Complete Genome Sequence of Escherichia Phage Lw1, a New Member of the RB43 Group of Pseudo T-Even Bacteriophages.

RB43-related bacteriophages have a specific genome type that clearly distinguishes them from other T4-like viruses. Here, we present the complete genome sequence of a new virulent phage, Lw1, isolated as an Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) contaminant. Lw1 shares an RB43-like genome organization, but it does not contain putative AP2-domain endonuclease genes.

Requirement for N-cadherin-catenin complex in heart development.

Cell adhesion, mediated by N-cadherin, is critical for embryogenesis since N-cadherin-null embryos die during mid-gestation with multiple developmental defects. To investigate the role of N-cadherin in heart muscle development, N-cadherin was specifically deleted from myocardial cells in mice. The structural integrity of the myocardial cell wall was compromised in the N-cadherin mutant embryos, leading to a malformed heart and a delay in embryonic development.

N-cadherin is dispensable for pancreas development but required for beta-cell granule turnover.

The cadherin family of cell adhesion molecules mediates adhesive interactions that are required for the formation and maintenance of tissues. Previously, we demonstrated that N-cadherin, which is required for numerous morphogenetic processes, is expressed in the pancreatic epithelium at E9.5, but later becomes restricted to endocrine aggregates in mice.

The promoter of the oocyte-specific gene, Gdf9, is active in population of cultured mouse embryonic stem cells with an oocyte-like phenotype.

The study of germ cell-specific gene regulation in vitro is challenging. Here we report that the promoter of the oocyte-specific gene, Gdf9, is active in a population of cultured murine embryonic stem cells (ES) which have a phenotype resembling oocytes. The promoter region of the murine Gdf9 coupled to enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) was stably transfected into XX mouse ES cells.

Expression profile of male germ cell-associated genes in mouse embryonic stem cell cultures treated with all-trans retinoic acid and testosterone.

Cells that morphologically and functionally resemble male germ cells can be spontaneously derived from ES cells. However, this process is inefficient and unpredictable suggesting that the expression pattern of male germ cell associated genes during spontaneous ES cell differentiation does not mimic the in vivo profiles of the genes. Thus, in the present study, the temporal profile of genes expressed at different stages of male germ cell development was examined in differentiating ES cells.