Contributions of unstirred-layer effects to apparent electrokinetic phenomena in the gall-bladder

Summary Passage of electric current across rabbit gall-bladder, which is preferentially permeable to cations, causes water flow towards the negative electrode, as expected for electroosmosis in a cation-selective membrane. Current passage also causes development of a polarization potential difference, i.e. a transepithelial potential difference (p.d.) which transiently remains after cessation of current flow and decays back to zero with a half-time of 22 to 90 sec. The polarization p.d. is due to current-induced local changes of salt concentration in unstirred layers, mainly at the serosal face of the epithelium. These changes originate through the so-called transport-number effect. Calculation shows that much of the observed current-induced water flow represents an osmotic flow due to these local concentration changes, rather than representing true electroosmosis. By implication, a large component of streaming potentials in the gall-bladder is a boundary diffusion potential, owing to water flow producing local changes of salt concentration in unstirred layers.     

Ambient Light Promotes Selective Subcellular Proteotoxicity after Endogenous and Exogenous Porphyrinogenic Stress

Hepatic accumulation of protoporphyrin-IX (PP-IX) in erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) or X-linked-dominant protoporphyria (XLP) cause liver damage. Hepatocyte nuclear lamin aggregation is a sensitive marker for PP-IX-mediated liver injury. We tested the hypothesis that extracellular or intracellular protoporphyria cause damage to different subcellular compartments, in a light-triggered manner. Three hepatoma cell lines (HepG2, Hepa-1, and Huh-7) were treated with exogenous PP-IX (mimicking XLP extrahepatic protoporphyria) or with the iron chelator deferoxamine and the porphyrin precursor 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) (mimicking intracellular protoporphyrin accumulation in EPP). Exogenous PP-IX accumulated predominantly in the nuclear fraction and caused nuclear shape deformation and cytoplasmic vacuoles containing electron-dense particles, whereas ALA+deferoxamine treatment resulted in higher PP-IX in the cytoplasmic fraction. Protein aggregation in the nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions paralleled PP-IX levels and, in cell culture, the effects were exclusively ambient light-mediated. PP-IX and ALA caused proteasomal inhibition, whereas endoplasmic reticulum protein aggregation was more prominent in ALA-treated cells. The enhanced ALA-related toxicity is likely due to generation of additional porphyrin intermediates including uroporphyrin and coproporphyrin, based on HPLC analysis of cell lysates and the culture medium, as well as cell-free experiments with uroporphyrin/coproporphyrin. Mouse livers from drug-induced porphyria phenocopied the in vitro findings, and mass spectrometry of liver proteins isolated in light/dark conditions showed diminished (as compared with light-harvested) but detectable aggregation under dark-harvested conditions. Therefore, PP-IX leads to endoplasmic reticulum stress and proteasome inhibition in a manner that depends on the source of porphyrin buildup and light exposure. Porphyrin-mediated selective protein aggregation provides a potential mechanism for porphyria-associated tissue injury.     

Mitochondrial quality control by the ubiquitin-proteasome system

Mitochondria perform multiple functions critical to the maintenance of cellular homoeostasis and their dysfunction leads to disease. Several lines of evidence suggest the presence of a MAD (mitochondria-associated degradation) pathway that regulates mitochondrial protein quality control. Internal mitochondrial proteins may be retrotranslocated to the OMM (outer mitochondrial membrane), multiple E3 ubiquitin ligases reside at the OMM and inhibition of the proteasome causes accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins at the OMM. Reminiscent of ERAD [ER (endoplasmic reticulum)-associated degradation], Cdc48 (cell division cycle 42)/p97 is recruited to stressed mitochondria, extracts ubiquitinated proteins from the OMM and presents ubiquitinated proteins to the proteasome for degradation. Recent research has provided mechanistic insights into the interaction of the UPS (ubiquitin-proteasome system) with the OMM. In yeast, Vms1 [VCP (valosin-containing protein) (p97)/Cdc48-associated mitochondrial-stress-responsive 1] protein recruits Cdc48/p97 to the OMM. In mammalian systems, the E3 ubiquitin ligase parkin regulates the recruitment of Cdc48/p97 to mitochondria, subsequent mitochondrial protein degradation and mitochondrial autophagy. Disruption of the Vms1 or parkin systems results in the hyper-accumulation of ubiquitinated proteins at mitochondria and subsequent mitochondrial dysfunction. The emerging MAD pathway is important for the maintenance of cellular and therefore organismal viability.     

