Controlled orientation of a small laccase on a multi-walled carbon nanotube electrode was achieved via copper-free click chemistry mediated immobilization. Modification of the enzyme was limited to only the tethering site and involved the genetic incorporation of the unnatural amino acid 4-azido-L-phenylalanine (AzF). This approach enabled efficient direct electron transfer.

It has been established that the Y chromosome carries genes required for spermatogenesis and male fertility. For many decades worldwide screening for gene identification has been conducted in research laboratories. However, it has been a difficult process in identifying such genes (i.e. causative mutations) which could explain the phenotypic variation and could be potentially used as markers fo...

Angiotensin II (ANG II) inhibits bTREK-1 (bovine KCNK2) K(+) channels in bovine adrenocortical cells through a Gq-coupled AT(1) receptor by activation of separate Ca(2+)- and ATP hydrolysis-dependent signaling pathways. Whole cell patch-clamp recording from bovine adrenal zona fasciculata (AZF) cells was used to characterize the ATP-dependent signaling mechanism for inhibition of bTREK-1 by ANG...

Background: Microdeletions of the long arm of the chromosome Y are the most common molecular genetic cause of severe infertility in men which affect three regions of AZFa, AZFb and AZFc (Azoospermia factor). These regions contain various genes involved in spermatogenesis. The effect of ethnicity on the patterns of Y chromosome microdeletions has not been extensively studied, particulary in Iran...

We have studied the effect of the Ca(2+) antagonist mibefradil on low voltage-activated T-type Ca(2+) channels in whole-cell patch clamp recordings from bovine adrenal zona fasciculata (AZF) cells. AZF cells are distinctive in expressing only T-type Ca(2+) channels, allowing the mechanism of pharmacological agents to be explored without interference from other Ca(2+) channels. The inhibition of...

Objective microdeletions of Yq chromosome are the most frequent molecular genetics etiology for the male infertility which usually spans AZFa (azoo spermia factor a), AZFb and AZFc regions. Microdeletions are mostly seen in AZFc region and usually cover genes actively involved in spermatogenesis. Partial AZFc microdeletion may also happen with various spans namely gr/gr, b2/b3 and b1/b3. It is ...

this study was designed to determine the frequency of y chromosome azf (azoospermia factor ) subregions, microdeletions in patients with idiopathic nonobstructive azoospermia and severe oligozoospermia. subjects included 40 men who had been referred to infertility clinics for assisted reproduction, 37 were azoospermic and 3 had severe oligospermia. medical history and physical exam revealed no ...

Screening of Yq has become one of the most frequently performed postnatal molecular genetic tests in Egypt. Our purpose was to determine the tag sequence-tagged sites (STSs) in the AZF -region of Yq associated with azoospermia and severe oligospermia in infertile Egyptian men. We analyzed blood samples from 49 infertile men (28 with azoospermia and 21 with severe oligospermia) using multiplex P...

Genetic factors cause about 10% of male infertility. Azoospermia factors (AZFa, AZFb, AZFc) are considered to be the most important for spermatogenesis. We therefore made an attempt to evaluate the genetic cause of azoospermia, Y chromosome deletion in particular, in Indian men. We have analyzed a total of 570 men, including 340 azoospermic men and 230 normal control subjects. DNA samples were ...