A zebrafish model of chordoma initiated by notochord-driven expression of HRASV12

Chordoma is a malignant tumor thought to arise from remnants of the embryonic notochord, with its origin in the bones of the axial skeleton. Surgical resection is the standard treatment, usually in combination with radiation therapy, but neither chemotherapeutic nor targeted therapeutic approaches have demonstrated success. No animal model and only few chordoma cell lines are available for preclinical drug testing, and, although no druggable genetic drivers have been identified, activation of EGFR and downstream AKT-PI3K pathways have been described. Here, we report a zebrafish model of chordoma, based on stable transgene-driven expression of HRASV12 in notochord cells during development. Extensive intra-notochordal tumor formation is evident within days of transgene expression, ultimately leading to larval death. The zebrafish tumors share characteristics of human chordoma as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. The mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin, which has some demonstrated activity in a chordoma cell line, delays the onset of tumor formation in our zebrafish model, and improves survival of tumor-bearing fish. Consequently, the HRASV12-driven zebrafish model of chordoma could enable high-throughput screening of potential therapeutic agents for the treatment of this refractory cancer.KEY WORDS: HRASV12, Cancer, Chordoma, Drug treatment, Rapamycin, Zebrafish     

Subcellular fractionation enhances proteome coverage of pancreatic duct cells

ObjectivesSubcellular fractionation of whole cell lysates offers a means of simplifying protein mixtures, potentially permitting greater depth of proteomic analysis. Here we compare proteins identified from pancreatic duct cells (PaDC) following organelle enrichment to those identified from PaDC whole cell lysates to determine if the additional procedures of subcellular fractionation increase proteome coverage.MethodsWe used differential centrifugation to enrich for nuclear, mitochondrial, membrane, and cytosolic proteins. We then compared – via mass spectrometry-based analysis – the number of proteins identified from these four fractions with four biological replicates of PaDC whole cell lysates.ResultsWe identified similar numbers of proteins among all samples investigated. In total, 1658 non-redundant proteins were identified in the replicate samples, while 2196 were identified in the subcellular fractionation samples, corresponding to a 30% increase. Additionally, we noted that each organelle fraction was in fact enriched with proteins specific to the targeted organelle.ConclusionsSubcellular fractionation of PaDC resulted in greater proteome coverage compared to PaDC whole cell lysate analysis. Although more labor intensive and time consuming, subcellular fractionation provides greater proteome coverage, and enriches for compartmentalized sub-populations of proteins. Application of this subcellular fractionation strategy allows for a greater depth of proteomic analysis and thus a better understanding of the cellular mechanisms of pancreatic disease.     

MitoTimer

Fluorescent Timer, or DsRed1-E5, is a mutant of the red fluorescent protein, dsRed, in which fluorescence shifts over time from green to red as the protein matures. This molecular clock gives temporal and spatial information on protein turnover. To visualize mitochondrial turnover, we targeted Timer to the mitochondrial matrix with a mitochondrial-targeting sequence (coined “MitoTimer”) and cloned it into a tetracycline-inducible promoter construct to regulate its expression. Here we report characterization of this novel fluorescent reporter for mitochondrial dynamics. Tet-On HEK 293 cells were transfected with pTRE-tight-MitoTimer and production was induced with doxycycline (Dox). Mitochondrial distribution was demonstrated by fluorescence microscopy and verified by subcellular fractionation and western blot analysis. Dox addition for as little as 1 h was sufficient to induce MitoTimer expression within 4 h, with persistence in the mitochondrial fraction for up to 6 d. The color-specific conformation of MitoTimer was stable after fixation with 4% paraformaldehyde. Ratiometric analysis of MitoTimer revealed a time-dependent transition from green to red over 48 h and was amenable to analysis by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry of whole cells or isolated mitochondria. A second Dox administration 48 h after the initial induction resulted in a second round of expression of green MitoTimer. The extent of new protein incorporation during a second pulse was increased by administration of a mitochondrial uncoupler or simvastatin, both of which trigger mitophagy and biogenesis. MitoTimer is a novel fluorescent reporter protein that can reveal new insights into mitochondrial dynamics within cells. Coupled with organelle flow cytometry, it offers new opportunities to investigate mitochondrial subpopulations by biochemical or proteomic methods.     

Synthesis and anti-HIV evaluation of 3'-triazolo nucleosides

A series of hitherto unknown 3'-α-[1,2,3]-substituted triazolo-2',3'-dideoxypyrimidine nucleoside analogues of the anti-HIV 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT) were synthesized through catalyzed alkyne-azide 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (Huisgen reaction). Those 3'-[1,2,3]-triazolo analogues bearing an azido alkyl chain were evaluated for their anti-HIV activity against HIV-1 in primary human lymphocytes as well as for their cytotoxicity in different cells. None of them inhibit HIV replication (EC(50) > 20 μM); two of them were converted to their triphosphate form to evaluate their HIV-RT inhibition.     

