ent-Rosane and abietane diterpenoids as cancer chemopreventive agents

Two ent-rosane- (cuzcol, 1 and 6-dehydroxycuzcol, 2) and a abietatriene- (salvadoriol, 3) type diterpenoids have been isolated from Maytenus cuzcoina and Crossopetalum uragoga, respectively, along with five known diterpene compounds (4-8). Their stereostructures have been elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR techniques, and computational data. The absolute configuration of cuzcol was determined by application of Riguera ester procedure. This is the first instance of isolation of ent-rosane diterpenoids from species of the Celastraceae. The isolated diterpenes were found to be potent anti-tumour-promoter agents, and carnosol (7) also showed a remarkable chemopreventive effect in an in vivo two-stage carcinogenesis model.     

Photooxidation of pterin in aqueous solutions: biological and biomedical implications

Studies of the photochemical reactivity of pterin (= 2-aminopteridin-4(3H)-one; PT) in acidic (pH 5.0-6.0) and alkaline (pH 10.2-10.8) aqueous solutions have been performed. The photochemical reactions were followed by UV/VIS spectrophotometry, thin layer chromatography (TLC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and an enzymatic method for H2O2 determination. PT is not light-sensitive in the absence of molecular oxygen, but it undergoes photooxidation in the presence of O2, yielding several nonpteridinic products. The quantum yields for PT disappearance were found to be 8.2 (+/-0.6) x 10(-4) and 1.2 (+/-0.2) x 10(-3) in acidic and alkaline media, respectively. H2O2 was detected and quantified in irradiated solutions of PT; and its importance from a biomedical point of view is discussed. The rate constant of the chemical reaction between singlet oxygen ((1)O2) and PT was determined to be 2.5 (+/-0.2) x 10(5) l mol(-1) s(-1) in alkaline medium, and the role of (1)O2 in the photooxidation of pterin was evaluated.     

Distribution of 3-hydroxy oxylipins and acetylsalicylic acid sensitivity in Cryptococcus species

Using a well tested antibody specific for 3-hydroxy oxylipins, we mapped the presence of these oxylipins in selected Cryptococcus (Filobasidiella) species. Immunofluorescence microscopy studies revealed that these compounds are deposited on cell wall surfaces, appendages, and collarettes. In vitro studies revealed that growth of Cryptococcus species was inhibited by acetylsalicylic acid (which is known to inhibit mitochondrial function, including the production of 3-hydroxy oxylipins) at concentrations as low as 1 mmol/L. The results suggest that acetylsalicylic acid is effective in controlling the growth of tested pathogens, probably by targeting their mitochondria. This study further expands the known function of this anti-inflammatory drug as anti-fungal agent.     

Follistatin regulates enamel patterning in mouse incisors by asymmetrically inhibiting BMP signaling and ameloblast differentiation

Rodent incisors are covered by enamel only on their labial side. This asymmetric distribution of enamel is instrumental to making the cutting edge sharp. Enamel matrix is secreted by ameloblasts derived from dental epithelium. Here we show that overexpression of follistatin in the dental epithelium inhibits ameloblast differentiation in transgenic mouse incisors, whereas in follistatin knockout mice, ameloblasts differentiate ectopically on the lingual enamel-free surface. Consistent with this, in wild-type mice, follistatin was continuously expressed in the lingual dental epithelium but downregulated in the labial epithelium. Experiments on cultured tooth explants indicated that follistatin inhibits the ameloblast-inducing activity of BMP4 from the underlying mesenchymal odontoblasts and that follistatin expression is induced by activin from the surrounding dental follicle. Hence, ameloblast differentiation is regulated by antagonistic actions of BMP4 and activin A from two mesenchymal cell layers flanking the dental epithelium, and asymmetrically expressed follistatin regulates the labial-lingual patterning of enamel formation.     

