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  1. Fulltext Engineering the production of major catechins by Escherichia coli carrying metabolite genes of Camellia sinensis
    Umar KM, Abdulkarim SM, Radu S, Abdul Hamid A, Saari N
    ScientificWorldJournal, 2012;2012:529031.
    PMID: 22645428 DOI: 10.1100/2012/529031
    A mimicked biosynthetic pathway of catechin metabolite genes from C. sinensis, consisting of flavanone 3 hydroxylase (F3H), dihydroflavonol reductase (DFR), and leucoanthocyanidin reductase (LCR), was designed and arranged in two sets of constructs: (a) single promoter in front of F3H and ribosome-binding sequences both in front of DFR and LCR; (b) three different promoters with each in the front of the three genes and ribosome-binding sequences at appropriate positions. Recombinant E. coli BL (DE3) harbouring the constructs were cultivated for 65 h at 26 °C in M9 medium consisting of 40 g/L glucose, 1 mM IPTG, and 3 mM eriodictyol. Compounds produced were extracted in ethyl acetate in alkaline conditions after 1 h at room temperature and identified by HPLC. Two of the four major catechins, namely, (-)-epicatechin (0.01) and (-)-epicatechin gallate (0.36 mg/L), and two other types ((+)-catechin hydrate (0.13 mg/L) and (-)-catechin gallate (0.04 mg/L)) were successfully produced.
    Matched MeSH terms: Alcohol Oxidoreductases/genetics; Catechin/genetics*; Escherichia coli/genetics*; Mixed Function Oxygenases/genetics; Oxidoreductases/genetics; Genes, Plant/genetics*
  2. Fulltext Immunogenic recombinant Burkholderia pseudomallei MprA serine protease elicits protective immunity in mice
    Chin CY, Tan SC, Nathan S
    Front Cell Infect Microbiol, 2012;2:85.
    PMID: 22919676 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2012.00085
    Burkholderia pseudomallei is resistant to a diverse group of antimicrobials including third generation cephalosporins whilst quinolones and aminoglycosides have no reliable effect. As therapeutic options are limited, development of more effective forms of immunotherapy is vital to avoid a fatal outcome. In an earlier study, we reported on the B. pseudomallei serine MprA protease, which is relatively stable over a wide pH and temperature range and digests physiological proteins. The present study was carried out to evaluate the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of the MprA as a potential vaccine candidate. In BALB/c mice immunized with recombinant MprA protease (smBpF4), a significantly high IgG titer was detectable. Isotyping studies revealed that the smBpF4-specific antibodies produced were predominantly IgG(1), proposing that immunization with smBpF4 triggered a Th2 immune response. Mice were immunized with smBpF4 and subsequently challenged with B. pseudomallei via the intraperitoneal route. Whilst control mice succumbed to the infection by day 9, smBpF4-immunized mice were protected against the lethal challenge and survived beyond 25 days post-infection. In conclusion, MprA is immunogenic in melioidosis patients whilst also eliciting a strong immune response upon bacterial challenge in mice and presents itself as a potential vaccine candidate for the treatment of melioidosis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bacterial Proteins/genetics; Bacterial Vaccines/genetics; Metalloendopeptidases/genetics; Recombinant Proteins/genetics; Vaccines, Synthetic/genetics; Burkholderia pseudomallei/genetics
  3. Fulltext Molecular characterisation of phaCAB from Comamonas sp. EB172 for functional expression in Escherichia coli JM109
    Yee LN, Chuah JA, Chong ML, Phang LY, Raha AR, Sudesh K, et al.
    Microbiol Res, 2012 Oct 12;167(9):550-7.
