Functional Characteristics and Molecular Mechanism of a New scFv Antibody Against Aβ42 Oligomers and Immature Protofibrils.

Amyloid β peptide (Aβ42) is a major determinant of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, we studied a novel single-chain variable fragment (scFv), AS, generated from an antibody library of AD patients, which recognized and bound specifically to medium-size amyloid β peptide (Aβ42) oligomers and immature protofibrils (25-55 kDa) and, more importantly, reduced their level by blocking their formation or inducing their disassembly. Consequently, scFv AS ameliorated or prevented their cytotoxicity and protected SH-SY5Y cells and primary cultured neurons in vitro from their damage in a concentration-dependent manner.

Generation and characterization of Tmeff2 mutant mice.

TMEFF2 is a single-transmembrane protein containing one EGF-like and two follistatin-like domains. Some studies implicated TMEFF2 as a tumor suppressor for prostate and other cancers, whereas others reported TMEFF2 functioning as a growth factor for neurons and other cells. To gain insights into the apparently conflicting roles of TMEFF2, we generated a null allele of Tmeff2 gene by replacing its first coding exon with human placental alkaline phosphatase cDNA (Tmeff2(PLAP)).

Effect of annealing treatment on electroluminescence from GaN/Si nanoheterostructure array.

A GaN/Si nanoheterostructure array was prepared by growing GaN nanostructures on silicon nanoporous pillar array (Si-NPA). Based on as-grown and annealed GaN/Si-NPA, two light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were fabricated. It was found that after the annealing treatment, both the turn-on voltage and the leakage current density of the nanoheterostructure varied greatly, together with the electroluminescence (EL) changed from a yellow band to a near infrared band.

SVIP induces localization of p97/VCP to the plasma and lysosomal membranes and regulates autophagy.

The small p97/VCP-interacting protein (SVIP) functions as an inhibitor of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-associated degradation (ERAD) pathway. Here we show that overexpression of SVIP in HeLa cells leads to localization of p97/VCP at the plasma membrane, intracellular foci and juxtanuclear vacuoles. The p97/VCP-positive vacuolar structures colocalized or associated with LC3 and lamp1, suggesting that SVIP may regulate autophagy.

Immunization of mice with a DNA vaccine based on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus spike protein fragment 1.

According to data in GenBank, a gene encoding SARS spike protein fragment 1 (S1) was synthesized. After recombination with an immunostimulatory sequence (ISS), the gene was cloned into the plasmid pIRES to produce pIRES-ISS-S1. On confirmation of the expression of S1 protein by indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), after the transfection of pIRES-ISS-S1 into BHK-21 cells, the DNA vaccine was repeatedly administrated to BALB/c mice.

Refolding of amphioxus insulin-like peptide: implications of a bifurcating evolution of the different folding behavior of insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1.

Insulin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) share high sequence homology, but their folding behaviors are significantly different: insulin folds into one unique thermodynamically controlled structure, while IGF-1 folds into two thermodynamically controlled disulfide isomers. However, the origin of their different folding behaviors is still elusive. The amphioxus insulin-like peptide (ILP) is thought to be the common ancestor of insulin and IGF-1.

Expression of HIV-2 gp 105 Gene and Characterization of gp105 in Methyltrophic Pichia pastoris.

To explore a new approach to express HIV-2 external glycoprotein gp105 in methyltrophic yeast, Pichia pastoris, the gp 105 gene was obtained by PCR amplification and was cloned into the secreted expression vector pHILS1. The positive recombinant Pichia pastoris strains were screened and identified by PCR after electroporation and induction by methanol of the gp105 expression. SDS-PAGE and Western blot analyses showed that gp105, unlike gp120 from HIV-1, could be secreted into medium by recombinant Pichia pastoris strain, and the expressed product of a 90 kD glycoprotein showed satisfactory antigenicity with specific antibody.