Genetic and environmental influences of surfactant protein D serum levels

The collectin surfactant protein D (SP-D) is an important component of the pulmonary innate immune system, but SP-D is also present on extrapulmonary epithelial surfaces and in serum, where it has been used as a biomarker for pulmonary disease states. In this study, we investigate the mechanisms defining the constitutional serum level of SP-D and determine the magnitude of the genetic contribution to serum SP-D in the adult population. Recent studies have demonstrated that serum SP-D concentrations in children are genetically determined and that a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) located in the NH(2)-terminal region (Met11Thr) of the mature protein is significantly associated with the serum SP-D levels. A classic twin study was performed on a twin population including 1,476 self-reported healthy adults. The serum SP-D levels increased with male sex, age, and smoking status. The intraclass correlation was significantly higher for monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs than for dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs. Serum SP-D variance was influenced by nonshared environmental effects and additive genetic effects. Multivariate analysis of MZ and DZ covariance matrixes showed significant genetic correlation among serum SP-D and metabolic variables. The Met11Thr variant explained a significant part of the heritability indicating that serum SP-D variance could be decomposed into non-shared environmental effects (e(2) = 0.19), additive genetic effects (h(2) = 0.42), and the effect of the Met11Thr variations (q(2) = 0.39).     

RSV毛细支气管炎的肺表面活性蛋白D多态性与TaqMan MGB探针

目的探讨TaqMan MGB探针实时PCR技术检测肺表面活性蛋白D（surfactant protein,SP）-D基冈变异是否与呼吸道合胞病毒（respiratol Tsyneytial virus,RSV）毛细支气管炎易感性有关。方法运用Taq—ManMGB探针检测150例RSV毛细支气管炎和150例健康对照组SP—D基因多态性,并进行基因型、等位基因频率分析。各组的基因型、等位基因频率比较采用χ2检验。结果病例组SP—D Met11 Thr位点TT、CT、CC三种基因型频率分别为7．3％、44．0％、48．7％,T、C等位基因频率分别为29．3％、70．7％。三种基因型及等位基因频率与对照组比较差异有统计学意义（χ2=6．751、5．823,P〈0．05）。结论杭州地区汉族儿童存在SP—D基因多态性,SP—DMet11 Thr位点与RSV毛细支气管炎疾病易感性存在关联,C等位基因可能是RSV毛细支气管炎的易感基因。TaqMan MGB探针实时PCR技术是基因诊断良好技术平台。     

Polymorphism of the AHSG gene is associated with increased adipocyte beta2-adrenoceptor function

The alpha(2) Heremans-Schmid glycoprotein (AHSG) gene is implicated in the regulation of body fat and insulin sensitivity. The Met/Met genotype of the common single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs4917, in the AHSG gene has been shown to be associated with reduced plasma levels as well as lower body fat. Here, we studied the association of this variation with subcutaneous adipocyte lipolysis. Ninety-three obese and nonobese healthy men were genotyped for Thr230Met, and subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies were analyzed for lipolysis characteristics. The Met/Met genotype was associated with a marked increase of 1.5 log units in the lipolytic sensitivity to the beta2-adrenoceptor agonist terbutaline (P=0.0008) as compared with the Thr/Thr and Thr/Met genotypes. This corresponds to an approximately 35-fold increase in beta2-adrenoceptor function. The genotype effect was independent of body mass index and waist circumference. In contrast, lipolytic sensitivity to both the beta1-adrenoceptor agonist dobutamine (P=0.25) and the alpha2A-adrenoceptor agonist clonidine (P=0.54) was unaffected by the Thr230Met variation. Moreover, no difference in either maximal stimulation or inhibition of lipolysis was found between genotypes. We conclude that a common variation (Thr230Met) in the AHSG gene is associated with a marked increase in beta2-adrenoceptor sensitivity in subcutaneous fat cells, which may be of importance in body weight regulation.     

