A hypothesis of synergism: the interrelationship of T3 and insulin to disturbances in metabolic homeostasis

While the role of abnormal insulin homeostasis in the pathogenesis of Type-2 diabetes mellitus is well established, the importance of the canonical role of T(3) on Type-2 diabetes or the homeostasis of glucose, lipid, and energy balance has not been addressed. Based on the available evidence from molecular biology, the pivotal regulatory role of T(3) in major metabolic pathways and glycemic control can be delineated by mapping the specific action sites of T(3) and insulin on the metabolic pathways of the glucose-lipid cycle. The current paper presents an integrative hypothesis of the synergistic relationship of T(3) and insulin in metabolic homeostasis and abnormalities.

Histological study of PIVKA-II expression in hepatocellular carcinoma and adenomatous hyperplasia

Although serum concentration of protein induced vitamin K absence or antagonist II (PIVKA-II) has been widely used for diagnosing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), little information is available concerning tissue PIVKA-II as an immunohistochemical marker for liver histology. In this study, we examined the expression of PIVKA-II in precancerous nodules (adenomatous hyperplasia) and various differentiation grades of HCC by immunohistochemical study using the monoclonal anti-PIVKA-II antibody (MU-3). We examined the relationship between tissue PIVKA-II staining and serum PIVKA-II level, tumor histology and tumor size. PIVKA-II was mainly detected in the cytoplasm of the HCC cells. The positive rates of PIVKA-II were as follows: adenomatous hyperplasia (AH), 0% (0/9); well-differentiated HCC, 65% (15/23); moderately differentiated HCC, 85% (22/26); poorly differentiated HCC, 54% (7/13). The expression of tissue PIVKA-II staining in moderately differentiated HCC was significantly higher than in well- or poorly differentiated HCC, whereas the serum PIVKA-II level in poorly differentiated HCC was higher than well- or moderately differentiated HCC. There was no relationship between the expression of PIVKA-II in cancer tissues and serum levels of PIVKA-II. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that PIVKA-II was expressed even in small-sized or well-differentiated HCC cells, but expression was not detected in AH. It was concluded that PIVKA-II is a useful immunohistochemical marker, even in small-sized or well-differentiated HCC.

Preoperative uterine artery embolization and evacuation in the management of cervical pregnancy: report of two cases

Preoperative uterine artery embolization and cervical evacuation as conservative management of cervical pregnancy has been tried in recent years. However, cervical suturing, vasoconstrictor injection, or cervical ballooning was frequently used as an ancillary measures in those procedures in most of the previous studies. We report two cases of cervical pregnancy that were successfully treated with preoperative uterine artery embolization and removal of gestational material without ancillary procedures. Our therapeutic modality seems to be safe and effective for conservative management of cervical pregnancy.

N-terminal processing is essential for release of epithin, a mouse type II membrane serine protease

Epithin was originally identified as a mouse type II membrane serine protease. Its human orthologue membrane type-serine protease 1 (MT-SP1)/matriptase has been reported to be localized on the plasma membrane. In addition, soluble forms of matriptase were isolated from human breast milk and breast cancer cell-conditioned medium. In this paper, we report a processing mechanism that appears to be required for the release of epithin. CHO-K1 or COS7 cells transfected with single full-length epithin cDNA generated two different-sized proteins in cell lysates, 110 and 92 kDa. The 92-kDa epithin was found to be an N-terminally truncated form of the 110-kDa epithin, and it was the only form detected in the culture medium. The 92-kDa epithin was also found on the cell surface, where it was anchored by the N-terminal fragment. The results of in vivo cell labeling experiments indicate that the 110-kDa epithin is rapidly processed to the 92-kDa epithin. Using site-directed mutagenesis experiments, we identified Gly(149) of the GSVIA sequence in epithin as required for the processing and release of the protein. These results suggest that N-terminal processing of epithin at Gly(149) is a necessary prerequisite step for release of the protein.

