TFAR19, a novel apoptosis-related gene cloned from human leukemia cell line TF-1, could enhance apoptosis of some tumor cells induced by growth factor withdrawal

Using the cDNA-representative differences analysis (cDNA-RDA) approach, we identified a novel gene, TFAR19 (TF-1 cell apoptosis related gene-19), from TF-1 cells undergoing apoptosis. The human TFAR19 encodes a protein which shares significant homology to the corresponding proteins of species ranging from yeast to mice. TFAR19 exhibits a ubiquitous expression pattern and its expression is upregulated in the tumor cells undergoing apoptosis. Overexpression of TFAR19 in tumor cells enhances apoptosis triggered by growth factor or serum deprivation. We propose that TFAR19 may play a general role in the apoptotic process.

Nuclear translocation of PDCD5 (TFAR19): an early signal for apoptosis?

The programmed cell death 5 (PDCD5) protein is a novel protein related to regulation of cell apoptosis. In this report, we demonstrate that the level of PDCD5 protein expressed in cells undergoing apoptosis is significantly increased compared with normal cells, then the protein translocates rapidly from the cytoplasm to the nucleus of cells. The appearance of PDCD5 in the nuclei of apoptotic cells precedes the externalization of phosphatidylserine and fragmentation of chromosome DNA. This phenomenon is parallel to the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential, independent of the feature of apoptosis-inducing stimuli and also independent of the cell types and the apoptosis modality. In conclusion, the nuclear translocation of PDCD5 is a universal earlier event of the apoptotic process, and may be a novel early marker for apoptosis.

Molecular cloning and characterization of chemokine-like factor 1 (CKLF1), a novel human cytokine with unique structure and potential chemotactic activity

Cytokines are small proteins that have an essential role in the immune and inflammatory responses. The repertoire of cytokines is becoming diverse and expanding. Here we report the identification and characterization of a novel cytokine designated as chemokine-like factor 1 (CKLF1). The full-length cDNA of CKLF1 is 530 bp long and a single open reading frame encoding 99 amino acid residues. CKLF1 bears no significant similarity to any other known cytokine in its amino acid sequence. Expression of CKLF1 can be partly inhibited by interleukin 10 in PHA-stimulated U937 cells. Recombinant CKLF1 is a potent chemoattractant for neutrophils, monocytes and lymphocytes; moreover, it can stimulate the proliferation of murine skeletal muscle cells. These results suggest that CKLF1 might have important roles in inflammation and in the regeneration of skeletal muscle.

Genes derived from ancient polyploidy have higher genetic diversity and are associated with domestication in Brassica rapa

Many crops are polyploid or have a polyploid ancestry. Recent phylogenetic analyses have found that polyploidy often preceded the domestication of crop plants. One explanation for this observation is that increased genetic diversity following polyploidy may have been important during the strong artificial selection that occurs during domestication. In order to test the connection between domestication and polyploidy, we identified and examined candidate genes associated with the domestication of the diverse crop varieties of Brassica rapa. Like all 'diploid' flowering plants, B. rapa has a diploidized paleopolyploid genome and experienced many rounds of whole genome duplication (WGD). We analyzed transcriptome data of more than 100 cultivated B. rapa accessions. Using a combination of approaches, we identified > 3000 candidate genes associated with the domestication of four major B. rapa crop varieties. Consistent with our expectation, we found that the candidate genes were significantly enriched with genes derived from the Brassiceae mesohexaploidy. We also observed that paleologs were significantly more diverse than non-paleologs. Our analyses find evidence for that genetic diversity derived from ancient polyploidy played a key role in the domestication of B. rapa and provide support for its importance in the success of modern agriculture.