    PMID: 22281521 DOI: 10.1016/j.micres.2011.12.006
    In this study, PHA biosynthesis operon of Comamonas sp. EB172, an acid-tolerant strain, consisting of three genes encoding acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase (phaA(Co) gene, 1182 bp), acetoacetyl-CoA reductase (phaB(Co) gene, 738 bp) and PHA synthase, class I (phaC(Co) gene, 1694 bp) were identified. Sequence analysis of the phaA(Co), phaB(Co) and phaC(Co) genes revealed that they shared more than 85%, 89% and 69% identity, respectively, with orthologues from Delftia acidovorans SPH-1 and Acidovorax ebreus TPSY. The PHA biosynthesis genes (phaC(Co) and phaAB(Co)) were successfully cloned in a heterologous host, Escherichia coli JM109. E. coli JM109 transformants harbouring pGEM'-phaC(Co)AB(Re) and pGEM'-phaC(Re)AB(Co) were shown to be functionally active synthesising 33 wt.% and 17 wt.% of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)]. E. coli JM109 transformant harbouring the three genes from the acid-tolerant Comamonas sp. EB172 (phaCAB(Co)) under the control of native promoter from Cupriavidus necator, in vivo polymerised P(3HB) when fed with glucose and volatile mixed organic acids (acetic acid:propionic acid:n-butyric acid) in ration of 3:1:1, respectively. The E. coli JM109 transformant harbouring phaCAB(Co) could accumulate P(3HB) at 2g/L of propionic acid. P(3HB) contents of 40.9% and 43.6% were achieved by using 1% of glucose and mixed organic acids, respectively.
    Matched MeSH terms: Acetyl-CoA C-Acetyltransferase/genetics*; Acyltransferases/genetics*; Alcohol Oxidoreductases/genetics*; Bacterial Proteins/genetics*; Escherichia coli/genetics*; Comamonas/genetics
  4. Fulltext Lack of association between RANTES-28, SDF-1 gene polymorphisms and systemic lupus erythematosus in the Malaysian population
    Lian LH, Kee BP, Ng HL, Chua KH
    Genet. Mol. Res., 2011;10(4):2841-50.
    PMID: 22095608 DOI: 10.4238/2011.November.17.2
    Regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) and stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) are members of the CC- and CXC-chemokine families, respectively. Both genes have been postulated to be involved in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We analyzed position 28 of the RANTES gene promoter region, as well as the SNP observed in the 3' UTR of the SDF-1 gene at position 801, in 130 patients presenting SLE at the Malaya University Medical Centre. Screening of 130 healthy volunteer controls using RFLP was also performed. RANTES-28 polymorphism analysis showed no significant (P = 0.3520) relationship, even though homozygous C/C was more frequent in SLE patients (OR = 1.4183) and heterozygous C/G was more frequent in healthy controls (OR = 0.7051). There were no significant (P = 0.2650) associations between A/A (OR = 0.783), G/G (OR = 1.5914) and G/A (OR = 0.8289) genotypes in the SDF-1 gene polymorphism with SLE. We conclude that there is no significant association of RANTES-28 and SDF-1 gene polymorphisms and occurrence of SLE in Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/genetics*; Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics; Chemokine CCL5/genetics*; 3' Untranslated Regions/genetics; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/genetics; Chemokine CXCL12/genetics*
  5. Fulltext HLA-DQ A1, -DQB1 and -DRB1 gene polymorphism--in Malay type 1 diabetes mellitus patients and their use for risk prediction
    Rohana AG, Loh KC, Tin SK, Soh CH, Nazaimoon WM, Fong KY, et al.
    Med J Malaysia, 2011 Jun;66(2):133-7.
    PMID: 22106694
    HLA-DQA1, -DQB1, and -DRB1 gene polymorphism were analyzed to study type 1 DM susceptibility in Malay patients from Southeast Asia (Malaysia and Singapore). Patients showed significant increases in the occurrence of DQA1*0501 (50.7% vs. 20.4%; RR = 3.97; Pc < 0.01), DQB1*0201 (48% vs. 19.1%; RR = 3.86; Pc < 0.05), and DRB1*0301 (38.7 vs. 6.8%; RR = 8.36; 95% Pc < 0.05). Conversely, significant decreases were noted in the occurrence of DQA1*0601 (14.7% vs. 35.2%; RR = 0.33; Pc = 0.008) and DQB1*0601 (4% vs. 23.5%; RR = 0.16; Pc < 0.05) in type 1 DM patients. Using a logistic regression model, we derived a risk prediction model for type 1 DM in our indigenous Malay population based on the identified HLA genotypes. The RR for type 1 DM increases by a factor of 5.68 for every unit increase in the number of DRB1*0301 allele (P < 0.001), and decreases by a factor of 0.18 per unit increase in the number of DQB1*0601 allele (P < 0.001). After adjusting for these two HLA genotypes, DQA1*0501, DQB1*0201 and DQA1*0601 were not statistically significant as risk predictors. The lower incidence of type 1 DM in the Malay population may be contributed by the genotypic combinations of DR and DQ genes as well as the linkage disequilibria between susceptible and protective alleles.