Constitutive expression of rice MADS box gene using seed explants in hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)

Two transgenic pepper plants were obtained from 255 seed explants that were infected with Agrobacterium LBA4404 (pGA1209). One of them (PT2) showed morphological change, such as dwarfism and early flowering by the constitutive expression of the rice OsMADS1 gene. The in vitro condition of the plant regeneration has been optimized from hypocotyl explants on a MS medium that was supplemented with zeatin 3 mg/L, IAA 0.3 mg/L for shoot induction. The optimal rooting condition was at NAA 0.3 mg/L. The transformation frequency was 0.8% from the total hypocotyls. DNA and RNA hybridization analyses showed that the introduced gene was integrated and stably expressed in regenerated plants.

Roles of chromosomal and episomal dinB genes encoding DNA pol IV in targeted and untargeted mutagenesis in Escherichia coli

DNA polymerase IV (pol IV) in Escherichia coli is a member of a novel family of DNA polymerases (the DinB/UmuC/Rad30/Rev1 super-family or the DNA polymerase Y family). Although expression of the dinB gene encoding DNA pol IV is known to result in an enhancement of untargeted mutagenesis, it remains uncertain whether DNA pol IV is involved in a variety of lesion-induced mutagenesis (targeted mutagenesis), and the relationship between expression levels of dinB and the mutagenesis that DNA pol IV promotes has not been investigated thoroughly. Here, we report that DNA pol IV is involved in -1 frameshift mutagenesis induced by 4-nitroquinoline N-oxide (4-NQO) and that the expression level of the chromosomal pol IV gene is 6-12 times higher than those for other SOS-inducible DNA polymerases in E. coli, i.e., DNA pol II (PolB) or DNA pol V (UmuDC), respectively. Interestingly, the dinB gene is present not only on the chromosome but also on the F' plasmid in the E. coli CC108 strain. In this strain, 750 molecules of DNA pol IV are expressed from the F' dinB gene in the uninduced state and 250 molecules are expressed from the chromosomal gene. These cellular expression levels strongly affect -1 frameshifts induced by 4-NQO in runs of six guanine bases: mutagenicity was highest in the strain CC108, followed by strains YG2242 (chromosome deltadinB/F' dinB+), YG2247 (chromosome dinB+/F' deltadinB) and FC1243 (chromosome deltadinB/F' deltadinB). The incidence of untargeted -1 frameshifts was reduced by two-thirds on deletion of dinB from the F' episome. The chromosomal dinB gene appeared to have little or no effect on the untargeted mutagenesis. These results suggest that DNA pol IV efficiently mediates targeted mutagenesis by 4-NQO, and that the cellular levels of expression substantially affect targeted and untargeted mutagenesis.

Dependence of malformation upon gestational age and exposed dose of gamma radiation

In order to evaluate the importance of gestational age and the dose-incidence relationship by gamma radiation, pregnant ICR mice at gestational days from 2.5 to 15.5 days post-coitus (p.c.) were exposed to a single dose of 2.0 Gy and also at day 11.5 after conception, which was the most sensitive stage for the induction of major congenital malformations. The animals were sacrificed on day 18 of gestation and the fetuses were examined for mortality, growth retardation, changes in head size and other morphological abnormalities. The only demonstrable effect of irradiation during the pre-implantation period was an increase in prenatal mortality. Resorptions were maximal on exposure at day 2.5 after conception. The pre-implantation irradiated embryos which survived did not show any major fetal abnormalities. A small head, growth retardation, a cleft palate, dilatation of the cerebral ventricle, a renal pelvis, and abnormalities of the extremities and tail after exposure were prominent during the organogenesis period, especially on day 11.5 of gestation. As for the dose-incidence relationship, the incidence of a small head, growth-retarded fetuses, a cleft palate, dilatation of cerebral ventricle and abnormalities of the extremities in live fetuses rose as the radiation dose increased. The result indicated that the late period of organogenesis in the development of the brain, skull and extremities of a mouse was a particularly sensitive phase. The threshold doses of radiation that induced a cleft palate and dilatation of the cerebral ventricle, and abnormal extremities were between 1.0 and 2.0 Gy, and between 0.5 and 1.0 Gy, respectively.

Ten-year survival of patients with locally advanced, stage ib-iib cervical cancer after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical hysterectomy

OBJECTIVE(S)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radical hysterectomy on long-term survival in stage IB-IIB locally advanced cervical cancer by conducting a 10-year follow-up.

