BMP2 and mechanical loading cooperatively regulate immediate early signalling events in the BMP pathway

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Efficient osteogenic differentiation is highly dependent on coordinated signals arising from growth factor signalling and mechanical forces. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are secreted proteins that trigger Smad and non-Smad pathways and thereby influence transcriptional and non-transcriptional differentiation cues. Crosstalk at multiple levels allows for promotion or attenuation of signalling intensity and specificity. Similar to BMPs, mechanical stimulation enhances bone formation. However, the molecular mechanism by which mechanical forces crosstalk to biochemical signals is still unclear.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here, we use a three-dimensional bioreactor system to describe how mechanical forces are integrated into the BMP pathway. Time-dependent phosphorylation of Smad, mitogen-activated protein kinases and Akt in human fetal osteoblasts was investigated under loading and/or BMP2 stimulation conditions. The phosphorylation of R-Smads is increased both in intensity and duration under BMP2 stimulation with concurrent mechanical loading. Interestingly, the synergistic effect of both stimuli on immediate early Smad phosphorylation is reflected in the transcription of only a subset of BMP target genes, while others are differently affected. Together this results in a cooperative regulation of osteogenesis that is guided by both signalling pathways.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Mechanical signals are integrated into the BMP signalling pathway by enhancing immediate early steps within the Smad pathway, independent of autocrine ligand secretion. This suggests a direct crosstalk of both mechanotransduction and BMP signalling, most likely at the level of the cell surface receptors. Furthermore, the crosstalk of both pathways over longer time periods might occur on several signalling levels.</p

Art/Act: A WGS Online Magazine

22 pages“Art, Activism, and Popular Culture” (WGS 199) investigates how art and activism intersect to address pressing contemporary social issues concerning gender, race, and sexuality. In particular, the course focuses on how art is utilized as feminist activism, and vice versa, to address social issues such as the prison industrial complex, sexual assault, media production, institutional critique, and HIV/AIDS. The course takes on a special emphasis on how artists-activists-students have utilized art to organize and create change on the college campus. Along with rigorous reading and writing, in the Winter 2016 term, students also engaged in the topic of art and activism through constructionist learning— learning through creating—in a special lab component of the class. In collaboration with the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, students participated in a special museum activity to explore art history and the politics of institutional critique on campus

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Inhibition of recombinant D-amino acid oxidase from Trigonopsis variabilis (TvDAAO) activity in the presence of different sodium salts and potassium chloride is reported. A competitive inhibition pattern by sodium chloride was observed, and an inhibition constant value of K i = 85 mM was calculated. Direct connection of NaCl inhibition with FAD cofactor dissociation was confirmed by measuring the fluorescence of tryptophanyl residues of the holoenzyme

Reproductive biology of wahoo, Acanthocybium solandri, off eastern Australia

A dearth of basic biological information for wahoo, Acanthocybium solandri, currently hinders the ability of scientists and managers to assess population sustainability and appropriately manage the dramatically increasing global catch. This study examined the gonads of 382 wahoo collected off eastern Australia during 2008-2011 to quantify their reproductive biology in the region. The overall sex ratio of the sample was 3.2:1 (females:males), however this differed significantly among fishing sectors and areas. The estimated fork length at which 50 % of female wahoo reach maturity was 1,046 mm. Similar to the Atlantic Ocean, female wahoo have a protracted summer spawning season during October-February. The mean spawning frequency of female wahoo was uncertain but may be approximately 2-3 days, with evidence of fish actively spawning on consecutive days. Batch fecundity of females was positively correlated with fish size and estimates ranged between 0.65 and 5.12 million oocytes. Relative fecundity was estimated at 122.0 (+/- 9.7) oocytes per gram of ovary free body weight and did not differ with fish size or throughout the spawning season. Estimation of reproductive parameters such as size- and age-at-maturity may facilitate the construction of per-recruit stock assessments of wahoo in the region