Objective(s): Short tandem repeat (STR) loci are the most informative DNA genetic markers for attempting to individualize biological material for application in paternity and forensic cases. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected and the total genomic DNA was extracted. The DNA samples were used for genotyping VWA and TPOX STR loci using PCR and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. ...

Bacillus anthracis secretes two bipartite toxins thought to be involved in anthrax pathogenesis and resulting death of the host. The current model for intoxication is that protective antigen (PA) toxin subunits bind a single group of cell-surface anthrax toxin receptors (ATRs), encoded by the tumor endothelial marker 8 (TEM8) gene. The ATR/TEM8-PA interaction is mediated by the receptor's extra...

Streptococcus agalactiae is a common human commensal and a major life-threatening pathogen in neonates. Adherence to host epithelial cells is the first critical step of the infectious process. Pili have been observed on the surface of several gram-positive bacteria including S. agalactiae. We previously characterized the pilus-encoding operon gbs1479-1474 in strain NEM316. This pilus is compose...

BACKGROUND Cell-surface receptors play essential roles in anthrax toxin action by providing the toxin with a high-affinity anchor and self-assembly site on the plasma membrane, mediating the toxin entry into cells through endocytosis, and shifting the pH threshold for prepore-to-pore conversion of anthrax toxin protective antigen (PA) to a more acidic pH, thereby inhibiting premature pore forma...

FAT10 is the only ubiquitin-like modifier that can target proteins for degradation by the proteasome in a ubiquitin-independent manner. The degradation of FAT10-linked proteins by the proteasome is strongly accelerated by the ubiquitin-like-ubiquitin-associated protein NEDD8 ultimate buster-1 long (NUB1L). Here we show how FAT10 and NUB1L dock with the 26S proteasome to initiate proteolysis. We...

The 26S proteasome recognizes a vast number of ubiquitin-dependent degradation signals linked to various substrates. This recognition is mediated mainly by the stoichiometric proteasomal resident ubiquitin receptors S5a and Rpn13, which harbor ubiquitin-binding domains. Regulatory steps in substrate binding, processing, and subsequent downstream proteolytic events by these receptors are poorly ...

BACKGROUND: Nias is an island located off the western coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. situated above Eurasian and Indo-Australian subduction zone plates. This makes it prone to earthquakes tsunamis. Genetic analysis genetic variation short tandem repeats (STR) locus are not widely known. These data valuable for individual identification paternity testing. METHODS: Seven STR loci (TPOX, CSF1PO, D3S...

BACKGROUND Statins are widely used to treat hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerotic disease. Noninvasive MRI allows serial monitoring of atherosclerotic plaque size changes. Our aim was to investigate the effects of lipid lowering with simvastatin on atherosclerotic lesions. METHODS AND RESULTS A total of 44 aortic and 32 carotid artery plaques were detected in 21 asymptomatic hypercholester...

Session XVII: Saturday, February 3, 2007 484. HIGH-RESOLUTION CARDIOVASCULAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING OF THE CAROTID ARTERIES RELIABLY DETECTS VERY SIGNIFICANT EARLY ATHEROSCLEROSIS IN PATIENTS WITH ELEVATED LP(A) Hamid Sattar, MD,1 Kim Christian,2 Mary P. Harmon,2 H. Robert Superko, MD,2 Szilard Voros, MD.2 1Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA, 2Fuqua Heart Center of Atlanta, Atlanta, G...