Synthesis and evaluation of a novel near-infrared fluorescent probe based on succinimidyl-Cys-C(O)-Glu that targets prostate-specific membrane antigen for optical imaging

Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA), which is highly expressed in both localized and metastatic prostate cancer (PCa), is an ideal target for imaging and therapy of PCa. We previously reported radiolabeled asymmetric urea derivatives as a PSMA-targeting radiotracer for single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Here, based on these radiopharmaceutical probes, we designed a novel near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent imaging probe (800CW-SCE) by chemical conjugation between IRDye 800CW-Maleimide and an asymmetric urea compound, known as PSMA inhibitor, for optical imaging. In the in vitro cellular uptake study, 800CW-SCE was internalized into PSMA-positive PCa cells (LNCaP cells) but not into PSMA-negative PCa cells (PC-3 cells). Moreover, in the in vivo imaging study, the probe was highly accumulated in LNCaP tumors but not in PC-3 tumors, and remained in LNCaP tumors until 24 h after intravenous administration. These results suggest that the potent NIR conjugate may contribute to clinical intraoperative optical imaging.     

Herquline A,produced by Penicillium herquei FKI-7215, exhibits anti-influenza virus properties

In the course of screening for new anti-influenza virus antibiotics, we isolated herquline A from a culture broth of the fungus, Penicillium herquei FKI-7215. Herquline A inhibited replication of influenza virus A/PR/8/34 strain in a dose-dependent manner without exhibiting cytotoxicity against several human cell lines. It did not inhibit the viral neuraminidase.     

Strain improvement of Lentzea sp. 7887 for higher yield per unit volume on hydroxylation of cyclosporine derivative FR901459

A Gram-positive bacterium Lentzea sp. 7887 hydroxylates a cyclosporine derivative FR901459 into AS1837812 (9-hydroxide), which is an important intermediate of candidate drugs that target the hepatitis C virus. We screened a UV-induced mutant, named M-1, which showed about 1.2-fold higher conversion yields, 2-fold higher substrate concentrations (3.69 mM), and 2.5-fold higher yield per unit volume than the wild-type strain.     

Biochemical characterization of thermostable β-1,4-mannanase belonging to the glycoside hydrolase family 134 from Aspergillus oryzae

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology - A β-1,4-mannanase, termed AoMan134A, that belongs to the GH 134 family was identified in the filamentous fungus Aspergillus oryzae. Recombinant...     

Essential role of the PSI–LHCII supercomplex in photosystem acclimation to light and/or heat conditions by state transitions

Light and temperature affect state transitions through changes in the plastoquinone (PQ) redox state in photosynthetic organisms. We demonstrated that light and/or heat treatment induced preferential photosystem (PS) I excitation by binding light-harvesting complex II (LHCII) proteins. The photosystem of wheat was in state 1 after dark overnight treatment, wherein PQ was oxidized and most of LHCII was not bound to PSI. At the onset of the light treatment [25 °C in the light (100 µmol photons m^?2 s^?1)], two major LHCIIs, Lhcb1 and Lhcb2 were phosphorylated, and the PSI–LHCII supercomplex formed within 5 min, which coincided with an increase in the PQ oxidation rate. Heat treatment at 40 °C of light-adapted wheat led to further LHCII protein phosphorylation of, resultant cyclic electron flow promotion, which was accompanied by ultrafast excitation of PSI and structural changes of thylakoid membranes, thereby protecting PSII from heat damage. These results suggest that LHCIIs are required for the functionality of wheat plant PSI, as it keeps PQ oxidized by regulating photochemical electron flow, thereby helping acclimation to environmental changes.     

Efficacy comparison of adjuvants in PcrV vaccine against Pseudomonas aeruginosa pneumonia

Vaccination against the type III secretion system of P. aeruginosa is a potential prophylactic strategy for reducing the incidence and improving the poor prognosis of P. aeruginosa pneumonia. In this study, the efficacies of three different adjuvants, Freund's adjuvant (FA), aluminum hydroxide (alum) and CpG oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN), were examined from the viewpoint of inducing PcrV‐specific immunity against virulent P. aeruginosa. Mice that had been immunized intraperitoneally with recombinant PcrV formulated with one of the above adjuvants were challenged intratracheally with a lethal dose of P. aeruginosa. The PcrV–FA immunized group attained a survival rate of 91%, whereas the survival rates of the PcrV–alum and PcrV–CpG groups were 73% and 64%, respectively. In terms of hypothermia recovery after bacterial instillation, PcrV–alum was the most protective, followed by PcrV–FA and PcrV–CpG. The lung edema index was lower in the PcrV–CpG vaccination group than in the other groups. PcrV–alum immunization was associated with the greatest decrease in myeloperoxidase in infected lungs, and also decreased the number of lung bacteria to a similar number as in the PcrV–FA group. There was less neutrophil recruitment in the lungs of mice vaccinated with PcrV–alum or PcrV–CpG than in those of mice vaccinated with PcrV–FA or PcrV alone. Overall, in terms of mouse survival the PcrV–CpG vaccine, which could be a relatively safe next‐generation vaccine, showed a comparable effect to the PcrV–alum vaccine.     

