Layered inorganic/enzyme nanohybrids with selectivity and structural stability upon interacting with biomolecules

Effective intercalation of protein molecules within the galleries of montmorillonites can be achieved via simple space enlarging and exchange processes while retaining the native conformation of the guest protein and the multilayered structure of the bioinert host plates. The capacity of accommodating protein molecules in the galleries can be markedly larger than that governed by the Langmuir-type adsorption of protein molecules on the external surfaces of particles. The basal spacing in the multilayered structure of clay is abruptly enlarged when the extent of protein intercalation increases to a critical point. Beyond this critical point, the nanohybrids show well-preserved catalytic activity in hydrolyzing small substrates while establishing a barrier to interactions with large biomacromolecules. Furthermore, the structural stability of the inorganic/organic nanohybrids is enhanced such that neither exchange of biomolecules nor exfoliation of layered clay particles occurs when exposed to other proteins. The results indicate that, through the benign accommodation of protein species between the inorganic platelets, this nanoscaled manipulation of protein functions can be highly useful in developing new inorganic/enzyme nanohybrids for protein therapeutics and tissue engineering.     

(Phenylpiperazinyl)cyclohexylureas: discovery of alpha1a/1d-selective adrenergic receptor antagonists for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia/lower urinary tract symptoms (BPH/LUTS)

Benign prostatic hyperplasia/lower urinary tract symptoms (BPH/LUTS) can be effectively treated with alpha(1) adrenergic receptor antagonists. Unfortunately, currently marketed alpha(1) blockers produce CV-related side effects that are caused by the subtype non-selective nature of the drugs. To overcome this problem, it was postulated that an alpha(1a/1d) subtype-selective antagonist would bring more benefit for the treatment of BPH/LUTS. As a continuation of our effort to develop selective alpha(1a/1d) ligands, a series of (phenylpiperazinyl)cyclohexylureas was synthesized and evaluated for the ability to bind to three cloned human alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor subtypes. Several trans isomers were shown to have equal affinity for both alpha(1a), and alpha(1d) subtypes, with 14- to 47-fold selectivity versus the alpha(1b) subtype and >15-fold selectivity versus dopamine D(2).     

Targeting of mitochondria by 10-N-alkyl acridine orange analogues: role of alkyl chain length in determining cellular uptake and localization

10-N-Nonyl acridine orange (NAO) is used as a mitochondrial probe because of its high affinity for cardiolipin (CL). Targeting of NAO may also depend on mitochondrial membrane potential. As the nonyl group has been considered essential for targeting, a systematic study of alkyl chain length was undertaken; three analogues (10-methyl-, 10-hexyl-, and 10-hexadecyl-acridine orange) were synthesized and their properties studied in phospholipid monolayers and breast cancer cells. The shortest and longest alkyl chains reduced targeting, whereas the hexyl group was superior to the nonyl group, allowing very clear and specific targeting to mitochondria at concentrations of 20-100 nM, where no evidence of toxicity was apparent. Additional studies in wild-type and cardiolipin-deficient yeast cells suggested that cellular binding was not absolutely dependent upon cardiolipin.     

In vitro oxidized and glycated human low-density lipoprotein particles characterized by capillary zone electrophoresis

A simple capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) method was used to determine native, in vitro Cu(2+) and glucose modified low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles for four healthy subjects. The LDL electropherograms are highly reproducible with good precisions of effective mobility and peak area. The native LDL capillary electrophoresis (CE) profile shows a major peak with lower mobility and two minor peaks with higher mobilities. For three-hour Cu(2+) oxidation, one major peak with mobility close to that of the native major peak, and one minor peak with mobility extending to -47 x 10(-5)cm(2)V(-1)s(-1) appear. For eighteen-hour Cu(2+) oxidation, one major peak with mobility much higher than that of the native major peak appears. As the reaction time for LDL and Cu(2+) increases from 0 to 24h, effective mobility of the LDL major peak increases, suggesting that LDL particles become more negatively charged and oxidized as the time increases. The in vitro glycated LDL particles are characterized by a major peak and two minor peaks. Mobility of the major peak is close to that of native major peak, but the second minor peak is much more negatively charged with mobility extending to -53 x 10(-5)cm(2)V(-1)s(-1). Native, oxidized and glycated LDL particles show distinctive differences in their CZE profiles. Agarose electrophoresis shows that the charge to mass ratios of native, three-hour Cu(2+) and glucose modified LDL particles are similar, but that of eighteen-hour Cu(2+) oxidized LDL particles is higher.     

