The n-terminal 5-MER peptide analogue P165 of amyloid precursor protein exerts protective effects on SH-SY5Y cells and rat hippocampus neuronal synapses

The disturbance of the insulin-signaling pathway plays an important role in Alzheimer's disease. Resistance to insulin signaling renders neurons energy-deficient and vulnerable to oxidization or other metabolic insults and impairs synaptic plasticity. In search of neuroprotective drugs, we synthesized a peptide analogue, P165, an active domain of the soluble amyloid precursor protein, which is resistant to degradation and is suitable for oral administration in a clinical setting. Initially, we confirmed that P165 can protect cells from streptozotocin-caused damage and stimulate cell outgrowth using cultured SH-SY5Y cell lines treated with streptozotocin. P165 significantly reduced lactate dehydrogenase leakage from damaged cells, thereby rescuing cell energy production. Insulin signaling such as insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) proteins were upregulated to stimulate cell survival and growth. We proceeded to investigate the effect of P165 on streptozotocin-treated Alzheimer's disease (AD) rats. The data showed that P165 protected synaptic loss and dysfunction by increasing synaptophysin and PSD-95 (post synaptic density-95), while simultaneously decreasing α-synuclein expression. Moreover, animal behavior testing clearly showed that P165 increased rats' learning and memory activity. Overall, these results constitute evidence that peptide analogue 165 may protect synapse and improve learning and memory ability in AD.

A phase II trial of 17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) in patients with hormone-refractory metastatic prostate cancer

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Background: 17-Allylamino-17-Demethoxygeldanamycin (17-AAG) is a benzoquinone ansamycin antibiotic with anti- proliferative activity in several mouse xenograft models including prostate cancer models. Serum IL-6, IL-8, and maspin are potentially important markers of prostate cancer biology. Methods: Patients (pts) with metastatic, hormone-refractory prostate cancer progressing on at least one prior systemic therapy with rising PSA were eligible. All pts received 17-AAG at a dose of 300 mg/m2 IV weekly for three out of four weeks. Primary objective was to assess the PSA response (50% decrease in PSA). Secondary objectives included Adverse Events (AEs) and correlative serum markers including IL-6, IL-8 and maspin levels. A Simon two-stage design required a total of 25 pts with early termination if < 2 responses occurred among the 1st 16 eligible patients. Results: Seventeen pts were enrolled of which 15 were deemed eligible. Median age was 68 and median PSA was 252 ng/mL. Pts received 17-AAG for a median number of 2 cycles. No pt had a PSA response. No grade 4/5 AEs occurred. Grade 3 AEs included fatigue (4 pts), lymphopenia (2 pts) and back pain (2 pts). The median PSA progression free survival was 1.8 months (95% CI: 1.3–3.4 months). The six-month overall survival was 61% (95% CI: 37%-100%). Due to the lack of PSA response, accrual was stopped per study design. At day 15, the median IL-6 and IL-8 increase from baseline was 0.4 pg/ml (p=0.57) and 3 pg/ml (p=0.73), respectively. Maspin levels had day 15 increase of 6-fold (p=0.44). At treatment failure (TF), the median IL-6 increase from baseline was 4.47 pg/ml (p=0.03) and IL-8 decrease was 1.8 pg/ml (p=0.31). Maspin levels had a 29-fold increase at TF (p=0.09). Conclusions: 17-AAG did not show any activity with regards to PSA response. Serum IL-6 was significantly increased at the time of TF. Further evaluation of 17-AAG at a dose of 300 mg/m2 IV weekly in this patient population is not warranted.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

The urokinase-type plasminogen activator system in prostate cancer metastasis

Accumulated clinical and experimental evidence indicates that the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its regulators are causatively involved in the metastatic phenotype of many types of cancers. In the past couple of decades, investigation on the role of the uPA system in human prostate cancer (PC) has been intensified and has yielded valuable insights. This review summarizes recent advances made in several areas regarding the clinical relevance, the function and the molecular mechanisms of the uPA system in PC metastasis. A current consensus suggests that the uPA system promotes PC metastasis by mediating pericellular plasminogen activation. Towards the development of therapeutic strategies that specifically target uPA-mediated PC metastasis, several remaining issues are discussed.

Pleiotrophic inhibition of pericellular urokinase-type plasminogen activator system by endogenous tumor suppressive maspin

Maspin is a novel serine protease inhibitor with tumor suppressive activity, inhibiting tumor invasion and metastasis. To date, the underlying molecular mechanism of maspin remains elusive. Recombinant maspin has been shown to specifically inhibit cell surface-associated urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and fibrinogen-bound tissue-type plasminogen activator. However, the role of endogenous maspin in plasminogen activation is totally unknown. To address this issue, we generated stable maspin-expressing transfectants using prostate carcinoma cells DU145 as the parental cell line. We report here that endogenous maspin exerts pleiotropic inhibitory effects on the pericellular uPA system. Maspin expression led to a significantly reduced level of cell surface-bound uPA and uPA receptor proteins without altering the steady-state levels of the respective mRNAs. Treatment with receptor-associated protein (RAP), a specific inhibitor of low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein, lead to a significantly increased level of secreted uPA and cell surface uPAR in maspin transfectants but not in the mock control cells. A combination of enzymatic and molecular analyses revealed that maspin inhibits the cell surface-mediated plasminogen activation by forming an SDS-resistant complex with cell surface-bound uPA. In addition, maspin expression led to a dramatic reduction in the release of active uPA, both high molecular weight and the low molecular weight, into the conditioned culture medium. Consistently, the conditioned medium of maspin transfectant clones had a significantly reduced activity in converting plasminogen to plasmin. The inhibitory effect of maspin on pericellular uPA correlates with significantly decreased cell invasion potential and motility in vitro. The maspin-neutralizing antibody (Abs4A) reversed the subdued invasive potential of maspin transfectant cells in a dose-dependent manner. In summary, this study provides the first evidence that endogenous maspin is a potent inhibitor of pericellular uPA. Furthermore, our results support a current hypothesis that maspin blocks tumor invasion and motility by inhibiting localized pericellular proteolysis.

