Prenylated indole-terpenoids with antidiabetic activities from Penicillium sp. HFF16 from the rhizosphere soil of Cynanchum bungei Decne

Finding novel and effective suppression of hepatic glucagon response antidiabetic compounds is urgently required for the development of new drugs against diabetes. Fungi are well known for their ability to produce new bioactive secondary metabolites. In this study, four new prenylated indole-terpenoids (1-4), named encindolenes I-L, as well as a known analogue (5), were isolated from the fungus Penicillium sp. HFF16from the rhizosphere soil of Cynanchum bungei Decne. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic data and ECD analysis. In the antidiabetic activity assay, compounds 1-5 could inhibit glucagon-induced hepatic glucose output with EC₅₀ values of 67.23, 102.1, 49.46, 25.20, and 35.96 μM, respectively, and decrease the intracellular cAMP contents in primary hepatocytes.

Anti-Diabetic Indole-Terpenoids From Penicillium sp. HFF16 Isolated From the Rhizosphere Soil of Cynanchum bungei Decne

Finding novel anti-diabetic compounds with effective suppression activities against hepatic glucagon response is urgently required for the development of new drugs against diabetes. Fungi are well known for their ability to produce new bioactive secondary metabolites. As part of our ongoing research, five new indole-terpenoids (1–5), named encindolenes D-H, were isolated from the fungus Penicillium sp. HFF16 from the rhizosphere soil of Cynanchum bungei Decne. The structures of the compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic data and ECD analysis. In the anti-diabetic activity assay, compounds 1–5 could inhibit the hepatic glucose production with EC50 values of 17.6, 30.1, 21.3, 9.6, and 9.9 μM, respectively, and decrease the cAMP contents in glucagon-induced HepG2 cells.

Improve the clinical effective decision of the oral feeding readiness in preterm infants: Revise and validate the TC-POFRAS

BACKGROUND

Currently there is limited information to guide health professionals regarding the optimal time frame to initiate safe and effective oral feedings to preterm infants. The study aims to revise and validate a streamlined version of the Traditional Chinese-Preterm Oral Feeding Readiness Assessment Scale, the TC-POFRAS®, and evaluate its construct validity in the clinical decisions regarding feeding readiness of preterm infants.

METHODS

Eighty-one clinically stable preterm infants were assessed using the TC-POFRAS for oral feeding readiness. Item-total correlation analysis was used to check if any item was inconsistent with the averaged TC-POFRAS scores. Cronbach's α coefficient was used to evaluate the inter-item consistency. Exploratory factor analysis was used to determine the coherence of variables to reorganize assessment domains. The revised version of TC-POFRAS (TC-POFRAS®) was developed and a new cut-off score based on discriminant accuracy was established.

RESULTS

Based on the results from statistical analysis, five items ("lips posture," "tongue posture," "biting reflex," "gag reflex," and "tongue cupping") were deleted from the original TC-POFRAS to form the TC-POFRAS®. The TC-POFRAS®'s global accuracy was 92.1%. The cut-off value of 19 was the one that presented the most optimization of sensitivity based on specificity. The TC-POFRAS® was reconstructed into corrected gestational age and five behavioral domains.

CONCLUSIONS

The TC-POFRAS® is considered a valid, safe, and accurate objective instrument to assist health professionals to initiate oral feeding of preterm infants.

Tyrosyl Radical-Mediated Sequential Oxidative Decarboxylation of Coproporphyrinogen III through PCET: Theoretical Insights into the Mechanism of Coproheme Decarboxylase ChdC

The peroxide-dependent coproheme decarboxylase ChdC from Geobacillus stearothermophilus catalyzes two key steps in the synthesis of heme b, i.e., two sequential oxidative decarboxylations of coproporphyrinogen III (coproheme III) at propionate groups P2 and P4. In the binding site of coproheme III, P2 and P4 are anchored by different residues (Tyr144, Arg217, and Ser222 for P2 and Tyr113, Lys148, and Trp156 for P4); however, strong experimental evidence supports that the generated Tyr144 radical acts as an unique intermediary for hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) from both reactive propionates. So far, the reaction details are still unclear. Herein, we carried out quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics calculations to explore the decarboxylation mechanism of coproheme III. In our calculations, the coproheme Cpd I, Fe(IV) = O coupled to a porphyrin radical cation (por^•+) with four propionate groups, was used as a reactant model. Our calculations reveal that Tyr144 is directly involved in the decarboxylation of propionate group P2. First, the proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) occurs from Tyr144 to P2, generating a Tyr144 radical, which then abstracts a hydrogen atom from the Cβ of P2. The β-H extraction was calculated to be the rate-limiting step of decarboxylation. It is the porphyrin radical cation (por^•+) that makes the PCET from Tyr144 to P2 to be quite easy to initiate the decarboxylation. Finally, the electron transfers from the Cβ^• through the porphyrin to the iron center, leading to the decarboxylation of P2. Importantly, the decarboxylation of P4 mediated by Lys148 was calculated to be very difficult, which suggests that after the P2 decarboxylation, the generated harderoheme III intermediate should rebind or rotate in the active site so that the propionate P4 occupies the binding site of P2, and Tyr144 again mediates the decarboxylation of P4. Thus, our calculations support the fact that Tyr144 is responsible for the decarboxylation of both P2 and P4.

