Synthesis and Physiological Activity of Methyl 6′6′-Didemethyl Abscisate and New Chiral Analogs

Methyl 6′, 6′-didemethyl abscisate (5) was synthesized and assayed to elucidate the physiological activity of methyl substituents on the cyclohexene ring of abscisic acid (ABA). During this study two new chiral stereoisomeric analogs 6 and 7 were synthesized from l-and d-carvone. The rice seedling assay and germination assay of garden radish showed that 6′-methyl groups of ABA were not important in biological activity and that 5′-isopropenyl analogs 6 and 7 were inactive.     

Leukotriene D4 activates distinct G-proteins in intestinal epithelial cells to regulate stress fibre formation and to generate intracellular Ca2+ mobilisation and ERK1/2 activation

We have shown that the pro-inflammatory mediator LTD4, via its G-protein-coupled receptor CysLT1, signals through both pertussis-toxin-sensitive and -insensitive G-proteins to induce various cellular responses. To further characterise the initial step of the different signalling pathways emanating from the CysLT1 receptor, we transfected intestinal epithelial cells, Int 407, with different mini vectors that each express a specific inhibitory peptide directed against a unique alpha subunit of a specific heterotrimeric G-protein. Our results revealed that LTD4-induced stress fibre formation is inhibited approximately 80% by a vector expressing an inhibitory peptide against the pertussis-toxin-insensitive Galpha12-protein in intestinal epithelial Int 407 cells. Control experiments revealed that the LPA-induced stress fibre formation, mediated via the Galpha12-protein in other cell types, was blocked by the same peptide in intestinal Int 407 cells. Furthermore, the CysLT1-receptor-mediated calcium signal and activation of the proliferative ERK1/2 kinase are blocked in cells transfected with a vector expressing an inhibitory peptide against the Galphai3-protein, whereas in cells transfected with an empty ECFP-vector or vectors expressing inhibitory peptides against the Galphai1-2-, Galpha12-, GalphaR-proteins these signals are not significantly affected. Consequently, the CysLT1 receptor has the capacity to activate at least two distinctly different heterotrimeric G-proteins that transduce activation of unique downstream cellular events.     

Increase in IP3 and intracellular Ca2+ induced by phosphate depletion in LLC-PK 1 cells

The mechanisms by which Pi depletion rapidly regulates gene expression and cellular function have not been clarified. Here, we found a rapid increase in intracellular ionized calcium [Ca(2+)](i) by phosphate depletion in LLC-PK(1) cells using confocal microscopy with the green-fluorescence protein based calcium indicator "yellow cameleon 2.1." The increase of [Ca(2+)](i) was observed in the presence or absence of extracellular Ca(2+). At the same time, an approximately twofold increase in intracellular inositol 1,4,5-triphosphate (IP(3)) occurred in response to the acute Pi depletion in the medium. Furthermore, 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate completely blocked the [Ca(2+)](i) increase induced by Pi depletion. These results suggest that Pi depletion causes IP(3)-mediated release of Ca(2+) from intracellular Ca(2+) pools and rapidly increases [Ca(2+)](i) in LLC-PK(1) cells.     

c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase decreases ubiquitination and promotes stabilization of p21(WAF1/CIP1) in K562 cell

Proteasome-dependent degradation of regulatory proteins is a known mechanism of cell cycle control. p21(WAF1/CIP1) (p21), a negative regulator of the cell division cycle, exhibits proteasome-sensitive turnover and ubiquitination. In the present study, we analyzed the regulatory effects of JNK1 on p21 protein accumulation in p53 null K562 cells. We found that JNK1 (wild type, WT) mediated H(2)O(2)-induced p21 protein up-regulation. Over-expression of JNK1 (WT) could elevate endogenous p21 protein level but did not affect p21 mRNA level and also prolong the p21 half-life as well as inhibited the p21 ubiquitination. These findings indicated that JNK1 could regulate cellular p21 level via inhibiting ubiquitination of p21, which provided a new insight for analyzing the regulatory effect of JNK after stress.     

