Gln-tRNA is synthesized from Glu-tRNA in most microorganisms by a tRNA-dependent amidotransferase in a reaction requiring ATP and an amide donor such as glutamine. GatDE is a heterodimeric amidotransferase that is ubiquitous in Archaea. GatD resembles bacterial asparaginases and is expected to function in amide donor hydrolysis. We show here that Methanothermobacter thermautotrophicus GatD acts...

l-Glutamate (Glu) activates at least eight different G protein-coupled receptors known as metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors, which mostly act regulators of synaptic transmission. These consist two domains: an extracellular domain in agonists bind and a transmembrane heptahelix region involved protein activation. Although new mGlu receptor antagonists have been described, few are selective...

Accumulating evidence suggests that the amino acid glutamate (Glu) may play a role in mediating immune function. The demonstration of Glu receptors (GluR) and Glu transporters (GluT) on a variety of immune cells suggests that Glu has a functional role in immunoregulation well beyond its role as a neurotransmitter. The extracellular Glu concentration plays a key role in the regulation of GSH syn...

PURPOSE To examine the expression of prostaglandin (PG) receptors EP2, EP4, and FP in a human lens epithelial cell line (HLE-B3) at molecular and pharmacologic levels. METHODS Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reactions (RT-PCR) were performed with total RNA preparations from HLE-B3 cells using sense and antisense primers for each of the three prostaglandin receptors. The PCR products we...

Friend murine leukemia helper viruses (F-MuLV) 57 and B3 were indistinguishable by genomic structural analyses with RNase T1-resistant oligonucleotide fingerprinting and by antigenic reactivity with a panel of 31 monoclonal antibodies directed against murine leukemia viruses. Nevertheless, F-MuLV 57 and B3 had strikingly different virulences. Approximately 2 months after inoculation, IRW and NF...

PURPOSE Stereotactic needle breast biopsy and vacuum assisted breast biopsy have replaced wide local excision in the last decades. B3 lesions of the breast represent a particular subgroup which is difficult to manage. The purpose of the present study was to present our experience with this specific type of lesions and to examine the conformity of Princess Margaret Hospital with current recommen...

BACKGROUND Partial deletions of the AZFc region of the Y chromosome were reported to be a significant risk factor for oligo-/azoospermia. In this study, we assessed the occurrence and frequency of partial AZFc microdeletions in patients with spermatogenic failure and in controls with normal spermatogenesis. METHODS In a retrospective study design, gr/gr, b1/b3 and b2/b3 deletions were analyse...

Many genetic alterations have been identified to aid in understanding the genetic basis of male infertility, however, the cause of 30% of male infertility remains unknown. Some studies indicated that subdeletions of Y chromosome may be a reason for male infertility caused by testicular failure. In this regard, we aimed to investigate frequency of AZFc region subdeletions and their clinical effe...