A Micellar On-Pathway Intermediate Step Explains the Kinetics of Prion Amyloid Formation

In a previous work by Alvarez-Martinez et al. (2011), the authors pointed out some fallacies in the mainstream interpretation of the prion amyloid formation. It appeared necessary to propose an original hypothesis able to reconcile the in vitro data with the predictions of a mathematical model describing the problem. Here, a model is developed accordingly with the hypothesis that an intermediate on-pathway leads to the conformation of the prion protein into an amyloid competent isoform thanks to a structure, called micelles, formed from hydrodynamic interaction. The authors also compare data to the prediction of their model and propose a new hypothesis for the formation of infectious prion amyloids.     

Nitric oxide increases oxidative phosphorylation efficiency

We have studied the effect of nitric oxide (NO) and potassium cyanide (KCN) on oxidative phosphorylation efficiency. Concentrations of NO or KCN that decrease resting oxygen consumption by 10–20% increased oxidative phosphorylation efficiency in mitochondria oxidizing succinate or palmitoyl-L-carnitine, but not in mitochondria oxidizing malate plus glutamate. When compared to malate plus glutamate, succinate or palmitoyl-L-carnitine reduced the redox state of cytochrome oxidase. The relationship between membrane potential and oxygen consumption rates was measured at different degrees of ATP synthesis. The use of malate plus glutamate instead of succinate (that changes the H⁺/2e⁻ stoichiometry of the respiratory chain) affected the relationship, whereas a change in membrane permeability did not affect it. NO or KCN also affected the relationship, suggesting that they change the H⁺/2e⁻ stoichiometry of the respiratory chain. We propose that NO may be a natural short-term regulator of mitochondrial physiology that increases oxidative phosphorylation efficiency in a redox-sensitive manner by decreasing the slipping in the proton pumps.     

Early Sorafenib-Induced Toxicity Is Associated with Drug Exposure and UGTIA9 Genetic Polymorphism in Patients with Solid Tumors: A Preliminary Study

Background

Identifying predictive biomarkers of drug response is of key importance to improve therapy management and drug selection in cancer therapy. To date, the influence of drug exposure and pharmacogenetic variants on sorafenib-induced toxicity remains poorly documented. The aim of this pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) study was to investigate the relationship between early toxicity and drug exposure or pharmacogenetic variants in unselected adult outpatients treated with single-agent sorafenib for advanced solid tumors.

Methods

Toxicity was recorded in 54 patients on days 15 and 30 after treatment initiation and sorafenib exposure was assessed in 51 patients. The influence of polymorphisms in CYP3A5, UGT1A9, ABCB1 and ABCG2 was examined in relation to sorafenib exposure and toxicity. Clinical characteristics, drug exposure and pharmacogenetic variants were tested univariately for association with toxicities. Candidate variables with p<0.1 were analyzed in a multivariate analysis.

Results

Gender was the sole parameter independently associated with sorafenib exposure (p = 0.0008). Multivariate analysis showed that increased cumulated sorafenib (AUC_cum) was independently associated with any grade ≥3 toxicity (p = 0.037); UGT1A9 polymorphism (rs17868320) with grade ≥2 diarrhea (p = 0.015) and female gender with grade ≥2 hand-foot skin reaction (p = 0.018). Using ROC curve, the threshold AUC_cum value of 3,161 mg/L.h was associated with the highest risk to develop any grade ≥3 toxicity (p = 0.018).

Conclusion

In this preliminary study, increased cumulated drug exposure and UGT1A9 polymorphism (rs17868320) identified patients at high risk for early sorafenib-induced severe toxicity. Further PK/PD studies on larger population are warranted to confirm these preliminary results.     

The dynamin-related GTPase Opa1 is required for glucose-stimulated ATP production in pancreatic beta cells

Previous studies using in vitro cell culture systems have shown the role of the dynamin-related GTPase Opa1 in apoptosis prevention and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) maintenance. However, it remains to be tested whether these functions of Opa1 are physiologically important in vivo in mammals. Here, using the Cre-loxP system, we deleted mouse Opa1 in pancreatic beta cells, in which glucose-stimulated ATP production in mitochondria plays a key role in insulin secretion. Beta cells lacking Opa1 maintained normal copy numbers of mtDNA; however, the amount and activity of electron transport chain complex IV were significantly decreased, leading to impaired glucose-stimulated ATP production and insulin secretion. In addition, in Opa1-null beta cells, cell proliferation was impaired, whereas apoptosis was not promoted. Consequently, mice lacking Opa1 in beta cells develop hyperglycemia. The data suggest that the function of Opa1 in the maintenance of the electron transport chain is physiologically relevant in beta cells.     