应用15N示踪研究欧美杨对PM2.5无机成分NH4+和NO3-的吸收与分配

通过气溶胶发生系统模拟PM2.5颗粒的发生,运用15N示踪技术研究了欧美杨107(Populus euramericana Neva.)对PM2.5中水溶性无机成分NH+4和NO-3的吸收与分配规律。结果表明,欧美杨能够有效吸收PM2.5中的NH+4和NO-3。轻度和重度污染下,欧美杨叶片对NH+4和NO-3的吸收速率均于处理后第1天达到峰值,之后,轻度污染下对NH+4和NO-3的吸收速率迅速降低以后趋于稳定,而重度污染下对NH+4和NO-3的吸收速率缓慢下降至趋于稳定。轻度污染下的欧美杨叶片的15N含量在处理后第1天达到峰值,15N(NH+4)的含量为0.11 mg/g,干重,15N(NO-3)的为0.14 mg/g,干重,之后15N含量迅速下降至趋于稳定。重度污染下的叶片15N含量在处理第1天迅速增长,之后缓慢增长至处理后第7天达到最高值,15N(NH+4)的含量为0.11 mg/g,干重,15N(NO-3)的为0.13 mg/g,干重。处理7 d后,欧美杨不同组织器官吸收或通过再分配获取的15N含量存在差异。轻度污染下,细根对NH+4和NO-3的吸收量最高,树皮、叶柄、叶片次之,髓最低。而重度污染下,叶片对NH+4和NO-3的吸收量最高,细根、叶柄、树皮次之,髓最低。欧美杨各组织器官中NH+4和NO-3的含量均表现为重度污染大于轻度污染,且两种污染程度下的欧美杨各组织器官对NO-3的吸收均大于对NH+4的吸收。重度污染下,欧美杨茎木质部对15N(NH+4和NO-3)的吸收征调能力(Ndff,Nitrogen derived from fertilizer)最大,其次为髓,叶片最小;欧美杨各组织器官中的15N分配率表现为叶片细根叶柄树皮粗根茎木质部髓。研究结果对进一步揭示植物吸收PM2.5的机制及有效利用植物降低颗粒物污染、净化环境提供了重要的科学理论依据。     

Gangliosides modulate the activity of the plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase from porcine brain synaptosomes

We systematically examined the effects of gangliosides on the plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase (PMCA) from porcine brain synaptosomes. Our results showed that GD1b (two sialic acid residues) stimulated the activity, GM1 (one sialic acid residue) slightly reduced the activity, while asialo-GM1 (no sialic acid residue) markedly inhibited it, suggesting that sialic acid residues of gangliosides are important in the modulation of the PMCA. We also examined the oligosaccharide effects by using GM1, GM2, and GM3 whose only difference was in the length of their oligosaccharide chain. GM1, GM2, and GM3 reduced the enzyme activities, whereas GM2 and GM3 were potent inhibitors. Gangliosides affect both affinity for Ca(2+) and the Vmax of enzyme. It was observed that GD1b and GM2 increased the affinity of the enzyme for Ca(2+). GD1b, GM2 affected the Vmax with an increase of GD1b, but decreases of GM2. The study of the affinity for ATP and the Vmax of enzyme in the presence of gangliosides showed that GD1b and GM2 had little effect on the ATP binding to the enzyme, but the Vmax was apparently changed. Moreover, the effects of gangliosides are additive to that of calmodulin, suggesting that the modulation of PMCA by gangliosides should be through a different mechanism. The conformational changes induced by gangliosides were probed by fluorescence quenching. We found that fluorescent quenchers (I(-) and Cs(+)) with opposite charges had different accessibility to the IAEDANS binding to the PMCA in the presence of gangliosides. An apparent red shift (25nm) with increased maximum of fluorescence spectrum was also observed in the presence of GD1b.     

Ganglioside GM2 modulates the erythrocyte Ca2+-ATPase through its binding to the calmodulin-binding domain and its 'receptor'

We have previously demonstrated that gangliosides were able to modulate the plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase (PMCA) from porcine brain synaptosomes and porcine erythrocytes [Y. Zhao, X. Fan, F. Yang, X. Zhang, Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 427 (2004) 204-212 and J. Zhang, Y. Zhao, J. Duan, F. Yang, X. Zhang, Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 444 (2005) 1-6]. The results indicated that the PMCA from porcine erythrocytes responded to gangliosides was different from that from synaptosomes, suggesting that the effects of gangliosides on the PMCA are isoform specific. Most interestingly, GM2 activated the PMCA from porcine erythrocytes at lower concentrations, but inhibited it at higher concentrations. In the present study, we found that GD1b, GM1 and GM3 did not affect the calpain digested PMCA from porcine erythrocytes or the intact enzyme in the presence of calmodulin, while GM2 inhibited it. Moreover, a synthetic peptide of 17 amino acid residues corresponding to the 'receptor' of the calmodulin-binding domain of the enzyme interfered with the inhibition of the enzyme by GM2 in competition assays. Taken together, our results suggested that gangliosides GD1b, GM1, GM2 (lower concentrations) and GM3 stimulated the PMCA by the interaction with calmodulin-binding domain, while the interaction of GM2 with the 'receptor' of the calmodulin-binding domain of the enzyme led to the inhibition of the enzyme.     

