IR spectroscopic analyses of amyloid fibril formation of β2-microglobulin using a simplified procedure for its in vitro generation at neutral pH

β2-microglobulin (β2m) is known to be the major component of fibrillar deposits in the joints of patients suffering from dialysis-related amyloidosis. We have developed a simplified procedure to convert monomeric recombinant β2m into amyloid fibrils at physiological pH by a combination of stirring and heating, enabling us to follow conformational changes associated with the assembly by infrared spectroscopy and electron microscopy. Our studies reveal that fibrillogenesis begins with the formation of relatively large aggregates, with secondary structure not significantly altered by the stirring-induced association. In contrast, the conversion of the amorphous aggregates into amyloid fibrils is associated with a profound re-organization at the level of the secondary and tertiary structures, leading to non-native like parallel arrangements of the β-strands in the fully formed amyloid structure of β2m. This study highlights the power of an approach to investigate the formation of β2m fibrils by a combination of biophysical techniques including IR spectroscopy.

Deep brain stimulation of the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus yields increases in the expression of zif-268 but not c-fos in the frontal cortex

This study explores the regions activated by deep brain stimulation of the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus through examination of immediate early genes as markers of neuronal activation. Stimulation was delivered unilaterally with constant current 100 μs duration pulses at a frequency of 130 Hz delivered at an amplitude of 200 μA for 3h. Brains were removed, sectioned and radio-labelled for the IEGs zif-268 and c-fos. In anaesthetised rats, deep brain stimulation of mediodorsal thalamic nucleus produced robust increases in the expression of zif-268 but not c-fos localised to regions that are reciprocally connected with the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus, including the prelimbic and orbitofrontal cortices, and the premotor cortex indicating an increase in synaptic activity in these regions. These findings map those brain regions that are persistently, rather than transiently, activated by high frequency electrical stimulation of the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus by a putatively antidromic mechanism which may be relevant to neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia in which thalamocortical systems are disrupted and in which DBS protocols are being considered.

Intrachromosomal homologous recombination between inverted amplicons on opposing Y-chromosome arms

Amplicons--large, nearly identical repeats in direct or inverted orientation--are abundant in the male-specific region of the human Y chromosome (MSY) and provide targets for intrachromosomal non-allelic homologous recombination (NAHR). Thus far, NAHR events resulting in deletions, duplications, inversions, or isodicentric chromosomes have been reported only for amplicon pairs located exclusively on the short arm (Yp) or the long arm (Yq). Here we report our finding of four men with Y chromosomes that evidently formed by intrachromosomal NAHR between inverted repeat pairs comprising one amplicon on Yp and one amplicon on Yq. In two men with spermatogenic failure, sister-chromatid crossing-over resulted in pseudoisoYp chromosome formation and loss of distal Yq. In two men with normal spermatogenesis, intrachromatid crossing-over generated pericentric inversions. These findings highlight the recombinogenic nature of the MSY, as intrachromosomal NAHR occurs for nearly all Y-chromosome amplicon pairs, even those located on opposing chromosome arms.

Temporal dynamics of cardiac immune cell accumulation following acute myocardial infarction

Acute myocardial infarction (MI) causes sterile inflammation, which is characterized by recruitment and activation of innate and adaptive immune system cells. Here we delineate the temporal dynamics of immune cell accumulation following MI by flow cytometry. Neutrophils increased immediately to a peak at 3 days post-MI. Macrophages were numerically the predominant cells infiltrating the infarcted myocardium, increasing in number over the first week post-MI. Macrophages are functionally heterogeneous, whereby the first responders exhibit high expression levels of proinflammatory mediators, while the late responders express high levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10; these macrophages can be classified into M1 and M2 macrophages, respectively, based on surface-marker expression. M1 macrophages dominated at 1-3 days post-MI, whereas M2 macrophages represented the predominant macrophage subset after 5 days. The M2 macrophages expressed high levels of reparative genes in addition to proinflammatory genes to the same levels as in M1 macrophages. The predominant subset of dendritic cells (DCs) was myeloid DC, which peaked in number on day 7. Th1 and regulatory T cells were the predominant subsets of CD4(+) T cells, whereas Th2 and Th17 cells were minor populations. CD8(+) T cells, γδT cells, B cells, natural killer (NK) cells and NKT cells peaked on day 7 post-MI. Timely reperfusion reduced the total number of leukocytes accumulated in the post-MI period, shifting the peak of innate immune response towards earlier and blunting the wave of adaptive immune response. In conclusion, these results provide important knowledge necessary for developing successful immunomodulatory therapies.

