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The spurge Euphorbia characias is known for its latex, which is rich in antioxidant enzymes and anti-phytopathogen molecules. In this study, we identified a novel polyubiquitin protein in the latex and leaves, leading to the first molecular characterization of its coding gene and expressed protein in E. characias . Using consensus-degenerate hybrid oligonucleotide primers (CODEHOP) and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (5'/3'-RACE), we reconstructed the entire open reading frame (ORF) and noncoding regions. Our analysis revealed that the polyubiquitin gene encodes five tandemly repeated sequences, each coding for a ubiquitin monomer with amino acid variations in four of the five repeats. In silico studies have suggested functional differences among monomers. Gene expression peaked during the summer, correlating with high temperatures and suggesting a role in heat stress response. Western blotting confirmed the presence of polyubiquitin in the latex and leaf tissues, indicating active ubiquitination processes. These findings enhance our understanding of polyubiquitin's regulatory mechanisms and functions in E. characias , highlighting its unique structural and functional features.

Introduction: Celiac disease (CD) and type 1 diabetes (T1D) often co-occur and share genetic components in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II region. We aimed to study the usefulness of HLA genotyping in predicting the risk of developing T1D in patients with CD and the temporal relationship between these diseases., Methods: A cohort of 1,886 Sardinian patients, including 822 with CD, 1,064 with T1D, and 627 controls, underwent HLA class II typing. Seventy-six of 822 patients with CD were also affected by T1D (CD-T1D), and their HLA genotypes were analyzed for specific HLA associations with CD, T1D, and controls., Results: High-risk HLA-DQ genotypes, including HLA-DQ2.5/DQ8, -DQ2.5/DQ2.5, and -DQ2.5/DQ2.3, were strongly associated with CD-T1D with frequencies of 34.5%, 15.9%, and 18.8%, respectively. Conversely, certain HLA genotypes associated with CD seemed to confer protection against T1D development. Therefore, HLA genotyping allows for the identification of those patients with CD who might develop T1D. The frequency of patients with CD preceding T1D is higher in younger children than older ones, with implications for the early childhood approach to diabetes prevention., Discussion: CD is a condition for future T1D development, and specific HLA genotypes can predict this risk. Early screening for celiac autoimmunity and subsequent HLA typing in CD children could help identify those at high risk of T1D, allowing for proactive interventions and immunotherapies to preserve β-cell function. These findings may support the re-evaluation of HLA typing in children with CD., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of The American College of Gastroenterology.)