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Background: Cypher/ZASP plays an essential structural role in cardiac muscle. Results: Cypher/ZASP specifically interacted with PKARII␣ and calcineurin. Conclusion: Cypher/ZASP is a novel AKAP acting as a sarcomeric signaling center for potential phosphorylation regulation the function of channels and myofilament proteins. Significance: Cypher/ZASP-PKA-calcineurin complex expands our understanding the role of Cypher/ZASP in the heart.

Our findings show that leonurine reduces synovial inflammation and joint destruction in RA through the NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinases pathways. Leonurine has potential as a therapeutic agent for RA.

The Long QT Syndrome (LQTS) is a group of genetically heterogeneous disorders that predisposes young individuals to ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. LQTS is mainly caused by mutations in genes encoding subunits of cardiac ion channels (KCNQ1, KCNH2, SCN5A, KCNE1, and KCNE2). Many other genes involved in LQTS have been described recently (KCNJ2, AKAP9, ANK2, CACNA1C, SCNA4B, SNTA1, and CAV3). We created an online database (http://www.genomed.org/LOVD/introduction.html) that provides information on variants in LQTS-associated genes. As of February 2010, the database contains 1738 unique variants in 12 genes. A total of 950 variants are considered pathogenic, 265 are possible pathogenic, 131 are unknown/unclassified, and 292 have no known pathogenicity. In addition to these mutations collected from published literature, we also submitted information on gene variants, including one possible novel pathogenic mutation in the KCNH2 splice site found in ten Chinese families with documented arrhythmias. The remote user is able to search the data and is encouraged to submit new mutations into the database. The LQTS database will become a powerful tool for both researchers and clinicians. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Oxysterol-binding protein like 2 ( OSBPL2 ) was identified as a novel causal gene for autosomal dominant nonsyndromic hearing loss. However, the pathogenesis of OSBPL2 deficits in ADNSHL was still unclear. The function of OSBPL2 as a lipid-sensing regulator in multiple cellular processes suggested that OSBPL2 might play an important role in the regulation of cholesterol-homeostasis, which was essential for inner ear. In this study the potential roles of OSBPL2 in cholesterol biosynthesis and ROS production were investigated in Osbpl2 -KO OC1 cells and osbpl2b -KO zebrafish. RNA-seq-based analysis suggested that OSBPL2 was implicated in cholesterol biosynthesis and AMPK signaling pathway. Furthermore, Osbpl2/osbpl2b -KO resulted in a reduction of AMPK activity and up-regulation of Srebp2/srebp2, Hmgcr/hmgcr and Hmgcs1/hmgcs1 , key genes in the sterol biosynthetic pathway and associated with AMPK signaling. In addition, OSBPL2 was also found to interact with ATIC, key activator of AMPK. The levels of total cholesterol and ROS in OC1 cells or zebrafish inner ear were both increased in Osbpl2/osbpl2b -KO mutants and the mitochondrial damage was detected in Osbpl2 -KO OC1 cells. This study uncovered the regulatory roles of OSBPL2 in cellular cholesterol biosynthesis and ROS production. These founds might contribute to the deep understanding of the pathogenesis of OSBPL2 mutation in ADNSHL.