Gene dosage compensation: Origins, criteria to identify compensated genes, and mechanisms including sensor loops as an emerging systems-level property in cancer.

The gene dosage compensation hypothesis presents a mechanism through which the expression of certain genes is modulated to compensate for differences in the dose of genes when additional chromosomes are present. It is one of the means through which cancer cells actively cope with the potential damaging effects of aneuploidy, a hallmark of most cancers. Dosage compensation arises through several processes, including downregulation or overexpression of specific genes and the relocation of dosage-sensitive genes. In cancer, a majority of compensated genes are generally thought to be regulated at the translational or post-translational level, and include the basic components of a compensation loop, including sensors of gene dosage and modulators of gene expression. Post-translational regulation is mostly undertaken by a general degradation or aggregation of remaining protein subunits of macromolecular complexes. An increasingly important role has also been observed for transcriptional level regulation. This article reviews the process of targeted gene dosage compensation in cancer and other biological conditions, along with the mechanisms by which cells regulate specific genes to restore cellular homeostasis. These mechanisms represent potential targets for the inhibition of dosage compensation of specific genes in aneuploid cancers. This article critically examines the process of targeted gene dosage compensation in cancer and other biological contexts, alongside the criteria for identifying genes subject to dosage compensation and the intricate mechanisms by which cells orchestrate the regulation of specific genes to reinstate cellular homeostasis. Ultimately, our aim is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the intricate nature of a systems-level property. This property hinges upon the kinetic parameters of regulatory motifs, which we have termed "gene dosage sensor loops." These loops have the potential to operate at both the transcriptional and translational levels, thus emerging as promising candidates for the inhibition of dosage compensation in specific genes. Additionally, they represent novel and highly specific therapeutic targets in the context of aneuploid cancer.

Targeted Expression to Liver of an antimiR-33 Sponge as a Gene Therapy Strategy against Hypercholesterolemia: In Vitro Study.

Atherosclerosis is the leading cause of cardiovascular diseases in Mexico and worldwide. The membrane transporters ABCA1 and ABCG1 are involved in the reverse transport of cholesterol and stimulate the HDL synthesis in hepatocytes, therefore the deficiency of these transporters promotes the acceleration of atherosclerosis. MicroRNA-33 (miR-33) plays an important role in lipid metabolism and exerts a negative regulation on the transporters ABCA1 and ABCG1. It is known that by inhibiting the function of miR-33 with antisense RNA, HDL levels increase and atherogenic risk decreases. Therefore, in this work, a genetic construct, pPEPCK-antimiR-33-IRES2-EGFP, containing a specific antimiR-33 sponge with two binding sites for miR-33 governed under the PEPCK promoter was designed, constructed, and characterized, the identity of which was confirmed by enzymatic restriction, PCR, and sequencing. Hep G2 and Hek 293 FT cell lines, as well as a mouse hepatocyte primary cell culture were transfected with this plasmid construction showing expression specificity of the PEPCK promoter in hepatic cells. An analysis of the relative expression of miR-33 target messengers showed that the antimiR-33 sponge indirectly induces the expression of its target messengers (ABCA1 and ABCG1). This strategy could open new specific therapeutic options for hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis, by blocking the miR-33 specifically in hepatocytes.

[Activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress sensors by metabolic disease-associated diets and COVID-19]. / Activación de sensores del estrés del retículo endoplásmico por dietas asociadas a enfermedades metabólicas y COVID-19.

The endoplasmic reticulum is an abundant, dynamic and energy-sensing organelle. Its abundant membranes, rough and smooth, are distributed in different proportions depending on the cell lineage and requirement. Its function is to carry out protein and lipid synthesis, and it is the main intracellular Ca2+ store. Caloric overload and glycolipotoxicity generated by hypercaloric diets cause alteration of the endoplasmic reticulum, activating the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) as a reaction to cellular stress related to the endoplasmic reticulum and whose objective is to restore the homeostasis of the organelle by decreasing oxidative stress, protein synthesis and Ca2+ leakage. However, during chronic stress, the UPR induces reactive oxygen species formation, inflammation and apoptosis, exacerbating the state of the endoplasmic reticulum and propagating a deleterious effect on the other organelles. This is why endoplasmic reticulum stress has been considered an inducer of the onset and development of metabolic diseases, including the aggravation of COVID-19. So far, few strategies exist to reestablish endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis, which are targeted to sensors that trigger UPR. Therefore, the identification of new mechanisms and novel therapies related to mitigating the impact of endoplasmic reticulum stress and associated complications is urgently warranted.

