CD40 ligand on activated platelets triggers an inflammatory reaction of endothelial cells
Article Abstract:
Flow cytometry was used to analyze human platelets for CD40L expression on the cell surface. It could be detected on unstimulated platelets, although activation of platelets by thrombin, an agonist, led to maximal expression within a minute. Levels gradually declined, and CD40L was also released when collagen or ADP plus adrenaline were present as agonists. This shows that preformed CD40L is stored in platelets, and its translocation to the cell surface is part of a basic platelet reaction.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1998
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Double identity for proteins of the Bcl-2 family
Article Abstract:
Research suggests that the oncogenic protein Bcl-2 can act as both a docking or adaptor protein and as an ion channel. Intracellular membranes associate with truncation Bcl-2 mutant proteins, even though an anti-apoptotic function is kept by mutants without their membrane-anchoring carboxy-terminal domain. The adaptor and channel protein functions could sometimes be mutually exclusive, as Bcl-2 may be unable to interact with key proteins such as CED-4. Bcl-2 inhibits programmed cell death.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1997
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