Single-molecule force spectroscopy study on the mechanism of RNA disassembly in tobacco mosaic virus.

To explore the disassembly mechanism of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), a model system for virus study, during infection, we have used single-molecule force spectroscopy to mimic and follow the process of RNA disassembly from the protein coat of TMV by the replisome (molecular motor) in vivo, under different pH and Ca(2+) concentrations. Dynamic force spectroscopy revealed the unbinding free-energy landscapes as that at pH 4.7 the disassembly process is dominated by one free-energy barrier, whereas at pH 7.0 the process is dominated by one barrier and that there exists a second barrier. The additional free-energy barrier at longer distance has been attributed to the hindrance of disordered loops within the inner channel of TMV, and the biological function of those protein loops was discussed. The combination of pH increase and Ca(2+) concentration drop could weaken RNA-protein interactions so much that the molecular motor replisome would be able to pull and disassemble the rest of the genetic RNA from the protein coat in vivo. All these facts provide supporting evidence at the single-molecule level, to our knowledge for the first time, for the cotranslational disassembly mechanism during TMV infection under physiological conditions.

Novel insights into the synergistic interaction of a thioredoxin reductase inhibitor and TRAIL: the activation of the ASK1-ERK-Sp1 pathway.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) induces cell death in various types of cancer cells but has little or no effects on normal cells. Unfortunately, not all cancer cells respond to TRAIL; therefore, TRAIL sensitizing agents are currently being explored. Here, we reported that 6-(4-N,N-dimethylaminophenyltelluro)-6-deoxy-ß-cyclodextrin (DTCD), a cyclodextrin-derived diorganyl telluride which has been identified as an excellent inhibitor of thioredoxin reductase (TrxR), could sensitize TRAIL resistant human ovarian cancer cells to undergo apoptosis. In vitro, DTCD enhanced TRAIL-induced cytotoxicity in human ovarian cancer cells through up-regulation of DR5. Luciferase analysis and CHIP assays showed that DTCD increased DR5 promoter activity via Sp1 activation. Additionally, DTCD stimulated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activation, while the ERK inhibitor PD98059 blocked DTCD-induced DR5 expression and suppressed binding of Sp1 to the DR5 promoter. We further demonstrated that DTCD could induce the release of ASK1 from its complex with Trx-1, and recovered its kinase activity. Meanwhile, suppression of ASK1 by RNA interference led to decreased ERK phosphorylation induced by DTCD. The underlying mechanisms reveal that Trx-1 is heavily oxidized in response to DTCD treatment, in accordance with the fact that DTCD could inhibit the activity of TrxR that reduces oxidized Trx-1. Moreover, using an A2780 xenograft model, DTCD plus TRAIL significantly inhibited the growth of tumor in vivo. Our results suggest that Trx/TrxR system inhibition may play a critical role in apoptosis by combined treatment with DTCD and TRAIL, and raise the possibility that their combination may be a promising strategy for ovarian carcinoma treatment.

A novel 65-mer peptide imitates the synergism of superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in cell growth, differentiation, and death. Excessive amounts of ROS (e.g., O(2)(-), H(2)O(2), and HO) play a role in aging as well as in many human diseases. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) are critical antioxidant enzymes in living organisms. SOD catalyzes the dismutation of O(2)(-) to H(2)O(2), and GPx catalyzes the reduction of H(2)O(2) and other harmful peroxides by glutathione (GSH). They not only function in catalytic processes but also protect each other, resulting in more efficient removal of ROS, protection of cells against injury, and maintenance of the normal metabolism of ROS. To imitate the synergism of SOD and GPx, a 65-mer peptide (65P), containing sequences that form the domains of the active center of SOD and the catalytic triad of GPx upon the incorporation of some metals, was designed on the basis of native enzyme structural models; 65P was expressed in the cysteine auxotrophic expression system to obtain Se-65P. Se-65P was converted into Se-CuZn-65P by incorporating Cu(2+) and Zn(2+). Se-CuZn-65P exhibited high SOD and GPx activities because it has a delicate dual-activity center. The synergism of the enzyme mimic was evaluated by using an in vitro model and a xanthine/xanthine oxidase/Fe(2+)-induced mitochondrial damage model system. We anticipate that the peptide enzyme mimic with synergism is promising for the treatment of human diseases and has potential applications in medicine as a potent antioxidant.

Seleno-cyclodextrin sensitises human breast cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis through DR5 induction and NF-κB suppression.

