TTF-1/NKX2-1 binds to DDB1 and confers replication stress resistance to lung adenocarcinomas

TTF-1, also known as NKX2-1, is a transcription factor that has indispensable roles in both lung development and physiology. We and others have reported that TTF-1 frequently exhibits high expression with increased copy number in lung adenocarcinomas, and also has a role as a lineage-survival oncogene through transcriptional activation of crucial target genes including ROR1 and LMO3. In the present study, we employed a global proteomic search for proteins that interact with TTF-1 in order to provide a more comprehensive picture of this still enigmatic lineage-survival oncogene. Our results unexpectedly revealed a function independent of its transcriptional activity, as TTF-1 was found to interact with DDB1 and block its binding to CHK1, which in turn attenuated ubiquitylation and subsequent degradation of CHK1. Furthermore, TTF-1 overexpression conferred resistance to cellular conditions under DNA replication stress (RS) and prevented an increase in consequential DNA double-strand breaks, as reflected by attenuated induction of pCHK2 and γH2AX. Our findings suggest that the novel non-transcriptional function of TTF-1 identified in this study may contribute to lung adenocarcinoma development by conferring tolerance to DNA RS, which is known to be inherently elicited by activation of various oncogenes.

Efficient cleavage of DNA oligonucleotides by a non-FokI-type zinc finger nuclease containing one His₄-type finger domain derived from the first finger domain of Sp1

In this study, we sought to improve the hydrolytic activity of a His4-type single finger domain (f2), which was previously derived from the second finger domain (f2') of the Sp1 zinc finger protein (Sp1wt), which has 3 tandem finger domains (f1', f2', and f3'). To this end, 2 His4-type single finger domains were generated by mutating 2 Cys residues participating in Zn(II) coordination with the His residues in the first (f1') and third finger (f3') domains of Sp1wt. Circular dichroism spectroscopy results showed that the first and second His4-type zinc finger domains (f1 and f2) adopted folded ββα structures in the presence of Zn(II), but that the third His4-type zinc finger domain (f3) did not. Non-FokI-type zinc finger nucleases containing 3 or 4 finger domains were also prepared by combining a His4-type zinc finger domain with the Sp1wt scaffold. We studied their DNA-binding abilities and hydrolytic activities against DNA oligonucleotides by performing gel-mobility-shift assays. The results showed that f1 had higher hydrolytic activity for a DNA oligonucleotide with a GC box (5'-GGG GCG GGG-3'), compared with that of f2, although both His4-type single finger domains had similar DNA-binding affinities. The difference in the hydrolytic activity between f1 and f2 was ascribed not only to the zinc coordinate structure, but also to its folding structure and the stability of finger domain.

Supramolecular intracellular delivery of an anionic porphyrin by octaarginine-conjugated per-O-methyl-β-cyclodextrin

A convenient and efficient method for intracellular delivery of a water-soluble anionic porphyrin has been developed by utilizing its supramolecular interaction with per-O-methyl-β-cyclodextrin bearing an octaarginine chain as a cell-penetrating peptide.

Reaction between a haemoglobin model compound and hydrosulphide in aqueous solution

The reaction between hydrosulphide and a haemoglobin model compound, composed of a Fe(iii)-porphyrin and a cyclodextrin dimer possessing a pyridine-linker, was studied.

Cellular uptake of octaarginine-conjugated tetraarylporphyrin included by per-O-methylated β-cyclodextrin

This paper describes the synthesis, structural characterization and cellular uptake of a supramolecular 1 : 2 inclusion complex of meso-tetraphenylporphyrin having an octaarginine peptide chain (R8-TPP) and heptakis(2,3,6-tri-O-methyl)-β-cyclodextrin (TMe-β-CD). R8-TPP was synthesized by 2 approaches: (1) on-resin conjugation of the N-terminal of octaarginine with 5-(4-carboxyphenyl)-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin, followed by cleavage from the resin, and (2) Michael addition reaction between 5-[4-(3-maleimidopropylamido)phenyl]-10,15,20-triphenylporphyrin and cysteine-octaarginine peptide (Cys-Arg8). The R8-TPP obtained from both the approaches formed stable inclusion complexes with TMe-β-CD by which non-substituted phenyl groups at the 10- and 20-positions were included to form trans-type 1 : 2 inclusion complexes. The complexation prevented the self-aggregation of R8-TPP, which resulted in the solubilisation of R8-TPP in aqueous media. A cellular uptake study using HeLa cells showed that R8-TPP complexed with TMe-β-CD in a serum-free medium was efficiently taken up by the cells and uniformly dispersed in the cytosol. In the serum-containing medium, the R8-TPP-TMe-β-CD complex dissociated, and the serum protein bound R8-TPP. The R8-TPP-protein complex was localized in the endosomes of the cells. The cytosol-dispersed R8-TPP showed a higher photo-induced cytotoxicity than its endosome-trapped counterpart.

333 ESTABLISHMENT OF NOVEL METHOD FOR REPEATED CONSTRUCTION OF ENGINEERED ZINC FINGER NUCLEASE

Zinc finger nucleases (ZFN), which are artificial restriction enzymes consisting of an engineered zinc-finger domain (ZF) and an endonuclease domain, can be used for the induction of site-directed mutation and the efficient generation of gene knockout animals. However, the repeated construction of various ZFN sequences is both expensive and time consuming. In this study, we attempted to establish a novel method for inexpensive and rapid ZFN construction. First, we constructed ZFN against mouse Rosa26 and original mouse Gli3 gene loci using short PCR primer sets (>30 bp), which contained 21 bp of the ZF recognition helix for a specific DNA triplet. We prepared 18 sets of such primers and PCR was performed using one of these primer sets and the partial ZF sequence as a template, which was obtained from the first to second DNA recognition helix of mouse Zif268. The PCR products were joined by overlap-PCR and nested PCR, and then inserted into a vector coding the endonuclease domain of FokI nuclease. By these steps, we successfully synthesised intended ZFN vectors containing 4 to 6 fingers. Next, we evaluated the functions of constructed ZFN. The mRNA of constructed ZFN were transcribed in vitro and injected into the cytoplasm of C57BL/6N zygotes. After 24 h of culture, 2-cell stage embryos were subjected to genomic PCR of the target locus, and the PCR products were directly sequenced. When ZFN mRNA for mouse Rosa26 was injected, 3- to 146-bp deletions were detected in 92.8% of injected embryos. This result was almost the same as previously reported for ZFN, indicating that our novel construction method can synthesise functional ZFN, which work as a site-directed nuclease, and that efficiency was comparable with those constructed by conventional PCR methods using long oligonucleotide sets (60 bp).

Modification of a dioxygen carrier, hemoCD, with PEGylated dendrons for extension of circulation time in the bloodstream

A supramolecular diatomic receptor, hemoCD, was modified with PEGylated dendrons to extend its circulation time in the bloodstream. The core component was 4-oxo-4-[[4-(10,15,20-tris(4-sulfonatophenyl)-21H,23H-porphin-5-yl)phenyl]amino]butanoic acid (Por-COOH). The building block of the dendrons was Fmoc-4-amino-4-(2-carboxyethyl)heptanedioic acid (FmocTA), which was condensed with α-amino-ω-methoxy-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG(5000)-NH(2)) to yield an FmocG1-dendron. After deprotection, the G1-dendron was condensed with Por-COOH to yield G1-Por. A precursor (FmocNA) of an FmocG2-dendron was prepared via a condensation reaction of 4-amino-4-(2-t-butoxycarbonylethyl)heptanedioic acid di-t-butyl ester (TA-E) with FmocTA followed by hydrolysis of the resultant nona-carboxylic acid nona-t-butyl ester. Condensation of FmocNA with PEG(5000)-NH(2) yielded an FmocG2-dendron. After deprotection, the G2-dendron was condensed with Por-COOH to yield G2-Por. The ferrous complexes of G1- and G2-Pors formed stable 1:1 inclusion complexes with Py3CD, a per-O-methylated β-cyclodextrin dimer with a pyridine linker, in aqueous solution yielding supramolecular complexes designated as G1-hemoCD and G2-hemoCD, respectively. Both G1- and G2-hemoCDs bound molecular oxygen, with the O(2) affinities (P(1/2)) of hemoCD, G1-, and G2-hemoCDs at pH 7.4 and 37 °C being 22, 20, and 20 Torr, respectively. The modification of hemoCD with the dendrons did not cause destabilization of the O(2) adducts via autoxidation, as indicated by their half-lives (t(1/2)) of 6.8, 6.1, and 5.5 h for hemoCD, G1-, and G2-hemoCDs, respectively. The blood concentration-time curves of G1- and G2-hemoCDs injected into the bloodstream of rats exhibited two phases, with the half-lives of the fast and slow decays being 0.45 and 5.3 h, respectively, for G1-hemoCD, and 0.20 and 12.8 h, respectively, for G2-hemoCD. The half-lives of hemoCD were 0.02 and 0.50 h, respectively. The circulation time of hemoCD was markedly extended by its modification with the PEGylated dendrons, which was very effective in protecting hemoCD against opsonization for uptake by the reticuloendothelial system.

