Fibroblast growth and H-7 protein kinase inhibitor response monitored in microimpedance sensor arrays

Functional genomic studies and drug candidate testing both require high throughput, parallel experimentation strategies to screen for variable cellular behaviors. In this article we describe the use of an impedance sensing electrode array that is capable of sensing cell "presence" as well as the extent of cell (focal) attachment to the substrate. The signals provided by mouse fibroblasts on a sensing structure containing four different sized electrodes are reported. In the absence of cells, each electrode's impedance was found to depend as expected on electrode size and frequency. The impedance increased by several-fold when fibroblasts attached and spread out over time. More notably, the sensors also detected the cellular response to the protein kinase C inhibitor, H-7. H-7 inhibits actomyosin contractility; thereafter, the loss of focal adhesion complexes occurs. The sensors, in turn, detected an impedance decrease after H-7 addition and an increase in impedance after H-7 removal.     

Molecular basis for the differences in lipid and lipoprotein binding properties of human apolipoproteins E3 and E4

Human apolipoprotein (apo) E4 binds preferentially to very low-density lipoproteins (VLDLs), whereas apoE3 binds preferentially to high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), resulting in different plasma cholesterol levels for the two isoforms. To understand the molecular basis for this effect, we engineered the isolated apoE N-terminal domain (residues 1-191) and C-terminal domain (residues 192-299) together with a series of variants containing deletions in the C-terminal domain and assessed their lipid and lipoprotein binding properties. Both isoforms can bind to a phospholipid (PL)-stabilized triolein emulsion, and residues 261-299 are primarily responsible for this activity. ApoE4 exhibits better lipid binding ability than apoE3 as a consequence of a rearrangement involving the segment spanning residues 261-272 in the C-terminal domain. The strong lipid binding ability of apoE4 coupled with the VLDL particle surface being ～60% PL-covered is the basis for its preference for binding VLDL rather than HDL. ApoE4 binds much more strongly than apoE3 to VLDL but less strongly than apoE3 to HDL(3), consistent with apoE-lipid interactions being relatively unimportant for binding to HDL. The preference of apoE3 for binding to HDL(3) arises because binding is mediated primarily by interaction of the N-terminal helix bundle domain with the resident apolipoproteins that cover ～80% of the HDL(3) particle surface. Thus, the selectivity in the binding of apoE3 and apoE4 to HDL(3) and VLDL is dependent upon two factors: (1) the stronger lipid binding ability of apoE4 relative to that of apoE3 and (2) the differences in the nature of the surfaces of VLDL and HDL(3) particles, with the former being largely covered with PL and the latter with protein.     

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B inhibitors isolated from Morus bombycis

Bioassay-guided fractionation of the chloroform-soluble fraction of Morus bombycis, using an in vitro PTP1B inhibitory assay led to the identification of three 2-arylbenzofurans, albafuran A (1), mulberrofuran W (2) and mulberrofuran D (6), along with three chalcone-derived Diels–Alder products, kuwanon J (3), kuwanon R (4), and kuwanon V (5). Compounds 1–6 showed remarkable inhibitory activity against PTP1B with IC₅₀ values ranging from 2.7 to 13.8 μM. Inhibition kinetics were analyzed by Lineweaver–Burk plots, which suggested that compounds 1–6 inhibited PTP1B in a mixed-type manner. The present results indicate that the respective lipophilic and hydroxyl groups of 2-arylbenzofurans and chalcone-derived Diels–Alder products play an important role in inhibition of PTP1B.     

An automated small-scale protein expression and purification screening provides beneficial information for protein production

One of the first key steps in structural genomics is high-throughput expression and rapid screening to select highly soluble proteins, the preferred candidates for crystal production. Here we describe the methodology used at the Berkeley Structural Genomics Center (BSGC) for automated parallel expression and small-scale purification of fusion proteins using a 96-well format. Our robotic method includes cell lysis, soluble fraction separation and purification with affinity resins. For detection of His-tagged proteins in the soluble fractions and after affinity resin elution, a dot-blot procedure with an anti-His-antibody is used. The expression level and molecular mass of recombinant proteins are checked by SDS-PAGE. With this approach, we are able to obtain beneficial information to be used for large-scale protein expression and purification.     