Circulating surfactant protein -D is low and correlates negatively with systemic inflammation in early, untreated rheumatoid arthritis

Introduction

Surfactant protein D (SP-D) is a collectin with immuno-regulatory functions, which may depend on oligomerization. Anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties have been attributed to multimeric SP-D variants, while trimeric subunits per se have been suggested to enhance inflammation. Previously, we reported low circulating SP-D in early rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and the present investigation aims to extend these data by serial SP-D serum measurements, studies on synovial fluid, SP-D size distribution and genotyping in patients with early RA.

Methods

One-hundred-and-sixty disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) naïve RA patients with disease duration less than six months were studied prospectively for four years (CIMESTRA (Ciclosporine, Methotrexate, Steroid in RA) trial) including disease activity measures (C-reactive protein, joint counts and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) score), autoantibodies, x-ray findings and SP-D. SP-D was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and molecular size distribution was assessed by gel filtration chromatography. Further, SP-D Met11Thr single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis was performed.

Results

Serum SP-D was significantly lower in RA patients at baseline compared with healthy controls (P < 0.001). SP-D increased slightly during follow-up (P < 0.001), but was still subnormal at four years after adjustment for confounders (P < 0.001). SP-D in synovial fluid was up to 2.5-fold lower than in serum. While multimeric variants were detected in serum, SP-D in synovial fluid comprised trimeric subunits only. There were no significant associations between genotype distribution and SP-D. Baseline SP-D was inversely associated to CRP and HAQ score. A similar relationship was observed regarding temporal changes in SP-D and CRP (zero to four years). SP-D was not associated to x-ray findings.

Conclusions

This study confirms that circulating SP-D is persistently subnormal in early and untreated RA despite a favourable therapeutic response obtained during four years of follow-up. SP-D correlated negatively to disease activity measures, but was not correlated with x-ray progression or SP-D genotype. These observations suggest that SP-D is implicated in RA pathogenesis at the protein level. The exclusive presence of trimeric SP-D in affected joints may contribute to the maintenance of joint inflammation.

Trial registration

(j.nr NCT00209859).     

XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism and risk of acute myeloid leukemia in a Romanian population

Background

DNA repair systems have a critical role in maintaining the genome integrity and stability. DNA repair gene polymorphisms may influence the capacity to repair DNA damage, and thus lead to an increased cancer susceptibility. X-ray repair cross-complementing groups 3 (XRCC3), a DNA repair gene, may be involved in acute myeloid leukemia susceptibility. The objective of the current study was to investigate the association of Thr241Met polymorphism of XRCC3 gene with the risk of acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Methods

This study included 78 AML patients and 121 healthy individuals without cancer. We used polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay to determine XRCC3 genotypes.

Results

The XRCC3 variant genotype (Thr/Met+Met/Met) was more frequent in AML patients than in healthy controls (OR = 2.76, 95% CI: 1.52-4.98, P = 0.001). Our study revealed a statistically significant association between variant genotype (Thr/Met+Met/Met) and AML de novo compared to secondary AML (P = 0.007). No significant associations were found between any genotype and age at diagnosis, number of white blood cells and subtype of AML. Overall survival of patients with Thr/Thr genotype was better than those of variant Thr/Met and Met/Met genotypes.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that the XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism may be a genetic risk factor for AML, particularly in male patients with de novo AML from the central part of Romania.     

A Strong Relationship Between Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and DNA Repair Genes

Single nucleotide polymorphisms of DNA repair genes alter protein function and modulate DNA repair efficiency in various cancers. The X-ray repair cross-complementing group (XRCC) is responsible for the repair of DNA base damage and single-strand breaks. The aim of our study was to investigate the association of XRCC1 Arg399Gln and XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphisms with the susceptibility to develop oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in Turkish subjects. One hundred eleven patients with OSCC and 148 healthy controls were recruited for the study. Genetic analysis was performed using polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR/RFLP). We found that the XRCC1 Arg399Gln Gln/Gln genotype and Gln allele were risk factors for OSCC. Also, Arg/Arg genotype and Arg allele had protective effects against OSCC. Relative to XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism, carrying homozygote variants (Thr/Thr and Met/Met) was related with elevated OSCC risk. However, the heterozygote genotype and Thr allele variants were shown to be protective against OSCC. We suggest that XRCC1 Arg399Gln Gln/Gln genotype, Gln allele, and homozygote variants of XRCC3 Thr241Met polymorphism may be a risk factor for predisposition of OSCC in Turkish. In addition, XRCC3 Thr241Met genotype could be associated with tumor size and level of daily smoking.     

