The hemolytic lectin CEL-III and its site-directed mutants were expressed in Escherichia coli cells. Replacement of the valine clusters in domain 3 with alanine residues led to increased self-oligomerization in solution and higher hemolytic activity. The results suggest the involvement of these valine clusters in CEL-III oligomerization and hemolytic activity.

Molecular identification and characterization of fear controlling circuitries is a promising path towards developing targeted treatments of fear-related disorders. Three-color in situ hybridization analysis was used to determine whether somatostatin (SOM, Sst), neurotensin (NTS, Nts), corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF, Crf), tachykinin 2 (TAC2, Tac2), protein kinase c-δ (PKC-δ, Prkcd), and do...

Carboxyl ester lipase (CEL), previously named cholesterol esterase or bile salt-stimulated (or dependent) lipase, is a lipolytic enzyme capable of hydrolyzing cholesteryl esters, tri-, di-, and mono-acylglycerols, phospholipids, lysophospholipids, and ceramide. The active site catalytic triad of serine-histidine-aspartate is centrally located within the enzyme structure and is partially covered...

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. These conditions may lead to the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs). In this study we investigated in 88 COPD patients and 55 control subjects (80% ex-smokers) the association of the plasma protein-bound AGEs N(ε)-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML), pentosidine, N(ε)-(carboxyeth...

Macrocyclic lactones (ML) are important anthelmintics used in animals and humans against parasite nematodes, but their therapeutic success is compromised by the spread of ML resistance. Some ABC transporters, such as p-glycoproteins (Pgps), are selected and overexpressed in ML-resistant nematodes, supporting a role for some drug efflux proteins in ML resistance. However, the role of such protei...

BACKGROUND Efficient hydrolysis of lignocellulosic materials to sugars for conversion to biofuels and chemicals is a key step in biorefinery. Designing an active saccharifying enzyme system with synergy among their components is considered a promising approach. RESULTS In this study, a lignocellulose-degrading enzyme system of Chaetomium globosum BCC5776 (CG-Cel) was characterized for its act...

The technique facilitates karyotype analysis primarily of cel ls grown in vitro Following standard preliminary treatments, the crucial step is the complete air-drying of cel ls on slides directly after fixation. This produces a more complete flattening of intact chromosome complements than is usually achieved manually [The SCI indicates that this paper has been cited in over 510 publications si...

BACKGROUND Congenital ectopia lentis (CEL) usually leads to refractive error and may influence the axial length development. But few investigations have reported patient demographics and the distribution of axial length (AL) before surgery in Chinese pediatric patients with CEL. To describe the distribution of AL before surgery in CEL patients and its relationship with patients' demographics, s...

Dietary fibers (DF) may affect energy balance, an effect often ascribed to the viscous nature of some water soluble DF, which affect luminal viscosity and thus multiple physiological processes. We have tested the hypothesis that viscous linseed DF reduce apparent nutrient digestibility, and limit weight gain, in a randomized feeding trial where 60 male, growing, Wistar rats, with an initial wei...

Substance P (SP) is implicated in stress regulation and affective and anxiety-related behavior. Particularly high expression has been found in the main output region of the amygdala complex, the central amygdala (CE). Here we investigated the cellular mechanisms of SP in CE in vitro, taking advantage of glutamic acid decarboxylase-green fluorescent protein (GAD67-GFP) knockin mice that yield a ...