Occurrence of Cu-ATPase in Dictyostelium: possible role in resistance to copper

Dictyostelium discoideum amoebae showed an uncommon resistance to Cu(2+), as pointed out through cell growth rate (EC(50) = 469 +/- 30 microM) and the neutral red cytotoxicity assay (EC(50) = 334 +/- 45 microM). Although no evidence of Cu-inducible metallothionein was found, Cu-dependent ATPase activity was cytochemically detected on pelletted, resin-embedded amoebae. This activity required Cu(2+) in the incubation medium, was sensitive to TPEN, vanadate and temperature, and showed dose-dependent increase after exposure of amoebae to 10-500 microM Cu(2+) for 7 days. Accordingly, immunofluorescence and Western blotting revealed the occurrence of a Cu-inducible, putative homologue of human Menkes (MNK) Cu-P-type ATPase. To verify if Cu-ATPase is involved in copper resistance, amoebae were exposed to low concentrations of Cu(2+) and vanadate followed by the neutral red assay. Exposure to either treatment showed no effect, while a combination caused a dramatic increase of Cu toxicity, possibly depending on Cu-ATPase inhibition.     

Development of a modified transformation platform for apomixis candidate genes research in Paspalum notatum (bahiagrass)

The aim of this work was to improve existing transformation protocols and to transform specific genotypes of Paspalum notatum (bahiagrass) for functional analyses of candidate genes involved in reproduction. Three different explants were assayed for in vitro plant regeneration: mature seeds, mature embryos, and shoot meristems. Plant regeneration was achieved with all explant types, but mature seeds produced the optimal rate (78.0%) and were easiest to manipulate. A method based on serial re-induction of calli from meristems of the regenerated lines was also developed, which could be useful in plant breeding strategies pursuing somaclonal variation. Transient transformation experiments were performed on calli obtained from mature seeds using a compressed helium gene gun. Transient transformation constructs included anthocyanin-synthesis genes cloned under the CAMV 35S promoter and an enhanced green fluorescent protein gene (egfp) driven by the rice actin1 (act1) promoter. Selection curves for ammonium glufosinate were developed in order to determine the optimal selective pressure for stable transformation (1.0 mg/L). Stable co-transformation experiments were carried out with two different constructs containing: (1) the reporter egfp gene cloned under the rice act1 promoter and (2) the selector bar gene driven by the ubiquitin promoter. A total of 27 (64.2%) transgenic plants out of 42 resistant plants analyzed were obtained. The presence of the transgenes in regenerated plants was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction and DNA gel blot analysis. Gene expression was demonstrated by eGFP fluorescence detection and in vivo assays for ammonium glufosinate tolerance. This platform is being used to generate transgenic plants of P. notatum to analyze the function of apomixis-associated candidate genes.     

Dual-color bioluminescent assay using infected HepG2 cells sheds new light on Chlamydia pneumoniae and human cytomegalovirus effects on human cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) transcription

Human bones, recovered from excavations, are an important biological archive of information. In particular, the analysis of the collagen fraction is useful for paleodietary reconstruction, via light stable isotopes, and for (14)C dating. Generally, collagen extraction procedures do not prevent loss of integrity of proteins. As a consequence, information about the state-of-remains preservation is unavailable. Here we describe a "soft" nondestructive CH(3)COOH-based method to recover collagen from archaeological bones, and also to obtain material for successive isotopic analyses. Our isotopic measurements on the extracts indicate that the CH(3)COOH-based method of extraction may be routinely employed in the context of paleodiet studies. In addition, we propose that biochemical characterization by denaturant electrophoresis and Western blot on CH(3)COOH extracts may be used as a bone collagen quality indicator.     

The influence of recent decisions on future goal selection

Recent decisions about actions and goals can have effects on future choices. Several studies have shown an effect of the previous trial history on neural activity in a subsequent trial. Often, but not always, these effects originate from task requirements that make it necessary to maintain access to previous trial information to make future decisions. Maintaining the information about recent decisions and their outcomes can play an important role in both adapting to new contingencies and learning. Previous goal decisions must be distinguished from goals that are currently being planned to avoid perseveration or more general errors. Output monitoring is probably based on this separation of accomplished past goals from pending future goals that are being pursued. Behaviourally, it has been shown that the history context can influence the location, error rate and latency of successive responses. We will review the neurophysiological studies in the literature, including data from our laboratory, which support a role for the frontal lobe in tracking previous goal selections and outputs when new goals need to be accomplished.     