Indole-Terpenoids With Anti-inflammatory Activities From Penicillium sp. HFF16 Associated With the Rhizosphere Soil of Cynanchum bungei Decne

Four new indole-terpenoids (1-4) named encindolene A, 18-O-methyl-encindolene A, encindolene B, and encindolene C, as well as three known analogs (5-7), were isolated from the fungus Penicillium sp. HFF16 from the rhizosphere soil of Cynanchum bungei Decne. The structures of compounds including absolute configurations were elucidated by spectroscopic data and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) analysis. Anti-inflammatory activity evaluation revealed that compounds 1-7 inhibit the production of nitric oxide with IC50 values of 79.4, 49.7, 81.3, 40.2, 86.7, 90.1, and 54.4 μM, respectively, and decrease the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6 contents in lipopolysaccharide-induced RAW264.7 macrophages.

New Thio-Compounds and Monoterpenes With Anti-inflammatory Activities From the Fungus Aspergillus sp. CYH26

Two new thio-compounds named aspergerthinol A and B (1 and 2) and two new monoterpenes named aspergerthinacids A and B (3 and 4) were isolated from the fungus Aspergillus sp. CYH26 from the rhizosphere soil of Cynanchum bungei Decne. The structures of compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic data and quantum NMR and ECD calculations. Compounds 1 and 2 represented a new family of sulfur containing natural products with a 3-methyl-4H-cyclopenta[b]thiophen-4-one skeleton. Compounds 1-4 showed inhibitory activities against nitric oxide (NO) with IC₅₀ values of 38.0, 19.8, 46.3, and 56.6 μM, respectively.

The protein kinase complex CBL10-CIPK8-SOS1 functions in Arabidopsis to regulate salt tolerance

Salt tolerance in plants is mediated by Na+ extrusion from the cytosol by the plasma membrane Na+/H+ antiporter SOS1. This is activated in Arabidopsis root by the protein kinase complex SOS2-SOS3 and in Arabidopsis shoot by the protein kinase complex CBL10-SOS2, with SOS2 as a key node in the two pathways. The sos1 mutant is more sensitive than the sos2 mutant, suggesting that other partners may positively regulate SOS1 activity. Arabidopsis has 26 CIPK family proteins of which CIPK8 is the closest homolog to SOS2. It is hypothesized that CIPK8 can activate Na+ extrusion by SOS1 similarly to SOS2. The plasma membrane Na+/H+ exchange activity of transgenic yeast co-expressing CBL10, CIPK8, and SOS1 was higher than that of untransformed and SOS1 transgenic yeast, resulting in a lower Na+ accumulation and a better growth phenotype under salinity. However, CIPK8 could not interact with SOS3, and the co-expression of SOS3, CIPK8, and SOS1 in yeast did not confer a significant salt tolerance phenotype relative to SOS1 transgenic yeast. Interestingly, cipk8 displayed a slower Na+ efflux, a higher Na+ level, and a more sensitive phenotype than wild-type Arabidopsis, but grew better than sos2 under salinity stress. As expected, sos2cipk8 exhibited a more severe salt damage phenotype relative to cipk8 or sos2. Overexpression of CIPK8 in both cipk8 and sos2cipk8 attenuated the salt sensitivity phenotype. These results suggest that CIPK8-mediated activation of SOS1 is CBL10-dependent and SOS3-independent, indicating that CIPK8 and SOS2 activity in shoots is sufficient for regulating Arabidopsis salt tolerance.

Acetylshikonin induces apoptosis of human leukemia cell line K562 by inducing S phase cell cycle arrest, modulating ROS accumulation, depleting Bcr-Abl and blocking NF-κB signaling