Second transmembrane domains of ENaC subunits contribute to ion permeation and selectivity

Epithelial sodium channels (ENaC) are composed of three structurally related subunits (alpha, beta, and gamma). Each subunit has two transmembrane domains termed M1 and M2, and residues conferring cation selectivity have been shown to reside in a pore region immediately preceding the M2 domains of the three subunits. Negatively charged residues are interspersed within the M2 domains, and substitution of individual acidic residues within human alpha-ENaC with arginine essentially eliminated channel activity in oocytes, suggesting that these residues have a role in ion permeation. We examined the roles of M2 residues in contributing to the permeation pore by individually mutating residues within the M2 domain of mouse alphaENaC to cysteine and systematically characterizing functional properties of mutant channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes by two-electrode voltage clamp. The introduction of cysteine residues at selected sites, including negatively charged residues (alphaGlu(595), alphaGlu(598), and alphaAsp(602)) led to a significant reduction of expressed amiloride-sensitive Na(+) currents. Two mutations (alphaE595C and alphaD602C) resulted in K(+)-permeable channels whereas multiple mutations altered Li(+)/Na(+) current ratios. Channels containing alphaD602K or alphaD602A also conducted K(+) whereas more conservative mutations (alphaD602E and alphaD602N) retained wild type selectivity. Cysteine substitution at the site equivalent to alphaAsp(602) within beta mENaC (betaD544C) did not alter either Li(+)/Na(+) or K(+)/Na(+) current ratios, although mutation of the equivalent site within gamma mENaC (gammaD562C) significantly increased the Li(+)/Na(+) current ratio. Mutants containing introduced cysteine residues at alphaGlu(595), alphaGlu(598), alphaAsp(602), or alphaThr(607) did not respond to externally applied sulfhydryl reagent with significant changes in macroscopic currents. Our results suggest that some residues within the M2 domain of alphaENaC contribute to the channel's conduction pore and that, in addition to the pore region, selected sites within M2 (alphaGlu(595) and alphaAsp(602)) may have a role in conferring ion selectivity.

Furanosesquiterpenoids of Commiphora myrrha

An investigation on the gum exudates of Commiphora myrrha has led to the isolation of six sesquiterpenoids. On the basis of spectroscopic data interpretation, they were determined as two new furanosesquiterpenoids, rel-1S,2S-epoxy-4R-furanogermacr-10(15)-en-6-one (1) and rel-2R-methyl-5S-acetoxy-4R-furanogermacr-1(10)Z-en-6-one (2), and four known furanosesquiterpenoids, rel-3R-methoxy-4S-furanogermacra-1E,10(15)-dien-6-one (3), rel-2R-methoxy-4R-furanogermacr-1(10)E-en-6-one (4), furanogermacra-1(10)Z,4Z-dien-6-one, and curzerenone [6,7-dihydro-5beta-isopropenyl-3,6beta-dimethyl-6-vinylbenzofuran-4(5H)-one]. This is the first report of the relative stereochemistry for the known compounds 3 and 4. Compound 1 exhibited weak cytotoxic activity against a MCF-7 breast tumor cell line in a clonogenic assay, while the other five compounds were inactive in this assay.

Maspin expression inversely correlates with breast tumor progression in MMTV/TGF-alpha transgenic mouse model

Maspin is a novel serine protease inhibitor (serpin) with tumor suppressive activity. To date, despite the mounting evidence implicating the potential diagnostic/prognostic and therapeutic value of maspin in breast and prostate carcinoma, the lack of a suitable animal model hampers the in vivo investigation on the role of maspin at different stages of tumor progression. In this study, we used MMTV/TGF-alpha transgenic mouse model to study the expression profile of maspin in mammary tumor progression. Histopathological examinations of MMTV/TGF-alpha transgenic mice revealed TGF-alpha expression leading to hyperproliferation, hyperplasia, and occasional carcinoma in mammary gland. Interestingly, when MMTV/TGF-alpha transgenic mice were breed to homozygocity, they also developed characteristic skin papillomas. Immunohistochemistry analysis of maspin expression in the breast tissues of TGF-alpha transgenic mice showed a direct correlation between down-regulation of maspin expression and tumor progression. The loss of maspin expression was concomitant with the critical transition from carcinoma in situ to invasive carcinoma. Subsequent in-situ hybridization analyses suggest that the down-regulation of maspin expression is primarily a transcriptional event. This data is consistent with the tumor suppressive role of maspin. Furthermore, our data suggests that MMTV/TGF-alpha transgenic mouse model is advantageous for in vivo evaluation of both the expression and the biological function of maspin during the slow multi-stage carcinogenesis of mammary gland.

[Effects of seed coating formulation on seedling characters of Atractylodes macrocephala]

The effects of seed coating formulation (SCF) of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. on seedling in two experimental plots located in Hangzhou and Jiande were studied, and desinged with L9(3(4)) orthogonal comparison. The results showed that the SCF with paclobutrazol (pp333) had a significant effect on the rate of germination at Hangzhou plot, all factors had no significant effects on length of seedlings in both plots, and both atonik (sodium O-nitrophenolate) and PP333 on the fresh or dry seedling weight had significant effects.