Biosynthesis of saponins in the genus Medicago

Saponins from Medicago species are glycosidic compounds with an aglycone moiety formed through the enzymatic cyclization of 2,3-oxidosqualene by the β-amyrin cyclase. All the saponins from Medicago genus possess the triterpenic pentacyclic nucleus belonging to the class of β-amyrin. The so formed β-amyrin skeleton can be further modified by oxidative reactions, mediated by cytochromes belonging to the class of cytochrome P450, to give different saponin compounds, characterized by the presence of hydroxyl or carboxyl groups located in specific positions of the triterpenic skeleton. Based on the position and the oxidation degree of the substituents, it is possible to distinguish two groups of saponins (sapogenins) in Medicago spp: (1) sapogenins possessing an OH group on C-24 (soyasapogenols A, B and E) without any substituent at the C-28 atom, and (2) sapogenins possessing the COOH group at C-28 that are associated with different oxidation degrees (zero, OH, CHO, COOH) at C-23. These results seem to indicate that the oxidation at C-24 and the presence of the COOH group at C-28 are mutually exclusive. The subdivision in the aglycone moiety is reflected also in the sugar moiety, operated by glycosyltranferases, as the saponins of the two groups differ for the position and the nature of the sugar chains. Based on these findings, new considerations on the biosynthesis of saponins in the genus Medicago can be drawn and a biosynthetic scheme is proposed.     

Fully Plastic Dye Solar Cell Devices by Low‐Temperature UV‐Irradiation of both the Mesoporous TiO2 Photo‐ and Platinized Counter‐Electrodes

The application of UV irradiation processes are successfully proposed for the first time in the fabrication of both of the two plastic electrodes in flexible dye solar cells (DSCs) and modules. For the realization of the photo‐electrode, a customized TiO₂ paste formulation and UV processing method was developed which yields 134% (48%) performance enhancement with respect to the same (binder‐free) paste treated at 120 °C. UV treatment induces both complete removal of organic media and more efficient charge collection. Significantly, highly catalytic platinized flexible counter‐electrodes are also obtained via UV photo‐induced reduction of screen‐printed platinum precursor pastes based on hexachloroplatinic acid. Using both UV‐processed electrodes, a fully plastic DSC is fabricated with a conversion efficiency of 4.3% under 1 Sun (semitransparent) and 5.3% under 0.2 Sun (opaque). Performance is within 10% of the efficiency of a glass‐based DSC prepared with the same materials but with conventional high temperature processes. The material formulations and processes are simple, and easily up‐scaled over large areas, even directly and simultaneously applicable to the preparation of both the photo‐and counter‐electrode on the same substrate which enabled us to demonstrate the first module on plastic realized with a W series interconnection.     

Evaluation of Relapse-Free Survival in T3N0 Colon Cancer: The Role of Chemotherapy,a Multicentric Retrospective Analysis

Background

Adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) in Stage II Colon Cancer (CC) is still under debate. Choice should be based on patients and disease characteristics. According to guidelines AC should be considered in high-risk T3N0 patients. No data are available for better option in low-risk patients. The aim of the study is to retrospectively evaluate relapse-free survival (RFS) and disease-free survival (DFS) according to treatment received in T3N0 CC.

Methods

RFS and DFS are evaluated with Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard model was developed using stepwise regression, enter limit and remove limit were p = 0.10 and p = 0.15, respectively.

Results

834 patients with T3N0 CC were recruited. Median age was 69 (29–93), M/F 463/371, 335 low-risk patients (40.2%), 387 high-risk (46.4%), 112 unknown (13.4%); 127 (15.2%) patients showed symptoms at diagnosis. Median sampled lymph nodes were 15 (1–76); 353 (42.3%) patients were treated with AC. Median follow up was 5 years (range 3–24). The 5-years RFS was 78.4% and the 5-years DFS was 76.7%. At multivariate analysis symptoms, lymph nodes, and adjuvant chemotherapy were prognostic factors for RFS. AC is prognostic factor for all endpoints.In low-risk group 5-years RFS was 87.3% in treated patients and 74.7% in non-treated patients (p 0.03); in high-risk group was respectively 82.7% and 71.4% (p 0.005).

