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Current status of antisense DNA methods in behavioral studies 总被引:4,自引:0,他引:4
The antisense DNA method has been used successfully to block the expression
of specific genes in vivo in neuronal systems. An increasing number of
studies in the last few years have shown that antisense DNA administered
directly into the brain can modify various kinds of behaviors. These
findings strongly suggest that the antisense DNA method can be used as a
powerful tool to study causal relationships between molecular processes in
the brain and behavior. In this article we review the current status of the
antisense method in behavioral studies and discuss its potentials and
problems by focusing on the following four aspects; (i) optimal application
paradigms of antisense DNA methods in behavioral studies; (ii) efficiencies
of different administration methods of antisense DNA used in behavioral
studies; (iii) determination of specificity of behavioral effects of
antisense DNA; and (iv) discrepancies between antisense DNA effects on
behaviors and those on protein levels of the targeted gene.
相似文献
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Rodenbaugh DW Wang W Davis J Edwards T Potter JD Metzger JM 《American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology》2007,293(3):H1705-H1713
The cytosolic Ca(2+)/Mg(2+)-binding protein alpha-parvalbumin (alpha-Parv) has been shown to accelerate cardiac relaxation; however, beyond an optimal concentration range, alpha-Parv can also diminish contractility. Mathematical modeling suggests that increasing Parv's Mg(2+) affinity may lower the effective concentration of Parv ([Parv]) to speed relaxation and, thus, limit Parv-mediated depressed contraction. Naturally occurring alpha/beta-Parv isoforms show divergence in amino acid primary structure (57% homology) and cation-binding affinities, with beta-Parv having an estimated 16% greater Mg(2+) affinity and approximately 200% greater Ca(2+) affinity than alpha-Parv. We tested the hypothesis that, at the same or lower estimated [Parv], mechanical relaxation rate would be more significantly accelerated by beta-Parv than by alpha-Parv. Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rats were used as an experimental model of diastolic dysfunction. Relaxation properties were significantly slowed in adult cardiac myocytes isolated from DS rats compared with controls: time from peak contraction to 50% relaxation was 57 +/- 2 vs. 49 +/- 2 (SE) ms (P < 0.05), validating this model system. DS cardiac myocytes were subsequently transduced with alpha- or beta-Parv adenoviral vectors. Upon Parv gene transfer, beta-Parv caused significantly faster relaxation than alpha-Parv (P < 0.05), even though estimated [beta-Parv] was approximately 10% of [alpha-Parv]. This comparative analysis showing distinct functional outcomes raises the prospect of utilizing naturally occurring Parv variants to address disease-associated slowed cardiac relaxation. 相似文献
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Paul DW Kirk Aviva Witkover Alan Courtney Alexandra M Lewin Robin Wait Michael PH Stumpf Sylvia Richardson Graham P Taylor Charles RM Bangham 《Retrovirology》2011,8(1):1-9
Background
A new subgroup of HIV-1, designated Group P, was recently detected in two unrelated patients of Cameroonian origin. HIV-1 Group P phylogenetically clusters with SIVgor suggesting that it is the result of a cross-species transmission from gorillas. Until today, HIV-1 Group P has only been detected in two patients, and its degree of adaptation to the human host is largely unknown. Previous data have shown that pandemic HIV-1 Group M, but not non-pandemic Group O or rare Group N viruses, efficiently antagonize the human orthologue of the restriction factor tetherin (BST-2, HM1.24, CD317) suggesting that primate lentiviruses may have to gain anti-tetherin activity for efficient spread in the human population. Thus far, three SIV/HIV gene products (vpu, nef and env) are known to have the potential to counteract primate tetherin proteins, often in a species-specific manner. Here, we examined how long Group P may have been circulating in humans and determined its capability to antagonize human tetherin as an indicator of adaptation to humans.Results
Our data suggest that HIV-1 Group P entered the human population between 1845 and 1989. Vpu, Env and Nef proteins from both Group P viruses failed to counteract human or gorilla tetherin to promote efficient release of HIV-1 virions, although both Group P Nef proteins moderately downmodulated gorilla tetherin from the cell surface. Notably, Vpu, Env and Nef alleles from the two HIV-1 P strains were all able to reduce CD4 cell surface expression.Conclusions
Our analyses of the two reported HIV-1 Group P viruses suggest that zoonosis occurred in the last 170 years and further support that pandemic HIV-1 Group M strains are better adapted to humans than non-pandemic or rare Group O, N and P viruses. The inability to antagonize human tetherin may potentially explain the limited spread of HIV-1 Group P in the human population. 相似文献7.
