Major depressive disorder is associated with mitochondrial ND6 T14502C mutation in two Han Chinese families

BACKGROUND Globally,the World Health Organization ranks major depressive disorder(MDD)as the leading cause of disability.However,MDD molecular etiology is still poorly understood.AIM To explore the possible association between mitochondrial ND6 T14502C mutation and MDD.METHODS Clinical data were collected from two pedigrees,and detailed mitochondrial genomes were obtained for the two proband members.The assessment of the resulting variants included an evaluation of their evolutionary conservation,allelic frequencies,as well as their structural and functional consequences.Detailed mitochondrial whole genome analysis,phylogenetic,and haplotype analysis were performed on the probands.RESULTS Herein,we reported the clinical,genetic,and molecular profiling of two Chinese families afflicted with MDD.These Chinese families exhibited not only a range of onset and severity ages in their depression but also extremely low penetrances to MDD.Sequence analyses of mitochondrial genomes from these pedigrees have resulted in the identification of a homoplasmic T14502C(I58V)mutation.The polymorphism is located at a highly conserved isoleucine at position 58 of ND6 and distinct mitochondrial DNA(mtDNA)polymorphisms originating from haplogroups M10 and H2.CONCLUSION Identifying the T14502C mutation in two individuals with no genetic relation who exhibit symptoms of depression provides compelling evidence that this mutation may be implicated in MDD development.Nonetheless,the two Chinese pedigrees that carried the T14502C mutation did not exhibit any functionally significant mutations in their mtDNA.Therefore,the phenotypic expression of the T14502C mutation related to MDD may be influenced by the nuclear modifier gene(s)or environmental factors.

T3098C and T53C Mutations of HBV Genotype C Is Associated with HBV Infection Progress

Objective To analyze the association between mutation（s） in preS region of HBV and hepatitis B disease progress in Chinese patients with genotype C chronic HBV infection. Methods Ninety-three patients with chronic genotype C HBV infection, including 24 asymptomatic carriers （ASC）, 26 patients with chronic hepatitis B （CHB）, 22 patients with liver cirrhosis （LC） and 21 HCC patients were investigated. Levels of HBV DNA, HBeAg, alanine aminotransferase （ALT）, asparate transaminase （AST） were measured. HBV preS region was analyzed by PCR direct sequencing. Results The prevalence of preS T3098C and T53C mutations ofgenotype C HBV was significantly higher in LC and HCC patients than ASC and CHB patients. The rate ofT3098C mutation in ASC, CHB, LC, and HCC patients were 0.00% （0/24）, 3.85% （1/26）, 9.09% （2/22）, and 30.77% （8/22）, respectively （P=0.0015）, while the rate of T53C mutation was I2.50% （3/24）, 3.85% （1/26）, 40.91% （9/22）, and 42.31% （11/26）, respectively （P=0.0012）. Conclusion The frequency of genotype C HBV preS T3098C and T53C mutations is associated with hepatitis B infection progression.

Hepatitis C virus protease inhibitor-resistance mutations: Our experience and review

Direct-acting antiviral agents(DAAs)for hepatitis C virus(HCV)infection are one of the major advances in its medical treatment.The HCV protease inhibitors boceprevir and telaprevir were the first approved DAAs in the United States,Europe,and Japan.When combined with peginterferon plus ribavirin,these agents increase sustained virologic response rates to70%-80%in treatment-na?ve patients and previoustreatment relapsers with chronic HCV genotype 1 infection.Without peginterferon plus ribavirin,DAA monotherapies increased DAA-resistance mutations.Several new DAAs for HCV are now in clinical development and are likely to be approved in the near future.However,it has been reported that the use of these drugs also led to the emergence of DAA-resistance mutations in certain cases.Furthermore,these mutations exhibit cross-resistance to multiple drugs.The prevalence of DAA-resistance mutations in HCV-infected patients who were not treated with DAAs is unknown,and it is as yet uncertain whether such variants are sensitive to DAAs.We performed a population sequence analysis to assess the frequency of such variants in the sera of HCV genotype 1-infected patients not treated with HCV protease inhibitors.Here,we reviewed the literature on resistance variants of HCV protease inhibitors in treatment na?ve patients with chronic HCV genotype 1,as well as our experience.

