Anti-Human FAIM (a.a. 1-179) Polyclonal antibody

Gene duplications restricted to single lineage combined with an asymmetric evolution of the resulting genes may play particularly important roles in this lineage's biology. We searched and identified asymmetrical evolution in nine gene families that duplicated exclusively in rodents and are present as single-copies in human, dog, cow, elephant, opossum, chicken, lizard, and Western clawed frog. Among those nine gene families are Fas apoptosis inhibitory molecule (Faim), implicated in apoptosis, and Sperm antigen 6 (Spag6), implicated in sperm mobility. Both genes were duplicated in or before the Muroidea ancestor. Due to the highly asymmetric evolution of the resulting paralogs, the existence of these duplications had been previously overlooked. Interestingly, Spag6, previously regarded and characterized as a single-copy ortholog of human Spag6, turns out to be a Muroidea-specific paralog. Conversely, the newly identified, highly divergent Spag6-BC061194 is in fact the parental gene. In consequence, this gene represents a rare exception from the general rule of rapid evolution of derived rather than parental genes following gene duplication. Unusual genes such as murine Spag6 may help to understand which mechanisms are responsible for this rule.

P>Background Food-allergic reactions occur in 3-4% of the adult population in Western countries. It has been shown that food allergy may impair health-related quality of life (HRQL). Food allergy quality of life questionnaires (FAQLQs) have been developed and validated, including an adult form (FAQLQ-AF). These questionnaires may be particularly useful for cross-cultural comparisons. Objectives The aims of this study were to translate the FAQLQ-AF from Dutch into English and validate an online version in the United States. Additionally, HRQL of American and Dutch food-allergic adults was compared. Methods The Dutch FAQLQ-AF was translated into English as set out by the World Health Organization and converted to an electronic online format. Participants (food allergic American adults) were recruited through the 'Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network' website and completed the questionnaire online. Construct validity, internal consistency, discriminative ability and feasibility were analysed. A cross-cultural comparison was made using the Dutch FAQLQ-AF scores. Results Data from 180 American participants were analysed. The online FAQLQ-AF had a good construct validity (correlation with FAIM: =0.72; P < 0.001), internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.95) and was discriminative for 'anaphylaxis' vs. 'no anaphylaxis' and 'number of food allergies'. The most striking finding was a significantly greater impairment in HRQL in the American participants, as compared with their Dutch counterparts (the total FAQLQ-AF scores were 4.3 vs. 3.5, respectively; P < 0.001, where 1 signifies no impairment and 7 signifies extreme impairment in HRQL). Conclusions and Clinical Relevance The online American FAQLQ-AF is a valid instrument to measure HRQL in food-allergic patients in the United States. Additionally, HRQL of American food-allergic adults may be more impaired than Dutch food-allergic adults. The FAQLQ-AF can now be used to determine the HRQL in American food-allergic adults and can assist clinicians in optimizing management strategies for food-allergic patients.