Anti-LGMN monoclonal antibody

The Australian scincid genus Pseudemoia comprises six morphologically similar species restricted to temperate south-eastern Australia. Due to the high degree of morphological conservatism, phylogenetic relationships and taxonomic status within the Pseudemoia entrecasteauxii complex (comprising the nominal species P. entrecasteauxii, P. cryodroma, and P. pagenstecheri) remains unresolved. To further investigate the phylogenetic relationships and taxonomic status of Pseudemoia spp., and to test the hypothesis that P. cryodroma evolved from hybridization between P. entrecasteauxii and P. pagenstecheri, we sequenced one mitochondria] locus (ND4) and five nuclear loci (beta-globin, LGMN, PRLR, Rhodopsin, RPS8). While we find strong support for the monophyly of the P. entrecasteauxii complex, there exists marked incongruence between the mitochondria] and nuclear markers, particularly in regards to the high altitude specialist, P. cryodroma. The most parsimonious explanation of this discordance is historic mitochondrial introgression, although a hybrid origin for P. cryodroma cannot be completely rejected. Within P. pagenstecheri sensu lato, we identified a strongly supported, highly divergent yet morphologically cryptic lineage restricted to northern New South Wales. Although more weakly supported by the nuDNA, we also identified a second geographically distinct lineage of P. pagenstecheri s.l., which may warrant separate conservation management. Our study reveals a more complex evolutionary history of the genus Pseudemoia than previously appreciated and contributes to our understanding of the biogeography and evolution of Australian mesic zone fauna. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The deterioration of beta cells in the pancreas is a crucial factor in the progression of diabetes mellitus; therefore, the recovery of b cells is of vital importance for effective diabetic therapeutic strategies. Partially pancreatectomized rats have been used for the investigation of pancreatic regeneration. Because it was determined that tissue extract from the partially-dissected pancreas induces pancreatic differentiation in embryonic stem cells, paracrine factors were thought to be involved in the regeneration. In this study, we screened for genes that had higher mRNA levels 2 days after 60%-pancreatectomy. The genes were isolated using subtractive hybridization and DNA sequencing. Twelve genes (adipsin, Aplp2, Clu, Col1a2, Glul, Krt8, Lgmn, LOC299907, LOC502894, Pla2g1b, Reg3a and Xbp1) were identified, and RT-PCR and real-time PCR analyses were performed to validate their expression levels. Among the genes identified, three genes (Glul, Lgmn and Reg3a) were selected for further analyses. Assays revealed that Glul and Reg3a enhance cell growth. Glul, Lgmn and Reg3a change the expression level of islet marker genes, where NEUROD, NKX2.2, PAX4 and PAX6 are up-regulated and somatostatin is down-regulated. Thus, we believe that Glul, Lgmn and Reg3a can serve as novel targets in diabetes mellitus genetic therapy.