Gangliosides activate the phosphatase activity of the erythrocyte plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase

The previous studies showed that gangliosides modulated the ATPase activity of the PMCA from porcine brain synaptosomes [Yongfang Zhao, Xiaoxuan Fan, Fuyu Yang, Xujia Zhang, Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 427 (2004) 204-212]. The effects of gangliosides on the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP) catalyzed by the erythrocyte plasma membrane Ca(2+)-ATPase, which was characterized as E(2) conformer of the enzyme, were studied. The results showed that pNPPase activity was stimulated up to seven-fold, depending upon the different gangliosides used with GD1b>GM1>GM2>GM3 approximately Asialo-GM1. Under the same conditions, the ATPase activity was also activated, suggesting that gangliosides should modify both E(1) and E(2) conformer of the enzyme. The Ca(2+), which drove the enzyme to E(1) conformation, inhibited the pNPPase activity, but with the similar half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC(50)) in the presence and the absence of gangliosides. Moreover, the pNPPase activity was also inhibited by the raise in ATP concentrations. Gangliosides caused a large increase in V(max), but had no effect on the apparent affinity (K(m)) of the enzyme for pNPP. The kinetic analysis indicated that gangliosides could modulate the erythrocyte PMCA through stabilizing E(2) conformer.     

Nuclear magnetic resonance studies of Ba1 bacterium and some model systems

Lithium NMR relaxation times of some model systems and E. coli cells in high LiCl concentration were measured. The lithium NMR relaxation times were compared to the relaxation times in the holotolerant bacterium Ba₁ (Goldberg, M., Risk, M. and Gilboa, H. (1983) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 763, 35–40). Complementary studies of the water protons NMR relaxation times were carried out. It is suggested that the lithium in the H.S. Ba₁ bacterium is occulated in small pores of the cell envelope.     

免耕稻田氮肥运筹对土壤NH3挥发及氮肥利用率的影响

通过大田试验,设置5种不同的施肥比例(基肥:分蘖肥:拔节肥:穗肥-2:2:3:3(R1)、3:2:2:3(R2)、4:2:2:2(R3)、4:3:1:2(R4)与0:0:0:0(CK)),研究氮肥运筹对稻田NH₃挥发和氮肥利用率的影响。结果表明,(1)相对于不施肥,施肥显著提高了稻田NH₃挥发量。氮肥施用后,NH₃挥发损失量占施氮量的6.2%-8.5%,其中,以分蘖期NH₃挥发损失量最大,齐穗期次之,苗期和拔节期最小。施肥处理间,处理R1稻田累积NH₃挥发量最小,显著低于其它施肥处理,比处理R2、R3和R4分别低9.1%(P<0.05)、10.9%(P<0.05)和17.7%(P<0.05)。(2)相关分析表明,田面水NH₄⁺、pH值和土壤NH₄⁺和pH值均与稻田土壤NH₃挥发通量呈显著或者极显著相关;(3)处理R1水稻氮肥利用率相对于处理R2、R3和R4增加了28.4%(P<0.05)、55.4%(P<0.05)和74.9%(P<0.05)。研究表明,氮肥后移能有效降低免耕稻田NH₃挥发,提高水稻的氮肥利用率。     

Hydrogen peroxide mediates arsenite activation of p70(s6k) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase

To define the mechanism of arsenite-induced tumor promotion, we examined the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the signaling pathways of cells exposed to arsenite. Arsenite treatment resulted in the persistent activation of p70(s6k) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) which was accompanied by an increase in intracellular ROS production. The predominant produced appeared to be H(2)O(2), because the arsenite-induced increase in dichlorofluorescein (DCF) fluorescence was completely abolished by pretreatment with catalase but not with heat-inactivated catalase. Elimination of H(2)O(2) by catalase or N-acetyl-L-cysteine inhibited the arsenite-induced activation of p70(s6k) and ERK1/2, indicating the possible role of H(2)O(2) in the arsenite activation of the p70(s6k) and the ERK1/2 signaling pathways. A specific inhibitor of p70(s6k), rapamycin, and calcium chelators significantly blocked the activation of p70(s6k) induced by arsenite. While the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitors wortmannin and LY294002 completely abrogated arsenite activation of p70(s6k), ERK1/2 activation by arsenite was not affected by these inhibitors, indicating that H(2)O(2) might act as an upstream molecule of PI3K as well as ERK1/2. Consistent with these results, none of the inhibitors impaired H(2)O(2) production by arsenite. DNA binding activity of AP-1, downstream of ERK1/2, was also inhibited by catalase, N-acetyl-L-cysteine, and the MEK inhibitor PD98059, which significantly blocked arsenite activation of ERK1/2. Taken together, these studies provide insight into mechanisms of arsenite-induced tumor promotion and suggest that H(2)O(2) plays a critical role in tumor promotion by arsenite through activation of the ERK1/2 and p70(s6k) signaling pathways.     

