Wayne State University, Public Relations, October 28, 2010.
Wayne State University researcher reviews link between frataxin and iron-sulfur clusters
DETROIT - Friedreich's ataxia is a childhood-onset disorder that causes progressive sensory and muscle loss. The molecular mechanisms and processes behind the incurable disorder are still in question, but a Wayne State University researcher is getting closer to the answer.
Timothy L. Stemmler, Ph.D., associate professor of biochemistry and molecular biology in WSU's School of Medicine, has studied the causality of Friedriech's ataxia......
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Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Exploration of transitional life events in individuals with Friedreich ataxia: Implications for genetic counseling
Behavioral and Brain Functions 2010, 6:65doi:10.1186/1744-9081-6-65
Published: 27 October 2010
V Brook White1*, Jennifer R Leib 2, Jennifer M Farmer3, Barbara B Biesecker4
1Clinical Genetics, Carolinas Medical Center, PO Box 32861, Charlotte, NC 28232-
2861, USA
2HealthFutures, Washington, DC, USA
3Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance, Exton, PA, USA
4National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health,
Bethesda, MD, USA
OPEN ACCESS
Background
Human development is a process of change, adaptation and growth. Throughout this process, transitional events mark important points in time when one's life course is significantly altered. This study captures transitional life events brought about or altered by Friedreich ataxia, a progressive chronic illness leading to disability, and the impact of these events on an affected individual's life course.
Methods
Forty-two adults with Friedreich ataxia (18-65y) were interviewed regarding their perceptions of transitional life events. Data from the interviews were coded and analyzed thematically using an iterative process.
Results
Identified transitions were either a direct outcome of Friedreich ataxia, or a developmental event altered by having the condition. Specifically, an awareness of symptoms, fear of falling and changes in mobility status were the most salient themes from the experience of living with Friedreich ataxia. Developmental events primarily influenced by the condition were one's relationships and life's work.
Conclusions
Friedreich ataxia increased the complexity and magnitude of transitional events for study participants. Transitional events commonly represented significant loss and presented challenges to self-esteem and identity. Findings from this study help alert professionals of potentially challenging times in patients' lives, which are influenced by chronic illness or disability. Implications for developmental counseling approaches are suggested for genetic counseling.
FULL TEXT PDF
Published: 27 October 2010
V Brook White1*, Jennifer R Leib 2, Jennifer M Farmer3, Barbara B Biesecker4
1Clinical Genetics, Carolinas Medical Center, PO Box 32861, Charlotte, NC 28232-
2861, USA
2HealthFutures, Washington, DC, USA
3Friedreich’s Ataxia Research Alliance, Exton, PA, USA
4National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health,
Bethesda, MD, USA
OPEN ACCESS
Background
Human development is a process of change, adaptation and growth. Throughout this process, transitional events mark important points in time when one's life course is significantly altered. This study captures transitional life events brought about or altered by Friedreich ataxia, a progressive chronic illness leading to disability, and the impact of these events on an affected individual's life course.
Methods
Forty-two adults with Friedreich ataxia (18-65y) were interviewed regarding their perceptions of transitional life events. Data from the interviews were coded and analyzed thematically using an iterative process.
Results
Identified transitions were either a direct outcome of Friedreich ataxia, or a developmental event altered by having the condition. Specifically, an awareness of symptoms, fear of falling and changes in mobility status were the most salient themes from the experience of living with Friedreich ataxia. Developmental events primarily influenced by the condition were one's relationships and life's work.
Conclusions
Friedreich ataxia increased the complexity and magnitude of transitional events for study participants. Transitional events commonly represented significant loss and presented challenges to self-esteem and identity. Findings from this study help alert professionals of potentially challenging times in patients' lives, which are influenced by chronic illness or disability. Implications for developmental counseling approaches are suggested for genetic counseling.
FULL TEXT PDF
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Research on epigenetic regulation of the CNS
Research on epigenetic regulation of the CNS is a field that is currently being studied for its implications in neuronal regulation. The following papers, although are not about FA, are interesting because they show how these advances can be very important to find a cure for the disease.
