A nonsynonymous SNP in PRKCH (protein kinase C eta) increases the risk of cerebral infarction

Cerebral infarction is the most common type of stroke and often causes long-term disability. To investigate the genetic contribution to cerebral infarction, we conducted a case-control study using 52,608 gene-based tag SNPs selected from the JSNP database. Here we report that a nonsynonymous SNP in a member of protein kinase C (PKC) family, PRKCH, was significantly associated with lacunar infarction in two independent Japanese samples (P = 5.1 x 10(-7), crude odds ratio of 1.40). This SNP is likely to affect PKC activity. Furthermore, a 14-year follow-up cohort study in Hisayama (Fukuoka, Japan) supported involvement of this SNP in the development of cerebral infarction (P = 0.03, age- and sex-adjusted hazard ratio of 2.83). We also found that PKCeta was expressed mainly in vascular endothelial cells and foamy macrophages in human atherosclerotic lesions, and its expression increased as the lesion type progressed. Our results support a role for PRKCH in the pathogenesis of cerebral infarction.     

Release of calcitonin gene-related peptide from a human medullary carcinoma of the thyroid in vitro

Summary The secretion of human calcitonin gene-related peptide was examined in perifusates of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid with a sensitive radioreceptor assay. Calcitonin gene-related peptide was released after the addition of calcium (25–100 mM), in a dose-dependent manner. The results indicate that human medullary carcinomas of the thyroid secrete the calcitonin gene-related peptide as well as calcitonin.     

Release of calcitonin gene-related peptide from a human medullary carcinoma of the thyroid in vitro

The secretion of human calcitonin gene-related peptide was examined in perifusates of medullary carcinoma of the thyroid with a sensitive radioreceptor assay. Calcitonin gene-related peptide was released after the addition of calcium (25-100 mM), in a dose-dependent manner. The results indicate that human medullary carcinomas of the thyroid secrete the calcitonin gene-related peptide as well as calcitonin.