Brown adipose tissue function in short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficient mice.

Brown adipose tissue is a highly specialized organ that uses mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation to fuel non-shivering thermogenesis. In mice, mutations in the acyl-CoA dehydrogenase family of fatty acid oxidation genes are associated with sensitivity to cold. Brown adipose tissue function has not previously been characterized in these knockout strains.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha gene polymorphisms are associated with severity of acute graft-versus-host disease following matched unrelated donor bone marrow transplantation in children: a Pediatric Blood and Marrow Transplant Consortium study.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha plays a significant role in conditioning related toxicities and the development of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD). TNF-alpha gene polymorphisms are associated with rejection after organ transplantation and aGVHD in matched related donor blood and marrow transplantation (BMT) recipients. Few studies have been published on unrelated donor BMT in the pediatric age group.

Effects of exercise on mitochondrial content and function in aging human skeletal muscle.

Skeletal muscle mitochondria are implicated with age-related loss of function and insulin resistance. We examined the effects of exercise on skeletal muscle mitochondria in older (age = 67.3 +/- 0.

Functional single nucleotide polymorphism haplotypes in the human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1.

The human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 gene (hENT1) is the primary nucleoside transporter for cytosine arabinoside (AraC), a deoxycytidine analog used for treatment of acute leukemias and lymphomas. We screened approximately 1.6 kb upstream of the transcription initiation site of hENT1 for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that affect gene expression.

The PANE1 gene encodes a novel human minor histocompatibility antigen that is selectively expressed in B-lymphoid cells and B-CLL.

Minor histocompatibility antigens (mHAg's) are peptides encoded by polymorphic genes that are presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules and recognized by T cells in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplants. Here we report that an alternative transcript of the proliferation-associated nuclear element 1 (PANE1) gene encodes a novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A(*)0301-restricted mHAg that is selectively expressed in B-lymphoid cells. The antigenic peptide is entirely encoded within a unique exon not present in other PANE1 transcripts.

Comparative gene expression analysis of ovarian carcinoma and normal ovarian epithelium by serial analysis of gene expression.

Despite the poor prognosis of ovarian cancer and the importance of early diagnosis, there are no reliable noninvasive biomarkers for detection in the early stages of disease. Therefore, to identify novel ovarian cancer markers with potential utility in early-stage screening protocols, we have undertaken an unbiased and comprehensive analysis of gene expression in primary ovarian tumors and normal human ovarian surface epithelium (HOSE) using Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (SAGE). Specifically, we have generated SAGE libraries from three serous adenocarcinomas of the ovary and, using novel statistical tools, have compared these to SAGE data derived from two pools of normal HOSE.

Distinct domains of the limbic system-associated membrane protein (LAMP) mediate discrete effects on neurite outgrowth.

The limbic system-associated membrane protein (LAMP) is a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored glycoprotein with three immunoglobulin (Ig) domains that can either enhance or inhibit neurite outgrowth depending upon the neuronal population examined. In the present study, we investigate the domains responsible for these activities. Domain deletion revealed that the N-terminal IgI domain is necessary and sufficient for the neurite-promoting activity observed in hippocampal neurons.

Sequence variation in hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha (HIF1A): association with maximal oxygen consumption.

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF1) is a DNA transcription factor composed of two subunits, one of which is regulated by hypoxia (HIF1alpha, encoded by HIF1A). Genes regulated by HIF1 are involved in the processes of angiogenesis, erythropoiesis, and metabolism, making HIF1A a candidate gene in establishing maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) before and after aerobic exercise training. The purpose of the present study was to screen HIF1A for sequence variation and determine whether such variation is associated with VO2 max before and after aerobic exercise training.