Frequency of primary iron overload and HFE gene mutations (C282Y,H63D and S65C) in chronic liver disease patients in north India

AIM:To identify the frequency of iron overload and study the three mutations in the HFE gene (C282Y,H63D,and S65C) in patients with chronic liver disorders (CLD) and controls. METHODS:To identify patients with iron overload (transferrin saturation > 45% in females and > 50% in males and serum ferritin > 1000 ng/mL) we evaluated 236 patients with CLD,including 59 with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH),22 with alcoholic liver disease (ALD),19 of cirrhosis due to viruses (HBV,HCV),and 136 with cryptogenic cirrhosis. Mutations of the HFE gene were analyzed by PCR-RE. hundred controls were screened for iron status and the mutations. RESULTS:Seventeen patients with CLD showed evidence of iron overload. Fifteen cases of iron overload had cryptogenic cirrhosis and two had ALD. None of the controls showed iron overload. We did not find any individual with 282Y or 65C either in the cases or in the controls. The prevalence of H63D heterozygosity was 12% in normal individuals,14.8% in 236 patients (16.9% in NASH,13.6% in ALD,26.3% in viral and 12.5% in cryptogenic cirrhosis) and the overall prevalence was 13.98%. Only two of the 17 patients with primary iron overload were heterozygous for H63D. One patient with NASH and one normal individual who were homozygous for H63D showed no iron overload.CONCLUSION:Primary iron overload in Indians is nonHFE type,which is different from that in Europeans and further molecular studies are required to determine the defect in various iron regulatory genes.

Mutations around interferon sensitivity-determining region:A pilot resistance report of hepatitis C virus 1b in a Hong Kong population

AIM： To explore mutations around the interferon sensitivity-determining region （ISDR） which are associated with the resistance of hepatitis C virus lb （HCV-lb） to interferon-α treatment. METHODS： Thirty-seven HCV-lb samples were obtained from Hong Kong patients who had completed the combined interferon-α/ribavirin treatment for more than one year with available response data. Nineteen of them were sustained virological responders, while 18 were non-responders. The amino acid sequences of the extended ISDR （eISDR） covering 64 amino acids upstream and 67 amino acids downstream from the previously reported ISDR were analyzed. RESULTS： One amino acid variation （I2268V, P = 0.023） was significantly correlated with treatment outcome in this pilot study with a limited number of patients, while two amino acid variations （R2260H, P = 0.05 and $2278T, P = 0.05） were weakly associated with treat- ment outcome. The extent of amino acid variations within the ISDR or eISDR was not correlated with treat- ment outcome as previously reported. CONCLUSION： Three amino acid mutations near but outside of ISDR may associate with interferon treatment resistance of HCV-lb patients in Hong Kong.

Arg124Cys mutation of the TGFBI gene in a Chinese pedigree of Reis-Bücklers corneal dystrophy

AIM: To analyze mutations in transforming growth factor beta-induced (TGFBI) gene in a Chinese pedigree with Reis-Bücklers corneal dystrophy (RBCD,also known as GCD3).METHODS: In a five-generation Chinese family,eight members were identified with RBCD and the rest were unaffected.All members of the family underwent complete ophthalmologic examinations.Exons of TGFBI were amplified by polymerase chain reaction,sequenced,and compared with a reference database.RESULTS: A single heterozygous C>T (R124C) point mutation was found in exon 4 of TGFBI in all the affected members of the pedigree,but not in the unaffected members.CONCLUSION: R124C which was a known mutation for lattice corneal dystrophy type I,segregated with the RBCD in this pedigree.This elucidated the correlation between genotype and phenotype in a Chinese family of RBCD.

