On the choice of the optimal periodic operation for a continuous fermentation process

In this contribution we investigate the impact of the forcing waveform on the productivity of a continuous bioreactor governed by an unstructured, nonlinear kinetic model. The (periodic) forcing is applied on the substrate concentration in the feed. To this end, some alternative waveforms commonly encountered in practice are evaluated and their performance is compared. An analytical/numerical approach is used. The preliminary analytical step is based on the π‐criterion that gives useful information for small amplitudes. The extension to larger amplitudes, when significant improvements are expected, is then performed through a continuation‐optimization procedure. It is found that the choice of the specific waveform has an impact on the performance of the process and there is no unique best forcing for any process condition, but its choice depends on the operating parameters and the forcing amplitude and frequency values. Further, the influence of the waveform functions on the wash‐out conditions are extensively examined. The analysis shows that all the waveforms examined in this work may lead to significant enlargement of the nontrivial regime with respect to a steady state operation. In particular, square‐wave forcing leads in practice to the extinction of the wash‐out conditions for any feed substrate concentration and for a well defined choice of the forcing parameters. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2010     

Interaction between the tRNA-Binding and C-Terminal Domains of Yeast Gcn2 Regulates Kinase Activity In Vivo

The stress-activated protein kinase Gcn2 regulates protein synthesis by phosphorylation of translation initiation factor eIF2α. Gcn2 is activated in amino acid-deprived cells by binding of uncharged tRNA to the regulatory domain related to histidyl-tRNA synthetase, but the molecular mechanism of activation is unclear. We used a genetic approach to identify a key regulatory surface in Gcn2 that is proximal to the predicted active site of the HisRS domain and likely remodeled by tRNA binding. Mutations leading to amino acid substitutions on this surface were identified that activate Gcn2 at low levels of tRNA binding (Gcd^- phenotype), while other substitutions block kinase activation (Gcn^- phenotype), in some cases without altering tRNA binding by Gcn2 in vitro. Remarkably, the Gcn^- substitutions increase affinity of the HisRS domain for the C-terminal domain (CTD), previously implicated as a kinase autoinhibitory segment, in a manner dampened by HisRS domain Gcd^- substitutions and by amino acid starvation in vivo. Moreover, tRNA specifically antagonizes HisRS/CTD association in vitro. These findings support a model wherein HisRS-CTD interaction facilitates the autoinhibitory function of the CTD in nonstarvation conditions, with tRNA binding eliciting kinase activation by weakening HisRS-CTD association with attendant disruption of the autoinhibitory KD-CTD interaction.     

Modulation of c-myc expression in the HL-60 cell line

A decrease in the expression of the myc proto-oncogene of HL-60 cells has been reported as an accompaniment of myeloid differentiation induced by either dimethylsulfoxide or retinoic acid. We report herein that several inhibitors of poly(ADP-ribose)-polymerase induced myeloid differentiation in HL-60 cultures. Studies on the expression of the c-myc gene in total cell RNA populations indicate that expression of this gene is inversely correlated with the state of differentiation, either myeloid or monocytic, of the cultured cells independent of the inducer and the rate of cell proliferation.     

Preferential involvement of a phospholipase A2-dependent pathway in CD69-mediated platelet activation.

CD69 is a signal transducing disulfide-linked homodimer functionally expressed on platelets, CD3bright thymocytes, and activated lymphocytes. In an attempt to investigate early molecular events in CD69-mediated cell activation we studied the relative contribution of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C-dependent pathways during platelet activation induced by CD69 stimulation. Thromboxane A2 (TXA2) synthetase inhibitor and TXA2R inhibitor R68070 were able to inhibit platelet aggregation induced by CD69 stimulation, indicating that TXA2 was the main mediator of the response. CD69-induced arachidonic acid release and TXA2 production were essentially PLA2 dependent because they could be blocked by the PLA2 inhibitor quinacrine. Inositol 1,3,4-trisphosphate generation was clearly detectable after CD69 cross-linking, but it was completely abrogated by quinacrine and R68070 and therefore secondary to TXA2 release and TXA2R engagement. Finally, direct measurement of enzymatic activity in vitro using radiolabeled phospholipid vesicles showed that CD69 cross-linking resulted in PLA2-dependent arachidonic acid and lysophosphatidylcholine generation from phosphatidylcholine, which was sensitive to quinacrine but not to R68070. By contrast, CD69-induced 1,2-diacylglycerol release from phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate was blocked by both inhibitors. These results indicate a preferential involvement of PLA2 in CD69-dependent signal transduction in platelets and provide evidence for the unique role of PLA2-mediated activation pathways in transmembrane receptor signaling.     

On the reporting and review requirements of ISO 14044

The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment -     

D1- and D2-like receptors differentially mediate the effects of dopaminergic transmission on cost–benefit evaluation and motivation in monkeys

It has been widely accepted that dopamine (DA) plays a major role in motivation, yet the specific contribution of DA signaling at D₁-like receptor (D₁R) and D₂-like receptor (D₂R) to cost–benefit trade-off remains unclear. Here, by combining pharmacological manipulation of DA receptors (DARs) and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, we assessed the relationship between the degree of D₁R/D₂R blockade and changes in benefit- and cost-based motivation for goal-directed behavior of macaque monkeys. We found that the degree of blockade of either D₁R or D₂R was associated with a reduction of the positive impact of reward amount and increasing delay discounting. Workload discounting was selectively increased by D₂R antagonism. In addition, blocking both D₁R and D₂R had a synergistic effect on delay discounting but an antagonist effect on workload discounting. These results provide fundamental insight into the distinct mechanisms of DA action in the regulation of the benefit- and cost-based motivation, which have important implications for motivational alterations in both neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Using quantitatively controlled pharmacological manipulations, this study teases apart the role of D1- and D2-like dopamine receptors in motivation and goal-directed behavior in monkeys, revealing complementary roles of two dopamine receptor subtypes in the computation of the cost/benefit trade-off to guide action.     

Microtubule target for new antileishmanial drugs based on ethyl 3-haloacetamidobenzoates

A new family of antimicrotubule drugs named (3-haloacetamidobenzoyl) ureas and ethyl 3-haloacetamidobenzoates were found to be cytotoxic to the Leishmania parasite protozoa. While the benzoylureas were shown to strongly inhibit in vitro mammalian brain microtubule assembly, the ethyl ester derivatives were characterized as very poor inhibitors of this process. Ethyl 3-chloroacetamidobenzoate, MF29, was found to be the most efficient drug on the promastigote stage of three Leishmania species (IC₅₀: 0.3–1.8 μM). MF29 maintained its activity against the clinical relevant intracellular stage of L. mexicana with IC₅₀ value of 0.33 μM. It was the only compound that exhibits a high activity on all the Leishmania species tested. This compound appeared to alter parasite microtubule organisation as demonstrated by using antibodies directed against microtubule components and more precisely the class of microtubule decorated by the MAP2-like protein. It is interesting to notice that this MAP2-like protein was identified for the first time in a Leishmania parasite