👤 Salma Hasan

Alzheimer's disease features early a pathology in the locus coeruleus (LC), yet how sex and life experience shape LC vulnerability remains poorly understood. We expressed pseudophosphorylated human tau (htauE14) in LC neurons of TH-Cre rats and exposed both sexes to early- or late-life enrichment or stress. Behavioral, histological, protein, and hippocampal single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) analyses were performed. LC-targeted htauE14 impaired learning and increased anxiety-like behavior. Early enrichment reduced htauE14 spread and LC microglia activation, elevated hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and improved olfactory learning in males. Late enrichment alleviated anxiety and enhanced spatial memory, whereas late stress exacerbated LC degeneration. Hippocampal snRNA-seq revealed sex- and cell type-specific transcriptional responses, with htauE14 preferentially engaging metabolic and synaptic pathways in females, effects amplified by early stress but stabilized by early enrichment. Late-life experiences primarily recruited homeostatic regulatory programs. Sex and developmental history critically shape early LC tau-related vulnerability. Show less

Neuroinflammation appears in a variety of neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The adenosine A₂A receptor (A₂AR), a Gs protein-coupled receptor that affects cAMP signaling and downstream kinases like PKA, CREB, and NF-κB, is one of the primary regulators of this process. Context-dependent effects of A₂AR activation include lowering acute inflammation and promoting neuronal survival when stimulated moderately, but increasing glial activation and cytokine production when overexpressed over an extended period of time. In microglia and astrocytes, A₂AR signaling regulates inflammatory pathways mediated by NF-κB and MAPK, affecting oxidative stress, blood-brain barrier (BBB) stability, and excitotoxicity. Acute or transient (short-term) A₂AR activation, on the other hand, increases the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines like IL-10 and enhances neurotrophic support through BDNF. A₂AR antagonists, including istradefylline and SCH58261, may reduce microglial triggering and have neuroprotective benefits, according to clinical and experimental data. The context-dependent activity of the receptor is shown by the fact that total receptor blockage interferes with adaptive immune control. Therefore, the therapeutic challenge is to carefully modify A₂AR signaling in particular cell populations, specifically targeting astrocytic or microglial receptors while maintaining the peripheral immunoregulatory activities. The dual regulatory role of A₂AR in neuroinflammation is summarized in this review along with its molecular mechanisms, disease-specific actions, and therapeutic significance. Developing next-generation neuroprotective strategies that reduce A₂AR signaling's pro-inflammatory and neurotoxic effects while preserving its beneficial homeostatic effects will require an understanding of the temporal and cell-specific dynamics of this signaling. Show less

Canine hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) requires further molecular characterization to identify diagnostic and therapeutic targets, and to establish whether dogs with this condition can model the human disease. Accordingly, we aimed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in canine HCC and evaluate cross-species transcriptomic dysregulation in canine and human HCC. Liver tissue samples from three dogs with HCC and three healthy dogs were subjected to next-generation sequencing, followed by RT-qPCR validation. Identified DEGs were then targeted in bioinformatics analyses (pathway enrichment, protein-protein interaction network, and hub gene analyses) for molecular characterization and comparison with human HCC datasets. We identified 975 DEGs (upregulated: 604; and downregulated: 371). Extracellular matrix-receptor interaction, focal adhesion, cell adhesion molecule, PI3K/Akt signaling, and cytokine/chemokine-related pathways were enriched. C1R, APOC3, C1QA, APOA1, C1QB, ACTG1, C1QC, CRP, ANXA5, and ANXA2 were identified as hub genes. Canine and human HCCs share 118 DEGs, highlighting conserved alterations in metabolic pathways, PI3K-Akt signaling, focal adhesion, and PPAR signaling pathways. Based on human HCC data, SPP1, NQO1, RRM2, APOA1, APOC3, ALDOB, and IGF1 were identified as prognosticators indicating poor overall survival. This study presents the first cross-species transcriptomic analysis of canine HCC, revealing significant molecular resemblances to human HCC, indicating it may be a promising comparative model for studying tumor biology, drug responses, and novel therapeutic interventions. Show less