METHODS

Between August 1983 and May 1990, 80 locally advanced, stage IB-IIB cervical cancer patients with tumor diameter greater than or equal to 4 cm were treated with neoadjuvant VBP chemotherapy (cisplatin, vinblastine, and bleomycin) followed by radical hysterectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy. After this therapeutic modality, patients were followed for more than 10 years. Ten-year survival rates and factors affecting recurrence after this therapy were evaluated.

RESULTS

Of 80 patients, 75 (93.7%) showed a reduction in tumor size after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. At pathologic examination, stage reduction was noted in 53 (66.2%) patients and 20 patients (25%) showed no residual or microinvasive cervical tumor. Pelvic lymph node metastases were found in 17 patients (21.3%). During the 10-year follow up, 2 patients were lost and 16 patients recurred. Overall 5-year and 10-year disease-free actual survival rates were 82.0 (64/78) and 79.4% (62/78), respectively. Clinical stage, initial tumor size, clinical response, and residual tumor size were not risk factors for recurrence after this therapy. However, pelvic lymph node metastasis was a significant risk factor for recurrence.

CONCLUSION(S)

Neoadjuvant VBP chemotherapy followed by radical hysterectomy in locally advanced, stage IB-IIB cervical cancer patients seemed to improve the long-term survival rate for these patients compared to that of conventional therapy. However, randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm this result.

Neuroprotective dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans of Torreya nucifera

The methanolic extract of the bark of Torreya nucifera Sieb. et Zucc. (Taxaceae) significantly protected primary cultures of rat cortical cells exposed to the excitotoxic amino acid, L-glutamate. (-)-Arctigenin (1), (-)-traxillagenin (2), arctiin (4), traxillaside (5), and a newly-reported compound 3 (-)-4'-demethyltraxillagenin [(2R,3R)-2-(4''-hydroxy-3''-methoxybenzyl)-3-(4'-hydroxy-3',5'-dimethoxybenzyl)-butyrolactone] were isolated by bioactivity-guided fractionation and further separation using chromatographic techniques. These lignans and their glycosides had significant neuroprotective activities against glutamate-induced toxicity in primary cultures of rat cortical cells at concentrations ranging from 0.01 microM to 10.0 microM.

Association of quinone-induced platelet anti-aggregation with cytotoxicity

Various anti-platelet drugs, including quinones, are being investigated as potential treatments for cardiovascular disease because of their ability to prevent excessive platelet aggregation. In the present investigation 3 naphthoquinones (2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone [DMNQ], menadione, and 1,4-naphthoquinone [4-NQ]) were compared for their abilities to inhibit platelet aggregation, deplete glutathione (GSH) and protein thiols, and cause cytotoxicity. Platelet-rich plasma, isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats, was used for all experiments. The relative potency of the 3 quinones to inhibit platelet aggregation, deplete intracellular GSH and protein thiols, and cause cytotoxicity was 1,4-NQ > menadione >> DMNQ. Experiments using 2 thiol-modifying agents, dithiothreitol (DTT) and 1-chloro-2,4-dintrobenzene (CDNB), confirmed the key roles for GSH in quinone-induced platelet anti-aggregation and for protein thiols in quinone-induced cytotoxicity. Furthermore, the anti-aggregative effects of a group of 12 additional quinone derivatives were positively correlated with their ability to cause platelet cytotoxicity. Quinones that had a weak anti-aggregative effect did not induce cytotoxicity (measured as LDH leakage), whereas quinones that had a potent anti-aggregative effect resulted in significant LDH leakage (84-96%). In one instance, however, p-chloranil demonstrated a potent anti-aggregative effect, but did not induce significant LDH leakage. This can be explained by the inability of p-chloranil to deplete protein thiols, even though intracellular GSH levels decreased rapidly. These results suggest that quinones that deplete GSH in platelets demonstrate a marked anti-aggregative effect. If this anti-aggregative effect is subsequently followed by depletion of protein thiols, cytotoxicity results.

Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against amphiphysins

Amphiphysin I and II, proteins enriched in nerve terminals, form heterodimers and interact with dynamin and synaptojanin through their Src homology 3 (SH3) domain. In order to study the expression profile of Amphs in cells and tissues and the interaction state with other cellular molecules, we have prepared specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) designed to bait N-terminus, middle part, and C-terminus domains of Amph I, respectively by immunizing with the expressed smaller domain molecules using the GST gene fusion system. The expression of Amphs was found to be most abundant in PC12 cells, followed by B103 cells and vascular smooth muscle cells. Western blot analysis showed a relatively high level expression of Amphs that were found in both mouse and rat brain. There appeared to be some species difference in the expression pattern, i.e. Amphs are present more in the testis than in the lungs in rats, however, they are reversed in mice. Characterization of the mAbs revealed that clone 14-23 precipitated Amph I and II, whereas clone 8-2 could only precipitate Amph I. In addition, clathrin and dynamin in a complex with Amph were captured in the precipitate formed by mAbs and identified by the Western blot analysis. Cellular distribution of Amph was visualized with confocal immunofluorescence microscopy performed using the labeled-mAbs. Taken together, these results demonstrated that mAbs provided an excellent measure for studying Amphs' expression profile and their interacting proteins.

Analysis of steroid-induced genes in the rat preoptic area-anterior hypothalamus using a differential-display reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction

Steroid hormones modulate a variety of physiological functions in the hypothalamus. We attempted to identify steroid-regulated genes in the rat preoptic area-anterior hypothalamus by comparing differentially expressed mRNAs. Adult female rats were ovariectomized and, 1 week later, a silastic capsule containing 17beta-oestradiol (180 microg/ml) was subcutaneously implanted. After 2 days, a single injection of progesterone (1 mg) was administered at 10.00 h and rats were killed at 17.00 h on the same day. Differential-display polymerase chain reaction followed by Northern blot analysis showed that 10 clones were differentially regulated. Using homology search in Genbank, three genes were identified as sodium, potassium-ATPase beta1, protein kinase C-binding Nell-homologue protein and evectin-1. Further characterization of 10 clones showed that the expression patterns were tissue-specific and differentially regulated during puberty. Among these, mRNAs for protein kinase C-binding Nell-homologue protein, evectin-1 and human CGI-118 protein-like gene were induced after vagina opening, and differentially expressed during the oestrous cycle. Taken together, several steroid-regulated genes identified in the present study may play an important role in regulating hypothalamic functions, including puberty and the oestrous cycle.

Molecular cloning of the anther-preferential nonspecific lipid transfer protein cDNA in hot pepper by mRNA differential display

To better understand the molecular control of anther development, an anther-preferential mRNA was isolated from hot pepper (Capsicum annuum) using mRNA differentially display. Using the displayed fragment as a probe, a full-length cDNA named CaLTP was isolated. A nucleotide sequence analysis of CaLTP revealed that the clone contains an open reading frame of 123 amino acids, which exhibits a 60-23% identity with nonspecific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTP). Northern and RT-PCR analysis of the clone confirmed that CaLTP mRNA was predominant to anther tissues. The basal expression level in the leaves was slightly induced only by abscisic acid (ABA) treatment. Southern analysis reveals that CaLTP is present as a single-copy gene in hot pepper genome. We hypothesize that CaLTP might have an important role in protecting the reproductive tissues from environmental stresses.

Influence of gestational age at exposure on the prenatal effects of gamma-radiation

The objective of this investigation was to evaluate the influence of gestational age at exposure on the prenatal effects of gamma-radiation. Pregnant ICR mice were exposed to a single dose of 2.0 Gy gamma-radiation at a gestational 2.5 to 15.5 days post-coitus (p.c.). The animals were sacrificed on day 18 of gestation and the fetuses were examined for mortality, growth retardation, change in head size and any other morphological abnormalities. The only demonstrable effect of irradiation during the preimplantation period was an increase in prenatal mortality. Resorptions were maximal on post-exposure day 2.5 after conception. The pre-implantation irradiated embryos which survived did not show any major fetal abnormalities. Small head, growth retardation, cleft palate, dilatation of the cerebral ventricle, dilatation of the renal pelvis and abnormalities of the extremities and tail were prominent after exposure during the organogenesis period, especially on day 11.5 of gestation. Our results indicate that the late period of organogenesis in the mouse is a particularly sensitive phase in terms of the development of the brain, skull and extremities.

