PPARα polymorphisms association with total cholesterol and LDL-C levels in a Mexican population.

OBJECTIVE: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) is a nuclear transcription factor with a role in gene expression changes associated to lipid metabolism. PPARα polymorphic variants have been previously correlated to serum lipid profile but in Mexico, there is no previous report about that association. For this reason, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between PPARα polymorphic variants and lipids level in serum in a Mexican population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two-hundred and forty women from the Northeast region of Mexico were included in the study. Anthropometric characteristics and serum lipid profile (such as triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol) were evaluated. Genomic DNA extraction and purification were made from blood samples. Real-time PCR and TaqMan probes were used for genotyping of rs1800206 and rs4253778 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). RESULTS: Linear regression analysis (adjusted by age and body mass index (BMI)) showed a significant statistical association of rs4253778 with total cholesterol (p=0.034) and LDL cholesterol (p=0.037). Any significant association was found between rs1800206 and lipid levels. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that rs4253778 (C allele) is associated with high levels of total cholesterol and LDL in a Mexican women population.

The BDNF rs7934165 polymorphism is a biomarker of central obesity and cardiometabolic risk in Mexican women.

OBJECTIVE: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a cornerstone in the hypothalamic regulation of food intake and energy homeostasis. Polymorphisms in the BDNF gene may thus contribute to obesity traits. The aim of this investigation was to analyze the association of rs6265 and rs7934165 BDNF polymorphisms in women from Northeast Mexico classified as obese or overweight using their BMI and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 296 women were enrolled and further divided into normal weight and obese overweight groups according to their BMI status and WHtR classifications, which were low and high at < 0.50 and ≥ 0.50, respectively. Genotyping of BDNF rs6265 and rs7934165 polymorphisms was performed using a TaqMan assay. Distinct anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, and dietary parameters were obtained and used as covariates in the statistical analyses. RESULTS: The rs6265-G allele and its homozygote state (GG) were the most prominent without statistically significant differences between groups (p = 0.412). The study of rs7934165 with BMI showed marginal associations. Moreover, the rs7934165-AA genotype was more frequent among individuals with a high WHtR than those with a low WHtR (43.4 vs. 25.2%, p = 0.01). This association was maintained after adjustments for age and caloric intake through logistic regression analysis (OR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.15-4.18, p = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: The present study indicates that the BDNF-rs7934165-AA genotype is associated with a higher WHtR which is related to central obesity and its comorbidities. This suggests that this SNP could act as a potential biomarker for central obesity and cardiometabolic risk.

Determination of the effect of polyamines on an oil-degrading strain of Yarrowia lipolytica using an odc minus mutant.

Yarrowia lipolytica is an ascomycetous dimorphic yeast with immense potential for industrial applications, including bioremediation of crude oil-contaminated environments. It has been shown that a dimorphic marine isolate of Y. lipolytica (var. indica) has significant capacity to degrade fatty acids and alkanes, when in its yeast morphology. It has also been demonstrated that polyamines play an important role in the yeast-to-mycelium transition of different strains of Y. lipolytica that are unable to utilize those carbon sources. To determine the role of polyamines on their capacity to utilize oils and hydrocarbons, on the dimorphic transition, and also on other characteristics of the var. indica strain of Y. lipolytica, we proceeded to obtain ornithine decarboxylase minus (odc-) mutants. These mutants behaved as yeasts independently of the concentrations of putrescine added. Further, they conserved the oil-degrading capacity of the parent strain. The odc- mutant can thus be used in fatty acid degradation, and oil spill remediation with distinct advantages.

Dimorphism and hydrocarbon metabolism in Yarrowia lipolytica var. indica.

Yarrowia lipolytica is able to metabolize high Mr hydrophobic natural compounds such as fatty acids and hydrocarbons. Characteristically, strains of Y. lipolytica can grow as populations with variable proportions of yeast and filamentous forms. In the present study, we describe the dimorphic characteristics of a variant designated as Y. lipolytica var. indica isolated from petroleum contaminated sea water and the effect of cell morphology on hydrocarbon metabolism. The variant behaved as a yeast monomorphic strain, under conditions at which terrestrial Y. lipolytica strain W29 and its derived strains, grow as almost uniform populations of mycelial cells. Using organic nitrogen sources and N-acetylglucosamine as carbon source, var. indica was able to form mycelial cells, the proportion of which increased when incubated under semi-anaerobic conditions. The cell surface characteristics of var. indica and W29 were found to be different with respect to contact angle and percent hydrophobicity. For instance, percent hydrophobicity of var. indica was 89.93 ± 1.95 while that of W29 was 70.78 ± 1.1. Furthermore, while all tested strains metabolize hydrocarbons, only var. indica was able to use it as a carbon source. Yeast cells of var. indica metabolized hexadecane with higher efficiency than the mycelial form, whereas the mycelial form of the terrestrial strain metabolized the hydrocarbon more efficiently, as occurred with the mycelial monomorphic mutant AC11, compared to the yeast monomorphic mutant AC1.

