Mechanically induced formation and maturation of 3D-matrix adhesions (3DMAs) in human mesenchymal stem cells.

Mechanical signal is important for regulating stem cell fate, but the molecular mechanisms involved are unclear. Cell-matrix adhesions are important molecular mechanosensors that their formation and maturation are force-dependent processes. However, most studies focused on the role of cell contractility or substrate stiffness in these processes.

Collagen microencapsulation recapitulates mesenchymal condensation and potentiates chondrogenesis of human mesenchymal stem cells - A matrix-driven in vitro model of early skeletogenesis.

Mesenchymal condensation is a critical transitional stage that precedes cartilage or bone formation. A microencapsulation technique was previously established to entrap mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in nanofibrous collagen meshwork. We hypothesize that collagen microencapsulation of MSCs mimics the mesenchymal cell condensation process.

Tilapia metallothionein genes: PCR-cloning and gene expression studies.

Genomic PCR reactions were performed to isolate gene sequences of tilapia metallothionein (tiMT) from Oreochromis mossambicus and Oreochromis aureus. Two AP1 binding sites, four metal responsive elements, and a TATA box are the major cis-acting elements identified in the 800-bp 5' flanking region of the tiMTs obtained in this study. The tiMT gene promoter cloned from O.

Common carp metallothionein-1 gene: cDNA cloning, gene structure and expression studies.

Metallothionein-1 (MT-1) cDNA clones were isolated from a common carp (Cyprinus carpio) uninduced hepatopancreas cDNA library. Northern blot assay using the common carp (cc) MT-1 cDNA as a probe showed high fold induction of ccMT mRNA levels in the intestine and kidney following exposure to Cd2+ and Zn2+. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), primers designed from the cDNA sequences allowed the isolation of ccMT-1 gene fragments including the 5'-flanking region.