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.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression at a post-transcriptional level through base-pairing to 3¢ untranslated regions (UTRs) of messenger RNAs. The mechanism by which human let-7a miRNA regulates mRNA translation was examined in HeLa cells expressing reporter mRNAs containing the Caenorhabditis elegans lin-41 3¢ UTR. let-7a miRNA strongly repressed translation, yet the majority of control...

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...

The spin labeled nitrosoureas 7a-e and 12 were synthesized and evaluated in vivo for their anticancer activities against the murine lymphocytic leukemia P388. Compounds 7a-c, 7e and 12 possessed activities ranging from 31 to 542 percent increase in life span (%ILS), whereas compound 7d was marginal (%ILS = 21). All CD2F1 male mice treated with the most active compounds (7a and 12) at 35 mg/kg f...

Cholesteatomas are benign epidermally‑derived lesions of the temporal bone that are caused by migration of hyperproliferative keratinocytes into the middle ear and mastoid cavity. The molecular mechanisms that regulate the pathogenesis of cholesteatomas are currently not fully understood. The present study demonstrated the antigrowth and anti‑invasive effects of let‑7a microRNA (miRNA) on chole...

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...

Let-7 microRNAs (miRNAs) are highly conserved well-established promoters of terminal differentiation that are expressed in healthy adult tissues and frequently repressed in cancer cells. The tumor suppressive role of let-7 in a variety of cancers in vitro and in vivo has been widely documented and prompted these miRNAs to be candidate genes for miRNA replacement therapy. In this study we descri...