11C‐ and 18F‐Labeled Radioligands for P‐Glycoprotein Imaging by Positron Emission Tomography

P‐Glycoprotein (P‐gp) is an efflux transporter widely expressed at the human blood–brain barrier. It is involved in xenobiotics efflux and in onset and progression of neurodegenerative disorders. For these reasons, there is great interest in the assessment of P‐gp expression and function by noninvasive techniques such as positron emission tomography (PET). Three radiolabeled aryloxazole derivatives: 2‐[2‐(2‐methyl‐(¹¹C)‐5‐methoxyphenyl)oxazol‐4‐ylmethyl]‐6,7‐dimethoxy‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline ([¹¹C]‐ 5 ); 2‐[2‐(2‐fluoromethyl‐(¹⁸F)‐5‐methoxyphenyl)oxazol‐4‐ylmethyl]‐6,7‐dimethoxy‐1,2,3,4‐tetra‐hydroisoquinoline ([¹⁸F]‐ 6 ); and 2‐[2‐(2‐fluoroethyl‐(¹⁸F)‐5‐methoxyphenyl)oxazol‐4‐ylmethyl]‐6,7‐dimethoxy‐1,2,3,4‐tetrahydroisoquinoline ([¹⁸F]‐ 7 ), were tested in several in vitro biological assays to assess the effect of the aryl substituent in terms of potency and mechanism of action toward P‐gp. Methyl derivative [¹¹C]‐ 5 is a potent P‐gp substrate, whereas the corresponding fluoroethyl derivative [¹⁸F]‐ 7 is a P‐gp inhibitor. Fluoromethyl compound [¹⁸F]‐ 6 is classified as a non‐transported P‐gp substrate, because its efflux increases after cyclosporine A modulation. These studies revealed a promising substrate and inhibitor, [¹¹C]‐ 5 and [¹⁸F]‐ 7 , respectively, for in vivo imaging of P‐gp by using PET.     

Analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry: An update for 2009–2010

This review is the sixth update of the original article published in 1999 on the application of MALDI mass spectrometry to the analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates and brings coverage of the literature to the end of 2010. General aspects such as theory of the MALDI process, matrices, derivatization, MALDI imaging, arrays and fragmentation are covered in the first part of the review and applications to various structural typed constitutes the remainder. The main groups of compound that are discussed in this section are oligo and polysaccharides, glycoproteins, glycolipids, glycosides and biopharmaceuticals. Many of these applications are presented in tabular form. Also discussed are medical and industrial applications of the technique, studies of enzyme reactions and applications to chemical synthesis. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Mass Spec Rev 34: 268–422, 2015.

     

3,4-Dehydro-L-proline Induces Programmed Cell Death in the Roots of Brachypodium distachyon

As cell wall proteins, the hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins (HRGPs) take part in plant growth and various developmental processes. To fulfil their functions, HRGPs, extensins (EXTs) in particular, undergo the hydroxylation of proline by the prolyl-4-hydroxylases. The activity of these enzymes can be inhibited with 3,4-dehydro-L-proline (3,4-DHP), which enables its application to reveal the functions of the HRGPs. Thus, to study the involvement of HRGPs in the development of root hairs and roots, we treated seedlings of Brachypodium distachyon with 250 µM, 500 µM, and 750 µM of 3,4-DHP. The histological observations showed that the root epidermis cells and the cortex cells beneath them ruptured. The immunostaining experiments using the JIM20 antibody, which recognizes the EXT epitopes, demonstrated the higher abundance of this epitope in the control compared to the treated samples. The transmission electron microscopy analyses revealed morphological and ultrastructural features that are typical for the vacuolar-type of cell death. Using the TUNEL test (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling), we showed an increase in the number of nuclei with damaged DNA in the roots that had been treated with 3,4-DHP compared to the control. Finally, an analysis of two metacaspases’ gene activity revealed an increase in their expression in the treated roots. Altogether, our results show that inhibiting the prolyl-4-hydroxylases with 3,4-DHP results in a vacuolar-type of cell death in roots, thereby highlighting the important role of HRGPs in root hair development and root growth.     

