Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopic studies of the electron transfer reaction of Hantzsch ester and a pyrylium salt.

The oxidation of Hantzsch ester by a pyrylium cation takes place via electron-proton-electron transfer. The reaction was investigated with EPR spectroscopy using TEMPO and DMPO for inhibition and spin trapping, respectively, of the radicals appearing during the reaction. The present in-depth EPR study of the radical reactions of a NADH analogue indicate a complex electron transfer mechanism in the title reaction.

Rosuvastatin enhances anti-inflammatory and inhibits pro-inflammatory functions in cultured microglial cells.

Microglial activation results in profound morphological, functional and gene expression changes that affect the pro- and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of these cells. Although statins have beneficial effects on inflammation, they have not been thoroughly investigated for their ability to affect microglial functions. Therefore the effects of rosuvastatin, one of the most commonly prescribed drugs in cardiovascular therapy, either alone or in combination with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), were profiled in pure microglial cultures derived from the forebrains of 18-day-old rat embryos. To reveal the effects of rosuvastatin on a number of pro- and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, we performed morphometric, functional and gene expression studies relating to cell adhesion and proliferation, phagocytosis, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine (IL-1ß, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and IL-10, respectively) production, and the expression of various inflammation-related genes, including those related to the above morphological parameters and cellular functions. We found that microglia could be an important therapeutic target of rosuvastatin. In unchallenged (control) microglia, rosuvastatin inhibited proliferation and cell adhesion, but promoted microspike formation and elevated the expression of certain anti-inflammatory genes (Cxcl1, Ccl5, Mbl2), while phagocytosis or pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine production were unaffected. Moreover, rosuvastatin markedly inhibited microglial activation in LPS-challenged cells by affecting both their morphology and functions as it inhibited LPS-elicited phagocytosis and inhibited pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-1ß, TNF-α) production, concomitantly increasing the level of IL-10, an anti-inflammatory cytokine. Finally, rosuvastatin beneficially and differentially affected the expression of a number of inflammation-related genes in LPS-challenged cells by inhibiting numerous pro-inflammatory and stimulating several anti-inflammatory genes. Since the microglia could elicit pro-inflammatory responses leading to neurodegeneration, it is important to attenuate such mechanisms and promote anti-inflammatory properties, and develop prophylactic therapies. By beneficially regulating both pro- and anti-inflammatory microglial functions, rosuvastatin may be considered as a prophylactic agent in the prevention of inflammation-related neurological disorders.

Curcumin and its analogue induce apoptosis in leukemia cells and have additive effects with bortezomib in cellular and xenograft models.

Combination therapy of bortezomib with other chemotherapeutics is an emerging treatment strategy. Since both curcumin and bortezomib inhibit NF-κB, we tested the effects of their combination on leukemia cells. To improve potency, a novel Mannich-type curcumin derivative, C-150, was synthesized. Curcumin and its analogue showed potent antiproliferative and apoptotic effects on the human leukemia cell line, HL60, with different potency but similar additive properties with bortezomib. Additive antiproliferative effects were correlated well with LPS-induced NF-κB inhibition results. Gene expression data on cell cycle and apoptosis related genes, obtained by high-throughput QPCR, showed that curcumin and its analogue act through similar signaling pathways. In correlation with in vitro results similar additive effect could be obsereved in SCID mice inoculated systemically with HL60 cells. C-150 in a liposomal formulation given intravenously in combination with bortezomib was more efficient than either of the drugs alone. As our novel curcumin analogue exerted anticancer effects in leukemic cells at submicromolar concentration in vitro and at 3 mg/kg dose in vivo, which was potentiated by bortezomib, it holds a great promise as a future therapeutic agent in the treatment of leukemia alone or in combination.

Purification of high-quality micro RNA from the heart tissue.

Micro RNAs (miRNA) are an abundant class of small RNAs that regulate the stability and translation of cognate mRNAs. MiRNAs are potential diagnostic markers, moreover, they play an essential role in the development of various heart disesases. In case of limited tissue material, such as, e.g. human biopsies, purification of miRNAs with sufficient yield is critical. Reproducible expression analysis of miRNAs is highly dependent on the quality of the RNA, which is often difficult to achieve from fibrous tissue such as the heart. Several companies developed general purification kits for miRNAs, however, none of them are specialized to fibrotic tissues. Here we describe an optimized miRNA purification protocol that results in high miRNA yield as compared to other methods including trizol-based and column-based protocols. By using our improved protocol, miRNA obtained from heart tissue gave more reproducible results in QRT-PCR analysis and obtained more significant calls (172 vs. 118) during DNA microarray analysis when compared to the commercially available kit. In addition to the heart tissue, the present protocol can be applied to other fibrotic tissues, such as lung or skeletal muscle to isolate high-purity miRNA.

