Melanosomal targeting via caveolin-1 dependent endocytosis mediates ZN(II) phthalocyanine phototoxic action in melanoma cells

Melanosomes have been considered crucial targets in melanoma treatments. In this study we explored the role of melanosomes in photodynamic therapy (PDT), employing the synthetic Zn(II) phthalocyanine Pc13, a potent photosensitizer that promotes melanoma cell death after irradiation. Phototoxic action is mediated by reactive oxygen species increase. The internalization mechanism of Pc13 and its consequent subcellular localization were evaluated in melanotic B16-F0 cells. Pharmacological inhibitors of dynamin or caveolae, but not of clathrin, decreased Pc13 cellular uptake and phototoxicity. Similar results were obtained when cells over-expressed dominant negative mutants of dynamin-2 and caveolin-1, indicating that Pc13 is internalized by caveolae-mediated endocytosis. Confocal microscopy analysis revealed that Pc13 targets melanosomes and damage of these structures after irradiation was demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy. Treatment of pigmented B16-F0 and WM35 melanoma cells with the melanin synthesis inhibitor phenylthiourea for 48 h led to cell depigmentation and enhanced cell death after irradiation, whereas a 3-h period of inhibition did not modify melanin content but produced a marked reduction of Pc13 phototoxicity, together with a decrease of oxidative melanin synthesis intermediates. In contrast, the effect of Pc13 in amelanotic A375 cells was not altered by phenylthiourea treatment. These results provide evidence that melanosomes have a dual role in the efficacy of PDT. While melanin antagonizes the phototoxic action of Pc13, the release of cytotoxic synthetic intermediates to cytosol after irradiation and melanosome damage is conducive to the phototoxic response. Based on these findings, we demonstrate that melanosome-targeted PDT could be an effective approach for melanoma treatment.

Using the Integrated Genome Viewer to reveal amplicon-derived polymorphism enriched at the phenylthiocarbamide locus in the teaching lab

Due to its distinct phenotype and relatively simple inheritance pattern, the phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) loci is frequently utilized in teaching laboratories to demonstrate genetic concepts such as Mendelian inheritance and population genetics. We have developed a next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics approach to analyze the PTC gene locus to reveal single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variation at nucleotide position 785 that predicts tasting ability in humans. Here students purify DNA from their own cheek cells, perform polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the PTC gene followed by cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) testing. Students perform a second PCR on the PTC loci using high-fidelity Taq to create bar-coded amplicons for next-generation sequencing on the Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine. Bioinformatic verification reveals polymorphic variation by aligning the entire class PTC PCR fragment sequence to the human gene using Bowtie2 and visualizing the results in the Integrated Genome Viewer. This exercise presents a learning opportunity for students to use next-generation sequencing to predict their own PTC taste sensitivity phenotype coupled with the standard CAPS method. This approach brings the PTC teaching method into the genomics era.

Expression and Functional Activity of the Human Bitter Taste Receptor TAS2R38 in Human Placental Tissues and JEG-3 Cells

Bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) are expressed in mucous epithelial cells of the tongue but also outside the gustatory system in epithelial cells of the colon, stomach and bladder, in the upper respiratory tract, in the cornified squamous epithelium of the skin as well as in airway smooth muscle cells, in the testis and in the brain. In the present work we addressed the question if bitter taste receptors might also be expressed in other epithelial tissues as well. By staining a tissue microarray with 45 tissue spots from healthy human donors with an antibody directed against the best characterized bitter taste receptor TAS2R38, we observed an unexpected strong TAS2R38 expression in the amniotic epithelium, syncytiotrophoblast and decidua cells of the human placenta. To analyze the functionality we first determined the TAS2R38 expression in the placental cell line JEG-3. Stimulation of these cells with diphenidol, a clinically used antiemetic agent that binds TAS2Rs including TAS2R38, demonstrated the functionality of the TAS2Rs by inducing calcium influx. Restriction enzyme based detection of the TAS2R38 gene allele identified JEG-3 cells as PTC (phenylthiocarbamide)-taster cell line. Calcium influx induced by PTC in JEG-3 cells could be inhibited with the recently described TAS2R38 inhibitor probenecid and proved the specificity of the TAS2R38 activation. The expression of TAS2R38 in human placental tissues points to further new functions and hitherto unknown endogenous ligands of TAS2Rs far beyond bitter tasting.

