To explore the possible influence of defined genetic backgrounds on photoreceptor viability and function in mice carrying a targeted disruption of the rhodopsin gene, the severities of retinopathies in Rho-/- mice on C57BL/6J and 129Sv congenic backgrounds were compared by light microscopy and electroretinography and qualitatively by in situ end labeling of DNA in apoptotic photoreceptor nuclei of retinal sections. Cone photoreceptor viability and function were shown to deteriorate more slowly on the C57BL/6J background in comparison to that of the 129Sv, with significantly greater numbers of outer nuclear layer nuclei in the retinas of C57BL/6J mice at 3 and 4 months of age. Both amplitude and waveform features of the ERG were shown to be remarkably different in the two strains, indicating an approximately 6-fold difference in C57BL/6J Rho-/- mice compared to 129Sv Rho-/- mice at 80 days. Thus, in comparison with the 129Sv strain, genetic modifiers appear to constitute a component of the C57BL/6J background, the expression of which significantly protects cone photoreceptors from apoptotic death in a mutation-induced murine retinopathy. The differences in phenotype revealed in this study are sufficient in principle to provide a basis for comparisons to be made between QTLs in light-induced and mutation-induced systems.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0952523801183100 | DOI Listing |
Hepatol Commun
February 2025
Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.
Background: Rho-associated kinases 1 and 2 (ROCK1 and ROCK2) regulate critical cell functions, including actomyosin contractility, apoptosis, and proliferation. Some studies suggest that ROCK inhibition may serve as a treatment for liver fibrosis. More investigation is needed to understand the role of hepatocyte ROCK signaling in vivo, especially in the context of profibrotic liver injury.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMikrochim Acta
January 2025
School of Pharmaceutical Science, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001, China.
A ratiometric fluorescent nanoprobe (CDs-Rho), synthesized through the simple covalent amide linkage between carbon dots (CDs) and pH-sensitive rhodamine dye (Rho), was designed for the precise sensing and imaging of extremely alkaline environments. The sensing mechanism involves the opposite pH-dependent fluorescence changes in CDs and Rho, respectively, coupled with pH-regulated FRET efficiency from CDs to Rho. The nanoprobe features a wide pH response window from pH 7.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe gastrointestinal epithelium serves as a critical barrier separating intestinal lumen contents from the underlying tissue environment. Structure and function of the apical junctional complex (AJC), comprising tight and adherens junctions, are essential for establishing and maintaining a polarized and functional epithelial barrier. In this study, we investigated mechanisms by which an apical polarity protein Crumbs homolog 3 (CRB3) regulates AJC assembly and barrier function in primary murine intestinal epithelial cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOncol Res
January 2025
Institute of Biochemical Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan.
Background: Rho GTPases are essential regulators for cellular movement and intracellular membrane trafficking. Their enzymatic activities fluctuate between active GTP-bound and inactive GDP-bound states regulated by GTPase activating proteins (GAPs) and guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). Arhgap39/Vilse/Porf-2 is a newly identified GAP.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFToxins (Basel)
January 2025
Department of Oceanography, Kunsan National University, 558 Daehak-ro, Gunsan 54150, Republic of Korea.
, a dinoflagellate responsible for producing diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) toxins, poses significant threats to marine ecosystems, aquaculture industries, and human health. DSP toxins, including okadaic acid (OA), dinophysis toxin (DTX), and their diverse derivatives, continue to be identified and characterized. In this study, we report the isolation of four new diol esters of OA/DTX-1 from large-scale cultures of .
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