The effects of acylation stimulating protein supplementation <Emphasis Type="Italic">VS</Emphasis> antibody neutralization on energy expenditure in wildtype mice

Background  

Acylation stimulating protein (ASP) is an adipogenic hormone that stimulates triglyceride (TG) synthesis and glucose transport in adipocytes. Previous studies have shown that ASP-deficient C3 knockout mice are hyperphagic yet lean, as they display increased oxygen consumption and fatty acid oxidation compared to wildtype mice. In the present study, antibodies against ASP (Anti-ASP) and human recombinant ASP (rASP) were tested in vitro and in vivo. Continuous administration for 4 weeks via osmotic mini-pump of Anti-ASP or rASP was evaluated in wildtype mice on a high-fat diet (HFD) to examine their effects on body weight, food intake and energy expenditure.     

Attenuation of fibrosis <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vivo</Emphasis> with <Emphasis Type="Italic">SPARC</Emphasis> siRNA

Introduction  

SPARC is a matricellular protein, which, along with other extracellular matrix components including collagens, is commonly over-expressed in fibrotic diseases. The purpose of this study was to examine whether inhibition of SPARC can regulate collagen expression in vitro and in vivo, and subsequently attenuate fibrotic stimulation by bleomycin in mouse skin and lungs.     

Optogenetic <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vivo</Emphasis>cell manipulation in KillerRed-expressing zebrafish transgenics

Background  

KillerRed (KR) is a novel photosensitizer that efficiently generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) in KR-expressing cells upon intense green or white light illumination in vitro, resulting in damage to their plasma membrane and cell death.     

Physiological tonicity improves human chondrogenic marker expression through nuclear factor of activated T-cells 5 <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis>

Introduction  

Chondrocytes experience a hypertonic environment compared with plasma (280 mOsm) due to the high fixed negative charge density of cartilage. Standard isolation of chondrocytes removes their hypertonic matrix, exposing them to nonphysiological conditions. During in vitro expansion, chondrocytes quickly lose their specialized phenotype, making them inappropriate for cell-based regenerative strategies. We aimed to elucidate the effects of tonicity during isolation and in vitro expansion on chondrocyte phenotype.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> bioassay as a predictor of <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vivo</Emphasis> response

Background  

There is a substantial discrepancy between in vitro and in vivo experiments. The purpose of the present work was development of a theoretical framework to enable improved prediction of in vivo response from in vitro bioassay results.     

Viable nonsense mutants for the essential gene <Emphasis Type="Italic">SUP45</Emphasis> of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces cerevisiae</Emphasis>

Background  

Termination of protein synthesis in eukaryotes involves at least two polypeptide release factors (eRFs) – eRF1 and eRF3. The highly conserved translation termination factor eRF1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae is encoded by the essential gene SUP45.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brucella melitensis</Emphasis> VjbR and C<Subscript>12</Subscript>-HSL regulons: contributions of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-dodecanoyl homoserine lactone signaling molecule and LuxR homologue VjbR to gene expression

Background  

Quorum sensing is a communication system that regulates gene expression in response to population density and often regulates virulence determinants. Deletion of the luxR homologue vjbR highly attenuates intracellular survival of Brucella melitensis and has been interpreted to be an indication of a role for QS in Brucella infection. Confirmation for such a role was suggested, but not confirmed, by the demonstrated in vitro synthesis of an auto-inducer (AI) by Brucella cultures. In an effort to further delineate the role of VjbR to virulence and survival, gene expression under the control of VjbR and AI was characterized using microarray analysis.     

Controlled spatial and conformational display of immobilised bone morphogenetic protein-2 and osteopontin signalling motifs regulates osteoblast adhesion and differentiation <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis>

Background  

The interfacial molecular mechanisms that regulate mammalian cell growth and differentiation have important implications for biotechnology (production of cells and cell products) and medicine (tissue engineering, prosthetic implants, cancer and developmental biology). We demonstrate here that engineered protein motifs can be robustly displayed to mammalian cells in vitro in a highly controlled manner using a soluble protein scaffold designed to self assemble on a gold surface.     

