TNF-alpha −308G/A and −238G/A polymorphisms and its protein network associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Several reports document the role of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and lipid metabolism in the context of acute inflammation as a causative factor in obesity-associated insulin resistance and as one of the causative parameter of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our aim was to investigate the association between −308G/A and −238G/A polymorphisms located in the promoter region of the TNF-α gene in T2DM in the Indian population with bioinformatics analysis of TNF-α protein networking with an aim to find new target sites for the treatment of T2DM. Demographics of 100 diabetes patients and 100 healthy volunteers were collected in a structured proforma and 3 ml blood samples were obtained from the study group, after approval of Institutional Ethics Committee of the hospital (IEC). The information on clinical parameters was obtained from medical records. Genomic DNA was extracted; PCR–RFLP was performed using TNF-α primers specific to detect the presence of SNPs. Various bioinformatics tools such as STRING software were used to determine its network with other associated genes. The PCR–RFLP studies showed that among the −238G/A types the GG genotype was 87%, GA genotype was 12% and AA genotype was 1%. Almost a similar pattern of results was obtained with TNF-α −308G/A polymorphism. The results obtained were evaluated statistically to determine the significance. By constructing TNF-α protein interaction network we could analyze ontology and hubness of the network to identify the networking of this gene which may influence the functioning of other genes in promoting T2DM. We could identify new targets in T2DM which may function in association with TNF-α. Through hub analysis of TNF-α protein network we have identified three novel proteins RIPK1, BIRC2 and BIRC3 which may contribute to TNF-mediated T2DM pathogenesis. In conclusion, our study indicated that some of the genotypes of TNF-α −308G/A, −238G/A were not significantly associated to type 2 diabetes mellitus, but TNF-α −308G/A polymorphism was reported to be a potent risk factor for diabetes in higher age (>45) groups. Also, the novel hub proteins may serve as new targets against TNF-α T2DM pathogenesis.     

Association between tumor necrosis factor-α promoter −308 A/G, −238 A/G, interleukin-6 −174 G/C and −572 G/C polymorphisms and periodontal disease: a meta-analysis

The aim of this study was to determine whether tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) promoter polymorphisms confer susceptibility to periodontitis in ethnically different populations. A literature search was performed using PubMed and Embase and a meta-analysis of the identified studies was conducted to explore the associations between TNF-α ?308 A/G, ?238 A/G, IL-6 promoter ?174 G/C and ?572 G/C polymorphisms and periodontitis. Seventeen comparison studies for the TNF-α ?308 A/G polymorphism and three studies for the TNF-α ?238 A/G polymorphism were included in the meta-analysis. And 16 separate studies for the IL-6 ?174 G/C polymorphism and 10 studies for the IL-6 ?572 G/C polymorphism were considered in our meta-analysis. Analysis after stratification by ethnicity indicated that the TNF-α ?308 A allele was associated with periodontitis in Brazilian, Asian, and Turkish populations (OR = 0.637, 95 % CI = 0.447–0.907, p = 0.013; OR = 0.403, 95 % CI = 0.204–0.707, p = 0.009; OR = 1.818, 95;  % CI = 1.036–3.189, p = 0.037). The meta-analysis showed no association between the TNF-α ?238 A/G polymorphism and periodontitis. The meta-analysis indicated an association of the IL-6 ?174 G/C polymorphisms with periodontitis in Brazilian populations (OR for GG + GC = 2.394, 95 % CI = 1.081–5.302, p = 0.031). Stratification by ethnicity and disease type indicated an association between the IL-6 ?572 G allele and chronic periodontitis (OR = 1.585, 95 % CI = 1.030–2.439, p = 0.036), and periodontitis in Europeans (OR = 2.118, 95 % CI = 1.254–3.577, p = 0.005). This meta-analysis demonstrates that the TNF-α ?308 A/G polymorphism confers susceptibility to periodontitis in Brazilian, Asian and Turkish populations. The IL-6 ?174 G/C polymorphism may confer susceptibility to periodontitis in Brazilians, and the IL-6 ?572 G/C polymorphism may be associated with susceptibility to periodontitis in Europeans, and chronic periodontitis.     