Tumour necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) exhibits potent antitumour activity via membrane receptors on cancer cells without deleterious side-effects for normal tissue. Unfortunately, like many other cancer types, breast cancer cells develop resistance to TRAIL; therefore, TRAIL-sensitising agents are currently being explored. In this study, we report that seleno-cyclodextrin (2-selenium-bridged ß-cyclodextrin, 2-SeCD), a seleno-organic compound with glutathione peroxidase (GPx)-mimetic activity, sensitises TRAIL-resistant human breast cancer cells and xenograft tumours to undergo apoptosis. In vitro, 2-SeCD reduces the viability of cancer cells by inducing cell cycle arrest in G(2)/M phase. Furthermore, 2-SeCD efficiently sensitises MDA-MB-468 and T47D cells but not untransformed human mammary epithelial cells to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis, as evidenced by enhanced caspase activity and poly-ADP-ribose-polymerase (PARP) cleavage. From a mechanistic standpoint, we show that 2-SeCD induces the expression of TRAIL receptors DR5 but not DR4 on both mRNA and protein levels in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, 2-SeCD treatment also suppresses TRAIL-induced nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) pro-survival pathways by preventing cytosolic IκBα degradation and p65 nuclear translocation. Consequently, the combined administration suppresses anti-apoptotic proteins transcriptionally regulated by NF-κB. In vivo, 2-SeCD and TRAIL are well tolerated in mice, and their combination significantly inhibits the growth of MDA-MB-468 xenografts and promotes apoptosis. Up-regulation of DR5 and down-regulation of NF-κB by dual treatment were also observed in tumour tissues. Overall, 2-SeCD sensitises resistant breast cancer cells to TRAIL-based apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. These findings provide strong evidence for the therapeutic potential of this combination against breast cancers.

2-Tellurium-bridged ß-cyclodextrin, a thioredoxin reductase inhibitor, sensitizes human breast cancer cells to TRAIL-induced apoptosis through DR5 induction and NF-κB suppression.

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) exhibits potent antitumor activity via membrane receptors on cancer cells without deleterious side effects for normal tissue. Unfortunately, breast cancer cells, as many other cancer types, develop resistance to TRAIL; therefore, TRAIL sensitizing agents are currently being explored. 2-Tellurium-bridged ß-cyclodextrin (2-TeCD) is a synthetic organotellurium compound, with both glutathione peroxidase-like catalytic ability and thioredoxin reductase inhibitor activity. In the present study, we reported that 2-TeCD sensitized TRAIL-resistant human breast cancer cells and xenograft tumors to undergo apoptosis. In vitro, 2-TeCD efficiently sensitized MDA-MB-468 and T47D cells, but not untransformed human mammary epithelial cells, to TRAIL-mediated apoptosis, as evidenced by enhanced caspase activity and poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase cleavage. From a mechanistic standpoint, we showed that 2-TeCD treatment of breast cancer cells significantly upregulated the messenger RNA and protein levels of TRAIL receptor, death receptor (DR) 5, in a transcription factor Sp1-dependent manner. 2-TeCD treatment also suppressed TRAIL-induced nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) prosurvival pathways by preventing cytosolic IκBα degradation, as well as p65 nuclear translocation. Consequently, the combined administration suppressed anti-apoptotic molecules that are transcriptionally regulated by NF-κB. In vivo, 2-TeCD and TRAIL were well tolerated in mice and their combination significantly inhibited growth of MDA-MB-468 xenografts and promoted apoptosis. Upregulation of DR5 and downregulation of NF-κB by the dual treatment were also observed in tumor tissues. Overall, 2-TeCD sensitizes resistant breast cancer cells to TRAIL-based apoptosis in vitro and in vivo. These findings provide strong evidence for the therapeutic potential of this combination against breast cancers.

Pulling genetic RNA out of tobacco mosaic virus using single-molecule force spectroscopy.

RNA-coat protein interactions in intact tobacco mosaic virus have been investigated for the first time directly on the single-molecule level by pulling the genetic RNA step by step out of the helical groove formed by its protein coat. The effects of pulling speed and pH on RNA-protein interactions are presented. In addition, the rebinding behavior of the detached RNA with the protein coat is discussed. Our results demonstrate the possibility of studying nucleic acid-protein interactions in more complicated systems using AFM-based single-molecule force spectroscopy.

An insight into the protection of rat liver against ischemia/reperfusion injury by 2-selenium-bridged beta-cyclodextrin.

