Endocrine Abstracts

Genes that encode neuropeptides can be recognized in the human genome because their products are (1) highly conserved across species, (2) trafficked though cells by secretory signal peptides and (3) susceptible to proteolytic cleavage at consensus sequences for processing to neuroactive products. One candidate gene is oesophageal cancer-related gene (ECRG4) which was first identified by screening for up- or down-regulated genes in oesophageal cancer. The product of ECRG4, whic...

It was reported that the inhibition of central nervous system (CNS) axon growth is mediated by Ca2+-dependent phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor receptor (pEGFR) and that local administration of small molecule EGFR antagonists to optic nerve lesions promoted retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axon regeneration (Koprivica et al. 2005). This result was attributed to suppression of EGFR kinase, which neutralised the axonal growth inhibitory potency of CNS myeli...

Gene delivery to the CNS is undermined by the lack of suitable vectors capable of delivering genes with sufficient specificity, efficacy and safety. In previous studies we have shown that bacteriophage particles, which lack tropism for mammalian cells, can be genetically modified to display specific ligands that allow binding, internalisation and cell transduction of receptor-bearing target cells. Moreover, phage particles can be forced to evolve using combinatorial techniques...

Gene delivery to the CNS is undermined by the lack of suitable vectors capable of delivering genes with sufficient specificity, efficacy and safety. In previous studies we have shown that bacteriophage particles, which lack tropism for mammalian cells, can be genetically modified to display specific ligands that allow binding, internalisation and cell transduction of receptor-bearing target cells. Moreover, phage particles can be forced to evolve using combinatorial techniques...

Mutations in the plasma membrane thyroid hormone (TH) transporter, MCT8, are associated with severe global neurological deficits accompanied by abnormal circulating TH levels. We have previously shown that MCT8 over-expression in human neuronal precursor cells (NT2) increases cellular T3 uptake and reduces proliferation.Objectives: To quantify and localise the expression of MCT8 in human fetal CNS and to investigate the role of MCT8 in NT2 neurodifferent...