Small molecule-based laser inactivation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor

A series of BiOxIy/GO photocatalysts: synthesis, characterization, activity, and mechanism

Four composites BiOI/GO, Bi₄O₅I₂/GO, Bi₇O₉I₃/GO, and Bi₅O₇I/GO.

Novel synthesis of bismuth oxyiodide/graphitic carbon nitride nanocomposites with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity

The first systematic synthetic study of bismuth oxyiodide/graphitic carbon nitride (BiO_xI_y/g-C₃N₄) nanocomposite preparation using a controlled hydrothermal method is reported.

Synthesis of bismuth oxyiodides and their composites: characterization, photocatalytic activity, and degradation mechanisms

Schematic diagram of synthesis method for as-prepared BiO_xI_y/BiO_pI_q under different conditions.

Stimulation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) receptor subtypes by analogues of IP3

Most animal cells express mixtures of the three subtypes of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP(3)R) encoded by vertebrate genomes. Activation of each subtype by different agonists has not hitherto been examined in cells expressing defined homogenous populations of IP(3)R. Here we measure Ca(2+) release evoked by synthetic analogues of IP(3) using a Ca(2+) indicator within the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum of permeabilized DT40 cells stably expressing single subtypes of mammalian IP(3)R. Phosphorylation of (1,4,5)IP(3) to (1,3,4,5)IP(4) reduced potency by ~100-fold. Relative to (1,4,5)IP(3), the potencies of IP(3) analogues modified at the 1-position (malachite green (1,4,5)IP(3)), 2-position (2-deoxy(1,4,5)IP(3)) or 3-position (3-deoxy(1,4,5)IP(3), (1,3,4,5)IP(4)) were similar for each IP(3)R subtype. The potency of an analogue, (1,4,6)IP(3), in which the orientations of the 2- and 3-hydroxyl groups were inverted, was also reduced similarly for all three IP(3)R subtypes. Most analogues of IP(3) interact similarly with the three IP(3)R subtypes, but the decrease in potency accompanying removal of the 1-phosphate from (1,4,5)IP(3) was least for IP(3)R3. Addition of a large chromophore (malachite green) to the 1-phosphate of (1,4,5)IP(3) only modestly reduced potency suggesting that similar analogues could be used to measure (1,4,5)IP(3) binding optically. These data provide the first structure-activity analyses of key IP(3) analogues using homogenous populations of each mammalian IP(3)R subtype. They demonstrate broadly similar structure-activity relationships for all mammalian IP(3)R subtypes and establish the potential utility of (1,4,5)IP(3) analogues with chromophores attached to the 1-position.

Production of antibodies for selective detection of malachite green and the related triphenylmethane dyes in fish and fishpond water

This study provides a practical method for production of the antibodies against malachite green (MG) and its primary metabolite leucomalachite green (LMG). Two ELISA kits are constructed with the MG and LMG antibodies for detection of the residual MG and LMG in fish muscle and fishpond water. The detection limit is established at the level of 0.05 microg/L for both MG and LMG. Our ELISA kits show the advantages of good specificity, high sensitivity, and convenience in rapid screening of MG and LMG residues. The sample of fishpond water, without extraction or prior preparation, is directly assayed by the ELISA kit. More then 80 fish samples can be simultaneously tested in a kit. The toxic crystal violet and its metabolite leucocrystal violet of illegal use in aquaculture are detected by our prepared MG and LMG antibodies, whereas the antibodies do not cross-react with common antibiotics, sulfonamides, and benzene derivatives.

Mechanistic studies of the photocatalytic degradation of methyl green: an investigation of products of the decomposition processes

The methyl green (MG) dye dissolves into an alkaline solution when the pH value is too high (pH 9). The cationic MG dye molecules are converted into the colorless carbinol base (CB) and produce crystal violet (CV) dye and ethanol by hydroxide anion. Thirty-three intermediates of the process were separated, identified, and characterized by HPLC-ESI-MS technique in this study and their evolution during the photocatalytic reaction is presented. Moreover, the other intermediates formed in the photocatalytic degradation MG processes were separated and identified by HPLC-PDA technique. The results indicated that the N-de-methylated degradation of CV dye took place in a stepwise manner to yield N-de-methylated CV species, and the N-de-alkylated degradation of CB also took place in a stepwise manner to yield N-de-alkylated CB species generated during the processes. Moreover, the oxidative degradation of the CV dye (or CB) occurs to yield 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)phenol (DAP), 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)-4'-(N',N'-dimethylamino)benzophenone (DDBP) and their N-de-methylated products [or to yield 4-(N-ethyl-N,N-dimethyl)aminophenol (EDAP), DDBP, 4-(N-ethyl-N,N-dimethylamino)-4'-(N',N'-dimethylamino)benzophenone (EDDBP), DAP, and their N-de-alkylated products], which were found for the first time. A proposed degradation pathway of CV and CB is presented, involving mainly the N-de-alkylation and oxidation reaction.

Chromophore-assisted laser inactivation

The major challenge of the post-genome world is ascribing in situ function to the myriad of proteins expressed in the proteome. This challenge is met by an arsenal of inactivation strategies that include RNAi and genetic knockout. These are powerful approaches but are indirect with respect to protein function and are subject to time delays before onset and possible genetic compensation. This chapter describes two protein-based inactivation approaches called chromophore-assisted laser inactivation (CALI) and fluorophore-assisted light inactivation (FALI). For CALI and FALI, light inactivation is targeted via photosensitizers that are localized to proteins of interest through antibody binding or expressed domains that are fluorescent or bind fluorescent probes. Inactivation occurs when and where the cells or tissues are irradiated and thus CALI and FALI provide an unprecedented level of spatial and temporal resolution of protein inactivation. Here we provide methods for the labeling of antibodies and setup of light sources and discuss controls, advantages of the technology, and potential pitfalls. We conclude with a discussion on a number of new technologies derived from CALI that combine molecular genetic approaches with light-induced inactivation that provide new tools to address in situ protein function.

