Trypanosomes lacking trypanothione reductase are avirulent and show increased sensitivity to oxidative stress

In Kinetoplastida, trypanothione and trypanothione reductase (TRYR) provide an intracellular reducing environment, substituting for the glutathione-glutathione reductase system found in most other organisms. To investigate the physiological role of TRYR in Trypanosoma brucei, we generated cells containing just one trypanothione reductase gene, TRYR, which was under the control of a tetracycline-inducible promoter. This enabled us to regulate TRYR activity in the cells from less than 1% to 400% of wild-type levels by adjusting the concentration of added tetracycline. In normal growth medium (which contains reducing agents), trypanosomes containing less than 10% of wild-type enzyme activity were unable to grow, although the levels of reduced trypanothione and total thiols remained constant. In media lacking reducing agents, hypersensitivity towards hydrogen peroxide (EC50 = 3.5 microM) was observed compared with the wild type (EC50 = 223 microM). The depletion of TRYR had no effect on susceptibility to melarsen oxide. The infectivity and virulence of the parasites in mice was dependent upon tetracycline-regulated TRYR activity: if the trypanosomes were injected into mice in the absence of tetracycline, no infection was detectable; and when tetracycline was withdrawn from previously infected animals, the parasitaemia was suppressed.     

Antitumor quinol PMX464 is a cytocidal anti-trypanosomal inhibitor targeting trypanothione metabolism

Better drugs are urgently needed for the treatment of African sleeping sickness. We tested a series of promising anticancer agents belonging to the 4-substituted 4-hydroxycyclohexa-2,5-dienones class ("quinols") and identified several with potent trypanocidal activity (EC(50) < 100 nM). In mammalian cells, quinols are proposed to inhibit the thioredoxin/thioredoxin reductase system, which is absent from trypanosomes. Studies with the prototypical 4-benzothiazole-substituted quinol, PMX464, established that PMX464 is rapidly cytocidal, similar to the arsenical drug, melarsen oxide. Cell lysis by PMX464 was accelerated by addition of sublethal concentrations of glucose oxidase implicating oxidant defenses in the mechanism of action. Whole cells treated with PMX464 showed a loss of trypanothione (T(SH)(2)), a unique dithiol in trypanosomes, and tryparedoxin peroxidase (TryP), a 2-Cys peroxiredoxin similar to mammalian thioredoxin peroxidase. Enzyme assays revealed that T(SH)(2), TryP, and a glutathione peroxidase-like tryparedoxin-dependent peroxidase were inhibited in time- and concentration-dependent manners. The inhibitory activities of various quinol analogues against these targets showed a good correlation with growth inhibition of Trypanosoma brucei. The monothiols glutathione and L-cysteine bound in a 2:1 ratio with PMX464 with K(d) values of 6 and 27 μM, respectively, whereas T(SH)(2) bound more tightly in a 1:1 ratio with a K(d) value of 430 nM. Overexpression of trypanothione synthetase in T. brucei decreased sensitivity to PMX464 indicating that the key metabolite T(SH)(2) is a target for quinols. Thus, the quinol pharmacophore represents a novel lead structure for the development of a new drug against African sleeping sickness.     

Leishmania mexicana: enzyme activities of amastigotes and promastigotes and their inhibition by antimonials and arsenicals

A major difference between the metabolism of Leishmania species amastigotes and cultured promastigotes was found in the area of CO2 fixation and phosphoenolpyruvate metabolism. Malate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.37) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (EC 4.1.1.49) were at much higher activities in amastigotes than promastigotes of both L. m. mexicana and L. donovani, whereas the reverse was true of pyruvate kinase (EC 2.7.1.40). Pyruvate carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.1) and malic enzyme (carboxylating) (EC 1.1.1.40) could not be detected in L. m. mexicana amastigotes. Promastigotes of L. m. mexicana had a high NAD-linked glutamate dehydrogenase activity in comparison to amastigotes, whereas NADP-linked glutamate dehydrogenase activity was detected only in amastigotes. Leishmania m. mexicana culture promastigotes were killed in vitro by the trivalent antimonial Triostam (LD50, 20 micrograms/ml) and the trivalent arsenical melarsen oxide (LD50, 20 micrograms/ml), but they were unaffected by Pentostam. Neither antimonial drug significantly inhibited leishmanial hexokinase (EC 2.7.1.2), phosphofructokinase (EC 2.7.1.11), pyruvate kinase, malate dehydrogenase or phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, whereas melarsen oxide was a potent inhibitor of all the enzymes tested except phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase.     

