Investigation into the diffusion of water into HEMA-co-MOEP hydrogels

Cross-linked homopolymers and copolymers of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, HEMA, and ethylene glycol methacrylate phosphate, MOEP, have been synthesized, and the diffusion of water into these systems has been investigated. Only polymers with 0-20 mol % MOEP exhibited ideal swelling behavior as extensive fracturing occurred in the systems with greater than 20 mol % MOEP as the polymers began to swell during water sorption. Gravimetric studies were used in conjunction with magnetic resonance imaging of the diffusion front to elucidate the diffusion mechanism for these systems. In the case of the cross-linked HEMA homopolymer gels, the water transport mechanism was determined to be concentration-independent Fickian diffusion. However, as the fraction of MOEP in the network increased, the transport mechanism became increasingly exponentially concentration-dependent but remained Fickian until the polymer consisted of 30 mol % MOEP where the water transport could no longer been described by Fickian diffusion.     

Structural insight into AMPK regulation: ADP comes into play

The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a sensor of cellular energy status found in all eukaryotes, responds to changes in intracellular adenosine nucleotide levels resulting from metabolic stresses. Here we describe crystal structures of a heterotrimeric regulatory core fragment from Schizosaccharomyces pombe AMPK in complex with ADP, ADP/AMP, ADP/ATP, and 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide 1-beta-D-ribofuranotide (AICAR phosphate, or ZMP), a well-characterized AMPK activator. Prior crystallographic studies had revealed a single site in the gamma subunit that binds either ATP or AMP within Bateman domain B. Here we show that ZMP binds at this site, mimicking the binding of AMP. An analogous site in Bateman domain A selectively accommodates ADP, which binds in a distinct manner that also involves direct ligation to elements from the beta subunit. These observations suggest a possible role for ADP in regulating AMPK response to changes in cellular energy status.     

Anaerobicizing into pluripotency

Reprogramming involves multiple layers of molecular regulation, yet it remains relatively unknown how the cell's metabolism is changing and/or contributing to this process. In this issue of Cell Metabolism, Folmes et?al. (2011) demonstrate that reprogramming induces a bioenergetic transition from an oxidative to a glycolytic state, and provide evidence to suggest that these changes may precede pluripotency.     

Commodities into food

It is not surprising that past predictions of the extent of adoption of new technology by the food and agricultural industries have only been partly realized. This is a result of the difficulty of forecasting the take-up of technology that is capable of being transferred from other industries, for example, process control methods and the advent of new packaging materials. Most technology that is adopted is normally incremental over the existing technology and forecasting of this type is best done by specific experts within the industry. Factors which influence uptake of technology in the food industry include not only the available technology, but also the supply of raw materials, economics and disposable income, food habits, health and nutrition and market requirements. In addition to these there is legislation, which imposes compositional, labelling and trade requirements on grower, processor and retailer. New products and processes are determined by all these factors, the overriding influence being the consumer's requirement for palatable and nutritious foods that provide value for money. In the cereals-processing industry significant developments have taken place in the provision of U.K. wheat varieties for breadmaking. The U.K. is now in the position where the bulk of its breadmaking wheats are homegrown. Further advances can be make by investing in applied research into those characteristics of bread wheats which are determinants of good bread flours, that in turn will help in the provision of suitable bread wheat varieties. A less traditional area is that of flour fractionation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

STAMPing into Mitochondria

Six transmembrane protein of prostate 2 (STAMP2) is a protein that has been extensively studied due to its association with prostate cancer. Currently, STAMP2 is well known for its critical role in metabolism and modulating inflammatory signals. Even so, the molecular mechanism of STAMP2 activity and its downstream effectors are still largely unknown. Here, we review the current knowledge of STAMP2, and suggest possible explanations for some of its less well-understood features. A few studies suggest that STAMP2 may interact with mitochondria. Considering STAMP2 functions as a potential component of mitochondrial biology may yield valuable insight into this protein.     

Tapping into foundations

Charitable foundations are increasingly looking to help promising drugs reach the market. Often the advice and networking opportunities they provide are as valuable as the funding.