The oncogenic phosphatase WIP1 negatively regulates nucleotide excision repair

Nucleotide excision repair (NER) is the only mechanism in humans to repair UV-induced DNA lesions such as pyrimidine (6-4) pyrimidone photoproducts and cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs). In response to UV damage, the ataxia telangiectasia mutated and Rad3-related (ATR) kinase phosphorylates and activates several downstream effector proteins, such as p53 and XPA, to arrest cell cycle progression, stimulate DNA repair, or initiate apoptosis. However, following the completion of DNA repair, there must be active mechanisms that restore the cell to a prestressed homeostatic state. An important part of this recovery must include a process to reduce p53 and NER activity as well as to remove repair protein complexes from the DNA damage sites. Since activation of the damage response occurs in part through phosphorylation, phosphatases are obvious candidates as homeostatic regulators of the DNA damage and repair responses. Therefore, we investigated whether the serine/threonine wild-type p53-induced phosphatase 1 (WIP1/PPM1D) might regulate NER. WIP1 overexpression inhibits the kinetics of NER and CPD repair, whereas WIP1 depletion enhances NER kinetics and CPD repair. This NER suppression is dependent on WIP1 phosphatase activity, as phosphatase-dead WIP1 mutants failed to inhibit NER. Moreover, WIP1 suppresses the kinetics of UV-induced damage repair largely through effects on NER, as XPD-deficient cells are not further suppressed in repairing UV damage by overexpressed WIP1. Wip1 null mice quickly repair their CPD and undergo less UV-induced apoptosis than their wild-type counterparts. In vitro phosphatase assays identify XPA and XPC as two potential WIP1 targets in the NER pathway. Thus WIP1 may suppress NER kinetics by dephosphorylating and inactivating XPA and XPC and other NER proteins and regulators after UV-induced DNA damage is repaired.     

SIRT1 deacetylase protects against neurodegeneration in models for Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

A progressive loss of neurons with age underlies a variety of debilitating neurological disorders, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), yet few effective treatments are currently available. The SIR2 gene promotes longevity in a variety of organisms and may underlie the health benefits of caloric restriction, a diet that delays aging and neurodegeneration in mammals. Here, we report that a human homologue of SIR2, SIRT1, is upregulated in mouse models for AD, ALS and in primary neurons challenged with neurotoxic insults. In cell-based models for AD/tauopathies and ALS, SIRT1 and resveratrol, a SIRT1-activating molecule, both promote neuronal survival. In the inducible p25 transgenic mouse, a model of AD and tauopathies, resveratrol reduced neurodegeneration in the hippocampus, prevented learning impairment, and decreased the acetylation of the known SIRT1 substrates PGC-1alpha and p53. Furthermore, injection of SIRT1 lentivirus in the hippocampus of p25 transgenic mice conferred significant protection against neurodegeneration. Thus, SIRT1 constitutes a unique molecular link between aging and human neurodegenerative disorders and provides a promising avenue for therapeutic intervention.     

Synthesis of N-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl-N′-(4′,6′-diarylpyrimidin-2′-yl)thioureas

Some 2-amino-4,6-diarylpyrimidines 2 have been prepared from substituted benzylideneacetophenones and guanidine hydrochloride in the presence of alkali by conventional heating in alcoholic medium and microwave heating in solvent-free conditions. N-(2,3,4,6-Tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl)-N′-(4′,6′-diarylpyrimidin-2′-yl)thioureas 4 have been synthesized by reaction of per-O-acetylated glucopyranosyl isothiocyanate 1 and substituted 2-amino-4,6-diarylpyrimidines 2. Two different methods have been used, namely, refluxing in anhydrous dioxane and solvent-free microwave-assisted coupling. The second procedure afforded higher yields in much shorter reaction times. The compounds 2 and 4 were tested for their antibacterial and antifungal activities in vitro against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Enterobacter aerogenes and Candida albicans by disc diffusion method.     

Colitis induced by proteinase-activated receptor-2 agonists is mediated by a neurogenic mechanism

Proteinase-activated receptor-2 (PAR2) activation induces colonic inflammation by an unknown mechanism. We hypothesized that PAR2 agonists administered intracolonically in mice induce inflammation via a neurogenic mechanism. Pretreatment of mice with neurokinin-1 and calcitonin-gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonists or with capsaicin showed attenuated PAR2-agonist-induced colitis. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated a differential expression of a marker for the type-1 CGRP receptor during the time course of PAR2-agonist-induced colitis, further suggesting a role for CGRP. We conclude that PAR2-agonist-induced intestinal inflammation involves the release of neuropeptides, which by acting on their receptors cause inflammation. These results implicate PAR2 as an important mediator of intestinal neurogenic inflammation.     

TPX2 Impacts Acetylation of Histone H4 at Lysine 16: Implications for DNA Damage Response

During interphase, the spindle assembly factor TPX2 is compartmentalized in the nucleus where its roles remain largely uncharacterized. Recently, we found that TPX2 regulates the levels of serine 139-phosphoryated H2AX (γ-H2AX) at chromosomal breaks induced by ionizing radiation. Here, we report that TPX2 readily associates with the chromatin in the absence of ionizing radiation. Overexpression of TPX2 alters the DAPI staining pattern of interphase cells and depletion of TPX2 constitutively decreases the levels of histone H4 acetylated at lysine16 (H4K16ac) during G1-phase. Upon ionizing irradiation, this constitutive TPX2 depletion-dependent decrease in H4K16ac levels correlates with increased levels of γ-H2AX. The inversely correlated levels of H4K16ac and γ-H2AX can also be modified by altering the levels of SIRT1, herein identified as a novel protein complex partner of TPX2. Furthermore, we find that TPX2 depletion also interferes with formation of 53BP1 ionizing radiation-induced foci, known to depend on γ-H2AX and the acetylation status of H4K16. In brief, our study is the first indication of a constitutive control of TPX2 on H4K16ac levels, with potential implications for DNA damage response.