Mutations in PCSK9 cause autosomal dominant hypercholesterolemia

Autosomal dominant hypercholesterolemia (ADH; OMIM144400), a risk factor for coronary heart disease, is characterized by an increase in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels that is associated with mutations in the genes LDLR (encoding low-density lipoprotein receptor) or APOB (encoding apolipoprotein B). We mapped a third locus associated with ADH, HCHOLA3 at 1p32, and now report two mutations in the gene PCSK9 (encoding proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9) that cause ADH. PCSK9 encodes NARC-1 (neural apoptosis regulated convertase), a newly identified human subtilase that is highly expressed in the liver and contributes to cholesterol homeostasis.     

Induction of endogenous murine C-type viruses. Attempt at discrimination by the pI of polypeptide p30 and the aspect of cellular transformation]

Endogenous ecotropic and xenotropic murine C-type viruses induced in K-Balb-3T3 cells treated with iododeoxyuridine (IdU) were selected by infection of appropriate indicator cells. The isoelectric point (p1) of the major viral polypeptide (p30) was found to be 6.1 for the ecotropic virus (class I), and 5.7 for the xenotropic virus (class II). An isoelectric form (iso p30) of pl 6.5 was observed in the initial induction peak. In addition, the pattern of cellular alteration in NRK cells at its onset varied according to the pseudotype, the class I pseudotype inducing round cell foci while the foci associated with the class II pseudotype consisted of fusiform cells.     

Andalusian astronomy: al-Zîj al-Muqtabis of Ibn al-Kammâd

Communicated by J. North     

The value of good Biozzi antibody-producing strains of mice for the production of monoclonal antibodies]

We report here that using Biozzi's high and low responder strains of Mice in the preparation of monoclonal antibodies against human T lymphocytes, we observed with the high responder strain 1) a higher number of hybrids; 2) a huge increase in the proportion of hybrids secreting on antibody directed against human lymphocytes.