Inhibition by N′-nitrosonornicotine of the catalytic activity of glutamate dehydrogenase in α-ketoglutarate amination

The effect of N′-nitrosonornicotine (NNN), one of the tobacco-specific nitrosamines, on the catalytic activity of glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) in the α-ketoglutarate amination, using reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide as coenzyme, was studied by a chronoamperometric method. The maximum reaction rate of the enzyme-catalyzed reaction and the Michaelis-Menten constant, or the apparent Michaelis-Menten constant, were determined in the absence and presence of NNN. NNN remarkably inhibited the bio-catalysis activity of GLDH, and was a reversible competitive inhibitior with K_i, estimated as 199?μmol?l^?1 at 25°C and pH 8.0.     

WormFarm: a quantitative control and measurement device toward automated Caenorhabditis elegans aging analysis

Caenorhabditis elegans is a leading model organism for studying the basic mechanisms of aging. Progress has been limited, however, by the lack of an automated system for quantitative analysis of longevity and mean lifespan. To address this barrier, we developed ‘WormFarm’, an integrated microfluidic device for culturing nematodes. Cohorts of 30–50 animals are maintained throughout their lifespan in each of eight separate chambers on a single WormFarm polydimethylsiloxane chip. Design features allow for automated removal of progeny and efficient control of environmental conditions. In addition, we have developed computational algorithms for automated analysis of video footage to quantitate survival and other phenotypes, such as body size and motility. As proof‐of‐principle, we show here that WormFarm successfully recapitulates survival data obtained from a standard plate‐based assay for both RNAi‐mediated and dietary‐induced changes in lifespan. Further, using a fluorescent reporter in conjunction with WormFarm, we report an age‐associated decrease in fluorescent intensity of GFP in transgenic worms expressing GFP tagged with a mitochondrial import signal under the control of the myo‐3 promoter. This marker may therefore serve as a useful biomarker of biological age and aging rate.     

Hopeahainol A attenuates memory deficits by targeting β‐amyloid in APP/PS1 transgenic mice

Increasing evidence demonstrates that amyloid beta (Aβ) elicits mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress, which contributes to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Identification of the molecules targeting Aβ is thus of particular significance in the treatment of AD. Hopeahainol A (HopA), a polyphenol with a novel skeleton obtained from Hopea hainanensis, is potentially acetylcholinesterase‐inhibitory and anti‐oxidative in H₂O₂‐treated PC12 cells. In this study, we reported that HopA might bind to Aβ_1–42 directly and inhibit the Aβ_1–42 aggregation using a combination of molecular dynamics simulation, binding assay, transmission electron microscopic analysis and staining technique. We also demonstrated that HopA decreased the interaction between Aβ_1–42 and Aβ‐binding alcohol dehydrogenase, which in turn reduced mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in vivo and in vitro. In addition, HopA was able to rescue the long‐term potentiation induction by protecting synaptic function and attenuate memory deficits in APP/PS1 mice. Our data suggest that HopA might be a promising drug for therapeutic intervention in AD.     

TLR4 signaling is involved in the protective effect of propofol in BV2 microglia against OGD/reoxygenation

Propofol exhibits neuroprotective effects against hypoxic–ischemic brain injury, but the underlying mechanisms are still not clear. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) plays a considerable role in the induction of innate immune and inflammatory responses. The purposes of this study are to investigate the effect of propofol on the oxygen and glucose deprivation (OGD)/reoxygenation (OGD/R) BV2 microglia and to explore the role of TLR4/myeloid differentiation protein 88 (MyD88)/nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway in the neuroprotective effects of propofol. BV2 microglia were placed into an airtight chamber and in glucose-free medium for OGD/reoxygenation. Cell viability was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide assay. TLR4 and its downstream signaling molecules, MyD88 and NF-κB expressions were detected by Western blotting. Level of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) in culture medium was determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. BV2 microglia apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. We found that pretreatment with propofol significantly alleviated the hypoxic injury in BV2 microglia. Propofol inhibited upregulation of TLR4, MyD88, and NF-κB expressions in BV2 microglia exposed to OGD/reoxygenation. Propofol pretreatment also significantly reduced the production of TNF-α and apoptosis in OGD/reoxygenation BV2 microglia. The results indicated that TLR4 and its downstream MyD88-dependent signaling pathway contributed to neuroprotection of propofol to microglia exposed to OGD/reoxygenation.     

