Kirrel2, a novel immunoglobulin superfamily gene expressed primarily in beta cells of the pancreatic islets.

A novel immunoglobulin superfamily (Igsf) protein gene was discovered by computational analysis of human draft genomic DNA, and multiple cDNA clones were obtained. The protein encoded by this gene contains five Ig domains, one transmembrane domain, and an intracellular domain. It has significant similarity with several known Igsf proteins, including Drosophila RST (irregular chiasm C-roughest) protein and mammalian KIRREL (kin of irregular chiasm C-roughest), NEPH1, and NPHS1 (nephrin) proteins.

Self-immobilizing recombinant antibody fragments for immunoaffinity chromatography: generic, parallel, and scalable protein purification.

We present the directed immobilization of recombinant antibody fragments as ligands for general immunoaffinity chromatography methods. It is based on fusion proteins of scFv fragments with several chitin-binding domains which can be immobilized directly from a crude bacterial lysate on inexpensive chitin beads for the purification of proteins without any gradient or detector. It has been used with a positive pressure manifold, allowing the parallel processing of 24 different samples on a milligram scale, as convenient as plasmid isolation.

Selective RGD-Mediated Adhesion of Osteoblasts at Surfaces of Implants.

Osteoblasts: yes, platelets: no! Bone implants have to be integrated with the surrounding tissue to allow a smooth and stable connection. A new procedure is shown which is based on covalent linking of a highly selective RGD peptide to a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) material (see picture). Osteoblasts very effectively bind to the treated surface and are stimulated to proliferate.