Frameshift variation in the HMG-CoA reductase gene and unresponsiveness to cholesterol-lowering drugs in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients.

Dyslipidemia, an imbalance in blood lipid levels, is a frequent complication of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) and heightens the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Statins, which inhibit 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase, are potent competitive inhibitors that reduce plasma cholesterol levels. However, individual responses to statins can vary markedly, possibly due to genetic variations in the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGCR) gene.

Immunoglobulin A response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and immunity.

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and its infamous "Variants" of the etiological agent termed Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Corona Virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has proven to be a global health concern. The three antibodies, IgA, IgM, and IgG, perform their dedicated role as main workhorses of the host adaptive immune system in virus neutralization. Immunoglobulin-A (IgA), also known as "Mucosal Immunoglobulin", has been under keen interest throughout the viral infection cycle.

Hallmarks of processivity in glycoside hydrolases from crystallographic and computational studies of the Serratia marcescens chitinases.

Degradation of recalcitrant polysaccharides in nature is typically accomplished by mixtures of processive and nonprocessive glycoside hydrolases (GHs), which exhibit synergistic activity wherein nonprocessive enzymes provide new sites for productive attachment of processive enzymes. GH processivity is typically attributed to active site geometry, but previous work has demonstrated that processivity can be tuned by point mutations or removal of single loops. To gain additional insights into the differences between processive and nonprocessive enzymes that give rise to their synergistic activities, this study reports the crystal structure of the catalytic domain of the GH family 18 nonprocessive endochitinase, ChiC, from Serratia marcescens.

Characterisation of two vitellogenins in the salmon louse Lepeophtheirus salmonis: molecular, functional and evolutional analysis.

The salmon louse Lepeophtheirus salmonis Krøyer affects a variety of wild salmonoid hosts, but is also an important pest in aquaculture, which is a globally important and rapidly growing industry. Salmon lice have large reproductive outputs, and knowledge of reproductive processes may be crucial for the control of this parasite. Here, we report on the characterisation of 2 vitellogenins (LsVit1 and LsVit2), which are the precursors of salmon-louse egg-yolk glycoprotein.

The roles of three Serratia marcescens chitinases in chitin conversion are reflected in different thermodynamic signatures of allosamidin binding.

Binding of allosamidin to the three family 18 chitinases of Serratia marcescens has been studied using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). Interestingly, the thermodynamic signatures of allosamidin binding were different for all three chitinases. At pH 6.

Lactase persistence-related genetic variant: population substructure and health outcomes.

Lactase persistence is an autosomal-dominant trait that is common in European-derived populations. A basic tendency for lactase persistence to increase from the southeast to the northwest across European populations has been noted, but such trends within countries have not been extensively studied. We genotyped the C/T(-13910) variant (rs4988235) that constitutes the putatively causal allele for lactase persistence (T allele representing persistence) in a general population sample of 3344 women aged 60-79 years from 23 towns across Britain.

Alcohol dehydrogenase type 1C (ADH1C) variants, alcohol consumption traits, HDL-cholesterol and risk of coronary heart disease in women and men: British Women's Heart and Health Study and Caerphilly cohorts.

The alcohol dehydrogenase 1C gene (ADH1C) gamma2gamma2 variant reportedly interacts with moderate alcohol consumption to increase HDL-cholesterol levels and reduce coronary heart disease (CHD). We undertook replication studies in two large population cohorts of women and men. 3234 women and 1313 men with relevant genotypic and phenotypic data from two prospective population cohorts were genotyped for ADH1C variants.