Association between DNA damage, DNA repair genes variability and clinical characteristics in breast cancer patients

The cell's susceptibility to DNA damage and its ability to repair this damage are important for cancer induction, promotion and progression. In the present work we determined the level of basal (total endogenous) and endogenous oxidative DNA damage as well as polymorphism of the DNA repair genes: RAD51 (135 G/C), XRCC3 (Thr241Met), OGG1 (Ser326Cys) and XPD (Lys751Gln) in peripheral blood lymphocytes of 41 breast cancer patients and 48 healthy individuals. DNA damage was evaluated by alkaline comet assay with DNA repair enzymes: Endo III and Fpg, preferentially recognizing oxidized DNA bases. The genotypes of the polymorphisms were determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism PCR. We observed a strong association between breast cancer occurrence and the genotypes C/C of the RAD51-135G/C polymorphism, Ser/Ser of the OGG1-Ser326Cys and Lys/Gln of the XPD-Lys751Gln, whereas the genotypes G/C of the RAD51-135G/C and Lys/Lys of the XPD-Lys751Gln exerted a protective effect against breast cancer. We also found that individuals with the G/C genotype of the RAD51-135G/C polymorphism and with the Lys/Lys genotype of the XPD-Lys751Gln polymorphism displayed a lower extent of basal and oxidative DNA damage. A strong association between higher level of oxidative DNA damage and the Lys/Gln genotype of the latter polymorphism was found. We also correlated genotypes with clinical characteristics of breast cancer patients. We observed a strong association between the G/C genotype of the RAD51-135 G/C polymorphism and the expression of the progesterone receptor and between both alleles of the OGG1-Ser326Cys polymorphism and lymph node metastasis. Our results suggest that the polymorphism of the RAD51, OGG1 and XPD genes may be linked with breast cancer by the modulation of the cellular response to oxidative stress and these polymorphisms may be considered as markers in breast cancer along with the genetic or/and environmental indicators of oxidative stress.     

The polymorphism of DNA repair genes XRCC1, XRCC3 and the level of chromosomal aberrations in the Uranium workers

Association between the polymorphism of DNA repair genes XRCC1 Arg399ln and XRCC3 Thr241Met and the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in the uranium workers was studied. The Gln/Gln genotype of gene XRCC1 was associated with a significant increase in the number of chromosomal aberrations as compared to the corresponding homozygous wild type Arg/Arg (p < 0.05). The frequency of chromosomal aberrations in heterozygous carriers of the XRCC3gene Thr/Met was lower than in the homozygous carriers of the wild type Thr/Thr (p < 0.001).     

Purification, characterization, and subunit structure of rat core 1 Beta1,3-galactosyltransferase.

