Association of Glutathione S-Transferase theta 1 and mu 1 Genes Polymorphisms with the Susceptibility of Myocardial Infarction in Bangladesh

Background:Myocardial infarction is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Oxidative stress plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis leading to myocardial infarction and Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) act as detoxifying enzymes to reduce oxidative stress. The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations of the GST (T1 & M1) gene polymorphism with the susceptibility of myocardial infarction in the Bangladeshi population.Methods:A case-control study on 100 cardiac patients with MI and 150 control subjects was conducted. The genotyping of GST (T1 & M1) gene was done using conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction.Results:The percentage of GSTM1 genotypes was significantly (p< 0.01) lower in patients compared to control subjects while the GSTT1 genotypes were not significantly different between the study subjects. The individual with GSTM1 null allele was at 2.5-fold increased risk {odds ratio (OR)= 2.5; 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI)= 1.4 to 4.3; p< 0.01} of experiencing MI while individual with either GSTM1 or GSTT1 genotypes was at lower risk. In the case of GST M1 and GST T1 combined genotype, patients having both null genotypes for GST M1 and GST T1 gene showed significantly (p< 0.01) higher risk of experiencing MI when compared to control subjects (OR= 3.5; 95% CI= 1.7–7.2; p< 0.001). Conclusion:Thus our recent study suggested that GSTM1 alone and GSTM1 and T1 in combination augments the risk of MI in Bangladeshi population. Key Words: Bangladesh, GST (T1 & M1), Myocardial infarction, PCR, Polymorphism     

Multiple charge isomers of human recombinant interleukin-1 beta

Human interleukin-1 beta (rhuIL-1 beta), obtained by DNA recombinant technology, was radiolabelled. Its isoelectric properties were determined by various analytical techniques such as high-voltage ultrathin layer isoelectric focusing (IEF) and chromatofocusing. The rhuIL-1 beta molecule had a molecular mass of 18 kDa, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. When examined by IEF on a polyacrylamide gel of 1 mm thickness in the pH range of 3.5-9.5, it was resolved into two broad bands appearing in the pH range of 6.2-5.8 and 5.5-5.2. Each of the two bands was further resolved into multiple bands when electrofocused on (i) a thinner gel of 0.5 mm thickness and (ii) a narrower pH range of 5-8. Upon chromatofocusing in a liquid column, it was possible to isolate various charged components of rhuIL-1 beta. However, all these components reacted to the antiserum to rhuIL-1 beta and displayed a molecular mass of 18 kDa suggesting the charge heterogeneity of rhuIL-1 beta.     

Euglenophyta of Bangladesh. I. Genus Trachelomonas EHR.

A total of 55 taxa belonging to Trachelomonas (Euglenophyta) are reported from Bangladesh. Of these, 5 varieties (Tr. allorgei var. madaripurense, Tr. anguste-ovata var. ellipsoidea, Tr. armata var. rangpurense, Tr. hispida var. subcoronata, Tr. asymmetrica var. crenulata) and one forma (Tr. anguste-ovata fa. minor) are described as new to science.     

Microbiological Analysis of Tube-Well Water in a Rural Area of Bangladesh

Five tube-wells in Matlab, Bangladesh, were selected for analysis of selected biophysicochemical parameters. The results showed that all tube-well water samples contained zooplankton and bacteria. Results for some of the parameters were outside the accepted limits recommended by the World Health Organization for drinking water. It is concluded that water from tube-wells should be treated if used as drinking water.     

Adenylate kinase is a source of ATP for tumor mitochondrial hexokinase

It has proposed that hexokinase bound to mitochondria occupies a preferred site to wich ATP from oxidative phosphorylation is channeled directly (Bessman, S. (1966) Am. J. Medicine 40, 740–749). We have investigated this problem in isolated Zajdela hepatoma mitochondria. Addition of ADP to well-coupled mitochondria in the presence of an oxidizable substrate initiates the synthesis of glucose 6-phosphate via bound hexokinase. This reaction is only partially inhibited by oligomycin, carboxyatractyloside, carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) ot any combination of these, suggesting a source of ATP in addition to oxidative phosphorylation. This source appears to be adenylate kinase, since Ado₂P₅, an inhibitor of the enzyme, suppresses hexokinase activity by about 50% when added alone or suppresses activity completely when added together with any of the inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation. Ado₂P₅ does not uncouple oxidative phosphorylation nor does it inhibit ADP transport (state 3 respiration) or hexokinase. The relative amount of ATP contributed by adenylate kinase is dependent upon the ADP concentration. At low ADP concentraions, glucose phosphorylation is supported by oxidative phosphorylation, but as the adenine nucleotide translocator becomes saturated the ATP contributed by adenylate kinase increases due to the higher apparent K_m of the enzyme. Under conditions of our standard experiment ([ADP] = 0.5 mM), adenylate kinase provides about 50% of the ATP used by hexokinase in well-coupled mitochondria. In spite of this, externally added ATP supported higher rates of hexokinase activity than ADP. Our findings demonstrate that oxidative phosphorylation is not a specific or preferential source of ATP for hexokinase bound to hepatoma mitochondria. The apparent lack of a channeling mechanism for ATP to hexokinase in these mitochondria is discussed.     

Studies on the Genus Vaucheria (Xanthophyceae) in Iraq

Eight species of Vaucheria from southern Iraq, V. dichotoma, V. sessilis, V. erythrospora, V. verticillata, V. hamata, V. woroniniana, V. synandra, and V. longicaulis were studied and described. All but V. sessilis and V. longicaulis are recorded for the first time from Iraq.     

Stabilization of Thermolysin Induced by a Decrease in the PH and Dielectric Constant of the Reaction Medium Resulting from a Temperature Increase in Z-Phe-Phe-OMe Synthesis

Thermolysin was stabilized by increasing the reaction temperature from 90°C to 110°C during peptide synthesis of N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-_L-phenylalanyl-_L-phenylalanine methyl ester (Z-Phe-Phe-OMe). The stabilization energy was acquired from the drop in both pH and dielectric constant due to the temperature increase. The acquired stabilization energy was as high as ca. 42 kJ/mol (corresponding to 20°C). This acquired stabilization energy did not result from a single event such as a change in electrical charges. It was evaluated as the overall stabilization energy at and around the active site area of the enzyme using an electrostatic potential equation.