repDilPCR: a tool for automated analysis of qPCR assays by the dilution-replicate method.

Background: The dilution-replicate experimental design for qPCR assays is especially efficient. It is based on multiple linear regression of multiple 3-point standard curves that are derived from the experimental samples themselves and thus obviates the need for a separate standard curve produced by serial dilution of a standard. The method minimizes the total number of reactions and guarantees that Cq values are within the linear dynamic range of the dilution-replicate standard curves.

PROTAC-mediated crosstalk between E3 ligases.

Small-molecule heterobifunctional degraders can effectively control protein levels and are useful research tools. We assembled proteolysis targeting chimeras (PROTACs) from a cereblon (CRBN) and a von-Hippel-Lindau (VHL) ligase ligand and demonstrated a PROTAC-induced heterodimerization of the two E3 ligases leading to unidirectional and efficient degradation of CRBN.

mutations reduce binding of NOTCH1, leading to cleaved NOTCH1 accumulation and target gene activation in CLL.

is mutated in 10% of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients and is associated with poor outcome. However, NOTCH1 activation is identified in approximately one-half of CLL cases even in the absence of mutations. Hence, there appear to be additional factors responsible for the impairment of NOTCH1 degradation.

Loss of cooperativity of secreted CD40L and increased dose-response to IL4 on CLL cell viability correlates with enhanced activation of NF-kB and STAT6.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) cells fail to enter apoptosis in vivo as opposed to their non-malignant B-lymphocyte counterparts. The ability of CLL cells to escape apoptosis is highly dependent on their microenvironment. Compared to non-malignant B cells, CLL cells are more responsive to complex stimuli that can be reproduced in vitro by the addition of cytokines.