High-level expression of human calmodulin in E.coli and its effects on cell proliferation

Calmodulin (CaM), widely distributed in almost all eukaryotic cells, is a major intracellular calcium receptor responsible for mediating the Ca2 + signal to a multitude of different enzyme systems and is thought to play a vital role in the regulation of cell proliferative cycle[1，2]. Recently, many studies showed that CaM is also present in extracellular fluid such as cell culture media and normal body fluid and has been reported to stimulate proliferation in a range of normal and neoplastic cells, apparently acting as an autocrine growth factor[3-11]. In 1988, Crocker et al reported for the first time that addition of extracellular pure pig brain CaM could promote DNA synthesis and cell [7]proliferation in K562 human leukaemic lymphocytes[7].After that, more and more research was done on extracellular CaM and evidences demonstrated that extracellular CaM could also stimulate cell proliferation in normal human umbilical vein endothelial cells[5], keratinocytes[4], suspension-cultured cells of Angelica Dahurica, etc[6]. CaM is a monomeric protein of 148 amino acids that contains four homologous Ca2 + -binding domains. CaM has been highly conserved throughout the evolution. Only 1 out of 148 amino acids of human CaM is different from that of fish CaM. Complementary DNAs encoding rat, eel, chicken, human, and trypanosome CaM have been cloned.

Pancreaticoduodenal transplantation with portal venous and enteric drainage in rats

INTRODUCTIONThe use of combined pancreatic and renaltransplantation in patients with diabetes and end-stage renal failure has gained widespreadrecognition as an acceptable treatment option.Theprevailing method used for transplantation of thepancreas involves anastomosis of the graft’s portalvein and the rccipient’s iliac vein to provide

E-cadherin mediates adhesion and endocytosis of Aspergillus fumigatus blastospores in human epithelial cells

Background Aspergillus fumigatus （A.fumigatus） is a ubiquitous saprophytic fungus responsible for the majority of invasive mold infections in patients undergoing chemotherapy,organ transplantation or with persistent neutropenia.This study aimed to determine the role of E-cadherin for adhesion and endocytosis of A.fumigatus blastospores in the human epithelial cell line A549.Methods A.fumigatus blastospores were incubated with the total protein of A549 to investigate the binding of E-cadherin and blastospores followed by an affinity purification procedure.After establishing the adhesion model,the adhesion and endocytosis of A.fumigatus blastospores by A549 cells were evaluated by down-regulating E-cadherin of A549 cells using blocking antibody or small interfering RNA （siRNA）.Results E-cadherin was adhered to the surface of A.fumigatus blastospore.Adhesion and endocytosis of the blastospores were reduced by blocking or down-regulating E-cadherin in A549 cells.Conclusions E-cadherin is a receptor for adhesion and endocytosis of A.fumigatus blastospores in epithelial cells.This may open a new approach to treat this fungal infection.