Association of β-fibrinogen gene −148C/T and −455G/A polymorphisms and coronary artery disease in Chinese population: A Meta analysis

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the correlation between the β-fibrinogen gene −148C/T and −455G/A polymorphisms and susceptibility to coronary artery disease in the Chinese population using a meta-analytic approach. Eligible studies about this correlation were identified by searching the PubMed, EMBASE, and CNKI databases. Of the 13 identified, 7 (with 1488 cases and 1234 controls) involved the −148C/T polymorphism and 9 (with 1023 cases and 1081 controls) involved the −455G/A polymorphism. No publication bias was detectable and heterogeneity testing found significant differences between the ORs for both groups of studies. The combined OR for the 7 studies on susceptibility to coronary artery disease in −148T allele carriers compared to the −148C/C wild-type homozygotes was 1.31 (95%CI: 0.94–1.84, P=0.11). The combined OR for the 9 studies on susceptibility to coronary artery disease in −455A allele carriers compared to the −455G/G wild-type homozygotes was 1.75 (95%CI: 1.24–2.46, P=0.001). Our results suggest the absence of an association between the β-fibrinogen gene −148C/T polymorphism and susceptibility to coronary artery disease and the possibility that −455G/A polymorphism (in particular, allele A) increases susceptibility to this disease in the Chinese population.     

Apolipoprotein A1 −75 G/A and +83 C/T polymorphisms: susceptibility and prognostic implications in breast cancer

Apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA1) is the major apoprotein constituent of high-density lipoprotein that can play important roles in tumor invasion and metastasis. In the current report, we evaluated the role of the functional ApoA1 polymorphisms (−75 G/A and +83 C/T) as genetic markers for breast cancer susceptibility and prognosis. We used the polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme digestion (RFLP-PCR) to characterize the variations of the ApoA1 gene in 295 unrelated Tunisian patients with breast carcinoma and 197 healthy control subjects. No association was found between the +83 C/T genetic variation in ApoA1 gene and the risk of breast cancer occurrence. The presence of the (+83) T allele appeared however to be associated with an increased risk of lymph node metastasis occurrence (OR = 2.94; P = 0.01). Furthermore, a positive association was found between ApoA1 −75 A allele carriers and breast cancer risk (OR = 1.57; P = 0.02). Regarding prognostic indicators, a significant association was found between ApoA1 (−75) A allele carriers and the premenopausal status of breast cancer patients (OR = 1.73; P = 0.03). Additionally, the presence of the −75 A allele was correlated with the oestrogen receptor status among premenopausal women (OR = 2.45; P = 0.02). This is the first report on the studies of ApoA1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in breast carcinomas. Our data suggest that these genetic variations of ApoA1 may represent a marker for the increased risk of breast cancer.     

Apo A5 −1131T/C, FgB −455G/A, −148C/T, and CETP TaqIB gene polymorphisms and coronary artery disease in the Chinese population: a meta-analysis of 15,055 subjects

