Specific effect of manganese on the allantoinase of Vigna Radiata

Vigna radiata seedlings germinated in the presence of Mn²⁺ show an unusual increase in allantoinase activity which is proportional to Mn²⁺ concentration up to 5 mM. Though Mn²⁺ is not an activator for V. radiata allantoinase, it specifically protects allantoinase against thermal as well as papain-catalysed inactivation. Evidence is presented to show that the primary effect of Mn²⁺ is a protective one, both in vitro and in vivo, and that this is reflected in the observed enhancement of allantoinase activity in Mn²⁺ grown seedlings. That this unusual effect of Mn²⁺ is a specific one is indicated by the lack of a similar effect with Mg²⁺. Cu²⁺ is shown to destabilize V. radiata allantoinase in vitro as well as in vivo.     

Lipid Peroxidation and Biogenic Aldehydes: From the Identification of 4-Hydroxynonenal to Further Achievements in Biopathology

The formation, reactivity and toxicity of aldehydes originating from lipid peroxidation of cellular membranes are reviewed. Very reactive aldehydes, namely 4-hydroxyalkenals, were first shown to be formed in autoxidizing chemical systems. It was subsequently shown that 4-hydroxyalkenals are formed in biological conditions, i.e. during lipid peroxidation of liver microsomes incubated in the NADPH-Fe systems. Our studies carried out in collaboration with Hermann Esterbauer which led to the identification of 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) are reported. 4-HNE was the most cytotoxic aldehyde and was then assumed as a model molecule of oxidative stress. Many other aldehydes (alkanals, alk-2-enals and dicarbonyl compounds) were then identified in peroxidizing liver microsomes or hepatocytes. The in vivo formation of aldehydes in liver of animals intoxicated with agents that promote lipid peroxidation was shown in further studies. In a first study, evidence was forwarded for aldehydes (very likely alkenals) bound to liver micro-somal proteins of CCl₄ or BrCCl₃-intoxicated rats. In a second study, 4-HNE and a number of other aldehydes (alkanals and alkenals) were identified in the free (non-protein bound) form in liver extracts from bromoben-zene or ally-1 alcohol-poisoned mice. The detection of free 4-HNE in the liver of CCl₄ or BrCCl₃-poisoned animals was obtained with the use of an electrochemical detector, which greatly increased the sensitivity of the HPLC method. Furthermore, membrane phospho-lipids bearing carbonyl groups were demonstrated in both in vitro (incubation of microsomes with NADPH-Fe) and in vivo (CCl₄ or BrCCl₃ intoxication) conditions. Finally, the results concerned with the histochemical detection of lipid peroxidation are reported. The methods used were based on the detection of lipid peroxidation-derived carbonyls. Very good results were obtained with the use of fluorescent reagents for carbonyls, in particular with 3-hydroxy-2-naphtoic acid hydrazide (NAH) and analysis with confocal scanning fluorescence microscopy with image video analysis. The significance of formation of toxic aldehydes in biological membranes is discussed.     

The metabolism of dihydrotachysterols: Renal side chain and non-renal nuclear hydroxylations in vivo and in vitro

