The Legs at odd angles (Loa) Mutation in Cytoplasmic Dynein Ameliorates Mitochondrial Function in SOD1G93A Mouse Model for Motor Neuron Disease

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a debilitating and fatal late-onset neurodegenerative disease. Familial cases of ALS (FALS) constitute ∼10% of all ALS cases, and mutant superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) is found in 15–20% of FALS. SOD1 mutations confer a toxic gain of unknown function to the protein that specifically targets the motor neurons in the cortex and the spinal cord. We have previously shown that the autosomal dominant Legs at odd angles (Loa) mutation in cytoplasmic dynein heavy chain (Dync1h1) delays disease onset and extends the life span of transgenic mice harboring human mutant SOD1^G93A. In this study we provide evidence that despite the lack of direct interactions between mutant SOD1 and either mutant or wild-type cytoplasmic dynein, the Loa mutation confers significant reductions in the amount of mutant SOD1 protein in the mitochondrial matrix. Moreover, we show that the Loa mutation ameliorates defects in mitochondrial respiration and membrane potential observed in SOD1^G93A motor neuron mitochondria. These data suggest that the Loa mutation reduces the vulnerability of mitochondria to the toxic effects of mutant SOD1, leading to improved mitochondrial function in SOD1^G93A motor neurons.     

A Comprehensive Proteomic Analysis of the Type III Secretome of Citrobacter rodentium

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli, enterohemorrhagic E. coli, and Citrobacter rodentium belong to the family of attaching and effacing (A/E) bacterial pathogens. They intimately attach to host intestinal epithelial cells, trigger the effacement of intestinal microvilli, and cause diarrheal disease. Central to their pathogenesis is a type III secretion system (T3SS) encoded by a pathogenicity island called the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE). The T3SS is used to inject both LEE- and non-LEE-encoded effector proteins into the host cell, where these effectors modulate host signaling pathways and immune responses. Identifying the effectors and elucidating their functions are central to understanding the molecular pathogenesis of these pathogens. Here we analyzed the type III secretome of C. rodentium using the highly sensitive and quantitative SILAC (stable isotope labeling with amino acids in cell culture)-based mass spectrometry. This approach not only confirmed nearly all known secreted proteins and effectors previously identified by conventional biochemical and proteomic techniques, but also identified several new secreted proteins. The T3SS-dependent secretion of these new proteins was validated, and five of them were translocated into cultured cells, representing new or additional effectors. Deletion mutants for genes encoding these effectors were generated in C. rodentium and tested in a murine infection model. This study comprehensively characterizes the type III secretome of C. rodentium, expands the repertoire of type III secreted proteins and effectors for the A/E pathogens, and demonstrates the simplicity and sensitivity of using SILAC-based quantitative proteomics as a tool for identifying substrates for protein secretion systems.     

Site-Directed Mutagenesis on Human Cystathionine-γ-Lyase Reveals Insights into the Modulation of H2S Production

In recent years, increased interest has been directed towards hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) as the third gasotransmitter and its role in various diseases. Cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE) is one of the enzymes responsible for the endogenous production of H₂S in mammals. With the aid of the crystal structures of human CSE and site-directed mutagenesis studies, we have identified several amino acid residues in CSE that are actively involved in the catalysis of H₂S production. Contrary to reports suggesting that Tyr114 is required for substrate binding, our results reveal a significant increase in the production of H₂S upon mutation of Tyr114 to phenylalanine. This is attributed to an increased rate of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP) regeneration due to weakened π-stacking interactions between Phe114 and PLP. Thr189 is also identified as a crucial residue where hydrogen bonding to Asp187 keeps the latter in an optimal position for hydrogen bonding to the pyridoxal nitrogen of PLP. Furthermore, mutation of Glu339 to lysine, alanine or tyrosine reveals the importance of the hydrophobicity of the 339th amino acid in determining the specificity of the enzyme for the catalysis of α,γ-elimination or α,β-elimination reaction. Our study also shows that the rate of H₂S production is increased with increasing exogenous PLP concentration, hence supporting our hypothesis that apo-CSE is formed during the catalysis of H₂S production. Taken together, these findings suggest novel routes towards the design of activators or inhibitors that modulate the production of H₂S; these modulators may also serve as lead compounds in the development of drugs or mechanistic probes in the study of various H₂S-related diseases.     