Surface analysis of lipids by mass spectrometry: more than just imaging

Mass spectrometry is now an indispensable tool for lipid analysis and is arguably the driving force in the renaissance of lipid research. In its various forms, mass spectrometry is uniquely capable of resolving the extensive compositional and structural diversity of lipids in biological systems. Furthermore, it provides the ability to accurately quantify molecular-level changes in lipid populations associated with changes in metabolism and environment; bringing lipid science to the "omics" age. The recent explosion of mass spectrometry-based surface analysis techniques is fuelling further expansion of the lipidomics field. This is evidenced by the numerous papers published on the subject of mass spectrometric imaging of lipids in recent years. While imaging mass spectrometry provides new and exciting possibilities, it is but one of the many opportunities direct surface analysis offers the lipid researcher. In this review we describe the current state-of-the-art in the direct surface analysis of lipids with a focus on tissue sections, intact cells and thin-layer chromatography substrates. The suitability of these different approaches towards analysis of the major lipid classes along with their current and potential applications in the field of lipid analysis are evaluated.

Regulation of the DNA damage response by cyclin-dependent kinases

The eukaryotic cell cycle comprises a series of events, whose ordering and correct progression depends on the oscillating activity of cyclin-dependent kinases (Cdks), which safeguard timely duplication and segregation of the genome. Cell division is intimately connected to an evolutionarily conserved DNA damage response (DDR), which involves DNA repair pathways that reverse DNA lesions, as well as checkpoint pathways that inhibit cell cycle progression while repair occurs. There is increasing evidence that Cdks are involved in the DDR, in particular in DNA repair by homologous recombination and in activation of the checkpoint response. However, Cdks have to be carefully regulated, because even an excess of their activity can affect genome stability. In this review, we consider the physiological role of Cdks in the DDR.

Proteomics analysis suggests broad functional changes in potato leaves triggered by phosphites and a complex indirect mode of action against Phytophthora infestans

Phosphite (salts of phosphorous acid; Phi)-based fungicides are increasingly used in controlling oomycete pathogens, such as the late blight agent Phytophthora infestans. In plants, low amounts of Phi induce pathogen resistance through an indirect mode of action. We used iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomics to investigate the effects of phosphite on potato plants before and after infection with P. infestans. Ninety-three (62 up-regulated and 31 down-regulated) differentially regulated proteins, from a total of 1172 reproducibly identified proteins, were identified in the leaf proteome of Phi-treated potato plants. Four days post-inoculation with P. infestans, 16 of the 31 down-regulated proteins remained down-regulated and 42 of the 62 up-regulated proteins remained up-regulated, including 90% of the defense proteins. This group includes pathogenesis-related, stress-responsive, and detoxification-related proteins. Callose deposition and ultrastructural analyses of leaf tissues after infection were used to complement the proteomics approach. This study represents the first comprehensive proteomics analysis of the indirect mode of action of Phi, demonstrating broad effects on plant defense and plant metabolism. The proteomics data and the microscopy study suggest that Phi triggers a hypersensitive response that is responsible for induced resistance of potato leaves against P. infestans.

BIOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Phosphie triggers complex functional changes in potato leaves that are responsible for the induced resistance against Phytophthora infestans. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Translational Plant Proteomics.