The metabolism of dihydrotachysterol (DHT), a hydrogenated analogue of vitamin D, has been studied in vivo using man and rat and in vitro using the perfused rat kidney, and hepatoma (3B) and osteosarcoma (UMR-106) cell lines. In vivo a large number of metabolites appeared in the plasma of rats given DHT₂ and DHT₃. Of particular interest was a compound more polar than 25-hydroxy-DHT, which has been designated compound H. Further study of this compound showed that it was composed of two components, one (Ha) being in much lower concentration than the other (Hb). The production of T2/H (peak H from DHT₂) was demonstrated in human plasma after administration of oral DHT₂. Comparison of the metabolites formed in vivo with those isolated from the rat kidney perfused with 25-hydroxy-DHT₃ in vitro showed that 25-hydroxy-DHT₃ was metabolized along two metabolic pathways previously described for vitamin D, culminating in the production of 25-hydroxy-DHT₃-23,26-lactone and 23,25-dihydroxy-24-oxo-DHT₃. The osteosarcoma cell line metabolized 25-OH-DHT₃ in vitro along the same two metabolic pathways already demonstrated in the perfused rat kidney. More polar metabolites than compound H seen in rat plasma in vivo were shown to be metabolites of compound H and similar metabolites were also produced in the osteosarcoma cell line from chemically synthesized 1,25-dihydroxy-DHT₃. The hepatoma cell line 25-hydroxylated DHT and no feed-back inhibition was observed. Use of the hepatoma cell to 25-hydroxylate a number of chemically synthesized 1-hydroxy-DHTs indicated that compound Ha was indistinguishable from 1,25-dihydroxy-DHT whereas compound Hb is possibly 1β,25-dihydroxy-DHT. Studies with the VDR in both chick gut and calf thymus indicated that 1,25-dihydroxy-DHT is very effective in displacing radiolabelled 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin-D₃ and is thus most likely to be the calcaemic metabolite of DHT.     

Peripheral oxytocin treatment modulates central dopamine transmission in the mouse limbic structures

The effects of subcutaneous (s.c.) oxytocin treatment have been investigated on various parameters of dopaminergic neurotransmission in basal forebrain structures (nucleus olfactorius posterior + nucleus accumbens + septum) of the mouse. Acute oxytocin treatment failed to influence dopamine utilization in the basal forebrain. Following chronic injections of oxytocin (0.2 mg/kg) for 8 8 days, the neuropeptide decreased dopamine utilization. Neither in vivo nor in vitro oxytocin treatment was capable of influencing the in vitro uptake of [³H]dopamine in basal forebrain slices. The spontaneous release of [³H]dopamine (in the presence of 4.2 mM K⁺) from basal forebrain tissue slices was not affected by in vitro or acute or chronic in vivo oxytocin treatment. The stimulated release of [³H]dopamine (in the presence of 30 mM K⁺) was significantly inhibited by chronic in vivo oxytocin administration. Chronic oxytocin treatment decreased the B_max value of [³H]spiroperidol binding in the basal forebrain. The dissociation constant (K_d) of [³H]spiroperidol binding was not influenced by oxytocin. The data indicate that peripheral oxytocin treatment is capable of modifying dopaminergic neurotransmission in mouse basal forebrain regions.     

苍术素对大鼠心脏正性肌力的作用及其机制*

目的: 研究中药苍术的有效成分苍术素(Atractylodin)的正性肌力作用及其机理。方法: 随机选取6只雄性SD大鼠进行在体压力-容积环 (P-V loop)实验,加药前为Control组,经腹腔注射苍术素(3 mg/kg)后为苍术素组(自身对照),分析6只雄性大鼠加药后对大鼠左心室心输出量、容积及动脉压的作用;大鼠离体心脏灌流实验中,依次灌流给药:第一部分为Control→ 0.1→1→10 μmol/L苍术素浓度梯度灌流,第二部分为Control→200 nmol/L H89 (PKA抑制剂)→200 nmol/L H89+10 μmol/L 苍术素,第三部分为Control→500 nmol/L KN-93 (CaMKII抑制剂)→500 nmol/L KN-93+10 μmol/L 苍术素,第四部分为Control→10 nmol/L Calyculin A (PP1, PP2A抑制剂)→10 nmol/L Calyculin A+10 μmol/L 苍术素,加药前的正常空白组为Control组,分析每部分各6只雄性大鼠的组间左心室发展压的变化;在大鼠心肌细胞钙释放实验中,分组、给药的方法和浓度同离体心脏实验,分析来源于6个雄性大鼠6个左心室心肌细胞组间钙释放幅值的变化。结果: ①P-V loop实验表明:与Control组相比,苍术素组(3 mg/kg)腹腔注射30 min后,显著增加大鼠心输出量、搏出功及心率(P＜0.05),降低动脉舒张压(P＜0.05),而对收缩压无明显影响;②离体心脏实验表明:与Control组相比,苍术素组(0.1, 1, 10 μmol/L)灌流10 min后,能显著增加大鼠离体心脏左心室发展压(LVDP) (P＜0.05),其作用能被H89组(200 nmol/L)所阻断;③心肌细胞钙释放实验表明:与Control组相比,苍术素组(10 μmol/L)灌流10 min后,基于肌浆网钙泵(SERCA2a)显著增加大鼠心肌细胞钙释放幅值(P＜0.05),其作用能被H89组(200 nmol/L)所阻断。结论: 苍术素具有正性肌力作用,其血流动力学特点表现为降低在体大鼠动脉舒张压而不增加收缩压,苍术素的正性肌力作用机制是通过PKA-SERCA2a通路发挥的。     

