Crystal structure of a conformation-selective casein kinase-1 inhibitor

Members of the casein kinase-1 family of protein kinases play an essential role in cell regulation and disease pathogenesis. Unlike most protein kinases, they appear to function as constitutively active enzymes. As a result, selective pharmacological inhibitors can play an important role in dissection of casein kinase-1-dependent processes. To address this need, new small molecule inhibitors of casein kinase-1 acting through ATP-competitive and ATP-noncompetitive mechanisms were isolated on the basis of in vitro screening. Here we report the crystal structure of 3-[(2,4,6-trimethoxyphenyl) methylidenyl]-indolin-2-one (IC261), an ATP-competitive inhibitor with differential activity among casein kinase-1 isoforms, in complex with the catalytic domain of fission yeast casein kinase-1 refined to a crystallographic R-factor of 22.4% at 2.8 A resolution. The structure reveals that IC261 stabilizes casein kinase-1 in a conformation midway between nucleotide substrate liganded and nonliganded conformations. We propose that adoption of this conformation by casein kinase-1 family members stabilizes a delocalized network of side chain interactions and results in a decreased dissociation rate of inhibitor.     

A study of water relations in neem (Azadirachta indica) seed that is characterized by complex storage behaviour

Neem (Azadirachta indica) seed is reputed to have limited tolerance to desiccation, to be sensitive to chilling and imbibitional stress, and to display intermediate storage behaviour. To understand this behaviour the properties of water in seed tissues were studied. Water sorption isotherms showed that at similar relative humidity (RH), the water content was consistently higher in axes than in cotyledons, mainly due to the elevated lipid content (51%) in the cotyledons. Using differential scanning calorimetry, melting transitions of water were observed at water contents higher than 0.14 g H2O g-1 DW in the cotyledons and 0.23 g H2O g-1 DW in the axes. Beside melting transitions of lipid, as verified by infrared spectroscopy, changes in heat capacity were observed which shifted with water content, indicative of glass-to-liquid transitions. State diagrams are given on the basis of the water content of seed tissues, and also on the basis of the RH at 20 degrees C. Longevity was considerably improved, and the sensitivity to chilling/subzero temperatures was reduced when axis and cotyledons were dehydrated to moisture contents < or = of approximately 0.05 g H2O g-1 DW. However, longevity during storage at very low water contents was limited. A possible mechanism for the loss of sensitivity to chilling/subzero temperatures at low water contents is discussed. The results suggest that dry neem seeds in the glassy state have great potential for extended storability, also at subzero temperatures.     

High critical temperature above T(g) may contribute to the stability of biological systems

In this study, we characterized the molecular mobility around T(g) in sugars, poly-L-lysine and dry desiccation-tolerant biological systems, using ST-EPR, (1)H-NMR, and FTIR spectroscopy, to understand the nature and composition of biological glasses. Two distinct changes in the temperature dependence of the rotational correlation time (tau(R)) of the spin probe 3-carboxy-proxyl or the second moment (M(2)) were measured in sugars and poly-L-lysine. With heating, the first change was associated with the melting of the glassy state (T(g)). The second change (T(c)), at which tau(R) abruptly decreased over several orders of magnitude, was found to correspond with the so-called cross-over temperature, where the dynamics changed from solid-like to liquid-like. The temperature interval between T(g) and T(c) increased in the order of sucrose < trehalose < raffinose 50 degrees C, implying that the stability above T(g) improved in the same order. These differences in temperature-dependent mobilities above T(g) suggest that proteins rather than sugars play an important role in the intracellular glass formation. The exceptionally high T(c) of intracellular glasses is expected to provide excellent long-term stability to dry organisms, maintaining a slow molecular motion in the cytoplasm even at temperatures far above T(g).     

Influence of Water Content and Temperature on Molecular Mobility and Intracellular Glasses in Seeds and Pollen

Although the occurrence of intracellular glasses in seeds and pollen has been established, physical properties such as rotational correlation times and viscosity have not been studied extensively. Using electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, we examined changes in the molecular mobility of the hydrophilic nitroxide spin probe 3-carboxy-proxyl during melting of intracellular glasses in axes of pea (Pisum sativum L.) seeds and cattail (Typha latifolia L.) pollen. The rotational correlation time of the spin probe in intracellular glasses of both organisms was approximately 10⁻³ s. Using the distance between the outer extrema of the electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum (2A_zz) as a measure of molecular mobility, we found a sharp increase in mobility at a definite temperature during heating. This temperature increased with decreasing water content of the samples. Differential scanning calorimetry data on these samples indicated that this sharp increase corresponded to melting of the glassy matrix. Molecular mobility was found to be inversely correlated with storage stability. With decreasing water content, the molecular mobility reached a minimum, and increased again at very low water content. Minimum mobility and maximum storage stability occurred at a similar water content. This correlation suggests that storage stability might be at least partially controlled by molecular mobility. At low temperatures, when storage longevity cannot be determined on a realistic time scale, 2A_zz measurements can provide an estimate of the optimum storage conditions.     