Decreased recent adaptation at human mendelian disease genes as a possible consequence of interference between advantageous and deleterious variants

Advances in genome sequencing have improved our understanding of the genetic basis of human diseases, and thousands of human genes have been associated with different diseases. Recent genomic adaptation at disease genes has not been well characterized. Here, we compare the rate of strong recent adaptation in the form of selective sweeps between mendelian, non-infectious disease genes and non-disease genes across distinct human populations from the 1000 Genomes Project. We find that mendelian disease genes have experienced far less selective sweeps compared to non-disease genes especially in Africa. Investigating further the possible causes of the sweep deficit at disease genes, we find that this deficit is very strong at disease genes with both low recombination rates and with high numbers of associated disease variants, but is almost non-existent at disease genes with higher recombination rates or lower numbers of associated disease variants. Because segregating recessive deleterious variants have the ability to interfere with adaptive ones, these observations strongly suggest that adaptation has been slowed down by the presence of interfering recessive deleterious variants at disease genes. These results suggest that disease genes suffer from a transient inability to adapt as fast as the rest of the genome.

Concordance between personality disorder assessment methods

BACKGROUND

Studies have criticized the low level of agreement between the various methods of personality disorder (PD) assessment. This is an important issue for research and clinical purposes.

METHOD

Seven hundred and forty-two participants in the Hopkins Epidemiology of Personality Disorders Study (HEPS) were assessed on two occasions using the Personality Disorder Schedule (PDS) and the International Personality Disorder Examination (IPDE). The concordance between the two diagnostic methods for all DSM-IV PDs was assessed using standard methods and also two item response analytic approaches designed to take account of measurement error: a latent trait-based approach and a generalized estimating equations (GEE)-based approach, with post-hoc adjustment.

RESULTS

Raw criteria counts, using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), κ and odds ratio (OR), showed poor concordance. The more refined statistical methods showed a moderate to moderately high level of concordance between the methods for most PDs studied. Overall, the PDS produced lower prevalences of traits but higher precision of measurement than the IPDE. Specific criteria within each PD showed varying endorsement thresholds and precision for ascertaining the disorder.

CONCLUSIONS

Concordance in the raw measurement of the individual PD criteria between the two clinical methods is lacking. However, based on two statistical methods that adjust for differential endorsement thresholds and measurement error in the assessments, we deduce that the PD constructs themselves can be measured with a moderate degree of confidence regardless of the clinical approach used. This may suggest that the individual criteria for each PD are, in and of themselves, less specific for diagnosis, but as a group the criteria for each PD usefully identify specific PD constructs.

Tissue- and breed-specific expression of the chicken fat mass- and obesity-associated gene (FTO)

The fat mass- and obesity-associated gene (FTO) is involved in energy metabolism, but little is known about the chicken FTO gene. The objective of the current study was to detect chicken FTO expression patterns in the hypothalamus, liver, and skeletal muscle during development, and analyze the effects of age and breed on FTO expression. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction results revealed that chicken FTO mRNA was expressed in all of the tissues tested. Chicken FTO exhibited tissue- and breed-specific patterns in the recessive White Plymouth Rock chicken and the Qingyuan partridge chicken. The highest FTO expression level was in the hypothalami of 1-week-old chicks. FTO mRNA was expressed more in the breast muscles and livers of recessive White Plymouth Rock chickens than those of Qingyuan partridge chickens at 1 and 8 weeks of age. These results indicate that FTO probably plays a significant role in energy metabolism at 1 week old, when chicks have undergone metabolic adaptations from yolk dependence to the utilization of exogenous feed.

Treating strangeness: Medicine and human dignity at the time of COVID-19

The concomitance of a migratory wave and the hospital crisis once again raises the question of the care that the French healthcare system is able to provide to migrants. On the occasion of SFFEM's 19th annual day, we present a synthesis of the research work that has been communicated at that time. Firstly, we will discuss how doctors have been able to overcome strangeness to revive the notion of hospitality according to Levinas; secondly, we will discuss how the hospital is departing from its mission of institutional hospitality because of administrative injunctions; thirdly, we will discuss how ethnomedicine gives us keys to open up to other cultural norms; fourthly, we will see the inadequacy that exists between rights of access to medical care and their effectiveness; finally, the conclusion of Xavier Emmanuelli, founder of the social ambulance service, will remind us how much the values of the French Republic call us to the notion of care and openness to otherness.

