Direct immobilization of gangliosides onto gold-carboxymethyldextran sensor surfaces by hydrophobic interaction: applications to antibody characterization

We describe a novel immobilization technique to investigate interactions between immobilized gangliosides (GD3, GM1, and GM2) and their respective antibodies, antibody fragments, or binding partners using an optical biosensor. Immobilization was performed by direct injection onto a carboxymethyldextran sensor chip and did not require derivatization of the sensor surface or the ganglioside. The ganglioside appeared to bind to the sensor surface by hydrophobic interaction, leaving the carbohydrate epitope available for antibody or, in the case of GM1, cholera toxin binding. The carboxyl group of the dextran chains on the sensor surface did not appear to be involved in the immobilization as evidenced by equivalent levels of immobilization following conversion of the carboxyl groups into acyl amino esters, but rather the dextran layer provided a hydrophilic coverage of the sensor chip which was essential to prevent nonspecific binding. This technique gave better reactivity and specificity for anti- ganglioside monoclonal antibodies (anti-GD3: KM871, KM641, R24; and anti-GM2: KM966) than immobilization by hydrophobic interaction onto a gold sensor surface or photoactivated cross-linking onto carboxymethydextran. This rapid immobilization procedure has facilitated detailed kinetic analysis of ganglioside/antibody interactions, with the surface remaining viable for a large number of cycles (>125). Kinetic constants were determined from the biosensor data using linear regression, nonlinear least squares and equilibrium analysis. The values of kd, ka, and KAobtained by nonlinear analysis (KAKM871 = 1.05, KM641 = 1.66, R24 = 0.14, and KM966 = 0.65 x 10(7) M- 1) were essentially independent of concentration and showed good agreement with data obtained by other analytical methods.      

Comparison of techniques for the measurement of skin temperature during exercise in a hot,humid environment

Exercising or working in a hot, humid environment can results in the onset of heat-related illness when an individual''s temperature is not carefully monitored. The purpose of the present study was to compare three techniques (data loggers, thermal imaging, and wired electrodes) for the measurement of peripheral (bicep) and central (abdominal) skin temperature. Young men and women (N = 30) were recruited to complete the present study. The three skin temperature measurements were made at 0 and every 10-min during 40-min (60% VO₂max) of cycling in a hot (39±2°C), humid (45±5% RH) environment. Data was statistically analyzed using the Bland-Altman method and correlation analysis. For abdominal skin temperature, the Bland-Altman limits of agreement indicated that data loggers (1.5) were a better index of wired than was thermal imaging (3.5), For the bicep skin temperature the limits of agreement was similar between data loggers (1.9) and thermal (1.9), suggesting the both were suitable measurements. We also found that when skin temperature exceeded 35°C, we observed progressively better prediction between data loggers, thermal imaging, and wired skin sensors. This report describes the potential for the use of data loggers and thermal imaging to be used as alternative measures of skin temperature in exercising, human subjects.     

Molecular model of the outward facing state of the human multidrug resistance protein 4 (MRP4/ABCC4)

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter multidrug resistance protein 4 (MRP4, ABCC4) is involved in multidrug resistance (MDR), which is an increasing challenge to the treatment of cancer and infections. We have constructed a molecular model of ABCC4 based on the outward facing Sav1866 crystal structure using molecular modeling techniques. Amino acids reported by ICMPocketFinder to take part in substrate translocation were among others Glu103 (TMH1), Ser328 (TMH5), Gly359 (TMH6), Arg362 (TMH6), Val726 (TMH7), and Leu987 (TMH12), and their corresponding amino acids in ABCB1 (P-glycoprotein) have been reported to be involved in drug binding according to site-directed mutagenesis studies. The ABCC4 model may be used as a working tool for experimental studies on ABCC4 and design of more specific membrane transport modulating agents (MTMA).     

Docking study, synthesis, and in vitro evaluation of fluoro-MADAM derivatives as SERT ligands for PET imaging

In order to predict affinity of new diphenylsulfides for the serotonin transporter (SERT), a molecular modeling model was used to compare potential binding affinity of new compounds with known potent ligands. The aim of this study is to identify a suitable PET radioligand for imaging the SERT, new derivatives, and their precursors for a C-11 or F-18 radiolabeling, were synthesized. Two fluorinated derivatives displayed good in vitro affinity for the SERT (K(i)=14.3+/-1 and 10.1+/-2.7 nM) and good selectivity toward the other monoamine transporters as predicted by the docking study.     

