Here, we identified PNUTS, a targeting subunit of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) as a new binding partner of GABA(C) receptors. In the mammalian retina, PNUTS is co-expressed with GABA(C) receptors and PP1 in bipolar cells. PNUTS and PP1 were detected in membrane protein preparations of the retina and precipitate with GABA(C) receptor specific antibodies. Furthermore, PNUTS shuttles from
the nucleus to the membrane in cells co-expressing GABA(C) receptors. We show simultaneous binding of PP1 and GABA(C) receptors to different domains of PNUTS, demonstrating that PNUTS cross-links PP1 and GABA(C) receptors. Finally, modeling studies showed that the PP1 docking motif of PNUTS fits into the binding pocket on the enzyme surface, despite a C-terminal adjacent proline. We suggest that PNUTS targets PP1 to synaptic A-769662 sites, acting as a temporary bridge between the phosphatase and GABA(C) receptors. (c) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“Metastasis is responsible selleck chemical for most deaths due to malignant melanoma. The clinical significance of micrometastases in the lymph is a hotly debated topic, but an improved understanding of the lymphatic spread of cancer remains important for improving cancer survival. Cellular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a
newly emerging field of imaging research that is expected to have a large impact on cancer research. In this study, we demonstrate the cellular MRI technology required
to reliably image the lymphatic system in mice and to detect iron-labeled metastatic melanoma cells within the mouse lymph nodes. Melanoma cells were implanted directly into the inguinal lymph nodes in mice, and micro-MRI was performed using a customized 1.5-T clinical MRI system. We show cell detection of as few as 100 iron-labeled cells within the lymph node, with injections of larger cell numbers producing increasingly obvious regions of signal void. In addition, we show that cellular MRI allows monitoring of the fate of these cells over time as they develop into intranodal tumors. This technology will allow noninvasive investigations of cellular events in cancer metastasis within an entire animal and will facilitate Selleck GSK923295 progress in understanding the mechanisms of metastasis within the lymphatic system.”
“X-ray cross-complementing group 6 (XRCC6) plays an important role in the DNA double-strand breaks repair and the maintenance of genomic integrity. XRCC6 C1310G polymorphism may be involved in the development of cancer through increasing genomic damages. However, studies investigating the relationship between XRCC6 C1310G polymorphism and cancer risk yielded contradictory results. To shed some light on these inconsistent findings, a meta-analysis was performed to clarify the effect of XRCC6 C1310G polymorphism on the susceptibility of cancer.