A disease-causing mutation illuminates the protein membrane topology of the kidney-expressed prohibitin homology (PHB) domain protein podocin.

Mutations in the NPHS2 gene are a major cause of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome, a severe human kidney disorder. The NPHS2 gene product podocin is a key component of the slit diaphragm cell junction at the kidney filtration barrier and part of a multiprotein-lipid supercomplex. A similar complex with the podocin ortholog MEC-2 is required for touch sensation in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Characterization of a short isoform of the kidney protein podocin in human kidney.

Background: Steroid resistant nephrotic syndrome is a severe hereditary disease often caused by mutations in the NPHS2 gene. This gene encodes the lipid binding protein podocin which localizes to the slit diaphragm of podocytes and is essential for the maintenance of an intact glomerular filtration barrier. Podocin is a hairpin-like membrane-associated protein that multimerizes to recruit lipids of the plasma membrane.

Reversible autonomic dysfunction during antiviral treatment in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection: Anti-HCV therapy and autonomic function.

Background: The first clinical sign of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can be one of the various extrahepatic manifestations. During antiviral treatment, symptoms of HCV-associated neuropathies usually improve, but can also worsen and lead to discontinuation of anti-HCV therapy. Recently, we have reported autonomic dysfunction in patients with HCV infection.

A trial of "standard" outpatient alcoholism treatment vs. a minimal treatment control.

This study sought to examine the effectiveness of a "standard" outpatient alcoholism treatment (ST) program. An outpatient alcoholism treatment as it is commonly practiced in the US (with group and individual therapy, and an emphasis on Alcoholics Anonymous [AA]), was compared with a minimal treatment (MT) approach (weekly alcohol education movies). At 6 months, ST patients surpassed those in MT in terms of complete abstinence, reduction in amount of alcohol consumed, length of sobriety at follow-up, improvement in employment status, number of AA meetings attended, and lower initial drop-out.

Production of 26-deoxymonensins A and B by Streptomyces cinnamonensis in the presence of Metyrapone.

Metyrapone, a potent cytochrome P-450 inhibitor, added at 9 mM to a submerged culture of Streptomyces cinnamonensis caused partial inhibition of total monensin biosynthesis and coproduction of new metabolites, 26-deoxymonensins A and B. The latter was isolated as its 25-O-methyl derivative. Metyrapone was simultaneously reduced to metyrapol.