(+)-Thalianatriene and (-)-Retigeranin B Catalyzed by Sesterterpene Synthases from Arabidopsis thaliana.

Two GFPPS linked (+)-thalianatriene (1) and (-)-retigeranin B (2) sesterterpene synthase genes were identified from the genome of Arabidopsis thaliana. 1 possesses an unprecedented 11-6-5 tricyclic ring system, while 2 contains a characteristic 5-5-5-6-5 pentacyclic ring system. Their structures were determined by extensive NMR spectroscopy, chemical derivatization, and X-ray crystallography.

Cloning of the surface layer gene sllB from Bacillus sphaericus ATCC 14577 and its heterologous expression and purification.

A cDNA fragment encoding the S-layer protein SllB cloned from Bacillus sphaericus ATCC 14577 was expressed on the surface of E. coli BL21 (DE3) cells and confirmed by the square lattice structure at the nanoscale level. The amplified gene fragment designed with PCR primers from a specified reference sequence (GenBank accession no.

The role of tumor necrosis factor-α and TNF-α receptors in cerebral arteries following cerebral ischemia in rat.

Background: Tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a pleiotropic pro-inflammatory cytokine, which is rapidly upregulated in the brain after injury. TNF-α acts by binding to its receptors, TNF-R1 (p55) and TNF-R2 (p75), on the cell surface. The aim of this study was first to investigate if there is altered expression of TNF-α and TNF-α receptors in cerebral artery walls following global or focal ischemia, and after organ culture.

Cigarette smoke extract promotes human vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation and survival through ERK1/2- and NF-κB-dependent pathways.

Tobacco use is one of the major risk factors of cardiovascular disease. The underlying molecular mechanisms that link cigarette smoke to cardiovascular disease remain unclear. The present study was designed to examine the effects of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-soluble smoke particles (DSPs) on human aortic smooth muscle cell (HASMC) cultures, and to explore the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) signal mechanisms involved.

Role of ERK/MAPK in endothelin receptor signaling in human aortic smooth muscle cells.

Unlabelled: muscle cells (VSMCs) through activation of endothelin type A (ETA) and type B (ETB) receptors. The extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) are involved in ET-1-induced VSMC contraction and proliferation. This study was designed to investigate the ETA and ETB receptor intracellular signaling in human VSMCs and used phosphorylation (activation) of ERK1/2 as a functional signal molecule for endothelin receptor activity.

Oligodendrocytes regulate formation of nodes of Ranvier via the recognition molecule OMgp.

The molecular mechanisms underlying the involvement of oligodendrocytes in formation of the nodes of Ranvier (NORs) remain poorly understood. Here we show that oligodendrocyte-myelin glycoprotein (OMgp) aggregates specifically at NORs. Nodal location of OMgp does not occur along demyelinated axons of either Shiverer or proteolipid protein (PLP) transgenic mice.

[Comparison of the anti-arrhythmic effects of matrine and berbamine with amiodarone and RP58866].

Aim: To clarify mechanisms that the antiarrhythmic effects of matrine and berbamine are weaker than those of amiodarone and RP58866.

Methods: Experimental arrhythmic models were induced by aconitine, coronary artery ligation and electric stimulation in rats and rabbits. Whole-cell patch-clamp techniques were used to record IK1, IKr, IKs and Ito.

[Effects of cyclovirobuxine D on intracellular Ca2+ and L-type Ca2+ current in rat ventricular cardiomyocytes].

Aim: To determine the effects of cyclovirobuxine D (CD) on intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and L-type Ca2+ current (I(Ca-L)) in isolated rat cardiomyocytes.

Methods: The effects of CD on the amplitude of I(Ca-L) and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization induced by KCl and caffeine were studied with the method of patch-clamp technique and laser scanning confocal microscopy in rat ventricular myocytes.

Results: CD decreased the amplitude of I(Ca-L) in a concentration-dependent manner.