The p.Arg86Gln change in GARP2 (glutamic acid-rich protein-2) is a common West African-related polymorphism.

Background/aims: The aim of the present study is to probe the potential association between previously-reported GARP2 mutations and retinitis pigmentosa (RP) using Scottish RP patients and controls.

Methods: Exons 4, 5 and 8 in DNA from blood or buccal samples (130 autosomal recessive and simplex RP patients, 31 controls) were amplified and analysed for single-strand conformational polymorphism by capillary electrophoresis (CE-SSCP) and confirmed by sequencing.

Results: The p.

Tumour gene expression from C12 spermine amphiphile gene delivery systems.

Gene therapy requires safe and efficient gene delivery systems. Towards this aim both the gene formulation and tumour transfection ability of C12 spermine amphiphiles were tested. Five amphiphiles were synthesised and characterised: 1-[N,N-bis(3-aminopropyl)-1,4-butane diamine] dodecane (12G0--a C12 spermine amphiphile), a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG, MW = 2 kDa) derivative of 12G0, 1,12-[N,N-bis(3-aminopropyl)-1,4-butane diamine] dodecane (12G1--a C12 spermine bolaamphiphile) and N-methyl quaternary ammonium derivatives of both 12G0 (12QG0) and 12G1 (12QG1).

Comparison between oleic acid and docosahexaenoic acid binding to interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein.

Interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP), which binds retinoids and fatty acids, is the major soluble protein in the interphotoreceptor matrix (IPM) but its role remains ambiguous. Using competitive fluorescence and tryptophan-quenching assays we found oleic acid and other cis-monounsaturated fatty acids bind much more strongly than does docosahexaenoic acid to bovine IRBP. IPM's fatty acid composition was determined: it was richer in oleic acid than either the retinal pigment epithelium or rod outer segments.