Lipid-Raft-Targeted Molecular Self-Assembly Inactivates YAP to Treat Ovarian Cancer.

The Yes-associated protein (YAP) is a major oncoprotein responsible for cell proliferation control. YAP's oncogenic activity is regulated by both the Hippo kinase cascade and uniquely by a mechanical-force-induced actin remodeling process. Inspired by reports that ovarian cancer cells specifically accumulate the phosphatase protein ALPP on lipid rafts that physically link to actin cytoskeleton, we developed a molecular self-assembly (MSA) technology that selectively halts cancer cell proliferation by inactivating YAP. We designed a ruthenium-complex-peptide precursor molecule that, upon cleavage of phosphate groups, undergoes self-assembly to form nanostructures specifically on lipid rafts of ovarian cancer cells. The MSAs exert potent, cancer-cell-specific antiproliferative effects in multiple cancer cell lines and in mouse xenograft tumor models. Our work illustrates how basic biochemical insights can be exploited as the basis for a nanobiointerface fabrication technology which links nanoscale protein activities at specific subcellular locations to molecular biological activities to suppress cancer cell proliferation.

Constructing Cross-Linked Nanofibrous Scaffold via Dual-Enzyme-Instructed Hierarchical Assembly.

To explore the potential of step-by-step assembly in the fabrication of biological materials, we designed and synthesized two peptide-based molecules for enzyme-instructed hierarchical assembly. Upon the treatment of alkaline phosphatase, one molecule undergoes enzyme-instructed self-assembly forming uniformed nanofibers. The other one that can self-assemble into vesicles undergoes enzyme-induced transformation of self-assembly converting vesicles into irregular aggregates upon the treatment of carboxylesterase. Coadministration of two enzymes to a mixture of these two molecules in a stage-by-stage fashion leads to a physically knotted nanofibrous scaffold that is applicable as a nanostructured matrix for cell culture.

Miconiagaragoana - Melastomataceae: A new rheophytic species from the eastern Andes of Colombia.

A new species, Miconiagaragoana, from riparian environments of the northern Cordillera Oriental of Colombia, is described. This is the second species exclusive to rheophytic conditions that grows in the Andean forest in Colombia and is characterized by the presence of stellate-lepidote trichomes on young structures and inflorescences, terminal inflorescences, 4-merous (rarely 5-merous) flowers, oblong-subulate anthers with an apical pore and 2-locular ovary. The differences with other rheophytic species occurring in Colombia are noted and it is argued that it is related to other Andean species with bluish-green ripe fruits such as M.squamulosa and M.symplocoidea. This new species is so far known only from Colombia and its threat category is suggested as Critically Endangered" (CR).

ResumenSe describe una nueva especie, Miconiagaragoana, de ambientes riparios del norte de la Cordillera Oriental de Colombia. Esta es la segunda especie exclusiva de condición reofitica que crece en bosques andinos de Colombia y se caracteriza por la presencia de cubiertas de tricomas estrellado-lepidotos en las estructuras jóvenes e inflorescencias, inflorescencias terminales, flores 4-meras /raras veces 5-meras), anteras oblongo-subuladas con un poro apical y ovario 2-locular. Se establecen las diferencias con otras especies reofíticas presentes en Colombia y se argumenta que está relacionada con especies de andinas de frutos maduros color verde-azuloso como M.squamulosa y M.symplocoidea. Esta nueva especie hasta ahora se conoce sólo de Colombia y se sugiere su categoría de amenaza como En Peligro Crítico (CR).

Chemical Oscillation and Morphological Oscillation in Catalyst-Embedded Lyotropic Liquid Crystalline Gels.

Liquid crystalline gels offer promising means in generating smart materials due to programmable mechanics and reversible shape changes in response to external stimuli. We demonstrate a simple and convenient method of constructing catalyst-embedded lyotropic liquid crystalline (LLC) gels and achieve chemomechanical oscillator by converting chemical waves in Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction. We observe the directed chemical oscillations on LLC sticks accompanied by small-scale oscillatory swellings-shrinkages that are synchronized with the chemical waves of an LLC stick. To amplify the mechanical oscillations, we further fabricate small LLC fibers and achieve macroscopically oscillatory bending-unbending transition of the LLC fiber driven by a BZ reaction.

Mechanoresponsive Alignment of Molecular Self-Assembled Negatively Charged Nanofibrils.

