cDNA micro array identification of a gene differentially expressed in adenovirus type 5- versus type 12-transformed cells

AbstractProteins encoded by non-oncogenic adenovirus type 5 and oncogenic adenovirus type 12 differentially affect expression of a number of cellular genes. We have used cDNA micro array analysis to identify a cellular gene that is expressed in Ad12- but not in Ad5-transformed cells. This cellular gene was found to be the gene encoding follistatin-related protein, a TGF-β inducible gene. Consistently, a constitutive factor binding to Smad binding elements was found in adenovirus type 12-transformed cells

Nicotinic receptors

Regulation of normal or abnormal behaviour is critically controlled by the central serotonergic systems. Recent evidence has suggested that serotonin (5-HT) neurotransmission dysfunction contributes to a variety of pathological conditions, including depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disorders. There is also a great amount of evidence indicating that 5-HT signalling may affect the reinforcing properties of drugs of abuse by the interaction and modulation of dopamine (DA) function. This chapter is focused on one of the more addictive drugs, nicotine. It is widely recognised that the effects of nicotine are strongly associated with the stimulatory action it exhibits on mesolimbic DAergic function. We outline the role of 5-HT and its plethora of receptors, focusing on 5-HT2 subtypes with relation to their involvement in the neurobiology of nicotine addiction. We also explore the novel pharmacological approaches using 5-HT agents for the treatment of nicotine dependence. Compelling evidence shows that 5-HT2C receptor agonists may be possible therapeutic targets for smoking cessation, although further investigation is required.peer-reviewe

Enhanced induction of SV40 replication from transformed mammalian cells by fusion with UV-irradiated untransformed cells

DNA-damaging agents such as ultraviolet (UV) light are known to cause stimulation of virus replication in SV40-transformed hamster and human cells. The dose-response curves of UV-induced SV40 replication in transformed hamster cells resemble that obtained for UV-enhanced reactivation (ER) and UV-enhanced mutagenesis (EM) of SV40 or herpes viruses in mammalian cells. We have investigated whether UV-enhanced production of SV40 from transformed hamster (THK) and human (NB-E) cells belongs to the same category of conditional responses as ER and EM. To answer this question we have made use of the phenomenon that fusion of the SV40-transformed cells with monkey cells that are permissive to SV40 results in a considerable increase in the production of SV40 virus. When THK or NB-E cells were fused with UV-irradiated CV-1 cells at various times after irradiation, induction of SV40 was further increased with UV-irradiated CV-1 cells at various times after irradiation, induction of SV40 was further increased and reached a maximum value of 2-3 fold when fusion was delayed for 24-48 h after irradiation. The kinetics of enhanced SV40 induction resembled that of ER and EM, suggesting that teh UV-stimulated part of the induction represents one of the pleiotropic responses that are transiently induced in mammalian cells by DNA-damaging agents. Evidence is presented, showing that this transient effect can be induced only in cells that are permissive to SV40 replication. This suggests that the enhanced induction observed after fusion with irradiated monkey cells may be attributed to a transient increase in the activity of 'permissiveness' factors. No enhanced induction was found when the THK or NB-E cells were fused with irradiated rodent cells, that are not or only slightly permissive to SV40 replication. © 1985.SCOPUS: ar.jinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishe