NLRP3 inflammasome activation, metabolic danger signals, and protein binding partners.

The NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome is an oligomeric complex that assembles in response to exogenous signals of pathogen infection and endogenous danger signals of non-microbial origin. When NLRP3 inflammasome assembly activates caspase-1, it promotes the maturation and release of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin-1B and IL-18. Aberrant activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome has been implicated in various diseases, including chronic inflammatory, metabolic, and cardiovascular diseases.

Hepatitis B virus virion secretion is a CRM1-spike-mediated late event.

Background: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major human pathogen worldwide. To date, there is no curative treatment for chronic hepatitis B. The mechanism of virion secretion remains to be investigated.

CRM1-spike-mediated nuclear export of hepatitis B virus encapsidated viral RNA.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a global pathogen. We report here that the cellular CRM1 machinery can mediate nuclear export of entire HBV core (HBc) particles containing encapsidated viral RNAs. Two CRM1-mediated nuclear export signals (NES) cluster at the conformationally flexible spike tips of HBc particles.

PPARγ activation improves the microenvironment of perivascular adipose tissue and attenuates aortic stiffening in obesity.

Background: Obesity-related cardiovascular risk, end points, and mortality are strongly related to arterial stiffening. Current therapeutic approaches for arterial stiffening are not focused on direct targeting within the vessel. Perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) surrounding the artery has been shown to modulate vascular function and inflammation.

Loss of EGR-1 uncouples compensatory responses of pancreatic β cells.

: Subjects unable to sustain β-cell compensation develop type 2 diabetes. Early growth response-1 protein (EGR-1), implicated in the regulation of cell differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis, is induced by diverse metabolic challenges, such as glucose or other nutrients. Therefore, we hypothesized that deficiency of EGR-1 might influence β-cell compensation in response to metabolic overload.

A Homokaryon Assay for Nucleocytoplasmic Shuttling Activity of HBV Core Protein.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein (HBc) can be present in both nucleus and cytoplasm. The arginine-rich domain (ARD) at the cytoplasmic tail of HBc contains both a nuclear localization signal (NLS) and nuclear export signal (NES). We established a homokaryon assay to detect the dynamic trafficking of HBc between nucleus and cytoplasm in hepatocytes.

Control and Eradication Strategies of Hepatitis B Virus.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a major human pathogen, and chronic hepatitis can lead to cirrhosis and malignant hepatocellular carcinoma. While HBV vaccine and treatment are available, it has remained a challenge to completely eradicate the virus from patients. Current therapy using either interferon or polymerase inhibitors cannot cure HBV with a high efficacy.

Nuclear export of human hepatitis B virus core protein and pregenomic RNA depends on the cellular NXF1-p15 machinery.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein (HBc) can shuttle between nucleus and cytoplasm. Cytoplasm-predominant HBc is clinically associated with severe liver inflammation. Previously, we found that HBc arginine-rich domain (ARD) can associate with a host factor NXF1 (TAP) by coimmunoprecipitation.

A new coordination polymer exhibiting unique 2D hydrogen-bonded (H2O)16 ring formation and water-dependent luminescence properties.

A new coordination polymer, [Zn(dpe)(bdc)]·4H(2)O (ZndB; dpe=1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane, bdc(2-)=dianion of benzenedicarboxylic acid), which possesses a 3D metal-organic framework (MOF) has been synthesized and structurally characterized. This 3D MOF is constructed by the assembly of helical channels filled with guest water molecules in both inner and outer regions of the channel. The resulting network also creates a 2D water layer containing hydrogen-bonded (H(2)O)(16) rings as the basic building units.

Reversible solid-state structural transformation of a 1D-2D coordination polymer by thermal De/rehydration processes.

A new coordination polymer, [Zn(HBTC)(BPE)0.5(H2O)]n·nH2O (1) with an extended 1D ladderlike metal-organic framework (MOF) has been synthesized and structural characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction method. Structural determination reveals that, in compound 1, the Zn(II) ion is four-coordinated in a distorted tetrahedral geometry, bonded to one nitrogen atom from one BPE ligand, and three oxygen atoms from two monodentate carboxylate groups of two HBTC(2-) ligands and one coordinated water molecule.

Nuclear export and import of human hepatitis B virus capsid protein and particles.

It remains unclear what determines the subcellular localization of hepatitis B virus (HBV) core protein (HBc) and particles. To address this fundamental issue, we have identified four distinct HBc localization signals in the arginine rich domain (ARD) of HBc, using immunofluorescence confocal microscopy and fractionation/Western blot analysis. ARD consists of four tight clustering arginine-rich subdomains.

Laboratory-based surveillance and molecular epidemiology of influenza virus in Taiwan.

A laboratory-based surveillance network of 11 clinical virological laboratories for influenza viruses was established in Taiwan under the coordination of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Taiwan. From October 2000 to March 2004, 3,244 influenza viruses were isolated, including 1,969 influenza A and 1,275 influenza B viruses. The influenza infections usually occurred frequently in winter in the northern hemisphere.

Influenza A virus PB1-F2 gene in recent Taiwanese isolates.

Influenza A virus contains eight RNA segments and encodes 10 viral proteins. However, an 11th protein, called PB1-F2, was found in A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1). This novel protein is translated from an alternative open reading frame (ORF) in the PB1 gene.