Characterization of IGF-II Isoforms in Binge Eating Disorder and Its Group Psychological Treatment

Intro

Binge eating disorder (BED) affects 3.5% of the population and is characterized by binge eating for at least 2 days a week for 6 months. Treatment options include cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal psychotherapy, and pharmacotherapy which are associated with varied success.Little is known about the biology of BED. Since there is evidence that the insulin like growth factor system is implicated in regulation of body weight, insulin sensitivity and feeding behavior, we speculated it may be involved in BED.

Methods

A cross-sectional comparison was made between three groups of women: overweight with BED, overweight without BED and normal weight without BED. Women were assigned to Group Psychodynamic Interpersonal Psychotherapy. Blood was collected before therapy, at completion and at 6months follow up for evaluation of IGF-II using Western blot.

Results

97 overweight women with BED contributed to the cross-sectional comparison. The two control groups comprised 53 overweight women without BED, and 50 age matched normal weight women without BED. Obese women had significantly lower Big IGF-II than normal weight women, p = .028; Overweight women with BED had higher Mature IGF-II than normal weight women, p<.05.Big IGF-II showed a significant decreasing slope from pre- to post- to six months post-group psychological treatment, unrelated to changes in BMI (p = .008).

Conclusion

Levels of IGF-II isoforms differed significantly between overweight and normal weight women. Overweight women with BED display abnormal levels of circulating IGF-II isoforms. BED is characterized by elevated mature IGF-II, an isoform shown to carry significant bioactivity. This finding is not related to BMI or to changes in body weight. The results also provide preliminary evidence that BIG IGF-II is sensitive to change due to group psychological treatment. We suggest that abnormalities in IGF-II processing may be involved in the neurobiology of BED.     

Obligatory parthenogenesis and TE load: Bacillus stick insects and the R2 non‐LTR retrotransposon

Transposable elements (TEs) are selfish genetic elements whose self‐replication is contrasted by the host genome. In this context, host reproductive strategies are predicted to impact on both TEs load and activity. The presence and insertion distribution of the non‐LTR retrotransposon R2 was here studied in populations of the strictly bisexual Bacillus grandii maretimi and of the obligatory parthenogenetic Bacillus atticus atticus. Furthermore, data were also obtained from the offspring of selected B. a. atticus females. At the population level, the gonochoric B. g. maretimi showed a significantly higher R2 load than the obligatory parthenogenetic B. a. atticus. The comparison with bisexual and unisexual Bacillus rossius populations showed that their values were higher than those recorded for B. a. atticus and similar, or even higher, than those of B. g. maretimi. Consistently, an R2 load reduction is scored in B. a. atticus offspring even if with a great variance. On the whole, data here produced indicate that in the obligatory unisexual B. a. atticus R2 is active and that mechanisms of molecular turnover are effective. Furthermore, progeny analyses show that, at variance of the facultative parthenogenetic B. rossius, the R2 activity is held at a lower rate. Modeling parental‐offspring inheritance, suggests that in B. a. atticus recombination plays a major role in eliminating insertions rather than selection, as previously suggested for unisexual B. rossius progeny, even if in both cases a high variance is observed. In addition to this, mechanisms of R2 silencing or chances of clonal selection cannot be ruled out.     

The other side of the coin: dissecting molecular mechanisms behind hereditary breast cancer in search of therapeutic opportunities

Over the last quarter century several genetic alterations have been implicated in hereditary breast cancer (HBC). Two papers recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine explored the mutation prevalence in breast cancer predisposition genes across a large population of affected and unaffected subjects. These analyses designated ATM, BARD1, BRCA1, BRCA2, CHEK2, PALB2, RAD51C and RAD51D as the core set of genes associated with a significantly increased risk of developing breast cancer. A deeper understanding of the biological role of these genes unearths an intricate mechanism involving DNA repair and cell cycle regulation. Exploiting these inherited alterations for targeted treatments, as is currently the case with PARP inhibitors, may provide additional therapeutic opportunities for HBC patients.     