Acetylshikonin, a natural naphthoquinone derivative compound from Lithospermum erythrorhyzon, has been reported to kill bacteria, suppress inflammation, and inhibit tumor growth. However, the effect of acetylshikonin on human chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) cells apoptosis and its detailed mechanisms remains unknown. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether acetylshikonin could inhibit proliferation or induce apoptosis of the K562 cells, and whether by regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway to suppress the development of CML. K562 cells were treated with serial diluted acetylshikonin at different concentrations. Our data showed that K562 cell growth was significantly inhibited by acetylshikonin with an IC50 of 2.03 μM at 24 h and 1.13 μM at 48 h, with increased cell cycle arrest in S-phase. The results of annexin V-FITC/PI and AO/EB staining showed that acetylshikonin induced cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. K562 cells treated with acetylshikonin underwent massive apoptosis accompanied by a rapid generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Scavenging the ROS completely blocked the induction of apoptosis following acetylshikonin treatment. The levels of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved PARP and cleaved caspase-3 increased with increased concentrations of acetylshikonin, while the level of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was downregulated. The levels of Cyt C and AIF, which are characteristic proteins of the mitochondria-regulated intrinsic apoptotic pathway, also increased in the cytosol after acetylshikonin treatment. However, the mitochondrial fraction of Cyt C and AIF were decreased under acetylshikonin treatment. In addition, acetylshikonin decreased Bcr-Abl expression and inhibited its downstream signaling. Acetylshikonin could lead to a blockage of the NF-κB signaling pathway via decreasing nuclear NF-κB P65 and increasing cytoplasmic NF-κB P65. Moreover, acetylshikonin significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of IkBα and IKKα/β in K562 cells. These results demonstrated that acetylshikonin significantly inhibited K562 cell growth and induced cell apoptosis through the mitochondria-regulated intrinsic apoptotic pathway. The mechanisms may involve the modulating ROS accumulation, inhibition of NF-κB and BCR-ABL expression. The inhibition of BCR-ABL expression and the inactivation of the NF-κB signaling pathway caused by acetylshikonin treatment resulted in K562 cell apoptosis. Together, our results indicate that acetylshikonin could serve as a potential therapeutic agent for the future treatment of CML.

Dietary sodium and potassium and risk of diabetes: A prospective study using data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey

AIMS

Dietary sodium and potassium intakes are well-known risk factors for cardiovascular outcomes. However, the associations between dietary sodium and potassium and diabetes are still controversial. Our study aimed to examine whether dietary sodium, potassium and the sodium-potassium ratio are associated with the risk of diabetes, based on a large sample of Chinese adults.

METHODS

The study data were from the 2004-2009 China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS), and 5867 participants were eligible for analysis. Sodium and potassium intakes were estimated based on three consecutive 24-h recalls at an individual level combined with a food inventory at a household level performed over the same 3-day period. Diabetes was defined as fasting glucose ≥7.0mmol/L (≥126mg/dL), HbA_1c ≥6.5% or use of antidiabetic drugs.

RESULTS

Over a mean follow-up of 4.7 years, there were 611 (10.4%) incident cases of diabetes. Participants in the higher quartiles (Q3 and Q4) of sodium intake had significantly higher risks of diabetes than those with the lowest sodium intake [Q3, RR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.06-1.86 and Q4, RR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.02-1.80; P<0.001 for trend]. In addition, high sodium intakes were significantly associated with levels of fasting glucose and HbA_1c (P<0.05 for trend), with similar associations also found with sodium-potassium ratios (P<0.05 for trend), but not for potassium intakes.

CONCLUSION

This study found that higher sodium intakes and sodium-potassium ratios were significantly associated with a higher risk of diabetes. Further clinical research is now necessary to confirm these results.

Associations between muscle mass, physical activity and dietary behaviour in adolescents

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Investigations in older individuals suggest that adequate nutrition and physical activity are particularly important to skeletal muscle health; however, data in adolescents are scant and equivocal. The objective was to determine the associations among diet, physical activity and skeletal muscle mass in adolescents.

METHODS

We assessed diet with four to seven 24-h recalls and physical activity by accelerometry in 640 adolescents. Using total body measures of fat-free soft tissue mass and fat mass assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, the skeletal muscle mass index (SMMI) was derived by adjusting fat-free soft tissue mass for fat mass in addition to height.

RESULTS

Skeletal muscle mass index (SMMI) was negatively associated with consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (standardized beta coefficient [β] = -0.10, P = 0.001) and saturated fats (β = -0.28, P < 0.001). SMMI was positively associated with physical activity (moderate + vigorous) (β = 0.20, P < 0.001). In further analysis, we observed a significant interaction between physical activity and sugar-sweetened beverage intake on SMMI (P = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Our study in adolescence suggests that physical activity and consumption of both sugar-sweetened beverages and saturated fats are associated with skeletal muscle mass. More importantly, our findings suggest that sugar-sweetened beverage intake may attenuate the beneficial effects of physical activity on skeletal muscle mass.

Transverse cardiac slicing and optical imaging for analysis of transmural gradients in membrane potential and Ca2+ transients in murine heart

Key points

A robust cardiac slicing approach was developed for optical mapping of transmural gradients in transmembrane potential (V_m) and intracellular Ca²⁺ transient (CaT) of murine heart.

Significant transmural gradients in V_m and CaT were observed in the left ventricle.

Frequency‐dependent action potentials and CaT alternans were observed in all ventricular regions with rapid pacing, with significantly greater incidence in the endocardium than epicardium.

The observations demonstrate the feasibility of our new approach to cardiac slicing for systematic analysis of intrinsic transmural and regional gradients in V_m and CaT.

