Domain swapping is common in diverse soluble proteins and most of

Domain swapping is common in diverse soluble proteins and most often occurs in hinge-loop regions that bridge larger domains (Bennett and Eisenberg, 2004, Liu and Eisenberg, 2002 and Rousseau et al., 2012), which is exactly the situation present in how the S4-S5 linker bridges the VSD and PD. Both the origins and the consequences for function of this swapped topology remain BMN 673 cost unclear. Further, how this domain swapping is played out by VGIC superfamily members such as CaVs, NaVs, and

TPCs in which the subunits have covalent constraints between the six transmembrane blocks (Figure 1B) is not known. Domain swapping is not unique to voltage-gated channels. K2P (Brohawn et al., 2013) and glutamate receptor (Sobolevsky et al., 2009) structures reveal domain swapping in the membrane and extramembranous domains, respectively. Clearly, such a quirky topology, particularly within the KV, BacNaV, and K2P membrane domains, poses new challenges

for how we think about biogenesis of these proteins. Not only is there a question about Selleckchem CB-839 what the disparate pore domains do while waiting for the other three during protein synthesis, but how do they then assemble into these interlocked structures? Are there chaperones that act within the plane of the membrane to guide such processes and prevent misfolding events? The last surprise highlighted here is the way in which lipids from the bilayer seem to play a role in walling off part

of the internal pore. Both BacNaVs (McCusker et al., 2012, Payandeh et al., 2011, Payandeh et al., 2012, Shaya et al., 2013 and Zhang et al., 2012) and K2Ps (Brohawn et al., 2012, Brohawn et al., 2013 and Miller and Long, 2012) have interior cavities in which the pore-forming segments are arranged in Cediranib (AZD2171) a way that opens lateral portals into the bilayer (Brohawn et al., 2012). Studies from the Figure 1A era had proposed that hydrophobic channel blockers, such as anesthetics, might enter the channel pore from the bilayer (Hille, 1977b and Hille, 2001). These side portals now suggest a physical means for such a process. And while it should be of no surprise that a channel domain bathed in lipids might have important interactions with particular parts of the surrounding bilayer, such features do open new questions including: how might modulators move through such portals, and do the size and shape of these lateral access pathways change as the channel passes through its conformational cycle? Addressing the issue of lipid structure around a channel and its influence on channel structure remains challenging and an important area for further inquiry.

5, 128 3, 127 3, 126 8, 125 2, 123 4, 122 6, 115 6, 56 2; HRMS (E

5, 128.3, 127.3, 126.8, 125.2, 123.4, 122.6, 115.6, 56.2; HRMS (EI) m/z calcd for C23H14Cl2N2O3S: 468.0102; found:

468.0097. This compound was prepared as per the above mentioned procedure purified and Modulators isolated TGF-beta inhibitor as slight yellowish solid: yield 85.67% mp 213 °C; IR (KBr) vmax 2950, 2823, 1721, 1220, 1140, 743 cm−1; 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ ppm; 11 (s, 1H COOH), 7.35–8.10 (m, 10H, Ar–H), 2.99 (s, 3H, SCH3); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ ppm; 168.2, 157.8, 144.7, 141.6, 139.6, 137.5, 137.4, 134.2, 131.3, 130.1, 129.6, 129.1, 128.4, 127.4, 127.1, 127.3, 127.8, 124.5, 122.6, 15.3; HRMS (EI) m/z calcd for C23H14Cl2N2O2S2: 483.9874; found: 483.9870. The compound was prepared as per the general procedure mentioned above purified and isolated as colorless solid; yield 90.1%; mp 212–214 °C; IR (KBr) vmax 2969, 1560,1356, 1290, 710 cm−1; 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ ppm; 7.10–8.10 (m, 10H, Ar–H), 2.42 (s, 3H, CH3); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ ppm; 157.4, 146.7, 145.3, 139.5, 138.6, 137.3, 135.9, 132.6, 130.2, 130.0, 128.3, 127.5, 125.4, 122.4, 122.3, 120.6, 22.4; HRMS (EI) m/z calcd for C22H13Cl2N3O2S: 453.0106;

