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Smith PJ, Kondrat SA, Chater PA, Yeo BR, Shaw GM, Lu L, Bartley JK, Taylor SH, Spencer MS, Kiely CJ, Kelly GJ, Park CW, Hutchings GJ. A new class of Cu/ZnO catalysts derived from zincian georgeite precursors prepared by co-precipitation. Chem Sci 2017; 8:2436-2447. [PMID: 28451351 PMCID: PMC5369406 DOI: 10.1039/c6sc04130b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Zincian georgeite, an amorphous copper–zinc hydroxycarbonate, has been prepared by co-precipitation using acetate salts and ammonium carbonate.
Zincian georgeite, an amorphous copper–zinc hydroxycarbonate, has been prepared by co-precipitation using acetate salts and ammonium carbonate. Incorporation of zinc into the georgeite phase and mild ageing conditions inhibits crystallisation into zincian malachite or aurichalcite. This zincian georgeite precursor was used to prepare a Cu/ZnO catalyst, which exhibits a superior performance to a zincian malachite derived catalyst for methanol synthesis and the low temperature water–gas shift (LTS) reaction. Furthermore, the enhanced LTS activity and stability in comparison to that of a commercial Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst, indicates that the addition of alumina as a stabiliser may not be required for the zincian georgeite derived Cu/ZnO catalyst. The enhanced performance is partly attributed to the exclusion of alkali metals from the synthesis procedure, which are known to act as catalyst poisons. The effect of residual sodium on the microstructural properties of the catalyst precursor was investigated further from preparations using sodium carbonate.
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Kondrat SA, Smith PJ, Carter JH, Hayward JS, Pudge GJ, Shaw G, Spencer MS, Bartley JK, Taylor SH, Hutchings GJ. The effect of sodium species on methanol synthesis and water–gas shift Cu/ZnO catalysts: utilising high purity zincian georgeite. Faraday Discuss 2017; 197:287-307. [DOI: 10.1039/c6fd00202a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The effect of sodium species on the physical and catalytic properties of Cu/ZnO catalysts derived from zincian georgeite has been investigated. Catalysts prepared with <100 ppm to 2.1 wt% Na+, using a supercritical CO2 antisolvent technique, were characterised and tested for the low temperature water–gas shift reaction and also CO2 hydrogenation to methanol. It was found that zincian georgeite catalyst precursor stability was dependent on the Na+ concentration, with the 2.1 wt% Na+-containing sample uncontrollably ageing to malachite and sodium zinc carbonate. Samples with lower Na+ contents (<100–2500 ppm) remained as the amorphous zincian georgeite phase, which on calcination and reduction resulted in similar CuO/Cu particle sizes and Cu surface areas. The aged 2.1 wt% Na+ containing sample, after calcination and reduction, was found to comprise of larger CuO crystallites and a lower Cu surface area. However, calcination of the high Na+ sample immediately after precipitation (before ageing) resulted in a comparable CuO/Cu particle size to the lower (<100–2500 ppm) Na+ containing samples, but with a lower Cu surface area, which indicates that Na+ species block Cu sites. Activity of the catalysts for the water–gas shift reaction and methanol yields in the methanol synthesis reaction correlated with Na+ content, suggesting that Na+ directly poisons the catalyst. In situ XRD analysis showed that the ZnO crystallite size and consequently Cu crystallite size increased dramatically in the presence of water in a syn-gas reaction mixture, showing that stabilisation of nanocrystalline ZnO is required. Sodium species have a moderate effect on ZnO and Cu crystallite growth rate, with lower Na+ content resulting in slightly reduced rates of growth under reaction conditions.
