We used decision trees, standard regression, and phylogenetic regression to explore the relationships between species attributes and extinction risk. We found a significant phylogenetic signal in extinction risk. Vegetation type, growth form, and geographic range size were

related to species extinction risk, but the effect of growth form was not evident after phylogeny was controlled for. Species restricted to either rocky outcrops or scrub vegetation on sandy coastal plains exhibited the highest extinction risk among vegetation types, a finding that supports the hypothesis see more that species adapted to resource-limited environments are more vulnerable to extinction. Among growth forms, epiphytes were associated with the highest extinction risk in non-phylogenetic regression models, followed by trees, whereas shrubs and climbers were associated with lower extinction risk. However, the higher extinction risk of epiphytes was not significant after correcting for phylogenetic relatedness. Our findings provide new indicators of extinction risk and insights into the mechanisms governing plant vulnerability to extinction in a highly diverse flora where human disturbances are both frequent and widespread.”
“Neuregulin-1 (Nrg1) and its receptor ErbB4 are encoded by genes that have been repeatedly linked to schizophrenia. Both genes are thought to play important roles in the development of brain circuitry, but their

precise contribution KPT-8602 this website to the disease process remains unknown. In this review, we summarize novel findings on the biological function of Nrg1 and ErbB4 in mice, with a focus on the development of inhibitory circuits in the cerebral cortex. We will also discuss how this basic knowledge may help us to understand the etiology of schizophrenia, and eventually lead to the development of novel therapies for treating the disorder.”
“Monokine induced by IFN-gamma (Mig) is a member of CXC-chemokines and recruits T-lymphocytes to activate the immune

response. In recent years, it has raised much interest in the areas of autoimmune disease and allograft rejection, as the production of recombinant human Mig (rHuMig) would be of considerable significance for both research and potential clinical use. Here we report the expression, preparation and characterization of non-tagged recombinant human Mig (rHuMig) using a prokaryotic expression system. Following expression in Escherichia coli (E. coil) BL21. the 103 amino acid residue of rHuMig was purified from bacteria inclusion bodies with a one-step S-Sepharose cation exchange chromatography. The product was immunologically characterized via Western blot and its purity was determined via SOS-PAGE and silver staining to be above 99%, with an endotoxin level <0.5 EU/mu g via a chemotaxis assay, rHuMig demonstrated chemotactic activity on mouse spleen lymphocytes with an ED50 of 15 ng/mL.

From these, we hypothesized that the upper leaves should not be fully light-saturated even under direct sunlight, but instead should share the light limitation with the shaded lower-canopy leaves, so as to utilize strong sunlight efficiently. Supporting this prediction, within a canopy of H. tuberosus, both the degree of light saturation and EPZ004777 inhibitor LAUE were independent of light environment within a canopy, resulting in proportionality between the daily photosynthesis and the daily incident light among the leaves.”
“Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are the most

important members of soil microbial community in ecosystem. These useful organisms form an indespensible component of any fertile soil. It is said that a good quality of 1 kg soil is almost equal to 1 kg of gold. Symbiotic relationships of AMF provide an alternative

for survival of plants in highly stressed areas, this association helps in uptake of P as well as other minerals, maintain better water balance, increase plant biomass and produce growth promoting substances. Strategies to promote plantation in poor or degraded soil includes introduction of native AMF in soil. During present study a survey was undertaken in degraded forest areas with certain grasses in Godhra AICAR in vivo and Baria divisions, 115 kms from Vadodara city in India. Rhizospheric soil samples were collected from 22 different places. Soil samples of Heteropogon contortus showed more number of AM spores (220/100 g) as compared to that of Themeda triandra 165/100 g. Kalitalai soil samples

Chloris barbata showed more number of spores (150/100 g) than that of Rampara (110/100 g). The percentage occurence of AM spores was more in Bandheli. Analysis of AM spores resulted in identification of different species belonging to three genera i.e. Glomus, Gigaspora, TGF beta inhibitor and Acaulospora.”
“During each cell cycle, the mitotic spindle is efficiently assembled to achieve chromosome segregation and then rapidly disassembled as cells enter cytokinesis. Although much has been learned about assembly, how spindles disassemble at the end of mitosis remains unclear. Here we demonstrate that nucleocytoplasmic transport at the membrane domain surrounding the mitotic spindle midzone, here named the midzone membrane domain (MMD), is essential for spindle disassembly in Schizosaccharomyces pombe cells. We show that, during anaphase B, Imp1-mediated transport of the AAA-ATPase Cdc48 protein at the MMD allows this disassembly factor to localize at the spindle midzone, thereby promoting spindle midzone dissolution. Our findings illustrate how a separate membrane compartment supports spindle disassembly in the closed mitosis of fission yeast.”
“A gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-producing microorganism was isolated from jeot-gal (anchovy), a Korean fermented seafood. The isolate, A156, produced GABA profusely when incubated in MRS broth with monosodium glutamate (3% (w/v)) at 37 degrees C for 48 h.