Focus on epigenetics
Nature Neuroscience 13, 1299 (2010), Published online: 26 October 2010 | doi:10.1038/nn1110-1299
Epigenetic regulation of the neural transcriptome: the meaning of the marks
Dynamic epigenetic regulation in neurons: enzymes, stimuli and signaling pathways
Epigenetic choreographers of neurogenesis in the adult mammalian brain
Nature Neuroscience 13, 1338 - 1344 (2010)
Published online: 26 October 2010 | doi:10.1038/nn.2672
Focus on epigenetics
Nature Neuroscience 13, 1299 (2010), Published online: 26 October 2010 | doi:10.1038/nn1110-1299
Epigenetic regulation of the neural transcriptome: the meaning of the marks
Nature Neuroscience 13, 1313 - 1318 (2010), Published online: 26 October 2010 | doi:10.1038/nn1110-1313
Nature Neuroscience 13, 1330 - 1337 (2010), Published online: 26 October 2010 | doi:10.1038/nn.2671
Nature Neuroscience 13, 1338 - 1344 (2010)
Published online: 26 October 2010 | doi:10.1038/nn.2672
The Nrf2 System as a Potential Target for the Development of Indirect Antioxidants
Molecules. 2010 Oct 20;15(10):7266-91.
Kyeong-Ah Jung and Mi-Kyoung Kwak * email
College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do 712-749, Korea
OPEN ACCESS
Abstract:
Oxidative stress causes damage to multiple cellular components such as DNA, proteins, and lipids, and is implicated in various human diseases including cancer, neurodegeneration, inflammatory diseases, and aging. In response to oxidative attack, cells have developed an antioxidant defense system to maintain cellular redox homeostasis and to protect cells from damage. The thiol-containing small molecules (e.g. glutathione), reactive oxygen species-inactivating enzymes (e.g. glutathione peroxidase), and phase 2 detoxifying enzymes (e.g. NAD(P)H: quinine oxidoreductase 1 and glutathione-S-transferases) are members of this antioxidant system. NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a CNC-bZIP transcription factor which regulates the basal and inducible expression of a wide array of antioxidant genes. Following dissociation from the cytosolic protein Keap1, a scaffolding protein which binds Nrf2 and Cul3 ubiquitin ligase for proteasome degradation, Nrf2 rapidly accumulates in the nucleus and transactivates the antioxidant response element in the promoter region of many antioxidant genes. The critical role of Nrf2 has been demonstrated by various animal studies showing that mice with a targeted disruption of the nrf2 gene are prone to develop lesions in response to environmental toxicants/carcinogens, drugs, and inflammatory insults. In this review, we discuss the role of the Nrf2 system, with particular focus on Nrf2-controlled target genes and the potential pleiotropic effects of Nrf2 activation of indirect antioxidants.
Keywords: indirect antioxidants; oxidative stress; Nrf2; Keap1
FULL TEXT PDF
Kyeong-Ah Jung and Mi-Kyoung Kwak * email
College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do 712-749, Korea
OPEN ACCESS
Abstract:
Oxidative stress causes damage to multiple cellular components such as DNA, proteins, and lipids, and is implicated in various human diseases including cancer, neurodegeneration, inflammatory diseases, and aging. In response to oxidative attack, cells have developed an antioxidant defense system to maintain cellular redox homeostasis and to protect cells from damage. The thiol-containing small molecules (e.g. glutathione), reactive oxygen species-inactivating enzymes (e.g. glutathione peroxidase), and phase 2 detoxifying enzymes (e.g. NAD(P)H: quinine oxidoreductase 1 and glutathione-S-transferases) are members of this antioxidant system. NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a CNC-bZIP transcription factor which regulates the basal and inducible expression of a wide array of antioxidant genes. Following dissociation from the cytosolic protein Keap1, a scaffolding protein which binds Nrf2 and Cul3 ubiquitin ligase for proteasome degradation, Nrf2 rapidly accumulates in the nucleus and transactivates the antioxidant response element in the promoter region of many antioxidant genes. The critical role of Nrf2 has been demonstrated by various animal studies showing that mice with a targeted disruption of the nrf2 gene are prone to develop lesions in response to environmental toxicants/carcinogens, drugs, and inflammatory insults. In this review, we discuss the role of the Nrf2 system, with particular focus on Nrf2-controlled target genes and the potential pleiotropic effects of Nrf2 activation of indirect antioxidants.
Keywords: indirect antioxidants; oxidative stress; Nrf2; Keap1
FULL TEXT PDF
Slowing of axonal regeneration is correlated with increased axonal viscosity during aging
BMC Neuroscience 2010, 11:140doi:10.1186/1471-2202-11-140, Published: 25 October 2010
Phillip L Lamoureux, Matthew R O'Toole, Steven R Heidemann and Kyle E Miller
OPEN ACCESS
Conclusions
Taken together, our results suggest decreasing axonal stiffness may be part of an effective strategy to accelerate the regeneration of axons in the adult peripheral nervous system.