    Matched MeSH terms: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/genetics*; Polymorphism, Genetic/genetics*; Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics*; HLA-DRB1 Chains/genetics*; HLA-DQ alpha-Chains/genetics*; HLA-DQ beta-Chains/genetics*
  6. Lack of association between synapsin II (SYN2) gene polymorphism and susceptibility epilepsy: a case-control study and meta-analysis
    Haerian BS, Lim KS, Tan HJ, Wong CP, Wong SW, Tan CT, et al.
    Synapse, 2011 Oct;65(10):1073-9.
    PMID: 21465568 DOI: 10.1002/syn.20939
    The SYN2 rs3773364 A>G polymorphism has been proposed to be involved in susceptibility to epilepsy, but research results have been inconclusive. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the SYN2 rs3773364 A>G polymorphism and susceptibility against epilepsy in a case-control study and a meta-analysis.
    Matched MeSH terms: Epilepsy/genetics*; Polymorphism, Genetic/genetics*; Synapsins/genetics*; Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics*; European Continental Ancestry Group/genetics; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/genetics
  7. Genomic copy number variations in three Southeast Asian populations
    Ku CS, Pawitan Y, Sim X, Ong RT, Seielstad M, Lee EJ, et al.
    Hum Mutat, 2010 Jul;31(7):851-7.
    PMID: 20506136 DOI: 10.1002/humu.21287
    Research on the role of copy number variations (CNVs) in the genetic risk of diseases in Asian populations has been hampered by a relative lack of reference CNV maps for Asian populations outside the East Asians. In this article, we report the population characteristics of CNVs in Chinese, Malay, and Asian Indian populations in Singapore. Using the Illumina Human 1M Beadchip array, we identify 1,174 CNV loci in these populations that corroborated with findings when the same samples were typed on the Affymetrix 6.0 platform. We identify 441 novel loci not previously reported in the Database of Genomic Variations (DGV). We observe a considerable number of loci that span all three populations and were previously unreported, as well as population-specific loci that are quite common in the respective populations. From this we observe the distribution of CNVs in the Asian Indian population to be considerably different from the Chinese and Malay populations. About half of the deletion loci and three-quarters of duplication loci overlap UCSC genes. Tens of loci show population differentiation and overlap with genes previously known to be associated with genetic risk of diseases. One of these loci is the CYP2A6 deletion, previously linked to reduced susceptibility to lung cancer.
    Matched MeSH terms: Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases/genetics; Genetics, Population; Lung Neoplasms/genetics; Gene Dosage/genetics*; Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics*; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/genetics*
  8. Fulltext Expression and mutational analysis of GATA3 in Malaysian breast carcinomas
    Bong PN, Zakaria Z, Muhammad R, Abdullah N, Ibrahim N, Emran NA, et al.
    Malays J Pathol, 2010 Dec;32(2):117-22.
