A novel RNA aptamer identifies plasma membrane ATP synthase beta subunit as an early marker and therapeutic target in aggressive cancer.

Purpose: Primary breast and prostate cancers can be cured, but metastatic disease cannot. Identifying cell factors that predict metastatic potential could guide both prognosis and treatment.

Methods: We used Cell-SELEX to screen an RNA aptamer library for differential binding to prostate cancer cell lines with high vs.

Reversal of pathological cardiac hypertrophy via the MEF2-coregulator interface.

Cardiac hypertrophy, as a response to hemodynamic stress, is associated with cardiac dysfunction and death, but whether hypertrophy itself represents a pathological process remains unclear. Hypertrophy is driven by changes in myocardial gene expression that require the MEF2 family of DNA-binding transcription factors, as well as the nuclear lysine acetyltransferase p300. Here we used genetic and small-molecule probes to determine the effects of preventing MEF2 acetylation on cardiac adaptation to stress.

The selenocysteine tRNA STAF-binding region is essential for adequate selenocysteine tRNA status, selenoprotein expression and early age survival of mice.

STAF [Sec (selenocysteine) tRNA gene transcription activating factor] is a transcription activating factor for a number of RNA Pol III- and RNA Pol II-dependent genes including the Trsp [Sec tRNA gene], which in turn controls the expression of all selenoproteins. Here, the role of STAF in regulating expression of Sec tRNA and selenoproteins was examined. We generated transgenic mice expressing the Trsp transgene lacking the STAF-binding site and made these mice dependent on the transgene for survival by removing the wild-type Trsp.

GAMETE RELEASE IS INCREASED BY CALM CONDITIONS IN THE COENOCYTIC GREEN ALGA BRYOPSIS (CHLOROPHYTA).

Water motion did not inhibit gamete release in cultures of the coenocytic green alga Bryopsis plumosa (Hudson) C. Agardh; however, the number of gametangia that released gametes increased significantly under transiently calm conditions. This stimulatory effect of calm conditions in the laboratory was found in isolates from two different areas of the Maine coast.

Protective effect of natural flavonoids on rat peritoneal macrophages injury caused by asbestos fibers.

Exposure of macrophages to asbestos fibers resulted in enhancement of the production of oxygen radicals, determined by a lucigenin enhanced chemiluminescence (LEC) assay, a formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), a LDH release into the incubation mixture, and a rapid lysis of the cells. Rutin (Rut) and quercetin (Qr) were effective in inhibiting LEC, TBARS formation, and reducing peritoneal macrophages injury caused by asbestos. The concentrations pre-treatment of antioxidants that were required to prevent the injury of peritoneal macrophages caused by asbestos by 50% (IC50) were 90 microM and 290 microM for Qr and Rut, respectively.