Phenylarsine oxide evokes intracellular calcium increases and amylase secretion in isolated rat pancreatic acinar cells

The effects of the thiol reagent, phenylarsine oxide (PAO, 10(-5)-10(-3) M ), a membrane-permeable trivalent arsenical compound that specifically complexes vicinal sulfhydryl groups of proteins to form stable ring structures, were studied by monitoring intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and amylase secretion in collagenase dispersed rat pancreatic acinar cells. PAO increased [Ca2+]i by mobilizing calcium from intracellular stores, since this increase was observed in the absence of extracellular calcium. PAO also prevented the CCK-8-induced signal of [Ca2+]i and inhibited the oscillatory pattern initiated by aluminium fluoride (AlF-4). In addition to the effects of PAO on calcium mobilization, it caused a significant increase in amylase secretion and reduced the secretory response to either CCK-8 or AlF-4. The effects of PAO on both [Ca2+]i and amylase release were reversed by the sulfhydryl reducing agent, dithiothreitol (2 mM). Pretreatment of acinar cells with high concentration of ryanodine (50 microM) reduced the PAO-evoked calcium release. However, PAO was still able to release a small fraction of Ca2+ from acinar cells in which agonist-releasable Ca2+ pools had been previously depleted by thapsigargin (0.5 microM) and ryanodine receptors were blocked by 50 microM ryanodine. We conclude that, in pancreatic acinar cells, PAO mainly releases Ca2+ from the ryanodine-sensitive calcium pool and consequently induces amylase secretion. These effects are likely to be due to the oxidizing effects of this compound.     

Biosynthesis and uptake of thiamine (vitamin B1) in bloodstream form Trypanosoma brucei brucei and interference of the vitamin with melarsen oxide activity

Bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei brucei were cultivated in the presence and absence of thiamine (vitamin B1) and pyridoxine (vitamin B6). The vitamins do not change growth behaviour, indicating that Trypanosoma brucei is prototrophic for the two vitamins even though in silico no bona-fide thiamine-biosynthetic genes could be identified in the T. brucei genome. Intracellularly, thiamine is mainly present in its diphosphate form. We were unable to detect significant uptake of [3H]thiamine and structural thiamine analogues such as pyrithiamine, oxithiamine and amprolium were not toxic for the bloodstream forms of T. brucei, indicating that the organism does not have an efficient uptake system for thiamine and its analogues. We have previously shown that, in the fission yeast Saccharomyces pombe, the toxicity of melarsen oxide, the pharmacologically active derivative of the frontline sleeping sickness drug melarsoprol, is abolished by thiamine and the drug is taken up by a thiamine-regulated membrane protein which is responsible for the utilization of thiamine. We show here that thiamine also has weak effects on melarsen oxide-induced growth inhibition and lysis in T. brucei. These effects were consistent with a low affinity of thiamine for the P2 adenosine transporter that is responsible for uptake of melaminophenyl arsenicals in African trypanosomes.     

Trivalent arsenicals induce lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, and oxidative DNA damage in human urothelial cells

Drinking arsenic-contaminated water is associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer. Arsenate (iAs(V)), arsenite (iAs(III)), monomethylarsonous acid (MMA(III)), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA(V)), dimethylarsinous acid (DMA(III)), and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA(V)) have all been detected in the urine of people who drink arsenic-contaminated water. The aim of this research was to investigate which of these arsenicals are more hazardous to human urothelial cells. The results indicate that iAs(III), MMA(III), and DMA(III) were more potent in inducing cytotoxicity, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, oxidative DNA damage, nitric oxide, superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and cellular free iron than MMA(V), DMA(V), and iAs(V) in human urothelial carcinoma and transformed cells. However, the results did not show convincingly that the trivalent arsenicals were more potent than pentavalent arsenicals in decreasing the intracellular contents of total thiol, protein thiol, and reduced glutathione. Induction of oxidative DNA damage was observed with 0.2 microM of iAs(III), MMA(III), or DMA(III) as early as 1h. Because of its high oxidative damage, higher proportion in urine, and lower cytotoxicity, DMA(III) may be the most hazardous arsenical to human urothelial cells.     

