scholarly journals Drosophila development requires spectrin network formation.

1995 ◽  
Vol 128 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
H Deng ◽  
J K Lee ◽  
L S Goldstein ◽  
D Branton
Keyword(s):  
Network Formation ◽  
Recombinant Dna ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Drosophila Genome ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Null Mutant ◽  
Alpha Spectrin ◽  
Spectrin Network

The head-end associations of spectrin give rise to tetramers and make it possible for the molecule to form networks. We analyzed the head-end associations of Drosophila spectrin in vitro and in vivo. Immunoprecipitation assays using protein fragments synthesized in vitro from recombinant DNA showed that interchain binding at the head end was mediated by segment 0-1 of alpha-spectrin and segment 18 of beta-spectrin. Point mutations equivalent to erythroid spectrin mutations that are responsible for human hemolytic anemias diminished Drosophila spectrin head-end interchain binding in vitro. To test the in vivo consequence of deficient head-end interchain binding, we introduced constructs expressing head-end interchain binding mutant alpha-spectrin into the Drosophila genome and tested for rescue of an alpha-spectrin null mutation. An alpha-spectrin minigene lacking the codons for head-end interchain binding failed to rescue the lethality of the null mutant, whereas a minigene with a point mutation in these codons overcame the lethality of the null mutant in a temperature-dependent manner. The rescued flies were viable and fertile at 25 degrees C, but they became sterile because of defects in oogenesis when shifted to 29 degrees C. At 29 degrees C, egg chamber tissue disruption and cell shape changes were evident, even though the mutant spectrin remained stably associated with cell membranes. Our results show that spectrin's capacity to form a network is a crucial aspect of its function in nonerythroid cells.

scholarly journals Point mutations in the West Nile virus (Flaviviridae; Flavivirus) RNA-dependent RNA polymerase alter viral fitness in a host-dependent manner in vitro and in vivo

Virology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 427 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Greta A. Van Slyke ◽  
Alexander T. Ciota ◽  
Graham G. Willsey ◽  
Joachim Jaeger ◽  
Pei-Yong Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Nile Virus ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Viral Fitness ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
The West ◽  
Rna Dependent Rna Polymerase ◽  
West Nile

scholarly journals Calcium/Calmodulin Regulates Ubiquitination of the Ubiquitin-specific Protease TRE17/USP6

2005 ◽  
Vol 280 (43) ◽  
pp. 35967-35973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chuanlu Shen ◽  
Ying Ye ◽  
Sarah E. Robertson ◽  
Alan W. Lau ◽  
Don-On D. Mak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Point Mutations ◽  
Calcium Ionophore ◽  
Rab Gtpase ◽  
Ionophore A23187 ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Specific Protease ◽  
Ubiquitin Specific Protease

The TRE17 (USP6/TRE-2) oncogene induces tumorigenesis in both humans and mice. However, little is known regarding its regulation or mechanism of transformation. TRE17 encodes a TBC (Tre-2/Bub2/Cdc16)/Rab GTPase-activating protein homology domain at its N terminus and a ubiquitin-specific protease at its C terminus. In the current study, we identified the ubiquitous calcium (Ca2+)-binding protein calmodulin (CaM) as a novel binding partner for TRE17. CaM bound directly to TRE17 in a Ca2+-dependent manner both in vitro and in vivo. The CaM-binding site was mapped to two hydrophobic motifs near the C terminus of the TBC domain. Point mutations within these motifs significantly reduced the interaction of TRE17 with CaM. We further found that TRE17 is monoubiquitinated and promotes its own deubiquitination in vivo. CaM binding-deficient mutants of TRE17 exhibited significantly reduced monoubiquitination, suggesting that binding of Ca2+/CaM to TRE17 promotes this modification. Consistent with this notion, treatment of cells with the CaM inhibitor W7 reduced levels of TRE17 monoubiquitination. Interestingly, the calcium ionophore A23187 induced accumulation of a polyubiquitinated TRE17 species. The effect of A23187 was attenuated in CaM binding-deficient mutants of TRE17. Taken together, these studies indicate a role for Ca2+/CaM in regulating ubiquitination through direct interaction with TRE17.

scholarly journals Resibufogenin Suppresses Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Angiogenesis by Blocking VEGFR2-Mediated Signaling Pathway

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ting Yang ◽  
Yi-Xin Jiang ◽  
Ye Wu ◽  
Dong Lu ◽  
Rui Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Triple Negative Breast Cancer ◽  
Antitumor Effect ◽  
Triple Negative ◽  
Network Formation ◽  
Umbilical Vein ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Antiangiogenic Activity

