Polyamines upregulate the mRNA expression of cationic amino acid transporter-1 in human retinal pigment epithelial cells

We previously showed that ornithine was mainly transported via cationic amino acid transporter (CAT)-1 in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cell line, human telomerase RT (hTERT)-RPE, and that CAT-1 was involved in ornithine cytotoxicity in ornithine--aminotransferase (OAT)-deficient cell produced by a OAT specific inhibitor, 5-fluoromethylornithine (5-FMO). We showed here that CAT-1 mRNA expression was increased by ornithne in OAT-deficient RPE cells, which was reversed by an inhibitor of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), -difluoromethylornithine (DFMO). Polyamines, especially spermine, one of the metabolites of ODC, also enhanced the expression of CAT-1 mRNA. ODC mRNA expression was also increased by ornithine and polyamines, and gene silencing of ODC by siRNA decreased ornithine transport activity and its cytotoxicity. In addition, the mRNA of nuclear protein c-myc was also increased in 5-FMO- and ornithine-treated hTERT-RPE cells, and gene silencing of c-myc prevented the induction of CAT-1 and ODC. Increases in expression of CAT-1, ODC, and c-myc, and the inhibition of these stimulated expression by DFMO were also observed in primary porcine RPE cells. These results suggest that spermine plays an important role in stimulation of mRNA expression of CAT-1, which is a crucial role in ornithine cytotoxicity in OAT-deficient hTERT-RPE cells. ornithine transport; ornithine decarboxylase; c-myc     

Some dinophycean red tide plankton species generate a superoxide scavenging substance

Recent studies indicate that some raphidophycean red tide flagellates produce substances able to scavenge superoxide, whereas there have been no reports on superoxide scavenger production by dinophycean red tide flagellates. In this study, we examined the superoxide-scavenging activity of aqueous extracts from dinophycean red tide flagellates, Gymnodinium spp., Scrippsiella trochoidea, and Karenia sp., by a luminol analog L-012-dependent chemiluminescence (CL) method and an electron spin resonance (ESR)-spin trapping method, and compared the activity to that of raphidophycean red tide flagellates, Chattonella spp., Heterosigma akashiwo, and Fibrocapsa japonica. In the experiment applying the L-012-dependent CL method, only the aqueous extracts from raphidophycean red tide flagellates showed superoxide-scavenging activity. On the other hand, applying the ESR-spin trapping method, we found that the aqueous extracts from dinophycean red tide flagellates also showed superoxide-scavenging activity. This is the first report on the production of a superoxide-scavenger by dinophycean red tide flagellates.     

Antioxidant properties of aqueous extracts from red tide plankton cultures

The antioxidant properties of aqueous extracts from the dinophycean flagellates Gymnodinium impudicum and Alexandrium affine and the raphidophycean flagellate Chattonella ovata were examined. An electron spin resonance (ESR)-spin trapping method coupled with steady state kinetic analysis showed that all of the extracts directly scavenge superoxide, and that the superoxide scavenging potential of any of the extracts was comparable to that of L-ascorbic acid. As for hydroxyl radical scavenging, the Fenton reaction and the method of ultraviolet radiation to hydrogen peroxide were used as hydroxyl radical generation systems. All of extracts reduced the level of hydroxyl radicals in both of the systems, indicating that the extracts also directly scavenge hydroxyl radicals. Since the levels of phenolic compounds did not correlate with the antioxidant activities of the extracts, substances other than phenolic compounds also appeared to be attributable to the activities. It is of our interest that the scavenging activities of extract from G. impudicum against superoxide and hydroxyl radicals were increased by heat exposure at 100 degrees C and 200 degrees C respectively. Although the reason for the increased activities of the aqueous extract from G. impudicum is not clear, the heat-resistance of the extract from G. impudicum might make it a desirable antioxidant.     

Class I Myosins Have Overlapping and Specialized Functions in Left-Right Asymmetric Development in Drosophila

The class I myosin genes are conserved in diverse organisms, and their gene products are involved in actin dynamics, endocytosis, and signal transduction. Drosophila melanogaster has three class I myosin genes, Myosin 31DF (Myo31DF), Myosin 61F (Myo61F), and Myosin 95E (Myo95E). Myo31DF, Myo61F, and Myo95E belong to the Myosin ID, Myosin IC, and Myosin IB families, respectively. Previous loss-of-function analyses of Myo31DF and Myo61F revealed important roles in left–right (LR) asymmetric development and enterocyte maintenance, respectively. However, it was difficult to elucidate their roles in vivo, because of potential redundant activities. Here we generated class I myosin double and triple mutants to address this issue. We found that the triple mutant was viable and fertile, indicating that all three class I myosins were dispensable for survival. A loss-of-function analysis revealed further that Myo31DF and Myo61F, but not Myo95E, had redundant functions in promoting the dextral LR asymmetric development of the male genitalia. Myo61F overexpression is known to antagonize the dextral activity of Myo31DF in various Drosophila organs. Thus, the LR-reversing activity of overexpressed Myo61F may not reflect its physiological function. The endogenous activity of Myo61F in promoting dextral LR asymmetric development was observed in the male genitalia, but not the embryonic gut, another LR asymmetric organ. Thus, Myo61F and Myo31DF, but not Myo95E, play tissue-specific, redundant roles in LR asymmetric development. Our studies also revealed differential colocalization of the class I myosins with filamentous (F)-actin in the brush border of intestinal enterocytes.     

