Aggregation-fragmentation and individual dynamics of active clusters.

A remarkable feature of active matter is the propensity to self-organize. One striking instance of this ability to generate spatial structures is the cluster phase, where clusters broadly distributed in size constantly move and evolve through particle exchange, breaking or merging. Here we propose an exhaustive description of the cluster dynamics in apolar active matter. Exploiting large statistics gathered on thousands of Janus colloids, we measure the aggregation and fragmentation rates and rationalize the resulting cluster size distribution and fluctuations. We also show that the motion of individual clusters is entirely consistent with a model positing random orientation of colloids. Our findings establish a simple, generic model of cluster phase, and pave the way for a thorough understanding of clustering in active matter.

Genotyping Procedures in Linkage Mapping

Genotyping methods based on nonradioactive detection of PCR products and suitable for large-scale mapping projects are described. Two alternative techniques are proposed for the genotyping of polymorphic short tandem repeats or microsatellite markers. The first is designed for investigators who do not have access to automatic sequencing machines. This technique uses multiplex analysis of PCR products that are separated on sequencing gels, transferred to nylon membranes, and detected by hybridization with nonradioactive probes. The second technique uses automatic sequencing machines for the detection of fluorescently labeled PCR products. Another method describes the analysis of nonpolymorphic markers in whole-genome radiation hybrids. This method uses separation and detection of PCR products on agarose gels.

Oligonucleotide micro-arrays for identification of unknown mutations: how far from reality?

The present review examines critically what has been published on oligonucleotide micro-arrays, from the point of view of detection of unknown mutations. We will first demonstrate the theoretical power of this new technique, and then argue that it is experimentally realistic. However, technical difficulties remain, and the proposed solutions for controlling the hybridisation specificity and for manufacturing the micro-arrays will be reviewed. Some are promising, but a complete integration of several of these solutions must be achieved before oligonucleotide micro-arrays become a universal tool for routine detection of unknown mutations. Nevertheless, sequence specific arrays should be available in the short term for the most frequently studied genes.

Interplay of an original combination of factors: C/EBP, NFY, HNF3, and HNF1 in the rat aldolase B gene promoter.

The rat aldolase B 5' flanking region (nucleotides - 194 to +41) contains sufficient information for liver-specific expression. A detailed investigation of factors binding to the rat aldolase B 5' flanking region has allowed us to identify three distinct factors that filled different sites of this region (A, B, C). The liver-enriched C/EBP or related factors bind to box C, as demonstrated by the specific interaction with bacterially expressed C/EBP protein. Box B bearing the CCAAT sequence binds the ubiquitous factor NFY. Surprisingly, Box A is able to bind two liver enriched factors, namely HNF1 and HNF3. However, in the context of the intact promoter, as shown by footprinting competition experiments, HNF3 binds solely to this sequence. HNF3, but not HNF1 is a transcriptional activator as demonstrated in the in vitro transcription assay.

Expression of the rat aldolase B gene: a liver-specific proximal promoter and an intronic activator.

The nature and location of the cis-acting DNA sequences regulating expression of the rat aldolase B gene has been investigated. Two liver-specific DNAse I hypersensitive sites were detected, one located just upstream from the cap site, the second in the middle of the first, 4.8-kbp-long, intron. A fragment of 190 bp 5' to the cap site behaved as a tissue-specific but weak core promoter: it directed a detectable reporter gene expression in the Hep G2 cells and hepatocytes, but not in fibroblasts. The tissue-specific expression was stimulated at least 16 fold when constructs contained the entire first intron. The intronic activating sequences could be ascribed to an inner 2 kbp fragment in which the downstream liver-specific DNAse I hypersensitive site was located.

Transfection of hepatic genes into adult rat hepatocytes in primary culture and their tissue-specific expression.

We describe in this paper a method for studying transient gene expression in a primary culture of adult rat hepatocytes. After isolation by collagenase perfusion, hepatocytes in a monolayer were transfected with foreign DNA by the calcium phosphate precipitation technique during the first 24 hours after plating. When they were transfected with a plasmid containing the gene for chloramphenicol acetyltransferase driven by the early promoter of simian virus 40, hepatocytes reproducibly expressed high levels of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT); this transient expression was much higher than that obtained with the rat hepatoma cell line H4II. Different medium conditions have been tested; an optimal level of CAT activity can be obtained using a serum-free, hormonally defined medium. Using these techniques, we have investigated the expression of liver-specific genes transferred into hepatocytes. We show that the L-pyruvate kinase promoter is active in these hepatocytes while it is silent in fibroblasts. Moreover, the use of serum-free medium may allow investigation of the role of hormones and nutrients in cells which respond normally to these effectors.