c-Met-Targeting 19F MRI Nanoparticles with Ultralong Tumor Retention for Precisely Detecting Small or Ill-Defined Colorectal Liver Metastases.

Purpose: Precisely detecting colorectal liver metastases (CLMs), the leading cause of colorectal cancer-associated mortality, is extremely important. 1H MRI with high soft tissue resolution plays a key role in the diagnosing liver lesions; however, precise detecting CLMs by 1H MRI is a great challenge due to the limited sensitivity. Even though contrast agents may improve the sensitivity, due to their short half-life, repeated injections are required to monitor the changes of CLMs. Herein, we synthesized c-Met-targeting peptide-functionalized perfluoro-15-crown-5-ether nanoparticles (AH111972-PFCE NPs), for highly sensitive and early diagnosis of small CLMs. Methods: The size, morphology and optimal properties of the AH111972-PFCE NPs were characterized. c-Met specificity of the AH111972-PFCE NPs was validated by in vitro experiment and in vivo 19F MRI study in the subcutaneous tumor murine model. The molecular imaging practicability and long tumor retention of the AH111972-PFCE NPs were evaluated in the liver metastases mouse model. The biocompatibility of the AH111972-PFCE NPs was assessed by toxicity study. Results: AH111972-PFCE NPs with regular shape have particle size of 89.3 ± 17.8 nm. The AH111972-PFCE NPs exhibit high specificity, strong c-Met-targeting ability, and precise detection capability of CLMs, especially small or ill-defined fused metastases in 1H MRI. Moreover, AH111972-PFCE NPs could be ultralong retained in metastatic liver tumors for at least 7 days, which is conductive to the implementation of continuous therapeutic efficacy monitoring. The NPs with minimal side effects and good biocompatibility are cleared mainly via the spleen and liver. Conclusion: The c-Met targeting and ultralong tumor retention of AH111972-PFCE NPs will contribute to increasing therapeutic agent accumulation in metastatic sites, laying a foundation for CLMs diagnosis and further c-Met targeted treatment integration. This work provides a promising nanoplatform for the future clinical application to patients with CLMs.

A novel chromatography system to isolate active ribosomes from pathogenic bacteria.

We have developed a novel chromatography for the rapid isolation of active ribosomes from bacteria without the use of harsh conditions or lengthy procedures that damage ribosomes. Ribosomes interact with an alkyl linker attached to the resin, apparently through their RNA component. Examples are given with ribosomes from Escherichia coli, Deinococcus radiodurans, and with clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The ribosomes obtained by this method are unusually intact, so that highly active ribosomes can now be isolated from the clinical isolates, enabling significantly improved in vitro functional assays that will greatly assist the discovery and development of new ribosomally targeted antibiotics.

A systematic study of 50S ribosomal subunit purification enabling robust crystallization.

A systematic analysis was undertaken to seek correlations between the integrity, purity and activity of 50S ribosomal subunit preparations from Deinococcus radiodurans and their ability to crystallize. Conditions of fermentation, purification and crystallization were varied in a search for crystals that could reliably supply an industrial X-ray crystallography program for the structure-based design of ribosomal antibiotics. A robust protocol was obtained to routinely obtain crystals that gave diffraction patterns extending to 2.9 A resolution and that were large enough to yield a complete data set from a single crystal. To our knowledge, this is the most systematic study of this challenging area so far undertaken. Ribosome crystallization is a complex multi-factorial problem and although a clear correlation of crystallization with subunit properties was not obtained, the search for key factors that potentiate crystallization has been greatly narrowed and promising areas for further inquiry are suggested.

Purification of the large ribosomal subunit via its association with the small subunit.

We have developed an affinity purification of the large ribosomal subunit from Deinococcus radiodurans that exploits its association with FLAG-tagged 30S subunits. Thus, capture is indirect so that no modification of the 50S is required and elution is achieved under mild conditions (low magnesium) that disrupt the association, avoiding the addition of competitor ligands or coelution of common contaminants. Efficient purification of highly pure 50S is achieved, and the chromatography simultaneously sorts the 50S into three classes according to their association status (unassociated, loosely associated, or tightly associated), improving homogeneity.

Crystal structure of nicotinic acid mononucleotide adenylyltransferase from Staphyloccocus aureus: structural basis for NaAD interaction in functional dimer.

Bacterial nicotinic acid mononucleotide adenylyltransferase (NaMNAT; EC 2.7.7.18) encoded by the nadD gene, is essential for cell survival and is thus an attractive target for developing new antibacterial agents. The NaMNAT catalyzes the transfer of an adenylyl group of ATP to nicotinic acid mononucleotide (NaMN) to form nicotinic acid dinucleotide (NaAD). Two independently derived, high-resolution structures of Staphylococcus aureus NaMNAT-NaAD complexes establish the conserved features of the core dinucleotide-binding fold with other adenylyltransferases from bacteria to human despite a limited sequence conservation. The crystal structures reveal that the nicotinate carboxylates of NaAD are recognized by interaction with the main-chain amides of Thr85 and Tyr117, a positive helix dipole and two bridged-water molecules. Unlike other bacterial adenylyltransferases, where a partially conserved histidine residue interacts with the nicotinate ring, the Leu44 side-chain interacts with the nicotinate ring by van der Waals contact. Importantly, the S. aureus NaMNAT represents a distinct adenylyltransferase subfamily identifiable in part by common features of dimerization and substrate recognition in the loop connecting beta5 to beta6 (residues 132-146) and the additional beta6 strand. The unique beta6 strand helps orient the residues in the loop connecting beta5 to beta6 for substrate/product recognition and allows the beta7 strand structural flexibility to make key dimer interface interactions. Taken together, these structural results provide a molecular basis for understanding the coupled activity and recognition specificity for S. aureus NaMNAT and for rational design of selective inhibitors.

18F-Fluoromisonidazole in tumor hypoxia imaging.

Hypoxia is a common feature of solid tumors that is closely associated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy resistance, metastasis and tumors prognosis. Thus, it is important to assess hypoxia in tumors for estimating prognosis and selecting appropriate treatment procedures. 18F-Fluoromisonidazole positron emission tomography (18F-FMISO PET) has been widely used to visualize tumor hypoxia in a comprehensive and noninvasive way, both in the clinical and preclinical settings. Here we review the concept, mechanisms and detection methods of tumor hypoxia. Furthermore, we discuss the correlation between 18F-FMISO PET and other detection methods, current applications of 18F-FMISO PET and the development prospects of this imaging technology.