    PMID: 21329183 MyJurnal
    The GATA3 gene is a potential tumour marker and putative tumour suppressor gene in breast cancer. Its expression is associated with better prognosis and disease free survival in breast cancer patients. We aimed to evaluate GATA3 transcriptome expression and mutation in breast carcinomas and correlate its expression with oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), lymph node (LN) status, tumour grade and c-erbB-2 expression. Twenty-two breast infiltrating ductal carcinomas and paired normal tissues were used in Branch DNA assay to detect GATA3 mRNA expression. Normalized data for GATA3 mRNA expression were grouped according to the ER, PR and LN status, tumour grade and c-erbB-2 expression of the tumours. Statistical significance was tested using t-test and ANOVA at 95% confidence interval level. Mutational analysis of GATA3 was performed by direct sequencing of the coding regions of GATA3 mRNA. Our findings showed that GATA3 gene were over-expressed and under-expressed by > 2 fold change in 12 and 4 tested samples, respectively. Eighty per cent of ER positive breast carcinomas were GATA3 positive. There was a statistically significant correlation between GATA3 expression and ER at 95% confidence interval level between the study groups. On the contrary, GATA3 expression was not statistically significant with PR, LN, tumour grade and c-erbB-2 expression in our study. In addition, we observed that there was no mutation in mRNA coding region in 16 breast carcinomas that showed GATA3 differential gene expression. Our preliminary results suggested that GATA3 is linked to the ER. This scenario suggests that GATA3 may play a crucial role in oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer patients. Whether GATA3 expression is involved in regulating tumour cell growth in oestrogen responsive breast cancer is a key question that remains to be answered.
    Matched MeSH terms: Breast Neoplasms/genetics*; Receptors, Estrogen/genetics; Receptors, Progesterone/genetics; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/genetics*; Receptor, ErbB-2/genetics; GATA3 Transcription Factor/genetics*
  9. Fulltext Live recombinant Lactococcus lactis vaccine expressing aerolysin genes D1 and D4 for protection against Aeromonas hydrophila in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
    Anuradha K, Foo HL, Mariana NS, Loh TC, Yusoff K, Hassan MD, et al.
    J Appl Microbiol, 2010 Nov;109(5):1632-42.
    PMID: 20602654 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2010.04789.x
    To evaluate a live recombinant Lactococcus lactis vaccine expressing aerolysin genes D1 (Lac-D1ae) and/or D4 (Lac-D4ae) in protection against Aeromonas hydrophila in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).
    Matched MeSH terms: Bacterial Toxins/genetics*; Genes, Bacterial/genetics; Lactococcus lactis/genetics*; Vaccines, Synthetic/genetics*; Cichlids/genetics; Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins/genetics*
  10. Adiponectin SNP45TG is associated with gestational diabetes mellitus
    Low CF, Mohd Tohit ER, Chong PP, Idris F
    Arch Gynecol Obstet, 2011 Jun;283(6):1255-60.
    PMID: 20552210 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-010-1548-4
    Diabetes and pregnancy can be associated in two ways: pregnancy that occurs in women who are already diabetic (diabetes of pre-gestational origin); and diabetes that occur in women who are already pregnant [gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (O'sullivan 1961)]. Patients with previous GDM history have higher risk of developing diabetes outside of pregnancy. Accumulating literature had suggested that adiponectin plays a role in the pathophysiology of this metabolic syndrome, and several of the common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in adiponectin gene have been identified in type 2 diabetes. Thus, one of the commonly found SNP was studied to determine its association with GDM.
    Matched MeSH terms: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/genetics; Gene Frequency/genetics; Diabetes, Gestational/genetics*; Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics*; Adiponectin/genetics*
  11. Molecular characterization of serotype A foot-and-mouth disease viruses circulating in Vietnam in 2009
    Le VP, Nguyen T, Lee KN, Ko YJ, Lee HS, Nguyen VC, et al.
    Vet Microbiol, 2010 Jul 29;144(1-2):58-66.
