Phytol isolated from watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) sprouts induces cell death in human T-lymphoid cell line Jurkat cells via S-phase cell cycle arrest.

The phytol isolated from watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) sprouts inhibited the growth of a human T-cell leukemia line Jurkat cell and suppressed tumor progression in a xenograft model of human lung adenocarcinoma epithelial cell line A549 in nude mice. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the phytol-induced cell death in the present study, we examined the changes in cell morphology, DNA fragmentation, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and performed flow cytometric analysis to evaluate cell cycle stage. There were no significant changes in apoptosis, autophagy, and necrosis marker in cells treated with the phytol.

Serotonin-2C receptor involved serotonin-induced Ca²⁺ mobilisations in neuronal progenitors and neurons in rat suprachiasmatic nucleus.

The hypothalamic suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the central circadian pacemaker in mammals, undergoes serotonergic regulation, but the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. Here, we generated a subclone of an SCN progenitor cell line expressing Ca(2+) sensors (SCN2.2YC) and compared its 5-HT receptor signalling with that of rat SCN neurons in brain slices.

ADP ribosylation factor 6 (Arf6) acts through FilGAP protein to down-regulate Rac protein and regulates plasma membrane blebbing.

The small GTP-binding protein Arf6 reorganizes the actin cytoskeleton through the regulation of Rac activity. We identified FilGAP, a Rac-specific Rho GTPase-activating protein that is recruited to plasma membranes by binding to activated Arf6. FilGAP binds to Arf6 through its pleckstrin homology domain.