Biosynthesis of linoleic acid in Tyrophagus mites (Acarina: Acaridae)

We report here that Tyrophagus similis and Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Astigmata: Acaridae) have the ability to biosynthesize linoleic acid [(9Z, 12Z)-9, 12-octadecadienoic acid] via a Δ12-desaturation step, although animals in general and vertebrates in particular appear to lack this ability. When the mites were fed on dried yeast enriched with d₃₁-hexadecanoic acid (16:0), d₂₇-octadecadienoic acid (18:2), produced from d₃₁-hexadecanoic acid through elongation and desaturation reactions, was identified as a major fatty acid component of phosphatidylcholines (PCs) and phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs) in the mites. The double bond position of d₂₇-octadecadienoic acid (18:2) of PCs and PEs was determined to be 9 and 12, respectively by dimethyldisulfide (DMDS) derivatization. Furthermore, the GC/MS retention time of methyl 9, 12-octadecadienoate obtained from mite extracts agreed well with those of authentic linoleic acid methyl ester. It is still unclear whether the mites themselves or symbiotic microorganisms are responsible for inserting a double bond into the Δ12 position of octadecanoic acid. However, we present here the unique metabolism of fatty acids in the mites.     

Inhibitory effect of novel somatostatin peptide analogues on human cancer cell growth based on the selective inhibition of DNA polymerase β

The present study was designed to investigate the anticancer activity of novel nine small peptides (compounds 1–9) derived from TT-232, a somatostatin structural analogue, by analyzing the inhibition of mammalian DNA polymerase (pol) and human cancer cell growth. Among the compounds tested, compounds 3 [tert-butyloxycarbonyl (Boc)-Tyr-Phe-1-naphthylamide], 4 (Boc-Tyr-Ile-1-naphthylamide), 5 (Boc-Tyr-Leu-1-naphthylamide) and 6 (Boc-Tyr-Val-1-naphthylamide) containing tyrosine (Tyr) but no carboxyl groups, selectively inhibited the activity of rat pol β, which is a DNA repair-related pol. Compounds 3–6 strongly inhibited the growth of human colon carcinoma HCT116 p53^+/+ cells. The influence of compounds 1–9 on HCT116 p53^?/? cell growth was similar to that observed for HCT116 p53^+/+ cells. These results suggest that the cancer cell growth suppression induced by these compounds might be related to their inhibition of pol. Compound 4 was the strongest inhibitor of pol β and cancer cell growth among the nine compounds tested. This compound specifically inhibited rat pol β activity, but had no effect on the other 10 mammalian pols investigated. Compound 4 combined with methyl methane sulfonate (MMS) treatment synergistically suppressed HCT116 p53^?/? cell growth compared with MMS alone. This compound also induced apoptosis in HCT116 cells with or without p53. From these results, the influence of compound 4, a specific pol β inhibitor, on the relationship between DNA repair and cancer cell growth is discussed.     

Excitotoxicity-induced immediate surge in hippocampal prostanoid production has latent effects that promote chronic progressive neuronal death

Excitotoxicity is involved in neurodegenerative conditions. We investigated the pathological significance of a surge in prostaglandin production immediately after kainic acid (KA) administration [initial phase], followed by a sustained moderate elevation in prostaglandin level [late phase] in the hippocampus of juvenile rats. Numerous pyknotic hippocampal neurons were observed 72 h after KA treatment; this number remained elevated on days 10 and 30. Gross hippocampal atrophy was observed on days 10 and 30. Pre-treatment with indomethacin ameliorated neuronal death on days 10 and 30, and prevented hippocampal atrophy on day 30. Microglial response was moderated by the indomethacin pre-treatment. Blockade of only late-phase prostaglandin production by post-treatment with indomethacin ameliorated neuronal death on day 30. These findings suggest a role for initial-phase prostaglandin production in chronic progressive neuronal death, which is exacerbated by late-phase prostaglandin production. Blockade of prostaglandin production has therapeutic implications in preventing long-term neurological sequelae following excitotoxic brain damage.     

