Chromosome 10q26-driven age-related macular degeneration is associated with reduced levels of in human retinal pigment epithelium.

Genome-wide association studies have identified the chromosome 10q26 (Chr10) locus, which contains the age-related maculopathy susceptibility 2 () and high temperature requirement A serine peptidase 1 () genes, as the strongest genetic risk factor for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) [L.G. Fritsche et al.

Ultrastructure of the Gregarina niphandrodes nucleus through stages from unassociated trophozoites to gamonts in syzygy and the syzygy junction.

In Gregarina niphandrodes, an apicomplexan parasite, the sexual stage of its life cycle begins with the association of 2 gamonts. Here, we describe the ultrastructure of the syzygy junction and the nucleus during the transition from unassociated trophozoites to paired gamonts to gamonts in syzygy. Throughout this process, the folds within the syzygy junction undergo changes that correspond to changes of the epicytic folds.

Gregarina niphandrodes may lack both a plastid genome and organelle.

Gregarines are early diverging apicomplexans that appear to be closely related to Cryptosporidium. Most apicomplexans, including Plasmodium, Toxoplasma, and Eimeria, possess both plastids and corresponding plastid genomes. Cryptosporidium lacks both the organelle and the genome.