Adult zebrafish possess the remarkable capacity to regenerate neurons. In the damaged zebrafish retina, Müller glia reprogram and divide to produce neuronal progenitor cells (NPCs) that proliferate and differentiate into both lost neuronal cell types and those unaffected by the damage stimulus, which suggests that developmental specification/differentiation programs might be recapitulated during regeneration. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed that developmental competence factors are expressed following photoreceptor damage induced by intense light or in a genetic rod photoreceptor cell ablation model.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe luminal endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein of 29 kDa (ERp29) is a ubiquitously expressed cellular agent with multiple critical roles. ERp29 regulates the biosynthesis and trafficking of several transmembrane and secretory proteins, including the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), thyroglobulin, connexin 43 hemichannels, and proinsulin. ERp29 is hypothesized to promote ER to Golgi cargo protein transport COP II machinery through its interactions with the KDEL receptor; this interaction may facilitate the loading of ERp29 clients into COP II vesicles.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe environment within the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) influences Insulin biogenesis. In particular, ER stress may contribute to the development of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) and Cystic Fibrosis Related Diabetes (CFRD), where evidence of impaired Insulin processing, including elevated secreted Proinsulin/Insulin ratios, are observed. Our group has established the role of a novel ER chaperone ERp29 (ER protein of 29 kDa) in the biogenesis of the Epithelial Sodium Channel, ENaC.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEndoplasmic reticulum protein of 29 kDa (ERp29) is a thioredoxin-homologous endoplasmic reticulum (ER) protein that regulates the biogenesis of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC). ERp29 may promote ENaC cleavage and increased open probability by directing ENaC to the Golgi via coat complex II (COP II) during biogenesis. We hypothesized that ERp29's C-terminal KEEL ER retention motif, a KDEL variant that is associated with less robust ER retention, strongly influences its regulation of ENaC biogenesis.
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