Epstein-Barr virus latent membrane protein inhibits human epithelial cell differentiation
Article Abstract:
The Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a herpesvirus that is associated with two forms of B-cell lymphoma and with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), a cancer of epithelial cells in the nasopharynx. Depending on where the tumor is located, there may be obstruction of the nasal passages, hearing lose, nerve damage, destruction of bone in the skull or disease of the adjacent lymph nodes. It has been difficult to establish EBV infections of epithelial cells in culture for purpose of studying the disease. An experimental system was devised in which particular genes of the virus were introduced into epithelial cells and the effects of the genes of the virus, or of other cellular genes, on cell growth and differentiation were monitored. A gene of EBV which codes for a molecule known as the latent membrane protein (LMP) and is known to be expressed in NPC was added to the epithelial cells in culture. The protein was expressed and changes in the epithelial cells occurred similar to those that occur in NPC cells. The cells which contain LMP did not become mature or terminally differentiated. LMP inhibited the maturation of epithelial cells. This shows a mechanism in which LMP and EBV contributes to the disease of NPC. Therefore, a system was devised which could study the effects of various genes which cause abnormal, cancerous growth of human epithelium cells. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1990
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Oxygen content of transmembrane proteins over macroevolutionary time scales
Article Abstract:
The appearance of cellular compartmentalization that correlates with atmospheric oxygen concentration is explored to predict and characterize the topology of all transmembrane protein in 19 taxa. From the findings a hypothesis is derived which suggest that atmospheric oxygen concentrations affected the timing of the evolution of cellular compartmentalization by constraining the size of domains necessary for communication across membranes.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2007
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The tobacco aquaporin NtAQP1 is a membrane CO(sup)2 pore with physiological functions
Article Abstract:
Research shows that the tobacco aquaporin NtAQP1 mediates carbon dioxide transport across the membrane. NtAQP1 also participates in the photosynthesis and in stomatal opening in tobacco and its over production enhances carbon dioxide membrane permeability and water leading to increase leaf growth. The carbon dioxide permeability of NtAPQ1 is of physiological relevance to tobacco cells under low carbon dioxide conditions.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 2003
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