CNT loading into cationic cholesterol suspensions show improved DNA binding and serum stability and ability to internalize into cancer cells

Methods which disperse single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in water as `debundled', while maintaining their unique physical properties are highly useful. We present here a family of cationic cholesterol compounds (Chol(+)) {Cholest-5en-3 beta-oxyethyl pyridinium bromide (Chol-PB+), Cholest-5en-3 beta-oxyethyl N-methyl pyrrolidinium bromide (Chol-MPB+), Cholest-5en-3 beta-oxyethyl N-methyl morpholinium bromide (Chol-MMB+) and Cholest-5en-3 beta-oxyethyl diazabicyclo octanium bromide (Chol-DOB+)}. Each of these could be easily dispersed in water. The resulting cationic cholesterol (Chol(+)) suspensions solubilized single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) by the non-specific physical adsorption of Chol(+) to form stable, transparent, dark aqueous suspensions at room temperature. Electron microscopy reveals the existence of highly segregated CNTs in these samples. Zeta potential measurements showed an increase in potential of cationic cholesterol aggregates on addition of CNTs. The CNT-Chol(+) suspensions were capable of forming stable complexes with genes (DNA) efficiently. The release of double-helical DNA from such CNT-Chol(+) complexes could be induced upon the addition of anionic micellar solution of SDS. Furthermore, the CNT-based DNA complexes containing cationic cholesterol aggregates showed higher stability in fetal bovine serum media at physiological conditions. Confocal studies confirm that CNT-Chol(+) formulations adhere to HeLa cell surfaces and get internalized more efficiently than the cationic cholesterol suspensions alone (devoid of any CNTs). These cationic cholesterol-CNT suspensions therefore appear to be a promising system for further use in biological applications.

Early postnatal exposure to lithium in vitro induces changes in AMPAR mEPSCs and vesicular recycling at hippocampal glutamatergic synapses

Lithium is an effective mood stabilizer but its use is associated with many side effects. Electrophysiological recordings of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) mediated by glutamate receptor AMPA-subtype (AMPARs) in hippocampal pyramidal neurons revealed that CLi (therapeutic concentration of 1 mM lithium, from days in vitro 4-10) decreased the mean amplitude and mean rectification index (RI) of AMPAR mEPSCs. Lowered mean RI indicate that contribution of Ca2+-permeable AMPARs in synaptic events is higher in CLi neurons (supported by experiments sensitive to Ca2+-permeable AMPAR modulation). Co-inhibiting PKA, GSK-3 beta and glutamate reuptake was necessary to bring about changes in AMPAR mEPSCs similar to that seen in CLi neurons. FM1-43 experiments revealed that recycling pool size was affected in CLi cultures. Results from minimum loading, chlorpromazine treatment and hyperosmotic treatment experiments indicate that endocytosis in CLi is affected while not much difference is seen in modes of exocytosis. CLi cultures did not show the high KCl associated presynaptic potentiation observed in control cultures. This study, by calling attention to long-term lithium-exposure-induced synaptic changes, might have implications in understanding the side effects such as CNS complications occurring in perinatally exposed babies and cognitive dulling seen in patients on lithium treatment.

RARRES3 suppresses breast cancer lung metastasis by regulating adhesion and differentiation

In estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer patients, metastatic relapse usually occurs in the lung and is responsible for the fatal outcome of the disease. Thus, a better understanding of the biology of metastasis is needed. In particular, biomarkers to identify patients that are at risk of lung metastasis could open the avenue for new therapeutic opportunities. Here we characterize the biological activity of RARRES3, a new metastasis suppressor gene whose reduced expression in the primary breast tumors identifies a subgroup of patients more likely to develop lung metastasis. We show that RARRES3 downregulation engages metastasis-initiating capabilities by facilitating adhesion of the tumor cells to the lung parenchyma. In addition, impaired tumor cell differentiation due to the loss of RARRES3 phospholipase A1/A2 activity also contributes to lung metastasis. Our results establish RARRES3 downregulation as a potential biomarker to identify patients at high risk of lung metastasis who might benefit from a differentiation treatment in the adjuvant programme.

