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Development of a DNA vaccine against chicken anemia virus by using a bicistronic vector expressing VP1 and VP2 proteins of CAV

Moeini H, Omar AR, Rahim RA, Yusoff K

Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis, 2011 May;34(3):227-36.
PMID: 21146874 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2010.11.006

In the present study, we describe the development of a DNA vaccine against chicken anemia virus. The VP1 and VP2 genes of CAV were amplified and cloned into pBudCE4.1 to construct two DNA vaccines, namely, pBudVP1 and pBudVP2-VP1. In vitro and in vivo studies showed that co-expression of VP1 with VP2 are required to induce significant levels of antibody against CAV. Subsequently, the vaccines were tested in 2-week-old SPF chickens. Chickens immunized with the DNA-plasmid pBudVP2-VP1 showed positive neutralizing antibody titer against CAV. Furthermore, VP1-specific proliferation induction of splenocytes and also high serum levels of Th1 cytokines, IL-2 and IFN-γ were detected in the pBudVP2-VP1-vaccinated chickens. These results suggest that the recombinant DNA plasmid co-expressing VP1 and VP2 can be used as a potential DNA vaccine against CAV.

Matched MeSH terms: Genetic Vectors/genetics; Viral Vaccines/genetics; Chicken anemia virus/genetics; Vaccines, DNA/genetics; Capsid Proteins/genetics
Translational aspects of genetic factors in the prediction of drug response variability: a case study of warfarin pharmacogenomics in a multi-ethnic cohort from Asia

Chan SL, Suo C, Lee SC, Goh BC, Chia KS, Teo YY

Pharmacogenomics J, 2012 Aug;12(4):312-8.
PMID: 21383771 DOI: 10.1038/tpj.2011.7

Genetic markers displaying highly significant statistical associations with complex phenotypes may not necessarily possess sufficient clinical validity to be useful. Understanding the contribution of these markers beyond readily available clinical biomarkers is particularly important in pharmacogenetics. We demonstrate the utility of genetic testing using the example of warfarin in a multi-ethnic setting comprising of three Asian populations that are broadly representative of the genetic diversity for half of the population in the world, especially as distinct interethnic differences in warfarin dose requirements have been previously established. We confirmed the roles of three well-established loci (CYP2C9, VKORC1 and CYP4F2) in explaining warfarin dosage variation in the three Asian populations. In addition, we assessed the relationship between ethnicity and the genotypes of these loci, observing strong correlations at VKORC1 and CYP4F2. Subsequently, we established the additional utility of these genetic factors in predicting warfarin dose beyond ethnicity and clinical biomarkers through performing a series of systematic cross-validation analyses of the relative predictive accuracies of various fixed-dose regimen, clinical and genetic models. Through a pharmacogenetics model for warfarin, we show the importance of genetic testing beyond readily available clinical biomarkers in predicting dose requirements, confirming the role of genetic profiling in personalized medicine.

Matched MeSH terms: Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases/genetics; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System/genetics*; Ethnic Groups/genetics; Mixed Function Oxygenases/genetics*; Pharmacogenetics/methods*; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/genetics
Tocotrienol-treated MCF-7 human breast cancer cells show down-regulation of API5 and up-regulation of MIG6 genes

Ramdas P, Rajihuzzaman M, Veerasenan SD, Selvaduray KR, Nesaretnam K, Radhakrishnan AK

Cancer Genomics Proteomics, 2011 Jan-Feb;8(1):19-31.
PMID: 21289334

Tocotrienols belong to the vitamin E family and have multiple anticancer effects, such as antiproliferative, antioxidant, pro-apoptosis and antimetastatic. This study aimed to identify the genes that are regulated in human breast cancer cells following exposure to various isomers of vitamin E as these may be potential targets for the treatment of breast cancer.

