Anti-Amnesic Effect of Synbiotic Supplementation Containing Corni fructus and Limosilactobacillus reuteri in DSS-Induced Colitis Mice.

This study was conducted to compare the synbiotic activity between Corni fructus (C. fructus) and Limosilactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis and cognitive dysfunction in C57BL/6 mice. C. fructus (as prebiotics, PRE), L. reuteri (as probiotics, PRO), and synbiotics (as a mixture of L. reuteri and C. fructus, SYN) were fed to mice for 3 weeks. Consumption of PRE, PRO, and SYN ameliorated colitis symptoms in body weight, large intestinal length, and serum albumin level. Moreover, SYN showed a synergistic effect on intestinal permeability and intestinal anti-inflammation response. Also, SYN significantly improved cognitive function as a result of measuring the Y-maze and passive avoidance tests in DSS-induced behavioral disorder mice. Especially, SYN also restored memory function by increasing the cholinergic system and reducing tau and amyloid ß pathology. In addition, PRE, PRO, and SYN ameliorated dysbiosis by regulating the gut microbiota and the concentration of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in feces. The bioactive compounds of C. fructus were identified with quinic acid, morroniside, loganin, and cornuside, using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF-MS2). In conclusion, synbiotic supplementation alleviated DSS-induced colitis and cognitive dysfunction by modulating gut microbiota, proinflammatory cytokines, and SCFAs production.

Walnut Prevents Cognitive Impairment by Regulating the Synaptic and Mitochondrial Dysfunction via JNK Signaling and Apoptosis Pathway in High-Fat Diet-Induced C57BL/6 Mice.

This study was conducted to evaluate the protective effect of Juglans regia (walnut, Gimcheon 1ho cultivar, GC) on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced cognitive dysfunction in C57BL/6 mice. The main physiological compounds of GC were identified as pedunculagin/casuariin isomer, strictinin, tellimagrandin I, ellagic acid-O-pentoside, and ellagic acid were identified using UPLC Q-TOF/MS analysis. To evaluate the neuro-protective effect of GC, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorecein diacetate (DCF-DA) analysis were conducted in H2O2 and high glucose-induced neuronal PC12 cells and hippocampal HT22 cells. GC presented significant cell viability and inhibition of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. GC ameliorated behavioral and memory dysfunction through Y-maze, passive avoidance, and Morris water maze tests. In addition, GC reduced white adipose tissue (WAT), liver fat mass, and serum dyslipidemia. To assess the inhibitory effect of antioxidant system deficit, lipid peroxidation, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) were conducted. Administration of GC protected the antioxidant damage against HFD-induced diabetic oxidative stress. To estimate the ameliorating effect of GC, acetylcholine (ACh) level, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and expression of AChE and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) were conducted, and the supplements of GC suppressed the cholinergic system impairment. Furthermore, GC restored mitochondrial dysfunction by regulating the mitochondrial ROS production and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) levels in cerebral tissues. Finally, GC ameliorated cerebral damage by synergically regulating the protein expression of the JNK signaling and apoptosis pathway. These findings suggest that GC could provide a potential functional food source to improve diabetic cognitive deficits and neuronal impairments.

Immature Persimmon Suppresses Amyloid Beta (Aß) Mediated Cognitive Dysfunction via Tau Pathology in ICR Mice.

This study confirmed the ameliorating effect of immature persimmon (Diospyros kaki) ethanolic extract (IPEE) on neuronal cytotoxicity in amyloid beta (Aß)1-42-induced ICR mice. The administration of IPEE ameliorated the cognitive dysfunction in Aß1-42-induced mice by improving the spatial working memory, the short-term and long-term memory functions. IPEE protected the cerebral cholinergic system, such as the acetylcholine (ACh) level and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and antioxidant system, such as the superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents. In addition, mitochondrial dysfunction against Aß1-42-induced toxicity was reduced by regulating the reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential and ATP contents. In addition, IPEE regulated the expression levels of tau signaling, such as TNF-α, p-JNK, p-Akt, p-GSK3ß, p-tau, p-NF-κB, BAX and caspase 3. Finally, gallic acid, ellagic acid and quercetin 3-O-(6″-acetyl-glucoside) were identified as the physiological compounds of IPEE using ultra-performance liquid chromatography ion mobility separation quadrupole time-of-flight/tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC IMS Q-TOF/MS2).