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L-Lactate dehydrogenase (L-LDH, E.C. 1.1.1.27) is encoded by two or three
loci in all vertebrates examined, with the exception of lampreys, which
have a single LDH locus. Biochemical characterizations of LDH proteins have
suggested that a gene duplication early in vertebrate evolution gave rise
to Ldh-A and Ldh-B and that an additional locus, Ldh-C arose in a number of
lineages more recently. Although some phylogenetic studies of LDH protein
sequences have supported this pattern of gene duplication, others have
contradicted it. In particular, a number of studies have suggested that
Ldh-C represents the earliest divergence among vertebrate LDHs and that it
may have diverged from the other loci well before the origin of
vertebrates. Such hypotheses make explicit statements about the
relationship of vertebrate and invertebrate LDHs, but to date, no closely
related invertebrate LDH sequences have been available for comparison. We
have attempted to provide further data on the timing of gene duplications
leading to multiple vertebrate LDHs by determining the cDNA sequence of the
LDH of the tunicate Styela plicata. Phylogenetic analyses of this and other
LDH sequences provide strong support for the duplications giving rise to
multiple vertebrate LDHs having occurred after vertebrates diverged from
tunicates. The timing of these LDH duplications is consistent with data
from a number of other gene families suggesting widespread gene duplication
near the origin of vertebrates. With respect to the relationships among
vertebrate LDHs, our data are not consistent with previous claims that
Ldh-C represented the earliest divergence. However, the precise
relationships among some of the main lineages of vertebrate LDHs were not
resolved in our analyses.
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Lois DW Arnold 《International breastfeeding journal》2006,1(1):1-8
Background
The past ten years have witnessed a rising trend in the prevalence and duration of breastfeeding in Italy, but breastfeeding rates increase in an unequal way; they are higher in the North of Italy than in the South. The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences, expectations and beliefs of a sample of mothers, and to identify differences, if any, between the North and the South of Italy.Methods
The study was conducted in two regions of Italy, Friuli Venezia Giulia in the Northeast and Basilicata in the South. Two hundred and seventy-nine mothers of infants and children 6 to 23 months of age were interviewed using an 85-item questionnaire including closed and open questions on infant feeding experiences and beliefs, sources of information and support, reasons for intended and actual choices and practices, and some demographic and social variables. Face-to-face interviews were conducted between May 2001 and September 2002. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used for data analysis.Results
The distribution of the mothers by age, education, employment and parity did not differ from that of the general population of the two regions. The reported rates of initiation and duration of breastfeeding were also similar: 95% started breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding was 32% at three and 9% at six months, with 64% and 35% of any breastfeeding, respectively. Some differences were reported in the rates of full breastfeeding, reflecting different ages of introduction of non-nutritive fluids. These, as well as nutritive fluids – including infant formula – and complementary foods, were introduced far too early. Advice on infant feeding was generally provided by health professionals and often was not based on up-to-date recommendations. Mothers were generally aware of the advantages of breastfeeding, but at the same time reported problems that they were not able to solve alone or through social and health system support. Most mothers would welcome the support of a peer counsellor. More mothers in Basilicata than in Friuli Venezia Giulia reported difficulties with breastfeeding related to returning to work and were not familiar with their rights on breastfeeding and maternity leave.Conclusion
Programmes for the protection, promotion and support of breastfeeding in these and similar regions of Italy should concentrate on better training of health professionals with regards to lactation management, communication, and counselling skills. The addition of trained peer counsellors could reinforce the work done by the health system and, through community involvement, could help change social prejudice in the mid- and long-term. The differences between regions should be taken into account in formulating these programmes to avoid increasing, and possibly to decrease, the current gaps. 相似文献10.