Metal-organic open frameworks with one-dimension channels assembled with pyridine 2,6-dicarboxylic acid and N-containing auxiliary ligands: Syntheses, crystal structures, and physical characterization

Four new complexes, {[Mn(imH)₂(pdc)]·H₂O}_n (1), [Zn₂(pdc)₂(H₂O)₅]·2H₂O (2), [Zn(imH)₂(pdc)]·H₂O (3), {[Zn₂(pdc)₂(bpy)(H₂O)₂]·5H₂O}_n (4) [imH = imidazole pdc = pyridine 2,6-dicarboxylate, bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine] have been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions and structurally characterized by elemental analysis, IR, PXRD, single-crystal X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analyses. All the four complexes display a three-dimensional (3D) open framework with one-dimensional (1D) channels that are filled with lattice water molecules. Particularly, in 4, the lattice water molecules form an infinite water chain. Both 1 and 4 consist of 1D polymeric chains. While 2 contains a dinuclear Zn(II) unit, and 3 is a mononuclear complex. Further, the result of thermal analysis of 1 and 2 shows the robustness of the overall supramolecular three-dimensional architecture. Complexes 1, 3, and 4 exhibit strong fluorescent emissions in the solid state at room temperature and could be significant in the field of photoactive materials.     

Synthesis and characterization of chitosan/ZnO nanoparticle composite membranes

Novel chitosan/ZnO nanoparticle (CS/nano-ZnO) composite membranes were prepared via the method of sol-cast transformation and studied by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy (UV-vis), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDX). The characterization revealed that ZnO nanoparticles dispersed homogeneously within the chitosan matrix. The mechanical and antibacterial properties of the product were investigated. The results showed that the ZnO content had an effect on the mechanical properties of CS/nano-ZnO composite membranes, and that the antibacterial activities of CS membranes for Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus were enhanced by the incorporation of ZnO. Further, CS/nano-ZnO composite membranes with 6-10 wt % ZnO exhibited high antibacterial activities.     

Regulatory effect of vasoactive intestinal peptide on the balance of Treg and Th17 in collagen-induced arthritis

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a well-known anti-inflammatory neuropeptide. The capacity of VIP can be exhibited through inhibiting inflammatory responses, shifting the Th1/Th2 balance in favor of anti-inflammatory Th2 immunity and inducing regulatory T cells (Tregs) with suppressive activity. In addition to pro-inflammatory Th1 response, Th17 are also believed to play important roles in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we used collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model in Wistar rats to investigate the role of VIP in the balance of CD4⁺ CD25⁺ Tregs and Th17 on RA. Data presented here showed that administration of VIP decreased incidence and severity of CIA. Disease suppression was associated with the upregulation of CD4⁺ CD25⁺ Tregs, downregulation of Th17- and Th1-type response and influence on the RANK/RANKL/OPG system. The results provide novel evidence that the therapeutic effects of VIP on CIA rats were associated with the balance of CD4⁺ CD25⁺ Tregs and Th17.     

Curcumin and its analogues as potent inhibitors of low density lipoprotein oxidation: H-atom abstraction from the phenolic groups and possible involvement of the 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl groups

Curcumin (1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione, 1) is a yellow ingredient isolated from turmeric (Curcumin longa). It has been shown to exhibit a variety of biological activities including antioxidative activity. In order to find more active antioxidants with 1 as the lead compound we synthesized curcumin analogues, i.e., 1,7-bis(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione (2), 1-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione (3), 1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-7-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione (4), 1,7-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione (5), 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione (6), 1,7-bis(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-1,6- heptadiene-3,5-dione (7), 1,7-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione (8), and 1,7-diphenyl-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione (9). Antioxidative effects of curcumin and its analogues against free radical initiated peroxidation of human low density lipoprotein (LDL) were studied. The peroxidation was initiated either by a water-soluble initiator 2,2'-azobis(2-amidinopropane hydrochloride) (AAPH), or by cupric ion (Cu2+). The reaction kinetics were monitored either by the uptake of oxygen and the depletion of alpha-tocopherol present in the native LDL, or by the formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. Kinetic analysis of the antioxidation process demonstrates that these compounds, except 7, 8, and 9, are effective antioxidants against AAPH- and Cu2+ -initiated LDL peroxidation by H-atom abstraction from the phenolic groups. Compounds 2 and 3 which bear ortho-diphenoxyl functionality possess significantly higher antioxidant activity than curcumin and other analogues, and the 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl group also play an important role in the antioxidative activity.