The eukaryotic protein degradation pathway involves the ubiquitin (Ub) modification of substrates targeted for degradation by the 26S proteasome. The addition of Ub, a process called ubiquitination, is mediated by enzymes including the E3 Ub ligases which transfer the Ub to targeted substrates. A major type of E3 Ub ligases, the SCF (Skp-Cullin-F-box) complex, is composed of four major componen...

We investigated the role of the prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) EP(1) receptor in modulating urine concentration as it is expressed along the renal collecting duct where arginine-vasopressin (AVP) exerts its anti-diuretic activity, and in the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei of the hypothalamus where AVP is synthesized. The urine osmolality of EP(1)-null mice (EP(1)(-/-)) failed to match level...

Excessive consumption of diets high in sugars and saturated fat, frequently known as western diet (WD), may lead to obesity and metabolic syndrome. Recent evidence shows that WD-induced obesity impairs cardiac function, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a gut microbiota-dependent metabolite of specific dietary nutrients, has emerged as a key ...

Some human diseases, including obesity, Type II diabetes, and numerous cancers, are thought to be influenced by environments experienced in early life, including in utero. Maternal diet during the perinatal period may be especially important for adult offspring energy balance, potentially affecting both body composition and physical activity. This effect may be mediated by the genetic backgroun...

BACKGROUND Wilson's disease (WD) is an inherited disorder of copper metabolism leading to liver failure and/or neurological impairment. Its diagnosis often remains difficult even with genetic testing. Relative exchangeable copper (REC) has recently been described as a reliable serum diagnostic marker for WD. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The aim of this study was to validate the use of REC i...

Long terminal repeats of feline leukemia viruses cloned from feline acute myeloid leukemias frequently contained direct repeats of 40 to 74 bp in the upstream region of the enhancer (URE). The repetitive URE conferred an enhancer function upon gene expression in myeloid cells, suggesting its association with tumorigenic potential in myeloid cells.

In the Upper Indus Basin (UIB), precipitation associated with synoptic-scale circulations impinges on complex and steep orography of western Himalaya Karakoram. Heavy rainfall often falls over foothills, frequently triggering landslides there. This study explores role these – extratropical disturbances (WDs) tropical depressions (TDs) in producing conducive conditions necessary to trigger lands...

Optical and infrared light-curves of classical novae are approximately homologous among various white dwarf (WD) masses and chemical compositions when free-free emission from optically thin ejecta is spherical and dominates the continuum flux of novae. Such a homologous template light-curve is called “a universal decline law.” Various nova light-curves are approximately reproduced from this uni...

OBJECTIVES To determine the prevalence, correlates, and predictors of work disability (WD) in the Genetics versus ENvironment In Scleroderma Outcome Study (GENISOS). We hypothesized that WD in systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a function of demographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors. METHODS Patients enrolled in the GENISOS cohort were subdivided in 3 groups: work disabled, working, and retire...

780 amino acids (aa), 86.13 KDa (isoform I) and 731 amino acids, 80.76 KDa (isoform II). Striatin contains a high number of domains mediating protein-protein interactions. Domains: aa 55-63 : Caveolin-binding; aa 53-120 : Coiled-coil; aa 149-166 : Calmodulin-binding; aa 461-500 : WD 1; aa 514-553 : WD 2; aa 567-606 : WD 3; aa 662-701 : WD 4; aa 704-743 : WD 5; aa 750-779 : WD 6 (30 aa only) (Is...