How can mating systems inform future biobanking strategies? An illustration using two Indonesian bovids, banteng (Bos javanicus) and lowland anoa (Bubalus depressicornis).

Storing cryopreserved spermatozoa in a genome resource bank safeguards against the loss of heterozygosity in endangered species and provides opportunities to reincorporate genes into populations through the application of assisted reproductive technologies. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the effect of breeding strategy on ejaculate characteristics to illustrate how this information may be used to select appropriate methods for the storage and use of cryopreserved sperm. In the present study, ejaculates from a polygynous bovid, banteng (Bos javanicus), were characterized (motility 72.

Cutting Edge: Tissue Antigen Expression Levels Fine-Tune T Cell Differentiation Decisions In Vivo.

Immune homeostasis in peripheral tissues is, to a large degree, maintained by the differentiation and action of regulatory T cells (Treg) specific for tissue Ags. Using a novel mouse model, we have studied the differentiation of naive CD4 T cells into Foxp3 Treg in response to a cutaneous Ag (OVA). We found that expression of OVA resulted in fatal autoimmunity and in prevention of peripheral Treg generation.

A novel humanized mouse model to study the function of human cutaneous memory T cells in vivo in human skin.

Human skin contains a population of memory T cells that supports tissue homeostasis and provides protective immunity. The study of human memory T cells is often restricted to in vitro studies and to human PBMC serving as primary cell source. Because the tissue environment impacts the phenotype and function of memory T cells, it is crucial to study these cells within their tissue.

A Conserved PDZ-Binding Motif in aPKC Interacts with Par-3 and Mediates Cortical Polarity.

Par-3 regulates animal cell polarity by targeting the Par complex proteins Par-6 and atypical protein kinase C (aPKC) to specific cortical sites. Although numerous physical interactions between Par-3 and the Par complex have been identified [1-6], we discovered a novel interaction between Par-3's second PDZ domain and a highly conserved aPKC PDZ-binding motif (PBM) that is required in the context of the full-length, purified Par-6-aPKC complex. We also found that Par-3 is phosphorylated by the full Par complex and phosphorylation induces dissociation of the Par-3 phosphorylation site from aPKC's kinase domain but does not disrupt the Par-3 PDZ2-aPKC PBM interaction.

Aurora B-dependent Ndc80 degradation regulates kinetochore composition in meiosis.

The kinetochore complex is a conserved machinery that connects chromosomes to spindle microtubules. During meiosis, the kinetochore is restructured to accommodate a specialized chromosome segregation pattern. In budding yeast, meiotic kinetochore remodeling is mediated by the temporal changes in the abundance of a single subunit called Ndc80.