The O-linked oligosaccharides (O-glycans) in mammalian glycoproteins are classified according to their core structures. Among the most common is the core 1 disaccharide structure consisting of Galbeta1-->3GalNAcalpha1-->Ser/Thr, which is also the precursor for many extended O-glycan structures. The key enzyme for biosynthesis of core 1 O-glycan from the precursor GalNAc-alpha-Ser/Thr is UDP-Gal:GalNAc-alpha-Ser/Thr beta3-galactosyltransferase (core1 beta3-Gal-T). Core 1 beta3-Gal-T activity, which requires Mn2+, was solubilized from rat liver membranes and purified 71,034-fold to apparent homogeneity (>90% purity) in 5.7% yield by ion exchange chromatography on SP-Sepharose, affinity chromatography on immobilized asialo-bovine submaxillary mucin, and gel filtration chromatography on Superose 12. The purified enzyme is free of contaminating glycosyltransferases. Two peaks of core 1 beta3-Gal-T activity were identified in the final step on Superose 12. One peak of activity contained protein bands on non-reducing SDS-PAGE of approximately 84- and approximately 86-kDa disulfide-linked dimers, whereas the second peak of activity contained monomers of approximately 43 kDa. Reducing SDS-PAGE of these proteins gave approximately 42- and approximately 43-kDa monomers. Both the 84/86-kDa dimers and the 42/43-kDa monomers have the same novel N-terminal sequence. The purified enzyme, which is remarkably stable, has an apparent Km for UDP-Gal of 630 microm and an apparent Vmax of 206 micromol/mg/h protein using GalNAcalpha1-O-phenyl as the acceptor. The reaction product was generated using asialo-bovine submaxillary mucin as an acceptor; treatment with O-glycosidase generated the expected disaccharide Galbeta1-->3GalNAc. These studies demonstrate that activity of the core 1 beta1,3-Gal-T from rat liver is contained within a single, novel, disulfide-bonded, dimeric enzyme.     

高山美利奴羊INHA基因多态性生物信息学分析及与产羔数关联分析

本研究旨在研究高山美利奴羊INHA基因外显子多态性及其与产羔数的相关性。本实验通过比对高山美利奴羊全基因组测序结果中不同个体INHA外显子,分析高山美利奴羊INHA基因的单核苷酸多态性,应用生物信息学软件分析高山美利奴羊INHA基因突变前后不同等位基因的m RNA二级结构、蛋白质的二级结构及三级结构。通过上述分析,将引起高山美利奴羊INHA编码氨基酸变化的位点作为该基因的特异性候选位点,通过直接测序法分析高山美利奴羊特异性候选位点INHA基因多态性,并分析其与产羔数的相关性。结果发现,高山美利奴羊INHA基因外显子区域存在3个SNPs,分别为T206A (Met→Lys)、T387A(Thr→Thr)、G900A (Pro→Pro);INHA基因3个SNPS都改变了RNA的最小自由能以及二级结构,错义突变T206A (Met→Lys)引起蛋白质二级结构和三级结构的改变;高山美利奴羊INHA基因T206A突变表现出3种基因型分别命名为TT、TA、AA,基因型与产羔数关联分析发现TT、TA基因型个体的产羔数极显著高于TT基因型个体(p<0.01)。本研究初步表明INHA基因是影响高山美利奴羊产羔数的一个主效基因。     

Polymorphisms in <Emphasis Type="Italic">RAD51, XRCC2</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">XRCC3</Emphasis> genes of the homologous recombination repair in colorectal cancer—a case control study

XRCC2 and XRCC3 proteins are structurally and functionally related to RAD51 which play an important role in the homologous recombination, the process frequently involved in cancer transformation. In our previous work we show that the 135G>C polymorphism (rs1801320) of the RAD51 gene can modify the effect of the Thr241Met polymorphism (rs861539) of the XRCC3 gene. We tested the association between the 135G>C polymorphism of the RAD51 gene, the Thr241Met polymorphism of the XRCC3 gene and the Arg188His polymorphism (rs3218536) of the XRCC2 gene and colorectal cancer risk and clinicopathological parameters. Polymorphisms were evaluated by restriction fragment length polymorphism polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR) in 100 patients with invasive adenocarcinoma of the colon and in 100 sex, age and ethnicity matched cancer–free controls. We stratified the patients by genotypes, tumour Duke’s and TNM stage and calculated the linkage of each genotype with each stratum. Carriers of Arg188Arg/Me241tMet, His188His/Thr241Thr and His188His/G135G genotypes had an increased risk of colorectal cancer occurrence (OR 5.70, 95% CI 1.10–29.5; OR 12.4, 95% CI 1.63–94.9; OR 5.88, 95% CI 1.21–28.5, respectively). The C135C genotype decreased the risk of colorectal cancer singly (OR 0.06, 95% CI 0.02–0.22) as well as in combination with other two polymorphisms. TNM and Duke’s staging were not related to any of these polymorphisms. Our results suggest that the 135G>C polymorphism of the RAD51 gene can be an independent marker of colorectal cancer risk. The Thr241Met polymorphism of the XRCC3 gene and the Arg188His polymorphism of the XRCC2 gene can modify the risk of colorectal cancer.     

