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RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) is a powerful technique to investigate the complexity of gene expression in the human brain. We used RNA-seq to survey the brain transcriptome in high-quality postmortem dorsolateral prefrontal cortex from 11 individuals diagnosed with bipolar disorder (BD) and from 11 age- and gender-matched controls. Deep sequencing was performed, with over 350 million reads per specimen. At a false discovery rate of <5%, we detected five differentially expressed (DE) genes and 12 DE transcripts, most of which have not been previously implicated in BD. Among these, Prominin 1/CD133 and ATP-binding cassette-sub-family G-member2 (ABCG2) have important roles in neuroplasticity. We also show for the first time differential expression of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in BD. DE transcripts include those of serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 5 (SRSF5) and regulatory factor X4 (RFX4), which along with lncRNAs have a role in mammalian circadian rhythms. The DE genes were significantly enriched for several Gene Ontology categories. Of these, genes involved with GTPase binding were also enriched for BD-associated SNPs from previous genome-wide association studies, suggesting that differential expression of these genes is not simply a consequence of BD or its treatment. Many of these findings were replicated by microarray in an independent sample of 60 cases and controls. These results highlight common pathways for inherited and non-inherited influences on disease risk that may constitute good targets for novel therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To cite this article: Chen LY, Eberlein M, Alsaaty S, Martinez-Anton A, Barb J, Munson PJ, Danner RL, Liu Y, Logun C, Shelhamer JH, Woszczek G. Cooperative and redundant signaling of leukotriene B4 and leukotriene D4 in human monocytes. Allergy 2011; 66: 1304-1311. Abstract Background: Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and cysteinyl leukotrienes (cysLTs) are important immune mediators, often found concomitantly at sites of inflammation. Although some of the leukotriene-mediated actions are distinctive (e.g., bronchial constriction for cysLTs), many activities such as leukocyte recruitment to tissues and amplification of inflammatory responses are shared by both classes of leukotrienes. Objective: We used human monocytes to characterize leukotriene-specific signaling, gene expression signatures, and functions and to identify interactions between LTB4- and cysLTs-induced pathways. Methods: Responsiveness to leukotrienes was assessed using oligonucleotide microarrays, real-time PCR, calcium mobilization, kinase activation, and chemotaxis assays. Results: Human monocytes were found to express mRNA for high- and low-affinity LTB4 receptors, BLT1 and BLT2, but signal predominantly through BLT1 in response to LTB4 stimulation as shown using selective agonists, inhibitors, and gene knock down experiments. LTB4 acting through BLT1 coupled to G-protein α inhibitory subunit activated calcium signaling, p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase, gene expression, and chemotaxis. Twenty-seven genes, including immediate early genes (IEG), transcription factors, cytokines, and membrane receptors were significantly up-regulated by LTB4. LTB4 and LTD4 had similar effects on signaling, gene expression, and chemotaxis indicating redundant cell activation pathways but costimulation with both lipid mediators was additive for many monocyte functions. Conclusion: Leukotriene B4 and LTD4 display both redundant and cooperative effects on intracellular signaling, gene expression, and chemotaxis in human monocytes. These findings suggest that therapies targeting either leukotriene alone may be less effective than approaches directed at both. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented that discusses the cyclin D1-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Sensitivity to oestrogens and apoptosis are critical determinants of the development and progression of breast cancer and reflect closely linked pathways in breast epithelial cells. For example, induction of BCL-2 oncoprotein expression by oestrogen contributes to suppression of apoptosis and BCL-2 and oestrogen receptor (ER) are frequently co-expressed in tumours. BAG-1/HAP is a multifunctional protein which complexes with BCL-2 and steroid hormone receptors (including the ER), and can suppress apoptosis and influence steroid hormone-dependent transcription. Therefore, analysis of expression of BAG-1 in human breast cancer is of considerable interest. BAG-1 was readily detected by immunostaining in normal breast epithelial cells and most ER-positive tumours, but was undetectable or weakly expressed in ER-negative tumours. BAG-1 positive cells showed a predominantly cytoplasmic or cytoplasmic plus nuclear distribution of staining. A correlation between ER and BAG-1 was also evident in breast cancer derived cell lines, as all lines examined with functional ER expression also expressed high levels of BAG-1. In addition to the prototypical 36 kDa BAG-1 isoform, breast cancer cells expressed higher molecular weight isoforms and, in contrast to BCL-2, BAG-1 expression was independent of oestrogens. BAG-1 isoforms were differentially localized to the nucleus or cytoplasm and this was also independent of oestrogens. These