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Smith PJ, Chattopadhyay PK. Re-visiting Fc-receptor blocking maneuvers in man. Cytometry A 2016; 89:975-977. [PMID: 27870535 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.22998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/26/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Nesbitt H, Byrne NM, Williams SN, Ming L, Worthington J, Errington RJ, Patterson LH, Smith PJ, McKeown SR, McKenna DJ. Targeting Hypoxic Prostate Tumors Using the Novel Hypoxia-Activated Prodrug OCT1002 Inhibits Expression of Genes Associated with Malignant Progression. Clin Cancer Res 2016; 23:1797-1808. [PMID: 27697998 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-16-1361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2016] [Revised: 08/11/2016] [Accepted: 08/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Purpose: To understand the role of hypoxia in prostate tumor progression and to evaluate the ability of the novel unidirectional hypoxia-activated prodrug OCT1002 to enhance the antitumor effect of bicalutamide.Experimental Design: The effect of OCT1002 on prostate cancer cells (LNCaP, 22Rv1, and PC3) was measured in normoxia and hypoxia in vitroIn vivo, tumor growth and lung metastases were measured in mice treated with bicalutamide, OCT1002, or a combination. Dorsal skin fold chambers were used to image tumor vasculature in vivo Longitudinal gene expression changes in tumors were analyzed using PCR.Results: Reduction of OCT1002 to its active form (OCT1001) decreased prostate cancer cell viability. In LNCaP-luc spheroids, OCT1002 caused increased apoptosis and decreased clonogenicity. In vivo, treatment with OCT1002 alone, or with bicalutamide, showed significantly greater tumor growth control and reduced lung metastases compared with controls. Reestablishment of the tumor microvasculature following bicalutamide-induced vascular collapse is inhibited by OCT1002. Significantly, the upregulation of RUNX2 and its targets caused by bicalutamide alone was blocked by OCT1002.Conclusions: OCT1002 selectively targets hypoxic tumor cells and enhances the antitumor efficacy of bicalutamide. Furthermore, bicalutamide caused changes in gene expression, which indicated progression to a more malignant genotype; OCT1002 blocked these effects, emphasizing that more attention should be attached to understanding genetic changes that may occur during treatment. Early targeting of hypoxic cells with OCT1002 can provide a means of inhibiting prostate tumor growth and malignant progression. This is of importance for the design and refinement of existing androgen-deprivation regimens in the clinic. Clin Cancer Res; 23(7); 1797-808. ©2016 AACR.
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Brown GE, Smith PJ, Peters RB. Effect of Escapable versus Inescapable Shock on Avoidance Behavior in the Goldfish (Carassius Auratus). Psychol Rep 2016. [DOI: 10.2466/pr0.1985.57.3f.1027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Following exposure to either escapable, inescapable, or no shock, goldfish were tested on an avoidance task. Differences in latency consistent with the hypothesis that helplessness is learned were present only on the first block of five trials. While reliable differences in the number of trials to the first avoidance response supported an interpretation as learned helplessness, differences in the total number of avoidance responses did not.
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Smith PJ, Blumenthal JA. Response to "Does Sleep Play a Role in the Relationship Among Depression, Anxiety, and Mortality in Lung Transplanted Patients?". Am J Transplant 2016; 16:2495. [PMID: 27105775 DOI: 10.1111/ajt.13836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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Smith PJ. EdU and BrdU incorporation resolve their differences. Cell Cycle 2016; 15:1527-8. [PMID: 27089480 PMCID: PMC4934059 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2016.1171654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2016] [Accepted: 03/23/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
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Smith PJ. Cytometric routes to single cell transcriptomics. Cytometry A 2016; 89:424-6. [PMID: 27217223 DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.22869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 04/10/2016] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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Ta VD, Carter RM, Esenturk E, Connaughton C, Wasley TJ, Li J, Kay RW, Stringer J, Smith PJ, Shephard JD. Dynamically controlled deposition of colloidal nanoparticle suspension in evaporating drops using laser radiation. SOFT MATTER 2016; 12:4530-6. [PMID: 27094902 DOI: 10.1039/c6sm00465b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Dynamic control of the distribution of polystyrene suspended nanoparticles in evaporating droplets is investigated using a 2.9 μm high power laser. Under laser radiation a droplet is locally heated and fluid flows are induced that overcome the capillary flow, and thus a reversal of the coffee-stain effect is observed. Suspension particles are accumulated in a localised area, one order of magnitude smaller than the original droplet size. By scanning the laser beam over the droplet, particles can be deposited in an arbitrary pattern. This finding raises the possibility for direct laser writing of suspended particles through a liquid layer. Furthermore, a highly uniform coating is possible by manipulating the laser beam diameter and exposure time. The effect is expected to be universally applicable to aqueous solutions independent of solutes (either particles or molecules) and deposited substrates.
