Within streptophyte green algae Zygnematophyceae are the sister group to the land plants that inherited several traits conferring stress protection. Zygnema sp., a mat-forming alga thriving in extreme habitats, was collected from a field site in Svalbard, where the bottom layers are protected by the top layers. The two layers were investigated by a metatranscriptomic approach and GC-MS-based metabolite profiling. In the top layer, 6569 genes were significantly upregulated and 149 were downregulated. Upregulated genes coded for components of the photosynthetic apparatus, chlorophyll synthesis, early light-inducible proteins, cell wall and carbohydrate metabolism, including starch-degrading enzymes. An increase in maltose in the top layer and degraded starch grains at the ultrastructural levels corroborated these findings. Genes involved in amino acid, redox metabolism and DNA repair were upregulated. A total of 29 differentially accumulated metabolites (out of 173 identified ones) confirmed higher metabolic turnover in the top layer. For several of these metabolites, differential accumulation matched the transcriptional changes of enzymes involved in associated pathways. In summary, the findings support the hypothesis that in a Zygnema mat the top layer shields the bottom layers from abiotic stress factors such as excessive irradiation.

• MeSH
• Chlorophyta genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Ecosystem MeSH
• Photosynthesis genetics   MeSH
• Stress, Physiological MeSH
• Metabolome MeSH
• Streptophyta genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Transcriptome MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Arctic Regions MeSH
• Svalbard MeSH

Úvod: Dědičné poruchy metabolismu (DPM) lipidů představují heterogenní skupinu více než 210 různých poruch syntézy, transportu či odbourávání lipoproteinů, mastných kyselin (MK), glycerolu, ketolátek, cholesterolu a komplexních lipidů. Materiál a metody: Diagnostika je závislá na klinickém podezření a indikaci biochemických, metabolických a molekulárních vyšetření, pouze šest poruch β-oxidace MK (FAOD) je součástí laboratorního novorozeneckého screeningu. Výsledky: Klinické projevy DPM lipidů jsou heterogenní a u řady poruch se mohou překrývat. Nejčastější je fami- liární autozomálně dominantní hypercholesterolemie (HeFH) s výskytem 1 : 250. Včasná diagnostika a léčba u dětí s HeFH je nezbytná pro vysoké riziko rozvoje aterosklerózy. Některé DPM lipidů se mohou projevit již embryonálně vrozenými vývojovými vadami, například mikrocefalie, syndaktylie a hypospadie u dětí se Smithovým–Lemliho–Opitzovým syndromem a endogenní poruchou syntézy cholesterolu či kraniofaciální dysmorfie a extrémní hypotonie u dětí se Zellwegerovým syndromem a poruchou peroxisomální biogeneze. Poruchy β-oxidace MK se projevují především v novorozeneckém nebo kojeneckém věku akutními atakami hypoketotických hypoglykemií, hepatomegalií, hepatopatií a kardiomyopatií nebo až později myopatií s epizodickými rhabdomyolýzami při hladovění, infektu nebo vyšší fyzické námaze. Poruchy peroxisomální oxidace MK s velmi dlouhým řetězcem se projeví leukodystrofií nebo myeloneuropatií a adrenální insuficiencí. Poruchy metabolismu lipoproteinů se závažnou hypertriacylglycerolemií s poruchou lipoproteinové lipázy (LPL) se mohou projevit akutní pankreatitidou. Poruchy lysosomálního metabolismu esterů cholesterolu a lipidů v komplexních molekulách (sfingolipidózy) způsobují s výjimkou Fabryho nemoci hepatosplenomegalii, hepatopatii a dyslipidemii. Závažnou klinickou problematikou u Gaucherovy nemoci je obrovská splenomegalie s trombocytopenií, u Niemannovy–Pickovy nemoci typu A, B intersticiální plicní postižení a neuropatie a u typu C porucha vertikálního pohledu a neuropsychiatrická symptomatologie. Fabryho nemoc se v dětství manifestuje angiokeratomy a akroparesteziemi. Závěr: Včasná diagnostika je nezbytná pro úspěšnou léčbu, která zahrnuje úpravu životosprávy a jídelníčku, vyšší pohybovou aktivitu a farmakoterapii u dětí s HeFH či frekventní výživu s přidáním nevařených škrobů u dětí s FAOD. Suplementace MCT oleji se používá u dětí s poruchou β-oxidace MK s dlouhým řetězcem a cholesterolu u poruch biosyntézy cholesterolu. U dětí se sfingolipidózami nebo poruchou metabolismu esterů cholesterolu se podává enzymová substituční terapie či substrát redukční terapie. Transplantace hematopoietických kmenových buněk je indikovaná u chlapců s rizikem rozvoje cerebrální formy X-vázané adrenoleukodystrofie.

