Notes: Delta-like 1 homolog (DLK1) functions in cell differentiation during development in both a Notch-dependent and -independent manner. Here, the CheckMate™/Flexi® Mammalian Two-Hybrid System and Dual-Luciferase® Reporter Assay System are used to monitor DLK1-DLK1, DLK1-fibronectin, and DLK1-cysteine-rich FGF receptor interactions. This further illustrates the function of the Notch-independent mechanism in development. (5104)

Notes: These authors studied the effect of specific amino acid substitutions in the N^pro gene of swine fever virus. The N^pro gene encodes a non-strucutral protein that prevents interferon production by promoting proteasomal degradation of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3). N^pro also has an autoprotease function. Deletion of the entire N^pro region attenuates virulence. In this study, the authors showed that degradation of IRF3 and autoprotease activity are independent, structurally overlapping functions. In particular, they investigated the effect of specific amino acid substitutions that eliminated IRF3 interaction and degradation, but did not affect autoprotease activity. They showed that removal of IRF3 degradation activity of N^pro had only minimal effect on virulence in swine. The pGEM-T Vector was used to clone the amplified N^pro gene, and the CheckMate™ Flexi Vector Mammalian Two-Hybrid System was used for protein interaction studies. (3944)