Cloning of rat brain succinyl-CoA:3-oxoacid CoA-transferase cDNA. Regulation of the mRNA in different rat tissues and during brain development.

3-Oxoacid CoA-transferase, which catalyses the first committed step in the oxidation of ketone bodies, is uniquely regulated in developing rat brain. Changes in 3-oxoacid CoA-transferase activity in rat brain during the postnatal period are due to changes in the relative rate of synthesis of the enzyme. To study the regulation of this enzyme, we identified, with a specific polyclonal rabbit anti-(rat 3-oxoacid CoA-transferase), two positive cDNA clones (approx. 800 bp) in a lambda gtll expression library, constructed from poly(A)+ RNA from brains of 12-day-old rats. One of these clones (lambda CoA3) was subcloned into M13mp18 and subjected to further characterization. Labelled single-stranded probes prepared by primer extension of the M13mp18 recombinant hybridized to a 3.6 kb mRNA. Rat brain mRNA enriched by polysome immunoadsorption for a single protein of size 60 kDa which corresponds to the precursor form of 3-oxoacid CoA-transferase was also found to be similarly enriched for the hybridizable 3.6 kb mRNA complementary to lambda CoA3. Affinity-selected antibody to the lambda CoA3 fusion protein inhibited 3-oxoacid CoA-transferase activity present in rat brain mitochondrial extracts. The 3.6 kb mRNA for 3-oxoacid CoA-transferase was present in relative abundance in rat kidney and heart, to a lesser extent in suckling brain and mammary gland and negligible in the liver. The specific mRNA was also found to be 3-fold more abundant in the brain from 12-day-old rats as compared with 18-day-old foetuses and adult rats, corresponding to the enzyme activity and relative rate of synthesis profile during development. These data suggest that 3-oxoacid CoA-transferase enzyme activity is regulated at a pretranslational level.     

Characterization of DCL4 missense alleles provides insights into its ability to process distinct classes of dsRNA substrates

In the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, four Dicer‐like proteins (DCL1–4) mediate the production of various classes of small RNAs (sRNAs). Among these four proteins, DCL4 is by far the most versatile RNaseIII‐like enzyme, and previously identified dcl4 missense alleles were shown to uncouple the production of the various classes of DCL4‐dependent sRNAs. Yet little is known about the molecular mechanism behind this uncoupling. Here, by studying the subcellular localization, interactome and binding to the sRNA precursors of three distinct dcl4 missense alleles, we simultaneously highlight the absolute requirement of a specific residue in the helicase domain for the efficient production of all DCL4‐dependent sRNAs, and identify, within the PAZ domain, an important determinant of DCL4 versatility that is mandatory for the efficient processing of intramolecular fold‐back double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) precursors, but that is dispensable for the production of small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) from RDR‐dependent dsRNA susbtrates. This study not only provides insights into the DCL4 mode of action, but also delineates interesting tools to further study the complexity of RNA silencing pathways in plants, and possibly other organisms.     

Immunostimulating Effects of Extract of Acanthopanax sessiliflorus

As malfunction/absence of immune cells causes a variety of immunosuppressive disorders and chemical synthetic drugs for curing these diseases have many adverse effects, vigorous studies are being conducted. The Acanthopanax family has been used as traditional medicines for gastric ulcer, diabetes, etc. and culinary materials in East-South Asia. In this study, the immunostimulating properties of A. sessiliflorus were evaluated. A. sessiliflorus increased not only the splenocyte number but also immune-related cytokines such as TNF-α. However, it could not upregulate the expressions of IFN-γ and IL-2. A. sessiliflorus increased the swimming time, and comparison of organ weights relative to body weights for immune-related organs such as the spleen and thymus after a forced swim test showed that it could recover the spleen and thymus weights. It also increased the expression of TNF-α and slightly increased the concentration of IFN-γ but not IL-2. From the results, we concluded that as A. sessiliflorus has not only a host defense effect but also a stress-ameliorating property, further study it will be a promising material of immunostimulating material.     

Design of Tripeptides as a Competitive Inhibitor for HMG-CoA Reductase

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - This study presents a simple approach in design of tripeptides as a competitive inhibitor for 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase...     