Molecular characterization of the sans fille gene in Antheraea pernyi: A highly conserved gene during the evolution of animals

Sans-fille (SNF) is the Drosophila homologue of mammalian general splicing factors U1A and U2B″, and plays an important role in sex determination in Drosophila melanogaster. In this study, the snf gene from Antheraea pernyi (Lepidoptera: Saturniidae), an economically important insect, was isolated and characterized. The obtained 925 bp cDNA sequence contains an open reading frame of 669 bp encoding a polypeptide of 222 amino acids, showing 78% sequence identity to that from D. melanogaster. A database search revealed that SNF protein homologs are present in many animals, including invertebrates and vertebrates, with more than 70% amino acid sequence identities, suggesting that they were highly conserved during the evolution of animals. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that A. pernyi SNF was closely related to Bombyx mori SNF. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that the A. pernyi snf gene was transcribed during five larval developmental stages, and in six tested tissues (ovaries, testes, silk glands, fat body, integument, and hemolymph), with the most abundance determined in the gonads (ovaries or testes). Investigation of expression changes throughout embryonic development indicated that A. pernyi snf mRNA was expressed at a low level from days 0 to 4, and reached a maximum level at day 10, but decreased to a low level before hatching. These results suggest that the product of the snf gene may play important roles in the development of A. pernyi.     

Genome-scale stoichiometry analysis to elucidate the innate capability of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis for electricity generation

Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 has been considered as a promising biocatalyst for electricity generation in recent microbial fuel cell research. However, the innate maximum current production potential and underlying metabolic pathways supporting the high current output are still unknown. This is mainly due to the fact that the high-current production cell phenotype results from the interaction among hundreds of reactions in the metabolism and it is impossible for reductionist methods to characterize the pathway selection in such a metabolic state. In this study, we employed computational metabolic techniques, flux balance analysis, and flux variability analysis, to exploit the maximum current outputs of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, in five electron transfer cases, namely, ferredoxin- and plastoquinol-dependent electron transfers under photoautotrophic cultivation, and NADH-dependent mediated electron transfer under photoautotrophic, heterotrophic, and mixotrophic conditions. In these five modes, the maximum current outputs were computed as 0.198, 0.7918, 0.198, 0.4652, and 0.4424 A gDW^?1, respectively. Comparison of the five operational modes suggests that plastoquinol-/c-type cytochrome-targeted electricity generation had an advantage of liberating the highest current output achievable for Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. On the other hand, the analysis indicates that the currency metabolite, NADH-, dependent electricity generation can rely on a number of reactions from different pathways, and is thus more robust against environmental perturbations.     

CRM1 Is a Cellular Target of Curcumin: New Insights for the Myriad of Biological Effects of an Ancient Spice

Curcumin is the major constituent of turmeric plant, an ancient spice widely used in Indian cuisine and traditional herbal medicine. Recently, the potential medical use of curcumin as anti‐cancer and anti‐inflammatory agent has set off an upsurge in research into the mechanism for its broad biological effects. We showed that CRM1, an important nuclear exportin, is a cellular target of curcumin by serious experimental and theoretical investigation. Using a nuclear export functional assay, we observed a clear and rapid shift of cargo proteins from a cytoplasmic localization to the nucleus when treated with curcumin or its structural analogue dibenzylideneacetone (DBA). We demonstrated that curcumin could specifically target the conserved Cys⁵²⁸ of CRM1 through mass spectrometric analysis and in vivo experiments. Furthermore, computational modeling has revealed that curcumin could be correctly docked into the hydrophobic pocket of CRM1 judged from shape complementarity and putative molecular interactions. The Michael acceptor moiety on curcumin is within the appropriate distance to enable Michael reaction with Cys residue of CRM1. More importantly, we showed that nuclear retention of FOXO1 could be observed in the presence of Leptomycin B (LMB) or curcumin whereas in cells expressing the CRM1‐Cys⁵²⁸ mutant, only a cytoplasmic localization was observed. The inhibition of nuclear traffic by curcumin may account for its myriad of biological effects, particularly for its therapeutic properties in cancer and inflammatory diseases. Our findings may have important implications for further clinical investigation of curcumin .     

