Leishmania donovani amastigotes mobilize organic and inorganic osmolytes during regulatory volume decrease

The protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani encounters large fluctuations in osmolality as it cycles between its insect vector and human host. The flagellated promastigote exhibits regulatory volume responses involving organic and inorganic osmolytes, but little is known about volume regulation in the clinically relevant amastigote that multiplies within the parasitophorous vacuoles of mammalian host cells. Using a combination of morphological, X-ray microanalytical, and biochemical approaches we determined that non-motile amastigotes respond to hypotonic stress with (1) an amino acid and l-alanine-mediated regulatory volume decrease, and (2) a parallel release of Na+, K+, P (presumably as negatively charged phosphates), and subsequently Cl- from cytoplasm and the cell as a whole. In addition P, Zn2+, and subsequently Ca2+ increase in acidocalcisomes as Cl- content declines in this compartment. This evidence is the first to document subcellular translocation of, and thus a potential role for, zinc in volume regulatory responses. These coordinated changes in organic and inorganic osmolytes demonstrate that amastigote subcellular compartments, particularly acidocalcisomes, function in maintaining ionic homeostasis in the response of Leishmania amastigotes to hypo-osmotic stress.     

Direct effects of vitamin D3 analogues on G-protein mediated signalling systems in rat osteosarcoma cells and rat pituitary adenoma cells

In normal rats treated with 1,25(OH)₂D₃ or 24,25(OH)₂D₃, serum Ca²⁺, ALP, PRL and GH are significantly altered. In order to study the primary effect of vitamin D₃ analogues on target organ function, rat UMR 106 osteosarcoma and GH₃ pituitary adenoma cells in monolayer culture were exposed accordingly.Surprisingly, prolonged exposure of these cell lines to physiological levels of either 1,25(OH)₂D₃ or 24,25(OH)₂D₃ did not significantly affect the secretory parameters (ALP, PRL or GH) tested. However, 1,25(OH)₂D₃ exposure significantly reduced PTH- and Gpp(NH)p-elicited AC as well as Gpp(NH)p-stimulated PLC activities in the UMR 106 cells. These changes were accompanied by an increase and decrease in the membrane contents of the G-protein subunits G₃₆ and G_q/11, respectively. In contrast, 24,25(OH)₂D₃ remained without significant biological effect on these signalling systems despite concomitantly augmented levels of G₃₆. TRH- and Gpp(NH)p-elicited PLC activities in the GH₃ cells were significantly reduced by 1,25(OH)₂D₃ with a concurrent reduction in cellular amounts of G_q/11, however, 24,25(OH)₂D₃ did not significantly alter any signalling systems nor G-proteins analyzed.It is concluded that the osteoblastic and pituitary cell secretion of ALP, PRL and GH remain unaffected by the presence of 1,25(OH)₂D₃ and 24,25(OH)₂D₃, despite distinct alterations in components of G-protein mediated signalling pathways. Hence, other factors like ambient Ca²⁺ may be responsible for the perturbed secretory patterns of ALP and PRL seen in vitamin D₃ treated rats.Abbreviations AC adenylate cyclase - ALP alkaline phosphatase - BGP osteocalcin - BSA bovine serum albumin - DA dopamine - DAG diacylglycerol - GH growth hormone - GHRH growth hormone releasing hormone - Gpp(NH)p guanosine 5-[-imido]triphosphate - G-protein guanine nucleotide-binding regulatory protein - G_s etc. G_s protein -subunit - IP₃ inositol 1,4,5 trisphosphate - OAF osteoclast activating factor - PGE₂ prostaglandin E₂ - PKA & PKC protein kinase A & C - PLC phospholipase C - PRL prolactin - PTH parathyroid hormone - SRIF somatostatin - TRH thyrotropin releasing hormone - VIP vasoactive intestinal peptide - 25(OH)D₃ 25 hydroxy vitamin D₃ - 1,25(OH)₂D₃ 1·25 dihydroxy vitamin D₃ - 24,25(OH)₂D₃ 24,25 dihydroxy vitamin D₃     

An enclosed-chamber labeling system for the safe <Superscript>14</Superscript>C-enrichment of phytochemicals in plant cell suspension cultures

Summary Various plant secondary products have been implicated in the promotion of good health or the prevention of disease in humans, but little is known about the way they are absorbed in the gut, or in which tissues they are deposited throughout the body. While these issues could be studied if the phytochemicals were isotopically labeled, generating labeled molecules often is problematic because many compounds of interest can be synthesized only in planta at present. In order to generale ¹⁴C-labeled phytochemicals of high radioactive enrichment, we developed an enclosed-chamber labeling system in which cell suspension cultures can be safely and efficiently grown when supplied with ¹⁴C-enriched precursors. The system is designed to hold culture flasks within a clear, polyacrylic compartment that is affixed to the top of a rotary shaker. The flow-through gas exchange nature of the system allows for O₂ replenishment and complete capture of respired ¹⁴CO₂ throughout the entire period of cell culture. Air is circulated internally with the aid of a small fan, and chamber air temperature is monitored continuously with an internal temperature probe and data logger. Production runs of 12–14 d with Vaccinium pahalae (ohelo berry) and Vitis vinifera (grape) suspension cultures, using [¹⁴C]sucrose as the carbon source, demonstrated a 20–23% efficiency of ¹⁴C incorporation into the flavonoid-rich fractions. Further studies with ohelo cell cultures showed that flavonoids were produced with either sucrose or glucose as the carbohydrate source, although flavonoid productivity (measured as anthocyanins) was higher with sucrose. This comprehensive chamber system should have broad applicability with numerous cell types and can be used to generate a wide array of labeled phytochemicals.     

Transformation of the wild tomatoLycopersicon chilense Dun. byAgrobacterium tumefaciens

Summary Leaf disc transformation-regeneration technique was applied to the drought tolerant wild relative of cultivated tomato,Lycopersicon chilense, using a plasmid construct which contained the coding sequences of neomycin phosphotransferase (NPTII) and chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) genes. The two genotypes used, LA2747 and LA1930, showed a distinct difference in their aptitude to transformation; a higher success rate was obtained for the first genotype in every stage of the process. Shoots were formed on the regeneration medium containing 100 g/ml kanamycin through direct or indirect organogenesis. Root formation became only possible when the concentration of kanamycin was reduced to 50 g/ml. Expression of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene was observed in all of the kanamycin-screened plants after they matured; the activity of the gene was absent or low in some of the young plants. The presence of the CAT gene in transgenic plants was further confirmed by Southern blot analysis. Although transgenic plants grew to maturity, they did not produce fruit, owing to the self incompatibility ofL. chilense. Abbreviations BAP 6-benzylaminopurine - CAT chloramphenicol acetyltransferase - 2,4-D 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid - IAA indole-3-acetic acid - LB Luria Broth - EDTA ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid     

THE DEVELOPMENT OF APOSPOROUS GAMETOPHYTES AND REGENERATED SPOROPHYTES FROM EPIDERMAL CELLS OF EXCISED FERN LEAVES: AN ANATOMICAL STUDY

Three different types of outgrowths develop from epidermal cells of excised juvenile leaves of Microgramma vacciniifolia: aposporous gametophytes, intermediates, and regenerated sporophytic plantlets. The gametophytes and intermediates arise from derivatives of epidermal cell divisions which are developed to the exterior of the leaf surface, whereas the sporophytic regenerants originate from derivatives produced by cell divisions to the interior of the leaf. Anatomical observations of excised leaves grown in vitro demonstrate that only the epidermal cells are stimulated to divide and give rise to the various types of outgrowths. Incorporation of tritiated thymidine by the nuclei of leaf epidermal cells gives further evidence for the metabolic activity of these cells.     

Targeting the alpha-folate receptor with cyclopenta[g]quinazoline-based inhibitors of thymidylate synthase

The alpha-FR has been reported to be overexpressed in many carcinomas, in particular those of the ovary and uterus. The high expression of alpha-FR in some tumours compared with normal tissues has been exploited over the last decade for folate-mediated targeting of macromolecules, anticancer drugs, imaging agents and nucleic acids to cancer cells. CB300638, a cyclopenta[g]quinazoline-based inhibitor of thymidylate synthase (TS), has been reported to have high affinity for the receptor and selectivity for alpha-FR overexpressing tumour cell lines. In this study, the structural features of the molecule, in particular modifications at the 2-position, have been investigated with respect to TS inhibition, affinity for the alpha-FR and reduced folate carrier (RFC) and activity in A431-FBP cells (transfected with human alpha-FR) compared with neo-transfected A431 cells. Compounds 1a,b, 2a,b and 3a,b were synthesised utilising multistep sequences. It was found that the 2-substituent does not affect the affinity for the alpha-FR; however, it greatly affects selectivity for A431-FBP cells, and suggests that there are factors other than TS inhibition and alpha-FR affinity that are important for the activity of these compounds. Compound 2b (2-CH2OH derivative) displayed the highest selectivity for the A431-FBP cells compared with A431 cells.     

The FTO A/T Polymorphism and Elite Athletic Performance: A Study Involving Three Groups of European Athletes

Objective

The FTO A/T polymorphism (rs9939609) is a strong candidate to influence obesity-related traits. Elite athletes from many different sporting disciplines are characterized by low body fat. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess whether athletic status is associated with the FTO A/T polymorphism.

Subjects and Methods

A large cohort of European Caucasians from Poland, Russia and Spain were tested to examine the association between FTO A/T polymorphism (rs9939609) and athletic status. A total of 551 athletes were divided by type of sport (endurance athletes, n = 266 vs. sprint/power athletes, n = 285) as well as by level of competition (elite-level vs. national-level). The control group consisted of 1,416 ethnically-matched, non-athletic participants, all Europeans. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the association between FTO A/T genotypes and athletic status/competition level.

Results

There were no significantly greater/lesser odds of harbouring any type of genotype when comparing across athletic status (endurance athletes, sprint/power athletes or control participants). These effects were observed after controlling for sex and nationality. Furthermore, no significantly greater/lesser odds ratios were observed for any of the genotypes in respect to the level of competition (elite-level vs. national-level).

Conclusion

The FTO A/T polymorphism is not associated with elite athletic status in the largest group of elite athletes studied to date. Large collaborations and data sharing between researchers, as presented here, are strongly recommended to enhance the research in the field of exercise genomics.