Article Abstract:
The maize lethal leaf spot 1 (lls1) locus which has been identified as a mutated part of the plant genome responsible for the formation of necrotic lesions in the leaves of corn plants was studied in an attempt to identify suppressors of its expression and function. The results of northern blot analysis as well as DNA sequencing revealed that the Lls1 gene encodes a novel protein that is highly conserved in plants. The protein was found to bear two binding motifs of aromatic ring-hydroxylating dioxygenases, indicating that it can degrade a phenolic mediator of cell death.
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Article Abstract:
B and T lymphocytes utilize neural growth factors (NGF) to prevent cell death. NGF is a neutrophin that is secreted by the glial cells of the nervous system to control cell differentiation by forming paracrine pathways. Cell death is caused by the ligands of Fas/Apo-1 surface antigen. NGF inhibits cell death by binding with the Fas/Apo-1 ligand. Deletion of NGF activity by using NGF-specific antibodies results in the death of neural cells and inactive IgA and IgG beta lymphocytes.
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Article Abstract:
There are two phases of B lymphocyte development, the antigen-independent phase and selective expansion of B cells. The B cell antigen receptor (BCR) acts as a mediator for the B lymphocyte response to foreign antigen. The full composition of the BCR predicted by Burnet was elucidated after several decades. Lam and colleagues have demonstrated the requirement for maintained BCR expression enabling a mature B cell to persist.
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