BRCA2 and RAD51 are two proteins that play a central role in homologous recombination (HR) and DNA double strand break (DSB) repair. BRCA2 assists RAD51 fibrillation and defibrillation through binding with its eight BRC repeats, with BRC4 being one of the ...
Within the extracellular matrix, matricellular proteins are dynamically expressed nonstructural proteins that interact with cell surface receptors, growth factors, and proteases, as well as with structural matrix proteins. The cellular communication networ ...
The role played by international migration and its interactions with other demographic components in the process of city growth remains underappreciated. We analyze trends in natural increase and in net internal and international migration in Zurich during ...
The contraceptive effect of breastfeeding remains essential to controlling fertility in many developing regions of the world. The extent to which this negative effect of breastfeeding on ovarian activity is sensitive to ecological conditions, notably mater ...
Transposable elements (TEs), also called jumping genes, are genetic elements capable of changing their position within the genome of their host. They make up large fractions of genomes, including 45% of human DNA content, according to current estimates.S ...
Cardiotrophin-1 (CT-1) is associated with cardiovascular (CV) diseases. We investigated the effect of CT-1 deficiency in the development and progression of atherosclerosis in double knockout Apoe(-/-)ct-1(-/-) mice. Apoe(-/-) C57Bl/6 or Apoe(-/-)ct-1(-/-) ...
The peptidoglycan (PG) sacculus provides bacteria with the mechanical strength to maintain cell shape and resist osmotic stress. Enlargement of the mesh-like sacculus requires the combined activity of peptidoglycan synthases and hydrolases. In Escherichia ...
A prerequisite for lifelong sperm production is that spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) balance self-renewal and differentiation, yet factors required for this balance remain largely undefined. Using mouse genetics, we now demonstrate that the ubiquitously e ...
The recognition of pathogen-derived nucleic acids is a critical mechanism by which the innate immune system detects viral infection. Upon activation, nucleic acid sensors initiate the expression of type I interferons and other inflammatory mediators, subse ...
The study of regional trends in the rural-urban fertility gradient helps us to understand the pace of completion of the fertility transition and the geography of urban growth in the global South. We question whether the hypothesized inverted U-shaped evolu ...
The development of an in vitro culture system, comparable to the in vivo environment in terms of effects on oocyte growth and development, could provide a valuable experimental tool for studying the mechanisms governing oocyte development as well as practi ...
Germ cells (GCs) are responsible for fertility and disruptions in their development or function cause infertility. However, current knowledge about the diverse mechanisms involved in GC development and function is still in its infancy. This is mainly becau ...
Bile acids (BAs) are signaling molecules that are involved in many physiological functions, such as glucose and energy metabolism. These effects are mediated through activation of the nuclear and membrane receptors, farnesoid X receptor (FXR-alpha) and TGR ...
Circadian rhythms allow organisms to anticipate and adapt to periodic environmental changes related to the day-night cycle. These rhythms originate from a genetic network ticking in almost every cell of our body and the coordination between different organ ...
Lymphatic vessels surround follicles within the ovary, but their roles in folliculogenesis and pregnancy, as well as the necessity of Lymphangiogenesis in follicle maturation and health, are undefined. We used systemic delivery of mF4-31C1, a specific anta ...
Much has been learned about the genetics of aging from studies in model organisms, but still little is known about naturally occurring alleles that contribute to variation in longevity. For example, analysis of mutants and transgenes has identified insulin ...
Successful mammalian reproduction depends on proper synthesis of the pituitary-derived glycoprotein hormones, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Several transcription factors cooperate to activate cell-specific and hormone-reg ...
The orphan nuclear receptor, liver receptor homolog-1 (aka Nuclear receptor subfamily 5, Group A, Member 2 (Nr5a2)), is widely expressed in mammalian tissues, and its ovarian expression is restricted to granulosa cells of activated follicles. We employed t ...
Mammalian spermatogenesis is a process that involves a complex expression program in both somatic and germ cells present in the male gonad. A number of studies have attempted to define the transcriptome of male meiosis and gametogenesis in rodents and prim ...
Studies in rodents have shown that male sexual function can be disrupted by fetal or neonatal administration of compounds that alter endocrine homeostasis, such as the synthetic nonsteroidal estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES). Although the molecular basis f ...
