Common variants in SOCS7 gene predict obesity, disturbances in lipid metabolism and insulin resistance.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Specific Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling (SOCS) members, such as SOCS7, may play a role in the development of insulin resistance (IR) owing to their ability to inhibit insulin signaling pathways. The objective was to explore the association between common variants and related haplotypes in SOCS7 gene and metabolic traits related to obesity, lipid metabolism and IR. METHODS AND RESULTS: 780 unrelated men were included in a cross-sectional study. We selected three tagged SNPs that capture 100% of SNPs with minor allele frequency ≥ 0.10. Analyses were done separately for each SNP and followed up by haplotype analysis. rs8074124C was associated with both obesity (p = 0.005) and abdominal obesity (p = 0.002) and allele C carriers showed, in comparison with TT carriers, lower BMI (p = 0.001) and waist circumference (p = 0.001). rs8074124CC- carriers showed lower fasting insulin (p = 0.017) and HOMA-IR (p = 0.018) than allele T carriers. rs12051836C was associated with hypertriglyceridemia (p = 0.009) and hypertriglyceridemic waist (p = 0.006). rs12051836CC- carriers showed lower fasting insulin (p = 0.043) and HOMA-IR (p = 0.042). Haplotype-based association analysis (rs8074124 and rs12051836 in that order) showed associations with lipid and obesity -related phenotypes, consistent with single locus analysis. Haplotype analysis also revealed association between haplotype CT and both decreased HDL-C (p = 0.026) and HDL-C (p = 0.014) as a continuous variable. CONCLUSIONS: We found, for the first time, significant associations between SOCS7 common variants and related haplotypes and obesity, IR and lipid metabolism disorders.

Glucokinase gene mutation screening in Argentinean clinically characterized MODY patients.

INTRODUCTION: Mutations in the glucokinase gene (GCK) produce a subtype of Maturity onset diabetes in the young (MODY), named MODY 2. To date over than 190 different mutations have been identified, distributed over the coding regions and the exon-intron boundaries of the gene. The aim of this work was to study the nature and frequency of mutations in the GCK gene, in a MODY clinically characterized Argentinean population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventy unrelated individuals were selected based on MODY clinical features. The study methodology consisted in PCR amplification of the coding regions of the GCK gene, SSCP electrophoresis analysis of the amplified fragments and direct sequencing of the fragments with abnormal electrophoresis pattern. RESULTS: We identified a total of six patients with mutations in the GCK gene. This included two novel mutations: g.1831C>A, g.3792T>A, one already reported by our group, g.168fsdelC (same mutation in two non-related patients) and two already reported: p.Gln138Pro and p.Gly261Glu. With that data, we could establish the prevalence of MODY 2 among the patients in study reaching to 8.6%. DISCUSSION: The main contribution of this study is to inform about two novel mutations not described to date and to make an approach to the establishment of the prevalence of MODY 2 in the population under study. These findings contribute to confirm the allelic heterogeneity of GCK gene mutations and may provide an insight into the structure-function relationship of the GCK.

Genotipificacion del gen HLA DQB1 en diabetes autoinmune del adulto ( LADA ) / HLA DQB1 genotyping in latent autoimmune diabetes of adults ( LADA )

La diabetes autoinmune es una enfermedad multifactorial causada por factores genéticos predisponentes y ambientales desencadenantes. Se manifiesta en la edad infantojuvenil (diabetes tipo 1, DMID) y en la edad adulta (diabetes autoinmune latente del adulto, LADA). La predisposición genética es de tipo poligénico, se ha establecido asociación con alelos polimórficos del gen DQB del sistema HLA, VNTR del gen de insulina y polimorfismos en el gen CTLA4. En el presente trabajo se analizaron las frecuencias de los alelos polimórficos del gen HLA DQB1 en 63 pacientes LADA, 70 pacientes DMID y 79 individuos normales. La tipificación de los alelos del gen DQB1 se llevó a cabo mediante el Kit SSPTM DQ Olerup. Se observó una mayor frecuencia del genotipo *0201-*0302 y *0201-*0201 en ambas poblaciones diabéticas con respecto a normales (p<0.05). La presencia del genotipo *0201-*0302 fue mayor en DMID que en LADA (p<0.05). Por otra parte, el análisis del alelo protector *0602 muestra una alta prevalencia en individuos normales con respecto a la población diabética. El alelo de susceptibilidad más frecuente en pacientes LADA y DMID de nuestro país fue el *0201. En conclusión, LADA presenta susceptibilidad genética dada por alelos del gen HLA DQB1 pero en forma menos determinante que en diabetes tipo 1. A su vez, el hallazgo del aumento en la frecuencia del alelo *0201, tanto en frecuencias alélicas como genotípicas permite caracterizar nuestra población de pacientes tanto LADA como DMID a diferencia de otras poblaciones en las que el alelo más frecuente es el *0302.

Genotipificacion del gen HLA DQB1 en diabetes autoinmune del adulto ( LADA ) / HLA DQB1 genotyping in latent autoimmune diabetes of adults ( LADA )

La diabetes autoinmune es una enfermedad multifactorial causada por factores genéticos predisponentes y ambientales desencadenantes. Se manifiesta en la edad infantojuvenil (diabetes tipo 1, DMID) y en la edad adulta (diabetes autoinmune latente del adulto, LADA). La predisposición genética es de tipo poligénico, se ha establecido asociación con alelos polimórficos del gen DQB del sistema HLA, VNTR del gen de insulina y polimorfismos en el gen CTLA4. En el presente trabajo se analizaron las frecuencias de los alelos polimórficos del gen HLA DQB1 en 63 pacientes LADA, 70 pacientes DMID y 79 individuos normales. La tipificación de los alelos del gen DQB1 se llevó a cabo mediante el Kit SSPTM DQ Olerup. Se observó una mayor frecuencia del genotipo *0201-*0302 y *0201-*0201 en ambas poblaciones diabéticas con respecto a normales (p<0.05). La presencia del genotipo *0201-*0302 fue mayor en DMID que en LADA (p<0.05). Por otra parte, el análisis del alelo protector *0602 muestra una alta prevalencia en individuos normales con respecto a la población diabética. El alelo de susceptibilidad más frecuente en pacientes LADA y DMID de nuestro país fue el *0201. En conclusión, LADA presenta susceptibilidad genética dada por alelos del gen HLA DQB1 pero en forma menos determinante que en diabetes tipo 1. A su vez, el hallazgo del aumento en la frecuencia del alelo *0201, tanto en frecuencias alélicas como genotípicas permite caracterizar nuestra población de pacientes tanto LADA como DMID a diferencia de otras poblaciones en las que el alelo más frecuente es el *0302. (AU)

[Acquired partial lipodystrophy. Insulin resistance, hepatic lipase activity and small and dense LDL particles]. / Lipodistrofia parcial adquirida. Resistencia insulínica, actividad lipasa hepática y partículas LDL pequeñas y densas.

Partial lipodystrophy (PLD) is an infrequent condition characterized by symmetric loss of subcutaneous adipose tissue in the upper or lower part of the body, although occasionally it affects only the extremities. In all cases it appears along with acantosis nigricans (AN), insulin resistance and impairment in the metabolism of lipids and carbohydrates. The case depicted pertains to a 49 year old female with no family history involving loss of adipose tissue in face and upper body. No fat in lower part of body was observed. The patient showed facial thinning at age 8, AN at 11 and gestational diabetes during her fourth pregnancy at 33. At present, the patient presents severe hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia with a marked insulin resistance. Type IV hyperlipoproteinemia (OMS), declined C-HDL and Apo A1 and low C-LDL but with a high proportion of small and dense LDL particles were present. Non esterified fatty acids were high. Lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase activities are in the lower limit and increased respectively. Fraction C3 of the complement was diminished. No mutations were observed either in codons 170, 809 and 972 of the IRS-1 receptor or in codon 276 of the adrenergic beta 2 gene.

