Home About us Contact | |||
Putative Functions (putative + function)
Selected AbstractsPhylogenetic diversity and metagenomics of candidate division OP3ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2010Jana Glöckner Summary Except for environmental 16S rRNA gene sequences, no information is available for members of the candidate division OP3. These bacteria appear to thrive in anoxic environments, such as marine sediments, hypersaline deep sea, freshwater lakes, aquifers, flooded paddy soils and methanogenic bioreactors. The 16S rRNA phylogeny suggests that OP3 belongs to the Planctomycetes/Verrucomicrobia/Chlamydiae (PVC) superphylum. Metagenomic fosmid libraries were constructed from flooded paddy soil and screened for 16S rRNA gene-containing fragments affiliated with the PVC superphylum. The screening of 63 000 clones resulted in 23 assay-positive fosmids, of which three clones were affiliated with OP3. The 16S rRNA gene sequence divergence between the fragments OP3/1, OP3/2 and OP3/3 ranges from 18% to 25%, indicating that they belong to different OP3 subdivisions. The 23S rRNA phylogeny confirmed the membership of OP3 in the PVC superphylum. Sequencing the OP3 fragments resulted in a total of 105 kb of genomic information and 90 ORFs, of which 47 could be assigned a putative function and 11 were conserved hypothetical. Using BLASTP searches, a high proportion of ORFs had best matches to homologues from Deltaproteobacteria, rather than to those of members of the PVC superphylum. On the fragment OP3/3, a cluster of nine ORFs was predicted to encode the bacterial NADH dehydrogenase I. Given the high proportion of homologues present in deltaproteobacteria and anoxic conditions in the natural environment of OP3 bacteria, the detection of NADH dehydrogenase I may suggest an anaerobic respiration mode. Oligonucleotide frequencies calculated for OP3/1, OP3/2 and OP/3 show high intraphylum correlations. This novel sequence information could therefore be used to identify OP3-related fragments in large metagenomic data sets using marker gene-independent procedures in the future. In addition to the OP3 fragments, a single metagenomic fragment affiliated with the candidate division BRC1 was obtained and analysed. [source] Genome-wide expression analysis of iron regulation in Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia mallei using DNA microarraysFEMS MICROBIOLOGY LETTERS, Issue 2 2005Apichai Tuanyok Abstract Burkholderia pseudomallei and B. mallei are the causative agents of melioidosis and glanders, respectively. As iron regulation of gene expression is common in bacteria, in the present studies, we have used microarray analysis to examine the effects of growth in different iron concentrations on the regulation of gene expression in B. pseudomallei and B. mallei. Gene expression profiles for these two bacterial species were similar under high and low iron growth conditions irrespective of growth phase. Growth in low iron led to reduced expression of genes encoding most respiratory metabolic systems and proteins of putative function, such as NADH-dehydrogenases, cytochrome oxidases, and ATP-synthases. In contrast, genes encoding siderophore-mediated iron transport, heme-hemin receptors, and a variety of metabolic enzymes for alternative metabolism were induced under low iron conditions. The overall gene expression profiles suggest that B. pseudomallei and B. mallei are able to adapt to the iron-restricted conditions in the host environment by up-regulating an iron-acquisition system and by using alternative metabolic pathways for energy production. The observations relative to the induction of specific metabolic enzymes during bacterial growth under low iron conditions warrants further experimentation. [source] Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) UL139 open reading frame: Sequence variants are clustered into three major genotypesJOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY, Issue 4 2006Ying Qi Abstract Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infects a number of organs and cell types, leading to the hypothesis that HCMV disease and tissue tropism may be related to specific sequence variability. This study examined the genomic variability of a new polymorphic locus in HCMV, UL139 open reading frame (ORF). Detailed analysis showed that a large number of nucleotide insertions and non-synonymous substitutions occurred in the UL139 ORF, particularly in the 5, half, using the Toledo strain as the reference sequence. The UL139 variants were not distributed randomly, but were clustered clearly into three major groups: G1 (G1a, G1b, and G1c), G2 (G2a, G2b), and G3. In this study, it was found that the predicted UL139 product shared sequence homology with human CD24, a signal transducer modulating B-cell activation responses, and the sequences in G1c contained a specific attachment site of prokaryotic membrane lipoprotein lipid. The precise definition of UL139 genotypes and its putative function would be helpful in understanding better HCMV. J. Med. Virol. 