There are three well-known mechanisms for SWCNT PL enhancement S

There are three well-known mechanisms for SWCNT PL enhancement. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect is known to enhance PL intensities as well as Raman intensities via an amplified electric field near metal particles or a metal surface [21–23]. Since the Raman intensities of our sample did not show any enhancement at all, in

spite of substantial PL enhancement, SERS effect cannot explain our PL enhancement results. PL enhancement, via Förster resonance energy GSK126 cell line transfer (FRET), was reported when a rebundling of isolated SWCNTs occurred, where the PL enhancement was accompanied by a peak red-shift or a suppression of high-energy PL peak intensity [20, 24–26]. There was no PL peak shift, and all the PL features were enhanced concurrently in our results. Thus, we can rule out FRET as the underlying mechanism find more of our PL enhancements.

It is well known that pH has a strong effect on PL intensity of SWCNTs. At low pH environment, the surface oxidation of SWCNTs causes a PL bleaching, but the PL intensity recovers at high pH [27–29]. We have measured the pH change before and after the introduction of metal particles, and the measured pH increases were less than 0.3 for all three metal particles, Au, Co, and Ni, which is too small to induce any observable PL enhancement. Nonetheless, it is worthwhile to note that oxygen desorption from SWCNTs results in a PL enhancement [29]. Thus, it would be reasonable to assert

that oxygen desorption occurred for Vadimezan the biomolecule-functionalized SWCNTs upon the introduction of metal particles into the biomolecule-SWCNT suspension whereas it did not for the DOC-functionalized Niclosamide SWCNTs. Biomolecules such as DNA and RNA are structurally more flexible than the inorganic surfactant DOC. Subtle changes of the solution induced by metal particles, e.g., slight pH change, could make biomolecules highly susceptible to some structural change, which could lead to oxygen desorption from SWCNTs. Conclusions In summary, we have systematically investigated the effect of metal particles on the PL and the Raman spectra of functionalized SWCNTs in aqueous solutions. Substantial enhancement of the PL intensities was observed, while the Raman spectra remained unchanged, after gold, cobalt, or nickel particles were introduced into RNA-SWCNT aqueous suspensions. Almost the same results were obtained after the same metal particles were added to DNA-SWCNT aqueous suspensions. However, both the PL and the Raman spectra did not exhibit any change at all after the same metal particles were introduced into DOC-SWCNT aqueous suspensions. The unusual PL enhancements observed in this work cannot be accounted for by the three well-known mechanisms in the literature; SERS effect, FRET in a rebundling of isolated SWCNTs, and pH changes of the aqueous solutions.

Gels were stained with Colloidal Brilliant Blue (CBB), and digiti

Gels were stained with Colloidal Brilliant Blue (CBB), and digitised using

an Image Scanner (Amersham Pharmacia) and the LabScan software (v 3.0, Amersham Pharmacia Biotech). Differential protein expression analysis was performed using the ImageMaster 2D platinum software (v. 6.01, GE Healthcare Biosciences, Australia), as previously described [37]. Only spots with a Student’s-t value greater than 2 (P value less than 0.05) and ratio greater than 2 were analysed. The selected spots were cut from the 2D-gel. Destaining, reduction/alkylation steps by the liquid handling robot QuadZ215 (Gilson International, France) and analyses by MALDI-TOF were performed as previously described [37]. Tryptic mass searches retained only data with up to one missed tryptic cleavage CRT0066101 chemical structure and optional click here methionine oxidation, with mass accuracy limited to 50 ppm. If necessary, unidentified proteins were subjected to Nano LC-MS/MS analysis. The resulting digest solution was diluted 1:4 into Nano HPLC solvent A (97.9% H2O, 2% ACN and 0.1% (v/v) HCOOH). The digested proteins were

analysed using a CapLC capillary LC system (Waters, Altrincham, UK) BV-6 solubility dmso coupled to a hybrid quadrupole orthogonal acceleration time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometer (Q-TOF Micro, Waters). Diluted sample (5 μL) was first loaded, concentrated and cleaned up onto a C18 PepMap precolumn cartridge (LC Packings) and then separated on-line by the analytical reversed-phase capillary column (NanoEase C18, 75 μm i.d., 15 cm length; Waters) with a 200 μL min-1 flow rate. The gradient profile used consisted of a linear gradient from 97% A (97.9% H2O, 2% ACN and 0.1% (v/v) HCOOH) to 95% B (98% ACN, 1.9% H2O and 0.1% (v/v) HCOOH) for 45 min followed by a linear gradient to 95% B for 3 min. Internal calibration was assumed by the Lockspray Histone demethylase module (Waters) that switches to a reference source (leucine enkephalin M2+ = 556.2551 m/z) every 10 seconds during the acquisition run. The spray system (liquid junction) was used at 3.6 kV. Mass data acquisitions were piloted by MassLynx 4.0 software (Waters).