Lipodistrofia parcial adquirida. Resistencia insulínica, actividad lipasa hepática y partículas LDL pequeñas y densas. / [Acquired partial lipodystrophy. Insulin resistance, hepatic lipase activity and small and dense LDL particles]

Partial lipodystrophy (PLD) is an infrequent condition characterized by symmetric loss of subcutaneous adipose tissue in the upper or lower part of the body, although occasionally it affects only the extremities. In all cases it appears along with acantosis nigricans (AN), insulin resistance and impairment in the metabolism of lipids and carbohydrates. The case depicted pertains to a 49 year old female with no family history involving loss of adipose tissue in face and upper body. No fat in lower part of body was observed. The patient showed facial thinning at age 8, AN at 11 and gestational diabetes during her fourth pregnancy at 33. At present, the patient presents severe hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia with a marked insulin resistance. Type IV hyperlipoproteinemia (OMS), declined C-HDL and Apo A1 and low C-LDL but with a high proportion of small and dense LDL particles were present. Non esterified fatty acids were high. Lipoprotein lipase and hepatic lipase activities are in the lower limit and increased respectively. Fraction C3 of the complement was diminished. No mutations were observed either in codons 170, 809 and 972 of the IRS-1 receptor or in codon 276 of the adrenergic beta 2 gene.

Análisis de la mutación Gli 40 Ser en el gen del receptor de glucagón en personas con diabetes tipo MODY / Analysis of the Gli 40 Ser mutation in the glucagon-receptor gen in people with MODY diabetes

La diabetes tipo MODY es una forma de diabetes tipo 2 que se presenta en pacientes menores de 25 años y con una forma de herencia autosómica dominante. Hasta el presente, las alteraciones genéticas descriptas en este tipo de pacientes determinan hiposecreción de insulina. De acuerdo a estas alteraciones,la diabetes tipo MODY se clasifica en MODY 1, que presenta mutaciones en el gen del factor nuclear hepático 4 alfa; MODY 2, con mutaciones en el gen de la enzima glucoquinasa; MODY 3, con mutaciones en el factor nuclear hepático 1a; y MODY 4, con mutaciones en el gen del factor promotor de insulina 1 y el gen del factor nuclear hepático 1ß...(AU)

Análisis de la mutación Gli 40 Ser en el gen del receptor de glucagón en personas con diabetes tipo MODY / Analysis of the Gli 40 Ser mutation in the glucagon-receptor gen in people with MODY diabetes

La diabetes tipo MODY es una forma de diabetes tipo 2 que se presenta en pacientes menores de 25 años y con una forma de herencia autosómica dominante. Hasta el presente, las alteraciones genéticas descriptas en este tipo de pacientes determinan hiposecreción de insulina. De acuerdo a estas alteraciones,la diabetes tipo MODY se clasifica en MODY 1, que presenta mutaciones en el gen del factor nuclear hepático 4 alfa; MODY 2, con mutaciones en el gen de la enzima glucoquinasa; MODY 3, con mutaciones en el factor nuclear hepático 1a; y MODY 4, con mutaciones en el gen del factor promotor de insulina 1 y el gen del factor nuclear hepático 1ß...

Evidence for the segregation of three different mutated alleles of the thyroglobulin gene in a Brazilian family with congenital goiter and hypothyroidism.

