Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Prevents Methamphetamine-Induced Neurotoxicity

Methamphetamine (METH) is a potent psychostimulant with neurotoxic properties. Heavy use increases the activation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), production of peroxynitrites, microglia stimulation, and induces hyperthermia and anorectic effects. Most METH recreational users also consume cannabis. Preclinical studies have shown that natural (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol, Δ9-THC) and synthetic cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptor agonists exert neuroprotective effects on different models of cerebral damage. Here, we investigated the neuroprotective effect of Δ9-THC on METH-induced neurotoxicity by examining its ability to reduce astrocyte activation and nNOS overexpression in selected brain areas. Rats exposed to a METH neurotoxic regimen (4×10 mg/kg, 2 hours apart) were pre- or post-treated with Δ9-THC (1 or 3 mg/kg) and sacrificed 3 days after the last METH administration. Semi-quantitative immunohistochemistry was performed using antibodies against nNOS and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP). Results showed that, as compared to corresponding controls (i) METH-induced nNOS overexpression in the caudate-putamen (CPu) was significantly attenuated by pre- and post-treatment with both doses of Δ9-THC (−19% and −28% for 1 mg/kg pre- and post-treated animals; −25% and −21% for 3 mg/kg pre- and post-treated animals); (ii) METH-induced GFAP-immunoreactivity (IR) was significantly reduced in the CPu by post-treatment with 1 mg/kg Δ9-THC1 (−50%) and by pre-treatment with 3 mg/kg Δ9-THC (−53%); (iii) METH-induced GFAP-IR was significantly decreased in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) by pre- and post-treatment with both doses of Δ9-THC (−34% and −47% for 1 mg/kg pre- and post-treated animals; −37% and −29% for 3 mg/kg pre- and post-treated animals). The cannabinoid CB1 receptor antagonist SR141716A attenuated METH-induced nNOS overexpression in the CPu, but failed to counteract the Δ9-THC-mediated reduction of METH-induced GFAP-IR both in the PFC and CPu. Our results indicate that Δ9-THC reduces METH-induced brain damage via inhibition of nNOS expression and astrocyte activation through CB1-dependent and independent mechanisms, respectively.     

Cytochrome b5 augments 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ5-Δ4 isomerase activity

During adrenal steroidogenesis the competition between 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ(5)-Δ(4) isomerase (3βHSD) and cytochrome P450 17α-hydroxylase/17,20 lyase (CYP17A1) for Δ(5) steroid intermediates greatly influences steroidogenic output. Cytochrome-b(5) (Cyt-b(5)), a small electron transfer hemoprotein, known to augment the lyase activity of CYP17A1, has been shown to alter the steroidogenic outcome of this competition. In this study, the influence of Cyt-b(5) on 3βHSD activity was investigated. In COS-1 cells, Cyt-b(5) was shown to significantly increase the activity of both caprine and ovine 3βHSD towards pregnenolone, 17-OH pregnenolone and dehydroepiandrosterone in a substrate and species specific manner. Furthermore, kinetic studies revealed Cyt-b(5) to have no influence on the K(m) values while significantly increasing the V(max) values of ovine 3βHSD for all its respective substrates. In addition, the activity of ovine 3βHSD in microsomal preparations was significantly influenced by the addition of either purified Cyt-b(5) or anti-Cyt-b(5) IgG. The results presented in this study indicate that Cyt-b(5) augments 3βHSD activity and represents the first documentation of such augmentation in any species.     

Two Fatty Acid Elongases Possessing C18-Δ6/C18-Δ9/C20-Δ5 or C16-Δ9 Elongase Activity in Thraustochytrium sp. ATCC 26185

Thraustochytrids, unicellular eukaryotic marine protists, accumulate polyunsaturated fatty acids. Here, we report the molecular cloning and functional characterization of two fatty acid elongase genes (designated tselo1 and tselo2), which could be involved in the desaturase/elongase (standard) pathway in Thraustochytrium sp. ATCC 26185. TsELO1, the product of tselo1 and classified into a Δ6 elongase group by phylogenetic analysis, showed strong C18-Δ6 elongase activity and relatively weak C18-Δ9 and C20-Δ5 activities when expressed in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. TsELO2, classified into a Δ9 elongase subgroup, showed only C16-Δ9 activity. When expressed in Aurantiochytrium limacinum mh0186 using a thraustochytrid-derived promoter and a terminator, TsELO1 exhibited almost the same specificity as expressed in the yeast but TsELO2 showed weak C18-Δ9 activity, in addition to its main C16-Δ9 activity. These results suggest that TsELO1 functions not only as a C18-Δ6 and a C20-Δ5 elongase in the main route but also as a C18-Δ9 elongase in the alternative route of standard pathway, while TsELO2 functions mainly as a C16-Δ9 elongase generating vaccenic acid (C18:1n?7) in thraustochytrids. This is the first report describing a fatty acid elongase harboring C16-Δ9 activity in thraustochytrids.     

Δ~6-脂肪酸脱氢酶研究进展

从Δ~6-脂肪酸脱氢酶的分类地位、基因工程研究、结构功能和系统进化等方面探讨了Δ~6-脂肪酸脱氢酶的研究进展。     

OC-IΔD86 (Oryzacystatin-IΔD86)基因的原核表达及活性分析

根据OC-IΔD86基因序列, 设计合成了7条寡核苷酸片段, 通过重叠延伸PCR技术合成了OC-IΔD86基因, 利用设计好的BamH I/ Xho I酶切位点将OC-IΔD86基因克隆到原核表达载体pet21b中, 在1 mmol/L的IPTG 诱导后5 h, OC-IDD86融合基因在大肠杆菌中得到表达, 表达产物处于可溶状态, 其表达量占总蛋白的11.4%, 可溶性蛋白的16.4%; 利用Ni-NTA系统纯化该蛋白并经PEG20000浓缩后, 活性分析表明该蛋白酶抑制剂在体外表现出对木瓜蛋白酶明显的抑制作用。这为转OC-IΔD86基因的抗根结线虫植物基因工程抗体制备, 以及进一步体内的抗根结线虫研究奠定了基础。     

Impaired thymic selection and abnormal antigen-specific T cell responses in Foxn1(Δ/Δ) mutant mice

Background

Foxn1^Δ/Δ mutant mice have a specific defect in thymic development, characterized by a block in TEC differentiation at an intermediate progenitor stage, and blocks in thymocyte development at both the DN1 and DP cell stages, resulting in the production of abnormally functioning T cells that develop from an atypical progenitor population. In the current study, we tested the effects of these defects on thymic selection.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We used Foxn1^Δ/Δ; DO11 Tg and Foxn1^Δ/Δ; OT1 Tg mice as positive selection and Foxn1^Δ/Δ; MHCII I-E mice as negative selection models. We also used an in vivo system of antigen-specific reactivity to test the function of peripheral T cells. Our data show that the capacity for positive and negative selection of both CD4 and CD8 SP thymocytes was reduced in Foxn1^Δ/Δ mutants compared to Foxn1^+/Δ control mice. These defects were associated with reduction of both MHC Class I and Class II expression, although the resulting peripheral T cells have a broad TCR Vβ repertoire. In this deficient thymic environment, immature CD4 and CD8 SP thymocytes emigrate from the thymus into the periphery. These T cells had an incompletely activated profile under stimulation of the TCR signal in vitro, and were either hypersensitive or hyporesponsive to antigen-specific stimulation in vivo. These cell-autonomous defects were compounded by the hypocellular peripheral environment caused by low thymic output.

Conclusions/Significance

These data show that a primary defect in the thymic microenvironment can cause both direct defects in selection which can in turn cause indirect effects on the periphery, exacerbating functional defects in T cells.     

Δ5 Desaturase activity in rat kidney microsomes

Rat kidney microsomal fraction is able to catalyze the enzymatic desaturation of eicosatrienoic acid (20:3n-6) to arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) by the 5 desaturase pathway, in the presence of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), adenosinetriphosphate (ATP) and coenzyme A (CoA). The substrate of the reaction [1-¹⁴C]eicosa-8,11,14trienoic acid (20:3n-6), was separated from the product [1-¹⁴C]eicosa-5,8,11,14-tetraenoic acid (20:4n-6) by reverse phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). These fatty acids were individually collected by monitoring the eluent at 205 nm and their radioactivity was measured by liquid scintillation counting. The 5 desaturase activity in kidney microsomes increased linearly with the substrate concentration up to 20 M. Enzymatic activity was sensitive to pH with the maximum at 7.0 and was proportional with incubation time up to 10 min. The apparent Km and Vmax of 5 desaturase were 56 M and 60 pmoles·min^–1·mg^–1 microsomal protein, respectively. Neither the cytosolic renal fraction nor the cytosolic liver fraction enhanced the 5 desaturase activity. Contrary to a report but in accordance to others, the present results suggest that rat kidneys can synthesize arachidonic acid at least to satisfy partially their needs for eicosanoid production.     

