Adhesion inhibition "in vitro" by heparin derivatives correlates with their activity on angiogenesis in mice

Heparin (HEP) play an important role in angiogenesis. Inhibition of matrix degrading enzymes and binding to adhesion molecules are some of the interaction mechanism. The bleeding risk and the need of parenteral administration, restrict the therapeutic use of HEP as angiogenesis modulator, presently derivatives, with different pharmacokinetic and anticoagulant properties, are available. In this study the " in vitro " anti-adhesion activity, tested with PMNs and endothelial cells, was compared with the effect on angiogenesis, evaluated in Matrigel implanted mice. Some HEP derivatives, with low anticoagulant activity, showed a significant angiogenesis inhibition. A positive correlation between adhesion inhibition in vitro and anti-angiogenesis effect in vivo was found suggesting that the interaction with adhesion molecules by HEP derivatives play a relevant role in the angiogenesis control.     

Localization of the Rsp5p ubiquitin-protein ligase at multiple sites within the endocytic pathway

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae RSP5 gene encodes an essential HECT E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase. Rsp5p contains an N-terminal C2 domain, three WW domains in the central portion of the molecule, and a C-terminal catalytic HECT domain. A diverse group of substrates of Rsp5p and vertebrate C2 WW-domain-containing HECT E3s have been identified, including both nuclear and membrane-associated proteins. We determined the intracellular localization of Rsp5p and the determinants necessary for localization, in order to better understand how Rsp5p activities are coordinated. Using both green fluorescent protein fusions to Rsp5p and immunogold electron microscopy, we found that Rsp5p was distributed in a punctate pattern at the plasma membrane, corresponding to membrane invaginations that are likely sites of endosome formation, as well as at perivacuolar sites. The latter appeared to correspond to endocytic intermediates, as these structures were not seen in a sla2/end4-1 mutant, and double-immunogold labeling demonstrated colocalization of Rsp5p with the endosomal markers Pep12p and Vps32p. The C2 domain was an important determinant of localization; however, mutations that disrupted HECT domain function also caused mislocalization of Rsp5p, indicating that enzymatic activity is linked to localization. Deletion of the C2 domain partially stabilized Fur4p, a protein previously shown to undergo Rsp5p- and ubiquitin-mediated endocytosis; however, Fur4p was still ubiquitinated at the plasma membrane when the C2 domain was deleted from the protein. Together, these results indicate that Rsp5p is located at multiple sites within the endocytic pathway and suggest that Rsp5p may function at multiple steps in the ubiquitin-mediated endocytosis pathway.     

Bacterial DNA methylation and gene transfer efficiency

The necessary amplification step in bacteria of any plasmid currently used in DNA immunization or gene therapy introduces modification in the nucleotide sequence of plasmid DNA used in gene transfer. These changes affect the adenine and the internal cytosine in respectively all of the GATC and CC(A/T)GG sequences. These modifications which introduce 6-methyladenine and 5-methylcytosine in plasmidic DNA are the consequence of the existence of the bacterial modification systems Dam and Dcm. In eucaryotes, the presence of 5-methylcytosine at dinucleotides -CG- is involved in silencing gene expression, but the possible consequences of the presence of the bacterial G(m)ATC and C(m)C(A/T)GG sequences in the plasmids used in gene transfer experiments are presently unknown. Since the possibility exists to obtain plasmid DNA lacking this specific bacterial pattern of methylation by using (dam(-), dcm(-)) bacteria we performed experiments to compare in vitro and in vivo gene transfer efficiency of a pCMV-luc reporter plasmid amplified either in the JM109 (dam(+), dcm(+)) or JM110 (dam(-), dcm(-)) bacteria. Data obtained demonstrated that the presence of 6-methyladenine in GATC sequences and 5-methylcytosine in the second C of CC(A/T)GG motifs does not reduce the levels of luciferase activity detected following in vitro or in vivo gene transfer. On the contrary, gene transfer with a pCMV-luc amplified in JM109 (dam(+), dcm(+)) bacteria gives greater amounts of luciferase than the same transfection performed with a plasmid amplified in the mutated JM110 (dam(-), dcm(-)) counterpart. Therefore, these data do not suggest that the use of (dam(-), dcm(-)) bacteria to amplify plasmid DNA may increase gene transfer efficiency. However, the persistence of the use of (dam(+), dcm(+)) bacteria in order to amplify plasmid DNA raises the question of the possible biological consequences of the introduction of the bacterial G(m)ATC and C(m)C(A/T)GG sequences in eukaryotic cells or organisms.     

