Pref-1, a protein containing EGF-like repeats, inhibits adipocyte differentiation

Article Abstract:

The cloning and characterization of preadipocyte growth factor 1 (pref-1) is reported. The growth factor is a novel member of the epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like protein family and was characterized as a transmembrane protein possessing six tandem EGF-like repeats. Preadipocytes possess multiple discrete forms of pref-1 proteins of 45 to 60 kD, but pref-1 mRNA expression is abolished completely during differentiation from 3T3 preadipocytes to adipocytes. Constitutive expression of pref-1 in preadipocytes inhibited differentiation, suggesting the pref-1 is a negative regulator of adipocyte differentiation.

Identification and classification, Growth factors, Fat cells, Adipocytes

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Testing the Agrin Hypotheses

Article Abstract:

The Agrin Hypotheses indicates the role of neural agrin in initiating rapsyn, postsynaptic molecules and acetylcholine receptor clustering in the basal lamina. Agrin signaling regulates synaptic and muscle differentiation to form mature neuromuscular junctions. Neural agrin and MuSK signaling is important in the transcriptional specialization of several nuclei in a single myotube. Agrin activation through MuSK also limits axon growth and promotes post synaptic and presynaptic nerve terminal differentiation.

Cellular signal transduction, Protein tyrosine kinase, Protein-tyrosine kinase, Neuromuscular junction

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Evidence for positional differentiation of prestalk cells and for a morphogenetic gradient in Dictyostelium

Article Abstract:

Tip cells (pstA) in the slug species Dictyostelium appear to differentiate positionally. PstA and pstO cells are pre-stalk cells. PstA cells require a higher concentration of differentiation inducing factor (DIF) than other pre-stalk cells. Researchers observed the concentration and rates of chemotaxis for the differentiation inducing factor (DIF) in developing slugs. Both positional differentiation and cell sorting via a morphogenetic gradient may be involved in cell patterning.

Morphogenesis, Dictyostelium

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