High-level semi-synthetic production of the potent antimalarial artemisinin.

In 2010 there were more than 200 million cases of malaria, and at least 655,000 deaths. The World Health Organization has recommended artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) for the treatment of uncomplicated malaria caused by the parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Artemisinin is a sesquiterpene endoperoxide with potent antimalarial properties, produced by the plant Artemisia annua. However, the supply of plant-derived artemisinin is unstable, resulting in shortages and price fluctuations, complicating production planning by ACT manufacturers. A stable source of affordable artemisinin is required. Here we use synthetic biology to develop strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast) for high-yielding biological production of artemisinic acid, a precursor of artemisinin. Previous attempts to produce commercially relevant concentrations of artemisinic acid were unsuccessful, allowing production of only 1.6 grams per litre of artemisinic acid. Here we demonstrate the complete biosynthetic pathway, including the discovery of a plant dehydrogenase and a second cytochrome that provide an efficient biosynthetic route to artemisinic acid, with fermentation titres of 25 grams per litre of artemisinic acid. Furthermore, we have developed a practical, efficient and scalable chemical process for the conversion of artemisinic acid to artemisinin using a chemical source of singlet oxygen, thus avoiding the need for specialized photochemical equipment. The strains and processes described here form the basis of a viable industrial process for the production of semi-synthetic artemisinin to stabilize the supply of artemisinin for derivatization into active pharmaceutical ingredients (for example, artesunate) for incorporation into ACTs. Because all intellectual property rights have been provided free of charge, this technology has the potential to increase provision of first-line antimalarial treatments to the developing world at a reduced average annual price.

Auditory cortex of squirrel monkey: response patterns of single cells to species-specific vocalizations.

Most of the neurons tested in the superior temporal cortex of awake squirrel monkeys responded to recorded species-specific vocalizations. Some cells responded with temporally complex patterns to many vocalizations. Other cells responded with simpler patterns to only one call. Most cells lay between these two extremes. On-line deletion of parts of a vocalization revealed the role of temporal interactions in determining the nature of some responses.

Assessment of fibromyalgia & chronic fatigue syndrome: a new protocol designed to determine work capability--chronic pain abilities determination (CPAD).

The objective was to design a protocol to assess work ability in people suffering ill-defined painful and disabling disorders, the outstanding prototype of which is fibromyalgia/chronic fatigue syndrome (FM/CSF).Following an extensive literature search, the mos appropriate components of current methods of assessment of physical and cognitive abilities were incorporated into the protocol, occasionally with appropriate modification to suit the specific requirements of the individual. The initial part of the assessment consists of a standard history taking, principally focusing on the patient's self-reported physical and cognitive abilities and disabilities, as well as the completion of established pain and fatigue scales, and relevant disability questionnaires. Following this, physical and cognitive abilities are objectively assessed on two separate occasions, utilizing computerized hand-held dynamometers, inclinometers, algometers, and force dynamometers. Specific work simulation tests using the industrial standards Methods-Time-Measurement testing are availed of, as is aerobic testing using the Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test (CAFT). Objective computerised neuro-cognitive testing are also utilised as an integral component of the assessment. All results are then subject to specific computerized analysis and compared to normative and standardised work-based databases. The designed system produces reliable, consistent and reproducible results. It also proves capable of detecting any inconsistencies in patient input and results, in addition to being independent of any possible assessor bias. A new protocol has been designed to determine the working capability of individuals who suffer from various chronic disabling conditions, and represents a significant step forward in a difficult but rapidly expanding area of medical practice.

On the activities of glycogen phosphorylase and glycogen synthase in the liver of the rat.

A procedure was developed for determination of glycogen synthase and phosphorylase activities in liver after various in vivo physiological treatments. Liver samples were obtained from anaesthetised rats by freeze-clamping in situ. Other procedures were shown to stimulate the activity of phosphorylase and depress the activity of glycogen in the liver. The direction of glycogen metabolism appears to be regulated by the relative proportions of the two enzymes, as shown by a strong positive correlation between total activities and active forms of phosphorylase and synthase. The enzyme activities responded as expected to stimuli such as insulin and glucose, which depressed phosphorylase and increased synthase activity, and glucagon, which increased phosphorylase and decreased synthase activity. In fasted animals approximately 50% of each enzyme was in the active form, which suggests the existence of a potential futile cycle for glycogen metabolism. The role for such a cycle in the regulation of glycogen synthesis and degradation is discussed.

Effects of part sequences of human growth hormone on in vivo hepatic glycogen metabolism in the rat.

Acute effects of two part sequences of human growth hormone on the in vivo activity levels of hepatic glycogen synthase and glycogen phosphorylase were examined. The peptide corresponding to residues 6 to 13 of the hormone (hGH 6--13) decreased the percentage of phosphorylase in the active form without affecting synthase activity. This action was indirect and dependent upon insulin. The peptide hGH 177--191 decreased the level of the active form of synthase without affecting phosphorylase activity. This effect was also observed with analogous peptides containing the sequence hGH 178--191 (i.e., hGH 172--191 and hGH 178--191), whereas the peptide hGH 179--191 was inert. The onset of these effects was rapid, and maximum changes in activity were produced in 5 min by both peptides. The effect for hGH 177--191 was short-lived, and synthase activity had returned to normal levels by 15 min, whereas the action of hGH 6--13 was of longer duration and was still quite marked at 60 min. Both peptides showed a linear dependence of response to the log dose of peptide injected over the range 0.1--250 microgram hGH 6--13 per kg body weight and 0.05--25 microgram hGH 177--191 per kg body weight. Hepatic 3',5'-cyclicadenylic acid levels were not affected by either peptide. Incorporation of glycerol carbon into liver glycogen was increased by hGH 6--13 and decreased by hGH carbon into liver glycogen was increased by hGH 6--13 and decreased by hGH 177--191. This is discussed in terms of a futile cycle between glycogen and hexose phosphate in the liver, as the basis for a control mechanism for hepatic glycogen metabolism. The present observations are consistent with other in vivo and in vitro actions of these and related peptides.

The importance of zinc-binding to the function of Rhodobacter sphaeroides ChrR as an anti-sigma factor.

The Rhodobacter sphaeroides extra cytoplasmic function sigma factor, sigma(E), directs transcription of promoters for the cycA gene (cycA P3) and the rpoEchrR operon (rpoE P1). These genes encode the periplasmic electron carrier cytochrome c(2) and sigma(E)/ChrR, respectively. Using in vitro transcription assays with purified R. sphaeroides core RNA polymerase and sigma(E), we show that ChrR is sufficient to inhibit sigma(E)-dependent transcription. Inhibition is proposed to proceed through a binding interaction, since sigma(E) and ChrR form a 1:1 complex that can be purified when expressed at high levels in Escherichia coli. Active preparations of ChrR and the sigma(E)/ChrR complex each contain stoichiometric zinc. Removal of zinc from ChrR or a single amino acid substitution that abolishes zinc binding, results in a protein that is incapable of inhibiting sigma(E) activity or forming a complex with the sigma factor, indicating that metal binding is important to ChrR activity. Treatment of ChrR with the thiol-modifying reagent p-hydroxymecuriphenylsulfonic acid results in the release of about one mole of zinc per mole of protein. Furthermore, two N-terminal cysteine residues are protected from reaction with the thiol-specific reagent dithionitrobenzoic acid until zinc is removed, suggesting that these residues may be involved in zinc binding. These data indicate that ChrR is a specific anti-sigma factor of sigma(E) that requires zinc for function. Based on amino acid sequence similarity, we propose that ChrR is part of a family of similar anti-sigma factors that are found in alpha and gamma proteobacteria.

The Rhodobacter sphaeroides ECF sigma factor, sigma(E), and the target promoters cycA P3 and rpoE P1.

Rhodobacter sphaeroides rpoE encodes a 19.2 kDa protein, sigma(E), related to members of the extra-cytoplasmic function subfamily of eubacterial RNA polymerase sigma factors. We demonstrate that sigma(E) directs transcription from rpoE P1, the promoter for the rpoEchrR operon, and from cycA P3, a promoter for the cytochrome c2 structural gene. Comparison of these sigma(E)-dependent promoters reveals significant sequence conservation in their -35 and -10 regions; however, rpoE P1 is over 80-fold stronger than cycA P3. Both promoters contain identical -35 hexamers, (-36)TGATCC(-31), that appear to constitute the preferred sequence, since any single base mutation in this region of cycA P3 reduces promoter function. The higher activity of rpoE P1 appears to reflect a better -10 region, (-13)TAAGA(-9), as it contains four out of five of the nucleotides found to be important to sigma(E)-dependent transcription. We also propose that ChrR acts as an inhibitor of sigma(E), since these two proteins can form a complex, and DeltachrR mutations increase sigma(E)-dependent transcription. ChrR is believed to respond to a signal from tetrapyrrole biosynthesis because loss of function mutations in chrR lead to cohemin resistance. Based on our observations, we present a model in which cohemin resistance is conferred by increasing sigma(E) activity.

Insulin receptor expression in the Burkitt lymphoma cells Daudi and Raji.

The specific binding of insulin to either intact or Triton-solubilized Daudi cells (a Burkitt lymphoma cell line) was reduced by over 95% compared to that to control IM-9 lymphocytes due to a decrease in receptor number without a change in affinity. Analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography revealed that 125I-labeled Daudi cells had reduced amounts (approximately 1/20th) of immunoprecipitable binding (alpha) subunit [mol wt (Mr), 130,000] of the receptor and a relatively abundant 210,000 Mr form not seen in IM-9 cells. The transmembranous (beta) subunit (Mr, 90,000) of the receptor, although not detected by 125I surface labeling, could be phosphorylated and, together with the 210,000 Mr form, exhibited the same 2-fold stimulation of phosphorylation by insulin as that in IM-9 cells. Northern blot hybridization revealed a decrease in Daudi cells of all four major species of insulin receptor mRNA. The Raji cell, another Burkitt lymphoma cell line, also exhibited reduced protein and genetic expression of the insulin receptor, indicating that reduced insulin receptor expression may be representative of other Burkitt lymphoma cell lines.

Gender differences in reactivity of adult squirrel monkeys to short-term environmental challenges.

Evidence is presented to show that individual adult squirrel monkeys show gender-specific reactivity profiles to threatening stimuli under laboratory conditions, and that a putative anxiogenic drug, benactyzine hydrochloride, enhances the vocal response to threatening stimuli, but otherwise preserves the relative importance of the stimuli to both males and females. These data support the conclusion that screening of putative anxiolytic drugs in a primate model can be accomplished using efficient, ethologically based testing procedures in the laboratory.

Assay of insulin mediator activity with soluble pyruvate dehydrogenase phosphatase.

The putative mediator of intracellular insulin action has been assayed quantitatively by its ability to increase the activity of solubilized pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) phosphatase. Conversion of soluble beef heart PDH b to PDH a by PDH phosphatase increased when incubation was carried out in the presence of a crude insulin mediator fraction generated from insulin-treated adipose tissue or liver plasma membranes. Increased PDH phosphatase activity was proportional to the concentration of added insulin mediator. Mediator generation was rapid, with a half-time of approximately 45 sec and was insulin dose dependent. Half-maximal mediator activity was produced at 0.3 nM added insulin, with maximal activity being generated at approximately 3 nM insulin. Mediator activity was significantly decreased at 7 nM insulin, but was increased 4-fold after ethanol extraction. Mediator behaved as an activator of PDH phosphatase, apparently by abolishing the inhibitory effects of ATP on phosphatase activity, but had no effect on PDH kinase activity. The assay of insulin mediator activity described here can be carried out under standardized conditions, in contrast to previously described methods using particulate mitochondrial preparations.

Human thyrotropin receptor subunits characterized by thyrotropin affinity purification and western blotting.

We studied the subunit structure of the human TSH receptor in thyroid tissue from patients with Graves' disease and multinodular goiter by TSH affinity chromatography, immunoprecipitation with Graves' immunoglobulins (Igs), and a modified technique of Western blotting. Human TSH receptor-binding activity was purified about 1,270-fold by sequential affinity chromatography on wheat germ lectin-agarose and TSH-agarose. Analysis by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of nonreduced affinity-purified receptors eluted in sodium dodecyl sulfate sample buffer revealed three noncovalently linked subunits of 70,000, 50,000, and 35,000 mol wt. When reduced, a major subunit of 25,000 mol wt was identified. When 3 mol/L NaCl was used to elute affinity-purified receptors only the 50,000 mol wt nonreduced subunit was detected. This subunit bound [125I]bovine TSH and was precipitated by Graves' Igs. Modifications to the conventional Western blotting technique enabled thyroglobulin components (approximately 220,000 mol wt), thyroid microsomal antigen (a doublet of approximately 110,000 mol wt), and putative TSH receptor subunits of 70,000 and 50,000 mol wt to be identified in thyroid particulate membranes by Graves' Igs. Blotting of affinity-purified receptors eluted in sodium dodecyl sulfate sample buffer revealed subunits of either 70,000 or 50,000 mol wt, with a minority of Graves' serum samples. We conclude that the nonreduced human TSH receptor is an oligomeric complex comprising three different subunits of 70,000, 50,000, and 35,000 mol wt. The reduced receptor exists as a single subunit of 25,000 mol wt, which may be disulfide linked to form the higher mol wt forms. The 70,000 and 50,000 mol wt subunits contain epitopes that bind Graves' Igs in modified Western blots, thus directly confirming that the human TSH receptor is a target for Graves' Igs.

Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase mRNA and enzyme activity, and susceptibility to lipid peroxidation, increases with aging in murine brains.

To protect against reactive oxygen species, prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells have developed an antioxidant defence mechanism where O2- is converted to H2O2 by superoxide dismutase (Sod), and in a second step, H2O2 is converted to H2O by catalase (Cat) and/or glutathione peroxidase (Gpx). If Sod levels are increased without a concomitant Gpx increase, then the intermediate H2O2 accumulates. This intermediate could undergo the Fenton's reaction, generating hydroxyl radicals which may lead to lipid peroxidation in cells. In this study, we investigate the expression of Sod1, Gpx1 and susceptibility to lipid peroxidation during the aging process in mouse brains. We demonstrate that the mRNA levels and enzyme activity of Sod1 are higher in brains from adult mice compared to neonatal mice. Furthermore, we show that a linear increase in Sod1 mRNA and enzyme activity occurs with aging (1-100 weeks). On the contrary, we find that the mRNA and enzyme activity for Gpx1 does not increase with aging in mouse brains. In addition, our results demonstrate that the susceptibility of murine brains to lipid peroxidation increases with aging. The data in this study are consistent with the notion that reactive oxygen species may contribute to the aging process in mammalian brains. These results are discussed in relation to the normal aging process in mammals, and to the premature aging and mental retardation in Down syndrome.

Benactyzine increases alarm call rates in the squirrel monkey.

The effects of benactyzine (0.01-3.0 mg/kg) were examined on the frequency of alarm calls of squirrel monkeys in a laboratory setting. Under baseline conditions, few calls occurred, and neither saline nor a low dose (0.01 mg/kg) of benactyzine increased calling. Higher doses (0.03-3.0 mg/kg) of benactyzine significantly increased call rate (to 1-2 calls per s) in a dose-dependent manner. The rate-increasing effect of benactyzine on alarm calls appears to be related to a central antimuscarinic effect, as it could be partially blocked by 0.01 mg/kg physostigmine, completely blocked by 0.1 mg/kg physostigmine, but was not blocked at all by 0.1 mg/kg neostigmine. Neither of these cholinomimetics increased call rates when given alone. These findings show that benactyzine can increase alarm call rates in squirrel monkeys under defined laboratory conditions, and may serve as a useful pharmacological probe to study neurochemical mechanisms mediating the production of this type of vocalization. In the squirrel monkey, one such mechanism apparently involves a cholinergic substrate.

Role of midline frontolimbic cortex in production of the isolation call of squirrel monkeys.

Since the separation cry of mammals serves to maintain (1) mother-offspring contact and (2) contact between members of a group, it probably ranks as a basic mammalian vocalization. The present study is part of an investigation concerned with identifying the cerebral representation of the separation call in squirrel monkeys. For this purpose, monkeys are tested for their ability to produce spontaneous calls in isolation before and after ablations of different parts of the brain. Because of the subject's auditory and visual isolation, the call emitted during testing is referred to as the isolation call. In a preceding study, it was shown that lesions at the thalamomidbrain junction and in the ventral central gray interfere with the structure and/or production of the call. The present study focuses on the rostral midline limbic cortex, known to be one of the two cortical areas where stimulation elicits vocalization in monkeys. Evidence derived by the process of elimination indicates that the spontaneous call depends on the concerted action of a continuous band of rostral limbic cortex comprising parts of areas 24, 25, and 12. The midline frontal neocortex peripheral to this limbic zone does not appear to be essential for the call.

Mediation of separation distress by alpha 2-adrenergic mechanisms in a non-human primate.

This study provides the first behavioral evidence in support of an alpha-adrenergic mechanism underlying imipramine's amelioration of separation distress. The rate of separation-induced vocalization by adult squirrel monkeys was decreased by imipramine and the alpha 2-adrenergic agonist clonidine, and increased by the alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist yohimbine. Yohimbine, but not the alpha 1-antagonist prazosin, reversed the clonidine effect suggesting that drugs acting directly on alpha 2-receptors may have a role in management of separation anxiety.

Neonatal ablations of the amygdala and inferior temporal cortex alter the vocal response to social separation in rhesus macaques.

Rhesus macaques that had received bilateral ablations to either the amygdala or area TE in inferior temporal cortex in the 1st week of life were briefly separated from familiar conspecifics at 10-14.5 months of age in order to assess the vocal response to this mild challenge. Sound spectrograms were subjected to quantitative analysis and compared with calls from normal, age-matched controls subjected to the same testing conditions. Animals with TE damage called at a higher rate than animals in the other two groups. TE subjects also produced more coos than controls. Males with TE lesions produced noisy calls at a higher rate than males of the other two groups. Females did not differ between groups in this measure. Analysis of the detailed acoustic structure of the 'coo' indicated significant differences in a measure of slope of the fundamental frequency (rate of frequency change over time) between amygdalectomized animals and those of the other 2 groups. The amygdalectomized monkeys produced calls with lower slope values, giving the calls a less inflected quality both in sonagrams and to the listener. These findings suggest an important role for the amygdala and inferior temporal cortex in regulating the vocal response to social separation during development.

Effects of tegmental lesions on the isolation call of squirrel monkeys.

The present study is concerned with identifying brain mechanisms underlying a basic mammalian vocalization known as the isolation call. The call serves to reestablish contact of separated individuals. Adult squirrel monkeys were used as experimental subjects because the isolation call in these animals has been shown to be stable, well-defined, and readily elicited under experimental conditions. Bilateral, symmetrical electrocoagulations in certain parts of the tegmentum and core gray matter of the thalamus and midbrain variously altered the character and production of isolation calls, but had no apparent effect on other vocalizations. In respective cases the changes were characterized by: (1) reduction in number of calls; (2) calls with abnormal structure; and (3) calls of infantile character. As opposed to earlier investigations on mammals, the present study has shown that damage to certain brain structures may not only affect the production of a vocalization but also its physical characteristics.