Nano-LC-MS/MS data were collected by data-dependent scanning, that is, automated MS to MS/MS switching. Fragmentation was performed using argon as the collision gas and with a collision energy profile optimised for various mass ranges of ion precursors. Four ion precursors were allowed to be fragmented at the same time. Mass data collected during a NanoLC-MS/MS analysis were processed automatically with the ProteinLynx Process (Waters) module. Data analysis was performed with Mascot (Matrix Science Ltd., London, U.K.) against the in-house Thiomonas sp. 3As protein database with carbamidomethylation (Cys), oxidation (Met), 0.25 Da mass error and one miss cleavage. All identifications were incorporated into the “”InPact”" proteomic database developed previously http://​inpact.​u-strasbg.​fr~db/​[38].

Here in this study, we reported in NSCLC the expression of E2A-PB

Here in this study, we reported in NSCLC the expression of E2A-PBX1 fusion transcripts that have been well documented in leukemias [5–15]. This is the first report of detection of the E2A-PBX1 fusion transcripts in solid tumors. More interestingly, we observed that the E2A-PBX1 fusion transcripts were more frequently found in AIS than other subtypes of NSCLC, and the presence of E2A-PBX1 fusion transcripts were significantly associated with decreased overall survival in female and stage IA patients with AIS. These results suggest that the E2A-PBX1 fusion transcripts may play a critical role in AIS progression, especially for females and

non-smokers. SB525334 concentration Supportive evidence also comes from our analysis of mutations in K-ras, p53 and EGFR that are common in NSCLC and considered as “driver mutations” Immunology inhibitor [16–18]. Comparison of the mutational status of these genes in patients expressing the E2A-PBX1 fusion transcripts

showed that approximately 55% patients examined in our study cohort were wild type in K-ras, p53 and EGFR. Majority of this subgroup were patients with AIS including all four non-smokers. Because E2A-PBX1 onco-protein has been proved to exhibit transformation potentials by transcribing target genes [5–15], we argue that E2A-PBX1 may serve as one “driver mutation” in AIS and play critical roles during initiation and progression of at least a CP-868596 supplier subset of AIS. E2A-PBX1 may represent a new therapeutic target for NSCLC, especially AIS. Further investigation is needed to evaluate the function of E2A-PBX1

fusion protein, as well as its therapeutic and prognostic values and its correlation with treatment resistance in AIS. In this study, we only examined in NSCLC specimens the conserved E2A-PBX1 fusion transcripts that are well documented in leukemias [5–15]. It is possible that other forms of E2A-PBX1 fusion transcripts also exist in NSCLC. TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) Megestrol Acetate data may be useful to analyze the frequency of E2A-PBX1 fusion transcriptions in NSCLC. Another limitation of this study is relatively small number of AIS specimens analyzed. Analysis of an independent large cohort of AIS is needed to validate our observation. Conclusions Our data demonstrated the presence of E2A-PBX1 fusion transcripts caused by t(1;19)(q23;p13) in lung adenocarcinomas, especially AIS. It may be a common genetic change in AIS and a survival determinant for female AIS patients at early stage. These data may be of significant clinical importance, because finding reliable genetic biomarkers for early-stage lung adenocarcinomas including AIS is becoming increasingly apparent for early identification and management of this deadly disease. Consent Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this report and any accompanying images. Acknowledgement This work was supported by a Research Grant from The Joan’s Legacy Lung Cancer Foundation and NIH Grant R01 CA125030 (to B.

