MTA is an Arabidopsis messenger RNA adenosine methylase and interacts with a homolog of a sex-specific splicing factor

N6-Methyladenosine is a ubiquitous modification identified in the mRNA of numerous eukaryotes, where it is present within both coding and noncoding regions. However, this base modification does not alter the coding capacity, and its biological significance remains unclear. We show that Arabidopsis thaliana mRNA contains N6-methyladenosine at levels similar to those previously reported for animal cells. We further show that inactivation of the Arabidopsis ortholog of the yeast and human mRNA adenosine methylase (MTA) results in failure of the developing embryo to progress past the globular stage. We also demonstrate that the arrested seeds are deficient in mRNAs containing N6-methyladenosine. Expression of MTA is strongly associated with dividing tissues, particularly reproductive organs, shoot meristems, and emerging lateral roots. Finally, we show that MTA interacts in vitro and in vivo with At FIP37, a homolog of the Drosophila protein FEMALE LETHAL2D and of human WILMS' TUMOUR1-ASSOCIATING PROTEIN. The results reported here provide direct evidence for an essential function for N6-methyladenosine in a multicellular eukaryote, and the interaction with At FIP37 suggests possible RNA processing events that might be regulated or altered by this base modification.     

Transient stress and stress enzyme responses have practical impacts on parameters of embryo development, from IVF to directed differentiation of stem cells

In this review, we discuss the expression, regulation, downstream mechanisms, and function of stress-induced stress enzymes in mammalian oocytes, peri-implantation embryos, and the stem cells derived from those embryos. Recent reports suggest that stress enzymes mediate developmental functions during early mammalian development, in addition to the homeostatic functions shared with somatic cells. Stress-induced enzymes appear to insure that necessary developmental events occur: many of these events may occur at a slower rate, although some may occur more rapidly. Developmental events induced by stress may be mediated by a single dominant enzyme, but there are examples of responses that require the integration of more than one stress enzyme. The discussion focuses on the consequences of stress as a function of duration and magnitude, and this includes an emerging understanding of the threshold levels of duration and magnitude that lead to pathology. Other topics discussed are the reversibility of the developmental as well as homeostatic consequences of stress, the further problems with readaptation after stress subsides, and the mechanisms and functions of stress enzymes during early mammalian development. The analyses are done with specific concern for their practical impact in assisted reproductive technology (ART) and stem cell technologies.     

Disulfide cross-linked polyethylenimines (PEI) prepared via thiolation of low molecular weight PEI as highly efficient gene vectors

Ring-opening reaction of low molecular weight polyethylenimine with an Mw of 800 Da (800 Da PEI) with methylthiirane produced thiolated polyethylenimine (PEI-SHX ). The thiolation degree X, which is the average number of thiol groups on a PEI molecule, was readily adjusted by the methylthiirane/PEI ratio. Oxidation of the thiolated PEIs with DMSO afforded disulfide cross-linked PEIs (PEI-SSX ). The molecular weights of PEI-SS X were estimated by viscosity measurement to be 7100, 8000, and 8400 for X=2.6, 6.5, and 9.4, respectively. The PEI-SSX series can bind and condense plasmid DNAs effectively forming nanosized polyplexes. The size of dry polyplexes is less than 100 nm on the TEM pictures. In solution, the size of the polyplexes was measured by DLS to be about 400 nm. In vitro experiments showed that the PEI-SS X series have a lower cytotoxicity and higher gene transfection efficiency compared with the high molecular weight PEI with Mw of 25 KDa. The presence of fetal bovine serum did not decrease the transfection efficiency. The results proved the hypothesis that reductively degradable disulfide-containing PEIs could possesses simultaneously higher gene transfection efficiency and lower cytotoxicity than the nondegradable ones.     

Raves and risks for erythropoietin

Global use of erythropoietin (EPO) continues to increase as a proven agent for the treatment of anemia. Yet, EPO is no longer believed to have exclusive biological activity in the hematopoietic system and is now considered applicable for a variety of disorders such as diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and cardiovascular disease. Treatment with EPO is considered to be robust and can prevent metabolic compromise, neuronal and vascular degeneration, and inflammatory cell activation. On the converse side, observations that EPO administration is not without risk have fueled controversy. Here we present recent advances that have elucidated a number of novel cellular pathways governed by EPO to open new therapeutic avenues for this agent and avert its potential deleterious effects.     

Effects of yogurt and bifidobacteria supplementation on the colonic microbiota in lactose-intolerant subjects

Aims: Colonic metabolism of lactose may play a role in lactose intolerance. We investigated whether a 2‐week supplementation of Bifidobacterium longum (in capsules) and a yogurt enriched with Bifidobacterium animalis could modify the composition and metabolic activities of the colonic microbiota in 11 Chinese lactose‐intolerant subjects. Methods and Results: The numbers of total cells, total bacteria and the Eubacterium rectale/Clostridium coccoides group in faeces as measured with fluorescent in situ hybridization and the faecal β‐galactosidase activity increased significantly during supplementation. The number of Bifidobacterium showed a tendency to increase during and after supplementation. With PCR‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis, in subjects in which B. animalis and B. longum were not detected before supplementation, both strains were present in faeces during supplementation, but disappeared after supplementation. The degree of lactose digestion in the small intestine and the oro‐caecal transit time were not different before and after supplementation, whereas symptom scores after lactose challenge decreased after supplementation. Conclusions: The results suggest that supplementation modifies the amount and metabolic activities of the colonic microbiota and alleviates symptoms in lactose‐intolerant subjects. The changes in the colonic microbiota might be among the factors modified by the supplementation which lead to the alleviation of lactose intolerance. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study provides evidence for the possibility of managing lactose intolerance with dietary lactose (yogurt) and probiotics via modulating the colonic microbiota.     

Crystallization of metastable beta glycine from gas phase via the sublimation of alpha or gamma form in vacuum

It is found that beta glycine, the metastable polymorph of glycine, can be rapidly formed from gas phase via the sublimation of its stable alpha or gamma form in vacuum. The transformation process was monitored by infrared spectroscopy and the crystal structure of the sublimate was identified by X-ray diffraction techniques. It is the first report about the transformation of stable alpha or gamma glycine into metastable beta form in "one-step" (heating then cool down spontaneously). Crystallization of beta glycine from gas phase is very different from other methods that require additives in solution. The hydrogen-bonding interaction and self-assembling of amino acid were discussed based on the observations.     

Pyrazole inhibitors of coactivator associated arginine methyltransferase 1 (CARM1)

This study reports the identification and Hits to Leads optimization of inhibitors of coactivator associated arginine methyltransferase (CARM1). Compound 7b is a potent, selective inhibitor of CARM1.