Asociación del polimorfismo TaqI del gen del receptor de la vitamina D con la densidad mineral ósea en mujeres mexicanas jóvenes / Association of polymorphism TaqI of vitamin de receptor with bone mineral density in young mexican women

Introducción: La osteoporosis es una enfermedad multifactorial que se caracteriza por una baja densidad mineral ósea (DMO). Se ha asociado a la osteoporosis y la presencia de fracturas en mujeres postmenopáusicas con el polimorfismo TaqI del gen del receptor de la vitamina D (VDR). Objetivo: Analizar la asociación de los diversos genotipos del polimorfismo TaqI del gen VDR con la DMO en mujeres mexicanas jóvenes. Métodos: A 150 mujeres de 19 a 29 años de edad se les realizó una absorciometría dual de rayos X para determinar su densidad mineral ósea total (DMOt) y dual de fémur (DMOdf). A partir de sangre periférica se extrajo DNA para determinar el genotipo del polimorfismo TaqI del gen VDR. Los datos obtenidos se analizaron mediante regresión lineal simple y ANOVA. Resultados: El promedio de la DMOt fue de 1,096 ± 0,064 g/cm2, la DMOdf promedio fue de 0,960 ± 0,107 g/cm2. La frecuencia de los genotipos del polimorfismo TaqI fue de 57% (TT), 37% (Tt) y 6% (tt), la frecuencia por alelos fue de 75% (T) y 25% (t). El análisis estadístico demostró que no existe asociación entre la DMO y los genotipos del polimorfismo TaqI del gen VDR. Discusión y Conclusiones: Los resultados sugieren que pueden existir otros factores diferentes del polimorfismo TaqI del gen VDR que contribuyan a la DMO en mujeres jóvenes del norte de México (AU)

Introduction: Osteoporosis is a multifactorial disease characterized by a low bone mineral density (BMD). Osteoporosis and the occurrence of fractures in postmenopausal women have been associated to the TaqI polymorphism in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene. Objective: To analyze the association of the different genotypes of TaqI polymorphism of the VDR gene with BMD in young Mexican women. Methods: Dual X-ray absorptiometry was carried out in 150 women aged 19 to 29 years in order to determine their total bone mineral density (tBMD) and dual BMD of the femur (dfBMD). DNA was extracted from peripheral blood to determine the genotype of the TaqI polymorphism in the VDR gene. The data obtained were analyzed by simple linear regression and ANOVA. Results: Mean tBMD was 1.096 ± 0.064 mean dfBMD was 0.960 ± 0.107 g/cm2. The frequency of the TaqI polymorphisms was 57% (TT), 37% (Tt) and 6% (tt), the frequency of the alleles was 75% (T) and 25% (t). Ths statistical analysis showed a lack of association between BMD and the genotypes of TaqI polymorphism in the VDR gene. Discussion and conclusions: These results suggest that may exist factors other than the TaqI polymorphism in the VDR gene contributing to BMD in young women from Northern Mexico (AU)

[Association of polymorphism TaqI of vitamin de receptor with bone mineral density in young Mexican women]. / Asociación del polimorfismo TaqI del gen del receptor de la vitamina D con la densidad mineral ósea en mujeres Mexicanas jóvenes.

INTRODUCTION: Osteoporosis is a multifactorial disease characterized by a low bone mineral density (BMD). Osteoporosis and the occurrence of fractures in postmenopausal women have been associated to the TaqI polymorphism in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the association of the different genotypes of TaqI polymorphism of the VDR gene with BMD in young Mexican women. METHODS: Dual X-ray absorptiometry was carried out in 150 women aged 19 to 29 years in order to determine their total bone mineral density (tBMD) and dual BMD of the femur (dfBMD). DNA was extracted from peripheral blood to determine the genotype of the TaqI polymorphism in the VDR gene. The data obtained were analyzed by simple linear regression and ANOVA. RESULTS: Mean tBMD was 1.096 ± 0.064 mean dfBMD was 0.960 ± 0.107 g/cm². The frequency of the TaqI polymorphisms was 57% (TT), 37% (Tt) and 6% (tt), the frequency of the alleles was 75% (T) and 25% (t). Ths statistical analysis showed a lack of association between BMD and the genotypes of TaqI polymorphism in the VDR gene. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that may exist factors other than the TaqI polymorphism in the VDR gene contributing to BMD in young women from Northern Mexico.

