Identification of alleles at gliadin loci Gli-U1 and Gli-M(b) 1 in Aegilops biuncialis Vis

The diversity of alleles of gliadin loci Gli-U1 and Gli-M(b) 1 was studied in the tetraploid species Aegilops biuncialis (UUM(b)M(b)). The collection of 41 Ae. biuncialis accessions and F2 grain obtained from five crossing combinations provides material used in this study. Gliadins were separated by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel conducted in the acidic medium. To determine genomic affiliation (Uor M(b)) of components of Ae. biuncialis gliadin pattern, accessions of Ae. umbellulata and Ae. comosa were analyzed. In Ae. biuncialis accessions, 14 alleles were identified at the locus Gli-U1 and 12 alleles, at the locus Gli-M(b) 1. The results testify to a markedly high degree of allele diversity at major gliadin-coding loci of chromosomes belonging to Ae. biuncialis homeologous group 1.     

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha potentiates genotoxic effects of benzo[a]pyrene in rat liver epithelial cells through upregulation of cytochrome P450 1B1 expression

Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a ubiquitous environmental pollutant, which may contribute to the development of human cancer. The ultimate carcinogenic BaP metabolite produced by cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP), such as CYP1A1 and CYP1B1, anti-BaP-7,8-diol-9,10-epoxide, binds covalently to DNA and causes mutations. The levels of various CYP isoforms can be significantly modulated under inflammatory conditions. As the chronic inflammation is known to contribute to carcinogenesis, we investigated interactions of a major proinflammatory cytokine, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and BaP in regulation of the expression of CYP1A1/1B1 and induction of DNA damage in rat liver epithelial WB-F344 cells. TNF-alpha enhanced induction of CYP1B1, while it simultaneously suppressed the BaP-induced CYP1A1 expression. The observed deregulation of CYP1 induction was found to be associated with a significantly enhanced formation of DNA adducts. The elevated DNA damage corresponded with increased phosphorylation of p53 tumor suppressor at Ser-15 residue, enhanced accumulation of cells in the S-phase of cell cycle and potentiation of BaP-induced apoptosis. Inhibition of CYP1B1 by fluoranthene significantly decreased both the formation of DNA adducts and the induction of apoptosis in WB-F344 cells treated with BaP and TNF-alpha, thus suggesting that this isoform might be responsible for genotoxic effects of BaP in nonparenchymal liver cells. Our results seem to indicate that inflammatory conditions might enhance genotoxic effects of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons through upregulation of CYP1B1 expression.     

Action of Iron Nitrosyl Complexes,NO Donors,on the Activity of Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript>-ATPase and Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate Phosphodiesterase

The effect of iron nitrosyl complexes, NO donors, of a general formula [Fe₂(L)₂(NO)₄] with functional sulfur-containing ligands (L-3-nitro-phenol-2-yl, 4-nitro-phenol-2-yl, or 1-methyl-tetrazol-5-yl) on the activity of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca²⁺-ATPase and cyclic guanosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase (cGMP PDE) was studied. The test complexes uncoupled the hydrolytic and transport functions of Ca²⁺- ATPase, thus disturbing the balance of Ca²⁺ ions in cells, which may affect the formation of thrombi and adhesion of metastatic cells to the endothelium of capillaries. They also inhibited the activity of cGMP PDE, thereby contributing to the accumulation of the second messenger cGMP. The studied iron nitrosyl complexes can be considered as potential drugs.     

Apoptosis and inhibition of gap-junctional intercellular communication induced by LA-12, a novel hydrophobic platinum(IV) complex

A new hydrophobic platinum(IV) complex, LA-12, a very efficient anticancer drug lacking cross-resistance with cisplatin (CDDP), is now being tested in clinical trials. Here we investigated the apoptogenic activity of LA-12 and its effect on gap-junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) in the rat liver epithelial cell line WB-F344. LA-12 induced apoptosis much more efficiently than did CDDP due to a combination of rapid penetration into the cell and attack on DNA, leading to fast activation of p53 and caspase-3. Exposure of WB-F344 cells to LA-12 led to rapid induction of the time- and dose-dependent decrease in GJIC. On the molecular level, loss of GJIC induced by LA-12 was mediated by activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-1 and ERK-2, as demonstrated by the use of inhibitors of ERK activation. Inhibition of GJIC was linked to rapid hyperphosphorylation of connexin-43 and disappearance of connexon clusters from membranes, which was not observed in the case of CDDP.     

Characterization of the TRBP domain required for Dicer interaction and function in RNA interference

Background  

Dicer, Ago2 and TRBP are the minimum components of the human RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC). While Dicer and Ago2 are RNases, TRBP is the double-stranded RNA binding protein (dsRBP) that loads small interfering RNA into the RISC. TRBP binds directly to Dicer through its C-terminal domain.     

The cellular prion protein and its role in Alzheimer disease

The cellular prion protein (PrP^C) is a membrane-bound glycoprotein especially abundant in the central nervous system (CNS). The scrapie prion protein (PrP^Sc, also termed prions) is responsible of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE), a group of neurodegenerative diseases which affect humans and other mammal species, although the presence of PrP^C is needed for the establishment and further evolution of prions.The present work compares the expression and localization of PrP^C between healthy human brains and those suffering from Alzheimer disease (AD).In both situations we have observed a rostrocaudal decrease in the amount of PrP^C within the CNS, both by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry techniques. PrP^C is higher expressed in our control brains than in AD cases. There was a neuronal loss and astogliosis in our AD cases. There was a tendency of a lesser expression of PrP^C in AD cases than in healthy ones. And in AD cases, the intensity of the expression of the unglycosylated band is higher than the di- and monoglycosylated bands.With regards to amyloid plaques, those present in AD cases were positively labeled for PrP^C, a result which is further supported by the presence of PrP^C in the amyloid plaques of a transgenic line of mice mimicking AD.The work was done according to Helsinki Declaration of 1975, and approved by the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Navarre.Key words: cellular prion protein, Alzheimer disease, transgenic mice