Impaired leptin activity in New Zealand Obese mice: model of angiogenesis

Leptin is prompt to drive angiogenesis, effecting proper vascularisation. Tissue remodeling (including adipose organ) is associated with the angiogenic response. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hyperleptinemia on angiogenesis in subcutaneous (s.c.) in vivo matrigel model in mice on a high fat (HF) diet. HF promoted adipose tissue accumulation and biochemical changes resembling metabolic syndrome. However, the impact of this dietary treatment on angiogenesis, measured in s.c. matrigel model was not significant. Changes in leptin concentration were not accompanied by significant angiogenic response. This lack of leptin activity and impaired signal transduction at the molecular level suggests malfunction of the leptin receptor in NZO mice.     

Sequence based residue depth prediction using evolutionary information and predicted secondary structure

Background  

Residue depth allows determining how deeply a given residue is buried, in contrast to the solvent accessibility that differentiates between buried and solvent-exposed residues. When compared with the solvent accessibility, the depth allows studying deep-level structures and functional sites, and formation of the protein folding nucleus. Accurate prediction of residue depth would provide valuable information for fold recognition, prediction of functional sites, and protein design.     

Parallel in vivo analysis of large-effect autism genes implicates cortical neurogenesis and estrogen in risk and resilience

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