found: 453.0104. This compound was prepared as per the above mentioned procedure purified and isolated as pale yellow solid: yield 27.05% mp 203 °C; IR (KBr) vmax 2945, 1518, 1377, 1320, cm−1; 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ ppm; 7.30–8.05 (m, 11H, Ar–H) 3.89 (s, 6H, OCH3); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ ppm; 162.5, 157.7, 146.8, 145.6, 139.6, 138.5, 132.6, 131.5, 128.5, 125.8, 122.6, 121.5, 120.1, 115.6, 56.1; HRMS (EI) m/z calcd for C23H17N3O4S: 431.0940; found: 431.0936. This compound was prepared as per the above mentioned procedure purified and isolated as slight Staurosporine ic50 yellowish solid: yield 63.23% mp 213 °C; IR (KBr) vmax 2914, 1524,

1550, 1340, 1220, 1140, cm−1; 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ ppm; 7.20–8.10 (m, 11H, Ar–H), 3.92 (s, 3H, OCH3); 2.98 (s, 3H, SCH3); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ ppm; 162.5, 157.4, 146.2, 145.7, 141.2, 139.5, 138.6132.6, 130.2, 130.1, 129.5, 128.4, 128.1, 123.4, 122.4, 120.4, 115.4, 56.3, 15.2; HRMS (EI) m/z calcd for C23H17N3O3S2: 447.0711; found: 447.0708. This compound was prepared as per the above mentioned procedure purified and isolated as yellowish solid: yield 94.2% mp 204 °C; IR (KBr) vmax 2956, 1510, 1477, 1320, cm−1; 1H NMR (CDCl3) δ ppm; 7.14–8.08 (m, 11H, Ar–H), MycoClean Mycoplasma Removal Kit 3.90 (s, 6H, OCH3); 13C NMR (CDCl3) δ ppm; 162.3, 157.5, 148.6, 143.5, 139.6, 139.1, 132.6, 131.6, 130.2, 127.5, 124.2, 121.4, 118.4, 115.3, 56.2; HRMS (EI) m/z calcd for C23H17N3O4S: 431.0940; found: 431.0937.

3c) Growth kinetics in the mosquito cells was delayed as observe

3c). Growth kinetics in the mosquito cells was delayed as observed

RG7204 clinical trial by others [19] and [25], reaching equal titers compared to Vero cells at day 4 postinfection (Fig. 3d). Taken together, these data indicate that WNVsyn and the corresponding WNVwt isolate are indistinguishable with respect to replication and infectivity in both tested cell lines. In addition, virulence of WNVsyn and WNVwt were compared in cohorts of 7-week-old Balb/c mice. For this purpose mice were infected intranasally with virus dilutions corresponding to 2 × 105 to 2 × 102 TCID50 per animal. Survival was monitored for 21 days postinfection and LD50 values were calculated. Similar mortalities of infected mice induced by the two WNV viruses were observed (Table 2). The lethal dose 50 for WNVsyn and WNVwt was 3.6 and 3.4 log 10 TCID50, respectively. The experiment was repeated once and similar results were obtained. Following the demonstration that WNVsyn exhibits indistinguishable biological properties MLN8237 compared to the WNV wild-type isolate, the protective efficacy of experimental vaccines derived from both viruses was analyzed. For this purpose, groups of ten mice were immunized twice with

decreasing doses of formalin-inactivated, alum-adjuvanted whole virus vaccines derived from the viruses (see Section 2). Quantification by ELISA of vaccine preparations prior to formulation and adjuvantation confirmed the presence of equal amounts of antigen in the

respective dosage groups. Further, Western blotting confirmed equivalent amounts and protein patterns in the two antigen preparations (Fig. 4b). The predominant band in these preparations is the envelope antigen (E) migrating in the 60 kDa range, the fainter bands representing the pre-membrane (prM) and the dimeric membrane (M) proteins (see also [26]). PDK4 Two weeks after the second vaccination WNV-specific neutralizing antibodies were determined by a microneutralization assay. Serum analysis demonstrated high neutralizing antibody levels in both vaccine preparations (see Fig. 4a and Table 3). Mice were then challenged intranasally with a lethal dose (1 × 105 TCID50) of WNV wild-type virus. Vaccination with both preparations resulted in a high degree of protection in vaccinated mice. Complete protection was achieved using doses as low as 63 nanograms of the WNV antigens while 95% of the non-vaccinated controls died. The vaccines clearly induced a dose-dependent protection correlating with NT titers (Table 3). Modulators reverse genetics systems of positive-sense RNA viruses allow, for instance, for mutagenesis procedures and generation of chimeric viruses and thus are invaluable tools for live vaccine development and for studying the biology of those viruses (see e.g. Refs. [27] and [28]). Usually the starting material for the generation of seed viruses for vaccines or such reverse genetics systems are virus stocks derived from a biological source.

