Endothelin-1 drives invadopodia and interaction with mesothelial cells through ILK

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A simple assay for the quantitative evaluation of Phospholipase D activity

Summary We describe the preparation of phosphatidyl p-nitrophenol (PpNP) and its use as a substrate in an assay for the quantitative evaluation of Phospholipase D. The solution of the substrate in Tris HCl buffer, pH 8, and Triton X is mixed directly with an aliquot of fermentation broth and the absorbance of the solution read at 405 nm. The method is rapid, sensitive and inexpensive.     

Pride and concern: differences between sperm and egg donors with respect to responsibility for their donor-conceived offspring

Comparative research on sperm donors and egg donors in the United States suggests that while men view themselves as fathers of their offspring, women do not view themselves as mothers. Comparative research suggests as well that men and women are equally interested in contact with offspring, equally curious about them, and equally likely to hold themselves responsible for those offspring. This paper re-examines these differences and similarities using data from a survey of donors who registered on a third-party website with hopes of having some contact with their genetic offspring. Our findings suggest that women and men offer similar reasons for donating and similar assessments of the experience. Yet, the two groups have developed quite different patterns of interest in their offspring. The men create a sense of “prideful lineage” rather than fatherhood. The women create a pattern of feeling that involves “concerned responsibility” rather than motherhood.     

A short PNA targeting coxsackievirus B3 5'-nontranslated region prevents virus-induced cytolysis.

Targeting regulatory RNA regions to interfere with the biosynthesis of a protein is an intriguing alternative to targeting a protein itself. Regulatory regions are often unique in sequence and/or structure and, thus, ideally suited for specific recognition with a low risk of undesired side effects. Targeting regulatory RNA elements, however, is complicated by their complex three-dimensional structure, which poses kinetic and thermodynamic constraints to the recognition by a complementary oligonucleotide. Oligonucleotide mimics, which shift the thermodynamic equilibrium towards complex formation and yield stable complexes with a target RNA, can overcome this problem. Peptide nucleic acids (PNA) represent such a promising class of molecules. PNA are very stable, non-ionic compounds and they are not sensitive to enzymatic degradation. Yet, PNA form specific base pairs with a target sequence. We have designed, synthesised and characterised PNA able to enter infected cells and to bind specifically to a control region of the genomic RNA of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), which is an important human pathogen. The results obtained by studying the interaction of such PNA with their RNA target, the entrance into the cell and the viral inhibition are herein presented.