Design,synthesis and binding affinity of 3'-fluoro analogues of Cl-IB-MECA as adenosine A3 receptor ligands

Several 3'-fluoro analogues, 1a, 1b, and 1c of selective and potent adenosine A(3) receptor agonist, Cl-IB-MECA were synthesized from D-xylose via highly regioselective opening of lyxo-epoxides, 8a and 8b with fluoride anion. Compared to the high binding affinity of Cl-IB-MECA to the A(3) adenosine receptor, the corresponding 3'-fluoro derivative showed remarkably decreased binding affinity, indicating that 3'-hydroxyl group acts as hydrogen bonding acceptor, not hydrogen bonding donor like fluorine atom in binding to the A(3) adenosine receptor.     

Regulation of gamete release in the economic brown seaweed <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hizikia fusiforme</Emphasis> (Phaeophyta)

Gamete release is an essential event in artificial seeding of the economic brown seaweed, Hizikia fusiforme. Mass egg release occurred in the dark, with few eggs being discharged in the light. Release of eggs was elicited with eight practical salinity units (one PSU ≡ 1 g sea salts l⁻¹) and was inhibited by salinity levels >32 PSU. Egg release was optimal at 23 °C, and was decreased by 72% in agitated seawater compared to unstirred seawater. Inhibitors of photosynthesis and ions channels suppressed egg release, indicating that this process was physiologically associated with photosynthetic activity and ion transport.     

Iodine Nutrition and Thyroid Function in Pregnant Women Exposed to Different Iodine Sources

Determination of the public health concern about magnesium (Mg) in health and disease has been confounded by the lack of a practical measure of status. This has resulted in a lack of consistency in associating Mg deficiency with specific pathological conditions. Some attempts at associating Mg with a chronic disease have used the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) as a status assessment measure. Use of current DRIs for Mg is problematic because recent evidence suggests that they should be updated and based on body weight. An evidence-based suggested Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) and Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for a 70-kg individual is 175 and 250 mg/day, respectively. However, numerous dietary and physiological factors can affect the need for Mg and thus affect the use of the current or suggested new DRIs to assess Mg status. Calcium intakes above normal requirements can decrease Mg balance and exacerbate signs of Mg deficiency. Mg deficiency apparently occurs often in obesity because of increased need to counteract the inflammatory stress induced by adipose tissue dysfunction. Deficiency in anti-oxidant nutrients such as vitamin E and selenium can exacerbate a response to low dietary Mg indicated by increased oxidative stress which can lead to chronic disease. Dietary modifiers of Mg absorption and excretion affect balance and thus the need for Mg. Factors decreasing Mg balance include low dietary protein and non-fermentable fiber, while factors that can increase balance include fructose and fermentable fiber and fructose-containing oligosaccharides. Use of the DRIs to assess the Mg status of a population or group needs to consider their physiological characteristics and dietary habits and be aware that the DRIs may need updating. The DRIs only can be considered a component of a toolbox that presently includes serum Mg concentration and the daily urinary Mg excretion to assess the Mg status of an individual.

     

ε-聚赖氨酸高产菌选育与发酵性能评价

【目的】选育ε-聚赖氨酸(ε-PL)高产菌,并探究不同碳源对其发酵性能的影响。【方法】借助基因组重排和核糖体工程两种育种手段强化ε-PL产生菌的合成能力,并利用p H冲击工艺评价不同碳源对ε-PL发酵的影响。【结果】经过4轮基因组重排和4轮核糖体工程连续选育,获得1株高产突变株Streptomyces albulus GS114,其摇瓶ε-PL产量达到3.0 g/L,较出发菌提高了1.7倍。该改造菌株在5 L发酵罐中分别以葡萄糖和甘油为碳源进行192 h的补料-分批发酵时,ε-PL发酵产量分别达到了43.4 g/L和45.7 g/L,较出发菌提高了11.0%和14.9%,而菌体量分别减少了24.0%和33.2%,ε-PL得率提高了34.2%和30.7%。【结论】基因组重排结合核糖体工程育种是一种有效的ε-PL高产菌选育手段,研究结果将为ε-PL高产菌改造和工业生产碳源选择提供直接指导。     

