Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) is a robust and powerful tool for studying biomacromolecules their interactions. However, quantitative detection of high-mass analytes (kDa to MDa range) remains challenging MALDI-MS. Herein, we successfully used commercially available purified proteins (?-galactosidase BSA) as internal standards MALDI-MS analysis achieved...

The majority of effects of cannabinoids are mediated by the two receptors CB1 and CB2. In addition to neuronal cells, CB1 receptors are expressed in T lymphocytes, in which they are involved in cannabinoid-induced T helper cell biasing. Although basally expressed only weakly in T cells, CB1 receptors are up-regulated in these cells by stimuli such as cannabinoids themselves. This effect is medi...

Signal transduction is initiated when a cytokine binds to the extracellular domains of its receptors, bringing them together and triggering a complicated sequence of events inside the cell. In this issue, LaPorte et al. (2008) present crystal structures of three signaling complexes of the cytokines interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 with their receptors, showing how events taking place outside th...

The T lymphocyte growth factor interleukin 2 binds to surface high-affinity receptors and is rapidly internalized and degraded in acidic organelles. The alpha and beta chains of high-affinity interleukin 2 receptors are internalized together with interleukin 2. To identify the intracellular pathway followed by interleukin 2, we have compared the subcellular distribution of interleukin 2, transf...