Proteomic analysis of the intestine reveals SNARE-mediated immunoregulatory and amino acid absorption perturbations in a rat model of depression
LIFE SCIENCES
Authors: Gong, Xue; Huang, Cheng; Yang, Xun; Mao, Qiang; Zeng, Li; Zheng, Peng; Pu, Juncai; Chen, Jianjun; Wang, Haiyang; Xu, Bing; Zhou, Chanjuan; Xie, Peng
Abstract
Aims: To clarify the role of the gut-brain axis in depression. Main methods: We used the iTRAQ technique to identify differential proteins in the intestine of the rat model of chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)-induced depression. Significant differential proteins were subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) functional annotations and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. Key proteins were validated at the mRNA and protein levels. The levels of cytokines in the intestine, serum and hypothalamus were examined by ELISA. HPLC-UV was used to detect the levels of amino acids. Key findings: In the rat intestine, 349 differential proteins (209 downregulated, 140 upregulated) were identified. GO analysis indicated that "protein complex assembly" was the first-ranked biological process. SNARE complex components, including SNAP23, VAMP3 and VAMP8, were increased at the mRNA levels, while only VAMP3 and VAMP8 were also upregulated at the protein level. TNF alpha, IL6 and IL1 beta were upregulated in the GUMS rat intestine, while TNF alpha was decreased in the serum and hypothalamus. IL1 beta was decreased in the serum. "Protein digestion and absorption" was the most significantly enriched KEGG pathway, involving 5 differential proteins: SLC9A3, ANPEP, LAT1, ASCT2 and B(0)AT1. Glutamine, glycine and aspartic acid were perturbed in the GUMS rat intestine. Significance: Our findings suggest that GUMS enhances the adaptive immune response in the intestine through ER-phagosome pathway mediated by SNARE complex and disturb absorption of amino acids. It advances our understanding of the role of gut-brain axis in depression and provides a potential therapeutic target for the disease.
A multi-gene panel beyond BRCA1/BRCA2 to identify new breast cancer-predisposing mutations by a picodroplet PCR followed by a next-generation sequencing strategy: a pilot study
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
Authors: Nunziato, Marcella; Esposito, Maria Valeria; Starnone, Flavio; Diroma, Maria Angela; Calabrese, Alessandra; Del Monaco, Valentina; Buono, Pasqualina; Frasci, Giuseppe; Botti, Gerardo; D'Aiuto, Massimiliano; Salvatore, Francesco; D'Argenio, Valeria
Abstract
By analyzing multiple gene panels, next-generation sequencing is more effective than conventional procedures in identifying disease-related mutations that are useful for clinical decision-making. Here, we aimed to test the efficacy of an 84 genes customized-panel in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation-negative patients. Twenty-four patients were enrolled in this study. DNA libraries were prepared using a picodroplet PCR-based approach and sequenced with the MiSeq System. Highly putative pathogenic mutations were identified in genes other than the commonly tested BRCA1/2: 2 pathogenic mutations one in TP53 and one in MUTYH; 2 missense variants in MSH6 and ATM, respectively; 2 frameshift variants in KLLN, and ATAD2, respectively; an intronic variant in ANPEP, and 3 not functionally known variants (a frameshift variant in ATM a nonsense variant in ATM and a missense variant in NFE2L2). Our results show that this molecular screening will increase diagnostic sensitivity leading to a better risk assessment in breast cancer patients and their families. This strategy could also reveal genes that have a higher penetrance for breast and ovarian cancers by matching gene mutation with familial and clinical data, thereby increasing information about hereditary breast and ovarian cancer genetics and improving cancer prevention measures or therapeutic approaches. (C) 2018 Published by Elsevier B.V.