Discovery and Quantitative Dissection of Cytokinesis Mechanisms Using Dictyostelium discoideum.

The social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum is a versatile model for understanding many different cellular processes involving cell motility including chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and cytokinesis. Cytokinesis, in particular, is a model cell-shaped change process in which a cell separates into two daughter cells. D.

Adenine nucleotide translocase regulates airway epithelial metabolism, surface hydration and ciliary function.

Airway hydration and ciliary function are critical to airway homeostasis and dysregulated in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is impacted by cigarette smoking and has no therapeutic options. We utilized a high-copy cDNA library genetic selection approach in the amoeba to identify genetic protectors to cigarette smoke. Members of the mitochondrial ADP/ATP transporter family adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT) are protective against cigarette smoke in and human bronchial epithelial cells.

Why new biology must be uncovered to advance therapeutic strategies for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by the destruction of alveolar tissue (in emphysema) and airway remodeling (leading to chronic bronchitis), which cause difficulties in breathing. It is a growing public health concern with few therapeutic options that can reverse disease progression or mortality. This is in part because current treatments mainly focus on ameliorating symptoms induced by inflammatory pathways as opposed to curing disease.

Female juvenile play elicits Fos expression in dopaminergic neurons of the VTA.

Juveniles of many species engage in rough-and-tumble play behaviors, and these social encounters are important for the expression of typical social behaviors. Play is a highly motivated and rewarding behavior, which suggests that the mesocorticolimbic dopamine system is likely important for reinforcing the behavior. Indeed, systemic dopamine receptor antagonists decrease the expression of play behaviors, but the specific dopaminergic networks important for play are not known.