Epithelial Na(+) channels are regulated by flow

Na(+) absorption in the renal cortical collecting duct (CCD) is mediated by apical epithelial Na(+) channels (ENaCs). The CCD is subject to continuous variations in intraluminal flow rate that we speculate alters hydrostatic pressure, membrane stretch, and shear stress. Although ENaCs share limited sequence homology with putative mechanosensitive ion channels in Caenorhabditis elegans, controversy exists as to whether ENaCs are regulated by biomechanical forces. We examined the effect of varying the rate of fluid flow on whole cell Na(+) currents (I(Na)) in oocytes expressing mouse alpha,beta,gamma-ENaC (mENaC) and on net Na(+) absorption in microperfused rabbit CCDs. Oocytes injected with mENaC but not water responded to the initiation of superfusate flow (to 4-6 ml/min) with a reversible threefold stimulation of I(Na) without a change in reversal potential. The increase in I(Na) was variable among oocytes. CCDs responded to a threefold increase in rate of luminal flow with a twofold increase in the rate of net Na(+) absorption. An increase in luminal viscosity achieved by addition of 5% dextran to the luminal perfusate did not alter the rate of net Na(+) absorption, suggesting that shear stress does not influence Na(+) transport in the CCD. In sum, our data suggest that flow stimulation of ENaC activity and Na(+) absorption is mediated by an increase in hydrostatic pressure and/or membrane stretch. We propose that intraluminal flow rate may be an important regulator of channel activity in the CCD.

Analysis of urinary metabolites of tea catechins by liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Tea has been proposed to have beneficial health effects which have been attributed to the polyphenolic compounds known as catechins. The bioavailability and biotransformation of these compounds, however, are not clearly understood. In this study, we used liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS) to determine urinary glucuronidated and sulfated tea catechins and their metabolites (including methylated and ring-fission metabolites) based on the detection of deprotonated molecular ions and aglycone fragment ions. The compound resolution was achieved both chromatographically and mass spectroscopically. After green tea administration, the major conjugates appeared in human, mouse, and rat urine samples were identified as monoglucuronides and monosulfates of (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC) and (-)-epicatechin. We also found O-methyl-EGC-O-glucuronides and -O-sulfates and O-methyl-epicatechin-O-sulfates in human urine. (-)-5-(3',4',5'-Trihydroxyphenyl)-gamma-valerolactone (M4) and (-)-5-(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-gamma-valerolactone (M6), the ring-fission metabolites of EGC and (-)-epicatechin, respectively, were also predominantly in monoglucuronide and monosulfate forms in the urine. In comparison to rats, the urinary metabolite profiles of tea catechins in mice resemble more closely to those in humans. This is the first report describing direct simultaneous analysis of multiple tea catechin conjugates in urine samples. This method will allow more thorough investigations of the biotransformation of tea polyphenols.

Formation and identification of 4'-O-methyl-(-)-epigallocatechin in humans

The possible beneficial effects of tea consumption have attracted a great deal of attention. Many of the biological effects have been attributed to tea catechins, but the metabolic fate of these compounds is not clear. In the present study, a major metabolite observed in human blood and urine samples after green tea administration was identified as a O-methylated derivative of (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC) by comparison with products from chemical and enzymatic O-methylation of EGC. The structure of this metabolite was elucidated as 4'-O-methyl-(-)-epigallocatechin (4'-O-MeEGC) by (1)H and (13)C NMR and heteronuclear multiple bond connectivity experiment. The human plasma level of 4'-O-MeEGC reached its peak value within the first 2 h following tea ingestion. Its maximum concentration was 4 to 6 times higher than that of EGC. The half-lives of EGC and 4'-O-MeEGC in the blood were 1.02 +/- 0.07 and 4.39 +/- 1.14 h, respectively. The amount of 4'-O-MeEGC excreted in urine was about 3 times higher than that of EGC, and 88% of 4'-O-MeEGC was excreted in urine within 8 h. The present structural information and concentration-time profile of this metabolite provide the basis for understanding the biotransformation of EGC and for future elucidation of its biological activities.

Three-dimensional interaction of Phi29 pRNA dimer probed by chemical modification interference, cryo-AFM, and cross-linking

Six pRNAs (p for packaging) of bacterial virus phi29 form a hexamer complex that is an essential component of the viral DNA translocating motor. Dimers, the building block of pRNA hexamer, assemble in the order of dimer --> tetramer --> hexamer. The two-dimensional structure of the pRNA monomer has been investigated extensively; however, the three-dimensional structure concerning the distance constraints of the three stems and loops are unknown. In this report, we probed the three-dimensional structure of pRNA monomer and dimer by photo affinity cross-linking with azidophenacyl. Bases 75-81 of the left stem were found to be oriented toward the head loop and proximate to bases 26-31 in a parallel orientation. Chemical modification interference indicates the involvement of bases 45-71 and 82-91 in dimer formation. Dimer was formed via hand-in-hand contact, a novel RNA dimerization that in some aspects is similar to the kissing loops of the human immunodeficiency virus. The covalently linked dimers were found to be biologically active. Both the native dimer and the covalently linked dimer were found by cryo-atomic force microscopy to be similar in global conformation and size.

Epithelial sodium channel pore region. structure and role in gating

Epithelial sodium channels (ENaC) have a crucial role in the regulation of extracellular fluid volume and blood pressure. To study the structure of the pore region of ENaC, the susceptibility of introduced cysteine residues to sulfhydryl-reactive methanethiosulfonate derivatives ((2-aminoethyl)methanethiosulfonate hydrobromide (MTSEA) and [(2-(trimethylammonium)ethyl]methanethiosulfonate bromide (MTSET)) and to Cd(2+) was determined. Selected mutants within the amino-terminal portion (alphaVal(569)-alphaTrp(582)) of the pore region responded to MTSEA, MTSET, or Cd(2+) with stimulation or inhibition of whole cell Na(+) current. The reactive residues were not contiguous but were separated by 2-3 residues where substituted cysteine residues did not respond to the reagents and line one face of an alpha-helix. The activation of alphaS580Cbetagamma mENaC by MTSET was associated with a large increase in channel open probability. Within the carboxyl-terminal portion (alphaSer(583)-alphaSer(592)) of the pore region, only one mutation (alphaS583C) conferred a rapid, nearly complete block by MTSEA, MTSET, and Cd(2+), whereas several other mutant channels were partially blocked by MTSEA or Cd(2+) but not by MTSET. Our data suggest that the outer pore of ENaC is formed by an alpha-helix, followed by an extended region that forms a selectivity filter. Furthermore, our data suggest that the pore region participates in ENaC gating.

Probing the structure of monomers and dimers of the bacterial virus phi29 hexamer RNA complex by chemical modification

All dsDNA viruses multiply their genome and assemble a procapsid, a protein shell devoid of DNA. The genome is subsequently inserted into the procapsid. The bacterial virus phi29 DNA translocating motor contains a hexameric RNA complex composed of six pRNAs. Recently, we found that pRNA dimers are building blocks of pRNA hexamers. Here, we report the structural probing of pRNA monomers and dimers by chemical modification under native conditions and in the presence or absence of Mg2+. The chemical-modification pattern of the monomer is compared to that of the dimer. The data strongly support the previous secondary-structure prediction of the pRNA concerning the single-stranded areas, including three loops and seven bulges. However, discrepancies between the modification patterns of two predicted helical regions suggest the presence of more complicated, higher-order structure in these areas. It was found that dimers were formed via hand-in-hand and head-to-head contact, as the interacting sequence of the right and left loops and all bases in the head loop were protected from chemical modification. Cryoatomic force microscopy revealed that the monomer displayed a check-mark shape and the dimer exhibited an elongated shape. The dimer was twice as long as the monomer. Direct observation of the shape and measurement of size and thickness of the images strongly support the conclusion from chemical modification concerning the head-to-head contact in dimer formation. Our results also suggest that the role for Mg2+ in pRNA folding is to generate a proper configuration for the right and head loops, which play key roles in this symmetrical head-to-head organization. This explains why Mg2+ plays a critical role in pRNA dimer formation, procapsid binding, and phi29 DNA packaging.

The surface of prostate carcinoma DU145 cells mediates the inhibition of urokinase-type plasminogen activator by maspin

Maspin is a novel serine protease inhibitor (serpin) with tumor suppressive potential in breast and prostate cancer, acting at the level of tumor invasion and metastasis. It was subsequently demonstrated that maspin inhibits tumor invasion, at least in part, by inhibiting cell motility. Interestingly, in cell-free solutions, maspin does not inhibit several serine proteases including tissue-type plasminogen activator and urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA). Despite the recent biochemical evidence that maspin specifically inhibits tissue-type plasminogen activator that is associated with fibrinogen or poly-L-lysine, the molecular mechanism underlying the tumor-suppressive effect of maspin remains elusive. The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of maspin on cell surface-associated uPA. In our experimental system, we chose prostate carcinoma DU145 cells because these cells mediate plasminogen activation primarily by uPA, as shown by two different colorimetric enzyme activity assays. Purified recombinant maspin produced in baculovirus-infected Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 insect cells [rMaspin(i)] binds specifically to the surface of DU145 cells, inhibits the DU145 cell surface-bound uPA, and forms a stable complex with the uPA in DU145 cell lysate. The inhibitory effect of rMaspin(i) on cell surface-bound uPA was similar to that of an uPA-neutralizing antibody and was reversed by a polyclonal antibody against the reactive site loop sequence of maspin. The Ki value for rMaspin(i) in cell surface-mediated plasminogen activation was 20 nM, which was comparable to the Ki values for plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 and plasminogen activator inhibitor 2, respectively. Furthermore, the proteolytic inhibitory effect of rMaspin(i) was quantitatively consistent with its inhibitory effect on the motility of DU145 cells in vitro. Our data demonstrate an important role for the prostate carcinoma cell surface in mediating the inhibitory interaction between rMaspin(i) and uPA. Thus, future maspin-based therapeutic strategies may prove useful in blocking the invasion and metastasis of uPA-positive prostate carcinoma.

A dimer as a building block in assembling RNA. A hexamer that gears bacterial virus phi29 DNA-translocating machinery

Six RNA (pRNA) molecules form a hexamer, via hand-in-hand interaction, to gear bacterial virus phi29 DNA translocation machinery. Here we report the pathway and the conditions for the hexamer formation. Stable pRNA dimers and trimers were assembled in solution, isolated from native gels, and separated by sedimentation, providing a model system for the study of RNA dimers and trimers in a protein-free environment. Cryo-atomic force microscopy revealed that monomers displayed a check mark outline, dimers exhibited an elongated shape, and trimers formed a triangle. Dimerization of pRNA was promoted by a variety of cations including spermidine, whereas procapsid binding and DNA packaging required specific divalent cations, including Mg(2+), Ca(2+), and Mn(2+). Both the tandem and fused pRNA dimers with complementary loops designed to form even-numbered rings were active in DNA packaging, whereas those without complementary loops were inactive. We conclude that dimers are the building blocks of the hexamer, and the pathway of building a hexamer is: dimer --> tetramer --> hexamer. The Hill coefficient of 2.5 suggests that there are three binding sites with cooperative binding on the surface of the procapsid. The two interacting loops played a key role in recruiting the incoming dimer, whereas the procapsid served as the foundation for hexamer assembly.