Transthyretin stability as a key factor in amyloidogenesis: X-ray analysis at atomic resolution

Transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis is a conformational disturbance, which, like other amyloidoses, represents a life threat. Here, we report a TTR variant, TTR Thr119Met, that has been shown to have a protective role in the development of clinical symptoms in carriers of TTR Val30Met, one of the most frequent variants among TTR amyloidosis patients. In order to understand this effect, we have determined the structures of the TTR Val30Met/Thr119Met double mutant isolated from the serum of one patient and of both the native and thyroxine complex of TTR Thr119Met. Major conclusions are: (i) new H-bonds within each monomer and monomer-monomer inter-subunit contacts, e.g. Ser117-Ser117 and Met119-Tyr114, increase protein stability, possibly leading to the protective effect of the TTR Val30Met/Thr119Met variant when compared to the single variant TTR Val30Met. (ii) The mutated residue (Met119) extends across the thyroxine binding channel inducing conformational changes that lead to closer contacts between different dimers within the tetramer. The data, at atomic resolution, were essential to detect, for the first time, the subtle changes in the inter-subunit contacts of TTR, and explain the non-amyloidogenic potential of the TTR Thr119Met variant, improving considerably current research on the TTR amyloid fibril formation pathway.     

Relationship between the COMT-Val158Met and BDNF-Val66Met Polymorphisms,Childhood Trauma and Psychotic Experiences in an Adolescent General Population Sample

Objective

Psychotic experiences occur at a much greater prevalence in the population than psychotic disorders. There has been little research to date, however, on genetic risk for this extended psychosis phenotype. We examined whether COMT or BDNF genotypes were associated with psychotic experiences or interacted with childhood trauma in predicting psychotic experiences.

Method

Psychiatric interviews and genotyping for COMT-Val158Met and BDNF-Val66Met were carried out on two population-based samples of 237 individuals aged 11-15 years. Logistic regression was used to examine for main effects by genotype and childhood trauma, controlling for important covariates. This was then compared to a model with a term for interaction between genotype and childhood trauma. Where a possible interaction was detected, this was further explored in stratified analyses.

Results

While childhood trauma showed a borderline association with psychotic experiences, COMT-Val158Met and BDNF-Val66Met genotypes were not directly associated with psychotic experiences in the population. Testing for gene x environment interaction was borderline significant in the case of COMT-Val158Met with individuals with the COMT-Val158Met Val-Val genotype, who had been exposed to childhood trauma borderline significantly more likely to report psychotic experiences than those with Val-Met or Met-Met genotypes. There was no similar interaction by BDNF-Val66Met genotype.

Conclusion

The COMT-Val158Met Val-Val genotype may be a genetic moderator of risk for psychotic experiences in individuals exposed to childhood traumatic experiences.     

DNA repair genes XRCC1 and XRCC3 polymorphisms and their relationship with the level of micronuclei in breast cancer patients

Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent type worldwide, besides being one of the most common causes of death among women. It has been suggested that sporadic BC is most likely caused by low-penetrance genes, including those involved in DNA repair mechanisms. Furthermore, the accumulation of DNA damage may contribute to breast carcinogenesis. In the present study, the relationship between two DNA repair genes, viz., XRCC1 (Arg399Gln) and XRCC3 (Thr241Met) polymorphisms, and the levels of chromosome damage detected in 65 untreated BC women and 85 healthy controls, was investigated. Chromosome damage was evaluated through micronucleus assaying, and genotypes determined by PCR-RFLP methodology. The results showed no alteration in the risk of BC and DNA damage brought about by either XRCC1 (Arg399Gln) or XRCC3 (Thr241Met) action in either of the two groups. Nevertheless, on evaluating BC risk in women presenting levels of chromosome damage above the mean, the XRCC3Thr241Met polymorphism was found to be more frequent in the BC group than in the control, thereby leading to the conclusion that there is a slight association between XRCC3 (241 C/T) genotypes and BC risk in the subgroups with higher levels of chromosome damage.     

