Modulation of phorbol ester-induced regulation of matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases by SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase.

Object: Expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) has been postulated to play a central role in brain tumor invasion; however, its underlying mechanism is not yet fully understood. In the present study, by assessing the effect of a specific p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor, SB203580, on the secretion of MMPs and in vitro invasion of various glioma cells, the authors attempt to define the role of the p38 MAPK pathway in the regulation of MMPs and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) activated by phorbol ester (phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate [PMA]) in the D54 human glioblastoma cell line.

Methods: The activation of MAPKs was determined using Western blot analysis after addition of phospho-specific antibodies against these kinases, the status of MMPs and TIMPs was analyzed using gelatin zymography and Western blot analysis, and the invasion rate of D54 cells and other glioma cells was analyzed using a modified Boyden chamber assay.

Evaluation of parameters in peptide mass fingerprinting for protein identification by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

Protein identification by peptide mass fingerprinting, using the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), plays a major role in large proteome projects. In order to develop a simple and reliable method for protein identification by MALDI-TOF MS, we compared and evaluated the major steps in peptide mass fingerprinting. We found that the removal of excess enzyme from the in-gel digestion usually gave a few more peptide peaks, which were important for the identification of some proteins.

A Chinese cabbage cDNA with high sequence identity to phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidases encodes a novel isoform of thioredoxin-dependent peroxidase.

A cDNA, PHCC-TPx, specifying a protein highly homologous to known phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidases was isolated from a Chinese cabbage cDNA library. PHCC-TPx encodes a preprotein of 232 amino acids containing a putative N-terminal chloroplast targeting sequence and three conserved Cys residues (Cys(107), Cys(136), and Cys(155)). The mature form of enzyme without the signal peptide was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the recombinant protein was found to utilize thioredoxin (Trx) but not GSH as an electron donor.

The radiologic differential diagnosis of diffuse lung diseases characterized by multiple cysts or cavities.

A variety of pulmonary diseases have diffuse cystic abnormalities within the lungs, including emphysema, cystic bronchiectasis, desquamative interstitial pneumonia, lymphocytic interstitial pneumonia, usual interstitial pneumonia, lymphangioleiomyomatosis, Langerhans histiocytosis, cystic metastasis, Wegener granulomatosis, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, pulmonary paragonimiasis, and septic pulmonary emboli. CT can easily detect cystic abnormalities as common features in many diseases. However, some characteristic pattern of them can facilitate specific diagnoses.