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is a major global health issue. Its complex pathology, including amyloid-beta (Aβ) aggregation, leads to neuronal damage and cognitive decline. Since Aβ plays a major role in AD, therapies targeting its production, aggregation, and clearance are being actively explored. This review discusses recent advances in gene therapy, enzyme inhibitors, molecular modeling, and nano-delivery systems aimed at modifying AD progression, highlighting their potential and challenges. This review compiles findings on BACE1 and γ-secretase inhibitors, gene therapies that modify amyloid metabolism, and combination therapies. Studies have been selected based on their focus on Aβ regulation and their impact on disease progression, cognitive function, and breakthroughs in diagnostics, molecular modeling, and drug delivery for neurodegenerative conditions. BACE1 inhibitors, such as verubecestat, and γ-secretase inhibitors, shows potential, however, they face significant challenges related to BBB penetration and adverse effects. Gene therapies using AAV vectors and CRISPR/Cas9 technologies are promising, particularly for individuals genetically predisposed to these diseases. Combination therapies targeting amyloid, tau, and neuro-inflammation have emerged as effective approaches. Advancements in PET, SPECT, MRI, small molecule probes, molecular modeling, and nano-particle-based drug delivery are improving diagnostic and treatment options. The findings emphasize the multifactorial complexity of amyloid disorders and the limitations of mono-therapies. While certain agents demonstrated efficacy in early disease stages, most treatments have failed in advanced phases due to poor central nervous system (CNS) bioavailability, adverse effects, or insufficient target engagement. Novel delivery systems, combination therapies, and computational design approaches offer enhanced translational potential. However, challenges such as immune responses, delivery efficiency, and off-target effects continue to pose significant barriers. Aβ-targeted therapies, including enzyme inhibitors and gene therapies, hold promise, though challenges such as BBB penetration and toxicity still remain. Combination therapies, along with advancements in diagnostics and drug delivery technology, are essential for finding effective treatments for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other neurodegenerative diseases. Future research should prioritize overcoming the persistent barriers to BBB penetration, enhancing therapeutic selectivity, and refining drug delivery systems to enable more precise, targeted interventions, to ultimately reduce the progression of disease at the molecular level. Show less

One of the major consequences of diabetes mellitus that has gained attention due to its rising incidence is cognitive impairment. Recent research suggested that sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors can mitigate memory impairment linked to Alzheimer's disease and are now being explored for their cognitive benefits. However, their mechanisms were not thoroughly studied. This research investigates the hypothesis of the neuroprotective effect of empagliflozin administration against scopolamine-heavy metal mixture (SCO + HMM)-treated Alzheimer's rat models in comparison with memantine as a reference drug and the impact of their combination. Yet, the neuroprotective effects of memantine and empagliflozin combination against cognitive impairment have not been previously explored. This study employed adult male albino rats categorized into five groups. The impact of empagliflozin, memantine, and their concomitant administration on cognitive performance was assessed in a scopolamine and heavy metal mixture-treated Alzheimer's disease model in rats. The assessment of rats' cognitive behavior, memory, and spatial learning was conducted, followed by an evaluation of hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), beta-secretase (BACE-1), oxidative stress (OS), and inflammatory marker activity. And, a western blot analysis was conducted to detect phosphorylated 5' AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK), phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Hippocampal and cerebellar histopathology were thoroughly examined, in addition to the expressions of amyloid β (Aβ). The current data demonstrate the involvement of the pAMPK/mTOR/HO-1 signaling pathway in empagliflozin neuroprotection against SCO + HMM-induced AD. In addition, it reduces AD hallmarks (Aβ and BACE1), neuro-inflammation, and oxidative stress sequelae, and enhances neurogenesis and synaptic density via BDNF. This study proposes that EMPA, especially when co-administered with other conventional anti-Alzheimer therapy, may be formulated into an innovative therapeutic strategy for the enhancement of cognitive impairments associated with neurodegenerative disorders. Show less

Cardiovascular diseases remain a significant reason for illness and death globally. Although certain interleukins have been extensively researched about cardiovascular disease (CVD), new findings have identified unique members of the interleukin family that could potentially play a role in cardiovascular well-being and ailments. This review discusses the current understanding of the role of these recently identified interleukins, such as IL-27, IL-31, IL-32, IL-33, and the IL-28 group (IL-28A, IL-28B, IL-29), in the development of cardiovascular diseases. Every interleukin has various impacts achieved through particular receptors and signaling pathways that affect inflammatory processes, differentiation of immune cells, and the functioning of blood vessels. IL-27 controls the development of inflammatory Th17 cells and might decrease inflammation in atherosclerosis. IL-31 plays a role in the interaction between the immune system and nerves, as well as in itching. IL-32 enhances the generation of inflammatory proteins and has been linked to coronary artery disease. IL-33 has beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system, whereas its imitation receptor sST2 could potentially be used as a biomarker. Additional studies are needed to investigate the antiviral and immune-system regulating effects of the IL-28 group in cardiovascular diseases. In general, explaining the ways in which new interleukins contribute to the progression of cardiovascular diseases can help discover fresh targets for therapy and new approaches toward enhancing the prevention and treatment of heart disorders. Additional research on the way these cytokines engage with established disease pathways is necessary. Show less