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Abstract
Cognitive decline is an increasingly important public health problem, with more than 100 million adults worldwide projected to develop dementia by 2050. Accordingly, there has been an increased interest in preventive strategies that diminish this risk. It has been recognized that lifestyle factors including dietary patterns, may be important in the prevention of cognitive decline and dementia in later life. Several dietary components have been examined, including antioxidants, fatty acids, and B vitamins. In addition, whole dietary eating plans, including the Mediterranean diet (MeDi), and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, with and without weight loss, have become areas of increasing interest. Although prospective epidemiological studies have observed that antioxidants, fatty acids, and B vitamins are associated with better cognitive functioning, randomized clinical trials have generally failed to confirm the value of any specific dietary component in improving neurocognition. Several randomized trials have examined the impact of changing 'whole' diets on cognitive outcomes. The MeDi and DASH diets offer promising preliminary results, but data are limited and more research in this area is needed.
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Kondrat SA, Smith PJ, Wells PP, Chater PA, Carter JH, Morgan DJ, Fiordaliso EM, Wagner JB, Davies TE, Lu L, Bartley JK, Taylor SH, Spencer MS, Kiely CJ, Kelly GJ, Park CW, Rosseinsky MJ, Hutchings GJ. Stable amorphous georgeite as a precursor to a high-activity catalyst. Nature 2016; 531:83-7. [PMID: 26878237 DOI: 10.1038/nature16935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Accepted: 12/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Copper and zinc form an important group of hydroxycarbonate minerals that include zincian malachite, aurichalcite, rosasite and the exceptionally rare and unstable--and hence little known and largely ignored--georgeite. The first three of these minerals are widely used as catalyst precursors for the industrially important methanol-synthesis and low-temperature water-gas shift (LTS) reactions, with the choice of precursor phase strongly influencing the activity of the final catalyst. The preferred phase is usually zincian malachite. This is prepared by a co-precipitation method that involves the transient formation of georgeite; with few exceptions it uses sodium carbonate as the carbonate source, but this also introduces sodium ions--a potential catalyst poison. Here we show that supercritical antisolvent (SAS) precipitation using carbon dioxide (refs 13, 14), a process that exploits the high diffusion rates and solvation power of supercritical carbon dioxide to rapidly expand and supersaturate solutions, can be used to prepare copper/zinc hydroxycarbonate precursors with low sodium content. These include stable georgeite, which we find to be a precursor to highly active methanol-synthesis and superior LTS catalysts. Our findings highlight the value of advanced synthesis methods in accessing unusual mineral phases, and show that there is room for exploring improvements to established industrial catalysts.