Neuroprotective constituents from Hedyotis diffusa

In a bioassay-guided search for neuroprotective compounds from medicinal plants, a MeOH extract of whole plants of Hedoytis diffusa yielded five flavonol glycosides, kaempferol 3-O-[2-O-(6-O-E-feruloyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-beta-D-galactopyranoside (1), quercetin 3-O-[2-O-(6-O-E-feruloyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-beta-D-galactopyranoside (2), quercetin 3-O-[2-O-(6-O-E-feruloyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl]-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3), kaempferol 3-O-(2-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-beta-D-galactopyranoside (4), and quercetin 3-O-(2-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)-beta-D-galactopyranoside (5), and four O-acylated iridoid glycosides (6-9). Compounds 1 and 2 are previously unreported natural products, and all nine compounds exhibited significant neuroprotective activity in primary cultures of rat cortical cells damaged by L-glutamate.

Adenine excisional repair function of MYH protein on the adenine:8-hydroxyguanine base pair in double-stranded DNA

Adenine paired with 8-hydroxyguanine (oh(8)G), a major component of oxidative DNA damage, is excised by MYH base excision repair protein in human cells. Since repair activity of MYH protein on an A:G mismatch has also been reported, we compared the repair activity of His(6)-tagged MYH proteins, expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda Sf21 cells, on A:oh(8)G and A:G mismatches by DNA cleavage assay and gel mobility shift assay. We also compared the repair ability of type 1 mitochondrial protein with type 2 nuclear protein, as well as of polymorphic type 1-Q(324) and 2-Q(310) proteins with type 1-H(324) and 2-H(310) proteins by DNA cleavage assay and complementation assay of an Escherichia coli mutM mutY strain. In a reaction buffer with a low salt (0-50 mM) concentration, adenine DNA glycosylase activity of type 2 protein was detected on both A:oh(8)G and A:G substrates. However, in a reaction buffer with a 150 mM salt concentration, similar to physiological conditions, the glycosylase activity on A:G, but not on A:oh(8)G, was extremely reduced and the binding activity of type 2 protein for A:G, but not for A:oh(8)G, was proportionally reduced. The glycosylase activity on A:oh(8)G and the ability to suppress spontaneous mutagenesis were greater for type 2 than type 1 enzyme. There was apparently no difference in the repair activities between the two types of polymorphic MYH proteins. These results indicate that human MYH protein specifically catalyzes the glycosylase reaction on A:oh(8)G under physiological salt concentrations.

Adjuvant doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide versus cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil chemotherapy in premenopausal women with axillary lymph node positive breast carcinoma

BACKGROUND

This randomized controlled trial was to determine whether a combination chemotherapy regimen that contains anthracycline (doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide [AC]) is superior to the conventional cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, and 5-fluorouracil [CMF] combination in premenopausal women with axillary lymph node positive Stage II breast carcinoma.

METHODS

Premenopausal women with lymph node positive breast carcinoma were stratified according to age (younger than 35 or 35 years or older) and the number of positive axillary lymph nodes (1-3, 4-9, or >/= 10) and then randomly assigned to receive either doxorubicin 40 mg/m(2) and cyclophosphamide 600 mg/m(2) intravenously (i.v.) every 3 weeks or cyclophosphamide 100 mg/m(2) orally on Days 1 through 14, methotrexate 40 mg/m(2) and 5-fluorouracil 500 mg/m(2) i.v. on Days 1 and 8 every 4 weeks. Both arms were scheduled for six cycles.

RESULTS

The median follow-up was 57 months. Eighteen of the 55 AC patients developed recurrence compared with 16 of the 69 CMF patients. The corresponding 5-year recurrence free survival rates were 64% and 78%, respectively (P = 0.12). The site of the first recurrence for AC patients was locoregional in 7%, distant in 22%, and combined in 4%. The corresponding data for the CMF arm were 4%, 16%, and 3%, respectively. Six AC patients died compared with 9 CMF patients. The corresponding 5-year survival rates were 90% and 86%, respectively (P = 0.96). More leukopenia (52%, mostly Grade 1-2) occurred in the CMF arm than in the AC arm (33%, P = 0.001), but no febrile episode was accompanied with leukopenia.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed no difference between AC and CMF with respect to both disease free and overall survival rates in premenopausal women with axillary lymph node positive breast carcinoma.

