Compounds targeting the metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors h

Compounds targeting the metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors hold promise as a more comprehensive therapeutic alternative to typical and atypical antipsychotics and may avoid the occurrence of extrapyramidal side effects that accompany these treatments. Activation of the group II mGlu receptors (mGlu(2) and mGlu(3)) and the group I mGlu(5) are hypothesized to normalize the disruption of thalamocortical glutamatergic circuitry that results in abnormal glutamaterigic signaling in the prefrontal learn more cortex (PFC). Agonists of mGlu(2) and mGlu(3) have demonstrated efficacy for the positive symptom group in both animal models and clinical trials with mGlu(2) being the subtype

most likely responsible for the therapeutic effect. Limitations in the chemical space tolerated by the orthosteric site of the mGlu receptors has led to the pursuit of compounds that potentiate the receptor’s response to glutamate by acting at less highly conserved allosteric sites. Several series of selective positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) for mGlu(2) and mGlu(5) have demonstrated efficacy in animal models used for the evaluation of antipsychotic agents. In addition,

evidence from animal studies indicates that mGlu(5) PAMs hold promise for the treatment of cognitive deficits that occur in schizophrenia. Hopefully, further optimization of CB-5083 solubility dmso allosteric modulators of mGlu receptors will yield clinical candidates that will allow full evaluation of the potential efficacy of these Roflumilast compounds in the treatment of multiple symptom domains in schizophrenia patients in the near future.

This article is part of a Special Issue entitled ‘Schizophrenia’. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Synesthesia is a perceptual phenomenon in which stimuli can trigger

experiences in non-stimulated sensory dimensions. The literature has focused on forms of synesthesia in which stimuli (e.g. music, touch or numbers) trigger experiences of color. Generally missing, however, is the observation that synesthetic colors are often accompanied by the experience of other surface properties such as texture (e.g. a visual experience of linen, metal, marble, velvet, etc). Current frameworks for synesthesia focus only upon the involvement of brain regions such as the V4 color complex. Here, we propose an expanded framework that includes brain regions involved in the encoding of material properties – specifically, larger regions of the medial ventral stream. The overlap of visual texture and color processing within ventral regions might explain why many experiences of synesthesia extend beyond color to other material properties.”
“The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is involved in the regulation of emotion processing, and its volume has been found to be reduced in patients with major depression. Furthermore, larger ACC volumes have been associated with faster symptom improvement under therapy.

In pressurized RMA, Y-27632 and H-1152 depressed pressure-induced

In pressurized RMA, Y-27632 and H-1152 depressed pressure-induced calcium responses and abolished see more myogenic contraction. These results stress the important differences in calcium signaling between conductance and resistance arteries. Copyright (C) 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“Objective: To investigate the effect

of laughter and mental stress on arterial stiffness and central hemodynamics. Arterial stiffness and wave reflections are independent predictors of cardiovascular risk. Chronic psychological stress is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events, whereas acute stress deteriorates vascular function. Methods: Eighteen healthy individuals were studied’ on three occasions, according to a randomized, single-blind, crossover, sham procedure-controlled design. The effects of viewing a 30-minute segment of two films inducing laughter or stress were assessed. Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity was used as an index of arterial

stiffness; augmentation index was used as a measure of wave reflections. Results: Laughter decreased pulse wave velocity (by 0.30 m/sec, p = .01), and augmentation index (by 2.72%, p = .05). Conversely, stress increased pulse wave velocity (by 0.29 m/sec, p = .05) and augmentation index (by 5.1%, p = .005). Laughter decreased cortisol levels by 1.67 mu g/dl (p = .02), soluble P-selectin by 26 ng/ml (p = .02) and marginally von Willebrand factor (by 2.4%, p = .07) and increased total oxidative status (by 61 mu mol/L, p < .001). Stress decreased interleukin-6 (by 0.11 pg/ml, p = .04) and increased total oxidative status (by 44 mu mol/L, p = .007).