Removal of nonspecific binding proteins from cell and tissue extracts using 2-aminobenzimidazole-tethered affinity resin.

Cellular drug target identification through affinity chromatography is often hindered by the quantity of nonspecific binders, such as cytoskeletal and heat shock proteins. Thus, we prepared a 2-aminobenzimidazole-tethered depletion resin designed for removal of these proteins, and tested it on human lung carcinoma cell and rat tissue extracts. Column-bound proteins were identified by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and MS. Among others, tubulins, actins and heat shock proteins were successfully depleted. Due to the reduction of these highly abundant proteins detection of potential drug targets is considerably facilitated in the pre-purified samples.

Changes in gene expression following cardiac pacing-induced delayed cardioprotection in the canine heart.

The aim of the present study was to identify gene expression changes in the rapid cardiac pacing-induced delayed antiarrhythmic protection in the canine, using cDNA microarrays and quantitative real-time PCR (QRT -PCR) techniques. In all dogs under light pentobarbitone anaesthesia, a pacing electrode was introduced into the right ventricle, and then the animals were divided into three groups: (1) sham-operated and sham-paced group (SP, n = 3) (2) ischaemic control group (IC; n = 3); these were without cardiac pacing and subjected only to a 25 min occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), and (3) paced group (PC, n = 3); these animals were paced at a rate of 220-240 beats min-1 24 h prior to ischaemia. With cDNA chip 23 genes were found with altered expression in response to rapid cardiac pacing and 10 genes in the IC group when compared to SP dogs. These genes encode transcription factors (MEF2); members of signaling pathways (TGFß2, PDE4D9), hormone related proteins (e.g. vasopressin V1 and V2 receptors). RT-QPCR was used either to confirm the results of the microarray analysis and also to study 46 genes which are already known to have a role in the late phase of PC. By this method 17 genes were up-regulated and 6 genes down-regulated in the IC group; their expression ratios changed either to the opposite or showed no alteration after cardiac pacing. This study would add some new information about those transcriptional changes that are involved in the delayed phase of cardiac protection.

Gene expression profiling identifies FKBP39 as an inhibitor of autophagy in larval Drosophila fat body.

In Drosophila, the fat body undergoes a massive burst of autophagy at the end of larval development in preparation for the pupal transition. To identify genes involved in this process, we carried out a microarray analysis. We found that mRNA levels of the homologs of Atg8, the coat protein of early autophagic structures, and lysosomal hydrolases were upregulated, consistent with previous results. Genes encoding mitochondrial proteins and many chaperones were downregulated, including the inhibitor of eIF2alpha kinases and the peptidyl-prolyl cis-trans isomerase FK506-binding protein of 39 kDa (FKBP39). Genetic manipulation of FKBP39 expression had a significant effect on autophagy, potentially through modulation of the transcription factor Foxo. Accordingly, we found that Foxo mutants cannot properly undergo autophagy in response to starvation, and that overexpression of Foxo induces autophagy.

Identification and characterization of genes associated with the induction of embryogenic competence in leaf-protoplast-derived alfalfa cells.