Matched MeSH terms: Breast Neoplasms/genetics*; Nuclear Proteins/genetics*; Tumor Suppressor Proteins/genetics*; Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/genetics*; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins/genetics*
Isolation and characterization of oil palm constitutive promoter derived from ubiquitin extension protein (uep1) gene

Masura SS, Parveez GK, Ismail I

N Biotechnol, 2010 Sep 30;27(4):289-99.
PMID: 20123048 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2010.01.337

The ubiquitin extension protein (uep1) gene was identified as a constitutively expressed gene in oil palm. We have isolated and characterized the 5' region of the oil palm uep1 gene, which contains an 828 bp sequence upstream of the uep1 translational start site. Construction of a pUEP1 transformation vector, which contains gusA reporter gene under the control of uep1 promoter, was carried out for functional analysis of the promoter through transient expression studies. It was found that the 5' region of uep1 functions as a constitutive promoter in oil palm and could drive GUS expression in all tissues tested, including embryogenic calli, embryoid, immature embryo, young leaflet from mature palm, green leaf, mesocarp and meristematic tissues (shoot tip). This promoter could also be used in dicot systems as it was demonstrated to be capable of driving gusA gene expression in tobacco.

Matched MeSH terms: Plasmids/genetics; Genes, Plant/genetics*; DNA, Complementary/genetics; Ubiquitin/genetics*; Arecaceae/genetics*
Comparative analysis of extracellular enzymes and virulence exhibited by Burkholderia pseudomallei from different sources

Vellasamy KM, Vasu C, Puthucheary SD, Vadivelu J

Microb Pathog, 2009 Sep;47(3):111-7.
PMID: 19524661 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2009.06.003

To evaluate the potential role of extracellular proteins in the pathogenicity and virulence of Burkholderia pseudomallei, the activities of several enzymes in the culture filtrates of nine clinical and six environmental isolates were investigated in vitro and in vivo in ICR strain of mice. The production of protease, phosphatase, phospholipase C, superoxide dismutase, catalase and peroxidase were detected in the culture filtrates of all the 15 isolates at different time points of growth 4-24h. Over time, activity of each enzyme at each time point varied. Profile of secretion was similar among the 15 isolates irrespective of source, that is clinical or environmental. Catalase, phosphatase and phospholipase C were found to be increased in 60-100% of the isolates post-passage in mice. In vivo inoculation studies in ICR mice demonstrated a wide difference in their ability to cause bacteraemia, splenic or external abscesses and mortality rate ranged from few days to several weeks.

Matched MeSH terms: Bacterial Proteins/genetics; Catalase/genetics; Peroxidase/genetics; Phosphoric Monoester Hydrolases/genetics; Burkholderia pseudomallei/genetics
Construction and characterization of rtxA and rtxC mutants of auxotrophic O139 Vibrio cholerae

Cheong TG, Chan M, Kurunathan S, Ali SA, ZiNing T, Zainuddin ZF, et al.

Microb Pathog, 2010 Feb;48(2):85-90.
PMID: 19900531 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2009.11.001

Vibrio cholerae is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes diarrheal disease. V. cholerae O1 and O139 serogroups are toxigenic and are known to cause epidemic cholera. These serogroups produce cholera toxin and other accessory toxins such as accessory cholera enterotoxin, zonula occludens toxin, and multifunctional, autoprocessing repeat in toxin (MARTX). In the present study, we incorporated mutated rtxA and rtxC genes that encode MARTX toxin into the existing aminolevulinic acid (ALA) auxotrophic vaccine candidate VCUSM2 of V. cholerae O139 serogroup. The rtxC mutant was named VCUSM9 and the rtxC/rtxA mutant was named VCUSM10. VCUSM9 and VCUSM10 were able to colonize intestinal cells well, compared with the parent vaccine strain, and produced no fluid accumulation in a rabbit ileal loop model. Cell rounding and western blotting assays indicated that mutation of the rtxC gene alone (VCUSM9 strain) did not abolish MARTX toxicity. However mutation of both the rtxA and rtxC genes (VCUSM10) completely abolished MARTX toxicity. Thus we have produced a new, less reactogenic, auxotrophic rtxC/rtxA mutated vaccine candidate against O139 V. cholerae.