Simultaneous determination of ΔG, ΔH and ΔS by an automatic microcalorimetric titration technique. Application to protein ligand binding

A methodological study has been made with a syringe titration unit attached to an LKB batch microcalorimeter. The presicion and accuracy of the instrument assembly have been evaluated by neutralization reactions and by dilution of sucrose solutions. As an example, heat quantities on the order of 10 mJ accompanying the addition of 10 μl titrant solution could be determined with an accuracy of better than 1%. A stepwise titration procedure was used to characterize the binding of indole-3-propionic acid to α-chymotrypsin. The following thermodynamic data were obtained (25°C, acetate buffer, pH 5.80): ΔG⁰ = ?18.46±0.17 kJ·mol^?1, ΔH⁰ = ?15.26±0.20 kJ·mol^?1, ΔS⁰ = 10.85±1.21 JK^?·mol^?1.     

登革病毒3'UTRΔ30系列疫苗的研究进展

登革病毒引发的登革热等疾病每年在全球范围内造成了相当大的经济、医疗、社会负担,严重威胁到人类生命健康。在目前研究的各种登革病毒疫苗中,采用反向遗传技术制得的3'UTRΔ30系列减毒活疫苗由于其免疫原性好,效价高,成本低等特点,在临床试验中展现出良好保护作用,研究推进快。能对四种血清型登革病毒都产生均衡免疫保护的3'UTRΔ30四联疫苗已处于III期临床试验阶段,效力强,不良反应少,待随访期结束后有望上市,是当今最有前景的登革减毒灭活疫苗之一。为更深入了解3'UTRΔ30系列疫苗,现主要从起源、制备方法、临床研究等方面进行介绍。     

Δ~6-脂肪酸脱氢酶的分子生物学研究进展

包括γ_亚麻酸在内的多不饱和脂肪酸由于在人类健康中的重要作用而成为有价值的产品 ,目前市场上对γ_亚麻酸的需求持续增长 ,然而当前来源难以满足市场的需求 ,寻找合适的替代来源将有助于解决这一问题。Δ6 _脂肪酸脱氢酶是多不饱和脂肪酸合成途径中的限速酶 ,这里从Δ6 _脂肪酸脱氢酶的基因克隆、结构和功能的研究、系统进化和基因工程应用等方面探讨了Δ6 _脂肪酸脱氢酶的研究进展。     

Synthesis and pharmacology of the isomeric methylheptyl-Δ-tetrahydrocannabinols

The synthesis of the 3-heptyl, and the eleven isomeric 3-methylheptyl-Δ⁸-tetrahydrocannabinols (3–7, R and S methyl epimers, and 8) has been carried out. The synthetic approach entailed the synthesis of substituted resorcinols, which were subjected to acid catalyzed condensation with trans-para-menthadienol to provide the Δ⁸-THC analogue. The 1′-, 2′- and 3′-methylheptyl analogues (3–5) are considerably more potent than Δ⁸-THC. The 4′-, 5′- and 6′-methylheptyl isomers (6–8) are approximately equal in potency to Δ⁸-THC.     

