Enhanced survival and function of neural stem cells-derived dopaminergic neurons under influence of olfactory ensheathing cells in parkinsonian rats

Transplantation of neural stem cell (NSC)-derived dopamine (DA) neurons is associated with low survival of cells, which could be due to limited striatal innervations and uneven distribution of graft because of its dense neuronal core, limited host–graft interaction, poor axonal outgrowth, lack of continuous neurotrophic factors supply, and an absence of cell adhesion molecules mediated appropriate developmental cues. Olfactory ensheathing cells (OEC) express a variety of growth factors and cell adhesion molecules and promote axonal regrowth and functional recovery in spinal cord injury in animal models and patients. In the present study, we explored the possibility to increase the survival, function, axonal outgrowth and striatal reinnervation of NSC by co-grafting with OEC in 6-OHDA lesioned parkinsonian rats. In the presence of OEC, significantly enhanced survival of NSC-derived DA neurons and axonal fiber outgrowth was evident in the striatum of NSC+OEC co-grafted rats at 24 weeks post-grafting as compared with NSC alone grafted rats. The increased survival of NSC and their striatal reinnervation was further manifested in the form of significant and substantial restitution of motor function and neurochemical recovery in the co-grafted group. Significant enhanced expression of p75NTR (from OEC) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) (from NSC) confirmed the co-localization and survival of both types of cells at the transplantation site in co-grafted rats. Co-grafting results co-related well with our in vitro studies, which suggest that OEC not only significantly increase survival, neurite outgrowth and DA release of NSC-derived DA neuron but also protect against 6-OHDA neurotoxicity in co-culture conditions. These results collectively suggest that OEC increase the survival and function of transplanted NSC in 6-OHDA lesioned parkinsonian rats.     

Genetic Evidence that an Endosymbiont-derived Endoplasmic Reticulum-associated Protein Degradation (ERAD) System Functions in Import of Apicoplast Proteins

Most apicomplexan parasites harbor a relict chloroplast, the apicoplast, that is critical for their survival. Whereas the apicoplast maintains a small genome, the bulk of its proteins are nuclear encoded and imported into the organelle. Several models have been proposed to explain how proteins might cross the four membranes that surround the apicoplast; however, experimental data discriminating these models are largely missing. Here we present genetic evidence that apicoplast protein import depends on elements derived from the ER-associated protein degradation (ERAD) system of the endosymbiont. We identified two sets of ERAD components in Toxoplasma gondii, one associated with the ER and cytoplasm and one localized to the membranes of the apicoplast. We engineered a conditional null mutant in apicoplast Der1, the putative pore of the apicoplast ERAD complex, and found that loss of Der1_Ap results in loss of apicoplast protein import and subsequent death of the parasite.     

ABA enhances plant regeneration of somatic embryos derived from cell suspension cultures of plantain cv. Spambia (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Musa</Emphasis> sp.)

Creamy friable calli were induced from meristems (scalps) of proliferating shoots of plantain (Musa sp.) cv. Spambia (genome AAB) incubated on a semi-solid modified Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 4.5 μM 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 1.0 μM zeatin. About 25% of shoot-tip explants formed scalps, and about 98% of scalps developed embryogenic calli. Small dense aggregates of cells, were obtained when these calli were transferred to liquid MS medium supplemented with 4.5 μM 2,4-D and 1.0 μM zeatin. Upon transfer to semi-solid MS medium of the same composition as described above, aggregates of cells formed somatic embryos. In the presence of 2.5 μM abscisic acid (ABA), maturation of somatic embryos was 2.6-fold higher than that of control (lacking ABA), and regardless of the type of cytokinin used in the medium. Upon transfer to MS medium supplemented with 1.25 μM 6-benzyladenine (BA), 80% of germinated embryos developed into plantlets.     

Enantioselective cyanosilylation of ketones catalyzed by recyclable polymeric and dimeric Mn(III) salen complexes at room temperature

Recyclable polymeric 1 and dimeric 2 chiral Mn(III) salen complexes catalyzed enantioselective cyanosilylation of various ketones in the presence of triphenylphosphine oxide as an additive proceeded smoothly at room temperature, providing excellent yields (up to 98%) and enantiomeric excess (up to 86%) of respective cyanohydrin trimethylsilyl ether. For most of the substrates, the Catalyst 1 showed slightly better reactivity and enantioselecitivity than the Catalyst 2 nevertheless both the catalysts were easily recovered and reused four times with the retention of their efficiency.     

Synthesis,antimicrobial activity and QSAR studies of new 2,3-disubstituted-3,3a,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-2H-indazoles

Antimicrobial activity of synthesized 2,3-disubstituted-3,3a,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-2H-indazole derivatives indicated that 3-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-(4-nitrophenylsulfonyl)-3,3a,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-2H-indazole (6) and 3-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-nitrophenylsulfonyl)-3,3a,4,5,6,7-hexahydro-2H-indazole (20) were the most active compounds. Further, the results of QSAR studies indicated the importance of topological parameters ²χ and ²χ^v in defining the antimicrobial activity of hexahydroindazoles.     