    PMID: 20097490 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2009.12.033
    Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a major cause of endemic outbreaks in Vietnam in recent years. In this work, six serotype A foot-and-mouth disease viruses (FMDV), collected from endemic outbreaks during January and February of 2009 in four different provinces in Vietnam, were genetically characterized for their complete genome sequences. Genetic analysis based on the complete viral genome sequence indicated that they were closely related to each other and shared 99.0-99.8% amino acid (aa) identity. Genetic and deduced aa analysis of the capsid coding gene VP1 showed that the six Vietnamese strains were all classified into the genotype IX from a total of 10 major genotypes worldwide, sharing 98.1-100% aa identity each other. They were most closely related to the type A strains recently isolated in Laos (A/LAO/36/2003, A/LAO/1/2006, A/LAO/6/2006, A/LAO/7/2006, and A/LAO/8/2006), Thailand (A/TAI/2/1997 and A/TAI/118/1987), and Malaysia (A/MAY/2/2002), sharing 88.3-95.5% nucleotide (nt) identities. In contrast, Vietnamese type A strains showed low nt identities with the two old type A FMDVs, isolated in 1960 in Thailand (a15thailand iso43) and in 1975 in the Philippines (aphilippines iso50), ranging from 77.3 to 80.9% nt identity. A multiple alignment based on the deduced amino acid sequences of the capsid VP1 coding gene of type A FMDV revealed three amino acid substitutions between Vietnamese strains and the strains of other Southeast Asian countries (Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines). Alanine was replaced by valine at residue 24, asparagine by arginine at residue 85, and serine by threonine at residue 196. Furthermore, type A FMDV strains recently isolated in Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Malaysia all have one amino acid deletion at residue 140 of the capsid VP1 protein compared with the two old type A FMDV strains from Thailand and the Philippines as well as most other type A representatives worldwide. This article is the first to report on the comprehensive genetic characterization of type A FMDV circulating in Vietnam.
    Matched MeSH terms: DNA, Viral/genetics; Foot-and-Mouth Disease/genetics*; RNA, Viral/genetics; Viral Structural Proteins/genetics; DNA, Complementary/genetics; Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus/genetics*
  12. Regulation of low-density lipoprotein receptor and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase gene expression by thymoquinone-rich fraction and thymoquinone in HepG2 cells
    Al-Naqeep G, Ismail M, Allaudin Z
    J Nutrigenet Nutrigenomics, 2009;2(4-5):163-72.
    PMID: 19887822 DOI: 10.1159/000227264
    BACKGROUND AND AIM: Nigella sativa and its active constituent thymoquinone (TQ) have been exploited for their various health benefits. This work was aimed to investigate the regulatory effects of TQ-rich fraction (TQRF) and commercial TQ on the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) genes in HepG2 cells.

    METHODS AND RESULTS: TQRF was extracted from N. sativa seeds using supercritical fluid extraction. The regulatory effects of TQRF at 80 microg/ml and TQ at 2 microg/ml on LDLR and HMGCR gene expression were investigated in HepG2 cells using quantitative real-time PCR. The TQ content in TQRF was 2.77% (w/w) and was obtained at a temperature of 40 degrees C and a pressure of 600 bar. Treatment of cells with TQRF and TQ resulted in a 7- and 2-fold upregulation of LDLR mRNA level, respectively, compared with untreated cells. The mRNA level of HMGCR was downregulated by 71 and 12%, respectively, compared with untreated cells.

    CONCLUSION: TQRF and TQ regulated genes involved in cholesterol metabolism by two mechanisms, the uptake of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol via the upregulation of the LDLR gene and inhibition of cholesterol synthesis via the suppression of the HMGCR gene.

    Matched MeSH terms: DNA, Neoplasm/genetics; Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases/genetics*; Receptors, LDL/genetics*; RNA, Messenger/genetics; RNA, Neoplasm/genetics; DNA, Complementary/genetics
  13. RecA mediated spontaneous deletions of the icaADBC operon of clinical Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates: a new mechanism of phenotypic variations
    Nuryastuti T, Henny C, Henk JB, Roel K, Abu TA, Bastiaan PK
    Med J Malaysia, 2008 Jul;63 Suppl A:97.
    PMID: 19025002
    Phenotypic variation in biofilm formation is common in clinical isolates of S. epidermidis. In the current study, nearly 5% of all clinical isolates analysed showed phenotypic variation in biofilm forming ability and electrophoretic mobility (EM). This is the first report of S. epidermidis strains irreversibly switching from biofilm-positive to biofilm-negative phenotype by spontaneous deletion of icaADBC genes which represents a new, possibly common mechanism of phenotypic variation.