Growth differentiation factor 9 regulates expression of the bone morphogenetic protein antagonist gremlin

Growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) is an oocyte-expressed member of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) superfamily and is required for normal ovarian follicle development and female fertility. GDF9 acts as a paracrine factor and affects granulosa cell physiology. Only a few genes regulated by GDF9 are known. Our microarray analysis has identified gremlin as one of the genes up-regulated by GDF9 in cultures of granulosa cells. Gremlin is a known member of the DAN family of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) antagonists, but its expression and function in the ovary are unknown. We have investigated the regulation of gremlin in mouse granulosa cells by GDF9 as well as other members of the TGF-beta superfamily. GDF9 and BMP4 induce gremlin, but TGF-beta does not. In addition, in cultures of granulosa cells, gremlin negatively regulates BMP4 signaling but not GDF9 activity. The expression of gremlin in the ovary was also examined by in situ hybridization. A distinct change in gremlin mRNA compartmentalization occurs during follicle development and ovulation, indicating a highly regulated expression pattern during folliculogenesis. We propose that gremlin modulates the cross-talk between GDF9 and BMP signaling that is necessary during follicle development because both ligands use components of the same signaling pathway.     

Seed Rain and Seed Dispersal Agents in Pure and Mixed Plantations of Native Trees and Abandoned Pastures at La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica

Lack of seed dispersal can be an important obstacle to natural regeneration (NR) of degraded pastures in the humid tropics. Tree plantations can facilitate secondary forest succession by attracting seed dispersal agents from nearby forests. We studied seed rain and seed dispersal agents in 12–13 years old pure and mixed native tree plantations at La Selva Biological Station, Costa Rica from July to December 2004. Plantations of Balizia elegans (5,522), Dipteryx panamensis (2,263), and Jacaranda copaia (2,091) had the greatest total seed abundance; treatments with the least total seed abundance were Calophyllum brasiliense (56), nonplanted abandoned pasture control 2 (353), Mixed Species 2 (389), and control 1 (836). Plantations of J. copaia and Hyeronima alchorneoides had the greatest seed species richness density, whereas the lowest seed species richness was found in the control treatments. The NR plots had more seeds dispersed by wind, whereas in the plantations, the most important dispersal agents were birds and mammals. The most abundant seeds were those of Miconia spp. (14,492), Psychotria bracheata (2,252), and the Poaceae family (1,346), all species from early successional stages. Plantations of native species are effective in attracting seed dispersal agents and thus facilitating regeneration of degraded pasturelands in the region.     

New hydroxystilbenoid derivatives endowed with neuroprotective activity and devoid of interference with estrogen and aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated transcription

We have synthesized a series of new (E) stilbenoid derivatives containing hydroxy groups at ring positions identical or similar to those of trans-resveratrol and bearing one or two bulky electron donating groups ortho to 4′-OH and we have evaluated their neuroprotective activity using glutamate-challenged HT22 hippocampal neurons to model oxidative stress-induced neuronal cell death. The most active derivatives, 5-{(E)-2-[3,5-bis(1-ethylpropyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]ethenyl}-1,3-benzenediol (2), 5-[(E)-2-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyphenylethenyl)]-1,3-benzenediol (4) and 5-{(1E,3E)-4-[3,5-bis(1-ethylpropyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl]-1,3-butadienyl}-1,3-benzenediol (6), had EC₅₀ values of 30, 45 and 12 nM, respectively, and were ca. 100 to 400-fold more potent than resveratrol. Derivatives 2, 4 and 6 lacked cytotoxic activity against HT22 cells and estrogen receptor agonist or antagonist activity in estrogen response element-dependent gene expression and in estrogen-dependent proliferation of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. In addition, they were incapable of interfering with aryl hydrocarbon receptor-mediated xenobiotic response element-dependent gene expression. Derivatives 2, 4 and 6 might assist in the development of lead candidates against oxidative stress-driven neurodegenerative diseases that will not increase endocrine cancer risk nor affect drug activation and detoxification mechanisms.     