El retículo endoplásmico es un organelo abundante, dinámico y sensor de energía. Sus abundantes membranas, rugosa y lisa, se encuentran distribuidas en diferentes proporciones dependiendo del linaje y requerimiento celular. Su función es llevar a cabo la síntesis de proteínas y lípidos, y es el almacén principal de Ca2+ intracelular. La sobrecarga calórica y la glucolipotoxicidad generada por dietas hipercalóricas provoca la alteración del retículo endoplásmico, activando la respuesta a proteínas mal plegadas (UPR, Unfolded Protein Response, por sus siglas en inglés) como reacción al estrés celular relacionado con el retículo endoplásmico y cuyo objetivo es restablecer la homeostasis del organelo al disminuir el estrés oxidante, la síntesis de proteínas y la fuga de Ca2+. Sin embargo, durante un estrés crónico, la UPR induce formación de especies reactivas de oxígeno, inflamación y apoptosis, exacerbando el estado del retículo endoplásmico y propagando un efecto nocivo para los demás organelos. Es por ello que el estrés del retículo endoplásmico se ha considerado un inductor del inicio y desarrollo de enfermedades metabólicas, incluido el agravamiento de COVID-19. Hasta el momento, existen pocas estrategias para reestablecer la homeostasis del retículo endoplásmico, las cuales son dirigidas a los sensores que desencadenan la UPR. Por tanto, se justifica con urgencia la identificación de nuevos mecanismos y terapias novedosas relacionadas con mitigar el impacto del estrés del retículo endoplásmico y las complicaciones asociadas.

Activación de sensores del estrés del retículo endoplásmico por dietas asociadas a enfermedades metabólicas y COVID-19 / Activation of endoplasmic reticulum stress sensors by metabolic disease-associated diets and COVID-19

El retículo endoplásmico es un organelo abundante, dinámico y sensor de energía. Sus abundantes membranas, rugosa y lisa, se encuentran distribuidas en diferentes proporciones dependiendo del linaje y requerimiento celular. Su función es llevar a cabo la síntesis de proteínas y lípidos, y es el almacén principal de Ca2+ intracelular. La sobrecarga calórica y la glucolipotoxicidad generada por dietas hipercalóricas provoca la alteración del retículo endoplásmico, activando la respuesta a proteínas mal plegadas (UPR, Unfolded Protein Response, por sus siglas en inglés) como reacción al estrés celular relacionado con el retículo endoplásmico y cuyo objetivo es restablecer la homeostasis del organelo al disminuir el estrés oxidante, la síntesis de proteínas y la fuga de Ca2+. Sin embargo, durante un estrés crónico, la UPR induce formación de especies reactivas de oxígeno, inflamación y apoptosis, exacerbando el estado del retículo endoplásmico y propagando un efecto nocivo para los demás organelos. Es por ello que el estrés del retículo endoplásmico se ha considerado un inductor del inicio y desarrollo de enfermedades metabólicas, incluido el agravamiento de COVID-19. Hasta el momento, existen pocas estrategias para reestablecer la homeostasis del retículo endoplásmico, las cuales son dirigidas a los sensores que desencadenan la UPR. Por tanto, se justifica con urgencia la identificación de nuevos mecanismos y terapias novedosas relacionadas con mitigar el impacto del estrés del retículo endoplásmico y las complicaciones asociadas.

