Synthesis and characterization of PNA oligomers containing preQ as a positively charged guanine analogue.

We report the synthesis of a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) monomer containing preQ, a positively charged guanine analogue. The new monomer was incorporated into PNA oligomers using standard Fmoc-chemistry-based solid-phase synthesis. The preQ unit-containing PNA oligomers exhibited improved affinity for their complementary DNA through electrostatic attraction, and their sequence specificity was not compromised.

FOXO1 regulates developmental lymphangiogenesis by upregulating CXCR4 in the mouse-tail dermis.

Lymphangiogenesis plays important roles in normal fetal development and postnatal growth. However, its molecular regulation remains unclear. Here, we have examined the function of forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) transcription factor, a known angiogenic factor, in developmental dermal lymphangiogenesis using endothelial cell-specific FOXO1-deficient mice.

Transcription factor FOXO1 promotes cell migration toward exogenous ATP via controlling P2Y1 receptor expression in lymphatic endothelial cells.

Sprouting migration of lymphatic endothelial cell (LEC) is a pivotal step in lymphangiogenic process. However, its molecular mechanism remains unclear including effective migratory attractants. Meanwhile, forkhead transcription factor FOXO1 highly expresses in LEC nuclei, but its significance in LEC migratory activity has not been researched.