Hemojuvelin: a new link between obesity and iron homeostasis

The adipose tissue may play an active role in systemic iron regulation and this role may be determinant in obese patients. Indeed, we reported previously that hepcidin, the iron-regulatory hormone, is expressed in adipose tissue and its messenger RNA (mRNA) expression is increased in adipose tissue of morbidly obese patients. The objectives of this study were to characterize the status of hemojuvelin (HJV), another iron-regulatory protein, within the adipose tissue of morbidly obese patients. Since cell-associated HJV acts as a coreceptor of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) to enhance hepcidin expression in liver cells, we investigated the possible involvement of this pathway in adipose tissue in regulating hepcidin expression. HJV expression was studied in adipose tissue of morbidly obese patients. Soluble HJV blood concentrations were assessed. Hepcidin regulation through BMP pathway was investigated in cultured adipocytes. HJV was expressed both at mRNA and protein levels in adipose tissue. Moreover, its mRNA expression was highly increased in adipose tissue of obese patients and correlated with mRNA hepcidin expression levels. Interestingly, HJV expressed by adipose tissue may be effective since cultured adipocytes increased their hepcidin expression when challenged with BMP2 through Smad effectors. In addition, blood concentrations of soluble HJV were significantly increased. In conclusion, adipose tissue may influence iron homeostasis in obese patients by expressing major iron-regulatory proteins and the BMP signaling pathway could be involved in regulating hepcidin expression in this tissue.     

Increase of Na+K+ ATPase activity in intact rat brain synaptosomes after their interaction with phosphatidylserine vesicles

Intact synaptosomes prepared from rat brain were incubated with phosphatidylserine vesicles. The synaptosomes incorporated the phospholipid in proportion to its concentration in the preincubation medium. The activity of membrane-bound enzyme $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ ATPase increased proportionally after treatment with phosphatidylserine liposomes.When breaking phosphatidylserine-enriched synaptosomes by osmotic shock or by sonication and when preparing synaptosomal membranes, the expected increase of $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ ATPase activity was not seen. Therefore, cellular integrity was fundamental in order to see the effect of phosphatidylserine on $\text{Na}{}^{\mathrm{+}}\text{K}{}^{\mathrm{+}}$ ATPase activity.     

Silver(I)-organophosphane complexes of the dihydridobis(3-nitro-1,2,4-triazolyl)borate ligand. X-ray crystal structure of {[H2B(tz)2]Ag[P(m-tolyl)3]2} with the scorpionate ligand co-ordinated in an unidentate κ-N fashion

New silver(I) complexes have been synthesised from the reaction of AgNO₃, monodentate PR₃ (PR₃ = P(o-tolyl)₃, P(m-tolyl)₃, P(p-tolyl)₃, P(p-C₆H₄F), SeP(C₆H₅)₃) or bidentate tertiary (dppe = bis(diphenylphosphane)ethane, dppf = 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphane)ferrocene) phosphanes and potassium dihydrobis(3-nitro-1,2,4-triazolyl)borate, K[H₂B(tz^NO2)₂]. These compounds have been characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR, ESI-MS and multinuclear (¹H and ³¹P) NMR spectral data. The adduct {[H₂B(tz^NO2)₂]Ag[P(m-tolyl)₃]₂} has been characterized by single crystal X-ray studies. In the former, the H₂B(tz^NO2)₂ acts as a monodentate ligand utilizing the coordinating capability of only one of the additional (exo-) ring nitrogens to complete the coordination array about the silver atom.     

The NOP receptor involvement in both withdrawal- and CCk-8-induced contracture responses of guinea pig isolated ileum after acute activation of κ-opioid receptor

In isolated guinea-pig ileum (GPI), the κ-opioid acute withdrawal response is under the control of several neuronal signaling systems, including the μ-opioid, the A₁-adenosine and the CB₁ receptors, which are involved in the inhibitory control of the κ-withdrawal response. After κ-opioid system stimulation, indirect activation of μ-opioid, A₁-adenosine and CB₁ systems is prevented by the peptide cholecystokinin-8 (CCk-8). In the present study, we have investigated whether the NOP system is also involved in the regulation of the acute κ-withdrawal response. Interestingly, we found that in GPI preparation, the NOP system is not indirectly activated by the κ-opioid receptor stimulation, but instead this system is able by itself to directly regulate the acute κ-withdrawal response. Specifically, our results clearly highlight first the existence of an endogenous tone of the NOP system in GPI, and second that it behaves as a functional anti-opioid system. We also found that, the NOP receptor system is involved in the regulation of the CCk-8-induced contracture intensity, only when in the presence of the κ-opioid receptor stimulation. This effect seems to be regulated by an activation threshold mechanism. In conclusion, the NOP system could act as neuromodulatory system, whose action is strictly related to the modulation of both excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters released in GPI enteric nervous system.     

Expression of a Lipocalin in Human Nasal Mucosa

A 19 kDa soluble protein was purified from human nasal mucus. Its N-terminal amino-acid sequence appeared to be identical to that of a lipocalin synthesised both in lachrymal glands and in von Ebner's glands (VEG) of circumvallate papillae. In order to verify whether this protein was synthesised in the nasal cavity or was the result of tear contamination, we adopted an immunohistochemical approach. Polyclonal antibodies, raised against a primate VEG protein, were used on sections of human nasal mucosa obtained from surgery. The results clearly indicate that the protein is synthesised in sero-mucous glands underlying the respiratory ciliated epithelium. Although ligand-binding experiments with some odorant molecules have given negative results, we cannot exclude a role of odorant solubiliser and carrier for this protein.     

Novel mannitol based non-ionic surfactants from biocatalysis: Part two: improved synthesis

The 1-O-lauroyl- -mannitol, a non-ionic surfactant, was synthesised via a chemo-enzymatic pathway starting from the 1,2:4,5-di-O-isopropylidene- -mannitol and vinyl laurate as acylation agent. The high hydrophobicity of the substrates allowed the enzymatic reaction to occur both in n-hexane and in solvent free conditions. The immobilised Candida antarctica lipase B was used as the catalyst of the enzymatic step. This enzyme acts differently depending on the position of the hydroxyls with respect to the isopropylidene groups. The acid selective hydrolysis of the isopropylidene groups gave the non-ionic surfactant without the presence of isomers.