Glutathione-S-transferase M1 and T1 genes and gastric cancer: a case control study in North Indian population.

Background: Difference in the capacity of xenobiotic metabolising enzymes might be an important factor in genetic susceptibility to cancer.

Methods: A case control study involving forty one gastric cancer patients and one hundred and thirty controls was carried out to determine the frequency of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotypes. The frequency of GSTM1 and GSTT1 null genotype was observed by carrying out multiplex PCR.

Establishment of a human neonatal hepatocyte cell line.

Hepatocytes are routinely used to generate and identify drug metabolites and hepatic toxicity. Primary cultures of human hepatocytes are the model cell of choice for most of these pharmacological and toxicological studies. However, major problems are encountered with primary liver cell cultures: the dwindling availability of viable livers, hepatocytes having a limited life span, the loss of liver-specific functions in culture, and the donor to donor variability.

Identification and characterization of a novel RF-amide peptide ligand for orphan G-protein-coupled receptor SP9155.

Orphan G-protein-coupled receptors are a large class of receptors whose cognate ligands are unknown. SP9155 (also referred to as AQ27 and GPR103) is an orphan G-protein-coupled receptor originally cloned from a human brain cDNA library. SP9155 was found to be predominantly expressed in brain, heart, kidney, retina, and testis.