Signaling in the Chemosensory Systems

The mammalian olfactory system is not uniformly organized but consists of several subsystems each of which probably serves distinct functions. Not only are the two major nasal chemosensory systems, the vomeronasal organ and the main olfactory epithelium, structurally and functionally separate entities, but the latter is further subcompartimentalized into overlapping expression zones and projection-related subzones. Moreover, the populations of ‘OR37’ neurons not only express a unique type of olfactory receptors but also are segregated in a cluster-like manner and generally project to only one receptor-specific glomerulus. The septal organ is an island of sensory epithelium on the nasal septum positioned at the nasoplatine duct; it is considered as a ‘mini-nose’ with dual function. A specific chemosensory function of the most recently discovered subsystem, the so-called Grueneberg ganglion, is based on the expression of olfactory marker protein and the axonal projections to defined glomeruli within the olfactory bulb. This complexity of distinct olfactory subsystems may be one of the features determining the enormous chemosensory capacity of the sense of smell.     

On the self-association potential of transmembrane tight junction proteins

Tight junctions seal intercellular clefts via membrane-related strands, hence, maintaining important organ functions. We investigated the self-association of strand-forming transmembrane tight junction proteins. The regulatory tight junction protein occludin was differently tagged and cotransfected in eucaryotic cells. These occludins colocalized within the plasma membrane of the same cell, coprecipitated and exhibited fluorescence resonance energy transfer. Differently tagged strand-forming claudin-5 also colocalized in the plasma membrane of the same cell and showed fluorescence resonance energy transfer. This demonstrates self-association in intact cells both of occludin and claudin-5 in one plasma membrane. In search of dimerizing regions of occludin, dimerization of its cytosolic C-terminal coiledcoil domain was identified. In claudin-5, the second extracellular loop was detected as a dimer. Since the transmembrane junctional adhesion molecule also is known to dimerize, the assumption that homodimerization of transmembrane tight junction proteins may serve as a common structural feature in tight junction assembly is supported. Received 6 October 2005; received after revision 14 December 2005; accepted 27 December 2005 †These authors contributed equally to this work.     

Regulation of cell adhesion by PP2A and SV40 small tumor antigen: An important link to cell transformation

The serine/threonine protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) represents a large family of highly conserved heterotrimeric enzymes. Their critical importance in cell homeostasis is underlined by the fact that they are targets of natural toxins like the tumor promoter okadaic acid, and of simian virus 40 small tumor antigen (SV40 small t), a viral protein known to promote cell transformation. Furthermore, mutated or lower expression levels of PP2A subunits have been found in certain cancers. One major known event in PP2A-dependent cell transformation is the alteration of key signaling pathways that control cell growth and survival. In this review, we focus on how PP2A enzymes also affect cell adhesion and cytoskeletal dynamics, the disruption of which is linked to loss of cell polarity, increased cell motility and invasiveness. We also examine how those various pathways participate in the transforming activity of SV40 small t. Received 29 June 2006; received after revision 3 August 2006; accepted 20 September 2006     

The neurotrophic receptor TrkB: a drug target in anti-cancer therapy?

Increasing evidence implies altered signaling through the neurotrophic receptor tyrosine kinase TrkB in promoting tumor formation and metastasis. TrkB, sometimes in conjunction with its primary ligand BDNF, is often overexpressed in a variety of human cancers, ranging from neuroblastomas to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas, in which it may allow tumor expansion and contribute to resistance to anti-tumor agents. In vitro, TrkB acts as a potent suppressor of anoikis (detachment-induced apoptosis), which is associated with the acquisition of an aggressive tumorigenic and metastatic phenotype in vivo. In view of its predicted contribution to tumorigenicity and metastasis in humans, TrkB corresponds to a potential drug target, and preclinical models have already been established. The encouraging results of pharmacological Trk inhibitors in tumor xenograft models suggest that TrkB inhibition may represent a promising novel anti-tumor therapeutic strategy. This hypothesis is currently being evaluated in clinical trials. Here, we will discuss the latest developments on TrkB in these contexts as well as highlight some critical questions that remain to be addressed for evaluating TrkB as a therapeutic target in cancer. Received 12 October 2005; received after revision 19 December 2005; accepted 11 January 2006     

Information processing along the course of a visual interneuron.

Locust ocellar retinal cells are innervated by giant second order cells, 2 mm long, which show discrete zones of integration along their course, including a major zone in the axonal length of the neuron. The complex synaptic arrangements which exist between higher-order afferent and efferent cells and these second order cells along their course suggests that transmission takes place by the electrotonic spread of slow potentials. The size and accessibility of these visual interneurons offers a unique preparation for examining mechanisms of graded synaptic transmission.     

FMRP与TDG蛋白的相互作用

脆性Ｘ智力低下蛋白ＦＭＲＰ表达的缺乏可以导致最常见的遗传性智力低下疾病—脆性Ｘ综合征。用酵母双杂交体系筛选与ＦＭＲＰ相互作用的蛋白质,以期通过相互作用的蛋白质研究与ＦＭＲＰ相关的生化途径。从小鼠胚胎ｃＤＮＡ文库中得到一个与ＦＭＲＰ特异相互作用蛋白的ｃＤＮＡ（Ｇｅｎｂａｎｋ号ａｆ１０２８５７）。该ｃＤＮＡ编码的蛋白与人的Ｇ／Ｔ错配ＤＮＡ胸腺嘧啶糖苷酶（ｈＴＤＧ）高度同源通过多种ＦＭＲＰ造反剪接异构体     

影响林木种子贮藏的因素

为了每年提供造林新需的具有生活力的种子及长期保存种质资源,贮藏种子是必要的手段。种子寿命具有遗传性,且因树种而异。种子的贮藏特性可以分成5类:正常型、亚正常型、温带顽拗型、热带顽拗型和中间型。种子含水量和贮藏温度是影响种子贮藏是否成功的两个最重要因素。但因树种及其贮藏特性不同,种子含水量和贮藏温度的最适值也不同。为了保持正常型和亚正常型种子的生活力,这类种子必须密封贮藏;但对顽拗型种子,因其需要保持种子的代谢活性及要进行有氧呼吸,则需要气体交换。