The endoplasmic reticulum is an abundant, dynamic and energy-sensing organelle. Its abundant membranes, rough and smooth, are distributed in different proportions depending on the cell lineage and requirement. Its function is to carry out protein and lipid synthesis, and it is the main intracellular Ca2+ store. Caloric overload and glycolipotoxicity generated by hypercaloric diets cause alteration of the endoplasmic reticulum, activating the Unfolded Protein Response (UPR) as a reaction to cellular stress related to the endoplasmic reticulum and whose objective is to restore the homeostasis of the organelle by decreasing oxidative stress, protein synthesis and Ca2+ leakage. However, during chronic stress, the UPR induces reactive oxygen species formation, inflammation and apoptosis, exacerbating the state of the endoplasmic reticulum and propagating a deleterious effect on the other organelles. This is why endoplasmic reticulum stress has been considered an inducer of the onset and development of metabolic diseases, including the aggravation of COVID-19. So far, few strategies exist to reestablish endoplasmic reticulum homeostasis, which are targeted to sensors that trigger UPR. Therefore, the identif ication of new mechanisms and novel therapies related to mitigating the impact of endoplasmic reticulum stress and associated complications is urgently warranted.

Strategies for Targeting Gene Therapy in Cancer Cells With Tumor-Specific Promoters.

Cancer is the second cause of death worldwide, surpassed only by cardiovascular diseases, due to the lack of early diagnosis, and high relapse rate after conventional therapies. Chemotherapy inhibits the rapid growth of cancer cells, but it also affects normal cells with fast proliferation rate. Therefore, it is imperative to develop other safe and more effective treatment strategies, such as gene therapy, in order to significantly improve the survival rate and life expectancy of patients with cancer. The aim of gene therapy is to transfect a therapeutic gene into the host cells to express itself and cause a beneficial biological effect. However, the efficacy of the proposed strategies has been insufficient for delivering the full potential of gene therapy in the clinic. The type of delivery vehicle (viral or non viral) chosen depends on the desired specificity of the gene therapy. The first gene therapy trials were performed with therapeutic genes driven by viral promoters such as the CMV promoter, which induces non-specific toxicity in normal cells and tissues, in addition to cancer cells. The use of tumor-specific promoters over-expressed in the tumor, induces specific expression of therapeutic genes in a given tumor, increasing their localized activity. Several cancer- and/or tumor-specific promoters systems have been developed to target cancer cells. This review aims to provide up-to-date information concerning targeting gene therapy with cancer- and/or tumor-specific promoters including cancer suppressor genes, suicide genes, anti-tumor angiogenesis, gene silencing, and gene-editing technology, as well as the type of delivery vehicle employed. Gene therapy can be used to complement traditional therapies to provide more effective treatments.

Clinical experience after tetrafocal intraocular lens implantation "PANOPTIX" / Experiência clínica após implantação de lentes intraoculares tetrafocais "PANOPTIX"

Abstract Purpose: To assess long, intermediate and near uncorrected visual acuity after a tetrafocal diffractive intraocular lens implantation, presence of dystopic phenomenon and patient satisfaction after surgery. Methods: Retrospective, observational study performed in Puerta de Hierro Specialties Hospital, in Jalisco, México. That included 100 eyes after phacoemulsification surgery by femtosecond assistance, followed by tetrafocal diffractive intraocular lens implantation due to cataract. Long, intermediate and near visual acuity without correction was measured, and presence or absence of dystopic phenomenon, plus patient satisfaction after surgery. Results: A total of 100 eyes in 50 patients who underwent cataract surgery with phacoemulsification by femtosecond assistance were evaluated. 100% underwent bilateral phacoemulsification. Long, intermediate, and near visual acuity after three months was in the most patients 20/20 (46%), 20/15 (44%) and Jaeger 1 (48%) respectively. The percentage or patients who refers halos was 7%; and other associated symptoms in 18%, being astenopia the most prevalent. The removal of the lens was not required in any case. Conclusion: Tetrafocal diffractive intraocular lenses provides excellent intermediate vision (at 60 centimeters) and satisfactory near (30 centimeters) and long (6 meters) visual acuity.

Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar a acuidade visual de longe, intermediária e de perto após o implante de lente intra-ocular difrativa tetrafocal, presença de fenômenos distópicos e satisfação do paciente após a cirurgia. Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo, observacional, realizado em Puerta de Hierro Hospital de Especialidades, em Jalisco, México. Isso incluiu 100 olhos após a cirurgia de facoemulsificação pela presença de laser de femtosegundo, seguida por implante de lente intra-ocular difrativa tetrafocal devido à catarata ou cirurgia facorrefractiva. Foi medida a acuidade visual de longe, intermediária e de perto, e a presença ou ausência de fenômenos distópicos, além da satisfação do paciente após a cirurgia. Resultados: Um total de 100 olhos em 50 pacientes submetidos à cirurgia de catarata com facoemulsificação por femtosegundo foram avaliados. 100% foram submetidos a facoemulsificação bilateral. A acuidade visual para longe, intermediária e de perto após três meses foi na maioria dos pacientes 20/20 (46%), 20/15 (44%) e Jaeger 1 (48%) respectivamente. A porcentagem ou pacientes que se referem a halos foi de 7%; e outros sintomas associados em 18%, sendo a astenopia a mais prevalente. A remoção da lente não foi necessária em nenhum caso. Conclusão: A lente intra-ocular difrativa tetrafocal fornece excelente visão intermediária (a 60 centímetros) e acuidade visual satisfatória de perto a (30 centímetros) e de longe (6 metros).

Extracellular vesicles released by J774A.1 macrophages reduce the bacterial load in macrophages and in an experimental mouse model of tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis is the leading cause of death by an infectious microorganism worldwide. Conventional treatment lasts at least six months and has adverse effects; therefore, it is important to find therapeutic alternatives that reduce the bacterial load and may reduce the treatment duration. The immune response against tuberculosis can be modulated by several mechanisms, including extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are nano-sized membrane-bound structures that constitute an efficient communication mechanism among immune cells. METHODS: The EVs released by the J774A.1 mouse macrophage cell line, both spontaneously (S-EV) and after infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (Mtb-EV), were purified by ultra-centrifugation and size-exclusion chromatography. The size distribution and chemical composition of these EVs were evaluated, and their effect on the bacterial load and the production of cytokines was determined in both in vitro and in vivo models of M. tuberculosis infection. RESULTS: Mtb-EV are larger than S-EV, they contain M. tuberculosis-specific antigens (not detected in EVs released from M. fortuitum-infected J774A.1 cells) and are rich in phosphatidylserine, present in their outer membrane layer. S-EV, but not Mtb-EV, reduced the bacterial load and the production of MCP-1 and TNF-α in M. tuberculosis-infected macrophages, and these effects were reversed when phosphatidylserine was blocked with annexin V. Both S-EV and Mtb-EV significantly reduced the lung bacterial load in mice infected with M. tuberculosis after 60 days of treatment, but they had no effect on survival or on the lung pneumonic area of these mice. CONCLUSION: J774A.1 macrophages infected with M. tuberculosis H37Rv released EVs that differed in size and phosphatidylserine content from spontaneously released EVs, and these EVs also had different biological effects: S-EV reduced the mycobacterial load and the cytokine production in vitro (through a phosphatidylserine-dependent mechanism), while both EVs reduced the lung bacterial load in vivo. These results are the basis for further experiments to evaluate whether EVs improve the efficiency of the conventional treatment for tuberculosis.

Novel Triamcinolone Acetonide-Loaded Liposomal Topical Formulation Improves Contrast Sensitivity Outcome After Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Cataract Surgery.

Purpose: To assess visual results, macular modifications, and the incidence of clinically significant macular edema (CSME) in patients using a topical triamcinolone acetonide-loaded liposomal formulation (TA-LF) after femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS). Methods: Fifty-six eyes after FLACS were selected. Twenty-eight eyes in the combined therapy group (P + N) were treated with prednisolone 1% and nepafenac 0.1% for 21 days postoperatively, whereas 28 eyes in the TA-LF group received a liposomal formulation containing 2 mg/mL of TA (0.2%) for the same period of time. Follow-up visits at 1 day, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks after surgery consisted of visual acuity, contrast sensitivity (CS), central foveal thickness (CFT), total macular volume (TMV) measurements, and the detection of CSME. Results: CS improved in the TA-LF group (basal value: 1.087 ± 0.339 vs. 1.276 ± 0.147 at week 12, P = 0.0346), whereas in the P + N group, CS was not different from the baseline (basal value: 1.130 ± 0.331 vs. 1.274 ± 0.133 at week 12, P = 0.1276). There were similar increases in postoperative CFT and TMV in both groups. CFT and TMV significantly correlate with CS only in the TA-LF group. The r2 for CFT and CS was 0.1963 (P = 0.0206), whereas the r2 for TMV and CS was 0.3615 (P = 0.0007) at 12 weeks. No difference was observed in the incidence of CSME between the groups. Conclusion: TA-LF is associated with better CS outcomes compared to combined therapy after FLACS.

