Association of suppressor of cytokine signalling 3 polymorphisms with insulin resistance in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Suppressor of cytokine signalling 3 is thought to be associated with insulin resistance in patients with chronic hepatitis C. We evaluated the role of suppressor of cytokine signalling 3 polymorphisms in determining insulin resistance in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Two hundred and ninety untreated hepatitis C virus-infected patients without diabetes and cirrhosis were genotyped for the SNPs rs4969168, rs4969170 and rs12952093 of suppressor of cytokine signalling 3 using the TaqMan Genotyping Assay. We found that the rs4969170 AA genotype and rs4969170 A allele frequency were significantly more common in the insulin-resistant group than the non-insulin-resistant group (89.5% vs 76.1%, OR = 2.693, 95% CI: 1.221-5.939, P = 0.012 and 94.8% vs 88.0%, OR = 2.463, 95% CI: 1.151-5.271, P = 0.017, respectively). Haplotype G-C was likely associated with non-insulin resistance (adjusted P = 0.011). Multiple logistic regression analysis indicates that the independent risk factors for insulin resistance are the SNP rs4969170 AA genotype (OR = 3.005, 95% CI: 1.194-7.560, P = 0.019), HCV genotype 1 (OR = 2.524, 95% CI: 1.099-5.794, P = 0.029) and BMI (OR = 0.514, 95% CI: 0.265-0.999, P = 0.05).

Genome comparisons reveal a dominant mechanism of chromosome number reduction in grasses and accelerated genome evolution in Triticeae.

Single-nucleotide polymorphism was used in the construction of an expressed sequence tag map of Aegilops tauschii, the diploid source of the wheat D genome. Comparisons of the map with the rice and sorghum genome sequences revealed 50 inversions and translocations; 2, 8, and 40 were assigned respectively to the rice, sorghum, and Ae. tauschii lineages, showing greatly accelerated genome evolution in the large Triticeae genomes. The reduction of the basic chromosome number from 12 to 7 in the Triticeae has taken place by a process during which an entire chromosome is inserted by its telomeres into a break in the centromeric region of another chromosome. The original centromere-telomere polarity of the chromosome arms is maintained in the new chromosome. An intrachromosomal telomere-telomere fusion resulting in a pericentric translocation of a chromosome segment or an entire arm accompanied or preceded the chromosome insertion in some instances. Insertional dysploidy has been recorded in three grass subfamilies and appears to be the dominant mechanism of basic chromosome number reduction in grasses. A total of 64% and 66% of Ae. tauschii genes were syntenic with sorghum and rice genes, respectively. Synteny was reduced in the vicinity of the termini of modern Ae. tauschii chromosomes but not in the vicinity of the ancient termini embedded in the Ae. tauschii chromosomes, suggesting that the dependence of synteny erosion on gene location along the centromere-telomere axis either evolved recently in the Triticeae phylogenetic lineage or its evolution was recently accelerated.

Activation of cannabinoid receptor CB2 regulates osteogenic and osteoclastogenic gene expression in human periodontal ligament cells.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Cannabinoid receptor CB2, expressed in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, plays a crucial role in the regulation of bone metabolism. Since periodontal ligament (PDL) cells can differentiate into osteoblasts, this study was undertaken to investigate CB2 expression and the effect of CB2 activation on osteogenic differentiation of PDL cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Human PDL (hPDL) cells were obtained from extracted teeth of periodontally healthy subjects. Expression of CB2 was observed in hPDL cells by RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescence assay. Then hPDL cells were treated with a CB2-specific agonist, HU-308 (10(-7) m), for 12, 24, 48 or 72 h. The mRNA expressions of osteogenic genes, such as runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), bone sialoprotein (BSP), osteopontin (OPN), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OC) and collagen type I (COL I), and osteoclastogenic genes, including osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of NF-kappaB ligand (RANKL), were examined using quantitative real-time PCR analysis. A mineralization assay was performed in hPDL cells in mineralization conditions with or without HU-308. RESULTS: Expression of CB2 mRNA and protein was detected in hPDL cells. HU-308 enhanced the mRNA levels of the above osteogenic genes. Expression of the OPG gene was up-regulated, whereas RANKL gene expression was down-regulated, contributing to the elevated OPG/RANKL ratio. Accelerated mineralization was observed in hPDL cells in mineralization conditions with HU-308. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that activation of CB2 is able to enhance osteogenic differentiation of hPDL cells and potentially create a favorable osteogenic microenvironment. This implies that CB2 might play an important role in alveolar bone metabolism.