Characterization of the selectivity filter of the epithelial sodium channel

The epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is composed of three homologous subunits termed alpha, beta, and gamma. Previous studies suggest that selected residues within a hydrophobic region immediately preceding the second membrane-spanning domain of each subunit contribute to the conducting pore of ENaC. We probed the pore of mouse ENaC by systematically mutating all 24 amino acids within this putative pore region of the alpha-subunit to cysteine and co-expressing these mutants with wild type beta- and gamma-subunits of mouse ENaC in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Functional characteristics of these mutants were examined by two-electrode voltage clamp and single channel recording techniques. Two distinct domains were identified based on the functional changes associated with point mutations. An amino-terminal domain (alpha-Val(569)-alpha-Gly(579)) showed minimal changes in cation selectivity or amiloride sensitivity following cysteine substitution. In contrast, cysteine substitutions within the carboxyl-terminal domain (alpha-Ser(580)-alpha-Ser(592)) resulted in significant changes in cation selectivity and moderately altered amiloride sensitivity. The mutant channels containing alphaG587C or alphaS589C were permeable to K(+), and mutation of a GSS tract (positions alpha587-alpha589) to GYG resulted in a moderately K(+)-selective channel. Our results suggest that the C-terminal portion of the pore region within the alpha-subunit contributes to the selectivity filter of ENaC.

Structural identification of two metabolites of catechins and their kinetics in human urine and blood after tea ingestion

Tea is a popular beverage consumed worldwide. The metabolic fate of its major constituents, catechins, however, is not well-known. In this study, two catechin metabolites were detected in the urine and plasma of human volunteers after ingestion of green tea. These metabolites were identified by LC/ESI-MS and NMR as (-)-5-(3',4', 5'-trihydroxyphenyl)-gamma-valerolactone (M4) and (-)-5-(3', 4'-dihydroxyphenyl)-gamma-valerolactone (M6). The renal excretion of M4 and M6 had a 3 h lag time and peaked 7.5-13.5 h after ingestion of a single dose of green tea, while (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC) and (-)-epicatechin peaked at 2 h. M4 and M6 were two major tea metabolites with urinary cumulative excretions as high as 8-25 times the levels of EGC and (-)-epicatechin in some of our subjects, and accounted for 6-39% of the amounts of ingested EGC and (-)-epicatechin. Both the metabolites appeared to be produced by intestinal microorganisms, with EGC and (-)-epicatechin as the precursors of M4 and M6, respectively. Repeated ingestion of green tea produced a slight accumulative effect of the metabolites. They were also detected in the plasma, exhibiting kinetics similar to those of the urinary metabolites, and in the feces. Study on these metabolites may help us further understand the cancer chemopreventive actions and other beneficial effects of tea.

PNA-dependent gene chemistry: stable coupling of peptides and oligonucleotides to plasmid DNA

Two approaches are described for stably conjugating peptides, proteins and oligonucleotides onto plasmid DNA. Both methods use a peptide nucleic acid (PNA) clamp, which binds irreversibly and specifically to a binding site cloned into the plasmid. The first approach uses a biotin-conjugated PNA clamp that can be used to introduce functional biotin groups onto the plasmid to which streptavidin can bind. Atomic force microscopy images of linearized plasmid show streptavidin localized at the predicted PNA binding site on the DNA strand. Peptides and oligonucleotides containing free thiol groups were conjugated to maleimide streptavidin, and these streptavidin conjugates were bound to the biotin-PNA-labeled plasmid. In this way, peptides and oligonucleotides could be brought into stable association with the plasmid. A second approach used a maleimide-conjugated PNA clamp. Methods are described for conjugating thiolated peptides and oligonucleotides directly to the maleimide-PNA-DNA hybrid. This straightforward technology offers an easy approach to introduce functional groups onto plasmid DNA without disturbing its transcriptional activity.

Mechanism of action of amiloride: a molecular prospective

Amiloride is a prototypic inhibitor of epithelial sodium channels. Rapid progress has been made in our understanding of the structure of the sodium channel and related cation-selective channels. This work, coupled with experiments examining how selected sodium channel mutations affect amiloride binding, provides critical clues towards defining sites within the channel that bind amiloride. Residues within the channel pore and within its extracellular domain participate in amiloride binding. These results suggest that sites that interact with amiloride within the channel's extracellular domain may be in close proximity to residues within the channel's pore.

AFM tips: how sharp are they?

From both simple estimates and a 'blind' reconstruction based on cryo-AFM images of filamentous actin, we find that the radius of curvature at the apex of Si3N4 tips can be as small as 1 nm with a conical angle in the range 30 approximately 40 degrees, revealing a relatively high aspect ratio that is much greater than previously anticipated. Our results show that commercially available cantilevers are often sharp enough for routine high resolution imaging of biological materials, and suggest that factors other than an inherent blunt tip are probably responsible for frequent occurrences of poor resolution.