Introduction: Inherited disorders of lipid metabolism (IMD) represent a heterogeneous group of >210 different disorders of synthesis, transport or degradation of lipoproteins, fatty acids (FA), glycerol, ketone body, cholesterol, and complex lipids. Material and methods: Diagnosis depends on clinical suspicion and indication of biochemical, metabolic, and molecular investigations, only six disorders of fatty acid oxidation deficiencies (FAOD) are part of the laboratory neonatal screening in the Czech Republic. Results: Clinical manifestations of IMD of lipid metabolism are heterogeneous and may overlap in many disorders. The most common is familial autosomal dominant hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) with an incidence of 1:250. Early diagnosis and treatment in children with HeFH is essential because of the high risk for development of atherosclerosis. Disorders of lipoprotein metabolism with severe hypertriacylglycerolaemia may manifest with acute life-threatening pancreatitis, especially in lipoprotein lipase deficiency. Some IMD of lipid metabolism may manifest in embryonic period resulting in developmental defects as microcephaly, syndactyly, and hypospadia in children with Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome or craniofacial dysmorphia and extreme hypotonia in children with Zellweger syndrome. Children with FAOD usually manifest in neonatal period or infancy by acute attacks of hypoketotic hypoglycaemia, hepatomegaly, hepatopathy and cardiomyopathy or later by myopathy with episodic rhabdomyolysis during prolong fasting, infection or increased physical exertion. Disorders of peroxisomal oxidation of very long-chain FA manifest as leukodystrophy or neuromyelopathy and adrenal insufficiency. Disorders of lysosomal metabolism of cholesterol esters and lipids in complex molecules (sphingolipidoses) cause hepatosplenomegaly, hepatopathy and dyslipidaemia, except for Fabry disease. Main clinical problems in Gaucher disease are splenomegaly, tromobocytopenia, and bone disease, in Niemann-Pick disease types A and B interstitial lung involvement and neuropathy, and in type C vertical supranuclear gaze palsy and neuropsychiatric symptomatology. Fabry disease manifests in childhood with angiokeratomas and acroparesthesia. Conclusion: Early diagnosis is essential for successful treatment. It involves change of lifestyle and low-fat diet in children with HeFH and LPL deficiency, frequent feeding supplemented with uncooked starches in FAOD, MCT oil supplementation in very long-chain FAOD and cholesterol supplementation in cholesterol synthesis disorders. Enzyme replacement therapy or substrate reduction therapy are used children with sphingolipidosis and impaired cholesterol ester metabolism. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is indicated in males at risk of the cerebral form of X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy.

• MeSH
• Long-Chain-3-Hydroxyacyl-CoA Dehydrogenase MeSH
• Adrenoleukodystrophy diagnosis   physiopathology   pathology   therapy   MeSH
• Child MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Lipoproteins metabolism   MeSH
• Peroxisomal Disorders classification   physiopathology   pathology   therapy   MeSH
• Lipid Metabolism Disorders * classification   physiopathology   therapy   congenital   MeSH
• Sphingolipids MeSH
• Smith-Lemli-Opitz Syndrome diagnosis   physiopathology   pathology   therapy   MeSH
• Metabolism, Inborn Errors * classification   physiopathology   pathology   therapy   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Child MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Review MeSH

Niemannova-Pickova choroba typu C je autosomálně recesivně dědičné střídavé onemocnění vyskytující se panetnicky s incidencí cca 1 : 150 000. Genetická mutace genu NPC1 nebo NPC2 má za následek poruchu transportu a esterifikace cholesterolu uvnitř buňky. V lyzosomech se hromadí neesterifikovaný cholesterol, sfingomyelin, fosfolipidy a glykosfingolipidy Klinická manifestace Niemannovy-Pickovy choroby typu C je závislá na věku a projevy onemocnění zahrnují kromě hepatosplenomegalie mentální retardaci, poruchy chůze, kataplexii a ataxii doprovázené parézou vertikálního pohledu. Onemocnění nebývá pro variabilitu klinických projevů rozpoznáno, je nesprávně diagnostikováno nebo je zjištěno opožděně a postiženým bývá podávána nevhodná léčba. Plnému rozvoji onemocnění mohou předcházet psychotické příznaky, halucinace nebo agresivní chování. Vzhledem k tomu, že existuje léčba, je nezbytné zvýšit povědomí o této chorobě a její diagnostice tak, aby mohla být včas zahájena její adekvátní terapie.