Specific Alleles of Bitter Receptor Genes Influence Human Sensitivity to the Bitterness of Aloin and Saccharin

Variation in human taste is a well-known phenomenon. However, little is known about the molecular basis for it. Bitter taste in humans is believed to be mediated by a family of 25 G protein-coupled receptors (hT2Rs, or TAS2Rs). Despite recent progress in the functional expression of hT2Rs in vitro, up until now, hT2R38, a receptor for phenylthiocarbamide (PTC), was the only gene directly linked to variations in human bitter taste. Here we report that polymorphism in two hT2R genes results in different receptor activities and different taste sensitivities to three bitter molecules. The hT2R43 gene allele, which encodes a protein with tryptophan in position 35, makes people very sensitive to the bitterness of the natural plant compounds aloin and aristolochic acid. People who do not possess this allele do not taste these compounds at low concentrations. The same hT2R43 gene allele makes people more sensitive to the bitterness of an artificial sweetener, saccharin. In addition, a closely related gene's (hT2R44's) allele also makes people more sensitive to the bitterness of saccharin. We also demonstrated that some people do not possess certain hT2R genes, contributing to taste variation between individuals. Our findings thus reveal new examples of variations in human taste and provide a molecular basis for them.

Functional variants in TAS2R38 and TAS2R16 influence alcohol consumption in high-risk families of African-American origin

BACKGROUND

A novel family of G protein-coupled receptors, TAS2Rs, has recently been characterized and linked to sensitivity to bitter taste compounds. We have previously reported that a missense mutation in the TAS2R16 gene reduces the sensitivity of the receptor to bitter-taste stimuli and that it is associated with risk for alcohol dependence. Other family-based studies on the genetic transmittance of taste perception have previously demonstrated a correlation between genetic variation in TAS2R38 and sensitivity to bitter-taste compounds such as phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) and 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP). Haplotypes resulting from 3 common nonsynonymous coding single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the TAS2R38 gene have been shown to alter receptor functions and taste sensitivity to PTC and PROP. The perceived bitterness of PROP has also been associated with oral sensation and drinking behaviors.

METHODS

We used family-based association methods to test for association between TAS2R38 haplotypes and alcohol dependence as well as a measure of alcohol consumption (Maxdrinks) and age of onset of drinking behaviors in a sample of families densely affected with alcoholism. We have also extended our analysis of TAS2R16 to include the Maxdrinks phenotype.

RESULTS

A positive correlation was observed between TAS2R38 haplotypes and Maxdrinks in Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism (COGA) high-risk women of African-American origin. The common taster haplotype is significantly associated with a lower mean Maxdrinks compared with the other haplotypes. Similarly, the allele of TAS2R16 that is associated with a lower risk for alcohol dependence is also associated with lower mean Maxdrinks scores in African-American families. In contrast to the previously reported significant association between TAS2R16 and alcohol dependence, we found no evidence that TAS2R38 haplotypes influence alcohol dependence in the COGA dataset.

CONCLUSION

Functional variants in both TAS2R16 and TAS2R38 correlate with alcohol consumption in African-American families.

Computational studies of ligand-receptor interactions in bitter taste receptors

Phenylthiocarbamide tastes intensely bitter to some individuals, but others find it completely tasteless. Recently, it was suggested that phenylthiocarbamide elicits bitter taste by interacting with a human G protein-coupled receptor (hTAS2R38) encoded by the PTC gene. The phenylthiocarbamide nontaster trait was linked to three single nucleotide polymorphisms occurring in the PTC gene. Using the crystal structure of bovine rhodopsin as template, we generated the 3D structure of hTAS2R38 bitter taste receptor. We were able to map on the receptor structure the amino acids affected by the genetic polymorphisms and to propose molecular functions for two of them that explained the emergence of the nontaster trait. We used molecular docking simulations to find that phenylthiocarbamide exhibited a higher affinity for the target receptor than the structurally similar molecule 6-n-propylthiouracil, in line with recent experimental studies. A 3D model was constructed for the hTAS2R16 bitter taste receptor as well, by applying the same protocol. We found that the recently published experimental ligand binding affinity data for this receptor correlated well with the binding scores obtained from our molecular docking calculations.