Inspired by the mechanoresponsive orientation of actin filaments in cell, we introduce a design paradigm of synthetic molecular self-assembling fibrils that respond to external mechanical force by transforming from a macroscopically disorder state to a highly ordered uniaxial aligned state. The incorporation of aromatic-containing amino acids and negatively charged amino acids lead to self-assembly motifs that transform into uniform nanofibrils in acidic solution. Adjusting the pH level of aqueous solution introduces optimal negative charge to the surface of self-assembling nanofibrils inducing long-range electrostatic repulsion forming a nematic phase. Upon external mechanical force, nanofibrils align in the force direction. Via evaporation casting in capillary confinement, the solvated synthetic self-assembling nanofibrils transform into scalable lamellar domains. Adjusting capillary geometry and drying procedure offers further parameters for tuning the mesoscale alignment of nanofibrils generating a variety of interference colors. The design paradigm of mechanoresponsive alignment of self-assembled nanofibrils as an addition of nanofabrication techniques is potentially employable for realizing biomimetic optical structures.

Heterophilic antibodies in sera from individuals without loxoscelism cross-react with phospholipase D from the venom of Loxosceles and Sicarius spiders.

BACKGROUND: Loxoscelism is a severe human envenomation caused by Loxosceles spider venom. To the best of our knowledge, no study has evaluated the presence of antibodies against Loxosceles venom in loxoscelism patients without treatment with antivenom immunotherapy. We perform a comparative analysis for the presence of antibodies capable of recognizing Loxosceles venom in a group of patients diagnosed with loxoscelism and in a group of people without loxoscelism. METHODS: The detection of L. laeta venom, Sicarius venom and recombinant phospholipases D from Loxosceles (PLDs) in sera from people with loxoscelism (Group 1) and from healthy people with no history of loxoscelism (Group 2) was evaluated using immuno-dot blot, indirect ELISA, and Western blot. RESULTS: We found naturally heterophilic antibodies (IgG-type) in people without contact with Loxosceles spiders or any clinical history of loxoscelism. Either serum pools or single sera from Group 1 and Group 2 analyzed by dot blot tested positive for L. laeta venom. Indirect ELISA for venom recognition showed titles of 1:320 for Group 1 sera and 1:160 for Group 2 sera. Total IgG quantification showed no difference in sera from both groups. Pooled sera and purified IgG from sera of both groups revealed venom proteins between 25 and 32 kDa and the recombinant phospholipase D isoform 1 (rLlPLD1), specifically. Moreover, heterophile antibodies cross-react with PLDs from other Loxosceles species and the venom of Sicarius spider. CONCLUSIONS: People without contact with the spider venom produced heterophilic antibodies capable of generating a cross-reaction against the venom of L. laeta and Sicarius spiders. Their presence and possible interference should be considered in the development of immunoassays for Loxosceles venom detection.

Papel del geriatra colombiano ante la pandemia por COVID-19 / Role of the Colombian geriatrician in the face of the pandemic by COVID-19

No disponible

Tryptophan and aspartic acid residues present in the glycerophosphoryl diester phosphodiesterase (GDPD) domain of the Loxosceles laeta phospholipase D are essential for substrate recognition.

It is known that the family of phospholipases D (PLD) from spiders of the genus Loxosceles, hydrolyze the substrates sphingomyelin and lisophosphatidylcholine, by their catalytic acid-base action which involves two histidines. However, little is known about the amino acids that participate on substrate recognition. In this study we identified highly conserved amino acids of the glycerophosphoryl diester phosphodiesterase (GDPD) domain of recombinant LlPLD1, which interact with the substrate sphingomyelin. The mutation of W256 to serine and D259 to glycine decreased significantly the sphingomyelinase and hemolytic activity when compared to wild type LlPLD1. The interaction of LlPLD1 with sphingomyelin was also strongly reduced in both mutants LlPLD1-W256S and LlPLD1-D259G. The results show the importance of these residues in the interaction of the protein with its substrate sphingomyelin in cell membranes.

Heterophilic antibodies in sera from individuals without loxoscelism cross-react with phospholipase D from the venom of Loxosceles and Sicarius spiders