NEDD4-induced degradative ubiquitination of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase α and its implication in breast cancer cell proliferation.

Phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase (PIP5K) family members generate phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2), a critical lipid regulator of diverse physiological processes. The PIP5K-dependent PIP2 generation can also act upstream of the oncogenic phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway. Many studies have demonstrated various mechanisms of spatiotemporal regulation of PIP5K catalytic activity. However, there are few studies on regulation of PIP5K protein stability. Here, we examined potential regulation of PIP5Kα, a PIP5K isoform, via ubiquitin-proteasome system, and its implication for breast cancer. Our results showed that the ubiquitin ligase NEDD4 (neural precursor cell expressed, developmentally down-regulated gene 4) mediated ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of PIP5Kα, consequently reducing plasma membrane PIP2 level. NEDD4 interacted with the C-terminal region and ubiquitinated the N-terminal lysine 88 in PIP5Kα. In addition, PIP5Kα gene disruption inhibited epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced Akt activation and caused significant proliferation defect in breast cancer cells. Notably, PIP5Kα K88R mutant that was resistant to NEDD4-mediated ubiquitination and degradation showed more potentiating effects on Akt activation by EGF and cell proliferation than wild-type PIP5Kα. Collectively, these results suggest that PIP5Kα is a novel degradative substrate of NEDD4 and that the PIP5Kα-dependent PIP2 pool contributing to breast cancer cell proliferation through PI3K/Akt activation is negatively controlled by NEDD4.

Ethyl Acetate Fraction from Persimmon (Diospyros kaki) Ameliorates Cerebral Neuronal Loss and Cognitive Deficit via the JNK/Akt Pathway in TMT-Induced Mice.

This study was conducted to assess the antioxidant capacity and protective effect of the ethyl acetate fraction from persimmon (Diospyros kaki) (EFDK) on H2O2-induced hippocampal HT22 cells and trimethyltin chloride (TMT)-induced Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice. EFDK had high antioxidant activities and neuroprotective effects in HT22 cells. EFDK ameliorated behavioral and memory deficits in Y-maze, passive avoidance and Morris water maze tests. Also, EFDK restored the antioxidant system by regulating malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced gluthathione (GSH), and the cholinergic system by controlling the acetylcholine (ACh) level and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and expression. EFDK enhanced mitochondrial function by regulating reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Ultimately, EFDK regulated the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/protein kinase B (Akt) pathway and apoptotic pathway by suppressing the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS-1pSer), phosphorylated JNK (p-JNK), phosphorylated tau (p-tau), phosphorylated nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (p-NF-κB), Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX) and cytosolic cytochrome c, and increasing the expression of phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) and mitochondrial cytochrome c. This study suggested that EFDK had antioxidant activity and a neuroprotective effect, and ameliorated cognitive abnormalities in TMT-induced mice by regulating the JNK/Akt and apoptotic pathway.

Serine cluster phosphorylation liberates the C-terminal helix of IFN regulatory factor 7 to bind histone acetyltransferase p300.