    Matched MeSH terms: Bacterial Proteins/genetics; Rec A Recombinases/genetics*; Serine Endopeptidases/genetics; Staphylococcal Infections/genetics; Staphylococcus epidermidis/genetics*; Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial/genetics*
  14. Deletion analyses of SMN1 and NAIP genes in Malaysian spinal muscular atrophy patients
    Watihayati MS, Zabidi-Hussin AM, Tang TH, Matsuo M, Nishio H, Zilfalil BA
    Pediatr Int, 2007 Feb;49(1):11-4.
    PMID: 17250498
    The survival motor neuron 1 (SMN1) gene has been recognized to be responsible for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) because it is homozygously deleted in more than 90% of SMA patients, irrespective of their clinical severity, whereas the neuronal apoptosis inhibitory protein (NAIP) gene is now considered to be a modifying factor of the severity of SMA. In Malaysia, it remains to be elucidated whether deletion of the SMN1 gene is also a main cause of SMA or whether deletion of the NAIP gene is found in the SMA patients.
    Matched MeSH terms: Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics*; Spinal Muscular Atrophies of Childhood/genetics*; RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics*; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein/genetics*; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/genetics*; Neuronal Apoptosis-Inhibitory Protein/genetics*
  15. Fulltext The pattern of CD15, CD30 and Bcl-2 expression in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma
    Eow GI, Kim LH, Peh SC
    Med J Malaysia, 2006 Oct;61(4):416-21.
    PMID: 17243518 MyJurnal
    Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a heterogenous entity. The pattern of CD15, CD30 and Bcl-2 expression is not well documented, especially in local population. We investigated 67 consecutive cases of DLBCL by immunohistochemistry on paraffin-embedded tissue. The male to female ratio was 1.2:1 with median age of 55 years, and more common nodal than extranodal in presentation. Only 3 of 67 cases expressed CD15. In addition, three cases showed weak membrane staining for CD30. Only one of these three cases was noted to have co-expression of CD15 and with occasional tumour cells showing weak CD30 expression. Bcl-2 protein was expressed in 43 of 67 (64%), more frequently in nodal than in extranodal tumours. In conclusion, CD15 and CD30 expressions are infrequent in DLBCL, and co-expression is rare. Bcl-2 protein expression is common in DLBCL.
    Matched MeSH terms: Antigens, CD15/genetics; Lymphoma, B-Cell/genetics*; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/genetics*; Antigens, CD30/genetics; Genes, bcl-2/genetics*; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/genetics
  16. Uncoupling protein 2 promoter polymorphism -866G/A, central adiposity, and metabolic syndrome in Asians
    Shen H, Qi L, Tai ES, Chew SK, Tan CE, Ordovas JM
    Obesity (Silver Spring), 2006 Apr;14(4):656-61.
    PMID: 16741267
    A polymorphism in the promoter region of uncoupling protein 2 gene -866G/A has been associated with its expression levels in adipose tissue, the risk of obesity, and metabolic abnormalities. Our purpose was to examine the associations of -866G/A with body fat and the risk of metabolic syndrome in a random sample of 4018 Asians (1858 men and 2160 women) from three ethnic groups (Chinese, Malay, and Indian). The minor allele frequency of -866G/A polymorphism in South Asians was similar to that in whites. After adjustment for covariates including age, cigarette smoking, and physical activity, the -866A/A genotype was associated with higher waist-to-hip ratio as compared with the wild-type genotype in Chinese and Indian men (p = 0.018 and p = 0.046, respectively). Moreover, Indian men with -866A/A genotype had a significantly increased risk of metabolic syndrome as compared with those homozygous for the wild-type (odds ratio, 2.66; 95% confidence interval, 1.21 to 5.88; p = 0.015). Such a risk was mainly caused by the excess presence of hypertriglyceridemia and central obesity. Our findings indicate that the uncoupling protein 2 gene -866G/A polymorphism may increase the risks of central obesity and metabolic syndrome, with greater effects on Asian men.
