云南彝族人群CYP2E1基因多态性与酒依赖的关联性研究

目的：探讨云南彝族人群中的酒精依赖患者和云南彝族人群中健康人在CYP2E1基因的一个SNP（Rs3813867）的等位基因和基因型频率的不同,试图找出酒依赖的危险基因,比较它与其他人群之间在CYP2E1PstI位（rs3813867）基因多态性的不同。方法：对110个酒精依赖者和330名健康的志愿者不喝酒（对照组）的CYP2E1PstI位的多态性,等位基因频率和基因型频率进行测定。采用PCR—RFLP方法进行基因分型。结果：CYP2 E1 Psfl位的多态性,等位基因频率和基因型频率是相似的在酒精依赖者和对照组（72．7％vs72．1％,C1／C1）,（25．5％vs25．8％,C1／C2）,（1．8％vs2．1％为C1／C2）和（85．5％vs85％c1的）,（14．5％VSl5％为c2）。结论：CYP2E1的基因型和等位基因分布在酒精依赖组和对照组之间没有显着性差异（P〉0．05）,在这两个民族在AD组和对照组基因型分布有差异（P〈0．001）。     

Mu Opioid Receptor Binding Correlates with Nicotine Dependence and Reward in Smokers

The rewarding effects of nicotine are associated with activation of nicotine receptors. However, there is increasing evidence that the endogenous opioid system is involved in nicotine''s rewarding effects. We employed PET imaging with [¹¹C]carfentanil to test the hypotheses that acute cigarette smoking increases release of endogenous opioids in the human brain and that smokers have an upregulation of mu opioid receptors (MORs) when compared to nonsmokers. We found no significant changes in binding potential (BP_ND) of [¹¹C]carfentanil between the placebo and the active cigarette sessions, nor did we observe differences in MOR binding between smokers and nonsmokers. Interestingly, we showed that in smokers MOR availability in bilateral superior temporal cortices during the placebo condition was negatively correlated with scores on the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). Also in smokers, smoking-induced decreases in [¹¹C]carfentanil binding in frontal cortical regions were associated with self-reports of cigarette liking and wanting. Although we did not show differences between smokers and nonsmokers, the negative correlation with FTND corroborates the role of MORs in superior temporal cortices in nicotine addiction and provides preliminary evidence of a role of endogenous opioid signaling in frontal cortex in nicotine reward.     

多巴胺D2受体基因多态性位点与海洛因依赖的关系

目的:探讨多巴胺D2受体(Dopamine D2 receptors,DRD2)基因3'非翻译区Taq ⅠA、启动子区-141 Ins/Del 2个多态性位点和海洛因依赖的相关性.方法:采用聚合酶链反应-限制性片段长度多态(PCR-RFLP)技术检测320例海洛因依赖患者及300例健康对照组的TaqⅠA和-141 Ins/Del2个多态性位点的基因型.采用HaploView4.0及SPSS11.5软件分析这2个多态性位点的基因型、等位基因频率及组间差异.结果:DRD2基因Taq ⅠA位点的基因型及等位基因频率分布在海洛因依赖组与正常对照组存在显著性差异(p<0.01),海洛因依赖组TaqⅠA位点的等位基因A1频率显著高于正常对照组(x2=11.156,p=0.001,OR=1.463,95%CI=1.170～1.830);DRD2基因-141 Ins/Del位点的基因型及等位基因频率分布在海洛因依赖组与正常对照组之间无统计学差异(p<0.05).结论:DRD2基因TaqⅠA位点多态性可能与海洛因依赖有关,携带有TaqⅠA多态性位点A1等位基因的个体可能更容易对海洛因产生依赖.     

Significant association of glutamate receptor, ionotropic N-methyl-d-aspartate 3A (GRIN3A), with nicotine dependence in European- and African-American smokers

The glutamate receptor gene, ionotropic N-methyl-d-aspartate 3A (GRIN3A), is one of the seven that code for subunits of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors, which play an essential role at many synapses in the brain, regulating ion flow across membranes in response to glutamate signaling. In this study, we analyzed 25 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within GRIN3A for association with nicotine dependence (ND), which was assessed by smoking quantity, heaviness of smoking index, and the Fagerström test for ND. Both individual SNP and haplotype association tests were performed in African-American (AA) and European-American (EA) samples as well as in the pooled sample consisting of 2,037 individuals from 602 nuclear families. Individual SNP analysis revealed significant associations of 5, 5, and 4 SNPs with at least one ND measure in the pooled, EA, and AA samples, respectively. Of them, SNPs rs17189632 and rs10121600 in the pooled sample and rs11788456 in the EA sample remained significant after correction for multiple testing. On the basis of the blocks determined with Haploview, we performed haplotype-based association analysis and found 2, 4, and 1 haplotype(s) that are significantly associated with at least one ND measure in the pooled, EA, and AA samples, respectively. Some of them remained significant after correction for multiple testing. We concluded that GRIN3A represents a strong candidate for involvement in the etiology of ND and warrants further investigation in independent samples.     