Loxoscelism is a severe human envenomation caused by Loxosceles spider venom. To the best of our knowledge, no study has evaluated the presence of antibodies against Loxosceles venom in loxoscelism patients without treatment with antivenom immunotherapy. We perform a comparative analysis for the presence of antibodies capable of recognizing Loxosceles venom in a group of patients diagnosed with loxoscelism and in a group of people without loxoscelism. Methods The detection of L. laeta venom, Sicarius venom and recombinant phospholipases D from Loxosceles (PLDs) in sera from people with loxoscelism (Group 1) and from healthy people with no history of loxoscelism (Group 2) was evaluated using immuno-dot blot, indirect ELISA, and Western blot. Results We found naturally heterophilic antibodies (IgG-type) in people without contact with Loxosceles spiders or any clinical history of loxoscelism. Either serum pools or single sera from Group 1 and Group 2 analyzed by dot blot tested positive for L. laeta venom. Indirect ELISA for venom recognition showed titles of 1:320 for Group 1 sera and 1:160 for Group 2 sera. Total IgG quantification showed no difference in sera from both groups. Pooled sera and purified IgG from sera of both groups revealed venom proteins between 25 and 32 kDa and the recombinant phospholipase D isoform 1 (rLlPLD1), specifically. Moreover, heterophile antibodies cross-react with PLDs from other Loxosceles species and the venom of Sicarius spider. Conclusions People without contact with the spider venom produced heterophilic antibodies capable of generating a cross-reaction against the venom of L. laeta and Sicarius spiders. Their presence and possible interference should be considered in the development of immunoassays for Loxosceles venom detection.(AU)

Heterophilic antibodies in sera from individuals without loxoscelism cross-react with phospholipase D from the venom of Loxosceles and Sicarius spiders

Background Loxoscelism is a severe human envenomation caused by Loxosceles spider venom. To the best of our knowledge, no study has evaluated the presence of antibodies against Loxosceles venom in loxoscelism patients without treatment with antivenom immunotherapy. We perform a comparative analysis for the presence of antibodies capable of recognizing Loxosceles venom in a group of patients diagnosed with loxoscelism and in a group of people without loxoscelism. Methods The detection of L. laeta venom, Sicarius venom and recombinant phospholipases D from Loxosceles (PLDs) in sera from people with loxoscelism (Group 1) and from healthy people with no history of loxoscelism (Group 2) was evaluated using immuno-dot blot, indirect ELISA, and Western blot. Results We found naturally heterophilic antibodies (IgG-type) in people without contact with Loxosceles spiders or any clinical history of loxoscelism. Either serum pools or single sera from Group 1 and Group 2 analyzed by dot blot tested positive for L. laeta venom. Indirect ELISA for venom recognition showed titles of 1:320 for Group 1 sera and 1:160 for Group 2 sera. Total IgG quantification showed no difference in sera from both groups. Pooled sera and purified IgG from sera of both groups revealed venom proteins between 25 and 32 kDa and the recombinant phospholipase D isoform 1 (rLlPLD1), specifically. Moreover, heterophile antibodies cross-react with PLDs from other Loxosceles species and the venom of Sicarius spider. Conclusions People without contact with the spider venom produced heterophilic antibodies capable of generating a cross-reaction against the venom of L. laeta and Sicarius spiders. Their presence and possible interference should be considered in the development of immunoassays for Loxosceles venom detection.

[Effectiveness of a repellent paint against the spider Loxosceles laeta]. / Evaluación experimental de la eficiencia de una pintura repelente para arañas del género Loxosceles.

BACKGROUND: Loxoscelism is a severe reaction to the bite of the spider Loxosceles laeta. In recent years, a paint with repellent properties has been promoted in the commerce. However, there are no reports of experiments evaluating its effectiveness. AIM: To evaluate experimentally the repellent properties of a paint against Loxosceles laeta. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Males, females and nymphs of L laeta were deposited in cockpits that allow the free displacement of the spider. Half of the cockpit was covered with repellent paint. Daily observations during one week, determined how frequently the spiders occupied the space covered with repellent paint. The experiments were run in triplicate. RESULTS: No statistical differences in the occupancy of spaces covered with repellent paint or not covered with it were observed for nymphs (87% and 67%, respectively), males (72% and 77%, respectively) or females (91% and 84%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The tested paint does not have a repellent action against the spider Loxosceles laeta.

Evaluación experimental de la eficiencia de una pintura repelente para arañas del género Loxosceles / Effectiveness of a repellent paint against the spider Loxosceles laeta

Background: Loxoscelism is a severe reaction to the bite of the spider Loxosceles laeta. In recent years, a paint with repellent properties has been promoted in the commerce. However, there are no reports of experiments evaluating its effectiveness. Aim: To evaluate experimentally the repellent properties of a paint against Loxosceles laeta. Material and methods: Males, females and nymphs of L laeta were deposited in cockpits that allow the free displacement of the spider. Half of the cockpit was covered with repellent paint. Daily observations during one week, determined how frequently the spiders occupied the space covered with repellent paint. The experiments were run in triplicate. Results: No statisticaldifferences in the occupancy of spaces covered with repellent paint or not covered with it were observed for nymphs (87% and 67%, respectively), males (72% and 77%, respectively) orfemales (91% and 84%, respectively). Conclusions: The tested paint does not have a repellent action against the spider Loxosceles laeta.