Age-related differences in plasma proteins: how plasma proteins change from neonates to adults.

The incidence of major diseases such as cardiovascular disease, thrombosis and cancer increases with age and is the major cause of mortality world-wide, with neonates and children somehow protected from such diseases of ageing. We hypothesized that there are major developmental differences in plasma proteins and that these contribute to age-related changes in the incidence of major diseases. We evaluated the human plasma proteome in healthy neonates, children and adults using the 2D-DIGE approach.

Identification of the protease and the turnover signal responsible for cell cycle-dependent degradation of the Caulobacter FliF motor protein.

Flagellar ejection is tightly coupled to the cell cycle in Caulobacter crescentus. The MS ring protein FliF, which anchors the flagellar structure in the inner membrane, is degraded coincident with flagellar release. Previous work showed that removal of 26 amino acids from the C terminus of FliF prevents degradation of the protein and interferes with flagellar assembly.

Generation of B lymphoma cell lines from knockout mice by transformation in vivo with an Emu-myc transgene.

While a great deal has been learned about the genetic control of B lymphocyte behavior through the observation of primary B cells from mice bearing targeted gene mutations, such studies can be restricted by the limited number and longevity of the cells ex vivo, by their heterogeneity, and by the inability to apply further genetic manipulations. Here we describe a protocol for the efficient derivation of mutant B lymphoma cell lines, by crossing mice bearing targeted mutations in genes affecting mature B cell function with transgenic mice bearing the lymphomagenic Emu-myc transgene. Pre-B and B lymphomas were obtained with high frequency, and the cells were readily adaptable to culture.