Neuroprotective effects of (E)-3,4-diacetoxystyryl sulfone and sulfoxide derivatives in vitro models of Parkinson's disease

(E)-3,4-dihydroxystyryl aralkyl sulfones and sulfoxides have been reported as novel multifunctional neuroprotective agents in previous studies, which as phenolic compounds display antioxidative and antineuroinflammatory properties. To further enhance the neuroprotective effects and study structure-activity relationship of the derivatives, we synthesized their acetylated derivatives, (E)-3,4-diacetoxystyryl sulfones and sulfoxides, and examined their neuroprotective effects in vitro models of Parkinson’s disease. The results indicate that (E)-3,4-diacetoxystyryl sulfones and sulfoxides can significantly inhibit kinds of neuron cell injury induced by toxicities, including 6-OHDA, NO, and H₂O₂. More important, they show higher antineuroinflammatory properties and similar antioxidative properties to corresponding un-acetylated compounds. Thus, we suggest that (E)-3,4-diacetoxystyryl sulfones and sulfoxides may have potential for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, especially Parkinson’s disease.     

High glucose concentration induces endothelial cell proliferation by regulating cyclin‐D2‐related miR‐98

Cyclin D2 is involved in the pathology of vascular complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study investigated the role of cyclin‐D2‐regulated miRNAs in endothelial cell proliferation of T2DM. Results showed that higher glucose concentration (4.5 g/l) significantly promoted the proliferation of rat aortic endothelial cells (RAOECs), and significantly increased the expression of cyclin D2 and phosphorylation of retinoblastoma 1 (p‐RB1) in RAOECs compared with those under low glucose concentration. The cyclin D2‐3′ untranslated region is targeted by miR‐98, as demonstrated by miRNA analysis software. Western blot also confirmed that cyclin D2 and p‐RB1 expression was regulated by miR‐98. The results indicated that miR‐98 treatment can induce RAOEC apoptosis. The suppression of RAOEC growth by miR‐98 might be related to regulation of Bcl‐2, Bax and Caspase 9 expression. Furthermore, the expression levels of miR‐98 decreased in 4.5 g/l glucose‐treated cells compared with those treated by low glucose concentration. Similarly, the expression of miR‐98 significantly decreased in aortas of established streptozotocin (STZ)‐induced diabetic rat model compared with that in control rats; but cyclin D2 and p‐RB1 levels remarkably increased in aortas of STZ‐induced diabetic rats compared with those in healthy control rats. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that high glucose concentration induces cyclin D2 up‐regulation and miR‐98 down‐regulation in the RAOECs. By regulating cyclin D2, miR‐98 can inhibit human endothelial cell growth, thereby providing novel therapeutic targets for vascular complication of T2DM.     

The F‐box protein HAWAIIAN SKIRT is required for mimicry target‐induced microRNA degradation in Arabidopsis

Mimicry target-directed micro RNA degradation is widespread and highly conserved among eukaryotes. However, little is known about its mechanism of action. In this letter, by using STTM160(target mimic of mi R160) as a reporter, we show that dysfunction of HAWAIIAN SKIRT(HWS) suppresses the pleiotropic phenotype of STTM160. Small RNA sequencing and Northern blot analyses suggested that HWS only affects a subset of micro RNAs. Intriguingly,we identified a stable coexistence of mi R160/mi R399 and their mimicry targets within the AGO1 complex when HWS is compromised, pointing to a possible role of HWS in the clearance of RNA-induced silencing complexes associated with mimicry target.     

嗜热革节孢多糖单加氧酶氧化方式

多糖单加氧酶(polysaccharidemonooxygenase,PMO)是一种铜离子依赖的氧化酶,属于辅助活性酶类第九家族(auxiliary activity 9,AA9),在存在电子供体维生素C(vitamin C,Vc)的情况下,可以氧化裂解纤维素的多糖链,显著提高纤维素的酶解效率。本文克隆了嗜热革节孢Scytalidium thermophilumAA9家族的一个编码基因pmo7651,并在毕赤酵母GS115进行诱导表达,通过His标签获得了重组蛋白PMO7651-His。以磷酸膨胀纤维素(PASC)为底物进行酶促反应,薄层层析法(TLC)结果显示PMO7651酶解产物主要为纤维二糖至纤维五糖;飞行时间质谱法(MALDI-TOF-MS)和溴氧化法确定PMO7651具有C1、C4、C6位的氧化活性;底物结合平面的3个芳香族氨基酸位点突变对酶的活性具有不同程度的影响;在PMO7651帮助下,纤维素酶的降解效率均具有不同程度的提高。