78:517,522, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Enhanced B7 Costimulatory Molecule Expression In Inflammatory Human Sural Nerve BiopsiesJOURNAL OF THE PERIPHERAL NERVOUS SYSTEM, Issue 1 2001R Kiefer Objectives-To define the role of the costimulatory molecules B7-1 and B7-2 in inflammatory disorders of the peripheral nervous system. B7 molecules are essential for effective antigen presentation and may determine the differentiation of T cells into a Th-1 or Th-2 phenotype, thus modulating immune response and disease course. Methods-Forty nine sural nerve biopsies from patients with neuroborreliosis, Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), CIDP variants and hereditary neuropathies, and those with no detectable abnormality were investigated. The expression of B7-1 and B7-2 mRNA and protein was investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunocytochemistry. Results-B7-1 mRNA was strongly upregulated in both cases of neuroborreliosis, in two cases of GBS and one case of variant CIDP. Moderate to low levels were detected in the remaining GBS and CIDP biopsies and were rarely found in a noninflammatory control group consisting of hereditary neuropathy and normal nerves. At the immunocytochemical level, strong expression of B7-1 protein was found in both neuroborreliosis cases, and moderate or low expression in six of eight GBS cases and seven of 17 CIDP cases investigated, whereas only one of five non-inflammatory control nerves showed staining, which was very weak. In neuroborreliosis, B7-1 protein was found very pronounced in epineurial infiltrates, whereas in CBS and CIDP, labelling was predominantly endoneurial and localised to putative macrophages. B7-2 mRNA and protein were expressed only at low levels in neuroborreliosis and selected autoimmune neuropathy cases, and were essentially absent from noninflammatory controls. Conclusions-B7 molecules are expressed in the peripheral nervous system and regulated during disease, and their presence in macrophages underlines the putative function of endoneurial macrophages as local antigen presenting cells in the immunopathology of peripheral nerve. B7-1 rather than B7-2 is preferentially upregulated, possibly promoting the induction of a Th-1-type T cell response within the nerve. [source] Transcriptome analysis of bud burst in sessile oak (Quercus petraea)NEW PHYTOLOGIST, Issue 4 2006Jérémy Derory Summary ,,Expression patterns of hundreds of transcripts in apical buds were monitored during bud flushing in sessile oak (Quercus petraea), in order to identify genes differentially expressed between the quiescent and active stage of bud development. ,,Different transcriptomic techniques combining the construction of suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) libraries and the monitoring of gene expression using macroarray and real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were performed to dissect bud burst, with a special emphasis on the onset of the process. ,,We generated 801 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) derived from six developmental stages of bud burst. Macroarray experiment revealed a total of 233 unique transcripts exhibiting differential expression during the process, and a putative function was assigned to 65% of them. Cell rescue/defense-, metabolism-, protein synthesis-, cell cycle- and transcription-related transcripts were among the most regulated genes. Macroarray and real-time RT-PCR showed that several genes exhibited contrasted expressions between quiescent and swelling buds, such as a putative homologue of the transcription factor DAG2 (Dof Affecting Germination 2), previously reported to be involved in the control of seed germination in Arabidopsis thaliana. ,,These differentially expressed genes constitute relevant candidates for signaling pathway of bud burst in trees. [source] Biosynthesis of cellulose-enriched tension wood in Populus: global analysis of transcripts and metabolites identifies biochemical and developmental regulators in secondary wall biosynthesisTHE PLANT JOURNAL, Issue 2 2006Sara Andersson-Gunnerås Summary Stems and branches of angiosperm trees form tension wood (TW) when exposed to a gravitational stimulus. One of the main characteristics of TW, which distinguishes it from normal wood, is the formation of fibers with a thick inner gelatinous cell wall layer mainly composed of crystalline cellulose. Hence TW is enriched in cellulose, and deficient in lignin and hemicelluloses. An expressed sequence tag library made from TW-forming tissues in Populus tremula (L.) × tremuloides (Michx.) and data from transcript profiling using microarray and metabolite analysis were obtained during TW formation in Populus tremula (L.) in two growing seasons. The data were examined with the aim of identifying the genes responsible for the change in carbon (C) flow into various cell wall components, and the mechanisms important for the formation of the gelatinous cell wall layer (G-layer). A specific effort was made to identify carbohydrate-active enzymes with a putative function in cell wall biosynthesis. An increased C flux to cellulose was suggested by a higher abundance of sucrose synthase transcripts. However, genes related to the cellulose biosynthetic machinery were not generally affected, although