Effect of acetate formation pathway and long chain fatty acid CoA-ligase on the free fatty acid production in E. coli expressing acy-ACP thioesterase from Ricinus communis

Microbial biosynthesis of fatty acid like chemicals from renewable carbon sources has attracted significant attention in recent years. Free fatty acids can be used as precursors for the production of fuels or chemicals. Wild type E. coli strains produce fatty acids mainly for the biosynthesis of lipids and cell membranes and do not accumulate free fatty acids as intermediates in lipid biosynthesis. However, free fatty acids can be produced by breaking the fatty acid elongation through the overexpression of an acyl-ACP thioesterase. Since acetyl-CoA might be an important factor for fatty acid synthesis (acetate formation pathways are the main competitive pathways in consuming acetyl-CoA or pyruvate, a precursor of acetyl-CoA), and the long chain fatty acid CoA-ligase (FadD) plays a pivotal role in the transport and activation of exogenous fatty acids prior to their subsequent degradation, we examined the composition and the secretion of the free fatty acids in four different strains including the wild type MG1655, a mutant strain with inactivation of the fatty acid beta-oxidation pathway (fadD mutant (ML103)), and mutant strains with inactivation of the two major acetate production pathways (an ack-pta (acetate kinase/phosphotransacetylase), poxB (pyruvate oxidase) double mutant (ML112)) and a fadD, ack-pta, poxB triple mutant (ML115). The engineered E. coli cells expressing acyl-ACP thioesterase with glucose yield is higher than 40% of theoretical yield. Compared to MG1655(pXZ18) and ML103(pXZ18), acetate forming pathway deletion strains such as ML112(pXZ18) and ML115(pXZ18) produced similar quantity of total free fatty acids, which indicated that acetyl-CoA availability does not appear to be limiting factor for fatty acid production in these strains. However, these strains did show significant differences in the composition of free fatty acids. Different from MG1655(pXZ18) and ML103(pXZ18), acetate formation pathway deletion strains such as ML112(pXZ18) and ML115(pXZ18) produced similar level of C14, C16:1 and C16 free fatty acids, and the free fatty acid compositions of both strains did not change significantly with time. In addition, the strains bearing the fadD mutation showed significant differences in the quantities of free fatty acids found in the broth. Finally, we examined two potential screening methods for selecting and isolating high free fatty acids producing cells.     

Water channels in platelet volume regulation

The regulation of platelet volume significantly affects its function. Because water is the major molecule in cells and its active transport via water channels called aquaporins (AQPs) have been implicated in cellular and organelle volume regulation, the presence of water channels in platelets and their potential role in platelet volume regulation was investigated. G-protein-mediated AQP regulation in secretory vesicle swelling has previously been reported in neurons and in pancreatic acinar cells. Mercuric chloride has been demonstrated to inhibit most AQPs except AQP6, which is stimulated by the compound. Exposure of platelets to HgCl(2)-induced swelling in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting the presence of AQP6 in platelets. Immunoblot analysis of platelet protein confirmed the presence of AQP6, and also of G(αo), G(αi-1) and G(αi-3) proteins. Results from this study demonstrate for the first time that in platelets AQP6 is involved in cell volume regulation via a G-protein-mediated pathway.     

Translational plant proteomics: a perspective

Translational proteomics is an emerging sub-discipline of the proteomics field in the biological sciences. Translational plant proteomics aims to integrate knowledge from basic sciences to translate it into field applications to solve issues related but not limited to the recreational and economic values of plants, food security and safety, and energy sustainability. In this review, we highlight the substantial progress reached in plant proteomics during the past decade which has paved the way for translational plant proteomics. Increasing proteomics knowledge in plants is not limited to model and non-model plants, proteogenomics, crop improvement, and food analysis, safety, and nutrition but to many more potential applications. Given the wealth of information generated and to some extent applied, there is the need for more efficient and broader channels to freely disseminate the information to the scientific community. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Translational Proteomics.     

Natural variation among Arabidopsis accessions reveals malic acid as a key mediator of Nickel (Ni) tolerance

Plants have evolved various mechanisms for detoxification that are specific to the plant species as well as the metal ion chemical properties. Malic acid, which is commonly found in plants, participates in a number of physiological processes including metal chelation. Using natural variation among Arabidopsis accessions, we investigated the function of malic acid in Nickel (Ni) tolerance and detoxification. The Ni-induced production of reactive oxygen species was found to be modulated by intracellular malic acid, indicating its crucial role in Ni detoxification. Ni tolerance in Arabidopsis may actively involve malic acid and/or complexes of Ni and malic acid. Investigation of malic acid content in roots among tolerant ecotypes suggested that a complex of Ni and malic acid may be involved in translocation of Ni from roots to leaves. The exudation of malic acid from roots in response to Ni treatment in either susceptible or tolerant plant species was found to be partially dependent on AtALMT1 expression. A lower concentration of Ni (10?μM) treatment induced AtALMT1 expression in the Ni-tolerant Arabidopsis ecotypes. We found that the ecotype Santa Clara (S.C.) not only tolerated Ni but also accumulated more Ni in leaves compared to other ecotypes. Thus, the ecotype S.C. can be used as a model system to delineate the biochemical and genetic basis of Ni tolerance, accumulation, and detoxification in plants. The evolution of Ni hyperaccumulators, which are found in serpentine soils, is an interesting corollary to the fact that S.C. is also native to serpentine soils.