Resibufogenin (RBF), an active compound from Bufo bufonis, has been used for the treatment of multiple malignant cancers, including pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, and breast cancer. However, whether RBF could exert its antitumor effect by inhibiting angiogenesis remains unknown. Here, we aimed to explore the antiangiogenic activity of RBF and its underlying mechanism on human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC), and the therapeutic efficacy with regard to antiangiogenesis in vivo using two triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) models. Our results demonstrated that RBF can inhibit the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of HUVECs in a dose-dependent manner. Spheroid sprouts were thinner and shorter after RBF treatment in vitro 3D spheroid sprouting assay. RBF also significantly suppressed VEGF-mediated vascular network formation in vivo Matrigel plug assay. In addition, Western blot analysis was used to reveal that RBF inhibited the phosphorylation of VEGFR2 and its downstream protein kinases FAK and Src in endothelial cells (ECs). Molecular docking simulations showed that RBF affected the phosphorylation of VEGFR2 by competitively binding to the ATP-bound VEGFR2 kinase domain, thus preventing ATP from providing phosphate groups. Finally, we found that RBF exhibited promising antitumor effect through antiangiogenesis in vivo without obvious toxicity. The present study first revealed the high antiangiogenic activity and the underlying molecular basis of RBF, suggesting that RBF could be a potential antiangiogenic agent for angiogenesis-related diseases.

scholarly journals The effects of recombinant-DNA-derived interferons on the growth of myeloid progenitor cells

Blood ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 858-861 ◽  
Author(s):  
WF Rigby ◽  
ED Ball ◽  
PM Guyre ◽  
MW Fanger
Keyword(s):  
Recombinant Dna ◽  
Blast Cell ◽  
Myelogenous Leukemia ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Myeloid Progenitor ◽  
Colony Forming Units ◽  
Myeloid Progenitor Cells ◽  
Acute Myelogenous

Abstract Interferons (IFNs) have been shown to have significant effects on hematopoietic cell growth. Previous studies defining these effects have utilized mouse and human alpha-, beta-, and gamma-IFN isolated from supernatants of stimulated cells. Despite purification, the possible presence of other lymphokines and soluble factors remains a concern. In this study, the effects of gene-cloned alpha- and gamma-IFN on colony- forming units of granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-GM) progenitors cultured from the peripheral blood of normal volunteers were examined. In addition, blast cell colonies from one patient with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) were studied. The growth of normal CFU-GM and AML blast cell colonies was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by gamma- and alpha-IFN. gamma-IFN was ten to 100 times more potent than alpha-IFN in that this species of IFN reduced colony formation by greater than 50% at concentrations of less than 15 antiviral U/mL. The effects of gamma- IFN were neutralized by a monoclonal antibody specific for gamma-IFN. These in vitro studies indicate that human gamma-IFN may be an important modulator of myelopoiesis. Although these data indicate a possible efficacy of gamma-IFN in the treatment of AML, the in vitro results should be considered for their in vivo significance.

scholarly journals The effects of recombinant-DNA-derived interferons on the growth of myeloid progenitor cells

Blood ◽  
1985 ◽  
Vol 65 (4) ◽  
pp. 858-861 ◽  
Author(s):  
WF Rigby ◽  
ED Ball ◽  
PM Guyre ◽  
MW Fanger
Keyword(s):  
Recombinant Dna ◽  
Blast Cell ◽  
Myelogenous Leukemia ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Myeloid Progenitor ◽  
Colony Forming Units ◽  
Myeloid Progenitor Cells ◽  
Acute Myelogenous

Interferons (IFNs) have been shown to have significant effects on hematopoietic cell growth. Previous studies defining these effects have utilized mouse and human alpha-, beta-, and gamma-IFN isolated from supernatants of stimulated cells. Despite purification, the possible presence of other lymphokines and soluble factors remains a concern. In this study, the effects of gene-cloned alpha- and gamma-IFN on colony- forming units of granulocyte/macrophage (CFU-GM) progenitors cultured from the peripheral blood of normal volunteers were examined. In addition, blast cell colonies from one patient with acute myelogenous leukemia (AML) were studied. The growth of normal CFU-GM and AML blast cell colonies was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner by gamma- and alpha-IFN. gamma-IFN was ten to 100 times more potent than alpha-IFN in that this species of IFN reduced colony formation by greater than 50% at concentrations of less than 15 antiviral U/mL. The effects of gamma- IFN were neutralized by a monoclonal antibody specific for gamma-IFN. These in vitro studies indicate that human gamma-IFN may be an important modulator of myelopoiesis. Although these data indicate a possible efficacy of gamma-IFN in the treatment of AML, the in vitro results should be considered for their in vivo significance.

scholarly journals Ca2+-dependent Monomer and Dimer Formation Switches CAPRI Protein between Ras GTPase-activating Protein (GAP) and RapGAP Activities

