A mutation in the pleckstrin homology (PH) domain of the FGD1 gene in an Italian family with faciogenital dysplasia (Aarskog–Scott syndrome)

AbstractAarskog–Scott Syndrome (AAS) is an X-linked disorder characterised by short stature and multiple facial, limb and genital abnormalities. A gene, FGD1, altered in a patient with AAS phenotype, has been identified and found to encode a protein with homology to Rho/Rac guanine nucleotide exchange factors (Rho/Rac GEF). However, since this original report on identification of a mutated FGD1 gene in an AAS patient, no additional mutations in the FGD1 gene have been described. We analysed 13 independent patients with clinical diagnosis of AAS. One patient presented a mutation that results in a nucleotide change in exon 10 of the FGD1 gene (G2559>A) substituting a Gln for Arg in position 610. The mutation was found to segregate with the AAS phenotype in affected males and carrier females in the family of this patient. Interestingly, Arg-610 is located within one of the two pleckstrin homology (PH) domains of the FGD1 gene and it corresponds to a highly conserved residue which has been involved in InsP binding in PH domains of other proteins. The same residue is often mutated in the Bruton’s tyrosine kinase (Btk) gene in patients with an X-linked agammaglobulinemia. The Arg610Gln mutation represents the first case of a mutation in the PH domain of the FGD1 gene and additional evidence that mutations in PH domains can be associated to human diseases

eNOS G894T polymorphism as a mild predisposing factor for abdominal aortic aneurysm

ObjectiveAbdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) represents a chronic degenerative condition associated with atherosclerosis. Actually, data from experimental and clinical studies suggest that nitric oxide (NO) is a modulator in maintaining endothelial function and antithrombotic intravascular environment. Reduced vascular NO generation in subjects carrying the rare variants of the eNOS gene might predispose to AAA. No information is available about the influence of the eNOS gene T-786C, G894T, and 4a/4b polymorphisms in the susceptibility to the disease.MethodsIn this study, we evaluated the role of these polymorphisms in the predisposition to AAA and their influence in hypertensive and normotensive patients. We studied 250 consecutive patients with AAA referred to the Unit of Vascular Surgery of the University of Florence compared with 250 truly healthy subjects with a negative history of vascular diseases. All subjects, patients, and controls, underwent duplex scanning examination, and to assess the presence of other atherosclerotic localizations, all patients underwent clinical and instrumental examinations.ResultsA significant difference in genotype distribution and allele frequency was observed for eNOS G894T but not for T-786C and 4a/4b polymorphisms. At the multivariate analysis after adjustment for traditional vascular risk factors and other atherosclerotic localizations, the eNOS 894T variant was significantly associated with AAA, according to dominant and recessive models (dominant model odds ratio [OR]: 2.2, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21-3.93, P = .007; recessive model OR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.42-5.20, P = .002). When patients with other atherosclerotic localizations were excluded from the analysis, the 894T variant still remained associated with the predisposition to AAA, according to the models considered (dominant model OR: 2.1, 95%CI: 1.23-3.92, P = .007; recessive model OR: 2.8, 95%CI: 1.45-5.24, P = .002).ConclusionsThe present study showed that the eNOS G894T polymorphism is a mild modulator of the predisposition to AAA apart from traditional risk factors, suggesting a genetic influence on the molecular mechanisms responsible for this complex disease

Towards new methodologies for the synthesis of biologically interesting 6-substituted pyrimidines and 4(3H)-pyrimidinones

The present paper describes the application of modern combinatorial and microwave assisted techniques for the lead discovery and optimization of novel non-nucleoside HIV-1-RT inhibitors. Starting from the parallel solid phase synthesis of highly substituted pyrimidinone derivatives, compound 12c was identified as interesting lead compound for further structure optimizations. The generation and screening of a small virtual combinatorial library led to the optimization of the lead structure 12c to give highly active derivatives (against HIV1-RT wild-type and mutant strains) in the nanomolar range. Moreover, a straightforward three-step parallel solution phase approach was developed for the generation of a small library of novel 4-dialkylamino-2-methylsulfonyl-6- vinylpyrimidines which were obtained in high yield after a simple ethyl acetate extraction with no need of further purification. Surprisingly, some of these derivatives showed a new competitive inhibition of HIV1-RT never reported in the literature for this class of compounds. Molecular modeling calculations were also performed to investigate the binding mode of all synthesized compounds onto the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor binding site and to rationalize the relationships between their chemical structure and activity

Prevalence and determinants of serum antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in the general population of the Gardena valley

Estimating the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection in communities is critical. We surveyed 2244 stratified random sample community members of the Gardena valley, a winter touristic area, amidst the first expansion phase of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe. We measured agreement between Diasorin and Abbott serum bioassay outputs and the Abbott optimal discriminant threshold of serum neutralisation titres with recursive receiver operating characteristic curve. We analytically adjusted serum antibody tests for unbiased seroprevalence estimate and analysed the determinants of infection with non-response weighted multiple logistic regression. SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 26.9% (95% CI 25.2-28.6) by June 2020. The bioassays had a modest agreement with each other. At a lower threshold than the manufacturer's recommended level, the Abbott assay reflected greater discrimination of serum neutralisation capacity. Seropositivity was associated with place and economic activity, not with sex or age. Symptoms like fever and weakness were age-dependent. SARS-CoV-2 mitigation strategies should account for context in high prevalence areas