Kainic acid-induced changes in the opioid/nociceptin system and the stress/toxicity pathways in the rat hippocampus

Excitotoxicity is a contributing factor to the pathogenesis of acute or chronic neurodegenerative disease states. Kainic acid (KA) is an excitotoxic substance and the administration of it to rodents induces seizure activity (status epilepticus, SE) and leads to neurodegeneration. In this study the effect of KA-induced excitotoxicity on the G-protein activations and the gene expression levels of the opioid/nociceptin system receptors as MOPr, KOPr, DOPr, ORL-1, and PNOC (N/OFQ) were investigated, and the regulator effect of naloxone (Nal) on the gene expressions of the opioid system receptors against KA-induced seizures in the rat hippocampus was tested. In addition, the expression levels of stress-toxicity genes were assessed in the hippocampus following KA-induced excitotoxicity in order to determine the potential genetic targets which can be helpful for neuroprotective interventions. Our results indicate that the KA-induced excitotoxicity increased the mRNA levels of MOPr, DOPr, KOPr, PNOC, and ORL-1. However, G-protein activations of MOPr, DOPr, and KOPr remained relatively unchanged while both the potency and efficacy of N/OFQ were significantly increased. The PCR array data showed that KA-induced excitotoxicity altered the expression levels of genes in the cellular stress or toxicity pathways. Our data suggests that the induction of the opioid/nociceptin system may be involved in the cellular stress response following a neurodegenerative insult and that the genes modulated by the KA-treatment in the stress-toxicity pathways may be evaluated as targets of potential neuroprotective interventions.     

Prenatal diagnosis of de novo unbalanced translocation 8p;21q using subtelomeric probes

We report an unbalanced translocation involving chromosomes 8 and 21 in a fetus showing ultrasonographic abnormalities in the second trimester of pregnancy. A 41-year-old pregnant woman, gravida 1 para 0, was referred to the Genetics Clinic at the 16th week of gestation because of advanced maternal age and fetal pelvicaliectasis on ultrasonographic examination. Pregnancy had occurred following ICSI treatment. After genetic counseling amniocentesis was performed. Fetal karyotype analysis revealed a 46,XY,8p+ karyotype. Ultrasonographic examination was repeated at the 20th week of gestation and showed intrauterine growth retardation, ventriculomegaly, cerebellar structural abnormality and pelvicaliectasis. Chromosomes of both parents were normal. Molecular cytogenetic studies (FISH) using chromosome-specific subtelomere probes showed a terminal deletion of 8p and trisomy of the 21q subtelomeric region. Further analysis with Down Syndrome specific region probes revealed two signals. The couple decided to terminate the pregnancy. This is the first prenatally diagnosed case of unbalanced t(8p;21q) of de novo origin.     

Candida konsanensis sp. nov., a new yeast species isolated from Jasminum adenophyllum in Thailand with potentially carboxymethyl cellulase-producing capability

A new yeast species (KKU-FW10) belonging to the Candida genus was isolated from Jasminum adenophyllum in the Plant Genetic Conservation Project under The Royal Initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn area, Chulabhorn Dam, Konsan district within Chaiyaphum province in Thailand. The strain was identified via analysis of nucleotide sequences from the D1/D2 domain of 26S ribosomal DNA and based on its morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics. The sequence obtained from yeast isolate KKU-FW10 was 97 percent identical to that of Candida chanthaburiensis (GenBank accession number AB500861.1), with 506/517 (nucleotides identity/total nucleotides) matching nucleotides, nine substitutions and two gaps being detected. This species belonged to the Candida clade. Regarding morphological characteristics, isolate KKU-FW10 presents cream-colored butyrous colonies, vegetative reproduction through budding and, round cells without filaments or ascospores. The major ubiquinone detected was Q-9. The above results suggest that isolate KKU-FW10 is a new member of the genus Candida, and the name Candida konsanensis is proposed for this yeast. The type strain of the new species is KKU-FW10^T (= BCC 52588^T, = NBRC 109082^T, = CBS 12666^T). In addition, this KKU-FW10 could potentially produce 58.24 Units/ml of carboxymethyl cellulase when it was cultured in YP broth containing 1.0 % carboxymethyl cellulose for 24 h.     

Peroxidase catalysed oxidative decarboxylation of vanillic acid to methoxy-p-hydroquinone

Horseradish peroxidase catalysed the oxidative decarboxylation of vanillic acid to methoxy-p-hydroquinone and subsequent oxidation of the hydroquinone to methoxy-p-benzoquinone. Peroxidase also catalysed the oxidation of vanillyl alcohol to vanillin and vanillic acid; however, neither vanillyl alcohol nor vanillin appeared to give rise to methoxyhydroquinone directly. Correspondingly, peroxidase catalysed the oxidative decarboxylation of syringic acid to 2,6-dimethoxy-p-hydroquinone and subsequent oxidation of the hydroquinone to 2,6-dimethoxy-p-benzoquinone.     

A Novel Methodology Using Dexamethasone to Induce Neuronal Differentiation in the CNS-Derived Catecholaminergic CAD Cells

Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology - The Cath.a-differentiated (CAD) cell line is a central nervous system-derived catecholaminergic cell line originating from tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-producing...     

Characterization of β-glucosidases from Hanseniaspora sp. and Pichia anomala with potentially aroma-enhancing capabilities in juice and wine

The properties of intracellular β-glucosidases produced from two yeast isolates identified as Hanseniaspora sp. BC9 and Pichia anomala MDD24 were characterized. β-Glucosidase from Hanseniaspora sp. BC9 was not inhibited by both 20% w/v fructose and 20% w/v sucrose and was slightly inhibited by glucose (> 40% relative β-glucosidase activity with 10% w/v glucose). β-Glucosidase from P. anomala MDD24 was inhibited by glucose, fructose and sucrose. In the presence of 4–12% v/v ethanol, β-glucosidase from P. anomala MDD24 was stimulated in range 110–130% relative activity whereas β-glucosidase from Hanseniaspora sp. BC9 was substantially inhibited in the presence of ethanol. Finally, juice and wine of the Muscat-type grape variety, Traminette, were selected to determine sugar-bound volatile aroma release, particularly terpenes, by the activity of those β-glucosidases. The results showed that high concentration of free aroma compounds were detected from Traminette juice treated with β-glucosidase from Hanseniaspora sp. BC9 and Traminette wine treated with β-glucosidase from P. anomala MDD24. The preliminary results with proposed an application of these enzymes in commercial wine production lead to more efficient of β-glucosidase from Hanseniaspora sp. BC9 in releasing desirable aromas during an early stage of alcoholic fermentation while β-glucosidase from P. anomala MDD24 is suitable at the final stage of alcoholic fermentation.     

Correction to: A Novel Methodology Using Dexamethasone to Induce Neuronal Differentiation in the CNS-Derived Catecholaminergic CAD Cells

Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology -