AP130C Sigma-AldrichGoat Anti-Mouse IgG & IgM Antibody, Cy3 conjugate

This study demonstrated that five Cx26 mutations (R32H, S199F, 572delT, 631-632delGT, and Y155X) affect gap junction (GJ) functions by causing impaired membrane targeting and aberrant cellular localization, and one mutation (R165W) leads to a constriction of the channel pore with no dye coupling.

The embryonic stem (ES) cells derived from the inner cell mass of the blastula stage embryo bear the complete repertoire of the complex organizational blueprint of an organism. These fascinating cells are bestowed with pluripotent characteristics and can be directed to differentiate into various lineages in vitro. Hence, these cells are being explored as an ideal in vitro model in gaining insight into early developmental events. Using the ES cell system, we have tried to investigate the early neurogenic proceedings. We have taken advantage of nestin enhancer-mediated cell trapping using the live reporter-based system. We monitored live the ES cell differentiation into neural lineage by following the enhanced green fluorescent protein expression profile in a number of stable ES cell clones generated by us in which the enhanced green fluorescent protein expression was regulated by the nestin enhancer. This strategy has helped us in both qualitative and quantitative detection and characterization of neural progenitor population and the differentiated progenies.

In this chapter, the procedures for specific detection of ontogenic emerging antigens during animal development are described. Anuran metamorphosis has provided us with a good experimental model for investigation of the mechanisms of tissue remodeling. The establishment of a syngeneic strain of Xenopus laevis described in this chapter has enabled us to perform a unique experiment to develop antibodies that specifically react to ontogenic antigens by immunizing syngeneic animals. This strategy was successful because the antibody repertoires produced in the adult frog serum were well subtracted by a number of common antigens expressed in syngeneic larvae. Here we show, using results of immunohistochemical and T-cell proliferation analyses that adult frogs exhibit humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to larva- or metamorphosis-specific antigen molecules in epidermal cells.