Mg2+, Mn2+, and Co2+ stimulate Entamoeba histolytica to produce chitin-like material.

The mechanism of Entamoeba histolytica cyst cell wall synthesis is not well understood. Previous research has shown that cyst-like structures formed in the presence of chitin synthase cofactors (Mg2+, Mn2+, and Co2+) resist 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate lysis (RCLS), whereas those formed in the absence of cofactors (CLS) do not, and trophozoites are immediately destroyed. This suggests that E. histolytica is able to synthesize chitin, initiating a differentiation process under axenic conditions. To test this hypothesis, polysaccharide hydrolysates from E. histolytica trophozoites, CLS, or RCLS were analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography. The major components found in all 3 preparations were N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and glucose (GLC), with RCLS possessing 129 and 180 times more NAG and 2.4 and 2.0 more GLC than trophozoites and CLS, respectively. After 36 hr of incubation with chitinase (16 U/ml) in a hypotonic medium (50 mOsm/kg), 68% of RCLS was lysed, and 100% lost affinity for calcofluor white M2R. The RCLS polysaccharides bound wheat germ agglutinin and appeared as long and thin or short and thick fibers. Accordingly, Mg2+, Mn2+, and Co2+ stimulated E. histolytica to synthesize a chitin-like material.

Introns of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar.

The genome of Entamoeba histolytica is considered to possess very few intervening sequences (introns), as only 5 intron-containing genes from this protozoan parasite have been reported so far. However, while sequencing a number of genomic contigs as well as three independent genes coding for ribosomal protein L27a, we have identified 9 additional intron-containing genes of E. histolytica and the closely related species Entamoeba dispar, indicating that introns are more common in these organisms than previously suggested. The various amoeba introns are relatively short comprising between 46 and 115 nucleotides only and have a higher AT-content compared to the corresponding exon sequences. In contrast to higher eukaryotes, amoeba introns do not contain a well-conserved branch point consensus, and have extended donor and acceptor splice sites of the sequences G

Mg, Mn, and Co ions enhance the formation of Entamoeba histolytica cyst-like structures resistant to sodium dodecyl sulfate.

BACKGROUND: Entamoeba histolytica forms cyst-like structures (CLS) in PEHPS but not in TYS-33 medium. Sodium dodecyl sulfate [(SDS (0.1%)] dissolves most of them in 10 min, but not natural cysts. Chitin is responsible mainly for cyst wall resistance. Its synthesis depends on Mg(2)+, Mn(2)+, or Co(2)+, whose action is interactive. With the aid of the Simplex method, we analyzed the effect of 20 blends of these cations to find the one that, when added to PEHPS, produced the highest proportion of CLS resistant to 1% SDS (RCLS). METHODS: The concentration of Mg(2)+, Mn(2)+, and Co(2)+ was determined in PEHPS and TYI-S-33 with a flame atomic absorption spectrometer. The proportion of RCLS produced in PEHPS with each ion blend was tested. The CLS and RCLS affinity to fluorescein wheat germ agglutinin (WGA/FITC), which binds chitin, was determined. RESULTS: PEHPS contained a similar concentration of Co(2)+ (0.52 microM) and 3.4 and 1.6 times more Mg(2)+ (798 microM) and Mn(2)+ (3.15 microM) than TYI-S-33, respectively. The proportion of RCLS increased gradually in PEHPS until reaching 3.6 +/- 1.43% with MgCl(2) 1.22 mM, MnCl(2) 14.44 mM, and CoCl(2) 19.44 mM (ion blend No. 20). Both CLS and RCLS bound WGA/FITC. The RCLS formed in the presence of ion blend No. 20 appeared wrinkled. CONCLUSIONS: Mg(2)+, Mn(2)+, and Co(2)+ enhanced the ability of PEHPS to form RCLS, possibly because these ions stimulated their chitin synthesis. Although ion blend No. 20 produced the highest proportion of RCLS, this high ion concentration may be toxic for encysting amebas.