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Kredo T, Mauff K, Workman L, Van der Walt JS, Wiesner L, Smith PJ, Maartens G, Cohen K, Barnes KI. The interaction between artemether-lumefantrine and lopinavir/ritonavir-based antiretroviral therapy in HIV-1 infected patients. BMC Infect Dis 2016; 16:30. [PMID: 26818566 PMCID: PMC4728832 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-016-1345-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 01/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Artemether-lumefantrine is currently the most widely recommended treatment of uncomplicated malaria. Lopinavir–based antiretroviral therapy is the commonly recommended second-line HIV treatment. Artemether and lumefantrine are metabolised by cytochrome P450 isoenzyme CYP3A4, which lopinavir/ritonavir inhibits, potentially causing clinically important drug-drug interactions. Methods An adaptive, parallel-design safety and pharmacokinetic study was conducted in HIV-infected (malaria-negative) patients: antiretroviral-naïve and those stable on lopinavir/ritonavir-based antiretrovirals. Both groups received the recommended six-dose artemether-lumefantrine treatment. The primary outcome was day-7 lumefantrine concentrations, as these correlate with antimalarial efficacy. Adverse events were solicited throughout the study, recording the onset, duration, severity, and relationship to artemether-lumefantrine. Results We enrolled 34 patients. Median day-7 lumefantrine concentrations were almost 10-fold higher in the lopinavir than the antiretroviral-naïve group [3170 versus 336 ng/mL; p = 0.0001], with AUC(0-inf) and Cmax increased five-fold [2478 versus 445 μg.h/mL; p = 0.0001], and three-fold [28.2 versus 8.8 μg/mL; p < 0.0001], respectively. Lumefantrine Cmax, and AUC(0-inf) increased significantly with mg/kg dose in the lopinavir, but not the antiretroviral-naïve group. While artemether exposure was similar between groups, Cmax and AUC(0-8h) of its active metabolite dihydroartemisinin were initially two-fold higher in the lopinavir group [p = 0.004 and p = 0.0013, respectively]. However, this difference was no longer apparent after the last artemether-lumefantrine dose. Within 21 days of starting artemether-lumefantrine there were similar numbers of treatment emergent adverse events (42 vs. 35) and adverse reactions (12 vs. 15, p = 0.21) in the lopinavir and antiretroviral-naïve groups, respectively. There were no serious adverse events and no difference in electrocardiographic QTcF- and PR-intervals, at the predicted lumefantrine Tmax. Conclusion Despite substantially higher lumefantrine exposure, intensive monitoring in our relatively small study raised no safety concerns in HIV-infected patients stable on lopinavir-based antiretroviral therapy given the recommended artemether-lumefantrine dosage. Increased day-7 lumefantrine concentrations have been shown previously to reduce the risk of malaria treatment failure, but further evidence in adult patients co-infected with malaria and HIV is needed to assess the artemether-lumefantrine risk : benefit profile in this vulnerable population fully. Our antiretroviral-naïve patients confirmed previous findings that lumefantrine absorption is almost saturated at currently recommended doses, but this dose-limited absorption was overcome in the lopinavir group. Trial registration Clinical Trial Registration number NCT00869700. Registered on clinicaltrials.gov 25 March 2009 Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12879-016-1345-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Talley DC, Delang L, Neyts J, Leyssen P, Smith PJ. Exploring the importance of zinc binding and steric/hydrophobic factors in novel HCV replication inhibitors. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2016; 26:1196-9. [PMID: 26804234 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2016.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2015] [Revised: 01/12/2016] [Accepted: 01/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Several novel compounds have been identified that inhibit the replication of hepatitis C virus in a replicon assay with EC50 values as low as 0.6 μM. Lead compounds were modified to investigate the possible role that zinc binding may play in inhibitor efficacy. In addition, the structure-activity relationship was explored to increase inhibitor efficacy and possibly identify favorable interactions within the currently unknown inhibitor binding pocket. The rationale for inhibitor design and biological results are presented herein.