IFN regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) is a major regulator of type I (αß) IFN secretion. A growing body of evidence shows that IRF7 is involved in a wide variety of pathologic conditions in addition to infections; however, the detailed mechanism of IRF7 transactivation remains elusive. Our current knowledge of IRF7 transactivation is based on studies of IRF3, another major regulator of IFN-ß secretion. IRF3 and IRF7 are closely related homologs with high sequence similarity in their C-terminal regions, and both proteins are activated by phosphorylation of a specific serine cluster (SC). Nevertheless, the functional domains of the two proteins are arranged in an inverted manner. We generated a model structure of the IRF7 C-terminal region using homology modeling and used it to guide subsequent functional domain studies. The model structure led to the identification of a tripod-helix structure containing the SC. Based on the model and experimental data, we hypothesized that phosphorylation-mediated IRF7 transactivation is controlled by a tripod-helix structure. Inducible IκB kinase binds a tripod-helix structure. Serial phosphorylation of the SC by the kinase liberates C-terminal helix from an inhibitory hydrophobic pocket. A histone acetyltransferase P300 binds the liberated helix. The difference in the P300 binding sites explains why the domain arrangement of IRF7 is inverted relative to that of IRF3.

Lysine 63-linked TANK-binding kinase 1 ubiquitination by mindbomb E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 2 is mediated by the mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein.

UNLABELLED: Beta interferon (IFN-ß) is involved in a wide range of cellular functions, and its secretion must be tightly controlled to inhibit viral spreading while minimizing cellular damage. Intracellular viral replication triggers cellular signaling cascades leading to the activation of the transcription factors NF-κB and interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and IRF7 (IRF3/7), which synergistically bind to the IFN-ß gene promoter to induce its expression. The mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) is a governing adaptor protein that mediates signaling communications between virus-sensing proteins and transcription factors. The activity of MAVS in the regulation of IFN-ß secretion is affected by many cellular factors. However, the mechanism of MAVS-mediated IRF3/7 activation is not completely understood. Here, we identified a highly conserved DLAIS motif at amino acid positions 438 to 442 of MAVS that is indispensable for IRF3/7 activation. Specifically, the L439S and A440R mutations suppress IRF3/7 activation. Pulldown experiments using wild-type and mutant MAVS showed that mindbomb E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 2 (MIB2) binds to the DLAIS motif. Furthermore, the DLAIS motif was found to be critical for MIB2 binding, the ligation of K63-linked ubiquitin to TANK-binding kinase 1, and phosphorylation-mediated IRF3/7 activation. Our results suggest that MIB2 plays a putative role in MAVS-mediated interferon signaling. IMPORTANCE: Mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) mediates signaling from virus-sensing proteins to transcription factors for the induction of beta interferon. However, the mechanism underlying activation of MAVS-mediated interferon regulatory factors 3 and 7 (IRF3/7) is not completely understood. We found a highly conserved DLAIS motif in MAVS that is indispensable for IRF3/7 activation through TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) and identified it as the binding site for mindbomb E3 ubiquitin protein ligase 2 (MIB2). The mutations that targeted the DLAIS motif abolished MIB2 binding, attenuated the K63-linked ubiquitination of TBK1, and decreased the phosphorylation-mediated activation of IRF3/7.

Cysteine-rich secretory protein 3 inhibits hepatitis C virus at the initial phase of infection.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects 2-3% of the global population. Approximately one-quarter of acute infections cause chronic hepatitis that leads to liver cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma. The major obstacle of current research is the extremely narrow host tropism of HCV. A single HCV strain can replicate in the Huh7 human hepatoma cell line. Huh7 cells can be adapted under selective pressure in vitro to identify host factors that influence viral replication. Here, we extended this strategy to the in vivo condition and generated a series of cell lines by multiple rounds of adaptation in immunocompromised mice. Adaptation increased the cellular resistance to HCV infection. Microarray analyses revealed that the expression levels of several genes were associated with HCV resistance. Notably, up-regulation of the mRNA encoding cysteine-rich secretory protein 3 (CRISP3), a glycoprotein with unknown function that is secreted from multiple exocrine glands, was correlated with HCV resistance. The presence of CRISP3 in the culture medium limited HCV replication at the early phase of infection.

Crystal structure of 7-bromo-2-(3-fluoro-phen-yl)-1-(methyl-sulfin-yl)naphtho[2,1-b]furan.

