The cryopreservation of mouse leukemic cells. I. Effects on drug resistance and the patterns of nucleic acid metabolism.

Cultured L1210 lymphocytic leukemic cells resistant to cytosine arabinoside or Cytoxan were frozen under different conditions for up to 5 months and transplanted into recipient mice. Biochemical determinations including DNA, total RNA and drug resistance suggested that the more rapid, less expensive method of freezing mouse leukemic cells enables good retention of each parameter. Examination of cellular and subcellular RNA fingerprints indicated several alterations in the localizations f certain subspecies of RNA. Nonetheless, all cells retained their overall viability and the capacity to induce leukemia in CDF₁ mice.     

Structure of the fluorescent nucleoside of yeast phenylalanine transfer ribonucleic acid

The structure of enzymatically isolated Y nucleoside of yeast phenylalanine tRNA was established by comparing its absorption, fluorescence, and mass spectra to that of the free base. The site of ribosylation was tentatively deduced by comparing the behavior under acid conditions of the natural nucleoside to that of synthetic Y nucleoside analogs. Our results indicate that the aglycone of the enzymatically isolated nucleoside has the same structure as the free base excised by acid treatment of phenylalanine tRNA, and that the ribose is probably attached to the N-3 position of the tricyclic nucleus.     

Optimization of norovirus virus‐like particle production in Pichia pastoris using a real‐time near‐infrared bioprocess monitor

The production of norovirus virus‐like particles (NoV VLPs) displaying NY‐ESO‐1 cancer testis antigen in Pichia pastoris BG11 Mut⁺ has been enhanced through feed‐strategy optimization using a near‐infrared bioprocess monitor (RTBio^® Bioprocess Monitor, ASL Analytical, Inc.), capable of monitoring and controlling the concentrations of glycerol and methanol in real‐time. The production of NoV VLPs displaying NY‐ESO‐1 in P. pastoris has potential as a novel cancer vaccine platform. Optimization of the growth conditions resulted in an almost two‐fold increase in the expression levels in the fermentation supernatant of P. pastoris as compared to the starting conditions. We investigated the effect of methanol concentration, batch phase time, and batch to induction transition on NoV VLP‐NY‐ESO‐1 production. The optimized process included a glycerol transition phase during the first 2 h of induction and a methanol concentration set point of 4 g L^?1 during induction. Utilizing the bioprocess monitor to control the glycerol and methanol concentrations during induction resulted in a maximum NoV VP1‐NY‐ESO‐1 yield of 0.85 g L^?1. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 32:518–526, 2016     

草酸对铜绿假单胞菌NY3降解烃的作用研究

研究了草酸对NY3菌(Pseudomona aeruginosa NY3)降解烷烃的影响作用。研究发现,草酸能促进菌体降解十四烷,且最佳投加浓度在1 g/L左右。投加草酸8 h内对十四烷去除率最大,可提高约15.2%。草酸促进降解主要是其改变菌体胞外液分泌成分。紫外光谱结果表明,共存草酸使胞外液中吩嗪-羧酸PCA分泌量大大提高。从气相和液质测定结果看,NY3菌代谢体系中,胞外液中PCA分泌量与十四烷的同步降解率呈正相关。体外实验表明,将试剂级PCA投加在NY3菌以"十六烷+草酸"为碳源生长的胞外液中,发现PCA投加量与其对十四烷的降解效果也呈正相关。与未投加PCA相比,PCA投加2μmol/L,12 h内胞外液对十四烷的去除率提高了约13.1%。结果表明,草酸能促进NY3菌降解十四烷主要是由于其可使菌体胞外液中PCA的分泌量大大提高。本文研究了共存草酸在铜绿假单胞菌NY3降解烃类污染物过程中的作用及其作用机理,为后续优化设计铜绿假单胞菌NY3处理实际烃类污染物的应用提供参考。     

A Combination of Radiation and the Hypoxia-Activated Prodrug Evofosfamide (TH-302) is Efficacious against a Human Orthotopic Pancreatic Tumor Model

This study was designed to investigate the effect of single-dose radiation therapy (RT) in combination with evofosfamide (TH-302), a hypoxia-activated prodrug, in a pre-clinical model of pancreatic cancer. AsPC1 tumors were implanted orthotopically in the pancreas of nude mice. Tumors were treated with 15 Gy of RT, using a 1 cm diameter field, and delivered as a continuous arc. Image-guidance to center the field on the tumor was based on CT imaging with intraperitoneal contrast. Evofosfamide (100 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered 3 hours before RT. Tumor volumes were measured using ultrasound, and regrowth curves were plotted. Tumor hypoxia and cell proliferation were measured using pimonidazole and the thymidine analog EdU, respectively. In vitro clonogenic assays were performed. Tumors were shown to contain substantial areas of hypoxia, as calculated by percent pimonidazole staining. Evofosfamide was active in these tumors, as demonstrated by a significant reduction in uptake of the thymidine analog EdU. This effect was visible in oxygenated tissue, consistent with the previously reported bystander effects of evofosfamide. RT produced significant regrowth delay, as did evofosfamide. The combination of both agents produced a growth delay that was at least equal to the sum of the two treatments given separately. The improvement in tumor response when evofosfamide is combined with RT supports the hypothesis that hypoxia is a cause of radioresistance in high dose RT for pancreatic cancer. Assessing the efficacy and safety of stereotactic radiation treatment and evofosfamide is warranted in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer.     

Post-translational modifications in MeHg-induced neurotoxicity

Mercury (Hg) exposure remains a major public health concern due to its widespread distribution in the environment. Organic mercurials, such as MeHg, have been extensively investigated especially because of their congenital effects. In this context, studies on the molecular mechanism of MeHg-induced neurotoxicity are pivotal to the understanding of its toxic effects and the development of preventive measures. Post-translational modifications (PTMs) of proteins, such as phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and acetylation are essential for the proper function of proteins and play important roles in the regulation of cellular homeostasis. The rapid and transient nature of many PTMs allows efficient signal transduction in response to stress. This review summarizes the current knowledge of PTMs in MeHg-induced neurotoxicity, including the most commonly PTMs, as well as PTMs induced by oxidative stress and PTMs of antioxidant proteins. Though PTMs represent an important molecular mechanism for maintaining cellular homeostasis and are involved in the neurotoxic effects of MeHg, we are far from understanding the complete picture on their role, and further research is warranted to increase our knowledge of PTMs in MeHg-induced neurotoxicity.     

发酵碳源对铜绿假单胞菌NY3所产鼠李糖脂结构及性能的影响

为研究发酵碳源对铜绿假单胞菌NY3所产鼠李糖脂结构及性能的影响,从鼠李糖脂的结构组分、性能和应用效果等方面展开研究。薄层实验证明两种鼠李糖脂均含有单糖脂和双糖脂。液质分析发现以橄榄油作碳源时,鼠李糖脂中双糖脂(Rha-Rha-C5-C6:1和Rha-Rha-C8-C8:2)比例更大,约为73.09%。而地沟油作碳源时,单糖脂(Rha-C10-C10和Rha-C16-C16:2)的比例更高,约为76.91%。橄榄油和地沟油为碳源的鼠李糖脂的临界胶束浓度(CMC)分别为55 mg/L和80mg/L。相同投加量时,前者乳化性和乳化稳定性均优于后者。NY3菌降解含油污泥时,投加双糖脂含量高的鼠李糖脂会使C16-C30直链烷烃的去除率更高。