Green tea polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) as adjuvant in cancer therapy

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Green tea catechins, especially epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), have been associated with cancer prevention and treatment. This has resulted in an increased number of studies evaluating the effects derived from the use of this compound in combination with chemo/radiotherapy. This review aims at compiling latest literature on this subject.

METHODS

Keywords including EGCG, cancer, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and side effects, were searched using PubMed and ScienceDirect databases to identify, analyze, and summarize the research literature on this topic. Most of the studies on this subject up to date are preclinical. Relevance of the findings, impact factor, and date of publication were critical parameters for the studies to be included in the review.

RESULTS

Additive and synergistic effects of EGCG when combined with conventional cancer therapies have been proposed, and its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities have been related to amelioration of cancer therapy side effects. However, antagonistic interactions with certain anticancer drugs might limit its clinical use.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of EGCG could enhance the effect of conventional cancer therapies through additive or synergistic effects as well as through amelioration of deleterious side effects. Further research, especially at the clinical level, is needed to ascertain the potential role of EGCG as adjuvant in cancer therapy.

Remote ischemic preconditioning in cyanosed neonates undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE

The myocardial protective effect of remote ischemic preconditioning has been demonstrated in heterogeneous groups of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. No studies have examined this technique in neonates. The present study was performed to examine the remote ischemic preconditioning efficacy in this high-risk patient group.

METHODS

A preliminary, randomized, controlled trial was conducted to investigate whether remote ischemic preconditioning in cyanosed neonates undergoing cardiac surgery confers protection against cardiopulmonary bypass. Two groups of neonates undergoing cardiac surgery were recruited for the present study: patients with transposition of the great arteries undergoing the arterial switch procedure and patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome undergoing the Norwood procedure. The subjects were randomized to the remote ischemic preconditioning or sham control groups. Remote ischemic preconditioning was induced by four 5-minute cycles of lower limb ischemia and reperfusion using a blood pressure cuff. Troponin I and the biomarkers for renal and cerebral injury were measured pre- and postoperatively.

RESULTS

A total of 39 neonates were recruited-20 with transposition of the great arteries and 19 with hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Of the 39 neonates, 20 were randomized to remote ischemic preconditioning and 19 to the sham control group. The baseline demographics appeared similar between the randomized groups. The cardiopulmonary bypass and crossclamp times were not significantly different between the 2 groups. The troponin I levels were not significantly different at 6 hours after cardiopulmonary bypass nor were the postoperative inotrope requirements. Markers of renal (neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin) and cerebral injury (S100b, neuron-specific enolase) were not significantly different between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that remote ischemic preconditioning in hypoxic neonates undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass surgery does not provide myocardial, renal, or neuronal protection. Additional studies are needed to examine the relationships among developmental age, hypoxia, and the molecular mechanisms of ischemic preconditioning.

Orally efficacious novel small molecule 6-chloro-6-deoxy-1,2,3,4-tetra-O-galloyl-α-D-glucopyranose selectively and potently stimulates insulin receptor and alleviates diabetes

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has become an epidemic worldwide while T1D remains a great medical challenge. Insulin receptor (IR) signaling activators could alleviate hyperglycemia, reduce the burden on the pancreas, and contribute to prevention and treatment of both types of diabetes. Previously, we reported the synthesis and identification of a natural antidiabetic compound α-penta-galloyl-glucose (α-PGG). Subsequent studies led to the identification of an α-P6GG derivative, 6-chloro-6-deoxy-1,2,3,4-tetra-O-galloyl-α-D-glucopyranose (6Cl-TGQ). Here, we report that 6Cl-TGQ not only induced rapid and long-lasting glucose uptake comparable to insulin in adipocytes but also reduced high blood glucose levels to near normal and significantly decreased plasma insulin levels and improved glucose tolerance performance in high-fat diet-induced T2D mice when administered orally at 5 mg/kg once every other day. Moreover, a single gavage of 6Cl-TGQ at 10 mg/kg induced rapid and sharp decline of blood glucose in streptozotocin-induced T1D mice. Our studies further indicated that 6Cl-TGQ activated IR signaling in cell models and insulin-responsive tissues of mice. 6Cl-TGQ-induced Akt phosphorylation was completely blocked by IR and PI3K inhibitors, while the induced glucose uptake was blocked by the same compounds and a Glut4 inhibitor. Receptor binding studies indicated that 6Cl-TGQ bound to IR with a higher affinity than α-PGG. Importantly, 6Cl-TGQ, unlike insulin, selectively induced phosphorylation of IR without activating IGF1R or its signaling and did not increase cancer cell proliferation. These results indicate that 6Cl-TGQ is a potent orally efficacious compound with low carcinogenic potential and may contribute to the prevention and treatment of T1D and T2D.