Akt inhibitor Soluble CD40 ligand and fibrinogen PI-1840 remained unchanged. Conclusions: Positive (laughter) and negative (stress) behavioral interventions have divergent acute effects on arterial stiffness and wave reflections. These findings have important clinical implications extending the spectrum of lifestyle modifications that can ameliorate arterial function.”
“Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a chronic disease resulting from destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. Genetic and environmental factors contribute to T1DM onset. Use of high-throughput DNA sequencing has allowed geneticists to perform genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to identify novel gene loci associated with T1DM. Interestingly, >50% of these genes encode products that are expressed in beta cells. These studies, coupled with emerging molecular evidence that beta cells are impaired by gain-of-function or loss-of-function of these loci, suggest an active role for the beta cell in eliciting its own demise. Although immune dysregulation plays a vital role in T1DM pathogenesis, understanding the mechanisms contributing to beta cell failure may lead to new strategies to preserve or improve beta cell function in patients with T1DM.”
“We examined behavioral features of isochronous repetitive movements in two macaques.

Kinesin-3 UNC-104(KIF1A) is the major transporter of synaptic ves

Kinesin-3 UNC-104(KIF1A) is the major transporter of synaptic vesicles and recent reports suggest that a cargo itself can affect the motor’s activity. Inspecting an interactome map, we identify three putative UNC-104 interactors, namely UNC-16(JIP3), DNC-1(DCTN1/Glued) and SYD-2(Liprin-alpha), known to be adaptors in essential neuronal protein complexes. We then employed the novel method bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay to visualize motor-adaptor

complexes in the nervous system of living C. elegans. Interestingly, the binding of UNC-104 to each adaptor protein results in different sub-cellular distributions and has distinctive effects on the motor’s motility. Specifically, if UNC-104 bound to UNC-16, the motor is primarily YAP-TEAD Inhibitor 1 ic50 localized in the soma of neurons while bound URMC-099 ic50 to DNC-1, the motor is basically found in axonal termini. On the other hand, if UNC-104 is bound to SYD-2 we identify motor, populations mostly along axons. Therefore, these three adaptors inherit different functions in steering the motor to specific sub-cellular locations

in the neuron. (C) 2011 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Mutations in the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) of hepatitis A virus (HAV) have been associated with enhanced in vitro replication and viral attenuation in animal models. To address the possible role of IRES variability in clinical presentation, IRES sequences were obtained Sinomenine from HAV isolates associated with benign (n = 8) or severe (n = 4) hepatitis. IRES activity was assessed using a bicistronic dual-luciferase expression system in adenocarcinoma (HeLa) and hepatoma (HuH7) cell lines. Activity was higher in HuH7 than in HeLa cells, except for an infrequently isolated genotype IIA strain. Though globally low, significant variation in IRES-dependent translation efficiency was observed between field isolates, reflecting the low but significant genetic variability of this region (94.2% +/- 0.5% nucleotide identity). No mutation was exclusive of benign or severe hepatitis, and variations in IRES activity were

not associated with a clinical phenotype, indirectly supporting the preponderance of host factors in determining the clinical presentation.”
“Spinal ganglion (SG) neurons have been widely described in rodents, and classified according to various criteria. On the basis of such studies, many features of rodent SG neurons have become benchmarks to classify these cells. However, these traits cannot be confirmed in all other species. In the present study, horse SG neurons were morphometrically and neurochemically characterized by detecting the neuronal markers calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance P (SP), neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and isolectin B4 (IB4) from Griffonia simplicifolia. Moreover, spinal cord staining and tracer studies were also performed injecting Fast Blue tracer in the ileo-cecal junction.

9%) or a major mood disorder (30 9%), although the principal trea

9%) or a major mood disorder (30.9%), although the principal treatment target was psychosis (78.7%), with (59.4%) or without (19.3%) agitation. With risperidone (n = 159) the cumulative TD rate was 5.3% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.7, 9.9%) after 1 year (mean dose: 1.0 +/-

0.76 mg/day) and 7.2% (CI: 1.4, 12.9%) after 2 years. With olanzapine (n 48) the cumulative TD rate was 6.7% (CI: 0, 15.6%) after 1 year (mean dose: 4.3 +/- 1.9 mg/day) and 11.1% (CI: 0, 23.1%) after 2 years. TD risk was higher in females, African Americans, and patients without past antidepressant treatment or with FGA co-treatment. The TD rates for geriatric patients treated with risperidone and olanzapine were comparable and substantially lower than previously reported for similar patients in direct observation studies using FGAs. This information is relevant for all patients receiving antipsychotics, not just the especially sensitive check details elderly. Neuropsychopharmacology

