Antiproliferative activity of guava leaf extract via inhibition of prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthase isoforms

Prostaglandin endoperoxide H synthase (PGHS) is a key enzyme for the synthesis of prostaglandins (PGs) which play important roles in inflammation and carcinogenesis. Because the extract from Psidium guajava is known to have a variety of beneficial effects on our body including the anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and antiproliferative activities, we investigated whether the extract inhibited the catalytic activity of the two PGHS isoforms using linoleic acid as an alternative substrate. The guava leaf extract inhibited the cyclooxygenase reaction of recombinant human PGHS-1 and PGHS-2 as assessed by conversion of linoleic acid to 9- and 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acids (HODEs). The guava leaf extract also inhibited the PG hydroperoxidase activity of PGHS-1, which was not affected by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Quercetin which was one of the major components not only inhibited the cyclooxygenase activity of both isoforms but also partially inhibited the PG hydroperoxidase activity. Overexpression of human PGHS-1 and PGHS-2 in the human colon carcinoma cells increased the DNA synthesis rate as compared with mock-transfected cells which did not express any isoforms. The guava leaf extract not only inhibited the PGE₂ synthesis but also suppressed the DNA synthesis rate in the PGHS-1- and PGHS-2-expressing cells to the same level as mock-transfected cells. These results demonstrate the antiproliferative activity of the guava leaf extract which is at least in part caused by inhibition of the catalytic activity of PGHS isoforms.     

Recovery of activated carbon catalyst,calcium, nitrogen and phosphate from effluent following supercritical water gasification of poultry manure

A new method for suspending a fine, activated carbon catalyst in a biomass feedstock used for a supercritical water gasification (SCWG) continuous reactor is proposed. In a previous study, the organic matter in poultry manure was shown to be completely converted into gases such as H₂, CO₂ and CH₄ using SCWG. In practice, however, since the feedstock is not only composed of organic matter, but also contains inorganic material, water and catalyst, products such as gas, solid and liquid are produced during SCWG. The aim of this work was to investigate SCWG by-product utilization. This paper describes fundamental studies on the recovery of materials from SCWG products to develop a novel and simple recycling process that utilizes the by-products. A major portion of the activated carbon, monetite and ammonium sulfate can be isolated from the SCWG effluent.     

Molecular and functional characterization of choline transporter in human colon carcinoma HT-29 cells

We examined the molecular and functional characterization of choline uptake in human colon carcinomas using the cell line HT-29. Furthermore, we explored the possible correlation between choline uptake and cell proliferation. Choline uptake was saturable and mediated by a single transport system. Interestingly, removal of Na⁺ from the uptake buffer strongly enhanced choline uptake. This increase in component of choline uptake under Na⁺-free conditions was inhibited by a Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger 1 (NHE1) inhibitor. Collapse of the plasma-membrane H⁺ electrochemical gradient by a protonophore inhibited choline uptake. Choline uptake was inhibited by the choline analogue hemicholinium-3 (HC-3) and various organic cations, and was significantly decreased by acidification of the extracellular medium and by intracellular alkalinization. Real-time PCR revealed that choline transporter-like protein 1 (CTL1), CTL2, CTL4 and NHE1 mRNA are mainly expressed in HT-29 cells. Western blot and immunocytochemical analysis indicated that CTL1 protein was expressed in plasma membrane. The biochemical and pharmacological data indicated that CTL1 is functionally expressed in HT-29 cells and is responsible for choline uptake in these cells. We conclude that choline transporters, especially CTL1, use a directed H⁺ gradient as a driving force, and its transport functions in co-operation with NHE1. Finally, cell proliferation was inhibited by HC-3 and tetrahexylammonium chloride (THA), which strongly inhibits choline uptake. Identification of this novel CTL1-mediated choline uptake system provides a potential new target for therapeutic intervention.     