Remangilones A-C, new cytotoxic triterpenes from Physena madagascariensis

Three new 24,28-dinorolean-3-one derivatives, the remangilones A-C (1-3), were isolated from the dried leaves of Physena madagascariensis using a human mammary carcinoma cell line to guide the isolation. The structures of 1-3 were deduced primarily from NMR studies. Compounds 1 and 3, remangilones A and C, respectively, were found to be cytotoxic against two human breast cancer cell lines and induced apoptosis at concentrations of 2.3 microM.

maspin suppresses the invasive phenotype of human breast carcinoma

The recently discovered tumor suppressor gene maspin has been shown to inhibit tumor cell motility, invasion, and metastasis in breast cancer by our laboratories. Nonetheless, the exploitation of maspin as a potential diagnostic and/or therapeutic tool has remained limited due to the lack of knowledge concerning its molecular and biological mechanism(s) of action. The work reported here demonstrates that recombinant maspin (rMaspin) has the ability to induce higher cell surface levels of alpha5- and alpha3-containing integrins and reduced levels of alpha2-, alpha4-, alpha6-, alpha(v)-, and some beta1-containing integrins in the metastatic human breast carcinoma cell line MDA-MB-435 concomitant with its ability to inhibit the invasive process in vitro. Furthermore, treatment of MDA-MB-435 cells with rMaspin results in the selective adhesion of the cell to a fibronectin matrix and conversion from a fibroblastic to a more epithelial-like phenotype. In addition, the ability of rMaspin to inhibit the invasive process can be abrogated with a blocking antibody to the alpha5beta1 integrin, which diminishes the ability of the cells to invade through a fibronectin matrix-containing barrier in vitro. Taken together, these data address the hypothesis that rMaspin reduces the invasive phenotype of MDA-MB-435 cells by altering their integrin profile, particularly alpha5, which in turn converts these cells to a more benign epithelial phenotype, with less invasive ability. These data provide new insights into the biological significance of this tumor suppressor gene found in normal mammary epithelium and may form the basis of novel therapeutic strategies in the management of breast carcinoma.

Classification of breast cancer cells on the basis of a functional assay for estrogen receptor

BACKGROUND

The receptor (ER) for estrogen (E2) is routinely assayed as a marker to determine the feasibility of anti-hormone therapy against breast cancer because ER-positive (ER+) tumors are much more likely to respond to anti-hormone therapy than are ER-negative (ER-). However 40% of ER+ breast cancer patients do not respond to anti-hormone therapy. We suggest that this unpredictability of therapeutic responses lies in the current ER assays, which measure only an initial component of the E2-responsive pathway, and that the difference depends upon altered downstream processes. We propose a functional criterion that subclassifies breast cancers on the basis of specific binding of ER to its cognate DNA sequence, the estrogen response element (ERE).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

ER was identified in breast cancer cell lines by immunofluorescence assay, Western blot analysis, identification of ER-specific mRNA, and by interaction of the ER-ERE complex with three different ER-specific antibodies. ER-ERE complex formation was measured by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). Transactivation of the E2-responsive gene was studied by transfection of cells with fusion gene construct with the promoter-containing ERE sequence and assay of reporter gene activity in the cell extracts.

RESULTS

The growth of ER+ T47D cells was sensitive to tamoxifen, ICI-182,780, and ethynyl estradiol (EE2), whereas another ER+ breast cancer cell line, 21 PT, was resistant to these compounds. The estrogen receptor (ER) in the nuclear extracts of MCF-7 and T47D demonstrated hormone-dependent interaction with the response element (ERE) and also downstream transactivation of the E2-responsive PS2 promoter. But in the 21 PT cell line that was designated as ER- on the basis of ligand-binding assay and was found to be ER+ by all the other ER assays, ER-ERE interaction and PS2 promoter transactivation were independent of hormone.

CONCLUSIONS

On the basis of the downstream functional assay of ER interaction with ERE, ER+ breast tumor cells can be subclassified into two categories. The first is E2-dependent (ERd+) and these cells should respond to anti-hormone therapy. The second type of ER interacts with ERE independent of E2 (ERi+) and constitutively transactivates responsive genes. It is predicted that the latter type of breast cancers will not respond to antihormone therapy.

Assimilation of xylose, mannose, and mannitol for synthesis of glucuronoxylomannan of Cryptococcus neoformans determined by 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Cryptococcus neoformans NIH 409 was cultured in a defined medium containing D-[1-13C]xylose (Xyl), D-[1-13C]mannose (Man), or D-[1-13C]mannitol as the sole carbon source. The distribution of 13C in the Man, Xyl, glucuronic acid (GlcA), and O-acetyl constituents of native and de-O-acetylated glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) was determined by one-dimensional 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The carbon chain of Man was incorporated intact into GXM since 13C was observed only in carbon 1 of Man, GlcA, and Xyl. The carbon chain of mannitol was incorporated intact into GXM since 13C was observed only in carbons 1 and 6. This was expected since mannitol has an axis of symmetry. The carbon chain of Xyl was identified only in carbons 1 and 3 of Man, GlcA, and Xyl. This pattern of labeling is consistent with the assimilation of Xyl through the pentophosphate pathway.

Subunit stoichiometry of the epithelial sodium channel

The epithelial Na+ Channel (ENaC) mediates Na+ reabsorption in a variety of epithelial tissues. ENaC is composed of three homologous subunits, termed alpha, beta, and gamma. All three subunits participate in channel formation as the absence of any one subunit results in a significant reduction or complete abrogation of Na+ current expression in Xenopus oocytes. To determine the subunit stoichiometry, a biophysical assay was employed utilizing mutant subunits that display significant differences in sensitivity to channel blockers from the wild type channel. Our results indicate that ENaC is a tetrameric channel with an alpha2 beta gamma stoichiometry, similar to that reported for other cation selective channels, such as Kv, Kir, as well as voltage-gated Na+ and Ca2+ channels that have 4-fold internal symmetry.