The neutrophil NADPH oxidase.

The NADPH oxidase of phagocytes catalyzes the conversion of oxygen to O2(-). This multicomponent enzyme complex contains five essential protein components, two in the membrane and three in the cytosol. Unassembled and inactive in resting phagocytes, the oxidase becomes active after translocation of cytosolic components to the membrane to assemble a functional oxidase. Multiple factors regulate its assembly and activity, thus serving to maintain this highly reactive system under spatial and temporal control until recruited for antimicrobial or proinflammatory events. The recent identification of homologs of one of the membrane components in nonphagocytic cells will expand understanding of the biological contexts in which this system may function.     

Intracellular calcium puffs in osteoclasts

We studied intracellular calcium ([Ca(2+)](i)) in acid-secreting bone-attached osteoclasts, which produce a high-calcium acidic extracellular compartment. Acid secretion and [Ca(2+)](i) were followed using H(+)-restricted dyes and fura-2 or fluo-3. Whole cell calcium of acid-secreting osteoclasts was approximately 100 nM, similar to cells on inert substrate that do not secrete acid. However, measurements in restricted areas of the cell showed [Ca(2+)](i) transients to 500-1000 nM consistent with calcium puffs, transient (millisecond) localized calcium elevations reported in other cells. Spot measurements at 50-ms intervals indicated that puffs were typically less than 400 ms. Transients did not propagate in waves across the cell in scanning confocal measurements. Calcium puffs occurred mainly over regions of acid secretion as determined using lysotracker red DND99 and occurred at irregular periods averaging 5-15 s in acid secreting cells, but were rare in lysotracker-negative nonsecretory cells. The calmodulin antagonist trifluoperazine, cell-surface calcium transport inhibitors lanthanum or barium, and the endoplasmic reticulum ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin had variable acute effects on the mean [Ca(2+)](i) and puff frequency. However, none of these agents prevented calcium puff activity, suggesting that the mechanism producing the puffs is independent of these processes. We conclude that [Ca(2+)](i) transients in osteoclasts are increased in acid-secreting osteoclasts, and that the puffs occur mainly near the acid-transporting membrane. Cell membrane acid transport requires calcium, suggesting that calcium puffs function to maintain acid secretion. However, membrane H(+)-ATPase activity was insensitive to calcium in the 100 nM-1 microM range. Thus, any effects of calcium puffs on osteoclastic acid transport must be indirect.     

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ and related peptides reduce the increase in plasma corticosterone elicited in mice by an intracerebroventricular injection

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (=N/OFQ), the endogenous ligand of ORL1 receptor (=NOP), has been reported to induce, in rodents, after intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration, anti-stress and anxiolytic effects. We have observed that the handling of mice followed by an i.c.v. injection of saline, induced a marked increase in the plasma corticosterone level (+250%) measured 30 minutes later. When N/OFQ was injected intracerebroventricularly, using a 1 microg dose, the increase in plasma corticosterone was significantly lower than in saline injected mice. N/OFQ(1-13)NH(2), known as a NOP receptor agonist, at the same 1 microg dose, also induced a lesser increase in plasma corticosterone level than a saline i.c.v. injection. The pseudopeptide [Phe(1)-psi(CH(2)-NH)Gly(2)]N/OFQ(1-13)NH(2), defined either as an agonist or an antagonist of NOP receptor, at the 0.1 microg dose, behaved in a similar manner as N/OFQ, by decreasing the plasma corticosterone level. Finally, [Nphe(1)]N/OFQ(1-13)NH(2), although presumed to be a selective NOP receptor antagonist, also decreased the corticosterone level at the 0.1 microg dose. These observations suggest the implication of N/OFQ in the regulation of response to stress, through an action on the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis. Moreover, they evidence a similar effect of N/OFQ and N/OFQ(1-13)NH(2), but also of two other related peptides displaying antagonist properties on NOP receptors. These data suggest that several subtypes of N/OFQ receptors could exist.     