Differential Expression of the apsXRS System by Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37 in Commensal and Clinical Staphylococcus epidermidis Isolates.

The three-component apsXRS system senses and responds to cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs), which induces the expression of the dlt operon and the genes mprF and vrafG, modifying the surface net charge in Staphylococcus epidermidis, resulting in the repulsion of CAMPs. The apsXRS system has been only studied in the S. epidermidis 1457 strain, and there are no studies of prevalence and level of expression of apsXRS in commensal and clinical isolates. From 60 isolates, those selected from commensal healthy skin (n = 20), commensal healthy conjunctive (n = 10), and clinical ocular infection (n = 30) presented the apsX, apsR, and apsS genes in their genomes. Constitutive expression of apsX, apsR, and apsS genes was determined by RT-qPCR in all isolates. It was found that expression of apsX, apsR, and apsS was 3.3-5.9-fold higher in commensal isolates stimulated with LL-37 (15 µg/mL) than in clinical isolates. Similarly, expression of the dlt operon and the genes mprF, and vraFG was 8-10-fold higher in commensal isolates than in clinical. However, LL-37 did not increase the addition of lysine in the phospholipids of the cytoplasmic membrane in any of the isolates. Mutations in the apsS loop region, apsR, and their promoter sequence were not found. These results demonstrated that apsXRS system is essential in all isolates for its constitutive expression; however, LL-37 caused an increase of apsXRS expression in commensal isolates, suggesting that S. epidermidis isolates do not respond in the same way to the presence of LL-37.

Gold nanoparticles with chitosan, N-acylated chitosan, and chitosan oligosaccharide as DNA carriers.

Currently, gold nanoparticles have found applications in engineering and medical sciences, taking advantage from their properties and characteristics. Surface plasmon resonance, for instance, is one of the main features for optical applications and other physical properties, like high density, that represents the key for cellular uptake. Among other applications, in the medical field, some diseases may be treated by using gene therapy, including monogenetic or polygenetic disorders and infections. Gene adding, suppression, or substitution is one of the many options for genetic manipulation. This work explores an alternative non-viral method for gene transfer by using gold nanoparticles functionalized with organic polymers; two routes of synthesis were used: one of them with sodium borohydride as reducing agent and the other one with chitosan oligosaccharide as reducing and stabilizing agent. Gold nanoparticles conjugated with chitosan, acylated chitosan and chitosan oligosaccharide, were used to evaluate transfection efficiency of plasmid DNA into cell culture (HEK-293). Physical and chemical properties of gold nanocomposites were characterized by using UV-Vis Spectroscopy, ξ-potential, and transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, the interaction between gold nanoparticles and plasmid DNA was demonstrated by using agarose gel electrophoresis. Transfection tests were performed and evaluated by ß-galactosidase activity and green fluorescence protein expression. The percentage of transfection obtained with chitosan, acylated chitosan, and chitosan oligosaccharide were of 27%, 33%, and 60% respectively.

Molecular alterations induced by fructose and its impact on metabolic diseases / Alteraciones moleculares inducidas por fructosa y su impacto en las enfermedades metabólicas

Scientific evidence has identified that the excessive consumption of products made from high-fructose corn syrup is a trigger for obesity, whose prevalence increased in recent years. Due to the metabolic characteristics of fructose, a rapid gastric emptying is produced, altering signals of hunger-satiety and decreasing the appetite. In addition to the hepatic level during catabolism, triose phosphate is generated and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is reduced, producing uric acid. Triose phosphate triggers the synthesis of fatty acids that increase the production and accumulation of triglycerides, diacylglycerols and ceramides that induce insulin resistance. Hyperlipidemia, insulin resistance and hyperuricemia contribute to the development of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, kidney failure, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and some kinds of cancer. Understanding the molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways altered by the consumption of fructose is relevant to understand the development of metabolic diseases, as well as to seek therapeutic strategies to improve quality of life.