Niemann-Pick disease type C is a rare and fatal inherited autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in either the NPC1 or NPC2 genes and leads to the inhibition of unesterified cholesterol glycosphingolipids transport and intracellular accumulation in the brain, liver and spleen. Disease affects both infants and adults with neurological symptoms varying with age of onset. Symptoms include mental retardation, gait problems, cataplexy and ataxia with the most common characteristic being vertical supranuclear gaze palsy. People suffering from Niemann-Pick disease presenting with neuropsychiatric symptoms in combination with delayed onset are often misdiagnosed as other major psychiatric disorders and may thus be prescribed inappropriate treatments. Non-motor signs often precede the first notable clinical motor symptoms in adult Niemann-Pick disease including neuropsychiatric illness in the form of schizophrenia-like psychotic disorders, hallucinations or/and aggressive behaviours. Improved awareness of Niemann-Pick disease and its symptoms among clinicians is essential for better disease detection, since patients diagnosed with chronic psychiatric illness and concomitant neurological impairments managed with antipsychotic drugs may have this disease.

• Keywords
• gen NPC2, gen NPC1, neuropsychiatrická onemocnění,
• MeSH
• 1-Deoxynojirimycin analogs & derivatives   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease genetics   MeSH
• Glycosphingolipids MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Lysosomal Storage Diseases diagnosis   therapy   MeSH
• Membranes MeSH
• Neurologic Manifestations MeSH
• Niemann-Pick Disease, Type C diagnosis   genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Eye Movements genetics   MeSH
• Psychotic Disorders epidemiology   etiology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Review MeSH

• MeSH
• Ophthalmology MeSH
• Pediatrics MeSH
• Strabismus MeSH

• Conspectus
• Pediatrie
• Učební osnovy. Vyučovací předměty. Učebnice
• NML Fields
• oftalmologie
• pediatrie
• NML Publication type
• kolektivní monografie
• učebnice vysokých škol

BACKGROUND: Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) is a rare, fatal neurovisceral disorder with autosomal recessive inheritance, and featuring striking clinical variability dependent on the age at onset of neurological symptoms. We report data from a large cohort of 56 Czech patients with NPC diagnosed over a period of 37 years. METHODS: An observational, retrospective analysis of historic and current clinical and laboratory information was performed among all NPC patients originating from the area of the contemporary Czech Republic and diagnosed between 1975 and 2012. All patients with ≥1 positive diagnostic test and relevant clinical information were included. Data on diagnostic methods (histopathological and/or ultrastructural; biochemical; genetic), clinical status and general information on treatment were collated. Data were examined in accordance with international guidelines for the management of NPC. RESULTS: Between 1975 and 1985 diagnoses were based exclusively on specific histopathological findings, often at autopsy. Bone marrow smear (BMS) analyses have proved to be a very specific indicator for NPC and have become an important part of our diagnostic algorithm. Filipin staining and cholesterol esterification assays became the definitive diagnostic tests after 1985 and were applied in 24 of our patients. Since 2005, more and more patients have been assessed using NPC1/NPC2 gene sequencing. Twelve patients were diagnosed with neonatal/early-infantile onset NPC, 13 with the late-infantile onset form, 20 with the juvenile onset form, and nine with the adolescent/adult onset form. Two diagnosed patients remained neurologically asymptomatic at study completion. Nineteen patients were siblings. Causal NPC1 mutations were determined in 38 patients; two identical NPC2 mutations were identified in one patient. In total, 30 different mutations were identified, 14 of which have been confirmed as novel. The frequency of individual mutated NPC1 alleles in our cohort differs compared with previous published data: the most frequent mutant NPC1 allele was p.R1186H (n = 13), followed by p.P1007A (n = 8), p.S954L (n = 8) and p.I1061T (n = 4). CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate the evolution of the diagnostic process in NPC over the last four decades. We estimate the contemporary birth prevalence of NPC in the Czech Republic at 0.93 per 100,000.

• MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Niemann-Pick Disease, Type C diagnosis   epidemiology   physiopathology   MeSH
• Retrospective Studies MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH

• MeSH
• Electroretinography MeSH
• Cryotherapy methods   adverse effects   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Infant, Premature MeSH
• Color Vision Defects diagnosis   classification   MeSH
• Vision Disorders * diagnosis   classification   MeSH
• Refractive Errors * diagnosis   classification   prevention & control   MeSH
• Retinopathy of Prematurity * diagnosis   classification   prevention & control   MeSH
• Strabismus diagnosis   classification   therapy   MeSH
• Visual Acuity MeSH
• Visual Fields drug effects   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

The guts of lower termites are inhabited by host-specific consortia of cellulose-digesting flagellate protists. In this first investigation of the symbionts of the family Serritermitidae, we found that Glossotermes oculatus and Serritermes serrifer each harbor similar parabasalid morphotypes: large Pseudotrichonympha-like cells, medium-sized Leptospironympha-like cells with spiraled bands of flagella, and small Hexamastix-like cells; oxymonadid flagellates were absent. Despite their morphological resemblance to Pseudotrichonympha and Leptospironympha, a SSU rRNA-based phylogenetic analysis identified the two larger, trichonymphid flagellates as deep-branching sister groups of Teranymphidae, with Leptospironympha sp. (the only spirotrichosomid with sequence data) in a moderately supported basal position. Only the Hexamastix-like flagellates are closely related to trichomonadid flagellates from Rhinotermitidae. The presence of two deep-branching lineages of trichonymphid flagellates in Serritermitidae and the absence of all taxa characteristic of the ancestral rhinotermitids underscores that the flagellate assemblages in the hindguts of lower termites were shaped not only by a progressive loss of flagellates during vertical inheritance but also by occasional transfaunation events, where flagellates were transferred horizontally between members of different termite families. In addition to the molecular phylogenetic analyses, we present a detailed morphological characterization of the new spirotrichosomid genus Heliconympha using light and electron microscopy.

• MeSH
• Isoptera parasitology   MeSH
• Microscopy, Electron, Scanning MeSH
• Parabasalidea classification   cytology   genetics   ultrastructure   MeSH
• RNA, Protozoan analysis   MeSH
• RNA, Ribosomal analysis   MeSH
• Gastrointestinal Microbiome * MeSH
• Microscopy, Electron, Transmission MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Many eukaryotic genes do not follow simple vertical inheritance. Elongation factor 1α (EF-1α) and methionine adenosyl transferase (MAT) are enzymes with complicated evolutionary histories and, interestingly, the two cases have several features in common. These essential enzymes occur as two relatively divergent paralogs (EF-1α/EFL, MAT/MATX) that have patchy distributions in eukaryotic lineages that are nearly mutually exclusive. To explain such distributions, we must invoke either multiple eukaryote-to-eukaryote horizontal gene transfers (HGTs) followed by functional replacement or presence of both paralogs in the common ancestor followed by long-term coexistence and differential losses in various eukaryotic lineages. To understand the evolution of these paralogs, we have performed in vivo experiments in Trypanosoma brucei addressing the consequences of long-term coexpression and functional replacement. In the first experiment of its kind, we have demonstrated that EF-1α and MAT can be simultaneously expressed with EFL and MATX, respectively, without affecting the growth of the flagellates. After the endogenous MAT or EF-1α was downregulated by RNA interference, MATX immediately substituted for its paralog, whereas EFL was not able to substitute for EF-1α, leading to mortality. We conclude that MATX is naturally capable of evolving patchy paralog distribution via HGTs and/or long- term coexpression and differential losses. The capability of EFL to spread by HGT is lower and so the patchy distribution of EF-1α/EFL paralogs was probably shaped mainly by deep paralogy followed by long-term coexistence and differential losses.

