Gly460Trp polymorphism of the ADD1 gene and essential hypertension in an Indian population: A meta-analysis on hypertension risk

BACKGROUND:

Essential hypertension is a complex genetic trait. Genetic variant of alpha adducin (ADD1) gene have been implicated as a risk factor for hypertension. Given its clinical significance, we investigated the association between ADD1 Gly460Trp gene polymorphism and essential hypertension in an Indian population. Further, a meta-analysis was carried out to estimate the risk of hypertension.

METHODS:

In the current study, 432 hypertensive cases and 461 healthy controls were genotyped for the Gly460Trp ADD1 gene polymorphism. Genotyping was determined by real time PCR using Taqman assay. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to detect the association between Gly460Trp polymorphism and hypertension.

RESULTS:

No significant association was found in the genotype and allele distribution of Gly460Trp polymorphism with hypertension in our study. A total of 15 case-control studies were included in the meta-analysis. There was no evidence of the association of Gly460Trp polymorphism with hypertension in general or in any of the sub group.

CONCLUSIONS:

We found that the Gly460Trp polymorphism is not a risk factor for essential hypertension in a south Indian Tamilian population. However, the role of ADD1 polymorphism may not be excluded by a negative association study. Further, large and rigorous case-control studies that investigate gene–gene–environment interactions may generate more conclusive claims about the molecular genetics of hypertension.     

Heterologous expression of Anabaena PCC 7120 all3940 (a Dps family gene) protects Escherichia coli from nutrient limitation and abiotic stresses

This study presents first hand data on the cloning and heterologous expression of Anabaena PCC 7120 all3940 (a dps family gene) in combating nutrients limitation and multiple abiotic stresses. The Escherichia coli transformed with pGEX-5X-2-all3940 construct when subjected to iron, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus limitation and carbofuron, copper, UV-B, heat, salt and cadmium stress registered significant increase in growth over the cells transformed with empty vector under iron (0%), carbon (0.05%), nitrogen (3.7 mM) and phosphorus (2 mM) limitation and carbofuron (0.025 mg ml⁻¹), CuCl₂ (1 mM), UV-B (10 min), heat (47 °C), NaCl (6% w/v) and CdCl₂ (4 mM) stress. Enhanced expression of all3940 gene measured by semi-quantitative RT-PCR at different time points under above mentioned treatments clearly demonstrates its role in tolerance against aforesaid abiotic stresses. This study opens the gate for developing transgenic cyanobacteria capable of growing successfully under above mentioned stresses.     

Development and characterization of three new diploid cell lines from Labeo rohita (Ham.)

Development of cell lines from fish for identifying the pathogenesis of viral diseases and for vaccine production against viral and bacterial diseases is imperative where they are of commercial importance. Three new diploid fish cell lines (RF, RH, and RSB) were developed from fin, heart, and swim bladder of an Indian major carp, Labeo rohita, commonly called Rohu. All the cell lines were optimally maintained at 28°C in Leibovitz‐15 medium supplemented with 10% FBS. The propagation of RH and RSB cells was serum dependent, with a low plating efficiency (<16%), whereas RF cells showed 20% efficiency. The cytogenetic analysis revealed a diploid count of 50 chromosomes. The cells of RF and RSB were found to be epithelial, where as the cells of RH were mostly fibroblastic. The viability of the RF, RH, and RSB cell lines was 75, 70 and 72%, respectively after 6 months of storage in liquid nitrogen. The origin of the cell lines was confirmed by the amplification of 496 and 655 bp fragments of 16S rRNA and Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit I (COI) of mtDNA. The new cell lines would facilitate viral disease diagnosis and genomic studies. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2010     

Increased expression of β-catenin in brain microvessels of a segmentally trisomic (Ts65Dn) mouse model of Down syndrome

We examined the distribution of β-catenin and endogenous blood serum albumin at the ultrastructural level in blood microvessels (capillaries) from brains of control and trisomic Ts65Dn mice. Morphological examination revealed an increased immunolabeling for β-catenin in endothelial substructures of the capillary network, such as intercellular junctions, cytoplasm, and nuclei. These immunosignals were significantly increased in all endothelial substructures from trisomic mice. These changes, however, did not affect the blood–brain barrier function of the entire microvascular network, because the increased uptake of albumin by endothelial cells and the eventual escape of this protein (microleakage) into the perivascular neuropil were noted only in a few capillary profiles. Nevertheless, these findings suggest the involvement of some segments of the microvascular network in the brain pathology associated with DS.     