Effects of various metabolic conditions and of the trivalent arsenical melarsen oxide on the intracellular levels of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate and of glycolytic intermediates in Trypanosoma brucei

Upon differential centrifugation of cell-free extracts of Trypanosoma brucei, 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase and fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase behaved as cytosolic enzymes. The two activities could be separated from each other by chromatography on both blue Sepharose and anion exchangers. 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase had a Km for both its substrates in the millimolar range. Its activity was dependent on the presence of inorganic phosphate and was inhibited by phosphoenolpyruvate but not by citrate or glycerol 3-phosphate. The Km of fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase was 7 microM; this enzyme was inhibited by fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (Ki = 10 microM) and, less potently, by fructose 6-phosphate, phosphoenolpyruvate and glycerol 3-phosphate. Melarsen oxide inhibited 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase (Ki less than 1 microM) and fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase (Ki = 2 microM) much more potently than pyruvate kinase (Ki greater than 100 microM). The intracellular concentrations of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate and hexose 6-phosphate were highest with glucose, intermediate with fructose and lowest with glycerol and dihydroxyacetone as glycolytic substrates. When added with glucose, salicylhydroxamic acid caused a decrease in the concentration of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate, ATP, hexose 6-phosphate and fructose 1,6-bisphosphate. These studies indicate that the concentration of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate is mainly controlled by the concentration of the substrates of 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase. The changes in the concentration of phosphoenolpyruvate were in agreement with the stimulatory effect of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate on pyruvate kinase. At micromolar concentrations, melarsen oxide blocked almost completely the formation of fructose 2,6-bisphosphate induced by glucose, without changing the intracellular concentrations of ATP and of hexose 6-phosphates. At higher concentrations (3-10 microM), this drug caused cell lysis, a proportional decrease in the glycolytic flux, as well as an increase in the phosphoenolypyruvate concentrations which was restricted to the extracellular compartment. Similar changes were induced by digitonin. It is concluded that the lytic effect of melarsen oxide on the bloodstream form of T. brucei is not the result of an inhibition of pyruvate kinase.     

Arsenic in the human food chain,biotransformation and toxicology – Review focusing on seafood arsenic

Fish and seafood are main contributors of arsenic (As) in the diet. The dominating arsenical is the organoarsenical arsenobetaine (AB), found particularly in finfish. Algae, blue mussels and other filter feeders contain less AB, but more arsenosugars and relatively more inorganic arsenic (iAs), whereas fatty fish contain more arsenolipids. Other compounds present in smaller amounts in seafood include trimethylarsine oxide (TMAO), trimethylarsoniopropionate (TMAP), dimethylarsenate (DMA), methylarsenate (MA) and sulfur-containing arsenicals. The toxic and carcinogenic arsenical iAs is biotransformed in humans and excreted in urine as the carcinogens dimethylarsinate (DMA) and methylarsonate (MA), producing reactive intermediates in the process. Less is known about the biotransformation of organoarsenicals, but new insight indicates that bioconversion of arsenosugars and arsenolipids in seafood results in urinary excretion of DMA, possibly also producing reactive trivalent arsenic intermediates. Recent findings also indicate that the pre-systematic metabolism by colon microbiota play an important role for human metabolism of arsenicals. Processing of seafood may also result in transformation of arsenicals.     