Characterization of phenoloxidase activity in venom from the ectoparasitoid Nasonia vitripennis (Walker) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)

Crude venom isolated from the ectoparasitic wasp Nasonia vitripennis was found to possess phenoloxidase (PO) activity. Enzyme activity was detected by using a modified dot blot analysis approach in which venom samples were applied to nylon membranes and incubated with either L-DOPA or dopamine. Dot formation was most intense with dopamine as the substrate and no activators appeared to be necessary to evoke a melanization reaction. No melanization occurred when venom was incubated in Schneider's insect medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum or when using tyrosine as a substrate, but melanization did occur when larval or pupal plasma from the fly host, Sarcophaga bullata, was exposed to tyrosine. Only fly larval plasma induced an enzyme reaction with the Schneider's insect medium. The PO inhibitor phenylthiourea (PTU) and serine protease inhibitor phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride (PMSF) abolished PO activity in venom and host plasma samples, but glutathione (reduced) only inhibited venom PO. Elicitors of PO activity (sodium dodecyl sulfate and trypsin) had no or a modest effect (increase) on the ability of venom, or larval and pupal plasma to trigger melanization reactions. SDS-PAGE separation of crude venom followed by in-gel staining using L-DOPA as a substrate revealed two venom proteins with PO activity with estimated molecular weights of 68 and 160 kDa. In vitro assays using BTI-TN-5B1-4 cells were performed to determine the importance of venom PO in triggering cellular changes and evoking cell death. When cell monolayers were pre-treated with 10 mM PTU or PMSF prior to venom exposure, the cells were protected from the effects of venom intoxication as evidenced by no observable cellular morphological changes and over 90% cell viability by 24 h after venom treatment. Simultaneous addition of inhibitors with venom or lower concentrations of PMSF were less effective in affording protection. These observations collectively argue that wasp venom PO is unique from that of the fly hosts, and that the venom enzyme is critical in the intoxication pathway leading to cell death.

Genetic analysis of reproduction in the Buryat populations

A complex anthropological survey based on population-genetic methods and a study of a wide spectrum of genetic systems (43 alleles from 17 independent loci) was undertaken among 450 Buryat women of post-reproductive age. The results obtained showed the influence of particular genetic markers and their complex on the formation of peculiarities in the reproduction structure of the Buryat population.A sharp increase in phenotype GC 2-2 frequency and the corresponding GC*2 allele of the group-specific component (GC) was established for women groups with burdened obstetric records. These groups are characterized also by a considerable decrease in the observed geterozygosity (Ho) as compared to its expected value (He). Samples including women with multiple pregnancies in the recorded obstetric anamnesis are characterized by a significant increase in the frequency of the rare alleles TF*C3 of the transferrin system and those of PI*Z belonging to the proteinase inhibitor system (a1-antitrypsin) as compared to the control group. The results obtained widened current knowledge about the influence of genetic and environmental components on reproduction processes in human populations.

Genetic analysis of a complex trait in the Utah Genetic Reference Project: a major locus for PTC taste ability on chromosome 7q and a secondary locus on chromosome 16p

The ability to taste phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) shows complex inheritance in humans. We obtained a quantitative measure of PTC tasting ability in 267 members of 26 large three-generation families that were part of a set of CEPH families that had been used for genetic mapping. Significant bimodality was found for the distribution of age and gender adjusted scores (P<0.001), with estimated means of 3.16 (SD=1.80) and 9.26 (SD=1.54). Using the extensive genotyping available in these families from the genetic mapping efforts, we performed a genome scan by using 1324 markers with an average spacing of 4 cM. Analyses were first carried out with a recessive genetic model that has traditionally been assumed for the trait, and a threshold score of 8.0 delineating tasters from non-tasters. In this qualitative analysis, the maximum genome-wide lod score was 4.74 at 246 cM on chromosome 7; 17 families showed segregation of the dichotomous PTC phenotype. No other lod scores were significant; the next highest score was on chromosome 10 (lod=1.64 at 85 cM), followed by chromosome 3 (lod=1.29 at 267 cM). Because PTC taste ability exhibited substantial quantitative variation, the quantitative trait was also analyzed by using a variance components approach in SOLAR. The maximum quantitative genome-wide lod score was 8.85 at 246 cM on chromosome 7. Evidence for other possible quantitative loci was found on chromosomes 1 (lod=2.31 at 344 cM) and 16 (lod=2.01 at 14 cM). A subsequent two-locus whole-genome scan conditional on the chromosome 7 quantitative trait locus identified the chromosome 16 locus (two-locus lod=3.33 at 14 cM).

Photodegradation of diafenthiuron in water

Diafenthiuron, 1-tert-butyl-3-(2,6-di-isopropyl-4-phenoxyphenyl)thiourea, is an effective insecticide and acaricide. Sunlight degradation of diafenthiuron in various aqueous solutions and pure hexane yielded two major identified products: 1-tert-butyl-3-(2,6-di-isopropyl-4-phenoxyphenyl)-carbodiimide (CGA-140,408) and 1-tert-butyl-3-(2,6-di-isopropyl-4-phenoxy-phenyl)urea (CGA-177,960). CGA-140,408 was further photo-transformed into CGA-177,960 by sunlight. Direct photolysis appeared to be a major photolysis pathway of diafenthiuron in the environment. Photodegradation of CGA-140,408 and CGA-177,960 was enhanced in humic acid water, paddy water and aqueous acetone solutions, and followed first-order kinetics. Isopropanol (a radical quencher) and de-aeration strongly inhibited the photolysis of these chemicals, which suggested oxygen radical-mediated reactions.

