METHODS: Initially, total lysates of 2fTGH and U2A cells (transfected with recombinant IRF9) were filter-selected and concentrated using phosphoprotein enrichment assay. The phosphoprotein state of IRF9 was further confirmed using Phos-tag™ assay. All protein expression was determined using Western blotting. Tandem mass spectrometry was conducted on immunoprecipitated IRF9 to identify the phosphorylated amino acids. Finally, site-directed mutagenesis was performed and the effects of mutated IRF9 on relevant ISGs (i.e., USP18 and Mx1) was evaluated using qPCR.
RESULTS: IRF9 is phosphorylated at S252 and S253 under IFNβ-induced condition and R242 under non-induced condition. Site-directed mutagenesis of S252 and S253 to either alanine or aspartic acid has a modest effect on the upregulation of USP18 gene-a negative regulator of type I interferon (IFN) response-but not Mx1 gene.
CONCLUSION: Our preliminary study shows that IRF9 is phosphorylated and possibly regulates USP18 gene expression. However, further in vivo studies are needed to determine the significance of IRF9 phosphorylation.
METHODS: A total of 61 individuals clinically diagnosed to have thalassemia were genotyped with multiplex amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR). Twenty-one major mutations were investigated using allele-specific primers grouped into six different panels.
RESULTS: The most common mutations found (23%) were IVS 1-5 (G-C) and Cd 26 (G-A) (HbE), followed by 619 deletion, Cd 8/9 (+G), Cd 16 (-C), Cd 41/42 (-TTCT), IVS 1-1 (G-T), Cd 19 (A-G), and Cd 17 (A-T) at 20%, 12%, 8%, 6%, 4%, 3%, and 1%, respectively.
CONCLUSION: The results of this study revealed that Nepal's mutational profile is comparable to that of its neighboring countries, such as India and Myanmar. This study also showed that thalassemia could be detected across 17 Nepal's ethnic groups, especially those whose ancestors originated from India and Central Asia.
METHODS: RNA was extracted from nasopharyngeal swab samples by a simple RNA extraction method.
RESULTS: Testing of 77 samples demonstrated 91.2% sensitivity (95% confidence interval [CI]: 78-98.2%) and 100% specificity (95% confidence interval: 92-100%) using UDG RT-LAMP.
CONCLUSION: This colorimetric UDG RT-LAMP is a simple-to-use, fast, and easy-to-interpret method, which could serve as an alternative for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially in remote hospitals and laboratories with under-equipped medical facilities.