A tyrosine, histidine-selective bifunctional cross-linker for protein structure analysis.

Chemical cross-linking mass spectrometry (XL-MS) significantly contributes to the analysis of protein structures and the elucidation of protein-protein interactions. Currently available cross-linkers mainly target N-terminus, lysine, glutamate, aspartate, and cysteine residues in protein. Herein, a bifunctional cross-linker, named [4,4'-(disulfanediylbis(ethane-2,1-diyl)) bis(1-methyl-1,2,4-triazolidine-3,5-dione)] (DBMT) has been designed and characterized aiming to extremely expand the application of XL-MS approach. DBMT is capable of selectively targeting tyrosine residue in protein via an electrochemical click reaction, and/or targeting histidine residue in protein in the presence of 1O2 generated under photocatalytic reaction. A novel cross-linking strategy based on this cross-linker has been developed and demonstrated using model proteins, which provides a complementary XL-MS tool analyzing protein structure, protein complexes, protein-protein interactions, and even protein dynamics.

Wan-Nian-Qing, a Herbal Composite Prescription, Suppresses the Progression of Liver Cancer in Mice by Regulating Immune Response.

The Wan-Nian-Qing prescription (WNQP), an herbal composite containing Ornithogalum caudatum, has been used in China for several years for cancer treatment. However, the mechanism of its pharmacological action against liver cancer is not clear. This study aimed to investigate the role of WNQP in inhibiting tumor growth in hepatocellular carcinoma model mice and determine its mechanism of action. We established HepG2- and SMMC-7721-xenografted tumor models in nude mice and BALB/c mice. The mice were administered WNQP for 2 weeks. The bodyweight of each mouse was monitored every day, and the tumor size was measured using vernier caliper before each round of WNQP administration. After the last dose, mice were sacrificed. The tumors were removed, lysed, and subjected to proteome profiling, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and western blotting. The liver, spleen, and kidney were collected for histopathological examination. The effects of WNQP against liver cancer were first systematically confirmed in HepG2- and SMMC-7721-xenografted nude mice and BALB/c mice models. WNQP inhibited tumor growth, but failed to affect bodyweight and organ structures (liver and spleen), confirming that it was safe to use in mice. In BALB/c mice, WNQP regulated immune function, inferred from the modulation of immune-related cytokines such as interleukins, interferon, tumor necrosis factors, and chemokines. Further results confirmed that this regulation occurred via the regulatory effects of WNQP on Nrf2 signaling. WNQP can inhibit the growth of HepG2- and SMMC-7721-xenografted tumors in nude mice and BALB/c mice. This effect manifests at least partially through immunomodulation mediated apoptosis.

Cordyceps militaris fruit body extract ameliorates membranous glomerulonephritis by attenuating oxidative stress and renal inflammation via the NF-κB pathway.

Membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN) is a common pathogenesis of nephritic syndrome in adult patients. Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) serves as the main transcription factor for the inflammatory response mediated nephropathy. Cordyceps militaris, containing various pharmacological components, has been used as a kind of crude drug and folk tonic food for improving immunity and reducing inflammation. The current study aims to investigate the renoprotective activity of Cordyceps militaris aqueous extract (CM) in the cationic bovine serum albumin (C-BSA)-induced rat model of membranous glomerulonephritis. Significant renal dysfunction was observed in MGN rats; comparatively, 4-week CM administration strongly decreased the levels of 24 h urine protein, total cholesterol, triglyceride, blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine, and increased the levels of serum albumin and total serum protein. Strikingly, recovery of the kidney histological architecture was noted in CM-treated MGN rats. A significant improvement in the glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase levels, and a reduced malondialdehyde concentration were observed in the serum and kidney of CM-treated rats. Altered levels of inflammatory cytokines including interleukins, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, vascular adhesion molecule 1, tumor necrosis factor-α, 6-keto-prostaglandin F1α, and nuclear transcriptional factor subunit NF-κB p65 reverted to normal levels upon treatment with CM. The present data suggest that CM protects rats against membranous glomerulonephritis via the normalization of NF-κB activity, thereby inhibiting oxidative damage and reducing inflammatory cytokine levels, which further provide experimental evidence in support of the clinical use of CM as an effective renoprotective agent.

Studies on the Antifatigue Activities of Cordyceps militaris Fruit Body Extract in Mouse Model.

Cordyceps militaris has been used extensively as a crude drug and a folk tonic food in East Asia due to its various pharmacological activities. Our study aims to investigate the effect of Cordyceps militaris fruit body extract (CM) on antifatigue in mouse model. Two week CM administration significantly delayed fatigue phenomenon which is confirmed via rotating rod test, forced swimming test and forced running test. Compared to nontreated mouse, CM administration increased ATP levels and antioxidative enzymes activity and reduced the levels of lactic acid, lactic dehydrogenase, malondialdehyde, and reactive oxygen species. Further data suggests that CM-induced fatigue recovery is mainly through activating 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathways and regulating serum hormone level. Moreover, CM-enhanced the phosphorylation of AMPK contributes to its antioxidant effect. Our data provides experimental evidence in supporting clinical use of CM as an effective agent against fatigue.

A rapid and sensitive LC-MS/MS assay to quantify yonkenafil in rat plasma with application to preclinical pharmacokinetics studies.

A novel method for the quantitation of yonkenafil, a new synthetic phosphodiesterase V inhibitor, in rat plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) has been developed. The analyte and internal standard (diazepam) were extracted from plasma (100 microl) by liquid-liquid extraction and separated on a C18 column using 10mM ammonium acetate buffer: methanol (15:85, v/v) as mobile phase in a run time of 3.0 min. The detector was a Q-trap mass spectrometer with an ESI interface operating in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The assay was linear over the concentration range 1.0-1000 ng/ml with a limit of detection of 0.20 ng/ml. Intra- and inter-day precision (as relative standard deviation) were both within 8.45% with good accuracy. The method was successfully applied to a preclinical pharmacokinetic study of yonkenafil in rat after sublingual, oral and intravenous administration. The results demonstrate that the sublingual route gives a higher bioavailablity than the oral route and may represent a useful alternative route of yonkenafil administration.

Determination of dioscin in rat plasma by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

A sensitive and specific high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) assay for dioscin in rat plasma was developed. Ginsenoside Rh2 was employed as an internal standard. Dioscin is a naturally occurring saponin present in many traditional Chinese medicinal plants. Dioscin was determined after the acetonitrile-mediated plasma protein precipitation. The mobile phase consisted of acetonitrile:10 mmol/l aqueous ammonium acetate (95:5, v:v), which was pumped at 0.8 ml/min. The analytical column (100 mm x 4.6 mm i.d.) was packed with Hypersil ODS material (5 microm). The standard curve was linear from 1 to 100 ng/ml. The assay was specific, accurate (percentage deviations from nominal concentrations were <10%), precise and reproducible (within- and between-day coefficients of variation <10%). Dioscin in rat plasma was stable over three freeze-thaw cycles and at ambient temperatures for 24 h. The utility of the assay was demonstrated by determining dioscin plasma concentrations in five rats for 120 h following a single oral gavage dose of 90 mg/kg.