IL-7RcKO mice also showed impaired Treg and NKT cell proliferation and inhibition of NKT cell maturation. Bcl-2 expression was reduced in CD4SP and CD8SP thymocytes but not in Tregs and NKT cells, and introduction of a Bcl-2 transgene rescued frequency and CD5 expression of CD8SP thymocytes. Furthermore, IL-7RcKO mice exhibited greatly increased numbers of B cells and, to a lesser extent, gamma delta T and dendritic cells in thymus. Overall, this study demonstrates that IL-7R alpha differentially controls development and maturation of thymocyte subpopulations MRT67307 order in late developmental stages and suggests

that IL-7R expression on alpha beta T cells suppresses development of other cell lineages in thymus.”
“Little is known of the consequences of divergent selection for residual

feed intake (RFI) on intestinal digestion capacity, particularly during immune system stimulation (ISS). Our objective was to evaluate the impact of ISS and divergent selection for RFI on apparent ileal digestibility (AID) and apparent fecal digestibility (AFD) of nutrients and intestinal nutrient active transport and barrier function. Twenty-eight gilts (63 +/- 4 kg BW) from low RFI (LRFI; n = 14) and high RFI (HRFI; n = 14) Yorkshire lines were randomly selected from the Iowa State University RFI herd. Following adaptation, 8 pigs in each line were injected intramuscularly and every 48 h for 7 d with increasing amounts of Escherichia CBL0137 ic50 coli lipopolysaccharide (ISS+). Remaining pigs were injected with saline (ISS-). Pigs were then euthanized and ileal digesta was collected for measuring AID of nutrients. Fecal samples were collected

on a daily basis and pooled for measuring AFD of nutrients. A segment of ileum was used to measure nutrient transport and transepithelial resistance (TER) and/or barrier integrity by Ussing chambers. No effects of line or its interaction with ISS on AID of CP (N x 6.25) and OM, TER, and active nutrients transport were observed. However, ISS decreased (P < 0.05) AR-13324 price and tended to (P < 0.1) decrease AID of CP and OM, respectively. Decrease in AFD of CP as result of ISS was greater in the LRFI line compared to the HRFI line (P < 0.05). Relative to ISS-, active glucose and P transport was greater in ISS+ pigs (P < 0.05). Genetic selection for LRFI increases the AFD but has no effect on AID of nutrients. It also reduces the total tract digestive capacity of growing pigs during ISS. Immune system stimulation affects both AID and AFD of dietary CP.”
“Aims and objectives This study is drawn from a larger project that aimed to identify the staffing and organisational factors influencing the quality of diabetes care for older people living in residential care in regional Victoria, Australia. The focus of the current study is on medication management for residents with diabetes.

We studied the outcome of patients treated with letrozole as PET.\n\nMETHODS: Patients with early oestrogen

receptor (ER)/progesterone receptor (PR)-positive breast cancer treated with letrozole from February 2001 to September 2009 were reviewed. Inoperable and locally advanced tumours were excluded. Reasons for offering PET, response, survival, cause of death, time to initial and best response, fracture incidence, and late failure rates were studied.\n\nRESULTS: In buy VX-770 all, 104 patients received PET due to frailty (n = 48), comorbidity (n = 30), old age (n = 9), and patient preference (n = 17). Median follow-up was 56 months (4-106). Eighty-five cancers responded to letrozole (stable disease (SD, n = 19), reduction in size (PR, n = 42),