Effect of environmental temperature on the phospholipid metabolism of gill mitochondria of Carcinus maenas

The different types of phospholipids extracted from gill mitochondria of crab Carcinus maenas have been analysed and it was found that a significant increase of the phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) content and a concomitant decrease of the phosphatidylcholine (PC) amount are present in animals living in low temperatures. The incorporation of [³H]ethanolamine in total phospholipids, PE and PC, was demonstrated in gill mitochondria and a thermal alteration of the in vivo exchange of PE between mitochondria and 10,000 g supernatant is suggested by the kinetics of the incorporation. It is suggested that the conversion of PE to PC by N-methylation is very low in crab gills. There is a marked action of acclimation temperature on the gills-hemolymph exchange of PC and PE. It is postulated that the changes reported at the level of the PE → PC conversion by N-methylation and in phospholipid exchange between hemolymph and gills could be implicated in adapting the organism to seasonal fluctuations of environmental temperatures.     

Activity of dehydroabietic acid derivatives against wood contaminant fungi

The antifungal activity of 10 dehydroabietic acid derivatives with different configuration in A and B rings (cis/trans A/B junction) and different substituents and/or functionalities was evaluated in bioassays in vitro and in situ (pine wood blocks).

The test compounds dissolved in acetone were assayed at several concentrations w/w (test compound/culture medium) against the fungi. The Relative Inhibition (RI) was determined by measuring the radial growth of colonies of the fungi treated with the test compounds by comparison with those of control cultures; the results are expressed as EC₅₀.

The results of bioassays in vitro have shown that hydroxyl and aldehyde functions are required for antifungal activity in this group of compounds and deisopropylation can increase the activity. Our assay of antifungal activity in situ (in pine wood blocks) provides a means to investigate the preservative activities of these antifungal compounds under actual conditions of use.

The dehydroabietic acid derivative cis-deisopropyldehydroabietanol (10) inhibited the growth of several of the fungi tested, in vitro and in situ.

The results obtained in situ with the test compound (10) at 6% and 8% were not significantly different from the reference products and a good level of protection of the wood against the organisms tested was achieved.

The results in wood bioassays present new possibilities in the search for natural new compounds in the wood protection, as an alternative to conventional fungicides.     

Highly selective inhibition of estrogen biosynthesis by CGS 20267, a new non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor

CGS 20267 is a new non-steroidal compound which potently inhibits aromatase in vitro (IC₅₀ of 11.5 nM) and in vivo (ED₅₀ of 1–3 μg/kg p.o.). CGS 20267 maximally inhibits estradiol production in vitro in LH-stimulated hamster ovarian tissue at 0.1 μM with an IC₅₀ of 0.02 μM and does not significantly affect progesterone production up to 350 μM. In ACTH-stimulated rat adrenal tissue in vitro, aldosterone production was inhibited with an IC₅₀ of 210 μM (10,000 times higher than the IC₅₀ for estradiol production); no significant effect on corticosterone production was seen at 350 μM. In vivo, in ACTH-treated rats, CGS 20267 does not affect plasma levels of corticosterone or aldosterone at a dose of 4 mg/kg p.o. (1000 times higher than the ED₅₀ for aromatase inhibition in vivo). In adult female rats, a 14-day treatment with 1 mg/kg p.o. daily, completely interrupts ovarian cyclicity and suppresses uterine weight to that seen 14 days after ovariectomy. In adult female rats bearing estrogen-dependent DMBA-induced mammary tumors, 0.1 mg/kg p.o. given daily for 42 days caused almost complete regression of tumors present at the start of treatment. Thus compared to each other, CGS 16949A and CGS 20267 are both highly potent in inhibiting estrogen biosynthesis in vitro and in vivo. The striking difference between them is that unlike CGS 16949A, CGS 20267 does not affect adrenal steroidogenesis in vitro or in vivo, at concentrations and doses several orders of magnitude higher than those required to inhibit estrogen biosynthesis.     

Ceruloplasmin enhances DNA damage induced by hydrogen peroxide in vitro

Ceruloplasmin (Cp) was found to promote the oxidative damage to DNA, as evidenced by the formation of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine and strand breaks, when incubated with H₂O₂ in vitro. The capacity of Cp to enhance oxidative damage to DNA was inhibited by hydroxyl radical scavengers such as sodium azide and mannitol, a metal chelator, diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid, and catalase. Although the oxidized protein resulted in an increase in the content of carbonyl groups, the ferroxidase activity and the proteolytic susceptibility were not significantly altered. The release of a portion of Cu from Cp was observed, and conformational alterations were indicated by the changes in fluorescence spectra. Based on these results, we suggest that damage to DNA is mediated in the H₂O₂/Cp system via the generation of ^·OH by released Cu²⁺ and/or loosely bound Cu exposed from oxidatively damaged Cp through the conformational change. The release of Cu from Cp during oxidative stress could enhance the formation of reactive oxygen species and could also potentiate cellular damage.     

Dexamethasone influences human clock gene expression in bronchial epithelium and peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro

We determined whether human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) could be used to analyze clock genes by studying their mRNA expressions in human bronchial epithelium (BEAS-2B) and PBMCs following stimulation by the glucocorticoid homologue dexamethasone (DEX) in vitro. PBMCs were obtained at 10:00 h from two diurnally active (∼07:00 to 23:00 h) healthy volunteers and were evaluated for hPer1 mRNA expression following DEX stimulation in vitro using real time-PCR analysis. DEX stimulation of human BEAS-2B cells and PBMCs in vitro led to a remarkable increase of hPer1 mRNA. The glucocorticoid rapidly affected the expression of hPer1 mRNA in PBMCs, suggesting that human PBMCs may be a useful surrogate marker for the investigation of drug effects on clock genes.     

FHA2 is a plant-specific ISWI subunit responsible for stamen development and plant fertility

Imitation Switch (ISWI) chromatin remodelers are known to function in diverse multi‐subunit complexes in yeast and animals. However, the constitution and function of ISWI complexes in Arabidopsis thaliana remain unclear. In this study, we identified forkhead‐associated domain 2 (FHA2) as a plant‐specific subunit of an ISWI chromatin‐remodeling complex in Arabidopsis. By in vivo and in vitro analyses, we demonstrated that FHA2 directly binds to RLT1 and RLT2, two redundant subunits of the ISWI complex in Arabidopsis. The stamen filament is shorter in the fha2 and rlt1/2 mutants than in the wild type, whereas their pistil lengths are comparable. The shorter filament, which is due to reduced cell size, results in insufficient pollination and reduced fertility. The rlt1/2 mutant shows an early‐flowering phenotype, whereas the phenotype is not shared by the fha2 mutant. Consistent with the functional specificity of FHA2, our RNA‐seq analysis indicated that the fha2 mutant affects a subset of RLT1/2‐regulated genes that does not include genes involved in the regulation of flowering time. This study demonstrates that FHA2 functions as a previously uncharacterized subunit of the Arabidopsis ISWI complex and is exclusively involved in regulating stamen development and plant fertility.     

