Cloning and characterization of the rat and human phosducin-like protein genes: structure, expression and chromosomal localization.

We isolated and characterized the rat gene encoding phosducin-like protein (PhLP), a putative heterotrimeric G protein modulator. The transcription start site was mapped by primer extension. The putative promoter region lacked a TATA sequence but contained a potential initiator element.

Phosducin-like protein (PhLP), a regulator of G beta gamma function, interacts with the proteasomal protein SUG1.

Phosducin-like protein (PhLP) and phosducin are highly homologous proteins that interact with the beta gamma subunits of guanine nucleotide binding proteins. While phosducin has a well-characterized role in retinal signal transduction, PhLP function remains unclear. To further understand the function of PhLP, we have examined other potential protein:protein interactions with PhLP using the yeast two-hybrid system.

JC virus DNA in cerebrospinal fluid of human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients: predictive value for progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a lytic infection of oligodendrocytes by the human papovavirus JC. Patients with defects in cell-mediated immunity are at risk for active disease: a usually lethal demyelination of the brain. PML develops in at least 4% of patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Effects of alcohol on gene expression in neural cells.

Our studies in the NG108-15 neuroblastoma x glioma cell line previously showed that the molecular chaperonin, Hsc70, is an ethanol-responsive gene (EtRG) regulated at the level of transcription by ethanol. We recently identified two related molecular chaperonins, GRP94 and GRP78, as EtRGs with GRP94 mRNA abundance being induced by ethanol more than three-fold vs. control.

Phosducin-like protein: an ethanol-responsive potential modulator of guanine nucleotide-binding protein function.

Acute and chronic exposure to ethanol produces specific changes in several signal transduction cascades. Such alterations in signaling are thought to be a crucial aspect of the central nervous system's adaptive response, which occurs with chronic exposure to ethanol. We have recently identified and isolated several genes whose expression is specifically induced by ethanol in neural cell cultures.