Identification of genes down-regulated during melanoma progression: a cDNA array study.

In order to identify genes relevant for melanoma development, we carried out cDNA array experiments employing an in vitro model of human melanoma progression, consisting of two cell lines: one, LP, derived from a primary melanoma and the other, LM, from its metastatic supraclavicular lymph node. Basic cDNA array data identified 26 genes as down-regulated in the LM cell line. Northern blot analysis confirmed an effective transcriptional down-regulation for five out of 13 genes analyzed.

Observation of cancellation and second light-induced Fréedericksz transition in nematic liquid crystals.

We describe the observation of a new phenomenon: the cancellation of molecular reorientation that has been achieved in nematic liquid crystals acted on by two competing (pulsed) light beams. The effect is unstable: Starting from the cancellation condition, we have observed patterns related to the presence of a nonlinear phase shift in both beams when their intensity was increased simultaneously. We characterize the behavior of the induced phase shift as a function of the impinging power.

E1A deregulates the centrosome cycle in a Ran GTPase-dependent manner.

By means of the yeast two-hybrid system, we have discovered a novel physical interaction between the adenovirus E1A oncoprotein and Ran, a small GTPase which regulates nucleocytoplasmic transport, cell cycle progression, and mitotic spindle organization. Expression of E1A elicits induction of S phase and centrosome amplification in a variety of rodent cell lines. The induction of supernumerary centrosomes requires functional RCC1, the nucleotide exchange factor for Ran and, hence, a functional Ran network.

Biochemical and immunohistochemical evidence for a non-muscle myosin at the neuromuscular junction in bovine skeletal muscle.

We identified 220-kD protein in bovine skeletal muscle homogenate by affinity chromatography on an agarose column and subsequent SDS-PAGE. Peptide mass fingerprinting (MALDI mass spectrometry) and internal sequence analysis revealed that this protein has homology with several members of the myosin superfamily, particularly with human cardiac beta-myosin heavy chain (beta-MHC). A rabbit polyclonal antibody against the 220-kD protein specifically stained a 220-kD band in Western blots of skeletal muscle homogenate.

Apelin expression in normal human tissues.

Apelin is an endogenous ligand of the human orphan receptor APJ (orphan G protein-coupled receptor). This peptide is produced through processing from the C-terminal portion in the pre-proprotein consisting of 77 amino acid residues and exists in multiple molecular forms. Although the main physiological functions of apelin have not been clarified yet, it has been demonstrated that apelin partially suppresses cytokine production from mouse spleen and, specifically, induces the promotion of extracellular acidification and inhibition of cAMP production in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Cyclin T: three forms for different roles in physiological and pathological functions.

Cyclins are members of family of proteins involved in the cell cycle regulation. They are regulatory subunits of complexes with proteins called cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). There are three forms of cyclin T: cyclin T1, cyclin T2a, and T2b.

Loss of pRb2/p130 expression is associated with unfavorable clinical outcome in lung cancer.

Altered expression of cell cycle regulators represents a frequent event in both small cell and non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Despite several studies that reported involvement of tumor suppressor genes, such as p53 and pRb, in the development and progression of lung cancer, contrasting opinions exist about the prognostic role of this protein in this neoplasm. We developed an immunohistochemical assay suitable for the detection of pRb2/p130, the last discovered member of the retinoblastoma gene family, on formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded sections.

Central serotonergic and adrenergic/imidazoline inhibitory mechanisms on sodium and water intake.

Recent studies have shown the existence of two important inhibitory mechanisms for the control of NACL and water intake: one mechanism involves serotonin in the lateral parabrachial nucleus (LPBN) and the other depends on alpha(2)-adrenergic/imidazoline receptors probably in the forebrain areas. In the present study we investigated if alpha(2)-adrenergic/imidazoline and serotonergic inhibitory mechanisms interact to control NaCl and water intake. Male Holtzman rats with cannulas implanted simultaneously into the lateral ventricle (LV) and bilaterally into the LPBN were used.

Cdk9, a member of the cdc2-like family of kinases, binds to gp130, the receptor of the IL-6 family of cytokines.

Cdk9 is a member of the Cdc2-like family of kinases. It binds to members of the family of cyclin T (T1, T2a and T2b) and to cyclin K. The Cdk9/cyclin T complex appears to be involved in regulating several physiological processes.

p300/cAMP-response-element-binding-protein ('CREB')-binding protein (CBP) modulates co-operation between myocyte enhancer factor 2A (MEF2A) and thyroid hormone receptor-retinoid X receptor.

Thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) and members of the myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) family are involved in the regulation of muscle-specific gene expression during myogenesis. Physical interaction between these two factors is required to synergistically activate gene transcription. p300/cAMP-response-element-binding-protein ('CREB')-binding protein (CBP) interacting with transcription factors is able to increase their activity on target gene promoters.

Different patterns of expression of five neuropeptides in the adrenal gland and kidney of two species of frog.

The aim of this study was to demonstrate in the adrenocortical and renal tissues of two species of frog, Rana italica and Rana esculenta, the presence and distribution of five neuropeptides: atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), Leu-enkephalin (Leu-ENK), neuropeptide Y (NPY), substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). In anurans, the adrenal medulla is the site for the synthesis, storage and secretion of not only catecholamines but also various peptides. These peptides should not be regarded only as neurotransmitters or modulators for the secretion of catecholamines, but also as hormonal substances that induce systemic effects.

The HtrA1 serine protease is down-regulated during human melanoma progression and represses growth of metastatic melanoma cells.

Differential gene expression of cell lines derived from a malignant melanoma or its autologous lymph node metastasis using cDNA arrays indicated down-regulation of PRSS11, a gene encoding the serine protease HtrA1, a homolog of the Escherichia coli protease HtrA, in the metastatic line. Stable PRSS11 overexpression in the metastatic cell line strongly inhibited proliferation, chemoinvasion and Nm23-H1 protein expression in vitro, as well as cell growth in vivo in nu/nu mice. A polyclonal anti-HtrA1 serum demonstrated a significantly higher expression in primary melanomas when compared to unrelated metastatic lesions in a human melanoma tissue array, and down-modulation of HtrA1 expression in autologous lymph node melanoma metastases in seven out of 11 cases examined.

Endothelin-B (ET(B)) receptor distribution in tissues of the lizard Podarcis sicula.

Although the structural and pharmacological properties of endothelin (ET) receptors have been studied, little is known concerning their physiological significance, even if each subtype is supposed to have a distinct physiological action. Thus, to further elucidate the physiological function of this receptor, we examined the presence and distribution of the endothelin-B receptor (ET(B)) subtype in tissues of the lizard Podarcis sicula, using immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry. Immunoblotting indicated that, although the ET(B) receptor appears to be ubiquitous, it is present at different levels in the tissues examined.

Activation of MyoD-dependent transcription by cdk9/cyclin T2.

Myogenic transcription is repressed in myoblasts by serum-activated cyclin-dependent kinases, such as cdk2 and cdk4. Serum withdrawal promotes muscle-specific gene expression at least in part by down-regulating the activity of these cdks. Unlike the other cdks, cdk9 is not serum- or cell cycle-regulated and is instead involved in the regulation of transcriptional elongation by phosphorylating the carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II.