Chem Biodivers 3:593–610PubMed Degenkolb T, Gräfenhan T, Nirenber

Chem Biodivers 3:593–610PubMed Degenkolb T, Gräfenhan T, Nirenberg HI, Gams W, Brückner H (2006b) Trichoderma brevicompactum complex: Rich source of novel and recurrent

plant-protective polypeptide antibiotics (peptaibiotics). J Agric Food Chem 54:7047–7061PubMed Degenkolb T, Dieckmann R, Nielsen KF, Gräfenhan T, Theis C, Zafari D, Chaverri P, Ismaiel A, Brückner H, von Döhren H, Thrane U, Petrini O, Samuels GJ (2008) The Trichoderma brevicompactum clade: a separate lineage with new species, new peptaibiotics, and mycotoxins. Mycol Prog 7:177–219 Degenkolb T, check details Karimi Aghcheh R, Dieckmann R, Neuhof T, Baker SE, Druzhinina IS, Kubicek CP, Brückner H, von Döhren H (2012) The production of multiple small peptaibol families by single 14-module peptide synthetases in Trichoderma/Hypocrea. Chem Biodivers 9:499–535PubMed Ding G, Chen L, Chen A, Tian X, Chen X, Zhang H, Chen H, Liu XZ, Zhang Y, Zou ZM (2012) Trichalasins C and D from the plant FK228 cost endophytic fungus Trichoderma gamsii. Fitoterapia 83:541–544PubMed Ding G, Wang H, Li L, Song B, Chen H, Zhang H, Liu X, Zou Z (2014) Trichodermone, a spiro-cytochalasan

with a tetracyclic nucleus (7/5/6/5) skeleton from the plant endophytic fungus Trichoderma gamsii. J Nat Prod 77:164–167 el Hajji M, Rebuffat S, Lecommaneur D, Bodo B (1987) Isolation and sequence determination of trichorzianines SN-38 purchase A, antifungal peptides from Trichoderma harzianum. Int J Pept Prot Avelestat (AZD9668) Res 29:207–215 Elsila JE, Callahan MP, Glavin DP, Dworkin JP, Brückner H (2011) Distribution and stable isotopic composition of amino acids from fungal peptaibiotics:

assessing the potential for meteoritic contamination. Astrobiology 11:123–133PubMed Figueroa M, Raja H, Falkinham JO III, Adcock AF, Kroll DJ, Wani MC, Pearce CJ, Oberlies NH (2013) Peptaibols, tetramic acid derivatives, isocoumarins, and sesquiterpenes from a Bionectria sp. (MSX 47401). J Nat Prod 76:1007–1015PubMed Fuji K, Fujita E, Takaishi Y, Fujita T, Arita I, Komatsu M, Hiratsuka N (1978) New antibiotics, trichopolyns A and B: isolation and biological activity. Experientia 34:237–239PubMed Fujita T, Takaishi Y, Okamura A, Fujita E, Fuji K, Hiratsuka N, Komatsu M, Arita I (1981) New peptide antibiotics, trichopolyns I and II, from Trichoderma polysporum. J Chem Soc Chem Comm 585–587 Fujita T, Takaishi Y, Ogawa T, Tokimoto K (1984) Fungal metabolites. 1. Isolation and biological activities of hypelcins A and B (growth inhibitors against Lentinus edodes) from Hypocrea peltata. Chem Pharm Bull 32:1822–1828 Fujita T, Iida A, Uesato S, Takaishi Y, Shingu T, Saito M, Morita M (1988) Structural elucidation of trichosporin-B-Ia, IIIa, IIId and V from Trichoderma polysporum.

From that time, HIT solar cell efficiency exceeds 22%, and the su

From that time, HIT solar cell efficiency exceeds 22%, and the surface passivation capability of a-Si:H was intensively studied [19, 20]. Finding that interstitial a-Si:H

is the main cause of reduction of the surface state density results in SB273005 mw high-quality passivation of the silicon surface [21, 22]. Additionally, a thin layer of a-Si:H was proved to passivate all types of silicon substrates with the entire doping levels. selleck kinase inhibitor Being deposited at temperatures below 250°C was a merit that leads to a decrease in the thermal budget of solar cell production processes. In this respect, a-Si:H is expected to be a good passivation choice for Si nanostructure solar cells. Crozier et al. [16] demonstrated that in situ amorphous Si/SiNW surface recombination decayed just about 2 orders of magnitude compared with SiNWs alone. The surface passivation capability of amorphous silicon was proved by the increase of lifetime and carrier diffusion Selleckchem LEE011 length. However, this passivation effect was not investigated on the SiNW solar cell performance. In a previous study