the expression of secondary wall-specific CesA genes was modified in both directions. Other pathways for which the data suggested increased activity included lipid and glucosamine biosynthesis and the pectin degradation machinery. In addition, transcripts encoding fasciclin-like arabinogalactan proteins were particularly increased and found to lack true Arabidopsis orthologs. Major pathways for which the transcriptome and metabolome analysis suggested decreased activity were the pathway for C flux through guanosine 5,-diphosphate (GDP) sugars to mannans, the pentose phosphate pathway, lignin biosynthesis, and biosynthesis of cell wall matrix carbohydrates. Several differentially expressed auxin- and ethylene-related genes and transcription factors were also identified. [source] POU5F1P1, a putative cancer susceptibility gene, is overexpressed in prostatic carcinomaTHE PROSTATE, Issue 6 2010Silvia Kastler Abstract BACKGROUND Association between genetic variants located on human chromosome 8q24.21 with an increased risk for prostatic carcinoma has been well established. POU5F1P1, a processed pseudogene homologous to the pluripotency factor OCT4, is the only sequence with coding capacity in this region. The objective of this study was to investigate the POU5F1P1 expression in prostatic carcinoma and carcinoma surrounding prostatic tissue. METHODS RT-PCR and real-time PCR was used to measure the expression of POU5F1P1 relative to the expression of HPRT1 in cell lines, prostatic carcinoma and carcinoma surrounding prostatic tissue. The structure of the POU5F1P1 mRNA and the promoter sequence were elucidated by 5,-RACE experiments. The POU5F1P1 protein was shown with immunohistochemistry on prostate tissue. RESULTS POU5F1P1 was found to be the only member of the POU5F1 family to be expressed in prostate with over-expression in prostatic carcinoma compared to surrounding prostatic tissue probably because of an increased density of expressing cells. The POU5F1P1 expression is driven by a variety of promoter structures scattered over a genomic region of 860 kB. CONCLUSIONS The over-expression of POU5F1P1 in prostatic carcinoma in addition to its genomic location and the putative function of its gene product render POU5F1P1 a good candidate to harbour functional genetic variants which modulate prostatic cancer susceptibility. Prostate 70: 666,674, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Structure of YqgQ protein from Bacillus subtilis, a conserved hypothetical proteinACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION F (ELECTRONIC), Issue 1 2010Damodharan Lakshminarasimhan The crystal structure of the hypothetical protein YqgQ from Bacillus subtilis has been determined to 2.1,Å resolution. The crystals belonged to space group P21, with unit-cell parameters a = 51.85, b = 41.25, c = 55.18,Å, , = 113.4°, and contained three protein molecules in the asymmetric unit. The structure was determined by the single-wavelength anomalous dispersion method using selenium-labeled protein and was refined to a final R factor of 24.7% (Rfree = 28.0%). The protein molecule mainly comprises a three-helical bundle. Its putative function is inferred to be single-stranded nucleic acid binding based on sequence and structural homology. [source] Sex determination in fish: Lessons from the sex-determining gene of the teleost medaka, Oryzias latipesDEVELOPMENT GROWTH & DIFFERENTIATION, Issue 5-6 2003Masaru Matsuda Although sex determination systems in animals are diverse, sex-determining genes have been identified only in mammals and some invertebrates. Recently, DMY (DM domain gene on the Y chromosome) has been found in the sex-determining region on the Y chromosome of the teleost medaka fish, Oryzias latipes. Functional and expression analyses of DMY show it to be the leading candidate for the male-determining master gene of the medaka. Although some work is required to define DMY as the master sex-determining gene, medaka is expected to be a good experimental animal for investigating the precise mechanisms involved in primary sex determination in non-mammalian vertebrates. In this article, the process of identification of DMY and is summarized and the origins of DMY and sexual development of the medaka's gonads are reviewed. In addition, putative functions of DMY are discussed. [source] Macroarray-based analysis of tail regeneration in Xenopus laevis larvae,DEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS, Issue 4 2005Akira Tazaki Abstract Xenopus larvae possess a remarkable ability to regenerate their tails after they have been severed. To gain an understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying tail regeneration, we performed a cDNA macroarray-based analysis of gene expression. A Xenopus cDNA macroarray representing 42,240 independent clones was differentially hybridized with probes synthesized from the total RNA of normal and regenerating tails. Temporal expression analysis revealed that the up-regulated genes could be grouped into early or late responding genes. A comparative expression analysis revealed that most genes showed similar expression patterns between tail development and regeneration. However, some