Inositol Phospholipid Hydrolysis in Rat Cerebral Cortical Slices: II. Calcium Requirement

The calcium requirement for agonist-dependent breakdown of phosphatidylinositol and polyphosphoinositides has been examined in rat cerebral cortex. The omission of added Ca2+ from the incubation medium abolished [3H]inositol phosphate accumulation from prelabelled phospholipid induced by histamine, reduced that due to noradrenaline and 5-hydroxytryptamine, but did not affect carbachol-stimulated breakdown. EC50 values for agonists were unaltered in the absence of Ca2+. Removal of Ca2+ by preincubation with EGTA (0.5 mM) abolished all responses, but complete restoration was achieved by replacement of Ca2+. The EC50 for Ca2+ for histamine-stimulated [3H]inositol phosphate accumulation was 80 microM. Noradrenaline-stimulated breakdown was antagonised by manganese (IC50 1.7 mM), but not by the calcium channel blockers nitrendipine or nimodipine (30 microM). The calcium ionophore A23187 stimulated phosphatidylinositol/polyphosphoinositide hydrolysis with an EC50 of 2 microM, and this response was blocked by EGTA. Omission of Ca2+ or preincubation with EGTA or Mn2+ (EC50 = 230 microM) greatly enhanced the incorporation of [3H]inositol into phospholipids. The IC50 for Ca2+ in inhibiting incorporation was 25 microM. The results show that different receptors mediating phosphatidylinositol/polyphosphoinositide breakdown in rat cortex have quantitatively different Ca2+ requirements, and it is suggested that rigid opinions regarding phosphatidylinositol/polyphosphoinositide breakdown as either cause or effect of calcium mobilisation in rat cortex are inappropriate.     

The carcinogen safrole increases intracellular free Ca2+ levels and causes death in MDCK cells

The effect of the carcinogen safrole on intracellular Ca2+ movement in renal tubular cells has not been explored previously. The present study examined whether safrole could alter Ca2+ handling in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Cytosolic free Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]i) in populations of cells were measured using fura-2 as a fluorescent Ca2+ probe. Safrole at concentrations above 33 microM increased [Ca2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner with an EC50 value of 400 microM. The Ca2+ signal was reduced by 90% by removing extracellular Ca2+, but was not affected by nifedipine, verapamil, or diltiazem. Addition of Ca2+ after safrole had depleted intracellular Ca(2+)-induced dramatic Ca2+ influx, suggesting that safrole caused store-operated Ca2+ entry. In Ca(2+)-free medium, after pretreatment with 650 microM safrole, 1 microM thapsigargin (an endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump inhibitor) failed to release more Ca 2+. Inhibition of phospholipase C with 2 microM U73122 did not affect safrole-induced Ca2+ release. Trypan blue exclusion assays revealed that incubation with 650 microM safrole for 30 min did not kill cells, but killed 70% of cells after incubation for 60 min. Collectively, the data suggest that in MDCK cells, safrole induced a [Ca2+] increase by causing Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum in a phospholipase C-independent fashion, and by inducing Ca2+ influx via store-operated Ca2+ entry. Furthermore, safrole can cause acute toxicity to MDCK cells.     

The antiplatelet activity of tetramethylpyrazine is mediated through activation of NO synthase

Tetramethylpyrazine (TMPZ) is an active ingredient of a Chinese herbal medicine (Ligusticum wallichii Franchat). In this study, TMPZ (50-200 microM) significantly increased production of nitrate and cyclic GMP in human platelets within a 15-min incubation period. TMPZ concentration-dependently inhibited intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in human platelets stimulated by collagen (5 microg/ml). Furthermore, TMPZ concentration (50 and 200 microM)- and time (15 and 30 min)-dependently triggered endothelial-type constitutive nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS) protein expression in human platelets. These results indicated that TMPZ at micromolar concentrations stimulated nitric oxide production in human platelets via a novel mechanism that activated ecNOS protein expression.     