Abstract

Transmural and regional gradients in membrane potential and Ca²⁺ transient in the murine heart are largely unexplored. Here, we developed and validated a robust approach which combines transverse ultra‐thin cardiac slices and high resolution optical mapping to enable systematic analysis of transmural and regional gradients in transmembrane potential (V_m) and intracellular Ca²⁺ transient (CaT) across the entire murine ventricles. The voltage dye RH237 or Ca²⁺ dye Rhod‐2 AM were loaded through the coronary circulation using a Langendorff perfusion system. Short‐axis slices (300 μm thick) were prepared from the entire ventricles (from the apex to the base) by using a high‐precision vibratome. Action potentials (APs) and CaTs were recorded with optical mapping during steady‐state baseline and rapid pacing. Significant transmural gradients in V_m and CaT were observed in the left ventricle, with longer AP duration (APD₅₀ and APD₇₅) and CaT duration (CaTD₅₀ and CaTD₇₅) in the endocardium compared with that in the epicardium. No significant regional gradients were observed along the apico‐basal axis of the left ventricle. Interventricular gradients were detected with significantly shorter APD₅₀, APD₇₅ and CaTD₅₀ in the right ventricle compared with left ventricle and ventricular septum. During rapid pacing, AP and CaT alternans were observed in most ventricular regions, with significantly greater incidence in the endocardium in comparison with epicardium. In conclusion, these observations demonstrate the feasibility of our new approach to cardiac slicing for systematic analysis of intrinsic transmural and regional gradients in V_m and CaT in murine ventricular tissue.

A robust cardiac slicing approach was developed for optical mapping of transmural gradients in transmembrane potential (V_m) and intracellular Ca²⁺ transient (CaT) of murine heart.

Significant transmural gradients in V_m and CaT were observed in the left ventricle.

Frequency‐dependent action potentials and CaT alternans were observed in all ventricular regions with rapid pacing, with significantly greater incidence in the endocardium than epicardium.

The observations demonstrate the feasibility of our new approach to cardiac slicing for systematic analysis of intrinsic transmural and regional gradients in V_m and CaT.

Phylogenetic and genomic characterization of a novel atypical porcine pestivirus in China

Atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV) has been considered a novel pestivirus and causative agent of congenital tremor type A-II. An APPV CH-GX2016 strain was characterized from newly born piglets with clinical symptoms of congenital tremor in Guangxi, China. The genome of APPV CH-GX 2016 strain was 11,475 bp in length and encoded a polyprotein composed of the 3,635 amino acids. This genome sequence exhibited 88.0% to 90.8% nucleotide sequence homology with other APPV reference sequences in GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis further showed that APPV CH-GX is a novel pestivirus compared with previously described classical pestivirus strains. Therefore, APPV is present in pigs in China.

SpAHA1 and SpSOS1 Coordinate in Transgenic Yeast to Improve Salt Tolerance

In plant cells, the plasma membrane Na+/H+ antiporter SOS1 (salt overly sensitive 1) mediates Na+ extrusion using the proton gradient generated by plasma membrane H+-ATPases, and these two proteins are key plant halotolerance factors. In the present study, two genes from Sesuvium portulacastrum, encoding plasma membrane Na+/H+ antiporter (SpSOS1) and H+-ATPase (SpAHA1), were cloned. Localization of each protein was studied in tobacco cells, and their functions were analyzed in yeast cells. Both SpSOS1 and SpAHA1 are plasma membrane-bound proteins. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analyses showed that SpSOS1 and SpAHA1 were induced by salinity, and their expression patterns in roots under salinity were similar. Compared with untransformed yeast cells, SpSOS1 increased the salt tolerance of transgenic yeast by decreasing the Na+ content. The Na+/H+ exchange activity at plasma membrane vesicles was higher in SpSOS1-transgenic yeast than in the untransformed strain. No change was observed in the salt tolerance of yeast cells expressing SpAHA1 alone; however, in yeast transformed with both SpSOS1 and SpAHA1, SpAHA1 generated an increased proton gradient that stimulated the Na+/H+ exchange activity of SpSOS1. In this scenario, more Na+ ions were transported out of cells, and the yeast cells co-expressing SpSOS1 and SpAHA1 grew better than the cells transformed with only SpSOS1 or SpAHA1. These findings demonstrate that the plasma membrane Na+/H+ antiporter SpSOS1 and H+-ATPase SpAHA1 can function in coordination. These results provide a reference for developing more salt-tolerant crops via co-transformation with the plasma membrane Na+/H+ antiporter and H+-ATPase.