    Matched MeSH terms: Blood Pressure/genetics; Diabetes Mellitus/genetics; Ion Channels/genetics*; Mitochondrial Proteins/genetics*; Metabolic Syndrome X/genetics*; Adiposity/genetics*
  17. Fulltext Distribution of Candida in the oral cavity and its differentiation based on the internally transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of rDNA
    Zahir RA, Himratul-Aznita WH
    Yeast, 2013 Jan;30(1):13-23.
    PMID: 23208647 DOI: 10.1002/yea.2937
    This study aimed to determine the distribution of Candida species in the oral cavity and differentiate the species based on PCR amplification, including HinfI and MspI digestion, in order to assess the effectiveness of using the rDNA region for species identification. Samples from saliva as well as palate, tongue and cheek mucosa surfaces were collected from 45 individuals, consisting of three groups: periodontal disease patients; denture-wearers; and the control group. The samples were serially diluted, spread on BHI and YPD agar plates and scored for colony-forming units (CFUs). Fifteen random candidal colonies were isolated and subjected to genomic DNA extraction, based on glass beads disruption. Four primers were used to amplify regions in the rDNA, and the ITSI-5.8S-ITSII PCR product was digested by HinfI and MspI restriction enzymes. The microbial loads on all sites of the denture-wearers were found to be significantly higher than control, while in the periodontal disease group only the microbial loads on the tongue were significantly higher than control. Meanwhile, there was no significant difference at other sites. The restriction fragment lengths of the clinical samples were compared to those of seven control species, allowing the differentiation of all seven species and the identification of 14 species from the clinical samples. The MspI restriction digest was not able to distinguish between C. albicans and C. dubliniensis, whereas the HinfI digest could not distinguish between C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis. It was concluded that PCR-RFLP of the candidal rDNA region has potential for species identification. This study demonstrates the potential use of candidal rDNA as a means for identifying Candida species, based on genotype. The results also indicate the possibility of constructing genetic probes that target specific restriction fragments in the ITSI-5.8S-ITSII region, enabling swift and precise identification of Candida species.
    Matched MeSH terms: Candida/genetics*; DNA, Fungal/genetics; DNA, Ribosomal/genetics; RNA, Ribosomal, 5.8S/genetics; DNA Primers/genetics; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer/genetics
  18. Fulltext Permanent neonatal diabetes due to a novel insulin signal peptide mutation
    Hussain S, Mohd Ali J, Jalaludin MY, Harun F
    Pediatr Diabetes, 2013 Jun;14(4):299-303.
    PMID: 23350652 DOI: 10.1111/pedi.12011
    We report a rare case of permanent neonatal diabetes (PND) due to insulin (INS) gene mutation in a 51-month-old girl who presented with hyperglycemia in the neonatal period. Mutational analysis of KCNJ11 and INS was performed and this detected a novel heterozygous c.38T>G (p.Leu13Arg) INS de novo mutation. The non-conservative change substitutes the highly conserved L(13) residue within the hydrophobic core region of the preproinsulin signal peptide. Given the frequent tendency of heterozygous INS mutations to exhibit dominant negative disease pathogenesis, it is likely that the mutant preproinsulin perturbed the non-mutant counterpart progression and processing within the β-cells, and this resulted to a permanent form of congenital diabetes.
    Matched MeSH terms: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/genetics; Infant, Newborn, Diseases/genetics*; Insulin/genetics*; Protein Precursors/genetics; Protein Sorting Signals/genetics; Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying/genetics
  19. Fulltext Overexpressing 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) in the lactococcal mevalonate pathway for heterologous plant sesquiterpene production
    Song AA, Abdullah JO, Abdullah MP, Shafee N, Othman R, Tan EF, et al.
    PLoS One, 2012;7(12):e52444.