Las evidencias científicas identifican que el excesivo consumo de productos elaborados con jarabe de maíz de alta fructosa es el detonante de la obesidad, cuya prevalencia incrementó en los últimos años. Debido a las características metabólicas de la fructosa, se produce un rápido vaciado gástrico que altera las señales de hambre-saciedad y disminuye el apetito. A nivel hepático, durante su catabolismo se generan triosas fosfato y decrece el trifosfato de adenosina (ATP, por sus siglas en inglés), lo cual produce ácido úrico. Las triosas fosfato son dirigidas hacia la síntesis de ácidos grasos, incrementando la producción y la acumulación de triacilglicéridos, diacilglicerol y ceramidas que inducen resistencia a la insulina. La hiperlipidemia, la resistencia a la insulina y la hiperuricemia contribuyen al desarrollo de hipertensión, enfermedad cardiovascular, enfermedad renal crónica, hígado graso no alcohólico y algunos tipos de cáncer. Entender los mecanismos moleculares y las vías de señalización alteradas por el consumo de fructosa es relevante para comprender el desarrollo de enfermedades metabólicas, así como la búsqueda de estrategias terapéuticas para procurar una mejor calidad de vida.

Comparative analysis of antibodies and lymphocytes in pulmonary tuberculosis patients with negative and positive cultures.

INTRODUCTION: The sputum smear or the culture are the definitive diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis. Only a fraction of clinical patients are culture-confirmed. METHODOLOGY: A total of 24 clinical cases (40 ± 14 years old) with positive smear and negative co-morbidity were studied. Cases were selected from 600 patients who attended the pneumology service over two years. A sputum sample was cultured in Löwenstein-Jensen medium with consequent amplification of the rrnA V2 promoter, the differentiation region 4, and the IS6110 insertion sequence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. After the culture result, the patients were divided into negative (n = 14) or positive (n = 10) culture groups. In addition, 30 samples from healthy donors (45 ± 10 years) were studied. The numbers of CD4, CD8 and CD19 lymphocytes were determined by flow cytometry. Levels of IgA and IgG to M. tuberculosis were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: IgG and IgA levels were detected in patients with positive culture, while only IgA was found in patients with negative cultures. The lymphocyte populations in the two groups were similar.  The presence of a pleural apical cap was found more frequently in patients with negative- (57%) than with positive cultures (10%). CONCLUSIONS: The isotype profile in patients with positive cultures was both IgA and IgG positive, while in patients with negative culture, only IgA was found. The results will contribute to improve the diagnostic algorithm and appropriate treatment of patients with clinical tuberculosis. Further studies are needed to determine if this profile is predictive of the outcome of isolation.

Cancer stem cell impact on clinical oncology.

Cancer is a widespread worldwide chronic disease. In most cases, the high mortality rate from cancer correlates with a lack of clear symptoms, which results in late diagnosis for patients, and consequently, advanced tumor disease with poor probabilities for cure, since many patients will show chemo- and radio-resistance. Several mechanisms have been studied to explain chemo- and radio-resistance to anti-tumor therapies, including cell signaling pathways, anti-apoptotic mechanisms, stemness, metabolism, and cellular phenotypes. Interestingly, the presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are a subset of cells within the tumors, has been related to therapy resistance. In this review, we focus on evaluating the presence of CSCs in different tumors such as breast cancer, gastric cancer, lung cancer, and hematological neoplasias, highlighting studies where CSCs were identified in patient samples. It is evident that there has been a great drive to identify the cell surface phenotypes of CSCs so that they can be used as a tool for anti-tumor therapy treatment design. We also review the potential effect of nanoparticles, drugs, natural compounds, aldehyde dehydrogenase inhibitors, cell signaling inhibitors, and antibodies to treat CSCs from specific tumors. Taken together, we present an overview of the role of CSCs in tumorigenesis and how research is advancing to target these highly tumorigenic cells to improve oncology patient outcomes.

