Biophysical properties of cationic lipophosphoramidates: Vesicle morphology, bilayer hydration and dynamics.

Cationic lipids are used to deliver genetic material to living cells. Their proper biophysical characterization is needed in order to design and control this process. In the present work we characterize some properties of recently synthetized cationic lipophosphoramidates.

[Tumour-stroma interactions in urothelial cancer].

Background: The histopathological structure of malignant tumours involves two essential compartments - the tumour parenchyma with the actual transformed cells, and the supportive tumour stroma. The latter consists of specialized mesenchymal cells, such as fibroblasts, macrophages, lymphocytes and vascular cells, as well as of their secreted products, including components of the extracellular matrix, matrix modifying enzymes and numerous regulatory growth factors and cytokines. In consequence, the tumour stroma has the ability to influence virtually all aspects of tumour development and progression, including therapeutic response.

Characterization and possible function of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase-spermatogenic protein GAPDHS in mammalian sperm.

Background: Sperm proteins are important for the sperm cell function in fertilization. Some of them are involved in the binding of sperm to the egg. We characterized the acrosomal sperm protein detected by a monoclonal antibody (MoAb) (Hs-8) that was prepared in our laboratory by immunization of BALB/c mice with human ejaculated sperms and we tested the possible role of this protein in the binding assay.

Nop2 is expressed during proliferation of neural stem cells and in adult mouse and human brain.

The nucleolar protein 2 gene encodes a protein specific for the nucleolus. It is assumed that it plays a role in the synthesis of ribosomes and regulation of the cell cycle. Due to its link to cell proliferation, higher expression of Nop2 indicates a worse tumor prognosis.

Simultaneous detection of multiple targets for ultrastructural immunocytochemistry.

Simultaneous detection of biological molecules by means of indirect immunolabeling provides valuable information about their localization in cellular compartments and their possible interactions in macromolecular complexes. While fluorescent microscopy allows for simultaneous detection of multiple antigens, the sensitive electron microscopy immunodetection is limited to only two antigens. In order to overcome this limitation, we prepared a set of novel, shape-coded metal nanoparticles readily discernible in transmission electron microscopy which can be conjugated to antibodies or other bioreactive molecules.