Polymorphisms of the human Delta-5 (FADS1) and Delta-6 (FADS2) desaturase genes have been recently described to be associated with the level of several long-chain n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in serum phospholipids. We have genotyped 13 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located on the FADS1-FADS2-FADS3 gene cluster (chromosome 11q12-13.1) in 658 Italian adults (78% males; mean age 59.7 +/- 11.1 years) participating in the Verona Heart Project. Polymorphisms and statistically inferred haplotypes showed a strong association with arachidonic acid (C20:4n-6) levels in serum phospholipids and in erythrocyte cell membranes (rs174545 adjusted P value for multiple tests, P < 0.0001 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Other significant associations were observed for linoleic (C18:2n-6), alpha-linolenic (C18:3n-3) and eicosadienoic (C20:2n-6) acids. Minor allele homozygotes and heterozygotes were associated to higher levels of linoleic, alpha-linolenic, eicosadienoic and lower levels of arachidonic acid. No significant association was observed for stearidonic (C18:4n-3), eicosapentaenoic (C20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic (C22:6n-3) acids levels. The observed strong association of FADS gene polymorphisms with the levels of arachidonic acid, which is a precursor of molecules involved in inflammation and immunity processes, suggests that SNPs of the FADS1 and FADS2 gene region are worth studying in diseases related to inflammatory conditions or alterations in the concentration of PUFAs.

Objectives-Metabolic activity of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 has been associated with clopidogrel response variability.Because metabolic activity of CYP3A4 is genetically regulated, we hypothesized that genetic variations of this enzyme may contribute to clopidogrel response variability. Methods and Results-The CYP3A4*1B, CYP3A4*3, IVS7ϩ258AϾG, IVS7ϩ894CϾT, and IVS10ϩ12GϾA polymorphisms of the CYP3A4 gene were assessed in 82 patients in a steady phase of clopidogrel therapy. Glycoprotein (platelet glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa receptor activation and platelet aggregation were assessed. A cohort of 45 clopidogrel-naïve patients was studied to determine the modulating effects of these polymorphisms after loading dose (300 mg) administration. Only the IVS7ϩ258AϾG, IVS7ϩ894CϾT, and IVS10ϩ12GϾA polymorphisms were sufficiently polymorphic. During the steady phase of clopidogrel treatment, IVS10ϩ12A allele carriers had reduced GP IIb/IIIa activation (Pϭ0.025) and better responsiveness (Pϭ0.02); similarly, clopidogrel-naïve patients carriers of the IVS10ϩ12A allele had reduced GP IIb/IIIa activation during the first 24 hours after a loading dose (Pϭ0.025), increased platelet inhibition (Pϭ0.006), and a more optimal drug response (Pϭ0.003). This polymorphism did not influence platelet aggregation profiles. No association was observed between the other polymorphisms and clopidogrel responsiveness. Key Words: clopidogrel Ⅲ platelet Ⅲ polymorphism T reatment with clopidogrel is associated with a broad variability in antiplatelet effects. [1][2][3][4] This may be partly attributed to the levels of clopidogrel's active metabolite. 5 Clopidogrel in fact is an inactive pro-drug that requires oxidation by the hepatic cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) to generate an active metabolite. 6 -7 The active metabolite of clopidogrel inhibits platelet activation through an irreversible blockage of the platelet adenosine diphosphate (ADP) P2Y 12 receptor. The P2Y 12 receptor inhibits adenylyl cyclase and in turn decreases platelet cAMP (cAMP) levels and cAMPmediated phosphorylation of the vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein, critical for inhibition of glycoprotein (GP) IIb/ IIIa receptor activation. 8 Conclusions-The See page 1681Drugs that are substrates or inhibit CYP3A4 can potentially interfere with the conversion of clopidogrel into its active metabolite. 9 -11 Accordingly, the metabolic activity of the CYP3A4 enzyme, which varies considerably among individuals, 12 has shown to influence platelet reactivity after a clopidogrel loading dose. 13 Because genetic predisposition is the major determinant of heterogeneity in metabolic activity of the CYP3A4 enzyme, 12,14 -15 we hypothesized that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of CYP3A4 may account for interindividual variability of platelet reactivity in patients treated with clopidogrel. In the present study we examined the influence of SNPs of the CYP3A4 enzyme on platelet reactivity and responsiveness to clopidogrel in patients with coronary artery disease. Materials and Methods Detail...

Rare copy number variants (CNVs) disrupting ASTN2 or both ASTN2 and TRIM32 have been reported at 9q33.1 by genome-wide studies in a few individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). The vertebrate-specific astrotactins, ASTN2 and its paralog ASTN1, have key roles in glial-guided neuronal migration during brain development. To determine the prevalence of astrotactin mutations and delineate their associated phenotypic spectrum, we screened ASTN2/TRIM32 and ASTN1 (1q25.2) for exonic CNVs in clinical microarray data from 89 985 individuals across 10 sites, including 64 114 NDD subjects. In this clinical dataset, we identified 46 deletions and 12 duplications affecting ASTN2. Deletions of ASTN1 were much rarer. Deletions near the 3' terminus of ASTN2, which would disrupt all transcript isoforms (a subset of these deletions also included TRIM32), were significantly enriched in the NDD subjects (P = 0.002) compared with 44 085 population-based controls. Frequent phenotypes observed in individuals with such deletions include autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), speech delay, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The 3'-terminal ASTN2 deletions were significantly enriched compared with controls in males with NDDs, but not in females. Upon quantifying ASTN2 human brain RNA, we observed shorter isoforms expressed from an alternative transcription start site of recent evolutionary origin near the 3' end. Spatiotemporal expression profiling in the human brain revealed consistently high ASTN1 expression while ASTN2 expression peaked in the early embryonic neocortex and postnatal cerebellar cortex. Our findings shed new light on the role of the astrotactins in psychopathology and their interplay in human neurodevelopment.

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Objective We surveyed the datasheets of 29 laboratories concerning prenatal diagnosis of de novo apparently balanced chromosome rearrangements to assess the involvement of specific chromosomes, the breakpoints distribution and the impact on the pregnancy outcome.Method By means of a questionnaire, data on 269.371 analyses performed from 1983 to 2006 on amniotic fluid, chorionic villus and fetal blood samples were collected.Results A total of 246 balanced anomalies were detected at frequencies of 72% for reciprocal translocations, 18% for Robertsonian translocations, 7% for inversions and 3% for complex chromosome rearrangements. The total frequencies of balanced rearrangements were 0.09%, 0.08% and 0.05% on amniotic fluid, chorionic villus and fetal blood samples.Conclusion A preferential involvement of chromosomes 22, 7, 21, 3, 9 and 11 and a less involvement of chromosomes X, 19, 12, 6 and 1 was observed. A nonrandom distribution of the breakpoints across chromosomes was noticed. Association in the location of recurrent breakpoints and fragile sites was observed for chromosomes 11, 7, 10 and 22, while it was not recorded for chromosome 3. The rate of pregnancy termination was about 20%, with frequencies decreasing from complex chromosomal rearrangements (33%), reciprocal translocations (24%) to inversions (11%) and Robertsonian translocations (3%).