results demonstrate a close association between BAG-1 and functional ER expression and suggest BAG-1 may be useful as a therapeutic target or prognostic marker in breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Linkers that connect repeating secondary structures fall into conformational classes based on distance and main-chain torsion clustering. A data set of 300 unique protein chains with low pairwise sequence identity was clustered into only a few groups representing the preferred motifs. The linkers of two to eight residues for the nonredundant data set are designated H-L n-H, H-L n-E, E-L n-H, E-L n-E, where n is the length, H stands for α-helices, and E for β-strands. Most of the clusters identified here corroborate earlier findings. However, 19 new clusters are identified in this paper, with many of them having seven and eight residue linkers. In our first analysis, the secondary structures flanking the linkers are both interacting and noninteracting and there is no precise angle of orientation between them. A second analysis was performed on a set of proteins with restricted orientations for the flanking elements, namely, mainly α class of proteins with orthogonal architecture. Two definite clusters are identified, one corresponding to linkers of orthogonal helices and the other to linkers of antiparallel helices. Loops forming binding sites or involved in catalytic activity are important determinants of the function of proteins. Although the structural conservation of the residues around the catalytic triad of serine proteases has been studied widely, there has not been a systematic analysis of the conformation of the loops that contain them. Residues of the catalytic triad reside in the linkers of β-strands, with varying lengths of more than eight residues. Here, we analyze the structural conservation of such linkers by superposition, and observe a conserved structural feature of the linkers incorporating each of the three residues of the catalytic triad. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three cases of Huntington's chorea with onset before age 10 years are reported. Each child presented with rigidity and indistinct speech, and there was progressive deterioration. Necropsy examination confirmed the diagnosis in 2 of them. A review of reports showed a further 43 cases with onset before 10 years. The rigid variety of disease was seen most often, but isolated chorea and isolated progressive mental deterioration occurred. Fits were common but occurred late and were often difficult to control. Dysarthria was common and occurred early. The duration of illness was very variable and ranged from 2 to 38 years. Symptoms can occur in a child before appearing in the affected parent who is most likely to be the father. Affected siblings develop the disease early, often in the first decade. Siblings of patients with onset before age 10 years who are unaffected by age 25 years had only an 8% chance of developing the disease, compared with a 50% chance in unselected at risk individuals of the same age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most clinical research in the United States has been carried out in atypical populations. This study, done in a network of primary care populations in Virginia, calculates the denominator by the utilization correction factor method and compares the demography with that of the population of the state. The demographic characteristics of the patients in the network are very similar to those of the underlying populations and on the same order of state-of-the-art sampling methods in current use. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Rapid-freezing/freeze-fracture electron microscopy and whole-cell capacitance techniques were used to study degranulation in peritoneal mast cells of the rat and the mutant beige mouse. These studies allowed us to create a time-resolved picture for fusion pore formation. After stimulation, a dimple in the plasma membrane formed a small contact area with the secretory granule membrane. Within this zone of apposition no ordered proteinaceous specializations were seen. Electrophysiological technique measured a small fusion pore which widened rapidly to 1 nS. Thereafter, the fusion pore remained at semi-stable conductances between 1 and 20 nS for a wide range of times, between 10 and 15,000 msec. These conductances correspond to pore diameters 25-36 nm. Ultrastructural data confirmed small pores of hourglass morphology, composed of biological membrane coplanar with both the plasma and granular membranes. Later, the fusion pore rapidly increased in conductance, consistent with the observed morphology of omega-figures. The hallmarks of channel-like behavior, instantaneous jumps in pore conductance between defined levels, and sharp peaks in histograms of conductance dwell-time, were not seen. Since the morphology of small pores shows contiguous fracture planes, the electrical data represent pores that contain lipid. These combined morphological and electrophysiological data are consistent with a lipid/protein complex mediating both the initial and later stages of membrane fusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides a comparison of basal cell markers used to differentiate prostatic adenocarcinoma from benign conditions. Enzymes; Oncogenes; Growth factors.

Presents a letter to the editor about cytokeratin antibody clone as an adjunct in the diagnosis of urothelial carcinoma.