VAMP-8 segregates mast cell-preformed mediator exocytosis from cytokine trafficking pathways.

Inflammatory responses by mast cells are characterized by massive exocytosis of prestored granular mediators followed by cytokine/chemokine release. The vesicular trafficking mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. Vesicular-associated membrane protein-8 (VAMP-8), a member of the soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) attachment protein receptor (SNARE) family of fusion proteins initially characterized in endosomal and endosomal-lysosomal fusion, may also function in regulated exocytosis.

[Sheep transgenic embryos produced by intracytoplasmic sperm injection].

In this study, the possibility of sheep transgenesis by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was assessed. In experiment 1, activation of ovine oocytes matured in vitro in preparation for ICSI has been investigated with 3.42 mmol/L Ca2+ treatment, ionomycin alone and ionomycin followed by 6-dimethylaminopurine (DMAP) after 3-h delay (group 1, 2 and 3, respectively).