Radiosensitizing properties of novel hydroxydicarboxylatoplatinum(II) complexes with high or low reactivity with thiols: two modes of action

We examined radiosensitizing properties of two novel platinum complexes (ethylenediamine(L-malato)platinum(II)), Pt1 and bis(1-ethylimidazole(L-malato)platinum(II)), Pt4. Initial double strand break (DSB) level and DSB rejoining were measured, using pulse field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) in human G1 phase lymphocytes subjected to Pt complex treatment alone and in combination with 10Gy of X-rays. Effects of Pt complex pre-treatment followed by X-irradiation were examined on survival (clonogenic ability) and growth (48 h growth tests) in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1), xrs6 and L5178Y (LY) cells (LY-R and LY-S sublines). Cell cycle distributions of CHO cells after drug treatment were determined with the use of flow cytometry. Pt1 slowed down rejoining of X-ray induced DSB. It exerted a more than additive lethal effect on CHO-K1 cells but not on L5178Y cells subjected to combined Pt complex treatment and X-irradiation. In xrs6 cells the effect of combined Pt1+X treatment was additive. We conclude that, as earlier proposed for other Pt complexes, the radiosensitizing effect of Pt1 is connected with converting repairable DNA damage into irrepairable one (mode (i) of action). The requirements for this mode of sensitization are functional DNA repair systems (nucleotide excision repair (NER) and non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ)). Pt4 does not slow down DSB rejoining. It shows a considerable ability to arrest cells in G2 phase. We assume that Pt4 pre-treatment arrests cells in G2 phase and thus sensitizes to X-rays these cells that have a radiosensitive G2 phase (mode (ii) of action).     

Biomineralization of gold by Mucor plumbeus: The progress in understanding the mechanism of nanoparticles’ formation

This contribution describes the deposition of gold nanoparticles by microbial reduction of Au(III) ions using the mycelium of Mucor plumbeus. Biosorption as the major mechanism of Au(III) ions binding by the fungal cells and the reduction of them to the form of Au(0) on/in the cell wall, followed by the transportation of the synthesized gold nanoparticles to the cytoplasm, is postulated. The probable mechanism behind the reduction of Au(III) ions is discussed, leading to the conclusion that this process is nonenzymatic one. Chitosan of the fungal cell wall is most likely to be the major molecule involved in biomineralization of gold by the mycelium of M. plumbeus. Separation of gold nanoparticles from the cells has been carried out by the ultrasonic disintegration and the obtained nanostructures were characterized by UV‐vis spectroscopy and transmission electron micrograph analysis. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 33:1381–1392, 2017     

Use of cyclodextrins to manipulate plasma membrane cholesterol content: evidence, misconceptions and control strategies

The physiological importance of cholesterol in the cell plasma membrane has attracted increased attention in recent years. Consequently, the use of methods of controlled manipulation of membrane cholesterol content has also increased sharply, especially as a method of studying putative cholesterol-enriched cell membrane domains (rafts). The most common means of modifying the cholesterol content of cell membranes is the incubation of cells or model membranes with cyclodextrins, a family of compounds, which, due to the presence of relatively hydrophobic cavity, can be used to extract cholesterol from cell membranes. However, the mechanism of this activity of cyclodextrins is not completely established. Moreover, under conditions commonly used for cholesterol extraction, cyclodextrins may remove cholesterol from both raft and non-raft domains of the membrane as well as alter the distribution of cholesterol between plasma and intracellular membranes. In addition, other hydrophobic molecules such as phospholipids may also be extracted from the membranes by cyclodextrins. We review the evidence for the specific and non-specific effects of cyclodextrins and what is known about the mechanisms for cyclodextrin-induced cholesterol and phospholipid extraction. Finally, we discuss useful control strategies that may help to verify that the observed effects are due specifically to cyclodextrin-induced changes in cellular cholesterol.     

Distinctive probiotic features share common TLR2‐dependent signalling in intestinal epithelial cells

The underlying mechanisms of probiotics and postbiotics are not well understood, but it is known that both affect the adaptive and innate immune responses. In addition, there is a growing concept that some probiotic strains have common core mechanisms that provide certain health benefits. Here, we aimed to elucidate the signalization of the probiotic bacterial strains Lactobacillus paragasseri K7, Limosilactobacillus fermentum L930BB, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. animalis IM386 and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum WCFS1. We showed in in vitro experiments that the tested probiotics exhibit common TLR2‐ and TLR10‐dependent downstream signalling cascades involving inhibition of NF‐κB signal transduction. Under inflammatory conditions, the probiotics activated phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)/Akt anti‐apoptotic pathways and protein kinase C (PKC)‐dependent pathways, which led to regulation of the actin cytoskeleton and tight junctions. These pathways contribute to the regeneration of the intestinal epithelium and modulation of the mucosal immune system, which, together with the inhibition of canonical TLR signalling, promote general immune tolerance. With this study we identified shared probiotic mechanisms and were the first to pinpoint the role of anti‐inflammatory probiotic signalling through TLR10.     

