Antisense suppression of 4-coumarate:coenzyme A ligase activity in Arabidopsis leads to altered lignin subunit composition.

The phenylpropanoid enzyme 4-coumarate:coenzyme A ligase (4CL) is considered necessary to activate the hydroxycinnamic acids for the biosynthesis of the coniferyl and sinapyl alcohols subsequently polymerized into lignin. To clarify the role played by 4CL in the biosynthesis of the guaiacyl (G) and syringyl (S) units characteristic of angiosperm lignin, we generated 4CL antisense Arabidopsis lines having as low as 8% residual 4CL activity. The plants had decreases in thioglycolic acid-extractable lignin correlating with decreases in 4CL activity. Nitrobenzene oxidation of cell walls from bolting stems revealed a significant decrease in G units in 4CL-suppressed plants; however, levels of S lignin units were unchanged in even the most severely 4CL-suppressed plants. These effects led to a large decrease in the G/S ratio in these plants. Our results suggest that an uncharacterized metabolic route to sinapyl alcohol, which is independent of 4CL, may exist in Arabidopsis. They also demonstrate that repression of 4CL activity may provide an avenue to manipulate angiosperm lignin subunit composition in a predictable manner.     

Therapeutic potential of α,β‐thujone through metabolic reprogramming and caspase‐dependent apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells

The therapeutic potential of α,β‐thujone, a functional compound found in many medicinal plants of the Cupressaceae, Asteraceae, and Lamiaceae families, has been demonstrated, including in inflammation and cancers. However, its pharmacological functions and mechanisms of action in ovarian cancer remain unclear. We investigated the anticancer properties of α,β‐thujone in ES2 and OV90 human ovarian cancer cells and its effect on sensitization to cisplatin. α,β‐thujone inhibited cancer cell proliferation and induced cell death through caspase‐dependent intrinsic apoptotic pathways. Moreover, α,β‐thujone‐mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress was associated with the loss of mitochondrial functions and altered metabolic landscape of ovarian cancer cells. α,β‐Thujone attenuated blood vessel formation in transgenic zebrafish, implying it has significant antiangiogenic potential. In addition, α,β‐thujone sensitized ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin, causing synergistic pharmacological effects. Collectively, our results suggest that α,β‐thujone has therapeutic potential in human ovarian cancer and functions via regulating multiple intracellular stress‐associated metabolic reprogramming and caspase‐dependent apoptotic pathways.     

Stereoselective Accumulation of Propranolol Enantiomers in K562 and K562/ADR Cells

The stereoselective uptake of propranolol enantiomers was investigated by using the K562 and K562 adriamycin‐resistant cell line (K562/ADR) as a model. An enantioselective RP‐HPLC method was applied to determine the accumulation of propranolol (PPL) stereoisomers in K562 and K562/ADR cells. The concentration, time and temperature dependent studies showed that the accumulation of S‐(?)‐PPL was higher than R‐(+)‐PPL in K562 cells and uptake of R‐(+)‐PPL was significantly higher than that of S‐(?)‐PPL in K562/ADR cells. The results indicate the enantioselective accumulation of propranolol enantiomers in K562 and K562 / ADR cells. Chirality 25:361–364, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Relationship Between β-Amyloid and Mitochondrial Dynamics

Mitochondria as dynamic organelles undergo morphological changes through the processes of fission and fusion which are major factors regulating their functions. A disruption in the balance of mitochondrial dynamics induces functional disorders in mitochondria such as failed energy production and the generation of reactive oxygen species, which are closely related to pathophysiological changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recent studies have demonstrated a relationship between abnormalities in mitochondrial dynamics and impaired mitochondrial function, clarifying the effects of morphofunctional aberrations which promote neuronal cell death in AD. Several possible signaling pathways have been suggested for a better understanding of the mechanism behind the key molecules regulating mitochondrial morphologies. However, the exact machinery involved in mitochondrial dynamics still has yet to be elucidated. This paper reviews the current knowledge on signaling mechanisms involved in mitochondrial dynamics and the significance of mitochondrial dynamics in controlling associated functions in neurodegenerative diseases, particularly in AD.     

Acute inducible ablation of GRP78 reveals its role in hematopoietic stem cell survival, lymphogenesis and regulation of stress signaling

GRP78, a master regulator of the unfolded protein response (UPR) and cell signaling, is required for inner cell mass survival during early embryonic development. However, little is known about its role in adult hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and hematopoiesis. Here we generated a conditional knockout mouse model that acutely deletes Grp78 in the adult hematopoietic system. Acute GRP78 ablation resulted in a significant reduction of HSCs, common lymphoid and myeloid progenitors, and lymphoid cell populations in the mutant mice. The GRP78-null induced reduction of the HSC pool could be attributed to increased apoptosis. Chimeric mice with Grp78 deletion only in the hematopoietic cells also showed a loss of HSCs and lymphopenia, suggesting a cell intrinsic effect. Analysis of GRP78 deficient bone marrow (BM) cells showed constitutive activation of all the major UPR signaling pathways, including activation of eIF2α, ATF6, xbp-1 splicing, as well as caspase activation. A multiplex cytokine assay further revealed alteration in select cytokine and chemokine serum levels in the mutant mice. Collectively, these studies demonstrate that GRP78 plays a pleiotropic role in BM cells and contributes to HSC survival and the maintenance of the lymphoid lineage.     

