Vol. 42, No. 1, pp.1-6, 2008Overview of cosmetic dermatological approach for photoaging

In this study, a hydrophobic phospholipid polymer nano-dispersion was formed by self-aggregating poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine-co-stearyl methacrylate) (PMS). Self-aggregation was carried out by diluting a PMS/polyol solution with hot water. The zeta potential of the PMS particles was changed by complexation with anionic or cationic surfactants, the addition of which did not affect the average diameter of the PMS particles, which was always less than 50 nm. The cationized PMS nano-dispersion was used for treating artificially damaged hair. An X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis showed uniform adsorption of the PMS onto the surface of the hair specimens. The PMS nano-dispersion was not only adsorbed on the surface but also permeated into the hair, as shown by a fluorescence microscopic observation of the damaged hair treated with the PMS nano-dispersion that also contained Nile Red. From a scanning electron microscope observation, the PMS was also found to suppress the lift-ups of the hair cuticle. The surface of damaged hair was hydrophilic, whereas the one treated with PMS was hydrophobic, like healthy hair. PMS treatment has decreased the surface friction and electrostatic decay of damaged hair, and also prevented the discoloration of colored hair.
Keywords: 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine, phospholipid polymer, intercellular lipid, nano-dispersion, self-aggregation, zeta potential, damaged hair, surface friction, electrostatic decay, discoloration     

Characterization of the sec1-1 and sec1-11 mutations.

Sec1 proteins are implicated in positive and negative regulation of SNARE complex formation. To better understand the function of Sec1 proteins we have identified the nature of the temperature-sensitive mutations in sec1-1 and sec1-11. The sec1-1 mutation changes a conserved glycine(443) to glutamic acid. The sec1-11 mutation changes a highly conserved arginine(432) to proline. Based on homology and the crystal structure of the mammalian nSec1p, the corresponding amino acids localize to the 3b domain of nSec1p. Compared to the wild-type Sec1p the mutant proteins are less abundant even at the permissive temperature. Thus, the R432P and G443E mutations may cause structural alterations that affect folding and make the mutant proteins more susceptible to degradation. The remaining part is sufficient for growth and protein secretion at 24 degrees C and thus is likely to be properly folded. At 37 degrees C the mutant proteins become non-functional. In pulse-chase-type experiments the newly synthesized Sec1-1 and Sec1-11 proteins decayed similarly with the wild-type protein. Thus, the non-functionality of the mutant proteins cannot be explained by denaturation-induced degradation only. It is possible that the newly synthesized mutant proteins fold slowly and are susceptible to degradation before they have managed to fold and associate with other proteins. The mutant proteins were unable to interact with the Sec1p-interacting proteins Mso1p and Sso2p in the two-hybrid assay, even at the permissive temperature. These results localize sec1-1 and sec1-11 mutations to a domain of Sec1p and suggest a mechanism by which sec1-1 and sec1-11 cells become temperature-sensitive.     

The Candida albicans 14-3-3 gene, BMH1, is essential for growth.

The 14-3-3 proteins are a family of conserved small acidic proteins that have been implicated in playing major roles in a wide variety of signalling cascades. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the 14-3-3 genes (BMH1 and BMH2) are essential for normal pseudohyphal induction and normal bud cell development. The Bmh proteins function in the cAMP-dependent RAS/MAPK and rapamycin-sensitive signalling cascades. Deletion of only one BMH gene demonstrates no phenotypic differences under normal growth conditions. Strains deleted of both BMH1 and BMH2 are either non-viable or demonstrate sensitivity to environmental stresses. In Schizosaccharomyces pombe, the BMH homologues (RAD24 and RAD25) are essential for cell cycle control after DNA damage and deletion of both genes renders the cell inviable. The 14-3-3 gene in Candida albicans (BMH1) was identified using a novel adherence assay and differential display RT-PCR. Unlike other yeasts, C. albicans has only one 14-3-3 gene (BMH1). It was not possible to construct double knockouts by routine methods. These results suggested that the C. albicans BMH1 gene is essential. The essentiality of C. albicans BMH1 was confirmed by a PCR disruption technique. The C. albicans bmh1 Delta/BMH1 heterozygotes exhibit growth and morphogenetic defects. Therefore, the BMH1 gene in C. albicans (Accession No. AF038154) is an excellent candidate to improve our understanding of the coordinate regulation of cell cycle and morphogenesis.     

5,6-二氢-1,3,5-二噻嗪类食用香料研究进展

5,6-二氢-2,4,6-三取代基-1,3,5-二噻嗪是一类重要的含硫含氮杂环香料化合物,目前从食品中鉴定出的已经有70种左右。由于这类香料化合物具有典型的烤香、肉香、坚果香、蔬菜香等香气特征,有的已经被我国及世界上多个国家批准用来调配食用香精,用于食品加香,如2,4,6-三甲基-5,6-二氢-4H-1,3,5-二噻嗪、2(4)-异丁基-4(2),6-二甲基-5,6-二氢-4H-1,3,5-二噻嗪、2,4-二甲基-4H-吡咯[2,1-d]-1,3,5-二噻嗪等。本文对67种5,6-二氢-2,4,6-三取代基-1,3,5-二噻嗪类香料化合物的天然存在和香气特征进行了归纳;由于在食品基质中这类化合物的形成与多种因素有关,如梅拉德反应、脂肪的氧化、Strecker降解、pH、温度等,因此有必要对其在食品热加工过程中的形成机理进行研究和总结;考虑到1,3,5-二噻嗪类化合物在香料工业中的潜在价值,本文也对文献报道的该类化合物的合成方法进行了概括。