Role of insulin receptor substrates and protein kinase C-zeta in vascular permeability factor/vascular endothelial growth factor expression in pancreatic cancer cells.

Vascular permeability factor/vascular endothelial growth factor (VPF/VEGF), the critical molecule in tumor angiogenesis, is regulated by different stimuli, such as hypoxia and oncogenes, and also by growth factors. Previously we have shown that in AsPC-1 pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells, insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-IR) regulates VPF/VEGF expression. Insulin receptor substrate-1 and -2 (IRS-1 and IRS-2), two major downstream molecules of IGF-1R, are known to be important in the genesis of diabetes.

Thermodynamics of the binding of Thermus aquaticus DNA polymerase to primed-template DNA.

DNA binding of the Type 1 DNA polymerase from Thermus aquaticus (Taq polymerase) and its Klentaq large fragment domain have been studied as a function of temperature. Equilibrium binding assays were performed from 5 to 70 degrees C using a fluorescence anisotropy assay and from 10 to 60 degrees C using isothermal titration calorimetry. In contrast to the usual behavior of thermophilic proteins at low temperatures, Taq and Klentaq bind DNA with high affinity at temperatures down to 5 degrees C.

Hydroxylamine potentiates the effect of low dose hydrogen peroxide in glioma cells independent of p53.

We had earlier shown that higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) induced p53-dependent apoptosis in glioma cell line with wild type p53 but had minimal effect on cells with mutated p53. Here we show a potentiating effect of hydroxylamine (HA), an inhibitor of catalase, on a nontoxic dose of H(2)O(2) in glioma cells. HA sensitized both p53 wild type and mutated glioma cells to 0.

Fluconazole and itraconazole susceptibility of clinical isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans at a tertiary care centre in India: a need for care.

Objectives: In cryptococcosis, fluconazole is a standard prophylactic, therapeutic and maintenance option, particularly in the expanding HIV/AIDS group. However, its excessive use may lead to resistance in Cryptococcus neoformans. Variations in clinical response to fluconazole have already been noted elsewhere, and cases of post-therapy relapse are not uncommon.

Structural flexibility of multifunctional HABP1 may be important for regulating its binding to different ligands.

Hyaluronan-binding protein 1 (HABP1)/p32/gC1qR was characterized as a highly acidic and oligomeric protein, which binds to different ligands like hyaluronan, C1q, and mannosylated albumin. It exists as trimer in high ionic and reducing conditions as shown by crystal structure. In the present study, we have examined the structural changes of HABP1 under a wide range of ionic environments.

Heterotrimeric G alpha q/G alpha 11 proteins function upstream of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor-2 (KDR) phosphorylation in vascular permeability factor/VEGF signaling.

Vascular permeability factor/vascular endothelial growth factor (VPF/VEGF) functions by activating two receptor-tyrosine kinases, Flt-1 (VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-1) and KDR (VEGFR-2), both of which are selectively expressed on primary vascular endothelium. KDR is responsible for VPF/VEGF-stimulated endothelial cell proliferation and migration, whereas Flt-1 down-modulates KDR-mediated endothelial cell proliferation. Our most recent works show that pertussis toxin-sensitive G proteins and Gbetagamma subunits are required for Flt-1-mediated down-regulation of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation and that Gq/11 proteins are required for KDR-mediated RhoA activation and HUVEC migration.

Requirement of different signaling pathways mediated by insulin-like growth factor-I receptor for proliferation, invasion, and VPF/VEGF expression in a pancreatic carcinoma cell line.

Several oncogenes and growth factors are found to be mutated and overexpressed in adenocarcinoma of the pancreas, and may correlate with its highly aggressive nature. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-I) and its receptor (IGF-IR) are highly expressed in this tumor type. We examined the IGF-IR-mediated signaling pathways in relation to cell proliferation, invasiveness, and expression pattern of vascular permeability factor/vascular endothelial growth factor (VPF/VEGF) in the pancreatic cancer line ASPC-1.

Pyramiding transgenes for multiple resistance in rice against bacterial blight, yellow stem borer and sheath blight.

Here we describe the development of transgene-pyramided stable elite rice lines resistant to disease and insect pests by conventional crossing of two transgenic parental lines transformed independently with different genes. The Xa21 gene (resistance to bacterial blight), the Bt fusion gene (for insect resistance) and the chitinase gene (for tolerance of sheath blight) were combined in a single rice line by reciprocal crossing of two transgenic homozygous IR72 lines. F4 plant lines carrying all the genes of interest stably were identified using molecular methods.

An outbreak of dengue fever in rural areas of northern India.

During the past few decades, epidemics of dengue fever are causing concern in several South-East Asian countries including India. The rural areas of Hissar district of Haryana state, situated about 170 km North-West of Delhi, experienced an outbreak of febrile illness during July-August 1996. A total of 13 villages in eight affected primary health centres reported fever cases.

Constitutive expression of hyaluronan binding protein 1 (HABP1/p32/gC1qR) in normal fibroblast cells perturbs its growth characteristics and induces apoptosis.