Equol an isoflavonoid: potential for improved prostate health, <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vivo</Emphasis>evidence

Background  

To determine: in vitro binding affinity of equol for 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5alpha-DHT), in vitro effects of equol treatment in human prostate cancer (LNCap) cells, and in vivo effects of equol on rat prostate weight and circulating levels of sex steroid hormones.     

Molecular modeling and <Emphasis Type="Italic">in silico</Emphasis> characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycobacterium tuberculosis</Emphasis> TlyA: Possible misannotation of this tubercle bacilli-hemolysin

Background  

The TlyA protein has a controversial function as a virulence factor in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis). At present, its dual activity as hemolysin and RNA methyltransferase in M. tuberculosis has been indirectly proposed based on in vitro results. There is no evidence however for TlyA relevance in the survival of tubercle bacilli inside host cells or whether both activities are functionally linked. A thorough analysis of structure prediction for this mycobacterial protein in this study shows the need for reevaluating TlyA's function in virulence.     

Ultrastructure of isolated mouse ovarian follicles cultured <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis>

Background  

In vitro maturation of ovarian follicles, in combination with cryopreservation, might be a valuable method for preserving and/or restoring fertility in mammals with impaired reproductive function. Several culture systems capable of sustaining mammalian follicle growth in vitro have been developed and many studies exist on factors influencing the development of in vitro grown oocytes. However, a very few reports concern the ultrastructural morphology of in vitro grown follicles.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In vitro</Emphasis> gene regulatory networks predict <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vivo</Emphasis> function of liver

Background  

Evolution of toxicity testing is predicated upon using in vitro cell based systems to rapidly screen and predict how a chemical might cause toxicity to an organ in vivo. However, the degree to which we can extend in vitro results to in vivo activity and possible mechanisms of action remains to be fully addressed.     

Biosynthesis of chiral 3-hydroxyvalerate from single propionate-unrelated carbon sources in metabolically engineered <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. coli</Emphasis>

Background  

The ability to synthesize chiral building block molecules with high optical purity is of considerable importance to the fine chemical and pharmaceutical industries. Production of one such compound, 3-hydroxyvalerate (3HV), has previously been studied with respect to the in vivo or in vitro enzymatic depolymerization of biologically-derived co-polymers of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate). However, production of this biopolymeric precursor typically necessitates the supplementation of a secondary carbon source (e.g., propionate) into the culture medium. In addition, previous approaches for producing 3HV have not focused on its enantiopure synthesis, and thus suffer from increased costs for product purification.     

Synthesis of chlorophyll <Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>: Localization of chlorophyllide <Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis>oxygenase and discovery of a stable radical in the catalytic subunit

Background  

Assembly of stable light-harvesting complexes (LHCs) in the chloroplast of green algae and plants requires synthesis of chlorophyll (Chl) b, a reaction that involves oxygenation of the 7-methyl group of Chl a to a formyl group. This reaction uses molecular oxygen and is catalyzed by chlorophyllide a oxygenase (CAO). The amino acid sequence of CAO predicts mononuclear iron and Rieske iron-sulfur centers in the protein. The mechanism of synthesis of Chl b and localization of this reaction in the chloroplast are essential steps toward understanding LHC assembly.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas aeruginosa</Emphasis> Cystic Fibrosis isolates of similar RAPD genotype exhibit diversity in biofilm forming ability <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis>

Background  

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is considered to grow in a biofilm in cystic fibrosis (CF) chronic lung infections. Bacterial cell motility is one of the main factors that have been connected with P. aeruginosa adherence to both biotic and abiotic surfaces. In this investigation, we employed molecular and microscopic methods to determine the presence or absence of motility in P. aeruginosa CF isolates, and statistically correlated this with their biofilm forming ability in vitro.     

The photosensor protein Ppr of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodocista centenaria</Emphasis> is linked to the chemotaxis signalling pathway

Background  

Rhodocista centenaria is a phototrophic α-proteobacterium exhibiting a phototactic behaviour visible as colony movement on agar plates directed to red light. As many phototrophic purple bacteria R. centenaria possesses a soluble photoactive yellow protein (Pyp). It exists as a long fusion protein, designated Ppr, consisting of three domains, the Pyp domain, a putative bilin binding domain (Bbd) and a histidine kinase domain (Pph). The Ppr protein is involved in the regulation of polyketide synthesis but it is still unclear, how this is connected to phototaxis and chemotaxis.