The endogenous cannabinoids (endocannabinoids) are lipid molecules that may mediate retrograde signaling at central synapses and other forms of short-range neuronal communication. The monoglyceride 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) meets several criteria of an endocannabinoid substance: (i) it activates cannabinoid receptors; (ii) it is produced by neurons in an activity-dependent manner; and (iii)...

Carbohydrate-protein interactions govern many crucial processes in biological systems including cell recognition events. We have used the sensitive force probe optical tweezers to quantify the interactions occurring between MGL lectins and MUC1 carrying the cancer-associated glycan antigens mucins Tn and STn. Unbinding forces of 7.6 pN and 7.1 pN were determined for the MUC1(Tn)-MGL and MUC1(ST...

Mg deficiency is considered as a risk factor of cardiovascular disorders like hypertension and atherosclerosis. MGH and MGL mice, selected for high and low Mg status, are animal models which present variations of Mg metabolism of genetic origin. The cardiovascular functions of these mice have never been studied. In this study, the arterial blood pressure of MGH and MGL strains was measured by p...

Dendritic cells (DCs) sense the microenvironment through several types of receptors recognizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns. In particular, C-type lectins, expressed by distinct subsets of DCs, recognize and internalize specific carbohydrate antigen in a Ca(2+) -dependent manner. Targeting of these receptors is becoming an efficient strategy of delivering antigens in DC-based antican...

The evolutionarily conserved lethal giant larvae (Lgl) tumor suppressor gene has an essential role in establishing apical-basal cell polarity, cell proliferation, differentiation, and tissue organization. However, the precise molecular mechanism by which the Lgl carries out its function remains obscure. In the current study, we have identified Ran-binding protein M (RanBPM) as a novel binding p...

The endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) plays a major role in many physiological processes, and its action is quickly terminated via enzymatic hydrolysis catalyzed by monoglyceride lipase (MGL). Regulating its endogenous level could offer therapeutic opportunities; however, few selective MGL inhibitors have been described so far. Here, we describe the synthesis of N-substituted maleim...

In this study, rapeseed Okapi cultivar was treated under three NaCl levels (0, 50 and 100 mM) and four Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) concentrations (0, 20, 40 and 80 mgL-1) at flowering stage. The experiment was performed in a completely randomized design (CRD) in the greenhouse of Biology Department of Urmia University, in 2015. Results showed that NaCl (100 mM) significantly enhanced tot...

An in vitro method was developed for high frequency shoot regeneration and continuous production of Brassica napus L. in large number. The different concentrations of benzyladenine (1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 mgl and thidiazuron (0, 0.15 and 0.30 mgl) were evaluated for shoot and root regeneration using hypocotyl explants with 7, 14 and 21 days old. Shoot regeneration (SR) was affected by both benzyladen...

C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) facilitate uptake of carbohydrate antigens for antigen presentation, modulating the immune response in infection, homeostasis, autoimmunity, allergy, and cancer. In this review, we focus on the role of the macrophage galactose type C-type lectin (MGL) in the immune response against self-antigens, pathogens, and tumor associated a...