Ubiquitin-dependent intramembrane rhomboid protease promotes ERAD of membrane proteins.

The ER-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway serves as an important cellular safeguard by directing incorrectly folded and unassembled proteins from the ER to the proteasome. Still, however, little is known about the components mediating ERAD of membrane proteins. Here we show that the evolutionary conserved rhomboid family protein RHBDL4 is a ubiquitin-dependent ER-resident intramembrane protease that is upregulated upon ER stress.

Usefulness of real-time myocardial perfusion imaging to evaluate alterations of myocardial blood flow in patients with stable angina pectoris undergoing elective percutaneous coronary interventions.

Release of cardiac enzymes has been reported in patients with stable angina who undergo elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and has been associated with adverse clinical outcomes. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether impaired microvascular integrity can be detected using myocardial contrast echocardiography in patients undergoing elective PCI, and whether it is related to the extent of postprocedural troponin T elevation. We investigated consecutive patients with stable angina (n = 19) who were scheduled for elective angioplasty with stent placement.