Trypanothione reductase from Trypanosoma cruzi. Catalytic properties of the enzyme and inhibition studies with trypanocidal compounds

Trypanothione reductase of Trypanosoma cruzi is a key enzyme in the antioxidant metabolism of the parasite. Here we report on the enzymic and pharmacological properties of trypanothione reductase using glutathionylspermidine disulfide as a substrate. 1. Both pH optimum (7.5) and the ionic strength optimum (at 30 mM) are unusually narrow for this enzyme. 40 mM Hepes, 1 mM EDTA, pH 7.5 was chosen as a standard assay buffer because in this system the kcat/Km ratio had the highest values for both natural substrates, glutathionylspermidine disulfide (2.65 x 10(6) M-1 s-1) and trypanothione disulfide (4.63 x 10(6) M-1 s-1). 2. Using the standardized assay, trypanothione reductase and the phylogenetically related host enzyme, human glutathione reductase, were studied as targets of inhibitors. Both enzymes, in their NADPH-reduced forms, were irreversibly modified by the cytostatic agent, 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU). Nifurtimox, the drug used in the treatment of Chagas' disease, is a stronger inhibitor of glutathione reductase (Ki = 40 microM) than of trypanothione reductase (IC50 = 200 microM). 3. Of the newly synthesized trypanocidal compounds [Henderson, G. B., Ulrich, P., Fairlamb, A. H., Rosenberg, I., Pereira, M., Sela, M. & Cerami, A. (1988) Proc. Natl Acad. Sci., 85, 5374-5378] a nitrofuran derivative, 2-(5-nitro-2-furanylmethylidene)-N,N'-[1,4-piperazinediylbis (1,3-propanediyl)]bishydrazinecarboximidamide tetrahydrobromide, was found to be a better inhibitor for trypanothione reductase (Ki = 0.5 microM) than for glutathione reductase (IC50 = 10 microM). A naphthoquinone derivative, 2,3-bis[3-(2-amidinohydrazono)-butyl]-1,4-naphthoquinone dihydrochloride, turned out to be both an inhibitor (IC50 = 1 microM) and an NADPH-oxidation-inducing substrate (Km = 14 microM). This effect was not observed with human glutathione reductase. Such compounds which lead to oxidative stress by more than one mechanism in the parasite are promising starting points for drug design based on the three-dimensional structures of glutathione and trypanothione reductases.     

A mitochondria-targeted organic arsenical accelerates mitochondrial metabolic disorder and function injury

Considering the vital role of mitochondria in the anti-cancer mechanism of organic arsenical, the mitochondria-targeted precursor PDT-PAO-TPP was designed and synthesized. PDT-PAO-TPP, as a delocalization lipophilic cation (DLCs) which mainly accumulated in mitochondria, contributed to improve anti-cancer efficacy and selectivity towards NB4 cells. In detail, PDT-PAO-TPP inhibited the activity of PDHC resulting in the suppression of ATP synthesis and thermogenesis disorder. Additionally, the inhibition of respiratory chain complex I and IV by short-time incubation of PDT-PAO-TPP also accelerated the respiration dysfunction and continuous generation of ROS. These results led to the release of cytochrome c and activation of caspase family-dependent apoptosis. Different from the mechanism of PDT-PAO in HL-60 cells, it mainly induced the mitochondrial metabolic disturbance resulting in the intrinsic apoptosis via inhibiting the activity of PDHC in NB4 cells, which also implied that the efficacy exertion of organic arsenical was a complex process involved in many aspects of cellular function. This study systematically clarifies the anti-cancer mechanism of mitochondria-targeted organic arsenical PDT-PAO-TPP and confirms the new target PDHC of organic arsenicals, which further supports the organic arsenical as a promising anticancer drug.     

Overexpression of the putative thiol conjugate transporter TbMRPA causes melarsoprol resistance in Trypanosoma brucei

Melaminophenyl arsenical drugs are a mainstay of chemotherapy against late-stage African sleeping sickness, but drug resistance is increasingly prevalent. We describe here the characterization of two genes encoding putative metal-thiol conjugate transporters from Trypanosoma brucei. The two proteins, TbMRPA and TbMRPE, were each overexpressed in trypanosomes, with or without co-expression of two key enzymes in trypanothione biosynthesis, ornithine decarboxylase and gamma-glutamyl-cysteine synthetase. Overexpression of gamma-glutamyl-cysteine synthetase resulted in a twofold increase in cellular trypanothione, whereas overexpression of ornithine decarboxylase had no effect on the trypanothione level. The overexpression of TbMRPA resulted in a 10-fold increase in the IC50 of melarsoprol. The overexpression of the trypanothione biosynthetic enzymes alone gave two- to fourfold melarsoprol resistance, but did not enhance resistance caused by MRPA. Overexpression of TbMRPE had little effect on susceptibility to melarsoprol but did give two- to threefold resistance to suramin.     