Clinical trials of the lead dengue vaccine

candidate whic

Clinical trials of the lead dengue vaccine

candidate which are closely monitored for the appearance of any ADE, of which there has been no sign to date [11], will be the key to answering the first of these questions, but monitoring should continue well beyond inhibitors vaccine introduction. Principally this will be to ensure that an increased incidence of severe dengue does not emerge in RAD001 datasheet the vaccinated population, but it could also serve to ensure accurate data are available to address concerns or refute any claims about vaccine-related ADE should cases arise. Establishing effective pharmacovigilance systems will be essential to accurately monitor the safety of a dengue vaccination programme; this will be particularly important in countries that are among

the first to adopt the vaccine. Certain conditions can potentially be mistaken for AEFI. For example, leptospirosis or infection with Rickettsia may be mistaken for viscerotropic or neurotropic disease, which is an extremely rare adverse event with the TFV 17D yellow fever vaccine (which forms the backbone of the current lead candidate dengue vaccine [9]) [42]. There is therefore a need for good differential diagnostic capacity at the country level, with training of physicians in the recognition and diagnosis of these illnesses. There is also a need for comprehensive background data on potential adverse events such as viscerotropic or neurotropic disease to respond to any perceived increase in incidence. Demonstration Adenosine projects selleck inhibitor are studies conducted in some countries after registration to support vaccine introduction activities a step beyond licensure (but short of full scale introduction) and help convince local authorities of the effectiveness of a vaccine and the

feasibility of vaccination [43]. The ongoing introduction of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine provides an example of the usefulness of demonstration projects [44]. In Vietnam, formative research identified the suitability of established delivery systems and the receptiveness of policymakers to an HPV vaccine [45]. At the same time it identified gaps in the cold chain system and public concerns about vaccination which needed to be addressed. There are a number of complex issues surrounding dengue vaccination which highlight the importance of demonstration projects [43]. Specific sites which could be considered for demonstration projects include sentinel sites, urban centres, high-risk regions, regions with well established NIPs, schools, and island communities. Any specific project should examine programme feasibility with respect to training and logistics together with vaccine effectiveness and issues related to AEFI and catch-up vaccination. While national programmes should consider the need for, and feasibility of, demonstration projects, it should not be necessary for every country to run separate projects.

For the MMR group, the children (71 girls; 76 boys) were aged 1–4

For the MMR group, the children (71 girls; 76 boys) were aged 1–4 years (mean = 2.71; SD = 0.75;

median = 3). For the dTaP/IPV group, the children (50 girls; 58 boys) were aged 1–4 years (mean = 2.72; SD = 0.76; median = 3). Self-reported uptake of primary immunisation was high. For children in the MMR group, 132 (89.8%) had received the first MMR, three (2%) had received the separate measles, mumps and rubella components, and nine (6.1%) were not immunised against these diseases; 138 (93.9%) had completed vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Hib before 1 year of age; three (2%) were not immunised and for four children (2.7%) the parents indicated that this was unknown (information was not provided for the inhibitors remaining children). For children in the dTaP/IPV group, 98 this website (90.7%) had received the first AZD6244 in vitro MMR, one had received the separate components,

seven (6.5%) were not immunised and for one child the parent indicated that this was unknown; 105 (97.2%) had completed vaccinations against diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio and Hib, one child was not immunised against these diseases and one parent indicated this was unknown (one parent did not provide uptake information). Parents in the two groups differed only in terms of sex, χ2(1, n[MMR] = 147, n[dTaP/IPV] = 108) = 5.543, exact p = 0.024 and number of children, U = 6621.500, n[MMR] = 147, L-NAME HCl n[dTaP/IPV] = 108, p = 0.012; with more fathers in the dTaP/IPV group and those in the MMR group having more children. No differences were found on other parent or child characteristics (p > 0.05). The items measuring each TPB component should correlate with each other and exhibit high internal consistency [12]. Thus, it was necessary to determine whether the items designed to measure each component (Table 1) fulfilled these requirements. Firstly, because parents were asked to complete an identical set of questions about either MMR or dTaP/IPV, the following check was conducted

