We carried out a yeast two-hybrid screen to identify proteins that interact with large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa) channels encoded by the Slo1 gene. Nephrin, an essential adhesion and scaffolding molecule expressed in podocytes, emerged in this screen. The Slo1-nephrin interaction was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation from the brain and kidney, from HEK-293T cells expressing both pro...

Background: Human FIX (hFIX) gene transfer into hepatocytes has provided a novel approach for treatment of hemophilia B. To obtain an improved expression of hFIX, the functional hFIX-expressing plasmids with appropriate intron-derived fragments which facilitate transcription and promote an efficient 3′-end formation of mRNAs are required.Objectives: We ai...

BACKGROUND Biotin is an essential micronutrient and its levels are high in rapidly proliferating cells such as cancer cells. We hypothesized that the synthesis of poly (amido)amine (PAMAM) dendrimers with biotin molecules might contribute to enhanced cancer cell-specific uptake. MATERIALS AND METHODS PAMAM dendrimers were biotinylated using sulfo-NHS-LC-biotin and structural characterization ...

Echis carinatus (saw-scaled viper) produces potent hemorrhagic venom that causes the development of apoptotic and necrotic tissues. In this study, we used polyethyleneimine (PEI) to enhance cellular adherence, and to determine whether the substrate attachment influenced the survival of cells treated with crude E. carinatus venom. Human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293T cells were grown for 18hr in ti...

Great strides have been made in understanding and treating hepatitis C virus (HCV) thanks to the development of various experimental systems including cell-culture-proficient HCV, HCV pseudoparticle system soluble envelope glycoproteins. The (HCVpp) is a platform used extensively studies cell entry, screening novel entry inhibitors, assessing phenotypes clinically observed E1 E2 glycoproteins a...

Narp (neuronal activity-regulated pentraxin) is a secreted immediate-early gene (IEG) regulated by synaptic activity in brain. In this study, we demonstrate that Narp possesses several properties that make it likely to play a key role in excitatory synaptogenesis. Narp is shown to be selectively enriched at excitatory synapses on neurons from both the hippocampus and spinal cord. Overexpression...