In the title compound, C19H11BrFO2S, the dihedral angle between the plane of the naphtho-furan ring system [r.m.s. deviation = 0.043 (2) Å] and that of the 3-fluoro-benzene ring is 39.32 (8)°. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by C-H⋯O and C-Br⋯π [3.835 (1) Å] inter-actions into stacks along the c axis, forming a three-dimensional network. The F atom is disordered over two positions, with site-occupancy factors of 0.851 (3) and 0.149 (3).

Crystal structure of 5-chloro-2,7-dimethyl-3-[(4-methyl-phenyl)-sulfon-yl]-1-benzo-furan.

In the title compound, C17H15ClO3S, the dihedral angle between the planes of the benzo-furan ring system [r.m.s. deviation = 0.008 Å] and the 4-methyl-phenyl ring is 77.29 (4)°. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by π-π inter-actions between the benzene rings of neighbouring mol-ecules [centroid-centroid distance = 3.847 (2) Å] and between the benzene and furan rings of neighbouring mol-ecules [centroid-centroid distance = 3.743 (2) Å]. The mol-ecules are stacked along the a-axis direction. In addition, pairs of C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds are observed between inversion-related dimers: these generate R 2 (2)(12) loops.

Crystal structure of 5-iodo-2-methyl-3-[(4-methyl-phenyl)-sulfon-yl]-1-benzo-furan.

In the title compound, C16H13IO3S, the dihedral angle between the planes of the benzo-furan ring system [r.m.s. deviation = 0.015 (2) Å] and the 4-methyl-phenyl ring is 70.35 (5)°. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by pairs of π-π inter-actions between the furan and benzene rings, with centroid-centroid distances of 3.667 (3) and 3.701 (3) Å. The mol-ecules stack along the a-axis direction. In addition, pairs of C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds between inversion-related dimers [which generate R 2 (2)(10) loops] and a short I⋯I [3.7534 (3) Å] contact are observed.

Crystal structure of 2-ethyl-3-(4-fluoro-phenyl-sulfin-yl)-5,7-dimethyl-1-benzo-furan.

In the title compound, C18H17FO2S, the dihedral angle between the planes of the benzo-furan ring system (r.m.s. deviation = 0.004 Å) and the 4-fluoro-phenyl ring is 86.38 (6)°. The terminal C atom of the ethyl substituent is displaced by 1.444 (3) Šfrom the benzo-furan ring system to the same side of the mol-ecule as the 4-fluoro-phenyl ring. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked via pairs of C-H⋯π inter-actions into inversion-related dimers. These dimers are further linked by π-π inter-actions between the benzene rings of neighbouring mol-ecules [centroid-centroid distance = 3.715 (3) Å] and between the furan rings of neighbouring mol-ecules [centroid-centroid distance = 3.598 (3) Å]. The mol-ecules are stacked along the a-axis direction. In the sulfinyl group, the S and O atoms are disordered over two sets of sites, with site-occupancy factors of 0.797 (3) and 0.213 (3).

5-Chloro-3-(4-fluoro-phenyl-sulfon-yl)-2,7-dimethyl-1-benzo-furan.

In the title compound, C16H12ClFO3S, the dihedral angle between the plane of the benzo-furan ring system [r.m.s. deviation = 0.007 (1) Å] and that of the 4-fluoro-phenyl ring is 76.11 (5)°. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked into [010] chains via two different inversion-generated pairs of C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds. The crystal structure also exhibits weak π-π inter-actions between the benzene and furan rings of neighbouring mol-ecules [centroid-centroid distance = 3.820 (2) Å].

Crystal structure of 5-chloro-3-cyclo-hexyl-sulfinyl-2,4,6-trimethyl-1-benzo-furan.

In the title compound, C17H21ClO2S, the cyclo-hexyl ring adopts a chair conformation with the C-S bond in an equatorial orientation. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by C-H⋯O and C-H⋯π hydrogen bonds and a Cl⋯π [3.594 (2) Å] contact into chains along the a-axis direction.