for each TPB component in turn to determine whether the two datasets had a similar structure and could be combined in order to conduct reliability analysis [22]: (1) Combining the two datasets (MMR and dTaP/IPV), the raw scores for items in the TPB component were subjected to principal components analysis (PCA) with a forced single-factor solution; Table 3 shows that for each TPB component, the correlation between the two sets of loadings was high (close to 1) and the constant was not significantly different from zero. This indicated that even though the absolute values in the dTaP/IPV and MMR groups might differ, the interrelationship between items was similar. Thus, reliability statistics could be examined within the combined dataset.

We collapsed the data across the three speeds and performed regre

We collapsed the data across the three speeds and performed regression of firing learn more rate (or normalized firing rate) versus each variable. A regression slope and correlation coefficient of one for any particular

variable would indicate that the neuron encodes the value of that variable unambiguously. For the variable of elapsed time, we obtained an average regression slope of 0.90 and correlation coefficient of 0.79 in both monkeys. Slopes and correlations were somewhat smaller for distance (slope = 0.62 and 0.61; r = 0.75 and 0.71) and for speed (slope = 0.67 and 0.66; r = 0.65 and 0.62). Thus, the neural responses as a group could encode any of the three variables but were best related to elapsed time. For a learned movement to be effective, it not only needs to have the correct trajectory but must also

be produced at the desired time. We have provided evidence that the FEFSEM is involved in regulating the timing of learned pursuit eye movements. We show that when driven by a temporally precise instructive stimulus, learned changes in firing rate are preferentially expressed in neurons that respond best at the time of the instructive stimulus Wnt inhibitor during prelearning step-ramp pursuit. Our results suggest that the FEFSEM may be a site where the timing of sensory errors is processed during learning and integrated into appropriate, learned motor commands. We provide several lines of evidence that the learned responses of neurons in

the FEFSEM are related selectively to learning and are not secondary to the altered eye movement. Comparing the changes in firing rate resulting from two different instruction times showed that the magnitude of the learned neural response depended more unless on the temporal properties of the instructive stimulus than on the size of the learned eye movement. Our analysis of the learned changes in eye velocity and firing rate across single trials revealed a dissociation between the magnitudes of the behavioral and neural responses. Finally, for the same neuron, the change in firing rate associated with a visually-driven eye velocity was often quite different from the change in firing rate produced by learning, even though the visually-evoked eye velocity mimicked the learned eye velocity closely.

However, these results support the hypothesis that DLK is require

However, these results support the hypothesis that DLK is required for improved growth cone performance subsequent to activation of the intrinsic regeneration program at the cell body, but not for the locally regulated initiation

and extension of the growth cone. Is DLK DAPT mw the signaling molecule responsible for the improved axon regeneration induced by a preconditioning injury? Wild-type sensory axons respond to a preconditioning injury with an accelerated regeneration after a second injury (McQuarrie and Grafstein, 1973 and Hoffman, 2010). Shin et al. (2012) found that this conditioning injury effect was completely abolished in DLK KO sciatic sensory axons in vivo. The sciatic nerve was crushed, 3 days later a second crush was

made, and 1 day later axon growth was measured. Wild-type axons respond with a 2-fold increase in the “index” of regeneration, but the DLK KO axons showed no increase. They also examined the direct effect on growth cone extension in cultured DRG neurons by crushing the sciatic nerve, waiting 3 days, and then culturing the preconditioned cells. After 16 hr in culture, the wild-type axons showed the expected accelerated growth, but this effect was absent in the DLK KO axons. The loss of DLK abolished any response to a preconditioning injury (Figure 1). The only preconditioning see more effect not mimicked by DLK seems to be the shortened latency to growth cone formation, but Shin et al. (2012) did not directly address whether there was a change in latency after a preconditioning injury in their experiments (Hoffman, 2010). Next, Shin et al. (2012) wanted to identify the molecular signals regulated by DLK and responsible for the retrograde activation of the cell-intrinsic regeneration program. As expected, they identified the known DLK/JNK target c-Jun (Raivich et al., 2004). Phosphorylated c-Jun was assayed

