Positive feedback control between STIM1 and NFATc3 is required for C2C12 myoblast differentiation.

Up-regulation of STIM1-mediated store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE) and Ca(2+)-dependent NFAT signaling is important for myogenic differentiation. However, the molecular mechanisms for differentiation specific up-regulation of STIM1/SOCE-mediated signaling are poorly understood. This study explored whether functional crosstalk between STIM1 and a member of NFAT transcription factor is important for C2C12 myoblast differentiation.

A critical role for AKT activation in protecting cells from ionizing radiation-induced apoptosis and the regulation of acinus gene expression.

Although AKT activation leads to the activation of various pathways related to cell survival, the roles of AKT in modulating cellular responses induced by ionizing radiation in normal human cells remain unclear. Here we show that low-dose radiation of 0.05Gy did not affect cell death, but high-dose radiation (> 0.

Immunomodulatory activity of betulinic acid by producing pro-inflammatory cytokines and activation of macrophages.

Betulinic acid (BA), a pentacyclic triterpene isolated from Lycopus lucidus, has been reported to be a selective inducer of apoptosis in various human cancer and shown anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. We postulated that BA modulates the immunomodulatory properties at least two groups of protein mediators of inflammation, interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) on the basis of the critical role of the monocytes and tissue macrophages in inflammatory and immune responses. TNF-alpha and IL-1beta were produced by BA in a dose dependent manner at concentration of 0.