Influence of Extracellular Matrix Components on the Expression of Integrins and Regeneration of Adult Retinal Ganglion Cells

Purpose Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) are exposed to injury in a variety of optic nerve diseases including glaucoma. However, not all cells respond in the same way to damage and the capacity of individual RGCs to survive or regenerate is variable. In order to elucidate factors that may be important for RGC survival and regeneration we have focussed on the extracellular matrix (ECM) and RGC integrin expression. Our specific questions were: (1) Do adult RGCs express particular sets of integrins in vitro and in vivo? (2) Can the nature of the ECM influence the expression of different integrins? (3) Can the nature of the ECM affect the survival of the cells and the length or branching complexity of their neurites? Methods Primary RGC cultures from adult rat retina were placed on glass coverslips treated with different substrates: Poly-L-Lysine (PL), or PL plus laminin (L), collagen I (CI), collagen IV (CIV) or fibronectin (F). After 10 days in culture, we performed double immunostaining with an antibody against beta III-Tubulin to identify the RGCs, and antibodies against the integrin subunits: alpha V, alpha 1, alpha 3, alpha 5, beta 1 or beta 3. The number of adhering and surviving cells, the number and length of the neurites and the expression of the integrin subunits on the different substrates were analysed. Results PL and L were associated with the greatest survival of RGCs while CI provided the least favourable conditions. The type of substrate affected the number and length of neurites. L stimulated the longest growth. We found at least three different types of RGCs in terms of their capacity to regenerate and extend neurites. The different combinations of integrins expressed by the cells growing on different substrata suggest that RGCs expressed predominantly alpha 1 beta 1 or alpha 3 beta 1 on L, alpha 1 beta 1 on CI and CIV, and alpha 5 beta 3 on F. The activity of the integrins was demonstrated by the phosphorylation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK). Conclusions Adult rat RGCs can survive and grow in the presence of different ECM tested. Further studies should be done to elucidate the different molecular characteristics of the RGCs subtypes in order to understand the possible different sensitivity of different RGCs to damage in diseases like glaucoma in which not all RGCs die at the same time.

A new anti-HIV lupane acid from Gleditsia sinensis Lam.

A new lupane acid, 2 beta-carboxyl, 3 beta-hydroxyl-norlupA (1)-20 (29)-en-28-oic acid (1), together with five known lupane acid derivatives (2-6), were isolated from the stings of Gleditsia sinensis Lam.. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of

蛋白质序列和结构的保守性与其功能的关系

在酪氨酸磷酸酶超家族分子的序列中,仅有3个与其催化功能密切相关的残基是高度保守的,但它们功能结构域的核心拓扑结构却明显类似,其中存在着#beta##alpha##beta#和#beta##alpha##beta##alpha#2个保守的结构单元;此外,它们活性位点的拓扑结构也极其相似。

Trinorcucurbitane and cucurbitane triterpenoids from the roots of Momordica charantia

Five cucurbitacins, kuguacins A-E (1-5), together with three known analogues, 3 beta,7 beta,25-trihydroxycucurbita-5,(23E)-diene-19-al (6), 3 beta,25-dihydroxy-5 beta,19-epoxycucurbita-6,(23E)-diene (7), and momordicine I (8), were isolated from roots of

表达lac和glk基因的蓝藻的异养生长

将来自Brucellaabortus的葡萄糖激酶基因glk和大肠杆菌乳糖操纵子基因lacZYA装置于蓝藻glnA启动子下游 ,以广宿主质粒导入 3种蓝藻。基因的表达通过 β 半乳糖苷酶和葡糖激酶活性测定得到确证。基因工程藻株均获得了利用乳糖异养生长的能力。集胞藻 6 80 3转基因株可在光照加DCMU的条件下利用乳糖生长 ,而鱼腥藻转基因株依赖乳糖可在完全黑暗条件下生长 ,并可在黑暗或加DCMU条件下诱导产生异形胞

Effects of brominated flame retardants and brominated dioxins on steroidogenesis in H295R human adrenocortical carcinoma cell line

