Phf21b imprints the spatiotemporal epigenetic switch essential for neural stem cell differentiation.

Cerebral cortical development in mammals involves a highly complex and organized set of events including the transition of neural stem and progenitor cells (NSCs) from proliferative to differentiative divisions to generate neurons. Despite progress, the spatiotemporal regulation of this proliferation-differentiation switch during neurogenesis and the upstream epigenetic triggers remain poorly known. Here we report a cortex-specific PHD finger protein, Phf21b, which is highly expressed in the neurogenic phase of cortical development and gets induced as NSCs begin to differentiate.

Hypoglycemic effects of Potentilla fulgens L in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic mice.

Tap roots of Potentilla fulgens L. traditionally chewed along with betel nut (Areca catechu) and betel leaves (Piper betel), are commonly used by local practitioners for various types of ailments. The crude methanolic extract of the roots was tested for its effects in normoglycemic and alloxan-induced diabetic mice.

Loss of high-molecular-weight proteins in liver microsomes of rats treated with hepatocarcinogens.

Microsomal preparations from rats treated with 2-acetylaminofluorene (2-AAF) or with 4-dimethylaminoazobenzene (4-DAB), alone or followed by phenobarbital (PB), showed almost complete loss of microsomal proteins of molecular weights higher than 60,000, as shown by Sephadex G-150 gel filtration technique. Induction of a number of microsomal proteins in the lower ranges of molecular weights was also recorded due to the treatment of these two hepatocarcinogens with and without the use of PB as a promoter. These modifications in the protein patterns of microsomes might be due to altered genetic expression resulting in uncontrolled cell division/cell cycle.