Self-subunit swapping is one of the post-translational maturation of the cobalt-containing nitrile hydratase (Co-NHase) family of enzymes. All of these NHases possess a gene organization of <β-subunit> <α-subunit> , which allows the activator protein to easily form a mediatory complex with the α-subunit of the NHase after translation. Here, we discovered that the incorporatio...

BACKGROUND/AIMS Signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway plays an important role in antiviral efficacy of interferon alpha (IFN-α). IFN-α is the main therapeutic against hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We explored effects of IFN-α on HCV replication and antiviral gene expression by targeting STAT. METHODS In response to IFN-α, STAT status, HCV replication, and antivi...

OBJECTIVES To investigate the utility of isoelectric focusing electrophoresis (IEF) for identifying patients with α-thalassemia, which results from the deletion of 1 or more of the α-globin genes. METHODS Samples were selected based on their hemoglobin H (HbH) concentration observed using IEF. The samples were analyzed for the most common α-globin gene deletions using molecular analysis. RE...

Graves' disease (GD) is a common autoimmune disorder with a genetic predisposition. Owing to the biological effect of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) on the thyroid gland and its gene location, TNF-α should be able to influence an individual's susceptibility to GD. In the present study, we conduct a meta-analysis of rs1800629 and rs361525 in TNF-α gene from all eligible case-control studies to ...

Alpha-thalassemia (α-thal) is a disorder caused by the deletion of single or double α-globin genes, and/or point mutations in the α-globin genes. There are 2 common types of α-globin genes; HBA2 and HBA1. Recently, it has been discovered that the HBA2 gene is replaced by a unique HBA12 gene convert in 5.7% of the Saudi population. The α-globin genes have been emerging as a molecular target for ...

The genes that encode the α- and β-chain subunits of vertebrate hemoglobin have served as a model system for elucidating general principles of gene family evolution, but little is known about patterns of evolution in amniotes other than mammals and birds. Here, we report a comparative genomic analysis of the α- and β-globin gene clusters in sauropsids (archosaurs and nonavian reptiles). The obj...

BACKGROUND A number of studies had reported the association between tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) gene polymorphisms and ischemic heart disease (IHD) risk. However, the results remained controversial. Therefore, we performed a systematic review with multiple meta-analyses to provide the more precise estimations of the relationship. METHODS We systematically searched electronic databases...

INTRODUCTION TNF-α levels are increased during muscle wasting and chronic muscle degeneration and regeneration processes, which are characteristic for primary muscle disorders. Pathologically increased TNF-α levels have a negative effect on muscle cell differentiation efficiency, while IGF1 can have a positive effect; therefore, we intended to elucidate the impact of TNF-α and IGF1 on gene expr...

INTRODUCTION The etiopathogenesis of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is multifactorial. The TNF-α gene seems to be an interesting gene candidate for BCC susceptibility because of the proinflammatory and immunosuppressive properties of its product. The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of -308 G/A and -238 G/A gene polymorphisms in the TNF-α gene and serum levels of cytokine in patients wi...

Background: The double heterozygous state of α/β thalassemia may alter the hematological indices and modify the phonotype. In addition, definite characterization of co-inheritance of αand β-thalassemia heterozygous carriers may change the process of genetic counseling. Materials and Methods: An Iranian couple with low hematological indices was analyzed for α-globin gene deletions using multiple...