Targeting postsynaptic glutamate receptor scaffolding proteins PSD-95 and PICK1 for obesity treatment.

Human genome-wide association studies (GWAS) suggest a functional role for central glutamate receptor signaling and plasticity in body weight regulation. Here, we use UK Biobank GWAS summary statistics of body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (BF%) to identify genes encoding proteins known to interact with postsynaptic α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) and -methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. Loci in/near discs large homolog 4 () and protein interacting with C kinase 1 () reached genome-wide significance ( < 5 × 10) for BF% and/or BMI.

The Arg82Cys Polymorphism of the Protein Nepmucin Implies a Role in HDL Metabolism.

Context: Blood lipid levels are linked to the risk of cardiovascular disease and regulated by genetic factors. A low-frequency polymorphism Arg82Cys (rs72836561) in the membrane protein nepmucin, encoded by , is associated with lower fasting concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) and higher fasting triglycerides. However, whether the variant is linked to postprandial lipids and glycemic status remains elusive.

Do gene-environment interactions have implications for the precision prevention of type 2 diabetes?

The past decades have seen a rapid global rise in the incidence of type 2 diabetes. This surge has been driven by diabetogenic environmental changes that may act together with a genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes. It is possible that there is a synergistic gene-environment interaction, where the effects of the diabetogenic environment depend on the genetic predisposition to type 2 diabetes.

Cold Atmospheric Plasma Promotes the Immunoreactivity of Granulocytes In Vitro.

Cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) reduces bacteria and interacts with tissues and cells, thus improving wound healing. The CAP-related induction of neutrophils was recently described in stained sections of wound tissue in mice. Consequently, this study aimed to examine the functionality of human polymorphonuclear cells (PMN)/granulocytes through either a plasma-treated solution (PTS) or the direct CAP treatment with different plasma modes and treatment durations.

Author Correction: Olfaction regulates organismal proteostasis and longevity via microRNA-dependent signalling.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Genetic variation, adipokines, and cardiometabolic disease.

Adipokines are adipocyte-secreted cell signalling proteins that travel to distant target organs and tissues, where they regulate a variety of biological actions implicated in cardiometabolic health. In the past decade, genome-wide association studies have identified multiple genetic variants associated with circulating levels of adipokines, providing new instruments for examining the role of adipokines in cardiometabolic pathologies. Currently, there is limited genetic evidence of causal relationships between adipokines and cardiometabolic disease, which is consistent with findings from randomized clinical trials that have thus far shown limited success for adipokine-based treatments in improving cardiometabolic health.

Olfaction regulates organismal proteostasis and longevity via microRNA-dependent signaling.

The maintenance of proteostasis is crucial for any organism to survive and reproduce in an ever-changing environment, but its efficiency declines with age. Posttranscriptional regulators such as microRNAs control protein translation of target mRNAs with major consequences for development, physiology, and longevity. Here we show that food odor stimulates organismal proteostasis and promotes longevity in through -mediated inhibition of mRNA stability in olfactory AWC neurons.

Expression of IL-3 receptors and impact of IL-3 on human T and B cells.

A large number of animal models revealed that IL-3 plays an important role for the development of T and B cell-mediated autoimmune diseases. However, little is known about the expression and regulation of IL-3 receptors in human T and B cells and how IL-3 modulates the activation and survival of these cells. We show that the IL-3 receptor CD123 is substantially upregulated on proliferating CD4 and CD8 T as well as B cells.