We have previously reported a Brazilian family with congenital goiter, hypothyroidism, and marked impairment of thyroglobulin (Tg) synthesis. Analysis of the Tg mRNA in the goiter of one of the siblings revealed a cytosine to thymine transition creating a stop codon at position 1510. This point mutation is removed from the majority of Tg mRNA transcripts by the preferential generation in the goiter of a 171 nt deleted Tg mRNA by alternative splicing. The nonsense mutation destroys a TaqI site at this position in the mutant Tg gene. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and TaqI digestion we found that two siblings affected with goiter and hypothyroidism, as well as the father and three siblings with normal thyroid function, are all heterozygous for the nonsense mutation. This implies that an additional mutation must be present in the affected individuals, generating a compound heterozygote genotype. A new polymorphism within the thyroglobulin gene represented by three alleles has been detected. This was documented by the TaqI restriction enzyme and phTgM3 probe hybridization that showed a three allelic polymorphism with fragment sizes of 16.5 kb (allele A), 14.5 kb (allele B) and 11.0 kb (allele C). Segregation analysis of these alleles in the family indicated that the two affected siblings were homozygous for the allele C. In contrast the unaffected father and three other siblings, who carried the nonsense mutation, were heterozygous for alleles B and C. Analysis of the Tg genotypes implies that two additional mutations of the Tg gene must segregate in this family to account for the observed phenotypes.

Estudio de prevalencia de microalbuminuria y macroproteinuria en diabéticos y su relación con otras complicaciones / A collaborative study on the prevalence of microalbuminuriaand macroproteinuria in diabetic patients and their relation to other complications

Se determinó la prevalencia de microalbuminuria(Mi) y macroproteinuria(Ma) y otras complicaciones en diabéticos en un estudio multicéntrico en la Argentina. Se entrevistaron 214 pacientes sin selección previa, se evaluó historia clínica, se dividió por tipo de diabetes. La Mi se realizó por radioinmunoanálisis o inmunoturbidimétrico la Ma por método sulfosalicílico. Se relacionaron con edad, antigüedad y prevalencia de hipertensión,dislipemia y retinopatía. Se aplicó para análisis el método estadístico DBase con programa EPI INFO 50. Se calcularon estadísticas descriptivas, se aplicó prueba de chi cuadrado con unnivel de significación p=0.05. La población insulinodependiente (DID)n73(34,1), la no insulinodependinte (DNID) n101(47,2), la insulinorrequiriente(DIR)n40(18,7), la edad promedio del DID 34,88+ 16,3; el DNID 64,27 + 9,83; DIR 61,85 + 9,37,lo que mostró una diferencia estadísticamente significativa para el DID con respecto al DNID y al DIR. La antigüedad de la diabetes no mostró diferencias significativas, lo mismo sucedió con la hemoglobina glicosilada para los diferentes grupos.La prevalencia de Mi fue 26,22,23.17,30 y la Ma fue 21,13, 10,9,26,66 respectivamente. El 19,20 careció de datos para la proteinuria. La prevalencia de hipertensión arterial fue para el DID 15.06,DNID 54,45,DIR 57.50, la dislipemia 13,69, 39,60,47,50 y retinopatía 35,10,24.757 y 57,50 respectivamente,la hipertensión y dislipemia mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas si se comparaba los DNID y DIR con respecto DID

Estudio de prevalencia de microalbuminuria y macroproteinuria en diabéticos y su relación con otras complicaciones / A collaborative study on the prevalence of microalbuminuriaand macroproteinuria in diabetic patients and their relation to other complications

Se determinó la prevalencia de microalbuminuria(Mi) y macroproteinuria(Ma) y otras complicaciones en diabéticos en un estudio multicéntrico en la Argentina. Se entrevistaron 214 pacientes sin selección previa, se evaluó historia clínica, se dividió por tipo de diabetes. La Mi se realizó por radioinmunoanálisis o inmunoturbidimétrico la Ma por método sulfosalicílico. Se relacionaron con edad, antig³edad y prevalencia de hipertensión,dislipemia y retinopatía. Se aplicó para análisis el método estadístico DBase con programa EPI INFO 50. Se calcularon estadísticas descriptivas, se aplicó prueba de chi cuadrado con unnivel de significación p=0.05. La población insulinodependiente (DID)n73(34,1), la no insulinodependinte (DNID) n101(47,2), la insulinorrequiriente(DIR)n40(18,7), la edad promedio del DID 34,88+ 16,3; el DNID 64,27 + 9,83; DIR 61,85 + 9,37,lo que mostró una diferencia estadísticamente significativa para el DID con respecto al DNID y al DIR. La antig³edad de la diabetes no mostró diferencias significativas, lo mismo sucedió con la hemoglobina glicosilada para los diferentes grupos.La prevalencia de Mi fue 26,22,23.17,30 y la Ma fue 21,13, 10,9,26,66 respectivamente. El 19,20 careció de datos para la proteinuria. La prevalencia de hipertensión arterial fue para el DID 15.06,DNID 54,45,DIR 57.50, la dislipemia 13,69, 39,60,47,50 y retinopatía 35,10,24.757 y 57,50 respectivamente,la hipertensión y dislipemia mostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas si se comparaba los DNID y DIR con respecto DID (AU)

