Hectd1 is a ubiquitin ligase that targets the chaperone Hsp90. In the absence of Hectd1 ubiquitin ligase activity, Hsp90 secretion is elevated, resulting in abnormal behavior of cranial mesenchyme cells.

Neural tube defects (NTDs) represent some of the most common congenital malformations in humans. The causes of NTDs are complex with both genetic and environmental contributing factors. Periconception nutrition is an important environmental factor influencing the penetrance of NTDs. NTDs arise from failure to close the neural tube completely during development, an event that occurs before establishment of the chorioallantoic placenta. During neurulation, nutrients are absorbed by histotrophic mechanisms and absorbed by endocytosis in the endoderm-derived cell layer of the visceral yolk sac (VYS). Here we review the histotrophic mechanisms by which nutrients are delivered to the human embryo during this critical time period. Because more detailed studies on the molecular mechanisms regulating uptake of nutrients have been performed using rodent models, most importantly mouse and rat models, we will also review nutrient uptake in these model organisms to set the stage for presentation of experimental data that have provided valuable information about how nutrients are delivered to the neurulating embryo.

The basic helix-loop-helix DNA binding protein Hand2 is expressed in neural crest-derived precursors of enteric neurons and has been shown to affect both neurogenesis and neurotransmitter specification of noradrenergic sympathetic ganglion neurons. In the current study, our goal was to determine whether

Background: APC is modified with Lys-63-linked polyubiquitin when bound to Axin in an assembled ␤-catenin destruction complex. Results: HectD1 E3 ligase modifies APC with Lys-63-linked ubiquitin chains to facilitate the APC-Axin interaction. Conclusion: HectD1 is a candidate E3 ligase for APC. Significance: The identification of HectD1 could lead to a better understanding of APC function.

A porous MOF, [{Zn3(BTC)2(H2O)3}·2.5H2O] n (H3BTC = 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid) was synthesized by heating ZnCl2 and H3BTC in DMF at pH 8.2. A single-crystal XRD study reveals a 3D polymeric unit constructed by paddlewheel SBUs. The title MOF displays remarkable iodine uptake in both water and hexane medium (84% and 74%, respectively). The synthesized MOF also reveals heterogeneous catalytic activity toward rhodamine B (RhB) (degradation efficiency 85%) and methylene blue (MB) (degradation efficiency 79%) under visible light in the presence of H2O2.