Tryptophan hydroxylase type 2 (Tph2) is the rate-limiting enzyme for serotonin (5-HT) biosynthesis in the brain. Dysfunctional Tph2 alters 5-HT biosynthesis, leading to a deficiency of 5-HT, which could have repercussions on human behavior. In the last decade, several studies have associated polymorphisms of the TPH2 gene with suicidal behavior. Additionally, a 5-HT deficiency has been implicated in various psychiatric pathologies, including alcoholism, impulsive behavior, anxiety, and depression. Therefore, the TPH2 gene could be an ideal target for analyzing the effects of a 5-HT deficiency on brain function. The aim of this study was to use the construct pIRES-hrGFP-1a-Tph2-FLAG to treat CD1-male mice and to transfect HEK-293-cells and then to evaluate whether this treatment increases 5-HT production. 5-HT levels were enhanced 48 h post-transfection, in HEK-293 cells. Three days after the ocular administration of pIRES-hrGFP-1a-Tph2-FLAG to mice, putative 5-HT production was significantly higher than in the control in both hypothalamus and amygdala, but not in the brainstem. Further research will be needed on the possible application of this treatment for psychiatric diseases involving a Tph2 dysfunction or serotonin deficiency.
The 2009 influenza A/H1N1 pandemic caused serious consequences in the human population, therefore, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a vaccination strategy to protect people from the threat posed by this disease; however, studies show that the protection is not effective. The identification, selection and design of immunogenic epitopes of the virus may be an alternative to generate better protection against the pandemic H1N1 virus. In the present work, four epitopes designed by bioinformatics were selected from the most immunogenic proteins of the pandemic virus isolated in Mexico in 2009 and, by means of an enzymatic assay, the humoral response of vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals against this virus was quantified. The results show that the peptides designed by bioinformatics are recognized by the antibodies of the individuals under study, so they could be used to design diagnostic methods against various strains of influenza.
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