Effects of alkalinization and ATPase inhibition on stromal free Mg2+ concentration in spinach chloroplasts

Our earlier studies indicate that stromal alkalinization is essential for light-induced increase in free Mg(2+) concentration ([Mg(2+)]) in chloroplast. Stromal [Mg(2+)] was increased by dark incubation of chloroplasts in the K(+)-gluconate medium (pH 8.0), or by NH(4)Cl. These results indicate that stromal alkalinization can induce an increase in stromal [Mg(2+)] without illumination. Some inhibitors of envelope proton-translocating ATPase activity involved in H(+) efflux inhibited the alkalinization-induced increase in [Mg(2+)].     

Melanin-concentrating hormone signaling systems in fish

Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is a cyclic neuropeptide synthesized as a preprohormone in the hypothalamus of all vertebrates. This neuropeptide binds to G-protein-coupled seven transmembrane receptor(s) to mediate its function. MCH was named after its function in teleosts, in which it causes aggregation or concentration of melanin granules in melanophores, thus regulating body color. The function of central MCH that has attracted most attention is its involvement in regulating food intake and energy homeostasis in mammals, a role confirmed through a series of experiments, including central administration of MCH or MCH receptor blockers, and genetic manipulation of MCH and its receptors. The aim of this article is to review the recent data on MCH and MCH receptor signaling systems in fish.     

Additional effect of epidermal growth factor during in vitro maturation for individual bovine oocytes using a chemically defined medium

This study was performed to establish an individual bovine oocyte-IVP system using a chemically defined simple medium (mSOFaa containing 1 mg/ml polyvinyl alcohol: PVA) and to investigate the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) during oocyte maturation on in vitro maturation, fertilization and embryonic development. Cumulus-oocyte complexes were collected from bovine ovaries and were matured in mSOFaa containing PVA (control medium) supplemented with 0, 1, 10 or 50 ng/ml of EGF. Two further groups (TCM199 and mSOFaa, supplemented with 10% fetal calf serum were also included. In this study, mSOFaa containing PVA were used as a basic medium for fertilization and embryo development in vitro. Experiments were conducted in both group- and individual-IVP systems. In the group-IVP system, the proportion of matured oocytes (MII) in the control medium (62.7% +/- 5.0%) was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than in all other treatments, and in the individual-IVP system, the addition of 1 ng/ml EGF significantly (p < 0.05) increased the maturation rate (1 ng/ml EGF vs control: 76.2% +/- 5.4% vs 57.1% +/- 14.4%). The addition of EGF did not affect the proportions of penetrated and normally fertilized oocytes in either individual- or group-culture systems. In the group-IVP system, no significant difference among treatments was found in the rate of blastocyst formation, whereas in the individual-IVP system the control medium supplemented with 10 ng/ml EGF resulted in a significantly (p < 0.05) higher the rate of blastocyst formation (20.0 +/- 5.2%) than that in the control medium (6.2% +/- 3.5%). These results indicate that bovine oocytes can successfully develop to blastocysts in an individual-IVP system using a single chemically defined medium, and that the group-IVP system also resulted in a similar level of blastocyst formation to that in a standard multiple-media system in our laboratory. The effect of EGF during oocyte maturation medium differed depending on whether embryos were cultured individually or in groups.     

Carotenoid composition and in vitro pharmacological activity of rose hips

The aim of the present study was to compare carotenoid extracts of Rose hips (Rosa canina L.) with regard to their phytochemical profiles and their in vitro anti-Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), cytotoxic, multidrug resistance (MDR) reversal and radical scavenging activity. Carotenoid composition was investigated in the different fractionation of rose hips, using extraction methods. Six main carotenoids - epimers of neochrome, lutein, zeaxanthin, rubixanthin, lycopene, β,β-carotene - were identified from Rose hips by their chromatographic behavior and UV-visible spectra, which is in accordance with other studies on carotenoids in this plant material. The active principles in the carotenoid extract might differ, depending upon the extraction procedures.     