Enkephalin analogs and dermorphin in the conscious dog: Structure-activity relationships

Those structural features of enkephalins (ENK) responsible for in vitro organ bath and receptor binding activity have been investigated in detail in the conscious, chronically instrumented dog. Amide analogs of Leu⁵-ENK display reduced activity, which is restored by D-Ala² substitutions. N-terminal L-Tyr is required for full opiate activity. Although proven δ-receptor agonists do appear generally more active, distinctions made in vitro between μ and δ binding are not apparent in the complex hemodynamic responses which occur in the intact unanesthetized dog. The amphibian skin peptide dermorphin, which contains D-Ala², elevates heart rate, systemic arterial pressure, and induces vomiting with near maximal activity at a dose of 1.0 μg/kg; this activity is inhibited by naloxone. This activity, coupled with dermorphin's apparent presence in mammalian tissue, suggests that it may represent another peptide factor in cardiovascular regulation. In the conscious dog, ENK elevate heart rate and systemic arterial pressure; this activity does not appear to be fully explained by in vitro receptor models.     

Flavonoids protect against oxidative damage to LDL in vitro: use in selection of a flavonoid rich diet and relevance to LDL oxidation resistance ex vivo?

The ability of a range of dietary flavonoids to inhibit low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation in vitro was tested using a number of different methods to assess oxidative damage to LDL. Overall quercetin was the most effective inhibitor of oxidative damage to LDL in vitro. On this basis, a diet enriched with onions and black tea was selected for a dietary intervention study that compared the effect on the Cu²⁺ ion-stimulated lag-time of LDL oxidation ex vivo in healthy human subjects of a high flavonoid diet compared with a low flavonoid diet. No significant difference was found in the Cu²⁺ ion-stimulated lag-time of LDL oxidation ex vivo between the high flavonoid and low flavonoid dietary treatments (48 ± 1.6 min compared to 49 ± 2.1 min).     

Specificity of the action of parathyroid hormone upon mitochondrial metabolism: Cyanogen bromide-derived parathyroid-hormone peptides

The mitochondrial response to cyanogen bromide-treated parathyroid hormone was studied as a means of testing further the relationship between the structure and the effects in vitro of this hormone. The treated hormone and appropriate control hormone were tested in a standard bioassay and in a mitochondrial assay system in vitro.

Reaction of more than 90 % of the methionine residues in the hormone resulted in total inactivation of the hormone both in vivo and in vitro. This result disagrees with previously published data.     

Effects of calcium on the thermal stability, stability in organic solvents and resistance to hydrogen peroxide of artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) peroxidase: A potential method of enzyme control

The effects of calcium ions (Ca²⁺) on the stability of artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) peroxidase (AKPC) have been studied. The thermal stability of AKPC was improved by the addition of Ca²⁺; the melting temperature increased by 20 °C and the deactivation energy by 26 kJ mol⁻¹. AKPC was stable in a selection of organic solvents but was less active with 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) than under aqueous conditions. Ca²⁺-free AKPC retained more activity in the presence of organic solvents due to its better maintenance of the rate of compound I formation with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) compared to AKPC-Ca²⁺. AKPC retained at least 75% activity over 24 h in the pH range 3.0–10.5 and about 50% over 1 month at pH 7.0 or 5.5, irrespective of the Ca²⁺ content. AKPC-Ca²⁺ was considerably more resistant to inactivation by H₂O₂ than Ca²⁺-free AKPC suggesting that the presence of Ca²⁺ boosts turnover under oxidizing conditions. AKPC has been applied as an alternative to horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in glucose concentration assays; the presence of Ca²⁺ or of the Ca²⁺ chelating agent ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid made no difference to the final result. The possibility is discussed that addition and removal of a labile Ca²⁺ from AKPC could be used to control enzyme activity both in vivo and in vitro.     

