The 3'-Jα Region of the TCRα Locus Bears Gene Regulatory Activity in Thymic and Peripheral T Cells.

Much progress has been made in understanding the important cis-mediated controls on mouse TCRα gene function, including identification of the Eα enhancer and TCRα locus control region (LCR). Nevertheless, previous data have suggested that other cis-regulatory elements may reside in the locus outside of the Eα/LCR. Based on prior findings, we hypothesized the existence of gene regulatory elements in a 3.

Ectopic T cell receptor-α locus control region activity in B cells is suppressed by direct linkage to two flanking genes at once.

The molecular mechanisms regulating the activity of the TCRα gene are required for the production of the circulating T cell repertoire. Elements of the mouse TCRα locus control region (LCR) play a role in these processes. We previously reported that TCRα LCR DNA supports a gene expression pattern that mimics proper thymus-stage, TCRα gene-like developmental regulation.

mTOR-dependent suppression of protein phosphatase 2A is critical for phospholipase D survival signals in human breast cancer cells.

A critical aspect of tumor progression is the generation of survival signals that overcome default apoptotic programs. Recent studies have revealed that elevated phospholipase D activity generates survival signals in breast and perhaps other human cancers. We report here that the elevated phospholipase D activity in the human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231 suppresses the activity of the putative tumor suppressor protein phosphatase 2A in a mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-dependent manner.

Expression of the PI4P 5-kinase Drosophila homologue skittles in the germline suggests a role in spermatogenesis and oogenesis.

 We have isolated the Drosophila gene skittles (sktl) which shows homology to members of a novel family of phosphatidylinositol-4-phosphate 5-kinases, including the gene product encoded by the human STM-7.I gene which has been assigned to the neurodegenerative disorder Friedreichs ataxia. In situ hybridization reveals sktl expression during oogenesis and spermatogenesis.