Crystal structure of 2,5-dimethyl-3-(3-methyl-phenyl-sulfon-yl)-1-benzo-furan.

In the title compound, C17H16O3S, the dihedral angle between the plane of the benzo-furan ring system [r.m.s. deviation = 0.010 (1) Å] and that of the 3-methyl-phenyl ring is 79.09 (5)°. Intra-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds are observed. In the crystal, mol-ecules are connected into a chain along the c-axis direction by two different pairs of inversion-generated inter-actions: C-H⋯π hydrogen bonds between the methyl groups and the benzene rings of the 3-methyl-phenyl fragments and π-π inter-actions between the benzene and furan rings of neighbouring mol-ecules [centroid-centroid distance = 3.673 (2) Å].

Crystal structure of 5-chloro-2-(3-fluoro-phen-yl)-3-methyl-sulfinyl-1-benzo-furan.

In the title compound, C15H10ClFO2S, the dihedral angle between the plane of the benzo-furan ring system [r.m.s. deviation = 0.013 (1) Å] and that of the 3-fluoro-phenyl ring [r.m.s. deviation = 0.005 (1) Å] is 31.36 (5)°. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by two different pairs of C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming inversion dimers.

Crystal structure of 2-ethyl-3-(4-fluoro-phenyl-sulfon-yl)-5,7-dimethyl-1-benzo-furan.

In the title compound, C18H17FO3S, the dihedral angle between the plane of the benzo-furan ring [r.m.s. deviation = 0.006 (1) Å] and that of the 4-fluoro-phenyl ring [r.m.s. deviation = 0.004 (1) Å] is 82.45 (4)°. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked via three different pairs of C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming chains along [001] and enclosing two R (2) 2(10) and one R (2) 2(12) ring motifs. The chains are further linked by π-π inter-actions [inter-centroid distance = 3.566 (1) Å] between the furan rings of inversion-related mol-ecules, forming a two-dimensional network lying parallel to (100).

Crystal structure of 5-chloro-3-(4-fluoro-phenyl-sulfin-yl)-2,4,6-trimethyl-1-benzo-furan.

In the title compound, C17H14ClFO2S, the dihedral angle between the mean planes of the benzo-furan ring system [maximum deviation = 0.037 (2) Å] and the 4-fluoro-benzene ring is 71.92 (5)°. An intra-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bond occurs. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked by π-π stacking between the benzene rings of neighbouring mol-ecules [centroid-centroid distance = 3.7103 (10) Å]. These mol-ecules are further linked by C-S⋯π [S⋯centroid = 3.570 (1) Å] and C-H⋯O inter-actions, resulting in a three-dimensional supra-molecular network.

Crystal structure of 3-(4-bromo-phenyl-sulfon-yl)-2,5,6-trimethyl-1-benzo-furan.

In the title compound, C17H15BrO3S, the dihedral angle between the planes of the benzo-furan ring system [r.m.s. deviation = 0.015 (2) Å] and the 4-bromo-phenyl ring is 89.29 (6)°. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked into a chain along the b-axis direction by C-H⋯π hydrogen bonds and C-Br⋯π [3.626 (1) Å] inter-actions.

Crystal structure of 3-(2-bromo-phenyl-sulfon-yl)-2,5,7-trimethyl-1-benzo-furan.

In the title compound, C17H15BrO3S, the dihedral angle between the planes of the benzo-furan ring system [r.m.s. deviation = 0.016 (2) Å] and the 2-bromo-phenyl ring is 82.93 (6)°. In the crystal, mol-ecules are linked via pairs of C-H⋯π hydrogen bonds and π-π inter-actions between the benzene and furan rings of neighbouring mol-ecules [centroid-centroid distance = 3.881 (2) Å] into inversion-related dimers along the b-axis direction. These dimers are further linked by short Br⋯O [3.185 (2) Å] contacts.