Biological treatment of a pulp and paper industry effluent by Fomes lividus and Trametes versicolor

White rot fungi Fomes lividus and Trametes versicolor, isolated from the Western Ghats region of Tamil Nadu, India, were used to treat pulp and paper industry effluents on a laboratory scale and in a pilot scale. On the laboratory scale a maximum decolourization of 63.9% was achieved by T. versicolor on the fourth day. Inorganic chloride at a concentration of 765 mg/l, which corresponded to 227% of that in the untreated effluent, was liberated by F. lividus on the 10th day. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) was also reduced to 1984 mg/l (59.3%) by each of the two fungi. On the pilot scale, a maximum decolourization of 68% was obtained with the 6-day incubation by T. versicolor, inorganic chloride 475 mg/l (103%) was liberated on the seventh day by T. versicolor, and the COD was reduced to 1984 mg/l corresponding to 59.32% by F. lividus. These results suggested that F. lividus seems to be another candidate efficient for dechlorination of wastewater.     

Electromyography of trunk muscles in isometric graded axial rotation.

This study was conducted to determine the pattern, magnitude, and phasic inter-relationship of the trunk muscles in maximal isometric and graded isometric axial rotational contractions and compare them with those previously observed from the same subjects in the same experimental session in dynamic conditions. In 50 normal young healthy subjects (27 male and 23 female), after a suitable skin preparation, bipolar silver-silver chloride recessed pregelled surface electrodes were placed on external oblique, internal oblique, rectus abdominis, pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, erector spinae at T(10) and L(3) levels bilaterally with 2 cm interelectrode distance. EMG signals from grounded subjects were suitably preamplified and amplified by a fully isolated system. These subjects were stabilized in an upright-seated posture in the Axial Rotation Tester (AROT), which was placed in isometric mode for force and rotation output from the AROT. The 14 channels of EMG, the force and the rotation were sampled at 1 kHz. The subjects initially registered their isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) on both sides which was used for reference and then performed their 25%, 50% and 75% of MVC bilaterally in an isometric mode in a random order. The EMG magnitude, the slope of the rise of the EMG, and the phasic interrelationship of muscles were analyzed. The results showed that female sample generated only 65% of torque of their male counterparts. There were no significant differences between the male and the female samples in the EMG variables. Exertions to the left and to the right were not significantly different from each other for the measured variables. However, the magnitude contribution of the muscles and the slope of rise of EMG were significantly different in two directions (p<0.001). The phasic interrelationship of the external obliques, the latissimus dorsi and the erector spinae were different from other muscles (p<0.01). With the increasing grades of contraction the latissimus dorsi and the external obliques increased their magnitude significantly whereas that of the erectores spinae underwent a decrease in proportionate terms (but not in absolute magnitude) suggesting their role as stabilizers but not as rotators.     

Chemopreventive and therapeutic modulation of green tea polyphenols on drug metabolizing enzymes in 4-Nitroquinoline 1-oxide induced oral cancer

Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world. Drugs can modulate the expression of drug metabolizing enzymes and are useful in chemoprevention as well as therapy in cancer. 4-Nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4-NQO) is used to induce oral cancer in the present study. In the present investigation, the effect of green tea polyphenols (GTP) on the activities of cytochrome b5, cytochrome P450, cytochrome b5 reductase (cyt b5 R), cytochrome P450 reductase (cyt P450 R), arryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH), DT-diaphorase (DTD)(Phase I enzymes) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and UDP-glucuronyl transferase (UDP-GT) (Phase II enzymes) were assessed in tongue and oral cavity. In induced rats, there was a decrease in the activity of Phase II enzymes and an increase in the activity of Phase I enzymes. On supplementation of GTP by both simultaneous and post treatment mode (200mg/kg) there was a significant increase in the activity of GST and UDP-GT and a significant decrease in the activity of Phase I enzymes. There was a significant decline in the number of tumors, tumor volume and oral squamous cell carcinoma in both simultaneous and post GTP treated animals relative to 4-NQO induced animals; on comparing simultaneous and post GTP treated animals the number of tumors, tumor volume and oral squamous cell carcinoma was significantly reduced in post treated animals. Thus inhibition of Phase I enzymes could be attributed to the protective efficacy of GTP which deactivates carcinogen and GTP induced the expression of Phase II enzymes that detoxifies the 4-NQO. It can be proposed that GTP plays role as a detoxifying agent by which its modulating role prevented/inhibited the formation of tumor.     

Regulation of the hDlg/hScrib/Hugl-1 tumour suppressor complex

The proper function of the Scribble tumour suppressor complex is dependent upon the correct localisation of its components. Previously we observed dynamic relocalisation of the hDlg component under conditions of osmotic stress. We now show that the other two components of the complex, hScrib and Hugl-1 display similar patterns of expression. We demonstrate, by shRNA ablation of hScrib expression, that hDlg and Hugl-1 are in part dependent upon hScrib for their correct localization. However under conditions of osmotic stress this apparent dependency no longer exists: hDlg and Hugl-1 localise to cell membranes independently of hScrib. We also demonstrate an interaction between the three components of the hScrib complex and the tSNARE syntaxin 4, and show that correct localization of the Scrib complex is in part tSNARE dependent. This is the first detailed analysis of the co-localisation and function of the hScrib complex in mammalian cells and demonstrates a direct link between the control of the hScrib complex and vesicle transport pathways.