The alpha-myosin heavy chain (alpha-MyHC) is the major contractile protein expressed in the myocardium of adult mice. We have produced mice carrying a null mutation of alpha-MyHC by homologous recombination in murine ES cells. Homozygous null animals die between 11 and 12 d in utero of gross heart defects, while alpha-MyHC+/- heterozygotes survive and appear externally normal. The presence of a...

Myocardial performance is likely affected by the relative expression of the two myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoforms, namely alpha-MyHC and beta-MyHC. The relative expression of each isoform is regulated developmentally and in pathophysiological states. Many pathophysiological states are associated with small shifts in the relative expression of each MyHC isoform, yet the functional consequence o...

An almost complete amino acid sequence of the carboxyl-terminal 20-kD tryptic heavy chain peptide from bovine cardiac myosin Subfragment-1 (S-1) has been determined by automated sequential degradation of the undigested peptide and subfragments derived by chemical and enzymatic digestion. The fragment contains 169 residues, including two reactive cysteinyl residues which are located nine residue...

Background & Aims: Antibodies, well-known as immunoglobulins (Igs), are produced by B lymphocytes and specifically defend against pathogens. Igs are glycoproteins and have high diagnostic value in several diseases including infections (1). Igs are composed of light and heavy chains (2, 3). Each chain is comprised of about 110-120 amino acid residues which create immunoglobulin folds named domai...

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to determine the levels of alpha particles and heavy metals contamination in the meat products consumed in Najaf, Iraq. Moreover, this study was also targeted toward comparing the results with those in the literature and making appropriate conclusion and recommendations. Material and Methods: This study determined the track of alpha particles and ...

The molecular mechanism underlying acute right heart failure (RHF) is poorly understood. We used pulmonary artery banding (PAB) to induce acute RHF characterized by a rapid rise of right ventricular pressure, and then a decrease in right ventricular pressure along with a decrease in blood pressure right after banding. We found higher brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and beta-myosin heavy chain (...

BACKGROUND To characterize the cells responsible for neointima formation after porcine coronary artery wall injury, we studied the expression of smooth muscle cell (SMC) differentiation markers in 2 models: (1) self-expanding stent implantation resulting in no or little interruption of internal elastic lamina and (2) percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) resulting in complete me...

An electrical stimulation system was designed to regulate synchronized contractile activity of neonatal rat cardiocytes and to examine the effects of mechanical contraction on cardiocyte growth. Continuous electrical stimulation at a pulse duration of 5 milliseconds and frequency of 3 Hz resulted in a time-dependent accumulation of cell protein that reached 34% above initial values, as measured...

BACKGROUND Transgenic mice with cardiac-specific overexpression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha develop dilated cardiomyopathy. The present study was designed to evaluate therapeutic effects of adenovirus-mediated neutralization of TNF-alpha on this model. METHODS AND RESULTS An adenovirus encoding the 55-kDa TNF receptor-IgG fusion protein (AdTNFRI) was injected intravenously into 6-wee...

Eight patients with diffuse plasma cell infiltration of the small bowel who had the clinical features of immunoproliferative small intestinal disease (IPSID), but whose serum was negative for free alpha-heavy chains, were investigated for evidence of a non-secretory form of alpha-chain disease (alpha-CD). Molecular sieving and immunoblotting of serum, immunoperoxidase staining of biopsy specime...