False responses of Renilla luciferase reporter control to nuclear receptor TR4

ABC transporter-mediated MXR mechanism in fish embryos and its potential role in the efflux of nanoparticles

ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters are believed to protect aquatic organisms by pumping xenobiotics out, and recent investigation has suggested their involvement in the detoxification and efflux of nanoparticles (NPs), but their roles in fish embryos are poorly understood. In this regard, this paper summarizes the recent advances in research pertaining to the development of ABC transporter-mediated multi-xenobiotic resistance (MXR) mechanism in fish embryos and the potential interaction between ABC transporters and NPs. The paper focuses on: (1) Expression, function, and modulation mechanism of ABC proteins in fish embryos; (2) Potential interaction between ABC transporters and NPs in cell models and fish embryos. ABC transporters could be maternally transferred to fish embryos and thus play an important role in the detoxification of various chemical pollutants and NPs. There is a need to understand the specific mechanism to benefit the protection of aquatic resources.

Assessment of NR4A Ligands That Directly Bind and Modulate the Orphan Nuclear Receptor Nurr1

Nurr1/NR4A2 is an orphan nuclear receptor transcription factor implicated as a drug target for neurological disorders including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. Previous studies identified small-molecule NR4A nuclear receptor modulators, but it remains unclear if these ligands affect transcription via direct binding to Nurr1. We assessed 12 ligands reported to affect NR4A activity for Nurr1-dependent and Nurr1-independent transcriptional effects and the ability to bind the Nurr1 ligand-binding domain (LBD). Protein NMR structural footprinting data show that amodiaquine, chloroquine, and cytosporone B bind the Nurr1 LBD; ligands that do not bind include C-DIM12, celastrol, camptothecin, IP7e, isoalantolactone, ethyl 2-[2,3,4-trimethoxy-6-(1-octanoyl)phenyl]acetate (TMPA), and three high-throughput screening hit derivatives. Importantly, ligands that modulate Nurr1 transcription also show Nurr1-independent effects on transcription in a cell type-specific manner, indicating that care should be taken when interpreting the functional response of these ligands in transcriptional assays. These findings should help focus medicinal chemistry efforts that desire to optimize Nurr1-binding ligands.

The role of hyperuricemia on vascular endothelium dysfunction

Hyperuricemia appears to be associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and associated mortality. Population epidemiological data support a causal link between hyperuricemia and cardiovascular disease. Endothelium injury could be one of the potential mechanisms in hyperuricemia-induced cardiovascular disease. However, the specific role of uric acid (UA) in the impairment of vascular relaxation and its signal transduction pathway has not been examined. The authors investigated the role of UA on vascular relaxation, nitric oxide (NO) production and expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Brachial flow-mediated dilation and nitroglycerine-mediated dilation were measured by B-mode ultrasound with 10 megahertz linear-array transducer from 21 patients with hyperuricemia and 16 control subjects. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (ECs) were incubated with UA (5-15 mg/dl) with or without nuclear factor (NF)-κB inhibitor II. Hyperuricemia inhibited brachial flow-mediated dilation. While UA significantly inhibited NO expression with time course- and dose- dependent manner in the cultured ECs, 10 mg/dl UA also increased expression of inflammation cytokine interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and tumor necrosis factor-α in vitro. These abnormalities were associated with UA-induced activation of transcription factor NF-κB. Furthermore, NF-κB inhibitor II prevented UA-induced reduction of NO and increased inflammation cytokines. These data suggested hyperuricemia-induced endothelium injury and vascular dysfunction by a reduction of NO and expression of inflammatory cytokines through the NF-κB pathway.