Influence of potassium chloride upon the binding and antibacterial activity of chlorhesidine diacetate and (ethoxy)5 octyl phenol (Triton X45) towards Bacillus megaterium KM-.

Chlorhexidine (0.5-0.65 microM) and Triton X45 (30-40 microM) added to exponential phase Bacillus megaterium KM- cultures was growth inhibitory. The presence of KCl (0.05-0.35 M) in the medium did not significantly affect growth rate in the absence of drug, yet reduced the growth inhibitory activity of the chlorhexidine and enhanced that of Triton X45. These effects were maximal at KCl concentrations of 0.2 M and above, when complete protection towards chlorhexidine and lysis of the cultures in the presence of Triton X45 were observed. Time-survivor curves in the presence of chlorhexidine (0.7-1.0 microM) gave LT90 values of 1.5-2.0 h in the absence of KCl, yet its inclusion (0.35 M) totally inhibited this low level bactericidal activity. Drug absorption by whole cell and isolated cell wall preparations was determined in the presence and absence of KCl (0.35 M). Chlorhexidine uptake by intact cells was reduced by approximately 50% in the presence of salt whereas that of Triton X45 increased by a similar fraction. Uptake of chlorhexidine by the cell wall fraction accounted for approximately 50% of that for the whole cells and was relatively unaffected by the presence of KCl. Conversely, absorption of Triton X45 by the cell wall fraction accounted for most of the uptake by whole cells and increased markedly in the presence of salts.     

Iodophenylarsine oxide and arsenical affinity chromatography: new probes for dithiol proteins. Application to tubulins and to components of the insulin receptor-glucose transporter signal transduction pathway.

In our studies of the effects of the trivalent arsenical phenylarsine oxide on insulin-dependent hexose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, we needed direct methods to study arsenical-protein interactions. In this report, we describe two such new tools. The first is the radiolabeled covalent affinity reagent 4-[125I]iodophenylarsine oxide. This compound has effects on 3T3-L1 adipocytes similar to those of phenylarsine oxide both with respect to effects of hexose uptake and the accumulation of pp15, a phosphotyrosine-containing putative mediator of insulin action. Iodophenylarsine oxide labels numerous proteins in intact cells in a concentration-dependent, but apparently insulin-independent fashion. The second tool is trivalent arsenical affinity chromatography, which we use to show novel direct interactions between trivalent arsenicals and several proteins from 3T3-L1 adipocytes including the insulin-responsive glucose transporter GLUT4, the insulin proreceptor, and both the alpha and beta subunits of tubulin. The non-insulin-dependent glucose transporter GLUT1, the mature insulin receptor, and the fatty acid-binding protein 422(aP2) do not show strong interactions with arsenical resin. These results provide a new chemical approach to the study of both insulin-dependent hexose transport and tubulin function.     

Potential mechanisms of cytosolic calcium modulation in interferon-gamma treated U937 cells

Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) at a concentration of 50 U/ml increased internal Ca2+ in the monocyte-like cell line U937 by about 100% within 3 min of addition, as determined by indo-1 fluorescence. This IFN-gamma-induced increase was reduced to 30-40% of basal (Ca2+) by the addition of diltiazem (1 microM) or incubation in Ca2+-free buffer. Ai crude membrane preparation obtained by differential centrifugation of sonicated U937 cells possessed Ca2+-ATPase activity (10 nmol ATP hydrolyzed/min/mg protein at 30 C) and sequestered Ca2+ to a level of 8 nmol/mg protein in 30 min. Addition of inositol trisphophate (IP3) (10 microM) after accumulation of Ca2+ resulted in release of a portion of the sequestered Ca2+ within 30 s, which was then resequestered. Although mitochondrial contamination was indicated by partial inhibition of Ca2+ uptake by oligomycin A, this mitochondrial inhibitor had no effect on the IP3-induced Ca2+ release. These results suggest that the increase in U937 cell cytoplasmic Ca2+ induced by IFN-gamma results from both intracellular redistribution of Ca2+, probably via polyphosphoinositide metabolism, and the entry of extracellular Ca2+ through slow channels.     