Structural equation modeling of the relationship of bone mineral density and its risk factors in Japanese women

Several factors have been reported as risk factors for the development of osteoporosis. In this study, we aimed to examine the relationship among lifestyle factors, biologic factors, and bone mineral density (BMD) using structural equation modeling (SEM). The subjects in the present study consisted of 866 postmenopausal Japanese women aged between 40 and 80 years old. In the analysis by the SEM, we employed a multiple basic model. As the structural variables, lifestyle factors and biologic factors were selected.The goodness of fit index (GFI) of the final model was 0.991 and the Akaike's information criteria (AIC) showed the lowest value in the peripheral models. The degree of association between biologic factors and BMD was -0.576 (direct association), 0.012 (indirect association), and -0.564 (total association). With regard to the correlation between lifestyle factors and BMD, the degrees of association were 0.085, -0.084, and 0.001, respectively.This study defined a pilot model for factors influencing BMD. Although is remains necessary to conduct further analyses with more valid measurements and constructs, this model indicated that the correlation between BMD and lifestyle factors was lower than that between BMD and biologic factors.

Lung cancer associated with an azygos lobe successfully treated with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery

Primary lung cancer associated with an azygos lobe is extremely rare. Herein, we report the case of a 64-year-old woman with lung adenocarcinoma arising in the right upper lobe with an azygos lobe. The patient underwent a right upper lobectomy and lymph node dissection with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy for lung cancer of this variant has yet to be reported. We demonstrate the intraoperative findings and the resected pulmonary lobe. This is the first case of primary lung cancer associated with the azygos lobe treated by lobectomy with video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

Molecular complexes of water-soluble porphyrins

Water-soluble porphyrins tend to form self-aggregates under certain conditions. The structure of the self-aggregate (H-type dimer, H-type higher aggregate, or J-aggregate) sensitively depends on the structure of the peripheral substituents at the meso-positions of the porphyrin. Water-soluble porphyrins also form relatively stable π-stacked complexes with various aromatics. Polar effects are important in complexation of anionic porphyrins with anthraquinonesulfonates. The results suggest that the main attractive interaction for formation of π-stacked complexes of water-soluble porphyrins is the σ-π interaction as claimed by Hunter and Sanders. Meanwhile, the aryl groups at the meso-positions of the water-soluble porphyrins are included by per-O-methylated β-cyclodextrin through van der Waals interactions to form extremely stable 1:2 complexes (porphyrin:cyclodextrin). Such a character of the water-soluble porphyrins can be applied to convenient preparation of supramolecular hetero-porphyrin arrays.

Supramolecular ferric porphyrins as cyanide receptors in aqueous solution

All fundamental data about binding of the cyanide to a supramolecular complex composed of a per-O-methylated β-cyclodextrin dimer having an imidazole linker (Im3CD) and an anionic ferric porphyrin (Fe((III))TPPS) indicate that the Fe((III))TPPS/Im3CD complex is much better as an cyanide receptor in vivo than hydroxocobalamin, whose cyanide binding ability is lowered by its strong binding to serum proteins in the blood.