Short chain regioselectively hydrolyzed scleroglucans induce maturation of porcine dendritic cells

Branched β-1,3/1,6-glucans (scleroglucan) were produced by cultivation of Sclerotium rolfsii ATCC 15205. Regioselective hydrolysis at the β-1,3-linkage of the cell-free and purified polysaccharide was performed in borosilicate glass bottles at pH 5, 121°C, and 1 bar for 72 h. The mixture was divided into four molar mass fractions by stepwise cross-flow filtration using different cutoffs. In vitro studies revealed that scleroglucan hydrolysates with a low molar mass of less than 5 kDa significantly stimulated the activation and maturation of porcine monocyte derived dendritic cells (MoDC) by upregulation of CD40 and CD80/86 as well as by reduction of antigen uptake. MoDC treated with low molar mass scleroglucan showed a considerable increase in the amounts of secreted proinflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha and stimulated the proliferation of lymphocytes. Therefore, scleroglucan molecules of low molecular weight are able to induce activation and maturation of porcine DC, which are key initiators of inflammatory and adaptive immune responses, and could provide improved protection against infectious diseases.     

Palmitoylation of the synaptic vesicle fusion machinery

The fusion of synaptic vesicles with the pre-synaptic plasma membrane mediates the secretion of neurotransmitters at nerve terminals. This pathway is regulated by an array of protein–protein interactions. Of central importance are the soluble NSF ( N -ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor) attachment protein receptor (SNARE) proteins syntaxin 1 and SNAP25, which are associated with the pre-synaptic plasma membrane and vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP2), a synaptic vesicle SNARE. Syntaxin 1, SNAP25 and VAMP2 interact to form a tight complex bridging the vesicle and plasma membranes, which has been suggested to represent the minimal membrane fusion machinery. Synaptic vesicle fusion is stimulated by a rise in intraterminal Ca²⁺ levels, and a major Ca²⁺ sensor for vesicle fusion is synaptotagmin I. Synaptotagmin is likely to couple Ca²⁺ entry to vesicle fusion via Ca²⁺-dependent and independent interactions with membrane phospholipids and the SNARE proteins. Intriguingly, syntaxin 1, SNAP25, VAMP2 and synaptotagmin I have all been reported to be modified by palmitoylation in neurons. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms and dynamics of palmitoylation of these proteins and speculate on how palmitoylation might contribute to the regulation of synaptic vesicle fusion.     

Fatty acid transport by vectorial acylation in mammals: roles played by different isoforms of rat long-chain acyl-CoA synthetases

Mammals express multiple isoforms of acyl-CoA synthetase (ACSL1 and ACSL3-6) in various tissues. These enzymes are essential for fatty acid metabolism providing activated intermediates for complex lipid synthesis, protein modification, and beta-oxidation. Yeast in contrast express four major ACSLs, which have well-defined functions. Two, Faa1p and Faa4p, are specifically required for fatty acid transport by vectorial acylation. Four ACSLs from the rat were expressed in a yeast faa1delta faa4delta strain and their roles in fatty acid transport and trafficking characterized. All four restored ACS activity yet varied in substrate preference. ACSL1, 4, and 6 were able to rescue fatty acid transport activity and triglyceride synthesis. ACSL5, however, was unable to facilitate fatty acid transport despite conferring robust oleoyl-CoA synthetase activity. This is the first study evaluating the role of the mammalian ACSLs in fatty acid transport and supports a role for ACSL1, 4, and 6 in transport by vectorial acylation.     

Structures and molecular forms of the ghrelin-family peptides

Ghrelin is an acylated peptide hormone produced mainly from the stomach. The major active products of the ghrelin gene in the stomach of rats, mice and humans are 28-amino acid peptides acylated at the serine-3 position with an n-octanoyl group (C8:0), called simply ghrelin. However, recent studies have revealed that the ghrelin gene can generate a variety of bioactive molecules besides ghrelin. These include acyl forms of ghrelin other than C8:0-ghrelin (i.e., n-decanoyl ghrelin or n-decenoyl ghrelin), des-acyl ghrelin, obestatin and ghrelin-associated peptides originated from the ghrelin gene. This review surveys the structures of the ghrelin peptides and molecular forms of ghrelin gene-derived products, and summarizes the knowledge about the functions of these peptides, with an emphasis on the acyl forms of the ghrelin peptide.     

Regioselective oxidation of cholic acid and its 7β epimer by using o-iodoxybenzoic acid

Rational exploration directed by DFT (density functional theory) based atomic Fukui indices, lead to development of regioselective oxidation of cholic acid and its 7β epimer by o-iodoxybenzoic acid. In case of cholic acid only, 7α-hydroxyl underwent oxidation, where as in its 7β epimer the selectivity was towards 12α-hydroxy group. Since these oxidations are the key steps in synthesis of ursodeoxycholic acid starting from cholic acid these findings may be useful in devising a protection free synthetic route.     

Synthesis of 4β-acyloxypodophyllotoxin analogs modified in the C and E rings as insecticidal agents against Mythimna separata Walker

To discover the new natural-product-based insecticidal agents, four series of sixty novel 4β-acyloxypodophyllotoxin analogs modified in the C and E rings were prepared, and their insecticidal activity was tested against the pre-third-instar larvae of oriental armyworm, Mythimna separata (Walker) in vivo at the concentration of 1 mg/mL. It demonstrated that the position of the dioxo group on the E-ring of 4′-demethylepipodophyllotoxin was regioselectively controlled by the chlorine atom at its C-2′ position when 2′-chloro-4′-demethylepipodophyllotoxin was oxidized by sodium periodate. Among all the derivatives, IIIi exhibited the best potent insecticidal activity with the final mortality rate of 63.3%. To alkylacyloxy series, the proper length of the side chain at the C-4 position of Ia–g, IIa–g and IIIa–g was important for their insecticidal activity.     

阿魏酸和水杨酸对枣皮红色素理化性质的影响

以枣(Jujube)皮为原料,经酶解和微波超声波处理后提取红色素,研究酰基化剂(Acylating agent)对红色素理化性质的影响.结果显示,枣皮红色素分别与阿魏酸和水杨酸形成的复合物对光和部分金属如Na+、Ca2+和Fe3+稳定;在pH 1～7范围内不稳定,pH 9～14范围内稳定.结果表明,阿魏酸和水杨酸与枣皮红色素复合后产生的酰基化产物有助于红色素分子的稳定.     

Reaction design for evaluation of the substrate range of hydrolases

Biocatalytic acylation reactions involving 24 alcohols, 8 acyl donors and 6 hydrolases were analysed using an original method. The reaction outcome was determined by semi-automated semi-automated solid-phase microextraction and GC/MS (SPME-GC/MS) allowing rapid evaluation of the success rate of each enzyme. Using Candida antarctica Lipase B (CALB), in 36% of the cases (46 reactions) quantitative conversion of the starting alcohol was observed, with an average isolated yield of 96%. The platform was then used to screen other enzymes with the CALB non-reacting substrates, allowing the design and optimisation of some efficient enzymatic reactions. Modification of the odour profile of rose essential oils by enzymatic treatment was also carried out.