High frequency of the c.3207C>A (p.H1069Q) mutation in ATP7B gene of Lithuanian patients with hepatic presentation of Wilson's disease

AIM： To investigate the prevalence of the ATP7B gene mutation in patients with hepatic presentation of Wilson＇s disease （WD） in Lithuania. METHODS： Eleven unrelated Lithuanian families, including 13 WD patients were tested. Clinically WD diagnosis was established in accordance to the Leipzig scoring system. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole venous blood using a salt precipitation method. Firstly, the semi-nested polymerase chain reaction （PCR） technique was used to detect the c.3207C〉A （p.H1069Q） mutation. Patients not homozygous for the c.3207C〉A （p.H1069Q） mutation were further analyzed. The 21 exons of the WD gene were amplified in a thermal cycler （Biometra T3 Thermocycler, G0ttingen, Germany）. Direct sequencing of the amplified PCR products was performed by cycle sequencing using fluorescent dye terminators in an automatic sequencer （Applied Biosystems, Darmstadt, Germany）. RESULTS： Total of 13 WD patients （mean age 26.4 years; range 17-40; male/female 3/10） presented with hepatic disorders and 16 their first degree relatives （including 12 siblings） were studied. Some of WD patients, in addition to hepatic symptoms, have had extrahepatic disorders （hemolytic anemia 3; Fanconi syndrome 1; neurophsychiatric and behavioural disorder 2）. Liver biopsy specimens were available in all of 13 WD patients （8 had cirrhosis; 1-chronic hepatitis; 3-acute liver failure, 1-1iver steatosis）. Twelve of 13 （92.3%） WD patients had the c.3207C〉A （p.HI069Q） mutation, 6 of them in both chromosomes, 6 were presented as compound heterozygotes with additional c.3472-82delGGTTTAACCAT, c.3402delC, c.3121C〉T （p.RI041W） or unknown mutations. For one patient with liver cirrhosis and psychiatric disorder （Leipzig score 6）, no mutations were found. Out of 16 first degree WD relatives, 11 （68.7%） were heterozygous for the c.3207C〉A （p.H1069Q） mutation. Two patients with fulminant WD died from acute liver failure and ii are in full remission under peniciilamine or zinc acetate treatment. Three women with WD successfully delivered healthy babies. CONCLUSION： The c.3207C〉A （p.HI069Q） missense mutation is the most characteristic mutation for Lithuanian patients with WD. Even 92.3% of WD patients with hepatic presentation of the disease are homozygous or compound heterozygotes for the p.H1069Q mutation.

Reversion Mutation in Dark Variants of Luminous Bacteria and Its Application in Gene Toxicant Monitoring

The luminous intensity of dark variant (S1) separated from photobacterium phosph oreum (A2) was 1/10 000 less than that of wild type. Ethidium bromide (EB) (0.6 mg/L), Mytomycin C (MC, 0.05 mg/L), 2 amino fluorene (2 AF, 1.0 mg/L) all cou ld strongly induce reversion mutation for S1 within 24 h and increase reversion ratio significantly. The results of experiments indicated that these revertants had stable genetic characteristic and the mutation may take place at gene levels . The mutagenesis to S1 caused by EB, MC and 2 AF was detected and it may be us ed as a new rapid, simple and sensitive method for gene toxicant monitoring.

