RNAi techniques hold great promise for science,
from basic research all the way to human therapeutics,
and our understanding of the underlying
mechanisms have allowed us to design
better and more effective compounds. Fortunately,
much has also been learned about nonspecific
effects, such as off-target and stress
responses. These observations and discoveries
have led us to improved specificity ... More
CD147 is a regulatory subunit of the gamma-secretase complex in Alzheimer's disease amyloid beta-peptide production.
AuthorsZhou S, Zhou H, Walian PJ, Jap BK,
JournalProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
PubMed ID15890777
'gamma-Secretase is a membrane protein complex that cleaves the beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP) within the transmembrane region, after prior processing by beta-secretase, producing amyloid beta-peptides Abeta(40) and Abeta(42). Errant production of Abeta-peptides that substantially increases Abeta(42) production has been associated with the formation of amyloid plaques in Alzheimer''s disease patients. ... More
Differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells following RNAi-mediated silencing of OCT4 and Nanog.
AuthorsHough SR, Clements I, Welch PJ, Wiederholt KA,
JournalStem Cells
PubMed ID16456133
RNAi holds great promise as a tool to study the basic biology of stem cells or to direct differentiation in a specific manner. Barriers to achieving efficient and specific gene silencing in RNAi experiments include limitations in transfection efficiency and in the efficacy and specificity of RNAi silencing effectors. Here, ... More
IpgB1 is a novel Shigella effector protein involved in bacterial invasion of host cells. Its activity to promote membrane ruffling via Rac1 and Cdc42 activation.
AuthorsOhya K, Handa Y, Ogawa M, Suzuki M, Sasakawa C,
JournalJ Biol Chem
PubMed ID15849186
Shigella, the causative agent of bacillary dysentery, is capable of inducing the large scale membrane ruffling required for the bacterial invasion of host cells. Shigella secrete a subset of effectors via the type III secretion system (TTSS) into the host cells to induce membrane ruffling. Here, we show that IpgB1 ... More