[Adenovirus construction of expression and its function of connective tissue growth factor].

Objective: To construct and identify a adenovirus vector of the expression of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and to explore the role of CTGF in the metabolism of glucose and lipid.

Methods: The over-expressed plasmid of CTGF was cloned, and then the CTGF sequences were cloned into pAdTrack-CMW vector. The reformed E.

[Peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma Pro12Ala: old topic of conversation and new question].

Comments concerning Meta analysis for relationship between peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma Pro12Ala polymorphism and type 2 diabetes susceptibility in different cohorts in this mini review were given. The comments pointed out existent problems and presented suggestions for genetic analysis of diseases in Chinese populations.

A second protein marker of caveolae: caveolin-2.

Caveolin-2, a protein about 20 kD, is a major component of the inner surface of caveolae, small invaginations of the plasma membrane. Similar with caveolin-1 and caveolin-3, it serves as a protein marker of caveolae. Caveolin-1 and -2 are located next to each other at 7q31.

PGC-1alpha coactivates estrogen-related receptor-alpha to induce the expression of glucokinase.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1alpha) is a key regulator of cellular energy metabolism and regulates processes such as adaptive thermogenesis, hepatic gluconeogenesis, fatty acid oxidation, and mitochondrial biogenesis by coactivating numerous nuclear receptors and transcription factors. Here, we demonstrate the presence of the ERRalpha binding site in the regulatory sequence of the glucokinase gene and that PGC-1alpha coactivates ERRalpha to stimulate the transcription of glucokinase. Simultaneous overexpression of PGC-1alpha and ERRalpha potently induced the glucokinase gene expression and its enzymatic activity in primary hepatocytes; however, expression of either PGC-1alpha or ERRalpha alone had no significant effect.

Gene expression profile of human skeletal muscle and adipose tissue of Chinese Han patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: To study the differential patterns of gene expression in skeletal muscle and adipose tissue between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients and healthy subjects using DNA microarray analysis.

Methods: T2DM patiens were divided into female group, young male group and old male group. DNA microarray analysis and quantitative real-time PCR were carried out to analyze the relation between gene expressions and T2DM.

[Current situation researching of methylation in tumor].

The disorders of DNA and histone methylation have a close relationship with the development and progression of tumors. Epigenetic regulation is critical in maintaining the stability and integrity of the expression profiles of different cell types by modifying DNA methylation and histone methylation. However, the abnormal changes of methylation often result in the development and progression of tumors.

[Research advances in Sirt1 gene].

As the most homologic homologue of silent information regulator 2 of yeast, Sirt1 gene is extensively expressed in mature tissues, and is rich in early embryo and reproductive cells. It is involved in the regulation of gene transcription, energy metabolism and cell aging. It promotes fat mobilization in adipocytes and glucose production in liver and regulates insulin secretion in islet beta cell.

[Coactivators in energy metabolism: peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1 family].

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 (PGC1) family is highly expressed in tissues with high energy metabolism. They coactivate transcription factors in regulating genes engaged in processes such as gluconeogenesis, adipose beta-oxydation, lipoprotein synthesis and secretion, mitochondrial biogenesis, and oxidative metabolism. Protein conformation studies demonstrated that they lack DNA binding domains and act as coactivators through physical interaction with transcription factors.

[Genetic analysis of complex diseases: status quo and prospects].

This review comments the status quo, especially the major problems, of the genetic analysis of the complex diseases, provides some possible solutions, and explores the further development trends in this field.

Function of SIRT1 in physiology.

Sirtuins were originally defined as a family of oxidized nicotinamide adenine nucleotide (NAD+)-dependent enzymes that deacetylate lysine residues on various proteins. The sirtuins are remarkably conserved throughout evolution from archae to eukaryotes. They were named after their homology to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene silent information regulator 2 (Sir2).

Sulfated tyrosines 27 and 29 in the N-terminus of human CXCR3 participate in binding native IP-10.

Aim: Human CXCR3, a seven-transmembrane segment (7TMS), is predominantly expressed in Th1-mediated responses. Interferon-gamma-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) is an important ligand for CXCR3. Their interaction is pivotal for leukocyte migration and activation.

[Screening of SLC26A4 (PDS) gene mutation in cochlear implant recipients with inner ear malformation].

Objective: To determine the prevalence of SLC26A4 (PDS) gene mutations in cochlear implant recipients with inner ear malformation, and the correlation between SLC26A4 (PDS) gene mutation and inner ear malformation and intra-operative testing of the electrically evoked auditory nerve compound action potentials (ECAP).

Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 48 cochlear implant recipients with temporal bone malformation and 50 healthy controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from the blood; PCR and direct sequencing were used to detect the mutations of SLC26A4 (PDS) gene.

[Analysis of genetic mutation in patients with nonsyndromic hearing loss received cochlear implant].

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of mutations of the gap junction protein (GJB) 2 and mitochondria 12SrRNA in patients with nonsyndromic hearing loss who received cochlear implant.

Methods: Genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood samples obtained from 100 Chinese patients who had received cochlear implantation, 96 with prelingual hearing loss and 4 with postlingual hearing loss, all very severe. Sixteen of the 100 patients had the history of application of aminoglycosides, among which 12 were with prelingual hearing loss and 4 with postlingual hearing loss.

[Liver X receptor: crucial mediator in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism].

Liver X receptors (LXRs) are members of the nuclear receptor superfamily and are activated by oxysterols and intermediates in the cholesterol synthetic pathway. The pivotal role of LXRs in the metabolic conversion of cholesterol to bile acids has been well established. Furthermore, insulin induces LXRa in hepatocytes, resulting in the suppression of key enzymes in gluconeogenesis, including phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, glucose-6-phosphatase, and fructose-1, 6-bisphosphatase (FBPase).

Protein kinase C-zeta regulation of GLUT4 translocation through actin remodeling in CHO cells.

Actin remodeling plays a crucial role in insulin-induced translocation of glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) from the cytoplasm to the plasma membrane and subsequent glucose transport. Protein kinase C (PKC) zeta has been implicated in this translocation process, although the exact mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of PKCzeta on actin cytoskeleton and translocation of GLUT4 in CHO-K1 cells expressing myc-tagged GLUT4.

[Regulation of tyrosylprotein sulfotransferases activity by sulfotyrosine].

Objective: To investigate the role of sulfated tyrosine in regulating the activity of tyrosylprotein sulfotransferases (TPST) 1 and TPST2.

Methods: Constructs of TPST 1 and TPST2 were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), then fused into immunoglobulin G1 Fc region. All the variants in which sulfated tyrosines were mutated to phenylalanine were made by the PCR-based Quick Change method and confirmed by sequencing the entire reading frame.

[High prevalence of connexin-26 (GJB2) mutation in cochlear implant recipients].

Objective: To determine the prevalence of GJB2 gene mutations in patients undergoing cochlear implantation.

Methods: We enrolled 115 cochlear implant recipients for mutation screening. Genomic DNA was extracted from the blood of all patients, amplified in PCR and analyzed for single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) or direct sequencing to detect mutations of GJB2 gene.

Genetic variations of the CDC2L2 gene are associated with type 2 diabetes in a Han Chinese cohort.

Objective: The purpose of the present study was to study the potential association of CDC2L2 variations with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) were extensively screened across the CDC2L2 gene by the site-specific PCR method ARMS (Amplification Refractory Mutation System). The identified novel polymorphisms were further evaluated in a Han Chinese cohort comprising of 467 patients with diabetes and 569 nondiabetic controls.