Positive Association of Vitamin D Receptor Gene Variations with Multiple Sclerosis in South East Iranian Population

Among the factors postulated to play a role in MS susceptibility, the role of vitamin D is outstanding. Since the function of vitamin D receptor (VDR) represents the effect of vitamin D on the body and genetic variations in VDR gene may affect its function, we aim to highlight the association of two VDR gene polymorphisms with MS susceptibility. In current study, we recruited 113 MS patients and 122 healthy controls. TaqI (rs731236) and ApaI (rs7975232) genetic variations in these two groups were evaluated using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. All genotype and allele frequencies in both variations showed association with the disease status. However, to find the definite connection between genetic variations in VDR gene and MS disease in a population of South East of Iran, more researches on gene structure and its function with regard to patients’ conditions are required

Analysis of hypermethylation and expression profiles of <it>APC </it>and <it>ATM </it>genes in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract Background Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and Ataxia-telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) gene products have an important role in cell cycle control and maintenance of genomic stability. Our aim was to analyze ATM and APC methylation and its relationship with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Materials and methods Eighty-four OSCC tissues that have been fixed in paraffin along with 57 control oral samples have been used for analyzing promoter methylation of ATM and APC genes by Methylation Specific Polymerase Chain Reaction (MS-PCR). In addition, 10 cases of OSCC and the same of matched controls were examined for estimating expression of the above mentioned genes using Real-Time Reverse-Transcription PCR. Results Observed promoter methylations were 71.42% and 87.71% for the APC gene and 88.09% and 77.19% for the ATM gene in cases and controls, respectively. Analysis of these data showed that promoter methylation at APC was significantly different in cases compared to healthy controls (p = 0.01), but no difference was detected for the ATM gene. Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels did not differ statistically between cases and controls for both ATM (cases = 9, controls = 10) and APC (cases = 11, controls = 10) genes. Conclusions Our results, for the first time, provide methylation profiles of ATM and APC genes in a sample of patients with OSCC in a southeast Iranian population. The present data support related evidence of APC methylation effect on OSCC development.</p

New insights into the taxonomy of the skittering frog Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis complex (Schneider, 1799) (Amphibia: Dicroglossidae) based on mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene sequences in southern Asia

The Skittering frog (Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis) is considered to be a species complex distributed in southern and southeastern Asia. Genetic diversity and taxonomic status of populations across their ranges is unclear and existence of several cryptic species is expected. In this study we used sequence variation in the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA gene to elucidate the taxonomic status of Iranian populations of E. cyanophlyctis and compare their genetic diversity and divergence to populations from the Indian subcontinent. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the populations of E. cyanophlyctis from Iran, Bangladesh-Assam (northeastern India), southern India, and Sri Lanka are partitioned into different clades. At least four different haplogroups were detected which are here proposed to be considered as allopatric cryptic species. The sedimentation of the Helmand River into the Sistan depression during the Neogene and subsequent formation of dry land barriers are proposed to have caused the Iranian populations of skittering frogs to be disconnected from those of the Indian subcontinent, resulting in differentiation of these lineages. In addition, some populations from southern India and those from Sri Lanka that were previously recognized as E. cyanophlyctis belong to E. mudigere. A preliminary investigation on the genetic diversity of the populations from southeastern Iran highlights the low genetic diversity among these populations

New insights into the taxonomy of the skittering frog <em>Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis</em> complex (Schneider, 1799) (Amphibia: Dicroglossidae) based on mitochondrial 16S rRNA gene sequences in southern Asia

<p>The Skittering frog (<em>Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis</em>) is considered to be a species complex distributed in southern and southeastern Asia. Genetic diversity and taxonomic status of populations across their ranges is unclear and existence of several cryptic species is expected. In this study we used sequence variation in the mitochondrial 16S ribosomal RNA gene to elucidate the taxonomic status of Iranian populations of <em>E. cyanophlyctis</em> and compare their genetic diversity and divergence to populations from the Indian subcontinent. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the populations of <em>E. cyanophlyctis</em> from Iran, Bangladesh-Assam (northeastern India), southern India, and Sri Lanka are partitioned into different clades. At least four different haplogroups were detected which are here proposed to be considered as allopatric cryptic species. The sedimentation of the Helmand River into the Sistan depression during the Neogene and subsequent formation of dry land barriers are proposed to have caused the Iranian populations of skittering frogs to be disconnected from those of the Indian subcontinent, resulting in differentiation of these lineages. In addition, some populations from southern India and those from Sri Lanka that were previously recognized as<em> E. cyanophlyctis</em> belong to <em>E. mudigere</em>. A preliminary investigation on the genetic diversity of the populations from southeastern Iran highlights the low genetic diversity among these populations.</p

Analysis of p15ⁱⁿᵏ⁴ᵇ and p16ⁱⁿᵏ⁴ᵃ gene methylation in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma

[Extract] Cancer is the third leading cause of death in Iran, after coronary heart disease and accidents (Mousavi and Somi 2009). Apart from alterations in the various cellular oncogenes, dysregulation of tumour suppressor genes is an important event in the pathogenesis of cancer. Tumor suppressor genes, especially those involved in call cycle regulation, are inactivated frequently in a variety of cancers (Cunningham and Roussel 2001). Two closely linked tumor suppressor genes, p15ⁱⁿᵏ⁴ᵇ and p16ⁱⁿᵏ⁴ᵃ, are located at chromosome 9p21; they encode their respective cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKI)- p15ⁱⁿᵏ⁴ᵇ and p16ⁱⁿᵏ⁴ᵃ