genes showed regeneration-specific expression. Finally, we identified 48 up-regulated genes that fell into several categories based on their putative functions. These categories reflect the various processes that take place during regeneration, such as inflammation response, wound healing, cell proliferation, cell differentiation, and control of cell structure. Thus, we have identified a panel of genes that appear to be involved in the process of regeneration. Developmental Dynamics 233:1394,1404, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Adipocyte prolactin: regulation of release and putative functionsDIABETES OBESITY & METABOLISM, Issue 4 2007T. Brandebourg Pituitary-derived prolactin (PRL) is a well-known regulator of the lactating mammary gland. However, the recent discovery that human adipose tissue produces PRL as well as expresses the PRL receptor (PRLR) highlights a previously unappreciated action of PRL as a cytokine involved in adipose tissue function. Biologically active PRL is secreted by all adipose tissue depots examined: breast, visceral and subcutaneous. The expression of adipose PRL is regulated by a non-pituitary, alternative superdistal promoter. PRL expression and release increases during early pre-adipocyte differentiation and is stimulated by cyclic AMP activators, including , adrenergic receptor agonists. PRL release from subcutaneous adipose explants is attenuated during obesity, suggesting that adipose PRL production is altered by the metabolic state. Several lines of evidence indicate that PRL suppresses lipid storage as well as the release of adipokines such as adiponectin, interleukin-6 and possibly leptin. PRL has also been implicated in the regulation of adipogenesis. A newly developed PRL-secreting human adipocyte cell line, LS14, should allow comprehensive examination of the regulation and function of adipocyte-derived PRL. Collectively, these studies raise the prospect that PRL affects energy homeostasis through its action as an adipokine and is involved in the manifestation of insulin resistance. [source] Evolution and human tissue expression of the Cres/Testatin subgroup genes, a reproductive tissue specific subgroup of the type 2 cystatinsEVOLUTION AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 3 2010Jessica Frygelius SUMMARY The cystatin family comprises a group of generally broadly expressed protease inhibitors. The Cres/Testatin subgroup (CTES) genes within the type 2 cystatins differs from the classical type 2 cystatins in having a strikingly reproductive tissue-specific expression, and putative functions in reproduction have therefore been discussed. We have performed evolutionary studies of the CTES genes based on gene searches in genomes from 11 species. Ancestors of the cystatin family can be traced back to plants. We have localized the evolutionary origin of the CTES genes to the split of marsupial and placental mammals. A model for the evolution of these genes illustrates that they constitute a dynamic group of genes, which has undergone several gene expansions and we find indications of a high degree of positive selection, in striking contrast to what is seen for the classical cystatin C. We show with phylogenetic relations that the CTES genes are clustered into three original groups, a testatin, a Cres, and a CstL1 group. We have further characterized the expression patterns of all human members of the subfamily. Of a total of nine identified human genes, four express putative functional transcripts with a predominant expression in the male reproductive system. Our results are compatible with a function of this gene family in reproduction. [source] Expression of the Artemia trachealess gene in the salt gland and epipodEVOLUTION AND DEVELOPMENT, Issue 5 2002Brian Mitchell SUMMARY The Drosophila trachealess gene encodes a basic-helix-loop-helix-PAS transcription factor that controls the formation of the trachea and salivary duct. An ortholog of trachealess was identified in the brine shrimp, Artemia franciscana, and was shown to be highly conserved by sequence identity. Expression of Artemia trachealess was observed at two sites during development: the naupliar salt gland and the juvenile thoracic epipod. These two organs function at their respective times of development in osmoregulation, an important aspect of brine shrimp physiology. This extends the range of putative functions of trachealess to include formation of osmoregulatory, respiratory, and ductile organs. [source] Uncultured Archaea in a hydrothermal microbial assemblage: phylogenetic diversity and characterization of a genome fragment from a euryarchaeoteFEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2006Hélène Moussard Abstract The polychaete Alvinella pompejana lives in organic tubes on the walls of active hydrothermal chimneys along the East Pacific Rise. To examine the diversity of the archaeal community associated with the polychaete tubes, we constructed libraries by direct PCR amplification and cloning of 16S rRNA genes. Almost half of the sequences of the 16S rRNA gene libraries clustered with uncultured archaeal groups. In an effort to access genomic information from uncultured archaeal