Matched MeSH terms: Acyltransferases/genetics*; Bacterial Proteins/genetics*; Bacterial Toxins/genetics*; Virulence Factors/genetics; Vibrio cholerae O139/genetics*
Detection and molecular characterization of Giardia isolated from recreational lake water in Malaysia

Lim YA, Ramasame SD, Mahdy MA, Sulaiman WY, Smith HV

Parasitol Res, 2009 Dec;106(1):289-91.
PMID: 19705155 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-009-1602-y

Nine 50-l surface water samples from a Malaysian recreational lake were examined microscopically using an immunomagnetisable separation-immunofluorescent method. No Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected, but 77.8% of samples contained low numbers of Giardia cysts (range, 0.17-1.1 cysts/l), which were genetically characterised by SSU rRNA gene sequencing. Genotype analyses indicated the presence of Giardia duodenalis assemblage A suggesting potential risk to public health. The present study represents the first contribution to our knowledge of G. duodenalis assemblages in Malaysian recreational water.

Matched MeSH terms: DNA, Ribosomal/genetics; Giardia/genetics; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics; RNA, Protozoan/genetics; DNA, Protozoan/genetics
Genetic diversity of Chinese rabies viruses: evidence for the presence of two distinct clades in China

Zhang YZ, Xiong CL, Lin XD, Zhou DJ, Jiang RJ, Xiao QY, et al.

Infect Genet Evol, 2009 Jan;9(1):87-96.
PMID: 19041424 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2008.10.014

There have been three major rabies epidemics in China since the 1950s. To gain more insights into the molecular epidemiology of rabies viruses (RVs) for the third (the current) epidemic, we isolated RV from dogs and humans in major endemic areas, and characterized these isolates genetically by sequencing the entire glycoprotein (G) gene and the G-L non-coding region. These sequences were also compared phylogenetically with RVs isolated in China during previous epidemics and those around the world. Comparison of the entire G genes among the Chinese isolates revealed up to 21.8% divergence at the nucleotide level and 17.8% at the amino acid level. The available Chinese isolates could be divided into two distinct clades, each of which could be further divided into six lineages. Viruses in clade I include most of the Chinese viruses as well as viruses from southeast Asian countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. The viruses in the other clade were found infrequently in China, but are closely related to viruses distributed worldwide among terrestrial animals. Interestingly, most of the viruses isolated during the past 10 years belong to lineage A viruses within clade I whereas most of the viruses isolated before 1996 belong to other lineages within clades I and II. Our results indicated that lineages A viruses have been predominant during the past 10 years and thus are largely responsible for the third and the current epidemic in China. Our results also suggested that the Chinese RV isolates in clade I share a common recent ancestor with those circulating in southeast Asia.

Matched MeSH terms: Antigens, Viral/genetics; Glycoproteins/genetics; Rabies virus/genetics*; Viral Envelope Proteins/genetics; Viral Proteins/genetics
A MALDI TOF MS-based minisequencing method for rapid detection of TEM-type extended-spectrum beta-lactamases in clinical strains of Enterobacteriaceae

Ikryannikova LN, Shitikov EA, Zhivankova DG, Il'ina EN, Edelstein MV, Govorun VM

J Microbiol Methods, 2008 Dec;75(3):385-91.
PMID: 18694787 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2008.07.005

A minisequencing method based on matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF MS) was developed for rapid identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms at bla(TEM) gene codons 104, 164 and 238 associated with extended-spectrum activity on TEM-type beta-lactamases. The method was validated by testing the Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains possessing the known bla(TEM) gene sequences.