Cloning, molecular characterization and functional analysis of 1-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-(E)-butenyl-4-diphosphate reductase (HDR) gene for diterpenoid tanshinone biosynthesis in Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. f. alba

The enzyme 1-hydroxy-2-methyl-2-(E)-butenyl-4-diphosphate reductase (HDR) is a terminal-acting enzyme in the plastid MEP pathway, which produce isoprenoid precursors. The full-length cDNA of HDR, designated SmHDR1 (Genbank Accession No. JX516088), was isolated for the first time from Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. f. alba. SmHDR1 contains a 1389-bp open reading frame encoding 463 amino acids. The deduced SmHDR1 protein, which shows high identity to HDRs of other plant species, is predicted to possess a chloroplast transit peptide at the N-terminus and four conserved cysteine residues. Transcription pattern analysis revealed that SmHDR1 has high levels of transcription in leaves and low levels of transcription in roots and stems. The expression of SmHDR1 was induced by 0.1 mM methyl-jasmonate (MeJA) and salicylic acid (SA), but not by 0.1 mM abscisic acid (ABA), in the hairy roots of S. miltiorrhiza Bge. f. alba. Complementation of SmHDR1 in the Escherichia coli HDR mutant MG1655 ara < > ispH demonstrated the function of this enzyme. A functional color assay in E. coli showed that SmHDR1 accelerates the biosynthesis of β-carotene, indicating that SmHDR1 encodes a functional protein. Overexpression of SmHDR1 enhanced the production of tanshinones in cultured hairy roots of S. miltiorrhiza Bge. f. alba. These results indicate that SmHDR1 is a novel and important enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of diterpenoid tanshinones in S. miltiorrhiza Bge. f. alba.

Expression of LeNHX isoforms in response to salt stress in salt sensitive and salt tolerant tomato species

In general, wild tomato species are more salt tolerant than cultivated species, a trait that is related to enhanced Na(+) accumulation in aerial parts in the wild species, but the molecular basis for these differences is not known. Plant NHX proteins have been suggested to be important for salt tolerance by promoting accumulation of Na(+) or K(+) inside vacuoles. Therefore, differences in expression or activity of NHX proteins in tomato could be at the basis of the enhanced salt tolerance in wild tomato species. To test this hypothesis, we studied the expression level of four NHX genes in the salt sensitive cultivated species Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Volgogradskij and the salt tolerant wild species Solanum pimpinelifolium L in response to salt stress. First, we determined that in the absence of salt stress, the RNA abundance of LeNHX2, 3 and 4 was comparable in both species, while more LeNHX1 RNA was detected in the tolerant species. LeNHX2 and LeNHX3 showed comparable expression levels and were present in all tissues, while LeNHX4 was expressed above all in stem and fruit tissues. Next, we confirmed that the wild species was more tolerant and accumulated more Na(+) in aerial parts of the plant. This correlated with the observation that salt stress induced especially the LeNHX3 and LeNHX4 isoforms in the tolerant species. These results support a role of NHX genes as determinants of salt tolerance in tomato, inducing enhanced Na(+) accumulation observed in the wild species when grown in the presence of NaCl.

Aliskiren vs. angiotensin receptor blockers in hypertension: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BACKGROUND

Aliskiren, a newly discovered renin inhibitor, blocks the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) from the top of the enzyme cascade and therefore, might provide comparable or even superior clinical efficacy of blood pressure (BP) control than angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). With this meta-analysis, we aimed to compare the efficacy and tolerability of aliskiren and ARBs in the treatment of hypertension in the short-term treatment period.

METHODS

Reports of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing aliskiren and ARBs in patients with hypertension were selected by a search of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, MEDLINE, and EMBASE. The main outcome measures were reduction in diastolic BP (DBP) and systolic BP (SBP) and rates of therapeutic response and BP control. We also compared the tolerability of aliskiren and ARBs. Revman v5.0 was used to obtain the pooled estimates.

RESULTS

We analyzed data from 10 reports of trials involving 3,732 participants. DBP and SBP reduction did not differ between aliskiren and ARBs (weighted mean difference (WMD), -0.18; 95% confidence interval (CI), -1.07 to 0.71, and WMD, 0.15; 95% CI, -1.38 to 1.69, respectively). Aliskiren and ARB treatment did not differ in rates of BP control or therapeutic response. Moreover, aliskiren and ARB treatment led to a similar number of adverse events, severe adverse events, and withdrawal due to adverse events.

CONCLUSION

Aliskiren is as effective as ARBs (losartan, valsartan, and irbesartan) in controlling BP and does not differ from ARBs in risk of adverse events.

[Cloning, molecular characterization and expression of acireductone dioxygenase (ARD) gene from Salvia miltiorrhiza]

OBJECTIVE

To study the acireductone dioxygenase (designated as SmARD) gene of Salvia miltiorrhiza through bioinformatics and characterization of its tissue expression and response expression on stress in shoot.

METHOD

SmARD gene was obtained by sequencing cDNA library constructed by us. BLAST was used for alignment, ORF finder software was applied to find open reading frame, prosite was used to analyze the protein characterization. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to detect the gene expression level.

