Identification and quantification of endogenous gibberellins in apical buds and the cambial region of Eucalyptus

Endogenous gibberellins (GAs) were extracted and purified from apical buds of Eucalyptus nitens (Deane and Maid.) Maid. and the cambial region of E. globulus (Labill.). then analysed by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. GA₁ GA₁₉ GA₂₀ and GA₂₉ were identified by full scan mass spectra. Kovats retention indices and high resolution selected ion monitoring. Using deuterated internal standards. GA₁. GA₁₉. GA₂₀ and putative GA₂₉ and GA₅₃ were quantified in the apical buds, while GA₄. GA₈. GA₉ and GA₄₄ were shown to be either absent or present at very low levels. From the cambial region. GA₁ and GA₂₀ were quantified at levels of 0.30 ng (g fresh weight)-¹ and 8.8 ng (g fresh weight)-¹ respectively. These data suggest that the early 13-hydroxylation pathway is the dominant pathway for GA biosynthesis in Eucalyptus .     

体内体外培养下飞蝗雄性生殖细胞的分化

在单一TCl99或GRACE培养液中培养的四龄三天东亚飞蝗(Locusta mtgratoria mani lensis精小管,其精子发生只发育至初级精母细胞期,培养液中添加10%小牛血清或飞蝗精巢匀浆液可促使其发育至次级精母细胞期,添加10%分别取自东亚飞蝗蝗蝻、柞蚕蛹及蓖麻蚕蛹的血淋巴可促进其产生约20%的精子。 蜕皮激素及保幼激素对精子的产生无显著影响。移植培养的精小管在受体飞蝗体内不能发育产生精子,注射20μg/虫蜕皮激素可促使其产生大量精子。完整精巢无需注射蜕皮激素即可在受体飞蝗体内发育产生精子。结果表明,昆虫血淋巴内可能含有促细胞分化类因子,此(类)因子可能无种属特异性,外源蜕皮激素可能对精子发生无直接作用,但精子发生同时需要蜕皮激素和血淋巴因子,精巢本身可能有自己的蜕皮激素来源。     

Rapid purification of DesPro(2)-Val15-Leu17-aprotinin from the culture broth of a recombinant Saccharomyces cerevisiae

A rapid two-step procedure has been developed for the purification of Despro(2)-Val15-Leu17-aprotinin from the culture supernatant of a recombinant yeast by affinity and ion-exchange chromatography. DesPro(2)-Val15-Leu17-aprotinin was purified to homogeneity, as demonstrated by dodecylsulfate gel electrophoresis and analysis of the N-terminal amino acid sequence. (c) 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Stimulatory effect of β-alanyl-L-histidinato zinc on cell proliferation is dependent on protein synthesis in osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells

The effect of -alanyl-L-histidinato zinc (AHZ) on bone metabolism was investigated in osteoblastic MC3T3-El cells. Cells were cultured for 3 days at 37°C in a CO₂ incubator in plastic dishes containing -modified minimum essential medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. After the cultures, the medium was exchanged for that containing 0.1% bovine serum albumin plus various concentrations of AHZ or other reagents, and the cells were cultured further for appropriate periods of time. The presence of AHZ (10^–7–10^–5M) stimulated the proliferation of cells. AHZ (10^–6 and 10^–5M) increased deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) content in the cells with 48hr-culture. This increase was completely blocked by the presence of cycloheximide (10^–6M) or hydroxyurea (10^–3M). Also, the presence of cycloheximide (10^–6M) completely inhibited the AHZ (10^–5M)-induced increase in the proliferation of cells. Meanwhile, parathyroid hormone (10^–7M), estrogen (10^–9M) and insulin (10^–M) significantly increased cellular DNA content. However, these hormonal effects clearly lowered in comparison with that of AHZ (10^–5M). Dibutyryl cyclic AMP (10^–4M) and zinc sulfate (10^–5M) did not cause a significant increase in cellular DNA content. The present results support the view that AHZ has a direct specific proliferative effect on osteoblastic cellsin vitro and that this effect is dependent on protein synthesis.     

20-OH-ecdysone swells nuclear volume by alkalinization in salivary glands of Drosophila melanogaster

Ecdysteroids play an important role in the larval moulting process of insects. Ecdysone-induced stimulation causes specific puffs in polytene chromosomes of salivary gland cells resulting in nuclear swelling. During this process, changes of intracellular ion composition are thought to act as an early regulatory mechanism of gene activation. By use of video-imaging analysis and electrophysiological techniques, we examined ecdysone-induced nuclear swelling in Drosophila salivary glands in situ and its dependence on pH and calcium. Isolated glands of the third larval stage were superfused with a solution mimicking the haemolymph. Addition of 5×10^–6 mol/l 20-OH-ecdysone led, after a lag period of 50 min, to a sustained Ca²⁺-dependent increase of nuclear volume by 23.0±2.3%. Amiloride, a blocker of plasma membrane Na⁺/H⁺ exchange, prevented 20-OH-ecdysone-induced nuclear swelling. Decreasing pH in the superfusate from 7.15 to 6.8 led to nuclear shrinkage by 16.9±3.9%. Measurments of pH in salivary gland cells with ion-sensitive microelectrodes disclosed an alkalinization of 0.23±0.05 pH units after stimulation with 20-OH-ecdysone. We postulate that 20-OH-ecdysone activates the amilorde-sensitive plasma membrane Na⁺/H⁺ exchanger. This leads to intracellular alkalinization and concomitant decondensation of the nuclear chromatin visible as nuclear swelling. Thus, cell alkalinization could be a potentially important stimulatory mechanism in mediating ecdysteroid-induced activation of the cell nucleus.     

