CAP2, cyclase-associated protein 2, is a dual compartment protein

Cyclase-associated proteins (CAPs) are evolutionarily conserved proteins with roles in regulating the actin cytoskeleton and in signal transduction. Mammals have two CAP genes encoding the related CAP1 and CAP2. We studied the distribution and subcellular localization of CAP1 and CAP2 using specific antibodies. CAP1 shows a broad tissue distribution, whereas CAP2 is significantly expressed only in brain, heart and skeletal muscle, and skin. CAP2 is found in the nucleus in undifferentiated myoblasts and at the M-line of differentiated myotubes. In PAM212, a mouse keratinocyte cell line, CAP2 is enriched in the nucleus, and sparse in the cytosol. By contrast, CAP1 localizes to the cytoplasm in PAM212 cells. In human skin, CAP2 is present in all living layers of the epidermis localizing to the nuclei and the cell periphery. In in vitro studies, a C-terminal fragment of CAP2 interacts with actin, indicating that CAP2 has the capacity to bind to actin.     

Surface exchange adsorption between precipitates of BaSO4 and solutions of BaCl2, Pb(NO3), CaCl2, CsCl,NaCl, and Na2CrO4

Résumé Nous avons étudié l'adsorption d'échange entre des précipités de BaSO₄ et des solutions de BaCl₂, Pb(NO₃)₂ et CaCl₂ à l'aide de «tracers». Nous avons trouvé que l'adsorption peut être représentée par l'équation (1) pour l'adsorption d'échange; la capacité d'adsorption de notre BaSO₄ était égale à 1,4 × 10^–5 éq./g. Les grandeurs caractéristiquesf, figurant dans l'équation pour l'adsorption d'échange, avaient les valeursf(Ba)=1;f(Pb)=0,44;f(Ca)=0,00137. Il n'était pas possible de démontrer l'adsorption de CsCl, NaCl or Na₂CrO₄ de solutions aqueuses.     

Zur Biochemie autoxydabler,H2O2-bildender Verbindungen

Summary Cytostatic -aminoketones are found to produce H₂O₂ on autoxidation. Possible pathways of radical and peroxidative reactions in cytostatic therapy are discussed.     

Formation of 2-hydroxy-6-oxo-2,trans-4,trans-heptadienoic acid from 3-methylcatechol by aPseudomonas

Riassunto Ps. desmolyticum ossida la 3-metilpirocatechina ad acido 2-ossi-6-oxo-2,trans-4,trans-eptadienoico. Vengono descritte le proprietà chimicofisiche che hanno condotto all'identificazione di questo intermedio metabolico.

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This work was supported by C.N.R. (Consiglio nazionale delle Ricerche).     

Ca2+ release-activated Ca2+ (CRAC) current, structure, and function

Store-operated Ca²⁺ entry describes the phenomenon that connects a depletion of internal Ca²⁺ stores to an activation of plasma membrane-located Ca²⁺ selective ion channels. Tremendous progress towards the underlying molecular mechanism came with the discovery of the two respective limiting components, STIM and Orai. STIM1 represents the ER-located Ca²⁺ sensor and transmits the signal of store depletion to the plasma membrane. Here it couples to and activates Orai, the highly Ca²⁺-selective pore-forming subunit of Ca²⁺ release-activated Ca²⁺ channels. In this review, we focus on the molecular steps that these two proteins undergo from store-depletion to their coupling, the activation, and regulation of Ca²⁺ currents.     

The antiviral effect of Keishi-ni-eppi-ichi-to,a tranditional Chinese herbal medicine,on influenza A2(H2N2) virus infection in mice

The antiviral effect of Keishi-ni-eppi-ichi-to (TJS-064), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, was investigation in mice infected with influenza A₂(H₂N₂) virus. When mice exposed to 5 LD₅₀ dose of the virus were treated orally with a 70 mg/kg dose of TJS-064 1 day before and 1 day and 4 days after the infection, 100% survived over a 25-day experimental period. At the end of this period all the control mice, treated with saline alone, had died; their mean survival time in days (MSD) was 11.2 days. When mice infected with a 10 LD₅₀ dose of the virus were treated with TJS-064, the MSD was >17.4 days and there was a 50% survival rate, while the control group had a MSD of 8.7 days and 0% survival rate. No significant antiviral effect TJS-064 was observed when the agent was administered orally to mice infected with a 100 LD₅₀ or large dose of influenza virus. Pulmonary consolidation, virus titers in lung tissues and HAI titers in sera of infected mice treated with TJS-064 were all significantly lower than those of infected mice treated with saline. Interferon activities were detected in sera of mice treated with the agent at a dose of 100 mg/kg orally. Since viricidal and viristatic activities of the agent against influenza virus were not demonstrated, the antiviral effects of TJS-064 may be expressed through the host's antiviral functions including interferon production.     

TPX2: of spindle assembly,DNA damage response,and cancer

For more than 15 years, TPX2 has been studied as a factor critical for mitosis and spindle assembly. These functions of TPX2 are attributed to its Ran-regulated microtubule-associated protein properties and to its control of the Aurora A kinase. Overexpressed in cancers, TPX2 is being established as marker for the diagnosis and prognosis of malignancies. During interphase, TPX2 resides preferentially in the nucleus where its function had remained elusive until recently. The latest finding that TPX2 plays a role in amplification of the DNA damage response, combined with the characterization of TPX2 knockout mice, open new perspectives to understand the biology of this protein. This review provides an historic overview of the discovery of TPX2 and summarizes its cytoskeletal and signaling roles with relevance to cancer therapies. Finally, the review aims to reconcile discrepancies between the experimental and pathological effects of TPX2 overexpression and advances new roles for compartmentalized TPX2.     

三元体系Mg2+//Cl-,borate-H2O在308.15K时稳定相平衡研究

采用等温溶解法研究了三元体系Mg2+//C1-,borate-H20在308.15 K时的稳定相平衡；测定了上述体系液相中各组份的平衡溶解度及物化性质(密度和pH),根据实验数据绘制了相应相图和物化性质组成图.该体系在308.15 K时有1个共饱点(水氯镁石+镁硼酸盐)、2条饱和溶解度曲线和2个结晶相区,无复盐及固溶体产生.溶液的物化性质随着MgC12浓度的增大而有规律地变化.体系中章氏硼镁石发生转化,MgC12浓度不同,转化最终产物不同.最后,初步探讨了章氏硼镁石的转化机理.     

Rare electrophoretic variants of the proteins adenylate kinase 1, phosphoglucomutase 1 and 2, and transferrin (AK1, PGM1, PGM2, Tf) in two populations of French Guiana]

Two small populations of inner French Guiana were investigated for red cell enzymes and serum proteins. Rare variants were found in four systems (AK1, PGM1, PGM2, Tf). Similarities between some of these variants and those found in other Amerindian populations indicate that these genetic markers may be valuable in studies of Amerindians. A mutation rate has been estimated from the results.