Hyperglycemia leads to alterations in mesangial cell function and extracellular matrix (ECM) protein accumulation. These adverse effects of glucose may be mediated by glucose metabolism through the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP). The HBP converts fructose-6-phosphate to glucosamine-6-phosphate via the rate-limiting enzyme, glutamine:fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase (GFA). We have in...

Laminins are structural components of basement membranes. In addition, they are key extracellular-matrix regulators of cell adhesion, migration, differentiation and proliferation. This Commentary focuses on a relatively understudied aspect of laminin biology: how is laminin deposited into the extracellular matrix? This topic has fascinated researchers for some time, particularly considering the...

the compound creatures have a close relationship with mythological thoughts; in fact, they are born by the mythicizing soul of the human who was against a boundless and unknown nature. primitive humans who hadn't any weapons except thought and imagination against the greatness of the avenger nature, were under their protection; the compound creatures are the product of the imagination whic...

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Background and Objective: The drug resistance mutations are key elements in the failure of long-term treatment of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. The mutation in the YMDD motif in the P gene of HBV is the most critical factor in antiviral drug (especially lamivudine) resistance. This study aimed to assess the YMDD motif and other polymerase gene mutati...

Murine melanoma cells readily bind and spread on murine laminin. Uncoupling of spreading from adhesion occurs when unglycosylated laminin is used as the cellular substratum; spreading is restored by soluble glycosylated laminin or soluble glycopeptides of laminin. In this study, using kifunensine, we produced and characterized an oligomannoside-rich glycoform of laminin. When used as a substrat...

Laminins are extracellular matrix proteins that participate in neuronal development, survival, and regeneration. During excitotoxin challenge in the mouse hippocampus, neuron interaction with laminin-10 (alpha5,beta1,gamma1) protects against neuronal death. To investigate how laminin is involved in neuronal viability, we infused laminin-1 (alpha1,beta1,gamma1) into the mouse hippocampus. This i...

Airway smooth muscle (ASM) plays a key role in the development of airway hyperresponsiveness and remodeling in asthma, which may involve maturation of ASM cells to a hypercontractile phenotype. In vitro studies have indicated that long-term exposure of bovine tracheal smooth muscle (BTSM) to insulin induces a functional hypercontractile, hypoproliferative phenotype. Similarly, the extracellular...

Laminin-1 is found at the end-feet of neuroepithelial cells along the outer margin of the optic pathway during early stages of development. Prior to the establishment of most retinal projections in vivo, laminin-1 expression becomes restricted to basement membranes associated with the eye and optic pathway. We report that, in contrast to the alpha 1, beta 1, and gamma 1 chains of laminin-1, lam...