Identification and Expression Analysis of Upregulated Genes in the Resting Egg-Producing Water Flea (Daphnia pulex).

Water fleas (Daphnia pulex) normally produce subitaneous eggs that initiate development immediately after oviposition. However, in response to habitat degradation, resting eggs are produced, which are enclosed in a sturdy outer envelope (ephippium) and can survive in harsh environments for an extended time. To understand the molecular mechanism underlying resting egg production in D.

Novel approach for formation of platelet-like particles from mouse embryonic stem cells without using feeder cells.

Megakaryocytes (MKs) and platelet-like particles (PLPs) have generally been obtained by culturing embryonic stem (ES) cells over feeder cells. However, using feeder cells need many labor-consuming processes and the MK and PLP fractions obtained are often contaminated by such cells and their fragments. Here we describe our new culture system for differentiating mouse ES cells to MKs and PLPs without using feeder cells.

Expression of the TAF4b gene is induced by MYC through a non-canonical, but not canonical, E-box which contributes to its specific response to MYC.

Transcription factor binding sites are short DNA sequences that interact with transcription factors and the proper control of gene expression appears to require the mechanisms including the regulation through the genome context around the transcription factor binding sites. The MYC proteins are central regulators of cell growth. Many genes have been reported to be regulated by MYC through E-box sites.

Analyzing the mechanism of Rap1 activation in platelets: Rap1 activation is related to the release reaction mediated through the collagen receptor GPVI.

The abundant Rap1 in platelets becomes activated when these cells are stimulated by various agonists, but its function has remained unknown. In view of this, we developed an assay to quantitatively measure activated Rap1 and used it to determine relationships between Rap1 activation and several platelet functions: integrin alpha2beta1 activation, tyrosine phosphorylation, and the release reaction. We looked at how these processes are affected by the protein kinase C inhibitor BIMI, tyrosine kinase inhibitor PP2, PI 3-kinase inhibitor wortmannin, and ADP scavenger apyrase.