Hippocampal TERT Regulates Spatial Memory Formation through Modulation of Neural Development.

The molecular mechanism of memory formation remains a mystery. Here, we show that TERT, the catalytic subunit of telomerase, gene knockout (Tert-/-) causes extremely poor ability in spatial memory formation. Knockdown of TERT in the dentate gyrus of adult hippocampus impairs spatial memory processes, while overexpression facilitates it. We find that TERT plays a critical role in neural development including dendritic development and neuritogenesis of hippocampal newborn neurons. A monosynaptic pseudotyped rabies virus retrograde tracing method shows that TERT is required for neural circuit integration of hippocampal newborn neurons. Interestingly, TERT regulated neural development and spatial memory formation in a reverse transcription activity-independent manner. Using X-ray irradiation, we find that hippocampal newborn neurons mediate the modulation of spatial memory processes by TERT. These observations reveal an important function of TERT through a non-canonical pathway and encourage the development of a TERT-based strategy to treat neurological disease-associated memory impairment.

Association of the ENPP1 K121Q polymorphism with susceptibility to type 2 diabetes in different populations: evidence based on 40 studies.

The K121Q gene polymorphism of ectoenzyme nucleotide pyrophosphate phosphodiesterase 1(ENPP1) has been widely investigated, however, results have been somewhat conflicting. The aim of this meta-analysis was to establish a precise estimation of the association between ENPP1 gene polymorphisms and type 2 diabetes (T2D). A literature search in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and China Biology Medicine (CBM) databases was conducted on publications published prior to November 21(st), 2013. The combined odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) was calculated to estimate the strength of the association using a random-effects/fixed-effects model. Statistical analyses were performed using the STATA 11.0 software. For the overall population, there was a significant association between ENPP1 gene polymorphisms and T2D when comparing the Q allele versus K allele (OR = 1.29, 95% CI 1.16-1.44, p = 0.000). Considering diverse ethnic groups, effect sizes were consistent for patients of Caucasian and Asian descent (OR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.08-1.33 and OR = 1.47, 95% CI = 1.15-1.89, respectively); however, effect size was not consistent for those of African descent. Under other models of inheritance, significant associations were also observed. Sensitivity analyses did not leading to differing he results. In summary, the Q allele of the ENPP1 K121Q gene may contribute to the susceptibility for T2D in Caucasians and Asians.