Use of Two Industrial Wastes as Soil Amendments: Effect on Dissolved Reactive Phosphorus in Runoff

To control the dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) concentration in a soil solution, a number of soil amendments were tested. In the current study, Blast Furnace Slag (BFS) and Water Treatment Residues (WTR) were tested on bare soil under two rainfall intensities and two soil roughness levels. The soil was fertilized with P (KH₂PO₄) at a rate of 400 kg ha^?1 while BFS and WTR were applied at a rate of 5 g per 100 g of soil. Two soil roughness levels were exposed to artificial rainfall intensities of 30 and 65 mm h^?1. Three rainfall events were performed on each treatment. The runoff water generated over an area of 0.5 m² with a slope of 8% was collected at different time intervals and analyzed for DRP, Al, Fe, and K concentrations. The results showed that, regardless of rainfall intensity and soil roughness, the concentration of DRP in the runoff water increased with increasing runoff time from the unamended plots. However, in the BFS- and WTR-amended soils, the DRP concentration decreased with runoff time. Dissolved reactive P and DRP loads were the lowest from the WTR-amended plots, followed by the control and the BFS treatment plots. Water treatment residues reduced the mean DRP concentration by 27.3% and the DRP load by 32% compared to unamended plots. The two rainfall intensities significantly affected the DRP concentration and load. Under the low rainfall intensity, the DRP concentration and load were higher compared to the high rainfall intensity. The overall DRP concentration was not affected by changes in soil roughness. However, the DRP loads were higher from the plots with low soil roughness levels, especially during the first and second runs. Both the BFS and WTR were also effective in reducing the DRP concentrations in the drain water collected during the runoff events. The concentrations of Al, Fe, and K in the runoff water were not affected by the soil amendments. However, the electrical conductivity and pH readings were higher from the BFS-amended plots.     

Mouse skeletal muscle fiber-type-specific macroautophagy and muscle wasting are regulated by a Fyn/STAT3/Vps34 signaling pathway

Skeletal muscle atrophy induced by aging (sarcopenia), inactivity, and prolonged fasting states (starvation) is predominantly restricted to glycolytic type II muscle fibers and typical spares oxidative type I fibers. However, the mechanisms accounting for muscle fiber-type specificity of atrophy have remained enigmatic. In the current study, although the Fyn tyrosine kinase activated the mTORC1 signaling complex, it also induced marked atrophy of glycolytic fibers with relatively less effect on oxidative muscle fibers. This was due to inhibition of macroautophagy via an mTORC1-independent but STAT3-dependent reduction in Vps34 protein levels and decreased Vps34/p150/Beclin1/Atg14 complex 1. Physiologically, in the fed state endogenous Fyn kinase activity was increased in glycolytic but not oxidative skeletal muscle. In parallel, Y705-STAT3 phosphorylation increased with decreased Vps34 protein levels. Moreover, fed/starved regulation of Y705-STAT3 phosphorylation and Vps34 protein levels was prevented in skeletal muscle of Fyn null mice. These data demonstrate a Fyn/STAT3/Vps34 pathway that is responsible for fiber-type-specific regulation of macroautophagy and skeletal muscle atrophy.     

Large-Scale Engineering of the Corynebacterium glutamicum Genome

The engineering of Corynebacterium glutamicum is important for enhanced production of biochemicals. To construct an improved C. glutamicum genome, we developed a precise genome excision method based on the Cre/loxP recombination system and successfully deleted 11 distinct genomic regions identified by comparative analysis of C. glutamicum genomes. Despite the loss of several predicted open reading frames, the mutant cells exhibited normal growth under standard laboratory conditions. With a total of 250 kb (7.5% of the genome), the 11 genomic regions were loaded with cryptic prophages, transposons, and genes of unknown function which were dispensable for cell growth, indicating recent horizontal acquisitions to the genome. This provides an interesting background for functional genomic studies and can be used in the improvement of cell traits.     

Imatinib mesylate (STI-571) attenuates liver fibrosis development in rats

It is widely recognized that activated hepatic stellate cells (HSC) play a pivotal role in development of liver fibrosis. A platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is the most potent mitogen for HSC. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of imatinib mesylate (STI-571, Gleevec), a clinically used PDGF receptor (PDGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitor, on development of experimental liver fibrosis. The rat model of pig serum-induced hepatic fibrosis was used to assess the effect of daily oral administration of STI-571 on the indexes of fibrosis. STI-571 markedly attenuated development of liver fibrosis and hepatic hydroxyproline and serum fibrosis markers. The number of alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive cells and mRNA expression of alpha2-(I)-procollagen, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1, and transforming growth factor-beta were also significantly suppressed by STI-571. Our in vitro study showed that STI-571 markedly attenuated PDGF-BB-induced proliferation and migration and alpha-SMA and alpha2-(I)-procollagen mRNA of activated HSC in a dose-dependent manner. STI-571 also significantly attenuated PDGF-BB-induced phosphorylation of PDGFR-beta, MEK1/2, and Akt in activated HSC. Because STI-571 is widely used in clinical practice, it may provide an effective new strategy for antifibrosis therapy.