Expression of a family 10 xylanase gene from Aspergillus usamii E001 in Pichia pastoris and characterization of the recombinant enzyme

A cDNA gene (Auxyn10A), which encodes a mesophilic family 10 xylanase from Aspergillus usamii E001 (abbreviated to AuXyn10A), was amplified and inserted into the XhoI and NotI sites of pPIC9K^M vector constructed from a parent pPIC9K. The recombinant expression vector, designated pPIC9K^M-Auxyn10A, was transformed into Pichia pastoris GS115. All P. pastoris transformants were spread on a MD plate, and then inoculated on geneticin G418-containing YPD plates for screening multiple copies of integration of the Auxyn10A. One transformant expressing the highest recombinant AuXyn10A (reAuXyn10A) activity of 368.6 U/ml, numbered as P. pastoris GSX10A4-14, was selected by flask expression test. SDS-PAGE assay demonstrated that the reAuXyn10A was extracellularly expressed with an apparent M.W. of 39.8 kDa. The purified reAuXyn10A displayed the maximum activity at pH 5.5 and 50 °C. It was highly stable at a broad pH range of 4.5–8.5, and at a temperature of 45 °C. Its activity was not significantly affected by EDTA and several metal ions except Mn²⁺, which caused a strong inhibition. The K _m and V _max, towards birchwood xylan at pH 5.5 and 50 °C, were 2.25 mg/ml and 6,267 U/mg, respectively. TLC analysis verified that the AuXyn10A is an endo-β-1,4-d-xylanase, which yielded a major product of xylotriose and a small amount of xylose, xylotetraose, and xylopentose from birchwood xylan, but no xylobiose.     

Characterization of Recombinant Human Cardiac KCNQ1/KCNE1 Channels (I Ks) Stably Expressed in HEK 293 Cells

The present study was designed to characterize pharmacological, biophysical and electrophysiological properties of the recombinant human cardiac I _Ks (KCNQ1/KCNE1) channels at physiological temperature. Human cardiac KCNQ1 and KCNE1 genes were cotransfected into HEK 293 cells, and a cell clone stably expressing both genes was selected. Membrane currents were recorded using a perforated patch-clamp technique. The typical I _Ks was slowly activated upon depolarization voltages in HEK 293 cells stably expressing human cardiac KCNQ1 and KCNE1 genes, and the current was inhibited by I _Ks blockers HMR 1556 and chromanol 293B, with 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀s) of 83.8 nM and 9.2 μM, respectively. I _Ks showed a significant temperature-dependent increase in its magnitude upon elevating bath temperature to 36°C from room temperature (21°C). The current was upregulated by the β-adrenoceptor agonist isoproterenol, and the effect was reversed by H89. In addition, I _Ks was inhibited by Ba²⁺ in a concentration-dependent manner (IC₅₀ = 1.4 mM). Action potential clamp revealed a “bell-shaped” time course of I _Ks during the action potential, and maximal peak current was seen at the plateau of the action potential. A significant use- and frequency-dependent increase of I _Ks was observed during a train of action potential clamp. These results indicate that the recombinant human cardiac I _Ks stably expressed in HEK 293 cells is similar to native I _Ks in drug sensitivity and regulated by Ba²⁺ and β-adrenoceptor via the cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A pathway. Importantly, the current exhibits significant temperature dependence, a bell-shaped time course during action potential and prominent use- or frequency-dependent accumulation during a train of action potentials.     

Biosynthesis of the iridoid glucoside,lamalbid, in Lamium barbatum

The biosynthesis of the iridoid glucoside lamalbid in Lamium barbatum, a plant species in the Lamiaceae, was investigated by administrating ¹³C-labeled intermediates of MVA and MEP pathways, respectively. The results demonstrated that [3,4,5-¹³C₃]1-deoxy-d-xylulose 5-phosphate could be incorporated into lamalbid, whereas the incorporation of [2-¹³C₁]mevalonolactone was not observed. Based on the ¹³C labeling pattern of lamalbid and the incorporation data, we deduce that the iridoid glucoside in L. barbatum is biosynthesized through the MEP pathway, whereas the classic MVA pathway is not utilized.