Human pro-tumor necrosis factor (pro-TNF) is a type II transmembrane protein with a highly conserved 76-residue leader sequence. We have analyzed the behavior, both in a microsomal translocational system and by transfection, of a series of mutants with deletions from the cytoplasmic, transmembrane, and linking domains. Cytoplasmic deletions included the Arg doublet at -49 and -48 and/or the Lys...

Skin pigmentation depends on cellular processes including biogenesis, transport, maturation, and transfer of melanosomes to keratinocytes. However, the mechanisms associated with fine spatial temporal controls ensure adequate remain unclear. Here, we show that a component cytoplasmic dynein complex, Dynlt3, is required for acidity regulation efficient In Mus musculus melanocytes decreased level...

The biogenesis of the large (60S) ribosomal subunit in eukaryotes involves nucleolar, nucleoplasmic, and cytoplasmic steps. The cytoplasmic protein Rei1, found in all eukaryotes, was previously shown to be necessary for the nuclear reimport of 60S subunit export factor Arx1. In this study we investigate the function of Reh1, a protein with high sequence similarity to Rei1. We demonstrate an ove...

Autophagosomes sequester cytosolic constituents and deliver this cargo to lysosomes for destruction. Two groups now report that autophagosome maturation requires homotypic membrane fusion catalyzed by SNARE proteins.

The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of heat stress during in vitro maturation on the developmental potential of mouse oocytes and to determine whether the deleterious effect was on the nuclear or cytoplasmic component. While rates of oocyte nuclear maturation (development to the metaphase II stage) did not differ from 37 to 40 degrees C, rates for blastocyst formation de...

BACKGROUND During conventional in vitro maturation (IVM), oocytes undergo nuclear maturation but do not attain full cytoplasmic maturity. The present study aimed to evaluate the quality of denuded in vitro matured human oocytes (= 'rescue IVM') following a prematuration culture (PMC) in a three-dimensional (3D) co-culture system with cumulus cells. METHODS Denuded, germinal vesicle (GV) oocyt...