Hyperlipidemia is a complex lipid metabolism disorder defined as an abnormal increase in circulating levels of one or more plasma lipids and lipoproteins. Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemia model is one of the most commonly used acute models for hyperlipidemia induction in research. However, the metabolic alteration induced by Triton WR-1339 remains unclear. This study aimed to identify potential biomarkers associated with the Triton WR-1339-induced hyperlipidemia model. In addition, it aims to explore the underlying mechanisms of metabolic disturbances associated with hyperlipidemia. Male Wistar rats were administered Triton WR-1339 to induce hyperlipidemia. Plasma samples were collected for lipid assays and for metabolomics analysis using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Gene expression in liver, cardiac, and kidney tissues of key associated transporters including SLC16A1, SLC25A10, SLC5A3, and SLC7A8 and SDHA enzyme subunit was assessed using RT-PCR. In-silico analysis complemented experimental data using NEBION Genevestigator and STITCH databases for molecular interactions. Triton WR-1339 administration significantly elevated plasma triglycerides. Orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) demonstrated distinct metabolic profiles between control and model groups. Metabolomics results identified potential biomarkers (p < 0.05), including myo-inositol, succinate, creatine, glycine, serine, isoleucine and creatine phosphate, which all showed higher levels in hyperlipidemia group compared to control group while xanthine showed lower levels in hyperlipidemia group. Potential biomarkers were associated with inflammatory, oxidative stress responses, and abnormal lipid metabolism. Gene expression analysis revealed significant tissue-specific alterations including changes in the expression of SDHA in the liver, an upregulated SLC16A1 in cardiac tissue (in-silico and in-vivo), a downregulated SLC5A3 in cardiac tissue (in-vivo), an upregulated SLC25A10 in cardiac tissue (in-vivo) and differential in-silico expression of SLC25A10 across liver and kidney tissues. Further network analysis indicates that Triton WR-1339 may induce hyperlipidemia by significantly elevating triglyceride levels through the inhibition of LPL. Our findings identify a set of metabolites as potential biomarkers of hyperlipidemia development in the Triton WR-1339 model. Correlation between gene expression analysis and metabolic profiling results demonstrates a possible mechanism in which Triton WR-1339 leads to metabolic disruption during hyperlipidemia induction. Show less

Hyperlipidemia is a heterogeneous disorder that refers to increased lipid levels in the blood. The purpose of this study was to investigate the molecular effects of novel carboxamide derivatives on a hyperlipidemic male rat model induced by Triton WR-1339 in comparison to fenofibrate using liver, endothelial, and adipose tissue samples. Nitrofuran-2-carboxamide derivatives were compared to fenofibrate to evaluate their molecular hypolipidemic actions. The gene expression profiles of pathways related to triglycerides including PPAR-alpha and beta-oxidation pathways were evaluated in an acute hyperlipidemia rat model using RT-PCR followed by protein-protein interaction networks that were produced using the STRING database. The three novel compounds showed a significant effect on the lipid profile. Several genes were reported to be overexpressed by Triton WR-1339, including CPT1 A in liver tissue and APOE in adipose tissue. Most of the overexpressed genes were downregulated by carboxamide derivatives, with significant decreases in CPT1 A and APOE gene expression levels. On the other hand, several genes were reported to be downregulated by Triton WR-1339, including ACOX1 in liver tissue, LPL, ACADM and ACAA2 in endothelial tissue, and LPL and ACADM in adipose tissue. Most of the downregulated genes were significantly upregulated by carboxamide derivatives. In summary, the three novel compounds were found to improve hypertriglyceridemia with significant changes in gene expression of key enzymes in lipids metabolism, mainly LPL. Show less

