Identification and functional analysis of NOL7 nuclear and nucleolar localization signals

Background  

NOL7 is a candidate tumor suppressor that localizes to a chromosomal region 6p23. This locus is frequently lost in a number of malignancies, and consistent loss of NOL7 through loss of heterozygosity and decreased mRNA and protein expression has been observed in tumors and cell lines. Reintroduction of NOL7 into cells resulted in significant suppression of in vivo tumor growth and modulation of the angiogenic phenotype. Further, NOL7 was observed to localize to the nucleus and nucleolus of cells. However, the mechanisms regulating its subcellular localization have not been elucidated.     

The karyotype of Alligator mississippiensis,and chromosomal mapping of the ZFY/X homologue,Zfc

Comparative mapping studies of X-linked genes in mammals have provided insights into the evolution of the X chromosome. Many reptiles including the American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis, do not appear to possess heteromorphic sex chromosomes, and sex is determined by the incubation temperature of the egg during embryonic development. Mapping of homologues of mammalian X-linked genes in reptiles could lead to a greater understanding of the evolution of vertebrate sex chromosomes. One of the genes used in the mammalian mapping studies was ZFX, an X-linked copy of the human ZFY gene which was originally isolated as a candidate for the mammalian testis-determining factor (TDF). ZFX is X-linked in eutherians, but maps to two autosomal locations in marsupials and monotremes, close to other genes associated with the eutherian X. The alligator homologue of the ZFY/ZFX genes, Zfc, has been isolated and described previously. A detailed karyotype of A. mississippiensis is presented, together with chromosomal in situ hybridisation data localising the Zfc gene to chromosome 3. Further chromosomal mapping studies using eutherian X-linked genes may reveal conserved chromosomal regions in the alligator that have become part of the eutherian X chromosome during evolution.     

Identification of a male-specific (H-Y) antigen on the flagellar plasma membrane of ram epididymal spermatozoa

Summary H-Y (male-specific) antigen has been detected on the plasma membranes of both caput and caudal ram spermatozoa using both immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence labelling techniques. In these spermatozoa the distribution of H-Y antigen appears to be confined to both the posterior region of the head and the mid-piece region of the flagellum. In addition, caput spermatozoa also exhibit intense immunoperoxidase staining of the cytoplasmic droplet which is situated on the flagellum at the base of the head. Western blot analyses of purified plasma membranes from the flagella of caudal spermatozoa have revealed the presence of a malespecific protein with an estimated molecular weight of 25,000–27,000.     

Properties of the H-4-II-E tumor cell system. I. Growth and cell proliferation kinetics of an experimental hepatoma.

Growth and cell proliferation kinetics of hepatoma H-4-II-E and its tissue culture derivative have been studied to establish the characteristics of an in vivo--in vitro solid tumor model. The H-4-II-E line, originating from the Reuber H-35 hepatoma, can be maintained and studied either in cell culture or as a transplantable solid tumor in ACI male rats. In addition it allows for the in vitro assay of cell survival following treatment of animal tumors in situ. In vivo, hepatoma H-4-II-E is rapidly growing tumor with a mean doubling time of 49-2 hr. The cell cyle time is 39-1 hr with a cell loss factor of 0-32. Retrospective examination of tumor specimens obtained during the establishment of the H-4-II-E tumor system demonstrates that both structural as well as cell population changes have occurred. The biological characteristics of the primary tumor (H-35) and an early intermediate stage (H-35tc2) are compared with H-4-II-E and the histopathological, growth and cell kinetic changes are discussed.     

Identification of Tumor Antigens in the HLA Peptidome of Patient-derived Xenograft Tumors in Mouse

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Highlights

• •Sufficient tumor tissues are often unavailable large HLA peptidome discovery.
• •Using patient derived xenograft (PDX) tumors can overcome this limitation.
• •The large PDX HLA peptidomes expand significantly those of the original biopsies.
• •The HLA peptidomes of the PDX tumors included many tumor antigens.