Altered renal hemodynamics is associated with glomerular lipid accumulation in obese Dahl salt-sensitive leptin receptor mutant rats.

The present study examined whether development of renal injury in the nondiabetic obese Dahl salt-sensitive leptin receptor mutant (SSmutant) strain is associated with elevations in glomerular filtration rate and renal lipid accumulation. Baseline mean arterial pressure at 6 wk of age was similar between Dahl salt-sensitive wild-type (SS) and SSmutant rats. However, by 18 wk of age, the SSmutant strain developed hypertension, while the elevation in mean arterial pressure was not as severe in SS rats (192 ± 4 and 149 ± 6 mmHg, respectively).

HCV NS5A dimer interface residues regulate HCV replication by controlling its self-interaction, hyperphosphorylation, subcellular localization and interaction with cyclophilin A.

The HCV NS5A protein plays multiple roles during viral replication, including viral genome replication and virus particle assembly. The crystal structures of the NS5A N-terminal domain indicated the potential existence of the NS5A dimers formed via at least two or more distinct dimeric interfaces. However, it is unknown whether these different forms of NS5A dimers are involved in its numerous functions.