Alfalfa leaf protoplast-derived cells can develop into somatic embryos depending on the concentration of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) in the initial culture medium. In order to reveal gene expression changes during the establishment of embryogenic competence, we compared the cell types developed in the presence of 1 and 10 microM 2,4-D, respectively, at the time of their first cell divisions (fourth day of culture) using a PCR-based cDNA subtraction approach. Although the subtraction efficiency was relatively low, applying an additional differential screening step allowed the identification of 38 10 microM 2,4-D up-regulated transcripts. The corresponding genes/proteins were annotated and representatives of various functional groups were selected for more detailed gene expression analysis. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-QPCR) analysis was used to determine relative expression of the selected genes in 2,4-D-treated leaves as well as during the whole process of somatic embryogenesis. Gene expression patterns confirmed 2,4-D inducibility for all but one of the 11 investigated genes as well as for the positive control leafy cotyledon1 (MsLEC1) gene. The characterized genes exhibited differential expression patterns during the early induction phase and the late embryo differentiation phase of somatic embryogenesis. Genes coding for a GST-transferase, a PR10 pathogenesis-related protein, a cell division-related ribosomal (S3a) protein, an ARF-type small GTPase and the nucleosome assembly factor family SET protein exhibited higher relative expression not only during the induction of somatic embryogenesis but at the time of somatic embryo differentiation as well. This may indicate that the expression of these genes is associated with developmental transitions (differentiation as well as de-differentiation) during the process of somatic embryogenesis.

Melanoma genomics reveals signatures of sensitivity to bio- and targeted therapies.

Most of the melanoma markers used today are melanocytic markers or pigmentation pathway-associated genes driven by the microphthalmia transcription factor, MITF, and include among others, tyrosinase, dopachrome tautomerase, DCT, melan-A and S100B. Genomic studies repeatedly revealed several novel melanoma marker genes including those of the transcription factor NOTCH2, WNT5A, proliferation-associated genes TOPO2A and CDC2, membrane receptors FGFR and EphA3, adhesion molecules N-cadherin, beta3 integrin and syndecan-4, and the cell surface antigens CD59/protectin and MIA. Other genomic analyses tried to define the gene signature of the metastatic disease but failed to find a consistent one except the gold standard genes of beta3 integrin, syndecan-4 and WNT5a. Studies on the gene signatures of chemoresistance and cytokine sensitivity of melanoma clearly defined apoptosis-resistance as one of the key elements of the above biological properties, but the data are controversial, mostly because of the use of inappropriate model systems and the lack of confirmation on clinical samples. Accordingly, application of genomic technologies must be more "translational" to provide breakthrough in melanoma diagnosis and therapy.

Detection of nanobacteria-like particles in human atherosclerotic plaques.

Recent and historical evidence is consistent with the view that atherosclerosis is an infectious disease or microbial toxicosis impacted by genetics and behavior. Because small bacterial-like particles, also known as nanobacteria have been detected in kidney stones, kidney and liver cyst fluids, and can form a calcium apatite coat we posited that this agent is present in calcified human atherosclerotic plaques. Carotid and aortic atherosclerotic plaques and blood samples collected at autopsy were examined for nanobacteria-like structures by light microscopy (hematoxylin-eosin and a calcium-specific von Kossa staining), immuno-gold labeling for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for specific nanobacterial antigens, and propagation from homogenized, filtered specimens in culture medium. Nanobacterial antigens were identified in situ by immuno-TEM in 9 of 14 plaque specimens, but none of the normal carotid or aortic tissue (5 specimens). Nanobacteria-like particles were propagated from 26 of 42 sclerotic aorta and carotid samples and were confirmed by dot immunoblot, light microscopy and TEM. [3H]L-aspartic acid was incorporated into high molecular weight compounds of demineralized particles. PCR amplification of 16S rDNA sequences from the particles was unsuccessful by traditional protocols. Identification of nanobacteria-like particles at the lesion supports, but does not by itself prove the hypothesis that these agents contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, especially vascular calcifications.

Gene profiling identifies genes specific for well-differentiated epithelial thyroid tumors.

Thyroid nodules are common. It would very helpful if genetic markers that can diagnose malignancy from fine needle aspiration samples were available. Few such markers has been thus identified and none are specific. Large panels of potential markers can be screened by microarray technology. Studies done to date have concentrated on single tumor types and thus provide no help in identifying tumor subtype specific markers. To that end we have studied gene profiles of 5 types of benign and malignant thyroid nodular tissue (multinodular goiter, follicular adenoma, papillary and follicular carcinomas). We have identified 195 genes whose differential expression clustered into clinically relevant groups. Twenty-eight genes were selected for further confirmation using real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Despite the differences in the microarray panels used, we confirmed the differential regulation of 12 genes previously reported in thyroid cancer, although we found the expression of several genes to be regulated in other histological tumor subtypes than originally described. We found, PCSK2, TRIB1, RAP1 GA1 to be specifically overexpressed in follicular cancer and S100A4 and GK2 in papillary carcinoma. SERP1, RNASE 2 and STATA5 were suppressed in papillary thyroid cancer. We have thus identified new potential markers specific to malignant thyroid tumors. It is apparent that a range of nodular thyroid tissue using large tumor sample numbers is necessary to establish robust markers for malignancy and to categorize tumors on the basis of small tumor samples.

