Cell migration of transformed renal epithelial cells (MDCK-F) depends-in addition to cytoskeletal mechanisms-on the polarized activity of a Ca2+-sensitive K+ channel in the rear part of the cells. However, because of the lack of specific markers for this channel we are not able to determine whether a polarized distribution of the channel protein underlies its functional polarization. To determi...

For detecting Borna disease virus (BDV) genomic stranded RNA, single-tube reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (St RT-PCR) was developed to equal the sensitivity of RT-nested PCR but with reduced risk of contamination. BDV-genomic stranded RNA was synthesized in vitro using plasmid cDNA of BDV p24 region as a template and RNA was also extracted from BDV-persistently infected MDCK (MD...

The results presented in this study establish an association between phospholipase C-beta (PLC-beta) and tight junction permeability across Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell monolayers, an in vitro model for epithelial tissue. These results further show that PLC-beta modulates tight junction permeability by affecting actin filament organization. Hexadecylphosphocholine (HPC) inhibited PLC-b...

Influenza viruses are able to cause annual epidemics and pandemics due to their mutation rates and reassortment capabilities leading to antigenic shifts and drifts. To identify host response to influenza A and B viruses on A549 and MDCK II cells at low and high MOIs, expressions of MxA and caspases 3, 8, and 9 and BAD, TNFα, and IκBα genes were measured in the cells supernatants. H1N1 and H3N2 ...

The exclusive basolateral localization of the Na-K-ATPase in kidney epithelium is a critical aspect of nephron function. It has been suggested that mislocalized delivery of the Na-K-ATPase to the apical surface in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is due to the inappropriate expression of an alternative isoform of the beta-subunit, the beta(2)-isoform. It has been reported th...

Tight junction permeability control is important in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. We have investigated the role of tyrosine phosphorylation in the regulation of tight junction permeability. MDCK epithelial cells and brain endothelial cells were grown on filters and tight junction permeability was determined by transcellular electrical resistance (TER). The tyrosine phos...

Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells undergoing cystogenesis in vitro is a scientifically useful model of epithelial morphogenesis. The cysts formed in collagen and Matrigel are qualitatively similar, consisting of a single layer of epithelial cells surrounding a hollow lumen. However, differences in key quantitative measures of cyst growth, including cell number and cyst and lumen size, indi...

Multiple forms of occludin were found in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. In the absence of cell-to-cell contacts, achieved by incubating cells in low-calcium growth medium, a cluster of lower-molecular-weight (LMW) occludin bands (∼65,000-68,000) was present in both MDCK I and II cells. On formation of tight junctions, achieved by changing the low-calcium growth medium to normal-calcium...

Membrane-type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) is expressed both in carcinoma cells and in surrounding stromal fibroblasts. MT1-MMP localizes to the surface of tumor cells and is thought to play an important role in tumor invasion. To analyze the mechanism of MT1-MMP gene expression in epithelial tumor cells, the dog kidney epithelial cell line Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) was transform...

Bestrophin-1 (Best1) is a transmembrane protein, found in the basolateral plasma membrane of retinal pigmented epithelial cells. The exact structure and functions of Best1 protein are still unclear. The protein is thought to be a regulator of ion channels, or an ion channel itself: it was shown to be permeable for chloride, thiocyanate, bicarbonate, glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Mut...