Hypotaurine disproportionation reaction: Identification of products

Summary Hypotaurine, concentrated under reduced pressure in HCl solution, partially (30–40%) degrades into taurine (about 30%), 2-aminoethyl-2-aminoethanethiolsulfonate (about 10%) and ethanolamine. The degradation products were identified using LC/APCI-MS, NMR, amino acid analysis and various chromatographics. The identities were confirmed by comparing the HPLS, MS and NMR characteristics of authentic compounds. One of the degradation processes during concentration of HCl solution of hypotaurine is therefore a disproportionation reaction which can interfere with the experimental results, when studying hypotaurine in biological systems.Abbreviations LC/APCI-MS liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry - TLC thin layer chromatography - DTNB 5,5-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid)     

Virulence Regulation with Venus Flytrap Domains: Structure and Function of the Periplasmic Moiety of the Sensor-Kinase BvgS

Two-component systems (TCS) represent major signal-transduction pathways for adaptation to environmental conditions, and regulate many aspects of bacterial physiology. In the whooping cough agent Bordetella pertussis, the TCS BvgAS controls the virulence regulon, and is therefore critical for pathogenicity. BvgS is a prototypical TCS sensor-kinase with tandem periplasmic Venus flytrap (VFT) domains. VFT are bi-lobed domains that typically close around specific ligands using clamshell motions. We report the X-ray structure of the periplasmic moiety of BvgS, an intricate homodimer with a novel architecture. By combining site-directed mutagenesis, functional analyses and molecular modeling, we show that the conformation of the periplasmic moiety determines the state of BvgS activity. The intertwined structure of the periplasmic portion and the different conformation and dynamics of its mobile, membrane-distal VFT1 domains, and closed, membrane-proximal VFT2 domains, exert a conformational strain onto the transmembrane helices, which sets the cytoplasmic moiety in a kinase-on state by default corresponding to the virulent phase of the bacterium. Signaling the presence of negative signals perceived by the periplasmic domains implies a shift of BvgS to a distinct state of conformation and activity, corresponding to the avirulent phase. The response to negative modulation depends on the integrity of the periplasmic dimer, indicating that the shift to the kinase-off state implies a concerted conformational transition. This work lays the bases to understand virulence regulation in Bordetella. As homologous sensor-kinases control virulence features of diverse bacterial pathogens, the BvgS structure and mechanism may pave the way for new modes of targeted therapeutic interventions.     

DISENTANGLING THE EFFECTS OF KEY INNOVATIONS ON THE DIVERSIFICATION OF BROMELIOIDEAE (BROMELIACEAE)

The evolution of key innovations, novel traits that promote diversification, is often seen as major driver for the unequal distribution of species richness within the tree of life. In this study, we aim to determine the factors underlying the extraordinary radiation of the subfamily Bromelioideae, one of the most diverse clades among the neotropical plant family Bromeliaceae. Based on an extended molecular phylogenetic data set, we examine the effect of two putative key innovations, that is, the Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) and the water‐impounding tank, on speciation and extinction rates. To this aim, we develop a novel Bayesian implementation of the phylogenetic comparative method, binary state speciation and extinction, which enables hypotheses testing by Bayes factors and accommodates the uncertainty on model selection by Bayesian model averaging. Both CAM and tank habit were found to correlate with increased net diversification, thus fulfilling the criteria for key innovations. Our analyses further revealed that CAM photosynthesis is correlated with a twofold increase in speciation rate, whereas the evolution of the tank had primarily an effect on extinction rates that were found five times lower in tank‐forming lineages compared to tank‐less clades. These differences are discussed in the light of biogeography, ecology, and past climate change.     

Microbial Community Structure and Dynamics of Dark Fire-Cured Tobacco Fermentation

The Italian Toscano cigar production includes a fermentation step that starts when dark fire-cured tobacco leaves are moistened and mixed with ca. 20% prefermented tobacco to form a 500-kg bulk. The dynamics of the process, lasting ca. 18 days, has never been investigated in detail, and limited information is available on microbiota involved. Here we show that Toscano fermentation is invariably associated with the following: (i) an increase in temperature, pH, and total microbial population; (ii) a decrease in reducing sugars, citric and malic acids, and nitrate content; and (iii) an increase in oxalic acid, nitrite, and tobacco-specific nitrosamine content. The microbial community structure and dynamics were investigated by culture-based and culture-independent approaches, including denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and single-strand conformational polymorphism. Results demonstrate that fermentation is assisted by a complex microbial community, changing in structure and composition during the process. During the early phase, the moderately acidic and mesophilic environment supports the rapid growth of a yeast population predominated by Debaryomyces hansenii. At this stage, Staphylococcaceae (Jeotgalicoccus and Staphylococcus) and Lactobacillales (Aerococcus, Lactobacillus, and Weissella) are the most commonly detected bacteria. When temperature and pH increase, endospore-forming low-G+C content gram-positive bacilli (Bacillus spp.) become evident. This leads to a further pH increase and promotes growth of moderately halotolerant and alkaliphilic Actinomycetales (Corynebacterium and Yania) during the late phase. To postulate a functional role for individual microbial species assisting the fermentation process, a preliminary physiological and biochemical characterization of representative isolates was performed.     

Circannual clocks: annual timers unraveled in sheep

A recent study has revealed new insight into how the annual clock may drive seasonal hormone rhythms in mammals; the data suggest that melatonin-receptor-containing cells in the pituitary gland may operate as key calendar cells, transmitting seasonal temporal information to the endocrine system.