Intermediate filaments are one of the key components of the cytoskeleton in eukaryotic cells, and their mechanical properties are found to be equally important for physiological function and disease. While the mechani...Intermediate filaments are one of the key components of the cytoskeleton in eukaryotic cells, and their mechanical properties are found to be equally important for physiological function and disease. While the mechanical properties of single full length filaments have been studied, how the mechanical properties of crosslinks affect the mechanical property of the intermediate filament network is not well understood. This paper applies a mesoscopic model of the intermediate network with varied crosslink strengths to investigate its failure mechanism under the extreme mechanical loading. It finds that relatively weaker crosslinks lead to a more flaw tolerant intermediate filament network that is also 23% stronger than the one with strong crosslinks. These findings suggest that the mechanical properties of interfacial components are critical for bioinspired designs which provide intriguing mechanical properties.展开更多
Two keratin-like proteins of 64 and 55 ku were purified from suspension cells of Caucus carota L, and their partial amino acid sequences were determined. The homological analysis showed that the sequence from the 64 k...Two keratin-like proteins of 64 and 55 ku were purified from suspension cells of Caucus carota L, and their partial amino acid sequences were determined. The homological analysis showed that the sequence from the 64 ku protein was highly homological to p-glucosidase, and that from the 55 ku protein had no significant homologue in GenBank. Using conservative sequence of animal IF proteins as primer, we cloned a cDNA fragment from Daucus carota L. Southern blot and Northern blot results indicated that this cDNA fragment was a single copy gene and expressed both in suspension cells and leaves. Homological analysis revealed that it had moderate homology to a variety of a-helical proteins. Our results might shed more light on molecular characterization of IF existence in higher plant.展开更多
Bone morphogenetic protein-7 is widely accepted as an inducer for bone marrow stem cells differentiating into osteoblasts and chondrocytes. Whether bone marrow stromal cells differentiate into neuron-like cells remain...Bone morphogenetic protein-7 is widely accepted as an inducer for bone marrow stem cells differentiating into osteoblasts and chondrocytes. Whether bone marrow stromal cells differentiate into neuron-like cells remains unclear. The current study examined the presence of positive cells for intermediate filament protein and microtubule associated protein-2 in the cytoplasm of bone marrow stromal cells induced by bone morphogenetic protein-7 under an inverted microscope, while no expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein was found. Reverse transcription PCR electrophoresis also revealed a positive target band for intermediate filament protein and microtubule-associated protein 2 mRNA. These results confirmed that bone morphogenetic protein-7 induces rat bone marrow stromal cells differentiating into neuron-like cells.展开更多
Ⅰ. INTRODUCTION Intermediate filaments with a diameter of 10 nm, known as a cytoskeleton system, are extensively present in animal cells. Whether the intermediate filaments are present in plant cells remains to be a ...Ⅰ. INTRODUCTION Intermediate filaments with a diameter of 10 nm, known as a cytoskeleton system, are extensively present in animal cells. Whether the intermediate filaments are present in plant cells remains to be a question. Some investigators attempt to seek answers from various aspects, but it is still unsolved. Powell observed 7-nm filament in carrot suspension cells after treatment with high salt and Triton X-100. Dawson and Miller showed展开更多
文摘Intermediate filaments are one of the key components of the cytoskeleton in eukaryotic cells, and their mechanical properties are found to be equally important for physiological function and disease. While the mechanical properties of single full length filaments have been studied, how the mechanical properties of crosslinks affect the mechanical property of the intermediate filament network is not well understood. This paper applies a mesoscopic model of the intermediate network with varied crosslink strengths to investigate its failure mechanism under the extreme mechanical loading. It finds that relatively weaker crosslinks lead to a more flaw tolerant intermediate filament network that is also 23% stronger than the one with strong crosslinks. These findings suggest that the mechanical properties of interfacial components are critical for bioinspired designs which provide intriguing mechanical properties.
文摘Two keratin-like proteins of 64 and 55 ku were purified from suspension cells of Caucus carota L, and their partial amino acid sequences were determined. The homological analysis showed that the sequence from the 64 ku protein was highly homological to p-glucosidase, and that from the 55 ku protein had no significant homologue in GenBank. Using conservative sequence of animal IF proteins as primer, we cloned a cDNA fragment from Daucus carota L. Southern blot and Northern blot results indicated that this cDNA fragment was a single copy gene and expressed both in suspension cells and leaves. Homological analysis revealed that it had moderate homology to a variety of a-helical proteins. Our results might shed more light on molecular characterization of IF existence in higher plant.
基金Science and Technology Research and Development Program of Shihezi University, No. ZRKX2009YB23
文摘Bone morphogenetic protein-7 is widely accepted as an inducer for bone marrow stem cells differentiating into osteoblasts and chondrocytes. Whether bone marrow stromal cells differentiate into neuron-like cells remains unclear. The current study examined the presence of positive cells for intermediate filament protein and microtubule associated protein-2 in the cytoplasm of bone marrow stromal cells induced by bone morphogenetic protein-7 under an inverted microscope, while no expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein was found. Reverse transcription PCR electrophoresis also revealed a positive target band for intermediate filament protein and microtubule-associated protein 2 mRNA. These results confirmed that bone morphogenetic protein-7 induces rat bone marrow stromal cells differentiating into neuron-like cells.
基金Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China
文摘Ⅰ. INTRODUCTION Intermediate filaments with a diameter of 10 nm, known as a cytoskeleton system, are extensively present in animal cells. Whether the intermediate filaments are present in plant cells remains to be a question. Some investigators attempt to seek answers from various aspects, but it is still unsolved. Powell observed 7-nm filament in carrot suspension cells after treatment with high salt and Triton X-100. Dawson and Miller showed