Antimicrobial and antiviral activities of an actinomycete (Streptomyces sp.) isolated from a Brazilian tropical forest soil

A promising producer of bioactive compounds isolated from a Brazilian tropical soil was tested for its range of antimicrobial activities. Strain 606, classified as Streptomyces sp., could not be identified up to species level, suggesting a possible new taxon. The supernatant and 10 extracts and fractions, obtained by extraction and chromatographic techniques, presented antimicrobial activity using antibiograms. The methanolic fraction was highly active against pathogenic bacteria, phytopathogenic fungi and the human pathogenic yeast Candida albicans. It also possessed high antiviral activity inhibiting the propagation of an acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex virus type 1 strain on HEp-2 cells at non-cytotoxic concentration. The strong cytotoxic effect suggests an antitumour action. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Differential effects of cAMP and cGMP on in vitro epidermal cell growth.

Primary keratinocyte cultures free of dermal fibroblasts were used to investigate the effect of varying cyclic AMP (cAMP) concentrations on epidermal cell function. Addition of 10^?3, 10^?4 or 10^?5 M dibutyryl cAMP to plated cells (day 1) results by day 5 in a dose dependent increase of [³H]TdR incorporation into DNA as determined by increases in both the labeling index and incorporation of ³H label into an isolated DNA fraction. 8-Bromo cAMP, another cAMP analogue, likewise induced keratinocyte proliferation. The proliferative response was dose and time dependent, and 5- to 6-fold increases in ³H label incorporated into DNA were seen at day 6, 8 and up until day 15 of culture. Moreover, elevation of cellular cAMP by addition of cholera toxin, an irreversible stimulator of adenylate cyclase, also demonstrated a time dependent stimulation of [³H]TdR uptake into DNA and increased the labeling index. Specific histochemical staining for keratinaceous protein (Kreyberg technique) demonstrated that elevated cAMP levels also enhance the production of specialized (differentiated) epidermal cells. Determination of the level of cAMP and cyclic GMP (cGMP) by RIA of partially purified fractions of the cultures revealed that addition of 8-bromo cAMP or cholera toxin to the cultures increased the levels of cAMP but not of cGMP. Addition of 8-bromo cGMP to the keratinocytes on day 1 at concentrations of 10^?6, 10^?7 or 10^?8 M had no effect on culture proliferation on days 4, 6 and 8, although qualitative changes in the electron microscopic pattern of the culture stratification and specialization were observed. The results indicate (1) both large and moderate increases in cellular cAMP levels induce keratinocyte culture proliferation and specialization in the absence of fibroblasts or dermal influences, (2) the quantitative enhancement of keratinocyte growth and specialization occurs without apparent participation of cGMP, (3) cGMP may be a qualitative effector of epidermal cell differentiation.     

Developmental changes in the intraplacental distribution of placental lactogen and alkaline phosphatase in the rat

The junctional and labyrinth regions of the rat chorioallantoic placenta during the second half of gestation showed different patterns of development with regard to DNA, protein, placental lactogen and alkaline phosphatase content. DNA and protein measurements indicated that growth of the labyrinth region was more rapid and persisted for longer during gestation than did growth in the junctional zone. At midpregnancy the junctional zone was the main source of placental lactogen whereas by late pregnancy both regions contributed considerable amounts. On Day 20 of gestation the labyrinth region contained significantly more placental lactogen than did the junctional zone. Alkaline phosphatase activity was predominant in the labyrinth zone throughout the second half of gestation. The results indicate that the chorioallantoic placenta is composed of two functionally distinct regions.     

Adsorption of 5′-adenosine monophosphate onto precipitated calcium phosphate: Effects of inorganic polyphosphates and carbamyl phosphate

In this paper it is shown that the adsorption of 5-adenosine monophosphate (5-AMP) onto precipitated calcium phosphate exhibits a sigmoidal profile as revealed by isotherms at 45 °C. This result indicates a cooperative behavior in the adsorption of 5-AMP. The relationship between adsorption capacity and surface area of the sedimented matrix may be interpreted as an indication that there is a monolayer of the adsorbed nucleotide on the solid surface. The pH dependence of adsorption suggests that the negatively charged phosphoryl group of 5-AMP interacts with a positively charged site (possibly Ca²⁺) on the matrix surface. The adsorption of the nucleotide is markedly decreased at pH values above 8.0. The Dixon-like plot of the effect of pH suggests an inhibitory role of hydroxyl ions in the adsorption of 5-AMP. At pH 7.5, other anions such as pyrophosphate, tripolyphosphate and carbamyl phosphate also inhibit the adsorption of the nucleotide, probably by interacting with its adsorption site. We suggest that these phosphorylated molecules could have played a role in chemical evolution by modulating the amount of nucleotides adsorbed onto mineral surfaces. The significance of these phenomena in chemical evolution is discussed.     

Chemical composition and larvicidal activity of essential oils of three Artemisia species

Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae) is a vector for serious diseases in tropical regions. This pest is mainly controlled by commercial larvicides but the application of such products has led to environmental problems. Essential oils (EO) have been consistently reported as molecules with insecticidal activity and can be used to produce more environmentally friendly larvicides in the control of A. aegypti. In this study, the larvicidal effect of essential oils (EO) from the leaves of three Artemisia species was evaluated against A. aegypti. The oils were obtained from steam distillation and their chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The EO of Artemisia camphorata was the most active in the screening bioassay and presented LC₅₀ and LC₉₅ of 64.95 and 74.18 μg ml⁻¹, respectively. In addition, we found that germacrene D-4-ol was the constituent responsible for the toxicity of this EO. Artemisia camphorata EO and its major constituent, germacrene D-4-ol, are promising for the development of natural larvicides against A. aegypti.