The Ras-like protein R-Ras2/TC21 is important for proper mammary gland development.

R-Ras2/TC21 is a GTPase with high sequence and signaling similarity with Ras subfamily members. Although it has been extensively studied using overexpression studies in cell lines, its physiological role remains poorly characterized. Here we used RRas2-knockout mice expressing β-galactosidase under the regulation of the endogenous RRas2 promoter to investigate the function of this GTPase in vivo.

Stable and sensitive probes for lysosomes: cell-penetrating fluorescent calix[4]arenes accumulate in acidic vesicles.

The uptake of a fluorescently labeled cationic calix[4] (NBDCalAm) in live, nonfixed cells has been investigated. The compound is taken into the cells rapidly and shows distinct endosomal distribution after 2 hours. This distribution pattern shows colocalization with lysosomal staining.

Distinct modes of molecular regulation of CCL3 induced calcium flux in monocytic cells.

The chemokine receptor CCR5 has been shown to be targeted to cholesterol- and sphingolipid-rich membrane microdomains. Here we elucidate the effects of membrane fluidity on CCR5 signalling and expression using the monocytic THP-1 cells. MCD treatment of THP-1 cells, which removes nearly all cholesterol from the plasma membrane, leads to an increase in the signalling properties of CCR5.

CCR5 internalisation and signalling have different dependence on membrane lipid raft integrity.

The chemokine receptor, CCR5, acts as a co-receptor for human immunodeficiency virus entry into cells. CCR5 has been shown to be targeted to cholesterol- and sphingolipid-rich membrane microdomains termed lipid rafts or caveolae. Cholesterol is essential for CCL4 binding to CCR5 and for keeping the conformational integrity of the receptor.