Search results for " complement"
showing 10 items of 753 documents
Specific expression of a TRIM-containing factor in ectoderm cells affects the skeletal morphogenetic program of the sea urchin embryo
2011
In the indirect developing sea urchin embryo, the primary mesenchyme cells (PMCs) acquire most of the positional and temporal information from the overlying ectoderm for skeletal initiation and growth. In this study, we characterize the function of the novel gene strim1, which encodes a tripartite motif-containing (TRIM) protein, that adds to the list of genes constituting the epithelial-mesenchymal signaling network. We report that strim1 is expressed in ectoderm regions adjacent to the bilateral clusters of PMCs and that its misexpression leads to severe skeletal abnormalities. Reciprocally, knock down of strim1 function abrogates PMC positioning and blocks skeletogenesis. Blastomere tran…
An inherited deficiency of the third component of complement, C3, in guinea pigs
1986
Hereditary deficiency of the third component of complement, C3, is found very seldom in the human. C3 deficiency is associated with severe bacterial infections revealing the central role of C3 in complement activation via the classical or alternative pathway. We describe a new hereditary C3 deficiency in strain 2 guinea pigs. Serum from these animals had a markedly reduced lytic activity in a standard assay for complement-dependent, antibody-mediated cytotoxicity. In functional assays of individual components, the hemolytic activity of the components C4, C2, C5 and of factors B, D and H was in the normal range. The functional C3 titer, and similarly C3 antigenic activity in the serum of the…
Functionally active complement proteins C6 and C7 detected in C6- and C7-deficient individuals
1991
SUMMARYTwo sensitive sandwich ELISAs based on monoclonal antibodies directed to native C6 and C7 allowed the detection and quantitation of these complement proteins in 20 out of 37 serum samples from individuals who had previously been classified as deficient in these proteins as assessed by immunochemical and/or functional assays. Furthermore, serum from four C6-deficient and one combined C6-/C7-deficient individual showed an increase in the terminal complement complex (TCC) and a decrease in native C6 and C7 after complement activation as assayed by specific ELISAs. Despite their (incomplete) deficiencies, these individuals therefore possess functionally active terminal complement protein…
Effects of a Carob-Pod-Derived Sweetener on Glucose Metabolism
2018
Background: Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have a higher incidence of cardiovascular (CV) events. The ingestion of high-glycemic index (GI) diets, specially sweetened beverage consumption, has been associated with the development of T2DM and CV disease. Objective: We investigated the effects of the intake of a sweetened beverage, obtained from natural carbohydrates containing pinitol (PEB) compared to a sucrose-enriched beverage (SEB) in the context of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and diabetes. Methods: The study was divided in three different phases: (1) a discovery phase where the plasma proteomic profile was investigated by 2-DE (two-dimensional electrophoresis) follow…
Distribution of Cartilage Proteoglycan (Aggrecan) Core Protein and Link Protein Gene Expression during Human Skeletal Development
1991
The distribution of cartilage proteoglycan core protein (aggrecan) and cartilage proteoglycan link protein was investigated by in situ hybridization during different stages of human skeletal development. Aggrecan and link protein expression were confined to chondrocytes of the developing skeleton and other cartilaginous structures. Distribution and intensity of the signal was identical with aggrecan as compared to link protein probes. Parallel to the calcification of cartilaginous matrix, chondrocytes of this area lost the expression of aggrecan and link protein specific mRNA and stayed negative throughout the following stages of skeletal development. Highest expression was found in the low…
Influence of Age on Cerebral Housekeeping Gene Expression for Normalization of Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction after Acute Brain Injury in Mice
2015
To prevent methodological errors of quantitative PCR (qPCR) normalization with reference genes is obligatory. Although known to influence gene expression, impact of age on housekeeping gene expression has not been determined after acute brain lesions such as traumatic brain injury (TBI). Therefore, expression of eight common control genes was investigated at 15 min, 24 h, and 72 h after experimental TBI in 2- and 21-month-old C57Bl6 mice. Expression of β2-microglobulin (B2M), β-actin (ActB), and porphobilinogen deaminase (PBGD) increased after TBI in both ages. β2M demonstrated age-dependent differences and highest inter- and intragroup variations. Expression of cyclophilin A, glyceraldehyd…
Temporal Courses in EEG Theta and Alpha Activity in the Dynamic Health Qigong Techniques Wu Qin Xi and Liu Zi Jue
2018
Health Qigong is a common technique of Traditional Chinese Medicine applied to strengthen mental and physical health. Several studies report increases in EEG theta and alpha activity after meditative Qigong techniques indicating a relaxed state of mind. To date, little is known on the effects of dynamic Health Qigong techniques that comprise bodily movements on brain activity. In the current study, we compared effects of two dynamic Health Qigong techniques on EEG brain activity. Subjects performed the techniques Wu Qin Xi (five animals play) and Liu Zi Jue (six healing sounds) in a within-subjects design. Eyes-open and eyes-closed resting EEG was recorded before and immediately after each …
Special issue BOOK OF ABSTRACT 2022 CTRAS CONFERENCE NEW AND OLD CHALLENGES TO SUPPORT ALL STUDENTS’ MATHEMATICS TEACHING AND LEARNING IN INCLUSIVE, …
2022
Special issue BOOK OF ABSTRACT 2022 CTRAS CONFERENCE
Sequence and evolution of a hexamerin from the ant Camponotus festinatus.
2000
In the ant Camponotus festinatus, two different hexamerins accumulate stage-specifically during the late larval period and at various times in adults. These hexamerins serve as storage proteins and play important roles in brood nourishment and colony founding. We report an analysis of the cDNA sequence of C. festinatus hexamerin 2 (CfeHex2). The native protein contains 732 amino acids, which are moderately enriched in aromatic amino acids, aspartate and asparagine. Phylogenetic analyses show a close relationship of CfeHex2 to a putative toxin of the braconid wasp, Bracon hebetor. The divergence of Formicidae and Braconidae hexamerins was calculated to have begun 187 MYA, an estimate consist…
Type I keratin cDNAs from the rainbow trout: independent radiation of keratins in fish
2002
Five different type I keratins from a teleost fish, the rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss, have been sequenced by cDNA cloning and identified at the protein level by peptide mass mapping using MALDI-MS. This showed that the entire range of type I keratins detected biochemically in this fish has now been sequenced. Three of the keratins are expressed in the epidermis (subtype Ie), whereas the other two occur in simple epithelia and mesenchymal cells (subtype Is). Among the Is keratins is an ortholog of human K18; the second Is polypeptide is clearly distinct from K18. We raised a new monoclonal antibody (F1F2, subclass IgG1) that specifically recognizes trout Is keratins, with negative react…