and complete response ((CR), n = 24)). Median survival was 51 months (4-103), time to initial response (PR/CR) 4.5 months (2-24), and time to best response 8.5 months (3-50). Letrozole was stopped in 25 patients due to progressive disease (n = 19), side effects (n = 5), and patient choice (n = 1). Only 12 of 49 deaths were from breast cancer.\n\nCONCLUSION: Letrozole is a reasonable alternative in elderly women with early ER/PR-positive invasive breast cancer who are unfit or unwilling to undergo standard therapy. British Journal of Cancer (2011) 105, 1825-1829. doi: 10.1038/bjc.2011.470 www.bjcancer.com Published online 8 November 2011 (C) 2011 Cancer Research UK”
“Lipases comprise a group of hydrolytic enzymes which catalyze reversibly the hydrolysis and synthesis of triacylglycerides Nepicastat price in the 5-Fluoracil in vivo oil water interface. In this study, a response surface approach was used to study the production of extracellular lipase from Ganoderma lucidum which has diverse applications in various fields. Interactions were studied for five different variables (moisture, canola oil cake, olive oil, pH and time of incubation) which were found influential for lipase production. Using the statistical approach (response surface methodology), the maximum yield of lipase (4838 U/gds) by G. lucidum was observed

under optimum conditions. The optimum values of these parameters were as follows: canola oil cake (12.50 g), moisture level (60%), pH (4.5), olive oil as inducer (2.0%) and incubation period (96 h) at 30 degrees C. Exploration of fungal diversity for improved production of lipases using statistical models makes it a high-profile area for novel discovery with enormous potential of massive returns.”
“Background: Adenosine deaminase (ADA) is useful in the diagnosis of tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE). This study aims to determine the factors affecting pleural fluid ADA levels and to establish the optimal ADA levels for diagnosis of TPE for different age groups.\n\nMethods: This was a retrospective study from January 2007 to October 2011.

28 to -0.03, p = 0.02) and CS (beta = -0.20 logits/0.1 log unit decrement, 95% CI = -0.31 to -0.09, p = 0.001). Greater fear of falling was also associated with higher BMI, weaker grip, and more comorbid illnesses (p smaller than 0.05 for all). Conclusions: AMD and AMD-related vision loss are

associated with greater fear of falling in the elderly. Development, validation, and implementation of methods to address falls and fear of falling for individuals with vision loss from AMD are important goals for future work.”
“BackgroundAlthough urticaria p38 kinase assay is considered one of the most frequent skin diseases, reliable epidemiologic data are scarce. ObjectiveTo evaluate the incidence and cumulative prevalence of urticaria in infants and children up to age of 10, to characterize the STA-9090 clinical trial relationship of specific IgE levels (food and inhalative allergens) with urticaria, and to monitor the joint occurrence

of urticaria with other diseases, such as eczema, asthma, and hay fever. MethodsThe study population consisted of two prospective birth cohort studies: the LISAplus and GINIplus studies. Information on physician-diagnosed urticaria, asthma, eczema, or hay fever was collected using self-administered questionnaires completed by the parents. Blood samples were drawn, and specific immunoglobulin E measured at 2 (only LISAplus), 6 and 10yr of age. ResultsThe incidence of urticaria was approximately 1% per year of age. The cumulative prevalence of urticaria in children up to the age of 10yr was 14.5% for boys and 16.2% for girls. Cumulative prevalence of urticaria at the age of ten was significantly (p smaller than 0.05) associated with allergic sensitization to peanut, soy, and wheat flour, but not with inhalant allergens. Both a parental history of atopy/urticaria and the children’s diagnosis of asthma, eczema, and hay fever were strongly related (p smaller

than 0.0001) to the occurrence of urticaria. ConclusionsUrticaria is a frequent event during childhood, with highest incidence in infants and preschool children. Comorbidity with atopic disease is high.”
“The vibrational frequencies of 4-Phenylpyridinium hydrogen squarate (4PHS) in the ground Mocetinostat solubility dmso state have been investigated by using B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level. The analysis of molecular structure, natural bond orbitals and frontier molecular orbitals was also performed. The IR spectra were obtained and interpreted by means of potential energies distributions (PEDs) using MOLVIB program. NBO analysis proved the presence of C-H center dot center dot center dot O and N-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonding interactions, which is consistent with the analysis of molecular structure. The dipole moments and first-order hyperpolarizability (beta(tot)) are calculated and are 5.856 D and 4.72 x 10(-30) esu, respectively. The high prat value and the low HOMO-LUMO energy gap (4.062 eV) are responsible for the optical and electron-transfer properties of 4PHS molecule.