Synthesis of phenylazonaphtol-ß-D-O-glycosides, evaluation as substrates for beta-glycosidase activity and molecular studies.

BACKGROUND: Phenylazonaphtol-ß-D-O-glycosides are alternative substrates for the detection of enzymatic activity of ß-glycosidases which are involved in various important processes. These azoic compounds are currently exploited as prodrugs for colonic disease due the presence of ß-glycosidase activity in the gut flora and therefore allowing the release of the drug at the specific site. RESULTS: Phenylazonaphtol-ß-D-O-glucoside 3a and galactoside 3b were prepared via diazonium salt conditions under weak acidic conditions which do not compromise the O-glycosidic bond stability, by coupling reaction between 2-naphtol sodium salt with aminoglycosides 1a and 1b. The resulting phenylazonaphtol glycosides 2a and 2b were deprotected affording the phenylazonaphtol glycosides 3a and 3b in quantitative yield. The galactoside glycoside 3b was assayed as substrate for in vitro ß-galactosidase enzymatic activity showing strong absorbance after releasing of the azoic chromophore. Also, docking studies were performed to determine the best pose as well as the interactions between the ligand and the residues located at the active site. CONCLUSIONS: The methodology developed for synthesizing the phenylazonaphtol glycosides described proved to be convenient for generating azoic functionalities in the presence of glycosidic bonds and the glycosides suitable as alternative substrates and potentially useful prodrugs in the treatment of colonic diseases.

Nicotinamide, a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase non-competitive mixed inhibitor, modifies redox balance and lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells.

AIMS: Excessive energy uptake of dietary carbohydrates results in their storage as fat and requires glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)-mediated NADPH production. We sought to assess whether the nicotinamide-induced reduction of G6PD activity might modulate redox balance and lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells. MAIN METHODS: 3T3-L1 preadipocytes (days 4 and 6 of differentiation) and adipocytes were cultured in the presence of 5 or 25 mM glucose. The cells cultured in 25 mM glucose were supplemented with nicotinamide (5-15 mM). Next, we evaluated the following parameters: cell viability, apoptosis, lipid accumulation, lipolysis, reducing power, reactive oxygen species (ROS), NAD(P)H and NAD(P)(+), isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDP), malic enzyme and G6PD, as well as the protein and mRNA levels of G6PD. We also analysed the kinetics of the nicotinamide-induced inhibition of G6PD. KEY FINDINGS: G6PD mRNA levels increased at day 4 of adipocyte differentiation, whereas G6PD activity progressively increased at days 4 and 6 of differentiation and was reduced in adipocytes. Concomitantly, ROS, reducing power and lipid accumulation increased gradually as the preadipocytes matured into adipocytes. High glucose increased the activity of G6PD, which coincided with an increase in ROS, reducing power and lipid accumulation. All of these changes are prevented by nicotinamide, with the exception of lipid accumulation in adipocytes. Nicotinamide increased IDP activity without affecting NADPH levels. Lastly, nicotinamide inhibited G6PD in a non-competitive mixed way. SIGNIFICANCE: Nicotinamide modulates G6PD via a non-competitive mixed inhibition and decreases high glucose-dependent oxidative stress and lipid accumulation. Nicotinamide maintains NADPH levels by increasing the activity of IDP.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity and NADPH/NADP+ ratio in liver and pancreas are dependent on the severity of hyperglycemia in rat.

