Synthesis of intergeneric hybrids and establishment of genomic affinity between <Emphasis Type="Italic">Diplotaxis catholica</Emphasis> and crop <Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica</Emphasis> species

Intergeneric hybrids of the wild crucifer Diplotaxis catholica (2n = 18, D(C)D(C)) as female with two crop Brassica species, namely Brassica rapa (2n = 20; AA) and Brassica juncea (2n = 36; AABB) as male, were developed, using ovary and sequential culture. Reciprocal crosses were not successful, suggesting unilateral cross incompatibility. Morphologically, the hybrid plants resembled the crop brassica parents, but were nearly male- as well as female-sterile. Induction of amphiploidy helped to improve pollen fertility for the D. catholica x B. rapa cross (73%), but less so for the D. catholica x B. juncea cross (35-40%). Female fertility was also higher in both the amphiploids. Cytological analysis of the F(1) hybrids revealed aberrant meiosis with predominant occurrence of the univalents. Partial genomic homoeology between the A genome of B. rapa and the D(C) genome of D. catholica was indicated by the presence of up to five bivalents in 14.7% of the PMCs in the D. catholica x B. rapa hybrid, and 1-2 trivalents or a quadrivalent in nearly 44% of the PMCs in the derived amphiploid. In the second cross, D. catholica x B. juncea, up to six bivalents and one trivalent were observed indicating homoeology between the A/B genomes of B. juncea and the D(C) genome of D. catholica. The possibility of introgression of desirable genes from D. catholica into crop Brassica species exists in view of significant affinity between the D(C) and A/B genomes.     

The BDNF val66met polymorphism affects activity-dependent secretion of BDNF and human memory and hippocampal function

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) modulates hippocampal plasticity and hippocampal-dependent memory in cell models and in animals. We examined the effects of a valine (val) to methionine (met) substitution in the 5' pro-region of the human BDNF protein. In human subjects, the met allele was associated with poorer episodic memory, abnormal hippocampal activation assayed with fMRI, and lower hippocampal n-acetyl aspartate (NAA), assayed with MRI spectroscopy. Neurons transfected with met-BDNF-GFP showed lower depolarization-induced secretion, while constitutive secretion was unchanged. Furthermore, met-BDNF-GFP failed to localize to secretory granules or synapses. These results demonstrate a role for BDNF and its val/met polymorphism in human memory and hippocampal function and suggest val/met exerts these effects by impacting intracellular trafficking and activity-dependent secretion of BDNF.     

Highly efficient "tight fit" immobilization of alpha-chymotrypsin in mesoporous MCM-41: a novel approach using precursor immobilization and activation

The zymogen alpha-chymotrypsinogen A is bound to mesoporous silica MCM-41 with a protein loading of 170 mg/g solid (MCM-Z) by a simple stirring in aqueous tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.2). The bound zymogen is then activated with trypsin to obtain alpha-chymotrypsin immobilized on MCM-41 (MCM-E.I) that displays an effective enzyme activity corresponding to 65 mg protein/g of solid support (3250 BTEE units/g). A direct immobilization of commercially available alpha-chymotrypsin (MCM-E.II) gives lower loading (1250 BTEE units/g). Protein content of the solid support after immobilization is confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The enzyme is tightly bound to the support and can be used over 100 recycles over 1 week in aqueous as well as reverse micellar media. The immobilized enzyme (MCM-E.I) has been used for resolution of N-acetyl-dl-amino acid esters and racemic trans-4-methoxy-3-phenylglycidic acid (PGA) methyl ester.     

Preparation and characterization of flurbiprofen beads by melt solidification technique

Amelt solidification technique has been developed to obtain sustained-release waxy beads of flurbiprofen. Low glass transition temperature (t _g) and shear-induced crystallization of flurbiprofen made it a suitable candidate for melt solidification technique. The process involved emulsification and solidification of flurbiprofen-cetyl alcohol melt at significantly low temperature (5°C). The effect of variables, namely, the amount of cetyl alcohol and the speed of agitation, was studied using 3² factorial design. The technique and the beads were evaluated on the basis of process and desired yield, surface topography, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), particle size distribution, crushing strength, and drug release. Average values for process and desired yields were 97% wt/wt and 26% wt/wt, respectively. No interaction was observed between drug and excipient. Multiple regression analysis was carried out, and response surfaces were obtained. A curvilinear relationship was observed between percentage of desired yield and the amount of cetyl alcohol. Linear decrease in crushing strength was observed with increase in the amount of cetyl alcohol. Drug released from the beads followed zero order kinetics. Burst release was shown to a greater extent in beads containing a lower amount of cetyl alcohol. Response surfaces of time required for certain percentage of drug (t _D%) showed that after critical concentration of about 20% of cetyl alcohol (400 mg/batch), no significant release retardant effect was observed.     