Conclusions

Data confirmed the role of known prognostic factors and suggest the relevance of adjuvant chemotherapy also in low-risk stage II T3N0 CC patients. However, the highest risk in low-risk subgroup should be identified to be submitted to AC.     

Glucose transport in lysosomal membrane vesicles. Kinetic demonstration of a carrier for neutral hexoses

Lysosomal membrane vesicles isolated from rat liver were exploited to analyze the mechanism of glucose transport across the lysosomal membrane. Uptake kinetics of [14C]D-glucose showed a concentration-dependent saturable process, typical of carrier-mediated facilitated transport, with a Kt of about 75 mM. Uptake was unaffected by Na+ and K+ ions, membrane potentials, and proton gradients but showed an acidic pH optimum. Lowering the pH from 7.4 to 5.5 had no effect on the affinity of the carrier for the substrate but increased the maximum rate of transport about 3-fold. As inferred from the linearity of Scatchard plots, a single transport mechanism could account for the uptake of glucose under all conditions tested. As indicated by the transstimulation properties of the carrier, other neutral monohexoses, including D-galactose, D-mannose, D- and L-fucose were transported by this carrier. The transport rates and affinities of these sugars, measured by the use of their radiolabeled counterparts, were in the same range as those for D-glucose. Pentoses, sialic acid, and other acidic monosaccharides including their lactones, aminosugars, N-acetyl-hexosamines, and most L-stereoisomers, particularly those not present in mammalian tissues, were not transported by this carrier. Glucose uptake and transstimulation were inhibited by cytochalasin B and phloretin. The biochemical properties of this transporter differentiate it from other well-characterized lysosomal sugar carriers, including those for sialic acid and N-acetylhexosamines. The acidic pH optimum of this glucose transporter is a unique feature not shared with any other known glucose carrier and is consistent with its lysosomal origin.     

TWEAK signals through JAK–STAT to induce tumor cell apoptosis

The TWEAK receptor Fn14 (TNFRSF12), a member of the TNF Receptor superfamily, can mediate many processes, including apoptosis. Fn14 agonists have therefore been the subject of interest as potential cancer therapeutics. In cell culture experiments, interferon gamma (IFNγ) is typically required for induction of apoptotic activity by either TWEAK or Fn14 agonistic antibodies in most cell lines. We have investigated the mechanism of IFNγ signaling and the role of JAK–STAT signaling in TWEAK/Fn14-mediated tumor cell killing. We found that IFNγ-mediated enhancement of tumor cell killing is JAK–STAT dependent, as JAK inhibitors block IFNγ?dependent TWEAK induced apoptosis. Exposure of tumor cells to IFNγ results in an increase in Fn14 expression on the cell surface, which may be a mechanism by which IFNγ induces sensitivity to TWEAK. In a reciprocal fashion, we observed that IFNγ receptor levels increase in response to TWEAK treatment in WiDr cells. Significantly, we found that TWEAK alone can induce STAT1 phosphorylation in WiDr tumor cells. Moreover, TWEAK induction of tumor cell apoptosis in WiDr cells in the absence of IFNγ is mediated by the JAK–STAT pathway. Correspondingly, we show that treatment of tumor bearing mice with mBIIB036, an Fn14 agonistic antibody, results in STAT1 phosphorylation in the tumors. Notably, the level of STAT1 phosphorylation appears to correlate with the degree of tumor growth inhibition by BIIB036 in vivo. Additionally, in WiDr cells, TWEAK induces a soluble factor, which we have identified as IFNβ, capable of independently inducing STAT1 phosphorylation when transferred to naïve cells. Finally, either IFNα or IFNβ can partially substitute for IFNγ in sensitizing tumor cells to Fn14 agonists. In summary, we show that TWEAK/Fn14 can signal through the JAK–STAT pathway to induce IFNβ, and that the ability of TWEAK to induce tumor cell apoptosis is mediated by JAK-STAT signaling. We also demonstrate that IFNγ enhancement of TWEAK/FN14-mediated tumor cell death is JAK-dependent and may occur by IFNγ-dependent upregulation of Fn14 on tumor cells. These findings may have implications for the appropriately targeted clinical development of Fn14 agonists as anti-cancer therapy.