members we further constructed a fosmid library from the same DNA source. One of the clones, Alv-FOS5, was sequenced completely. Its sequence analysis revealed an incomplete rRNA operon and 32 predicted ORFs. Seventeen of these ORFs have been assigned putative functions, including transcription and translation, cellular processes and signalling, transport systems and metabolic pathways. Phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rRNA gene suggested that Alv-FOS5 formed a new lineage related to members of Deep-Sea Hydrothermal Vent Euryarchaeota group II. Phylogenetic analyses of predicted proteins revealed the existence of likely cases of horizontal gene transfer, both between Crenarchaeota and Euryarchaeota and between Archaea and Bacteria. This study is the first step in using genomics to reveal the physiology of an as yet uncultured group of archaea from deep-sea hydrothermal vents. [source] Identification of Differentially Expressed Genes During Anther Abortion of Taigu Genic Male Sterile Wheat by Combining Suppression Subtractive Hybridization and cDNA ArrayJOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 11 2006Qing-Shan Chang Abstract Taigu Genic Male Sterile Wheat (TGMSW; Triticum aestivum L.), a dominant genic male sterile germplasm, is of considerable value in the genetic improvement of wheat because of its stable inherence, complete male abortion, and high cross-fertilization rate. To identify specially transcribed genes in sterile anther, a suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) library was constructed with sterile anther as the tester and fertile anther as the driver. A total of 2 304 SSH inserts amplified by polymerase chain reaction were arrayed using robotic printing. The cDNA arrays were hybridized with 32P-labeled probes prepared from the RNA of forward- and reverse-subtracted anthers. Ninety-six clones were scored as upregulated in sterile anthers compared with the corresponding fertile anthers and some clones were selected for sequencing and analysis in GenBank. Based on their putative functions, 87 non-redundant clones were classified into the following groups: (i) eight genes involved in metabolic processes; (ii) four material transportation genes; (iii) three signal transduction-associated genes; (iv) four stress response and senescence-associated protein genes; (v) seven other functional protein genes; (vi) five genes with no known function; and (vii) another 56 genes with no match to the databases. To test the hybridization efficiency, eight genes were selected and analyzed by Northern blot. The results of the present study provide a comprehensive overview of the genes and gene products involved in anther abortion in TGMSW. (Managing editor: Li-Hui Zhao) [source] Microsatellites: genomic distribution, putative functions and mutational mechanisms: a reviewMOLECULAR ECOLOGY, Issue 12 2002You-Chun Li Abstract Microsatellites, or tandem simple sequence repeats (SSR), are abundant across genomes and show high levels of polymorphism. SSR genetic and evolutionary mechanisms remain controversial. Here we attempt to summarize the available data related to SSR distribution in coding and noncoding regions of genomes and SSR functional importance. Numerous lines of evidence demonstrate that SSR genomic distribution is nonrandom. Random expansions or contractions appear to be selected against for at least part of SSR loci, presumably because of their effect on chromatin organization, regulation of gene activity, recombination, DNA replication, cell cycle, mismatch repair system, etc. This review also discusses the role of two putative mutational mechanisms, replication slippage and recombination, and their interaction in SSR variation. [source] Identification of protein differences between two clinical isolates of Streptococcus mutans by proteomic analysisMOLECULAR ORAL MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 2 2008L. H. Guo Introduction:,Streptococcus mutans is generally considered to be the principal etiological agent for dental caries. Different strains of S. mutans may display different virulence mechanisms, so the isolation of the differential proteins is illuminating. Methods:,S. mutans strains 9-1 and 9-2, which both colonized the same oral cavity, were selected after screening for the possession of suspected virulence traits. The soluble cellular proteins were extracted from steady-state planktonic cells of strains 9-1 and 9-2 and were analyzed using high-resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Then, replicate maps of proteins from the two strains were generated. Proteins expressed only in strain 9-1 or 9-2 were excised and digested with trypsin by using an in-gel protocol. Tryptic digests were analyzed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time of flight mass spectrometry, by which peptide mass fingerprints were generated, and these were used to assign putative functions according to their homology with the translated sequences in the S. mutans genomic database. Results:, There were 12 proteins only expressed in strain 9-1 and three proteins only expressed in strain 9-2. They were involved in protein biosynthesis, protein