Interaction of ASIC1 and ENaC subunits in human glioma cells and rat astrocytes.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive of the primary brain tumors. These tumors express multiple members of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC)/degenerin (Deg) family and are associated with a basally active amiloride-sensitive cation current. We hypothesize that this glioma current is mediated by a hybrid channel composed of a mixture of ENaC and acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC) subunits.

Immunohistochemical detection with quantum dots.

Quantum dot (QD) conjugates have many immunohistochemical applications. The optical, excitation/emission, and photostable properties of QDs offer several advantages over the use of chromogens or organic fluorophores in these applications. Here, we describe the use of QD conjugates to detect primary antibody binding in fixed tissue sections.

BH3-only proapoptotic Bcl-2 family members Noxa and Puma mediate neural precursor cell death.

Neural precursor cells (NPCs) are highly sensitive to genotoxic injury, which triggers activation of the intrinsic mitochondria-dependent apoptotic pathway. This pathway is typically initiated by members of the BH3 (Bcl-2 homology 3)-only subgroup of the Bcl-2 (B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2) protein family, which are positioned upstream in the apoptotic pathway to respond to specific death stimuli. We have shown previously that NPCs deficient in the tumor suppressor protein p53 show significantly less death after exposure to genotoxic injury or to staurosporine (STS), a broad kinase inhibitor and potent apoptosis inducer.

Combined tyramide signal amplification and quantum dots for sensitive and photostable immunofluorescence detection.

Conventional immunofluorescence detection of biologically relevant proteins and antigens in tissue sections is often limited by relatively weak signals that fade rapidly on illumination. We have developed an immunohistochemical protocol that combines the sensitivity of tyramide signal amplification with the photostability of quantum dots to overcome these limitations. This simple method provides a sensitive and stable fluorescence immunohistochemical alternative to standard chromogen detection.