Spatiotemporal patterns of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (Mif) expression in the mouse placenta

Background  

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has special pro-inflammatory roles, affecting the functions of macrophages and lymphocytes and counter-regulating the effects of glucocorticoids on the immune response. The conspicuous expression of MIF during human implantation and early embryonic development also suggests this factor acts in reproductive functions. The overall goal of this study was to evaluate Mif expression by trophoblast and embryo placental cells during mouse pregnancy.     

Effect of a cerebral neurite-stimulating protein on the morphogenesis of an organotypical culture of spinal ganglia

Cationic protein with molecular mass of 15,000 kDa has been extracted from the hemispheres of the rat and bovine brain. Addition of the protein into nutritive medium of the organo-typical culture of the chick embryo spinal ganglia results in a considerable (by 2-2.5 times) increase of the growth zone in the explants. Neurite-stimulating effect of the protein is demonstrate dat concentration of 10 ng/ml. An intensive longitudinal growth of neurites is observed, increase of their amount per area unit, an essential intensification of ramification, formation of powerful anastomoses, numerous dense plexuses and arcades. Fasciculi of neurites covered with glia are formed. The cerebral neurite-stimulating protein is, evidently, one of neuron-growing factors, regulating development of the nervous system in the organism.     

Nearest-neighbor and next-nearest-neighbor effects in the proton NMR spectra of the oligoribonucleotides ApXpG,CpXpG, CpApXpUpG,ApGpXpC, and ApGpXpCpU

The proton nmr spectra of the oligoribonucleotides in the series CpXpG, ApXpG, CpApXpUpG, and ApGpXpC (X = A, G, C, and U), together with the reference compounds CpG, ApG, CpApUpG, and ApGpC, have been measured. A complete analysis of all the nonexchangeable base protons and the ribose H-1′ protons was made. The insertion of a nucleotide X into a oligoribonucleotide led to shift changes at both nearest-neighbor and next-nearest-neighbor positions, which were rationalized in terms of the shielding abilities of the various bases. The derived shielding trends in the ApGpXpC series of compounds were successfully used to predict the chemical shifts of resonances in the related ApGpXpCpU series.     

Recombinant diphtheria toxin derivatives: Perspectives of application

Diphtheria toxin (DT) is a unique bacterial protein which consists of three domains with various biological functions. Using genetic engineering for the creation of various recombinant constructions of DT with definite features, it is possible to create unique tools for cellular biology and toxins with efficient and selective action on certain populations of cells. The review highlights the structural and functional aspects of the DT molecule, its fragments and domains, as well as the major areas of application of its recombinant derivatives. In particular, the perspectives for practical use of recombinant DT derivatives are discussed for creating immunobiological preparations, cytotoxins, blockers of the heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF), protein constructions for direct delivery of substances into the cell, and also the possibility to use DT recombinant derivatives for therapy and prevention of a number of diseases.