Lung cancer is one of the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Early detection of lung cancer can help reduce the death rate; therefore, the identification of potential biomarkers is crucial. Thus, this study aimed to identify potential biomarkers for lung cancer by integrating bioinformatics analysis and machine learning (ML)-based approaches. Data were normalized using the robust multiarray average method and batch effect were corrected using the ComBat method. Differentially expressed genes were identified by the LIMMA approach and carcinoma-associated genes were selected using Enrichr, based on the DisGeNET database. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis was performed using STRING, and the PPI network was visualized using Cytoscape. The core hub genes were identified by overlapping genes obtained from degree, betweenness, closeness, and MNC. Moreover, the MCODE plugin for Cytoscape was used to perform module analysis, and optimal modules were selected based on MCODE scores along with their associated genes. Subsequently, Boruta-based ML approach was utilized to identify the important genes. Consequently, the core genes were identified by the overlapping genes obtained from PPI networks, module analysis, and ML-based approach. The prognostic and discriminative power analysis of the core genes was assessed through survival and ROC analysis. We extracted five datasets from USA cohort and three datasets from Taiwan cohort and performed same experimental protocols to determine potential biomarkers. Four genes (LPL, CLDN18, EDNRB, MME) were identified from USA cohort, while three genes (DNRB, MME, ROBO4) were from Taiwan cohort. Finally, two biomarkers (EDNRB and MME) were identified by intersecting genes, obtained from USA and Taiwan cohorts. The proposed biomarkers can significantly improve patient outcomes by enabling earlier detection, precise diagnosis, and tailored treatment, ultimately contributing to better survival rates and quality of life for patients. Show less

To elucidate the lipidomic and metabolomic alterations associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) pathogenesis, we utilized cmybpc3-/- zebrafish model. Fatty acid profiling revealed variability of 10 fatty acids profiles, with heterozygous (HT) and homozygous (HM) groups exhibiting distinct patterns. Hierarchical cluster analysis and multivariate analyses demonstrated a clear separation of HM from HT and control (CO) groups related to cardiac remodeling. Lipidomic profiling identified 257 annotated lipids, with two significantly dysregulated between CO and HT, and 59 between HM and CO. Acylcarnitines and phosphatidylcholines were identified as key contributors to group differentiation, suggesting a shift in energy source. Untargeted metabolomics revealed 110 and 53 significantly dysregulated metabolites. Pathway enrichment analysis highlighted perturbations in multiple metabolic pathways in the HM group, including nicotinate, nicotinamide, purine, glyoxylate, dicarboxylate, glycerophospholipid, pyrimidine, and amino acid metabolism. Our study provides comprehensive insights into the lipidomic and metabolomic unique signatures associated with cmybpc3-/- induced HCM in zebrafish. The identified biomarkers and dysregulated pathways shed light on the metabolic perturbations underlying HCM pathology, offering potential targets for further investigation and potential new therapeutic interventions. Show less

Unlike many animals that reduce activity during fasting, northern elephant seals (NES) undergo prolonged fasting during energy-intensive life-history stages such as reproduction and molting, fueling fasting energy needs by mobilizing fat stores accrued during foraging. NES display several unique metabolic features such as high fasting metabolic rates, elevated blood lipid and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, efficient protein sparing and resistance to oxidative stress during fasting. However, the cellular mechanisms that regulate these adaptations are still not fully understood. To examine how metabolic coordination is achieved during prolonged fasting, we profiled changes in blubber, skeletal muscle and plasma proteomes of adult female NES over a 5 week fast associated with molting. We found that while blubber and muscle proteomes were remarkably stable over fasting, over 50 proteins changed in abundance in plasma, including those associated with lipid storage, mobilization, oxidation and transport. Apolipoproteins dominated the blubber, plasma and muscle proteome responses to fasting. APOA4, APOE and APOC3, which are associated with lipogenesis and triglyceride accumulation, decreased, while APOA1, APOA2 and APOM, which are associated with lipid mobilization and HDL function, increased over fasting. Our findings suggest that changes in apolipoprotein composition may underlie the maintenance of high HDL levels and, together with adipokines and hepatokines that facilitate lipid catabolism, may mediate the metabolic transitions between feeding and fasting in NES. Many of these proteins have not been previously studied in this species and provide intriguing hypotheses about metabolic regulation during prolonged fasting in mammals. Show less