New real-time-PCR method to identify single point mutations in hepatitis C virus

AIM To develop a fast, low-cost diagnostic strategy to identify single point mutations in highly variable genomes such as hepatitis C virus(HCV).METHODS In patients with HCV infection, resistance-associated amino acid substitutions within the viral quasispecies prior to therapy can confer decreased susceptibility to direct-acting antiviral agents and lead to treatment failure and virological relapse. One such naturally occurring mutation is the Q80 K substitution in the HCV-NS3 protease gene, which confers resistance to PI inhibitors, particularly simeprevir. Low-cost, highly sensitive techniques enabling routine detection of these single point mutations would be useful to identify patients at a risk of treatment failure. Light Cycler methods, based on real-time PCR with sequencespecific probe hybridization, have been implemented in most diagnostic laboratories. However, this technique cannot identify single point mutations in highly variable genetic environments, such as the HCV genome. To circumvent this problem, we developed a new method to homogenize all nucleotides present in a region except the point mutation of interest. RESULTS Using nucleotide-specific probes Q, K, and R substitutions at position 80 were clearly identified at a sensitivity of 10%(mutations present at a frequency of at least 10% were detected). The technique was successfully applied to identify the Q80 K substitution in 240 HCV G1 serum samples, with performance comparable to that of direct Sanger sequencing, the current standard procedure for this purpose. The new method was then validated in a Catalonian population of 202 HCV G1-infected individuals. Q80 K was detected in 14.6% of G1 a patients and 0% of G1 b in our setting. CONCLUSION A fast, low-cost diagnostic strategy based on real-time PCR and fluorescence resonance energy transfer probe melting curve analysis has been successfully developed to identify single point mutations in highly variable genomes such as hepatitis C virus. This technique can be adapted to detect any single point mutation in highly variable genomes.

Detection of ATP2C1 Gene Mutation in Familial Benign Chronic Pemphigus

Summary： The ATP2C1 gene mutation in one ease of familial benign chronic pemphigus was investigated.One patient was diagnosed as familial benign chronic pemphigus by pathology, ultrastructral examination and clinical features. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples. Mutation of ATP2CI gene was detected by polymerase chain reaction （PCR） and DNA sequencing. The results showed that deletion mutation was detected in ATP2C1 gene in this patient, which was 2374delTTTG. No mutation was found in the family members and normal individuals. It was coneluded that the 2374delTTTG mutation in ATP2C1 gene was the specific mutation for the clinical phenotype for this patient and was a de novo mutation.

Nucleos(t)ide analogues causes HBV S gene mutations and carcinogenesis

BACKGROUND： The long-term use of nudeos（t）ide analogues causes drug resistance and mutations in the HBV reverse tran- scriptase （RT） region of the polymerase gene. The RT region overlaps the HBV surface gene （S gene） and therefore, the mutations in the RT region simultaneously modify S gene sequence. Certain mutations in the RT region bring about truncated S proteins because the corresponding changed S gene encodes a stop codon which results in the loss of a large portion of the C-terminal hydrophobic region of HBV surface protein. The rtA181T/sW172＊, rtM204I/sW196＊ and rtV191I/sW182＊ are the most frequently reported drug-resistant mutations with C-terminal truncation, these mutations have oncogenic potential. DATA SOURCES： PubMed and Web of Science were searched using terms： ＂hepatitis B virus＂, ＂HBV drug resistance mutation＂ ＂HBV surface protein＂ ＂HBV truncation＂, ＂hepatocellular carcinoma＂, ＂rtA181T/sW172＊＂, ＂rtM204I/sW196＊＂, ＂rtV191I/sW182＊＂, and relevant articles published in English in the past decades were reviewed. RESULTS： The rtA181T/sW172＊ and rtV191I/sW182＊ mutants occurred more frequently than the rtM204I/sW196＊ mutant both in chronic hepatitis B patients and the HBV-related hepatocellular carcinoma tissues. Although these mutations occur naturally, nudeos（t）ide analogues therapy is the main driving force. These mutations may exist alone or coexist with other HBV mutations. All these three mutants impair the virion secretion and result in HBV surface protein retention and serum HBV DNA level reduction. These mutations possess potential carcinogenic properties. The three mutations are resistant to more than one nucleos（t）ide analogue and therefore, it is difficult to treat the patients with the truncated mutations.CONCLUSIONS： Nucleos（t）ide analogues induce drug resistance and HBV S gene truncated mutations. These mutations have potential carcinogenesis.

