PEP-1-FK506BP inhibits alkali burn-induced corneal inflammation on the rat model of corneal alkali injury

FK506 binding protein 12 (FK506BP) is a small peptide with a single FK506BP domain that is involved in suppression of immune response and reactive oxygen species. FK506BP has emerged as a potential drug target for several inflammatory diseases. Here, we examined the protective effects of directly applied cell permeable FK506BP (PEP-1-FK506BP) on corneal alkali burn injury (CAI). In the cornea, there was a significant decrease in the number of cells expressing pro-inflammation, apoptotic, and angiogenic factors such as TNF-α, COX-2, and VEGF. Both corneal opacity and corneal neovascularization (CNV) were significantly decreased in the PEP-1-FK506BP treated group. Our results showed that PEP-1-FK506BP can significantly inhibit alkali burn-induced corneal inflammation in rats, possibly by accelerating corneal wound healing and by reducing the production of angiogenic factors and inflammatory cytokines. These results suggest that PEP-1-FK506BP may be a potential therapeutic agent for CAI. [BMB Reports 2015; 48(11): 618-623]     

Selective tumor targeting by enhanced permeability and retention effect. Synthesis and antitumor activity of polyphosphazene-platinum (II) conjugates

Nanosized polyphosphazene-platinum (II) conjugates with a wide range of molecular weight from 24,000 to 115,000 were synthesized to study their tumor selectivity by enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect and their antitumor activity. It has been found from biodistribution study that the present polyphosphazene-Pt(II) conjugates exhibit high tumor selectivity by EPR effect with the tumor to tissue ratio (TTR) from 3.6 to 13 depending on the molecular size. These polymer conjugates have shown excellent in vivo antitumor activity against both murine and human cancer cell lines. In particular, xenograft trials of the conjugates have shown outstanding tumor inhibition effect on the stomach cancer cell line, YCC-3, which is one of the least responsive to the anticancer agents currently in clinical use, although the reason is not clearly explainable yet. The high in vivo activity seems to be attributed to the controlled-release of the antitumor active platinum (II) moiety, [GlyGluPt(dach] (dach=trans-(+/-)-1,2-diaminocyclohexane) from the phosphazene backbone by degradation in aqueous solution.     

Pitfalls of using lucigenin in endothelial cells: Implications for NAD(P)H dependent superoxide formation

Since an increased endothelial superoxide formation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of endothelial dysfunction its specific detection is of particular interest. The widely used superoxide probe lucigenin, however, has been reported to induce superoxide under certain conditions, especially in the presence of NADH. This raises questions as to the conclusion of a NAD(P)H oxidase as the major source of endothelial superoxide. Using independent methods, we showed that lucigenin in the presence of NADH leads to the production of substantial amount of superoxide (～ 15-fold of control) in endothelial cell homogenates. On the other hand, these independent methods revealed that endothelial cells without lucigenin still produce superoxide in a NAD(P)H-dependent manner. This was blocked by inhibitors of the neutrophil NADPH oxidase diphenyleniodonium and phenylarsine oxide. Our results demonstrate that a NAD(P)H-dependent oxidase is an important source for endothelial superoxide but the latter, however, cannot be measured reliably by lucigenin.     

Enzyme-linked assay of cellulose-binding domain functions from Cellulomonas fimi on multi-well microtiter plate

Cellulose-binding domain (CBD) enriches cellulolytic enzymes on cellulosic surfaces and contributes to the catalytic efficiency by increasing enzyme-substrate complex formations. Thus, high affinity CBDs are essential for the development of efficient cellulose-degrading enzymes. Here, we present a microtiter plate-based assay system to measure the binding affinity of CBDs to cellulose. The assay uses a periplasmic alkaline phosphatase (AP) as a fusion reporter and its activity is detected using a fluorogenic substrate, 4-methylumbelliferyl phosphate. Lignocellulose discs of 6 mm in diameter were used as substrates in 96-well plate. As a result, the enzyme-linked assay detected the binding of CBDs on the cellulosic discs in a highly sensitive manner, detecting from 0.05 to 1.0 μg/mL of APCBD proteins, which is several hundred times more sensitive than conventional protein measurements. The proposed method was applied to compare the binding affinity of different CBDs from Cellulomonas fimi to lignocellulose discs.     

A transgene expression system for the marine microalgae Aurantiochytrium sp. KRS101 using a mutant allele of the gene encoding ribosomal protein L44 as a selectable transformation marker for cycloheximide resistance

In the present study, we established a genetic system for manipulating the oleaginous heterotrophic microalgae Aurantiochytrium sp. KRS101, using cycloheximide resistance as the selectable marker. The gene encoding ribosomal protein L44 (RPL44) of Aurantiochytrium sp. KRS101 was first identified and characterized. Proline 56 was replaced with glutamine, affording cycloheximide resistance to strains encoding the mutant protein. This resistance served as a novel selection marker. The gene encoding the Δ12-fatty acid desaturase of Mortierella alpina, used as a reporter, was successfully introduced into chromosomal DNA of Aurantiochytrium sp. KRS101 via 18S rDNA-targeted homologous recombination. Enzymatic conversion of oleic acid (C18:1) to linoleic acid (C18:2) was detected in transformants but not in the wild-type strain.     

Expression patterns of bone-related proteins during osteoblastic differentiation in MC3T3-E1 cells

Bone formation involves several tightly regulated gene expression patterns of bone-related proteins. To determine the expression patterns of bone-related proteins during the MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cell differentiation, we used Northern blotting, enzymatic assay, and histochemistry. We found that the expression patterns of bone-related proteins were regulated in a temporal manner during the successive developmental stages including proliferation (days 4–10), bone matrix formation/maturation (days 10–16), and mineralization stages (days 16 –30). During the proliferation period (days 4–10), the expression of cell-cycle related genes such as histone H3 and H4, and ribosomal protein S6 was high. During the bone matrix formation/maturation period (days 10–16), type I collagen expression and biosynthesis, fibronectin, TGF-β1 and osteonectin expressions were high and maximal around day 16. During this maturation period, we found that the expression patterns of bone matrix proteins were two types: one is the expression pattern of type I collagen and TGF-β1, which was higher in the maturation period than that in both the proliferation and mineralization periods. The other is the expression pattern of fibronectin and osteonectin, which was higher in the maturation and mineralization periods than in the proliferation period. Alkaline phosphatase activity was high during the early matrix formation/maturation period (day 10) and was followed by a decrease to a level still significantly above the baseline level seen at day 4. During the mineralization period (days 16–30), the number of nodules and the expression of osteocalcin were high. Osteocalcin gene expression was increased up to 28 days. Our results show that the expression patterns of bone-related proteins are temporally regulated during the MC3T3-E1 cell differentiation and their regulations are unique compared with other systems. Thus, this cell line provides a useful in vitro system to study the developmental regulation of bone-related proteins in relation to the different stages during the osteoblast differentiation. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

A micellar prodrug of paclitaxel conjugated to cyclotriphosphazene

A novel water soluble and biodegradable cyclotriphosphazene-paclitaxel conjugate was prepared by reacting 2'-succinyl paclitaxel with cyclotriphosphazenes bearing equimolar glycyl-L-lysine and methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) as side groups. The macromolecular conjugate was found to self-assemble in aqueous solution to form stable micelles with a mean hydrodynamic diameter of 24.7 nm and a low critical micelle concentration of 10 mg/L. The present conjugate exhibited lower than free paclitaxel but reasonably high in vitro cytotoxicity against selected human tumor cells due to their hydrolytic degradation in PBS solution.