Development of PCR primers enabling the design of flexible sticky ends for efficient concatenation of long DNA fragments.

We developed chemically modified PCR primers that allow the design of flexible sticky ends by introducing a photo-cleavable group at the phosphate moiety. Nucleic acid derivatives containing -nitrobenzyl photo-cleavable groups with a -butyl group at the benzyl position were stable during strong base treatment for oligonucleotide synthesis and thermal cycling in PCR reactions. PCR using primers incorporating these nucleic acid derivatives confirmed that chain extension reactions completely stopped at position 1 before and after the site of the photo-cleavable group was introduced.

Effect of dietary fibers on losartan uptake and transport in Caco-2 cells.

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of dietary fibers on the transport of losartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, in small intestinal cells. Using Caco-2 cells in vitro, losartan uptake and transport were evaluated in the presence of various fibers (cellulose, chitosan, sodium alginate and glucomannan). Dietary fibers caused a decrease in the uptake of losartan, with chitosan causing a significant reduction.

Effect of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibition on mouse renal interstitial fibrosis.

Unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) is a well-established model for the study of interstitial fibrosis in the kidney. In this study, we investigated the effects of a COX-2 inhibitor, meloxicam, on UUO-induced renal interstitial fibrosis in mice. Serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen and urinary glucose were significantly increased by UUO.

Amelioration of cisplatin-induced mouse renal lesions by a cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 selective inhibitor.

In this study, we investigated the effects of the cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 selective inhibitor, meloxicam, on cisplatin-induced inflammation, oxidative stress and renal lesions in BALB/c mice. A single cisplatin injection (13 mg/kg, i.p.

Lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase as a regulator of the retinoic acid signalling in melanocytes.

Lipocalin-type prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS) catalyses the formation of prostaglandin D(2) (PGD(2)) and also functions as a transporter for lipophilic ligands, including all-trans retinoic acid (RA). Here, we show that human epidermal melanocytes produce and secrete L-PGDS and PGD(2) in culture medium, whereas L-PGDS is not expressed in human melanoma cell lines, HMV-II, SK-MEL-28, 624 mel and G361. Treatment with RA (1 or 10 microM) for 4 days decreased the proliferation of melanocytes (30% decrease), but not melanoma cells.

Neuroendocrine functions of melanocytes: beyond the skin-deep melanin maker.

The skin is armored with "dead cells", the stratum corneum, and is continuously exposed to external stressful environments, such as atmospheric oxygen, solar radiations, and thermal and chemical insults. Melanocytes of neural crest origin are located in the skin, eye, inner ear, and leptomeninges. Melanin pigment in the skin is produced by melanocytes under the influence of various endogenous factors, derived from neighboring keratinocytes and underlying fibroblasts.