(2011) 36, 1738-1746; doi:10.1038/npp.2011.55; published online 20 April 2011″
“Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can initiate infection by cell-free particle and cell-cell contact-dependent transmission. In this study we use a novel infectious coculture system to examine these alternative modes of infection. Cell-to-cell transmission is relatively resistant to anti-HCV glycoprotein monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal immunoglobulin isolated from infected individuals, providing an effective strategy for escaping host humoral immune responses. Chimeric viruses expressing the structural proteins

JQ1 purchase representing the seven major HCV genotypes demonstrate neutralizing antibody-resistant cell-to-cell transmission. HCV entry is a multistep process involving numerous receptors. In this study we demonstrate that, in contrast to earlier reports, CD81 and the tight-junction components claudin-1 and occludin are all essential for both cell-free and cell-to-cell Phosphatidylinositol diacylglycerol-lyase viral transmission. However, scavenger receptor BI (SR-BI) has a more prominent role in cell-to-cell transmission of the virus, with SR-BI-specific antibodies and small-molecule inhibitors showing preferential inhibition of this infection route. These observations highlight the importance of targeting host cell receptors, in particular SR-BI, to control viral infection and spread in the liver.”
“In light of current etiological concepts the glutamatergic system plays an essential role for the pathophysiology of the disorder, offering multiple options for new treatment strategies. The D-amino oxidase activator (DAOA) gene is closely connected to the glutamatergic system and its therapeutic and pathophysiological relevance for schizophrenia is therefore intensively debated. In a further step to shed light on the role of DAOA in schizophrenia, we aimed to investigate the association of the functional DAOA Arg30Lys (rs2391191) variant and cortical thickness in schizophrenia.

Hundred sixty-seven Germans completed the NEO Five-Factor Invento

Hundred sixty-seven Germans completed the NEO Five-Factor Inventory, the Tridimensional Personality Questionnaire and the California Adult Q-Sort. A factor analysis revealed 3 factors: emotional stability, social orientation and impulsivity. DNA from buccal cells was genotyped for the DRD4 variable-number tandemrepeat exon III polymorphism

with respect to presence versus absence of the DRD4 7-repeat allele. Adverse life events were assessed by means of the Adverse Life Events Scale. Men carrying the DRD4 7-repeat allele were PI3K inhibitor more impulsive than those without. Male 7-repeat carriers were more emotionally instable than others, but only when they experienced a large amount of negative AZD1208 life events. No genotype-personality relationships were found for women. The results indicate gender-specific influences of the DRD4gene on human behavior

and invite researchers to further investigate gene-environment correlations on personality traits. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel”
“Background. The move from lying to standing is typically associated with a variety of physiological and neurohumoral changes, most especially a slight increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP). Decreased efficacy of the various mechanisms that control orthostatic blood pressure (BP) regulation may result in lightheadedness, dizziness, syncope, and cerebral hypoperfusion. The lack of effective orthostatic BP regulation is a symptom for various problems, including fatigue, depression, anxiety, and reduced attention.

Methods. This study examined men and women P-type ATPase (N = 74) who

were aged 30-75 years and asymptomatic for clinical orthostatic hypotension.

Results. Relatively poor BP regulation in response to orthostasis was associated with decreased verbal memory, decreased concentration, and higher hopelessness scores.

Conclusions. Individuals who exhibited less effective SBP regulation even to a subsyndromal degree in response to an orthostatic challenge may be at increased risk for cognitive and affective problems. The relationship between orthostatic BP regulation is best described as curvilinear.”
“Background/Aims: In this study, we examined changes in the concentrations of oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin (oxy- and deoxy-Hb, respectively) in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) during the digit span task by using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Methods: The digit span task consists of the digit span forward and backward tasks. The tasks were performed by 22 healthy undergraduate students who participated in this study. Differences in the mean concentrations of oxy-Hb and deoxy-Hb between the baseline and task intervals were evaluated. Results: In digit span backward, oxy-Hb was significantly higher during the task interval than during the baseline.