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Smith PJ, Marquez N, Wiltshire M, Chappell S, Njoh K, Campbell L, Khan IA, Silvestre O, Errington RJ. Mitotic Bypass Via An Occult Cell Cycle Phase Following DNA Topoisomerase II Inhibition In p53 Functional Human Tumor Cells. Cell Cycle 2014; 6:2071-81. [PMID: 17721081 DOI: 10.4161/cc.6.16.4585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cells cycle checkpoints guard against the inapproriate commitment to critical cell events such as mitosis. The bisdioxxopiperazzine ICRF-193, a catalytic inhibitor of DNA topoisomerase II causes a reversible stalling of the exit of cells from G(2) at the decatenation checkpoint (DC) and can generate tetraploidy via the compromising of chromosome segregation and mitotic failure. We have addressed an alternative origin-endocycle entry-for the tetraploidisation step in ICRF-193 exposed cells. Here we show that DC-proficient p53-functional tumor cells can undergo a transition to tetraploidy and subbsequent aneuploidy via an initial bypass of mitosis and the mitotic spindle checkpoint. DC-deficient SV4-tranformed cells move exclusively through mitosis to tetraploidy. In p53-functional tumor cells, escape through mitosis is enhanced by dominant negative p53 co-expression. The mitotic bypass transition phase (termed G(2)(endo)) disconnects cyclin B1 degradation from nuclear envelope breakdown and allows cells to evade the action of Taxol. G(2)(endo) constitutes a novel and alternative cell cycle phase-lasting some 8 h-with distinct molecular motifs at its boundaries for G(2) exit and subsequent entry into a delayed G(1) tetraploid state. The result challenge the paradigm that checkpoint breaching leads directly to abnormal ploidy states via mitosis alone. We further propose that the induction of bypass could: facilitate the covert development of tetraploidy in p53 functional cancers, lead to a misinterpretation of phase allocation during cell cycle arrest and contribbute to tumor cell drug resistance.
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Marquez N, Chappell SC, Sansom OJ, Clarke AR, Teesdale-Spittle P, Errington RJ, Smith PJ. Microtubule Stress Modifies Intra-Nuclear Location of Msh2 in Mouse Embryonic Fibroblasts. Cell Cycle 2014. [DOI: 10.4161/cc.3.5.855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Smith PJ, Rivelli SK, Waters AM, Hoyle A, Durheim MT, Reynolds JM, Flowers M, Davis RD, Palmer SM, Mathew JP, Blumenthal JA. Delirium affects length of hospital stay after lung transplantation. J Crit Care 2014; 30:126-9. [PMID: 25307975 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2014.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2014] [Revised: 08/12/2014] [Accepted: 09/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Delirium is relatively common after lung transplantation, although its prevalence and prognostic significance have not been systematically studied. The purpose of the present study was to examine pretransplant predictors of delirium and the short-term impact of delirium on clinical outcomes among lung transplant recipients. METHODS Participants underwent pretransplant cognitive testing using the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status and the Trail Making Test. After transplant, delirium was assessed using the Confusion Assessment Method until discharge. RESULTS Sixty-three patients were transplanted between March and November 2013, of which 23 (37%) developed delirium. Among transplanted patients, 48 patients completed pretransplant cognitive testing. Better pretransplant cognitive function was associated with lower risk of delirium (odds ratio, 0.69 [95% confidence interval 0.48, 0.99], P = .043); and demographic and clinical features including native disease (P = .236), the Charlson comorbidity index (P = .581), and the lung allocation score (P = .871) were unrelated to risk of delirium, although there was a trend for women to experience delirium less frequently (P = .071). The presence (P = .006) and duration (P = .027) of delirium were both associated with longer hospital stays. CONCLUSION Delirium occurs in more than one-third of patients after lung transplantation. Delirium was associated with poorer pretransplant cognitive functioning and longer hospital stays, after accounting for other medical and demographic factors.
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Khan IA, Fraser A, Bray MA, Smith PJ, White NS, Carpenter AE, Errington RJ. ProtocolNavigator: emulation-based software for the design, documentation and reproduction biological experiments. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; 30:3440-2. [PMID: 25150250 DOI: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btu554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
MOTIVATION Experimental reproducibility is fundamental to the progress of science. Irreproducible research decreases the efficiency of basic biological research and drug discovery and impedes experimental data reuse. A major contributing factor to irreproducibility is difficulty in interpreting complex experimental methodologies and designs from written text and in assessing variations among different experiments. Current bioinformatics initiatives either are focused on computational research reproducibility (i.e. data analysis) or laboratory information management systems. Here, we present a software tool, ProtocolNavigator, which addresses the largely overlooked challenges of interpretation and assessment. It provides a biologist-friendly open-source emulation-based tool for designing, documenting and reproducing biological experiments. AVAILABILITY AND IMPLEMENTATION ProtocolNavigator was implemented in Python 2.7, using the wx module to build the graphical user interface. It is a platform-independent software and freely available from http://protocolnavigator.org/index.html under the GPL v2 license.
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Mart RJ, Errington RJ, Watkins CL, Chappell SC, Wiltshire M, Jones AT, Smith PJ, Allemann RK. BH3 helix-derived biophotonic nanoswitches regulate cytochrome c release in permeabilised cells. MOLECULAR BIOSYSTEMS 2014; 9:2597-603. [PMID: 23942570 DOI: 10.1039/c3mb70246d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Dynamic physical interactions between proteins underpin all key cellular processes and are a highly attractive area for the development of research tools and medicines. Protein-protein interactions frequently involve α-helical structures, but peptides matching the sequences of these structures usually do not fold correctly in isolation. Therefore, much research has focused on the creation of small peptides that adopt stable α-helical structures even in the absence of their intended protein targets. We show that short peptides alkylated with azobenzene crosslinkers can be used to photo-stimulate mitochondrial membrane depolarization and cytochrome c release in permeabilised cells, the initial events of the intrinsic apoptosis pathway.
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Su XC, Wang Y, Yagi H, Shishmarev D, Mason CE, Smith PJ, Vandevenne M, Dixon NE, Otting G. Bound or free: interaction of the C-terminal domain of Escherichia coli single-stranded DNA-binding protein (SSB) with the tetrameric core of SSB. Biochemistry 2014; 53:1925-34. [PMID: 24606314 DOI: 10.1021/bi5001867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-binding protein (SSB) protects ssDNA from degradation and recruits other proteins for DNA replication and repair. Escherichia coli SSB is the prototypical eubacterial SSB in a family of tetrameric SSBs. It consists of a structurally well-defined ssDNA binding domain (OB-domain) and a disordered C-terminal domain (C-domain). The eight-residue C-terminal segment of SSB (C-peptide) mediates the binding of SSB to many different SSB-binding proteins. Previously published nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data of the monomeric state at pH 3.4 showed that the C-peptide binds to the OB-domain at a site that overlaps with the ssDNA binding site, but investigating the protein at neutral pH is difficult because of the high molecular mass and limited solubility of the tetramer. Here we show that the C-domain is highly mobile in the SSB tetramer at neutral pH and that binding of the C-peptide to the OB-domain is so weak that most of the C-peptides are unbound even in the absence of ssDNA. We address the problem of determining intramolecular binding affinities in the situation of fast exchange between two states, one of which cannot be observed by NMR and cannot be fully populated. The results were confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and microscale thermophoresis. The C-peptide-OB-domain interaction is shown to be driven primarily by electrostatic interactions, so that binding of 1 equiv of (dT)35 releases practically all C-peptides from the OB-domain tetramer. The interaction is much more sensitive to NaCl than to potassium glutamate, which is the usual osmolyte in E. coli. As the C-peptide is predominantly in the unbound state irrespective of the presence of ssDNA, long-range electrostatic effects from the C-peptide may contribute more to regulating the activity of SSB than any engagement of the C-peptide by the OB-domain.
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Wlodkowic D, Akagi J, Dobrucki J, Errington R, Smith PJ, Takeda K, Darzynkiewicz Z. Kinetic viability assays using DRAQ7 probe. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014; Chapter 9:9.41.1-9.41.8. [PMID: 23835805 DOI: 10.1002/0471142956.cy0941s65] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Cell death within cell populations is a stochastic process where cell-to-cell variation in temporal progression through the various stages of cell death arises from asynchrony of subtle fluctuations in the signaling pathways. Most cell death assays rely on detection of the specific marker of cell demise at the end-point of cell culturing. Such an approach cannot account for the asynchrony and the stochastic nature of cell response to the death-inducing signal. There is a need therefore for rapid and high-throughput bioassays capable of continuously tracking viability of individual cells from the time of encountering a stress signal up to final stages of their demise. In this context, a new anthracycline derivative, DRAQ7, is gaining increasing interest as an easy-to-use marker capable of long-term monitoring of cell death in real-time. This novel probe neither penetrates the plasma membrane of living cells nor does it affect the cells' susceptibility to the death-inducing agents. However, when the membrane integrity is compromised, DRAQ7 enters cells undergoing demise and binds readily to nuclear DNA to report cell death. Here, we provide three sets of protocols for viability assays using DRAQ7 probe. The first protocol describes the innovative use of single-color DRAQ7 real-time assay to dynamically track cell viability. The second protocol outlines a simplified end-point DRAQ7 staining approach. The final protocol highlights the real-time and multiparametric apoptosis assay utilizing DRAQ7 dye concurrently with tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester (TMRM), the mitochondrial trans-membrane electrochemical potential (ΔΨm) sensing probe.