Limited proteolysis of surfactant protein D causes a loss of its calcium-dependent lectin functions

Surfactant protein D (SP-D) is a multimeric collagenous lectin that mediates the clearance of pathogens and modulates immune cell functions via its C-terminal carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD). We hypothesized that extracellular proteolysis of SP-D may result in a loss of its functional properties. Multimeric SP-D was partially digested by human leukocyte elastase (HLE) dose- and time-dependently. Physiologic concentrations of calcium slowed, but did not protect from degradation. In solution, both native and degraded SP-D had an apparent molecular weight of 650 to >1000 kDa. Under reducing conditions, the degraded SP-D monomers run at 10 kDa less than native SP-D. Amino acid sequencing located all major cleavage sites into the CRD. Functional studies showed that degraded SP-D had lost its calcium-dependent lectin properties, i.e. neither bound to mannose nor agglutinated bacteria. These studies demonstrate that elastase results in the limited proteolysis of SP-D with loss of its CRD-dependent activities and suggest that proteases at concentrations observed in various lung diseases may impair the antimicrobial and immunomodulatory roles of SP-D.     

Physiological and molecular aspects of aspartate-derived amino acid metabolism during germination and post-germination growth in two maize genotypes differing in germination efficiency

The Asp-derived amino acid pathway has been studied during the early stages of development in two maize genotypes, Io and F2, differing in germination efficiency and post-germination growth. In both genotypes expression of Ask2 (monofunctional Asp-kinase-2), Akh1 and Akh2 (bifunctional Asp-kinase-homo-Ser dehydrogenase-1 and 2), increased throughout germination and post-germination growth, suggesting a developmental regulation, whereas Ask1 (monofunctional Asp-kinase-1) was expressed constitutively. The major difference between Io and F2 concerned genes encoding bifunctional enzymes, particularly Akh2, the expression of which was dramatically low in F2. 15N-Asp labelling showed differences in in vivo Asp-kinase activities between the genotypes studied. Asp flux through the Met/Thr branches was higher in Io than in F2, while the latter exhibited a higher flux of Asp through the Lys branch. Physiological results, together with the higher Akh2 expression in Io, suggest that bifunctional enzyme activity, favourable to Met/Thr, was higher in Io than in F2 and that the monofunctional pathway was boosted in F2 because of the lower competition by the bifunctional pathway, thus allowing for higher flux of Asp through the Lys branch. In conclusion, it is suggested that F2 germination and post-germination growth might have been partially inhibited due to a limitation in Met and Thr availability. A negative physiological effect related to Lys accumulation in F2 is also discussed.     

Pyruvate carboxylase: isolation of the biotin-containing tryptic peptide and the determination of its primary sequency

The biotin-containing tryptic peptides of pyruvate carboxylase from sheep, chicken, and turkey liver mitochondria have been isolated and their primary structures determined. The amino acid sequences of the 19 residue peptides from chicken and turkey are identical and share a common sequence of 14 residues around biocytin with the 24-residue peptide isolated from sheep. The sequences obtained were: residue 1 → 11 Avian: Gly Ala Pro Leu Val Leu Ser Ala Met Biocytin Met Sheep: Gly Gln Pro Leu Val Leu Ser Ala Met Biocytin Met residues 12 → 19 or 24 Avian: Glu Thr Val Val Thr Ala Pro Arg Sheep: Glu Thr Val Val Thr Ser Pro Val Thr Glu Gly Val Arg A sensitive radiochemical assay for biotin was developed based on the tight binding of biotin by avidin. The ability of zinc sulfate to precipitate, without dissociating, the avidin-biotin complex provided a convenient procedure for separating free and bound biotin, and hence, for back-titrating a standard amount of avidin with [¹⁴C]biotin.     

