An in-silico insight into the substrate binding characteristics of the active site of amorpha-4, 11-diene synthase, a key enzyme in artemisinin biosynthesis.

The enzyme amorphadiene synthase (ADS) conducts the first committed step in the biosynthetic conversion of the substrate farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP) to artemisinin, which is a highly effective natural product against multidrug-resistant strains of malaria. Due to the either low abundance or low turn-over rate of the enzyme, obtaining artemisinin from both natural and synthetic sources is costly and laborious. In this in silico study, we strived to elucidate the substrate binding site specificities of the ADS, with the rational that unraveling enzyme features paves the way for enzyme engineering to increase synthesis rate.

Prenatal diagnosis of β-thalassemia in twin pregnancies in Iran.

Objective: Prenatal diagnosis of β-thalassemia carrier couples has helped to prevent bearing affected children. Among 177 couples referred to our laboratory for prenatal diagnosis, 14 mothers had twin pregnancies. 

Methods: By using direct and indirect methods, we determined their mutations and linkage analysis using polymorphic markers (restriction fragment length polymorphism [RFLP]).

Co-inheritance of hemoglobin D and β-thalassemia traits in three Iranian families: clinical relevance.

Here we report the result of three cases referred to our lab that had a combination of β-thalassemia and hemoglobin D (Hb D) traits. These individuals had no symptoms of profound anemia and hematological indices were similar to that of a β-thalassemia heterozygote. In all three cases, the Hb D level was elevated and no HbA was detected electrophoretically.