Site-directed mutagenesis identified two highly conserved arginin

Site-directed mutagenesis identified two highly conserved arginines, R379 and R389, on the N-terminal side of the V3 stem as critical for the contact between SU and HSPG. Residues K407, K409, K410, and K412 on the C-terminal side of the V3 stem form a second nonconserved domain necessary for HSPG binding, consistent with the observed specificity distinctions with FS FIV. Our findings discriminate structural determinants important for HSPG and CXCR4 binding by FIV SU and thus further define the importance of the V3 loop for virus entry and infection.”
“Edaravone is a novel free radical scavenger

that is clinically employed in patients with acute cerebral infarction. ABT737 However, its effect on stroke-induced subventricular zone (SVZ) neurogenesis is largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect and underlying mechanism of edaravone administration on SVZ neurogenesis using a rat model of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (200-250 g) were divided into sham operated (n=15), control (n=50), and edaravone-treated (n=50) groups. Rats in the control and edaravone-treated groups underwent 90 min of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) following reperfusion. Immediately and 12 h after MCAO, the rats received either normal saline (control group) or edaravone (edaravone-treated group) intraperitoneally. 5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine

(BrdU) was used to label proliferating cells. Six, 12, and 24 hours after ischemia, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 Selleckchem GSK461364 alpha (HIF-1 alpha), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein levels in ischemic ipsilateral SVZ were determined. Immunohistochemistry staining for BrdU and doublecortin (DCX) was performed at 1, 4, and 7 days after ischemia. Treatment with edaravone not only mitigated cerebral infarct size (P<0.05) and neurological defects (P<0.05), but also decreased cell proliferation and neural progenitor cells in the the ischemic ipsilateral SVZ (P<0.05).

Additionally, edaravone reduced effectively ROS generation and HIF-1 alpha as well as VEGF protein levels in the ischemic ipsilateral SVZ (P<0.05). These findings indicate that administration with edaravone, via repressing HIF-1 alpha signaling pathway, inhibits SVZ neurogenesis in rats after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. (C) 2011 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Background and purpose The effects of sleep deprivation are a burden in our 24-h society. The use of wake-promoting compounds could improve the performance in situations where sleep cannot be allowed. In this study, the efficacy of the wake-promoting compounds, modafinil and caffeine, in counteracting the effects of 24-h sleep deprivation in the marmoset monkey were tested. As caffeine is habitually used, the efficacy of both compounds after short- and long-term use was investigated.

The diencephalon was devoid of P2X(1)R positive neurons or fibers

The diencephalon was devoid of P2X(1)R positive neurons or fibers except for the medial habenular nucleus, which showed very intense P2X(1)R immunostaining. Furthermore two subcortical regions, namely, the nucleus centralis of the amygdala and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, showed intense P2X(1)R neuronal labeling. Present data indicate that P2X(1)R are prevalent in forebrain areas involved in the

integration VE-821 solubility dmso of cognitive, limbic and autonomic functions. (c) 2007 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Aims: The purpose of this study was to identify yeast species present in spoiled and unspoiled grape juice concentrates from Argentine industries.

Methods and Results: Osmophilic and osmotolerant yeasts were isolated from spoiled – visually effervescent – and unspoiled – without any visible damage – grape juice concentrates by the spread-plate technique in two culture media. Yeast identification was done by classical and molecular methods. Zygosaccharomyces rouxii was the only species isolated from spoiled grape juice concentrates. In unspoiled samples, five different species were identified: Z. rouxii was isolated at a higher frequency, followed in decreasing order by Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Schizosaccharomyces pombe, Pichia anomala and Kluyveromyces delphensis.

Conclusions: Q-VD-Oph concentration Yeasts isolated from grape juice

concentrates Chlormezanone were characterized by a limited taxonomic diversity, where Z. rouxii was the main species isolated.