2011 ◽  
Vol 286 (22) ◽  
pp. 19905-19916 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanfeng Dai ◽  
Simon A. Walker ◽  
Edwin de Vet ◽  
Simon Cook ◽  
Heidi C. E. Welch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Catalytic Domain ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Dimer Formation ◽  
Cell Stimulation ◽  
Gtpase Activating Proteins ◽  
Intracellular Ca ◽  
Necessary And Sufficient

CAPRI is a member of the GAP1 family of GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) for small G proteins. It is known to function as an amplitude sensor for intracellular Ca2+ levels stimulated by extracellular signals and has a catalytic domain with dual RasGAP and RapGAP activities. Here, we have investigated the mechanism that switches CAPRI between its two GAP activities. We demonstrate that CAPRI forms homodimers in vitro and in vivo in a Ca2+-dependent manner. The site required for dimerization was pinpointed by deletion and point mutations to a helix motif that forms a hydrophobic face in the extreme C-terminal tail of the CAPRI protein. Deletion of this helix motif abolished dimer formation but did not affect translocation of CAPRI to the plasma membrane upon cell stimulation with histamine. We found that dimeric and monomeric CAPRI coexist in cells and that the ratio of dimeric to monomeric CAPRI increases upon cell stimulation with histamine. Free Ca2+ at physiologically relevant concentrations was both necessary and sufficient for dimer formation. Importantly, the monomeric and dimeric forms of CAPRI exhibited differential GAP activities in vivo; the wild-type form of CAPRI had stronger RapGAP activity than RasGAP activity, whereas a monomeric CAPRI mutant showed stronger RasGAP than RapGAP activity. These results demonstrate that CAPRI switches between its dual GAP roles by forming monomers or homodimers through a process regulated by Ca2+. We propose that Ca2+-dependent dimerization of CAPRI may serve to coordinate Ras and Rap1 signaling pathways.

scholarly journals Up-Regulated Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinases in Endothelial Cells Mediates Platelet Microvesicle-Induced Angiogenesis

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 2319-2332 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng Sun ◽  
Shi-Bin Feng ◽  
Zheng-Wang Cao ◽  
Jun-Jie Bei ◽  
Qiang Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Network Formation ◽  
Umbilical Vein ◽  
Gelatin Zymography ◽  
Tube Formation ◽  
Angiogenic Factors ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Angiogenic Activity

Background/Aims: Platelet microvesicles (PMVs) contribute to angiogenesis and vasculogenesis, but the mechanisms underlying these contributions have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we investigated whether PMVs regulate the angiogenic properties of endothelial cells (ECs) via mechanisms extending beyond the transport of angiogenic regulators from platelets. Methods: In vitro Matrigel tube formation assay and in vivo Matrigel plug assay were used to evaluate the pro-angiogenic activity of PMVs. The effects of PMVs on the migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were detected by transwell assay and wound-healing assay. Real-time PCR and western blot were conducted to examine mRNA and protein expression of pro-angiogenic factors in HUVECs. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity was assayed by gelatin zymography. Moreover, the effects of specific MMP inhibitors were tested. Results: PMVs promoted HUVEC capillary-like network formation in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, PMVs dose-dependently facilitated HUVEC migration. Levels of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression and activity were up-regulated in HUVECs stimulated with PMVs. Inhibition of MMPs decreased their pro-angiogenic and pro-migratory effects on HUVECs. Moreover, we confirmed the pro-angiogenic activity of PMVs in vivo in mice with subcutaneous implantation of Matrigel, and demonstrated that blockade of MMPs attenuated PMV-induced angiogenesis. Conclusion: The findings of our study indicate that PMVs promote angiogenesis by up-regulating MMP expression in ECs via mechanism extending beyond the direct delivery of angiogenic factors.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Lectin Exhibit Inhibition of ACE-I, α-amylase and α-glucosidase Activity

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 494-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sameer Suresh Bhagyawant ◽  
Dakshita Tanaji Narvekar ◽  
Neha Gupta ◽  
Amita Bhadkaria ◽  
Ajay Kumar Gautam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Effects ◽  
Exchange Chromatography ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Carbohydrate Binding ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Ic50 Values ◽  
Chickpea Lectin

