Low Molecular Weight Proteins (low + molecular_weight_protein)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


An evolutionarily conserved gene required for proper microtubule architecture in Caenorhabditis elegans

GENES TO CELLS, Issue 2 2004
Satoshi Ogawa
Microtubules are involved in many cellular events during the cell cycle and also in a variety of early embryonic developmental processes. Their architecture and properties change dramatically during the cell cycle and are properly regulated. However, these regulatory mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. C05D11.3 gene of Caenorhabditis elegans encodes a low molecular weight protein that is evolutionarily conserved from yeasts to mammals. A mouse homolog of the C05D11.3 product, APACD (ATP binding protein associated with cell differentiation), contains a thioredoxin-like domain and P-loop, and is present in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm, showing often localization to centrosomes and midbody. In C. elegans, C05D11.3 is expressed throughout development with higher levels of expression in most cells of the nervous system and in vulva. C05D11.3 RNAi-treated embryos show apparent defects in pronuclear migration or nuclear-centrosome rotation, and exhibit little astral microtubules and defective small spindles. These results indicate that C05D11.3, an evolutionarily conserved gene, is essential for proper microtubule organization and function in C. elegans. This gene family may be a conserved regulator of microtubule dynamics and function. [source]


Shift of C3 deposition from localization in the glomerulus into the tubulo-interstitial compartment in the absence of secreted IgM in immune complex glomerulonephritis

CLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2008
C. Vaculik
Summary The role of secretory IgM in protecting kidney tissue from immune complex glomerulonephritis induced by 4 mg horse spleen apoferritin and 0·05 mg lipopolysaccharide has been investigated in mutant mice in which B cells do not secrete IgM, but are capable of expressing surface IgM and IgD and secreting other Ig isotypes. Glomerular size, number of glomeruli per cross-section, glomerular cellularity and urine content of protein and creatinine was comparable in treated secreted IgM (sIgM)-deficient and wild-type mice. Assessment of urinary proteins by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis showed a 30 kDa low molecular weight protein in treated sIgM-deficient animals only, reflecting dysfunction of proximal tubules. A shift of bound C3 from glomeruli to the tubulo-interstitial compartment in sIgM-deficient mice also suggests tubulo-interstitial damage. In contrast, local C3 synthesis within the kidney tissue did not differ between the two treated groups. Apoptosis physiologically present to maintain kidney cell homeostasis was increased slightly in treated wild-type mice. These results indicate that secretory IgM can protect the tubulo-interstitial compartment from immune complex-induced damage without having an effect on the glomerulus. [source]


Improved disc SDS-PAGE for extraction of low molecular weight proteins from serum

ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 6 2010
Tiechun Li
Abstract The low molecular weight proteins can provide a lot of valuable information of biomarkers. To study these proteins, the high abundance and high molecular weight proteins must be removed prior to analysis. In this work, a simple and inexpensive disc SDS-PAGE to extract low molecular weight proteins from human serum and cutoff proteins larger than 30,kDa was developed. Some experimental conditions were examined. The experimental results obtained by plate SDS-PAGE and MALDI-TOF MS showed that the molecular weight of extracted proteins was about in the range from 0.3 to 28,kDa. Some experiments, including precipitation of proteins in organic solvents, SPE and cytochrome C test, were carried out and the experimental results demonstrated successful recovery of proteins/peptides with molecular weight from several hundreds of dalton to about 30,kDa. The experimental results obtained by plate SDS-PAGE indicated the repeatability was satisfactory. [source]


Statins and progressive renal disease

MEDICINAL RESEARCH REVIEWS, Issue 1 2002
Michele Buemi
Abstract Thanks to the administration of hypocholesterolemic drugs, important advances have been made in the treatment of patients with progressive renal disease. In vitro and in vivo findings demonstrate that statins, the inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase, can provide protection against kidney diseases characterized by inflammation and/or enhanced proliferation of epithelial cells occurring in rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis, or by increased proliferation of mesangial cells occurring in IgA nephropathy. Many of the beneficial effects obtained occur independent of reduced cholesterol levels because statins can directly inhibit the proliferation of different cell types (e.g., mesangial, renal tubular, and vascular smooth muscle cells), and can also modulate the inflammatory response, thus inhibiting macrophage recruitment and activation, as well as fibrosis. The mechanisms underlying the action of statins are not yet well understood, although recent data in the literature indicate that they can directly affect the proliferation/apoptosis balance, the down-regulation of inflammatory chemokines, and the cytogenic messages mediated by the GTPases Ras superfamily. Therefore, as well as reducing serum lipids, statins and other lipid-lowering agents may directly influence intracellular signaling pathways involved in the prenylation of low molecular weight proteins that play a crucial role in cell signal transduction and cell activation. Statins appear to have important potential in the treatment of progressive renal disease, although further studies are required to confirm this in humans. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Med Res Rev, 22, No. 1, 76,84, 2002 [source]


The nutritional and metabolic indices in rats fed cholesterol-containing diets supplemented with durian at different stages of ripening

BIOFACTORS, Issue 2-3 2007
Maria Leontowicz
Abstract The aim of this investigation was to assess the nutritional and health properties of Mon Thong durian cultivar at different stages of ripening. The assessment was carried out in vitro and in vivo. The contents of dietary fibers, minerals and trace metals at different stages of ripening were comparable. Total polyphenols (mgGAE/100 g FW) and flavonoids (mg CE/100 gFW) in ripe durian (358.8 ± 31.4 and 95.4 ± 9.3) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than in mature (216.1 ± 1 and 39.9 ± 3.8) and overripe (283.3 ± 26.2 and 53.5 ± 4.9). Antioxidant capacity (,MTE/100 g FW) in total polyphenol extracts of ripe durian measured by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and [2,2'-azinobis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid)] (ABTS) assays (259.4 ± 23.6 and 2341.8 ± 93.2) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of mature (151.6 ± 15.2 and 1394.6 ± 41.5) and overripe (201.7 ± 19.4 and 1812.2 ± 61.4) samples. The correlation coefficients between the bioactive compounds in different stages of ripening and their antioxidant capacities were high (R2 = 0.99). Then 35 male Wistar rats were divided into 5 dietary groups each of 7 and named Control, Chol, Chol/Mature, Chol/Ripe and Chol/Overripe. During 30 days of the experiment the rats of all 5 groups were fed basal diet (BD), which included wheat starch, casein, soybean oil, vitamin and mineral mixtures. The rats of the Control group were fed a BD only. To the BD of the Chol group was added 1% of cholesterol. The BD of the Chol/Mature, Chol/Ripe and Chol/Overripe groups was supplemented with 1% of cholesterol and 5% of the mature, ripe and overripe durian as freeze-dried powder, respectively. Diets containing ripe and to a lesser degree mature and overripe durian significantly hindered the rise in plasma lipids and also hindered a decrease in plasma antioxidant activity. The nitrogen retention in rats of the Chol/Ripe group was significantly higher (63.6%, P < 0.05) than in other diet groups and the level of the plasma glucose remained normal. A decrease in fibrinogen fraction with ripe durian included in rat's diets was shown by electrophoretic separation. These changes were detected mostly in the low molecular weight proteins of rat's serum. Histological examination of aorta showed only slight differences in the tissue. In conclusion, ripe durian contains higher quantity of bioactive compounds, has higher antioxidant capacity and nutritional value. It positively affects the plasma lipid profile, the plasma glucose and the antioxidant activity in rats fed cholesterol enriched diets. Therefore, the ripe durian supplemented diet could be beneficial for patient suffering from hypercholesterolemia and diabetes mellitus. [source]