Abstract:
An isolated water-soluble VP1 polypeptide of foot-and-mouth disease virus and a nucleic acid encoding the polypeptide. Also disclosed are a pharmaceutical composition containing the polypeptide or nucleic acid and related methods of inducing apoptosis and treating an apoptosis-related disorder.
Abstract:
Novel gibberellin 2-oxidase (GA2ox) genes were identified. Differential expression of GA2ox genes correlated with flower development, seed germination, tiller growth and other developmental processes. In addition, the early and increased growth of tiller and adventitious root and altered root architecture caused by overexpression of GA2oxs further suggest the pleiotropic role of GA2oxs in controlling growth and architecture in plants such as rice. GA2ox5, GA2ox6 and GA2ox9 were three genes encoding class C20 GA2oxs in rice. Mutants or transgenic rice overexpressing class C20 GA2oxs exhibited a broad range of mutant phenotypes, including semi-dwarfism, increased root system and higher tiller numbers that may favor grain yield. Mutations in the conserved domain III were found to affect the physiological activity of class C20 GA2oxs. Methods are described for controlling plant growth and architecture by controlling gene expression of gibberellin 2-oxidase in the plant.
Abstract:
Methods useful, for example, in identifying plant compositions that have immunomodulatory activity. Also disclosed is an Asteraceae plant immunomodulatory composition useful for increasing an immune response, e.g., IFN γ or IL-2 transcription.
Abstract:
A transistor includes a first semiconductor layer associated with a first electrode; a second semiconductor layer associated with a second electrode; and a discontinuous layer between the first and second semiconductor layer. The discontinuous layer has a plurality of openings being formed on a nonuniform organic surface. Applications of the transistor include an inverter that operates at low supply voltage and high frequency.
Abstract:
The disclosure provides fusion proteins comprising a carbohydrate recognition domain of an innate immunity receptor and a heterologous polypeptide. The fusion proteins of the disclosure may be used, for example, to fingerprint polysaccharide compositions and to purify polysaccharide compositions. Polysaccharide compositions include those isolated from Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi). The methods and reagents of the disclosure may also be used to identify innate immunity receptors and cell types that bind to polysaccharide compositions (including polysaccharide compositions associated with pathogens), whereupon modulators of the identified receptors can then be obtained. The fusion proteins also may be used to inhibit the interaction between a polysaccharide composition and an innate immunity receptor on a cell surface. The methods and reagents of the disclosure are used in one example to determine that the DLVR1 innate immunity receptor on macrophages interacts with Dengue virus (DV), and that DLVR1 is responsible for DV-mediated secretion of proinflammatory cytokines from macrophages. The disclosure also provides DVLR1 antibodies that prevent the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines by DV-infected macrophages.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein are recombinant copper or zinc binding polypeptides containing at least one copper or zinc binding motif and a sequence heterologous to it. Also disclosed is a method to reduce the concentration of a free copper or zinc ion in a substrate by contacting it with a recombinant polypeptide containing a copper or zinc binding motif. A further method relates to reducing the concentration of a free copper or zinc ion in a substrate by contacting it with a host cell that expresses a recombinant polypeptide containing a copper or zinc binding motif.
Abstract:
Novel 5-membered iminocyclitol derivatives were found to be a potent and selective inhibitors of the glycoprotein processing α- and β-glucosidase which were further found to be active antiviral agents against Japanese encephalitis virus, dengue virus serotype 2 (DEN-2), human SARS coronavirus and human β-hexosaminidase, a new target for development of osteoarthritis therapeutics.
Abstract:
The present invention provides for a DNA construct comprising a promoter, a TSB1 gene, and a genetic modification, wherein the TSB1 gene and the genetic modification are promoted by the same said promoter. Additionally, the present invention provides for a plant that is transfected by this DNA construct, and a method of selecting this transfected plant.