Programmed cell death 4 (PDCD4): a novel player in ethanol-mediated suppression of protein translation in primary cortical neurons and developing cerebral cortex.

Background: Prenatal exposure to ethanol (EtOH) elicits a range of neuro-developmental abnormalities, microcephaly to behavioral deficits. Impaired protein synthesis has been connected to pathogenesis of EtOH-induced brain damage and abnormal neuron development. However, mechanisms underlying these impairments of protein synthesis are not known.

A novel RGD-toxin protein, Lj-RGD3, from the buccal gland secretion of Lampetra japonica impacts diverse biological activities.

RGD (Arg-Gly-Asp) motif toxin proteins from snake venoms, saliva glands secretion of leech or tick have typical characteristics of inhibiting platelet aggregation, angiogenesis, and tumor growth. Here we report cloning and characterization of a novel RGD-toxin protein from the buccal gland of Lampetra japonica. In an attempt to study the activities of anticoagulant in the buccal gland secretion of L.