During the process, gene expression and epigenetic status were converted from somatic to ES-equivalent status. We verified that protein-based reprogramming was neither by the contamination of protein donor ES cell nor by DNA/RNA from donor ES cell. Protein-iPS cells were biologically GSK1210151A manufacturer and functionally very similar to ES cells and differentiated into 3 germ layers in vitro. Furthermore, protein-iPS cells possessed in vivo differentiation (well-differentiated teratoma formation) and development (chimeric

mice generation and a tetraploid blastocyst complementation) potentials. Our results provide an alternative and safe strategy for the reprogramming of somatic cells that can be used to facilitate pluripotent stem cell-based cell therapy. (Blood. 2010; 116(3): 386-395)”
“BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE\n\nB cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) is a central regulator of cell survival that is overexpressed in the majority of small-cell lung Selleckchem Tubastatin A cancers (SCLC) and contributes

to both malignant transformation and therapeutic resistance. The purpose of this work was to study the key factors that determine the sensitivity of SCLC cells to Bcl-2 homology domain-3 (BH3) mimetic S1 and the mechanism underlying the resistance of BH3 mimetics.\n\nEXPERIMENTAL APPROACHES\n\nWestern blot was used to evaluate the contribution of Bcl-2 family members to the cellular response of SCLC cell lines to S1. Acquired resistant cells were derived from initially sensitive H1688 cells. Quantitative PCR and gene silencing were performed to investigate Bcl-2 up-regulation.\n\nKEY

RESULTS\n\nA progressive increase in the relative levels of Bcl-2 and phosphorylated selleck chemical Bcl-2 (pBcl-2) characterized the increased de novo and acquired resistance of SCLC cell lines. Furthermore, acute treatment of S1 induced Bcl-2 expression and phosphorylation. We showed that BH3 mimetics, including S1 and ABT-737, induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and then activated MAPK/ERK pathway. The dual function of MAPK/ERK pathway in defining BH3 mimetics was illustrated; ERK1/2 activation leaded to Bcl-2 transcriptional up-regulation and sustained phosphorylation in naive and acquired resistant SCLC cells. pBcl-2 played a key role in creating resistance of S1 and ABT-737 not only by sequestrating pro-apoptotic proteins, but also sequestrating a positive feedback to promote ERK1/2 activation.\n\nCONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS\n\nThese results provide significant novel insights into the molecular mechanisms for crosstalk between ER stress and endogenously apoptotic pathways in SCLC following BH3 mimetics treatment.”
“A new isolate designated as strain EB172 was isolated from a digester treating palm oil mill effluent and was investigated by polyphasic taxonomic approach.