Hyaluronan binding protein 1 (HABP1) is a ubiquitously expressed multifunctional phospho-protein that interacts with a wide range of ligands and is implicated in cell signalling. Recently, we have reported that HABP1 is an endogenous substrate for MAP kinase and upon mitogenic stimulation it is translocated to the nucleus in a MAP kinase-dependent manner (Biochem. Biophys.

Sperm surface hyaluronan binding protein (HABP1) interacts with zona pellucida of water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) through its clustered mannose residues.

Sperm-oocyte interaction during fertilization is multiphasic, with multicomponent events, taking place between zona pellucida (ZP) glycoproteins and sperm surface receptor. d-mannosylated glycoproteins, the major constituents of ZP are considered to serve as ligands for sperm binding. The presence of hyaluronan binding protein 1 (HABP1) on sperm surface of different mammals including cattle and its possible involvement in sperm function is already reported.

Salt dependence of DNA binding by Thermus aquaticus and Escherichia coli DNA polymerases.

DNA binding properties of the Type 1 DNA polymerases from Thermus aquaticus (Taq, Klentaq) and Escherichia coli (Klenow) have been examined as a function of [KCl] and [MgCl(2)]. Full-length Taq and its Klentaq "large fragment" behave similarly in all assays. The two different species of polymerases bind DNA with sub-micromolar affinities in very different salt concentration ranges.

Evidence for the presence of HABP1 pseudogene in multiple locations of mammalian genome.

The gene encoding hyaluronan-binding protein 1 (HABP1) is expressed ubiquitously in different rat tissues, and is present in eukaryotic species from yeast to humans. Fluorescence in situ hybridization indicates that this is localized in human chromosome 17p13.3.

Status of soil transmitted helminthic infections in India--observations on sample surveys using Kato-Katz technique.

Results of surveys conducted in eight different ecologically homogenous zones in the country, using WHO sampling design methodologies and Kato-Katz technique are presented in this communication. Hilly and coastal areas had high STH prevalence ranging from 34%-36% with total epg ranging from 53,952-4,67,976. Apart from this, Chitradurga urban area had STH prevalence of 39.

Evaluation of downstaging in the detection of cervical neoplasia in Kolkata, India.

Unaided visual inspection or "downstaging" has been suggested as a potential alternative method for cervical cancer screening in developing countries. Our study was designed to evaluate the accuracy of downstaging to detect cervical neoplasia in a low-resource setting. A total of 6,399 women aged 30-64 years were screened with downstaging by trained nonmedical health workers.

Stage-specific expression of proprotein form of hyaluronan binding protein 1 (HABP1) during spermatogenesis in rat.

The presence of the 34-kDa hyaluronan binding protein 1 (HABP1) on sperm surface and its role in fertilization is already established (Ranganathan et al., 1994: Mol Reprod Dev 38:69-76). In the present communication, we examined the expression of HABP1 in adult rat testis during spermatogenesis.

Anthrax.

Anthrax is caused by Bacillus anthracis, an encapulated and spore-forming bacillus. The disease is usually contracted through uptake of spores that remain viable in the contaminated soil for many years. Anthrax is primarily a disease of herbivorous animals and is uncommon in humans who may get the infection through contact with contaminated animals or their products.

Hyaluronan binding protein 1 (HABP1)/C1QBP/p32 is an endogenous substrate for MAP kinase and is translocated to the nucleus upon mitogenic stimulation.

The role of hyaluronan binding protein 1 (HABP1) in cell signaling was investigated and in vitro kinase assay demonstrated that it is a substrate for MAP kinase. Phosphorylation of endogenous HABP1 was also observed following treatment of J774 cells with PMA. HABP1 was coimmunoprecipitated with activated ERK, confirming their physical interaction in the cellular context.

Inhibition of cell proliferation and AP-1 activity by acrolein in human A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells due to thiol imbalance and covalent modifications.

Acrolein, a reactive alpha,beta-unsaturated aldehyde, is a common environmental pollutant, a metabolite of the anticancer drug cyclophosphamide, and a byproduct of lipid peroxidation. An increase in acrolein production has been proposed as a marker for Alzheimer's disease, diabetic glomerular lesions, and atherosclerosis. Acrolein is a potent inhibitor of cell proliferation at nonlethal doses and may act through effects on redox-regulated transcription factors.

p53 dependent apoptosis in glioma cell lines in response to hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress.

Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is an important mode of action of many chemotherapeutic agents. Hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) is a model oxidant that has been used to study the response of cells to oxidative stress. The role of p53 in ROS induced cell death has not been consistent and has been shown to be cell type dependent.

Disulfide bond formation through Cys186 facilitates functionally relevant dimerization of trimeric hyaluronan-binding protein 1 (HABP1)/p32/gC1qR.

Hyaluronan-binding protein 1 (HABP1), a ubiquitous multifunctional protein, interacts with hyaluronan, globular head of complement component 1q (gC1q), and clustered mannose and has been shown to be involved in cell signalling. In vitro, this recombinant protein isolated from human fibroblast exists in different oligomeric forms, as is evident from the results of various independent techniques in near-physiological conditions. As shown by size-exclusion chromatography under various conditions and glutaraldehyde cross-linking, HABP1 exists as a noncovalently associated trimer in equilibrium with a small fraction of a covalently linked dimer of trimers, i.