IFN-beta pretreatment sensitizes human melanoma cells to TRAIL/Apo2 ligand-induced apoptosis

All human melanoma cell lines (assessed by annexin V and TUNEL assays) were resistant to apoptosis induction by TRAIL/Apo2L protein. TRAIL/Apo2L activated caspase-8 and caspase-3, but subsequent apoptotic events such as poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage and DNA fragmentation were not observed. To probe the molecular mechanisms of cellular resistance to apoptosis, melanoma cell lines were analyzed for expression of apoptosis regulators (apoptotic protease-associated factor-1, FLIP, caspase-8, caspase-9, caspase-3, cellular inhibitor of apoptosis, Bcl-2, or Bax); no correlation was observed. TRAIL/Apo2L was induced in melanoma cell lines by IFN-beta and had been correlated with apoptosis induction. Because IFN-beta induced other gene products that have been associated with apoptosis, it was postulated that one or more IFN-stimulated genes might sensitize cells to TRAIL/Apo2L. Melanoma cell lines were treated with IFN-beta for 16-24 h before treatment with TRAIL/Apo2L. Regardless of their sensitivity to either cytokine alone, >30% of cells underwent apoptosis in response to the combined treatment. Induction of apoptosis by IFN-beta and TRAIL/Apo2L in combination correlated with synergistic activation of caspase-9, a decrease in mitochondrial potential, and cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. Cleavage of X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis following IFN-beta and TRAIL/Apo2L treatment was observed in sensitive WM9, A375, or WM3211 cells but not in resistant WM35 or WM164 cells. Thus, in vitro IFN-beta and TRAIL/Apo2L combination treatment had more potent apoptotic and anti-growth effects when compared with either cytokine alone in melanoma cells lines.     

3,5-bis(phenylmethylene)-1-(N-arylmaleamoyl)-4-piperidones: a novel group of cytotoxic agents

A series of novel 3,5-bis(phenylmethylene)-1-(N-arylmaleamoyl)-4-piperidones 3 have been synthesized which displayed potent cytotoxicity towards human Molt 4/C8 and CEM T-lymphocytes as well as murine P388 and L1210 leukemic cells. In contrast, the related N-arylmaleamic acids 4 possessed little or no cytotoxicity in these four screens. Molecular modeling revealed certain interplanar and bond angles and interatomic distances which were perceived to contribute to the observed bioactivity as well as providing suggestions for future structural modifications of the piperidones 3. Evaluation of representative compounds in series 3 and 4 on the activity of human N-myristoyltransferase revealed that, at the maximum concentration utilized, namely 250 microM, only weak inhibiting properties were displayed by some of the compounds in series 4. Various members of series 3 and 4 were well tolerated in mice.     

Establishment of forskolin yielding transformed cell suspension cultures of Coleus forskohlii as controlled by different factors

Suspension cultures derived from gall calli which were obtained following infection with Agrobacterium tumefaciens (C58) were established in Coleus forskohlii. Cell line selection following single cell cloning or cell aggregate cloning was carried out to select cell lines capable of fast growth and for producing high level of forskolin. A fast growing cell line (GSO-5/7) thus selected was found to accumulate 0.021% forskolin in 42 days. The effect of cultural conditions on cell growth was studied to identify factors influencing biomass yield. Cell growth in suspension was found to be influenced significantly by carbon source, initial cell density and light or dark condition. Optimal cell growth (20 fold increase in biomass in a 42 day period) was obtained when the cells were grown in dark condition in B5O media containing 3% sucrose as sole carbon source with an initial cell density of 1.5 x 10(5) cells per ml. Forskolin accumulation was maximum (0.021%) in the stationary phase of cell growth. These suspension cultures showed continuous and stable production of forskolin.     

In vivo and in vitro measurement of cell mediated immunity in Marek's disease: role of reticuloendothelial system

Dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) contact-sensitivity test and leucocyte adherence inhibition (LAI) test were performed in this study as in vivo and in vitro tests to measure the cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in chickens subjected to stimulation of reticuloendothelial (RE) system, depletion of RE system and other experimental groups after being challenged with Marek's disease (MD) virus. It was found that CMI was lower in the birds with depleted RE system and infected control birds, whereas CMI was higher in the birds with activated RE system and vaccinated birds as revealed by DNFB contact-sensitivity test. In cases of LAI test, the number of LAI-positive birds were highest in the chicks with depleted RE system particularly in 3rd and 4th month of age, when the incidence of MD was also maximum.     