Acyl-ACPs的规模化合成

脂酰-酰基载体蛋白(fatty acyl-acyl carrier protein, acyl-ACP)是多种生物合成途径中的酰基供体。因供给限制,体外研究常用类似物acyl-CoA替代,而CoA部分和ACP有较大差异,限制了相关酶对底物识别的认识。因此稳定获得大量acyl-ACP是体外研究相关酶的催化机制及其代谢途径的关键。研究以holo-ACP和C4~C18链长脂肪酸为底物,在哈氏弧菌acyl-ACP合成酶(Vibrio harveyi acyl-ACP synthetase, VhAasS)催化下合成不同碳链长度的acyl-ACP;通过高效液相色谱(HPLC)方法,确定不同碳链长度acyl-ACP的合成产率。结果表明:碳链为C4~C14的acyl-ACP产率均高于90.0%,16:0-ACP产率为85.9%,18:1-ACP产率仅为25.7%。通过加入Li ⁺优化反应体系,16:0-ACP、18:1-ACP的产率达90.0%。进一步优化扩大反应体系可稳定获得20mg以上acyl-ACP;最后,把合成的acyl-ACP应用到甘油-3-磷酸酰基转移酶催化的反应体系中。不同链长acyl-ACP的规模化合成研究,为体外研究相关酶的催化机制提供重要基础。     

Estrogen-like effect of a Cimicifuga racemosa extract sub-fraction as assessed by in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro assays

Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) is used in the treatment of painful menstruation and menopausal symptoms. Data about the nature of the active compounds and mechanism(s) of action are still controversial, chiefly with respect to its estrogenic activity.

This work aimed to assess the possible estrogenic activity of a commercial dry hydro-alcoholic extract of C. racemosa and its hydrophilic and lipophilic sub-fractions on in vivo, ex vivo, and in vitro assays.

In a yeast estrogen screen, only the lipophilic sub-fraction was able to activate the human estrogen receptor , with a lower potency but comparable efficacy to that of 17 β-estradiol.

Neither the total extract nor the lipophilic sub-fraction showed an in vivo uterotrophic effect in 21-day-old rats. Uterine tissues obtained ex vivo from C. racemosa treated animals were generally much less sensitive to oxytocin, prostaglandin F_2, and bradykinin than tissues obtained from estradiol valerate treated rats.

The lipophilic sub-fraction, instead, induced a dose-dependent inhibitory activity on the in vitro response to oxytocin, prostaglandin F_2, and bradykinin of uterine horns from naïve 28-day-old rats, with a potency rate close to 1:30 of that of 17 β-estradiol.

Reported results confirm the effectiveness of C. racemosa in menstrual distress and further emphasize the possibility that lipophilic constituents bind to an as yet not identified estrogen receptor, likely inversely involved in inflammation.     

Phycomyces blakesleeanus car B mutants: Their use in assays of phytoene desaturase

Strains of car B (phytoene-accumulating) mutants of Phycomyces blakesleeanus have been characterized with respect to their carotene contents, in vitro formation of isoprenoids from [2-¹⁴C] mevalonic acid and their ability to produce [¹⁴C]phytoene in situ for use in coupled assays of phytoene desaturase activity. All strains produced predominantly (15-Z)-phytoene both in vivo and in vitro. Other isoprenoids were produced by cell extracts including squalene, sterols, prenyl diphosphates and prenyl alcohols. The addition of 1% Tween 60 to crude cell extracts of the mutants partially restored wild type carotenogenic activity and also altered the proportions of other isoprenoids formed. However, in a cytosolic fraction of the car B mutant, the addition of 1% Tween 60 did not result in the production of any carotenoid from phytoene. This fraction was the most effective source of [¹⁴C] phytoene for use in coupled assays of phytoene desaturase activity.