Significance and Impact of the Study: Grape production in Argentina is mainly devoted to the industry where wine and grape juice concentrates represent major types of commercial products. Little information on common yeast contaminants is available for grape juice concentrates. This study constitutes the first report of osmophilic yeast species present in spoiled and unspoiled grape juice concentrates elaborated in Argentina.”
“The roles of

dopamine and cyclic-AMP regulated phosphoprotein-32 (DARPP-32) in mediating dopamine (DA)-dependent modulation of corticoaccumbens transmission and intercellular coupling were examined in mouse accumbens (NAC) neurons by both intracellular sharp electrode and whole cell recordings. In wild-type (WT) mice bath application of the D2-like agonist quinpirole resulted in 73% coupling incidence in NAC spiny neurons, compared with baseline (9%), whereas quinpirole failed to affect the basal coupling (24%) in slices from DARPP-32 knockout (KO) mice. Thus, D2 stimulation attenuated DARPP-32-mediated suppression of coupling in WT spiny neurons, but this modulation was absent in KO mice. Further, whole cell recordings revealed that quinpirole reversibly decreased the amplitude of cortical-evoked excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) in spiny neurons of WT mice, but this reduction was markedly attenuated in KO mice.


“This study was aimed at the search of urinary biomarkers


“This study was aimed at the search of urinary biomarkers which might help to predict the clinical response of IgA nephropathy (IgAN) patients to angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi). First, we studied the urinary proteome of 18 IgAN patients (toward 20 healthy controls) who had been

chronically treated with ACEi by using 2-D PAGE coupled to nano-HPLC-ESI-MS/MS analysis. We identified Buparlisib nmr 3 proteins, kininogen (p = 0.02), inter-a-trypsin-inhibitor heavy chain 4 (35 kDa fragment) (p = 0.02) and transthyretin (p<0.0001), whose urinary excretion was different in IgAN patients’ responders when compared to those who had not responded to ACEL A reduction of daily proteinuria >50% and a stable renal function over time were used to classify patients as responders. Then, we adopted immunoblotting to confirm the predictive power of one of the above proteins, kininogen, in 20 patients with biopsy-proven IgAN, before starting any therapy. Thus, we confirmed that very low levels of kininogen urine excretion were indeed predictive of an inadequate or absent clinical response to ACEi therapy of IgAN patients, after 6-month follow-up. Concluding, the analysis of urine proteome of IgAN patients generated a set of proteins which distinguished subjects responsive to ACEi from those unresponsive to the

inhibition GDC-0449 of renin-angiotensin

system (RAS).”
“Synaptic transmission mediated by metabotropic GABA receptors, GABA(B) receptors, regulates physiological functions of cerebrocortical local circuits. It IMP dehydrogenase is, however, still unknown how GABA(B) receptors regulate excitatory propagation at more macroscopic level. We performed in vivo optical imaging to investigate the spatio-temporal profiles of GABA(B) receptor-mediated regulation of excitatory propagation in anesthetized rat insular cortex (IC). Repetitive electrical stimulation (a sequence of 10 pulses at 50 Hz) of the dysgranular IC (DI), a part of gustatory cortex (GC), elicited excitatory propagation along the rhinal fissure. Tonic activation of GABA(B) receptors by application of baclofen suppressed the optical signal amplitude to the early pulses in the sequence (first to third stimuli), typically in the rostral GC (rGC). In contrast, optical signal amplitude to later pulses was enhanced by baclofen in both the rGC and caudal GC (cGC). Baclofen reduced the area of excitation during the early pulses in the sequence but not during later pulses. Application of CGP 52432, which blocked GABA(B) receptor-mediated tonic and phasic inhibition, slightly suppressed optical responses to early pulses (though not to the first pulse), whereas it enhanced responses to later pulses, especially in the dorsolateral orbital cortex (DLO).

1 and 2 1 in benign lesions (P < 0 02) In patients with metas

1 and 2.1 in benign lesions (P < 0.02). In patients with metastatic solid tumors, the mean standardized uptake value was 7.3. Stratification of solid tumor lesions according to whether they had a sclerotic appearance on computed tomographic scans showed that FDG-PET was a significantly better predictor of cancer status in lytic or mixed lesions. In patients with a history of solid tumors, there was 100% concordance between the FDG-PET and needle-biopsy diagnoses in nonsclerotic lesions, when the standardized uptake value cutoff of 2 was used.

