Nuclear localization drives α1-adrenergic receptor oligomerization and signaling in cardiac myocytes

Conventional models of G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling describe cell surface receptors binding to external ligands, such as hormones or circulating peptides, to induce intracellular signaling and a physiologic response. However, recent studies identify new paradigms indicating that GPCRs localize to and signal at the nucleus and that GPCR oligomers can influence receptor function. Previously, we reported that endogenous α1-adrenergic receptors (α1-ARs) localize to and signal at the nuclei in adult cardiac myocytes. In this study, we examined the mechanisms behind α1-AR nuclear localization and how nuclear localization impacted receptor function. We verified that endogenous α1-ARs localized to the nuclear membrane of intact nuclei isolated from wild-type adult cardiac myocytes. Next, we identified and disrupted putative nuclear localization sequences in both the α1A- and α1B-adrenergic receptors, which led to mis-localization of α1-ARs in cultured adult cardiac myocytes. Using these mutants, we demonstrated that nuclear localization was required for α1-signaling in adult cardiac myocytes. We also found that the nuclear export inhibitor leptomycin B inhibited α1-AR signaling, indicating α1-AR signaling must arise in the nucleus in adult cardiac myocytes. Finally, we found that co-localization of the α1-subtypes at the nuclei in adult cardiac myocytes facilitated the formation of receptor oligomers that could affect receptor signaling. In summary, our data indicate that α1-AR nuclear localization can drive the formation of receptor oligomers and regulate signaling in adult cardiac myocytes.     

Globotriaosylceramide is correlated with oxidative stress and inflammation in Fabry patients treated with enzyme replacement therapy

Fabry disease is an X-linked inborn error of glycosphingolipid catabolism due to deficient activity of α-galactosidase A that leads to accumulation of the enzyme substrates, mainly globotriaosylceramide (Gb3), in body fluids and lysosomes of many cell types. Some pathophysiology hypotheses are intimately linked to reactive species production and inflammation, but until this moment there is no in vivo study about it. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate oxidative stress parameters, pro-inflammatory cytokines and Gb3 levels in Fabry patients under treatment with enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) and finally to establish a possible relation between them. We analyzed urine and blood samples of patients under ERT (n = 14) and healthy age-matched controls (n = 14). Patients presented decreased levels of antioxidant defenses, assessed by reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and increased superoxide dismutase/catalase (SOD/CAT) ratio in erythrocytes. Concerning to the damage to biomolecules (lipids and proteins), we found that plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and protein carbonyl groups and di-tyrosine (di-Tyr) in urine were increased in patients. The pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α were also increased in patients. Urinary Gb3 levels were positively correlated with the plasma levels of IL-6, carbonyl groups and MDA. IL-6 levels were directly correlated with di-Tyr and inversely correlated with GPx activity. This data suggest that pro-inflammatory and pro-oxidant states occur, are correlated and seem to be induced by Gb3 in Fabry patients.     

Lysosomal vitamin E accumulation in Niemann-Pick type C disease

Niemann-Pick C disease (NPC) is a neuro-visceral lysosomal storage disorder mainly caused by genetic defects in the NPC1 gene. As a result of loss of NPC1 function large quantities of free cholesterol and other lipids accumulate within late endosomes and lysosomes. In NPC livers and brains, the buildup of lipids correlates with oxidative damage; however the molecular mechanisms that trigger it remain unknown. Here we study potential alterations in vitamin E (α-tocopherol, α-TOH), the most potent endogenous antioxidant, in liver tissue and neurons from NPC1 mice. We found increased levels of α-TOH in NPC cells. We observed accumulation and entrapment of α-TOH in NPC neurons, mainly in the late endocytic pathway. Accordingly, α-TOH levels were increased in cerebellum of NPC1 mice. Also, we found decreased mRNA levels of the α-TOH transporter, α-Tocopherol Transfer Protein (α-TTP), in the cerebellum of NPC1 mice. Finally, by subcellular fractionation studies we detected a significant increase in the hepatic α-TOH content in purified lysosomes from NPC1 mice. In conclusion, these results suggest that NPC cells cannot transport vitamin E correctly leading to α-TOH buildup in the endosomal/lysosomal system. This may result in a decreased bioavailability and impaired antioxidant function of vitamin E in NPC, contributing to the disease pathogenesis.     