A study on the effect of operating parameters on the cross-flow microfiltration of yeasts

The effects of pump speed, cumulative permeate volume and concentration of feed (yeast cells) on the permeate flux have been studied on a batch cross-flow microfiltration process. The experiments were conducted for two different cellulose acetate membrane modules of 0.2 m and 0.45 m pore size. A three factor experiment was designed for this purpose and the effect of the operating parameters on the filtration rate was studied by the analysis of variance (ANOVA). It is concluded from the analysis of the experimental data that pump speed has the maximum bearing upon the permeate rate within the operating range of parameters. Fouling conditions were examined in the light of colloids deposition on membranes due to surface interactions. However this paper looks into the relationship and sensitivity of the operating parameters in a cross-flow microfiltration unit rather than exploring the theoretical principles behind the observed phenomena.This revised version was published online in October 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A purification process for heparin and precursor polysaccharides using the pH responsive behavior of chitosan

The contamination crisis of 2008 has brought to light several risks associated with use of animal tissue derived heparin. Because the total chemical synthesis of heparin is not feasible, a bioengineered approach has been proposed, relying on recombinant enzymes derived from the heparin/HS biosynthetic pathway and Escherichia coli K5 capsular polysaccharide. Intensive process engineering efforts are required to achieve a cost‐competitive process for bioengineered heparin compared to commercially available porcine heparins. Towards this goal, we have used 96‐well plate based screening for development of a chitosan‐based purification process for heparin and precursor polysaccharides. The unique pH responsive behavior of chitosan enables simplified capture of target heparin or related polysaccharides, under low pH and complex solution conditions, followed by elution under mildly basic conditions. The use of mild, basic recovery conditions are compatible with the chemical N‐deacetylation/N‐sulfonation step used in the bioengineered heparin process. Selective precipitation of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) leads to significant removal of process related impurities such as proteins, DNA and endotoxins. Use of highly sensitive liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance analytical techniques reveal a minimum impact of chitosan‐based purification on heparin product composition. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 31:1348–1359, 2015     

Bioavailability and metabolism of fucoxanthin in rats: structural characterization of metabolites by LC-MS (APCI)

This study reports bioavailability and metabolism of fucoxanthin (FUCO) from brown algae Padina tetrastromatica in rats. Rats were divided into two groups (n = 25/group). Group one was fed basal diet (control) while the group two received retinol deficient diet (RD group) for 8 weeks. After confirmed RD in blood (0.53 μmol/l), rats were further sub-grouped (n = 5/sub group), intubated a dose of FUCO (0.83 μmol) and killed after 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 h. The plasma levels (area under curve/8 h) of FUCO (fucoxanthinol (FUOH) + amarouciaxanthin (AAx)) was 2.93 (RD group) and 2.74 pmol/dl (control), respectively. No newly formed retinol was detected in RD rats intubated with FUCO. Besides FUOH (m/z 617 (M+H)⁺) and AAx (m/z 617 (M+H^?)⁺), other deacetylated, hydrolyzed and demethylated metabolites of bearing molecular mass at m/z 600.6 (FUOH–H₂O), m/z 597 (AAx–H₂O), m/z 579 (AAx–2H₂O+1), m/z 551 (AAx–2H₂O–2CH₃+2) and m/z 523 (AAx–2H₂O–4CH₃+4) were also detected in plasma and liver by LC-MS (APCI). Although biological functions of FUCO metabolites need thorough investigation, this is the first detailed report on FUCO metabolites in rats.     

Epigenetic regulator MLL2 shows altered expression in cancer cell lines and tumors from human breast and colon

Background  

MLL2, an epigenetic regulator in mammalian cells, mediates histone 3 lysine 4 tri-methylation (H3K4me3) through the formation of a multiprotein complex. MLL2 shares a high degree of structural similarity with MLL, which is frequently disrupted in leukemias via chromosomal translocations. However, this structural similarity is not accompanied by functional equivalence. In light of this difference, and previous reports on involvement of epigenetic regulators in malignancies, we investigated MLL2 expression in established cell lines from breast and colon tissues. We then investigated MLL2 in solid tumors of breast and colon by immunohistochemistry, and evaluated potential associations with established clinicopathologic variables.