Molecular genetics of hereditary thyroid diseases due to a defect in the thyroglobulin or thyroperoxidase synthesis.

1. Hereditary goiter and the various degrees of thyroid hypofunction are the result of structural changes in the thyroglobulin (Tg) or thyroperoxidase (TPO) proteins, the inability to couple iodotyrosines or defective iodination, impairing or substantially altering the synthesis of T4 and T3. 2. The first mutations in the Tg and TPO genes responsible for human cases of dyshormonogenesis have been described. The mutation in two siblings with hereditary goiter and marked impairment of Tg synthesis was a cytosine to thymine transition creating a stop codon at position 1510. The point mutation is removed by the preferential accumulation of a 171-nt deleted Tg mRNA. In another subject, molecular studies revealed that exon 4 was missing from the major Tg transcript due to a cytosine to guanine transversion at position minus 3 in the acceptor splice site of intron 3. 3. Genomic DNA studies identified a duplication of a 4-base sequence in the eighth exon of the TPO gene. Interestingly, besides abolishing the enzymatic activity by disrupting the reading frame of the messenger RNA and introducing stop codons, the GGCC duplication also unmasks a cryptic acceptor splice site in exon 9. 4. In conclusion, the identification of different molecular defects provided evidence that hereditary goiter associated with abnormal Tg or TPO synthesis is caused by heterogeneous genetic alterations.

Molecular genetics of hereditary thyroid disease due to a defect in the thyroglobulin or thyroperoxidase synthesis

1. Hereditary goiter and the various degrees of thyroid hypofunction are the result of structural changes in the thyroglobulin (Tg) or thyroperoxidase (TPO) proteins, the inability to couple iodotyrosines or defective iodination, impairing or substantially altering the synthesis of T4 and T3. 2. The first nmutations in the Tg and TPO genes responsable for human cases of dys-hormonogenesis have been described. The mutation in two siblings with hereditary goiter and marked impairment of Tg synthesis was a cytosine to thymine transition creating a stop codon at postion 1510. The point mutation is removed by the preferential accumulation of a 171-nt deleted Tg mRNA. In another subject, molecular studies revealed that exon 4 was missing from the major Tg transcript due to a cytosine to guanine transversion at postion minus 3 in the acceptor splice site of intron 3. 3. Genomic DNA studies identified a duplication of a 4-base sequence in the eight exon of the TPO gene. Interestingly, besides abolishing the enzymatic activity by disrupting the reading frame of the messenger RNA and introducing stop codons, the GGCC duplication also unmasks a cryptic acceptor splice site in exon 9. 4. In conclusion, the identification of different molecular defects provied evidence that hereditary goiter associated with abnormal Tg or TPO synthesis is caused by heterogeneous genetic alterations

A case of allergy to human insulin associated with high IgG/IgE ratio for specific antibodies.

