Vimentin binds IRAP and is involved in GLUT4 vesicle trafficking

Insulin-responsive aminopeptidase (IRAP) and GLUT4 are two major cargo proteins of GLUT4 storage vesicles (GSVs) that are translocated from a postendosomal storage compartment to the plasma membrane (PM) in response to insulin. The cytoplasmic region of IRAP is reportedly involved in retention of GSVs. In this study, vimentin was identified using the cytoplasmic domain of IRAP as bait. The validity of this interaction was confirmed by pull-down assays and immunoprecipitation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In addition, it was shown that GLUT4 translocation to the PM by insulin was decreased in vimentin-depleted adipocytes, presumably due to dispersing GSVs away from the cytoskeleton. These findings suggest that the IRAP binding protein, vimentin, plays an important role in retention of GSVs.     

Multiple susceptibility loci at chromosome 11q23.3 are associated with plasma triglyceride in East Asians

Genetic studies of plasma TG levels have identified associations with multiple candidate loci on chromosome11q23.3, which harbors a number of genes, including BUD13, ZNF259, and APOA5-A4-C3-A1. This study aimed to examine whether these multiple candidate genes on the 11q23.3 regions exert independent effects on TG levels or whether their effects are confounded by linkage disequilibrium (LD). We performed a genome-wide association study and consequent fine-mapping analyses on TG levels in two Korean population-based cohorts: the Korea Association Resource study (n = 8,223) and the Healthy Twin study (n = 1,735). A total of 301 loci reached genome-wide significance level in pooled analysis, including 10 SNPs with weak LD (r² < 0.06) clustered on 11q23.3: ApoA5 (rs651821, rs2075291); ZNF259 (rs964184, rs603446); BUD13 (rs11216126); Apoa4 (rs7396851); SIK3 (rs12292858); PCSK7 (rs199890178); PAFAH1B2 (rs12420127), and SIDT2 (rs2269399). When the inter-dependence between alleles was examined using conditional models, five loci on BUD13, ZNF259, and ApoA5 showed possible independent associations. A haplotype analysis using five SNPs revealed both hyper- and hypotriglyceridemic haplotypes, which are relatively common in Koreans (haplotype frequency 0.08–0.22). Our findings suggest the presence of multiple functional loci on 11q23.3, which might exert their effects on plasma TG level independently or through complex interactions between functional loci.     

Vimentin binds IRAP and is involved in GLUT4 vesicle trafficking

Cysteine-rich protein 2 (CRP2) is a cofactor for smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation. Here, we examined the mechanism of CRP2 distribution dynamics during SMC differentiation. CRP2 protein directly associated with F-actin through its N-terminal LIM domain and Gly-rich region, as determined by ELISA. In undifferentiated cells that contain few actin stress fibers, CRP2 was broadly distributed throughout the whole cell, including the nucleus. After induction of SMC differentiation, CRP2 localized to actin stress fibers as they formed. The stress fiber-localized CRP2 entered the nucleus because of induced actin depolymerization. These CRP2 dynamics were reproduced by in silico simulation. CRP2 localization dynamics, which affect CRP2 function, are regulated by the formation of actin stress fibers in conjunction with SMC differentiation.     

Effects of Plant Growth Regulators on Seed Filling,Endogenous Hormone Contents and Maize Production in Semiarid Regions

In this study, we determined whether the application of uniconazole alone or combined with ethephon could enhance the seed-filling rates in maize by regulating the endogenous hormone contents. Uniconazole was applied to the foliage at concentrations of 0 (CK), 25 (U₂₅), 50 (U₅₀) and 75 (U₇₅) mg L⁻¹ at the 12-leaf stage. In addition, uniconazole was applied to the foliage at the 12-leaf stage and ethephon at 10 days after silking stage at concentrations of 0 (CK), 25 mg L⁻¹ uniconazole + 100 mg L⁻¹ ethephon (U₂₅ + E₁₀₀), 50 mg L⁻¹ uniconazole + 200 mg L⁻¹ ethephon (U₅₀ + E₂₀₀) and 75 mg L⁻¹ uniconazole + 300 mg L⁻¹ ethephon (U₇₅ + E₃₀₀). Uniconazole applied alone or in combination with ethephon significantly improved ear characters and grain yield. Uniconazole applied alone or combination with ethephon significantly improved the dry matter accumulation in seeds and seed-filling rates. Uniconazole significantly increased the abscisic acid (ABA) and zeatin (Z) + zeatin riboside (ZR) contents of seeds, but reduced the gibberellic acid (GA) contents. The application of uniconazole combined with ethephon decreased the ABA, Z + ZR and GA contents in seeds. The ABA and Z + ZR contents were significantly positively correlated, whereas the GA content was negatively correlated with the maximum seed weight, maximum seed-filling rate and mean seed-filling rate. The application of uniconazole alone significantly improved the seed-filling rates in maize by regulating the endogenous hormone contents. Thus, we conclude that uniconazole application at 50 mg L⁻¹ in the 12-leaf stage can enhance the maize production.