Regulation of ICAM‐1 expression in gingival fibroblasts infected with high‐glucose‐treated P. gingivalis

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a major pathogen in the initiation and progression of periodontal disease, which is recognized as a common complication of diabetes. ICAM‐1 expression by human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) is crucial for regulating local inflammatory responses in inflamed periodontal tissues. However, the effect of P. gingivalis in a high‐glucose situation in regulating HGF function is not understood. The P. gingivalis strain CCUG25226 was used to study the mechanisms underlying the modulation of HGF ICAM‐1 expression by invasion of high‐glucose‐treated P. gingivalis (HGPg). A high‐glucose condition upregulated fimA mRNA expression in P. gingivalis and increased its invasion ability in HGFs. HGF invasion with HGPg induced increases in the expression of ICAM‐1. By using specific inhibitors and short hairpin RNA (shRNA), we have demonstrated that the activation of p38 MAPK and Akt pathways is critical for HGPg‐induced ICAM‐1 expression. Luciferase reporters and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays suggest that HGPg invasion increases NF‐κB‐ and Sp1‐DNA‐binding activities in HGFs. Inhibition of NF‐κB and Sp1 activations blocked the HGPg‐induced ICAM‐1 promoter activity and expression. The effect of HGPg on HGF signalling and ICAM‐1 expression is mediated by CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4). Our findings identify the molecular pathways underlying HGPg‐dependent ICAM‐1 expression in HGFs, providing insight into the effect of P. gingivalis invasion in HGFs.     

PICK1 and ICA69 Control Insulin Granule Trafficking and Their Deficiencies Lead to Impaired Glucose Tolerance

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. Insulin, which is secreted by pancreatic beta cells, is recognized as the critical regulator of blood glucose, but the molecular machinery responsible for insulin trafficking remains poorly defined. In particular, the roles of cytosolic factors that govern the formation and maturation of insulin granules are unclear. Here we report that PICK1 and ICA69, two cytosolic lipid-binding proteins, formed heteromeric BAR-domain complexes that associated with insulin granules at different stages of their maturation. PICK1-ICA69 heteromeric complexes associated with immature secretory granules near the trans-Golgi network (TGN). A brief treatment of Brefeldin A, which blocks vesicle budding from the Golgi, increased the amount of PICK1 and ICA69 at TGN. On the other hand, mature secretory granules were associated with PICK1 only, not ICA69. PICK1 deficiency in mice caused the complete loss of ICA69 and led to increased food and water intake but lower body weight. Glucose tolerance tests demonstrated that these mutant mice had high blood glucose, a consequence of insufficient insulin. Importantly, while the total insulin level was reduced in PICK1-deficient beta cells, proinsulin was increased. Lastly, ICA69 knockout mice also displayed similar phenotype as the mice deficient in PICK1. Together, our results indicate that PICK1 and ICA69 are key regulators of the formation and maturation of insulin granules.

Author Summary

Insulin is a key regulator of blood glucose and insufficient insulin leads to diabetes. Insulin is synthesized as proinsulin, processed in endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi, and eventually packaged into insulin granules, a type of dense core vesicles. Despite its importance, the molecular mechanisms governing the biogenesis and maturation of insulin granules are not fully understood. In this study, we identified two cytosolic proteins, PICK1 and ICA69, as important regulators of insulin granule biogenesis and maturation. Both PICK1 and ICA69 have the banana-shaped BAR domain that can bend the lipid membrane and help the formation of dense core vesicles. We show that without PICK1 or ICA69, insulin granules cannot be properly formed and, as a result, proinsulin cannot be effectively processed into mature insulin. Mice lacking functional PICK1 or ICA69 genes have reduced insulin but increased proinsulin. Consequently, these mice have high levels of glucose, a prominent feature found in diabetes patients. These results add to previous findings that PICK1 is important for the generation of proacrosomal granules found in cells of the testis, and thereby support a wider role for PICK1 and ICA69 in regulating dense core vesicle biogenesis and maturation.     

Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Disturbs Nanog Expression through miR-490-3p in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) poses potential risks to reproduction and development. Mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) are ideal models for developmental toxicity testing of environmental contaminants in vitro. However, the mechanism by which PFOS affects early embryonic development is still unclear. In this study, mESCs were exposed to PFOS for 24 h, and then general cytotoxicity and pluripotency were evaluated. MTT assay showed that neither PFOS (0.2 µM, 2 µM, 20 µM, and 200 µM) nor control medium (0.1% DMSO) treatments affected cell viability. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in cell cycle and apoptosis between the PFOS treatment and control groups. However, we found that the mRNA and protein levels of pluripotency markers (Sox2, Nanog) in mESCs were significantly decreased following exposure to PFOS for 24 h, while there were no significant changes in the mRNA and protein levels of Oct4. Accordingly, the expression levels of miR-145 and miR-490-3p, which can regulate Sox2 and Nanog expressions were significantly increased. Chrm2, the host gene of miR-490-3p, was positively associated with miR-490-3p expression after PFOS exposure. Dual luciferase reporter assay suggests that miR-490-3p directly targets Nanog. These results suggest that PFOS can disturb the expression of pluripotency factors in mESCs, while miR-145 and miR-490-3p play key roles in modulating this effect.