How Ebola Impacts Genetics of Western Lowland Gorilla Populations

Background

Emerging infectious diseases in wildlife are major threats for both human health and biodiversity conservation. Infectious diseases can have serious consequences for the genetic diversity of populations, which could enhance the species'' extinction probability. The Ebola epizootic in western and central Africa induced more than 90% mortality in Western lowland gorilla population. Although mortality rates are very high, the impacts of Ebola on genetic diversity of Western lowland gorilla have never been assessed.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We carried out long term studies of three populations of Western lowland gorilla in the Republic of the Congo (Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Lossi gorilla sanctuary both affected by Ebola and Lossi''s periphery not affected). Using 17 microsatellite loci, we compared genetic diversity and structure of the populations and estimate their effective size before and after Ebola outbreaks. Despite the effective size decline in both populations, we did not detect loss in genetic diversity after the epizootic. We revealed temporal changes in allele frequencies in the smallest population.

Conclusions/Significance

Immigration and short time elapsed since outbreaks could explain the conservation of genetic diversity after the demographic crash. Temporal changes in allele frequencies could not be explained by genetic drift or random sampling. Immigration from genetically differentiated populations and a non random mortality induced by Ebola, i.e., selective pressure and cost of sociality, are alternative hypotheses. Understanding the influence of Ebola on gorilla genetic dynamics is of paramount importance for human health, primate evolution and conservation biology.     

Differential production of meta hydroxylated phenylpropanoids in sweet basil peltate glandular trichomes and leaves is controlled by the activities of specific acyltransferases and hydroxylases

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum) peltate glandular trichomes produce a variety of small molecular weight phenylpropanoids, such as eugenol, caffeic acid, and rosmarinic acid, that result from meta hydroxylation reactions. Some basil lines do not synthesize eugenol but instead synthesize chavicol, a phenylpropanoid that does not contain a meta hydroxyl group. Two distinct acyltransferases, p-coumaroyl-coenzyme A:shikimic acid p-coumaroyl transferase and p-coumaroyl-coenzyme A:4-hydroxyphenyllactic acid p-coumaroyl transferase, responsible for the production of p-coumaroyl shikimate and of p-coumaroyl 4-hydroxyphenyllactate, respectively, were partially purified and shown to be specific for their substrates. p-Coumaroyl-coenzyme A:shikimic acid p-coumaroyl transferase is expressed in basil peltate glands that are actively producing eugenol and is not active in glands of noneugenol-producing basil plants, suggesting that the levels of this activity determine the levels of synthesis of some meta-hydroxylated phenylpropanoids in these glands such as eugenol. Two basil cDNAs encoding isozymes of cytochrome P450 CYP98A13, which meta hydroxylates p-coumaroyl shikimate, were isolated and found to be highly similar (90% identity) to the Arabidopsis homolog, CYP98A3. Like the Arabidopsis enzyme, the basil enzymes were found to be very specific for p-coumaroyl shikimate. Finally, additional hydroxylase activities were identified in basil peltate glands that convert p-coumaroyl 4-hydroxyphenyllactic acid to its caffeoyl derivative and p-coumaric acid to caffeic acid.     

In situ measurements of viral particles diffusion inside mucoid biofilms

Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) under two-photon excitation was used successfully to characterize the diffusion properties of model virus particles (bacteriophages) in bacterial biofilm of Stenotrophonas maltophilia. The results are compared to those obtained with fluorescent latex beads used as a reference. The FCS data clearly demonstrated the possibility for viral particles to penetrate inside the exopolymeric matrix of mucoid biofilms, and hence to benefit from its protective effect toward antimicrobials (antibiotics and biocides). Microbial biofilms should hence be considered as potential reservoirs of pathogenic viruses, and are probably responsible for numerous persistent viral infections.