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Ward DN, Talley DC, Tavag M, Menji S, Schaughency P, Baier A, Smith PJ. UK-1 and structural analogs are potent inhibitors of hepatitis C virus replication. Bioorg Med Chem Lett 2013; 24:609-12. [PMID: 24360997 DOI: 10.1016/j.bmcl.2013.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2013] [Revised: 11/25/2013] [Accepted: 12/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The bacterial natural product UK-1 and several structural analogs inhibit replication of the hepatitis C virus in the replicon assay, with IC50 values as low as 0.50 μM. The NS3 helicase has been identified as a possible target of inhibition for several of these compounds, while the remaining inhibitors act via an undetermined mechanism. Gel shift assays suggest that helicase inhibition is a direct result of inhibitor-enzyme binding as opposed to direct RNA binding, and the ATPase activity of NS3 is not affected. The syntheses and biological results are presented herein.
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Guan N, Delpuech O, Greenawalt D, Jacques K, Gharahdaghi F, Zinda M, Smith PJ, Guichard SM. Abstract C144: MAPK1 mutation E322K modulates ERK pathway output and feedback. Mol Cancer Ther 2013. [DOI: 10.1158/1535-7163.targ-13-c144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Mutations of MAPK1 E322K are observed in ∼8% of cervical ∼1% and head and neck cancer but there is currently little evidence of their impact on the ERK pathway. This study evaluated the impact of the E322K mutation on the ERK pathway output and feedback using an inducible system pTRIPZ in MCF10A immortalised cells. Expression of E322K MAPK1 following doxycycline induction reduced RSK phosphorylation on T359/S363 but increased pELK1 S383. DUSP6 protein levels were also increased in MCF10A expressing E322K mutant compared to WT. Pathway output was determined using the mRNA MEK signature (Dry et al. 2010). Following Dox induction, MCF10A E322K showed a 4-fold increase in DUSP2 mRNA and a 2-fold increase in DUSP6 mRNA while levels were unchanged in MCF10A expressing WT MAPK1. Conversely, >2-fold decrease in ETV5 levels was observed in E322K MCF10A compared to WT cells. Exposure of WT and E322K MCF10A cells to an ATP competitive ERK inhibitor showed a greater reduction in pRSK T359/S363 levels in E322K cells compared to WT cells (likely due to lower baseline levels) but abrogation of pELK1 required higher concentrations of the inhibitor in mutant compared to WT cells. Consistent with its mechanism of action, the ERK inhibitor increased pERK levels. Interestingly, the combination of the MEK inhibitor selumetinib with the ERK inhibitor completely abrogated pERK in WT but not in E322K mutant MCF10 cells. Overall, the results suggest that the E322K mutation increases ERK-regulated genes such as DUSP2 which may only partially de-phosphorylate ERK due to the E322K mutation affecting substrates’ binding to the D site. The impact of E322K on the sensitivity to ERK and MEK inhibition is currently under evaluation.
Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):C144.
Citation Format: Nin Guan, Oona Delpuech, Danielle Greenawalt, Kelly Jacques, Farzin Gharahdaghi, Michael Zinda, Paul J. Smith, Sylvie M. Guichard. MAPK1 mutation E322K modulates ERK pathway output and feedback. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2013 Oct 19-23; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):Abstract nr C144.
