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Basic Biological Processes (basic + biological_process)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Life Sciences	40%

Selected Abstracts

Multiple myeloma biology: lessons from the 5TMM models

IMMUNOLOGICAL REVIEWS, Issue 1 2003
Karin Vanderkerken
Summary:, Multiple myeloma (MM) is a B cell neoplasm characterized by the monoclonal proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow, the development of osteolytic lesions and the induction of angiogenesis. These different processes require three-dimensional interactions, with both humoral and cellular contacts. The 5TMM models are suitable models to study these interactions. These murine models originate from spontaneously developed myeloma in elderly mice, which are propagated by in vivo transfer of the myeloma cells into young syngeneic mice. In this review we report on studies performed in the 5TMM models with special emphasis on the homing of the myeloma cells, the characterization of the migrating and proliferating clone and the identification of the isotype switch variants. The bone marrow microenvironment was further targeted with osteoprotegerin (OPG) to block the RANK/RANKL/OPG system and with potent bisphosphonates. Both treatments resulted in a significant protection against myeloma-associated bone disease, and they decreased myeloma disease, as evidenced by a lower tumor load and an increased survival of the mice. These different studies demonstrate the strength of these models, not only in unraveling basic biological processes but also in the testing of potentially new therapeutic targets. [source]

Individual-based models of cod movement and population dynamics

JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY, Issue 2003
H. J. Edwards
Many fish species undergo seasonal changes in distribution, as a result of horizontal migrations between feeding, nursery and spawning grounds. Exploring the processes involved in these movements may be the key to understanding interactions with other species, man and the environment, and is therefore crucial to effective fisheries management. Recent tagging experiments providing information on the distribution of migratory fish stocks have indicated pronounced regional and temporal differences in the migratory behaviour of cod, suggesting complex interactions between this commercially important fish species and the environment. This paper presents a model of the horizontal movements of demersal fish, principally cod, using an individual-based modelling approach to explore and predict the relationship between demersal fish movements and key environmental and ecological factors. The model simulates the basic biological processes of growth, movement and mortality, and is driven by the analysis of physical tagging data recorded by electronic data storage tags (DSTs). Results show that the incorporation of behavioural data from DSTs into spatially explicit individual-based models can provide realistic simulations of large-scale fish stocks, thus giving a better understanding of their basic ecology and allowing more effective management of commercially important fish species. Possibilities of future improvements and extensions to the model are discussed. [source]

DIGE compatible labelling of surface proteins on vital cells in vitro and in vivo

PROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 2 2006
Corina Mayrhofer
Abstract Efficient methods for profiling of the cell surface proteome are desirable to get a deeper insight in basic biological processes, to localise proteins and to uncover proteins differentially expressed in diseases. Here we present a strategy to target cell surface exposed proteins via fluorescence labelling using CyDye DIGE fluors. This method has been applied to human cell lines in vitro as well as to a complex biological system in vivo. It allows detection of fluorophore-tagged cell surface proteins and visualisation of the accessible proteome within a single 2-D gel, simplifying subsequent UV MALDI-MS analysis. [source]

Extracellular matrix alters the relationship between tritiated thymidine incorporation and proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells during osteogenesis in vitro

CELL PROLIFERATION, Issue 1 2002
W. J. Peterson
Bone cells in vivo exist in direct contact with extracellular matrix, which regulates their basic biological processes including metabolism, development, growth and differentiation. Thus, the in vitro activity of cells cultured on tissue culture treated plastic could be different from the activity of cells cultured on their natural substrate. We selected MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblastic cells to study the effect of extracellular matrix on cell proliferation because these cells undergo a progressive developmental sequence of proliferation and differentiation. MC3T3-E1 cells were cultured on plastic or plastic coated with ECM, fibronectin, collagen type I, BSA or poly l -lysine and their ability to proliferate was assessed by incorporation of [3H]dT or by enumeration of cells. Our results show that (1) ECM inhibits incorporation of [3H]dT by MC3T3-E1 cells; (2) collagen type I, but not BSA, poly l -lysine or fibronectin also inhibits incorporation of [3H]dT; (3) the level of ECM inhibition of [3H]dT incorporation is directly related to the number of cells cultured, but unrelated to the cell cycle distribution or endogenous thymidine content; (4) the kinetic profile of [3H]dT uptake suggest that ECM inhibits transport of [3H]dT from the extracellular medium, and (5) cell counts are similar in cultures whether cells are grown on plastic or ECM. These results suggest that decreased incorporation of [3H]dT by cells cultured on ECM is not reflective of bone cell proliferation. [source]

Proteomics meets microbiology: technical advances in the global mapping of protein expression and function

CELLULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 8 2005
Carolyn I. Phillips
Summary The availability of complete genome sequences for a large number of pathogenic organisms has opened the door for large-scale proteomic studies to dissect both protein expression/regulation and function. This review highlights key proteomic methods including two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, reference mapping, protein expression profiling and recent advances in gel-free separation techniques that have made a significant impact on the resolution of complex proteomes. In addition, we highlight recent developments in the field of chemical proteomics, a branch of proteomics aimed at functionally profiling a proteome. These techniques include the development of activity-based probes and activity-based protein profiling methods as well as the use of synthetic small molecule libraries to screen for pharmacological tools to perturb basic biological processes. This review will focus on the applications of these technologies to the field of microbiology. [source]