Matched MeSH terms: Bacterial Proteins/genetics*; beta-Lactamases/genetics*; Enterobacteriaceae/genetics; Escherichia coli/genetics; Klebsiella pneumoniae/genetics
High-titred neutralizing antibodies to human enterovirus 71 preferentially bind to the N-terminal portion of the capsid protein VP1

Tan CS, Cardosa MJ

Arch Virol, 2007;152(6):1069-73.
PMID: 17318736

Human enterovirus 71 has emerged as an important pathogen of children in the Asia Pacific region, and it may be important to consider the development of a vaccine against this virus. Human cord serum was used as a source of neutralizing antibodies to determine whether the N- or C-terminal half of the VP1 capsid protein was more likely to harbour neutralizing determinants. Cord sera from 205 individuals were tested for neutralizing antibodies against human enterovirus 71 in an indirect ELISA against recombinant VP1 antigen as well as the N- and C-terminal portions of VP1 antigen. High-titred human neutralizing antibodies were significantly more reactive with the N-terminal half of VP1 than weak or negative sera. The N-terminal half of human enterovirus 71 is likely to have important neutralizing antibody determinants and should be investigated further in vaccine development efforts.

Matched MeSH terms: Epitopes/genetics; DNA, Viral/genetics; Enterovirus/genetics; Peptide Fragments/genetics; Capsid Proteins/genetics
Correlations in survivin expression with the expression of p53 and bcl-2 in invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast

Al-Joudi FS, Iskandar ZA, Imran AK

Southeast Asian J. Trop. Med. Public Health, 2007 Sep;38(5):904-10.
PMID: 18041310

This work studied the correlations between survivin, bcl-2 and p53 in infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast. A total number of 382 cases were collected from 3 hospitals in northeastern Malaysia. Survivin, bcl-2 and p53 were detected by immunohistochemistry on samples prepared from tissue blocks. Significant correlations were found between tumor histological grades and tumor size and lymph node involvement. Highly significant statistical correlations (p<0.001) were found in expression of the markers under study. It is concluded that such significant correlations may imply that the alterations in the expression take place in a concerted fashion, implying that many of these cases may share common abnormalities.

Matched MeSH terms: Breast Neoplasms/genetics; Microtubule-Associated Proteins/genetics; Neoplasm Proteins/genetics; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast/genetics
NAIP-deletion analysis in Malaysian patients with spinal muscular atrophy

Watihayati MS, M S W, Zabidi AM, A M H ZH, Tang TH, T H T, et al.

Kobe J Med Sci, 2007;53(4):171-5.
PMID: 17932457

Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) is an autosomal recessive disease, which is characterized by degeneration of the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord. SMA is classified into 3 clinical subtypes, type I (severe), type II (intermediate), and type III (mild). Two genes, SMN1 and NAIP, have been identified as SMA-related genes. The SMN1 gene is now recognized as a responsible gene for the disease because it is deleted or mutated in most SMA patients. However, the role of the NAIP gene in SMA has not been fully clarified. To clarify the contribution of NAIP to the disease severity of SMA, we studied the relationship between NAIP-deletion and clinical phenotype in Malaysian patients. A total of 39 patients lacking SMN1 (12 type I, 19 type II, and 8 type III patients) were enrolled into this study. Seven out of 12 patients with type I SMA (approximately 60%) showed NAIP deletion. On the contrary, only 2 out of 20 type II patients and none of type III patients showed NAIP deletion. There was a statistically significant difference in NAIP-deletion frequency among the clinical subtypes (Fisher's exact probability test, p value = 0.014). In conclusion, according to our data that NAIP deletion was more frequent in type I SMA than in type II-III SMA, the NAIP gene may be a modifying factor for disease severity of SMA.

Matched MeSH terms: Muscular Atrophy, Spinal/genetics*; Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics; RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein/genetics; Neuronal Apoptosis-Inhibitory Protein/genetics*
Molecular epidemiology of rabies in Vietnam

Yamagata J, Ahmed K, Khawplod P, Mannen K, Xuyen DK, Loi HH, et al.

