Using Rho GTPases-inhibiting clostridial cytotoxins, we showed recently in RBL cells that the GTPase Rac is involved in Fc RI (high-affinity receptor for IgE) signaling and receptormediated calcium mobilization, including influx via calcium release-activated calcium channels. Here, we studied the role of Rho GTPases in muscarinic M1 receptor signaling in RBL 2H3hm1 cells. Clostridium difficile ...

As 90% of cancer-patient deaths are due to metastasis, novel therapeutics that selectively target and kill metastatic cells desperately needed. Matrix metalloproteinase-14 (MMP-14), which plays a critical role in digesting the basement membrane inducing cancer cell migration, has been found be expressed at surface circulating metastasized tumor various human cancers. We have recently shown IVS4...

Sera from 203 recipients prior to transplantation were examined against a panel of 30 T and B lymphocytes at 5 degrees C and 37 degrees C. Those patients classified as having B-cold cytotoxins only had higher 1-year transplant survival rates from cadaver donors (82%) than patients with no antibodies (58%) or patients with antibodies reactive to T and B lymphocytes in the warm (37%). These resul...

Acne vulgaris is a self-limiting skin disorder seen primarily in adolescents, whose aetiology appears to be multifactorial. The four main aetiological factors are hypercornification of the pilosebaceous duct, increased sebum production, colonization with Propionibacterium acnes, and subsequently the production of inflammation. Considerable investigation has addressed the immunologic reaction to...

Polysulfides typically react readily with thiols, thus, reactions of endogenous cellular thiols with the polysulfide linkage in naturally-occuring pentathiepin cytotoxins are likely to be an important aspect of their biological chemistry. Here, it is reported that the reaction of thiols with the pentathiepin ring system initially produces a complex mixture of polysulfides that further decompose...