     

Influenza transmission in a community during a seasonal influenza A(H3N2) outbreak (2010-2011) in Mongolia: a community-based prospective cohort study

Background

Knowledge of how influenza viruses spread in a community is important for planning and implementation of effective interventions, including social distancing measures. Households and schools are implicated as the major sites for influenza virus transmission. However, the overall picture of community transmission is not well defined during actual outbreaks. We conducted a community-based prospective cohort study to describe the transmission characteristics of influenza in Mongolia.

Methods and Findings

A total of 5,655 residents in 1,343 households were included in this cohort study. An active search for cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) was performed between October 2010 and April 2011. Data collected during a community outbreak of influenza A(H3N2) were analyzed. Total 282 ILI cases occurred during this period, and 73% of the subjects were aged <15 years. The highest attack rate (20.4%) was in those aged 1–4 years, whereas the attack rate in those aged 5–9 years was 10.8%. Fifty-one secondary cases occurred among 900 household contacts from 43 households (43 index cases), giving an overall crude household secondary attack rate (SAR) of 5.7%. SAR was significantly higher in younger household contacts (relative risk for those aged <1 year: 9.90, 1–4 years: 5.59, and 5–9 years: 6.43). We analyzed the transmission patterns among households and a community and repeated transmissions were detected between households, preschools, and schools. Children aged 1–4 years played an important role in influenza transmission in households and in the community at large. Working-age adults were also a source of influenza in households, whereas elderly cases (aged ≥65 years) had no link with household transmission.

Conclusions

Repeated transmissions between households, preschools, and schools were observed during an influenza A(H3N2) outbreak period in Mongolia, where subjects aged 1–4 years played an important role in influenza transmission.     

Family-Based Association Study of Pulmonary Function in a Population in Northeast Asia

The spirometric measurement of pulmonary function by measuring the forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁) is a heritable trait that reflects the physiological condition of the lung and airways. Genome-wide linkage and association studies have identified a number of genes and genetic loci associated with pulmonary function. However, limited numbers of studies have been reported for Asian populations. In this study, we aimed to investigate genetic evidence of pulmonary function in a population in northeast Asia. We conducted a family-based association test with 706 GENDISCAN study participants from 72 Mongolian families to determine candidate genetic determinants of pulmonary function. For the replication, we chose seven candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from the 5 loci, and tested 1062 SNPs for association with FEV₁ from 2,729 subjects of the Korea Healthy Twin study. We identified TMEM132C as a potential candidate gene at 12q24.3, which is a previously reported locus of asthma and spirometric indices. We also found two adjacent candidate genes (UNC93A and TTLL2) in the 6q27 region, which has been previously identified as a pulmonary function locus in the Framingham cohort study. Our findings suggest that novel candidate genes (TMEM132C, UNC93A and TTLL2) in two different regions are associated with pulmonary function in a population in northeast Asia.     

Application of Uniconazole Improves Photosynthetic Efficiency of Maize by Enhancing the Antioxidant Defense Mechanism and Delaying Leaf Senescence in Semiarid Regions

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation - The degradation of photosynthetic pigments leads to leaf senescence and thus grain yield losses. We determined whether the application of uniconazole to maize...     

A single nucleotide polymorphism in the FADS1/FADS2 gene is associated with plasma lipid profiles in two genetically similar Asian ethnic groups with distinctive differences in lifestyle

Recent genome-wide association studies (GWASs) showed that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in FADS1/FADS2 were associated with plasma lipid concentrations in populations with European ancestry. We investigated the associations between the SNPs in FADS1/FADS2 and plasma concentrations of triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in two Asian groups, i.e., Japanese and Mongolians. The genotype of rs174547 (T/C), found to be associated with triglyceride and HDL-C concentrations in the GWAS, was determined in 21,004 Japanese and 1,203 Mongolian individuals. Genotype–phenotype association was assessed by using multiple linear regression models, assuming an additive model of inheritance. The copy number of the rs174547 C allele was significantly associated with increased triglyceride levels (P = 1.5 × 10^?6) and decreased HDL-C levels (P = 0.03) in the Japanese population. On the other hand, in the Mongolian population, the rs174547 C allele copy number was strongly associated with decreased LDL-C levels (P = 2.6 × 10^?6), but was not associated with triglyceride and HDL-C levels. The linkage disequilibrium pattern and haplotype structures of SNPs around the FADS1/FADS2 locus showed no marked dissimilarity between Japanese and Mongolian individuals. The present data indicate that the FADS1/FADS2 locus can be added to the growing list of loci involved in polygenic dyslipidemia in Asians. Furthermore, the variable effects of FADS1/FADS2 on plasma lipid profiles in Asians may result from differences in the dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which serve as substrates for enzymes encoded by FADS1/FADS2.