[Development and biological applications of various bioimaging probes]

Fluorescence imaging is the most powerful technique currently available for continuous observation of dynamic intracellular processes in living cells. However, only a very limited range of biomolecules can be visualized because of the lack of flexible design strategies for fluorescence probes. In our laboratory, it was elucidated that fluorescein which has been widely employed as a core of fluorescence probes could be understood as a directly linked electron donor/fluorophore acceptor system. Fluorescence properties of fluorescein derivatives could be easily anticipated and modulated by controlling the rate of photoinduced electron transfer (PeT) from the donor moiety to the xanthene fluorophore. Further, we found that the opposite direction of PeT from the singlet excited fluorophore to the electron acceptor moiety could be occurred. More than twenty probes for imaging of nitric oxide, beta-galactosidase, highly reactive oxygen species, zinc ion et al. have been developed according to precise and rational design strategies based on PeT mechanism.

Adduct-forming tendencies of cationic triarylmethane dyes with proteins: metabolic and toxicological implications

The formation of colorless adducts by four cationic triarylmethane dyes (TAM(+)s), methyl green (MeG(+)), malachite green (MG(+)), pararosaniline (PR(+)), and crystal violet (CV(+)) was studied spectrophotometrically at 25 degrees C, in 50 mM 3-(N-morpholino)propanesulfonic acid (MOPS) buffer (pH 8), by monitoring the loss in TAM(+) color in the absence and presence of human serum proteins as potential addends. Unfractionated serum caused a rapid bleaching of MeG(+) and MG(+), while PR(+) and CV(+) were unaffected. Sephacryl S200 HR chromatographic screening of the serum revealed two composite peaks of MeG(+)-bleaching activity. The major peak (M(r) range, 40,000-130,000) overlapped with and extended on either side of the albumin peak. The minor peak corresponding to ca. 10% of the total MeG(+)-bleaching capacity had M(r) > 230,000. MG(+)-bleaching activity dominated the entire chromatographic profile and implicated a multitude of minority proteins with a high capacity to form colorless MG adducts. It is concluded that highly electrophilic TAM(+)s such as MeG(+) and MG(+) must be quantitatively trapped in the form of dye-protein adducts in biological fluids and that the primary in vivo effects (e.g. toxicity) of such dyes most likely arise from ligand-type effects on multiple protein targets. Mechanisms that call for unmodified TAM(+) structure (radical-mediated redox changes, DNA intercalation) may be more relevant to the in vivo impact of dyes such as PR(+) and CV(+) that have a lower tendency to form adducts.

Modification of Intracellular Ca2+ Dynamics by Laser Inactivation of Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptor Using Membrane-Permeant Probes

A membrane-permeant malachite green-conjugated IP3 analog (MGIP3/PM) was synthesized as a probe for small molecule-based CALI (smCALI), and its effect on the Ca2+ signaling in intact DT40 chicken B cells was examined. In DT40 B cells treated with the smCALI probe, laser irradiation inhibited IP3-induced Ca2+ oscillations in response to B cell receptor stimulation, demonstrating that IP3R was acutely inactivated. We then applied smCALI to clarify the mechanism of capacitative Ca2+ entry (CCE), in which involvement of IP3R has been suggested. Despite the inactivation of IP3R by smCALI, thapsigargin-induced CCE remained unaffected, providing evidence that functional IP3R is not required for CCE in DT40 cells. These results demonstrate the potency of the smCALI technique for the study of the roles of IP3R in complex intracellular Ca2+ dynamics.

Phosphoinositide Signaling

Lipid signaling by phosphoinositides (PIP(n)s) involves an array of proteins with lipid recognition, kinase, phosphatase, and phospholipase functions. Understanding PIP(n) pathway signaling requires identification and characterization of PIP(n)-interacting proteins. Moreover, spatiotemporal localization and physiological function of PIP(n)-protein complexes must be elucidated in cellular and organismal contexts. For protein discovery to functional elucidation, reporter-linked phosphoinositides or tethered PIP(n)s have been essential. The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-K) signaling pathway has recently emerged as an important source of potential "druggable" therapeutic targets in human pathophysiology in both academic and pharmaceutical environments. This review summarizes the chemistry of PIP(n) affinity probes and their use in identifying macromolecular targets. The process of target validation will be described, i.e., the use of tethered PIP(n)s in determining PIP(n) selectivity in vitro and in establishing the function of PIP(n)-protein complexes in living cells.

Spatiotemporal laser inactivation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors using synthetic small-molecule probes

A malachite green-conjugated inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (MGIP(3)) induces specific inactivation of IP(3) receptor (IP(3)R) in tissue samples upon laser irradiation. To verify potential usefulness of the method for studies of cellular Ca(2+) signaling, we conducted laser inactivation at the single-cell level and show that IP(3)R was inactivated with extremely high spatiotemporal resolution. In the presence of MGIP(3), the Ca(2+) release function of IP(3)R in single B lymphoma cells decayed exponentially with increasing duration of laser irradiation with a time constant of 3.4 s. Moreover, by confining laser irradiation to a spatially distinct region of differentiated PC12 cells, subcellular inactivation of IP(3)R was attained, as revealed by a loss of local Ca(2+) signal. Such real-time inactivation of IP(3)R only within a subcellular region may provide a powerful method for investigating spatiotemporal dynamics of Ca(2+) signaling.