Metabolism of diafenthiuron by microsomal oxidation: procide activation and inactivation as mechanisms contributing to selectivity

The thiourea insecticide/acaricide diafenthiuron represents a biologically inactive propesticide that requires transformation into the active carbodiimide derivative. The carbodiimide inhibits mitochondrial respiration by selective and covalent binding to the proteolipid (8 kDa) of Fo-ATPase in the inner membrane and to porin (30 kDa) in the outer membrane. The thiourea can be activated by light as well as by cytochrome P450 in the insect. To get insight into the enzymatic mechanisms of activation, model in vitro studies were performed using [14C]diafenthiuron and microsomes from various vertebrate livers and from locust Malpighian tubules. Though there was a common set of metabolites, their quantities varies significantly with the species and assay conditions. As a typical product, p-hydroxydiafenthiuron was identified in assay with rat and mouse microsomes. The sulfomonoxide predominated in hen and fish assays, whereas pig and bovine microsomes almost exclusively produced the carbodiimide. The sulfoxide was shown to be a precursor of the carbodiimide. Formation of all metabolites was dependent on the presence of NADPH and active microsomes. The effects of inhibitors and the requirement for NAPDH suggested a role of cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenase(s) in the formation of both the hydroxylated product and the carbodiimide. FAD-dependent monooxygenases (FMOs) may also be involved in a step following sulfoxidation. These in vitro studies revealed potential mechanisms contributing to biological selectivity of the effects of a pesticide that acts in a non-selective mode at a conserved mitochondrial site.

Crystal structure of a plant catechol oxidase containing a dicopper center

Catechol oxidases are ubiquitous plant enzymes containing a dinuclear copper center. In the wound-response mechanism of the plant they catalyze the oxidation of a broad range of ortho-diphenols to the corresponding o-quinones coupled with the reduction of oxygen to water. The crystal structures of the enzyme from sweet potato in the resting dicupric Cu(II)-Cu(II) state, the reduced dicuprous Cu(I)-Cu(I) form, and in complex with the inhibitor phenylthiourea were analyzed. The catalytic copper center is accommodated in a central four-helix-bundle located in a hydrophobic pocket close to the surface. Both metal binding sites are composed of three histidine ligands. His 109, ligated to the CuA site, is covalently linked to Cys 92 by an unusual thioether bond. Based on biochemical, spectroscopic and the presented structural data, a catalytical mechanism is proposed in which one of the oxygen atoms of the diphenolic substrate binds to CuB of the oxygenated enzyme.

Taste impairment for glucose in diabetic PTC tasters and non-tasters

Effect of high blood glucose levels in diabetes mellitus was studied on gustatory responses to glucose in PTC tasters and non-tasters, before and after the ingestion of a glucose solution. After a 12-h overnight fast, prescreening for phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) sensitivity was done in each subject, and then each subject tasted, and rated, 7 concentrations of glucose solutions for intensity and hedonic responses. Blood glucose levels were also determined under fasting and then after a 100-g glucose load. A decrease in palatability of the glucose solutions induced by the glucose load (negative alliaesthesia) was evident in both groups of subjects. Tasters showed higher hedonic ratings (Mean 4-25), as compared to non-tasters (Mean 3-70) and this difference was more evident after the glucose load in non-tasters.

Synthesis and cytostatic properties of daunorubicin derivatives, containing N-phenylthiourea or N-ethylthiourea moieties in the 3'-position

A series of phenylthiourea and ethylthiourea derivatives of daunorubicin and its congeners was prepared by reaction of the 3'-amino group of the antibiotic with phenylisothiocyanate or ethylisothiocyanate. S-Methylation yielded S-methylisothiouromium salts which when reacted with amines resulted in an intramolecular cyclization with the participation of the neighboring 4'-OH group. The structures and predominant conformations of the thiourea derivatives and daunorubicino(3'-N,4'-O-d)oxazolines were determined by 1H and 13C NMR. Cytostatic activities of the thiourea and oxazoline derivatives were compared with the cytostatic activities of N-methylurea and N-methyl-N-nitrosourea containing daunorubicin and its congeners. Carminomycin derivatives were endowed with the highest cytostatic activity.

