Browsing by Author "Zole, Egija"

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    Changes in TP53 Gene, Telomere Length, and Mitochondrial DNA in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Patients
    (2024-10-15) Zole, Egija; Baumanis, Edgars; Freimane, Lauma; Dāle, Rolands; Leiše, Andrejs; Lietuvietis, Vilnis; Ranka, Renāte; Research Professor (Tenured Professor) Group at the Faculty of Pharmacy
    Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a growing issue due to an ageing population. Our study investigated the possible associations between BPH and ageing hallmarks, including the telomere length (TL) and mitochondrial genome copy number (mtDNA CN), along with genetic variations in the TP53 gene and mtDNA. Methods: Prostate tissue samples were obtained from 32 patients with BPH, together with 30 blood samples. As a healthy control group, age-matching blood DNA samples were used. For the comparison of mtDNA sequence data, 50 DNA samples of the general Latvian population were used. The full mtDNA genome was analyzed by using Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), the TP53 gene by Sanger sequencing, and the mtDNA copy number (mtDNA CN) and telomere length (TL) byqPCR assay. Results: The results showed that in BPH patients, telomeres in the prostate tissue were significantly longer than in blood cells, while the TL in blood cells of the healthy controls was the shortest. Also, the mtDNA amount in the prostate tissue of BPH patients was significantly greater in comparison with blood cells, and controls had the smallest mtDNA CN. We did not find any mutations in the TP53 gene that could be linked to BPH; however, in mtDNA, we found several unique mutations and heteroplasmic changes, as well as genetic changes that have been previously associated with prostate cancer. Conclusions: In conclusion, prolonged telomeres and changes in the mtDNA amount might be involved in the molecular mechanisms of BPH. Some of the heteroplasmic or homoplasmic mtDNA variants might also contribute to the development of BPH. Additional studies are needed to substantiate these findings.
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    Morphological characterisation and molecular sex determination of human remains from the 15th-17th centuries in Latvia
    (2015-04-01) Ščesnaite-Jerdiakova, Asta; Pliss, Liana; Gerhards, Guntis; Gordina, Elina Petersone; Gustiņa, Agnija; Pole, Ilva; Zole, Egija; Kimsis, Janis; Jansone, Inta; Ranka, Renate
    Sex determination is one of the most important and initial steps in human profile identification from archaeological material. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the application of molecular approaches alongside morphological methods for sex determination in archaeological human skeletal remains. Human skeletal remains were excavated from three cemeteries: St Gertrude Old Church, Dom Square and St Peter's Church, of 15th-17th century burials in Riga, Latvia. Morphological and molecular genetic methods, including amplification of genes AMELX/Y and SRY were used to analyse seven skeletal remains. The conducted analyses of morphological features identified sex in all seven cases (two females and five males). By molecular analyses of mediaeval DNA it was possible to determine sex in five of seven (71%) samples. In all positive cases full agreement between morphological estimation and molecular genetic methods was observed. To conclude, DNA analysis can be considered for sex identification in cases with no signs of sexual dimorphism (juvenile skeletons) or partially preserved skeletons.