Structure–activity relationship of human glutaminyl cyclase inhibitors having an N-(5-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)propyl thiourea template

In an effort to design inhibitors of human glutaminyl cyclase (QC), we have synthesized a library of N-aryl N-(5-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)propyl thioureas and investigated the contribution of the aryl region of these compounds to their structure–activity relationships as cyclase inhibitors. Our design was guided by the proposed binding mode of the preferred substrate for the cyclase. In this series, compound 52 was identified as the most potent QC inhibitor with an IC₅₀ value of 58 nM, which was two-fold more potent than the previously reported lead 2. Compound 52 is a most promising candidate for future evaluation to monitor its ability to reduce the formation of pGlu-Aβ and Aβ plaques in cells and transgenic animals.     

20-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol,a metabolite of ginseng,inhibits colon cancer growth by targeting TRPC channel-mediated calcium influx

Abnormal regulation of Ca²⁺ mediates tumorigenesis and Ca²⁺ channels are reportedly deregulated in cancers, indicating that regulating Ca²⁺ signaling in cancer cells is considered as a promising strategy to treat cancer. However, little is known regarding the mechanism by which Ca²⁺ affects cancer cell death. Here, we show that 20-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-20(S)-protopanaxadiol (20-GPPD), a metabolite of ginseng saponin, causes apoptosis of colon cancer cells through the induction of cytoplasmic Ca²⁺. 20-GPPD decreased cell viability, increased annexin V-positive early apoptosis and induced sub-G1 accumulation and nuclear condensation of CT-26 murine colon cancer cells. Although 20-GPPD-induced activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) played a key role in the apoptotic death of CT-26 cells, LKB1, a well-known upstream kinase of AMPK, was not involved in this activation. To identify the upstream target of 20-GPPD for activating AMPK, we examined the effect of Ca²⁺ on apoptosis of CT-26 cells. A calcium chelator recovered 20-GPPD-induced AMPK phosphorylation and CT-26 cell death. Confocal microscopy showed that 20-GPPD increased Ca²⁺ entry into CT-26 cells, whereas a transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) blocker suppressed Ca²⁺ entry. When cells were treated with a TRPC blocker plus an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium blocker, 20-GPPD-induced calcium influx was completely inhibited, suggesting that the ER calcium store, as well as TRPC, was involved. In vivo mouse CT-26 allografts showed that 20-GPPD significantly suppressed tumor growth, volume and weight in a dose-dependent manner. Collectively, 20-GPPD exerts potent anticarcinogenic effects on colon carcinogenesis by increasing Ca²⁺ influx, mainly through TRPC channels, and by targeting AMPK.     

Targeted delivery of a phosphopeptide prodrug inhibits the proliferation of a human glioma cell line

Peptides are ideal candidates for developing therapeutics. Polo-like kinase 1 is an important regulatory protein in the cell cycle and contains a C-terminal polo-box domain, which is the hallmark of this protein family. We developed a peptide inhibitor of polo-like kinase 1 that targets its polo-box domain. This new phosphopeptide, cRGDyK-S-S-CPLHSpT, preferentially penetrates the cancer cell membrane mediated by the integrin receptor, which is expressed at high levels by cancer cells. In the present study, using high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy, we determined the stability of cRGDyK-S-S-CPLHSpT and its cleavage by glutathione under typical conditions for cell culture. We further assessed the ability of the peptide to inhibit the proliferation of the U87MG glioma cell line. The phosphorylated peptide was stable, and the disulfide bond of cRGDyK-S-S-CPLHSpT was cleaved in 50 mM glutathione. This peptide inhibited the growth of cancer cells and changed their morphology. Therefore, we conclude that the phosphopeptide shows promise as a prodrug and has a high potential to act as an anticancer agent by inhibiting polo-like kinase 1 by binding its polo-box domain. These findings indicate the therapeutic potential of PLHSpT and peptides similarly targeted to surface receptors of cancer cells and to the functional domains of regulatory proteins.     

Gene expression profiling of coelomic cells and discovery of immune-related genes in the earthworm,Eisenia andrei,using expressed sequence tags

The coelomic cells of the earthworm consist of leukocytes, chlorogocytes, and coelomocytes, which play an important role in innate immunity reactions. To gain insight into the expression profiles of coelomic cells of the earthworm, Eisenia andrei, we analyzed 1151 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) derived from the cDNA library of the coelomic cells. Among the 1151 ESTs analyzed, 493 ESTs (42.8%) showed a significant similarity to known genes and represented 164 unique genes, of which 93 ESTs were singletons and 71 ESTs manifested as two or more ESTs. From the 164 unique genes sequenced, we found 24 immune-related and cell defense genes. Furthermore, real-time PCR analysis showed that levels of lysenin-related proteins mRNA in coelomic cells of E. andrei were upregulated after the injection of Bacillus subtilis bacteria. This EST data-set would provide a valuable resource for future researches of earthworm immune system.     

Cultivation of the two perennial brown algae Ecklonia cava and E. stolonifera for abalone feeds in Korea

Ecklonia cava and Ecklonia stolonifera are perennial brown algae that form sea forests off the coast of Korea. Both species are cultured to supply a summer feed for the abalone industry. Recent expansion of the abalone industry in Korea has been bringing an increase in demand for fresh algal supply. Zoospores of the two algae were seeded in October 2006 on seed frames coiled with 100 m of seed fibers. After 2 months of indoor culture and 2 months of intermediate culture, growth and production of the two algae were compared during their main cultivation period from March 2007 to June 2008, in the culture ground in Wando, Korea (34°26′18.68″ N, 127°05′43.88″ E), in situ. Growth rate of E. cava and E. stolonifera was 1.058 and 3.089 mm day^?1, respectively. The mean production of E. stolonifera obtained from the culture ropes was ca. 12 kg wet wt. m^?1 of culture rope while production of E. cava was ca. 3 kg wet wt. m^?1 of culture rope. The difference in production was attributed from the different growth strategies of the two algae, with only E. stolonifera being able to regenerate blades from the holdfast. The ability to regenerate blades from the holdfast therefore makes E. stolonifera the preferred species for biomass production for abalone feeds. In a 120-day feeding experiment, growth rate, weight gain, and survival rate of abalone showed that E. cava and E. stolonifera feeds could provide an alternative feed to Saccharina japonica during summer months.     

