Fluorine nuclear magnetic resonance-based assay in living mammalian cells

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based screening has been recognized as a powerful approach for the identification and characterization of molecules interacting with pharmaceutical targets. Indeed, several NMR methods have been developed and successfully applied to many drug discovery projects. Whereas most of these approaches have targeted isolated biomolecular receptors, very few cases are reported with the screening performed in intact cells and cell extracts. Here we report the first successful application of the fluorine NMR-based assay n-FABS (n-fluorine atoms for biochemical screening) in living mammalian cells expressing the membrane protein fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH). This method allows the identification of both weak and potent inhibitors and the measurement of their potency in a physiological environment.     

Interrelations between globus pallidus and hippocampal epilepsy in the cat

Electrically induced afterdischarge (ADs) were evoked in the cats' dorsal hippocampus. The action of the conditioning prestimulation of the pallidus nucleus on AD duration was studied. A significant facilitatory influence was observed when pallidal conditioning stimulation immediately preceded hippocampal test stimulation. The time course of the phenomenon showed a decrease of the conditioning action when the interval between the two stimulations increased : complete disappearance of the effect occurred after about 800 ms. Results are discussed as far as functional relationships between basal ganglia and rhinencephalic system are concerned.     

Autophagy plays an important role in the containment of HIV-1 in nonprogressor-infected patients

Recent in vitro studies have suggested that autophagy may play a role in both HIV-1 replication and disease progression. In this study we investigated whether autophagy protects the small proportion of HIV-1 infected individuals who remain clinically stable for years in the absence of antiretroviral therapy, these named long-term nonprogressors (LTNP) and elite controllers (EC). We found that peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of the HIV-1 controllers present a significantly higher amount of autophagic vesicles associated with an increased expression of autophagic markers with respect to normal progressors. Of note, ex vivo treatment of PBMC from the HIV-1 controllers with the MTOR inhibitor rapamycin results in a more efficient autophagic response, leading to a reduced viral production. These data lead us to propose that autophagy contributes to limiting viral pathogenesis in HIV-1 controllers by targeting viral components for degradation.     

Secondary Metabolites from Pinus mugo Turra subsp. mugo Growing in the Majella National Park (Central Apennines,Italy)

In this study, we examined the composition regarding secondary metabolites of P. mugo Turra ssp. mugo growing in the protected area of Majella National Park, which is the southernmost station of the habitat of this species. Both the nonpolar and polar fractions were considered. In particular, the essential‐oil composition showed a high variety of compounds, and 109 compounds were detected, and 101 were identified, among which abietane‐type compounds have a taxonomic relevance. Abietanes were also isolated from the polar fraction, together with an acylated flavonol and a remarkably high amount of shikimic acid.