STE20 phosphorylation of AMPK-related kinases revealed by biochemical purifications combined with genetics

We have recently purified mammalian sterile 20 (STE20)–like kinase 3 (MST3) as a kinase for the multifunctional kinases, AMP-activated protein kinase–related kinases (ARKs). However, unresolved questions from this study, such as remaining phosphorylation activities following deletion of the Mst3 gene from human embryonic kidney cells and mice, led us to conclude that there were additional kinases for ARKs. Further purification recovered Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinases 1 and 2 (CaMKK1 and 2), and a third round of purification revealed mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase kinase 5 (MAP4K5) as potential kinases of ARKs. We then demonstrated that MST3 and MAP4K5, both belonging to the STE20-like kinase family, could phosphorylate all 14 ARKs both in vivo and in vitro. Further examination of all 28 STE20 kinases detected variable phosphorylation activity on AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and the salt-inducible kinase 3 (SIK3). Taken together, our results have revealed novel relationships between STE20 kinases and ARKs, with potential physiological and pathological implications.     

一株路德维希肠杆菌的筛选及其对3-苯氧基苯甲酸的降解特性分析

【目的】3-苯氧基苯甲酸(3-phenoxybenzoic acid,3-PBA)的消除是解决拟除虫菊酯类农药污染的关键,目的是从受拟除虫菊酯类农药污染植物根系土壤中分离出3-PBA高效降解菌株。【方法】采用富集驯化、筛选纯化方法,以3-PBA为唯一碳源、能源筛选3-PBA降解菌株;菌株鉴定采用形态、生理生化和16S r RNA序列分析法;并研究其生长降解动力学特性,最后采用Box-Behnken响应面分析确定最佳降解条件。【结果】从川北地区大豆根系土壤中筛选得到1株高效降解菌BPBA031,经鉴定为路德维希肠杆菌(Enterobacter ludwigii);该菌株耐3-PBA浓度达1600 mg/L,其生长降解过程分别符合Logistic生长动力学(μm=0.09149 h~(–1),X_m=1.1145)和一级降解动力学模型(k=0.02085,t_(1/2)=33.24 h);对3-PBA降解的最适条件为34–37°C、3-PBA浓度25–200 mg/L和p H 7.5–8.5;在35.19°C、30.0 mg/L 3-PBA和p H 7.58条件下,该菌株48 h对3-PBA的降解率达83.75%。【结论】路德维希肠杆菌BPBA031是1株高效3-PBA降解菌,可作为生物修复受3-PBA或拟除虫菊酯类农药污染环境的潜在菌株资源。     

Synthesis,biological evaluation of prenylflavonoids as vasorelaxant and neuroprotective agents

A series of prenylflavonoids with multiple hydroxyl groups were synthesized and evaluated for their vasorelaxant activities against rat aorta rings pre-contracted by phenylephrine (PE), as well as their neuroprotective effects against OGD induced PC12 cell injury. The results indicated that the prenyl group at A-ring of prenylflavonoids, as well as hydroxyl groups at B-ring was important for their activities. (±)Leachianone G 1b, bearing 8-prenyl and 2′,4′-dihydoxyl groups, exhibited the most potent vasorelaxant and neuroprotective effects.     

Design,synthesis, and quantitative structure–activity relationship of cytotoxic γ-carboline derivatives

Three series of γ-carboline derivatives were designed and synthesized. All the compounds were tested for their cytotoxic activities in vitro against five human tumor cell lines (A549, SGC, HCT116, MCF-7, K562) and one multi-drug resistant subline (K562R). Most compounds showed moderate to potent cytotoxic activities against the tested cell lines. Sulfonate 11f exhibited more potent cytotoxic activities against almost all of the tested cells in comparison with the positive control, taxol, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 0.15 to 4.5 μM. The structure–activity relationships were discussed and a statistically reliable QSAR model (r² = 0.936, q² = 0.581) was established by the CoMFA analysis performed using the cytotoxic data against K562 cell line as a template.     

Spatiotemporal organization of simple-cell receptive fields in area 18 of cat''''s cortex

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Achieving High Rate Performance in Layered Hydroxide Supercapacitor Electrodes

Layered hydroxides (LHs) are promising supercapacitor electrode materials with high specific capacitances. However, they generally exhibit poor energy storage ability at high current densities due to their insulating nature. Nickel‐cobalt‐aluminum LHs are synthesized and chemically treated to form LHs with enhanced conductivity that results in greatly enhanced rate performances. The key role of chemical treatment is to enable the partial conversion of Co²⁺ to a more conductive Co³⁺ state that stimulates charge transfers. Simultaneously, the defects on the LHs caused by the selective etching of Al promoted the electrolyte diffusion within LHs. As a result, the LHs show a high specific capacitance of 738 F g^?1 at 30 A g^?1, which is 57.2% of 1289 F g^?1 at 1 A g^?1. The strategy provides a facile and effective method to achieve high performance LHs for supercapacitor electrode materials.