Molecular dynamics simulations of the Cx26 hemichannel: insights into voltage-dependent loop-gating

Loop-gating is one of two voltage-dependent mechanisms that regulate the open probability of connexin channels. The loop-gate permeability barrier is formed by a segment of the first extracellular loop (E1) (the parahelix) and appears to be accompanied by straightening of the bend angle between E1 and the first transmembrane domain (TM1). Here, all-atom molecular dynamics simulations are used to identify and characterize interacting van der Waals and electrostatic networks that stabilize the parahelices and TM1/E1 bend angles of the open Cx26 hemichannel. Dynamic fluctuations in an electrostatic network in each subunit are directly linked to the stability of parahelix structure and TM1/E1 bend angle in adjacent subunits. The electrostatic network includes charged residues that are pore-lining and thus positioned to be voltage sensors. We propose that the transition to the closed state is initiated by voltage-driven disruption of the networks that stabilize the open-state parahelix configuration, allowing the parahelix to protrude into the channel pore to form the loop-gate barrier. Straightening of the TM1/E1 bend appears to be a consequence of the reorganization of the interacting networks that accompany the conformational change of the parahelix. The electrostatic network extends across subunit boundaries, suggesting a concerted gating mechanism.     

Berberine exerts anti-adipogenic activity through up-regulation of C/EBP inhibitors, CHOP and DEC2

Berberine exerts an anti-adipogenic activity that is associated with the down-regulation of C/EBPα and PPARγ. Stimulation of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) caused by inhibition of mitochondrial respiration has been suggested to underlie such molecular regulation. In the present study, we show that berberine up-regulated the expression of two different sets of C/EBP inhibitors, CHOP and DEC2, while down-modulating C/EBPα, PPARγ and other adipogenic markers and effectors in differentiating 3T3-L1 preadipocytes and mature adipocytes. Data also suggested that the berberine-induced up-regulation of CHOP and DEC2 was attributable to selective activation of an unfolded protein response (UPR) and modified extracellular environment, respectively. As a result, the anti-adipogenic activity of berberine was diminished remarkably by adjusting the differentiation culture media and limitedly but consistently by knockdown of CHOP expression. Together, up-regulation of C/EBP inhibitors appears to underlie the berberine-induced repression of C/EBPα and PPARγ and, so, the inhibition of adipogenesis.     

Time-course alterations of Toll-like receptor 4 and NF-κB p65, and their co-expression in the gerbil hippocampal CA1 region after transient cerebral ischemia

Innate immune system is very important to modulate the host defense against a large variety of pathogens. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a key role in controlling innate immune response. Among TLRs, TLR4 is a specific receptor for lipopolysaccharide and associated with the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. In the present study, we investigated ischemia-related changes of TLR4 immunoreactivity and its protein level, and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) p65 immunoreactivity regarding inflammatory responses in the hippocampal CA1 region after 5 min of transient cerebral ischemia to identify the correlation between transient ischemia and inflammation. In the sham-operated group, TLR4 immunoreactivity was easily detected in pyramidal neurons of the hippocampal CA1 region (CA1). TLR4 immunoreactivity in pyramidal neurons was distinctively decreased after ischemia/reperfusion (I/R); instead, based on double immunofluorescence study, TLR4 immunoreactivity was expressed in non-pyramidal neurons and astrocytes from 2 days postischemia. In addition, TLR4 protein level was lowest at 1 day postischemia and highest 4 days after I/R. On the other hand, NF-κB p65 immunoreactivity was not detected in the CA1 of the sham-operated group, and NF-κB p65 immunoreactivity was not observed until 1 day after I/R. However, NF-κB p65 immunoreactivity began to be expressed in astrocytes at 2 days postischemia, and the immunoreactivity was strong 4 days postischemia. Our results indicate that TLR4 and NF-κB p65 immunoreactivity are changed in CA1 pyramidal neurons and newly expressed in astrocytes, not in microglia, in the CA1 region after transient cerebral ischemia.     

Purification and characterization of a cold-active lipase from Pichia lynferdii Y-7723: pH-dependant activity deviation

Lipases with abnormal functionalities such as high thermostability and optimal activity at extreme conditions gain special attentions because of their applicability in the restricted reaction conditions. In particular, coldactive lipases have gained special attentions in various industrial fields such as washer detergent, pharmaceutical catalyst, and production of structured lipid. However, production of cold-active lipase is mostly found from psychrophilic microorganisms. Recently we found a novel cold-active lipase from Pichia lynferdii Y-7723 which is mesophilic yeast strain. In this study, we purified the cold active lipase and the enzyme was further characterized in several parameters. The enzyme was purified with 33 purification fold using chromatographic techniques and the purified lipase represented maximum lipolytic activity at 15°C and the maximum activity was highly dependent on pH.