• MeSH
• Biological Evolution MeSH
• Peptide Elongation Factor 1 genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Transcription, Genetic MeSH
• RNA, Messenger genetics   MeSH
• Methionine Adenosyltransferase genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Gene Transfer, Horizontal MeSH
• Cell Proliferation MeSH
• Gene Expression Regulation MeSH
• RNA Interference MeSH
• Trypanosoma brucei brucei genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

Early male-killing (MK) bacteria are vertically transmitted reproductive parasites which kill male offspring that inherit them. Whereas their incidence is well documented, characteristics allowing originally non-MK bacteria to gradually evolve MK ability remain unclear. We show that horizontal transmission is a mechanism enabling vertically transmitted bacteria to evolve fully efficient MK under a wide range of host and parasite characteristics, especially when the efficacy of vertical transmission is high. We also show that an almost 100% vertically transmitted and 100% effective male-killer may evolve from a purely horizontally transmitted non-MK ancestor, and that a 100% efficient male-killer can form a stable coexistence only with a non-MK bacterial strain. Our findings are in line with the empirical evidence on current MK bacteria, explain their high efficacy in killing infected male embryos and their variability within and across insect taxa, and suggest that they may have evolved independently in phylogenetically distinct species.

• MeSH
• Bacteria classification   genetics   MeSH
• Biological Evolution * MeSH
• Bacterial Physiological Phenomena MeSH
• Insecta embryology   microbiology   MeSH
• Host-Pathogen Interactions * MeSH
• Sex Ratio MeSH
• Disease Transmission, Infectious * MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH

Niemann-Pickova choroba typ C je autozomálně recesivně dědičné lysozomální onemocnění, klinicky charakterizované věkově specifickou symptomatologií, s možností manifestace od novorozeneckého věku do pozdní dospělosti. S výjimkou neonatální formy s cholestázou, respiračním selháním a hepatosplenomegalií jde v dalších věkových kategoriích o nemoc vysloveně neurodegenerativní, často doprovázenou splenomegalií. Příčinou je funkční porucha membránového systému pozdního endozomu/lysozomu s akumulací neesterifikovaného cholesterolu a glykosfingolipidů v důsledku mutací v genech NPC1 (95 % případů) nebo NPC2 (5 % případů), kódujících lysozomální membránový protein NPC1 a solubilní protein NPC2. Základem diagnostiky je správné zhodnocení klinických symptomů s přihlédnutím k věku nemocného. Podezření potvrdí specifické testy v tkáňové kultuře fibroblastů a/nebo molekulárně genetická analýza uvedených genů. Aktuální možnost léčby spočívá v podávání reverzibilního inhibitoru glukosylceramidsyntázy (miglustat), potenciálně stabilizujícího průběh nemoci, experimentálně slibná aplikace cyklodextrinu vstupuje do fáze klinického testování. Komplexní diagnostika je v ČR dostupná prostřednictvím Ústavu dědičných metabolických poruch (diagnóza stanovena u 67 pacientů, z toho 42 českých).

Niemann-Pick disease type C is an autosomal recessive lysosomal disorder clinically characterized by age-specific symptomatology with possible manifestation any time from neonatal age to late adulthood. Except for its neonatal form with cholestasis, respiratory failure and hepatosplenomegaly, the disease presents as a neurodegenerative disorder, frequently with splenomegaly. Pathophysiology involves dysfunction of the late endosome/lysosome membraneous system with accumulation of unesterified cholesterol and glycosphingolipids due to mutations in the NPC1 and NPC2 genes coding the corresponding lysosomal proteins. Results of clinical examination must be confirmed by specific loading tests in cultivated fibroblasts and/or molecular genetic analysis of the concerned genes. In the last years the disease is treated with a reversible glucosylceramide synthase inhibitor miglustat, potentially stabilizing its course. Recently, clinical testing of cyclodextrin has been initiated. In the Czech Republic, comprehensive diagnostics is available at The Institute of Inherited Metabolic Disorders (67 confirmed patients including 42 Czechs).

• Keywords
• neesterifikovaný cholesterol, gen NPC1, gen NPC2, miglustat, cyklodextrin, ZAVESCA,
• MeSH
• 1-Deoxynojirimycin analogs & derivatives   therapeutic use   MeSH
• Cholesterol metabolism   MeSH
• Cyclodextrins therapeutic use   MeSH
• Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures MeSH
• Esterification MeSH
• Financing, Organized MeSH
• Genetic Predisposition to Disease MeSH
• Disease Attributes MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Membrane Glycoproteins genetics   MeSH
• Niemann-Pick Disease, Type C diagnosis   classification   physiopathology   MeSH
• Prenatal Diagnosis MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Review MeSH