Enhancing operational stability and exhibition of enzyme activity by removing water in the immobilized lipase‐catalyzed production of erythorbyl laurate

Erythorbyl laurate was continuously synthesized by esterification in a packed‐bed enzyme reactor with immobilized lipase from Candida antarctica. Response surface methodology based on a five‐level three‐factor central composite design was adopted to optimize conditions for the enzymatic esterification. The reaction variables, such as reaction temperature (10–70°C), substrate molar ratio ([lauric acid]/[erythorbic acid], 5–15), and residence time (8–40 min) were evaluated and their optimum conditions were found to be 56.2°C, 14.3, and 24.2 min, respectively. Under the optimum conditions, the molar conversion yield was 83.4%, which was not significantly different (P < 0.05) from the value predicted (84.4%). Especially, continuous water removal by adsorption on an ion‐exchange resin in a packed‐bed enzyme reactor improved operational stability, resulting in prolongation of half‐life (2.02 times longer compared to the control without water‐removal system). Furthermore, in the case of batch‐type reactor, it exhibited significant increase in initial velocity of molar conversion from 1.58% to 2.04%/min. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 29:882–889, 2013     

Waist Circumference,Not Body Mass Index,Is Associated with Renal Function Decline in Korean Population: Hallym Aging Study

Background

Prospective investigation of obesity and renal function decline in Asia is sparse. We examined the associations of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) with renal function decline in a prospective study of Korean population.

Methods

A total of 454 participants who had baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) levels of more than 60 mL/min/1.73 m² in Hallym Aging Study (HAS) were included and followed for 6 years. Renal function decline was defined as follows: (1) an eGFR decline ≥3 mL/min/1.73 m²/year (n = 82 cases); (2) an eGFR decrease of 20% or greater (n = 87 cases) at follow-up; (3) an eGFR decrease of 20% greater at follow-up or eGFR decline ≥3 mL/min/1.73 m²/year (n = 91 cases); and (4) an eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m² at follow-up (n = 54 cases). eGFR was determined based on the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) Study equation. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to determine the association between obesity and renal function decline.

Results

We found that central obesity was associated with faster renal function decline. Comparing WC of >95 cm in men or >90 cm in women with ≤90 cm in men or ≤85 cm in women, ORs (95% CIs) ranged from 2.31 (1.14–4.69) to 2.78 (1.19–6.50) for the 4 definitions of renal function decline (all p-values for trend <0.05). Waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) also was associated with renal function decline. There was no significant association of BMI with renal function decline.

Conclusions

Central obesity, but not BMI, is associated with faster renal function decline in Korean population. Our results provide important evidence that simple measurement of central fat deposition rather than BMI could predict decline in renal function in Korean population.     

Two Distinct Functional Patterns of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)-Specific T Cell Responses in Seronegative,Aviremic Patients

In hepatitis C Virus (HCV) high-risk groups, HCV-specific T cell responses have been detected in seronegative, aviremic persons who have no evidence of HCV infection. Herein, we investigated functional profiles of HCV-specific T-cell responses in seronegative, aviremic patients of a HCV high-risk group. Seventy seven hemodialysis patients with chronic renal disease were analyzed by IFN-γ ELISpot assays, and eight of 71 (11.3%) seronegative, aviremic patients displayed HCV-specific T-cell responses. Their HCV-specific memory T cells were characterized by assessing cytokine polyfunctionality, known to provide antiviral protection. By intracellular staining of IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2 and MIP-1β, we identified two distinct populations in the seronegative, aviremic patients: polyfunctional responders and TNF-α-predominant responders. In further analysis, occult HCV infection was excluded as a cause of the HCV-specific T cell response via secondary nested RT-PCR of HCV RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cell samples. HCV-specific T cells targeted multiple epitopes including non-structural proteins in a single patient, implying that their T cells might have been primed by HCV proteins synthesized within the host. We conclude that HCV-specific memory T cells of seronegative, aviremic patients arise from authentic HCV replication in the host, but not from current occult HCV infection. By functional pattern of HCV-specific T cells, there are two distinct populations in these patients: polyfunctional responders and TNF-α-predominant responders.     

Trends in the Rates of Peripartum Hysterectomy and Uterine Artery Embolization

The objective of this study was to determine the trends in national rates of peripartum hysterectomy (PH) and uterine arterial embolization (UAE) in Korea. We used data collected by the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service of Korea and analyzed data from patients who gave birth during the period from 2005 to 2008. There were 1785,178 deliveries during the study period, including 2636 cases of PH (1.48 per 1000 deliveries). The PH rate in 2005 was 1.57 per 1000 deliveries and in 2008 it was 1.33 per 1000 deliveries. UAE was performed in 161 women (incidence, 0.38 per 1000 deliveries) and 447 women (incidence, 0.98 per 1000 deliveries) in 2005 and 2008, respectively. In Korea, the rate of PH decreased slightly, while the rate of UAE rate increased dramatically during the period from 2005 to 2008. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effects of UAE on the rate of PH performed.