in the DRG cell nuclei in response to sciatic nerve second crush and found to be completely blocked in the DLK KO cells. However, phosphorylated STAT3 is absent from DRG cell bodies after nerve crush in DLK KO cells. The level of phosphorylated STAT3 in crushed axons was unchanged in the DLK KO, suggesting that DLK might regulate its retrograde transport. They tested this model with a double ligation experiment and found that the retrograde transport of p-STAT, in addition to JIP3 and p-JNK, depends on DLK function. These results support a model in which DLK is the local axon injury sensor that functions to regulate the retrograde transport of signaling molecules activating the cell-intrinsic regeneration program (Cavalli et al., 2005). There are some surprising similarities between DLK function in mouse and C. elegans axon regeneration.

It is well established that eye movements can modulate the respon

It is well established that eye movements can modulate the responses of visual cortex (Wurtz, Selleckchem Gefitinib 1968 and MacEvoy et al., 2008). To control for possible effects of eye movements, we recorded pupil position during all experiments. Average pupil position was independent of visual flow and feedback mismatch and only exhibited a small running-induced shift (2.1° nasal,

1.8° ventral; see Figure S4) that was considerably smaller than both the average size of receptive fields in mouse visual cortex (5°–15°; Niell and Stryker, 2008) and the field of view covered by the full-field gratings. The number of saccades during nonrunning phases was 0.13 ± 0.008 saccades per second (mean ± SEM, n = 27 experiments in 7 mice), CCI779 comparable to previous

reports (Sakatani and Isa, 2007). Passive viewing of playback had no effect on saccade frequency (0.12 ± 0.007 saccades per second). During running, however, average saccade frequency was significantly higher (0.30 ± 0.016 saccades per second). To test whether the increase of neural activity during running could be explained by the increased frequency of saccades, we calculated average saccade-triggered activity and found that the peak average saccade-triggered population response (peak ΔF/F change: 0.2%) was smaller even than the playback onset-triggered response (p < 10−10, Wilcoxon rank-sum test). On average, saccades elicited surprisingly little activity in visual cortex. This could be explained by the fact that the visual stimulus we used was a full-field STK38 grating and thus resulted in similar visual input independent of exact eye position. Our data demonstrate that visual cortex receives surprisingly strong and ubiquitous motor-related input in addition to visual input. Moreover, we found that visual input alone is a poor predictor of neural activity. Instead,

certain combinations of visual input and locomotion, namely mismatch between running and visual feedback, proved to be much better predictors of neural activity. To record neural activity in the behaving animal, we have employed functional two-photon imaging of the genetically encoded calcium indicator GCaMP3. As compared to more standard electrophysiological recording techniques, functional imaging offers two main advantages. One is the higher number of neurons that can be recorded simultaneously during an experiment. The other advantage is that by imaging one gains information on the anatomical location of every recorded cell and is thus able to determine, e.g., cortical layer of origin, with high reliability and can detect patterns in the spatial arrangements of neurons having certain functional responses. However, the use of GCaMP3 as a functional indicator might lead to an underestimation of activity levels, as GCaMP3 only reports signals when firing rates are above a certain threshold (two to three spikes in a 500 ms window; Tian et al., 2009).

The reductions in sleep elicited by neuronal depletion of Cul3, a

The reductions in sleep elicited by neuronal depletion of Cul3, and of its activator Nedd8, show that protein degradation pathways have a vital

role in regulating sleep in Drosophila. Although we cannot exclude alternative mechanisms, the simplest hypothesis consistent with our data is that Insomniac engages the Cul3 protein degradation pathway to regulate sleep. One clear implication of this hypothesis is that the increased wakefulness of insomniac and Cul3 mutants may result from the inappropriate accumulation of substrates whose degradation is normally mediated by these proteins. Our results suggest that such target substrates promote wakefulness and inhibit sleep, Epacadostat supplier this website but they do not distinguish the neuronal function of these substrates. Target substrates regulated by Insomniac and Cul3 might function in a developmental manner, for example, in the elaboration of neural circuits that regulate sleep. Indeed, Cul3 has been implicated in regulating axonal and dendritic branching ( Zhu et al., 2005). Alternatively, such substrates might actively promote waking in adult animals, such that their ongoing degradation is part of

