Search results for "WESTERN"

The ATC1 gene encodes a cell wall-linked acid trehalase required for growth on trehalose in Candida albicans.

2004

After screening a Candida albicans genome data base, the product of an open reading frame (IPF 19760/CA2574) with 41% identity to Saccharomyces cerevisiae vacuolar acid trehalase (Ath1p) was identified and named Atc1p. The deduced amino acid sequence shows that Atc1p contains an N-terminal hydrophobic signal peptide and 20 potential sites for N-glycosylation. C. albicans homozygous mutants that lack acid trehalase activity were constructed by gene disruption at the two ATC chromosomal alleles. Analysis of these null mutants shows that Atc1p is localized in the cell wall and is required for growth on trehalose as a carbon source. An Atc1p endowed with acid trehalase activity was obtained by …

Molecular cloning and characterization of a Candida albicans gene coding for cytochrome c haem lyase and a cell wall-related protein.

1998

Immunoscreening of a Candida albicans cDNA library with a monoclonal antibody (mAb 4C12) recognizing an epitope present in high-molecular-weight mannoprotein (HMWM) components specific for the mycelial cell walls (a 180 kDa component and a polydispersed 260 kDa species) resulted in the isolation of the gene CaCYC3 encoding for cytochrome c haem lyase (CCHL). The CaCYC3 gene was transcribed preferentially in mycelial cells in which two mRNA transcripts of 0.8 and 1 kb were found. The nucleotide and the deduced amino acid sequences of this gene displayed 45% homology and 46% identity, respectively, to the Saccharomyces cerevisiae CYC3 gene and shared common features with other reported genes …

Expression of human estrogen sulfotransferase in Salmonella typhimurium: differences between hHST and hEST in the enantioselective activation of 1-hy…

1998

Various human sulfotransferases (hP-PST, hM-PST, hHST) and rat sulfotransferases (rPST-IV, rHSTa) have already been expressed in Ames' Salmonella strains (in particular in TA1538). Now a further strain, TA1538-hEST, which expresses the human estrogen sulfotransferase (hEST), has been constructed. This strain activated the primary benzylic alcohol 1-hydroxymethylpyrene (1-HMP) and the secondary benzylic alcohol 1-hydroxyethylpyrene (1-HEP) to mutagens. Human sulfotransferases hEST and hHST both activated 1-HEP, but they differed substantially in their enantioselectivity for this compound.

Increase of sensitivity and validity of the SOS/umu-test after replacement of the beta-galactosidase reporter gene with luciferase.

1998

The SOS/umu-test with Salmonella typhimurium TA1535/pSK1002 as tester strain is a rapid and valuable bacterial assay for screening of umuC-dependent mutagenic potential of chemical compounds and chemicals relevant to environmental pollution. The initial assay was modified by replacing the beta-galactosidase reporter gene with luciferase. Thereby, the sensitivity of the umu-test was increased significantly and the susceptibility to intensively coloured solutions was reduced. The alternative enzyme assay in the modified umu-test (umu-Luc) represents an independent method which allows to confirm the colorimetric results obtained with the original SOS/umu-test system (umu-Gal) by measuring the …

Inhibition of the pro-inflammatory mediators' production and anti-inflammatory effect of the iridoid scrovalentinoside.

2007

We have studied scrovalentinoside, an iridoid with anti-inflammatory properties isolated from Scrophularia auriculata ssp. pseudoauriculata, as an anti-inflammatory agent in different experimental models of delayed-type hypersensitivity. We found that scrovalentinoside reduced the edema induced by oxazolone at 0.5 mg/ear and sheep red blood cells at 10 mg/kg. The observed effect occurred during the last phase or inflammatory response; during the earlier phase or induction of the delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction, no significant activity was noted. Thus, scrovalentinoside reduced both the edema and cell infiltration in vivo and reduced lymphocyte proliferation in vitro, affecting the cy…

Localization of HSP70, Cdc2, and cyclin B in sea urchin oocytes in non-stressed conditions.

2003

In Paracentrotus lividus embryos, a Mediterranean sea urchin species, HSP70 is present in all the cells. During cell division it localizes under normal growth conditions on the centrosomes and on the whole isolated mitotic apparatus. Now, in situ hybridization, Western blot analyses, and immunohistochemistry show that the HSP70 mRNA is present in both small and large P. lividus oocytes, that all four isoforms of HSP70 can be found also in the oocytes, and that a certain amount of HSP70 localizes on asters and spindles during polar body formation. Moreover, two representative cell-cycle related proteins, cyclin B, and Cdc2, are present both in small and large oocytes, concentrating in the ge…

Deep structural setting of the Rocca Busambra Ridge (central-western Sicily): a seismostratigraphic reconstruction

2008

Raloxifene increases the capacity of serum to promote prostacyclin release in human endothelial cells: implication of COX-1 and COX-2.

2004

OBJECTIVE Prostacyclin is a potent vasodilator synthesized by two isoforms of cyclooxygenase in endothelium. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of serum from postmenopausal women treated with raloxifene on prostacyclin production by human umbilical vein endothelial cells and on cyclooxygenases-1 and -2. DESIGN Serum was collected from 21 women receiving 60 mg/day of raloxifene, at baseline and at 3 and 6 months. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were exposed to serum for 24 hours, and prostacyclin production was evaluated in supernatants. Selective inhibitors of cyclooxygenases-1 and -2 (SC-560 and NS-398) were used to investigate the relative contribution of each enzy…

Self-assessment: a study of progress in Europe's leading organizations in quality management practices

1996

Reports a European study on the use of quality management self‐assessment. Data have been obtained from 117 organizations who, in general, have some experiences of self‐assessment methods. Among the main findings were the identification of the steps which are considered to be a key influence on the success of the self‐assessment process and what have been the main learning points. Points out that organizations are using self‐assessment mainly to identify strengths and weaknesses and also to facilitate internal and external learning in terms of transfer of best practice and ideas.

Characterization of aging-associated up-regulation of constitutive nuclear factor-kappa B binding activity.

2001

Changes occur in gene expression during aging in vivo and in replicative senescence in vitro, suggesting that aging can affect gene regulation. We have recently observed age-related changes in ubiquitously expressed, oxidative stress-responsive nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B) pathway during aging. Here we report a significant age-related increase in nuclear NF-kappa B binding activity together with increased protein levels of p52 and p65 components in rat liver. An additional, higher molecular weight protein band seen in their western blots suggests that their post-translational modification (but not phosphorylation) occurs in liver, which might affect their nuclear localization and bin…