α-MSH Stimulates Glucose Uptake in Mouse Muscle and Phosphorylates Rab-GTPase-Activating Protein TBC1D1 Independently of AMPK

The melanocortin system includes five G-protein coupled receptors (family A) defined as MC1R-MC5R, which are stimulated by endogenous agonists derived from proopiomelanocortin (POMC). The melanocortin system has been intensely studied for its central actions in body weight and energy expenditure regulation, which are mainly mediated by MC4R. The pituitary gland is the source of various POMC-derived hormones released to the circulation, which raises the possibility that there may be actions of the melanocortins on peripheral energy homeostasis. In this study, we examined the molecular signaling pathway involved in α-MSH-stimulated glucose uptake in differentiated L6 myotubes and mouse muscle explants. In order to examine the involvement of AMPK, we investigate α-MSH stimulation in both wild type and AMPK deficient mice. We found that α-MSH significantly induces phosphorylation of TBC1 domain (TBC1D) family member 1 (S237 and T596), which is independent of upstream PKA and AMPK. We find no evidence to support that α-MSH-stimulated glucose uptake involves TBC1D4 phosphorylation (T642 and S704) or GLUT4 translocation.     

Delineation of the clotrimazole/TRAM-34 binding site on the intermediate conductance calcium-activated potassium channel, IKCa1.

Selective and potent triarylmethane blockers of the intermediate conductance calcium-activated potassium channel, IKCa1, have therapeutic use in sickle cell disease and secretory diarrhea and as immunosuppressants. Clotrimazole, a membrane-permeant triarylmethane, blocked IKCa1 with equal affinity when applied externally or internally, whereas a membrane-impermeant derivative TRAM-30 blocked the channel only when applied to the cytoplasmic side, indicating an internal drug-binding site. Introduction of the S5-P-S6 region of the triarylmethane-insensitive small conductance calcium-activated potassium channel SKCa3 into IKCa1 rendered the channel resistant to triarylmethanes. Replacement of Thr(250) or Val(275) in IKCa1 with the corresponding SKCa3 residues selectively abolished triarylmethane sensitivity without affecting the affinity of the channel for tetraethylammonium, charybdotoxin, and nifedipine. Introduction of these two residues into SKCa3 rendered the channel sensitive to triarylmethanes. In a molecular model of IKCa1, Thr(250) and Val(275) line a water-filled cavity just below the selectivity filter. Structure-activity studies suggest that the side chain methyl groups of Thr(250) and Val(275) may lock the triarylmethanes in place via hydrophobic interactions with the pi-electron clouds of the phenyl rings. The heterocyclic moiety may project into the selectivity filter and obstruct the ion-conducting pathway from the inside.     

A lamB expression plasmid for extending the host range of phage λ to other enterobacteria

Abstract We have constructed a multicopy plasmid vector (pAMH62) expressing lamB , the gene coding for the phage λ receptor protein in Escherichia coli . In this construction, the lamB structural gene was fused to the ompR promoter of E. coli . The ompR promoter was employed because: (i) it can function in other gram negative bacteria; (ii) it expresses lamB in a multicopy state at a level comparable to that of maltose-induced chromosomal lamB in E. coli . The vector pAMH62 was tested in E. coli and Salmonella typhimurium . In both cases the LamB protein was produced in similar amounts, was properly integrated to the outer membrane and was functional as phage λ receptor. Thus pAMH62 should provide a useful tool for extending the host range of phage λ and λ-derived vectors to other Gram-negative bacteria.     

The ability of the biological control agent Bacillus subtilis, strain BB, to colonise vegetable brassicas endophytically following seed inoculation

The ability of Bacillus subtilis, strain BB, to colonise cabbage seedlings endophytically was examined following seed inoculation. Strain BB was recovered from different plant parts including leaves (cotyledons), stem (hypocotyl) and roots. While high bacterial populations persisted in the roots and lower stem, they were lower in the upper stem and leaves through time. In addition to cabbage, strain BB colonised endophytically the roots of 5 other vegetable brassicas. Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) and PCR fingerprinting analysis confirmed the reliability of the detection method. Studies conducted with transmission electron microscope (TEM) showed that BB mainly colonised intercellular spaces of cortical tissues including intercellular spaces close to the conducting elements of roots and stem of cabbage seedlings. Gold labelling was specifically associated with BB and the fibrillar material filling the intercellular spaces where bacterial cells were found.     

Non-Selective Calcium Channel Blocker Bepridil Decreases Secondary Pathology in Mice after Photothrombotic Cortical Lesion

Experimental studies have identified a complex link between neurodegeneration, β-amyloid (Aβ) and calcium homeostasis. Here we asked whether early phase β-amyloid pathology in transgenic hAPP_SL mice exaggerates the ischemic lesion and remote secondary pathology in the thalamus, and whether a non-selective calcium channel blocker reduces these pathologies. Transgenic hAPP_SL (n = 33) and non-transgenic (n = 30) male mice (4–5 months) were subjected to unilateral cortical photothrombosis and treated with the non-selective calcium channel blocker bepridil (50 mg/kg, p.o., once a day) or vehicle for 28 days, starting administration 2 days after the operation. Animals were then perfused for histological analysis of infarct size, Aβ and calcium accumulation in the thalamus. Cortical photothrombosis resulted in a small infarct, which was associated with atypical Aβ and calcium accumulation in the ipsilateral thalamus. Transgenic mice had significantly smaller infarct volumes than non-transgenic littermates (P<0.05) and ischemia-induced rodent Aβ accumulation in the thalamus was lower in transgenic mice compared to non-transgenic mice (P<0.01). Bepridil decreased calcium load in the thalamus (P<0.01). The present data suggest less pronounced primary and secondary pathology in hAPP_SL transgenic mice after ischemic cortical injury. Bepridil particularly decreased calcium pathology in the thalamus following ischemia.     

The impact of a salinity barrier on the partitioning of heavy metals in sediments of a tropical backwater system

Abstract

Concentrations of heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu and Fe) in surface sediments and their partitioning behaviour between exchangeable, reducible (Fe-Mn oxide bound) and organic/residual phases of the sediments in a typical backwater system of Kerala, viz. the southern upstream part of Cochin Estuarine System (South India), have been studied. Spatial and temporal variations of trace metals are discussed with special reference to pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity, organic carbon and texture of sediment. Metal concentrations in the tide gated part of the estuary were found to be significantly higher when compared to metal concentrations reported from the unrestricted part of the Cochin estuarine system and also those from many of the unpolluted estuaries worldwide. The higher levels of heavy metals in the study area and their characteristic distribution and partitioning behaviour in the surficial sediments were attributed to the presence of a salinity barrier across the backwater system and also by the massive use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in the vast area of agricultural land near the backwater system.