AIM: The reperfusion following liver ischemia results in the damage and apoptosis of hepatocytes. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects and mechanism of a new synthesized glutathione peroxidase (GPX) mimic, 2-selenium-bridged beta-cyclodextrin (2-SeCD), on rat liver ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. METHODS: Male Wistar rats (n = 32) were randomly divided into four groups: I. sham-operated group, II. I/R group, III. I/R +2-SeCD group, IV. I/R + Ebselen group. Hepatic I/R was administered by 90 min of ischemia and 12 h of reperfusion. Liver tissues were collected at the end of reperfusion period for measurement of various biochemical parameters. RESULTS: The serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity and tissue malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase levels were increased in I/R group, while the increase was significantly reduced by 2-SeCD treatment. The glutathione level, depressed by I/R, was elevated back to normal levels by treatment with 2-SeCD. Severe hepatic damage were observed by light and transmission electron microscopy whilst pretreatment with 2-SeCD resulted in tissue and cellular preservation. Furthermore, 2-SeCD reduced cytochrome c release from mitochondria and subsequent DNA fragmentation by regulating Bcl-2/Bax expression ratio. RESULTS suggested that 2-SeCD was more effective than ebselen in the reversal of the alteration in tissue structural and biochemical parameters caused by I/R injury. CONCLUSION: 2-selenium-bridged beta-cyclodextrin playes an important role in the protection of liver against I/R injury and this treatment may be a novel pharmacological agent for liver surgery.

Enhanced angiogenesis of porous collagen scaffolds by incorporation of TMC/DNA complexes encoding vascular endothelial growth factor.

Angiogenesis of an implanted construct is one of the most important issues in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, and can often take as long as several weeks. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) shows a positive effect on enhancing angiogenesis in vivo. But the incorporation of growth factors has many limitations, since they typically have half-lives only on the order of minutes. Therefore, in this work the DNA encoding VEGF was applied to enhance the angiogenesis of a collagen scaffold. A cationic gene delivery vector, N,N,N-trimethyl chitosan chloride (TMC), was used to form complexes with the plasmid DNA encoding VEGF. The complexes were then incorporated into the collagen scaffold, the loading being mediated by the feeding concentration and release in a sustained manner. In vitro cell culture demonstrated a significant improvement in the VEGF expression level from the TMC/DNA complexes containing scaffolds, in particular with a large amount of DNA. The scaffolds containing the TMC/DNA complexes were subcutaneously implanted into Sprague-Dawley mice to study their angiogenesis via macroscopic observation, hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining. The results demonstrated that the incorporation of TMC/DNA complexes could effectively enhance the in vivo VEGF expression and thereby the angiogenesis of implanted scaffolds.

Effect of 2-TeCD on the expression of adhesion molecules in human umbilical vein endothelial cells under the stimulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha.

Adhesion molecules play an important role in the pathogenesis of atherogenesis. They are expressed on endothelial cells surface in response to various inflammatory stimuli. In this paper, we examined the effect of 2-tellurium-bridged beta-cyclodextrin (2-TeCD), a GPx mimic, on the expression of adhesion molecules in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) under tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) stimulation. Experimental results indicated that 2-TeCD suppressed the TNF-alpha-induced the expression of vascular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on HUVECs surface in a dose-dependent manner. 2-TeCD also reduced the level of mRNA expression of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1. Furthermore, 2-TeCD inhibited THP-1 monocyte adhesion to HUVECs stimulated by TNF-alpha. Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) could regulate transcription of VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 genes. Western blot analysis showed that 2-TeCD inhibited the translocation of the p65 subunit of NF-kappaB into the nucleus. In short, these results indicated that 2-TeCD inhibits TNF-alpha-stimulated VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 expression in HUVECs partly due to suppressing translocation of NF-kappaB.

Incorporation of glutathione peroxidase active site into polymer based on imprinting strategy.

Glutathione peroxidase (GPx, EC 1.11.1.9) is a key enzyme involved in scavenging of reactive oxygen species in biological system. For developing an efficient GPx-like antioxidant, catalytically necessary amino acid derivatives which located near the GPx active center were prepared as functional monomers. Via predetermined imprinting with substrate glutathione (GSH), a polymer-based GPx mimic with a similar structure of catalytic center of natural GPx was developed, and it demonstrated high-catalytic efficiency and substrate specificity. The imprinting polymer (I-PEM) exhibits GPx-like activity about three times higher than that of 2-SeCD, a cyclodextrin-based GPx mimic. The detailed studies on kinetics revealed that not only the substrate binding but also positional arrangement of reacting groups contribute significantly to the catalytic efficiency of the peroxidase model.

Incorporation of tellurocysteine into glutathione transferase generates high glutathione peroxidase efficiency.