Metabolic engineering of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 for enhanced ethanol production based on flux balance analysis

Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 is an attractive host for bio-ethanol production due to its ability to directly convert atmospheric carbon dioxide into ethanol using photosystems. To enhance ethanol production in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, metabolic engineering was performed based on in silico simulations, using the genome-scale metabolic model. Comprehensive reaction knockout simulations by flux balance analysis predicted that the knockout of NAD(P)H dehydrogenase enhanced ethanol production under photoautotrophic conditions, where ammonium is the nitrogen source. This deletion inhibits the re-oxidation of NAD(P)H, which is generated by ferredoxin-NADP⁺ reductase and imposes re-oxidation in the ethanol synthesis pathway. The effect of deleting the ndhF1 gene, which encodes NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5, on ethanol production was experimentally evaluated using ethanol-producing strains of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. The ethanol titer of the ethanol-producing ∆ndhF1 strain increased by 145%, compared with that of the control strain.

     

Adenovirus vector-mediated macrophage erythroblast attacher (MAEA) overexpression in primary mouse hepatocytes attenuates hepatic gluconeogenesis

Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus present a different responsiveness in terms of insulin secretion to glucose and body mass index (BMI) from other populations. The genetic background that predisposes Japanese individuals to type 2 diabetes mellitus is under study. Recent genetic studies demonstrated that the locus mapped in macrophage erythroblast attacher (MAEA) increases the susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus in East Asians, including Japanese individuals. MAEA encodes a protein that plays a role in erythroblast enucleation and in the normal differentiation of erythroid cells and macrophages. However, the contribution of MAEA to type 2 diabetes mellitus remains unknown. In this study, to overexpress MAEA in the mouse liver and primary mouse hepatocytes, we generated a MAEA-expressing adenovirus (Ad) vector using a novel Ad vector exhibiting significantly lower hepatotoxicity (Ad-MAEA). Blood glucose and insulin levels in Ad-MAEA-treated mice were comparable to those in control Ad-treated mice. Primary mouse hepatocytes transduced with Ad-MAEA showed lower levels of expression of gluconeogenesis genes than those transduced with the control Ad vector. Hepatocyte nuclear factor-4α (HNF-4α) mRNA expression in primary mouse hepatocytes was also suppressed by MAEA overexpression. These results suggest that MAEA overexpression attenuates hepatic gluconeogenesis, which could potentially lead to improvement of type 2 diabetes mellitus.     

Complete Genome Sequence of Finegoldia magna, an Anaerobic Opportunistic Pathogen

Finegoldia magna (formerly Peptostreptococcus magnus), a memberof the Gram-positive anaerobic cocci (GPAC), is a commensalbacterium colonizing human skin and mucous membranes. Moreover,it is also recognized as an opportunistic pathogen responsiblefor various infectious diseases. Here, we report the completegenome sequence of F. magna ATCC 29328. The genome consistsof a 1 797 577 bp circular chromosome and an 189 163bp plasmid (pPEP1). The metabolic maps constructed based onthe genome information confirmed that most F. magna strainscannot ferment most sugars, except fructose, and have variousaminopeptidase activities. Three homologs of albumin-bindingprotein, a known virulence factor useful for antiphagocytosis,are encoded on the chromosome, and one albumin-binding proteinhomolog is encoded on the plasmid. A unique feature of the genomeis that F. magna encodes many sortase genes, of which substratesmay be involved in bacterial pathogenesis, such as antiphagocytosisand adherence to the host cell. The plasmid pPEP1 encodes sevensortase and seven substrate genes, whereas the chromosome encodesfour sortase and 19 substrate genes. These plasmid-encoded sortasesmay play important roles in the pathogenesis of F. magna byenriching the variety of cell wall anchored surface proteins.