1D and 3D heterogeneous

virtual tissues are constructed, with detailed tissue architecture (anisotropy and orthotropy, due to fibre orientation and sheet structure) of the left ventricular wall wedge extracted from a diffusion tensor imaging data set. The models are used to study the effects of tissue heterogeneity and class III drugs on transmural propagation LEE011 and tissue vulnerability to re-entry.\n\nWe have determined relationships between the transmural dispersion of action potential duration (APD) and the vulnerable window in the 1D virtual ventricular wall, and demonstrated how changes in the transmural heterogeneity, and hence tissue vulnerability, can lead to generation selleck chemical of re-entry in the 3D ventricular wedge. Two class III drugs with opposite qualitative effects on transmural APD heterogeneity are considered: d-sotalol that increases transmural APD dispersion, and amiodarone that decreases it. Simulations with the 1D virtual ventricular wall show that under d-sotalol conditions the vulnerable window is substantially wider compared to amiodarone

conditions, primarily in the epicardial region where unidirectional conduction block persists until the adjacent M cells are fully repolarised.\n\nFurther simulations with the 3D ventricular wedge have shown that ectopic stimulation of the epicardial region results in generation of sustained re-entry under d-sotalol conditions, but learn more not under amiodarone conditions or in control. Again, APD increase in M cells was

identified as the major contributor to tissue vulnerability-re-en try was initiated primarily due to ectopic excitation propagating around the unidirectional conduction block in the M cell region. This suggests an electrophysiological mechanism for the anti- and proarrhythmic effects of the class III drugs: the relative safety of amiodarone in comparison to d-sotalol can be explained by relatively low transmural APD dispersion, and hence, a narrow vulnerable window and low probability of re-entry in the tissue. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“The nonstructural protein NS5A has emerged as a new drug target in antiviral therapies for Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) infection. NS5A is critically involved in viral RNA replication that takes place at newly formed membranes within the endoplasmic reticulum (membranous web) and assists viral assembly in the close vicinity of lipid droplets (LDs). To identify host proteins that interact with NS5A, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screen with the N-terminus of NS5A (amino acids 1-31), a well-studied alpha-helical domain important for the membrane tethering of NS5A. Our studies identified the LD-associated host protein, Tail-Interacting Protein 47 (TIP47) as a novel NS5A interaction partner.

Three different concentrations (200, 300 and 500 mg/L) of extracts were used to determine larvicidal and consequent effects on adult emergence. Larvicidal activities against A. aegypti have been determined in the different solvent leaf extracts of B. sensitivum. Results show that acetone extract had a dose-dependent effect and produced higher mortality (LC50 = 21.79 and LC99 = 139.50 mu g/ml) in larvae. Pupicidal activities of acetone extract showed the highest effect (LC50 check details = 13.05 and LC99 = 137.75 mu g/ml). Acetone extracts also interfered with the normal development of adult mosquitoes (LC50 = 9.77

and LC99 = 11.83 mu g/ml). The study shows that acetone extracts of B. sensitivum is effective in controlling the Aedes aegypti larvae.”
“Photo-reactive nanogels with an integrated

photoinitiator-based functionality Selleckchem ASP2215 were synthesized via a Reversible Addition-Fragmentation chain Transfer (RAFT) process. Without additional free initiators, these nanogels are capable of radical generation and initiating polymerization of a secondary monomer (i.e. dimethacrylate) that infiltrates and disperses the nanogel particles. Due to the presence of a RAFT functionality and the fact that all initiating sites are initially located within the nanogel structure, gelation can be delayed by sequencing the polymerization from the nanogel to the bulk matrix. During polymerization of a nanogel-filled resin system, a progressive delay of gelation conversion from about 2% for conventional chain growth polymerization to 18% for the same monomer containing 20 wt% nanogel additive was achieved. A significant delay of stress development was also observed with much lower final stress achieved with the nanogel-modified systems due to the change in network formation mechanics. Compared with the nanogel-free dimethacrylate control, which contained a uniformly distributed free initiator, the flexural modulus and mechanical strength results were maintained for the photopolymers

