OBJECTIVE To elucidate the cellular function of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) replication transactivation activator (RTA) at the transcriptional level. METHODS Transcriptional activation of T-cell-factor (TCF)-dependent genes by RTA was determined using the luciferase reporter assay. The specific regions of RTA required for the activation of TCF-dependent transcription and as...

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been reported to have diverse biological roles in regulating many biological processes, including osteogenic differentiation. In the present study, we identified that miR-24 was a critical regulator during osteogenic differentiation. We found that overexpression of miR-24 significantly inhibited osteogenic differentiation, which decreased alkaline phosphatase activity, m...

The Wnt/β-catenin pathway is involved in diverse cell functions governing development and disease. β-Catenin, a central mediator of this pathway, binds to members of the TCF/LEF family of transcription factors to modulate hundreds of genes. Active Wnt/β-catenin/TCF-4 signaling plays a significant role in repression of HIV-1 replication in multiple cell targets, including astrocytes. To determin...

The evolutionarily conserved Wnt/ß-catenin (Wnt/ß-cat) pathway plays an important role in animal development in metazoans. Many Wnt targets are regulated by members of the TCF/LEF1 (TCF) family of transcription factors. All TCFs contain a High Mobility Group (HMG) domain that bind specific DNA sequences. Invertebrate TCFs and some vertebrate TCF isoforms also contain another domain, called the ...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effects of a commercial bleaching agent containing 36% hydrogen peroxide on the clinical plaque index and Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacilli counts in dental plaque and saliva in vivo. METHODS Twenty volunteers were recruited in the present study. Evaluation of plaque index and bacteria counts in plaque and saliva was performed before bleaching the teeth, and 3 da...

Abstract Transcriptional regulation by Wnt signalling is primarily thought to be accomplished a complex of ?-catenin and TCF family transcription factors (TFs). Although numerous studies have suggested that additional TFs play roles in regulating target genes, their mechanisms action not been investigated detail. We characterised Wnt-responsive element (WRE) downstream the gene Axin2 found TCFs...

Colorectal carcinomas with microsatellite instability accumulate errors in short repetitive DNA repeats, especially mono and dinucleotide repeats. One such error-prone A(9) monorepeat is found in exon 17 of the TCF-4 gene. TCF-4 and beta-catenin form a transcription complex, which is important for both maintenance of normal epithelium and development of colorectal tumors. To elucidate the relev...

BACKGROUND Laser-assisted bleaching uses laser beam to accelerate release of free radicals within the bleaching gel to decrease time of whitening procedure. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of power bleaching using Opalescence Xtra Boost® and laser bleaching technique using LaserSmile gel and diode laser as an activator in their tooth whitening capacity. MATERIAL AND METHODS ...

-Catenin has a key role in Wnt signaling via effects on T-cell factor (TCF)-mediated transcription. Mutational defects in -catenin regulation are seen in many cancers, leading to elevated -catenin levels, enhanced binding of -catenin to TCFs, and increased expression of TCF-regulated genes. Factors cooperating with -catenin in transcription of TCF-regulated genes are not well defined. TIP49, an...

Besides the active Wnt signalling itself, the extracellular inhibition by Dkk1 is important for various embryonic developmental processes, such as optic vesicle differentiation and facial outgrowth. Although a feedback crosstalk of the active Wnt/β-catenin signaling and Dkk1 regulation has been suggested, the control of Dkk1 transcription by the Tcf/Lef1 mediated Wnt signalling and its connecti...