BMC Molecular Biology - Latest articlesThe latest articles from BMC Molecular Biology (ISSN 1471-2199) published by BioMed CentralSelection of reference genes for quantitative real-time PCR in a rat asphyxial cardiac arrest model- May 28, 2008 Background: Cardiac arrest, and the associated arrest of blood circulation, immediately leads to permanent brain damage because of the exhaustion of oxygen, glucose and energy resources in the brain. Most hippocampal CA1 neurons die during the first week post the insult. Molecular data concerning the recovery after resuscitation are sparse and limited to the early time period. Expression analysis of marker genes via quantitative real-time RT-PCR enables to follow up the remodeling process....http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2199/9/53 IRES-mediated translation of the carboxy-terminal domain of the horizontal cell specific connexin Cx55.5 in vivo and in vitro- May 27, 2008 Background: Changes of interneuronal coupling mediated by electrical synapse proteins in response to light adaptation and receptive field shaping are a paramount feature in the photoreceptorhorizontal cellbipolar cell (PRCHCBPC) complex of the outer retina. The regulation of these processes is not fully understood at the molecular level but these processes may require information transfer to the nucleus by locally generated messengers. Electrical synapse proteins may comprise a feasible...http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2199/9/52 Characterization and expression patterns of a membrane-bound trehalase from Spodoptera exigua- May 20, 2008 Background: The chitin biosynthesis pathway starts with trehalose in insects and the main functions of trehalases are hydrolysis of trehalose to glucose. Although insects possess two types, soluble trehalase (Tre-1) and membrane-bound trehalase (Tre-2), very little is known about Tre-2 and the difference in function between Tre-1 and Tre-2. Results: To gain an insight into trehalase functions in insects, we investigated a putative membrane-bound trehalase from Spodoptera exigua (SeTre-2) cloned.http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2199/9/51 Exercise induced stress in horses: Selection of the most stable reference genes for quantitative RT-PCR normalization- May 19, 2008 Background: Adequate stress response is a critical factor during athlete horses' training and is central to our capacity to obtain better performances while safeguarding animal welfare.In order to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying this process, several studies have been conducted that take advantage of microarray and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) technologies to analyse the expression of candidate genes involved in the cellular stress response.Appropriate application of...http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2199/9/49 Comparative in silico analysis identifies bona fide MyoD binding sites within the Myocyte Stress 1 gene promoter- May 19, 2008 Background: Myocyte stress 1 (MS1) is a striated muscle actin binding protein required for the muscle specific activity of the evolutionary ancient myocardin related transcription factor (MRTF)serum response factor (SRF) transcriptional pathway. To date, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that govern skeletal muscle specific expression of MS1. Such mechanisms are likely to play a major role in modulating SRF activity and therefore muscle determination, differentiation and...http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2199/9/50 The BsaHI restriction-modification system: Cloning, sequencing and analysis of conserved motifs- May 14, 2008 Background: Restriction and modification enzymes typically recognise short DNA sequences of between two and eight bases in length. Understanding the mechanism of this recognition represents a significant challenge that we begin to address for the BsaHI restriction-modification system, which recognises the six base sequence GRCGYC. Results: The DNA sequences of the genes for the BsaHI methyltransferase, bsaHIM, and restriction endonuclease, bsaHIR, have been determined (GenBank accession...http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2199/9/48 |