Various Biological Processes (various + biological_process)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Profile of differentially expressed genes after transfer of chromosome 17 into the breast cancer cell line CAl51

GENES, CHROMOSOMES AND CANCER, Issue 3 2005
Christiane Klebig
Previous studies have shown that transfer of chromosome 17 suppresses the tumorigenic phenotype of the breast cancer cell line CAL51, suggesting the presence of putative tumor suppressor genes on this chromosome. Suppression subtractive hybridization and oligonucleotide microarray analyses were performed to identify differentially expressed genes in nontumorigenic microcell hybrids, CAL/17-1 and CAL/17-3, when compared with CAL51 cells. In total, 263 differentially expressed transcripts were associated with these phenotypes. Of these, a high percentage is involved in various biological processes associated with tumorigenesis, including DNA-dependent regulation of transcription, regulation of cell cycle, signal transduction, and cell proliferation. Microarray analysis of selected chromosome 17 genes in a series of 25 human primary breast tumors showed associations with clinicopathologic parameters of the tumors. Of these genes, TOB1 (transducer of ERBB2) was selected for further expression analysis. Using RT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining of tissue microarrays, we could reveal a differential mRNA and protein expression of TOB1 in the majority of breast tumors and lymph node metastases compared with normal breast tissues, indicating a potential role of this protein in breast tumorigenesis. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


The WRKY Gene Family in Rice (Oryza sativa)

JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 6 2007
Christian A. Ross
Abstract WRKY genes encode transcription factors that are involved in the regulation of various biological processes. These zinc-finger proteins, especially those members mediating stress responses, are uniquely expanded in plants. To facilitate the study of the evolutionary history and functions of this supergene family, we performed an exhaustive search for WRKY genes using HMMER and a Hidden Markov Model that was specifically trained for rice. This work resulted in a comprehensive list of WRKY gene models in Oryza sativa L. ssp. indica and L. ssp. japonica. Mapping of these genes to individual chromosomes facilitated elimination of the redundant, leading to the identification of 98 WRKY genes in japonica and 102 in indica rice. These genes were further categorized according to the number and structure of their zinc-finger domains. Based on a phylogenetic tree of the conserved WRKY domains and the graphic display of WRKY loci on corresponding indica and japonica chromosomes, we identified possible WRKY gene duplications within, and losses between the two closely related rice subspecies. Also reviewed are the roles of WRKY genes in disease resistance and responses to salicylic acid and jasmonic acid, seed development and germination mediated by gibberellins, other developmental processes including senescence, and responses to abiotic stresses and abscisic acid in rice and other plants. The signaling pathways mediating WRKY gene expression are also discussed. [source]


Quantification of global DNA methylation with infrared fluorescence in liver and muscle tissues of differentially fed boars

LUMINESCENCE: THE JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL LUMINESCENCE, Issue 4 2009
Martin H. Braunschweig
Abstract Methylation of cytosine residues at CpG sites is involved in various biological processes to control gene regulation and gene expression. Global DNA methylation is changed in different tumors and in cloned animals. Global DNA methylation can be accurately quantified by dot blot analysis with infrared (IR) fluorophores. Methylated lambda DNA was used as model DNA to develop and validate an immunochemical assay with IR fluorescence detection. Two different IR fluorophores were used, one to detect 5-methylcytosine and another to account for DNA loading. A sensitive infrared detection method was established which is suitable for accurate and reproducible quantification of global DNA methylation across a wide dynamic range. This method was subsequently employed to quantify global DNA methylation in liver and in muscle tissues of boars which have received either a control diet or a methyl supplemented diet in an ongoing study. A significant difference in global DNA methylation is indicated in muscle but not in liver tissue between the two groups of boars. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


The early history of 32P as a radioactive tracer in biochemical research: A personal memoir

BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY EDUCATION, Issue 3 2005
Howard Gest
The concept of using radioactive isotopes as "tracers" of chemical conversions was conceived and developed by inorganic chemist Georg de Hevesy (Nobel Laureate in Chemistry 1943). In 1935, he began to apply the technique to various biological processes using 32P, and his experiments revealed the dynamic character of physiology and metabolism. Following de Hevesy's lead, Samuel Ruben (University of California, Berkeley) exploited 32P in 1937,38 for investigation of phospholipid metabolism. Between 1937 and 1940, Ruben and colleague Martin Kamen spearheaded tracer studies in various biological systems using 32P, short-lived 11C, and other radioactive isotopes. During this period, Kamen was responsible for cyclotron-produced radioactive tracers and was able to sustain de Hevesy's research by supplying him with 32P. In 1940, Ruben and Kamen discovered long-lived 14C, which later proved to be a very powerful tool for analysis of complex biochemical processes, such as the path of carbon in photosynthesis. Between 1946 and 1950, 32P was used in studies of bacteriophage replication and photosynthetic metabolism. This memoir surveys the history of these early investigations. [source]


Preliminary crystallographic analysis of mouse Elf3 C-terminal DNA-binding domain in complex with type II TGF-, receptor promoter DNA

ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION F (ELECTRONIC), Issue 12 2009
Vinod B. Agarkar
Ets proteins are transcription factors that activate or repress the expression of genes that are involved in various biological processes, including cellular proliferation, differentiation, development, transformation and apoptosis. Like other Ets-family members, Elf3 functions as a sequence-specific DNA-binding transcriptional factor. A mouse Elf3 C-terminal fragment (amino-acid residues 269,371) containing the DNA-binding domain has been crystallized in complex with mouse type II TGF-, receptor promoter (T,R-II) DNA. The crystals belonged to space group P212121, with unit-cell parameters a = 42.66, b = 52, c = 99.78,Å, and diffracted to a resolution of 2.2,Å. [source]