Apigenin enhances the cytotoxic effects of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand in human rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes.

Activated rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RAFLSs) play a central role in both initiating and driving RA. Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has been documented to induce apoptosis only in a small proportion of RAFLSs, which is followed by an induction of proliferation in surviving cells. Apigenin, a chemopreventive bioflavonoid, exhibits proapoptotic activity in many types of cells.

Effects of berberine on human rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes.

Activated rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RAFLSs) play an important role in the initiation and progression of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Rapid proliferation and defective apoptosis of RAFLSs are two main mechanisms contributing to synovial hyperplasia. Berberine, the major constituent of Coptidis Rhizoma, has been widely used as an antitumor and anti-inflammation agent.

[Research progresses on septin family].

The septins are a family of proteins that are broadly distributed in almost all of eukaryotes except plants. septin was first identified in yeast as a protein that played a role in cytokinesis. With the recent advances in the field, the functions of these proteins become diverse in many organisms.

Studies on the Method for the Determination of beta1-4 Galactosyltransferase and Its Kinetics.

A fluorescence assay method for beta1-4galactosyltransferase (beta1-4GT) has been developed involving a pyridylaminated sugar as an acceptor substrate, a fluorescent sugar chain, with the reducing end of the Gnbeta1 - 2Malpha1 - 6(Gnbeta1-2Malpha1-3)Mbeta1 - 4Gnbeta1 - 4Gn - PA aminated with 2-aminopyridine. Microsome was prepared from the liver of normal male rats as an enzyme sample. Then the fluorescent reaction product was separated by reverse-phase HPLC.

Studies on the beta(l-4)Galactosyltransferase of Cell Surface in Induced HL60 Cells.

A fluorescene assay method for beta(1-4) galactosyltransferase (beta1-4GT) of cell surface has been developed using a pyridylaminated sugar as an acceptor substrate. A fluorescent sugar chain, whose reducing end of the Gnbeta1-2Malpha1-6(Gnbeta1-2Malpha1-3) Mbeta1-4Gnbeta1-4(Fucalpha1-6) Gn has been aminated with 2-aminopyridine. beta1-4GT activity of cell surface varied in different stages of the cell cycle with the highest activity at interphase.