Esterification Rates of Main Organic Acids in Wines

The esterification rates (ratio of the concentration of an acid in the neutral ethyl ester form to total concentration of the acid) of main organic acids in wines were determined to study the extent of ethyl ester formation of organic acids. The esterification rates ranged from zero to 24.6%. The averaged values of table wines were from 6 to 16% for acetic and lactic acid, from 0.3 to 3.6% for succinic and malic acid, and from zero to 0.1% for tartaric acid. Sherries had higher esterification rates, about 1.6 to 6 times larger, than table wines. It was found that storage time and temperature influence the formation of ethyl esters, and it was suggested that the aging period required for the ester equilibrium is about one year for acetic and lactic acid, and more than two years for succinic, malic and tartaric acid. The possibility and the procedure to control wine quality during the aging process were discussed.     

Inhibition of Sporulation of Genus Bacillus by Various Microbial Protease Inhibitors

Several analogs modifying the 6-methoxy-2-methoxymethyl-3-(3,4-methyienedioxyphenyl)-1,4-benzodioxan-7-yl group of haedoxans were synthesized and their insecticidal activity was examined. 2-(2,6-Dimethoxyphenoxy)-1-hydroxy-6-(2-methoxy-5-methoxyethoxyphenyl)-3,7-dioxabicyclo-[3.3.0]octane, which lacked the 3-(3,4-methylenedioxybenzyloxy) moiety of the benzodioxanyl group, was not insecticidal, but caused prolonged paralysis of the housefly. A compound replacing the 6-(2-methoxy-5-methoxyethoxyphenyl) by 6-(5-butoxy-2-methoxyphenyl) exhibited insecticidal activity comparable to one thirty-thousandth of that of haedosan A. It became evident that the 1,4-benzodioxane framework charging the 3-(3,4-methylenedioxy)phenyl group is important for the insecticidal activity of haedoxans.     

The Constituents of the Essential Oil from Japanese Quince Fruit,Cydonia oblonga Miller

The biosyntheses of sescandelin (1) and sescandelin B (2) were studied by feeding of [¹³C]labelled precursors to Sesquicilium candelabrum. The labelling pattern of those compounds enriched from the [1-¹³C], [2-¹³C], and [l,2-¹³C]acetates, and from the [¹³C]formate showed that both compounds were derived from a pentaketide chain and a C₁ unit. The isocoumarin skeleton of 1 and 2 is considered to have been formed by the cyclization of a pentaketide chain and a C₁ unit, and of a pentaketide, respectively.     

Transformation of Terpenoids in Grape Must by Botrytis cinerea

Experiments were done to investigate the volatile components in botrytized grape must and transformation of terpenoids in terpene-supplemented grape must by Botrytis cinerea. Twenty-eight compounds were identified in the volatile concentrate of botrytized must with a combined gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer. No terpenoids were detected in the concentrate. Linalool or terpinen-4-ol decreased a lot when Botrytis cinerea was cultured in the must with these terpenes for 15 days. In linalool-supplemented botrytized must 9 identified and 3 unidentified terpenes were found, while only geranial was detected in terpinen-4-ol-supplemented botrytized must. Botrytis cinerea did not produce terpenoid in grape must without terpenes, but transformed linalool added to grape must into some other monoterpenes.     

NADPH Production from NADP+ by a Formate-utilizing Methanogenic Bacterium

Resting cells of the methanogen strain HU, a formate-utilizing methanogenic bacterium, was able to utilize formate or hydrogen as electron donor for the production of NADPH from NADP⁺ under suitable conditions. In the presence of 0.2% Triton X-100 and 0.3 m potassium phosphate, pH 9.0 at 30°C, the resting cells could convert ca. 60% of the exogenous NADP⁺ into NADPH yielding ca. 6 g NADPH/liter. Phosphate ions greatly enhanced the NADPH production.