folding, cell wall biosynthesis, fatty acid biosynthesis, nucleotide biosynthesis, repair of DNA damage, carbohydrate metabolism, signal transduction, and translation. Conclusion:, The identification of proteins differentially expressed between strains 9-1 and 9-2 provides new information concerning the mechanisms of cariogenesis. [source] The proteome of Mannheimia succiniciproducens, a capnophilic rumen bacteriumPROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 12 2006Jeong Wook Lee Abstract Mannheimia succiniciproducens MBEL55E isolated from bovine rumen is an industrially important bacterium as an efficient succinic acid producer. Recently, its full genome sequence was determined. In the present study, we analyzed the M. succiniciproducens proteome based on the genome information using 2-DE and MS. We established proteome reference map of M. succiniciproducens by analyzing whole cellular proteins, membrane proteins, and secreted proteins. More than 200 proteins were identified and characterized by MS/MS supported by various bioinformatic tools. The presence of proteins previously annotated as hypothetical proteins or proteins having putative functions were also confirmed. Based on the proteome reference map, cells in the different growth phases were analyzed at the proteome level. Comparative proteome profiling revealed valuable information to understand physiological changes during growth, and subsequently suggested target genes to be manipulated for the strain improvement. [source] The galectin family and digestive disease,THE JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2008P Demetter Abstract The soluble-type lectins or galectins constitute a family of proteins defined by shared consensus amino acid sequence and affinity for beta-galactose-containing oligosaccharides. These molecules are widely distributed in the animal kingdom; to date, 15 mammalian galectins have been described but more are likely to be discovered. These proteins are involved in many biological processes including cell,cell and cell,matrix adhesion, growth regulation, signaling, and cytokine secretion. Over the last decade, a vast amount of reports has shown the importance of several galectins in the development and progression of malignancies in the digestive tract, mainly colorectal cancers. More recent data indicate that some of these molecules are also involved in inflammatory bowel diseases. This review focuses on the current knowledge of galectin expression and putative functions in the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, and colon. It also highlights that the rapid accumulation of research data promises future scenarios in which individual members of the galectin family and/or their ligands will be used as diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for neoplastic as well as inflammatory disorders. However, the concretization of these potential modalities requires substantial improvements in terms of standardization of galectin expression evaluation together with prospective validation of the present data. Copyright © 2008 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Cycle-regulated genes and cell cycle regulationBIOESSAYS, Issue 7 2001Richard D'Ari The transcriptional profile of the entire Caulobacter crescentus genome over a synchronous cell cycle was recently described.(1) The analysis reveals a stunning 553 cell-cycle-regulated genes or orfs, nearly 19% of the genome, including putative functions in virtually all biological activities. Over a quarter of these genes/orfs respond to the Caulobacter master regulator, CtrA, most of them apparently indirectly. The analysis confirms and extends earlier observations showing that many proteins involved in cell cycle functions are expressed at the cell age when they are needed. Conversely, the data suggest that proteins specifically expressed at a particular age may be involved in a process taking place then. BioEssays 23:563,565, 2001. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. [source] On the hunt for helminths: innate immune cells in the recognition and response to helminth parasitesCELLULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 9 2008Jacqueline G. Perrigoue Summary The generation of protective immunity to helminth parasites is critically dependent upon the development of a CD4+ T helper type 2 cytokine response. However, the host,parasite interactions responsible for initiating this response are poorly understood. This review will discuss recent advances in our understanding of how helminth-derived products are recognized by innate immune cells. Specifically, interactions between helminth excretory/secretory products and host Toll-like receptors and lectins will be discussed as well as the putative functions of helminth proteases and chitin in activating and recruiting innate immune cells. In addition, the functional significance of pattern recognition by epithelial cells, granulocytes, dendritic cells and macrophages including expression of alarmins, thymic stromal lymphopoetin, interleukin (IL)-25, IL-33 and Notch ligands in the development of adaptive anti-parasite Th2 cytokine responses will be examined. [source] |