with GSK2126458 PI3K/Akt/mTOR inhibitor nanogel contents greater than 10 wt%. There appears to be a critical interparticle spacing for the photo-reactive nanogel that provides effective photopolymerization while providing delayed gelation and substantial stress reduction.”
“Moisture-dependent physical grain properties of a new registered common bean cultivar ‘Kantar-05′ were determined. Some important chemical parameters of the grain were also investigated. The average length, width and thickness of the grain were 12.48, 7.92 and 5.00 mm at 7.82% db (dry basis) moisture content. The values of bulk density and true density of the grains decreased from 793.37 to 683.62 kg/m(3) (P<0.01) and from 1269.37 to 1206.55 kg/m(3) (P<0.05) with increasing moisture content. The coefficients of dynamic friction increased from 0.180 to 0.316, 0.173 to 0.276, and 0.226 to 0.331 on steel, plywood and wood friction surface, respectively with increasing moisture content. The force of rupture decreased from 121.88 to 68.

“
“Lu W, Ran P, Zhang

D, Peng G, Li B, Zhong N, Wang J. Sildenafil inhibits chronically hypoxic upregulation of canonical transient receptor potential expression in rat pulmonary arterial smooth muscle. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 298: C114-C123, 2010. First published November 4, 2009; doi:10.1152/ajpcell.00629.2008.-In pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), Ca(2+) influx through selleck chemicals store-operated Ca(2+) channels thought to be composed of canonical transient receptor potential (TRPC) proteins is an important determinant of intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)](i)) and pulmonary vascular tone. Sildenafil, a type V phosphodiesterase inhibitor that increases cellular cGMP, is recently identified as a promising agent for treatment of pulmonary hypertension. STA-9090 concentration We previously demonstrated that chronic hypoxia elevated basal [Ca(2+)](i) in PASMCs due in large part to enhanced store-operated Ca(2+) entry (SOCE); moreover, ex vivo exposure to prolonged hypoxia (4% O(2) for 60 h) upregulated TRPC1 and TRPC6 expression in PASMCs. We examined the effect of sildenafil on basal [Ca(2+)](i), SOCE, and the expression of TRPC in PASMCs under prolonged hypoxia exposure. We also examined the effect of sildenafil on TRPC1 and TRPC6 expression in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle (PA) from rats that developed chronically hypoxic pulmonary hypertension (CHPH). Compared with vehicle control,

treatment with sildenafil (300 nM) inhibited prolonged hypoxia induced increases of 1) basal [Ca(2+)](i), 2) SOCE, and 3) mRNA and protein expression of TRPC in PASMCs. Moreover, sildenafil (50 mg . kg(-1) . day(-1)) inhibited mRNA and protein

expression of TRPC1 and TRPC6 AZD1480 in PA from chronically hypoxic (10% O(2) for 21 days) rats, which was associated with decreased right ventricular pressure and right ventricular hypertrophy. Furthermore, we found, in PASMCs exposed to prolonged hypoxia, that knockdown of TRPC1 or TRPC6 by their specific small interference RNA attenuated the hypoxic increases of SOCE and basal [Ca(2+)](i), suggesting a cause and effect link between increases of TRPC1 and TRPC6 expression and the hypoxic increases of SOCE and basal [Ca(2+)](i). These results suggest that sildenafil may alter basal [Ca(2+)](i) in PASMCs by decreasing SOCE through downregulation of TRPC1 and TRPC6 expression, thereby contributing to decreased vascular tone of pulmonary arteries during the development of CHPH.”
“Postsynaptic densities (PSDs) are responsible for organizing receptors and signaling proteins that regulate excitatory transmission in the mammalian brain. To better understand the assembly and 3D organization of this synaptic structure, we employed electron cryotomography to visualize general and fine structural details of PSDs isolated from P2, P14, P21 and adult forebrain in the absence of fixatives and stains.

05). At the last follow-up, no statistical differences were found (P bigger than .05) between groups I and II in American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (91.3 vs 79.5), Simple Shoulder Test (83.3 vs 83.3), and visual analog scale (1.5 vs 2.2). There were also no statistical differences between the Dinaciclib cost 2 groups at the last follow-up (P bigger than .05) in ROM: forward flexion, 145.2 degrees vs 143.3 degrees; external rotation with 90 degrees of abduction, 88.1 degrees vs 86.2 degrees; external rotation at side, 88.9 degrees vs 82.9 degrees; and internal rotation, 9.1 degrees vs 8.3

degrees. Conclusion: Posterior extended capsular release might not be necessary in arthroscopic surgery for MAPK Inhibitor Library molecular weight shoulder stiffness.”
“A total of 1511 isolates of Phytophthora

