Triglyceride/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL-C) index as a reference criterion of risk for metabolic syndrome (MetS) and low insulin sensitivity in apparently healthy subjects.

Aim: To evaluate if the TG/HDL-C index can be considered as a reference criterion of MetS and low insulin sensitivity in apparently healthy subjects.

Methods: The subjects were Mexican mestizos who resided in Puebla City, Mexico, who were anthropometrically, biochemically, and clinically characterized. The TG/HDL-C index was calculated by dividing triglyceride (TG) levels by HDL-C levels.

The expression of RNA helicase DDX5 is transcriptionally upregulated by calcitriol through a vitamin D response element in the proximal promoter in SiHa cervical cells.

The DEAD box RNA helicase DDX5 is a multifunctional protein involved in the regulatory events of gene expression. Herein, we presented evidence indicating that DDX5 is transcriptionally upregulated by calcitriol, the hormonal form of vitamin D3. In silico analysis revealed the presence of two putative vitamin D response elements (VDREs) in the DDX5 promoter region.

Calcitriol increases Dicer expression and modifies the microRNAs signature in SiHa cervical cancer cells.

MicroRNAs play important roles in cancer biology. Calcitriol, the hormonal form of vitamin D3, regulates microRNAs expression in tumor cells. In the present study we asked if calcitriol would modify some of the components of the microRNA processing machinery, namely, Drosha and Dicer, in calcitriol-responsive cervical cancer cells.

The microRNA biogenesis machinery: regulation by steroid hormones and alterations in cancer.

MicroRNAs are a class of non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. The major proteins of the canonical microRNA biogenesis pathway in human are: Drosha, DGCR8, DDX5, DDX17, Exportin 5, Dicer and Argonaute 2. Recent studies suggest that gene expression of some canonical microRNA biogenesis components could be regulated by steroid hormones.