Examination of automated polypeptide sequencing using standard phenyl isothiocyanate reagent and subpicomole high-performance liquid chromatographic analysis

The feasibility of accurate protein sequencing at the subpicomole level, using automated Edman chemistry and "on-line" HPLC analysis, was studied. Several modifications of the standard system were first introduced. A larger portion of the phenylthiohydantoin amino acids (70%) is analyzed. Dissolution in 10% acetonitrile is improved by short periodic bursts of argon. Losses on the column of subpicomole amounts of analytes, in the presence and absence of scavengers, were quantitated; they are related to destruction rather than to unspecific sticking to the stationary phase. Baseline drift, for a large part caused by the presence of ultraviolet absorbing N,N-dimethylphenylthiourea in solvent B, is completely eliminated by the addition of a twofold molar excess of tryptophan to solvent A. This allows real time recording of the 269-nm absorption detector signal at 0.0005 absorption unit full scale. The combined modifications result in an eightfold increase in sensitivity over standard methods. Sequence calling at the 2 to 10 pmol level, through visual inspection of chromatograms, becomes increasingly simple this way. Once the sequenceable signal drops below the 1 pmol level in the course of a run, meticulous comparison and matching of the preliminary calls with a spreadsheet of peak integration data are necessary for accurate assignments. Reliable sequencing, with signals at the subpicomole level, is now feasible for stretches of over 10 residues. Contaminating amino acids and polypeptides and incompletely removed reaction by-products constitute a major problem for analysis at this level. Future limits to sensitivity of Edman sequencing will primarily depend on improved micropreparations of proteins in cleaner environments, higher purity reagents and solvents, instrument miniaturization, and solid-phase techniques.

Evaluation of phenylthiourea derivatives as inhibitors of transglutaminase-catalyzed reaction in Chinese hamster ovary cells

1-(5-Aminopentyl)-3-phenylthiourea (PPTU), a recently developed inhibitor of the transglutaminase-catalyzed reaction (K.N. Lee, L. Fesus, S.T. Yancey, J.E. Girard, and S.I. Chung, (1985) J. Biol. Chem. 260, 14689-14694) was evaluated as a possible probe to examine the physiological role of transglutaminase (EC 2.3.2.13) in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The [14C]PPTU in cell culture was readily taken up by CHO cells and was found to be covalently attached to high-molecular-weight proteins which are associated with the particulate fractions. Incubating cell homogenates, in the presence of Ca2+, incorporated the labeled PPTU exclusively into high-molecular-weight proteins that were also undergoing polymerization. PPTU at 0.1 mM, a concentration close to the Ki value reported for inhibition of tissue transglutaminase-catalyzed amine incorporation into the B chain of oxidized insulin, decreased high-molecular-weight protein polymerization, whereas PPTU at the same concentrations showed no effect on CHO cell proliferation or on in vitro calmodulin activation of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase. These results suggest that transglutaminase may not be a constitutive enzyme in cell proliferation.

4-Amino-3-(3'-methoxycarbonyl-2'-thioureido)benzophenone, a prodrug of mebendazole

The compound 4-amino-3-(3'-methoxycarbonyl-2'-thioureido) benzophenone has shown promise as a prodrug of the anthelmintic mebendazole. The compound is stable in acid and neutral media and is rapidly hydrolysed in base. An HPLC assay procedure for mebendazole, the prodrug and their known or expected metabolites and degradation products in aqueous media and rat blood has been developed. The prodrug administrated orally to rats is rapidly converted to mebendazole. The area under the blood level versus time curve of mebendazole, in rats dosed with the prodrug, is more than twice that obtained after dosing rats with an equimolar amount of mebendazole. Only the prodrug, mebendazole and known metabolites of mebendazole are detected in rats dosed with the prodrug.

Genetic polymorphisms in a North-Greek population

Gene frequencies for 12 genetic loci have been studied in the district of Almopia in Northern Greece. The frequencies of the G6PD and Hb loci exhibited clinical changes from NW to SE in central Macedonia. In the whole Greek population, the mean proportion of polymorphic loci and the mean heterozygosity were 0.73 and 0.202, respectively. Several statistically significant differences between Macedonians and Bulgarians were found.

Phenylthiocarbamide taste threshold distribution among the Rastogis of India

The PTC taste threshold distribution has been examined among the Rastogis and compared to those of other Indian caste groups of Uttar Pradesh.

The conversion of [35S] PTC-angiotensin I to PTC-angiotensin II in plasma of normotensive and hypertensive subjects

1. The rate of conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II was measured by using their [35S]PTC-analogues which can be separated and identified by radiochromatography.

2. There was no difference in the rate of conversion of one compound to the other in the plasma of normal subjects and hypertensive patients.