Brominated flame retardants (BFRs) and brominated dioxins are emerging persistent organic pollutants that are ubiquitous in the environment and can be accumulated by wildlife and humans. These chemicals can disturb endocrine function. Recent studies have demonstrated that one of the mechanisms of endocrine disruption by chemicals is modulation of steroidogenic gene expression or enzyme activities. In this study, an in vitro assay based on the H295R human adrenocortical carcinoma cell line, which possesses most key genes or enzymes involved in steroidogenesis, was used to examine the effects of five bromophenols, two polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs 77 and 169), 2,3,7,8-tetrabromodibenzo-p-dioxin, and 2,3,7,8-tetrabromodibenzofuran on the expression of 10 key steroidogenic genes. The H295R cells were exposed to various BFR concentrations for 48 h, and the expression of specific genescytochrome P450 (CYP11A, CYP11B2, CYP17, CYP19, and CYP21), 3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3PHSD2), 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17 beta HSD1 and 17 beta HSD4), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), and 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR)-was quantitatively measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Cell viability was not affected at the doses tested. Most of the genes were either up- or down-regulated, to some extent, by BFR exposure. Among the genes tested, 3PHSD2 was the most markedly up-regulated, with a range of magnitude from 1.6- to 20-fold. The results demonstrate that bromophenol, bromobiphenyls, and bromodibenzo-p-dioxin/furan are able to modulate steroidogenic gene expression, which may lead to endocrine disruption.

Indole Alkaloids from the Leaves of Anthocephalus chinensis

Anthocephalusine A (1) and 3 beta-isodihydrocadambine 4-oxide (2) were isolated from the leaves of Anthocephalus chinensis (Rubiaceac), together with five known compounds. The structures were established by spectroscopic methods including 2D-NMR analyses.

Syntheses and crystal structures of [Mn(H2O)(4)(bpy)]L center dot 4H(2)O, [Mn(H2O)(4)(bpy)]L ' center dot 4H(2)O (H2L = SUCCINIC ACID, H2L ' = FUMARIC ACID)

Reactions of freshly prepared M(OH)(2-2x)(CO3)(x) (.) yH(2)O (M = Mn, Zn) and 4,4'-bipyridine (bpy) with succinic acid (H2L) or famaric acid (H2L') in CH3OH-H2O afforded [Mn(H2O)(4)(bpy)]L (.) 4H(2)O, 1, [Mn(H2O)(4)(bpy)]L' (.) 4H(2)O, 2 and [Zn(H2O)(4)(bpy)]L (.) 4H(2)O, 3. The three coordination polymers are isostructural and consist of (1)(infinity)[M(H2O)(4)(bpy)(2/2)](2+) cationic chains, crystal H2O molecules and dicarboxylate anions (succinate or fumarate anions). Within the chains, the metal atoms are each octahedrally coordinated by four aqua oxygen atoms and two pyridyl nitrogen atoms from two 4,4'-bipyridine ligands. The crystal H2O molecules are hydrogen bonded to dicarboxylate anions to form ribbon-like anionic chains. The cationic and anionic chains are interconnected via hyqrogen bonds to generate a 3D network. Crystal data: 1 triclinic, P (1) over bar, a = 7.235(1), b = 7.749(2), c = 10.020(2) Angstrom, alpha = 79.95(3), beta = 88.79(3), gamma = 71.39(3)degrees, V = 523.9(2) Angstrom(3) and D-cal = 1.494 g cm(-3) for Z = 1; 2 triclinic, P (1) over bar, a = 7.127(1), b = 7.800(2), c = 9.945(2) Angstrom, alpha = 80.26(3), beta = 87.86(3), gamma = 72.69(3)degrees, V = 520.2(2) Angstrom(3) and D-cal = 1.498 g cm(-3) for Z = 1; 3 triclinic, P (1) over bar, a = 7.189(1), b = 7.764(2), c = 9.843(2) Angstrom, alpha = 79.16(3), beta = 87.80(3), gamma = 71.29(3)degrees, V = 510.9(2) Angstrom(3) and D-cal = 1.559 g cm(-3) for Z = 1.

Photochemical synthesis and crystal structure of a charge transfer salt [HMDH2][(H2PMoMo11O40)-Mo-v]center dot 2AA center dot 3H(2)O center dot DMF

The title supramolecular compound, [HMDH2][(H2PMoMo11O40)-Mo-V] . 2AA . 3H(2)O . DMF (HMD = hexamethylene diamine; AA=acetaldehyde; DMF=N,N-dimethyl formamide), has been photochemically synthesized by using elemental analysis, IR, solid diffusion reflectance, electronic spectra, ESR spectra and X-ray single-crystal analysis. The crystallographic data: triclinic, P (1) over bar, a=14.092(2), b=14.347(3), c=14.358(3)Angstrom, alpha = 75.10(3), beta = 80.70(3), gamma = 80.73(3)degrees, V = 2746.6(10)Angstrom (3), Z = 2, M-r = 2081.68, D-c=2.517g/cm(3), F(000) =1970, mu (MoK alpha) =2.766mm(-1). The structure has been refined to R =0.0832 and wR=0.2638, by full-matrix least-squares method. The title compound is composed of hexamethylene diamine, two acetaldehyde molecules, three water molecules, one N,N-dimethylformamide and [(H2PMoMo11O40)-Mo-V](2-) heteropoly anion.