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Al-Saraireh YMJ, Sutherland M, Springett BR, Freiberger F, Ribeiro Morais G, Loadman PM, Errington RJ, Smith PJ, Fukuda M, Gerardy-Schahn R, Patterson LH, Shnyder SD, Falconer RA. Pharmacological inhibition of polysialyltransferase ST8SiaII modulates tumour cell migration. PLoS One 2013; 8:e73366. [PMID: 23951351 PMCID: PMC3739731 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0073366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2013] [Accepted: 07/18/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Polysialic acid (polySia), an α-2,8-glycosidically linked polymer of sialic acid, is a developmentally regulated post-translational modification predominantly found on NCAM (neuronal cell adhesion molecule). Whilst high levels are expressed during development, peripheral adult organs do not express polySia-NCAM. However, tumours of neural crest-origin re-express polySia-NCAM: its occurrence correlates with aggressive and invasive disease and poor clinical prognosis in different cancer types, notably including small cell lung cancer (SCLC), pancreatic cancer and neuroblastoma. In neuronal development, polySia-NCAM biosynthesis is catalysed by two polysialyltransferases, ST8SiaII and ST8SiaIV, but it is ST8SiaII that is the prominent enzyme in tumours. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of ST8SiaII inhibition by a small molecule on tumour cell migration, utilising cytidine monophosphate (CMP) as a tool compound. Using immunoblotting we showed that CMP reduced ST8iaII-mediated polysialylation of NCAM. Utilizing a novel HPLC-based assay to quantify polysialylation of a fluorescent acceptor (DMB-DP3), we demonstrated that CMP is a competitive inhibitor of ST8SiaII (K i = 10 µM). Importantly, we have shown that CMP causes a concentration-dependent reduction in tumour cell-surface polySia expression, with an absence of toxicity. When ST8SiaII-expressing tumour cells (SH-SY5Y and C6-STX) were evaluated in 2D cell migration assays, ST8SiaII inhibition led to significant reductions in migration, while CMP had no effect on cells not expressing ST8SiaII (DLD-1 and C6-WT). The study demonstrates for the first time that a polysialyltransferase inhibitor can modulate migration in ST8SiaII-expressing tumour cells. We conclude that ST8SiaII can be considered a druggable target with the potential for interfering with a critical mechanism in tumour cell dissemination in metastatic cancers.
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Smith PJ, Furon E, Wiltshire M, Chappell S, Patterson LH, Shnyder SD, Falconer RA, Errington RJ. NCAM polysialylation during adherence transitions: Live cell monitoring using an antibody-mimetic EGFP-endosialidase and the viability dye DRAQ7. Cytometry A 2013; 83:659-71. [DOI: 10.1002/cyto.a.22306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2012] [Revised: 02/18/2013] [Accepted: 04/12/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Aderibigbe BA, Neuse EW, Sadiku ER, Ray SS, Smith PJ. Synthesis, characterization, and antiplasmodial activity of polymer-incorporated aminoquinolines. J Biomed Mater Res A 2013; 102:1941-9. [PMID: 23853120 DOI: 10.1002/jbm.a.34866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2013] [Revised: 06/21/2013] [Accepted: 06/21/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In this research, aminoquinoline compounds were synthesized, characterized, and incorporated into water-soluble polymers to form conjugates. The conjugates were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to confirm the successful incorporation of the aminoquinoline compound on to the polymer. The synthesized conjugates were screened for in vitro antiplasmodial activity in triplet test against chloroquine-sensitive strain of Plasmodium falciparum and chloroquine drug was used as a reference drug in all the experiments. A full dose-response was performed to determine the concentration inhibiting 50% of parasite growth (IC50 value). Polymeric conjugates containing 3-diethylamino-1-propylamine solubilizing units were found to be most active against the chloroquine-sensitive strain of P. falciparum.
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