AHR,a novel acute hypoxia‐response sequence,drives reporter gene expression under hypoxia in vitro and in vivo

ADAMTS1 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 1) is an early immediate gene. We have previously reported that ADAMTS1 was strongly induced by hypoxia. In this study, we investigated whether ADAMTS1 promoter‐driven reporter signal is detectable by acute hypoxia. We constructed the GFP (green fluorescent protein) expression vector [AHR (acute hypoxia‐response sequence)‐GFP] under the control of ADAMTS1 promoter and compared it with the constitutive GFP‐expressing vector under the control of CMV (cytomegalovirus promoter‐GFP). We transduced AHR‐GFP and examined whether GFP signals can be detected under the acute hypoxia. When the human umbilical vein [HUVEC (human umbilical vein endothelial cells)] was transduced under normoxia, there were few GFP signals, while CMV‐GFP showed considerable GFP signals. When HUVEC was stimulated with hypoxia, GFP signals from AHR‐GFP gene were induced under hypoxic conditions. Notably, the GFP signals peaked at 3 h under hypoxia. In ischaemic hind limb model, transduced AHR‐GFP showed hypoxic induction of GFP signals. In summary, we have demonstrated that the AHR system induced the reporter gene expression by acute hypoxia, and its induction is transient. This is the first report showing the unique acute hypoxia‐activated gene expression system.     

Studies on the interactions of 3,6‐diaminoacridine derivatives with human serum albumin by fluorescence spectroscopy

This study reports the preparation and investigation of the modes of binding of the two symmetric 3,6‐diaminoacridine derivatives obtained from proflavine, which are 3,6‐diphenoxycarbonyl aminoacridine and 3,6‐diethoxycarbonyl aminoacridine to human serum albumin (HSA). The interaction of HSA with the derivatives was investigated using fluorescence quenching and ultraviolet‐visible absorption spectra at pH 7.2 and different temperatures. The results suggest that the derivatives used can interact strongly with HSA and are the formation of HSA‐derivative complexes and hydrophobic interactions as the predominant intermolecular forces in stabilizing for each complex. The Stern‐Volmer quenching constants, binding constants, binding sites and corresponding thermodynamic parameters ΔH, ΔS and ΔG were calculated at different temperatures. The binding distance (r) ~ 3 nm between the donor (HSA) and acceptors (3,6‐diethoxycarbonyl aminoacridine, 3,6‐diphenoxycarbonyl aminoacridine and proflavine) was obtained according to Förster's non‐radiative energy transfer theory. Moreover, the limit of detection and limit of quantification of derivatives were calculated in the presence of albumin. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

ADAMTS1 inhibits lymphangiogenesis by attenuating phosphorylation of the lymphatic endothelial cell-specific VEGF receptor

Angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis play roles in malignant tumor progression, dissemination, and metastasis. ADAMTS1, a member of the matrix metalloproteinase family, is known to inhibit angiogenesis. Recombinant ADAMTS1 was shown to strongly inhibit angiogenesis. We investigated whether ADAMTS1 inhibited lymphangiogenesis in the present study. We examined cell proliferation and cell migration in normal human dermal lymphatic microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-dLy) transduced with or without adenoviral human ADAMTS1 gene therapy. We then examined the VEGFC/VEGFR3 signal transduction pathway in ADAMTS1-transduced HMVEC-dLy. Cell proliferation and tube formation in Matrigel were significantly lower with transduced ADAMTS1 than with control (non-transduced HMVEC-dLy). The phosphorylation of VEGFR3 was also attenuated by ADAMTS1 gene therapy in HMVEC-dLy. Immunoprecipitation assays revealed that ADAMTS1 formed a complex with VEGFC. Our results demonstrated that ADAMTS1 inhibited lymphangiogenesis in vitro. The data highlight the new function of ADAMTS1 in the regulation of lymphangiogenesis and the therapeutic potential of ADAMTS1 in cancer therapy.     

Investigation of binding properties of dicationic styrylimidazo[1,2‐a]pyridinium dyes to human serum albumin by spectroscopic techniques

The binding interaction between two dicationic styrylimidazo[1,2‐a]pyridinium dyes and human serum albumin (HSA) was investigated at physiological conditions using fluorescence, UV–vis absorption, and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies. Analysis of the fluorescence titration data at different temperatures suggested that the fluorescence quenching mechanism of HSA by these dyes was static. The calculated thermodynamic parameters (ΔG°, ΔH° and ΔS°) indicated that hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces played a major role in the formation of the dye–HSA complex. Binding distances (r) between dyes and HSA were calculated according to Förster's non‐radiative energy transfer theory. Studies of conformational changes of HSA using CD measurements indicate that the α‐helical content of the protein decreased upon binding of the dyes. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Autumn migration of the White Stork,Ciconia ciconia,and the Black Stork,C. nigra,over the Bosphorus (Aves: Ciconiidae)

The Bosphorus is one of the main migration routes for soaring birds in Europe. Migrating White Storks and Black Storks have been counted at Büyük Çamlica hill in the four autumn seasons of 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 for 78 days each year. The numbers recorded are significantly lower than those counted in the1970’s, and it is discussed whether this decline could be related to a change in migration routes caused by an increase in the size of the urban area of the City of Istanbul. The population of Istanbul has increased from 3.0 million in 1970 to 13.2 million in 2010.     

Investigation of binding properties of two ethidium derivatives with serum albumins: spectral and computational approach

The interaction mechanisms of two ethidium derivatives, 3,8-dibenzoylamino-5-ethyl-6-phenylphenantridinium chloride (E2) and 3,8-diphenylacetylamino-5-ethyl-6-phenylphenantridinium chloride (E3) with serum albumins (BSA and HSA) have been investigated by a combined experimental and computational approach. Fluorescence quenching and UV–vis results revealed that the interaction of derivatives with albumins resulted in formation of ground-state complexes and the obtained Stern–Volmer quenching constants designate the presence of a static component in the quenching mechanisms. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔH and ΔS values) point out the ionic interactions play the major role in E2-BSA, E2-HSA and E3-HSA complexes. The van der Waals interactions are dominant forces in E3-BSA complex. Moreover, the obtained results in this study were supported with computational analyzes which have same tendency.