University of Dundee

About: University of Dundee is a education organization based out in Dundee, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Protein kinase A. The organization has 19258 authors who have published 39640 publications receiving 1919433 citations. The organization is also known as: Universitas Dundensis & Dundee University.

The FIP3-Rab11 Protein Complex Regulates Recycling Endosome Targeting to the Cleavage Furrow during Late Cytokinesis

Abstract: An integral part of cell division is the separation of daughter cells via cytokinesis. There is now good evidence that the completion of cytokinesis requires coordinated membrane trafficking to deliver new membrane to the tip of the furrow and to complete the abscission. Here we have examined membrane traffic in cytokinesis and describe several novel observations. First, we show that Rab11- and FIP3-containing recycling endosomes accumulate near the cleavage furrow and are required for successful completion of cytokinesis. Second, we demonstrate that the Rab11-FIP3 protein complex is intimately involved in the delivery of endosomes to the cleavage furrow. Significantly, although FIP3 recruitment to endosomes is Rab11 dependent, we find that the targeting of FIP3 to the midbody is independent of Rab11. Third, we show that the Rab11-FIP3 complex is required for a late stage of cytokinesis, possibly abscission. Finally, we demonstrate that localization of FIP3 is subject to substantial spatial and temporal regulation. These data provide the first detailed analysis of recycling endosomes in cell division and provide a new model for membrane traffic to the furrow. We propose that the dynamic Rab11-FIP3 interaction controls the delivery, targeting, and fusion of recycling endosomes with furrow during late cytokinesis and abscission.

Cohort study examining tamoxifen adherence and its relationship to mortality in women with breast cancer.

Abstract: Increasing duration of tamoxifen therapy improves survival in women with breast cancer but the impact of adherence to tamoxifen on mortality is unclear. This study investigated whether women prescribed tamoxifen after surgery for breast cancer adhered to their prescription and whether adherence influenced survival. A retrospective cohort study of all women with incident breast cancer in the Tayside region of Scotland between 1993 and 2002 was linked to encashed prescription records to calculate adherence to tamoxifen. Survival analysis was used to determine the effect of adherence on all-cause mortality. In all 2080 patients formed the study cohort with 1633 (79%) prescribed tamoxifen. The median duration of use was 2.42 years (IQR=1.04–4.89 years). Longer duration was associated with better survival but this varied over time. The hazard ratio for mortality in relation to duration at 2.4 years was 0.85, 95% CI=0.83–0.87. Median adherence to tamoxifen was 93% (interquartile range=84–100%). Adherence <80% was associated with poorer survival, hazard ratio 1.10, 95% CI=1.001–1.21. Persistence with tamoxifen was modest with only 49% continuing therapy for 5 years of those followed up for 5 years or more. Increased duration of tamoxifen reduces the risk of death, although one in two women do not complete the recommended 5-year course of treatment. A significant proportion of women have low adherence to tamoxifen and are at increased risk of death.

Estimating the harms of nicotine-containing products using the MCDA approach.

Abstract: Background: An international expert panel convened by the Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs developed a multi-criteria decision analysis model of the relative importance of different types of harm related to the use of nicotine-containing products. Method: The group defined 12 products and 14 harm criteria. Seven criteria represented harms to the user, and the other seven indicated harms to others. The group scored all the products on each criterion for their average harm worldwide using a scale with 100 defined as the most harmful product on a given criterion, and a score of zero defined as no harm. The group also assessed relative weights for all the criteria to indicate their relative importance. Findings: Weighted averages of the scores provided a single, overall score for each product. Cigarettes (overall weighted score of 100) emerged as the most harmful product, with small cigars in second place (overall weighted score of 64). After a substantial gap to the third-place product, pipes (scoring 21), all remaining products scored 15 points or less. Interpretation: Cigarettes are the nicotine product causing by far the most harm to users and others in the world today. Attempts to switch to non-combusted sources of nicotine should be encouraged as the harms from these products are much lower.