Prominent collagen type VI expression in juvenile angiofibromas.

The extracellular matrix component collagen type VI demonstrates potent growth-stimulatory effects and has been associated with aggressive tumour growth. Although, juvenile angiofibromas (JAs) often exhibit an aggressive growth pattern, the collagen type VI expression of this fibrovascular tumour has not been addressed so far. RT-PCR, Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry were used in this study to analyse collagen type VI, type VI collagen receptor subunits (integrin alpha1, alpha2, alpha10, alpha11 and beta1) and the type VI collagen receptor NG2 in JAs (N = 15) and nasal mucosa (NM, N = 8) samples.

Arabidopsis INOSITOL TRANSPORTER2 mediates H+ symport of different inositol epimers and derivatives across the plasma membrane.

Of the four genes of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) INOSITOL TRANSPORTER family (AtINT family) so far only AtINT4 has been described. Here we present the characterization of AtINT2 and AtINT3. cDNA sequencing revealed that the AtINT3 gene is incorrectly spliced and encodes a truncated protein of only 182 amino acids with four transmembrane helices.

Laminin expression in juvenile angiofibroma indicates vessel's early developmental stage.

Conclusion: This study confirms the wide range of vascular architecture in juvenile angiofibromas. Proof of laminin alpha2 expression in tumour vessels is suggested to indicate presence of vessels of early developmental stage in juvenile angiofibromas, supporting the concept that plexus remnants of the first branchial arch artery contribute to the vascular tumour component.

Objectives: Laminins, one of the major components of vascular wall basement membranes, have been implicated in tumour growth and have been shown to have developmentally regulated expression patterns.

Arabidopsis INOSITOL TRANSPORTER4 mediates high-affinity H+ symport of myoinositol across the plasma membrane.

Four genes of the Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) monosaccharide transporter-like superfamily share significant homology with transporter genes previously identified in the common ice plant (Mesembryanthemum crystallinum), a model system for studies on salt tolerance of higher plants. These ice plant transporters had been discussed as tonoplast proteins catalyzing the inositol-dependent efflux of Na(+) ions from vacuoles. The subcellular localization and the physiological role of the homologous proteins in the glycophyte Arabidopsis were unclear.