RAPTURE (RAD capture) panel facilitates analyses characterizing sea lamprey reproductive ecology and movement dynamics

Genomic tools are lacking for invasive and native populations of sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus). Our objective was to discover single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci to conduct pedigree analyses to quantify reproductive contributions of adult sea lampreys and dispersion of sibling larval sea lampreys of different ages in Great Lakes tributaries. Additional applications of data were explored using additional geographically expansive samples. We used restriction site‐associated DNA sequencing (RAD‐Seq) to discover genetic variation in Duffins Creek (DC), Ontario, Canada, and the St. Clair River (SCR), Michigan, USA. We subsequently developed RAD capture baits to genotype 3,446 RAD loci that contained 11,970 SNPs. Based on RAD capture assays, estimates of variance in SNP allele frequency among five Great Lakes tributary populations (mean F_ST 0.008; range 0.00–0.018) were concordant with previous microsatellite‐based studies; however, outlier loci were identified that contributed substantially to spatial population genetic structure. At finer scales within streams, simulations indicated that accuracy in genetic pedigree reconstruction was high when 200 or 500 independent loci were used, even in situations of high spawner abundance (e.g., 1,000 adults). Based on empirical collections of larval sea lamprey genotypes, we found that age‐1 and age‐2 families of full and half‐siblings were widely but nonrandomly distributed within stream reaches sampled. Using the genomic scale set of SNP loci developed in this study, biologists can rapidly genotype sea lamprey in non‐native and native ranges to investigate questions pertaining to population structuring and reproductive ecology at previously unattainable scales.     

A series of spirocyclic analogues as potent inhibitors of bacterial phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetases

We have identified a series of spirocyclic furan and pyrrolidine inhibitors of Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetases. The most potent analogue 1b showed IC50=5 nM (E. faecalis PheRS) and IC50=2 nM (S. aureus PheRS) with high selectivity over the human enzyme. The crystal X-ray structure of analogue 1b was determined.     

A highly potent and safe pyrrolopyridine-based allosteric HIV-1 integrase inhibitor targeting host LEDGF/p75-integrase interaction site

Allosteric integrase inhibitors (ALLINIs) are a class of experimental anti-HIV agents that target the noncatalytic sites of the viral integrase (IN) and interfere with the IN-viral RNA interaction during viral maturation. Here, we report a highly potent and safe pyrrolopyridine-based ALLINI, STP0404, displaying picomolar IC₅₀ in human PBMCs with a >24,000 therapeutic index against HIV-1. X-ray structural and biochemical analyses revealed that STP0404 binds to the host LEDGF/p75 protein binding pocket of the IN dimer, which induces aberrant IN oligomerization and blocks the IN-RNA interaction. Consequently, STP0404 inhibits proper localization of HIV-1 RNA genomes in viral particles during viral maturation. Y99H and A128T mutations at the LEDGF/p75 binding pocket render resistance to STP0404. Extensive in vivo pharmacological and toxicity investigations demonstrate that STP0404 harbors outstanding therapeutic and safety properties. Overall, STP0404 is a potent and first-in-class ALLINI that targets LEDGF/p75 binding site and has advanced to a human trial.     

Subterranean, herbivore-induced plant volatile increases biological control activity of multiple beneficial nematode species in distinct habitats

While the role of herbivore-induced volatiles in plant-herbivore-natural enemy interactions is well documented aboveground, new evidence suggests that belowground volatile emissions can protect plants by attracting entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs). However, due to methodological limitations, no study has previously detected belowground herbivore-induced volatiles in the field or quantified their impact on attraction of diverse EPN species. Here we show how a belowground herbivore-induced volatile can enhance mortality of agriculturally significant root pests. First, in real time, we identified pregeijerene (1,5-dimethylcyclodeca-1,5,7-triene) from citrus roots 9-12 hours after initiation of larval Diaprepes abbreviatus feeding. This compound was also detected in the root zone of mature citrus trees in the field. Application of collected volatiles from weevil-damaged citrus roots attracted native EPNs and increased mortality of beetle larvae (D. abbreviatus) compared to controls in a citrus orchard. In addition, field applications of isolated pregeijerene caused similar results. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that pregeijerene increased pest mortality by attracting four species of naturally occurring EPNs in the field. Finally, we tested the generality of this root-zone signal by application of pregeijerene in blueberry fields; mortality of larvae (Galleria mellonella and Anomala orientalis) again increased by attracting naturally occurring populations of an EPN. Thus, this specific belowground signal attracts natural enemies of widespread root pests in distinct agricultural systems and may have broad potential in biological control of root pests.     

