“
“Thrombopoietin (TPO) and its receptor c-Mpl are
essential in the regulation of the hematopoietic stem and progenitors cells as well as for the differentiation of megakaryocytes into mature platelets. Once TPO binds to its receptor, selleck inhibitor an intracellular signaling process is initiated through Janus kinase (JAK-2)-induced phosphorylation of the c-Mpl intracellular domain. Although some protein mediators that transmit the effects of TPO have been identified, many remain undiscovered. Using an unbiased approach with peptide microarrays that contained virtually every Src Homology (SH) 2 and Phosphotyrosine Binding (PT B) domains in the human genome, we discovered a previously unreported interaction between c-Mpl at phospho-Tyrosine631 (pY(631)) and Tensin2, a protein for which limited information is available. Confirming the findings of the microarrays, we discovered that Tensin2 co-precipitates with a pY(631) bearing peptide. Furthermore, we found that Tensin2 becomes phosphorylated in
a TPO-dependent manner. The functional consequence of Tensin2 was tested via knockdown of Tensin2, which dramatically decreased TPO-dependent cellular proliferation of UT7-TPO cell line as well as their activation of Akt signaling. These studies affirm the use of these arrays as an unbiased screening tool of protein-protein interactions. LDN-193189 mouse We conclude that Tensin2 is an important new mediator in TPO/c-Mpl pathway and has a positive affect on cellular growth, at least in part through its effect on the PI3K/Akt signaling.”
“Vitamin D has been associated with a decreased risk of multiple sclerosis (MS). In this study, serum 1, Selleckchem GSK2399872A 25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1, 25-(OH)2 vitD) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH vitD), regulatory T cell percentages and naive and memory T helper cell subsets were measured in 26 patients with multiple sclerosis,
21 who were not on treatment with disease modifying therapy. These studies showed an inverse correlation between 25-OH vitD levels and Treg cell percentages and a direct correlation between Treg cell percentages and 1, 25-(OH)2 vitD:25-OH vitD ratios. In addition, 25-OH vitD levels correlated directly and 1, 25-(OH)2 vitD:25-OH vitD ratios correlated inversely with CXCR3+ naive T helper cell percentages and CXCR3+naive:CXCR3+ memory T helper cell ratios. All together, these data demonstrate that vitamin D measurements can reflect measures of immune status among patients with MS. Published by Elsevier B.V.”
“Several vertebrates choose their mate according to genetic heterozygosity and relatedness, and use odour cues to assess their conspecifics’ genetic make-up. In birds, although several species (including the black-legged kittiwake) exhibit non-random mating according to genetic traits, the cues used to assess genetic characteristics remain unknown.