Using these vectors, we show that the BacMam system in combination with the 293 GnTI(-) cell line can be used for production of milligram quantities of soluble glycoproteins. Moreover, for crystallization trials, the purified glycoproteins are sensitive to EndoH treatment resulting in a loss of the bulk of the attached N-linked glycosylation. In addition, we also show that a combination of the BacMam system and 293 GnTI(-) cell line can be used for producing milligram quantities of a GPCR-protein ligand complex suitable for crystallization trials. (c) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“DNA topoisomerase II alpha (Topo-II alpha) is an essential
nuclear enzyme with its up-regulation demonstrated in different tumors. This study is to evaluate the expression of Topo-II alpha in glioblastoma Buparlisib cancer stem cells (CSCs) and its effects on cell www.selleckchem.com/products/blasticidin-s-hcl.html proliferation and apoptosis. We observed the expression differences of Topo-II alpha gene transcript in CSCs and non-CSCs in glioblastoma cell line U87 by quantitative
real-time PCR and western blot; we silenced Topo-II alpha expression in U87 CSCs using Topo-II alpha-specific siRNA to investigate the role of Topo-II alpha in cell proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis. We found higher expression of Topo-II alpha in CSCs than in non-CSCs. After using Topo-II alpha-specific siRNA to silence the expression of Topo-II alpha gene, we observed decreasing cell proliferation, cell cycle arrest, and induction of apoptosis in CSCs, which suggest that Topo-II alpha contributes to both cell proliferation and/or cell survival. Topo-II alpha may be a novel marker of cell proliferation and/or survival factor in glioblastoma CSCs. It may be a potential target that will open up new opportunities to develop therapeutic strategies for gliomas. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“We propose a simple mathematical model by applying Michaelis-Menton equations of enzyme kinetics see more to study the mutualistic interaction between the leaf cutter ant and its fungus garden at
the early stage of colony expansion. We derive sufficient conditions on the extinction and coexistence of these two species. In addition, we give a region of initial condition that leads to the extinction of two species when the model has an interior attractor. Our global analysis indicates that the division of labor by worker ants and initial conditions are two important factors that determine whether leaf cutter ants’ colonies and their fungus garden can survive and grow or not. We validate the model by comparing model simulations and data on fungal and ant colony growth rates under laboratory conditions. We perform sensitive analysis of the model based on the experimental data to gain more biological insights on ecological interactions between leaf-cutter ants and their fungus garden.