Functional desaturase Fads1 (Δ5) and Fads2 (Δ6) orthologues evolved before the origin of jawed vertebrates

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) such as arachidonic (ARA), eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids are essential components of biomembranes, particularly in neural tissues. Endogenous synthesis of ARA, EPA and DHA occurs from precursor dietary essential fatty acids such as linoleic and α-linolenic acid through elongation and Δ5 and Δ6 desaturations. With respect to desaturation activities some noteworthy differences have been noted in vertebrate classes. In mammals, the Δ5 activity is allocated to the Fads1 gene, while Fads2 is a Δ6 desaturase. In contrast, teleosts show distinct combinations of desaturase activities (e.g. bifunctional or separate Δ5 and Δ6 desaturases) apparently allocated to Fads2-type genes. To determine the timing of Fads1-Δ5 and Fads2-Δ6 evolution in vertebrates we used a combination of comparative and functional genomics with the analysis of key phylogenetic species. Our data show that Fads1 and Fads2 genes with Δ5 and Δ6 activities respectively, evolved before gnathostome radiation, since the catshark Scyliorhinus canicula has functional orthologues of both gene families. Consequently, the loss of Fads1 in teleosts is a secondary episode, while the existence of Δ5 activities in the same group most likely occurred through independent mutations into Fads2 type genes. Unexpectedly, we also establish that events of Fads1 gene expansion have taken place in birds and reptiles. Finally, a fourth Fads gene (Fads4) was found with an exclusive occurrence in mammalian genomes. Our findings enlighten the history of a crucially important gene family in vertebrate fatty acid metabolism and physiology and provide an explanation of how observed lineage-specific gene duplications, losses and diversifications might be linked to habitat-specific food web structures in different environments and over geological timescales.     

Occurrence of 24-ethyl-Δ5- and 24-ethyl-Δ7-sterols as c-24 epimerics mixtures in seeds of Cucumis sativus

¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy have demonstrated that the 24-ethyl-5α-cholesta-7, trans-22-dien-3β-ol, 24-ethylcholest-5-en-3β-ol an     

Δ5-3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ5-Δ4-ketosteroid isomerase (3β-HSD), a possible enzyme of cardiac glycoside biosynthesis,in cell cultures and plants of Digitalis lanata EHRH

Summary The in vitro transformation of pregnenolone into progesterone in Digitalis lanata tissues was shown to be catalyzed by a 3-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/ketosteroid isomerase (3-HSD). Product formation was monitored by HPLC. The enzyme could be partially characterized and 3-HSD activities were measured in various Digitalis lanata tissues and in cell cultures of other plant species. Since no correlation was observed between biosynthetic competence of the tissue and 3-HSD activity, it was concluded that this enzyme does not play a major role in regulating cardenolide biosynthesis.Abbreviations BA benzyladenine - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - DMSO dimethyl sulfoxide - DMF N,N-dimethylformamide - IAA indole-3-acetic acid     

锦鲤Δ6脂肪酸去饱和酶基因克隆及表达研究

旨在揭示变温鱼类合成HUFAs过程中的关键酶及其功能,以锦鲤(Cyprinus carpiokoi)为材料,通过RT-PCR扩增获得了一段长度为854 bp的Δ6脂肪酸去饱和酶基因的c DNA序列片段,并对其进行了序列分析和蛋白产物结构预测。结果显示,该片段与南亚野鲮(Labeo rohita)Δ6脂肪酸去饱和酶基因有93.5%的同源性,编码的蛋白产物具有典型的Δ6脂肪酸去饱和酶结构特点,包含2个组氨酸保守区(HDFGH、HFQHH)和2个跨膜结构域。荧光定量PCR表明,Δ6脂肪酸去饱和酶在锦鲤肝脏中的表达量最高,在肠、脑和心脏中表达量依次降低,而在肌肉和鳃的表达量相对较低。幼鱼在不同培养水温下,各组织中该基因的表达量均随温度的下降而升高,以适应低温环境。     

Δ5-3β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in differentiating chick gonads

Summary A histochemical technique for 3-hydroxysteroid-dehydrogenase was applied to chick embryonic gonads between the seventh and fourteenth day of incubation. Up to the sixth and seventh day, the undifferentiated gonads gave negative reactions. Eleven out of twenty-eight ovaries of eight days showed some reaction and all ovaries over that age a stronger reaction, which was localized in isolated groups of cells distributed between medullary lacunae. Testes were negative before the tenth day, showing after that time an atypical and possibly unspecific reaction consisting of a diffuse purple stain of testicular cords. Adrenal glands were positive at all ages. The interpretation of these facts is discussed in relation to the production of steroid hormones by the embryonic gonads and their possible role in sex differentiation.This work was supported by a grant from the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas of Argentina. Dr. Narbaitz holds a research position of the same Institution.