Synthesis and crystal structure of a polymeric erbium(III)-sodium(I) coordination complex of picolinic acid N-oxide

A new Er(III)-Na(I) coordination polymer of stoichiometry [NaEr2L5(H2O)(6)(NO3)](NO3). 3.5H(2)O (HL = picolinic acid N-oxide) has been synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Crystals are triclinic, P (1) over bar with a = 9.823(2), b = 12.453(2), c = 20.643(4) Angstrom; alpha = 98.49(3), beta = 101.40(3), gamma = 108.69(3)degrees; V = 2284(1) Angstrom(3); Z = 2. Of the two independent eight-coordinate erbium(III) ions in this complex, one is surrounded by four bidentate chelating L ligands, and the other by one bidentate chelating L ligand, four aqua ligands and two anti-carboxylate oxygen atoms from two neighboring [ErL4] units. The sodium(I) ion is in a distorted octahedral environment, being coordinated by a unidentate nitrate anion, three aqua ligands and two anti-carboxylate oxygen atoms from two adjacent [ErL4] units. The complex is built from zigzag chains of syn-anti carboxylate-bridged erbium(III) moieties directed in the a direction, which are cross-linked pairwise by aqua-bridged dimeric sodium(I) units. The resulting composite polymeric chains are further connected by hydrogen bonds to form a three-dimensional network.

Chemical Constituents of a Marine-Derived Endophytic Fungus Penicillium commune G2M

Cultivation of the endophytic fungus Penicillium commune, which was isolated from the semi-mangrove plant Hibiscus tiliaceus, afforded one new compound 1-O-(2,4-dihydroxy-6-methylbenzoyl)-glycerol (1) along with thirteen known products, including 1-O-acetylglycerol (2), N-acetyltryptophan (3), 3-indolylacetic acid methyl ester (4), 1-(2,4-dihydroxy-3,5-dimethylphenyl)ethanone (5), 2-(2,5-dihydroxyphenyl)acetic acid (6), (4R,5S)-5-hydroxyhexan-4-olide (7), thymidine (8), uracil (9), thymine (10), ergosterol (11), beta-sitosterol (12), beta-daucosterol (13), and ergosta-7,22-dien-3 beta,5 alpha,6 beta-triol (14). The structures of these compounds were established by detailed NMR spectroscopic analysis, as well as by comparison with literature data or with authentic samples.

Early expressed genes showing a dichotomous developing pattern in the lancelet embryo

Lancelets (amphioxus), although showing the most similar anatomical features to vertebrates, never develop a vertebrate-like head but rather several structures specific to this animal. The lancelet anatomical specificity seems to be traceable to early developmental stages, such as the vertebrate dorsal and anterior-posterior determinations. The BMP and Wnt proteins play important roles in establishing the early basis of the dorsal structures and the head in vertebrates. The early behavior of BMP and Wnt may be also related to the specific body structures of lancelets. The expression patterns of a dpp-related gene, Bbbmp2/4, and two wnt-related genes, Bbwnt7 and Bbwnt8, have been studied in comparison with those of brachyury and Hnf-3 beta class genes The temporal expression patterns of these genes are similar to those of vertebrates; Bbbmp2/4 and Bbwnt8 are first expressed in the invaginating primitive gut and the equatorial region. respectively, at the initial gastrula stage. However, spatial expression pattern of Bbbmp2/4 differs significantly from the vertebrate cognates. It is expressed in the mid-dorsal inner layer of gastrulae and widely in the anterior region, in which vertebrates block BMP signaling, The present study suggests that the lancelet embryo may have two distinct developmental domains from the gastrula stage, the domains of which coincide later with the lateral diverticular and the somitocoelomic regions. The embryonic origin of the anterior-specific structures in lancelets corresponds to the anterior domain where Bbbmp2/4 is continuously expressed.