RESULT

The full -length cDNA of SmRAD was 688 bp long with a 591 bp ORF (open reading frame) that putatively encoded a polypeptide of 196 amino acids; with a predicted molecular mass of 23.27 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence of SmRAD of gene shared high homology with other known RADs. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis indicated that SmRAD was constitutively expressed in roots, stems, flower and leaves of S. miltiorrhiza, with the high expression in roots. In addition, SmRAD expression level under different stress condition was also analyzed in root, including signaling components for plant defence responses, such as methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid and ABA, as well as drought, cold and salt abiotic stress. The expression of SmRAD was suppressed by water deficit treatment for 3 d, 150 mmol x L(-1) NaCl, 4 degrees C cold and 100 mmol x L(-1) ABA treatment for 1 d, but induced by 100 mmol x L(-1) MJ and 10 mmol x L(-1) ETH.

CONCLUSION

A novel SmARD gene was cloned from S. miltiorrhiza. This study will enable us to further understand the role of SmARD in the defense response under different abiotic stress and in synthesis of active cmpounds in S. miltiorrhiza at molecular level.

Antitumor activity of NF-kB decoy oligodeoxynucleotides in a prostate cancer cell line

BACKGROUND

Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kB), a transcription factor, is abundantly expressed in prostate cancer and regulates many tumor-related genes. Given the important roles of these genes in tumor control, the present study was conducted to test the hypothesis that there was different expression of NF-kB in androgen- dependent or androgen-independent prostate cancer cells. In addition NF-kB decoy oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) were transfected into two prostate cancer cells to determine affects on growth and apoptosis.

METHODS

First, NF-kB decoy ODNs were designed according to the NF-κB elements in the promoter region of c-myc gene. Then, NF-kB and control decoy ODNs were transfected with lipofectamine. Their influence on prostate cancer cell line proliferative activity was detected by MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometric(FCM) analysis and AO/EB study. Thirdly, nuclear extracts were prepared from PC-3M cells and DNA-protein interactions were examined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Lastly, to confirm mechanisms of action, a pGL3-C-MYC luciferase expression vector containing a fragment of the c-myc promoter was constructed and co-transfected with NF-kB decoy ODNs into PC-3M cells with lipofectamineTM2000. Expression levels of related endogenous genes were assessed by western blotting.

RESULTS

We found overexpression of NF-kB in the androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line PC-3M compared to the androgen-independent LNCaP. Treatment with NF-kB decoy ODNs resulted in strong suppression of proliferation, especially in the PC-3M case. Induction of apoptosis of PC-3M was observed in FCM and AO/EB studies. Activity of luciferase was significantly reduced in the NF-kB decoy-transfected cells, but not in cells transfected with a control decoy. Furthermore, we found that expression of some endogenous genes was reduced, while other genes transcripts were induced. EMSA demonstrated specific binding of the NF-kB decoy to NF-kB protein.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that NF-kB activation plays an important role in evolution of androgen-independent prostate cancer via manipulating expression of target genes. Inhibitors of NF-kB may thus offer promise as a therapeutic approach for the treatment of androgen-independent prostate cancer. NF-kB decoy ODNs may allow development of therapeutic and investigative tools for human malignancies.

Multimodality imaging of hypoxia in preclinical settings

Hypoxia has long been recognized to influence solid tumor response to therapy. Increasingly, hypoxia has also been implicated in tumor aggressiveness, including growth, development and metastatic potential. Thus, there is a fundamental, as well as a clinical interest, in assessing in situ tumor hypoxia. This review will examine diverse approaches focusing on the preclinical setting, particularly, in rodents. The strategies are inevitably a compromise in terms of sensitivity, precision, temporal and spatial resolution, as well as cost, feasibility, ease and robustness of implementation. We will review capabilities of multiple modalities and examine what makes them particularly suitable for investigating specific aspects of tumor pathophysiology. Current approaches range from nuclear imaging to magnetic resonance and optical, with varying degrees of invasiveness and ability to examine spatial heterogeneity, as well as dynamic response to interventions. Ideally, measurements would be non-invasive, exploiting endogenous reporters to reveal quantitatively local oxygen tension dynamics. A primary focus of this review is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) based techniques, such as ¹⁹F MRI oximetry, which reveals not only hypoxia in vivo, but more significantly, spatial distribution of pO₂ quantitatively, with a precision relevant to radiobiology. It should be noted that preclinical methods may have very different criteria for acceptance, as compared with potential investigations for prognostic radiology or predictive biomarkers suitable for use in patients.

Fungal endophytes-induced abscisic acid is required for flavonoid accumulation in suspension cells of Ginkgo biloba

Treatment of suspension cells of Ginkgo biloba with fungal endophytes resulted in accumulation of flavonoids, increased abscisic acid (ABA) production and activation of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL). Fluridone, an inhibitor of ABA biosynthesis, was effective in inhibiting fungal endophytes-induced ABA biosynthesis, increase of PAL activity and flavonoids accumulation. Moreover, exogenous application of ABA enhanced PAL activity and increased accumulation of flavonoids in G. biloba cells with or without fungal endophytes elicitor. These finding suggest a causal relationship between ABA release and both PAL activity and flavonoid accumulation under fungal endophytes treatment and that ABA is involved in fungal endophytes-induced flavonoids accumulation in this plant.

