=1.17; 95% C.I.=0.83-1.32 for G689T), TDT (chi(2)=1.33, p=0.25; O.R.=1.35; 95% C.I.=0.94-1.94 for G482T; chi(2)=1.45, p=0.23; O.R.=1.44; 95% C.I.=0.94-2.22 for G689T) and pooled TDT (chi(2)=0.52, p=0.47; O.R.=1.05; 95% C.I.=0.96-1.15) statistics we infer that these polymorphisms are not associated with risk of ADHD.