Dopamine system genes and personality traits of extraversion and novelty seeking

Dopamine neurotransmissin is thought to play a relevant role in behavioral reinforcement system. Polymorphism of the genes involved in dopamine system has been reported for association with psychological traits related to impulsive and sensation seeking behaviors. The study was aimed at a search for association of catechol-O-metyltransferase (COMT) and dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) gene polymorphism with personality traits in Russian population. A sample comprised 130 subjects. It was found that carriers of the Met/Met COMT genotype had higher scores of novelty seeking as compared to those with the Val/Val and Met/Met genotypes. The association was observed in women only. In the presence of the C allele of the DRD4 gene, females with the Met/Met genotype demonstrated higher scores on extraversion and hypomania. The results are consistent with the current theoretical concepts on the regulation of dopamine neurotransmission in the brain.     

Polymorphisms in the human surfactant protein-D (SFTPD) gene: strong evidence that serum levels of surfactant protein-D (SP-D) are genetically influenced

The collectin surfactant protein-D (SP-D) plays a significant role in innate immunity. Epidemiological studies described associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the human gene coding surfactant protein-D (SFTPD) and infectious pulmonary diseases. Studies on twins indicated very strong genetic dependence for serum levels of SP-D. The aim of this study was to determine the genetic influence of sequence variations within the SFTPD gene on the constitutional serum SP-D levels. We sequenced the 5 untranslated region (5UTR), the coding region and the 3 region of the SFTPD gene of 32 randomly selected blood donors. Six validated SNPs were genotyped with sequence-specific probes (TaqMan 7000) in 290 German blood donors. Serum SP-D levels were analysed by ELISA, and the association of SFTPD haplotype estimates with the quantitative phenotype serum SP-D level was determined. One single SFTPD haplotype (allele frequency 13.53%) revealed a negative association with serum SP-D levels (P<0.0001). This was confirmed in a second prospectively collected group of blood donors (n=160, P=0.0034). The discovery of a frequent negative variant of the SFTPD gene provides a basis for genetic analysis of the function of SP-D in the resistance against pulmonary infections and inflammatory disorders in humans.     

Association study of a functional catechol-o-methyltransferase polymorphism and cognitive function in patients with dementia

A functional catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT Val158/108Met) polymorphism, a valine (Val) to methionine (Met) substitution, has been associated with cognitive processing in the normal brain, older age, mild cognitive impairment and in various dementias. COMT is involved in the breakdown of dopamine and other catecholamines, especially in the frontal cortex; hence the carriers of Met allele, with the lower enzymatic activity, are expected to perform better on particular neuro-cognitive tests. The study included 46 patients with dementia and 65 healthy older subjects. The neurological status was assessed, using the Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE), and the batery of different neurological tests. In DNA samples COMT polymorphism was genotyped. Patients with dementia exhibited significant genotype-induced differences in scores for MMSE, Visual Association Test (VAT) duration of numbers test, VAT time of response to numbers test, VAT average response to numbers test and WPLCR/PPLR unanswered. Carriers of Met/Met genotype had significantly lower scores of MMSE, significantly longer time to respond to VAT duration of numbers test, VAT time of response to numbers test and VAT average response to numbers test, and significantly greater number of unanswered questions to WPLCR/PPLR when compared to Met/Val or Val/Val genotypes. Our preliminary data showed significantly impaired performance in several neuro-cognitive tests in carriers of Met/Met genotype in patients with dementia compared to either Met/Val or Val/Val genotype carriers. Although Met/Met genotype with more dopamine available in the frontal cortex should be associated with better neuro-cognitive test results than Met/Val or Val/Val genotype, our data on patients with dementia did not confirm this hypothesis. Further study on larger sample of patients is needed to clarify the role of COMT polymorphism in cognitive functions.