Low temperature, gibberellin and acid lipase activity in removal of apple seed dormancy

The activity of acid lipase and the level of gibberellin A₄ (GA₄) were determined in apple embryos excised from seeds after different time periods of stratification and subsequently cultured in darkness at 4°C or at 25°C. Enzyme activity and GA₄ content were higher at 4°C. Exogenous gibberellin stimulated lipase activity, while AMO-1618, an inhibitor of gibberellin biosynthesis, inhibited, to the same degree, both the enzyme activity and the GA₄ accumulation. The involvement of GA₄ and lipolytic enzymes in cold-mediated removal of embryonal dormancy has been discussed and compared with the role of these two factors in light-stimulated germination of dormant apple embryos, described earlier (Smoleńska and Lewak 1974).     

The European Renal Genome Project: An Integrated Approach Towards Understanding the Genetics of Kidney Development and Disease

Rapid progress in genome research creates a wealth of information on the functional annotation of mammalian genome sequences. However, as we accumulate large amounts of scientific information we are facing problems of how to integrate and relate the data produced by various genomic approaches. Here, we propose the novel concept of an organ atlas where diverse data from expression maps to histological findings to mutant phenotypes can be queried, compared and visualized in the context of a three-dimensional reconstruction of the organ. We will seek proof of concept for the organ atlas by elucidating genetic pathways involved in development and pathophysiology of the kidney. Such a kidney atlas may provide a paradigm for a new systems-biology approach in functional genome research aimed at understanding the genetic bases of organ development, physiology and disease.Key Words: EuReGene, kidney, genome, development, pathophysiology, genetics     

Analysis of molecular differentiation in a hybrid zone between chromosomally distinct races of the common shrew Sorex araneus (Insectivora: Soricidae) suggests their common ancestry

During postglacial colonization, populations that diverged in different refugia produced a patchwork of genomes, often delimited with sharp hybrid zones. The outcome of hybridization following the secondary contact of two genetically distinct populations is hard to predict. In this context, the present study investigated the genetic structure of the hybrid zone between the Drnholec and Białowieża chromosome races of the common shrew ( Sorex araneus ) in Poland using biparentally inherited (seven autosomal microsatellites) and uniparentally inherited (Y-linked microsatellite and mtDNA) molecular markers. On the basis of diagnostic chromosomes, the Drnholec and Białowieża races were classified to different karyotypic groups, which were believed to have independent glacial histories. It was found that genetic differentiation between the Drnholec and Białowieża races was weak and nonsignificant with respect to all molecular markers. However, these results are in contrast with the chromosomal structure of this hybrid zone. The very sharp frequency clines of the diagnostic chromosomes strongly suggest that gene flow between the Drnholec and Białowieża races was reduced. Nonsignificant correlations between genetic differentiation and both the presence of an environmental barrier and geographical distance reveal that only differences in karyotypes might be a reason for limited gene exchange between the races. It is assumed that a lack of molecular differences between the Drnholec and Białowieża races results from a shared ancestral variation.  © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society , 2006, 89 , 79–90.     

Functional claudication distance: a reliable and valid measurement to assess functional limitation in patients with intermittent claudication

Background

Pharmacological inhibition of endothelial arginase-II has been shown to improve endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) function and reduce atherogenesis in animal models. We investigated whether the endothelial arginase II is involved in inflammatory responses in endothelial cells.

Methods

Human endothelial cells were isolated from umbilical veins and stimulated with TNFα (10 ng/ml) for 4 hours. Endothelial expression of the inflammatory molecules i.e. vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and E-selectin were assessed by immunoblotting.

Results

The induction of the expression of endothelial VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and E-selectin by TNFα was concentration-dependently reduced by incubation of the endothelial cells with the arginase inhibitor L-norvaline. However, inhibition of arginase by another arginase inhibitor S-(2-boronoethyl)-L-cysteine (BEC) had no effects. To confirm the role of arginase-II (the prominent isoform expressed in HUVECs) in the inflammatory responses, adenoviral mediated siRNA silencing of arginase-II knocked down the arginase II protein level, but did not inhibit the up-regulation of the adhesion molecules. Moreover, the inhibitory effect of L-norvaline was not reversed by the NOS inhibitor L-NAME and L-norvaline did not interfere with TNFα-induced activation of NF-κB, JNK, p38mapk, while it inhibited p70s6k (S6K1) activity. Silencing S6K1 prevented up-regulation of E-selectin, but not that of VCAM-1 or ICAM-1 induced by TNFα.

Conclusion

The arginase inhibitor L-norvaline exhibits anti-inflammatory effects independently of inhibition of arginase in human endothelial cells. The anti-inflammatory properties of L-norvaline are partially attributable to its ability to inhibit S6K1.