The Apolipoprotein A5 (APO A5) ?1131T/C, fibrinogen β (FgB) ?455G/A, ?148C/T, and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) TaqIB gene polymorphisms have been indicated to be associated with the coronary artery disease (CAD) risk, but the individual study results are still inconsistent. To explore the relationship between APO A5 ?1131T/C, FgB ?455G/A, ?148C/T, and CETP TaqIB gene polymorphisms and CAD in the Chinese population, the current meta-analysis involving 15,055 subjects from 40 individual studies was conducted. The pooled odds ratio (OR) for the association between APO A5 ?1131T/C, FgB ?455G/A, ?148C/T, and CETP TaqIB gene polymorphisms and CAD and its corresponding 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) were evaluated by random or fixed effect model. A significant association between APO A5 ?1131T/C gene polymorphism and CAD in the Chinese population was found under an allelic (OR: 1.33, 95 % CI: 1.22–1.44, P < 0.00001), recessive (OR: 1.67, 95 % CI: 1.25–2.25, P = 0.0006), dominant (OR: 0.820, 95 % CI: 0.767–0.876, P = 1.0 × 10^?10), homozygous (OR: 2.36, 95 % CI: 1.55–3.58, P < 0.0001) and heterozygous genetic models (OR: 1.136, 95 % CI:1.075–1.200, P = 1.0 × 10^?10). A significant association between FgB ?455G/A gene polymorphism and CAD was also detected in the Chinese population under an allelic (OR: 1.50, 95 % CI: 1.25–1.81, P < 0.0001), dominant (OR: 0.864, 95 % CI: 0.819–0.912, P = 1.0 × 10^?10), homozygous (OR: 1.616, 95 % CI: 1.213–2.152, P = 0.001) and heterozygous genetic models (OR: 1.245, 95 % CI:1.138–1.361, P = 1.0 × 10^?10). No significant association was found between them under a recessive genetic model (OR: 1.124, 95 % CI: 0.844–1.497, P = 0.424). A significant association was also found between FgB ?148C/T gene polymorphism and CAD in the Chinese population under an allelic (OR: 1.34, 95 % CI: 1.06–1.71, P = 0.02), recessive (OR: 1. 65, 95 % CI: 1.02–2.69, P = 0.04), dominant (OR: 0.924, 95 % CI: 0.872–0.978, P = 0.007) and homozygous genetic models (OR: 0.968, 95 % CI: 0.942–0.995, P = 0.018). No significant association was found between them under a heterozygous genetic model (OR: 0.979, 95 % CI: 0.937–1.023, P = 0.342). In the whole Chinese population, no significant association between the CETP TaqIB gene polymorphism and CAD was found under an allelic (OR: 1.17, 95 % CI: 0.94–1.45, P = 0.15), dominant (OR: 1.46, 95 % CI: 0.80–2.67, P = 0.22) or recessive genetic models (OR: 0.68, 95 % CI: 0.32–1.44, P = 0.31). However, in the subgroup analysis stratified by ethnicity, there was a significant association between them under an allelic (OR: 1.27, 95 % CI: 1.07–1.52, P = 0.007) and dominant genetic model (OR: 2.04, 95 % CI: 1.49–2.79, P < 0.00001) in the Han subgroup. In the Chinese population, the APO A5 ?1131T/C and FgB ?455G/A, ?148C/T gene polymorphisms were implied to be associated with CAD susceptibility. The APO A5 ?1131C, FgB ?455A, and ?148T alleles might confer susceptibility to CAD. CETP TaqIB gene polymorphism was suggested to be associated with CAD susceptibility in the Chinese Han population. Carriers with B1 allele of CETP TaqIB gene might be predisposed to CAD in the Chinese Han population.     

Associations between TNF-α −308 A/G and lymphotoxin-α +252 A/G polymorphisms and susceptibility to sarcoidosis: a meta-analysis

Several studies have examined the effects of the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) ?308 A/G and lymphotoxin-α (LT-α) +252 A/G polymorphisms on susceptibility to sarcoidosis, showing mixed results. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the TNF-α ?308 A/G and LT-α +252 A/G polymorphisms confer susceptibility to sarcoidosis. We did a literature search from MEDLINE and EMBASE indices, and conducted a meta-analysis examining the association between TNF-α ?308 A/G and LT-α +252 A/G polymorphisms and sarcoidosis. A total of 13 separate comparisons including 1,396 patients with sarcoidosis and 2,344 controls were considered in our meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed a significant association between the TNF-α ?308 A allele and sarcoidosis (odds ratio [OR] = 1.480, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.057–2.073, p = 0.002). Stratification by ethnicity indicated an association between the TNF-α ?308 A allele polymorphism and sarcoidosis in Europeans (OR = 1.445, 95 % CI = 1.010–2.065, p = 0.044), but not Asians (OR = 4.693, 95 % CI = 0.548–40.29, p = 0.158). The results also showed a significant association between the LT-α +252 G allele and sarcoidosis (OR = 1.266, 95 % CI = 1.048–1.528, p = 0.014). Stratification by ethnicity indicated an association between the LT-α +252 G allele and sarcoidosis in Europeans (OR = 1.307, 95 % CI = 1.045–1.635, p = 0.019), but not in Asians (OR = 1.169, 95 % CI = 0.824–1.660, p = 0.381). Our meta-analysis demonstrates that the TNF-α ?308 A/G and LT-α +252 A/G polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to sarcoidosis in an European population.     

Gender Interacts with Opioid Receptor Polymorphism A118G and Serotonin Receptor Polymorphism −1438 A/G on Speed-Dating Success

We examined an understudied but potentially important source of romantic attraction—genetics—using a speed-dating paradigm. The mu opioid receptor (OPRM1) polymorphism A118G (rs1799971) and the serotonin receptor (HTR2A) polymorphism ?1438 A/G (rs6311) were studied because they have been implicated in social affiliation. Guided by the social role theory of mate selection and prior genetic evidence, we examined these polymorphisms’ gender-specific associations with speed-dating success (i.e., date offers, mate desirability). A total of 262 single Asian Americans went on speed-dates with members of the opposite gender and completed interaction questionnaires about their partners. Consistent with our prediction, significant gender-by-genotype interactions were found for speed-dating success. Specifically, the minor variant of A118G (G-allele), which has been linked to submissiveness/social sensitivity, predicted greater speed-dating success for women, whereas the minor variant of ?1438 A/G (G-allele), which has been linked to leadership/social dominance, predicted greater speed-dating success for men. For both polymorphisms, reverse “dampening” effects of minor variants were found for opposite-gender counterparts. These results support previous research on the importance of the opioid and serotonergic systems in social affiliation, indicating that their influence extends to dating success, with opposite, yet gender-norm consistent, effects for men and women.     

Association between the −1438G/A and T102C polymorphisms of 5-HT2A receptor gene and obstructive sleep apnea: a meta-analysis

The serotonin 2A (5-HT2A) receptor has been implicated in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 5-HT2A gene have been found in OSA, the most common being ?1438G/A and T102C; however, studies of the association between 5-HT2A SNPs and OSA risk have reported inconsistent findings. A meta-analysis was performed to quantitatively review the association between ?1438G/A and T102C SNPs and OSA. Five studies, including 791 subjects for ?1438G/A genotype and 1,068 subjects for T102C genotype, were selected. Pooled data analysis of the ?1438G/A genotype indicated a significantly increased OSA risk was associated with two variant genotypes (AA vs. AG+GG: OR 3.023, 95 % CI 2.169–4.213, P = 0.506 for heterogeneity; A allele carriers vs. GG: OR 1.938, 95 % CI 0.879–4.274, P = 0.012 for heterogeneity). Stratification analysis by gender supported the association in males, but not females. For the T102C genotype, no significantly increased OSA risk was associated with the two variant genotypes (CC vs. CT+TT: OR 1.065, 95 % CI 0.787–1.442, P = 0.361 for heterogeneity; C allele carriers vs. TT: OR 0.979, 95 % CI 0.737–1.3, P = 0.9 for heterogeneity).In conclusions, meta-analysis indicated that the ?1438G/A, and not T102C, polymorphism of 5-HT2A is a positive risk factor of OSA, especially in males.     

HCO 3 − /Cl− exchange across the human erythrocyte membrane: Effects of pH and temperature

Summary Changes in extracellular pH (pH_o) in red cell suspensions were monitored in a stopped-flow rapid reaction apparatus under conditions wheredpH_o/dt was determined by the rate of HCO ₃ ^– /Cl^– exchange across the membrane. Experiments were performed at 5°C<T<40°C using either untreated cells or cells exposed to 0.11mm SITS (4-acetamido-4-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2-disulfonic acid). Although SITS exposure reduced the rate of exchange by 90%, both untreated and SITS-treated cells are similarly affected by changes in pH₀ and temperature. The rate of HCO ₃ ^– /Cl^– exchange exhibits a minimum at about pH_o 5 and a maximum at about pH₀ 7.4 at all temperatures. A transition temperature of 17°C was observed in the Arrhenius relationship for all pH₀. The activation energies (E _a) in kcal/mol are 19.6 below and 11.7 above 17°C for 50<8. These findings, similar to those reported for Cl^– self-exchange, suggest that: (i) a change in the rate-limiting step for HCO ₃ ^– /Cl^– exchange occurs at 17°C, possibly due to an altered interaction between the transport pathway and membrane lipids; (ii) the carrier system can be titrated by either H⁺ or SITS from the outside of the membrane, but the untitrated sites continue to transport normally; (iii) the pH₀ dependence of the rate of exchange is consistent with the titratable carrier having its most alkaline pK in the range expected for amino groups; and (iv) below pH₀ 5, the nature of the exchange is markedly altered.     

SCN− and HSCN transport through lipid bilayer membranes: A model for SCN− inhibition of gastric acid secretion

Diffusion of thiocyanate (SCN?) and thiocyanic acid (HSCN) (pK=?1.8) through lipid bilayer membranes was studied as a function of pH. Membranes were made of egg phosphatidylcholine or phosphatidylcholine plus cholesterol (1:1 mol ratio) dissolved in decane or tetradecane. Tracer fluxes and electrical conductances were used to estimate the permeabilities to HSCN and SCN?. Over the pH range 1.0 to 3.3 only HSCN crosses the membrane at a significant rate. The relation between the total SCN flux (JA), concentrations and permeabilities is: 1/JA=1/Pul([A?]+[HA])+1/PHAm[HA], where [A?] and [HA] are the concentrations of SCN? and HSCN, Pul is permeability coefficient of the unstirred layer, and PHAm is the membrane permeability to HSCN. By fitting this equation to the data we find that PHAm = 2.6 cm · s?1 and Pul = 9.0 · 10?4 cm · s?1. Conductance measurements indicate that PA?m is 5 · 10?9 cm · s?1. Addition of cholesterol to phosphatidylcholine (1:1 mol ratio) reduces PHAm by a factor of 0.4 but has no effect on PA?m. SCN? is potent inhibitor of acid secretion in gastric mucosa, but the mechanism of SCN? action is unknown. Our results suggest that SCN? acts by combining with H+ in the mucosal unstirred layer (secretory pits) and diffusing back into the cells as HSCN, thus dissipating the proton gradient across the secretory membrane. A similar mechanism of action is proposed for some other inhibitors of gastric acid secretion, e.g. nitrite (NO2?), cyanate (CNO?) and NH4+.     

Modification of the Cl−-activated arginine aminopeptidases from rat liver and human erythrocytes: A comparative study

The amino acid residues important for the catalytic activity of the Cl^?-activated arginine aminopeptidases from human erythrocytes and rat liver were studied using enzyme modification. The general inhibition characteristics were similar with both enzymes. Inactivation with 5,5′-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) revealed one essential SH-group per active enzyme unit in both aminopeptidases. l-Arginyl-l-phenylalanine and N-l-arginyl-2-naphthylamide protected the enzymes against inactivation by DTNB, the former substrate being more effective. The rat liver enzyme was more sensitive to DTNB than the erythrocyte enzyme. Titration with DTNB revealed only fast reacting SH-groups in rat liver APB (mean 7.8). The erythrocyte enzyme, however, revealed SH-groups which reacted fast with low concentrations of DTNB, while high concentrations of DTNB or SDS treatment were needed to reveal all enzyme SH-groups (mean 8.0). The presence of at least one essential imidazole group in the erythrocyte enzyme was indicated by photooxidation in the presence of methylene blue, as previously found with the rat liver enzyme (5., 22.). The pH dependence curves of both enzymes also supported the presence of SH- and imidazole groups at or near the active site. Thus, the functional groups identified were the same for both enzymes. Neither enzyme had essential COOH or arginyl groups and they did not contain any zinc. The absence of Zn suggests that the reaction mechanism recently presented by other authors, based on the presence of Zn in the active center, does not apply to the Cl^?-activated arginine aminopeptidases. Accordingly, this enzyme group cannot be classified to metallopeptidases.     

Binding and release kinetics of inhibitors of Q−A oxidation in thylakoid membranes

