Abstract:
The disclosure provides methods for determining the self-renewal potential of a cancer stem cell (CSC), or for predicting the drugability (susceptibility to a drug) of a CSC, and/or for predicting the progression of a cancer that corresponds to the CSC. In alternative embodiments, the disclosure provides methods for determining whether a CSC in a niche is more pro-apoptotic or more anti-apoptotic in relation to a normal stem cell or a CSC from another niche. In alternative embodiments, the disclosure provides methods for determining the prognosis or malignant potential of a cancer. In alternative embodiments, the disclosure provides methods determining the anti-apoptotic versus a pro-apoptotic potential of a cancer stem cell (CSC).
Abstract:
This invention relates to methods of screening for modulators of mammalian cell injury cause by TRPM7 gene and protein activity, compounds that modulate TRPM7 gene and protein activity and methods of treatment of mammalian cell injury using modulators of murine TRPM7 gene and protein activity.
Abstract:
This invention relates to methods of screening for modulators of mammalian cell injury cause by TRPM7 gene and protein activity, compounds that modulate TRPM7 gene and protein activity and methods of treatment of mammalian cell injury using modulators of murine TRPM7 gene and protein activity.
Abstract:
The disclosure provides compounds and methods of using Apogossypolone derivatives for treating diseases and disorders. In particular, the disclosure provides compounds of Formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, hydrate, or solvate thereof, and provides methods for the preparation of compounds of Formula (I); and methods for treating cancer, autoimmune diseases, and inflammation by administering a compound of Formula (I).
Abstract:
A method for detecting apoptosis of embryonic stages of parasitic helminthes comprising: isolating of Intra Uterine embryonic stages from adult female parasite; culturing in vitro and treating said embryonic stages; subjecting the said embryonic stages to the step of flow cytometric analysis; developing assays for apoptosis and high throughput screening and identification of compounds having apoptogenic activity towards the embryonic stages of helminthic parasites.
Abstract:
The invention relates to the treatment and/or prevention of proliferative diseases, such as cancer, by administering a compound that induces caspase-independent apoptosis by agonizing the biological activity of AIF in a cell selected from: quiscent cells, guiscent tumor cells, tumor stem cells and/or quiescent stem cells. Methods of screening to indentify such compounds are also disclosed.
Abstract:
The disclosure relates to methods of maintaining and/or expanding an in vitro population of hypoxia compartment cells comprising culturing said population of cells optionally in an oxygen controlled environment, wherein the population of hypoxia compartment cells is exposed to an oxygen concentration of between about 1.5% and about 10%, preferably between about 2% and about 5%, and uses of cells expanded according to these methods.
Abstract:
The present invention provides simple, rapid methods and procedures for analyzing cells, hereunder quantitative and qualitative assessment of cells, such as viability. The present invention relates to the use of various optionally substituted reporter compounds particularly detectable upon their reaction with thiol-containing species present in higher concentrations in intact (e.g., living) cells than in non-intact (e.g., dead, stressed and apoptotic) cells. The present invention also relates to the use of various optionally substituted reporter compounds particularly detectable upon their reaction with species present in intact and/or non-intact cells. Moreover, the present invention relates to the use of measuring techniques and/or instruments coupled with the use of various optionally substituted reporter compounds. The invention further relates to compositions used in methods for analyzing cells, such as a composition comprising N-(7-dimethylamino-4-methyl-3-coumarinyl)-maleimide (DACM).
Abstract:
The present invention relates to the discovery of novel biomarkers of in vivo apoptosis based on a large number of caspase-like cleavage sites. These biomarkers are useful for detection and quantification of apoptosis in a biological sample. The invention also provides synthetic peptides and proteins corresponding to neo-epitopes created by proteolytic processing of these cleavage sites. The synthetic peptides can be used as standards to enable identification and quantitation of these biomarkers using mass spectrometry. The synthetic proteins can be used to generate antibodies and other binding reagents specific for these biomarkers. Methods for detecting apoptosis as well as for diagnosing or for providing a prognosis for a disease or disease state characterized by apoptosis are also provided herein. Finally, the invention provides compositions and kits for performing the methods of the invention.
Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a fusion protein comprising of 173 amino acid residues of the N terminus of cyclin B1 (including the Destruction Box and Cytoplasmic Retention Signal) fused in-frame with the luciferase reporter gene. Expression of the fusion protein is driven by the cyclin B1 promoter and mimics expression of the endogenous cyclin B1 gene. Following addition of the substrate luciferin, increased levels of the luciferase reporter gene can be used to monitor cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase. Importantly, this invention may be used in vivo to monitor luciferase expression and G2/M cell cycle arrest in living animals. A broad aspect of the invention provides a method of detecting cell death in a target cell comprising transfecting the target cell with a nucleic acid construct that encodes a cyclinB1-Luciferase fusion protein under conditions favoring expression of the fusion protein; introducing the target cell with a substrate specific for the fusion protein for a period of time sufficient to detect a signal, wherein the generation of a signal indicates that the cell has arrested at the G2/M transition; and detecting a signal.