A putative DEAD-box RNA-helicase is required for normal zoospore development in the late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans.

The asexual multinucleated sporangia of Phytophthora infestans can germinate directly through a germ tube or indirectly by releasing zoospores. The molecular mechanisms controlling sporangial cytokinesis or sporangial cleavage, and zoospore release are largely unknown. Sporangial cleavage is initiated by a cold shock that eventually compartmentalizes single nuclei within each zoospore.

Effect of TGF-beta2 and anti-TGF-beta2 antibody in a new in vivo rodent model of posterior capsule opacification.

Purpose: This study evaluated the effect of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta2 and anti-TGF-beta2 antibody in a rodent model of posterior capsule opacification (PCO).

Methods: An extracapsular lens extraction (ECLE) was performed in 72 Sprague-Dawley rats. At the end of the procedure, 10 microL TGF-beta2 (TGF-beta2-treated group), fetal calf serum (FCS)/phosphate-buffered saline (PBS; FCS/PBS-treated control group), a human monoclonal TGF-beta2 antibody (anti-TGF-beta2-treated group), or a null control IgG4 antibody (null antibody-treated control group) was injected into the capsule.

Posterior capsule opacification in mice.

Objective: To present a new model of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) in mice.

Methods: An extracapsular lens extraction was performed in 28 consecutive mice. Animals were humanely killed 0 and 24 hours and 3 and 14 days after surgery.

Bax-induced cytochrome c release from mitochondria depends on alpha-helices-5 and -6.

The pro-apoptotic protein Bax plays a key role in the mitochondrial signalling pathway. Upon induction of apoptosis, Bax undergoes a conformational change and translocates to mitochondrial membranes, where it inserts and mediates the release of cytochrome c from the intermembrane space into the cytosol. However, the domains of Bax that are essential for the induction of cytochrome c release are still elusive.

A new model of posterior capsule opacification in rodents.

Purpose: To describe a new model of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) in rodents

Methods: An extracapsular lens extraction (ECLE), by continuous curvilinear capsulorrhexis and hydrodissection, was performed in 42 consecutive Brown Norway rats. Animals were killed at 0, 6, and 24 hours and 3, 7, and 14 days after surgery. Eyes were enucleated and processed for light microscopy and immunohistochemistry.