Potential Regulatory Roles (potential + regulatory_role)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Functional redundancy in the Arabidopsis Cathepsin B gene family contributes to basal defence, the hypersensitive response and senescence

NEW PHYTOLOGIST, Issue 2 2009
Hazel McLellan
Summary ,,Cysteine proteases are required for programmed cell death (PCD) in animals. Recent work in Nicotiana benthamiana has implicated cathepsin B-like cysteine proteases in the hypersensitive response (HR) in plants, a form of PCD involved in disease resistance. Here, we investigate the function and regulation of Cathepsin B (CathB) genes in plant defence, and in both pathogen-inducible and developmental forms of PCD. ,,Single, double and triple knockout mutants were isolated for the three Arabidopsis thaliana AtCathB genes. ,,AtCathB genes were redundantly required for full basal resistance against the virulent bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato (Pst) DC3000. By contrast, AtCathB genes were not required for R gene-mediated resistance to Pst DC3000 expressing AvrB or AvrRps4. Neither did they contribute to PCD triggered by AvrRps4, although they were crucial for the full development of PCD during HR triggered by AvrB. Cathepsin B has also been proposed to play a positive regulatory role in senescence. Atcathb triple mutants showed a delay in senescence and a seven-fold decrease in accumulation of senescence marker gene SAG12. ,,Our results demonstrate a redundant function for AtCathB genes in basal defence as well as a potential regulatory role in distinct forms of plant PCD. [source]


Functional roles of the factor VIII B domain

HAEMOPHILIA, Issue 6 2009
S. W. PIPE
Summary., Unravelling the structure, function and molecular interactions of factor VIII (FVIII) throughout its life cycle from biosynthesis to clearance has advanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of haemophilia and the development of effective treatment strategies including recombinant replacement therapy. These insights are now influencing bioengineering strategies toward novel therapeutics. Whereas available molecular models and crystal structures have helped elucidate the structure and function of the A and C domains of FVIII, these models have not included detailed structural information of the B domain. Therefore, insights into the role of the FVIII B domain have come primarily from expression studies in heterologous systems, biochemical studies on bioengineered FVIII variants and clinical studies with B domain-deleted FVIII. This manuscript reviews the available data on the potential functional roles of the FVIII B domain. A detailed literature search was performed, and the data extracted were qualitatively summarized. Intriguing emerging evidence suggests that the FVIII B domain is involved in intracellular interactions that regulate quality control and secretion, as well as potential regulatory roles within plasma during activation, platelet binding, inactivation and clearance. [source]


Possible Roles of Runx1 and Sox9 in Incipient Intramembranous Ossification,

JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 10 2004
Takashi Yamashiro DDS
Abstract We evaluated the detailed expression patterns of Runx1 and Sox9 in various types of bone formation, and determined whether Runx1 expression was affected by Runx2 deficiency and Runx2 expression by Runx1 deficiency. Our results indicate that both Runx1 and Sox9 are intensely expressed in the future osteogenic cell compartment and in cartilage. The pattern of Runx1 and Sox9 expression suggests that both genes could potentially be involved in incipient intramembranous bone formation during craniofacial development. Introduction:Runx1, a gene essential for hematopoiesis, contains RUNX binding sites in its promoter region, suggesting possible cross-regulation with Runx2 and potential regulatory roles in bone development. On the other hand, Sox9 is essential for chondrogenesis, and haploinsufficiency of Sox9 leads to premature ossification of the skeletal system. In this study, we studied the possible roles of Runx1 and Sox9 in bone development. Materials and Methods:Runx1, Runx2/Osf2, and Sox9 expression was evaluated by in situ hybridization in the growing craniofacial bones of embryonic day (E)12,16 mice and in the endochondral bone-forming regions of embryonic and postnatal long bones. In addition, we evaluated Runx2/Osf2 expression in the growing face of Runx1 knockout mice at E12.5 and Runx1 expression in Runx2 knockout mice at E14.5. Results:Runx1 and Sox9 were expressed in cartilage, and the regions of expression expanded to the neighboring Runx2 -expressing osteogenic regions. Expression of both Runx1 and Sox9 was markedly downregulated on ossification. Runx1 and Sox9 expression was absent in the regions of endochondral bone formation and in actively modeling or remodeling bone tissues in the long bones as well as in ossified craniofacial bones. Runx2 expression was not affected by gene disruption of Runx1, whereas the expression domains of Runx1 were extended in Runx2,/, mice compared with wildtype mice. Conclusions:Runx1 and Sox9 are specifically expressed in the osteogenic cell compartments in the craniofacial bones and the bone collar of long bones, and this expression is downregulated on terminal differentiation of osteoblasts. Our results suggest that Runx1 may play a role in incipient intramembranous bone formation. [source]


Perspective: Protein prenylation in glucose-induced insulin secretion from the pancreatic islet , cell: a perspective

JOURNAL OF CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR MEDICINE, Issue 1 2008
Anjaneyulu Kowluru
,,Insulin secretion , a simplified view ,,Endogenous GTP and its binding proteins are important for GSIS ,,G-proteins undergo post-translational modifications ,,Data accrued from studies involving generic inhibitors of protein prenylation ,,Data accrued from studies involving site-specific inhibitors of protein prenylation -,Lovastatin (LOVA) -,Limonene -,Perillic acid (PA) -,Manumycin A ,,Data accrued from studies involving over-expression of inactive mutants of PPTases -,3-Allyl and-vinyl farnesols and geranylgeraniols ,,What are the functional consequences of prenylation in the islet , cell? ,,How are PPTases regulated by glucose in the islet? ,,Conclusions and future directions Abstract Insulin secretion from the pancreatic , cell is regulated principally by the ambient concentration of glucose. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the stimulus , secretion coupling of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) remain only partially understood. Emerging evidence from multiple laboratories suggests key regulatory roles for GTP-binding proteins in the cascade of events leading to GSIS. This class of signalling proteins undergoes a series of requisite post-translational modifications (e.g. prenylation) at their C-terminal cysteines, which appear to be necessary for their targeting to respective membranous sites for optimal interaction with their respective effector proteins. This communication represents a perspective on potential regulatory roles for protein prenylation steps (i.e. protein farnesylation and protein geranylgeranylation) in GSIS from the islet , cell.Possible consequences of protein prenylation and potential mechanisms underlying glucose-induced regulation of prenylation, specifically in the context of GSIS, are also discussed. [source]