[16], SiNWs were synthesized using the VLS process which was a bottom-up synthesis approach. Indeed, those SiNWs differ from SiNWs synthesized by metal-assisted wet chemical etching (top-down approach), especially in the defect type and quantity, SiNW density, as well as doping mechanism [23]. In this work, for the first time, the fabrication of an a-Si:H/vertically aligned SiNW (shell/core) solar cell was proposed. The SiNW arrays were fabricated by metal-assisted wet chemical etching of silicon substrates, whereas the a-Si:H shell was deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition

(PECVD). The structural, optical, and electrical properties of the a-Si:H/SiNW solar cell were all analyzed. Methods The growth of aligned SiNW arrays was carried out on p-type (100) silicon (0 to 1 Ω cm) wafers. The etching was carried out in a Teflon beaker containing a HF/AgNO3 solution, varying etching parameters like concentration, temperature as well as etching time. Prior to the etching, Glutamate dehydrogenase the samples were sequentially cleaned with acetone, ethanol, and de-ionized water for 5 min each followed by cleaning with a boiling piranha solution (H2SO4/H2O2 = 3:1 by volume, for 60 min) to remove any organic containment. The samples were then rinsed thoroughly with de-ionized water followed by dipping in 10% HF solution to remove any surface oxides. The cleaned silicon wafers were then immersed in the etching solution HF/AgNO3 (5.25:0.02 M). After the etching processes, the tree-like silver pattern wrapping the silicon samples was detached using a NH3OH/H2O2 (3:1) solution. Finally, the samples were rinsed with de-ionized water and air-dried. A conventional diffusion procedure was carried out to fabricate the SiNW solar cell.

All three proteins are predicted to contain multiple trans-membra

All three proteins are predicted to contain multiple trans-membrane helices, also predicted for the B. fragilis homologs, and BatD possesses a predicted signal sequence for export, suggesting that these proteins may associate with either the inner or outer membrane of L. biflexa. Figure 1 Amino acid motifs in the Bat proteins of L. biflexa . The vWF and TPR domains

are conserved among Bat homologs and have been proposed to facilitate formation of a large Bat protein complex [4]. The vWF domains identified in Bat proteins contain metal ion-dependent adhesion sites (MIDAS) shown to bind metal ions [10] and the domain overall is thought to mediate protein-protein interactions [11]. The TPR domain of BatB consists of a repeated amino acid motif previously shown to form a tertiary scaffold structure for multiprotein complex INK1197 nmr formation (reviewed in [12]). These domains, along with the presence

of multiple transmembrane helices and a signal sequence find more identified in BatD, suggest that the Bat proteins form a complex associated with either the inner or outer membrane of L. biflexa. Deletion of bat genes The L. biflexa bat genes are located within a contiguous stretch of 11 genes on chromosome II that are transcriptionally oriented in the same direction (Figure 2A). Two different mutations were engineered using allelic replacement with the kanamycin-resistance cassette to delete either batA alone or batABD together; flanking genes were left intact. Three mutant clones from each transformation were shown to have lost the corresponding bat loci by Selleckchem Sepantronium Southern blot analysis of genomic DNA (Figure 2B). PCR analysis also confirmed the presence of the antibiotic-resistance gene (kan) and flanking genes, but bat loci were absent, as expected (data not shown). A single transformant of each type was randomly chosen for further characterization. Figure 2 Gene organization in wild-type and mutant strains of L. biflexa . (A) Genetic organization of bat genes and

flanking genes on chromosome II of L. biflexa (not drawn to scale). The corresponding deleted regions in mutant strains Farnesyltransferase are depicted with the respective bat genes replaced by the kanamycin-resistance cassette [13]. (B) Southern blot analysis of L. biflexa strains confirms the absence of the respective bat genes in mutant strains. Genomic DNA for the Southern blot was double-digested with restriction endonucleases NdeI and PstI. Three independently isolated transformants from each mutant were compared to wild-type and hybridized with either a labeled batA fragment or with a labeled fragment spanning batB to batD. The weak signal observed at ~3 kb in the batA mutant strains hybridized with the batA probe is likely due to cross-hybridization with batB. +, purified plasmid DNA from E. coli with a cloned region of L. biflexa DNA containing batABD.