The human phosphatase interactome: An intricate family portrait

The concerted activities of kinases and phosphatases modulate the phosphorylation levels of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates in eukaryotic cells. Despite considerable effort, we are still missing a holistic picture representing, at a proteome level, the functional relationships between kinases, phosphatases and their substrates. Here we focus on phosphatases and we review and integrate the available information that helps to place the members of the protein phosphatase superfamilies into the human protein interaction network. In addition we show how protein interaction domains and motifs, either covalently linked to the phosphatase domain or in regulatory/adaptor subunits, play a prominent role in substrate selection.     

Spectral tuning and evolution of primate short-wavelength-sensitive visual pigments

The peak sensitivities (λ(max)) of the short-wavelength-sensitive-1 (SWS1) pigments in mammals range from the ultraviolet (UV) (360-400 nm) to the violet (400-450 nm) regions of the spectrum. In most cases, a UV or violet peak is determined by the residue present at site 86, with Phe conferring UV sensitivity (UVS) and either Ser, Tyr or Val causing a shift to violet wavelengths. In primates, however, the tuning mechanism of violet-sensitive (VS) pigments would appear to differ. In this study, we examine the tuning mechanisms of prosimian SWS1 pigments. One species, the aye-aye, possesses a pigment with Phe86 but in vitro spectral analysis reveals a VS rather than a UVS pigment. Other residues (Cys, Ser and Val) at site 86 in prosimians also gave VS pigments. Substitution at site 86 is not, therefore, the primary mechanism for the tuning of VS pigments in primates, and phylogenetic analysis indicates that substitutions at site 86 have occurred at least five times in primate evolution. The sole potential tuning site that is conserved in all primate VS pigments is Pro93, which when substituted by Thr (as found in mammalian UVS pigments) in the aye-aye pigment shifted the peak absorbance into the UV region with a λ(max) value at 371 nm. We, therefore, conclude that the tuning of VS pigments in primates depends on Pro93, not Tyr86 as in other mammals. However, it remains uncertain whether the initial event that gave rise to the VS pigment in the ancestral primate was achieved by a Thr93Pro or a Phe86Tyr substitution.     

Oxidoreductase activity of chromatophores and purified cytochrome bc 1 complex from Rhodobacter sphaeroides: a possible role of cardiolipin

Osmotic shock was used as a tool to obtain cardiolipin (CL) enriched chromatophores of Rhodobacter sphaeroides. After incubation of cells in iso- and hyper-osmotic buffers both chromatophores with a physiological lipid profile (Control) and with an almost doubled amount of CL (CL enriched) were isolated. Spectroscopic properties, reaction centre (RC) and reducible cytochrome (cyt) contents in Control and CL enriched chromatophores were the same. The oxidoreductase activity was found higher for CL enriched than for Control chromatophores, raising from 60?±?2 to 93?±?3?mol cyt c s(-1) (mol total cyt c)(-1). Antymicin and myxothiazol were tested to prove that oxidoreductase activity thus measured was mainly attributable to the cyt bc ( 1 ) complex. The enzyme was then purified from BH6 strain yielding a partially delipidated and almost inactive cyt bc ( 1 ) complex, although the protein was found to maintain its structural integrity in terms of subunit composition. The ability of CL in restoring the activity of the partially delipidated cyt bc ( 1 ) complex was proved in micellar systems by addition of exogenous CL. Results here reported indicate that CL affects oxidoreductase activity in the bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides both in chromatophore and in purified cyt bc ( 1 ) complex.     