TRPA1 ion channel stimulation enhances cardiomyocyte contractile function via a CaMKII-dependent pathway

Rationale: Transient receptor potential channels of the ankyrin subtype-1 (TRPA1) are non-selective cation channels that show high permeability to calcium. Previous studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that TRPA1 ion channels are expressed in adult mouse ventricular cardiomyocytes (CMs) and are localized at the z-disk, costamere and intercalated disk. The functional significance of TRPA1 ion channels in the modulation of CM contractile function have not been explored.

Objective: To identify the extent to which TRPA1 ion channels are involved in modulating CM contractile function and elucidate the cellular mechanism of action.

Methods and Results: Freshly isolated CMs were obtained from murine heart and loaded with Fura-2 AM. Simultaneous measurement of intracellular free Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_i) and contractility was performed in individual CMs paced at 0.3 Hz. Our findings demonstrate that TRPA1 stimulation with AITC results in a dose-dependent increase in peak [Ca²⁺]_i and a concomitant increase in CM fractional shortening. Further analysis revealed a dose-dependent acceleration in time to peak [Ca²⁺]_i and velocity of shortening as well as an acceleration in [Ca²⁺]_i decay and velocity of relengthening. These effects of TRPA1 stimulation were not observed in CMs pre-treated with the TRPA1 antagonist, HC-030031 (10 µmol/L) nor in CMs obtained from TRPA1^?/? mice. Moreover, we observed no significant increase in cAMP levels or PKA activity in response to TRPA1 stimulation and the PKA inhibitor peptide (PKI 14–22; 100 nmol/L) failed to have any effect on the TRPA1-mediated increase in CM contractile function. However, TRPA1 stimulation resulted in a rapid phosphorylation of Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) (1–5 min) that correlated with increases in CM [Ca²⁺]_i and contractile function. Finally, all aspects of TRPA1-dependent increases in CM [Ca²⁺]_i, contractile function and CaMKII phosphorylation were virtually abolished by the CaMKII inhibitors, KN-93 (10 µmol/L) and autocamtide-2-related peptide (AIP; 20 µmol/L).

Conclusions: These novel findings demonstrate that stimulation of TRPA1 ion channels in CMs results in activation of a CaMKII-dependent signaling pathway resulting in modulation of intracellular Ca²⁺ availability and handling leading to increases in CM contractile function. Cardiac TRPA1 ion channels may represent a novel therapeutic target for increasing the inotropic and lusitropic state of the heart.     

Involvement of aquaporin in thromboxane A2 receptor-mediated, G12/13/RhoA/NHE-sensitive cell swelling in 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells

The physiological role of the thromboxane A₂ (TXA₂) receptor expressed on glial cells remains unclear. We previously reported that 1321N1 human astrocytoma cells pretreated with dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) became swollen in response to U46619, a TXA₂ analogue. In the present study, we examined the detailed mechanisms of TXA₂ receptor-mediated cell swelling in 1321N1 cells. The cell swelling caused by U46619 was suppressed by expression of p115-RGS, an inhibitory peptide of Gα_12/13 pathway and C3 toxin, an inhibitory protein for RhoA. The swelling was also inhibited by treatment with Y27632, a Rho kinase inhibitor and 5-(ethyl-N-isopropyl)amiloride (EIPA), a Na⁺/H⁺-exchanger inhibitor. Furthermore, cell swelling was suppressed by the pretreatment with aquaporin inhibitors mercury chloride or phloretin in a concentration-dependent manner, suggesting that aquaporins are involved in U46619-induced 1321N1 cell swelling. In fact, U46619 caused [³H]H₂O influx into the cells, which was inhibited by p115-RGS, C3 toxin, EIPA, mercury chloride and phloretin. This is the first report that the TXA₂ receptor mediates water influx through aquaporins in astrocytoma cells via TXA₂ receptor-mediated activation of Gα_12/13, Rho A, Rho kinase and Na⁺/H⁺-exchanger.     