Protective effect of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist on oleic acid-induced lung injury

OBJECTIVE

To observe the changes of interleukin-1 (IL-1), nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in mice with oleic acid-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and the protective effects of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Male Kunming mice were divided into control, oleic acid and IL-1ra groups. The control group mice were injected saline; the oleic acid group mice were injected oleic acid (0.2 ml/kg): and the IL-1ra group mice were injected the IL-1ra (20 mg/kg). Lung index, lung wet-to-dry weight ratio, and total protein, cell analysis, nitric oxide measurement, NOS activity in BALF, lung pathology examination were made after an hour of administration of drug.

RESULTS

Preadministration of IL-1ra to the mouse with ALI decreased the lung index, lung wet-to-dry weight ratio and leakage of protein from pulmonary capillary, elevated PaO2, and attenuated lung histologic injury. It was found that in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), NO amount and lung NOS activity increased in oleic acid group, BALF NO amount and lung NOS activity decreased obviously after given IL-1ra.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated the protective effect of IL-1ra on oleic acid-induced lung injury, NO may participate in the pathological process of lung injury.

[Construction and expression of eukaryotic expression vector pBK-IL-1ra]

OBJECTIVE

Construction of eukaryotic vector with high expression of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) for IL-1ra gene delivery.

METHODS

(1) Eukaryotic expression vector pBK-IL-1ra was constructed by recombinant DNA technique, and identified by restriction mapping enzymes, PCR, and DNA sequence analysis. (2) Expressions of the IL-1ra mRNA and IL-1ra in vitro and in vivo were detected by in situ hybridization, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

(1) The correct construction of pBK-IL-1ra was identified by the method above. (2) The higher levels of IL-1ra in the supernate of COS-7 cells (24 h, (P < 0.001; 48 h, P < 0.01) and the over expression of IL-1ra mRNA (P < 0.01) and IL-1ra (P < 0.05) in the synoviocytes have been detected after 48 h of the transfection with pBK-IL-1ra. (3) The over expression of IL-1ra in muscle of the mice was detected by immunohistochemistry after 4 days of pBK-IL-1ra injection (P < 0.01)

CONCLUSIONS

We have successfully constructed eukaryotic expression vector pBK-IL-1ra which could highly expressed IL-1ra in vitro and in vivo, and it offers a novel possibility in the research of IL-1ra gene therapy.

Evolutionary consequences of domestication on the selective effects of new amino acid changing mutations in canids

The domestication of wild canids led to dogs no longer living in the wild but instead residing alongside humans. Extreme changes in behavior and diet associated with domestication may have led to the relaxation of the selective pressure on traits that may be less important in the domesticated context. Thus, here we hypothesize that strongly deleterious mutations may have become less deleterious in domesticated populations. We test this hypothesis by estimating the distribution of fitness effects (DFE) for new amino acid changing mutations using whole-genome sequence data from 24 gray wolves and 61 breed dogs. We find that the DFE is strikingly similar across canids, with 26-28% of new amino acid changing mutations being neutral/nearly neutral (|s| < 1e-5), and 41-48% under strong purifying selection (|s| > 1e-2). Our results are robust to different model assumptions suggesting that the DFE is stable across short evolutionary timescales, even in the face of putative drastic changes in the selective pressure caused by artificial selection during domestication and breed formation. On par with previous works describing DFE evolution, our data indicate that the DFE of amino acid changing mutations depends more strongly on genome structure and organismal characteristics, and less so on shifting selective pressures or environmental factors. Given the constant DFE and previous data showing that genetic variants that differentiate wolf and dog populations are enriched in regulatory elements, we speculate that domestication may have had a larger impact on regulatory variation than on amino acid changing mutations.

