Antitumour activities of levans produced by Zymomonas mobilis strains

Levans produced by four Zymomonas mobilis strains showed antitumour activity against sarcoma 180 and Ehrlich carcinoma in Swiss albino mice. Levans from two strains (ZAP and CP4) had the highest effects. NMR analysis showed that the polymers were composed only of fructose units. The results suggested that the antineoplasic effect is associated to the polysaccharide molecular weight and that a particular molecular weight range may be responsible for this effect.     

Selective esterification of 1,6-anhydrohexopyranoses: The possible role of intramolecular hydrogen-bonding

Selective esterification reactions of 1,6-anhydro-3-deoxy-β-D-xylo-hexopyranose(1), 1,6-anhydro-β-D-glucopyranose (7), and several derivatives of 7, were conducted with an acid chloride or acid anhydride in pyridine. Reaction of 1 with p-toluenesulfonyl chloride and with benzoyl chloride gave 70 and 63%, respectively, of the 2-esters. The 2-methyl and 2-benzyl ethers of 7, both having strongly hydrogen-bonded C-4 hydroxyl group, reacted with p-toluenesulfonyl chloride to yield the 4-monosulfonates (71 and 74%, respectively). Esterification of the 2-methyl ether and 2-p-toluenesulfonate of 7 with p-toluenesulfonic anhydride instead of with p-toluenesulfonyl chloride led to increased yields of the 4-p-toluenesulfonates after a shorter reaction-time.     

Rod-like elements from actin-containing microfilament bundles observed in cultured cells after treatment with cytochalasin A (CA)

Immunofluorescence microscopy using antibody against actin has been used to study the expression of microfilamentous material in cells of a cloned mouse 3T3 line during cytochalasin A (CA) induced cell contraction. A conspicuous modification of the structure of the microfilament bundles is observed. Actin containing rod-like elements can be visualized both by phase contrast and immunofluorescence microscopy. These actin containing rods are of rather defined length (approximate length 5 μm) and seem to be derived as subunits from the original microfilament bundles. In some cells the rods were in the same orientation as the microfilament bundles in control cells, whereas other cells showed scattered arrangements. The phenomenon suggests intrafibrillar periodical heterogeneity in the microfilament bundles.     

Reaction of the anastral mitotic apparatus of endosperm cells of the plant Leucojum aestivum with antibodies to tubulin from porcine brain as revealed by immunofluorescence microscopy.

Structures binding an antibody against tubulin from porcine brain were localized in the giant anastral mitotic apparatus of endosperm cells of the monocotyledonous plant, Leucojum aestivum, by indirect immunofluorescence microscopy. Both continuous and chromosomal spindle fibers were strongly stained. Postive fluorescence was also noted in polar cap regions and, in prometaphase stages, to some extent at the fragmented nuclear envelope. Intermingling and branching of subfiber elements was frequently noted.     

An overview of malaria transmission from the perspective of Amazon Anopheles vectors

In the Americas, areas with a high risk of malaria transmission are mainly located in the Amazon Forest, which extends across nine countries. One keystone step to understanding the Plasmodium life cycle in Anopheles species from the Amazon Region is to obtain experimentally infected mosquito vectors. Several attempts to colonise Ano- pheles species have been conducted, but with only short-lived success or no success at all. In this review, we review the literature on malaria transmission from the perspective of its Amazon vectors. Currently, it is possible to develop experimental Plasmodium vivax infection of the colonised and field-captured vectors in laboratories located close to Amazonian endemic areas. We are also reviewing studies related to the immune response to P. vivax infection of Anopheles aquasalis, a coastal mosquito species. Finally, we discuss the importance of the modulation of Plasmodium infection by the vector microbiota and also consider the anopheline genomes. The establishment of experimental mosquito infections with Plasmodium falciparum, Plasmodium yoelii and Plasmodium berghei parasites that could provide interesting models for studying malaria in the Amazonian scenario is important. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in the development of the parasites in New World vectors is crucial in order to better determine the interaction process and vectorial competence.     

Rme-8 depletion perturbs Notch recycling and predisposes to pathogenic signaling

Notch signaling is a major regulator of cell fate, proliferation, and differentiation. Like other signaling pathways, its activity is strongly influenced by intracellular trafficking. Besides contributing to signal activation and down-regulation, differential fluxes between trafficking routes can cause aberrant Notch pathway activation. Investigating the function of the retromer-associated DNAJ protein Rme-8 in vivo, we demonstrate a critical role in regulating Notch receptor recycling. In the absence of Rme-8, Notch accumulated in enlarged tubulated Rab4-positive endosomes, and as a consequence, signaling was compromised. Strikingly, when the retromer component Vps26 was depleted at the same time, Notch no longer accumulated and instead was ectopically activated. Likewise, depletion of ESCRT-0 components Hrs or Stam in combination with Rme-8 also led to high levels of ectopic Notch activity. Together, these results highlight the importance of Rme-8 in coordinating normal endocytic recycling route and reveal that its absence predisposes toward conditions in which pathological Notch signaling can occur.     

Matrix elasticity regulates the secretory profile of human bone marrow-derived multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs)

The therapeutic efficacy of multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) is attributed to particular MSC-derived cytokines and growth factors. As MSCs are applied locally to target organs or home there after systemic administration, they experience diverse microenvironments that are biochemically and biophysically distinct. Here we use well-defined in vitro conditions to study the impact of substrate elasticity on MSC-derived trophic factors. By varying hydrogel compliance, the elasticity of brain and muscle tissue was mimicked. We screened >90 secreted factors at the protein level, finding a diverse elasticity-dependent expression pattern. In particular, IL-8 was up-regulated as much as 90-fold in MSCs cultured for 2 days on hard substrates, whereas levels were consistently low on soft substrates. In summary, we show substrate elasticity directly affects MSC paracrine expression, a relevant finding for therapies administering MSCs in vivo.