Enhanced but hypofunctional osteoclastogenesis in an autosomal dominant osteopetrosis type II case carrying a c.1856C＞T mutation in CLCN7

Type II autosomal dominant osteopetrosis(ADO2), which is the most common form of osteopetrosis, is caused by heterozygous mutations in the chloride channel 7(CLCN7) gene. The osteopetrosis of ADO2 has been attributed to hypofunctional osteoclasts. The mechanism underlying the abnormality in osteoclast function remains largely unknown. This study was designed to investigate gene mutations and osteoclast function in a case that was clinically diagnosed as ADO2. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples of this patient, and the 25 exons of CLCN7 were amplified. Peripheral blood from the ADO2 subject and a healthy age- and sex-matched control was used to evaluate osteoclastogenesis, osteoclast morphology, and bone resorption. Analysis of DNA from the patient showed a germline heterozygous missense mutation,c.1856C>T(p.P619L), in exon 20 of CLCN7. A similar homozygous mutation at this site was previously reported in a patient with autosomal recessive osteopetrosis. When cultured, the peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) from the ADO2 patient spontaneously differentiated into mature osteoclasts in vitro. The ADO2 patient’s PBMCs formed enhanced, but heterogeneous, osteoclasts in both the presence and absence of macrophage-colony stimulating factor, and nuclear factor-?B ligand. Bone resorption was reduced in the ADO2 patient’s osteoclasts, which exhibited aberrant morphology and abnormal distribution of integrin avβ3. Gene analysis found increased c-fos expression and reduced Rho A and integrin beta 3expression in ADO2 cells. In conclusion, our data suggest that enhanced, heterogeneous osteoclast induction may be an intrinsic characteristic of ADO2.

17α-hydroxylase/17,20 carbon chain lyase deficiency caused by p.Tyr329fs homozygous mutation:Three case reports

p.Tyr329fs is a cytochrome P450c17 mutation among Chinese individuals.However,data on 17-α-hydroxylase deficiency caused by cytochrome P450c17 p.Tyr329fs homozygous mutation are lacking.This paper is a case report of three patients homozygous for p.Tyr329fs who were diagnosed with 17-α-hydroxylase deficiency between 2005 and 2019.CASE SUMMARY Case 1 presented with hypertension,hypokalemia,sexual infantilism and delayed bone age.The patient had a 46,XY karyotype,was homozygous for p.Tyr329fs and was recently treated with dexamethasone 0.375 mg qn.Case 2 presented with hypokalemia,sexual infantilism,osteoporosis and delayed bone age.The patient had a 46,XY karyotype,was homozygous for p.Tyr329fs and was treated with dexamethasone 0.75 mg qn at the last follow-up.Serum potassium and blood pressure could be maintained within normal range for cases 1 and 2.Case 3 presented with amenorrhea,sexual infantilism,osteopenia and delayed bone age.The patient had a 46,XX karyotype,was homozygous for p.Tyr329fs and was treated with dexamethasone 0.75 mg qn and progynova 1 mg qd.Outpatient follow-up revealed an adrenocorticotropic hormone(8 AM)of<5.00 pg/mL.CONCLUSION The homozygous p.Tyr329fs mutation usually manifests as a combined deficiency,and definitive diagnosis depends primarily on genetic testing.

HFE Gene Mutation Associated with the Severity of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Belarusian Women

To determine whether the H63D and C282Y mutations in HFE (hemochromatosis) gene are associated with the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), we conducted the study of 65 incident cases. The class of gestational diabetes (A1, A2, B) in pregnant women was defined based on the results of glycemic profile and 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms (H63D and C282Y) in HFE gene were genotyped by PCR and RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism). The frequencies of mutations in patients cohort were: 0.14 for H63D and 0.02 for C282Y, which are similar to the data reported for Belarusian population (0.16 and 0.04 respectively). The detailed analysis of case subjects indicated association of H63D mutation with the severity of gestational diabetes mellitus. In the frequencies of H63D mutation and genotypes between the case subjects with A1 and B gestational diabetes were detected significant differences. Our data indicated that the presence of H63D mutation in pregnant women with GDM aggravates the disease—odds ratio 7.4 (95% CI 1.8 - 30.5). Women with gestational diabetes have severe increased risk for illness progressing to class B if they are H63D mutation carriers.