CONCLUSION: FDG-PET is an accurate screening test for vertebral metastases in cancer

patients. It is especially accurate in patients with nonsclerotic vertebral lesions and a history of solid malignancy.”
“Influenza Cyclosporin A is a serious global public health problem and an economic burden. With the continual emergence of new influenza VX-770 clinical trial A virus strains, new antiviral drugs are needed urgently. In this study, an improved embryonated chicken egg

model for evaluating antiviral activity against Influenza A virus was developed. In the model, the influenza A virus was injected into the allantoic cavity and ribavirin was injected into the albumen of the egg. The levels of influenza A virus in the allantoic fluid was titrated by the hemagglutination test after incubation for 72 h at 35.5 degrees C and 12 h at 4 degrees C. Ribavirin treatment at a dose of 25 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg decreased significantly the hemagglutination titers both of Influenza virus A/FM1, H1N1 (IVA1) (p < 0.01) and influenza virus A/Wuhan/359/95, Tau-protein kinase H3N2 (IVA3) (p < 0.01). In a time-dependent drug addition assay, significant efficacy of ribavirin against both IVA1 and IVA3 was observed when the drug was administered before and shortly after viral inoculation

(p < 0.01 or p < 0.05). In conclusion, ribavirin treatment showed significant antiviral activity against IVA1 and IVA3 in this model, suggesting that the improved model would be useful for evaluating the anti-influenza virus activity of potential inhibitors. (C) 2008 Published by Elsevier B.V.”
“OBJECTIVE: To analyze pre- and postoperative x-rays of sagittal spines and to review the surgical results of 21 patients with lumbar degenerative kyphosis whose spines were sagittally well compensated by compensatory mechanisms but who continued to suffer from intractable back pain

METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 21 patients treated with combined anterior and posterior spinal arthrodesis. Inclusion criteria were: lumbar degenerative kyphosis patients with intractable back pain and whose spines were sagittally well compensated by a compensatory mechanism, defined as a C7 plumb line to the posterior aspect of the L5-S1 disc of less than 5 cm.

These findings are consistent with the view that the hippocampus

These findings are consistent with the view that the hippocampus and PRC play contrasting roles in supporting recollection and familiarity and that these differences are not a result of differences in memory strength. Overall, the combined pupil dilation, eye movement and fMRI data suggest the operation of recognition mechanisms drawing differentially on familiarity and recollection, whose ‘neural bases are distinct within the MTL. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important regulators of gene expression in the immune system. In a few short years, their mechanism of action has been described in various cell lineages within the

immune system, targets have been defined and their unique contributions to immune cell function have been examined. Certain miRNAs serve in important negative feedback loops in the immune system, whereas others serve to amplify

Lonafarnib price the response of the immune system by repressing inhibitors of the response. Here, we review some of the better understood mechanisms as well as some emerging concepts of miRNA function. Future work will likely involve defining the function of specific miRNAs in specific immune cell lineages and to utilize them in the design of therapeutic strategies for diseases involving the immune system. Leukemia (2012) 26, 404-413; doi:10.1038/leu.2011.356; MLN0128 order click here published online 20 December 2011″
“The villin headpiece subdomain, HP36, is the smallest naturally occurring

protein that folds cooperatively. Its small size, rapid folding, and simple three-helix topology have made it an extremely popular system for computational studies of protein folding. The role of unfolded state structure in rapid folding is an area of active investigation, but relatively little is known about the properties of unfolded states under native conditions. A peptide fragment, HP21, which contains the first and second helices of HP36 has been shown to be a good model for structure in the unfolded state of the intact domain but a detailed description of the conformational propensities of HP21 is lacking and the balance between native and nonnative interactions is not known. A series of three-dimensional NMR experiments were performed on (13)C, (15)N-labeled HP21 to investigate in detail its conformational propensities. Analysis of (13)C(alpha), (13)C(beta), (13)CO chemical shifts, Delta delta(13)C(alpha) – Delta delta(13)C(beta) secondary shifts, the secondary structure propensity scores, NOEs, (15)N R(2) values and comparison of experimental chemical shifts with those of HP36 and with chemical shifts calculated using the SHIFTS and SHIFTX programs all indicate that there is significant native like structure in the HP21 ensemble, and thus by implication in the unfolded state of HP36.