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- Haak-Frendscho, M, et al.
(author)
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Histidine decarboxylase expression in human melanoma.
- 2000
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In: Journal of Investigative Dermatology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0022-202X .- 1523-1747. ; 115:3, s. 345-52
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Histamine has been implicated as one of the mediators involved in regulation of proliferation in both normal and neoplastic tissues. Histidine decarboxylase, the only enzyme that catalyzes the formation of histamine from L-histidine, is an essential regulator of histamine levels. In this study, we investigated the gene and protein expression of histidine decarboxylase in melanoma. Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and in situ hybridization studies of WM-35, WM-983/B, HT-168, and M1 human melanoma cell lines both resulted in positive signals for histidine decarboxylase messenger RNA. A polyclonal chicken antibody was developed against human histidine decarboxylase and protein expression was confirmed by western blot analysis of the cell lysates, revealing a predominant immunoreactive band at approximately 54 kDa corresponding to monomeric histidine decarboxylase. Protein expression of histidine decarboxylase was also shown by flow cytometric analysis and strong punctate cytoplasmic staining of melanoma cell lines. Moreover, both primary and metastatic human melanoma tissues were brightly stained for histidine decarboxylase. When compared with the very weak or no reactions on cultivated human melanocytes both western blot and immunohistochemical studies showed much stronger histidine decarboxylase expression in melanoma cells. These findings suggest that expression of histidine decarboxylase is elevated in human melanoma.
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| 2. |
- Horváth, I. S., et al.
(author)
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Effects of furfural on anaerobic continuous cultivation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae
- 2001
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In: Biotechnology and Bioengineering. - : Wiley. - 0006-3592 .- 1097-0290. ; 75:5, s. 540-549
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Furfural is an important inhibitor of yeast metabolism in lignocellulose-derived substrates. The effect of furfural on the physiology of Saccharomyces cerevisiae CBS 8066 was investigated using anaerobic continuous cultivations. Experiments were performed with furfural in the feed medium (up to 8.3 g/L) using three dierent dilution rates (0.095, 0.190, and 0.315 h-1). The measured concentration of furfural was low (<0.1 g/L) at all steady states obtained. However, it was not possible to achieve a steady state at a specific conversion rate of furfural, qf, higher than approximately 0.15 g/g·h. An increased furfural concentration in the feed caused a decrease in the steady-state glycerol yield. This agreed well with the decreased need for glycerol production as a way to regenerate NAD+, i.e., to function as a redox sink because furfural was reduced to furfuryl alcohol. Transient experiments were also performed by pulse addition of furfural directly into the fermentor. In contrast to the situation at steady-state conditions, both glycerol and furfuryl alcohol yields increased after pulse addition of furfural to the culture. Furthermore, the maximum specific conversion rate of furfural (0.6 g/g·h) in dynamic experiments was significantly higher than what was attainable in the chemostat experiments. The dynamic furfural conversion could be described by the use of a simple Michaelis-Menten-type kinetic model. Also furfural conversion under steady-state conditions could be explained by a Michaelis-Menten-type kinetic model, but with a higher anity and a lower maximum conversion rate. This indicated the presence of an additional component with a higher anity, but lower maximum capacity, either in the transport system or in the conversion system of furfural.
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