Oxygen flash yield patterns of dark adapted thylakoid membranes as measured with a Joliot-type O₂-electrode indicate that inhibitors that block the oxidation of the reduced primary quinone Q^?_A of Photosystem II vary greatly in the rate of binding to and release from the inhibitor / Q_B binding environment. The ‘classical’ Photosystem-II herbicides like diuron and atrazine exhibit slow binding and release kinetics, whereas, for example, phenolic inhibitors, o-phenanthroline and synthetic quinones are exchanging quite rapidly with Q_B (about once per second or faster at inhibitor concentrations causing about 50% inhibition of O₂ evolution). No general relationship between the efficiency of the inhibitor and the exchange rate is observed; it depends mainly on the type of inhibitor. Based on the classical Kok model, equations are derived in order to calculate oxygen yields evolved by thylakoids in single-turnover flashes as a function of the rate constants of inhibitor binding to and release from the inhibitor / Q_B binding environment in the presence of an oxidized or semireduced Q_A · Q_B or Q_A · inhibitor complex. Fitting of theoretical and experimental values yields that o-phenanthroline binds much faster to an oxidized than to a semireduced Q_A · Q_B complex. This fits very well with the hypothesis that the Q^?_B affinity to the site is much higher than that of Q_B. In the case of i-dinoseb, however, inhibitor / quinone exchange seems to occur mainly in the semiquinone state. Possibilities to explain this result are discussed.     

RNASEL −1385G/A polymorphism and cancer risk: a meta-analysis based on 21 case–control studies

Polymorphisms in the endoribonuclease L (RNASEL) gene have been hypothesized to increase the incidence of cancer. The common sequence variation in RNASEL, −1385G/A (rs486907) has been involved in several types of cancer risk. However, results of the related published studies remained conflicting rather than conclusive. To clarify the role of RNASEL −1385G/A genotype in global cancer, we performed a meta-analysis of all the available published studies involving 8,732 cancer patients and 8,748 control subjects. The overall results indicated that there was no major influence of the variant on cancer risk. However, stratified analysis by ethnicity showed that the RNASEL −1385G/A polymorphism has an increased cancer risk in African descendents in the homozygote comparison (OR = 2.59, 95% CI = 1.27–5.27), although no association was found in the analysis stratified by cancer type (OR = 1.12, 95% CI = 0.94–1.35). This meta-analysis suggested that the RNASEL −1385G/A polymorphism is associated with cancer risk in African descendents. To draw more comprehensive conclusions, further prospective studies with larger numbers of participants worldwide are still required to examine associations between RNASEL −1385G/A polymorphism and cancer risk.     

Association between the −11377 C/G and −11391 G/A polymorphisms of adiponectin gene and adiponectin levels with susceptibility to type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus in population from the west of Iran,correlation with lipid profile

Adipose tissue, an endocrine organ, secretes bioactive factors including adiponectin. Adiponectin is a protein hormone that enhances insulin sensitivity through increased fatty acid oxidation and inhibition of hepatic glucose production. We assessed the association of the adiponectin promoter region polymorphisms −11391 G/A and −11377 C/G with susceptibility to type 1 (T1DM) and type 2 (T2DM) diabetes mellitus in the population of west Iran. Also, we investigated the effect of adiponectin level and lipid profile on T1DM and T2DM development. In this case-control study, we recruited 189 patients with diabetes (100 T2DM and 89 T1DM) and 161 sex and age-matched unrelated healthy controls. Adiponectin mutations were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), and the protein level was measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Other biochemical parameters were determined by routine laboratory methods. The G allele of adiponectin gene at −11377 position (C/G) significantly increased the risk of T1DM. With respect to genotype models, codominant (2.97 times), dominant (3.6-fold), and over-codominant (2.9-fold) patients with T1DM who carried −11377 C > G single-nucleotide polymorphisms were significantly susceptible to the development of the disease. A significantly higher level of adiponectin in T1DM was oberved compared with the control group. In contrast, patients with T2DM had lower adiponectin levels compared with healthy controls. The genotype distributions of −11391 G/A polymorphisms were the same for patients with diabetes and control groups. The presence of G allele at −11377 C/G adiponectin gene significantly increased serum adiponectin level and may be a risk factor for T1DM susceptibility among the western Iranian population.     

