No abstract

The biosensors developed in the authors' laboratory have been based on different designs, each imparting specific strengths and weaknesses. Here we describe detailed protocols for the application of three biosensors exemplifying different designs—first, a design in which an environmentally sensitive dye is used to report the activation of endogenous Cdc42, followed by two biosensors based on FRET, one using intramolecular and the other intermolecular FRET. The design differences lead to the need for different approaches in imaging and image analysis. Curr. Protoc. Cell Biol. 46:14.11.1‐14.11.26. © 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Over the years, scholars have demonstrated that media framing of political issues may significantly affect the way in which individuals interpret and think about these issues. However, a growing body of recent research has indicated that the impact of framing may vary due to individual differences. This study extends framing research by examining how individuals' core values might interact with news frames in affecting their cognitions and opinions of welfare reform. We presented respondents with newspaper articles that framed the issue of welfare reform by emphasizing the need for public assistance or strict work requirements. Results indicated that both news frames and individual values (i.e., humanitarianism and individualism) had a significant impact on individuals' issue thoughts and attitudes. Further, individual values and news frames had some significant interaction effects on audience responses.

Chromophore-assisted laser inactivation (CALI) is a light-mediatedtechnique that offers precise spatiotemporal control of protein inactivation, enabling better understanding of the protein's role in cell function. EGFP has been used effectively as a CALI chromophore, and its cotranslational attachment to the target protein avoids having to use exogenously added labeling reagents. A potential drawback to EGFP-CALI is that the CALI phenotype can be obscured by the endogenous, unlabeled protein that is not susceptible to light inactivation. Performing EGFP-CALI experiments in deficient cells rescued with functional EGFP-fusion proteins permits more complete loss of function to be achieved. Here, we present a modified lentiviral system for rapid and efficient generation of knockdown cell lines complemented with physiological levels of EGFP-fusion proteins. We demonstrate that CALI of EGFP-CapZ␤ increases uncapped actin filaments, resulting in enhanced filament growth and the formation of numerous protrusive structures. We show that these effects are completely dependent upon knocking down the endogenous protein. We also demonstrate that CALI of EGFP-Mena in Mena/VASP-deficient cells stabilizes lamellipodial protrusions.capping protein ͉ Mena/VASP ͉ spatiotemporal ͉ lentivirus

This study examined the effects of message frames when they were culturally tailored. Focusing on one aspect of culture-individualism and collectivism-the study discovered some similar patterns across cultures: The effect of message framing in motivating preventive behaviors could be moderated by the cultural values embedded in the messages. Messages focusing on individualistic gains and collectivistic losses successfully increased people's intention to adopt preventive behaviors. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.