Integrin linked kinase (ILK) connects the ILK-Pinch-Parvin complex with integrin adhesion sites. Because of the functional relevance of integrin-linked signaling for endothelial cell (EC) biology, we have explored this pathway in Ilk(-/-) embryonic stem (ES) cells differentiated into ECs and vessel-like structures. We have focused in particular on the mechanistic relevance of ILK-Pinch-Parvin c...

Caenorhabditis elegans striated muscle cells attach to basement membrane and transmit the force of muscle contraction through integrin adhesion complexes. The cytoplasmic tail of β-integrin (PAT-3) is associated with a conserved four-protein complex that includes UNC-112 (kindlin), PAT-4 (integrin-linked kinase), PAT-6 (α-parvin/actopaxin), and UNC-97 (PINCH). The proper localization of UNC-112...

Astrocytoma as a primary tumour is the core item in this section in which, by considering a pedigree-based research approach, the involvement of Ataxia-Telangiectasia (AT) gene is investigated. The two-hit -hypothesis of Knudson’s model is given to clarify the process of tumourigenesis in retinoblastoma. Lack of any available data for any hit hypothesis in brain tumours was the reason why the t...

parvin etesami is a poet who artistically used persian poetry in order to criticize the status quo of the society and express its deficiencies. her divan (collection of poems), which is her only heritage for us, is teeming with debates, allegories, sarcasms with social themes. this article deals with sociological investigation of the social and class discrimination from her point of view. in ad...

The PINCH-1-integrin-linked kinase (ILK)-alpha-parvin (PIP) complex plays important roles in the regulation of glomerular cell behavior, including podocyte shape change, apoptosis, and mesangial fibronectin matrix deposition. In this study, we show that PINCH-2, a protein that is structurally related to PINCH-1 but encoded by a different gene, is coexpressed with PINCH-1 in podocytes. Treatment...

OBJECTIVE To clarify the contribution of heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) to the pathogenesis of RA, we studied the effects of geldanamycin (GA), an inhibitor of HSP90, on excessive cellular extension and resistance to apoptosis induction of rheumatoid synovial cells. METHODS Expression of integrin-α5β1 and integrin-linked kinase (ILK) in synovial cells was determined by western blot. The periph...