Tumour epithelial expression levels of endocannabinoid markers modulate the value of endoglin-positive vascular density as a prognostic marker in prostate cancer

Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) is responsible for the hydrolysis of the endogenous cannabinoid (CB) receptor ligand anandamide. Here we have investigated whether the expression levels of FAAH and CB1 receptors influence the prognostic value of markers of angiogenesis in prostate cancer. Data from a cohort of 419 patients who were diagnosed with prostate cancer at transurethral resection for lower urinary tract symptoms, of whom approximately 2/3 had been followed by expectancy, were used. Scores for the angiogenesis markers endoglin and von Willebrand factor (vWf), the endocannabinoid markers fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) and cannabinoid CB1 receptors and the cell proliferation marker Ki-67 were available in the database. For the cases followed by expectancy, the prognostic value of endoglin was dependent upon the tumour epithelial FAAH immunoreactivity (FAAH-IR) and CB1IR scores, and the non-malignant epithelial FAAH-IR scores, but not the non-malignant CB1IR scores or the tumour blood vessel FAAH-IR scores. This dependency upon the tumour epithelial FAAH-IR or CB1IR scores was less apparent for vWf, and was not seen for Ki-67. Using an endoglin cut-off value of 10 positively stained vessels per core and a median split of tumour FAAH-IR, four groups could be generated, with 15year of disease-specific survival (%) of 68±7 (low endoglin, low FAAH), 45±11 (high endoglin, low FAAH), 77±6 (low endoglin, high FAAH) and 21±10 (high endoglin, high FAAH). Thus, the cases with high endoglin and high FAAH scores have the poorest rate of disease-specific survival. At diagnosis, the number of cases with tumour stages 1a-1b relative to stages 2-4 was sensitive to the endoglin score in a manner dependent upon the tumour FAAH-IR. It is concluded that the prognostic value of endoglin as a marker of neovascularisation in prostate cancer can be influenced by the expression level of markers of the endocannabinoid system. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Lipid Metabolism in Cancer.

Co-mutation of histone H2AX S139A with Y142A rescues Y142A-induced ionising radiation sensitivity

Under normal conditions histone H2AX is constitutively phosphorylated on tyrosine (Y) 142 by Williams-Beuren syndrome transcription factor kinase (WSTF). Following DNA double strand breaks (DSB), Y142 is de-phosphorylated and serine (S) 139 is phosphorylated. Here we explored DSB-dependent cross talk between H2AX residues S139 and Y142. H2axY142A mutation resulted in increased sensitivity to ionising radiation (IR), compared to H2axS139A. Interestingly, co-mutation of S139A and Y142A rescued IR sensitivity. The DSB response proteins 53Bp1 and Rad51 were recruited to IR-induced foci (IRIF) in H2axS139A, H2axY142A and H2axS139A/Y142A cells. Our results suggest that H2axY142A IR sensitivity is dependent upon the C-terminal residue, S139.

