£\1-antitrypsin¡]£\1-AT¡^is one of over 40-member family of serine protease inhibitors, regulating trypsin and elstase activities by the formation of covalently bound complex. The mechanism of which serpin and enzyme form covalent complex is not clear, but two theorise have been proposed. One is opposite pole theory (OPT) proposed by Huntington et al.¡]2000¡^, suggesting that after serpin is cleaved by serine protease, the P1-linked enzyme is over-swinging about 70

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The purpose of the study was to investigate a possible connection between alpha-l-antitrypsin (A1AT) deficiency and familial epilepsy and mental retardation of possible congenital or genetic origin.The individuals were genotyped by using a two dimensional cross-electrophoretic procedure. The electrophoretic procedure involved isoelectric focusing on an acid-starch gel followed by immunoelectrophoresis. The control and experimental groups were then statistically compared to population norms by using the chi-square test. The 0.05 level of significance was established as the critical probability level for the nonacceptance of a connection.ResultsOf the 49 individuals in the control group, 46 had, a protease inhibitor (Pi) genotype of PiMM 1 , and there was 1 each of the Pi MF, Pi MS, and Pi Mz genotypes. Of the 50individuals in the familial epilepsy experimental group, 43 were genotyped as PiMM, 2 as PiMS, and 5 as PIMF. Of the 16 individuals in the mental retardation experimental group, 14 were genotyped as PiMM, 1 as PiMS, and 1 as PiMF.The probability of reoccurrence for the various groups were: control - 0.3 to 0.5; familial epilepsy - 0.3 to 0.5; and mental retardation - 0.7 to 0.8.Conclusions1. The applicability of starch gel electrophoresis in a clinical setting is questionable because of cost, length of time required, and difficulty in handling.2. The control group demonstrated no statistical variation in the 1AT frequency from general population norms.3. The familial epilepsy experimental group showed no statistical evidence linking it to abnormal A1AT genotypes.4. The mental retardation experimental group demonstrated no statistical evidence linking it to abnormal A.1 AT genotypes.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Nevada, Reno, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references. Online version available on the World Wide Web.

Tierärztl. Hochsch., Diss., 2004--Hannover.

Charles University in Prague Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové Department of Biochemical Sciences Candidate: Bc. Petra Blažková Supervisor: Doc. PharmDr. Martin Beránek Ph.D. Title of diploma thesis: Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency analysis using real-time PCR This diploma thesis focuses on the validation of the method PCR in real-time (real-time PCR) to investigate the Z and S mutations in the gene SERPINA1, located at the long arm of chromosome 14 (14q32.13) and provides instructions for making a protein named alpha-1- antitrypsin (A1AT). A1AT is a serine protease inhibitor that protects tissues from degradation by neutrophil elastase. Deficiency, which is most commonly caused by these mutations, can cause children and adult's liver and lung disease. A method of real-time PCR was applied after successful validation to a set of 46 clinical samples of DNA extracted from blood samples and 30 samples of the DNA from cells of the buccal mucosa. DNA isolation was performed by kit extraction QIAamp ® DNA Mini Kit by QIAGEN. I used a set of primers and hybridization probes according to Snyder (2006) for genotyping. Melting curve analysis was carried out in the thermocycler LightCycler 1.2. Results of DNA samples obtained from blood were compared with the results obtained through an accredited method...

Purpose/Aims: The American Thoracic Society (ATS) published recommendations for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) testing in 2003. This descriptive project evaluates the outcomes of ATS AATD guideline use in the setting of the pulmonary function testing (PFT) lab.The specific aims met by this descriptive project describe the prevalence of AATD cases and carriers in the sample, examine to what degree the established clinical guideline promoted accurate patient selection for the alpha-1 test in the sample, and aimed to determine whether alpha-1 antitrypsin blood levels are reduced in current smokers compared to former or never smokers.Background: Alpha-1 antitrypsin prevents lung tissue breakdown by attenuating excess elastase released from neutrophils during the inflammatory response. Smoking impairs alpha-1 antitrypsin protection at the site of lung inflammation promoting emphysema development. In the case of genetic mutation, protective alpha-1 antitrypsin levels are reduced, causing emphysema even in non-smokers. Significantly reduced protective levels of alpha-1 antitrypsin increase the odds for morbidity and early mortality from emphysema. The literature provides support for targeted testing in the population most affected.Sample/Methods: The sample population included adults 21 through 79 years completing pulmonary function testing over 18 months in a metropolitan pulmonary medicine practice and was retrospectively reviewed.Of the 521 in the sample, 190 were tested for AATD, and 24 were found to carry an abnormal genotype. However, using Table 11 from the ATS CPG failed to provide structured, consistent guidance in selecting patients for AATD testing. Still, the prevalence of the abnormal genotypes MS, MZ, SZ, and ZZ was increased in this pulmonary population compared to the published estimated prevalence for the general population.A structured decision-tree, developed from the original guideline for diagnostic testing, may provide superior guidance for AATD test patient selection in this setting. Increased case finding by targeted testing of patients in the setting of the pulmonary function lab can serve to integrate this clinical practice guideline in a consistent streamlined fashion.In this sample, no difference between AAT blood levels among ever, never, and current tobacco smokers was detected. A more powerful sample is needed.

Thesis (doctoral)--Lund University, 1998. / Added t.p. with thesis statement inserted.