A Unique 2-Sulfated ��-Galactan from the Egg Jelly of the Sea Urchin Glyptocidaris crenularis: CONFORMATION FLEXIBILITY VERSUS INDUCTION OF THE SPERM ACROSOME REACTION*

Sulfated polysaccharides from the egg jelly of sea urchins act as species-specific inducers of the sperm acrosome reaction, which is a rare molecular mechanism of carbohydrate-induced signal-transduction event in animal cells. The sea urchin polysaccharides differ in monosaccharide composition (l-fucose or l-galactose), glycosylation, and sulfation sites, but they are always in the α-anomeric configuration. Herein, structural analysis of the polysaccharide from the sea urchin Glyptocidaris crenularis surprisingly revealed a unique sulfated β-d-galactan composed by (3-β-d-Galp-2(OSO₃)-1→3-β-d-Galp-1)_n repeating units. Subsequently, we used the G. crenularis galactan to compare different 2-sulfated polysaccharides as inducers of the acrosome reaction using homologous and heterologous sperm. We also tested the effect of chemically over-sulfated galactans. Intriguingly, the anomeric configuration of the glycosidic linkage rather than the monosaccharide composition (galactose or fucose) is the preferential structural requirement for the effect of these polysaccharides on sea urchin fertilization. Nuclear magnetic resonance and molecular dynamics indicate that sulfated α-galactan or α-fucan have less dynamic structural behavior, exhibiting fewer conformational populations, with an almost exclusive conformational state with glycosidic dihedral angles Φ/Ψ = −102°/131°. The preponderant conformer observed in the sulfated α-galactan or α-fucan is not observed among populations in the β-form despite its more flexible structure in solution. Possibly, a proper spatial arrangement is required for interaction of the sea urchin-sulfated polysaccharides with the specific sperm receptor.The evolution of barriers to inter-specific hybridization is a crucial step in the fertilization of free-spawning marine invertebrates. In sea urchins the molecular recognition between sperm and egg ensures species recognition. The jelly coat surrounding sea urchin eggs is not a simple accessory structure; it is considerably complex on a molecular level and intimately involved in gamete recognition. It contains sulfated polysaccharides, sialoglycans, and peptides.Structural changes in the sulfated polysaccharide from the egg jelly of sea urchins modulate cell-cell recognition and species specificity leading to exocytosis of the acrosomal vesicle, the acrosome reaction. This is a crucial event for the recognition between male and female gametes, leading to the fertilization success, and is also what prevents intercrosses. The sulfated polysaccharide from the egg jelly recognizes its specific receptor present in the sperm. Apart from the sialoglycans that act in synergy with the sulfated polysaccharides, other components of the egg jelly do not possess acrosome reaction-inducing activity (1). The sulfated polysaccharide-mediated mechanism of sperm-egg recognition co-exists with that of bindin and its receptor in the egg (2–4).The sulfated polysaccharides from sea urchin show species-specific structures composed of repetitive units (mono-, tri-, and tetrasaccharides) that differ in the monosaccharide backbone (l-fucose or l-galactose), glycosidic linkage (3- or 4-linked), and sulfation (2- and/or 4-sulfation). However, they are always in the α-enantiomeric configuration (4, 5). Previous studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that sea urchin-sulfated polysaccharides induce the acrosome reaction in a species-specific way. In some cases the sperm from a certain species of sea urchin recognizes the sulfated polysaccharide containing a similar structure from a different species. For example, the egg jelly from Strongylocentrotus franciscanus contains a 2-sulfated, 3-linked α-fucan, but the sperm from this species recognizes a heterologous 2-sulfated, 3-linked α-galactan from Echinometra lucunter (6).We now extended our studies to the sulfated polysaccharides of the sea urchin Glyptocidaris crenularis (7). Surprisingly, we observed that this species contains a unique sulfated β-d-galactan composed of repetitive disaccharide units alternating 2-sulfated and non-sulfated 3-linked units. This polymer is markedly distinct from all other sea urchin-sulfated polysaccharides described so far that are composed of units on α-l-configuration. Furthermore, this sea urchin does not contain sialoglycans, which are commonly found in the echinoderm egg jelly.We used this new sulfated β-galactan to investigate the acrosome reaction in a further molecular detail using homologous and heterologous sperm. We tested three 2-sulfated polysaccharides that differ in their conformation (α or β) and monosaccharide composition (galactose or fucose) as inducers of the sperm acrosome reaction. We aimed to establish the structure versus biological activity of the echinoderm polysaccharides, including structural features at a conformational level.     

