Biosynthesis and biotechnological production of serotonin derivatives

Serotonin derivatives belong to a class of phenylpropanoid amides found at low levels in a wide range of plant species. Representative serotonin derivatives include feruloylserotonin (FS) and 4-coumaroylserotonin (CS). Since the first identification of serotonin derivatives in safflower seeds, their occurrence, biological significance, and pharmacological properties have been reported. Recently, serotonin N-hydroxycinnamoyl transferase (SHT), which is responsible for the synthesis of serotonin derivatives, was cloned from pepper (Capsicum annuum) and characterized in terms of its enzyme kinetics. Using the SHT gene, many attempts have been made to either increase the level of serotonin derivatives in transgenic plants or produce serotonin derivatives de novo in microbes by dual expression of key genes such as SHT and 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (4CL). Due to the strong antioxidant activity and other therapeutic properties of serotonin derivatives, these compounds may have high potential in treatment and prophylaxis, as cosmetic ingredients, and as major components of functional foods or feeds that have health-improving effects. This review examines the biosynthesis of serotonin derivatives, corresponding enzymes, heterologous production in plants or microbes, and their applications.     

Mycorrhizal synthesis of four ectomycorrhizal fungi in potted <Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus maximowiczii</Emphasis> seedlings

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) syntheses between four ECM fungi, Laccaria amethystina, Hebeloma mesophaeum, Thelephora terrestris, and Tomentella sp., and Populus maximowiczii seedlings that are known to form ECM at a denuded area of Mt. Usu were performed in volcanic debris in a controlled growth chamber. The percentage of ECM colonization and seedling growth were determined 3 months after inoculation. Seedlings were successfully colonized by the inoculated ECM fungi with low contamination ratios. Seedling height and biomass were larger in the inoculated seedlings than in the control, although the effects of inoculation on seedling growth varied with the ECM fungus.     

Ecosystem Approaches to Human Health and Well-being: Reflections from Use in a Mining Context

This article briefly discusses the evolution of ecosystem approaches, and illustrates the use of ecosystem approaches to assess human health and well-being in a mining context. It discusses the various elements that help distinguish such approaches from other approaches. Well-being here is understood broadly in terms of its “constituents” and “determinants,” of which health is an important constituent. Ecological, health, and social assessments highlighted a number of impacts from mining activity in Goa, India. These generated a list of issues of concern that were validated by stakeholders—community, industry, and government—which served as a basis for the development of tools to track mining-induced changes in health and well-being. The article concludes by reflecting on some of the challenges posed by the use of ecosystem approaches to assessing human health and well-being.     

Effective use of TNF antagonists

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antagonists are biologic response modifiers that have significantly improved functional outcomes in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA is a progressive disease in which structural joint damage can continue to develop even in the face of symptomatic relief. Before the introduction of biologic agents, the management of RA involved the use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) early in the course of disease. This focus on early treatment, combined with the availability of the anti-TNF agents, has contributed to a shift in treatment paradigms favoring the early and timely use of DMARDs with biologic therapies. Improvement in symptom control does not always equate to a reduction in disease progression or disability. With the emergence of structure-related outcome measures as the primary means for assessing the effectiveness of antirheumatic agents, the regular use of X-rays is recommended for the continued monitoring and evaluation of patients. In addition to the control of symptoms and improvement in physical function, a reduction in erosions and joint-space narrowing should be considered among the goals of therapy, leading to a better quality of life. Adherence to therapy is an important element in optimizing outcomes. Durability of therapy with anti-TNF agents as reported from clinical trials can also be achieved in the clinical setting. Concomitant methotrexate therapy might be important in maintaining TNF antagonist therapy in the long term. Overall, the TNF antagonists have led to improvements in clinical and radiographic outcomes in patients with RA, especially those who have failed to show a complete response to methotrexate.     

Serum Levels of Zinc,Copper, Iron,Cobalt, Magnesium,and Selenium Elements in Children Diagnosed with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Giardia Intestinalis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Enterobiosis Vermicularis</Emphasis> in Hatay,Turkey

The intestinal parasites are noted to be an important health problem in Turkey as similarly reported in the globe. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in total content of essential elements, namely, zinc, iron, copper, cobalt, magnesium, and selenium, in children infected with intestinal parasites aged between 6 and 12 years inhabiting in Hatay Province, Turkey. These essential elements were measured in the children/patient who was positive for intestinal parasites, Giardia intestinalis and Enterobius vermicularis. Scores were obtained from the positive study group (SG), and their age matched the healthy children control group (CG). Serological levels of zinc, iron, copper, cobalt, magnesium, and selenium were analyzed by Varian Liberty Series II inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES). The mean magnesium concentrations were found to be statistically different at 95% confidence interval level between study groups. As a result of this study, selenium was found to be uncorrelated with all other elements examined; whereas, copper was observed to have statistically significant correlations with cobalt, magnesium, and zinc. In addition, cobalt-magnesium, cobalt-zinc, and magnesium-zinc metal pairs were found to have statistically significant correlations based on study findings.     