A 37-year-old woman with a previous history of allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma presented local and generalized allergic reactions to bovine, porcine and human insulins. She developed ketoacidosis, high insulin requirements and transient hypoglycemic episodes. Several desensitizing schedules were applied in order to induce tolerance to human insulin therapy. In addition, the following parameters of the humoral immune response were measured in different serum samples taken within 13 days after one of the anaphylactic episodes: insulin antibodies (binding range = 29.4-47.8%; cutoff = 2.6%), total IgE (range = 500-850 IU/ml; normal values = 3.7-269 IU/ml), specific IgE (range = 0.42-0.83 PRU/ml; class 2) and subclasses of specific IgG (IgG1 = 97.2 SDS; IgG2 = 41.1 SDS; IgG3 = 9.9 SDS; IgG4 = 0.3 SDS, on day 1). A binding capacity of 31.8 IU insulin/l obtained by Scatchard analysis was in agreement with episodes of elevated insulin requirements and hypoglycemia. A high anti-insulin IgG/IgE ratio, along with high levels of specific IgG1 antibodies, suggested that the latter antibodies could be involved in the development of anaphylactic episodes.

Human thyroid tissue do not express thyroalbumin.

Thyroid tissue total RNAs from multinodular goiter (G2) and from hereditary goiter with defective Tg synthesis (JNA) were hybridized with a 5'albumin cDNA probe (F-47), a 3' albumin cDNA probe (B-44) and a thyroglobulin cDNA probe (phTgM3). JNA refers to tissue obtained from a patient with virtual absence of Tg in thyroid tissue and the presence of increased concentration of an albumin-like labeled protein in the thyroid. No hybridization signal was detected in both G2 and JNA with albumin probes at Northern Blot studies. Those results were confirmed by dot-blot analysis of total RNA where no hybridization signal was detected in G2 and JNA. To confirm that thyroid tissues do not express thyroalbumin total RNA from JNA and normal control thyroid tissue (C) were amplified by PCR using albumin and Tg primers. An expected fragment of 592 bp was observed in a human liver sample with the albumin primers. However JNA and C samples showed absence of an amplification product of the same size. We concluded that thyroid cells do not contain the albumin transcript. Albumin is probably taken up from circulation and iodinated by the thyroid follicular cell with subsequent release of iodoalbumin into the circulation.

Differential levels of thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin messenger ribonucleic acids in congenital goiter with defective thyroglobulin synthesis.

The biosynthesis of thyroid hormones requires iodide, thyroid peroxidase (TPO), thyroglobulin (Tg) and H2O2. We have studied two sisters with congenital large goiters and hypothyroidism. Perchlorate tests were negative. Serum T3 and T4 were decreased, TSH was increased and Tg was within the lower limit of normal. Biochemical and molecular studies were performed on goiter samples obtained after surgery. Tg content in both tissues was negligible. Paper chromatography of labeled iodocompounds showed a decrease in T4, and the presence of a pronase/pancreatin-resistant iodoprotein. TPO activity was normal in the tissues. Sephacryl S-300 gel filtration demonstrated labeled iodoalbumin-like protein and the absence of a Tg peak. Salting out studies of soluble protein fraction gave an abnormal pattern. Agarose gel electrophoresis showed the presence of an iodoalbumin-like protein and the absence of Tg in the tissues. This last finding was confirmed by immunoelectrophoresis. The Tg and TPO mRNAs levels were also analyzed. Dot-blot hybridization studies with pM5 (TPO cDNA) and phTgM2 (Tg cDNA) probes showed increased and decreased signals, respectively. The increase in TPO mRNA can be explained as a compensatory mechanism vis a vis an increase in serum TSH caused by decreased serum T3 and T4 due to the impairment in Tg mRNA. The Tg mRNA of both patients was further studied with four different probes covering 5' and 3' regions (phTgM1, phTgB1, phTgB2 and phTgB3). Hybridization was observed with all four probes, thus excluding a dramatic deletion defect. Northern transfer showed a clear signal of hybridization with the phTgB1 probe in the 8-9 Kb range. We may conclude that the biochemical and molecular abnormality of these patients is characterized by a decrease of Tg mRNA and of Tg translation.