HPV16-E6 Oncoprotein Activates TGF- and Wnt/-Catenin Pathways in the Epithelium-Mesenchymal Transition of Cataracts in a Transgenic Mouse Model.

Objective: This work aimed to determine if cataractous changes associated with EMT occurring in the K14E6 mice lenses are associated with TGF- and Wnt/-catenin signaling activation.

Materials And Methods: Cataracts of K14E6 mice were analysed histologically; and components of TGF- and Wnt/-catenin signaling were evaluated by Western blot, RT-qPCR, in situ RT-PCR, IHC, or IF technics. Metalloproteinases involved in EMT were also assayed using zymography.

Differential homologous desensitization of the human histamine H receptors of 445 and 365 amino acids expressed in CHO-K1 cells.

Histamine H receptors (HRs) signal through Gα proteins and are found in neuronal cells as auto- and hetero-receptors. Alternative splicing of the human HR (hHR) originates 20 isoforms, and the mRNAs of two receptors of 445 and 365 amino acids (hHR and hHR) are widely expressed in the human brain. We previously showed that the hHR stably expressed in CHO-K1 cells experiences homologous desensitization.

The PDZ-Binding Motif of HPV16-E6 Oncoprotein Modulates the Keratinization and Stemness Transcriptional Profile .

Objective: The aim of this work was to compare the early gene expression profiles in the skin of HPV16-E6 transgenic mice regulated by the E6 PDZ-binding motif.

Materials And Methods: The global transcriptional profiles in dorsal skin biopsies from K14E6 and K14E6Δ146-151 transgenic mice were compared using microarrays. Relevant genes obtained from the most differentially expressed processes were further examined by RT-qPCR, in situ RT-PCR, Western blot, or immunofluorescence.

Ouabain Modulates the Distribution of Connexin 43 in Epithelial Cells.

Background/aims: The fact that ouabain has been identified as an endogenous substance, led us to inquire its physiological role in epithelial cells. Based on previous observations, we hypothesized that it influences processes related to cell contacts. Previously we have shown that nanomolar concentrations of ouabain up-regulate tight junctions, accelerate ciliogenesis, and increase gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC).

Ouabain increases gap junctional communication in epithelial cells.

Background/aims: The finding that endogenous ouabain acts as a hormone prompted efforts to elucidate its physiological function. In previous studies, we have shown that 10 nM ouabain (i.e.

Anterior and intermediate pituitary tissues express claudin 4 in follicle stellate cells and claudins 2 and 5 in endothelial cells.

Follicle-stellate cells are pituitary non-granular cells that are arranged between secretory cells or organized in follicles with small lumens. Cells from the follicles exhibit the typical phenotype of a transporting epithelium, including apical microvilli with a cilium and tight junctions. Freeze-fracture electron microscopy images show that the tight junctions consist of 5-7 anastomosing strands and that cultured follicle-stellate cells develop a trans-epithelial electrical resistance characteristic of "tight" epithelia.