Regulation of polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase by polyunsaturated fatty acids and prostaglandins

Polyisoprenylation is a set of secondary modifications involving proteins whose aberrant activities are implicated in cancers and degenerative disorders. The last step of the pathway involves an ester‐forming polyisoprenylated protein methyl transferase‐ and hydrolytic polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase (PMPMEase)‐catalyzed reactions. Omega‐3 and omega‐6 PUFAs have been linked with antitumorigeneis and tumorigenesis, respectively. PUFAs are structurally similar to the polyisoprenyl groups and may interfere with polyisoprenylated protein metabolism. It was hypothesized that PUFAs may be more potent inhibitors of PMPMEase than their more polar oxidative metabolites, the prostaglandins. As such, the relative effects of PUFAs and prostaglandins on PMPMEase could explain the association between cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) expression in tumors, the chemopreventive effects of the non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory (NSAIDs) COX‐2 inhibitors and PUFAs. PUFAs such as AA, EPA, and DHA inhibited PMPMEase activity with K_i values of 0.12–3.7 µM. The most potent prostaglandin was 63‐fold less potent than AA. The PUFAs were also more effective at inducing neuroblastoma cell death at physiologically equivalent concentrations. The lost PMPMEase activity in AA‐treated degenerating cells was restored by incubating the lysates with COX‐1 or COX‐2. PUFAs may thus be physiological regulators of cell growth and could owe these effects to PMPMEase inhibition. Practical applications: Some PUFAs have been widely reported to have anticancer benefits. However, the molecular mechanisms for these effects are not well understood. The findings in the current paper appear to suggest that inhibition of PMPMEase may underlie their effects. They also imply that the expression of COX‐2 in various tumors may serve to convert the PUFAs into significantly less inhibitory prostaglandins. From these findings, AA and the other PUFAs, rather than being substrates for the synthesis of tumorigenic agents may actually contribute in suppressing cell proliferation. This being congruent with the lower cancer risks associated with long term use of anti‐inflammatory agents, the practical implications will likely include the nutritional and/or therapeutic management of cancer with the goal of maintaining suitable levels of the fatty acids in tissues.     

Strain engineering in single-, bi- and tri-layer MoS2, MoSe2, WS2 and WSe2

Nano Research - Strain is a powerful tool to modify the optical properties of semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides like MoS2, MoSe2, WS2 and WSe2. In this work we provide a thorough...     

Matrix Transformation in Boron Containing High-Temperature Co–Re–Cr Alloys

An addition of boron largely increases the ductility in polycrystalline high-temperature Co–Re alloys. Therefore, the effect of boron on the alloy structural characteristics is of high importance for the stability of the matrix at operational temperatures. Volume fractions of ε (hexagonal close-packed—hcp), γ (face-centered cubic—fcc) and σ (Cr₂Re₃ type) phases were measured at ambient and high temperatures (up to 1500 °C) for a boron-containing Co–17Re–23Cr alloy using neutron diffraction. The matrix phase undergoes an allotropic transformation from ε to γ structure at high temperatures, similar to pure cobalt and to the previously investigated, more complex Co–17Re–23Cr–1.2Ta–2.6C alloy. It was determined in this study that the transformation temperature depends on the boron content (0–1000 wt. ppm). Nevertheless, the transformation temperature did not change monotonically with the increase in the boron content but reached a minimum at approximately 200 ppm of boron. A probable reason is the interplay between the amount of boron in the matrix and the amount of σ phase, which binds hcp-stabilizing elements (Cr and Re). Moreover, borides were identified in alloys with high boron content.     

Identification of potential technologies for 1,4-Butanediol production using prospecting methodology

1,4-Butanediol (1,4-BDO) is a four-carbon diol used for industrial applications such as organic solvents, and the production of adhesives, fibers and polyurethanes. 1,4-BDO currently is produced through several petrochemical routes: hydrogenation of maleic anhydride, isomerization of propylene oxide, acetoxylation of butadiene, and the reaction between formaldehyde and acetylene. The current trends in 1,4-BDO production involve the utilization of renewable sources such as biomass. In this context, the present study aimed to identify promising technologies of 1,4-BDO production through prospecting methodology based on the analyses of patents and scientific article, describing the most relevant aspects of those emerging technologies. An increasing amount of 1,4-BDO production focused on biotechnological routes has been reported, with the US heavily involved in the development of new technologies. This study tracked three promising technologies which have potential for application in a biorefinery context because those processes involve (i) production of 1,4-BDO from sugars, classified herein as the biotechnological route; (ii) production of intermediates from sugar fermentation followed by catalytic conversion into 1,4-BDO, classified herein as the hybrid route, and (iii) furan/furfural conversion into 1,4-BDO. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry     

Hypoxia-Responsive Class III Peroxidases in Maize Roots: Soluble and Membrane-Bound Isoenzymes

Flooding induces low-oxygen environments (hypoxia or anoxia) that lead to energy disruption and an imbalance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and scavenging enzymes in plants. The influence of hypoxia on roots of hydroponically grown maize (Zea mays L.) plants was investigated. Gene expression (RNA Seq and RT-qPCR) and proteome (LC–MS/MS and 2D-PAGE) analyses were used to determine the alterations in soluble and membrane-bound class III peroxidases under hypoxia. Gel-free peroxidase analyses of plasma membrane-bound proteins showed an increased abundance of ZmPrx03, ZmPrx24, ZmPrx81, and ZmPr85 in stressed samples. Furthermore, RT-qPCR analyses of the corresponding peroxidase genes revealed an increased expression. These peroxidases could be separated with 2D-PAGE and identified by mass spectrometry. An increased abundance of ZmPrx03 and ZmPrx85 was determined. Further peroxidases were identified in detergent-insoluble membranes. Co-regulation with a respiratory burst oxidase homolog (Rboh) and key enzymes of the phenylpropanoid pathway indicates a function of the peroxidases in membrane protection, aerenchyma formation, and cell wall remodeling under hypoxia. This hypothesis was supported by the following: (i) an elevated level of hydrogen peroxide and aerenchyma formation; (ii) an increased guaiacol peroxidase activity in membrane fractions of stressed samples, whereas a decrease was observed in soluble fractions; and (iii) alterations in lignified cells, cellulose, and suberin in root cross-sections.     

A digital filter-based approach to the remote condition monitoring of railway turnouts

Railway operations in Europe have changed dramatically since the early 1990s, partly as a result of new European Union Directives. Performance targets have become more and more exacting, due to reductions in state support for railways and the need to increasing traffic. More intensive operations also place greater demands on the hardware of the railway. This is true for both rolling stock and infrastructure subsystems and components, particularly so in the case of the latter where the time available for maintenance is being reduced. The authors of this paper focus on the railway infrastructure, and more specifically on points. These are critical elements whose reliability is key to the operation of the whole system. Using intelligent monitoring systems, it is possible to predict problems and enable quick recovery before component failures disrupt operations. The authors have studied the application of remote condition monitoring to point mechanisms and their operation, and have identified algorithms which may be used to identify incipient failures. In this paper, the authors propose a Kalman filter for the linear discrete data filtering problem encountered when using current sensor data in a point condition monitoring system. The reason for applying Kalman filtering in this study was to increase the reliability of the model presented to the rule-based decision mechanism.