Changes in ovarian follicles and in vitro sex hormone release in the lizard Podarcis sicula sicula

An in vitro superfusion method was used to test sex hormone release from different kinds of ovarian follicle (growing follicles, postovulatory follicles, and atretic follicles) in the lizard Podarcis sicula sicula. Sex hormone output changes with the stage of follicle evolution and sexual cycle. Previtellogenetic follicles prevail in early-spring quiescent ovaries and secrete mainly progesterone, which is probably utilized at that phase to delay ovarian resumption. In the active ovary, progesterone output from previtellogenetic follicles decreases, whereas vitellogenetic follicles produce a significant amount of 17β-estradiol, which is necessary for sustaining vitellogenin synthesis by the liver and oviduct growth. As follicles become ripe, progesterone production is resumed, and it increases in young postovulatory follicles. This is in line with the functions assigned to the hormone at that phase of the sexual cycle, i.e., the induction of oocyte maturation and the regulation of egg retention in the oviduct. Postovulatory follicles can also synthetize 17β-estradiol. After oviposition, this hormone, which is secreted by the old postovulatory follicles, can reinitiate vitellogenin synthesis, allowing the development of a new oocyte set. Our data confirm that active, although ephemeral, corpora lutea are also formed in oviparous species. A limited contribution to ovarian sex steroid production derives also from atretic follicles, at least at the early stages of the breeding cycle. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

In vivo anti inflammatory effects of the M20 IL-1 Inhibitor: I. Effects on acute inflammatory parameters

Previous studies have described an IL-1 Inhibitor produced by a myelomonocytic line developed in our laboratory (Eur J Immunol 1986; 16: 1449). This IL-1 Inhibitor was secreted by the M20 line constitutively in addition to IL-1, from which it could be separated. We have recently shown that the M20 IL-1 Inhibitor is distinct from the IL-1ra.In vitro this factor inhibited IL-1 induced proliferative responses as well as PGE₂ secretion by IL-1 induced fibroblasts. We also showed for the first time (Lymphokine Research 1988; 7(3): 268) that an IL-1 inhibitor can reduce IL-1 induced inflammatory effects. This study describes the specific effect of the M20 IL-1 Inhibitor on IL-1 induced parameters of inflammation: fever, leukocytosis and local foot pad swelling or lymph node enlargement. Purified preparations of the IL-1 Inhibitor, when injected together with IL-1, or before the IL-1, reduced fever, leukocytosis, foot pad swelling and lymph node enlargement caused by IL-1. Similar responses were obtained by injection of IL-6 or TNF, but were unaffected by the IL-1 Inhibitor, when injected together.These results indicate that the M20 IL-1 Inhibitor acts specifically on IL-1 induced responsesin vivo. The potential importance of this factor as an anti-inflammatory and immune regulatory factor, is supported by the findings of this study.Abbreviations IL-1 Interleukin 1 - IL-6 Interleukin 6 - IL-1ra Interleukin 1 receptor antagonist - TNF tumor necrosis factor     

苄基异喹啉类化合物 D20抑制钙调素激活磷酸二酯酶的研究

苄基异喹啉化合物是一类钙调素拮抗剂.对新合成的双苄基异喹啉化合物 D₂₀对钙调素依赖的磷酸二酯酶的抑制作用进行了研究,IC₅₀=5μmol/L,表明其拮抗作用大于三氟啦嗪,是强的拮抗剂.荧光分析表明,钙调素与化合物 D₂₀的结合常数为2.64(μmol/L)^-1,一个化合物 D₂₀分子与两个钙调素分子结合,并显示了结合方向性及空间位阻影响.     

Design,in Silico Studies and Biological Evaluation of New Chiral Thiourea and 1,3-Thiazolidine-4,5-dione Derivatives

In this study, new chiral thiourea and 1,3-thiazolidine-4,5-dione derivatives were synthesized, it was aimed to evaluate the various biological activities and molecular docking of these compounds. Firstly, the new thioureas ( 1 – 16 ) were obtained by reacting 1-naphthylisothiocyanate with different chiral amines. Then, the chiral thioureas were cyclized with oxalyl chloride to obtain 1,3-thiazolidine-4,5-dione derivatives ( 17 – 32 ). All compounds were evaluated with several in vitro antioxidant and enzyme inhibition activities. Compound 30 was the most active compound against AChE, with a value of IC₅₀=8.09±0.58 μM. On the other hand, all compounds were tested in silico absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) assays to better understand their bioavailability. These physicochemical properties, pharmacokinetics, and drug-likeness of all compounds were calculated using SwissADME. Furthermore, according to molecular docking analyses compound 30 exhibited significant binding affinities for all enzymes. Based on our overall observations, compound 30 could be recommended as a potential lead for the therapuetic of Alzheimer's.     

Brief history of the Society for Melanoma Research: A community of clinicians,researchers, and friends

To commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Society of Melanoma Research and the first International Melanoma Research Congress held in June of 2003, we have described in brief, how the Society for Melanoma Research (SMR) began, the purpose, goals, and governance of the SMR, and how the society has evolved to support new melanoma researchers. In celebration of the immense progress in treating melanoma patients over the last 20 years and the impact of the SMR on these advances, we have highlighted memories and insight from early SMR members and founders.