Correlation of Leptin Receptor Gene Variation with Blood Pressure and Glucose Level in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Subjects of Ternate Population, East of Indonesia

@#Introduction: The leptin receptor gene (LEPR) variation plays an important role in diseases related with obesity which include Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension in some populations. The role of this variation is still controversial and not yet studied in the eastern parts of Indonesia. Hence, this study aimed to explore the correlation of leptin receptor variations (Lys109Arg and Gln223Arg) with blood pressure and blood glucose in T2DM in Ternate population. Methods: This study examined 136 subjects with the age range of 32-76 years old. Five mL of fasting blood were taken to determine blood glucose levels using the GOD-PAP method, and leukocytes were used for genotyping by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique methods. Frequencies of genotypes and alleles were analyzed with chi square tests. Correlations of genotypes with the anthropometric measurements were calculated by logistic regression with significance value if p<0.05. Results: Variation of Lys109Arg LEPR gene did not influence the Body Mass Index (BMI), blood pressure, nor blood glucose level. Variation of Gln223Arg LEPR gene also did not influence BMI and blood glucose level, but correlated with blood pressure. Regression analysis after adjusted for age, gender, BMI and blood glucose level showed that this variation remains significantly different. Conclusion: Variation of Gln223Arg LEPR gene correlated with blood pressure but variation of Lys109Arg LEPR gene was not correlated with blood glucose level nor blood pressure. Future study is needed to correlate other genes and examine their effect on metabolic syndrome diseases.

Biotin biosynthesis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis: physiology, biochemistry and molecular intervention

Biotin is an important micronutrient that serves as an essential enzyme cofactor. Bacteria obtain biotin either through de novo synthesis or by active uptake from exogenous sources. Mycobacteria are unusual amongst bacteria in that their primary source of biotin is through de novo synthesis. Here we review the importance of biotin biosynthesis in the lifecycle of Mycobacteria. Genetic screens designed to identify key metabolic processes have highlighted a role for the biotin biosynthesis in bacilli growth, infection and survival during the latency phase. These studies help to establish the biotin biosynthetic pathway as a potential drug target for new anti-tuberculosis agents.