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“Cancer risk is modulated by gene-environment interactions between toxic exposure and genetic variation in carcinogen metabolism. Our objective was to assess interactions between exposure to industrial pollutants and polymorphisms affecting cytochrome P450s (CYP1A1 and CYP2E1) and glutathione S-transferases (GSTP1 and GSTT) in childhood acute

leukemia (AL). A case-only design was conducted in 123 Chinese children with sporadic AL. Industrial plants in the vicinity were recorded and, if present, their size and proximity to the usual place of residence of AL children was evaluated. Unconditional logistic regression analysis was performed across the find more AL study group adjusting for age, gender, parental education. occupation and smoking, indoor and Outdoor pesticide use, presence of television sets, refrigerators, microwave ovens and furniture selleck compound material in children’s rooms, and electric transformers, power lines, and telecommunication transmitters within 500 m.

This analysis revealed an interaction between the GSTT null allele and industrial plants within 500 m of the residences of childhood AL patients (interaction odds ratio, COR=2.96, 95% CI: 1.09-8.01). Furthermore, the COR for the interaction between GSTT null and industrial plants within 50 in was 5.99 (95% Cl: 1.41-25.45). Our results suggest an association between proximity to industrial plants and the GSTT null allele in patients with childhood AL. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“The C-repeat binding factor/dehydration responsive element binding factor 1 (CBF/DREB1) is a critical regulator MK-8931 of the development of tolerance to abiotic stress in plants. Here we report the cloning of the homologous gene, VviDREB1, from a central arctic plant, the cowberry Vaccinium vitis-idaea L., using rapid amplification of cDNA ends and genome walking techniques. The cDNA and genomic DNA are 887 and 3790

bp long, respectively. Alignment and phylogenetic tree analysis suggested that VviDREB1 should be classified into the A-1 group of the DREB subfamily. The 1522-bp-long promoter contains putative cis-acting elements and transcription factor binding motifs, including elements predicted to respond to phytohormones, abiotic stress, and light. The deduced amino acid sequence of the VviDREB1 cDNA contains a predicted DNA-binding domain with a three-stranded anti-parallel beta-sheet and an alpha-helix, similar to that of the Arabidopsis thaliana ethylene-responsive-element-binding factor AtERF1, suggesting that VviDREB1 might bind to the dehydration responsive and ethylene responsive element. The expression of VviDREB1 was mainly localized to the nuclei of onion epidermal cells. Importantly, VviDREB1 expression in the cowberry was up-regulated by cold, high-salt, and abscisic acid treatment. Our findings may provide a novel basis for further studies of the acclimation and tolerance of cowberry to abiotic stresses.