Does an NLS peptide covalently linked to linear DNA enhance transfection efficiency of cationic polymer based gene delivery systems?
Taken together, these data demonstrate that this nuclear localisation signal when attached to DNA is neither able to improve transfection efficiency of cationic polymers nor the nuclear import of the DNA constructs.
The adipocytokine visfatin selectively evoked a non-toxic reduction in connexin expression in HK2-cells. The loss in gap-junction associated proteins was mirrored by a loss in functional conductance between coupled cells. Visfatin increased TGF-β secretion and the pattern of change for connexins expression was mimicked by exogenous application of TGF-β1. The effect of visfatin on Cx-expression and dye transfer were negated in the presence of a TGF-β1 neutralising antibody. These data suggest that visfatin reduces connexin-mediated intercellular communication in proximal tubule-derived epithelial cells via a TGF-β dependent pathway.