The effect of new non-cross resistant antitumour agents on the energy state of human erythrocytes

Multidrug resistance (MDR) of tumour cells is related to the overexpression of ATP-dependent pumps responsible for the active efflux of antitumour agents out of resistant cells. Benzoperimidine and anthrapyridone compounds exhibit comparable cytotoxic activity against sensitive and MDR tumour cells. They diffuse extremely rapidly across the plasma membrane and render the ATP-dependent efflux inefficient. Such uptake could disturb an energy metabolism of normal cells possessing an elevated level of ATP-dependent proteins, especially erythrocytes having a high level of the MRP1, MRP4 and MRP5 proteins. In this study the effect of five antitumour agents: benzoperimidine (BP1), anthrapyridones (CO1, CO7) and reference drugs used in the clinic: doxorubicin (DOX) and pirarubicin (PIRA), on the energetic state in human erythrocytes has been examined. These compounds have various types of structure and kinetics of cellular uptake (slow--DOX, CO7, moderate--PIRA, fast--BP1, CO1) resulting in their different ability to saturate ATP-dependent transporters. The energetic state of erythrocytes was examined by determination of purine nucleotide contents (ATP, ADP, AMP), NAD(+) and values of adenylate energy charge (AEC) using an HPLC method. It was found that the level of nucleotides as well as the AEC value of erythrocytes were not changed during 24 h of incubation with these agents independently of their structure and ability to saturate ATP-dependent pumps. This is a very promising result in view of their potential use in the clinic as antitumour drugs against multidrug resistant cancers.     

The concentration of kynurenine in rat model of asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that involves the immune system activation. Evidence is accumulating about the role of kynurenine pathway in the immune system regulation. The kynurenine pathway includes several metabolites of tryptophan, among others kynurenine (KYN). To study the immunological system regulation in asthma a simple and sensitive models of asthma are required. In the present study we induced rat model of asthma using ovalbumin (OVA) sensitization followed by challenge with OVA. The development of asthma has been confirmed by plasma total IgE measurement and the histological examination. The concentration of KYN has been determined in plasma, lungs and liver by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In OVA sensitized rats the concentration of total IgE was statistically significantly increased as compared to VEH sensitized control groups (437.6 +/- 97.7 kU/l vs 159.2 +/- 22.7 kU/l, respectively; p< 0.01). In asthmatic animals, the number of eosinophils, neutrophils and mast cells increased considerably, and epithelial lesion and the increase in airway epithelium goblet cells and edema of bronchial mucosa were present. We did not observe any significant changes in the concentration of KYN in plasma, lungs or liver between studied groups. In conclusion, the concentration of KYN remains unchanged in asthmatic animals as compared to control groups. Further studies using rat model of asthma are warranted to establish the role of kynurenine pathway regulation in asthma.     

Global changes may be promoting a rise in select cyanobacteria in nutrient‐poor northern lakes

The interacting effects of global changes—including increased temperature, altered precipitation, reduced acidification and increased dissolved organic matter loads to lakes—are anticipated to create favourable environmental conditions for cyanobacteria in northern lakes. However, responses of cyanobacteria to these global changes are complex, if not contradictory. We hypothesized that absolute and relative biovolumes of cyanobacteria (both total and specific genera) are increasing in Swedish nutrient‐poor lakes and that these increases are associated with global changes. We tested these hypotheses using data from 28 nutrient‐poor Swedish lakes over 16 years (1998–2013). Increases in cyanobacteria relative biovolume were identified in 21% of the study sites, primarily in the southeastern region of Sweden, and were composed mostly of increases from three specific genera: Merismopedia, Chroococcus and Dolichospermum. Taxon‐specific changes were related to different environmental stressors; that is, increased surface water temperature favoured higher Merismopedia relative biovolume in low pH lakes with high nitrogen to phosphorus ratios, whereas acidification recovery was statistically related to increased relative biovolumes of Chroococcus and Dolichospermum. In addition, enhanced dissolved organic matter loads were identified as potential determinants of Chroococcus suppression and Dolichospermum promotion. Our findings highlight that specific genera of cyanobacteria benefit from different environmental changes. Our ability to predict the risk of cyanobacteria prevalence requires consideration of the environmental condition of a lake and the sensitivities of the cyanobacteria genera within the lake. Regional patterns may emerge due to spatial autocorrelations within and among lake history, rates and direction of environmental change and the niche space occupied by specific cyanobacteria.     

Main rhizosphere characteristics of the Cd hyperaccumulator Rorippa globosa (Turcz.) Thell

Aim

This article was aimed to explore the main rhizospherial properties of the Cd hyperaccumulator R. globosa compared to those of the non hyperaccumulator Rorippa palustris (Leyss.) Bess. representing the same genus (Rorippa) of Cruciferae.