Complete denture wearing and fractures among edentulous patients treated in university clinics

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00551.x
Complete denture wearing and fractures among edentulous patients treated in university clinics Objective: The prevalence of wearing and fracture of complete dentures was evaluated among edentulous patients treated in two dental schools in Brazil. Background: Acceptance and wearing of complete dentures are related to adaptive behaviour of edentulous patients. However, one reason that could interfere with the wearing dentures is their potential to fracture, which is still a common complication in denture rehabilitation practice. Material and methods: Two hundred and twenty‐four edentulous patients rehabilitated with complete dentures from 2000 to 2005 in Araçatuba and Araraquara Dental School, University of State of São Paulo, were assessed in 2006 and 2007 to answer a questionnaire about wearing and fracture of their dentures. Statistical analysis were performed using Epi Info software and chi‐squared test to compare maxillary and mandibular data (α = 0.05). Results: Almost 26% of the patients did not wear their dentures, and among the remainder, the majority wore the maxillary denture. About 30% of the dentures were fractured, with higher prevalence in the maxillary arch (p = 0.003). Conclusions: Discontinuation of wearing dentures was quite high, especially considering the treatment which was carried out in university clinics. Prevalence of fractures was also high, greater for the maxillary denture, and was one of the main reasons for non‐wearing of complete dentures.     

Post-translational modification of plant-made foreign proteins; glycosylation and beyond

The complex and diverse nature of the post-translational modification (PTM) of proteins represents an efficient and cost-effective mechanism for the exponential diversification of the genome. PTMs have been shown to affect almost every aspect of protein activity, including function, localisation, stability, and dynamic interactions with other molecules. Although many PTMs are evolutionarily conserved there are also important kingdom-specific modifications which should be considered when expressing recombinant proteins. Plants are gaining increasing acceptance as an expression system for recombinant proteins, particularly where eukaryotic-like PTMs are required. Glycosylation is the most extensively studied PTM of plant-made recombinant proteins. However, other types of protein processing and modification also occur which are important for the production of high quality recombinant protein, such as hydroxylation and lipidation. Plant and/or protein engineering approaches offer many opportunities to exploit PTM pathways allowing the molecular farmer to produce a humanised product with modifications functionally similar or identical to the native protein. Indeed, plants have demonstrated a high degree of tolerance to changes in PTM pathways allowing recombinant proteins to be modified in a specific and controlled manner, frequently resulting in a homogeneity of product which is currently unrivalled by alternative expression platforms. Whether a recombinant protein is intended for use as a scientific reagent, a cosmetic additive or as a pharmaceutical, PTMs through their presence and complexity, offer an extensive range of options for the rational design of humanised (biosimilar), enhanced (biobetter) or novel products.     

Thermal coefficients of the methyl groups within ubiquitin

Physiological processes such as protein folding and molecular recognition are intricately linked to their dynamic signature, which is reflected in their thermal coefficient. In addition, the local conformational entropy is directly related to the degrees of freedom, which each residue possesses within its conformational space. Therefore, the temperature dependence of the local conformational entropy may provide insight into understanding how local dynamics may affect the stability of proteins. Here, we analyze the temperature dependence of internal methyl group dynamics derived from the cross-correlated relaxation between dipolar couplings of two CH bonds within ubiquitin. Spanning a temperature range from 275 to 308 K, internal methyl group dynamics tend to increase with increasing temperature, which translates to a general increase in local conformational entropy. With this data measured over multiple temperatures, the thermal coefficient of the methyl group order parameter, the characteristic thermal coefficient, and the local heat capacity were obtained. By analyzing the distribution of methyl group thermal coefficients within ubiquitin, we found that the N-terminal region has relatively high thermostability. These results indicate that methyl groups contribute quite appreciably to the total heat capacity of ubiquitin through the regulation of local conformational entropy.     

Structures of dimethylsulfoniopropionate-dependent demethylase from the marine organism Pelagabacter ubique

Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is a ubiquitous algal metabolite and common carbon and sulfur source for marine bacteria. DMSP is a precursor for the climatically active gas dimethylsulfide that is readily oxidized to sulfate, sulfur dioxide, methanesulfonic acid, and other products that act as cloud condensation nuclei. Although the environmental importance of DMSP metabolism has been known for some time, the enzyme responsible for DMSP demethylation by marine bacterioplankton, dimethylsufoniopropionate‐dependent demethylase A (DmdA, EC 2.1.1.B5), has only recently been identified and biochemically characterized. In this work, we report the structure for the apoenzyme DmdA from Pelagibacter ubique (2.1 Å), as well as for DmdA co‐crystals soaked with substrate DMSP (1.6 Å) or the cofactor tetrahydrofolate (THF) (1.6 Å). Surprisingly, the overall fold of the DmdA is not similar to other enzymes that typically utilize the reduced form of THF and in fact is a triple domain structure similar to what has been observed for the glycine cleavage T protein or sarcosine oxidase. Specifically, while the THF binding fold appears conserved, previous biochemical studies have shown that all enzymes with a similar fold produce 5,10‐methylene‐THF, while DmdA catalyzes a redox‐neutral methyl transfer reaction to produce 5‐methyl‐THF. On the basis of the findings presented herein and the available biochemical data, we outline a mechanism for a redox‐neutral methyl transfer reaction that is novel to this conserved THF binding domain.     

鹊肾树心材的化学成分及体外抗菌活性研究

本文研究鹊肾树Streblus asper心材的乙酸乙酯部分化学成分及体外抗菌活性.运用正相硅胶柱色谱层析,反相C-18柱色谱层析和Sephadex LH-20分高、纯化,最终得到8个化合物,经波谱解析并结合理化鉴定确定化合物结构为:银杏双黄酮(1)、异黄酮-4′-甲氧基-7-α-L-鼠李糖-(1→6)-β-D-葡萄糖(2)、鼠李柠檬素-3-O-β-D-半乳糖苷(3)、β-香树脂酮(4)、β-谷甾醇(5)、香革酸(6)、山俞酸(7)、二十六烷酸(8).除化合物5外,均为首次从该植物中提取到.此外研究了化合物1-4的抗菌活性,实验表明化合物2具有一定的抑菌活性.     

3,5-二氯苯基双胍抑制黑色素瘤肺转移的裸鼠体内药效学研究

目的 确认整合素αvβ3新型抑制剂3,5-二氯苯基双胍对人黑色素瘤肺转移的抑制作用.方法 应用前期建立的人黑色素瘤裸鼠肺转移模型,观察3,5-二氯苯基双胍的治疗效果.裸鼠尾静脉接种黑色素瘤细胞(第1天)后,于第5、9、13、17和21天给予该药物治疗.50 d实验结束,处死裸鼠并取完整的肺组织,Bouin氏液固定24 h后根据肺表面癌结节的大小和数量给予评分,以此评价肺转移的程度.结果 3,5-二氯苯基双胍6、12 mg/kg和24 mg/kg治疗组的转移分数分别为(55.25±13.60)、(35.13±17.36)和(12.83±11.44),与溶剂对照组(转移分数是82.50±17.72)相比具有明显差异(P＜0.05).阳性对照组的转移分数为(11.50±10.44)(P＜0.05 vs 溶剂对照组),阴性对照组和PBS对照组的转移分数分别为(88.50±17.21)、和(88.87±11.29) (P ＞0.05 vs溶剂对照组).结论 3,5-二氯苯基双胍在裸鼠体内能够明显抑制黑色素瘤肺转移,并呈现一定的剂量依赖性.     

新型埃博霉素衍生物对血管新生抑制作用的研究

研究新合成的新型埃博霉素单甲基衍生物对血管新生的影响,以期阐明埃博霉素在肿瘤细胞和血管新生中的效应及其所作用的重要途径,为药物新靶点的开发提供理论依据.首先,以人脐静脉内皮细胞为研究对象,利用MTT法检测细胞增殖,Transwell法检测细胞迁移和侵润,明胶酶谱分析金属基质蛋白酶MMP2的活性,RT PCR检测MMP2 RNA表达水平|然后以鸡胚绒毛尿囊膜为模型,研究该衍生物对血管新生的影响.结果表明:1）新型埃博霉素单甲基衍生物可以显著抑制人脐静脉内皮细胞HUVEC的增殖、迁移和侵润以及Ⅳ型胶原酶分泌; 2）新型埃博霉素单甲基衍生物可以使鸡胚尿囊膜产生明显的无血管区,对血管新生产生明显的抑制作用. 结果说明,新型埃博霉素单甲基衍生物可以通过抑制血管内皮细胞的增殖、迁移、侵润以及Ⅳ型胶原酶分泌等显著抑制诱导血管新生过程的步骤,最终抑制血管新生.