The Type III Connecting Segment of Fibronectin Contains an Aspartic Acid Residue that Regulates the Rate of Binding to Integrin α4β1

The type III connecting segment (IIICS) within fibronectin is the major binding site for the integrin α⁴β₁. Most integrin ligands have an essential acidic residue within their integrin binding site, in IIICS this residue is hypothesized to be the aspartic acid at position 21. Alanine scanning mutagenesis was used to determine the amino acid residues within the intact IIICS domain required for interaction with α⁴β₁. IIICS was cloned and expressed as a fusion protein with glutathione S-transferase. This recombinant form of IIICS supports the adhesion of CHO cells that express human α⁴β₁in a cation dependent manner. Alanine scanning mutagenesis of the EILDVP sequence in recombinant IIICS demonstrated that only two of these residues are critical for adhesion of α⁴β₁expressing cells. Mutations of leucine at position 20 and aspartic acid at position 21 to alanine significantly reduced cell adhesion. Conservative mutations of aspartic acid at position 21 to asparagine or glutamic acid also reduced the ability of the recombinant protein to support cell adhesion, although not to the same extent as the corresponding alanine replacement. Most importantly, we show that although the mutation of asp 21 impairs cell adhesion, an examination of cell adhesion as a function of time demonstrated that asp 21 is not necessary for cell adhesion through α⁴β₁. In comparison to wild type IIICS, the asp 21 to ala mutant supported minimal adhesion at early time points (10-30 min.), but was equivalent to wild type IIICS in supporting adhesion over one hour.     

Scavenging of free radicals in gas-phase mainstream cigarette smoke by immobilized catalase at filter level

Catalase is well known as capable of inducing the decomposition of H₂O₂. In this study, a kind of immobilized catalase (entrapped in cross-linked chitosan beads) was dispersed in conventional acetate filter as an antioxidant additive. Quantitative estimation of the free radicals in mainstream cigarette smoke (MCS) was performed to address the effect of this modified filter. It was found that the levels of PBN adduct and NO^?/NO₂^? associated with the gas-phase mainstream cigarette smoke (GPCS) were efficiently decreased by ～40% through catalase filtering. Besides, the modified filter was found to lower the MCS-induced adverse biological effects including lipid peroxidation and mutagenicity. This was proved to be substantially attributed to the catalase-dependent breakdown of NO^?, which was stimulated by some of peroxides (most probably being H₂O₂), the dismutation products of tar particulate matters (TPM). These results highlighted a promising approach to reduce the smoking-associated health risks to passive smokers. Moreover, the mechanisms of catalase filtering may be helpful for the development of appropriate immobilized enzyme systems to be applied for reducing health risks associated with gaseous pollutants.     

Facile synthesis and cytotoxicity of triterpenoid saponins bearing a unique disaccharide moiety: hederacolchiside A1 and its analogues

An improved synthetic approach toward hederacolchiside A1, an antitumor triterpenoid saponin bearing a unique disaccharide moiety, was established. This approach began from a partially protected intermediate and avoided tedious protection-deprotection manipulation. An abnormal ring conformation (1C4) of the center arabinose residue was found in the intermediate, which may account for the unusual regioselectivity between 3-OH and 4-OH of arabinose. Two analogues of hederacolchiside A1 were then facilely prepared by this approach and exhibited significant cytotoxicity in preliminary in vitro assay.     

Hydrogen peroxide is required for abscisic acid-induced NH4+ accumulation in rice leaves

The role of H₂O₂ in abscisic acid (ABA)-induced NH₄⁺ accumulation in rice leaves was investigated. ABA treatment resulted in an accumulation of NH₄⁺ in rice leaves, which was preceded by a decrease in the activity of glutamine synthetase (GS) and an increase in the specific activities of protease and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL). GS, PAL, and protease seem to be the enzymes responsible for the accumulation of NH₄⁺ in ABA-treated rice leaves. Dimethylthiourea (DMTU), a chemical trap for H₂O₂, was observed to be effective in inhibiting ABA-induced accumulation of NH₄⁺ in rice leaves. Inhibitors of NADPH oxidase, diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI) and imidazole (IMD), and nitric oxide donor (N-tert-butyl-α-phenylnitrone, PBN), which have previously been shown to prevent ABA-induced increase in H₂O₂ contents in rice leaves, inhibited ABA-induced increase in the content of NH₄⁺. Similarly, the changes of enzymes responsible for NH₄⁺ accumulation induced by ABA were observed to be inhibited by DMTU, DPI, IMD, and PBN. Exogenous application of H₂O₂ was found to increase NH₄⁺ content, decrease GS activity, and increase protease and PAL-specific activities in rice leaves. Our results suggest that H₂O₂ is involved in ABA-induced NH₄⁺ accumulation in rice leaves.