the homeostatic mechanism contributing to the regulation of sleep-wake cycles. CS males were mutagenized with 25 to 40 mM ethylmethane sulfonate and crossed en masse very to virgins from an isogenic CS/FM7 stock. F1 FM7 virgins were backcrossed individually to CS males to establish lines. Four F2 males from each line were screened. Putative mutants were bred to isogenic CS/attached-X females and 8–24 males were rescreened. inc1 was mapped by crossing to y1 v1 f1 malF1 virgins and backcrossing F1 virgins to CS males. Analysis of male F2 recombinants placed the inc1 mutation proximal to y. For further mapping, 11 polymorphisms were developed by amplifying and sequencing ∼1 kb regions from the CS and mapping stocks at selected chromosomal positions. Mapping of inc1 with these polymorphisms

and subsequent deficiency noncomplementation analysis is described in Figure S1. Animals were backcrossed eight generations to an isogenic w1118 stock wild-type for circadian rhythms and other behaviors (Bloomington #5905, referred to elsewhere as iso31) ( Ryder et al., 2004). The inc2 transposon (CG32810f00285) contains w+mC and was backcrossed by selecting w+ female offspring. The inc1 mutation induced in the CS stock is closely linked to w+ and was backcrossed similarly; the regime was carried out for several independent vials in parallel and the presence of inc1 monitored by PCR every few generations. After eight generations, w+ males exhibiting the inc phenotype were crossed to isogenic w1118/FM7c females to generate homozygous stocks; the presence of the inc1 deletion was confirmed by PCR.

Any defect that alters this equilibrium could conceivably result

Any defect that alters this equilibrium could conceivably result in a mismatch between the number see more of mitochondria required in specific regions of a neuron and the demand for mitochondrial cargo in those regions (Schon and Area-Gomez, 2010). Given the dynamic nature of MAM, and the role of IP3Rs in maintaining the proper equilibrium between ER and mitochondrial [Ca2+], one can easily imagine that neurodegenerative disorders in which calcium homeostasis is disrupted could arise from altered ER-mitochondrial communication, or conversely, that

alterations in calcium homeostasis from some other cause could affect this communication indirectly. Among our selected adult-onset neurodegenerative diseases, two candidates are HD, in which both HTT and HAP1 interact with IP3R1 (Tang et al., 2003), and a form of SCA associated with loss of IP3R1 function (van de Leemput et al., 2007). However, the most compelling case for a role for MAM in pathogenesis is familial AD due to mutations in presenilin-1 and -2, which are components of the γ-secretase complex that cleaves the amyloid precursor protein

(APP) to produce amyloid-β, a constituent of the extracellular neuritic “plaques” that accumulate in the brains of AD patients (Schon and Area-Gomez, 2010). Apart from the accumulation of hyperphosphorylated forms of the microtubule-associated protein tau in intraneuronal “tangles” (the other prominent aspect of AD pathology), both the familial and sporadic

forms of the disease are characterized ADAMTS5 by a number of other features that have received less attention. These include altered lipid, cholesterol, Trichostatin A ic50 and glucose metabolism (Schon and Area-Gomez, 2010), aberrant calcium homeostasis (Supnet and Bezprozvanny, 2010), ER stress and the unfolded protein response (Hoozemans et al., 2005), aberrant mitochondrial dynamics (e.g., fragmented and perinuclear mitochondria, associated with, for example, altered levels [Wang et al., 2009a] or posttranslational modifications [Cho et al., 2009] of the mitochondrial fission protein dynamin-related protein-1 [DRP1]), and defects in energy metabolism (Ferreira et al., 2010), but it remains to be determined to what degree these phenomena are causally linked. It is in this context that a recent report that presenilin-1 and –2 (and γ-secretase activity itself) are highly enriched in the MAM (Area-Gomez et al., 2009) is so interesting, because the functions noted above that are perturbed in AD are in fact the very functions associated with MAM. Moreover, even the generation of the plaques might be explained by altered MAM function, as MAM-localized ACAT1, which is required to convert intracellular cholesterol to cholesteryl esters that are deposited in lipid droplets, is apparently a modulator of APP processing and amyloid-β production (Puglielli et al., 2001), for currently unknown reasons.