RELT Is Upregulated in Breast Cancer and Induces Death in Breast Cancer Cells.

Background: Receptor Expressed in Lymphoid Tissues (RELT) is a TNFRSF member that has two paralogs, RELL1 and RELL2; the three proteins are collectively referred to as RELT family members (RELTfms).

Methods: We sought to evaluate RELT expression in cancerous cells by using real-time PCR, western blotting, flow cytometry, and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The mechanism of RELT-induced cell death was assessed by western blotting, flow cytometry, luciferase assays, and morphology staining.

Unlocking new possibility of FeO@C@Ag nanostructures as an advanced SERS substrate for ultrasensitive detection of low-cross-section urea biomolecules.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is widely recognized as a powerful analytical technique, offering molecular identification by amplifying characteristic vibrational signals, even at the single-molecule level. While SERS has been successfully applied for a wide range of targets including pesticides, dyes, bacteria, and pharmaceuticals, it has struggled with the detection of molecules with inherently low Raman scattering cross-sections. Urea, a key nitrogen-containing biomolecule and the diamide of carbonic acid, is a prime example of such a challenging target.

Examining structure-activity relationships of ManNAc analogs used in the metabolic glycoengineering of human neural stem cells.

This study defines biochemical mechanisms that contribute to novel neural-regenerative activities we recently demonstrated for thiol-modified ManNAc analogs in human neural stem cells (hNSCs) by comparing our lead drug candidate for brain repair, "TProp," to a "size-matched" N-alkyl control analog, "But." These analogs biosynthetically install non-natural sialic acids into cell surface glycans, altering cell surface receptor activity and adhesive properties of cells. In this study, TProp modulated sialic acid-related biology in hNSCs to promote neuronal differentiation through modulation of cell adhesion molecules (integrins α6, β1, E-cadherin, and PSGL-1) and stem cell markers.

Quantitative Characterization of Partitioning Stringency in SELEX.

Maintaining stringent conditions in SELEX (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment) is crucial for obtaining high-affinity aptamers. However, excessive stringency greatly increases the risk of SELEX failure. Controlling stringency has remained a technical challenge, largely dependent on intuition, due to the absence of a clear, quantitative measure of stringency.

Activating SERS Signals of Inactive Analytes: Creating an Energy Bridge between Metal/Molecule Energy Alignment via Metal/Semiconductor Transitions.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful analytical technique, yet it faces challenges with certain probe molecules exhibiting weak or inactive signals, limiting their applicability. In a recent study, we investigated this phenomenon using a set of four probe molecules─chloramphenicol (CAP), 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), amoxicillin (AMX), and furazolidone (FZD)─deposited on Ag-based nanostructured SERS substrates. Despite being measured under identical conditions, CAP and 4-NP exhibited SERS activity, while AMX and FZD did not.