Gene expression profile analysis of lymphocytes from Alzheimer's patients.

Since the function and metabolism of peripheral lymphocytes is known to be altered in Alzheimer's disease (AD), a pilot study was carried out to examine differences in gene expression profiles of these cells in 16 AD patients and aged control probands. Using a cDNA microarray representing 3200 distinct human genes, we identified 20 candidate genes whose expression is altered in AD lymphocytes compared with the control probands. Among these were the alpha2C-adrenoreceptor gene, known to regulate blood pressure and learning, the defensin, histocompability complex enhancer-binding protein, carboxypeptidase M, and the Fc fragment of IgE known to be involved in cellular and humoral immune responses. Others, like human cell death protein, TRAIL, and galectin-4 participate in the regulation of apoptosis. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed in order to confirm the expression changes in AD lymphocytes, and it could detect down-regulation of defensin and alpha2c-adrenoceptor genes, while other genes seemed unaltered in their expression, including heat-shock protein (hsp90), cholesteryl ester transfer protein, and apolipoprotein B100 (apoB). The altered expression profile of these genes might be connected with the previously reported AD-specific lymphocyte abnormalities. It remains to be elucidated, however, how these genes are related to the pathomechanism of dementia and whether the gene expression differences of AD lymphocytes reflect disease traits or stage processes.

Recent advances in chemical genomics.

Chemical genomics, which utilizes specially designed small chemical compounds early in the discovery phase of new drugs to explore the life science at various levels, can address biological questions that are not amenable to genetic manipulation or functional genomics/proteomics approaches. Following the development of HT phenotypic assays and DNA expression analysis, the integration of cell-based assays with activity / affinity-based approaches allows us to interrogate the cells by analyzing phenotypic alterations, changes of transcript signature or detecting the differences in protein expression levels. Furthermore, activity / affinity-based techniques directly provide a druggable subset of gene products, which interact with small molecules, greatly reducing the complexity of analyzing the proteome. In this paper, we give an account of the recent advances (approaches and strategies) in the field of chemical genomics, and discuss how these approaches enable the investigator to obtain a novel therapeutically relevant target as well as drug candidates acting on them in a target-specific manner. This novel post-genomic discovery strategy, where target identification/ validation is carried out by interactions with small molecules, could significantly reduce the time-scale for early drug discovery, and increase the success rate of finding novel, druggable targets, as well as more specific drug candidates.

Wide-range transcriptional modulating effect of ntrR under microaerobiosis in Sinorhizobium meliloti.

A mutation in the second gene in the ntrPR operon results in increased expression of nodulation (nod) and nitrogen fixation (nif) genes in Sinorhizobium meliloti. Since this pleiotropic effect is particularly pronounced in the presence of external combined nitrogen, a nitrogen regulatory function has been suggested for NtrR. To identify the complete set of protein-coding genes influenced by loss of ntrR function, microarray hybridizations were carried out to compare transcript levels in the wild type and mutant strains grown under aerobic and microaerobic conditions. Of the 6207 genes examined, representing the entire genome of S. meliloti, 7% exhibited altered expression: 4.5% of the genes are affected under oxic, 2.5% under microoxic conditions. 0.4% of all the genes are affected under both oxygen concentrations. A microoxic environment is required for the induction of genes related to symbiotic functions but results in the down-regulation of other (e.g. metabolic) functions. When the alterations in transcription levels at low oxygen concentration in the mutant strain were compared to those of the wild type, a modulating effect of the ntrR mutation was observed. For example, symbiotic nif/fix genes were induced in both strains, but the level of induction was higher in the ntrR mutant. In contrast, genes related to transcription/translation functions were down-regulated in both strains, and the effect was greater in the wild-type strain than in the ntrR mutant. A relatively wide range of functions was affected by this modulating influence, suggesting that ntrR is not a nitrogen regulatory gene. Since genes encoding various unrelated functions were affected, we propose that NtrR may either interfere with general regulatory mechanisms, such as phosphorylation/dephosphorylation, or may influence RNA stability.