Cost-effective production of Bacillus thuringiensis by solid-state fermentation

Production of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) was standardized on wheat bran based media in 250 ml Erlenmeyer flasks. Scale-up of Bt production on the best medium in plastic tubs with aeration at 8 h intervals starting 16 h after incubation yielded a significant increase in spore count and toxin content of the product. Maximum lysis of Bt cells was obtained by 60 h of incubation at 30 degrees C. This protocol was suitable for production of Bt strains and local isolates. The Bt produced proved highly effective at 0.1% concentration against larvae of castor semilooper, Achaea janata L, resulting in complete mortality by three days in laboratory bioassays. In field trials, the population of castor semilooper larvae on the castor bean crop was reduced significantly by three days after application. The cost for material production of 1 kg of Bt was approximately US dollars 0.70.     

Inhibition of coupling factor B activity by cadmium ion, arsenite-2,3-dimercaptopropanol, and phenylarsine oxide, and preferential reactivation by dithiols

Coupling factor B activity was measured by the stimulation of the ATP-driven NAD+ reduction by succinate or the 32Pi-ATP exchange activity of Factor B-depleted submitochondrial particles. Half-maximal coupling activity was inhibited by 30 microM cadmium, 5 microM phenylarsine oxide, or 0.3 mM arsenite-2,3-dimercaptopropanol. The inhibition was relieved by slight excess of dithiol but not by a 10-fold molar excess of 2-mercaptoethanol. Inhibition of coupling activity by phenylarsine oxide or cadmium was not due to interference in binding of Factor B to depleted particles. Isolated Factor B binds phenylarsine oxide resulting in loss of ability to stimulate depleted submitochondrial particles. The inhibition was largely overcome by dithiol but not by monothiols. The residual coupling activity of depleted submitochondrial particles was highly resistant to cadmium or arsenical. Moreover, binding of arsenical to the depleted particles per se, did not result in inhibition of Factor B-stimulated activity. Furthermore, the addition of phenylarsine oxide to H+-ATPase resulted in loss of Pi-ATP exchange and stimulation of oligomycin-sensitive ATPase activities. Both effects were further potentiated by 2-mercaptoethanol and reversed by dithiols. These effects parallel uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation in mitochondria by these inhibitors and point to Factor B as the probable component sensitive to these inhibitors.     

Safrole-induced Ca2+ mobilization and cytotoxicity in human PC3 prostate cancer cells

The effect of the carcinogen safrole on intracellular Ca2+ mobilization and on viability of human PC3 prostate cancer cells was examined. Cytosolic free Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]i) were measured by using fura-2 as a probe. Safrole at concentrations above 10 microM increased [Ca2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner with an EC50 value of 350 microM. The Ca2+ signal was reduced by more than half after removing extracellular Ca2+ but was unaffected by nifedipine, nicardipine, nimodipine, diltiazem, or verapamil. In Ca2+-free medium, after treatment with 650 microM safrole, 1 microM thapsigargin (an endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump inhibitor) failed to release Ca2+. Neither inhibition of phospholipase C with U73122 nor modulation of protein kinase C activity affected safrole-induced Ca2+ release. Overnight incubation with 0.65-65 microM safrole did not affect cell viability, but incubation with 325-625 microM safrole decreased viability. Collectively, the data suggest that in PC3 cells, safrole induced a [Ca2+]i increase by causing Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum in a phospholipase C- and protein kinase C-independent fashion, and by inducing Ca2+ influx. Safrole can decrease cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner.