Function of Znf804a in neuronal migration, proliferation and differentiation during mice brain development / 中国心理卫生杂志

Objective:To explore the function of Znf804a during brain development by using mouse model.Methods:The shRNA of Znf804a (shZnf804a) and control (pSUPER) plasmids were introduced into ventricular zone of ICR (Institute of Cancer Research) mice at E14.5 (three mice in each group) by using in utero electroporation.The speed of migration was evaluated by comparing the proportions of neuron in cortical plate (CP) zone.The proliferation speed was evaluated by comparing the diameters of neurospheres formed by neuron progenitor cells.The differentiation speed was evaluated by comparing the proportions of Nestin staining positive cells in neuron progenitor cells.Results:The proportion of neurons in CP zone was lower in shZnf804a group than in controls(11.8％ vs.75.4％,P ＜ 0.001).The diameter of neurospheres formed by neuron progenitor cells was bigger in shZnf804a group than in controls (295μm vs.172μm,P ＜0.01).The proportion of Nest in staining positive cells in neuron progenitor cells was larger in shZnf804a group than in controls (31.5％ vs.9.6％,P ＜0.01).Conclusion:It suggests that the migration speed of neurons in shZnf804a is lower than that in controls,the proliferation speed is higher than that in controls,and the differentiation speed is lower than that in controls.These results indicate that Znf804a may play an important role in the development of mouse brain.

Association study of sleep apnea syndrome and polymorphisms in the serotonin transporter gene / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify polymorphisms of the serotonin transporter(5-HTT) gene and to find out whether there was relationship between any such polymorphisms and sleep apnea syndrome (SAS).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>For two polymorphisms of 5-HTT target DNA gene was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and 6% non-denaturing polyacrylamide gels electrophoresis. The frequencies of the different forms of the genotypes and alleles of 5-HTT gene were analyzed in 104 patients with SAS and 150 healthy controls.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The frequencies of the S or L alleles and the S/S, S/L or L/L genotypes in promoter region of 5-HTT gene in SAS group were not significantly different to those in healthy controls (P > 0.05). However, the frequencies of 10/10, 12/10 genotypes of 5-HTT-VNTR in SAS patients were significantly higher than those in healthy control subjects (P < 0.05). Moreover, the frequency of the allele 10 of 5-HTT-VNTR in SAS patients was significantly higher than that in healthy controls (P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The allele 10 of 5-HTT-VNTR might be a susceptible factor in the pathogenesis of SAS.</p>