Cholinergic modulation of microglial activation by alpha 7 nicotinic receptors

Almost all degenerative diseases of the CNS are associated with chronic inflammation. A central step in this process is the activation of brain mononuclear phagocyte cells, called microglia. While it is recognized that healthy neurons and astrocytes regulate the magnitude of microglia-mediated innate immune responses and limit excessive CNS inflammation, the endogenous signals governing this process are not fully understood. In the peripheral nervous system, recent studies suggest that an endogenous 'cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway' regulates systemic inflammatory responses via alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholinergic receptors (nAChR) found on blood-borne macrophages. These data led us to investigate whether a similar cholinergic pathway exists in the brain that could regulate microglial activation. Here we report for the first time that cultured microglial cells express alpha 7 nAChR subunit as determined by RT-PCR, western blot, immunofluorescent, and immunohistochemistry analyses. Acetylcholine and nicotine pre-treatment inhibit lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TNF-alpha release in murine-derived microglial cells, an effect attenuated by alpha 7 selective nicotinic antagonist, alpha-bungarotoxin. Furthermore, this inhibition appears to be mediated by a reduction in phosphorylation of p44/42 and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Though preliminary, our findings suggest the existence of a brain cholinergic pathway that regulates microglial activation through alpha 7 nicotinic receptors. Negative regulation of microglia activation may also represent additional mechanism underlying nicotine's reported neuroprotective properties.     

Proposed tests for measuring the running velocity at the oxygen consumption and heart rate thresholds for treadmill exercise

The purposes of this study were to (a) determine if the mathematical model used to estimate the physical working capacity at the oxygen consumption threshold (PWC(VO(2))) and physical working capacity at the heart rate threshold (PWC(HRT)) for cycle ergometry could be applied to treadmill running; (b) propose new fatigue thresholds called the running velocity at the oxygen uptake threshold (RV(VO(2))) and running velocity at the heart rate threshold (RV(HRT)) for treadmill exercise; and (c) statistically compare the velocities at the RV(VO(2)), RV(HRT), and ventilatory threshold (VT). Seven aerobically trained adult volunteers (mean +/- SD: age 24.0 +/- 3.9 years, Vo(2) max 56.7 +/- 7.1 ml.kg(-1).min(-1)) performed a maximal treadmill test to determine Vo(2) peak and VT as well as four 8-minute submaximal workbouts for the determination of RV(VO(2)) and RV(HRT). One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance indicated that there were no significant (p > 0.05) mean differences among the running velocities for the RV(VO(2)), RV(HRT), and VT. The results of this study indicated that the mathematical model used to estimate PWC(VO(2)) and PWC(HRT) for cycle ergometry could be applied to treadmill running. Furthermore, the RV(VO(2)) and RV(HRT) test may provide submaximal techniques for estimating the VT.     

Comparison of Overall Obesity and Body Fat Distribution in Predicting Risk of Mortality

Results of studies comparing overall obesity and abdominal adiposity or body fat distribution with risk of mortality have varied considerably. We compared the relative importance and joint association of overall obesity and body fat distribution in predicting risk of mortality. Participants included 5,799 men and 6,429 women aged 30–102 years enrolled in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey who completed a baseline health examination during 1988–1994. During a 12‐year follow‐up (102,172 person‐years), 1,188 men and 925 women died. In multivariable‐adjusted analyses, waist‐to‐thigh ratio (WTR) in both sexes (P_trend <0.01 for both) and waist‐to‐hip ratio (WHR) in women (P_trend 0.001) were positively associated with mortality in middle‐aged adults (30–64 years), while BMI and waist circumference (WC) exhibited U‐ or J‐shaped associations. Risk of mortality increased with a higher WHR and WTR among normal weight (BMI 18.5–24.9 kg/m²) and obese (BMI ≥30.0 kg/m²) adults. In older adults (65–102 years), a higher BMI in both sexes (P_trend <0.05) and WC in men (P_trend 0.001) were associated with increased survival, while remaining measures of body fat distribution exhibited either no association or an inverse relation with mortality. In conclusion, ratio measures of body fat distribution are strongly and positively associated with mortality and offer additional prognostic information beyond BMI and WC in middle‐aged adults. A higher BMI in both sexes and WC in men were associated with increased survival in older adults, while a higher WHR or WTR either decreased or did not influence risk of death.