The expression of prostaglandins-related genes in erythrocytes of broiler chicken responds to thiram-induced tibial dyschondroplasia and recombinant glutathione-S-transferase A3 protein.

Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) is a type of bone deformity found in fast-growing chickens, which induce inflammatory responses. Prostaglandins (PGs) implicate in bone formation and bone resorption, associated with inflammation in an autocrine/paracrine manner. This study used qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry analysis to identify the expression patterns of PG-related genes in the erythrocytes of broiler chickens and explore the effects of thiram-induced TD and the recombinant glutathione-S-transferase A3 (rGSTA3) protein on the expression of PG-related genes: GSTA3, cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2), prostaglandin D2 synthase (PTGDS), prostaglandin E synthase (PTGES), prostaglandin E2 receptor (PTGER) 3, PTGER4 and prostaglandin reductase 1 (PTGR1). Interestingly, the results showed that these seven PG-related genes expression was identified in the erythrocytes of broiler chicken, and thiram-induced TD suppressed the expression of these PG-related genes in the initial stage of TD and promoted their expression in TD recovery. These findings demonstrated that the immunoregulatory function of erythrocytes can be inhibited in the early stage of TD and promoted in the recovery stage by modulating the expression of PG-related genes. Further, the rGSTA3 protein can modulate the expression of PG-related genes in erythrocytes and participate in the recovery of TD.

[A Dutch family with the hereditary periodic fever or tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS)]. / Een nederlandse familie met het erfelijke periodieke koortssyndroom 'tumornecrosisfactor receptor-associated periodic syndrome' (TRAPS).

A 9-month-old girl was referred to the paediatrician because of fever of unknown origin. Since the age of 4 years she had recurrent attacks of muscle, joint and abdominal pain, in addition to periodic fever. Her sister and her mother had similar symptoms. The tumour necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated periodic syndrome (TRAPS) was suspected and confirmed by DNA analysis. Several members of the extended family were carriers of the same mutation. In patients with recurrent unexplained periods offever in combination with myalgia, arthralgia and abdominal pain, and in whom these symptoms also occur in members of the family, TRAPS should be considered as the cause. Glucocorticosteroids and etanercept, a TNF-receptor antagonist, may be effective in the treatment of attacks. Early recognition of this syndrome is important because of the risk of developing amyloidosis.

One hundred and one new microsatellite loci derived from ESTs (EST-SSRs) in bread wheat.

Four hundred and seventy-eight microsatellite markers derived from expressed sequence tags (EST-SSRs) were screened among three mapping populations (W-7984xOpata 85, WOpop; LumaixHanxuan, LHpop; WenmaixShanhongmai, WSpop). The number of polymorphic EST-SSR primer pairs found in WOpop, LHpop and WSpop was 92, 58 and 29 respectively. A total of 101 EST-SSR loci amplified from 88 primer sets were distributed over the 20 chromosomes of the reference maps (no markers were located on chromosome 4B). These 101 mapped EST-SSR markers add to the existing 450 microsatellite loci previously mapped in bread wheat. Seventy-four of the 101 loci showed significant similarities to known genes, including 24 genes involved in metabolism, 4 in cellular structures, 9 in stress resistance, 12 in transcription, 2 in development, 2 transporters and 21 storage proteins. Besides gliadin and glutenin, most of the 53 genes with putative functions were mapped for the first time by EST-SSR markers in bread wheat. Sequence alignment of the mapped wheat EST-SSR loci allowed tentative assignment of functionality to the other members of grasses family. Colinearity combined with homology information offers an attractive approach to comparative genomics.