Fibronectin conformation regulates the proangiogenic capability of tumor-associated adipogenic stromal cells

Background

Changes in fibronectin (Fn) matrix remodeling contribute to mammary tumor angiogenesis and are related to altered behavior of adipogenic stromal cells; yet, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear due in part to a lack of reductionist model systems that allow the inherent complexity of cell-derived extracellular matrices (ECMs) to be deciphered. In particular, breast cancer-associated adipogenic stromal cells not only enhance the composition, quantity, and rigidity of deposited Fn, but also partially unfold these matrices. However, the specific effect of Fn conformation on tumor angiogenesis is undefined.

Methods

Decellularized matrices and a conducting polymer device consisting of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) doped with poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) were used to examine the effect of Fn conformation on the behavior of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Changes in cell adhesion and proangiogenic capability were tested via cell counting and by quantification of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion, respectively. Integrin-blocking antibodies were utilized to examine varied integrin specificity as a potential mechanism.

Results

Our findings suggest that tumor-associated partial unfolding of Fn decreases adhesion while enhancing VEGF secretion by breast cancer-associated adipogenic precursor cells, and that altered integrin specificity may underlie these changes.

Conclusions and general significance

These results not only have important implications for our understanding of tumorigenesis, but also enhance knowledge of cell-ECM interactions that may be harnessed for other applications including advanced tissue engineering approaches. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Organic Bioelectronics — Novel Applications in Biomedicine.     

The Xenopus TRPV6 homolog encodes a Mg2+‐permeant channel that is inhibited by interaction with TRPC1

The TRP gene family encodes primarily cation non‐selective, Ca²⁺ permeant channels that are involved in a dizzying array of sensory mechanisms. Two channels in this large family TRPV5 and TRPV6 are highly Ca²⁺ selective and are expressed in epithelia where they are important in Ca²⁺ uptake. TRPV5/6 are constitutively active, yet the mechanisms regulating their activation in native tissue remains elusive. Here we functionally characterize the Xenopus TRPV6 homolog. xTRPV6 is expressed in the oocyte and encodes a channel that is permeant to divalents including Ca²⁺, and displays a high permeability to Mg²⁺. The oocyte does not exhibit functional TRPV6‐like current at rest, showing that the endogenous channel is somehow maintained in an inactive state. We show that endogenous as well as overexpressed xTRPV6 interacts with xTRPC1 and that this interaction inhibits xTRPV6 currents. As such TRPC1 is likely to regulate the activity of TRPV6 under physiological conditions. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 2386–2398, 2013. © 2013 The Authors. Journal of Cellular Physiology Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Heterologous protein secretion by Candida utilis

The yeast Candida utilis (also referred to as Torula) is used as a whole-cell food additive and as a recombinant host for production of intracellular molecules. Here, we report recombinant C. utilis strains secreting significant amounts of Candida antarctica lipase B (CalB). Native and heterologous secretion signals led to secretion of CalB into the growth medium; CalB was enzymatically active and it carried a short N-glycosyl chain lacking extensive mannosylation. Furthermore, CalB fusions to the C. utilis Gas1 cell wall protein led to effective surface display of enzymatically active CalB and of β-galactosidase. Secretory production in C. utilis was achieved using a novel set of expression vectors containing sat1 conferring nourseothricin resistance, which could be transformed into C. utilis, Pichia jadinii, Candida albicans, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae; C. utilis promoters including the constitutive TDH3 and the highly xylose-inducible GXS1 promoters allowed efficient gene expression. These results establish C. utilis as a promising host for the secretory production of proteins.     

Structure of a translocation signal domain mediating conjugative transfer by type IV secretion systems

Relaxases are proteins responsible for the transfer of plasmid and chromosomal DNA from one bacterium to another during conjugation. They covalently react with a specific phosphodiester bond within DNA origin of transfer sequences, forming a nucleo‐protein complex which is subsequently recruited for transport by a plasmid‐encoded type IV secretion system. In previous work we identified the targeting translocation signals presented by the conjugative relaxase TraI of plasmid R1. Here we report the structure of TraI translocation signal TSA. In contrast to known translocation signals we show that TSA is an independent folding unit and thus forms a bona fide structural domain. This domain can be further divided into three subdomains with striking structural homology with helicase subdomains of the SF1B family. We also show that TSA is part of a larger vestigial helicase domain which has lost its helicase activity but not its single‐stranded DNA binding capability. Finally, we further delineate the binding site responsible for translocation activity of TSA by targeting single residues for mutations. Overall, this study provides the first evidence that translocation signals can be part of larger structural scaffolds, overlapping with translocation‐independent activities.     

Separation and Purification of Molecular Species of Galactolipids by High Performance Liquid Chromatography

The NaCl concentration of the growth medium affected hydrogen production by Lyngbya sp. (No. 108) strain. Cells grown in medium containing 3% NaCl produced the most hydrogen. The carbohydrate content of this strain also increased with increasing NaCl concentration of the growth medium up to 720 fig/mg cells at 5 % NaCl. In the presence of 20 finlol/ml MFA (monofluoroacetic acid), inhibition of hydrogen production was observed. We extracted the glycogen from this nonheterocystous filamentous cyanobacterium, Lyngbya sp. (No. 108), and observed that glycogen and carbohydrate consumption of this strain is coincident with hydrogen production.

These results led us to the conclusion that the reserve glycogen or other carbohydrate were used as sources of electron donors for hydrogen production, and that the NaCl concentration of the medium affected the hydrogen production by this strain.     

Isolation of the Melanization and Reddish Coloration Hormone (MRCH) of the Armyworm,Leucania separata,from the Silkworm,Bombyx mori

Two types of glycerol dehydrogenase (GDH) were found on DEAE-cellulose column chromatography of cell-free extracts of methylotrophic yeasts. One type, designated as GDH I, showed only the reductive activity which was detected in the reaction system containing dihydroxyacetone and NADH, at pH 6.0. The other type, designated as GDH II, showed the oxidative activity which was detected in the system containing glycerol and NAD ⁺, at pH 9.0, together with the reductive activity.

Candida boidinii No. 2201, which possesses the phosphorylative pathway for glycerol dissimilation, had only GDH I when grown on glycerol or methanol as the carbon source. Hansenula ofunaensis, which has the oxidative pathway, had both GDH I and GDH II when grown on glycerol, but only GDH I when grown on methanol. Hansenula polymorpha Dl-1, which has both pathways, had both GDH I and GDH II when grown on glycerol or methanol.     

13C-NMR Spectra and Streochemistry of Isoechinulins A,B and C

¹³C-NMR spectra of isoechinulins A, B and C, metabolites from Aspergillus ruber, were fully assigned on the basis of chemical shifts and multiplicities and comparison with their analogues. Taking advantage of the symmetrical structure of the diketopiperazine ring, the stereochemistry of the trisubstituted carbon-carbon double bond in a dehydrotryptophyl moiety was determined as Z (cis) by measuring the coupling constants, , in the proton nondecoupled spectrum of isoechinulin B.     

Structures of Allosamidins,Novel Insect Chitinase Inhibitors,Produced by Actinomycetes

The structures of allosamidin (1) and methylallosamidin (2), novel insect chitinase inhibitors, were elucidated as 1 and 2 by acid hydrolysis experiments and analyses of 2d-NMR spectra. They are unique basic pseudotrisaccharides consisting of 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-d-allose (N-acetyl-d- allosamine) and a novel aminocyclitol derivative (3), termed allosamizoline.