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Phillip L Lamoureux, Matthew R O'Toole, Steven R Heidemann and Kyle E Miller
OPEN ACCESS
Conclusions
Taken together, our results suggest decreasing axonal stiffness may be part of an effective strategy to accelerate the regeneration of axons in the adult peripheral nervous system.
FULL TEXT PDF
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Expression, Purification, and Characterization of an Iron Chaperon Protein CyaY from Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans
Current Microbiology,DOI: 10.1007/s00284-010-9775-2
Chenbing Ai, Hongyu Mo, Qian Chen, Yuandong Liu, Lin Tang, Juan Du and Jia Zeng
Keywords: CyaY, bacterial homolog of frataxin, iron–sulfur clusters, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, Escherichia coli, affinity chromatography, ferric iron, iron donor, scaffold protein IscU, IscS, l-cysteine.
Full text PDF
Chenbing Ai, Hongyu Mo, Qian Chen, Yuandong Liu, Lin Tang, Juan Du and Jia Zeng
Keywords: CyaY, bacterial homolog of frataxin, iron–sulfur clusters, Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, Escherichia coli, affinity chromatography, ferric iron, iron donor, scaffold protein IscU, IscS, l-cysteine.
Full text PDF
Genetic Engineering of Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Its Application in Human Disease Therapy
Conrad P. Hodgkinson, José A. Gomez, Maria Mirotsou, Victor J. Dzau. Human Gene Therapy. -Not available-, ahead of print. doi:10.1089/hum.2010.165.
Keywords: stem cells, tissue regeneration, bone marrow, therapeutic potential, cardiovascular injury, kidney failure, cancer, neurological and bone disorders. low survival, engraftment, inefficiencies in differentiating into fully functional tissues, genetic engineering, mesenchymal stem cells, genetic modifications.
Keywords: stem cells, tissue regeneration, bone marrow, therapeutic potential, cardiovascular injury, kidney failure, cancer, neurological and bone disorders. low survival, engraftment, inefficiencies in differentiating into fully functional tissues, genetic engineering, mesenchymal stem cells, genetic modifications.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Dynamics of Protein Damage in Yeast Frataxin Mutant Exposed to Oxidative Stress.
OMICS. 2010 Oct 20. [Epub ahead of print]
Kim JH, Sedlak M, Gao Q, Riley CP, Regnier FE, Adamec J.
Bindley Bioscience Center at Discovery Park, Purdue University , West Lafayette, Indiana.
Keywords: Oxidative stress, protein carbonylation, aging, neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes, cancer, biomarkers, energy metabolism, peroxiredoxin (TSA1), thioredoxin II (TRX2).
Kim JH, Sedlak M, Gao Q, Riley CP, Regnier FE, Adamec J.
Bindley Bioscience Center at Discovery Park, Purdue University , West Lafayette, Indiana.
Keywords: Oxidative stress, protein carbonylation, aging, neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes, cancer, biomarkers, energy metabolism, peroxiredoxin (TSA1), thioredoxin II (TRX2).
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Frataxin is an important regulator of iron metabolism
MRC, National Institute for Medical Research, 20 October 2010
Brief summary of the article by Dr. Annalisa Pastore, explaining their research in words more simple and comprehensible to all
Brief summary of the article by Dr. Annalisa Pastore, explaining their research in words more simple and comprehensible to all
Frataxin depletion in yeast triggers upregulation of iron transport systems before affecting iron-sulfur enzyme activities.
J Biol Chem. 2010 Oct 18. [Epub ahead of print]
Moreno-Cermeno A, Obis E, Belli G, Cabiscol E, Ros J, Tamarit J.
University of Lleida, Spain.
Keywords: frataxin, a mitochondrial protein, iron homeostasis, yeast model, frataxin homolog YFH1, aconitase, secondary events, iron overloading, superoxide dismutase, protein carbonyl formation, manganese, metal ion transporter Smf2.
FULL TEXT PDF
Moreno-Cermeno A, Obis E, Belli G, Cabiscol E, Ros J, Tamarit J.
University of Lleida, Spain.
Keywords: frataxin, a mitochondrial protein, iron homeostasis, yeast model, frataxin homolog YFH1, aconitase, secondary events, iron overloading, superoxide dismutase, protein carbonyl formation, manganese, metal ion transporter Smf2.
FULL TEXT PDF
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