Metformin (MF) intake associates with reduced levels of circulating low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C). This has been attributed to the activation of AMPK, which differentially regulates the expression of multiple genes involved in cholesterol synthesis and trafficking. However, the exact mechanism underlying the LDL-C lowering effect of MF remains ambiguous. MF-treated Hep-G2 and HuH7 cells were evaluated for cell viability and the expression status of key lipid metabolism-related genes along with LDL-C uptake efficiency. MF treatment resulted in decreased expression and secretion of PCSK9, increased expression of LDLR and enhanced LDL-C uptake in hepatocytes. It also resulted in increased expression of activated AMPK (p-AMPK) and decreased expression of SREBP2 and HNF-1α proteins. Transcriptomic analysis of MF-treated Hep-G2 cells confirmed these findings and showed that other key lipid metabolism-related genes including those that encode apolipoproteins (APOB, APOC2, APOC3 and APOE), MTTP and LIPC are downregulated. Lastly, MF treatment associated with reduced HMG-CoA reductase expression and activity. These findings suggest that MF treatment reduces circulating LDL-C levels by suppressing PCSK9 expression and enhancing LDLR expression; hence the potential therapeutic utility of MF in hypercholesterolemia. Show less

BACE1 enzyme has been known a potential target involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Present research was focused on the principles of virtually screening, chemical synthesis and protease inhibitory effect of BACE1 enzyme via biaryl guanidine derivatives. In-silico based paradigm (ligand binding interaction within active domain of BACE 1 enzyme i.e., aspartate Asp32 and Asp228) a novel compound was synthesized and subsequently subjected to in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation. 1,3-di(isoquinolin-6-yl) guanidine was synthesized and found potent (IC Show less

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a severe neurodegenerative disorder of the brain that manifests as dementia, disorientation, difficulty in speech, and progressive cognitive and behavioral impairment. The emerging therapeutic approach to AD management is the inhibition of β-site APP cleaving enzyme-1 (BACE1), known to be one of the two aspartyl proteases that cleave β-amyloid precursor protein (APP). Studies confirmed the association of high BACE1 activity with the proficiency in the formation of β-amyloid-containing neurotic plaques, the characteristics of AD. Only a few FDA-approved BACE1 inhibitors are available in the market, but their adverse off-target effects limit their usage. In this paper, we have used both ligand-based and target-based approaches for drug design. The QSAR study entails creating a multivariate GA-MLR (Genetic Algorithm-Multilinear Regression) model using 552 molecules with acceptable statistical performance ( Show less

Aging-induced memory impairment is closely associated with oxidative stress. D-Galactose (D-gal) evokes severe oxidative stress and mimics normal aging in animals. Curcumin, a natural flavonoid, has potent antioxidant and anti-aging properties. There are several proteins like glutathione S-transferase A1 (GSTA1), glutathione S-transferase omega-1 (GSTO1), kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1), beta-secretase 1 (BACE1), and amine oxidase [flavin-containing] A (MAOA) are commonly involved in oxidative stress and aging. This study aimed to investigate the interaction of curcumin to these proteins and their subsequent effect on aging-associated memory impairment in two robust animal models: D-Gal and normal aged (NA) mice. The aging mice model was developed by administering D-gal intraperitoneally (i.p). Mice (n = 64) were divided into the eight groups (8 mice in each group): Vehicle, Curcumin-Control, D-gal (100mg/kg; i.p), Curcumin + D-gal, Astaxanthin (Ast) + D-gal, Normal Aged (NA), Curcumin (30mg/kg Orally) + NA, Ast (20mg/kg Orally) + NA. Retention and freezing memories were assessed by passive avoidance (PA) and contextual fear conditioning (CFC). Molecular docking was performed to predict curcumin binding with potential molecular targets. Curcumin significantly increased retention time (p < 0.05) and freezing response (p < 0.05) in PA and CFC, respectively. Curcumin profoundly ameliorated the levels of glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, advanced oxidation protein products, nitric oxide, and lipid peroxidation in mice hippocampi. In silico studies revealed favorable binding energies of curcumin with GSTA1, GSTO1, KEAP1, BACE1, and MAOA. Curcumin improves retention and freezing memory in D-gal and nature-induced aging mice. Curcumin ameliorates the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers in mice. Anti-aging effects of curcumin could be attributed to, at least partially, the upregulation of antioxidant enzymes through binding with GSTA1, GSTO1, KEAP1, and inhibition of oxidative damage through binding with BACE1 and MAOA. Show less

Variants in cardiac myosin-binding protein C (cMyBP-C) are the leading cause of inherited hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), demonstrating the key role that cMyBP-C plays in the heart's contractile machinery. To investigate the Show less