capsici were collected from farms with no history of exposure to the carboxylic acid amide (CAA) fungicides in 32 provinces in China during 2006 to 2013. All 1511 isolates were assayed for mating type and 403 were assayed for sensitivity to dimethomorph (DMM) and metalaxyl. The DMM EC50 values ranged from 0126 to 0339gmL(-1). Both A1 and A2 mating types were detected on the same farms in four provinces and with a 1:1 ratio. Most isolates were sensitive to metalaxyl but a few exhibited intermediate resistance or resistance to metalaxyl. The segregation of DMM resistance and sensitivity among 337 progeny obtained from hybridization or self-crossing in vitro indicated that the resistance of P.capsici to DMM is HDAC inhibitor controlled by two dominant genes. Eighteen progeny that were

derived from hybridization differed in DMM sensitivity and in fitness. Some progeny were as fit as parental isolates. Given the distribution of mating types and therefore the potential for sexual reproduction, the control of resistance by two dominant genes, and the fitness of hybrid progeny, the risk of P.capsici populations developing DMM resistance in China is substantial.”
“Several micro RNAs (miRNAs) have the ability to inhibit HIV replication in target cells. Thus, we investigated the impact of opioids (morphine and heroin), widely abused drugs among people infected with HIV, on the expression of cellular anti-HIV miRNAs in monocytes. We found that morphine-treated monocytes expressed lower levels of cellular anti-HIV miRNAs than untreated cells. In addition, morphine treatment of monocytes compromised type I interferon (IFN)-induced anti-HIV miRNA expression. These findings paralleled the observation that morphine treatment of monocytes enhanced HIV replication. These morphine-mediated actions on the anti-HIV miRNAs and HIV could be antagonized by the opioid receptor antagonists (naltrexone or Cys2, Tyr3, Arg5, Pen7-amide).

In psychrotrophic strains, decreases in 12:0 fatty acids distinguished the 5A degrees C fatty acid profiles from those of the mesophilic strains that showed decreases in 16:0, 17:0, and cyclo-19:0 fatty acids. These changes were also correlated with the observed

changes in membrane fluidity (R (2) = 63-97%). Psychrotrophic strains employ distinctive modulation of cytoplasmic membrane fluidity with uncommon membrane phase changes as part of their adaptation to the extreme AMD environment in colder climates.”
“This study sought to determine anterior force in the porcine knee during simulated 6-degree-of-freedom (DOF) motion to establish the role of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Using a 6-DOF robot, a simulated ovine motion was applied to porcine hind AZD1390 manufacturer limbs while recording the corresponding forces. Since the porcine knee is more lax than the ovine knee, anterior tibial translations were superimposed on the simulated motion in 2 mm increments from 0 mm to 10 mm to find a condition that would load the ACL. Increments through selleck kinase inhibitor 8 mm increased anterior knee force, while the 10 mm increment decreased the force. Beyond 4 mm, anterior force increases were non-linear and less than the increases at 2 and 4 mm, which may indicate early structural damage. At 4 mm, the average anterior force was 76.9 +/- 10.6 N (mean +/- SEM; p < 0.025). The ACL was the primary restraint,

accounting for 80-125% of anterior CFTRinh 172 force throughout the range of motion.

These results demonstrate the ACL dependence of the porcine knee for the simulated motion, suggesting this model as a candidate for studying ACL function. With reproducible testing conditions that challenge the ACL, this model could be used in developing and screening possible reconstruction strategies. (C) 2010 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29: 641-646, 2011″
“P>Oligodendrocyte progenitor cells first proliferate to generate sufficient cell numbers and then differentiate into myelin-producing oligodendrocytes. The signal transduction mediators that underlie these events, however, remain poorly understood. The tyrosine phosphatase Shp1 has been linked to oligodendrocyte differentiation as Shp1-deficient mice show hypomyelination. The Shp1 homolog, Shp2, has recently been shown to regulate astrogliogenesis, but its role in oligodendrocyte development remains unknown. Here, we report that Shp2 protein levels were developmentally regulated in oligodendrocytes, with Shp2 phosphorylation being promoted by oligodendroglial mitogens but suppressed by laminin, an extracellular matrix protein that promotes oligodendroglial differentiation. In contrast, oligodendrocyte progenitors were found to be unresponsive to mitogens following Shp2, but not Shp1, depletion.