A restricted spectrum of mutations in the SMAD4 tumor-suppressor gene underlies Myhre syndrome

Myhre syndrome is a developmental disorder characterized by reduced growth, generalized muscular hypertrophy, facial dysmorphism, deafness, cognitive deficits, joint stiffness, and skeletal anomalies. Here, by performing exome sequencing of a single affected individual and coupling the results to a hypothesis-driven filtering strategy, we establish that heterozygous mutations in SMAD4, which encodes for a transducer mediating transforming growth factor β and bone morphogenetic protein signaling branches, underlie this rare Mendelian trait. Two recurrent de novo SMAD4 mutations were identified in eight unrelated subjects. Both mutations were missense changes altering Ile500 within the evolutionary conserved MAD homology 2 domain, a well known mutational hot spot in malignancies. Structural analyses suggest that the substituted residues are likely to perturb the binding properties of the mutant protein to signaling partners. Although SMAD4 has been established as a tumor suppressor gene somatically mutated in pancreatic, gastrointestinal, and skin cancers, and germline loss-of-function lesions and deletions of this gene have been documented to cause disorders that predispose individuals to gastrointestinal cancer and vascular dysplasias, the present report identifies a previously unrecognized class of mutations in the gene with profound impact on development and growth.     

Pancreatic Cancer Surgical Resection Margins: Molecular Assessment by Mass Spectrometry Imaging

BackgroundSurgical resection with microscopically negative margins remains the main curative option for pancreatic cancer; however, in practice intraoperative delineation of resection margins is challenging. Ambient mass spectrometry imaging has emerged as a powerful technique for chemical imaging and real-time diagnosis of tissue samples. We applied an approach combining desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry imaging (DESI-MSI) with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso) statistical method to diagnose pancreatic tissue sections and prospectively evaluate surgical resection margins from pancreatic cancer surgery.ConclusionsOur findings provide evidence that the molecular information obtained by DESI-MSI/Lasso from pancreatic tissue samples has the potential to transform the evaluation of surgical specimens. With further development, we believe the described methodology could be routinely used for intraoperative surgical margin assessment of pancreatic cancer.     

Inhibition of NOS-NO System Prevents Autoimmune Orchitis Development in Rats: Relevance of NO Released by Testicular Macrophages in Germ Cell Apoptosis and Testosterone Secretion

Background

Although the testis is considered an immunoprivileged organ it can orchestrate immune responses against pathological insults such as infection and trauma. Experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO) is a model of chronic inflammation whose main histopathological features it shares with human orchitis. In EAO an increased number of macrophages infiltrate the interstitium concomitantly with progressive germ cell degeneration and impaired steroidogenesis. Up-regulation of nitric oxide (NO)-NO synthase (NOS) system occurs, macrophages being the main producers of NO.

Objective

The aim of our study was to evaluate the role of NO-NOS system in orchitis development and determine the involvement of NO released by testicular macrophages on germ cell apoptosis and testosterone secretion.

Method and Results

EAO was induced in rats by immunization with testicular homogenate and adjuvants (E group) and a group of untreated normal rats (N) was also studied. Blockage of NOS by i.p. injection of E rats with a competitive inhibitor of NOS, L-NAME (8mg/kg), significantly reduced the incidence and severity of orchitis and lowered testicular nitrite content. L-NAME reduced germ cell apoptosis and restored intratesticular testosterone levels, without variations in serum LH. Co-culture of N testicular fragments with testicular macrophages obtained from EAO rats significantly increased germ cell apoptosis and testosterone secretion, whereas addition of L-NAME lowered both effects and reduced nitrite content. Incubation of testicular fragments from N rats with a NO donor DETA-NOnoate (DETA-NO) induced germ cell apoptosis through external and internal apoptotic pathways, an effect prevented by N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). DETA-NO inhibited testosterone released from Leydig cells, whereas NAC (from 2.5 to 15 mM) did not prevent this effect.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that NO-NOS system is involved in the impairment of testicular function in orchitis. NO secreted mainly by testicular macrophages could promote oxidative stress inducing ST damage and interfering in Leydig cell function.