Background: Diabetes and hypertension are the major health concern and alleged to be of epidemic proportions. This has made it a numero uno subject at various levels of investigation. Glucosidase inhibitor provides the reasonable option in treatment of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) as it specifically targets post prandial hyperglycemia. The Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) plays an important role in hypertension. Therefore, inhibition of ACE in treatment of elevated blood pressure attracts special interest of the scientific community. Chickpea is a food legume and seeds contain carbohydrate binding protein- a lectin. Some of the biological properties of this lectin hitherto been elucidated. Methods: Purified by ion exchange chromatography, chickpea lectin was tested for its in vitro antioxidant, ACE-I inhibitory and anti-diabetic characteristic. Results: Lectin shows a characteristic improvement over the synthetic drugs like acarbose (oral anti-diabetic drug) and captopril (standard antihypertensive drug) when, their IC50 values are compared. Lectin significantly inhibited α-glucosidase and α-amylase in a concentration dependent manner with IC50 values of 85.41 ± 1.21 ҝg/ml and 65.05 ± 1.2 µg/ml compared to acarbose having IC50 70.20 ± 0.47 value of µg/ml and 50.52 ± 1.01 µg/ml respectively. β-Carotene bleaching assay showed antioxidant activity of lectin (72.3%) to be as active as Butylated Hydroxylanisole (BHA). In addition, lectin demonstrated inhibition against ACE-I with IC50 value of 57.43 ± 1.20 µg/ml compared to captopril. Conclusion: Lectin demonstrated its antioxidant character, ACE-I inhibition and significantly inhibitory for α-glucosidase and α-amylase seems to qualify as an anti-hyperglycemic therapeutic molecule. The biological effects of chickpea lectin display potential for reducing the parameters of medically debilitating conditions. These characteristics however needs to be established under in vivo systems too viz. animals through to humans.

scholarly journals Compensatory mechanisms in resistant Anopheles gambiae AcerKis and KdrKis neurons modulate insecticide-based mosquito control

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stéphane Perrier ◽  
Eléonore Moreau ◽  
Caroline Deshayes ◽  
Marine El-Adouzi ◽  
Delphine Goven ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sodium Channel ◽  
Anopheles Gambiae ◽  
Calcium Concentration ◽  
Mosquito Control ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Resting Membrane Potential ◽  
Compensatory Mechanisms ◽  
Pyrethroid Insecticides

AbstractIn the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae, two point mutations in the acetylcholinesterase (ace-1R) and the sodium channel (kdrR) genes confer resistance to organophosphate/carbamate and pyrethroid insecticides, respectively. The mechanisms of compensation that recover the functional alterations associated with these mutations and their role in the modulation of insecticide efficacy are unknown. Using multidisciplinary approaches adapted to neurons isolated from resistant Anopheles gambiae AcerKis and KdrKis strains together with larval bioassays, we demonstrate that nAChRs, and the intracellular calcium concentration represent the key components of an adaptation strategy ensuring neuronal functions maintenance. In AcerKis neurons, the increased effect of acetylcholine related to the reduced acetylcholinesterase activity is compensated by expressing higher density of nAChRs permeable to calcium. In KdrKis neurons, changes in the biophysical properties of the L1014F mutant sodium channel, leading to enhance overlap between activation and inactivation relationships, diminish the resting membrane potential and reduce the fraction of calcium channels available involved in acetylcholine release. Together with the lower intracellular basal calcium concentration observed, these factors increase nAChRs sensitivity to maintain the effect of low concentration of acetylcholine. These results explain the opposite effects of the insecticide clothianidin observed in AcerKis and KdrKis neurons in vitro and in vivo.

scholarly journals Characterization of LDD-2633 as a Novel RET Kinase Inhibitor with Anti-Tumor Effects in Thyroid Cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
Hyo Jeong Lee ◽  
Pyeonghwa Jeong ◽  
Yeongyu Moon ◽  
Jungil Choi ◽  
Jeong Doo Heo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Cancer ◽  
Thyroid Carcinoma ◽  
Kinase Inhibitor ◽  
Point Mutations ◽  
Carcinoma Cells ◽  
Medullary Thyroid ◽  
Potent Inhibition ◽  
Kinase Inhibitory Activity

Rearranged during transfection (RET), a receptor tyrosine kinase, is activated by glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor family ligands. Chromosomal rearrangement or point mutations in RET are observed in patients with papillary thyroid and medullary thyroid carcinomas. Oncogenic alteration of RET results in constitutive activation of RET activity. Therefore, inhibiting RET activity has become a target in thyroid cancer therapy. Here, the anti-tumor activity of a novel RET inhibitor was characterized in medullary thyroid carcinoma cells. The indirubin derivative LDD-2633 was tested for RET kinase inhibitory activity. In vitro, LDD-2633 showed potent inhibition of RET kinase activity, with an IC50 of 4.42 nM. The growth of TT thyroid carcinoma cells harboring an RET mutation was suppressed by LDD-2633 treatment via the proliferation suppression and the induction of apoptosis. The effects of LDD-2633 on the RET signaling pathway were examined; LDD-2633 inhibited the phosphorylation of the RET protein and the downstream molecules Shc and ERK1/2. Oral administration of 20 or 40 mg/kg of LDD-2633 induced dose-dependent suppression of TT cell xenograft tumor growth. The in vivo and in vitro experimental results supported the potential use of LDD-2633 as an anticancer drug for thyroid cancers.

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