Degree of SGLT1 phosphorylation is associated with but does not determine segment-specific glucose transport features in the porcine small intestines.

Glucose-induced electrogenic ion transport is higher in the porcine ileum compared with the jejunum despite equal apical abundance of SGLT1. The objective of this study was a detailed determination of SGLT1 and GLUT2 expressions at mRNA and protein levels along the porcine small intestinal axis. Phosphorylation of SGLT1 at serine 418 was assessed as a potential modulator of activity.

Ghrelin-induced food intake and adiposity depend on central mTORC1/S6K1 signaling.

Signaling through the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and its effectors the S6-kinases (S6K) in the hypothalamus is thought to be involved in nutrient sensing and control of food intake. Given the anatomical proximity of this pathway to circuits for the hormone ghrelin, we investigated the potential role of the mTORC1/S6K pathway in mediating the metabolic effects of ghrelin. We found that ghrelin promoted phosphorylation of S6K1 in the mouse hypothalamic cell line N-41 and in the rat hypothalamus after intracerebroventricular administration.

Analysis of CYP7B1 in non-consanguineous cases of hereditary spastic paraplegia.

Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is a neurodegenerative condition defined clinically by lower limb spasticity and weakness. Homozygous mutations in CYP7B1 have been identified in several consanguineous families that represented HSP type 5 (SPG5), one of the many genetic forms of the disease. We used direct sequencing and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification to screen for CYP7B1 alterations in apparently sporadic HSP patients (n = 12) as well as index patients from non-consanguineous families with recessive (n = 8) and dominant (n = 8) transmission of HSP.