A62 A major likelihood-based approach gives problematic estimates of diversification dynamics and rates

The diversity of life is shaped by rates of speciation and extinction, and so estimating these rates correctly is crucial for understanding diversity patterns among clades, regions, and habitats. In 2011, Morlon and collaborators developed a promising likelihood-based approach to estimate speciation and extinction and to infer the model describing how these rates change over time based on AICc. This approach is now implemented in an R package (RPANDA). Here, we test the accuracy of this approach under simulated conditions, to evaluate its ability to correctly estimate rates of speciation, extinction, and diversification (speciation—extinction) and to choose the correct underlying model of diversification (e.g. constant or changing rates of speciation and extinction over time). We found that this likelihood-based approach frequently picked the incorrect model. For example, with changing speciation rates over time, the correct model was chosen in only ∼10 per cent of replicates. There were significant relationships between true and estimated speciation rates using this approach, but relationships were weak when speciation rates were constant within clades. Relationships were consistently weak between true and estimated rates of extinction and of diversification. Overall, we suggest that results from this approach should be interpreted with considerable caution.

[Preparation and identification of monoclonal antibodies against human apoptosis-related protein TFAR19]

OBJECTIVE

To obtain mouse anti-human TFAR19 monoclonal antibodies for further study of the structure and function of the apoptosis-related protein TFAR19.

METHODS

BALB/c mice were immunized with recombinant human TFAR19, hybridoma cells were screened by cell fusion and subcloning approach. The monoclonal antibodies were identified by ELISA and Western blotting.

RESULTS

Three hybridoma cells (C1, C10, 2C12) stable in secreting anti-TFAR19 monoclonal antibodies were obtained. The monoclonal antibodies showed high specificity and high titer to TFAR19 with various affinity. All of them belong to IgG1 subclass.

CONCLUSIONS

These monoclonal antibodies could bind specifically to TFAR19 protein.

[Study on the effect of continuous administration of IL-1ra in BXSB mice]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the consequences of IL-1 blocking in BXSB mice which is an experimental model for human SLE.

METHODS

rh IL-1ra was expressed in E. coli and injected in BXSB mice. 13 of 4.5 month-age male BXSB mice were divided into two groups, one group was injected rh IL-1ra 10 times (twice a week) at dose of 400 micrograms per mouse each time, another group was injected PBS at the same time as control. We monitored serum ANA and proteinuria weekly, and detected IgG, C3 deposition and IL-6 expression in kidneys at 40th day.

RESULTS

The results showed that the increased level of serum ANA and proteinuria in treatment group were not higher than in control group, the IgG, C3 deposition and IL-6 expression in kidneys and IL-6 activity in serum of the treaed group were lower than the control group, whereas no difference of GPT level in the two groups.

CONCLUSION

IL-1 might play a pathogenic role in BXSB mice. Blocking or reducing IL-1 secretion would be of beneficial to the treatment of SLE.

Revisiting Dominance in Population Genetics

Dominance refers to the effect of a heterozygous genotype relative to that of the two homozygous genotypes. The degree of dominance of mutations for fitness can have a profound impact on how deleterious and beneficial mutations change in frequency over time as well as on the patterns of linked neutral genetic variation surrounding such selected alleles. Since dominance is such a fundamental concept, it has received immense attention throughout the history of population genetics. Early work from Fisher, Wright, and Haldane focused on understanding the conceptual basis for why dominance exists. More recent work has attempted to test these theories and conceptual models by estimating dominance effects of mutations. However, estimating dominance coefficients has been notoriously challenging and has only been done in a few species in a limited number of studies. In this review, we first describe some of the early theoretical and conceptual models for understanding the mechanisms for the existence of dominance. Second, we discuss several approaches used to estimate dominance coefficients and summarize estimates of dominance coefficients. We note trends that have been observed across species, types of mutations, and functional categories of genes. By comparing estimates of dominance coefficients for different types of genes, we test several hypotheses for the existence of dominance. Lastly, we discuss how dominance influences the dynamics of beneficial and deleterious mutations in populations and how the degree of dominance of deleterious mutations influences the impact of inbreeding on fitness.