Caspase-9 activation and Apaf-1 cleavage by MMP-3.

We have previously demonstrated that matrix metalloprotease-3 (MMP-3) can act inside the cell to trigger apoptosis in response to various cell stresses in dopaminergic neuronal cells. However, the mechanism by which MMP-3 activity leads to caspase-3 activation in apoptotic signaling was not known. In the present study, we found that MMP-3 acts upstream of caspase-9.

Apoptotic death of prostate cancer cells by a gonadotropin-releasing hormone-II antagonist.

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone-I (GnRH-I) has attracted strong attention as a hormonal therapeutic tool, particularly for androgen-dependent prostate cancer patients. However, the androgen-independency of the cancer in advanced stages has spurred researchers to look for new medical treatments. In previous reports, we developed the GnRH-II antagonist Trp-1 to inhibit proliferation and stimulate the autophagic death of various prostate cancer cells, including androgen-independent cells.

Molecular coevolution of kisspeptins and their receptors from fish to mammals.

Kisspeptin and its receptor, GPR54, play a pivotal role in vertebrate reproduction. Recent advances in bioinformatic tools combined with comparative genomics have led to the identification of a large number of kisspeptin and GPR54 genes in a variety of vertebrate species. Genome duplications may have produced at least two isoforms of both ligand (KiSS1 and KiSS2) and receptor (GPR54-1 and GPR54-2).

Intermolecular cross-talk between NTR1 and NTR2 neurotensin receptor promotes intracellular sequestration and functional inhibition of NTR1 receptors.

G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) are now regarded as being able to acquire heterodimer conformations affecting their pharmacology, signaling and trafficking. In co-immunoprecipitation studies using differentially epitope-tagged receptors, we herein provide direct evidence for heterodimerization of human neurotensin type 1 receptor (hNTR1) and type 2 receptor (hNTR2). Using chimeric constructs, we also identified the hNTR2 transmembrane 2 (TM2) to TM4 region as crucial for the formation of the dimerization interface.

Splicing variants of the orphan G-protein-coupled receptor GPR56 regulate the activity of transcription factors associated with tumorigenesis.

Purpose: GPR56 is an orphan G-protein-coupled receptor of the adhesion family involved in brain development. In some cancer cells and tissues, GPR56 is highly expressed and may contribute to tumorigenesis phenotypes such as cell adhesion and metastasis. Although the ligand for GPR56 is unknown, the overexpression of the receptor induces the activity of several transcription factors.

Cloning and expression of glucose-1-phosphate thymidylyltransferase gene (schS6) from Streptomyces sp. SCC-2136.

The deoxysugar biosynthetic gene cluster of Sch 47554/Sch 47555 was cloned from Streptomyces sp. SCC-2136. One of the ORFs, schS6, appeared to encode glucose-1-phosphate thymidylyltransferase, which converts dTTP and glucose-1-phosphate to TDP-D-glucose and pyrophosphate.

Protective effect of sulforaphane against dopaminergic cell death.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with a selective loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Evidence suggests oxidation of dopamine (DA) to DA quinone and consequent oxidative stress as a major factor contributing to this vulnerability. We have previously observed that exposure to or induction of NAD(P)H:quinone reductase (QR1), the enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of quinone, effectively protects DA cells.

Production, purification, and characterization of a novel thermostable serine protease from soil isolate, Streptomyces tendae.

An isolate of Streptomyces tendae produced a extracellular protease which was purified to apparent homogeneity giving a single band on SDS-PAGE with a molecular mass of 21 kDa. Optimum activity was at 70 degrees C and pH 6. It was stable at 55 degrees C for 30 min and between pH 4 and 9.

Cloning and expression of the glucose-1-phosphate thymidylyltransferase gene (gerD) from Streptomyces sp. GERI-155.

GERI-155 is a macrolide antibiotic containing two deoxyhexose molecules, that has antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria. The deoxysugar biosynthetic gene cluster of GERI-155 was cloned from Streptomyces sp., GERI-155.

Cloning, expression, and biological function of a dTDP-deoxyglucose epimerase (gerF) gene from Streptomyces sp. GERI-155.

GERI-155 is a macrolide antibiotic containing two deoxyhexose molecules which has antimicrobial activities against gram-positive bacteria. The deoxyhexose biosynthetic gene cluster of GERI-155 from Streptomyces sp. GERI-155 genome has now been isolated.