Dammarane derivatives protect cultured rat cortical cells from glutamate-induced neurotoxicity

We previously reported that ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg3, dammarane glycosides, of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer (Araliaceae), significantly attenuated glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in primary cultures of rat cortical cells. To seek more potent neuroprotective compounds, we attempted to modify the chemical structure of dammarane glycosides and obtained six derivatives, MA-11, PT-11, PT-111, POA-101, POA-111 and N-001. The neuroprotective activity of these dammarane derivatives were evaluated employing primary cultures of rat corticoid cells. The glutamate-induced neuronal cell damage was significantly reduced by a pre-treatment with protopanaxadiol, MA-11 or PT-11 at concentrations ranging from 100 nM to 10 microM. Both MA-11 and PT-11, preserved the levels of catalase and inhibited decreases in glutathione reductase in glutamate-injured cells. Furthermore, the dammarane derivatives reduced the content of intracellular peroxide in glutamate-intoxicated cells. Finally, they inhibited the formation of malondialdehyde, a compound produced during lipid peroxidation, in glutamate-insulted cells. These results show that the dammarane derivatives, MA-11 and PT-11, exert significant neuroprotective effects on cultured cortical cells by a mechanism seemingly distinct from that afforded by ginsenosides Rb1 and Rg3. As such, the dammarane derivatives may be efficacious in protecting neurons from oxidative damage caused by exposure to excess glutamate.

Functional outcome following surgical treatment of metastatic tumors involving the femur

Thirty-eight patients treated surgically for metastatic tumors of the femur were reviewed to evaluate the effects of surgical treatment on quality of life. Average age at surgery was 59 years. The most common origin site of metastatic tumors was the lung. The intertrochanteric area was involved in 14 patients, followed by the subtrochanteric area in 11, femoral neck in 7, and shaft in 6 patients. Surgery was based on the principles that tumor excision should be maximal, and to permit early postoperative ambulation, internal fixation should be rigid with cement augmentation. Types of internal fixation were applied according to lesion site to allow early ambulation and included intramedullary nailing (11), compression hip screw (9), and Rowe plates (7). Prosthetic replacement was performed in 9 patients. Average performance scores improved from 3.8 preoperatively to 2 postoperatively, based on the Functional Classification of the New York Heart Association. In 31 patients (82%), the degree of pain relief was more than a lot according to the criteria of Kaiko. Thirty-five patients survived >5 months postoperatively. In patients with a single metastatic lesion, survival was 21 months, and in patients with multiple lesions, survival was 10 months. Surgical stabilization of a pathologic lesion involving the femur resulted in improvement in the quality of life, including pain relief and early ambulation. In selected patients with a single metastatic lesion and a low-grade primary tumor, prolonged postoperative survival may be expected.

Orientations of liquid crystals on mechanically rubbed films of bovine serum albumin: a possible substrate for biomolecular assays based on liquid crystals

We report the uniform planar anchoring of thermotropic liquid crystals on films of bovine serum albumin (BSA) covalently immobilized on the surface of glass microscope slides and mechanically rubbed using a cloth. The azimuthal orientations of the liquid crystals were measured to be parallel to the direction of rubbing. Following immersion and removal of these rubbed films of BSA from aqueous solutions containing either BSA, fibrinogen, lysozyme, anti-FITC immunoglobulin G (IgG), or antistreptavidin IgG, we measured liquid crystals placed onto these surfaces to largely retain their uniform alignment. In contrast, following immersion of a rubbed film of BSA into an aqueous solution of anti-BSA IgG, we observed liquid crystals on these surfaces to assume nonuniform orientations. We conclude that specific binding of anti-BSA IgG to the film of rubbed BSA erased anisotropy induced within the film of BSA by rubbing. This result suggests that the spatial scale of anisotropy within the rubbed film of BSA is comparable to or smaller than the size of the IgG molecule. Because the anisotropy within a rubbed film of a protein can be erased by specific binding of a second protein, we believe these types of substrates (rubbed films of proteins) have the potential to be useful in a variety of label-free biomolecular assays where specific binding of a target species to its ligand can be imaged through observation of the optical appearance of liquid crystal placed onto the surface.