An Apical-Type Trafficking Pathway Is Present in Cultured Oligodendrocytes but the Sphingolipid-enriched Myelin Membrane Is the Target of a Basolateral-Type Pathway

Myelin sheets originate from distinct areas at the oligodendrocyte (OLG) plasma membrane and, as opposed to the latter, myelin membranes are relatively enriched in glycosphingolipids and cholesterol. The OLG plasma membrane can therefore be considered to consist of different membrane domains, as in polarized cells; the myelin sheet is reminiscent of an apical membrane domain and the OLG plasma membrane resembles the basolateral membrane. To reveal the potentially polarized membrane nature of OLG, the trafficking and sorting of two typical markers for apical and basolateral membranes, the viral proteins influenza virus–hemagglutinin (HA) and vesicular stomatitis virus–G protein (VSVG), respectively, were examined. We demonstrate that in OLG, HA and VSVG are differently sorted, which presumably occurs upon their trafficking through the Golgi. HA can be recovered in a Triton X-100-insoluble fraction, indicating an apical raft type of trafficking, whereas VSVG was only present in a Triton X-100-soluble fraction, consistent with its basolateral sorting. Hence, both an apical and a basolateral sorting mechanism appear to operate in OLG. Surprisingly, however, VSVG was found within the myelin sheets surrounding the cells, whereas HA was excluded from this domain. Therefore, despite its raft-like transport, HA does not reach a membrane that shows features typical of an apical membrane. This finding indicates either the uniqueness of the myelin membrane or the requirement of additional regulatory factors, absent in OLG, for apical delivery. These remarkable results emphasize that polarity and regulation of membrane transport in cultured OLG display features that are quite different from those in polarized cells.     

Gene Transfer by Means of Lipo- and Polyplexes: Role of Clathrin and Caveolae-Mediated Endocytosis

In this paper we address the contribution of different endocytic pathways to the intracellular uptake and processing of differently sized latex particles and of plasmid DNA complexes by means of fluorescence microscopy and FACS analysis. By using a number of specific inhibitors of either clathrin-dependent or caveolae-dependent endocytosis we were able to discriminate between these two pathways. Latex particles smaller than 200 nm were internalized exclusively by clathrin-mediated endocytosis, whereas larger particles entered the cells via a caveolae-dependent pathway.

The route of uptake of plasmid DNA complexes appears strongly dependent on the nature of the complexes. Thus, lipoplexes containing the cationic lipid DOTAP, were exclusively internalized by a clathrin-dependent mechanism, while polyplexes prepared from the cationic polymer polyethyleneimine (PEI) were internalized in roughly equal proportions by both pathways. Upon incubation of cells with lipoplexes containing the luciferase gene abundant luciferase expression was observed, which was effectively blocked by inhibitors of clathrin-dependent endocytosis but not by inhibitors of the caveolae-dependent uptake mechanism. By contrast, luciferase transfection of the cells with polyplexes was unaffected by inhibition of clathrin-mediated endocytosis, but was nearly completely blocked by inhibitors interfering with the caveolae pathway. The results are discussed with respect to possible differences in the mechanism by which plasmid DNA is released from lipoplexes and polyplexes into the cytosol and to the role of size in the uptake and processing of the complexes. Our data suggest that improvement of non-viral gene transfection could very much benefit from controlling particle size, which would allow targeting of particle internalization via a non-degradative pathway, involving caveolae-mediated endocytosis.     

The strength of phenotypic selection in natural populations

How strong is phenotypic selection on quantitative traits in the wild? We reviewed the literature from 1984 through 1997 for studies that estimated the strength of linear and quadratic selection in terms of standardized selection gradients or differentials on natural variation in quantitative traits for field populations. We tabulated 63 published studies of 62 species that reported over 2,500 estimates of linear or quadratic selection. More than 80% of the estimates were for morphological traits; there is very little data for behavioral or physiological traits. Most published selection studies were unreplicated and had sample sizes below 135 individuals, resulting in low statistical power to detect selection of the magnitude typically reported for natural populations. The absolute values of linear selection gradients |beta| were exponentially distributed with an overall median of 0.16, suggesting that strong directional selection was uncommon. The values of |beta| for selection on morphological and on life-history/phenological traits were significantly different: on average, selection on morphology was stronger than selection on phenology/life history. Similarly, the values of |beta| for selection via aspects of survival, fecundity, and mating success were significantly different: on average, selection on mating success was stronger than on survival. Comparisons of estimated linear selection gradients and differentials suggest that indirect components of phenotypic selection were usually modest relative to direct components. The absolute values of quadratic selection gradients |gamma| were exponentially distributed with an overall median of only 0.10, suggesting that quadratic selection is typically quite weak. The distribution of gamma values was symmetric about 0, providing no evidence that stabilizing selection is stronger or more common than disruptive selection in nature.     