A rival to native peroxidase! An existing binding site for glutathione was combined with the catalytic residue tellurocysteine by using an auxotrophic expression system to create an engineered enzyme that functions as a glutathione peroxidase from the scaffold of a glutathione transferase (see picture). The catalytic activity of the telluroenzyme in the reduction of hydroperoxides by glutathione is comparable to that of native glutathione peroxidase.

Polyphosphazene Microcapsules Fabricated through Covalent Assembly.

Hollow polyphosphazene microcapsules have been fabricated by the covalent layer-by-layer assembly of polydichlorophosphazene (PDCP) and hexamethylenediamine (HDA) on aminosilanized silica particles, followed by core removal in a HF/NH(4) F solution. The hollow and intact microcapsules in both wet and dry states have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. The chemical structure of the microcapsules has been verified by FT-IR spectroscopy. The microcapsules could be hydrolytically degraded in a phosphate buffer at biological pH.

Engineered selenium-containing glutaredoxin displays strong glutathione peroxidase activity rivaling natural enzyme.

Insertion of selenocysteine (Sec) into protein scaffolds provides an opportunity for designing enzymes with improved and unusual catalytic properties. The use of a common thioredoxin fold with a high affinity for glutathione in glutaredoxin (Grx) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) suggests a possibility of engineering Grx into GPx and vice versa. Here, we engineered a Grx domain of mouse thioredoxin/glutathione reductase (TGR) into a selenium-containing enzyme by substituting the active site cysteine (Cys) with selenocysteine (Sec) in a Cys auxotrophic system. The resulting selenoenzyme displayed an unusually high GPx catalytic activity rivaling that of several native GPxs. The engineered seleno-Grx was characterized by mass spectrometry and kinetic analyses. It showed a typical ping-pong kinetic mechanism, and its catalytic properties were similar to those of naturally occurring GPxs. For example, its second rate constant (k(cat)/K(mH2O2)) was as high as 1.55x10(7) M(-1) min(-1). It appears that glutathione-dependent Grx, GPx and glutathione transferase (GST) evolved from a common thioredoxin-like ancestor to accommodate related glutathione-dependent functions and can be interconverted by targeted Sec insertion.

Construction of caged polyplexes with a reversible intracellular unpacking property to improve stability and transfection.

Cross-linking of protein macromonomers accompanies the assembly of viral particles, which provides the virus with high stability in the host. Following inspiration, caged polyplexes were fabricated via a biomimetic cross-linker. Thiolated polyethylenimine was synthesized and showed sufficient DNA condensation ability. Spherical particles with a diameter of about 150nm were formed at an N/P ratio of 10. Shell-cross-linked polyplexes were then constructed by the oxidation of thiol groups in air. All the results indicate that the cross-linking shell via disulfide bonds could improve the stability of polyplexes in the physiological condition and showed a reversible unpacking property at the intracellular GSH concentration. By selecting the proper preparation conditions, polyplexes caged via a biomimetic cross-linker could efficiently release DNA for transfection.

Surface tailoring of poly(ethylene terephthalate) via ligand-tethered comb-like PEG to enhance endothelialization.

The comb-like PEG (CPEG) end-tethered with L-lysine was explored to surface modification of PET to enhance endothelialization. The hydroxyl end groups of CPEG were oxygenated into aldehyde groups. The CPEG-CHO was grafted onto the aminolysized PET. The L-lysine was then end-tethered onto surface via the residual aldehyde groups. The surface modification was confirmed by ATR-FTIR, contact angle and XPS measurements. The endothelial cell adhesion, proliferation and viability results indicated that the PET-CPEG resisted cell adhesion and growth, where as PET-CPEG-lysine promoted cell adhesion and growth. The MTT assay and total cell protein tests indicated that the endothelial cells on PET-CPEG-lysine had high viability. Cell spread uniformly and covered completely on the PET-CPEG-lysine. The CPEG end tethered with L-lysine could regulate cell adhesion and growth and enhance surface endothelialization.

The effect of conjugation to gold nanoparticles on the ability of low molecular weight chitosan to transfer DNA vaccine.

Nonviral gene delivery systems based on conventional high molecular weight chitosans are efficient as DNA vaccine delivery system, but have poor physical properties such as aggregated shapes, low solubility at neutral pH, high viscosity at concentrations used for in vivo delivery and a slow onset of action. Furthermore, Chitosan oligomers shorter than 14 monomers units were recently found to form only weak complexes with DNA, resulting in physically unstable polyplexes in vitro and in vivo. Here, low molecular weight chitosans with an average molecular mass of 6kDa (Chito6) have been covalently attached to gold nanoparticles (GNPs), and the potency of the resulting Chito6-GNPs conjugates as vectors for the delivery of plasmid DNA has been investigated in vitro and in vivo. After delivery by intramuscular immunization in BALB/c mice, the Chito6-GNPs conjugates induced an enhanced serum antibody response 10 times more potent than naked DNA vaccine. Additionally, in contrast to naked DNA, the Chito6-GNPs conjugates induced potent cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses at a low dose.