Mechanobiology of MG63 osteoblast-like cells adaptation to static magnetic forces

The aim of this study was to explore the biophysical effects of static magnetic field on osteoblastic cells. MG63 cells were exposed to 0.25 and 0.4-T static magnetic fields (SMF). The cell cycle effects were tested by flow cytometry. The differentiation of the cells was assessed by detecting the changes in prostaglandin E2, osteocalcin, and extracellular matrix expression. Membrane fluidity was used to evaluate the alterations in the biophysical properties of cellular membranes after the SMF simulations. Our results show that SMF exposure increases prostaglandin E2 level and extracellular matrix express in MG63 cells. On the other hand, MG63 cells exposed to 0.4-T SMF exhibited a significant decrease in membrane fluidity at 8 h. Based on these findings, it appears reasonable to suggest that SMF affect osteoblastic maturation by increasing membrane rigidity and then inducing differentiation pathway.     

Proteomic analysis of chromium cytotoxicity in cultured rat lung epithelial cells

Chromium (Cr) has been widely used in industry for more than one century. Exposure to hexavalent Cr compounds is strongly associated with increasing risk of lung cancer. Extensive researches at DNA level indicated that generation of ROS from the reduction of Cr(VI) leading to DNA damage is the major cause of the toxicity and carcinogenicity of Cr(VI). The present study in cellular and protein levels confirmed that Cr(VI) induced apoptosis of lung epithelial cells (LEC) via ROS generation. To view the differentially expressed proteins in the process of Cr(VI) reduction, subcellular proteomics was applied and allowed the identification of more than 30 proteins with expression alteration. Most of those proteins are correlated with ROS-elicited responses, which were further validated by Western blotting analysis, induction of p53 pathway and antioxidative treatment. The current findings provided additional evidence in protein level to support the claim that ROS generated during the process of Cr(VI) reduction are involved in the Cr(VI)-induced toxicity and carcinogenesis.     

18-nor-Podocarpanes and podocarpanes from the Bark of Taiwania cryptomerioides

Seven nor- and podocarpane-type diterpenes were isolated from the bark of Taiwania cryptomerioides Hayata, including three 18-nor-podocarpanes: 18-nor-1beta,4alpha,14-trihydroxy-13-methoxy-8,11,13-podocarpatriene (1), 18-nor-1beta,4alpha,13,14-tetrahydroxy-8,11,13-podocarpatrien-7-one (2), 18-nor-1beta,4alpha,14-trihydroxy-13-methoxy-8,11,13-podocarpatrien-7-one (3), 1beta,14,19-trihydroxy-13-methoxy-8,11,13-podocarpatrien-7-one (4), 1beta,13,14,18-tetrahydroxy-8,11,13-podocarpatrien-7-one (5), 18-acetoxy-1beta,13,14-trihydroxy-8,11,13-podocarpatrien-7-one (6), and 1beta,14,18-trihydroxy-13-methoxy-8,11,13-podocarpatrien-7-one (7). Their structures were determined by application of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy and other techniques. Podocarpane-type diterpenes do not occur extensively in nature, and the presumed oxidative enzyme in this plant will be of interest to identify.     

Distribution of the partitioning protein KorB on the genome of IncP-1 plasmid RK2

The ParB family partitioning protein, KorB, of plasmid RK2 is central to a regulatory network coordinating replication, maintenance and transfer genes. Previous immunofluorescence microscopy indicated that the majority of KorB is localized in plasmid foci. The 12 identified KorB binding sites on RK2 are differentiated by: position relative to promoters; binding strength; and cooperativity with other repressors and so the distribution of KorB may be sequestered around a sub-set of sites. However, chromatin immunoprecipitation analysis showed that while RK2 DNA molecules appear to sequester KorB to create a higher local concentration, cooperativity between DNA binding proteins does not result in major differences in binding site occupancy. Thus under steady state conditions all operators are close to fully occupied and this correlates with gene expression on the plasmid being highly repressed.