Effect of temperature on seed production in the invasive grass Glyceria maxima (Hartm.) Holmb. (Poaceae) in South Africa

Temperature is one of the main factors that determine sexual reproduction in terrestrial and emergent aquatic plant species. The effect of temperature on sexual reproduction and seed production of Glyceria maxima (Hartm.) Holmb. in the southern hemisphere is unknown. Glyceria maxima collections in February 2010 at three isolated infestations in KwaZulu-Natal failed to yield a single seed, only empty panicles. Laboratory experiments showed that vernalisation had no consistent effect on seed production. Field- and laboratory-grown plants produced seeds in the 2010/2011 season, because of having sufficient time at optimum temperatures required for seed production (1 491 and 1 585 hours, respectively), compared to a shorter period (1 352 hours) of suitable temperatures during the 2009/2010 growing season. An inadequate period of optimum temperatures (15–25°C) during seed production resulted in the lack of seeds in the field in the 2009/2010 growing season. This study showed that temperature and duration of exposure thereto during the seed-production period play vital roles in G. maxima sexual reproduction.     

Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System Activation and Metabolic Profile in Young Children: The ABCD Study

Background

In adults, increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic nervous system activity are associated with a less favorable metabolic profile. Whether this is already determined at early age is unknown. Therefore, we aimed to assess the association between autonomic nervous system activation and metabolic profile and its components in children at age of 5–6 years.

Methods

Cross-sectional data from an apparently healthy population (within the ABCD study) were collected at age 5–6 years in 1540 children. Heart rate (HR), respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA; parasympathetic activity) and pre-ejection period (PEP; sympathetic activity) were assessed during rest. Metabolic components were waist-height ratio (WHtR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), fasting triglycerides, glucose and HDL-cholesterol. Individual components, as well as a cumulative metabolic score, were analyzed.

Results

In analysis adjusted for child’s physical activity, sleep, anxiety score and other potential confounders, increased HR and decreased RSA were associated with higher WHtR (P< 0.01), higher SBP (p<0.001) and a higher cumulative metabolic score (HR: p < 0.001; RSA: p < 0.01). Lower PEP was only associated with higher SBP (p <0.05). Of all children, 5.6% had 3 or more (out of 5) adverse metabolic components; only higher HR was associated with this risk (per 10 bpm increase: OR = 1.56; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

This study shows that decreased parasympathetic activity is associated with central adiposity and higher SBP, indicative of increased metabolic risk, already at age 5–6 years.     

Specific gene expression of ATP-binding cassette transporters and nuclear hormone receptors in rat liver parenchymal,endothelial, and Kupffer cells

Hepatic cholesterol(ester) uptake from serum coupled to intracellular processing and biliary excretion are important features in the removal of excess cholesterol from the body. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters play an important role in hepatic cholesterol transport. The liver consists of different cell types, and ABC transporters may exert different physiological functions dependent on the individual cell type. Therefore, in the current study, using real time PCR we compared the mRNA expression of ABC transporters and genes involved in the regulation of cholesterol metabolism in liver parenchymal, endothelial, and Kupffer cells. It appears that liver parenchymal cells contain high expression levels compared with endothelial and Kupffer cells of scavenger receptor class BI ( approximately 3-fold), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)alpha and PPARgamma (8-20-fold), cholesterol 7alpha-hydroxylase A1 (>100-fold), and ABCG5/G8 ( approximately 5-fold). Liver endothelial cells show a high expression of cholesterol 27-hydroxylase, liver X receptor (LXR)beta, PPARdelta, and ABCG1, suggesting a novel specific role for these genes in endothelial cells. In Kupffer cells, the expression level of LXRalpha, ABCA1, and in particular ABCG1 is high, leading to an ABCG1 mRNA expression level that is 70-fold higher than in parenchymal cells. It can be calculated that 51% of the total liver ABCG1 expression resides in Kupffer cells and 24% in endothelial cells, suggesting an intrahepatic-specific role for ABCG1 in Kupffer and endothelial cells. Because of a specific stimulation of ABCG1 in parenchymal cells by a high cholesterol diet, the contribution of parenchymal cells to the total liver increased from 25 to 60%. Our data indicate that for studies of the role of ABC transporters and their regulation in liver, their cellular localization should be taken into account, allowing proper interpretation of metabolic changes, which are directly related to their (intra)cellular expression level.