Pollution of industry-adjacent surface water bodies become a major environmental concern in Bangladesh recently. Therefore, this study aimed to elaborate assessment of physico-chemical characteristics of the Dhaleshwari River (the adjacent river of newly shifted tannery industrial park) and also the discharged effluent from the central effluent treatment plant (CETP) considering both seasonal and spatial variations. Among the examined 30 water quality parameters (including 11 heavy metals), only TDS, Cl Show less

Angptl4 (Angiopoietin-like 4) is a circulating protein secreted by white and brown adipose tissues and the liver. Structurally, Angptl4 contains an N-terminal coiled-coil domain (CCD) connected to a C-terminal fibrinogen-like domain (FLD) via a cleavable linker, and both full-length Angptl4 and its individual domains circulate in the bloodstream. Angptl4 inhibits extracellular lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity and stimulates the lipolysis of triacylglycerol stored by adipocytes in the white adipose tissue (WAT). The former activity is furnished by the CCD, but the Angptl4 domain responsible for stimulating adipocyte lipolysis is unknown. We show here that the purified FLD of Angptl4 is sufficient to stimulate lipolysis in mouse primary adipocytes and that increasing circulating FLD levels in mice through adenovirus-mediated overexpression (Ad-FLD) not only induces WAT lipolysis Show less

Voltage-gated potassium channels are highly diverse proteins representing the most complex class of voltage-gated ion channels from structural and functional perspectives. Deficiency of these channels usually results in various human disorders. To describe a novel autosomal recessive syndrome associated with We used SNP arrays, linkage analyses, autozygosity mapping, whole-exome sequencing, RT-PCR and two-electrode voltage-clamp recording. We identified a missense variant (p.Arg89Gln) in Show less

Formins constitute a large family of proteins that regulate the dynamics and organization of both the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons. Previously we showed that the formin mDia1 helps tether microtubules at the cell cortex, acting downstream of the ErbB2 receptor tyrosine kinase. Here we further study the contributions of mDia1 and its two most closely related formins, mDia2 and mDia3, to cortical microtubule capture and ErbB2-dependent breast carcinoma cell migration. We find that depletion of each of these three formins strongly disrupts chemotaxis without significantly affecting actin-based structures. Further, all three formins are required for formation of cortical microtubules in a nonredundant manner, and formin proteins defective in actin polymerization remain active for microtubule capture. Using affinity purification and mass spectrometry analysis, we identify differential binding partners of the formin-homology domain 2 (FH2) of mDia1, mDia2, and mDia3, which may explain their nonredundant roles in microtubule capture. The FH2 domain of mDia1 specifically interacts with Rab6-interacting protein 2 (Rab6IP2). Further, mDia1 is required for cortical localization of Rab6IP2, and concomitant depletion of Rab6IP2 and IQGAP1 severely disrupts cortical capture of microtubules, demonstrating the coinvolvement of mDia1, IQGAP1, and Rab6IP2 in microtubule tethering at the leading edge. Show less

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a major cause of coronary artery disease (CAD) and is responsible for a great deal of morbidity and mortality in Asian Indians. Several gene polymorphisms have been associated with CAD and T2DM in different ethnic groups. This study will give an insight about the association of two selected candidate gene polymorphisms; paraoxonase1 (PON1) Q192R and apolipoprotein A5 (APOA5) -1131T>C were assessed in a cohort of South Indian patients having CAD with and without T2DM. Polymerase chain reaction-based genotyping of PON1 Q192R (rs662) and APOA5-1131T>C (rs662799) polymorphism was carried out in 520 individuals, including 250 CAD patients (160 with T2DM and 90 without T2DM), 150 T2DM patients with no identified CAD, and 120 normal healthy sex- and age-matched individuals as controls. The PON1 192RR genotype and R allele frequency were elevated in both CAD and T2DM patients when compared with controls; however, only CAD patients with T2DM showed a statistical significance (p=0.023; OR=1.49; 95% CI: 1.04-2.12) when compared with controls. The APOA5-1131CC genotype and C allele also showed a significant association between the CAD+T2DM patients when compared with CAD without T2DM and healthy controls (p=0.012; OR=1.71; 95% CI: 1.0-2.67). An additive interaction between the PON1 RR and APOA5 TC genotypes was identified between the T2DM and CAD patients (p=0.028 and 0.0382, respectively). PON1 and APOA5 polymorphisms may serve as biomarkers in the South Indian population to identify T2DM patients who are at risk of developing CAD. Show less