AC6 regulates the microtubule-depolymerizing kinesin KIF19A to control ciliary length in mammals.

Motile cilia are hairlike structures that line the respiratory and reproductive tracts and the middle ear and generate fluid flow in these organs via synchronized beating. Cilium growth is a highly regulated process that is assumed to be important for flow generation. Recently, Kif19a, a kinesin residing at the cilia tip, was identified to be essential for ciliary length control through its microtubule depolymerization function.

Muscle and Tendon Contributions to Reduced Rate of Torque Development in Healthy Older Males.

Background: The ability to rapidly generate and transfer muscle force is essential for effective corrective movements in order to prevent a fall. The aim of this study was to establish the muscle and tendon contributions to differences in rate of torque development (RTD) between younger (YM) and older males (OM).

Method: Twenty-eight young males (23.

Sarcopenia, dynapenia, and the impact of advancing age on human skeletal muscle size and strength; a quantitative review.

Changing demographics make it ever more important to understand the modifiable risk factors for disability and loss of independence with advancing age. For more than two decades there has been increasing interest in the role of sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle or lean mass, in curtailing active and healthy aging. There is now evidence to suggest that lack of strength, or dynapenia, is a more constant factor in compromised wellbeing in old age and it is apparent that the decline in muscle mass and the decline in strength can take quite different trajectories.

A variant human IgG1-Fc mediates improved ADCC.

Ribosome display was applied to the Fc region of human immunoglobulin G (IgG1) to select for improved binding to human FcγRIIIa, the receptor expressed on human natural killer cells that mediates antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). A library of human Fcγ1 variants was generated using error-prone polymerase chain reaction, and subjected to multiple rounds of ribosome display selection against progressively decreasing concentrations of soluble human FcγRIIIa, to enrich for improved binders. Radioimmunoassay and alphascreen analyses of the aglycosylated IgG-Fc output revealed variants with improved binding to FcγRIIIa relative to wild-type IgG-Fc.

Molding single DNA molecules in metals and sample preparation for electronic sequencing.

We demonstrate the molding of single DNA molecules in 8 nm thin platinum molds. The molded structures have an apparent depth of 1 nm under STM imaging, and closely follow the contours of the DNA molecules. We have confirmed the presence of the embedded molecules and have verified the ability of this technique to scale down to single molecules.

Scanning probe and nanopore DNA sequencing: core techniques and possibilities.

We provide an overview of the current state of research towards DNA sequencing using nanopore and scanning probe techniques. Additionally, we provide methods for the creation of two key experimental platforms for studies relating to nanopore and scanning probe DNA studies: a synthetic nanopore apparatus and an atomically flat conductive substrate with stretched DNA molecules.

Identification of cyclic peptides able to mimic the functional epitope of IgG1-Fc for human Fc gammaRI.

Identification of short, structured peptides able to mimic potently protein-protein interfaces remains a challenge in drug discovery. We report here the use of a naive cyclic peptide phage display library to identify peptide ligands able to recognize and mimic IgG1-Fc functions with Fc gammaRI. Selection by competing off binders to Fc gammaRI with IgG1 allowed the isolation of a family of peptides sharing the common consensus sequence TX(2)CXXthetaPXLLGCPhiXE (theta represents a hydrophobic residue, Phi is usually an acidic residue, and X is any residue) and able to inhibit IgG1 binding to Fc gammaRI.

Toward nanoscale genome sequencing.

This article reports on the state-of-the-art technologies that sequence DNA using miniaturized devices. The article considers the miniaturization of existing technologies for sequencing DNA and the opportunities for cost reduction that 'on-chip' devices can deliver. The ability to construct nano-scale structures and perform measurements using novel nano-scale effects has provided new opportunities to identify nucleotides directly using physical, and not chemical, methods.

Label-free direct electronic detection of biomolecules with amorphous silicon nanostructures.

We present the fabrication and characterization of a nano-scale sensor made of amorphous silicon for the label-free, electronic detection of three classes of biologically important molecules: ions, oligonucleotides, and proteins. The sensor structure has an active element which is a 50 nm wide amorphous silicon semicircle and has a total footprint of less than 4 microm2. We demonstrate the functionalization of the sensor with receptor molecules and the electronic detection of three targets: H(+) ions, short single-stranded DNAs, and streptavidin.

Colorectal cancer: current care, future innovations and economic considerations.

For those involved in colorectal cancer management, the present day is an exciting time. There is a multitude of new techniques to be considered for early detection (screening). National population screening for 60-69-year olds in England is due to start this year.

Engineering high affinity superantigens by phage display.

Protein L (PpL) is a B-cell superantigen from Peptostreptococcus magnus known to bind to mammalian Vkappa light chains. PpL from P.magnus strain 312 comprises five homologous immunoglobulin (Ig) binding domains.

Site-specific glycosylation of an aglycosylated human IgG1-Fc antibody protein generates neoglycoproteins with enhanced function.

A range of well-defined IgG glycoforms was prepared by employing a combination of synthetic carbohydrate chemistry and genetic engineering. The key aspect of this methodology is the coupling of thioaldoses with cysteine-containing proteins to give disulfide-linked neoglycoproteins. This technology was applied to the synthesis of a series of synthetic N-glycan thioaldoses which were coupled to an aglycosylated IgG1-Fc fragment, engineered to have Cys-297 in place of glycan-linked Asn (Deltah-Fc N297C).

Interaction sites on human IgG-Fc for FcgammaR: current models.

Recombinant monoclonal antibodies have entered the clinic as effective in vivo therapeutic. A majority of the therapeutics antibodies employed are intact IgG molecules. IgG-antibody/antigen complexes can activate a wide range of biological responses that result in elimination and destruction of immune complexes.