Analysing small insect glands with UV‐LDI MS: high‐resolution spatial analysis reveals the chemical composition and use of the osmeterium secretion in Themira superba (Sepsidae: Diptera)

For many insect species, pheromones are important communication tools, but chemical analysis and experimental study can be technically challenging because they require the detection and handling of complex chemicals in small quantities. One drawback of traditional mass spectrometry methods such as gas chromatography mass spectrometry is that whole‐body extractions from one to several hundred individuals are required, with the consequence that intra‐ and interindividual differences cannot be detected. Here, we used the recently introduced UV‐LDI MS (ultraviolet laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry) to profile the ‘osmeterium’ of the sepsid fly Themira superba that is located on the edge of the hind tibia of males. Based on analyses of individual legs, we established that the gland produced a secretion that consisted of oxygenated hydrocarbons and putative isoprenoids. The secretion was first detected 24 h after eclosion, and its transfer to the wings of females during mating was demonstrated using UV‐LDI MS. We then tested whether the secretion had an anti‐aphrodisiac function, but experimental transfer of the secretion to virgin females did not affect mating success or copulation duration. Throughout the study, UV‐LDI MS proved invaluable, because it allowed tracking the natural and experimental transfer of small quantities of pheromones to specific body parts of small flies.     

Analyzing the Secretome of Gut Microbiota as the Next Strategy For Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer

Dysbiosis of gut microbiome can contribute to inflammation, and subsequently initiation and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). Throughout these stages, various proteins and metabolites are secreted to the external environment by microorganisms or the hosts themselves. Studying these proteins may help enhance our understanding of the host–microorganism relationship or they may even serve as useful biomarkers for CRC. However, secretomic studies of gut microbiome of CRC patients, until now, are scarcely performed. In this review article, the focus is on the roles of gut microbiome in CRC, the current findings on CRC secretome are highlighted, and the emerging challenges and strategies to drive forward this area of research are addressed.     

C-fos antisense oligodeoxynucleotide decreases subcutaneous bee venom injection-induced nociceptive behavior and fos expression in the rat

Oligodeoxynucleotide complementary to c-fos mRNA was applied to characterize its effect on the spinal cord Fos expression and relevant nociceptive behaviors challenged by subcutaneous injection of bee venom to the rat hind paw. Nociceptive behavioral responses (spontaneous pain and hyperalgesia) following bee venom (0.2 mg/50 microl) injection were assessed in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats receiving intrathecal administration of c-fos antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (ASO, 50 microg/10 microl), sense oligodeoxynucleotide (SO, 50 microg/10 microl) and saline (10 microl) 4 h prior to bee venom injection. The lumbar spinal cord expression of Fos protein 2 h after bee venom injection in the ASO-, SO- and saline-treated animals was observed by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that pretreatment of c-fos ASO markedly reduced the flinching response and primary thermal hyperalgesia, but without significant effects on mechanical hyperalgesia and secondary thermal hyperalgesia. At the same time, ASO treatment also significantly decreased the expression of Fos protein within the lumbar region of the spinal cord ipsilateral to the injection. The results provide further evidence that Fos protein contributes to the activation of the spinal dorsal horn neurons and the generation and/or maintenance of spontaneous pain and primary thermal hyperalgesia induced by subcutaneous injection of bee venom.     

Electrical impedimetric biosensors for liver function detection

In this study, electrical impedimetric biosensors composed of Au-electrodes were fabricated for the quantitative detection of human serum albumin (HSA), an essential biomarker of liver function. The Au-electrodes were fabricated via a single-step photolithography process, and can be easily integrated in biochips for assessing liver function in the future. The glass sensing surface between two adjacent Au-electrodes was modified with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) to improve the biocompatibility for its subsequent binding to anti-human serum albumin (AHSA). The sensing surface without AHSA binding was blocked using skim milk powders, preventing possible non-specific bonding HSA conjugation. Biosensors were used to measure HSA concentration for liver function detection. The impedance between two adjacent Au-electrodes of the biosensors applied with various HSA concentrations was directly measured, and quantified using an electrochemical impedance spectroscopy system under AC conditions. The results of plotting both values in log scales indicated the impedance increased linearly with HSA conjugation increase. The limit of HSA detection was about 2'10(-4)mg/ml using the electrochemical impedimetric biosensor proposed in this work. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using electrochemical impedimetry as a bio-sensing mechanism to quantify human serum albumin concentration. The sensor proposed in this work also displays great potential for assessing liver function because of its simple detection mechanism, ease of biochip integration, and low cost.     

Photic responses of the retina at different ages. A comparative study using histochemical and biochemical methods

The alkaline phosphatase and DNA-RNA activities in the retinas of young and old albino mice were determined histochemically after photic exposure. Different patterns between the two age groups were obtained for the alkaline phosphatase reaction before and after photic exposure. In the young animals, more retinal layers showed increased activity after exposure whereas in the old animals, the converse was true. DNA-RNA reaction revealed decreased DNA activities in the old animals 30 h after exposure. The results were also correlated with biochemical studies on the uptake of 2-deoxyglucose, dopamine and leucine.     

Directed evolution of a thermostable quorum-quenching lactonase from the amidohydrolase superfamily

A thermostable quorum-quenching lactonase from Geobacillus kaustophilus HTA426 (GI: 56420041) was used as an initial template for in vitro directed evolution experiments. This enzyme belongs to the phosphotriesterase-like lactonase (PLL) group of enzymes within the amidohydrolase superfamily that hydrolyze N-acylhomoserine lactones (AHLs) that are involved in virulence pathways of quorum-sensing pathogenic bacteria. Here we have determined the N-butyryl-l-homoserine lactone-liganded structure of the catalytically inactive D266N mutant of this enzyme to a resolution of 1.6 Å. Using a tunable, bioluminescence-based quorum-quenching molecular circuit, the catalytic efficiency was enhanced, and the AHL substrate range increased through two point mutations on the loops at the C-terminal ends of the third and seventh β-strands. This E101N/R230I mutant had an increased value of k_cat/K_m of 72-fold toward 3-oxo-N-dodecanoyl-l-homoserine lactone. The evolved mutant also exhibited lactonase activity toward N-butyryl-l-homoserine lactone, an AHL that was previously not hydrolyzed by the wild-type enzyme. Both the purified wild-type and mutant enzymes contain a mixture of zinc and iron and are colored purple and brown, respectively, at high concentrations. The origin of this coloration is suggested to be because of a charge transfer complex involving the β-cation and Tyr-99 within the enzyme active site. Modulation of the charge transfer complex alters the lactonase activity of the mutant enzymes and is reflected in enzyme coloration changes. We attribute the observed enhancement in catalytic reactivity of the evolved enzyme to favorable modulations of the active site architecture toward productive geometries required for chemical catalysis.