多巴胺D2受体基因TaqIB多态性与酒依赖的关系

目的:探讨汉族人群中多巴胺D2受体(DRD2)基因TaqIB多态性与酒依赖的相关性.方法:采用聚合酶链式反应-限制性片断长度多态性(PCR-RFLP)技术,检测酒依赖组(80例)和对照组(95例)的DRD2基因TaqIB多态性的基因型和等位基因频率.结果:酒依赖组和时照组的DRD2基因TaqIB多态性的基因型和等位基因频率有显著性差异,等位基因B2的携带者显著降低其嗜酒的发生率(OR:1.636,P＜0.05).结论:本研究提示,在汉族人群中DRD2基因TaqIB多态性与酒依赖存在相关性,TaqIB2等位基因可能是降低酒依赖发病的影响因子.     

Association between discrimination and obesity in African-American men

The objective of this study was to examine the association between discrimination and obesity among a U.S. nationally representative sample of African-American men. Data from the 2001–2003 National Survey of American Life (NSAL) were used to collect measures of everyday and major discrimination, and body mass index (BMI) taken from self-reports. Poisson regression with robust standard errors was applied to estimate the prevalence ratios of everyday and major discrimination as it relates to obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²), controlling for potential confounders. In the model that included both everyday and major discrimination, men who experienced any major discrimination had a higher likelihood of obesity (prevalence ratio [PR] = 1.33, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06, 1.66) than those who did not experience any major discrimination, controlling for age, marital status, income, education, major stressors, two or more chronic conditions, and physical activity. Exposure to any major discrimination was found to be associated with obesity in African-American men. Future studies among this population are needed to examine whether the observed changes in self-reports of major discrimination are associated with obesity, measured by BMI, over time. The health of African-American men must be a priority in reducing excess disparities in disease, disability, and death.     

GABRB2 Haplotype Association with Heroin Dependence in Chinese Population

Substance dependence is a frequently observed comorbid disorder in schizophrenia, but little is known about genetic factors possibly shared between the two psychotic disorders. GABRB2, a schizophrenia candidate gene coding for GABA_A receptor β₂ subunit, is examined for possible association with heroin dependence in Han Chinese population. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in GABRB2, namely rs6556547 (S1), rs1816071 (S3), rs18016072 (S5), and rs187269 (S29), previously associated with schizophrenia, were examined for their association with heroin dependence. Two additional SNPs, rs10051667 (S31) and rs967771 (S32), previously associated with alcohol dependence and bipolar disorder respectively, were also analyzed. The six SNPs were genotyped by direct sequencing of PCR amplicons of target regions for 564 heroin dependent individuals and 498 controls of Han Chinese origin. Interestingly, it was found that recombination between the haplotypes of all-derived-allele (H1; OR = 1.00) and all-ancestral-allele (H2; OR = 0.74) at S5-S29 junction generated two recombinants H3 (OR = 8.51) and H4 (OR = 5.58), both conferring high susceptibility to heroin dependence. Additional recombination between H2 and H3 haplotypes at S1-S3 junction resulted in a risk-conferring haplotype H5 (OR = 1.94x10⁹). In contrast, recombination between H1 and H2 haplotypes at S3-S5 junction rescued the risk-conferring effect of recombination at S5-S29 junction, giving rise to the protective haplotype H6 (OR = 0.68). Risk-conferring effects of S1-S3 and S5-S29 crossovers and protective effects of S3-S5 crossover were seen in both pure heroin dependent and multiple substance dependence subgroups. In conclusion, significant association was found with haplotypes of the S1-S29 segment in GABRB2 for heroin dependence in Han Chinese population. Local recombination was an important determining factor for switching haplotypes between risk-conferring and protective statuses. The present study provide evidence for the schizophrenia candidate gene GABRB2 to play a role in heroin dependence, but replication of these findings is required.     