Staphylococcal alpha-hemolysin can form hexamers in phospholipid bilayers

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to study the structure of the staphylococcal alpha-hemolysin (alpha HL) oligomer formed in supported phospholipid bilayers. In contrast to the recent X-ray crystallographic demonstration of a heptameric stoichiometry for the oligomer formed in deoxycholate (DOC) micelles, the high-resolution unprocessed AFM images unequivocally revealed a hexamer in these phospholipid bilayers. Independent support of this hexameric stoichiometry was obtained from the measurements of the lattice constant in the AFM images and from gel electrophoresis. Therefore, alpha HL can form two different, energetically stable oligomers, which differ in at least stoichiometry but perhaps subunit structure as well. Furthermore, stable, incomplete oligomers were observed in the AFM images, which may be of relevance to the mechanism by which alpha HL damages the cell.

A 1H NMR spectroscopic approach to the unambiguous determination of glycosyl linkage positions in oligosaccharides

A sensitive (< 1 mg) and nondestructive method was devised for the unambiguous determination of the glycosyl linkage positions in oligosaccharides using 1H NMR spectroscopy. The technique is based on the absence of a hydroxyl group on the carbon atom that participates in the glycosidic linkage. The "missing" hydroxyl group is identified by recording 1H NMR spectra of the oligosaccharide in H2O and D2O. The method is illustrated by determining the glycosyl linkage positions of maltose, Glc alpha 1-4Glc, and a branched mannopentaose, Man alpha 1-6(Man alpha 1-3)Man alpha 1-6(Man alpha 1-3)Man.

Accurate and precise measurement of heteronuclear long-range couplings by a gradient-enhanced two-dimensional multiple-bond correlation experiment

We propose a phase-sensitive gradient-enhanced two-dimensional heteronuclear multiple-bond correlation (psge-2D HMBC) experiment for speedy, accurate, and precise measurement of 2JCH and 3JCH. The experiment does not suppress one-bond correlations. Rather, the value of a desired long-range JCH is obtained from the pertinent cross-peak pattern in the HMBC spectrum, using the corresponding 1JCH correlation pattern as reference. The application of the proposed experiment is illustrated for the trisaccharide raffinose.

Expression genetics: a different approach to cancer diagnosis and prognosis

Expression genetics is a new approach to the identification of cancer-related genes. Instead of studying gene mutations at the genome level, it focuses on the investigation of heredity at the RNA level. By isolating genes whose expression is up or down regulated in cancers, expression geneticists study their function in the context of gene regulation. A major goal of expression genetics in cancer is to correct gene expression in tumors by the application of potential therapeutic agents.

Tissue-type plasminogen activator is a target of the tumor suppressor gene maspin

The maspin protein has tumor suppressor activity in breast and prostate cancers. It inhibits cell motility and invasion in vitro and tumor growth and metastasis in nude mice. Maspin is structurally a member of the serpin (serine protease inhibitors) superfamily but deviates somewhat from classical serpins. We find that single-chain tissue plasminogen activator (sctPA) specifically interacts with the maspin reactive site loop peptide and forms a stable complex with recombinant maspin [rMaspin(i)]. Major effects of rMaspin(i) are observed on plasminogen activation by sctPA. First, rMaspin(i) activates free sctPA. Second, it inhibits sctPA preactivated by poly-D-lysine. Third, rMaspin(i) exerts a biphasic effect on the activity of sctPA preactivated by fibrinogen/gelatin, acting as a competitive inhibitor at low concentrations (< 0.5 microM) and as a stimulator at higher concentrations. Fourth, 38-kDa C-terminal truncated rMaspin(i) further stimulates fibrinogen/gelatin-associated sctPA. rMaspin(i) acts specifically; it does not inhibit urokinase-type plasminogen activator, plasmin, chymotrypsin, trypsin, or elastase. Our kinetic data are quantitatively consistent with a model in which two segregated domains of maspin interact with the catalytic and activating domains of sctPA. These complex interactions between maspin and sctPA in vitro suggest a mechanism by which maspin regulates plasminogen activation by sctPA bound to the epithelial cell surface.

Maspin. A tumor suppressing serpin

Maspin, a serpin found in mammary epithelial cells, has been shown to have tumor suppressor activity. The gene is expressed in normal human mammary epithelial cells but down-regulated in invasive breast carcinomas. Similar patterns of expression at the RNA and protein levels are seen by Northern analysis with cells grown in culture and by immunostaining of tissues. Biological assays of invasion by tumor cells through Matrigel membranes and of motility have shown that recombinant maspin inhibits both processes, and that its inhibitory action is totally lost by a single cleavage at the reaction center. Tumor transfectants expressing maspin are inhibited in growth and metastasis in nude mice. Maspin is located in the cell membrane and extracellular matrix, and does not behave as a classical inhibitory serpin against any known target protease. Its mode of action is presently unknown.

Structure of the capsular polysaccharide of Clostridium perfringens Hobbs 10 determined by NMR spectroscopy

The complete primary structure of the type-specific capsular polysaccharide of Clostridium perfringens Hobbs 10 was determined. The polysaccharide was isolated from C. perfringens Hobbs 10 by cold-water extraction of whole, heavily encapsulated cells. The polysaccharide was purified, by ethanol precipitation, deproteination, selective precipitation with hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, ion-exchange chromatography and gel-filtration chromatography. The polysaccharide was comprised of D-glucose, D-galactose, N-acetylgalactosamine, and iduronic acid, in molar ratios of 2:2:1:1. Sequence and linkage assignments of the glycosyl residues were obtained by NMR spectroscopy, specifically by the combination of two-dimensional homonuclear DQF-COSY, TQF-COSY and TOCSY, heteronuclear ¿1H, 13C¿ single-quantum coherence (HSQC) and heteronuclear multiple-bond correlation (HMBC) experiments. The capsular polysaccharide of C. perfringens Hobbs 10 is a polymer composed of a hexasaccharide repeating unit with the following structure: [formula: see text] This structure is novel among bacterial cell-surface polysaccharides, and it is only the second of many serotypically distinct capsular polysaccharides of C. perfringens to be described.

