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Introduction GATA3 belongs to a family of dual zinc-finger transcription factors that are involved in vertebrate embryonic development, and GATA3 haploinsufficiency has been reported to result in the congenital hypoparathyroidism-deafness-renal [...], Heterozygous mutations of GATA3, which encodes a dual zinc-finger transcription factor, cause hypoparathyroidism with sensorineural deafness and renal dysplasia. Here, we have investigated the role of GATA3 in parathyroid function by challenging [Gata3.sup.±] mice with a diet low in calcium and vitamin D so as to expose any defects in parathyroid function. This led to a higher mortality among [Gata3.sup.±] mice compared with [Gata3.sup.[+/+]] mice. Compared with their wild-type littermates, [Gata3.sup.±] mice had lower plasma concentrations of calcium and parathyroid hormone (PTH) and smaller parathyroid glands with a reduced Ki-67 proliferation rate. At E11.5, [Gata3.sup.±] embryos had smaller parathyroid-thymus primordia with fewer cells expressing the parathyroid-specific gene glial cells missing 2 (Gcm2), the homolog of human GCMB. In contrast, E11.5 [Gata3.sup.[-/-]] embryos had no Gcm2 expression and by E12.5 had gross defects in the third and fourth pharyngeal pouches, including absent parathyroid-thymus primordia. Electrophoretic mobility shift, luciferase reporter, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays showed that GATA3 binds specifically to a functional double-GATA motif within the GCMB promoter. Thus, GATA3 is critical for the differentiation and survival of parathyroid progenitor cells and, with GCM2/B, forms part of a transcriptional cascade in parathyroid development and function.

The pM3 plasmid of Pseudomonas species is described. This plasmid belongs to the IncP-9 group, and confers tetracycline and streptomycin resistance. The plasmid was found in numerous Pseudomonas isolates from Belarus.

Background: The enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) determines prereceptor metabolism and activation of glucocorticoids within peripheral tissues. Its dysregulation has been implicated in a wide array of metabolic diseases, leading to the development of selective 11β-HSD1 inhibitors. We examined the impact of the reversible competitive 11β-HSD1 inhibitor, AZD4017, on the metabolic profile in an overweight female cohort with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH).Methods: We conducted a UK multicenter phase II randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 12-week treatment with AZD4017. Serum markers of glucose homeostasis, lipid metabolism, renal and hepatic function, inflammation and androgen profiles were determined and examined in relation to changes in fat and lean mass by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.Results: Patients receiving AZD4017 showed significant improvements in lipid profiles (decreased cholesterol, increased high-density lipoprotein [HDL] and cholesterol/HDL ratio), markers of hepatic function (decreased alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamyl transferase), and increased lean muscle mass (1.8%, P < .001). No changes in body mass index, fat mass, and markers of glucose metabolism or inflammation were observed. Patients receiving AZD4017 demonstrated increased levels of circulating androgens, positively correlated with changes in total lean muscle mass.Conclusions: These beneficial metabolic changes represent a reduction in risk factors associated with raised intracranial pressure and represent further beneficial therapeutic outcomes of 11β-HSD1 inhibition by AZD4017 in this overweight IIH cohort. In particular, beneficial changes in lean muscle mass associated with AZD4017 may reflect new applications for this nature of inhibitor in the management of conditions such as sarcopenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DMD is a devastatingly progressive muscle wasting disorder of childhood that significantly shortens life expectancy. Despite efforts to develop an effective therapy that dates back over a century, clinical interventions are still restricted to management of symptoms rather than a cure. The rationale to develop effective therapies changed in 1986 with the discovery of the dystrophin gene. Since then extensive research into both the molecular basis and pathophysiology of DMD has paved the way not only for development of strategies which aim to correct the primary defect, but also towards the identification of countless therapeutic targets with the potential to alleviate the downstream pathology. In addition to gene and cell-based therapies, which aim to deliver the missing gene and/or protein, an exciting spectrum of pharmacological approaches aimed at modulating therapeutic targets within DMD muscle cells through the use of small drugs are also being developed. This review presents promising pharmacological approaches aimed at targeting the primary defect, including suppression of nonsense mutations and functional compensation by upregulation of the dystrophin homologue, utrophin. Downstream of the primary membrane fragility, inflammation and fibrosis are reduced by blocking NF-κB, TGF-α and TGF-β, and free radical damage has been targeted using antioxidants and dietary/nutritional supplements. There are new hopes that ACE and PDE5 inhibitors can protect against skeletal as well as cardiac pathology, and modulating Ca2+ influx, NO, BMP, protein degradation and the mitochondrial permeability pore hold further promise in tackling the complex pathogenesis of this multifaceted disorder.