The transmembrane domain of the SNARE protein VAMP2 is highly sensitive to its lipid environment

International audienc

Generation of strong circularly polarized luminescence induced by chiral organogel based on L-glutamide

We manufactured a conjugated host-guest system using an organogel fabricated from L-glutamic acid derived self-assembling molecules as the host material and a non-chiral fluorescent dye as the guest molecule. On the basis of the investigation on the induced chirality (i-CD) toward non-chiral dye, we confirmed that the first circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) could be brought about through the complexation with the organogel. The intensity of the i-CD and i-CPL depended upon the amount and type of amine component added, with the intensity increasing significantly with amine content. (C) 2018 Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Nature genetics

Study of monogenic forms of obesity has demonstrated the pivotal role of the central leptin-melanocortin pathway in controlling energy balance, appetite and body weight (1) . The majority of loss-of-function mutations (mostly recessive or co-dominant) have been identified in genes that are directly involved in leptin-melanocortin signaling. These genes, however, only explain obesity in <5% of cases, predominantly from outbred populations (2) . We previously showed that, in a consanguineous population in Pakistan, recessive mutations in known obesity-related genes explain ~30% of cases with severe obesity(3-5). These data suggested that new monogenic forms of obesity could also be identified in this population. Here we identify and functionally characterize homozygous mutations in the ADCY3 gene encoding adenylate cyclase 3 in children with severe obesity from consanguineous Pakistani families, as well as compound heterozygous mutations in a severely obese child of European-American descent. These findings highlight ADCY3 as an important mediator of energy homeostasis and an attractive pharmacological target in the treatment of obesity