Microbiol. Immunol., 2007;51(9):833-40.
PMID: 17895600

The present study was done to determine the molecular epidemiology of rabies virus (RV) in Vietnam. The nucleoprotein (N) and glycoprotein (G) genes of RVs were amplified from the brains of ten rabid dogs of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The nucleotide sequences of these genes were compared with those of other Asian strains to find the possible relationship among them. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Asian N gene segregated into three main branches, namely South-East Asia 1 (SEA 1), South-East Asia 2 (SEA 2) and Indian subcontinent (ISC) genotypes. The SEA 1 genotype comprised RVs from Malaysia, Vietnam and Thailand. The SEA 2 genotype contained strains from the Philippines, and the ISC genotype comprised strains from Sri Lanka and India. Phylogenetically G genes of RVs from Vietnam and Thailand were clustered together. Our study suggests that Vietnamese and Thai RVs are closely related and might have originated from a common ancestor.

Matched MeSH terms: Antigens, Viral/genetics; Glycoproteins/genetics; Rabies virus/genetics*; Viral Envelope Proteins/genetics; Nucleocapsid Proteins/genetics
Detection of methicillin- and aminoglycoside-resistant genes and simultaneous identification of S. aureus using triplex real-time PCR Taqman assay

Sabet NS, Subramaniam G, Navaratnam P, Sekaran SD

J Microbiol Methods, 2007 Jan;68(1):157-62.
PMID: 16935372

In this study we describe a triplex real-time PCR assay that enables the identification of S. aureus and detection of two important antibiotic resistant genes simultaneously using real-time PCR technology in a single assay. In this triplex real-time PCR assay, the mecA (methicillin resistant), femA (species specific S. aureus) and aacA-aphD (aminoglycoside resistant) genes were detected in a single test using dual-labeled Taqman probes. The assay gives simultaneous information for the identification of S. aureus and detection of methicillin and aminoglycoside resistance in staphylococcal isolates. 152 clinical isolates were subjected to this triplex real-time PCR assay. The results of the triplex real-time PCR assay correlated with the results of the phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility testing. The results obtained from triplex real-time PCR assay shows that the primer and probe sets were specific for the identification of S. aureus and were able to detect methicillin- and aminoglycoside-resistant genes. The entire assay can be performed within 3 h which is a very rapid method that can give simultaneous information for the identification of S. aureus and antibiotic resistance pattern of a staphylococcal isolate. The application of this rapid method in microbiology laboratories would be a valuable tool for the rapid identification of the S. aureus isolates and determination of their antibiotic resistance pattern with regards to methicillin and aminoglycosides.

Matched MeSH terms: Bacterial Proteins/genetics*; DNA, Bacterial/genetics; Staphylococcus aureus/genetics*; Methicillin Resistance/genetics; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial/genetics*
Heterogeneity in alpha-thalassemia interactions in Malays, Chinese and Indians in Malaysia

Wee YC, Tan KL, Chow TW, Yap SF, Tan JA

J Obstet Gynaecol Res, 2005 Dec;31(6):540-6.
PMID: 16343256 DOI: 10.1111/j.1447-0756.2005.00333.x