Potential difference responses due to K+, Na+ and Cl− changes in Bullfrog antrum with and without HCO3−

The effect of changing [K⁺], [Na⁺] and [Cl^?] in nutrient solution was studied in bullfrog antrum with and without HCO₃^? in nutrient. In 25 mM HCO₃^? (95% O₂/5% CO₂) and in zero HCO₃^? (100% O₂), nutrient pH was maintained at 7.3. Changing from 4 to 40 mM K⁺ or from 81 to 8.1 mM Cl^? gave a decrease 10 min later in transmucosal PD (nutrient became more negative) — a normal response. These responses were less in zero than in 25 mM HCO₃^?. A decrease from 102 to 8 mM Na⁺ decreased PD (anomalous response of electrogenic NaCl symport). This effect was attenuated or eliminated in zero HCO₃^?. In contrast, change from 4 to 40 mM K⁺ gave initial anomalous PD response and change from 102 to 8 mM Na⁺, initial normal PD response with either zero or 25 mM HCO₃^?. Both responses were associated with (Na⁺ + K⁺)-ATPase pump and were greater in zero than in 25 mM HCO₃^?. Initial PD increases in zero HCO₃^? are explained as due to increase in the resistance of passive conductance and/or NaCl symport pathways. Thus, removal of HCO₃^? modifies conductance pathways of nutrient membrane.     

Inward membrane current inChara inflata: I. A voltage- and time-dependent Cl− component

Summary An inward current which increases in magnitude over a period of seconds is activated when the membrane ofChara inflata (a green alga) in a K⁺-conductive state is hyperpolarized by a voltage clamp. The peak current and the half-time of activation are exponentially dependent on membrane potential difference. It was found by using an external Cl^– electrode that the component exponentially dependent on potential was due to an efflux of Cl^–. The measured current-voltage curves and the kinetics of deactivation of the current showed that other time-dependent components contributed to the net inward current. The punchthrough theory of Coster (Biophys. J. 5:669–686, 1965) does not adequately explain the inward current since a punchthrough potential could not be obtained, and the inward current was distinctly time dependent. The voltage and time dependence of the inward current strongly suggests that the Cl^– efflux activated by hyperpolarization is through voltage-gated channels which open more frequently as the membrane is hyperpolarized.     

NEK11−Linking CHK1 and CDC25A in DNA damage checkpoint signaling

The DNA damage induced G₂/M checkpoint is an important guardian of the genome that prevents cell division when DNA lesions are present. The checkpoint prevents cells from entering mitosis by degrading CDC25A, a key CDK activator. CDC25A proteolysis is controlled by direct phosphorylation events that lead to its recognition by the ubiquitin ligase β-TrCP. Recently we have identified NEK11, a member of NIMA-related kinase family, as the critical kinase triggering CDC25A degradation. NEK11 controls degradation of CDC25A by directly phosphorylating CDC25A on residues whose phosphorylation is required for β-TrCP mediated CDC25A polyubiquitylation and degradation. The activity of NEK11 is in turn controlled by CHK1 that activates NEK11 via phosphorylation on serine 273. Since inhibition of NEK11 activity forces checkpoint-arrested cells into mitosis and cell death, NEK11 is, like CHK1, a strong candidate target for the development of novel anticancer drugs. Here we further support this notion by showing results suggesting that NEK11 expression increases during colon cancer development.     

Tumor necrosis factor-α gene promoter −308 and −238 polymorphisms and its serum level in psoriasis

BackgroundPsoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated, inflammatory skin disease affecting genetically predisposed individuals and requiring long-term treatment. The etiology of psoriasis is not fully understood. This article aimed to determine association between genetic polymorphisms in tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF -α) promoter ?308 (rs1800629) and ?238 (rs 361,525) and its serum level in psoriasis patients.MethodsThe study was conducted on 70 patients with psoriasis and 70 age and sex-matched, healthy individuals. All patients were subjected to history taking and complete medical examination. The polymorphisms of TNF -α promoter gene ?308 (rs1800629) and ?238 (rs 361,525) were detected by real time PCR and Serum levels of TNF -α were measured by ELISA technique.ResultsAG polymorphism and A allele of TNF-α ?238 G/A (rs 361,525) were significantly more in patients than controls, whereas AG polymorphism and A allele of TNF-α ?308 G/A (rs1800629) were significantly more in controls than patients. There were significant high levels of TNF-α in serum of patients in comparison to controls.ConclusionsThe AG polymorphism and A allele of TNF-α ?238G/A (rs 361,525) may act as a risk factor for occurrence of psoriasis, whereas AG polymorphism and A allele of TNF-α ?308G/A (rs1800629) may have protective role. There is pivotal role of TNF-α as a pro-inflammatory mediator in pathogenesis of psoriasis.