Plantlet production from the male inflorescence tips of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Musa acuminata</Emphasis> cultivars from South India

Inflorescence apices are suitable explants for the rapid in vitro propagation of Musa spp. However, the diploid and triploid banana cultivars showed different in vitro responses with respect to the hormone combinations in Murashige and Skoog medium. The diploid cultivar (Sannachenkadali, AA) induced a maximum number of multiple shoots in 8.9 μM 6-benzyl adenine (BA) whereas the triploid cultivar (Red banana, AAA) exhibited maximum multiplication in 22.2 μM 6-benzyl adenine. MS medium supplemented with 11.4 μM indole acetic acid and 17.8 μM BA was also suitable for shoot proliferation in triploid cultivar but not in the diploid cultivar. The regenerated shoots were rooted in Murashige and Skoog basal medium within 10–15 days. The rooted plantlets were transferred to vermiculite and maintained at a temperature of 25 ± 2°C for 10 days and then at room temperature (30–32°C) for 2 weeks before transferring to potted soil compost mixture. The plantlets showed 100% survival.     

A recurrent mutation in type II collagen gene causes Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease in a Japanese family

Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) is a common childhood hip disorder characterized by sequential stages of involvement of the capital femoral epiphyses, including subchondral fracture, fragmentation, re-ossification and healing with residual deformity. Most cases are sporadic, but familial cases have been described, with some families having multiple affected members. Genetic factors have been implicated in the etiology of LCPD, but the causal gene has not been identified. We have located a missense mutation (p.G1170S) in the type II collagen gene (COL2A1) in a Japanese family with an autosomal dominant hip disorder manifesting as LCPD and showing considerable intra-familial phenotypic variation. This is the first report of a mutation in hereditary LCPD. COL2A1 mutations may be more common in LCPD patients than currently thought, particularly in familial and/or bilateral cases.     

Effect of nutrient loading on biogeochemical and microbial processes in a New England salt marsh

Coastal marshes represent an important transitional zone between uplands and estuaries. One important function of marshes is to assimilate nutrient inputs from uplands, thus providing a buffer for anthropogenic nutrient loads. We examined the effects of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilization on biogeochemical and microbial processes during the summer growing season in a Spartina patens (Aiton (Muhl.)) marsh in the Narragansett Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve on Prudence Island (RI). Quadruplicate 1 m² plots were fertilized with N and P additions, N-only, P-only, or no additions. N-only addition significantly stimulated bacterial production and increased pore water NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ concentrations. Denitrification rates ranged from 0 to 8 mmol m⁻² day⁻¹. Fertilization had no apparent effect on soil oxygen consumption or denitrification measured in the summer in intact cores due to high core-to-core variation. P fertilization led to increased pore water dissolved inorganic phosphorus (DIP) concentrations and increased DIP release from soils. In contrast the control and N-only treatments had significant DIP uptake across the soil-water interface. The results suggest that in the summer fertilization has no apparent effect on denitrification rates, stimulates bacterial productivity, enhances pore water nutrient concentrations and alters some nutrient fluxes across the marsh surface.     

Are Pheromones Detected Through the Main Olfactory Epithelium?

A major sensory organ for the detection of pheromones by animals is the vomeronasal organ (VNO). Although pheromones control the behaviors of various species, the effect of pheromones on human behavior has been controversial because the VNO is not functional in adults. However, recent genetic, biochemical, and electrophysiological data suggest that some pheromone-based behaviors, including male sexual behavior in mice, are mediated through the main olfactory epithelium (MOE) and are coupled to the type 3 adenylyl cyclase (AC3) and a cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) ion channel. These recent discoveries suggest the provocative hypothesis that human pheromones may signal through the MOE.     

Thrombin inhibitors with novel P1 binding pocket functionality: free energy of binding analysis

The high incidence of thrombembolic diseases justifies the development of new antithrombotics. The search for a direct inhibitor has resulted in the synthesis of a considerable number of low molecular weight molecules that inhibit human α-thrombin potently. However, efforts to develop an orally active drug remain in progress as the most active inhibitors with a highly basic P1 moiety exhibit an unsatisfactory bioavailability profile. In our previous work we solved several X-ray structures of human α-thrombin in complexes with (1) novel bicyclic arginine mimetics attached to the glycylproline amide and pyridinone acetamide scaffold and (2) inhibitors with a novel aza scaffold and with charged or neutral P1 moieties. In the present contribution, we correlate the structures of the complex between these inhibitors and the protein with the calculated free energy of binding. The energy of solvation was calculated using the Poisson–Boltzmann approach. In particular, the requirements for successful recognition of an inhibitor at the protein’s active site pocket S1 are discussed. Figure We report here on free energy of binding analysis of thrombin inhibitors with novel aza scaffold and novel bicyclic arginine mimetics in S1 pocket of thrombin