Protrudin functions from the endoplasmic reticulum to support axon regeneration in the adult CNS.

Adult mammalian central nervous system axons have intrinsically poor regenerative capacity, so axonal injury has permanent consequences. One approach to enhancing regeneration is to increase the axonal supply of growth molecules and organelles. We achieved this by expressing the adaptor molecule Protrudin which is normally found at low levels in non-regenerative neurons.

Trafficking and processing of bacterial proteins by mammalian cells: Insights from chondroitinase ABC.

Background: There is very little reported in the literature about the relationship between modifications of bacterial proteins and their secretion by mammalian cells that synthesize them. We previously reported that the secretion of the bacterial enzyme Chondroitinase ABC by mammalian cells requires the strategic removal of at least three N-glycosylation sites. The aim of this study was to determine if it is possible to enhance the efficacy of the enzyme as a treatment for spinal cord injury by increasing the quantity of enzyme secreted or by altering its cellular location.

Dynamic and thermodynamic response of the Ras protein Cdc42Hs upon association with the effector domain of PAK3.

Human cell division cycle protein 42 (Cdc42Hs) is a small, Rho-type guanosine triphosphatase involved in multiple cellular processes through its interactions with downstream effectors. The binding domain of one such effector, the actin cytoskeleton-regulating p21-activated kinase 3, is known as PBD46. Nitrogen-15 backbone and carbon-13 methyl NMR relaxation was measured to investigate the dynamical changes in activated GMPPCP·Cdc42Hs upon PBD46 binding.

Chest symptoms following coronary stenting in the first 10 weeks of recovery.

Background: Most patients experience the benefits of PTCA and stent quickly, with reduction in symptoms and improvement in functional status, however many patients experience chest symptoms post-procedure.

Objective: To describe the pattern and characteristics of post-stent chest symptoms in cardiac rehabilitation participants.

Methods: A prospective descriptive study assessing the pattern and presence of chest symptoms in coronary artery stent recipients (N=129) four and ten weeks post-procedure.