Skeletal and cardiac myocytes cease division within weeks of birth. Although skeletal muscle retains limited capacity for regeneration through recruitment of satellite cells, resident populations of adult myocardial stem cells have not been identified. Because cell cycle withdrawal accompanies myocyte differentiation, we hypothesized that C2C12 cells, a mouse myoblast cell line previously used to characterize… [Read More]

A new member of the lipase gene family, initially termed endothelial lipase (gene nomenclature, LIPG; protein, EL), is expressed in a variety of different tissues, suggesting a general role in lipid metabolism. To assess the hypothesis that EL plays a physiological role in lipoprotein metabolism in vivo, we have used gene targeting of the native… [Read More]

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One of the key components of proteomics initiatives is the production of high affinity ligands or probes that specifically recognize protein targets in assays that detect and capture proteins of interest. Particularly versatile probes with tremendous potential for use as affinity molecules are aptamers. Aptamers are short single-stranded DNA or RNA sequences that are selected… [Read More]

The recently discovered APOA5 gene has been shown in humans and mice to be important in determining plasma triglyceride levels, a major cardiovascular disease risk factor. apoAV represents the first described apolipoprotein where overexpression lowers triglyceride levels. Since fibrates represent a commonly used therapy for lowering plasma triglycerides in humans, we investigated their ability to… [Read More]

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Homcobox-containing genes play crucial roles in various developmental processes, including body-plan specification, pattern formation and cell-type specification. The present study searched the draft genome sequence and cDNA/EST database of the basal chordate Ciona intestinalis to identify 83 homeobox-containing genes in this animal. This number of homeobox genes in the Ciona genome is smaller than that… [Read More]

Recent morphological and molecular evidence has changed interpretations of arthropod phylogeny and evolution. Here we compare complete mitochondrial genomes to show that Collembola, a wingless group traditionally considered as basal to all insects, appears instead to constitute a separate evolutionary lineage that branched much earlier than the separation of many crustaceans and insects and independently… [Read More]

A survey against the draft genome sequence and the cDNA/EST database of Ciona intestinalis identified a number of genes encoding transcription factors regulating a variety of processes including development. In the present study, we describe almost complete sets of genes for Fox, ETS-domain transcription factors, nuclear receptors, and NFkappaB as well as other factors regulating… [Read More]

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