Study of human stratum corneum and extracted lipids by thermomicroscopy and DSC

A study on the thermal behavior of human stratum corneum and lipids is described. The use of high scanning rate DSC for both SC and extracted lipids allows the consistent determination of transition temperatures, including those of lower energy. Changes are found both at physiological and higher temperatures. There is a clear correspondence between the thermotropic behavior of these two systems. However, one of the transitions found in human SC (approximately 55 degrees C) is absent in extracted lipids and may be ascribed to those covalently-linked to corneocytes. Lipidic thermotropic behavior is clearly found above 100 degrees C, in which proteins do not play an exclusive role. Changes related to most transitions are observed directly by polarized light thermal microscopy in extracted lipids. This technique also allowed for the observation of large segregated domains in the extracted lipids. A drastic change is observed at approximately 60 degrees C, corresponding to the disruption of the lamellar structure.     

Lessepsian fish migration: genetic bottlenecks and parasitological evidence

As a rule, non‐indigenous species (NIS) populations derived from biological invasion events represent a subset of the genetic diversity of the source population. In biological invasions, host–parasite interactions play an important role, and parasitological data for NIS populations can provide useful information such as their area of origin, mechanism of invasion and prospects of success in the new habitat. When both genetic and parasitological data are available, and they suggest the same scenario, the history of an invasion can be inferred with no discrepancy, but when data cannot be reconciled an alternative model should be considered. In this study a comparison of genetic and parasitological data for the Lessepsian migrant the bluespotted cornetfish, Fistularia commersonii, in the Mediterranean Sea presents the opportunity to evaluate the compatibility of information of this nature, and to propose possible invasion scenarios consistent with evidence provided by both criteria.     

Cell cycle related proteins in hyperplasia of usual type in breast specimens of patients with and without breast cancer

Background  

Hyperplasia of usual type (HUT) is a common proliferative lesion associated with a slight elevated risk for subsequent development of breast cancer. Cell cycle-related proteins would be helpful to determine the putative role of these markers in the process of mammary carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression of cell cycle related proteins in HUT of breast specimens of patients with and without breast cancer, and compare this expression with areas of invasive carcinomas.     

Direct embryo formation in leaves of Camillia japonica L.

Summary The culture conditions for direct embryo formation in leaves of Camellia japonica L. were established. An auxin treatment followed by incubation during 11 days in darkness on diluted Murashige and Skoog modified basal medium induced direct morphogenesis. The number of subcultures, subculture interval and leaf age affected in vitro leaf response. The results showed that the cells from a cultured leaf respond differently to the same culture conditions by forming embryos, roots, and non-morphogenic as well as organogenic callus. Direct embryo formation occurred only in the marginal leaf regions. Direct root formation only occurred in a well-defined region of the midrib whereas callus was preferentially formed on the leaf basis. The results suggest the existence of differences in morphogenic competence according to leaf regions. Plantlet regeneration was successfully achieved from somatic embryos and from leaf basisderived callus, via shoot bud induction.Abbreviations BA 6-benzylaminopurine - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - DTT dithiothreitol - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - IBA indole-3-butyric acid     

Regreening of Zantedeschia aethiopica Spreng. Spathe induced by reapplied cytokinins

The excision of the inflorescence of Zantedeschia aethiopica Spreng. and its substitution by the cytokinin 6-(o-hydroxybenzylamino)-purine and its riboside 6-(o-hydroxybenzylamino)-9--D-ibofuranosylpurine, previously isolated from Z. aethiopica fruits showed that these cytokinins present in fruits are correlated with the self-inhibition of senescence.The determination of chlorophyll levels revealed that both base and riboside promoted regreening, 241–300% over 30 days compared with 341% after normal fructification, the riboside being the most effective (at 10^–8 M).Electron microscopic observations on palisade parenchyma cells showed that the reapplied endogenous cytokinins produced an increase in the cytoplasmic and chloroplastidial ribosomes. At the same time that the stroma was restructured, osmiophilic material and starch diminished. The formation of thylakoids begins in osmiophilic dense regions. The sequence of these events is responsible for the regreening and complete restructuring of spathe palisade cells where well structured and functional chloroplasts are evident.This study has been supported by grant INIC-BL₁     

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia-derived extracellular vesicles affect quiescence of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells

Patient-derived xenografted (PDX) models were generated through the transplantation of primary acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) cells into immunodeficient NSG mice. We observed that ALL cells from mouse bone marrow (BM) produced extracellular vesicles (EVs) with specific expression of inducible heat shock protein HSP70, which is commonly activated in cancer cells. Taking advantage of this specific expression, we designed a strategy to generate fluorescent HSP70-labeled ALL EVs and monitor the impact of these EVs on endogenous murine BM cells ex vivo and in vivo. We discovered that hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPC) were mainly targeted by ALL EVs, affecting their quiescence and maintenance in the murine BM environment. Investigations revealed that ALL EVs were enriched in cholesterol and other metabolites that contribute to promote the mitochondrial function in targeted HSPC. Furthermore, using CD34⁺ cells isolated from cord blood, we confirmed that ALL EVs can modify quiescence of human HSPC. In conclusion, we have discovered a new oncogenic mechanism illustrating how EVs produced by proliferative ALL cells can target and compromise a healthy hematopoiesis system during leukemia development.Subject terms: Acute lymphocytic leukaemia, Cancer models, Cancer metabolism     

Differential expression and cellular localization of ERKs during organogenic nodule formation from internodes of Humulus lupulus var. Nugget

The expression and subcellular localization of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 or 2 (ERK1/2) homologues (HLERK1/2) during the process of organogenic nodule formation in Humulus lupulus var. Nugget was studied using antibodies specific for ERK1 and ERK2, and for phosphorylated mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs). The increase in HLERK levels, detected by Western blotting 12 hours after wounding suggests their involvement in response to the wounding treatment applied for morphogenesis induction. In dividing cambial cells, occurring in between 4 and 7 days after morphogenesis induction, as well as in dividing prenodular cells (15 days after induction) HLERK1 and/or 2 were localized in the nucleus. However, as soon as nodular cells start proliferating to form shoot meristems, HLERK1 and 2 were detected in the cytoplasm and not in the nucleus. The data reported account for a differential expression and activation of HLERK1 and HLERK2 throughout the process of nodule formation and plantlet regeneration. HLERK1 appears to be expressed in the stages of nodule formation and plantlet regeneration, playing a possible role in controlling cell proliferation and differentiation. HLERK2 may be induced as a response to reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by wounding of internodes as its expression is reduced in liquid medium with less oxygen availability compared to solid medium. However, addition of a ROS inhibitor to the liquid medium does not result in a further decrease in the HLERK2 level.     

A continuous fluorescent assay for protein prenyltransferases measuring diphosphate release

Protein farnesyltransferase and protein geranylgeranyltransferase type I catalyze the transfer of a 15- and a 20-carbon prenyl group, respectively, from a prenyl diphosphate to a cysteine residue at the carboxyl terminus of target proteins, with the concomitant release of diphosphate. Common substrates include oncogenic Ras proteins, which are implicated in up to 30% of all human cancers, making prenyltransferases a viable target for chemotherapeutic drugs. A coupled assay has been developed to measure the rate constant of diphosphate (PPi) dissociation during the prenyltransferase reaction under both single and multiple turnover conditions. In this assay, the PPi group produced in the prenyltransferase reaction is rapidly cleaved by inorganic pyrophosphatase to form phosphate (Pi), which is then bound by a coumarin-labeled phosphate binding protein from Escherichia coli, resulting in a fluorescence increase. The observed rate constant for PPi release is equal to the rate constant of prenylation of the peptide, as measured by other assays, so that this nonradioactive assay can be used to measure prenyltransferase activity under either single or multiple turnover conditions. This assay can be adapted for high-throughput screening for potential prenyltransferase substrates and inhibitors.     

Macrophage control of mycobacterial growth induced by picolinic acid is dependent on host cell apoptosis

The effects of picolinic acid (PA) on the intramacrophagic growth of Mycobacterium avium were studied. PA reduced M. avium growth inside mouse macrophages and led to a complete control of mycobacterial growth when added together with IFN-gamma. The mechanism involved did not require TNF-alpha, NO, or the respiratory burst, and was not dependent on either iron or zinc withholding. The mycobacteriostatic activity of the macrophages was associated with the induction of morphological changes that culminated in apoptosis at day 4 of treatment. PA alone induced apoptosis in macrophages, and this effect was increased by IFN-gamma treatment. Apoptosis at day 4 of infection was reduced by inhibiting macrophage activation with the prostaglandin 15 deoxy-prostaglandin J2 or by treating the cells with the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine. Mycobacterial growth was partially restored in macrophages treated with PA and IFN-gamma when 15 deoxy-prostaglandin J2 was added, concomitant with a delay in apoptosis. N-Acetylcysteine or glutathione could also completely revert the mycobacteriostatic effects of PA or PA plus IFN-gamma.