Effects of Menthol on Nicotine Pharmacokinetic,Pharmacology and Dependence in Mice

Although menthol, a common flavoring additive to cigarettes, has been found to impact the addictive properties of nicotine cigarettes in smokers little is known about its pharmacological and molecular actions in the brain. Studies were undertaken to examine whether the systemic administration of menthol would modulate nicotine pharmacokinetics, acute pharmacological effects (antinociception and hypothermia) and withdrawal in male ICR mice. In addition, we examined changes in the brain levels of nicotinic receptors of rodents exposed to nicotine and menthol. Administration of i.p. menthol significantly decreased nicotine’s clearance (2-fold decrease) and increased its AUC compared to i.p. vehicle treatment. In addition, menthol pretreatment prolonged the duration of nicotine-induced antinociception and hypothermia (2.5 mg/kg, s.c.) for periods up to 180 min post-nicotine administration. Repeated administration of menthol with nicotine increased the intensity of mecamylamine-precipitated withdrawal signs in mice exposed chronically to nicotine. The potentiation of withdrawal intensity by menthol was accompanied by a significant increase in nicotine plasma levels in these mice. Western blot analyses of α4 and β2 nAChR subunit expression suggests that chronic menthol impacts the levels and distribution of these nicotinic subunits in various brain regions. In particular, co-administration of menthol and nicotine appears to promote significant increase in β2 and α4 nAChR subunit expression in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and striatum of mice. Surprisingly, chronic injections of menthol alone to mice caused an upregulation of β2 and α4 nAChR subunit levels in these brain regions. Because the addition of menthol to tobacco products has been suggested to augment their addictive potential, the current findings reveal several new pharmacological molecular adaptations that may contribute to its unique addictive profile.     

Genetic Variants and Early Cigarette Smoking and Nicotine Dependence Phenotypes in Adolescents

Background

While the heritability of cigarette smoking and nicotine dependence (ND) is well-documented, the contribution of specific genetic variants to specific phenotypes has not been closely examined. The objectives of this study were to test the associations between 321 tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that capture common genetic variation in 24 genes, and early smoking and ND phenotypes in novice adolescent smokers, and to assess if genetic predictors differ across these phenotypes.

Methods

In a prospective study of 1294 adolescents aged 12–13 years recruited from ten Montreal-area secondary schools, 544 participants who had smoked at least once during the 7–8 year follow-up provided DNA. 321 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 24 candidate genes were tested for an association with number of cigarettes smoked in the past 3 months, and with five ND phenotypes (a modified version of the Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire, the ICD-10 and three clusters of ND symptoms representing withdrawal symptoms, use of nicotine for self-medication, and a general ND/craving symptom indicator).

Results

The pattern of SNP-gene associations differed across phenotypes. Sixteen SNPs in seven genes (ANKK1, CHRNA7, DDC, DRD2, COMT, OPRM1, SLC6A3 (also known as DAT1)) were associated with at least one phenotype with a p-value <0.01 using linear mixed models. After permutation and FDR adjustment, none of the associations remained statistically significant, although the p-values for the association between rs557748 in OPRM1 and the ND/craving and self-medication phenotypes were both 0.076.

Conclusions

Because the genetic predictors differ, specific cigarette smoking and ND phenotypes should be distinguished in genetic studies in adolescents. Fifteen of the 16 top-ranked SNPs identified in this study were from loci involved in dopaminergic pathways (ANKK1/DRD2, DDC, COMT, OPRM1, and SLC6A3).

Impact

Dopaminergic pathways may be salient during early smoking and the development of ND.     

精神分裂症易感基因GULP1与中国人群大脑容量的相关性研究

精神分裂症是一种复杂的精神疾病,全世界约有1%的人患有这种疾病。以往的研究发现精神分裂症患者的脑容量比正常人小,且一些精神分裂症易感的DNA序列多态性也同时与脑的结构异常有关,这与精神分裂症的神经发育假说是吻合的。最近研究发现人的GULP1基因的两个SNP（rs2004888和rs4522565）与精神分裂症显著相关。为了研究这两个精神分裂症易感的SNP是否也符合神经发育假说,我们检测了791个正常人的这两个SNP的基因型并测量它们的脑容量,相关性分析发现这两个SNP和脑容量无关,说明GULP1的精神分裂症易感性存在更加复杂的机制。     

Interaction of Apple Cultivars with Populations of Cedar-Apple Rust

Five physiological populations of Gymnosporangium juniperi-virginianae Schw. were identified on the basis of pycnial and aecial lesion formation when seven apple cultivars grown in a glasshouse were inoculated with basidiospores of rust populations collected from six locations in the U.S.A. The relationship between cultivars and rust populations was explored quantitatively using the parameters N, D, and DR, where N was the highest number of pycnial lesions on a leaf/plant; D was the largestdiameter measurement of pycnial lesions on a leaf/plant; and DR, the disease rating, was proportional to the diseased area of the leaf and calculated as ND². Statistically significant differences among cultivars over all rust populations for variables N, D, and DR were obtained, indicating the possible existence of race non-specific resistance in apple to cedar-apple rust. Moreover, significant differences among the rust populations over all cultivars for variable N and DR were obtained, confirming the existence of physiologically different rust populations of the pathogen. A change in the pathogenicities of these physiological populations must have occurred over time (10-year period). A significant interaction between cultivars and rust populations was observed for lesion size (D) only, indicating a probable existence of race specific resistance in apple as well.     

Ribosomal and Mitochondrial DNA Analyses of Xiphinema americanum-Group Populations

The 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and cytochrome oxidase I region of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) were sequenced for 24 Xiphinema americanum-group populations sourced from a number of geographically disparate locations. Sequences were subjected to phylogenetic analysis and compared. 18S rDNA strongly suggested that only X. pachtaicum, X. simile (two populations) and a X. americanum s.l. population from Portugal were different from the other 20 populations studied, whereas mtDNA indicated some heterogeneity between populations. Phylogenetically, based on mtDNA, an apparent dichotomy existed amongst X. americanum-group populations from North America and those from Asia, South America and Oceania. Analyses of 18S rDNA and mtDNA sequences underpin the classical taxonomic issues of the X. americanum-group and cast doubt on the degree of speciation within the X. americanum-group.     

Replication of Genome Wide Association Studies of Alcohol Dependence: Support for Association with Variation in ADH1C

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have revealed many single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with complex traits. Although these studies frequently fail to identify statistically significant associations, the top association signals from GWAS may be enriched for true associations. We therefore investigated the association of alcohol dependence with 43 SNPs selected from association signals in the first two published GWAS of alcoholism. Our analysis of 808 alcohol-dependent cases and 1,248 controls provided evidence of association of alcohol dependence with SNP rs1614972 in the ADH1C gene (unadjusted p = 0.0017). Because the GWAS study that originally reported association of alcohol dependence with this SNP [1] included only men, we also performed analyses in sex-specific strata. The results suggest that this SNP has a similar effect in both sexes (men: OR (95%CI) = 0.80 (0.66, 0.95); women: OR (95%CI) = 0.83 (0.66, 1.03)). We also observed marginal evidence of association of the rs1614972 minor allele with lower alcohol consumption in the non-alcoholic controls (p = 0.081), and independently in the alcohol-dependent cases (p = 0.046). Despite a number of potential differences between the samples investigated by the prior GWAS and the current study, data presented here provide additional support for the association of SNP rs1614972 in ADH1C with alcohol dependence and extend this finding by demonstrating association with consumption levels in both non-alcoholic and alcohol-dependent populations. Further studies should investigate the association of other polymorphisms in this gene with alcohol dependence and related alcohol-use phenotypes.     

Drosophila Male-Specific Lethal-2 Protein: Structure/Function Analysis and Dependence on Msl-1 for Chromosome Association

MSL-2 is required for the male-specific assembly of a dosage compensation regulatory complex on the X chromosome of Drosophila melanogaster. We found that MSL-2 binds in a reproducible, partial pattern to the male X chromosome in the absence of MLE or MSL-3, or when ectopically expressed at a low level in females. Moreover, the pattern of MSL-2 binding corresponds precisely in each case to that of MSL-1, suggesting that the two proteins function together to associate with the X. Consistent with this hypothesis, we isolated EMS-induced loss of function msl-1 and msl-2 alleles in a screen for suppressors of the toxic effects of MSL-2 expression in females. We also used site-directed mutagenesis to determine the importance of the MSL-2 RING finger domain and second cysteine-rich motif. The mutations, including those in conserved zinc coordinating cysteines, confirm that the RING finger is essential for MSL-2 function, while suggesting a less stringent requirement for an intact second motif.     

