A Complex of Type I Platelet-Activating Factor Acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) Catalytic Subunits Switches from α1/α2 Heterodimer to α2/α2 Homodimer during Adipocyte Differentiation of 3T3-L1 Cells.

Platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH) hydrolyzes an acetyl ester at the sn-2 position of platelet-activating factor (PAF), thereby mediating a variety of biological functions. PAF-AH is found in three isoforms: Type I PAF-AH (PAF-AH I) and Type II PAF-AH (PAF-AH II) are intracellular enzymes whereas plasma PAF-AH is characterized by association with lipoprotein in plasma. PAF-AH I forms a tetramer constituted by two catalytic subunits (α1 and α2) with ß regulatory subunits. We recently showed that a deficiency of PAF-AH I catalytic subunits in male mice caused an increase of body weight, food intake, and white adipose tissue (WAT) weight. In this study, we examined whether the expression of this enzyme was altered in the differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes into adipocytes. The amount of PAF-AH I α1 subunit protein was significantly reduced in 3T3-L1 differentiation, while the amount of the PAF-AH I α2 subunit was not changed. Immunoprecipitation analysis of 3T3-L1 differentiation showed that the complex of PAF-AH I catalytic subunits was changed from α1/α2 heterodimer to α2/α2 homodimer. Our findings suggest that changes in PAF-AH I catalytic subunits are involved in adipocyte differentiation of 3T3-L1 and obesity in mice.

Risk Prediction Method for Anticholinergic Action Using Auto-quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship and Docking Study with Molecular Operating Environment.

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) induced by anticholinergic drug action impair the QOL of patients and are associated with a poor prognosis. Therefore, it is expedient to develop methods of predicting the anticholinergic side effects of drugs, which we aimed to achieve in this study using a quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) and docking study with molecular operations environment (MOE; Molecular Simulation Informatics Systems [MOLSIS], Inc.) In the QSAR simulation, the QSAR model built using the partial least squares regression (PLS) and genetic algorithm-multiple linear regression (GA-MLR) methods showed remarkable coefficient of determination (R2) and XR2 values. In the docking study, a specific relationship was identified between the adjusted docking score (-S) and bioactivity (pKi) values. In conclusion, the methods developed could be useful for in silico risk assessment of LUTS, and plans are potentially applicable to numerous drugs with anticholinergic activity that induce serious side effects, limiting their use.

Application of Mass Spectrometry for Determining the Geographic Production Area of Wagyu Beef.

Japanese Black cattle (Japanese Wagyu) beef is attracting attention for its aroma and marbling, and its handling is increasing worldwide. Here, we focused on the origin discrimination of Wagyu beef and analyzed the nutritional components of Japanese Wagyu (produced in multiple prefectures of Japan), Hybrid Wagyu (a cross between Angus and Wagyu cattle born in Australia and transported to Japan), and Australian Wagyu beef using mass spectrometry (MS). Triple-quadrupole liquid chromatography-MS was used to clarify the molecular species of lipids in Wagyu beef. Fourteen classes of lipids were separated, and 128 different triacylglycerides (TGs) were detected. A simple comparative analysis of these TGs using high-performance liquid chromatography revealed significantly higher levels of triolein (C18:1/C18:1/C18:1; abbreviated OOO) and C18:1/C18:1/C16:1 (OOPo) in Japanese Wagyu. Wagyu elements beef were comprehensively analyzed using inductively coupled plasma (ICP)-MS and ICP-optical emission spectrometry. We found significant differences in the rubidium, cesium, and lithium levels of Japanese and Australian Wagyu beef. On comparing metabolites using gas chromatography-MS, we identified significant differences in the levels of amino acids and other components of the Japanese and Australian Wagyu beef. These results suggest the possibility of determining the origin of Wagyu cattle breeds using MS and genetic discrimination.