AIM: Interactions between different determinants of alpha-thalassemia raises considerable problems, particularly during pregnancies where antenatal diagnosis is necessary. This study aims to determine the different types of deletional alpha-thalassemia and Hemoglobin Constant Spring (HbCS), and their frequency in Malays, Chinese and Indians in Malaysia.
METHODS: DNA from 650 pregnant women from the Antenatal Clinic of the University of Malaya Medical Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia who showed mean cell volume < or =89 fL and/or mean cell hemoglobin < or =28 pg were analyzed for the double alpha-globin gene South-East Asian deletion (--SEA), the -alpha3.7 and -alpha4.2 single alpha-globin gene deletions and HbCS.
RESULTS: One hundred and three (15.8%) of the pregnant women were confirmed as alpha-thalassemia carriers: 25 (3.8%) were alpha-thalassemia-1 carriers with the --SEA/alphaalpha genotype, 64 (9.8%) were heterozygous for the -alpha3.7 rightward deletion (-alpha3.7/alphaalpha), four (0.6%) were heterozygous for the -alpha4.2 leftward deletion (-alpha4.2/alphaalpha), nine (1.4%) were heterozygous for HbCS (alphaCSalpha/alphaalpha) and one (0.2%) was compound heterozygous with the -alpha3.7/alphaCSalpha genotype. The double alpha-globin gene --SEA deletion was significantly higher in the Chinese (15%) compared to the Malays (2.5%) and not detected in the Indians studied. The -alpha3.7 deletion was distributed equally in the three races. HbCS and -alpha4.2 was observed only in the Malays.
CONCLUSION: The data obtained gives a better understanding of the interactions of the different alpha-thalassemia determinants in the different ethnic groups, thus enabling more rapid and specific confirmation of alpha-thalassemia in affected pregnancies where antenatal diagnosis is necessary.
Study site: Antenatal clinic, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Matched MeSH terms: DNA/genetics; Globins/genetics; Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic/genetics*; alpha-Thalassemia/genetics*; Asian Continental Ancestry Group/genetics*
Detection of virulence genes in Malaysian Shigella species by multiplex PCR assay

Thong KL, Hoe SL, Puthucheary SD, Yasin R

BMC Infect Dis, 2005 Feb 14;5:8.
PMID: 15707504

In Malaysia, Shigella spp. was reported to be the third commonest bacterial agent responsible for childhood diarrhoea. Currently, isolation of the bacterium and confirmation of the disease by microbiological and biochemical methods remain as the "gold standard". This study aimed to detect the prevalence of four Shigella virulence genes present concurrently, in randomly selected Malaysian strains via a rapid multiplex PCR (mPCR) assay.

Matched MeSH terms: Antigens, Bacterial/genetics; Bacterial Proteins/genetics; Gene Frequency/genetics; Shigella/genetics*; Virulence Factors/genetics*
Improvement of cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase gene expression in Escherichia coli by insertion of regulatory sequences involved in the promotion of RNA transcription

Ramli N, Abd-Aziz S, Alitheen NB, Hassan MA, Maeda T

Mol Biotechnol, 2013 Jul;54(3):961-8.
PMID: 23338983 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-013-9647-7

Regulation of RNA transcription in controlling the expression of genes at promoter and terminator regions is crucial as the interaction of RNA polymerase occurred at both sites. Gene encoding cyclodextrin glycosyltransferase (CGTase) from Bacillus sp. NR5 UPM isolated in the previous study was used for further construction of pTZCGT-SS, pTZCGT-BS and pTZCGT-BT expression systems for enhancement of CGTase production. The putative promoter regions, -35 and -10 sequences were found in the upstream of the mature gene start codon. Whereas, long inverted repeats sequences which can form a stable stem and loop structure was found downstream of the open reading frame (ORF) of Bacillus sp. NR5 UPM CGTase. The construction of E. coli strain harbouring pTZCGT-BS showed increment of 3.2-fold in CGTase activity compared to the wild type producer. However, insertion of terminator downstream of CGTase gene in E. coli strain harbouring pTZCGT-BT only resulted in 4.42 % increment of CGTase production compared to E. coli strain containing pTZCGT-BS, perhaps due to low intrinsic termination efficiency. Thus, it is suggested that the insertion of the putative promoter regions upstream of the coding sequence for the construction of CGTase expression system will further enhance in the recombinant enzyme production.

Matched MeSH terms: Bacillus/genetics; Bacterial Proteins/genetics*; DNA, Bacterial/genetics*; Escherichia coli/genetics*; Glucosyltransferases/genetics*
Distribution of Helicobacter pylori cagA, cagE and vacA in different ethnic groups in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Tan HJ, Rizal AM, Rosmadi MY, Goh KL

J Gastroenterol Hepatol, 2005 Apr;20(4):589-94.
PMID: 15836708

There is a geographic variation in Helicobacter pylori (HP) genotypes and virulence factors. Cytotoxin associated genes A (cagA) and E (cagE), and certain vacuolating cytotoxin (vacA) genotypes are associated with peptic ulcer disease (PUD). There is also a different prevalence of PUD among different ethnic groups in Malaysia. The present study compared the distribution of vacA alleles and cagA and cagE status in three ethnic groups residing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and their association with clinical outcome.

