Evaluation of immunoglobulin G subclass antibodies against recombinant Fasciola gigantica cathepsin L1 in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for serodiagnosis of human fasciolosis.

A cystatin capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using recombinant Fasciola gigantica cathepsin L1 antigen was developed to detect specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclass antibodies (IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4) and was evaluated for its diagnostic potential for human fasciolosis. In an analysis of the sera of 13 patients infected with F. gigantica, 209 patients with other parasitic infections, 32 cholangiocarcinoma patients, and 42 healthy controls, the IgG4-ELISA gave the highest diagnostic values.

Potent epitopes derived from Fasciola gigantica cathepsin L1 in peptide-based immunoassay for the serodiagnosis of human fascioliasis.

A peptide-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed and evaluated for its diagnostic ability to detect human IgG antibodies against Fasciola gigantica cathepsin L1. Two previously identified B-cell epitopes of cathepsin L1 were synthesized as single synthetic peptides (acetyl-DKIDWRESGYVTEVKDQGNC-carboxamide and acetyl-DKIDWRESGYVTELKDQGNC-carboxamide) and their diagnostic potential was evaluated. The peptide-based ELISA was compared with an indirect ELISA with crude excretory-secretory products or with partially purified specific 27-kDa (FG27) antigen from adult F.

Prolactin receptor knockdown in the rat paraventricular nucleus by a morpholino-antisense oligonucleotide causes hypocalcemia and stress gastric erosion.

Under acute stress conditions in the rat, there is rapid and transient increase in circulating prolactin (PRL). This leads to an elevated expression of the long form of PRLR (PRLR-L) first in the hypothalamus and the choroid plexus. This increase in PRL is involved in the inhibition of stress-induced hypocalcemia and gastric erosion.

Serodiagnosis of human fascioliasis by a cystatin capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with recombinant Fasciola gigantica cathepsin L antigen.

Cathepsin L1, a cysteine protease secreted by the gastrodermis of juvenile and adult Fasciola gigantica, was expressed in Escherichia coli as a calmodulin binding peptide fusion protein with a molecular mass of approximately 35 kD. The recombinant cathepsin L1 (rCTL1) was tested for its antigenic potential in a cystatin capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to diagnose human fascioliasis. The ELISA plates were sensitized with chicken egg cystatin and incubated with bacterial lysates containing the recombinant protein before the standard ELISA procedures were performed.

Effect of sesamin in Acanthopanax senticosus HARMS on behavioral dysfunction in rotenone-induced parkinsonian rats.

The aim of this study was to determine whether sesamin, a component from Acanthopanax senticosus HARMS (ASH) pharmacologically offers protection against Parkinson's disease (PD) and its related depressive behavior in rats administered rotenone. We also examined how sesamin affected the rotenone-induced loss of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) or glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF)-positive neurons in the midbrain of rats. Rats were orally administered sesamin (3, 30 mg/kg) once a day for 2 weeks before an intraperitoneal injection of rotenone (2.

Identification of promoter region of ghrelin gene in human medullary thyroid carcinoma cell line.

Ghrelin, an endogenous ligand for growth hormone (GH) secretagogue receptor, stimulates GH secretion. The ghrelin gene is expressed most abundantly in stomach. The mRNA is also detected in other tissues and cell lines.

Characterization of structure and expression of the growth hormone receptor gene of the Japanese flounder (Paralichtys olivaceus).

Growth hormone receptor (GHR) cDNA and gene of the Japanese flounder (Paralicthys olivaceus) were cloned and their molecular structures were characterized. The 641 amino acid sequence predicted from the cDNA sequence showed more than 75% overall sequence similarity with GHRs of other teleosts such as turbot and goldfish, and contained common structural features of vertebrate GHRs. The extracellular domain of flounder GHR had three pairs of cysteines and an FGEFS motif with a replacement E to D.

Prolactin prevents acute stress-induced hypocalcemia and ulcerogenesis by acting in the brain of rat.

Stress causes hypocalcemia and ulcerogenesis in rats. In rats under stressful conditions, a rapid and transient increase in circulating prolactin (PRL) is observed, and this enhanced PRL induces PRL receptors (PRLR) in the choroid plexus of rat brain. In this study we used restraint stress in water to elucidate the mechanism by which PRLR in the rat brain mediate the protective effect of PRL against stress-induced hypocalcemia and ulcerogenesis.

Growth hormone (GH)-stimulated insulin-like growth factor I gene expression is mediated by a tyrosine phosphorylation pathway depending on C-terminal region of human GH receptor in human GH receptor-expressing Ba/F3 cells.

The signaling pathway of GH-stimulated IGF-I gene expression is still unclear, although it has been reported that the Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducers and activators of transcription (STAT)5b pathway plays an important role in liver IGF-I expression. In this study, the GH-dependent IGF-I gene expression and its intracellular signaling mechanism have been examined in mouse pro-B, Ba/F3 cells stably expressing human GH receptor (Ba/F3-hGHR). The IGF-I gene expression was stimulated by human GH (0.

Oxidative DNA damage induced by toluene is involved in its male reproductive toxicity.

Toluene is widely used as an organic solvent in various industries and commercial products. Recent investigations have shown that toluene may induce male reproductive dysfunctions and carcinogenicity. To clarify whether the toxicity results from the interference of endocrine systems or direct damage to reproductive organs, we examined the effects of toluene on the male reproductive system in rats, comparing to those of diethylstilbestrol (DES), a potent synthetic estrogen.

Spermine induces cataract and 43-kDa protein that binds spermine possibly participates in the cataract formation.

Among polyamines (putrescine, spermidine, and spermine), spermine specifically induces cataract in an organ cultured lens. Spermine uptake nearly paralleled the cataract formation. When polyamines were added to lens soluble proteins, spermine specifically induced turbidity.

Exercise training increases the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex in skeletal muscle of diabetic rats.

The effects of diabetes and exercise training on the activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complex in skeletal muscle were examined in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups as follows: non-diabetic sedentary, non-diabetic trained, diabetic sedentary, and diabetic trained groups. Diabetic rats were prepared by a bolus injection of intravenous streptozotocin (50 mg/kg body weight).

Effect of Acanthopanax senticosus Harms on biogenic monoamine levels in the rat brain.

The extract of the stem bark of Acanthopanax senticosus Harms (ASH) is known to have healing and protective effects on stress-induced disturbance of mental status. We have analysed whether a single or chronic (2 week) administration of ASH can affect concentrations of noradrenaline (NA), dopamine (DA) and their metabolites in the normal rat brain. A single p.

Identification of a novel first exon of prolactin receptor gene expressed in the rat brain.

A novel first exon, E1(4), whose sequence was distinct from those of the three known first exons, E1(1), E1(2), and E1(3), of the rat PRL receptor (PRL-R) gene was identified by cDNA cloning for the 5'-end region of PRL-R mRNA expressed in the rat brain. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of two different length E1(4) cDNAs. The longer cDNA contained the 243-bp E1(4) sequence, and the shorter cDNA lacked the 139-bp sequence at the 5'-end of the longer one.

Deletion of dinucleotide repeat (Delta 14 allele) in the methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) promoter and the allelotype of MTAP promoter in the Japanese population.

5'-deoxy-5'-methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) is an enzyme involved in purine and polyamine metabolism and is ubiquitously expressed in normal human tissues and cells. However, this enzyme has been found to be deficient in a variety of human cancers. Although the enzyme deficiency is known to be caused by MTAP gene deletion, human diffuse histiocytic lymphoma cell line DHL-9 without any detectable MTAP activity has been found to possess the intact MTAP gene.