Evidence from the Finnish Twin Registry (e.g., Rose et al., 1988) shows that adult monozygotic (MZ) twins are more similar, within pairs, in personality if the cotwins are presently cohabiting or in frequent contact than if they are seldom in contact. Results of a follow-up study led Kaprio et al. (1990) to conclude that "'changes in social contact between monozygotic cotwins precede (and causa...

Small compounds that activate the insulin-dependent signaling pathway have potential therapeutic applications in controlling type 2 diabetes mellitus. The rat enhancer of split- and hairy-related protein-2 (SHARP-2) is an insulin-inducible transcription factor that decreases expression of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase gene, a gluconeogenic enzyme gene. In this study, we screened for soy...

The developments in the contemporary world, particularly the revolutions, coups and wars, have led to development of many theories about social movements. One of the methods used in social movements to bring about sociopolitical change is nonviolence. Nonviolent method of struggle was theorized by Gene Sharp, who collected and introduced 198 methods of nonviolent actions, protest and persuasion...

The rat enhancer of split- and hairy-related protein-1 (SHARP-1) is a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor. An issue of whether SHARP-1 is an insulin-inducible transcription factor was examined. Insulin rapidly increased the level of SHARP-1 mRNA both in vivo and in vitro. Then, signaling pathways involved with the increase of SHARP-1 mRNA by insulin were determined in H4IIE rat hepatoma...

Transcription of the rat fatty acid synthase (FAS) gene in the rat liver can be regulated by feeding a high carbohydrate diet. A carbohydrate response element (ChoRE) located on the rat FAS gene promoter has been identified. Using multiple copies of the ChoRE as the bait in a yeast one-hybrid system, a rat liver cDNA library was screened, and the cDNA of ChoRE-binding proteins was cloned. A pos...

The influence of the enhancer of split- and hairy-related protein-2 (SHARP-2) transcriptional repressor on the expression of rat phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene was examined. When H4IIE cells were treated with epigallocatechin gallate, a green tea constituent, an increase in SHARP-2 mRNA levels and a decrease in PEPCK mRNA levels were observed. The adenovirus-mediated overexpress...

The 50-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) functions as a cellular energy sensor. 5-Aminoimidazole-4-carboxyamide-1-b-D-ribofranoside (AICAR) is a chemical activator of AMPK. In the liver, AICAR suppresses expression of the phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) gene. The rat enhancer of splitand hairyrelated protein-2 (SHARP-2) is an insulin-inducible transcriptional repressor and its targe...

Basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) proteins regulate transcription from the E box sequence (5'-CANNTG-3') located in the regulatory region of most gene promoters. The rat enhancer of split- and hairy-related protein 2 (SHARP-2) is a member of the bHLH protein family. To analyze the possible role of SHARP-2 in the rat ovary, the regulation of the expression of the SHARP-2 gene was examined, and the S...

background: the herpes simplex virus (hsv) ul41 gene product, virion host shutoff (vhs) protein, mediates the rapid degradation of both viral and cellular mrna. this ability suggests that vhs protein can be used as a suicide gene in cancer gene therapy applications. the recent reports have shown that the degradation of cellular mrna during herpes simplex infection is selective. rna containing a...

Background: The herpes simplex virus (HSV) UL41 gene product, virion host shutoff (Vhs) protein, mediates the rapid degradation of both viral and cellular mRNA. This ability suggests that Vhs protein can be used as a suicide gene in cancer gene therapy applications. The recent reports have shown that the degradation of cellular mRNA during herpes simplex infection is selective. RNA containing A...