Preparation of photolithographically patterned inverse opal hydrogel microstructures and its application to protein patterning

Protein pattern has played an important role in biosensors, bioMEMS, tissue engineering, fundamental studies of cell biology, and basic proteomics research. Here, we developed a straightforward and effective protein patterning technique using macroporous poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) hydrogel micropatterns as a three-dimensional (3D) template for protein immobilization. Micropatterns of macroporous hydrogels with inverse opal structures were prepared on poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-coated silicon substrates by combining a colloidal crystal templating method with photopatterning. The resultant inverse opal hydrogel (IOH) micropatterns were modified with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane using the hydroxyl groups in PHEMA for the covalent immobilization of proteins. Proteins were selectively immobilized only on the hydrogel micropatterns, while the PEG regions served as an effective barrier to protein adsorption. Because of their highly ordered and interconnected 3D macroporous structures and large internal surface areas, protein loading in the IOH micropattern was about six times greater than that on a non-porous hydrogel micropattern, which consequently improved the protein activity. The porosity of the hydrogel micropatterns could be controlled using different sizes of colloidal nanoparticles, and using smaller nanoparticles produced hydrogel micropatterns with higher protein loading capacities and activities. To demonstrate the potential use of IOH micropatterns in biosensor systems, biotin was micropatterned on the hydrogels and the specific binding of streptavidin was successfully assayed using IOH micropatterns with better fluorescence signals and sensitivity than that of the corresponding non-porous hydrogel micropatterns.     

转基因克隆牛胎盘中印迹基因PEG10的DNA甲基化水平

低效率的体细胞核移植技术显著制约着该技术在转基因动物生产上的广泛应用。目前认为供体细胞核不能被受体卵母细胞胞质完全的表观重编程是其效率低下的最主要原因,而DNA甲基化是基因表观修饰的主要方式之一。为了探求转基因克隆牛的死亡是否与其胎盘中印迹基因的甲基化的重编程程度相关,文章通过亚硫酸氢盐测序法(Bisulfite sequencing PCR,BSP)和亚硫酸氢盐联合限制性内切酶分析法(Combined bisulfite restriction analysis,COBRA),对印迹基因PEG10在围产期死亡且存在发育缺陷的转基因克隆牛的胎盘(死亡组)和存活的转基因克隆牛的胎盘(存活组)与正常对照牛胎盘(对照组)的DNA甲基化水平进行了详细的比较。结果发现,与对照组相比,PEG10基因在死亡组上表现出异常的超甲基化水平,而存活组与对照组相比无显著性差异。研究结果显示,胎盘中印迹基因的DNA甲基化表观重编程不彻底可能是导致转基因克隆牛发育异常进而死亡的主要原因之一。     

Protein secondary structure analyses from circular dichroism spectroscopy: methods and reference databases

Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy has been a valuable method for the analysis of protein secondary structures for many years. With the advent of synchrotron radiation circular dichroism (SRCD) and improvements in instrumentation for conventional CD, lower wavelength data are obtainable and the information content of the spectra increased. In addition, new computation and bioinformatics methods have been developed and new reference databases have been created, which greatly improve and facilitate the analyses of CD spectra. This article discusses recent developments in the analysis of protein secondary structures, including features of the DICHROWEB analysis webserver.     

香蕉MaASR1基因的抗干旱作用

ASR(ABA, stress, ripening induced protein)是一类响应植物干旱胁迫的关键转录因子, 在许多植物中已有报道, 然而尚未见香蕉(Musa acuminata)中ASR与抗旱作用的相关研究。该实验从香蕉果实cDNA文库中筛选出1个ASR基因, 即MaASR1(登录号为AY628102)。干旱胁迫下, 该基因在叶片中的表达量高于根部。将MaASR1转入拟南芥(Arabidopsis thaliana), Southern检测确定了两株独立表达的转基因株系(命名为L14和L38)。表型观察发现, 此两转基因株系的叶片变小且变厚; Northern和Western检测结果表明, MaASR1在L14和L38中表达。控水处理后, L14和L38的存活率及脯氨酸含量均高于野生型。经干旱胁迫和外源ABA处理后, 对MaASR1转基因株系中ABA/胁迫响应基因的表达分析, 发现MaASR1可增强转基因株系对ABA信号的敏感度, 但不能增强植株依赖于ABA途径的抗旱性。     

Neurogenesis of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells onto β-mercaptoethanol-loaded PLGA film

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are of particular interest in the field of tissue engineering because of their potential to differentiate into osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and neuronal cells. In order to promote the differentiation of BMSCs into specific cell types, appropriate scaffold biomaterials and bioactive molecules that can support the differentiation of BMSCs into specific cell types are needed. We hypothesized that β-mercaptoethanol (BME), which has been reported to induce the differentiation of BMSCs into neural-like cells, promotes BMSCs to differentiate into neural-like cells when BME is added to polymeric scaffolds containing the BMSCs. We fabricated biocompatible film shaped scaffolds composed of poly(lacti-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) and various concentrations of BME to confirm that BME-promoted differentiation of BMSCs is concentration-dependent. Cell proliferation increased as the BME concentration in the films increased at the early stage, and the proliferation rate remained similar on the PLGA films for 3 weeks following the BMSC seeding. The expression of neuronal markers in differentiated BMSCs was assessed by RT-PCR. At 2- and 3-week time-points, mRNA expression of neurofilament and neuron specific enolase was significantly increased in PLGA/BME films containing 400 μM BME compared to PLGA films. Thus, we have identified BMSC-seeded PLGA/BME films with 200 μM and 400 μM BME as potentially useful candidates for neural tissue engineering applications by promoting BMSC proliferation and differentiation towards neural-like cells.