Function and dysfunction of the lower airways

in Proceedings: 9e Congrès de médecine et chirurgie équine (2005)

THE FUNCTION OF HMG-BOX TRANSCRIPTION FACTORS Sox4a AND Sox4b IN ZEBRAFISH BONE DEVELOPMENT AND HOMEOSTASIS.

in Journal of Gravitational Physiology : A Journal of the International Society for Gravitational Physiology (2008), 15

In mammals, the Sox4 gene is involved in development of endocardial crests, the brain, the lung, teeth, gonads and lymphocytes. Recently, Sox4 was shown to control bone mass and mineralization in mice. In ... [more ▼]

In mammals, the Sox4 gene is involved in development of endocardial crests, the brain, the lung, teeth, gonads and lymphocytes. Recently, Sox4 was shown to control bone mass and mineralization in mice. In zebrafish, two homologs for the mammalian Sox4 are present, sox4a and sox4b. Here we investigate the function of the sox4a and sox4b genes in cartilage and bone development in zebrafish. Therefore, we focus our attention on the first bone structures to be formed, the head skeleton and more precisely the pharyngeal cartilage. We show that both genes are expressed in the pharyngeal region, albeit at different time points during development. Double in situ hybridization experiments are used to exactly define the particular tissues where they are expressed. Furthermore, microinjection experiments of antisense oligonucleotides are used to block translation of these specific genes and to define their precise function during cartilage and bone development. [less ▲]

Function of the chloroplastic NADP(H) dehydrogenase NDA2 for the H2 photoproduction in sulphur-deprived Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

in Journal of Biotechnology (2012), 162

The relative contributions of the PSII-dependent and Nda2-dependent pathways for H2 photoproduction were investigated in the green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii after suphur-deprivation. For this ... [more ▼]

The relative contributions of the PSII-dependent and Nda2-dependent pathways for H2 photoproduction were investigated in the green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii after suphur-deprivation. For this purpose, H2 gas production was compared for wild-type and Nda2-deficient cells with or without DCMU (a PSII-inhibitor) in the same experimental conditions. Nda2-deficiency caused a 30 % decrease of the maximal H2 photoevolution rate observed shortly after the establishment of anoxia, and an acceleration of the decline of H2 photoevolution rate with time. DCMU addition to Nda2-deficient cells completely inhibited H2 photoproduction, showing that the PSII-independent H2 photoproduction relies on the presence of Nda2, which feeds the photosynthetic electron transport chain with electrons derived from oxidative catabolism. Nda2-protein abundance increased as a result of sulphur deprivation and further during the H2 photoproduction process, resulting in high rates of non-photochemical plastoquinone reduction in control cells. Nda2-deficiency had no significant effect on photosynthetic and respiratory capacities in sulphur-deprived cells, but caused changes in the cell energetic status (ATP and NADPH/NADP+ ratio). The rapid decline of H2 photoevolution rate with time in Nda2-deficient cells revealed a more pronounced inhibition of H2 photoproduction by accumulated H2 in the absence of non-photochemical plastoquinone reduction. Nda2 is therefore important for linking H2 photoproduction with catabolism of storage carbon compounds, and seems also involved in regulating the redox poise of the photosynthetic electron transport chain during H2 photoproduction. [less ▲]

The function of the transcription factor Egr1 in zebrafish cartilage development

in Developmental Biology (2007, June 01), 306(1), 439-440

Functional AFM tips by electrografting : novel tools for nanomanipulation and sensoring

Conference (2008, February)

Functional amphiphilic and biodegradable copolymers for intravenous vectorization

in Polymer (2007), 48

This paper aims at reporting on the design of polymeric drug nanocarriers used in cancer therapy, with a special emphasis on the control of their biodistribution. First, the prominent role of poly ... [more ▼]

This paper aims at reporting on the design of polymeric drug nanocarriers used in cancer therapy, with a special emphasis on the control of their biodistribution. First, the prominent role of poly(ethylene oxide) in the lifetime of nanocarriers circulating in the blood stream is highlighted, and the origin of a passive targeting based on a difference in the anatomy of tumors and normal tissues is discussed. The main body of the review is devoted to the targeting of nanocarriers towards tumors and the underlying concepts. As a rule, either the constitutive polymer is stimuli-responsive and the locus of drug release is where the stimulation occurs, or a ligand endowed with specific recognition is grafted onto the nanocarrier. Finally, the fate of the nanocarrier after drug delivery and the bioelimination of the polymer(s) involved are briefly considered. [less ▲]

Functional Analysis and the Finite Element Method

Learning material (2008)

Functional analysis of hydrogen photoproduction in respiratory-deficient mutants of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

in International Journal of Hydrogen Energy (2011)

In this paper, mitochondrial mutants of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii defective for respiratory complex I (NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase), complex III (ubiquinol cytochrome c oxidoreductase) and both ... [more ▼]

In this paper, mitochondrial mutants of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii defective for respiratory complex I (NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase), complex III (ubiquinol cytochrome c oxidoreductase) and both complexes I and III were analyzed for H2 photoproduction. Several parameters were followed during the S-deficiency stage and the anaerobic stage leading to H2 photoproduction. At the early aerobic S-deficiency stage, starch and neutral lipids accumulated in all strains but their amount was significantly decreased in mutants compared to wild type. During the H2 photoproduction process, whereas starch content strongly decreased in all strains, neutral lipid amount remained nearly unchanged, suggesting that starch degraded by glycolysis is the preferential substrate for energy production during anaerobiosis. The mutants displayed a decrease in H2 photoproduction correlating to the number of active mitochondrial proton-pumping sites lost in the strains. Our results thus highlight the critical role of oxidative phosphorylation during the first (aerobic) stage of S-starvation when carbon resources are accumulated. [less ▲]

Functional analysis of the cell division protein FtsW of Escherichia coli

in Journal of Bacteriology (2004), 186(24), 8370-8379

Site-directed mutagenesis experiments combined with fluorescence microscopy shed light on the role of Escherichia coli FtsW, a membrane protein belonging to the SEDS family that is involved in ... [more ▼]

Site-directed mutagenesis experiments combined with fluorescence microscopy shed light on the role of Escherichia coli FtsW, a membrane protein belonging to the SEDS family that is involved in peptidoglycan assembly during cell elongation, division, and sporulation. This essential cell division protein has 10 transmembrane segments (TMSs). It is a late recruit to the division site and is required for subsequent recruitment of penicillin-binding protein 3 (PBP3) catalyzing peptide cross-linking. The results allow identification of several domains of the protein with distinct functions. The localization of PBP3 to the septum was found to be dependent on the periplasmic loop located between TMSs 9 and 10. The E240-A249 amphiphilic peptide in the periplasmic loop between TMSs 7 and 8 appears to be a key element in the functioning of FtsW in the septal peptidoglycan assembly machineries. The intracellular loop (containing the R166-FI78 amphiphilic peptide) between TMSs 4 and 5 and Gly 311 in TMS 8 are important components of the amino acid sequence-folding information. [less ▲]

Functional Analysis of the N-Acetylglucosamine Metabolic Genes of Streptomyces coelicolor and Role in Control of Development and Antibiotic Production

in Journal of Bacteriology (2012), 194(5), 1136-44