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Secretagogin is a recently cloned human [beta]-cell-expressed EF-hand [Ca.sup.2+]-binding protein. Converging evidence indicates that it exerts [Ca.sup.2+] sensor activity and is involved in regulation of insulin synthesis and secretion. To obtain a potent tool for the extension of its functional analysis in rat in vitro systems, we cloned the rat homolog of human secretagogin. Using comparative sequence analysis, immunostaining, and immunoblotting, we demonstrated a high degree of sequence homology and similar tissue expression patterns of human and rat secretagogin. Highest rat secretagogin expression levels were found in pancreatic [beta]-cells. On the basis of newly generated anti-rat secretagogin antibodies, we established a rat secretagogin-specific sandwich capture ELISA and demonstrated release of secretagogin from viable Rin-5F cells. Dexamethasone treatment of Rin-5F cells resulted in an increased secretagogin release rate, which was inversely correlated with insulin secretion. In contrast, the secretagogin transcription rate was markedly reduced. This resulted in a decreased intracellular secretagogin content under the influence of dexamethasone. Sucrose gradient cell fractionation analysis of Rin-5F cells confirmed the predominant cytosolic localization of secretagogin, with only limited association of secretagogin with insulin granules. The loss of intracellular secretagogin alter dexamethasone treatment affected predominantly the insulin granule-associated secretagogin fractions. The sequence homology and the comparable tissue expression patterns of human and rat secretagogin indicate conserved intracellular functions. The effects of dexamethasone on the total secretagogin content in Rin-5F cells and on its intracellular distribution might result in an impaired [Ca.sup.2+] sensitivity of dexamethasone-treated insulin-secreting cells. EF-hand protein; insulin granules; dexamethasone; calcium sensor doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00055.2007

The design and analysis of the mechanical structure of the Nuclotron-type SIS100 magnets are studied. Results suggest that the coil support structure is suitable for better stabilization of the coil, while also offering other advantages.

For the FAIR project's SIS100 synchrotron, a series of 113 fast ramped dipoles will be built. This contribution reports about the manufacturing process of the “First Of Series” (FOS) dipole. Special attention is given to the progress achieved during the technological optimization phase for appropriate implementation of a new magnet design taking into account the experience obtained with prototypes. This work was performed jointly by Babcock Noell GmbH (BNG) and GSI. We describe the crucial steps of the manufacturing and assembly processes. Experience from the manufacturing of the cable is reported and the tooling and production process will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: In a gene chip analysis of common pituitary tumor types, one of the genes with the most impressive tissue-specific expression regulation was delta-like 1 (DLK1), which was strongly expressed in GH-secreting (GH-S) pituitary tumors. In addition to pituitary adenomas, various endocrine tumors were subjected to real-time-quantitative PCR revealing high expression of DLK1 in normal pituitary tissue, in GH-S-, in one prolactin-secreting pituitary adenoma and in pheochromocytomas. Additionally, three DLK1 gene-derived subvariants were identified. The first, lacking 204bp—coding for epidermal growth factor-like domain 6 and parts of the juxtamembrane region—was named Secredeltin. In the other two splice variants (named Brevideltin and Brevideltinin), a stop codon is introduced due to a frame-shift, leading to truncated proteins of 204 and 213aas, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]