Polymorphisms in Human , , and Genes Are Associated with an Increased Risk of Developing NSAID-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease.

Background: The role of genetics in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) exacerbated respiratory disease (NERD) is unclear, with different candidates involved, such as genes, genes related to leukotriene synthesis, and cytokine genes. This study aimed to determine possible associations between 22 polymorphisms in 13 cytokine genes.

Methods: We included 195 patients (85 with NERD and 110 with respiratory disease who tolerate NSAIDs) and 156 controls (non-atopic individuals without a history of asthma, nasal polyposis (NP), or NSAID hypersensitivity).

Interactions of DNA and Proteins: Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay in Asthma.

Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) are used to characterize interactions between nucleic acids and proteins in native conditions. This is based on the fact that the electrophoretic mobility of a nucleic acid becomes slower when it forms complexes with proteins. There are many different variants and applications of this methodology.

Validation of Reference Genes in mRNA Expression Analysis Applied to the Study of Asthma.

The quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction is the most used technique for the study of gene expression. To correct putative experimental errors of this technique is necessary normalizing the expression results of the gene of interest with the obtained for reference genes. Here, we describe an example of the process to select reference genes.

Introduction to the Gene Expression Analysis.

In 1941, Beadle and Tatum published experiments that would explain the basis of the central dogma of molecular biology, whereby the DNA through an intermediate molecule, called RNA, results proteins that perform the functions in cells. Currently, biomedical research attempts to explain the mechanisms by which develops a particular disease, for this reason, gene expression studies have proven to be a great resource. Strictly, the term "gene expression" comprises from the gene activation until the mature protein is located in its corresponding compartment to perform its function and contribute to the expression of the phenotype of cell.

Applications of Molecular Genetics to the Study of Asthma.

Asthma is a multifactorial disease. This fact, associated to the diversity of asthma phenotypes, has made difficult to obtain a clear pattern of inheritance. With the huge development of molecular genetics technologies, candidate gene studies are giving way to different types of studies from the genomic point of view.