Nano‐sized bacterial magnetic particles displaying pyruvate phosphate dikinase for pyrosequencing

There is a high demand for inexpensive and high‐throughput DNA sequencing technologies in molecular biology and applied biosciences. In this study, novel nano‐sized magnetic particles displaying enzymes for pyrosequencing, a rather novel bioluminometric DNA sequencing method based on the sequencing‐by‐synthesis principle by employing a cascade of several enzymatic reactions, was developed. A highly thermostable enzyme, pyruvate phosphate dikinase (PPDK) which converts PPi to ATP was successfully expressed onto bacterial magnetic particles (BacMPs) using a novel protein display system of Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB‐1. The enzymatic stability of BacMPs displaying PPDK (PPDK‐BacMPs) to pH and temperature was evaluated and its broad range of properties was shown. Subsequently, PPDK‐BacMPs were applied in pyrosequencing and a target oligonucleotide was successfully sequenced. The PPDK enzyme displayed on BacMPs was shown to be recyclable in each sequence reaction as they can be manipulated by magnetic force. It was concluded that nano‐sized PPDK‐BacMPs are useful for the scale down of pyrosequencing reaction volumes, thus, permitting high‐throughput. The recycling of enzymes was also shown to be promising and applicable for the development of an inexpensive DNA sequencing at a low running cost. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2009;103: 130–137. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Identification of LRP1B-interacting proteins and inhibition of protein kinase Cα-phosphorylation of LRP1B by association with PICK1

Recent studies show LDL receptor-related protein 1B, LRP1B as a transducer of extracellular signals. Here, we identify six interacting partners of the LRP1B cytoplasmic region by yeast two-hybrid screen and confirmed their in vivo binding by immunoprecipitation. One of the partners, PICK1 recognizes the C-terminus of LRP1B and LRP1. The cytoplasmic domains of LRP1B are phosphorylated by PKCα about 100 times more efficiently than LRP1. Binding of PICK1 inhibits phosphorylation of LRP1B, but does not affect LRP1 phosphorylation.This study presents the possibility that LRP1B participates in signal transduction which PICK1 may regulate by inhibiting PKCα phosphorylation of LRP1B.

Structured summary

MINT-6801075: Lrp1b (uniprotkb:Q9JI18) physically interacts (MI:0218) with SNTG2 (uniprotkb:Q925E0) by two hybrid (MI:0018)MINT-6801030, MINT-6801468: Lrp1b (uniprotkb:Q9JI18) physically interacts (MI:0218) with Pick1 (uniprotkb:Q80VC8) by two hybrid (MI:0018)MINT-6801284: LRP1B4 (uniprotkb:Q9JI18) physically interacts (MI:0218) with RanBPM (uniprotkb:P69566) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)MINT-6801108: Lrp1b (uniprotkb:Q9JI18) physically interacts (MI:0218) with Grb7 (uniprotkb:Q03160) by two hybrid (MI:0018)MINT-6801090: Lrp1b (uniprotkb:Q9JI18) physically interacts (MI:0218) with RanBPM (uniprotkb:P69566) by two hybrid (MI:0018)MINT-6801008: Lrp1b (uniprotkb:Q9JI18) physically interacts (MI:0218) with Jip-1b (uniprotkb:Q9WVI9-1) by two hybrid (MI:0018)MINT-6801052: Lrp1b (uniprotkb:Q9JI18) physically interacts (MI:0218) with Jip-2 (uniprotkb:Q9ERE9) by two hybrid (MI:0018)MINT-6801258, MINT-6801271: LRP1B4 (uniprotkb:Q9JI18) physically interacts (MI:0218) with Pick1 (uniprotkb:Q80VC8) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)MINT-6801244: RanBPM (uniprotkb:P69566) physically interacts (MI:0218) with mLRP4 (uniprotkb:Q8VI56) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)MINT-6801131, MINT-6801158: LRP1B4 (uniprotkb:Q9JI18) physically interacts (MI:0218) with Jip-1b (uniprotkb:Q9WVI9-1) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)MINT-6801231: PICK1 (uniprotkb:Q80VC8) physically interacts (MI:0218) with mLRP4 (uniprotkb:Q8VI56) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)MINT-6801173: Jip-1b (uniprotkb:Q9WVI9-1) physically interacts (MI:0218) with mLRP4 (uniprotkb:Q8VI56) by anti tag coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0007)     