MUTATION AND CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF C-FMS ONCOGENE IN HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA

Objective: To study the clinical significance and relationship between c-fms oncogene and hepatocellular carcinogenesis, to further clarify the occurring mechanism of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: PCR-SSCP technique was used to analyse mutation of c-fms oncogene in 30 cases of HCC tissues. Sequencing the PCR products after cloning to prove the mutations, meanwhile the relationship between c-fms mutations and clinical pathology of HCC was investigated. Results: Two abnormal single strands were observed in 10% (3/30) HCC tissues from c-fms DNA corresponding to 301st codon of c-fms amino acids. PCR products of abnormal single strands were sequenced after cloning, it demonstrated that there was transition of T→C at nucleic acid 14855 of c-fms DNA, which corresponded to transition of Leu (TTG)→Ser (TCG) at 301st codon of c-fms amino acids. The mutation was related to malignant degree and type of HCC tissues as well as patient’s age. Conclusion: Mutation of c-fms codon at site 301 implied a molecular mechanism contributing to hepatocellular carcinogenesis.

The relationship between point mutation and abnormal expression of c-fms oncogene in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Recent research found abnormal expres- sion of the c-fms oncogene, which encodes the macro- phage colony-stimulating factor receptor (CSF-1R), in several human carcinomas including hepatocellular carcino- ma (HCC). But the relationship between the point muta- tion and abnormal expressing of c-fms oncogene in HCC was not clear. This study is to investigate the relationship between point mutation and abnormal expression of c-fms oncogene in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to clari- fy the mechanism of HCC. METHODS: The expression of c-fms oncogene at different levels of cell, protein and transcription was observed using immune histological ABC, Western blot and Northern blot. PCR-single strand conformation polymorphism and gene sequencing were used to detect the mutation of c-fms in HCC tissues and their surrounding tissues of 30 patients. RESULTS: The expression of c-fms was significantly higher in HCC tissues than in their surrounding tissues (P <0.01). Point mutation of Leu (TTG)—>Ser (TCG) at codon 301 of c-fms amino acids was observed in 21.4% (3/14) HCC tissues. No mutation of c-fms oncogene was detected in the surrounding cancerous tissues. CONCLUSION: Point mutation at codon 301 of c-fms on- cogene is one of the mechanisms of abnormal over-expres- sion in HCC.

A mutation of the start codon in the X region of hepatitis B virus DNA in a patient with non-B,non-C chronic hepatitis

There are cases of hepatitis involving occult hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection in which,even though the HB surface antigen(HBsAg)is negative,HBV-DNA is detected by a polymerase chain reaction(PCR).We con-ducted a sequence analysis of the entire HBV region in a case of non-B non-C chronic hepatitis in a 46-yearold female.A diagnosis of non-B non-C chronic hepatitis was made.Although HBV markers,such as HBs antibody(anti-HBs),anti-HBc,HBeAg and anti-HBe,were negative,HBV-DNA was positive.Nested PCR was performed to amplify the precore region of HBV-DNA and all remaining regions by long nested PCR.Sequence analysis of the two obtained bands was conducted by direct sequencing.Compared with the control strains,the ATG(Methionine)start codon in the X region had mut ated to GTG(Valine).It is assumed that a mutation at the start codon in the X region may be the reason why HBV markers are negative in some cases of hepatitis that involve occult HBV infection.

Cell culture-adaptive mutations in hepatitis C virus promote viral production by enhancing viral replication and release