Selective, high conversion of D-glucose to 5-keto-D-gluoconate by Gluconobacter suboxydans

Selective, high-yield production of 5-keto-D-gluconate (5KGA) from D-glucose by Gluconobacter was achieved without genetic modification. 5KGA production by Gluconobacter suffers byproduct formation of 2-keto-D-gluconate (2KGA). By controlling the medium pH strictly in a range of pH 3.5-4.0, 5KGA was accumulated with 87% conversion yield from D-glucose. The pH dependency of 5KGA formation appeared to be related to that of gluconate oxidizing activity.     

Chromosome analysis by spectral karyotyping of spermatozoa from an oligoasthenozoospermic carrier of a 10; 21 reciprocal translocation

Cytogenetic analysis of germ-line cells prior to intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment is thought to be necessary for infertile males with an identified chromosomal abnormality. We analyzed the chromosomal karyotype of human spermatozoa from an oligoasthenozoospermic carrier of a reciprocal translocation t(10; 21). Cytogenetic analysis of 39 spermatozoa was performed by spectral karyotyping (SKY) and by ICSI into mouse oocytes. The motile morphologically normal spermatozoa were injected into mouse oocytes. Of these spermatozoa, 38 (97.4%) were activated. Twenty-one (53.8%) of the activated oocytes formed two pronuclei. Metaphase chromosome spreads from 13 spermatozoa were analyzed. Only one spermatozoon was normal and 2 spermatozoa exhibited balanced translocation. Nine and one spermatozoa showed abnormalities related and unrelated to the translocation, respectively. The numbers of normal/balanced spermatozoa were lower than those in previous reports analyzing reciprocal translocations using a previously described technique involving penetrated golden hamster oocytes. After genetic counseling with the carrier and his partner, ICSI treatment was performed. Healthy female and male infants were delivered at 37 weeks gestation via a Caesarean section. The female infant was a carrier of the reciprocal translocation and the male infant was confirmed normal on prenatal diagnosis at 16 weeks gestation. For genetic counseling prior to ICSI treatment, the incidence of unbalanced type spermatozoa after swim-up or Percoll gradient treatment should be investigated and discussed with couples having fertility problems related to oligozoospermia autosomal structural abnormalities.     

Isolation of a mutant auxotrophic for L-alanine and identification of three major aminotransferases that synthesize L-alanine in Escherichia coli

For Escherichia coli, it has been assumed that L-alanine is synthesized by alanine-valine transaminase (AvtA) in conjunction with an unknown alanine aminotransferase(s). We isolated alanine auxotrophs from a prototrophic double mutant deficient in AvtA and YfbQ, a novel alanine aminotransferase, by chemical mutagenesis. A shotgun cloning experiment identified two genes, uncharacterized yfdZ and serC, that complemented the alanine auxotrophy. When the yfdZ- or serC-mutation was introduced into the double mutant, one triple mutant (avtA yfbQ yfdZ) showed alanine auxotrophy, and another (avtA yfbQ serC), prototrophy. In addition, we found that four independent alanine auxotrophs possessed a point mutation in yfdZ but not in serC. We also found that yfdZ expression was induced in minimal medium. Furthermore, yfbQ-bearing plasmid conferred the ability to excrete alanine on the mutant lacking D-amino acid dehydrogenase-encoding gene, dadA. From these results, we concluded that E. coli synthesizes L-alanine by means of three aminotransferases, YfbQ, YfdZ, and AvtA.     

Inhibition studies with anions and small molecules of two novel β-carbonic anhydrases from the bacterial pathogen Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium

Two new β-carbonic anhydrases (CAs, EC 4.2.1.1) from the bacterial pathogen Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, stCA 1 and stCA 2, were characterized kinetically. The two enzymes possess appreciable activity as catalysts for the hydration of CO₂ to bicarbonate, with k_cat of 0.79 × 10⁶ s⁻¹ and 1.0 × 10⁶ s⁻¹, and k_cat/K_m of 5.2 × 10⁷ M⁻¹ s⁻¹ and of 8.3 × 10⁷ M⁻¹ s⁻¹, respectively. A large number of simple/complex inorganic anions as well as other small molecules (sulfamide, sulfamic acid, phenylboronic acid, phenylarsonic acid, dialkyldithiocarbamates) showed interesting inhibitory properties towards the two new enzymes, with several low micromolar inhibitors discovered. As many strains of S. enterica show extensive resistance to classical antibiotics, inhibition of the β-CAs investigated here may be useful for developing lead compounds for novel types of antibacterials.