    PMID: 23300671 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0052444
    Isoprenoids are a large and diverse group of metabolites with interesting properties such as flavour, fragrance and therapeutic properties. They are produced via two pathways, the mevalonate pathway or the 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol-4-phosphate (MEP) pathway. While plants are the richest source of isoprenoids, they are not the most efficient producers. Escherichia coli and yeasts have been extensively studied as heterologous hosts for plant isoprenoids production. In the current study, we describe the usage of the food grade Lactococcus lactis as a potential heterologous host for the production of sesquiterpenes from a local herbaceous Malaysian plant, Persicaria minor (synonym Polygonum minus). A sesquiterpene synthase gene from P. minor was successfully cloned and expressed in L. lactis. The expressed protein was identified to be a β-sesquiphellandrene synthase as it was demonstrated to be functional in producing β-sesquiphellandrene at 85.4% of the total sesquiterpenes produced based on in vitro enzymatic assays. The recombinant L. lactis strain developed in this study was also capable of producing β-sesquiphellandrene in vivo without exogenous substrates supplementation. In addition, overexpression of the strain's endogenous 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme-A reductase (HMGR), an established rate-limiting enzyme in the eukaryotic mevalonate pathway, increased the production level of β-sesquiphellandrene by 1.25-1.60 fold. The highest amount achieved was 33 nM at 2 h post-induction.
    Matched MeSH terms: Hydroxymethylglutaryl CoA Reductases/genetics*; Plasmids/genetics; Recombinant Proteins/genetics; Lactococcus lactis/genetics*; Polygonaceae/genetics*; Alkyl and Aryl Transferases/genetics
  20. Fulltext Genome wide analysis of chromosomal alterations in oral squamous cell carcinomas revealed over expression of MGAM and ADAM9
    Vincent-Chong VK, Anwar A, Karen-Ng LP, Cheong SC, Yang YH, Pradeep PJ, et al.
    PLoS One, 2013;8(2):e54705.
    PMID: 23405089 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054705
    Despite the advances in diagnosis and treatment of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), mortality and morbidity rates have not improved over the past decade. A major drawback in diagnosis and treatment of OSCC is the lack of knowledge relating to how genetic instability in oral cancer genomes affects oral carcinogenesis. Hence, the key aim of this study was to identify copy number alterations (CNAs) that may be cancer associated in OSCC using high-resolution array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH). To our knowledge this is the first study to use ultra-high density aCGH microarrays to profile a large number of OSCC genomes (n = 46). The most frequently amplified CNAs were located on chromosome 11q11(52%), 2p22.3(52%), 1q21.3-q22(54%), 6p21.32(59%), 20p13(61%), 7q34(52% and 72%),8p11.23-p11.22(80%), 8q11.1-q24.4(54%), 9q13-q34.3(54%), 11q23.3-q25(57%); 14q21.3-q31.1(54%); 14q31.3-q32.33(57%), 20p13-p12.3(54%) and 20q11.21-q13.33(52%). The most frequently deleted chromosome region was located on 3q26.1 (54%). In order to verify the CNAs from aCGH using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), the three top most amplified regions and their associated genes, namely ADAM5P (8p11.23-p11.22), MGAM (7q34) and SIRPB1 (20p13.1), were selected in this study. The ADAM5P locus was found to be amplified in 39 samples and deleted in one; MGAM (24 amplifications and 3 deletions); and SIRPB1 (12 amplifications, others undetermined). On the basis of putative cancer-related annotations, two genes, namely ADAM metallopeptidase domain 9 (ADAM9) and maltase-glucoamylase alpha-glucosidase (MGAM), that mapped to CNA regions were selected for further evaluation of their mRNA expression using reverse transcriptase qPCR. The over-expression of MGAM was confirmed with a 6.6 fold increase in expression at the mRNA level whereas the fold change in ADAM9 demonstrated a 1.6 fold increase. This study has identified significant regions in the OSCC genome that were amplified and resulted in consequent over-expression of the MGAM and ADAM9 genes that may be utilized as biological markers for OSCC.
    Matched MeSH terms: alpha-Glucosidases/genetics; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics*; Membrane Proteins/genetics; Mouth Neoplasms/genetics*; RNA, Messenger/genetics; ADAM Proteins/genetics
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