Phosphatidylethanolamine and Cardiolipin Differentially Affect the Stability of Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain Supercomplexes

The mitochondrial inner membrane contains two non-bilayer‐forming phospholipids, phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and cardiolipin (CL). Lack of CL leads to destabilization of respiratory chain supercomplexes, a reduced activity of cytochrome c oxidase, and a reduced inner membrane potential Δψ. Although PE is more abundant than CL in the mitochondrial inner membrane, its role in biogenesis and assembly of inner membrane complexes is unknown. We report that similar to the lack of CL, PE depletion resulted in a decrease of Δψ and thus in an impaired import of preproteins into and across the inner membrane. The respiratory capacity and in particular the activity of cytochrome c oxidase were impaired in PE-depleted mitochondria, leading to the decrease of Δψ. In contrast to depletion of CL, depletion of PE did not destabilize respiratory chain supercomplexes but favored the formation of larger supercomplexes (megacomplexes) between the cytochrome bc₁ complex and the cytochrome c oxidase. We conclude that both PE and CL are required for a full activity of the mitochondrial respiratory chain and the efficient generation of the inner membrane potential. The mechanisms, however, are different since these non-bilayer‐forming phospholipids exert opposite effects on the stability of respiratory chain supercomplexes.     

A novel 5-fluorouracil prodrug using hydroxyethyl starch as a macromolecular carrier for sustained release

The objective of this study was to develop a sustained-release drug delivery system for 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) to improve its short half-life. 5-Fluorouracil-1-acetic acid (FUAC) was prepared and then conjugated to hydroxyethyl starch (HES) through ester bonds. The conjugates were relatively stable in acidic buffer solution at pH 5.8 and slowly released FUAC but became more sensitive to hydrolysis with an increase in the pH and temperature. The conjugates were degraded to FUAC both in human and rat plasma with half-time life of 20.4 h and 24.6 h, respectively. Both 5-FU and FUAC were released in a rat liver homogenate following a 12 h incubation of the conjugates. The pharmacokinetic behavior was evaluated in rats after intravenous injection of 5-FU, FUAC and the conjugates. The drug release data in vitro and in vivo indicated that HES is a promising carrier for the sustained-release of antitumor drugs.     

In vitro metabolic stability of iodinated obestatin peptides

Different iodinated mouse obestatin peptides have been characterized toward their in vitro stability in the main metabolic compartments plasma, liver and kidney. Using HPLC-UV for quantification, significant differences in the degradation kinetics of the iodinated peptides, arising from both enzymatic proteolysis and dehalogenation, were found when compared to the native, unmodified peptide. HPLC-MS/MS analysis demonstrated that the cleavage sites were dependent upon the biological matrix and the location of the amino acid residue incorporating the iodine atom(s). The degrading proteases were found to target peptide bonds further away from the iodine incorporation, while proteolytic cleavages of nearby peptide bonds were more limited. Diiodinated amino acid residue containing peptides were found to be more susceptible to deiodination than the mono-iodinated derivative. In plasma, the percentage of peptide degradation solely attributed to deiodinase activity after 20 min incubation reached up to 25% for 2,5-diiodo-H(19)-obestatin compared to 20% and only 3% for (3,5-diiodo-Y(16))- and (3-iodo-Y(16)) obestatin, respectively. Hence, our results demonstrate that the different iodinated peptides pose significantly different metabolization properties and thus, also different biological activities are expected for peptides upon iodination.     

The effects of corticotropin-releasing factor and the urocortins on hypothalamic gamma-amino butyric acid release--the impacts on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and the urocortins (UCNs) are structurally and pharmacologically related neuropeptides which regulate the endocrine, autonomic, emotional and behavioral responses to stress. CRF and UCN1 activate both CRF receptors (CRFR1 and CRFR2) with CRF binding preferentially to CRFR1 and UCN1 binding equipotently to both receptors. UCN2 and UCN3 activate selectively CRFR2. Previously an in vitro study demonstrated that superfusion of both CRF and UCN1 elevated the GABA release elicited by electrical stimulation from rat amygdala, through activation of CRF1 receptors. In the present experiments, the same in vitro settings were used to study the actions of CRF and the urocortins on hypothalamic GABA release. CRF and UCN1 administered in equimolar doses increased significantly the GABA release induced by electrical stimulation from rat hypothalamus. The increasing effects of CRF and UCN1 were inhibited considerably by the selective CRFR1 antagonist antalarmin, but were not influenced by the selective CRFR2 antagonist astressin 2B. UCN2 and UCN3 were ineffective. We conclude that CRF1 receptor agonists induce the release of GABA in the hypothalamus as well as previously the amygdala. We speculate that CRF-induced GABA release may act as a double-edged sword: amygdalar GABA may disinhibit the hypothalamic CRF release, leading to activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, whereas hypothalamic GABA may inhibit the hypothalamic CRF release, terminating this activation.     

Exposure of the Human Body to Professional and Domestic Induction Cooktops Compared to the Basic Restrictions

We investigated whether domestic and professional induction cooktops comply with the basic restrictions defined by the International Commission on Non‐Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Based on magnetic field measurements, a generic numerical model of an induction cooktop was derived in order to model user exposure. The current density induced in the user was simulated for various models and distances. We also determined the exposure of the fetus and of young children. While most measured cooktops comply with the public exposure limits at the distance specified by the International Electrotechnical Commission (standard IEC 62233), the majority exceeds them at closer distances, some of them even the occupational limits. The maximum current density in the tissue of the user significantly exceeds the basic restrictions for the general public, reaching the occupational level. The exposure of the brains of young children reaches the order of magnitude of the limits for the general public. For a generic worst‐case cooktop compliant with the measurement standards, the current density exceeds the 1998 ICNIRP basic restrictions by up to 24 dB or a factor of 16. The brain tissue of young children can be overexposed by 6 dB or a factor of 2. The exposure of the tissue of the central nervous system of the fetus can exceed the limits for the general public if the mother is exposed at occupational levels. This demonstrates that the methodology for testing induction cooktops according to IEC 62233 contradicts the basic restrictions. This evaluation will be extended considering the redefined basic restrictions proposed by the ICNIRP in 2010. Bioelectromagnetics 33:695–705, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

花生四烯酸产生菌高山被孢霉的高糖驯化研究

【目的】提高花生四烯酸(Arachidonic acid,ARA)产量,克服ARA产生菌高山被孢霉(Mortierella alpina)在长期的保存及使用过程中易受到外界条件影响发生退化,从而导致菌种耗糖量降低、影响菌种摄入营养的能力和不利于工业化生产的缺点。【方法】首先采用固体培养基驯化,将菌种逐级涂布于梯度高糖PDA平板(含糖量分别为2%、5%、7%、10%和15%)培养,挑选经固体驯化后能耐受10%高糖浓度平板的菌种,转接到两种含不同氮源的梯度高糖(含糖量分别为3%、4%、5%和6%)液体培养基中进行驯化,最后对驯化后的菌种进行2 L发酵罐放大实验。【结果】当培养基中以酵母粉为氮源时,驯化后菌体的最高耗糖量由3 g/(L.d)提高到12 g/(L.d);当培养基中以玉米浆为氮源时,驯化后菌体的最高耗糖量由7 g/(L.d)提高到12 g/(L.d)。摇瓶驯化实验结果表明以玉米浆为氮源驯化的菌种发酵效果较好,发酵罐实验结果显示菌体生物量为50 g/L,总油脂为18 g/L,目的产物ARA产量为8 g/L。相比未驯化之前的发酵结果,生物量和总油脂含量提高了近3倍,ARA产量提高了近4倍。【结论】经过高糖驯化,菌种的耗糖能力得到提高,生物量、总油脂及ARA的产量也都有所增加,从而可以使菌种在保存和使用过程中不易退化,保持稳定。     

不同浓度外源IAA处理对杉木茎部基因表达的影响

为了揭示吲哚-3-乙酸(Indole-3-acetic acid,IAA)参与杉木木材发育调控的遗传机制,文章分别以0、3mg.IAA/g.lanolin处理不同阶段的杉木截顶茎秆作为驱动方(Driver)和测试方(Tester),利用抑制消减杂交技术(Suppression substractive hybridization,SSH),对其中差异表达的目的基因进行了分离和克隆。共获得332个Unigenes,其潜在的功能分别涉及到细胞组织和生物合成、发育进程调控、电子传递、逆境应答以及信号传导等方面;进一步地表达鉴定发现ClHIRA、ClPGY1和ClARF4等集中于茎部近轴区域表达的基因,能够积极地响应外源IAA刺激的维管形成层分裂和管胞分化活动;而ClSMP1、ClTCTP1和ClTRN2等集中于茎部远轴区域表达的基因,则在转录水平上对外源IAA的处理水平及近轴次生维管的发育变化表现出负相关的关系。这一结果表明特异性定位的发育基因对木材形成组织中内源IAA水平变化的差异性识别和响应很可能是生长素参与林木维管形成层次生发育调节的重要分子机制。     

Paraoxonase 1 polymorphisms L55M and Q192R were not risk factors for Parkinson's disease: a HuGE review and meta-analysis

Purpose

The Paraoxonase 1 (PON1) has been studied as a potential candidate gene for Parkinson's disease risk, but direct evidence from genetic association studies remains inconclusive. We performed a meta-analysis pooling data from all relevant studies in order to determine the effects of two PON 1 polymorphisms (L55M and Q192R) on Parkinson's disease.

Methods

We applied a random effects to combine odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals. Q statistic was used to evaluate the homogeneity, and Egger's test and Funnel plot were used to assess publication bias. In secondary analyses, we examined dominant and recessive models as well.

Results

Concerning the PON1 L55M polymorphism, we identified 9 eligible studies (a total of 2582 cases and 3997 controls). The random effects pooled OR was OR = 1.29, (0.90, 1.84). Concerning the Q192R polymorphism, we identified 7 eligible studies (a total of 2582 cases and 3997 controls). The random effects pooled OR was OR = 1.08(0.81, 1.43). Analysis with dominant and recessive genetic models yielded the same inferences as genotype-based comparisons for both of the two polymorphisms.

Conclusion

The results of this meta-analysis suggested that both PON1 L55M and Q192R were not responsible for PD.