Hyperglycemia is associated with metabolic disturbances affecting cell redox potential, particularly the NADPH/NADP+ ratio and reduced glutathione levels. Under oxidative stress, the NADPH supply for reduced glutathione regeneration is dependent on glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase. We assessed the effect of different hyperglycemic conditions on enzymatic activities involved in glutathione regeneration (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and glutathione reductase), NADP(H) and reduced glutathione concentrations in order to analyze the relative role of these enzymes in the control of glutathione restoration. Male Sprague-Dawley rats with mild, moderate and severe hyperglycemia were obtained using different regimens of streptozotocin and nicotinamide. Fifteen days after treatment, rats were killed and enzymatic activities, NADP(H) and reduced glutathione were measured in liver and pancreas. Severe hyperglycemia was associated with decreased body weight, plasma insulin, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity, NADPH/NADP+ ratio and glutathione levels in the liver and pancreas, and enhanced NADP+ and glutathione reductase activity in the liver. Moderate hyperglycemia caused similar changes, although body weight and liver NADP+ concentration were not affected and pancreatic glutathione reductase activity decreased. Mild hyperglycemia was associated with a reduction in pancreatic glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, NADPH/NADP+ ratio and glutathione level, vary inversely in relation to blood glucose concentrations, whereas liver glutathione reductase was enhanced during severe hyperglycemia. We conclude that glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and NADPH/NADP+ were highly sensitive to low levels of hyperglycemia. NADPH/NADP+ is regulated by glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in the liver and pancreas, whereas levels of reduced glutathione are mainly dependent on the NADPH supply.

[Molecular aspects of chronic hyperglycemia-induced tissue damage]. / Aspectos moleculares del daño tisular inducido por la hiperglucemia crónica.

The knowledge of the molecular basis of diabetes mellitus physiopathology will allow improvements in treatment or prevention of the disease. Diabetes mellitus is a complex disease in which hyperglycemia leads to complications in several organs. In this condition, there is increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a result of glucose autooxidation; its metabolism produces accumulation of metabolites such as fructose, sorbitol, and triose phosphate. The latter generates a oxoaldehydes with high capacity to produce protein glycation and oxidative stress. Moreover, there is an increase in synthesis of diacylglycerol from triosephosphate, which activates protein kinase C. On the other hand, alteration of normal ratio between reduced and oxidized niacinamide nucleotides leads to low efficiency of antioxidative systems. Finally, this metabolic dysregulation causes altered signal transduction, abnormal gene expression, and tissue damage, resulting in development of diabetic complications.

Aspectos moleculares del daño tisular inducido por la hiperglucemia crónica / Molecular Aspects of Chronic Hyperglycemia-Induced Tissue Damage

El propósito de este trabajo es dar a conocer las bases moleculares de la fisiopatología de la diabetes mellitus, con el fin de prevenir la enfermedad o mejorar el tratamiento. La diabetes mellitus es una enfermedad compleja, donde la hiperglucemia crónica provoca complicaciones en distintos órganos. En esta condición aumentan las especies reactivas de oxígeno como resultado de su autooxidacción, por lo que su metabolismo propicia la acumulación de metabolitos como la fructosa, el sorbitol y las triosas fosfato. Éstos últimos generan α-oxoaldehídos reactivos con alta capacidad de unirse a proteínas y generar estrés oxidativo. Además, hay aumento de la síntesis de diacilgliceroles a partir de las triosas fosfato, las cuales activan a la pro teína cinasa C. Por otra parte, la alteración de la proporción normal entre los nucleótidos de niacinamida reducidos con respecto a los oxidados conduce a una baja eficiencia de los sistemas antioxidantes. Finalmente, estas desregulaciones metabólicas causan alteración en la transducción de la señal, en la expresión anormal de genes, además de daño tisular, lo que propicia complicaciones en los pacientes con diabetes.

The knowledge of the molecular basis of diabetes mellitus physiopathology will allow improvements in treatment or prevention of the disease. Diabetes mellitus is a complex disease in which hyperglycemia leads to complications in several organs. In this condition, there is increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a result of glucose autooxidation; its metabolism produces accumulation of metabolites such as fructose, sorbitol, and triose phosphate. The latter generates α oxoaldehydes with high capacity to produce protein glycation and oxidative stress. Moreover, there is an increase in synthesis of diacylglycerol from triose phosphate, which activates protein kinase C. On the other hand, alteration of normal ratio between reduced and oxidized niacinamide nucleotides leads to low efficiency of antioxidative systems. Finally, this metabolic dysregulation causes altered signal transduction, abnormal gene expression, and tissue damage, resulting in development of diabetic complications.