AIM To explore hepatitis C virus(HCV) adaptive mutations or combinations thereof responsible for enhanced viral production and investigate the underlying mechanisms.METHODS A series of plasmids with adaptive mutations were constructed. After the plasmids were transfected into Huh7.5 cells, we determined the infectious HCV particle titers by NS5 A immunofluorescence assays, and detected HCV RNA replication by real-time PCR and protein expression by Western blot. Then we carried out immunoblotting of supernatants and celllysates with anti-NS3 to analyze the virus release level. In addition, co-localization of lipid droplets(LDs) with NS5 A was measured using confocal laser scanning microscopy. The ratio between the p56 and p58 phosphoforms of NS5 A was analyzed further.RESULTS The plasmids named JFH1-m E2, JFH1-mp7, JFH1-m NS4 B, JFH1-m NS5 A, JFH1-m E2/NS5 A, JFH1-mp7/NS5 A, JFH1-m NS4 B/NS5 A, JFH1-m E2/p7/NS5 A, and m JFH1 were constructed successfully. This study generated infectious HCV particles with a robust titer of 1.61 × 106 focus-forming units(FFUs)/m L. All of the six adaptive mutations increased the HCV particle production at varying levels. The NS5 A(C2274 R, I2340 T, and V2440 L) and p7(H781 Y) were critical adaptive mutations. The effect of NS5 A(C2274 R, I2340 T, and V2440 L), p7(H781 Y), and NS4 B(N1931 S) on infectious HCV titers was investigated by measuring the HCV RNA replication, protein expression, and virion release. However, the six adaptive mutations were not required for the LD localization of NS5 A proteins or the phosphorylation of NS5 A.CONCLUSION In this study, we generated infectious HCV particles with a robust titer of 1.61 × 106 FFUs/m L, and found that the viral replication and release levels could be enhanced by some of the adaptive mutations.

MitochondrialtRNA^(leu(UUR)) Gene Mutation and the DecreasedActivity of Cytochrom e c Oxidase in Preeclam psia

To explore the roles of mitochondria tRNA leu(UUR) gene mutation at nucleotide 3243 and the activity of cytochrome c oxidase in pathogenesis of preeclampsia, 57 patients with preeclampsia and 60 normotension pregnancy women were screened for tRNA leu(UUR) nt3243 A→G mutation with the method of polymers chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Cytochrome c oxidase activity was determined by measuring the rate of cyanide sensitive oxidation of reduced cytochrome c using luminosity photographer. The results showed that cytochrome c oxidase activity was significantly lower in the preeclampsia group (0.30±0.39/min, n = 32) than that in the controls (0.73±0.54/min, n = 26, P <0.01). The mitochondria DNA mutation at position 3243 was not found in our series. The results suggested that the decreased activity of cytochrome c oxidase might impair the energy production, leading to the mitochondria dysfunction and placenta dysfunction in preeclampsia patients. Mitochondria dysfunction may be involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. The mutation of mitochondria DNA may not be the common contributor of preeclampsia in our series.

Construction of Recombinant Plasmid Harboring APP717 Mutation and Preliminary Study of APP Proteolysis

In order to investigate the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease （AD） and study the enzymatic progress of amyloid precursor protein （APP）, the fluorescent eukaryotic expression plasmid of C99 was constructed containing APP717 mutation. The fragment encoding the last 99-aa of APP （which was named C99 containing APP717 mutation）, together with the fragment encoding yellow fluorescence protein （which was named YFP） were amplified by PCR. The two fragments （YFP and C99） were inserted into the vector pcDNA3.0. The recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.0-YFP-C99 was accomplished and its authenticity was confirmed by enzyme digestion and sequencing. Then SH-SY5Y cells were transiently transfected with the recombinant plasmid pcDNA3.0-YFP-C99. The expression of the fusion gene was detected by laser confocalmicroscopy. Amyloid-β （Aβ） was detected by both microscopy and immunochemistry. The authenticity of the construct was confirmed by the endonuclease digestion and DNA sequencing. The YFP fluorescence could be seen and proved the expression of fusion gene. Aβ labeled by YFP was detected by confocalmicroscopy and confirmed by immunocytochemistry. It was found that Aβ accumulated and deposited in the intracytoplasm, membrane and outside of the cell. Furthermore, Aβ accumulated mainly within the cell ahead of the deposition in the cell space and the cell shape was rough. It was suggested that Aβ could be generated within the cells. Aβ accumulated in the cell at the early stage before the deposition outside of the cells Intracellular Aβ accumulation induced the secondary damage to the cells and caused the cell shape rough. Taken together, the recombinant plasmid, pcDNA3.0-YFP-C99 could be a useful tool to further study the cleavage mechanism of APP and to explore the pathogenesis of AD.