Anatomical and physiological evidence for a relationship between the 'cingular' vocalization area and the auditory cortex in the squirrel monkey.

With the aid of the autoradiographic tracing technique the projections from cortical limbic vocalization areas to the auditory cortex in the superior temporal gyrus were studied in the squirrel monkey. The vocalization areas were identified by exploring the anterior limbic cortex with moving electrodes until a site was found where electrical stimulation yielded vocalization. Projections from the region around the cingulate sulcus and supracallosal anterior cingulate gyrus have their terminal fields in the lower part of the superior temporal gyrus (STG) and upper bank of the superior temporal sulcus. Injections just in front of the genu of the corpus callosum and in the subcallosal gyrus and gyrus rectus lead to terminal fields in the middle part of STG. No projections were found in the upper part of STG, i.e. the primary auditory cortex. To test the functional properties of this pathway, action potentials of single neurons in the auditory cortex were recorded during electrical stimulation of the cingular vocalization area. From a total of 135 STG neurons, an effect on spontaneous activity was seen in 27 cells. All except one of these neurons also reacted to acoustic stimuli. In most cases, stimulation of the cingular area caused a decrease in the discharge rate of the STG neurons. In 4 neurons, stimulation of the vocalization area had an influence on the acoustic reactivity of the STG neurons. The results provide evidence that during phonation the 'cingular' vocalization area exerts a predominantly inhibitory influence on auditory cortex neurons. This effect probably is mediated via the extreme capsule. Its possible function is discussed.

Modulation of vocal and nonvocal behavior in adult squirrel monkeys by selective MAO-A and MAO-B inhibition.

The acute effects of monoamine oxidase inhibitors L-deprenyl (0.5-5.0 mg/kg), clorgyline (1.0-10.0 mg/kg), and milacemide (100-400 mg/kg) on the behavior of adult male squirrel monkeys were examined during brief social separations beginning 60 min after subcutaneous drug administration. All three drugs selectively reduced the rate of calling during social separation at doses which did not affect time spent in locomotion, nor the frequency of vigilance-checking. Deprenyl and milacemide, but not clorgyline, produced concurrent decreases in locomotion at the higher doses tested. At threshold doses, clorgyline, but not deprenyl or milacemide, increased call duration and decreased call peak frequency compared to vehicle control values. Plasma levels of MHPG were decreased by an optimal dose of clorgyline but not by deprenyl or milacemide, indicating that substrate specificity was maintained at the drug doses employed. We conclude that different MAO substrates mediate different aspects of vocal and nonvocal behavior in adult male squirrel monkeys.

Vasopressin in the forebrain of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus): studies with in situ hybridization, immunocytochemistry and receptor autoradiography.

The distribution of vasopressin (AVP) producing cells, their projections and AVP receptors was examined in the brain of common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) using in situ hybridization, immunocytochemistry and receptor autoradiography. Clusters of cells labeled for AVP mRNA or stained for AVP immunoreactivity (AVP-ir) were found in the paraventricular (PVN), supraoptic (SON) and suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus. Scattered AVP producing cells were also found in the lateral hypothalamus and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST). Neither AVP mRNA-labeled nor AVP-ir cells were detected in the amygdala. Although AVP-ir fibers were evident outside of the hypothalamic-neurohypophyseal tract, a plexus of fibers in the lateral septum, as observed in the rat brain, was not detected. Receptor autoradiography using 125I-linear-AVP revealed specific binding for AVP receptors in the nucleus accumbens, diagonal band, lateral septum, the BST, SCN, PVN, amygdala, anterodorsal and ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus, indicating sites for central AVP action in the marmoset brain. Together, these data provide a comprehensive picture of AVP pathways in the marmoset brain, demonstrating differences from rodents in the distribution of cell bodies, fibers and receptors.