Diversity of Endophytic Bacterial Populations and Their Interaction with Xylella fastidiosa in Citrus Plants

Citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC) is caused by Xylella fastidiosa, a phytopathogenic bacterium that can infect all Citrus sinensis cultivars. The endophytic bacterial communities of healthy, resistant, and CVC-affected citrus plants were studied by using cultivation as well as cultivation-independent techniques. The endophytic communities were assessed in surface-disinfected citrus branches by plating and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). Dominant isolates were characterized by fatty-acid methyl ester analysis as Bacillus pumilus, Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens, Enterobacter cloacae, Methylobacterium spp. (including Methylobacterium extorquens, M. fujisawaense, M. mesophilicum, M. radiotolerans, and M. zatmanii), Nocardia sp., Pantoea agglomerans, and Xanthomonas campestris. We observed a relationship between CVC symptoms and the frequency of isolation of species of Methylobacterium, the genus that we most frequently isolated from symptomatic plants. In contrast, we isolated C. flaccumfaciens significantly more frequently from asymptomatic plants than from those with symptoms of CVC while P. agglomerans was frequently isolated from tangerine (Citrus reticulata) and sweet-orange (C. sinensis) plants, irrespective of whether the plants were symptomatic or asymptomatic or showed symptoms of CVC. DGGE analysis of 16S rRNA gene fragments amplified from total plant DNA resulted in several bands that matched those from the bacterial isolates, indicating that DGGE profiles can be used to detect some endophytic bacteria of citrus plants. However, some bands had no match with any isolate, suggesting the occurrence of other, nonculturable or as yet uncultured, endophytic bacteria. A specific band with a high G+C ratio was observed only in asymptomatic plants. The higher frequency of C. flaccumfaciens in asymptomatic plants suggests a role for this organism in the resistance of plants to CVC.     

Association of BMI and cardiovascular risk stratification in the elderly African-American females

We aimed to estimate the association of BMI and risk of systemic hypertension in African-American females aged 65 years and older. In this retrospective, cross-sectional study, medical charts were randomly reviewed after obtaining institutional review board approval and data collection was conducted for height, weight, BMI, age, ethnicity, gender, and hypertension. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed. The mean BMI was significantly higher in hypertensive subjects than normotensives (30.3 vs. 29 kg/m2; P = 0.003). A higher proportion of hypertensive subjects had a BMI >23 kg/m2 as compared to normotensives (88.9% vs. 83.5%; P = 0.023). When the log odds of having a history of hypertension was plotted against BMI as a continuous variable, we found that the odds showed an increasing trend with increasing BMI and a steep increase after a BMI of 23 kg/m2. When BMI was analyzed as a categorical variable, a BMI of 23-30 kg/m2 was found to have an odds ratio of 1.43 (95% confidence interval 1.01-2.13; P = 0.05) and a BMI of >30 kg/m2 had an odds ratio of 1.76 (95% confidence interval 1.17-2.65; P = 0.007) when compared to a BMI of <23 kg/m2. This association remained significant in both univariate and multivariate analysis. We conclude that BMI is an independent predictor of hypertension in elderly African-American females. Our results indicate that the risk of hypertension increased significantly at BMI of >23 kg/m2 in this ethnic group. Weight reduction to a greater extent than previously indicated could play an integral role in prevention and control of high blood pressure in this particular population.     

Association Analysis of GABRB3 Promoter Variants with Heroin Dependence

GABRB3 encoding the β3 subunit of GABAA receptor has been implicated in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders, including substance abuse. Previous studies reported that SNPs at the 5′ regulatory region of GABRB3 could regulate GABRB3 gene expression and associated with childhood absence epilepsy (CAE). The study aimed to investigate whether SNPs at the 5′ regulatory region of GABRB3 were associated with heroin dependence in our population. We first re-sequenced 1.5 kb of the 5′regulatory region of GABRB3 gene to examine the SNP profile in the genomic DNA of 365 control subjects. Then, we conducted a case-control association analysis between 576 subjects with heroin dependence (549 males, 27 females) and 886 controls (472 males, 414 females) by genotyping the rs4906902 as a tag SNP. We also conducted a reporter gene assay to assess the promoter activity of two major haplotypes derived from SNPs at this region. We detected 3 common SNPs (rs4906902, rs8179184 and rs20317) at this region that had strong pair-wise linkage disequilibrium. The C allele of rs4906902 was found to be associated with increased risk of heroin dependence (odds ratio:1.27, p = 0.002). Two major haplotypes (C-A-G and T-G-C) derived from these 3 SNPs accounted for 99% of this sample, and reporter gene activity assay showed that haplotype C-A-G that contained the C allele of the tag SNP rs4906902 had higher activity than haplotype T-G-C. Our data suggest that GABRB3 might be associated with heroin dependence, and increased expression of GABRB3 might contribute to the pathogenesis of heroin dependence.