Combined treatment of heterocyclic analogues and benznidazole upon Trypanosoma cruzi in vivo

Chagas disease caused by Trypanosoma cruzi is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in Latin America but no vaccines or safe chemotherapeutic agents are available. Combined therapy is envisioned as an ideal approach since it may enhance efficacy by acting upon different cellular targets, may reduce toxicity and minimize the risk of drug resistance. Therefore, we investigated the activity of benznidazole (Bz) in combination with the diamidine prodrug DB289 and in combination with the arylimidamide DB766 upon T. cruzi infection in vivo. The oral treatment of T.cruzi-infected mice with DB289 and Benznidazole (Bz) alone reduced the number of circulating parasites compared with untreated mice by about 70% and 90%, respectively. However, the combination of these two compounds decreased the parasitemia by 99% and protected against animal mortality by 100%, but without providing a parasitological cure. When Bz (p.o) was combined with DB766 (via i.p. route), at least a 99.5% decrease in parasitemia levels was observed. DB766+Bz also provided 100% protection against mice mortality while Bz alone provided about 87% protection. This combined therapy also reduced the tissular lesions induced by T. cruzi infection: Bz alone reduced GPT and CK plasma levels by about 12% and 78% compared to untreated mice group, the combination of Bz with DB766 resulted in a reduction of GPT and CK plasma levels of 56% and 91%. Cure assessment through hemocultive and PCR approaches showed that Bz did not provide a parasitological cure, however, DB766 alone or associated with Bz cured ≥13% of surviving animals.     

Hierarchical status and colour preference in Nile tilapia (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Oreochromis niloticus</Emphasis>)

We studied the colour preference of isolated Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and whether previous residence or body size can affect environmental colour choice. In the first phase, a cylindrical tank was divided into five differently coloured compartments (yellow, blue, green, white and red), a single fish was introduced into the tank and the frequency at which this fish visited each compartment was recorded over a 2-day study period. An increasingly larger fish (approx +2 cm in length each time) was then added into the tank on each of days 3, 5 and 7 (=four fish in the tank by day 7), and the frequency at which each fish visited the different compartments of the tank was observed twice a day to obtain visit frequency data on the differently sized fishes. This experiment was replicated six times. In the first phase, the solitary fish established residence inside the yellow compartment on the first and second days. Following the introduction of a larger fish, the smaller fish was displaced from the occupied compartment. Nile tilapia possibly shows this preference for yellow as a function of its visual spectral sensitivity and/or the spectral characteristics of its natural environment. Moreover, body size is an important factor in determining hierarchical dominance and territorial defence, and dominant fish chose the preferred environmental colour compartment as their territory.     

Glucose Phosphorylation Is Required for Mycobacterium tuberculosis Persistence in Mice

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is thought to preferentially rely on fatty acid metabolism to both establish and maintain chronic infections. Its metabolic network, however, allows efficient co-catabolism of multiple carbon substrates. To gain insight into the importance of carbohydrate substrates for Mtb pathogenesis we evaluated the role of glucose phosphorylation, the first reaction in glycolysis. We discovered that Mtb expresses two functional glucokinases. Mtb required the polyphosphate glucokinase PPGK for normal growth on glucose, while its second glucokinase GLKA was dispensable. ¹³C-based metabolomic profiling revealed that both enzymes are capable of incorporating glucose into Mtb''s central carbon metabolism, with PPGK serving as dominant glucokinase in wild type (wt) Mtb. When both glucokinase genes, ppgK and glkA, were deleted from its genome, Mtb was unable to use external glucose as substrate for growth or metabolism. Characterization of the glucokinase mutants in mouse infections demonstrated that glucose phosphorylation is dispensable for establishing infection in mice. Surprisingly, however, the glucokinase double mutant failed to persist normally in lungs, which suggests that Mtb has access to glucose in vivo and relies on glucose phosphorylation to survive during chronic mouse infections.