Laser fabrication of three-dimensional CAD scaffolds from photosensitive gelatin for applications in tissue engineering

In the present work, 3D CAD scaffolds for tissue engineering applications were developed starting from methacrylamide-modified gelatin (GelMOD) using two-photon polymerization (2PP). The scaffolds were cross-linked employing the biocompatible photoinitiator Irgacure 2959. Because gelatin is derived from collagen (i.e., the main constituent of the ECM), the developed materials mimic the cellular microenvironment from a chemical point of view. In addition, by applying the 2PP technique, structural properties of the cellular microenvironment can also be mimicked. Furthermore, in vitro degradation assays indicated that the enzymatic degradation capability of gelatin is preserved for the methacrylamide-modified derivative. An in depth morphological analysis of the 2PP-fabricated scaffolds demonstrated that the parameters of the CAD model are reproduced with great precision, including the ridge-like surface topography on the order of 1.5 μm. The developed scaffolds showed an excellent stability in culture medium. In a final part of the present work, the suitability of the developed scaffolds for tissue engineering applications was verified. The results indicated that the applied materials are suitable to support porcine mesenchymal stem cell adhesion and subsequent proliferation. Upon applying osteogenic stimulation, the seeded cells differentiated into the anticipated lineage. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis showed the induced calcification of the scaffolds. The results clearly indicate that 2PP is capable of manufacturing precisely constructed 3D tissue engineering scaffolds using photosensitive polymers as starting material.     

Chromatography-mass spectrometry studies on the metabolism of synthetic cannabinoids JWH-018 and JWH-073, psychoactive components of smoking mixtures

The Russian Federation prohibited the distribution of herbal mixtures with synthetic aminoalkylindoles JWH-018 and JWH-073, agonist cannabinoid receptors, on January 22, 2010. The lack or low content of their native compounds in urine requires detailed identification of their metabolites, which are excreted with urine and are present in blood. Using gas and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, we identified a series of metabolites in urine samples from humans and rats that were products of the following reactions: (a) mono- and dihydroxylation of the parent compounds with hydroxyl groups located at aromatic and aliphatic residues, (b) carboxylation, (c) N-dealkylation and (d) N-dealkylation and hydroxylation. The prevailing urinary metabolites in humans are monohydroxylated forms, while N-dealkylated and N-dealkyl monohydroxylated forms are found in rats. Twenty-six samples of herbal smoking mixtures with JWH-018, purchased in Russia, were analysed.     

LRRK2 mutant iPSC-derived DA neurons demonstrate increased susceptibility to oxidative stress

Studies of Parkinson's disease (PD) have been hindered by lack of access to affected human dopaminergic (DA) neurons. Here, we report generation of induced pluripotent stem cells that carry the p.G2019S mutation (G2019S-iPSCs) in the Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase-2 (LRRK2) gene, the most common PD-related mutation, and their differentiation into DA neurons. The high penetrance of the LRRK2 mutation and its clinical resemblance to sporadic PD suggest that these cells could provide a valuable platform for disease analysis and drug development. We found that DA neurons derived from G2019S-iPSCs showed increased expression of key oxidative stress-response genes and α-synuclein protein. The mutant neurons were also more sensitive to caspase-3 activation and cell death caused by exposure to stress agents, such as hydrogen peroxide, MG-132, and 6-hydroxydopamine, than control DA neurons. This enhanced stress sensitivity is consistent with existing understanding of early PD phenotypes and represents a potential therapeutic target.     

Cis-Amide isosteric replacement in thienobenzoxepin inhibitors of PI3-kinase

Substructural class effects surrounding replacement of a ‘cis’ N-methyl aniline amide within potent and selective thienobenzoxepin PI3-kinase inhibitors are disclosed. While a simple aryl to alkyl switch was not tolerated due to differences in preferred amide conformation, heterocyclic amide isosteres with maintained aryl substitution improved potency and metabolic stability at the cost of physical properties. These gains in potency allowed lipophilic deconstruction of the arene to simple branched alkyl substituents. As such, overall lipophilicity-neutral, MW decreases were realized relative to the aniline amide series. The improved properties for lead compound 21 resulted in high permeability, solubility and bioavailability.     

Synthesis and evaluation against hepatitis C virus of 7-deaza analogues of 2′-C-methyl-6-O-methyl guanosine nucleoside and l-Alanine ester phosphoramidates

7-Deazapurines are known to possess broad antiviral activity, however the 2′-C-methylguanosine analogue displays poor cell permeation and limited phosphorylation, thus is not an efficient inhibitor of hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication. We previously reported the 6-O-methyl entity as a prodrug moiety to increase liphophilicity of guanine nucleosides and the ProTide approach applied to 2′-C-methyl-6-O-methylguanosine has lead to potent HCV inhibitors now in clinical trials. In this Letter, we report the synthesis and biological evaluation of 2′-C-methyl-6-O-methyl-7-deaza guanosine and ProTide derivatives. In contrast to prior studies, removal of the N-7 of the nucleobase entirely negates anti-HCV activity compared to the 2′-C-methyl-6-O-methylguanosine analogues. To understand better this significant loss of activity, enzymatic assays and molecular modeling were carried out and suggested 2′-C-methyl-6-O-methyl-7-deaza guanosine and related ProTides do not act as efficient prodrugs of the free nucleotide, in marked contrast to the case of the parent guanine analogue.