Influence of assembling pH on the stability of poly(L-glutamic acid) and poly(L-lysine) multilayers against urea treatment.

Polyelectrolyte multilayers of poly(L-glutamic acid) (PGA) and poly(L-lysine) (PLL) were built up using the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique in low pH (3.6, PM3.6) and in neutral pH (7.4, PM7.4) solutions. The multilayers were then treated with a concentrated urea (one kind of denaturant for proteins and polypeptides) solution (8M) and rinsed with corresponding buffer. The buildup and treatment processes were investigated by ultraviolet visible spectroscopy and ellipsometry. The surface morphology was observed by scanning force microscopy (SFM). The inner structures were determined by X-ray reflectometry and circular dichroism spectroscopy (CD). An exponential growth of the optical mass and the layer thickness was observed for both PM3.6 and PM7.4. After urea treatment, a significant mass loss for PM3.6 was found, while no mass change was recorded for PM7.4. The dominant driving force for PM7.4 is electrostatic interaction, resulting in multilayers with an abundant beta-sheet structure, which has higher stability against urea treatment. By contrast, the dominant driving force for PM3.6 is hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction, which are sensitive to the urea treatment. The mechanism is substantiated by molecular mechanics calculation. This has offered a convenient pathway to mediate the multilayer properties, which is of great importance for potential applications.

A facile entrapment approach to construct PEGylated polyplexes for improving stability in physiological condition.

PEGylated polyplexes had been proved to improve the stability of DNA complexes. However, the conjugation reaction might reduce the capacity of efficient DNA complexation. Herein we described an easy and favorable approach to construct PEGylated polyplexes via entrapping poly(ethylene glycol) cholesterol ether (CPEG) into polyplexes. It was of interest to find the addition sequence of CPEG had great effect on the stability of polyplexes in physiological salt concentration. The addition of CPEG into the formed PEI(25k)/DNA polyplexes had no effect to improve the stability. Whereas by the "CPEG first" method of adding CPEG and PEI(25k) mixture into the DNA solution, the PEI(25k)/CPEG/DNA polyplexes showed excellent anti-aggregation effect and enhanced transfection efficiency in physiological condition. The difference performance might be explained by the possibility of CPEG entrapment. By the "CPEG first" method, PEGylated polyplexes was constructed due to the hydrophobic interaction between the cholesterol group of CPEG and hydrophobic charged-compensated core. The PEG coating significantly improved the stability of polyplexes in physiological condition. This facile entrapment approach to prepare PEGylated polyplexes might have great potential in non-viral gene delivery research and application.

Hollow chitosan-alginate multilayer microcapsules as drug delivery vehicle: doxorubicin loading and in vitro and in vivo studies.

We report here the loading of the antitumor drug doxorubicin (DOX) in preformed multilayer microcapsules and its application in tumor treatment assayed by in vitro cell culture and in vivo animal experiments. The microcapsules, consisting completely of polysaccharides, were fabricated by deposition of oppositely charged chitosan and alginate onto carboxylmethyl cellulose (CMC)-doped CaCO(3) colloidal particles in a layer-by-layer fashion, followed by cross-linking with glutaraldehyde and decomposition of the cores by disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid. The microcapsules as prepared contain negatively charged CMC-either in a free state or very possibly coupled with the excess chitosan of the first layer. They showed a strong ability to accumulate the positively charged DOX with a factor of tens to hundreds; that is, the drug concentration within the microcapsules was hundreds of times higher than the feeding concentration. Confocal microscopy and transmission electron microscopy revealed homogeneous distribution of the drug. The encapsulated DOX could be released again, following a diffusion-controlled model at the initial stage. In vitro experiments showed that the encapsulated drug can effectively induce the apoptosis of HepG2 tumor cells, as shown by various microscopy techniques after acridine orange, Hoechst 33342, and osmium tetraoxide staining. By seeding the HepG2 hepatoma cells into BALB/c/nu mice, tumors were created for the experimental studies. The results showed that the encapsulated DOX had better efficacy than that of the free drug in terms of tumor inhibition in a 4-week in vivo culture period.