Method

Pot culture experiments using soil spiked with Cd as CdCl₂·2.5H₂O and rhizobags were conducted to determine the differences in Cd accumulation vs. pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), Cd chemical fractionation, enzyme activities, and microorganism number in the rhizospheres of R. globosa and R. palustris, and in the bulk soils.

Results

Experiments on Cd uptake by R. globosa and R. palustris from soil spiked with different doses of Cd ranging from 0 to 40 mg?kg^?1, confirmed Cd-hyperaccumulating properties of R. globosa (Cd accumulation in the above-ground organs >100 mg kg^?1, enrichment factor EF> 1, translocation factor TF> 1, no significant biomass reduction at Cd doses >10 mg kg^?1) and the lack of such properties in R. palustris, which made these species suitable for comparative studies. The pH value was found to be a constant, specific property of the rhizosphere of R. globosa and R. palustris, and of the bulk soil, independent on the Cd dose, however the differences were rather small: by 0.2 unit lower in the rhizosphere of R. globosa, and only by 0.1 unit lower in the rhizosphere of R.. palustris compared to the bulk soil. Chemical fractionation of Cd, i.e. its affinity to pools of different binding strength, also appeared to be a specific feature of a rhizosphere and soil independent on the Cd dose. It exhibited a unique capability of the rhizosphere of the Cd-hyperaccumulator R. globosa to mobilize Cd, which enriched the most labile exchangeable fraction in 24.4 % and the immobile residual fraction in 42.3 %, compared to 19.3 % and 50.8 % in the bulk soil and in the rhizosphere of the non-hiperaccumulator R.palustris that did not show significant difference (p?<?0.05) from the bulk soil. In turn, DOC concentrations, enzymatic (urease and catalase) activity and microorganism (bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes) growth in rhizosphere soils were largely influenced by different Cd doses, although they were always considerably higher in the rhizosphere soils of R globosa, than in the rhizosphere of R. palustris and in the bulk soil, in particular at Cd doses ≥10 mg kg^?1.

Conclusion

pH and DOC changes in the rhizosphere of the Cd-hyperaccumulator R. globosa were found to be of a minor importance. The alteration of Cd chemical fractionation consisting in substantial reduction of the immobile residual pool and Cd enrichment primarily in the most labile exchangeable fraction, along with over 2-fold higher number of microorganisms was considered to be the driving force of Cd hyperaccumulation.     

UV- and MMS-induced mutagenesis of lambdaO(am)8 phage under nonpermissive conditions for phage DNA replication

Mutagenesis in Escherichia coli, a subject of many years of study is considered to be related to DNA replication. DNA lesions nonrepaired by the error-free nucleotide excision repair (NER), base excision repair (BER) and recombination repair (RR), stop replication at the fork. Reinitiation needs translesion synthesis (TLS) by DNA polymerase V (UmuC), which in the presence of accessory proteins, UmuD', RecA and ssDNA-binding protein (SSB), has an ability to bypass the lesion with high mutagenicity. This enables reinitiation and extension of DNA replication by DNA polymerase III (Pol III). We studied UV- and MMS-induced mutagenesis of lambdaO(am)8 phage in E. coli 594 sup+ host, unable to replicate the phage DNA, as a possible model for mutagenesis induced in nondividing cells (e.g. somatic cells). We show that in E. coli 594 sup+ cells UV- and MMS-induced mutagenesis of lambdaO(am)8 phage may occur. This mutagenic process requires both the UmuD' and C proteins, albeit a high level of UmuD' and low level of UmuC seem to be necessary and sufficient. We compared UV-induced mutagenesis of lambdaO(am)8 in nonpermissive (594 sup+) and permissive (C600 supE) conditions for phage DNA replication. It appeared that while the mutagenesis of lambdaO(am)8 in 594 sup+ requires the UmuD' and C proteins, which can not be replaced by other SOS-inducible protein(s), in C600 supE their functions may be replaced by other inducible protein(s), possibly DNA polymerase IV (DinB). Mutations induced under nonpermissive conditions for phage DNA replication are resistant to mismatch repair (MMR), while among those induced under permissive conditions, only about 40% are resistant.     

Backbone Cyclization of the C-terminal Part of Substance P. Part 1: The Important Role of the Sulphur in Position 11

Novel backbone-to-side chain and backbone-to-backbone cyclic analogues of substance P (SP) were prepared by solid-phase synthesis and screened for biological activity. An analogue containing a thioether- lactam ring between positions 9 and 11 showed an EC₅₀ value of 20nM toward the neurokinin 1 (NK-1) and was inactive toward the NK-2 and NK-3 receptors. On the other hand, in a multiple backbone cyclic peptide library of similar analogues, in which the sulphur was excluded from the ring, very low activity was detected. The activity was re-evaluated and was found to be even lower (EC₅₀=0.11 mM ) than the previously published data. These results indicate that the thioether moiety has a crucial role in receptor activation. The results also show tolerance of the NK-1 receptor, but not NK-2 or NK-3, to cyclization of the C-terminal portion of the SP_6–11 hexapeptide.