Are mice good models for human neuromuscular disease? Comparing muscle excursions in walking between mice and humans

The mouse is one of the most widely used animal models to study neuromuscular diseases and test new therapeutic strategies. However, findings from successful pre-clinical studies using mouse models frequently fail to translate to humans due to various factors. Differences in muscle function between the two species could be crucial but often have been overlooked. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare muscle excursions in walking between mice and humans

Epitope mapping of avian influenza m2e protein: different species recognise various epitopes

Published: June 30, 2016A common approach for developing diagnostic tests for influenza virus detection is the use of mouse or rabbit monoclonal and/or polyclonal antibodies against a target antigen of the virus. However, comparative mapping of the target antigen using antibodies from different animal sources has not been evaluated before. This is important because identification of antigenic determinants of the target antigen in different species plays a central role to ensure the efficiency of a diagnostic test, such as competitive ELISA or immunohistochemistry-based tests. Interest in the matrix 2 ectodomain (M2e) protein of avian influenza virus (AIV) as a candidate for a universal vaccine and also as a marker for detection of virus infection in vaccinated animals (DIVA) is the rationale for the selection of this protein for comparative mapping evaluation. This study aimed to map the epitopes of the M2e protein of avian influenza virus H5N1 using chicken, mouse and rabbit monoclonal or monospecific antibodies. Our findings revealed that rabbit antibodies (rAbs) recognized epitope 6EVETPTRN13 of the M2e, located at the N-terminal of the protein, while mouse (mAb) and chicken antibodies (cAbs) recognized epitope 10PTRNEWECK18, located at the centre region of the protein. The findings highlighted the difference between the M2e antigenic determinants recognized by different species that emphasized the importance of comparative mapping of antibody reactivity from different animals to the same antigen, especially in the case of multi-host infectious agents such as influenza. The findings are of importance for antigenic mapping, as well as diagnostic test and vaccine development.Noor Haliza Hasan, Esmaeil Ebrahimie, Jagoda Ignjatovic, Simson Tarigan, Anne Peaston, Farhid Hemmatzade

Developmentally regulated expression of the rice calmodulin promoter in transgenic tobacco plants

To study the expression of rice calmodulin genes (RCaM-1 and RCaM-2), rice calmodulin promoters were fused with reporter genes (CAT and GUS) and introduced into tobacco cells. The expression of chimeric rice CaM promoter-cat gene in transgenic tobacco plants showed that both CaM promoters are expressed in all tissues tested, including the reproductive organs. However, RCaM-1 and RCaM-2 promoter activity had differential levels of expression. RCaM-1 promoter is strongly expressed largely in flowers and young seeds in comparison to other parts of transgenic plants, whereas RCaM-2 promoter is strongly expressed in young petioles and stems in comparison to other parts of the transgenic plants. RCaM-2 promoter, which has a comparatively higher level of expression than RCaM-1 promoter, was used to investigate the effects of auxin and light on calmodulin gene expression in transgenic plants. RCaM-2 promoter activity was strongly increased with auxin-treatment, and was also slightly enhanced under dark conditions. The expression of RCaM-2 promoter was remarkably induced with sucrose or salicylic acid treatment but not ethephon. Strong GUS staining was observed in meristemic tissue such as stem apex, petiole and root tips. These results suggest that the calmodulin gene may play a vital role in the signal transduction process and cell growth.close4