The hepatitis B virus pX protein is a potent transcriptional activator of viral and cellular genes whose mechanism of action is poorly understood. Here we show that pX dramatically stimulates in vitro DNA binding of a variety of cellular proteins that contain basic region/leucine zipper (bZIP) DNA binding domains. The basis for increased DNA binding is a direct interaction between pX and the co...

U87-derived stem-like cells (U87-SLCs) were cultured using serum-free stem cell media and identified by both biological behaviors and markers. Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and paclitaxel (PX), in combination or alone, was used to treat U87-MG human glioma cells (U87 cells) or U87-SLCs. The results showed that TRAIL/PX cannot only synergistically inhibit ...

This report demonstrates that Ca2+, Mg2+, and protons alter the ability of polymyxin B (PX, a cationic antibiotic used clinically as a bactericidal agent) to increase the apical membrane conductance of the rabbit urinary bladder. Using electrophysiological methods, we determine that these alterations occur by two mechanisms. First, they blocked the PX-induced conductance in a rapid and reversib...

The phox homology (PX) domain is a phosphoinositide-binding domain that is conserved from yeast to human. Here we show for the first time by genome-wide two-hybrid screens and in vitro binding assays that the PX domain is a bona fide protein interaction domain. The yeast PX domain-only proteins Grd19p (YOR357C) and Ypt35p (YHR105W), as well as the isolated PX domains from Mvp1p (YMR004W), Snx42...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity exopolysaccharides (EPS) from Lactobacillus kimchi SR8. EPS exhibited strong scavenging activities for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and hydroxyl radicals. Two fractions (EPS-1 EPS-3) higher than EPS-2. Low-dose CEPS could significantly increase catalase (CAT) glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in serum CAT, GSH-Px superoxide dismutase...

BACKGROUND Expressed human milk (EHM) feed preparation areas represent a potential source of unintentional nosocomial infection. Daily disinfection of environmental surfaces remains an essential intervention to mitigate nosocomial infections. The inefficiency of conventional cleaning and disinfection contributes to an increased risk for the acquisition of multi-drug resistant pathogens. "Non to...

piroxicam (px), an anti-inflammatory drug, exhibits poor water solubility, dissolution and flow properties. thus, the aim of the present study was to improve the solubility and dissolution rate of px by freeze drying technique using dimethylformamide (dmf), chloroform and water as co-solvent system. the prepared crystals containing px were evaluated for dmf and chloroform solvent residual by ga...

We have demonstrated that phospholipase D2 (PLD2) is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Rac2 and determined the PLD2 domains and amino acid site(s) responsible for its GEF activity. Experiments using GST fusion proteins or GST-free counterparts, purified proteins revealed that the PX domain is sufficient to exert GEF activity similar to full-length PLD2. The PLD2-GEF catalytic site ...

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infects humans and causes a wide range of clinical manifestations, from acute hepatitis to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HBV genome contains multiple promoters with gene expression regulated predominantly by the cellular transcription initiation machinery. Accordingly, the HBV-encoded pX, the only known viral regulator, is a potent transcription coactivator. We inv...

GSH peroxidase (Px) catalyzes the reduction of lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH), known metabolic products of platelets and vascular cells. Because interactions between these cells are modulated by nitric oxide (NO) and LOOH inactivate NO, we investigated the effect of GSH-Px on the inhibition of platelet function by the naturally occurring S-nitrosothiol, S-nitroso-glutathione (SNO-Glu). Concentrati...