Production of bulk amounts of universal RNA for DNA microarrays.

In DNA microarray technology, repeatability and reliability are very important to compare multiple RNA samplesfrom different experiments. The application of common or universal RNA as a standard control equalizes the differences in hybridization parameters and array variations. For this purpose, high-quality reference RNA is necessary in bulk amounts. A novel approach was developed to get milligrams of sense or antisense RNA, starting from micrograms of pooled total RNA from different cell lines, tissues, or organisms. This method is inexpensive and allows further labeling procedures using poly(dT) or random oligomers as primers. In addition, amplified, sense reference RNA is suitable for standard labeling protocols, while the antisense reference RNA can be used with antisense RNA from the linear sample amplification method. Here we produced universal RNA for human, rat, and alfalfa and demonstrated the quality using specific cDNA microarrays.

Cloning of genes participating in aerobic biodegradation of p-cumate from Rhodopseudomonas palustris.

Rhodopseudomonas palustris utilizes p-cumate as a carbon source both under anaerobic light and aerobic dark conditions. A gene cluster was isolated whose sequence showed high homology to genes which have been implicated the degradation of p-cumate in Pseudomonas pitida. Seven structural genes coding for dioxygenase-reductase, dihydroxy-dihydro dehydrogenase, and ring cleavage oxygenases were identified. A putative regulator and its possible recognition site was suggested on the basis of homology data. Mutant cells in which a kanamycin cassette was inserted into the dihydroxy-dihydro dehydrogenase gene could not grow aerobically on p-cumate. The mutation had no effect on growth using the para substituted benzoate derivatives 4-hydroxycinnamate, ferulate, protocatechuate, and 2,3,4-trihydroxybenzoate as sole carbon source. Moreover, mutant cells showed a growth pattern similar to wild type cells grown on these compounds under photoheterotrophic anaerobic conditions. These data suggest that genes of this operon are involved specifically in aerobic dissimilation of p-cumate. Intermediate products of p-cumate degradation could be detected from extracts of Escherichia coli heterologously expressing the first 5 genes responsible for the first two steps of p-cumate degradation in R. palustris. Primer extension analysis revealed the transcription regulation of the gene cluster which could be induced with para methyl-, ethyl- and isopropyl (cumate) benzoates. This is the first report on genes involved in aerobic degradation of these compounds in photosynthetic bacteria.

Structure of the urease operon of Corynebacterium glutamicum.

Urease activity of Corynebacterium glutamicum results in a rapid pH increase upon addition of urea to the growth medium. The urease operon C. glutamicum was isolated of and sequenced. Seven open reading frames were identified; ureA, ureB, and ureC were homologues of other bacterial urease structural genes, ureE, ureF, ureG, and ureD exhibited homology to urease accessory genes. Disruption of ureC prevented the utilization of urea as a nitrogen source by C. glutamicum. Urease activity was induced by urea and appeared to be independent of the nitrogen regulatory system. Urease activity was not affected by pH. Heterologous expression of a truncated derivative of the urease gene cluster in Escherichia coli showed that ureD was necessary for active expression. Western-blot and primer extension analysis on C. glutamicum grown under different conditions confirmed that the operon was induced by urea. Transcriptional startpoint for the ureA gene was determined.

Heat-tolerant methanotrophic bacteria from the hot water effluent of a natural gas field.

Methanotrophic bacteria were isolated from a natural environment potentially favorable to heat-tolerant methanotrophs. An improved colony plate assay was developed and used to identify putative methanotrophic colonies with high confidence. Fourteen new isolates were purified and partially characterized. These new isolates exhibit a DNA sequence homology of up to 97% with the conserved regions in the mmoX and mmoC genes of the soluble methane monooxygenase (MMO)-coding gene cluster of Methylococcus capsulatus Bath. The copper regulation of soluble MMO expression in the same isolates, however, differs from that of M. capsulatus Bath, as the new isolates can tolerate up to 0.8 microM copper without loss of MMO activity while a drastic reduction of MMO activity occurs already at 0.1 microM copper in M. capsulatus Bath. The isolates can be cultivated and utilized at elevated temperatures, and their copper- and heat-tolerant MMO activity makes these bacteria ideal candidates for future biotechnological use.