Differential Expression of Antioxidant Enzymes During Degradation of Azo Dye Reactive black 8 in Hairy roots of Physalis minima L.

The enzymes involved in the protection of plant metabolism in presence of azo dye was characterized by studying activities of the role of antioxidant enzymes in the hairy roots (HRs) of Physalis minima L. during degradation of an azo dye, Reactive Black 8 (RB8). When the HRs were exposed to RB8 (30 mg L^?1), a nine fold increase in SOD activity was observed after 24 h, while 22 and 50 fold increase in activity was observed for POX and APX respectively after 72 h, whereas there was no significant change in activity of CAT. The activation of different antioxidant enzymes at different time intervals under dye stress suggests the synchronized functioning of antioxidant machinery to protect the HRs from oxidative damage. FTIR analysis confirmed the degradation of dye and the non-toxic nature of metabolites formed after dye degradation was confirmed by phytotoxicity study.     

Centella asiatica (L.) urban from Nepal: Quali-quantitative analysis of samples from several sites,and selection of high terpene containing populations for cultivation

Centella asiatica (L.) Urban is widely used in traditional medicine in many countries and in the formulation of drugs and cosmetics, and is therefore suitable as a trade item for the development of medicinal plants for the population of Nepal. The aim of this work was to select plant populations of C. asiatica with high contents of secondary metabolites growing in various localities in Nepal, and to enhance knowledge of the cultivation of this plant. Quali-quantitative analysis of bioactive triterpenes (asiaticoside and asiatic acid) and phenol derivatives (flavonoids and caffeoyl esters) was performed by HPLC-DAD-ELSD. The highest quantities of triterpenes and phenols were found in samples from the Gorkha and Chitwan districts. Regarding cultivated plants, soil fertilisation is critical, since over-rich soils affect secondary metabolite content. Plants growing in sand-rich soils produce more terpenes. This work provides indications on how to select high-terpene producing germplasm and recommendations for plant cultivation.     

Microprojectile bombardment mediated genetic transformation of embryo axes and plant regeneration in cumin (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Cuminum cyminum</Emphasis> L.)

Pre-cultured cumin embryos were bombarded under 27 inches Hg vacuum, 25 mm distance from rupture disc to macrocarrier, 10 mm macrocarrier flight distance using 1100 psi rupture disc and 9 cm microprojectile travel distance. An average of 110 embryos was used per shot and 91% embryos showed transient GUS expression after 24 h. Shoot tips and roots of T₀ plantlets exhibited GUS expression done after 3 months of bombardment. Transformation was confirmed with PCR amplification of 0.96 and 1.3 kb band of hptII and gus genes respectively from T₀ transgenics and southern blot analysis using PCR amplified DIG labeled hptII gene as probe. It is the first successful attempt of transformation of cumin plant through direct gene transfer using particle gene gun and adequately exhibiting the possibility of stable transformation in cumin.     

Acetylcholine receptor gating at extracellular transmembrane domain interface: the cys-loop and M2-M3 linker

Acetylcholine receptor channel gating is a propagated conformational cascade that links changes in structure and function at the transmitter binding sites in the extracellular domain (ECD) with those at a "gate" in the transmembrane domain (TMD). We used Phi-value analysis to probe the relative timing of the gating motions of alpha-subunit residues located near the ECD-TMD interface. Mutation of four of the seven amino acids in the M2-M3 linker (which connects the pore-lining M2 helix with the M3 helix), including three of the four residues in the core of the linker, changed the diliganded gating equilibrium constant (K(eq)) by up to 10,000-fold (P272 > I274 > A270 > G275). The average Phi-value for the whole linker was approximately 0.64. One interpretation of this result is that the gating motions of the M2-M3 linker are approximately synchronous with those of much of M2 (approximately 0.64), but occur after those of the transmitter binding site region (approximately 0.93) and loops 2 and 7 (approximately 0.77). We also examined mutants of six cys-loop residues (V132, T133, H134, F135, P136, and F137). Mutation of V132, H134, and F135 changed K(eq) by 2800-, 10-, and 18-fold, respectively, and with an average Phi-value of 0.74, similar to those of other cys-loop residues. Even though V132 and I274 are close, the energetic coupling between I and V mutants of these positions was small (< or =0.51 kcal mol(-1)). The M2-M3 linker appears to be the key moving part that couples gating motions at the base of the ECD with those in TMD. These interactions are distributed along an approximately 16-A border and involve about a dozen residues.