The nucleotide sequence of the M2 gene of pneumonia virus of mice (PVM) was determined. The sequence showed that the gene encoded a protein of 176 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 20165 Da from a major ORF, which is smaller than the equivalent proteins encoded by human, bovine and ovine respiratory syncytial (RS) viruses. The PVM M2 protein is conserved, having 41% similarity to t...

The M2 mRNA of human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) contains two overlapping ORFs, encoding the transcription antitermination protein (M2-1) and the 90-aa M2-2 protein of unknown function. Viable recombinant RSV was recovered in which expression of M2-2 was ablated, identifying it as an accessory factor dispensable for growth in vitro. Virus lacking M2-2 grew less efficiently than did the wi...

BACKGROUND M2 proton channel of H1N1 influenza A virus is the target protein of anti-flu drugs amantadine and rimantadine. However, the two once powerful adamantane-based drugs lost their 90% bioactivity because of mutations of virus in recent twenty years. The NMR structure of the M2 channel protein determined by Schnell and Chou (Nature, 2008, 451, 591-595) may help people to solve the drug-r...

Altered macrophage kinetics is a pivotal mechanism of visceral obesity-induced inflammation and cardiometabolic risk. Because monocytes can differentiate into either proatherogenic M1 macrophages or anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages, approaches that limit M1 while promoting M2 differentiation represent a unique therapeutic strategy. We hypothesized that adiponectin may prime human monocytes towa...

We developed a novel drug screening system for anti-influenza A virus by targeting the M2 proton channel. In the SPP (Single Protein Production) system, E. coli cell growth occurs only in the presence of effective M2 channel inhibitors, and thus simple measurement of cell growth was used as readouts for drug screening. Two potential inhibitors for M2 (V27A) mutant were verified using this metho...

Macrophages are highly plastic cells with the ability to differentiate into both M1- and M2-polarized phenotypes. As a distinct M2-polarized population, tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) promote tumorigenesis owing to their pro-angiogenic and immune-suppressive functions in tumour microenvironment. In the present study, we found that the microRNA-720 (miR-720) was down-regulated in TAMs isol...

The rate of kidney protein turnover in humans is not known. To this aim, we have measured kidney protein synthesis and degradation in postabsorptive humans using the arterio-venous catheterization technique combined with 14C-leucine, 15N-leucine, and 3H-phenylalanine tracer infusions. These measurements were compared with those obtained across the splanchnic bed, the legs (approximately muscle)...