Characterization of two soil metagenome-derived lipases with high specificity for p-nitrophenyl palmitate

Two novel genes (pwtsB and pwtsC) encoding lipases were isolated by screening the soil metagenomic library. Sequence analysis revealed that pwtsB encodes a protein of 301 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 33 kDa, and pwtsC encodes a protein of 323 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 35 kDa. Furthermore, both genes were cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) using pET expression system. The expressed recombinant enzymes were purified by Ni-nitrilotriacetic acid affinity chromatography and characterized by spectrophotometric with different p-nitrophenyl esters. The results showed that PWTSB displayed a high degree of activity and stability at 20 degrees C with an optimal pH of around 8.0, and PWTSC at 40 degrees C with an optimal pH of around 7.0. P-nitrophenyl palmitate (p-NPP) was identified as the best substrate of PWTSB and PWTSC. The specific activities of PWTSB and PWTSC were 150 and 166 U/mg, respectively toward p-NPP at 30 degrees C, about 20-fold higher than that toward p-nitrophenyl butyrate (C4) and caprylate (C8). In conclusion, our results suggest that PWTSB is a cold adapt lipase and PWTSC is a thermostable lipase to long-chain p-nitrophenyl esters.

Acyl-CoA Z9- and Z10-desaturase genes from a New Zealand leafroller moth species, Planotortrix octo

Two cDNAs encoding acyl-CoA Z9-desaturase from the fat body and Z10-desaturase from the pheromone gland of the greenhead leafroller moth, Planotortrix octo, were obtained by RACE PCR. The Z9-desaturase (Pocto-Z9) cDNA spans 2291 nt with an ORF encoding a 352 amino-acid protein, which has 65% identity to Trichoplusia ni Delta 9 desaturase (Tni-Z9). The Z10-desaturase (Pocto-Z10) cDNA spans 2777 nt with an ORF encoding a protein with 356 amino acids. Pocto-Z10 shows lower identity to Pocto-Z9 and Tni-Z9 (48 and 46%, respectively) and relatively higher identity to the Delta 11 desaturases of T. ni and Helicoverpa zea (57 and 56%, respectively). The ORFs of these two P. octo cDNAs were constructed into an expression vector, YEpOLEX, that complemented the unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) auxotrophy of a desaturase-deficient ole1 strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Expression of Pocto-Z9 produced a 5:2 ratio of Z9-16 and Z9-18 acids, with minor amounts (<4%) of Z9-14, Z9-15, and Z9-17 acids. Pocto-Z10 was successfully expressed in the YEpOLEX system when complemented with Z11-18:Me, and the major desaturase product proved to be Z10-16:Acid. The results confirm the regio- and stereo-selectivity of this unusual Delta 10 desaturase.

A 4-year follow-up study of women with Norplant-2 contraceptive implants

One-hundred-thirty of 178 women who received Norplant-2 implants were followed prospectively for 4 years. Menstrual disorders were the most common reason for discontinuation. Only one patient conceived, for a failure rate of 0.6%.

S-nitrosylation is emerging as a specific and fundamental posttranslational protein modification: head-to-head comparison with O-phosphorylation

Nitric oxide (NO) is a free-radical product of mammalian cell metabolism that plays diverse and important roles in the regulation of cell function. Biological actions of NO arise as a direct consequence of chemical reactions between NO or NO-derived species and protein targets. Reactions of NO with transition metals in target proteins have garnered the most attention to date as the principal mechanism of NO signaling; nonetheless, S-nitrosylation of protein Cys residues is rapidly moving to center stage in importance. In general, however, there has been a delay in adequate appreciation of the role of S-nitrosylation in biological signaling by NO. This lag is attributed to a poor understanding of the basis for selective targeting of NO to particular thiols, and methodological limitations in accurately quantifying this modification--recent breakthroughs in concepts and methods diminish these barriers. Here, we consider the wheres and whys of protein S-nitrosylation and its basis for specificity. Protein S-nitrosylation potentially represents a ubiquitous and fundamental mechanism for posttranslational control of protein activity on a par with that of O-phosphorylation.

N-linked oligosaccharides of vomeromodulin, a putative pheromone transporter in rat

Vomeromodulin, a putative pheromone transporter of the rat vomeronasal organ, was isolated by lectin chromatography, purified, and subjected to a mass spectrometric (MS) system of glycan structural determination. Through a combination of exoglycosidase treatments and measurements by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization MS, the N-glycans of vomeromodulin were identified as mainly sialylated and fucosylated biantennary structures. The microheterogeneity of N-glycan structures was also due to the presence of galactose residues with different types of linkages.

Dynamic study of nitric oxide and endothelin-1 during endotoxin shock and effects of their antagonists on hemodynamics

OBJECTIVE

To examine the relationship between the profound hypotension in endotoxic shock and the dynamic changes of nitric oxide (NO) and endothelin-1 (ET-1), so as to figure out which of the NO or ET-1 was more involved in the pathogenesis of endotoxic shock. And to investigate whether an offset of their opposite vasoactive effects would occur during endotoxic shock.

