01-07-2013 | Nakamura F, Biochemical Journal, 2013

Cell migration, phagocytosis and cytokinesis are mechanically intensive cellular processes that are mediated by the dynamic assembly and contractility of the actin cytoskeleton. GAPs (GTPase-activating proteins) control activities of the Rho family proteins including Cdc42, Rac1 and RhoA, ...

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01-07-2013 | San Luis B; Nassar N; Carpino N, Biochemical Journal, 2013

Sts (suppressor of T-cell receptor signalling)-1 and Sts-2 are HPs (histidine phosphatases) that negatively regulate TCR (T-cell receptor) signalling pathways, including those involved in cytokine production. HPs play key roles in such varied biological processes as metabolism, development ...

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01-07-2013 | Dudek KM; Suter L; Darras VM; Marczylo EL; Gant TW, Biochemical Journal, 2013

Recent work has demonstrated the importance of post-transcriptional gene regulation in toxic responses. In the present study, we used two rat models to investigate mRNA translation in the liver following xenobiotic-induced toxicity. By combining polysome profiling with genomic methodologies, ...

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01-07-2013 | Gisler C; Luscher D; Schatzle P; Durr S; Baici A; Galliciotti G; Reif R; Bolliger MF; Kunz B; Sonderegger P, Biochemical Journal, 2013

The serine peptidase neurotrypsin is stored in presynaptic nerve endings and secreted in an inactive zymogenic form by synapticactivity. After activation, which requires activity of postsynaptic NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors, neurotrypsin cleaves the heparan sulfate proteoglycan ...

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01-07-2013 | Mahrhold S; Strotmeier J; Garcia-Rodriguez C; Lou J; Marks JD; Rummel A; Binz T, Biochemical Journal, 2013

The highly specific binding and uptake of BoNTs (botulinum neurotoxins; A-G) into peripheral cholinergic motoneurons turns them into the most poisonous substances known. Interaction with gangliosides accumulates the neurotoxins on the plasma membrane and binding to a synaptic vesicle ...

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01-07-2013 | Guidetti GF; Manganaro D; Consonni A; Canobbio I; Balduini C; Torti M, Biochemical Journal, 2013

In blood platelets the small GTPase Rap1b is activated by cytosolic Ca2+ and promotes integrin αIIbβ3 inside-out activation and platelet aggregation. cAMP is the major inhibitor of platelet function and antagonizes Rap1b stimulation through a mechanism that remains unclear. In the present ...

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01-07-2013 | Sousa Silva M; Gomes RA; Ferreira AEN; Ponces Freire A; Cordeiro C, Biochemical Journal, 2013

The discovery of the enzymatic formation of lactic acid from methylglyoxal dates back to 1913 and was believed to be associated with one enzyme termed ketonaldehydemutase or glyoxalase, the latter designation prevailed. However, in 1951 it was shown that two enzymes were needed and that ...

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01-07-2013 | Andrews PGP; He Z; Tzenov YR; Popadiuk C; Kao KR, Biochemical Journal, 2013

Increased protein synthesis during cell proliferation is accompanied by a compensatory increase in efficient ribosome production, but the mechanisms by which cells adapt to this requirement are not fully understood. In the present study, we demonstrate evidence that Pygo (Pygopus), a protein ...

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01-07-2013 | Davies P; Hinkle KM; Sukar NN; Sepulveda B; Mesias R; Serrano G; Alessi DR; Beach TG; Benson DL; White CL; Cowell RM ..., Biochemical Journal, 2013

Missense mutations in LRRK2 (leucine-rich repeat kinase 2) are a major cause of PD (Parkinson's disease). Several antibodies against LRRK2 have been developed, but results using these polyclonal antibodies have varied widely leading to conflicting conclusions. To address this challenge, the ...

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01-07-2013 | Guse AH, Biochemical Journal, 2013

NAADP (nicotinic acid-adenine dinucleotide phosphate) is the most potent Ca2+-releasing second messenger known to date. Since its discovery in 1995 identifying the NAADP receptor protein/Ca2+ channel has been a major persuit of the Ca2+ signalling community. In their paper 'The N-terminal ...

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