GENOME-WIDE INTERACTION WITH SELECTED TYPE 2 DIABETES LOCI REVEALS NOVEL LOCI FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES IN AFRICAN AMERICANS

Insights into the structural and functional activities of forgotten Kinases: PCTAIREs CDKs

In cells, signal transduction heavily relies on the intricate regulation of protein kinases, which provide the fundamental framework for modulating most signaling pathways. Dysregulation of kinase activity has been implicated in numerous pathological conditions, particularly in cancer. The druggable nature of most kinases positions them into a focal point during the process of drug development. However, a significant challenge persists, as the role and biological function of nearly one third of human kinases remains largely unknown.Within this diverse landscape, cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) emerge as an intriguing molecular subgroup. In human, this kinase family encompasses 21 members, involved in several key biological processes. Remarkably, 13 of these CDKs belong to the category of understudied kinases, and only 5 having undergone broad investigation to date. This knowledge gap underscores the pressing need to delve into the study of these kinases, starting with a comprehensive review of the less-explored ones.Here, we will focus on the PCTAIRE subfamily of CDKs, which includes CDK16, CDK17, and CDK18, arguably among the most understudied CDKs members. To contextualize PCTAIREs within the spectrum of human pathophysiology, we conducted an exhaustive review of the existing literature and examined available databases. This approach resulted in an articulate depiction of these PCTAIREs, encompassing their expression patterns, 3D configurations, mechanisms of activation, and potential functions in normal tissues and in cancer.We propose that this effort offers the possibility of identifying promising areas of future research that extend from basic research to potential clinical and therapeutic applications.

The Burden of Antipsychotic-Induced Weight Gain and Metabolic Syndrome in Children

Antipsychotic medications are critical to child and adolescent psychiatry, from the stabilization of psychotic disorders like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and psychotic depression to behavioral treatment of autism spectrum disorder, tic disorders, and pediatric aggression. While effective, these medications carry serious risk of adverse events-most commonly, weight gain and cardiometabolic abnormalities. Negative metabolic consequences affect up to 60% of patients and present a major obstacle to long-term treatment. Since antipsychotics are often chronically prescribed beginning in childhood, cardiometabolic risk accumulates. An increased susceptibility to antipsychotic-induced weight gain (AIWG) has been repeatedly documented in children, particularly rapid weight gain. Associated cardiometabolic abnormalities include central obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and systemic inflammation. Lifestyle interventions and medications such as metformin have been proposed to reduce risk but remain limited in efficacy. Furthermore, antipsychotic medications touted to be weight-neutral in adults can cause substantial weight gain in children. A better understanding of the biological underpinnings of AIWG could inform targeted and potentially more fruitful treatments; however, little is known about the underlying mechanism. As yet, modest genetic studies have nominated a few risk genes that explain only a small percentage of the risk. Recent investigations have begun to explore novel potential mechanisms of AIWG, including a role for gut microbiota and microbial metabolites. This article reviews the problem of AIWG and AP metabolic side effects in pediatric populations, proposed mechanisms underlying this serious side effect, and strategies to mitigate adverse impact. We suggest future directions for research efforts that may advance the field and lead to improved clinical interventions.

TYK2 Promoter Variant Is Associated with Impaired Insulin Secretion and Lower Insulin Resistance in Japanese Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Accumulating evidence has suggested that viral infection causes type 1 diabetes due to direct β-cell damage and the triggering of autoimmune reactivity to β cells. Here, we elucidated that the tyrosine kinase 2 (Tyk2) gene, encoding an interferon receptor signaling molecule, is responsible for virus-induced diabetes in mice, and its promoter variant confers a risk of type 1 diabetes in humans. This study investigated the relationship between a TYK2 promoter variant (TYK2PV) and insulin secretion in type 2 diabetes patients. TYK2PV status was determined using direct DNA sequencing and its associations with fasting insulin, C-peptide, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were evaluated in type 2 diabetes patients without sulfonylurea or insulin medication. Of the 172 patients assessed, 18 (10.5%) showed TYK2PV-positivity. Their body mass index (BMI) was significantly lower than in those without the variant (23.4 vs. 25.4 kg/m2, p = 0.025). Fasting insulin (3.9 vs. 6.2 μIU/mL, p = 0.007), C-peptide (1.37 vs. 1.76 ng/mL, p = 0.008), and HOMA-IR (1.39 vs. 2.05, p = 0.006) were lower in those with than in those without the variant. Multivariable analysis identified that TYK2PV was associated with fasting insulin ≤ 5 μIU/mL (odds ratio (OR) 3.63, p = 0.025) and C-peptide ≤ 1.0 ng/mL (OR 3.61, p = 0.028), and also lower insulin resistance (HOMA-IR ≤ 2.5; OR 8.60, p = 0.042). TYK2PV is associated with impaired insulin secretion and low insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes patients with TYK2PV should be carefully followed in order to receive the appropriate treatment including insulin injections.

FAM98A promotes cancer progression in endometrial carcinoma

To investigate the expression status of FAM98A and its potential involvement in endometrial carcinoma, the relative expression of FAM98A in clinical endometrial carcinoma tissues was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Endogenous FAM98A protein was determined by Western blotting. The overall survival was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier's analysis. Cell growth/viability/proliferation was evaluated by cell counting, 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide assay, and clonogenic assay, respectively. Cell apoptosis was determined by the Annexin V/7-AAD double-staining methods followed by flow cytometry analysis. The regulatory effect of miR-142-3p on FAM98A was interrogated by luciferase reporter assay. Aberrant overexpression of FAM98A was found in endometrial carcinoma both in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, high level of FMA98A was associated with poor prognosis. FAM98A deficiency in Ishikawa and RL95-2 cells significantly inhibited cell growth, cell viability, and cell proliferation. In addition, FAM98A-knockdown stimulated remarkable cell apoptosis, which might be mediated by down-regulation of BCL2 and up-regulation of BAX. Mechanistically, it was demonstrated that miR-142-3p directly targeted FAM98A, and modulated its expression. In conclusion, we unraveled the oncogenic properties of FAM98A in endometrial carcinoma and highlighted the miR-142-3p-FAM98A signaling in this disease.