Preparation and characterization of recombinant tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 4 (TIMP-4)

TIMP-4, a novel human tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase, was identified and cloned (Greene, J., Wang, M., Raymond, L. A., Liu, Y. E., Rosen, C., and Shi, Y. E. (1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 30375-30380). In this report, the production and characterization of recombinant TIMP-4 (rTIMP4p) are described. rTIMP4p, expressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells, was purified to homogeneity by a combination of cation exchange, hydrophobic, and size-exclusion chromatographies. The purified protein migrated as a single 23-kDa band in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and in Western blot using a specific anti-TIMP-4 antibody. Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activities by rTIMP4p was demonstrated in five MMPs. Enzymatic kinetic studies revealed IC50 values (concentration at 50% inhibition) of 19, 3, 45, 8, and 83 nM for MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-7, and MMP-9, respectively. Purified rTIMP4p demonstrated a strong inhibitory effect on the invasion of human breast cancer cells across reconstituted basement membranes. Thus, TIMP-4 is a new enzymatic inhibitor in MMP-mediated extracellular matrix degradation and may have therapeutic potential in treating cancer malignant progression.

Inhibition of tumor growth and metastasis of human breast cancer cells transfected with tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 4

We recently identified, cloned, and characterized a novel human tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-4, TIMP-4 (Greene et al., 1996). To determine if TIMP-4 can modulate the in vivo growth of human breast cancers, we transfected a full-length TIMP-4 cDNA into MDA-MB-435 human breast cancer cells and studied the orthotopic growth of TIMP-4-transfected (TIMP4-435) versus control (neo-435) clones in the mammary fat pad of athymic nude mice. TIMP4-435 clones expressed TIMP-4 mRNA and produced anti-metalloproteinase (MMP) activity, while neo-435 clones did not express TIMP-4 mRNA or produce detectable anti-MMP activity. Overexpression of TIMP-4 inhibited the invasion potential of the cells in the in vitro invasion assay. When injected orthotopically into nude mice, TIMP-4 transfectants were significantly inhibited in tumor growth by 4-10-fold in primary tumor volumes; and in an axillary lymph node and lung metastasis as compared with controls. These results suggest the therapeutic potential of TIMP-4 in treating cancer malignant progression.

Structure of the 13C-enriched O-deacetylated glucuronoxylomannan of Cryptococcus neoformans serotype A determined by NMR spectroscopy

The complete assignment of 1H and 13C chemical shifts for 99% uniformly 13C-labeled O-deacetylated glucuronoxylomannan (GXM) of Cryptococcus neoformans serotype A isolate 9759-Mu-1 was accomplished by the analysis of HCCH-TOCSY and HCCH-COSY spectra. The sequence of the glycosyl residues was determined by a GHMBC experiment using 20% uniformly 13C-labeled GXM; GXM was prepared by a novel procedure that insured the virtual exclusion of adjacent 13C-labeled carbon atoms. For each residue in the GXM of 9759-Mu-1 we determined its linkage position, its anomeric configuration, and its position in the repeating sequence as follows: [sequence: see text]

[Effects of volatile oil from Rheum palmatum on immunologic function in mice]

The effects of volatile oil from Rheum palmatum (RVO) on immunologic function in mice are studied. The results show that the delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) induced by 2, 4-dinitrochlorobenzene, lymphocytes transformation of (3H)-TdR induced by PHA, clearance rate of ivcarbon particles, phagocytic function of peritioneal macrophage and production of hemolysin induced by SRBC are markeyly increased with RVO given by oral administration or inhalation.

mMaspin: the mouse homolog of a human tumor suppressor gene inhibits mammary tumor invasion and motility

BACKGROUND

The human maspin gene encodes a protein in the serine proteinase inhibitor (serpin) family with tumor-suppressing functions in cell culture and in nude mice. In order to examine the role of maspin in an intact mammal, we cloned and sequenced the cDNA of mouse maspin. The recombinant protein was produced and its activity in cell culture was assessed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mouse maspin (mMaspin) was cloned by screening a mouse mammary gland cDNA library with the human maspin cDNA probe. Northern blot analysis was used to examine the expression patterns in mouse tissues, mammary epithelial cells, and carcinomas. Recombinant mMaspin protein was produced in E. coli. Invasion and motility assays were used to assess the biological function of mMaspin.

RESULTS

mMaspin is 89% homologous with human maspin at the amino acid level. Like its human homolog, mMaspin is expressed in normal mouse mammary epithelial cells and down-regulated in mouse breast tumor cell lines. The expression is altered at different developmental stages in mammary gland. Addition of the recombinant mMaspin protein to mouse tumor cells was shown to inhibit invasion in a dose-dependent manner. As with the human protein, recombinant mMaspin protein also inhibited mouse mammary tumor motility. Deletion in the putative mMaspin reactive site loop (RSL) region resulted in the loss of its inhibitory functions.

CONCLUSIONS

mMaspin is the mouse homolog of a human tumor suppressor gene. The expression of mMaspin is down-regulated in tumor cells and is altered at different developmental stages of mammary gland. mMaspin has inhibitory properties similar to those of human maspin in cell culture, suggesting that the homologous proteins play similar physiological roles in vivo.