Synthesis and spectroscopic properties of new bis-tetrazoles

Syntheses of N,N′-phenyltetrazole podands link with aliphatic chains containing oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur atoms, are described. The complexing properties of these compounds towards metal cations (Fe²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺) were investigated by absorption and infrared spectroscopy. The UV–Vis titrations were performed to estimate the stability constant values of the respective complexes with Cu²⁺ ion. Changes in UV–Vis absorption spectra and IR spectra of compound 6 under various concentrations of Cu²⁺ ion in methanol suggest formation of very unstable complex. The structure of ligand 2 has been deduced by X-ray crystallography.

Identification of (-)(E)-N-[2(S)-Hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl) ethyl]ferulamide, a natural product isolated from Croton pullei: theoretical and experimental analysis

Ferulic acid (FA) and its derivatives (FADs) are known for a variety of biological activities, such as photo-protective agent, antioxidant, antiatherogenic and antiplasmodial activities. During structural definition of a FAD isolated from Croton pullei, the possibility of a heterologous series made this definition difficult. In this regard, computational simulations were performed using theoretical calculations at DFT level to predict Infrared (IR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) data. The IR and NMR ¹³C and ¹H data were compared with the theoretical calculations performed for three structural possibilities of a heterologous series. The theoretical results were compared with the experimental data through linear regression in order to define the most probable structure and showed satisfactory values.

Dynamic modeling of cellular response to DNA damage based on p53 stress response networks

Under acute perturbations from the outside, cells can trigger self-defensive mechanisms to fight against genome stress. To investigate the cellular response to continuous ion radiation (IR), a dynamic model for p53 stress response networks at the cellular level is proposed. The model can successfully be used to simulate the dynamic processes of double-strand breaks (DSBs) generation and their repair, switch-like ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) activation, oscillations occurring in the p53-MDM2 feedback loop, as well as toxins elimination triggered by p53 stress response networks. Especially, the model can predict the plausible outcomes of cellular response under different IR dose regimes.

Antibacterial and Antifungal Studies on Some Schiff Base Complexes of Zinc(II)

Two Schiff base ligands L1and L2 were obtained by the condensation of glycylglycine respectively with imidazole-2-carboxaldehyde and indole-3-carboxaldehyde and their complexes with Zn(II) were prepared and characterized by microanalytical, conductivity measurement, IR, UV-Vis., XRD and SEM. The molar conductance measurement indicates that the Zn(II) complexes are 1: 1electrolytes. The IR data demonstrate the tetradentate binding of L1and tridentate binding of L2. The XRD data show that Zn(II) complexes with L1and L2 have the crystallite sizes of 53 and 61nm respectively. The surface morphology of the complexes was studied using SEM. The in vitro biological screening effects of the investigated compounds were tested against the bacterial species Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumaniae, Proteus vulgaris and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and fungal species Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus flavus, Rhizoctonia bataicola and Candida albicans by the disc diffusion method. A comparative study of inhibition values of the Schiff base ligands and their complexes indicates that the complexes exhibit higher antimicrobial activity than the free ligands. Zinc ions are proven to be essential for the growth-inhibitor effect. The extent of inhibition appeared to be strongly dependent on the initial cell density and on the growth medium.

Laser Microdissection: Application to Carcinogenesis

Although several microscopic techniques are available for separation of small groups of cells from surrounding tissue, the high energy concentrated into a small area, the easy control of beam position and the lack of direct contact with the material to be dissected make lasers the best option for a large scale microdissection. Laser microdissection technology provides samples of homogenous cells, or even a single cell, isolated from whole tissue or cytological materials to ensure that biological molecules such as DNA, RNA or protein are undamaged during sampling in order to define the molecular and cellular biology of diseases, including cancer. This article reviews the various techniques of laser microdissection including capture, catapulting and gravity-assisted, in addition to a cheaper alternative (ultrasound). Methods of sample preparation, including contamination eradication, enrichment, fixation, staining and extraction of biological molecules are also reviewed. Application of genomic and proteomic technology to laser microdissected cells has revolutionized the classification of solid cancer and enhanced its diagnosis, prognosis and drug discovery.