Matched MeSH terms: Antigens, Bacterial/genetics*; Bacterial Proteins/genetics*; Genes, Bacterial/genetics*; Virulence/genetics; Helicobacter pylori/genetics*
Fulltext Genetic Diversity and Natural Selection of the Plasmodium knowlesi Circumsporozoite Protein Nonrepeat Regions

Fong MY, Ahmed MA, Wong SS, Lau YL, Sitam F

PLoS One, 2015;10(9):e0137734.
PMID: 26379157 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0137734

Plasmodium knowlesi is a simian malaria parasite that has been identified to cause malaria in humans. To date, several thousand cases of human knowlesi malaria have been reported around Southeast Asia. Thus far, there is no detailed study on genetic diversity and natural selection of P. knowlesi circumsporozoite protein (CSP), a prominent surface antigen on the sporozoite of the parasite. In the present study, the genetic diversity and natural selection acting on the nonrepeat regions of the gene encoding P. knowlesi CSP were investigated, focusing on the T-cell epitope regions at the C-terminal of the protein.

Matched MeSH terms: Protozoan Proteins/genetics*; DNA, Protozoan/genetics; Plasmodium knowlesi/genetics*; Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte/genetics*; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics
Fulltext Association of DPP4 Gene Polymorphisms with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Malaysian Subjects

Ahmed RH, Huri HZ, Al-Hamodi Z, Salem SD, Al-Absi B, Muniandy S

PLoS One, 2016;11(4):e0154369.
PMID: 27111895 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0154369

BACKGROUND: Genetic polymorphisms of the Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 (DPP4) gene may play a role in the etiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to investigate the possible association of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the DPP4 gene in Malaysian subjects with T2DM and evaluated whether they had an effect on the serum levels of soluble dipeptidyl peptidase 4 (sDPP-IV).
METHOD: Ten DPP4 SNPs were genotyped by TaqMan genotyping assays in 314 subjects with T2DM and 235 controls. Of these, 71 metabolic syndrome (MetS) subjects were excluded from subsequent analysis. The odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence interval (CIs) were calculated using multiple logistic regression for the association between the SNPs of DPP4 and T2DM. In addition, the serum levels of sDPP-IV were investigated to evaluate the association of the SNPs of DPP4 with the sDPP-IV levels.
RESULTS: Dominant, recessive, and additive genetic models were employed to test the association of DPP4 polymorphisms with T2DM, after adjusting for age, race, gender and BMI. The rs12617656 was associated with T2DM in Malaysian subjects in the recessive genetic model (OR = 1.98, p = 0.006), dominant model (OR = 1.95, p = 0.008), and additive model (OR = 1.63, p = 0.001). This association was more pronounced among Malaysian Indians, recessive (OR = 3.21, p = 0.019), dominant OR = 3.72, p = 0.003) and additive model (OR = 2.29, p = 0.0009). The additive genetic model showed that DPP4 rs4664443 and rs7633162 polymorphisms were associated with T2DM (OR = 1.53, p = 0.039), and (OR = 1.42, p = 0.020), respectively. In addition, the rs4664443 G>A polymorphism was associated with increased sDPP-IV levels (p = 0.042) in T2DM subjects.
CONCLUSIONS: DPP4 polymorphisms were associated with T2DM in Malaysian subjects, and linked to variations in sDPP-IV levels. In addition, these associations were more pronounced among Malaysian Indian subjects.

Matched MeSH terms: Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/genetics*; Graves Disease/genetics; Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4/genetics*; Hashimoto Disease/genetics; CTLA-4 Antigen/genetics

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