Voltage-gated calcium channels play a central role in regulating the electrical and biochemical properties of neurons and muscle cells. One of the ways in which calcium channels regulate long-lasting neuronal properties is by activating signaling pathways that control gene expression, but the mechanisms that link calcium channels to the nucleus are not well understood. We report that a C-termin...

Ryk is a transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK). It functions as a receptor of Wnt proteins required for cell-fate determination, axon guidance, and neurite outgrowth in different organisms; however, the molecular mechanism of Ryk signaling is unknown. Here, we show that Ryk is cleaved, permitting the intracellular C-terminal fragment of Ryk to translocate to the nucleus in response to Wn...

Transient expression of engineered reporter RNAs encoding an intron-containing green fluorescent protein (GFP) from a Potato virus X-based expression vector previously demonstrated the nuclear targeting capability of the 359 nucleotide Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) RNA genome. To further delimit the putative nuclear-targeting signal, PSTVd subgenomic fragments were embedded within the int...

Twenty two cases of dropped nucleus following 1,196 phacoemulsification procedures in cataract surgery were examined retrospectively to determine the incidence, predisposing factors and visual outcomes of this dreaded complication. All the cases underwent pars plana vitrectomy and the lens fragments were removed with phacofragmotome, vitrectomy cutter or delivered through limbus. The incidence ...

The core of teleocidin B4, a complex fragment of a natural product containing two quaternary stereocenters and a penta-substituted benzene ring, was synthesized in four C-C bond-forming steps starting from tert-butyl derivative 1. The first step involved alkenylation of the tert-butyl group with a vinyl boronic acid, followed by the successful annulation of the cyclohexane ring to the benzene n...

the mesolimbic dopamine (da) system contains both d1-like and d2-like receptors, has been connected to control of locomotor behavior. an apparent role for d1 and d2 receptors throughout the mesolimbic system in the alteration of locomotor behavior has been demonstrated in pharmacological studies. the nucleus accumbens (nac) is comprised of a core and a shell subregion, which is a component of t...

because of continuous changing of anatomy, function and metabolism of the human brain, age- related change is a major risk factor in most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases, including parkinsons and huntingtons disease. therefore, knowing patterns of age-related atrophy of brain tissue can identify causes and possible role of diseases in decreasing brain function with age. the aim of this stu...

Keratinocyte cornification and epidermal barrier formation are tightly controlled processes, requiring degradation of organelles, including the nucleus. However, underlying molecular mechanisms not well defined. We have identified myosin II-mediated dispersal an internal fragment Lamin A (LMNA) during end-stage terminal differentiation prior to nuclear degradation. non-membrane-bound LMNA bodie...