METHODS

24 rabbits were anesthetized and instrumented for recording hemodynamics. Endotoxin (E. coli 026: B6, 600 micrograms/kg) was bolus injected intravenously and the animals were randomly divided into four groups. Group I was control without any more intervention, and Group II, III, IV received bolus injections of L-NMA (10 mg/kg), phosphoramidon (2 mg/kg) or dexamethasone (2 mg/kg) respectively at 30 min post-endotoxin. Plasma NO3-, ET-1 and hemodynamics were measured at regular intervals. Their relationships were compared and analysed.

RESULTS

Plasma ET-1 achieved its peak level at 60 min post-endotoxin, and then waned. Plasma NO3- started rising at 120 min post-endotoxin, then progressive increase continued till the last measurement at 180 min post-endotoxin. The decrease of blood pressure was significant at about 120 min post-endotoxin and further went down until death. The changes of hemodynamics and NO showed a quite close temporal correspondence between the increase of NO and the decrease of blood pressure. L-NMA and phosphoramidon obviously reduced the plasma levels of NO and ET-1 to below their respective baseline levels, and showed transient effect of increase on blood pressure. Soon afterwards, however, the status of hemodynamics was aggravated. Dexamethasone just inhibited the excessive increase of NO and ET-1 during endotoxic shock without interfering their baseline levels and showed most beneficial effects on hemodynamics.

CONCLUSIONS

Both NO and ET-1 increase during endotoxic shock, but only the increase of NO has a close temporal correspondence with the decrease of blood pressure. It suggests a more important role of NO in pathogenesis of endotoxic shock. The increase of NO and ET-1 is different in time-process, which indicates that an offset of their opposite vasoactive effects would not occur. Intreference against the increase of NO and ET-1 during endotoxic shock is most beneficial when their baseline levels are maintained.

Syndet is a novel SNAP-25 related protein expressed in many tissues

SNAP-25 is a synaptosomal associated protein localized at the plasma membrane of nerve terminals. SNAP-25 associates with syntaxin 1 and vesicle-associated membrane protein-2 (VAMP-2) and is thought to form a complex essential for neurotransmitter release. We have identified syndet, a novel protein related to the family of SNAP-25 isoforms. Like SNAP-25, syndet has regions with high probability of forming coiled coils, a cysteine rich-domain, and lacks a signal sequence or transmembrane domains. Syndet is tightly bound to membranes, possibly by acylation within the cysteine-rich domain. Syndet is expressed in non-neuronal tissues. In adipocytes, syndet is found at the plasma membrane and in an intracellular compartment. The identification of syndet supports the hypothesis that multiple SNAP-25 related proteins ensure specificity of vesicle fusion at the cell surface.

[Repair of skin defects on the anterior portion of the foot with reversed dorsalis pedis flap]

Based on anatomical observations of the course of skin arteries and venous drainage of the reversed dorsalis pedis flap in 30 adult cadaversmretrograde dorsalis pedis flaps have been performed on six patients to repair their skin defects on the anterior portion of the foot. All the flaps survived without severe swelling or any necrosis. Clinical applications indicated that the blood supply and venous drainage of the flap were satisfactory. The advantages and key points of the operation were discussed in this paper.

[Experimental studies of protective effects of ischemic myocardium preconditioning and its mechanism]

Recent research has shown that repeated brief myocardial ischemia (RBMI) can increase the tolerance of myocardium to a subsequent sustained ischemia and have protective effects on myocardial cells. With the isolated rat heart Langendorff model, we investigated the effects of RBMI on myocardial morphology, systolic function, coronary flow rates (CFR), myocardial membrane phospholipid (PL) content and its marker enzyme's activity (5'-AMPase). The results showed: After ischemia-reflow, the HR, LVP and CFR in control and experimental groups had no significant difference (P > 0.05). But the PL content and specific activity of 5'-AMPase were significantly higher in the experimental group than that in control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). And the observations of ultrastructure suggested that the myocardium of the experimental group was preserved better than that in control group. It was also shown that RBMI had protective effects on myocardial membrane structure, and however effective had no relation to CFR.

A study of the effect of magnetized water on enzyme activities by potentiometric enzyme electrode method

A very promising glutamate decarboxylase electrode, which has linear response range of 5.6 x 10(-5)-1.2 x 10(-2) mol/L. Nernstian slope of 50 mV/decade, detection limit of 3.2 x 10(-5) mol/L and response time less than 3 min, has been designed to observe and evaluate quantitatively the effect of magnetized water on enzyme activities by potentiometric enzyme electrode method. It was found that the activity of glutamate decarboxylase can increase by 30% in magnetized water. The mechanism of increased enzyme activity was discussed in the present paper. Such a new finding will probably lead to some new explanations for the physiological and biological mechanism of the effect of magnetized water on living organisms, thus providing a new approach to the study of the effect of magnetized water.