Role of Photoproduction in Exotic Meson Searches

We discuss two production mechanisms of the $J^{PC}=1^{-+}$ exotic meson, hadroproduction, using pion beams and photoproduction. We show that the ratio of exotic to non-exotic, in particular the $a_2$, meson production cross sections is expected to be by a factor of 5 to 10 larger, in photoproduction then in hadroproduction. Furthermore we show that the low-t photoproduction of exotic meson is enhanced as compared to hadronic production. This findings support the simple quark picture in which exotic meson production is predicted to be enhanced when the beam is a virtual $Q\bar Q$ pair with a spin-1 (photon) rather then with a spin-0 (pion)

HuSiDa—the human siRNA database: an open-access database for published functional siRNA sequences and technical details of efficient transfer into recipient cells

Small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) have become a standard tool in functional genomics. Once incorporated into the RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC), siRNAs mediate the specific recognition of corresponding target mRNAs and their cleavage. However, only a small fraction of randomly chosen siRNA sequences is able to induce efficient gene silencing. In common laboratory practice, successful RNA interference experiments typically require both, the labour and cost-intensive identification of an active siRNA sequence and the optimization of target cell line-specific procedures for optimal siRNA delivery. To optimize the design and performance of siRNA experiments, we have established the human siRNA database (HuSiDa). The database provides sequences of published functional siRNA molecules targeting human genes and important technical details of the corresponding gene silencing experiments, including the mode of siRNA generation, recipient cell lines, transfection reagents and procedures and direct links to published references (PubMed). The database can be accessed at http://www.human-siRNA-database.net. We used the siRNA sequence information stored in the database for scrutinizing published sequence selection parameters for efficient gene silencing

Restrictions Limiting the Generation of DNA Double Strand Breaks during Chromosomal V(D)J Recombination

Antigen receptor loci are composed of numerous variable (V), diversity (D), and joining (J) gene segments, each flanked by recombination signal sequences (RSSs). The V(D)J recombination reaction proceeds through RSS recognition and DNA cleavage steps making it possible for multiple DNA double strand breaks (DSBs) to be introduced at a single locus. Here we use ligation-mediated PCR to analyze DNA cleavage intermediates in thymocytes from mice with targeted RSS mutations at the endogenous TCRβ locus. We show that DNA cleavage does not occur at individual RSSs but rather must be coordinated between RSS pairs flanking gene segments that ultimately form coding joins. Coordination of the DNA cleavage step occurs over great distances in the chromosome and favors intra- over interchromosomal recombination. Furthermore, through several restrictions imposed on the generation of both nonpaired and paired DNA DSBs, this requirement promotes antigen receptor gene integrity and genomic stability in developing lymphocytes undergoing V(D)J recombination

A search for J^{PC}=1^{-+} exotic mesons in the pi- pi- pi+ and pi- pi0 pi0 systems

A partial wave analysis (PWA) of the pi-pi-pi+ and pi-pi0pi0 systems produced in the reaction pi- p -> (3pi)-p at 18 GeV/c was carried out using an isobar model assumption. This analysis is based on 3.0M pi-pi0pi0 events and 2.6M pi-pi-pi+ events and shows production of the a2(1320), pi2(1670) and \pi(1800) mesons. An earlier analysis of 250K pi-pi-pi+ events from the same experiment showed possible evidence for a J^{PC}=1^{-+}$ exotic meson with a mass of 1.6 GeV/c^2 decaying into rho pi. In this analysis of a higher statistics sample of the (3pi)- system in two charged modes we find no evidence of an exotic meson.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, added comment about the negative reflectivity exotic wave

The Evidence for a Pentaquark Signal and Kinematic Reflections

Several recent experiments have reported evidence for a narrow baryon resonance with positive strangeness ($\Theta^+$) at a mass of 1.54 GeV/$c^2$. Baryons with $S=+1$ cannot be conventional $qqq$ states and the reports have thus generated much theoretical speculation about the nature of possible $S=+1$ baryons, including a 5-quark, or pentaquark, interpretation. We show that narrow enhancements in the $K^+n$ effective mass spectrum can be generated as kinematic reflections resulting from the decay of mesons, such as the $f_2(1275)$, the $a_2(1320)$ and the $\rho_3(1690)$.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Requirements for Vav Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors and Rho GTPases in FcγR- and Complement-Mediated Phagocytosis

SummaryVav guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) have been implicated in cell adhesion by integrin and immune response receptors through the regulation of Rho GTPases. Here, we examine the role of Vav and Rho GTPases in phagocytosis by using primary murine macrophages. The genetic deletion of Rac1 and Rac2 prevents phagocytosis mediated by integrin and Fcγ receptors (FcγR), whereas the genetic deletion of Vav1 and Vav3 only prevents integrin-mediated phagocytosis through the complement receptor αMβ2. In addition, a Rac1/2 or Vav1/3 deficiency blocks Arp2/3 recruitment and actin polymerization at the complement-induced phagosome, indicating that these proteins regulate early steps in phagocytosis. Moreover, constitutively active Rac is able to rescue actin polymerization and complement-mediated phagocytosis in Vav-deficient macrophages. These studies indicate that Rac is critical for complement- and FcγR-mediated phagocytosis. In contrast, Vav is specifically required for complement-mediated phagocytosis, suggesting that Rac is regulated by GEFs other than Vav downstream of the FcγR

Virtual-tissue computer simulations define the roles of cell adhesion and proliferation in the onset of kidney cystic disease

In autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD), cysts accumulate and progressively impair renal function. Mutations in PKD1 and PKD2 genes are causally linked to ADPKD, but how these mutations drive cell behaviors that underlie ADPKD pathogenesis is unknown. Human ADPKD cysts frequently express cadherin-8 (cad8), and expression of cad8 ectopically in vitro suffices to initiate cystogenesis. To explore cell behavioral mechanisms of cad8-driven cyst initiation, we developed a virtual-tissue computer model. Our simulations predicted that either reduced cell-cell adhesion or reduced contact inhibition of proliferation triggers cyst induction. To reproduce the full range of cyst morphologies observed in vivo, changes in both cell adhesion and proliferation are required. However, only loss-of-adhesion simulations produced morphologies matching in vitro cad8-induced cysts. Conversely, the saccular cysts described by others arise predominantly by decreased contact inhibition, that is, increased proliferation. In vitro experiments confirmed that cell-cell adhesion was reduced and proliferation was increased by ectopic cad8 expression. We conclude that adhesion loss due to cadherin type switching in ADPKD suffices to drive cystogenesis. Thus, control of cadherin type switching provides a new target for therapeutic intervention