Moreover, the PNA molecules present

Moreover, the PNA molecules present Navitoclax more resistance to nucleases and proteases than DNA molecules. When PNA probes are attached to a fluorochrome dye,

they can be detected by epifluorescence microscopy or flow cytometry using the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) method [16, 17, 20]. In earlier studies [19], this technique has provided more prompt and robust results in clinical and environmental samples than the traditional culture methods and it has been applied in a wide range of microbiology fields [14, 18]. In fact, a PNA-FISH method to determine the presence of H. pylori in gastric biopsy specimens has been already developed in our laboratory, using a specific probe (Hp769) [21]. Due to the importance of antibiotic resistance, the aim of this work was to develop and validate a new PNA-FISH based diagnostic method to detect H. pylori clarithromycin resistance directly in paraffin embedded gastric biopsies. Methods Bacterial strains and CRISPR/Cas9 activator growth conditions Thirty three H. pylori strains (31 clinical isolates and 2 collection strains), that had their clarithromycin resistance profile determined in this study by sequencing and E-test (see method description below),

were used. All strains selleck kinase inhibitor were maintained on Columbia Agar Base (Liofilchem s.r.l., Roseto D.A., Italy) supplemented with 5% (vol/vol) defibrinated horse blood (Probiológica, Belas, Portugal). Single colonies were streaked onto fresh media every 2 or 3 days, and the plates were incubated in a CO2 incubator (HERAcell 150®; Thermo Electron Corporation, Waltham, MA, USA) set to 10% CO2 and 5% O2, at 37°C [21, 22]. Design of PNA oligonucleotide probes for the detection of clarithromycin resistance PNA probes were designed by adapting the already existing DNA probes, targeting the region of the point mutations described for this antibiotic in H. pylori [2]. Since PNA probes usually present higher melting Cobimetinib cell line temperatures it was possible to design shorter sequences

with 15 nucleotides. The selected probes were Hp1 (A2143G) 5′-GGG TCT CTC CGT CTT-3′, Hp2 (A2142G) 5′-GGG TCT TCC CGT CTT-3′ and Hp3 (A2142C) 5′-GGG TCT TGC CGT CTT-3′. An additional probe to detect wild type strains (Hpwt 5′-GGG TCT TTC CGT CTT-3′) was also included. Afterwards, the selected sequences were synthesized (Panagene, Daejeon, South Korea). The N terminus of the Hp1, Hp2 and Hp3 oligomers was connected to Alexa Fluor 488, and that of the Hpwt connected to Alexa Fluor 594, all via a double AminoEthoxyEthoxy Acetyl linker. Fluorescence in situ hybridization As a starting point for the optimization of hybridization conditions the protocol previously described was used [14, 21]. Since the different probes only differed in one nucleobase, and for multiplex purposes, a common hybridization temperature was expected for all probes. Based on the brightest signals and specificity of the results, the best performance was obtained at 70°C (data not shown). H.

This

This EPZ015666 research buy approach of growth curve synchronization has several advantages over sampling a system at different times. Firstly, the endpoint measurements can all be performed at the same time, thereby decreasing experimental variability. Secondly, efficiency will be improved compared to processing multiple samples at different times. Thirdly, no invasive sampling is necessary and the method requires no constant vigilance or presence. Finally, as we discuss throughout the paper, it allows measuring the division rate of cells

directly from optical density with very high precision. We exemplify the growth curve synchronization method by analyzing rhamnolipid secretion by the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa. P. aeruginosa is an opportunistic human pathogen found in long-term, often terminal, infections in cystic fibrosis patients and various nosocomial infections occurring in immunocompromized SB525334 datasheet patients [2–9]. Rhamnolipids are among the predominant virulence factors of P. aeruginosa [9, 10]. These glycolipid surfactants are Selleckchem NVP-HSP990 involved in the formation and maintenance of biofilms, cytolysis of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) and swarming motility ([8, 11]; reviewed in [12]). Their synthesis is regulated by quorum sensing, a mechanism for cell density-dependent

gene regulation. As such, rhamnolipid secretion in P. aeruginosa is a valuable model system to investigate how pathogenic bacteria coordinate population-wide traits at the molecular level [13]. The rhamnolipid quorum-sensing regulation consists of at least two hierarchical systems governed by two different autoinducers [14–23].

These two systems, called rhl and las, share a common motif. An autoinducer synthase (RhlI and LasI) synthesizes Idoxuridine the autoinducer (N-butyryl-L-homoserine lactone or C4-HSL and N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone or 3O-C12-HSL), which binds to its cognate transcription factor (RhlR and LasR) that, in turn, up-regulates the autoinducer synthase in a positive feedback. LasR controls expression of RhlR, and thereby the las system is hierarchically above rhl. The rhl system induces expression of rhlAB, resulting in rhamnolipid production [24]. In spite of this knowledge, the rhamnolipid system has puzzled microbiologists because it does not behave like the paradigm of quorum sensing [13, 25, 26]. In either rhlI – or lasI – bacteria, adding autoinducers to the growth media does not induce rhamnolipid secretion from the outset of the culture, indicating there is at least one other factor regulating rhlAB expression [13]. Here we illustrate our growth curve synchronization method by integrating high-resolution spectrophotometric measurements of cell density and gene expression with endpoint rhamnolipid quantification to produce multi-measurement time series of the latter.

DMEM medium was supplemented with the same concentration of L-tyr

DMEM Selleck LY2606368 medium was supplemented with the same concentration of L-tyrosine and agmatine sulphate as used for the gastrointestinal

experiments. In the adhesion assay experiments, bacteria grown in MRS to the mid-exponential phase (OD620 = 0.8) as for BA induction, were centrifuged (10.000 x g, 10 min), washed once with cold phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) pH 7.1 (10 mM Na2HPO4, 1 mM KH2PO4, 140 mM NaCl, 3 mM KCl, all purchased from Merck, Darmstadt, Germany) and resuspended in the same DMEM medium supplemented, or not, with tyrosine, agmatine or both. Bacterial suspensions were added to Caco-2 intestinal cells in a final selleck chemical volume of 0.1 mL and a final concentration of 1.25 x 107 CFU mL-1 (ratio 1:100, Caco-2 cells to bacteria) and incubated at 37°C for 1 h. Unbound bacteria were then removed by washing three times with 0.2 mL of PBS at pH 7.1. Some wells, unwashed, were used as control. Cell cultures were then resuspended in 0.1 mL of PBS and detached by adding 0.1 ml of 0.05% trypsin-EDTA (Gibco, Carlsbad, CA). After incubation at 37°C for 10 min, the detachment reaction was interrupted by adding 0.1 mL of cold PBS. The number of total and adhered bacteria was determined by serial dilution and quantitation on agar plates as for viable counts. The adhesion percentage was calculated by comparing the number of CFU from three washed wells with those from control wells. Every experiment was performed in

triplicate. RP-HPLC determination of BA Pre-column dabsyl chloride manual derivatisation was performed for BA detection. The derivatisation https://www.selleckchem.com/products/incb28060.html reaction was carried out as described by Krause et al. [40]. 10 μl of the dabsylated supernatants were used for injection. HPLC analysis was performed using an Alliance 2795 system (Waters, Milford, MA) equipped

with a Waters Nova-Pack C18 column (150 × 3.9 mm 4 μm particle size). Dabsylated amino acids and amines were eluted using the gradient described by Krause et al. [40]. Detection was carried out by a Waters 2996 Photodiode array detector at 436 nm. RNA extraction and Real Time PCR analysis Transcriptional analysis was performed after 20 min gastric stress simulation. Control and samples mimicking gastric stress at pH 5.0, were analyzed in the presence or absence of biogenic amine precursors. Total RNAs were extracted pheromone from 2 × 109 cells using the FastRNA pro blue kit (Qbiogene, Montreal, QC) following the manufacturer’s instructions. Cells were lysed mechanically with a Hybaid Ribolyser for 30 s. The RNAs’ quantity and quality was determined by spectrophotometry, and their integrity was assessed by visualization of the rRNA bands on 1.2% agarose gels. Absence of chromosomal DNA was confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. cDNAs were synthesized using 0.8 μg of total RNA and Quantitect Reverse Transcription (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) which included a DNase treatment and reverse transcription.