Transferrin secretory pathways in rat parotid acinar cells

Transferrin is the major iron transporter in blood plasma, and is also found, at lower concentrations, in saliva. We studied the synthesis and secretion of transferrin in rat parotid acinar cells in order to elucidate its secretory pathways. Two sources were identified for transferrin in parotid acinar cells: synthesis by the cells (endogenous), and absorption from blood plasma (exogenous). Transferrin from both sources is secreted from the apical side of parotid acinar cells. Endogenous transferrin is transported to secretory granules. It is secreted from mature secretory granules upon stimulation with a β-adrenergic reagent and from smaller vesicles in the absence of stimulation. Exogenous transferrin is internalized from the basolateral side of parotid acinar cells, transported to the apical side by transcytosis, and secreted from the apical side. Secretory processes for exogenous transferrin include transport systems involving microfilaments and microtubules.     

Regulation of Transforming Growth Factor-��-dependent Cyclooxygenase-2 Expression in Fibroblasts

Abnormal transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling is a critical contributor to the pathogenesis of various human diseases ranging from tissue fibrosis to tumor formation. Excessive TGF-β signaling stimulates fibrotic responses. Recent research has focused in the main on the antiproliferative effects of TGF-β in fibroblasts, and it is presently understood that TGF-β-stimulated cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) induction in fibroblasts is essential for antifibroproliferative effects of TGF-β. Both TGF-β and COX-2 have been implicated in tumor growth, invasion, and metastasis, and therefore tumor-associated fibroblasts are a recent topic of interest. Here we report the identification of positive and negative regulatory factors of COX-2 expression induced by TGF-β as determined using proteomic approaches. We show that TGF-β coordinately up-regulates three factors, heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A/B (HNRPAB), nucleotide diphosphate kinase A (NDPK A), and nucleotide diphosphate kinase A (NDPK B). Functional pathway analysis showed that HNRPAB augments mRNA and protein levels of COX-2 and subsequent prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) production by suppressing degradation of COX-2 mRNA. In contrast, NDPK A and NDPK B attenuated mRNA and protein levels of COX-2 by affecting TGF-β-Smad2/3/4 signaling at the receptor level. Collectively, we report on a new regulatory pathway of TGF-β in controlling expression of COX-2 in fibroblasts, which advances our understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms of TGF-β.     

Activation of AMP-activated Protein Kinase Suppresses Oxidized Low-density Lipoprotein-induced Macrophage Proliferation

Macrophage-derived foam cells play important roles in the progression of atherosclerosis. We reported previously that ERK1/2-dependent granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) expression, leading to p38 MAPK/ Akt signaling, is important for oxidized low density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL)-induced macrophage proliferation. Here, we investigated whether activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) could suppress macrophage proliferation. Ox-LDL-induced proliferation of mouse peritoneal macrophages was assessed by [³H]thymidine incorporation and cell counting assays. The proliferation was significantly inhibited by the AMPK activator 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide ribonucleoside (AICAR) and restored by dominant-negative AMPKα1, suggesting that AMPK activation suppressed macrophage proliferation. AICAR partially suppressed Ox-LDL-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation and GM-CSF expression, suggesting that another mechanism is also involved in the AICAR-mediated suppression of macrophage proliferation. AICAR suppressed GM-CSF-induced macrophage proliferation without suppressing p38 MAPK/Akt signaling. GM-CSF suppressed p53 phosphorylation and expression and induced Rb phosphorylation. Overexpression of p53 or p27^kip suppressed GM-CSF-induced macrophage proliferation. AICAR induced cell cycle arrest, increased p53 phosphorylation and expression, and suppressed GM-CSF-induced Rb phosphorylation via AMPK activation. Moreover, AICAR induced p21^cip and p27^kip expression via AMPK activation, and small interfering RNA (siRNA) of p21^cip and p27^kip restored AICAR-mediated suppression of macrophage proliferation. In conclusion, AMPK activation suppressed Ox-LDL-induced macrophage proliferation by suppressing GM-CSF expression and inducing cell cycle arrest. These effects of AMPK activation may represent therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis.