Rebecca Lee

Differential effects of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor and neurturin in RET/GFRα1-expressing cells

The c‐ret protooncogene, RET, encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase. RET is activated by members of the glial cell line‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family of ligands, which include GDNF, neurturin, artemin, and persephin. The ligands bind RET through GDNF family receptor α, termed GFRα1–4. Despite the importance of RET signaling in the development of the enteric nervous system and the kidney, the differential signaling mechanisms between RET ligands are poorly established. It has been suggested that signal specificity is achieved through binding of the ligand to its preferred GFRα. To compare the signaling profiles of GDNF and neurturin, we have identified a cell line, NG108‐15, which endogenously expresses RET and GFRα1 but not GFRα2–4. Immunoblot data showed that GDNF caused a transient activation, whereas neurturin caused a sustained activation, of both p44/p42 MAP kinases and PLCγ. Under serum starvation, NG108‐15 cells differentiate and form neurites. Neurturin but not GDNF stimulated neurite outgrowth, which could be blocked by the selective PLC inhibitor U73122. On the other hand, GDNF but not neurturin promoted cell survival, and this could be blocked by the p44/p42 MAP kinase inhibitor PD98059. Our findings not only show the differential signaling of GDNF and neurturin but also suggest that this can be achieved through binding to the same GFRα subtype, leading to distinct biological responses.

Trust Law in Asian Civil Law Jurisdictions: A Comparative Analysis

Part I. Overview: 1. Introduction 2. Reception of the trust in Asia: a historical perspective 3. Trust law in Japan: inspiring changes in Asia, 1922 and 2006 4. Trust law in South Korea: developments and challenges 5. Trust law in Taiwan: history, current features and future prospect 6. Trust law in China: a critical evaluation of its conceptual foundation Part II. Case Studies: 7. Case 1: creating, managing and terminating the management relationship 8. Case 2: protecting ring-fenced assets against incompetence of the asset manager 9. Case 3: protecting ring-fenced assets against disloyalty of the asset manager 10. Case 4: distribution of property in the insolvency of the owner 11. Case 5: protecting ring-fenced assets from the insolvency of the asset manager 12. Case 6: misappropriation and unauthorised disposition by the asset manager Part III. Conclusion: 13. Emerging principles of Asian trust law.

Charity without Politics? Exploring the Limits of ‘Politics’ in Charity Law

Abstract In Anglo-American common law jurisdictions, there are well-entrenched constraints on political engagement by charities. However, three recent decisions in Australia, New Zealand, and England have either relaxed these constraints or shown early signs of a jurisprudential shift. Against the background of recent charity law reforms in Hong Kong, which have sparked a renewed interest in the relationship between charity and politics, and the limits on the pursuit of political purposes by charities, this article examines the justifications for the political constraints and their underlying assumptions. It argues that while the blanket rule against political purposes should not be maintained, political purposes should not, in themselves, be considered sufficiently charitable. In defining the boundaries between charity and politics, one must balance a charitys legitimate political expression against its pursuit of private gain in the name of charity. This article therefore proposes that whether political activities are permissible should depend on whether they pertain to the promotion of a common good exclusively, leaving no room for private gain occasioning from these activities.