流感疫苗血凝素含量测定替代方法的建立及验证

目的建立测定流感疫苗血凝素(Haemagglutinin,HA)含量的替代方法 ,并进行验证,以解决大流行流感发生初期疫苗原液中HA定量的难题。方法优化糖苷酶处理条件,将流感疫苗原液经糖苷酶处理后,以还原SDS-PAGE方法分离样品,以灰度扫描法确定HA蛋白百分比,结合样品总蛋白数值,计算样品中HA含量。以该方法和传统的单向免疫扩散(SRID)法分别测定7批流感疫苗原液中HA含量,并进行比较。结果优化的糖苷酶处理条件为:总蛋白400μg/ml,PNGaseF加入比例为1:50。样品经糖苷酶处理后,以还原SDS-PAGE法可以清晰区分各蛋白条带,经测序后确定HA两个亚基,与预期相对分子质量一致。该方法测定7批流感疫苗原液中HA含量的结果与SRID法测定结果的符合率在87.90%~122.20%之间。结论初步建立了测定流感疫苗中HA含量的替代方法 ,在WHO参考品供应不到位时,可用于大流感发生时疫苗原液中HA之定量。     

转基因植物重组糖蛋白糖基化研究现状与植物重组糖蛋白糖结构的改造策略

本文综述了转基因植物重组蛋白质糖基化的研究现状,并着重介绍了转基因重组蛋白N-糖链的结构以及改造植物重组糖蛋白的糖结构的两种重要策略——将蛋白表达产物滞留在细胞内质网中或改变植物的糖基化过程。最后对转基因植物重组蛋白糖链研究未来的发展作了展望。     

Analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry: An update for the period 2005–2006

This review is the fourth update of the original review, published in 1999, on the application of MALDI mass spectrometry to the analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates and brings coverage of the literature to the end of 2006. The review covers fundamental studies, fragmentation of carbohydrate ions, method developments, and applications of the technique to the analysis of different types of carbohydrate. Specific compound classes that are covered include carbohydrate polymers from plants, N‐ and O‐linked glycans from glycoproteins, glycated proteins, glycolipids from bacteria, glycosides, and various other natural products. There is a short section on the use of MALDI‐TOF mass spectrometry for the study of enzymes involved in glycan processing, a section on industrial processes, particularly the development of biopharmaceuticals and a section on the use of MALDI–MS to monitor products of chemical synthesis of carbohydrates. Large carbohydrate–protein complexes and glycodendrimers are highlighted in this final section. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 30:1–100, 2011     

Analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry: An update covering the period 1999-2000

This review describes the use of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry for the analysis of carbohydrates and glycoconjugates and continues coverage of the field from the previous review published in 1999 (D. J. Harvey, Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry of carbohydrates, 1999, Mass Spectrom Rev, 18:349-451) for the period 1999-2000. As MALDI mass spectrometry is acquiring the status of a mature technique in this field, there has been a greater emphasis on applications rather than to method development as opposed to the previous review. The present review covers applications to plant-derived carbohydrates, N- and O-linked glycans from glycoproteins, glycated proteins, mucins, glycosaminoglycans, bacterial glycolipids, glycosphingolipids, glycoglycerolipids and related compounds, and glycosides. Applications of MALDI mass spectrometry to the study of enzymes acting on carbohydrates (glycosyltransferases and glycosidases) and to the synthesis of carbohydrates, are also covered.     

Networks in nature

Synthetic networks, their structure and mechanical properties have been studied since the beginning of polymer science, while the considerable variety of networks in nature has been largely neglected, though use has been made of them as long as human culture has existed. In principle synthetic and natural networks are equivalent, but there are significant differences. (1) The main difference consists in the high polarity of the polymeric components and the related capability of binding large quantities of water. (2) The biosynthesis of covalently linked, macroscopic networks is rare and often too slow a process. In many cases the networks are formed via physical forces between various polymeric components. (3) Often the network formation can be reversed by changing the temperature, or pH, or by adding urea or detergents. (4) The viscoelastic behaviour is often governed by the rigidity of the macromolecular substructures. Examples are given for reversible gels with some charged polysaccharides and with fibrin. Special interactions are demonstrated with the network of connective tissue. The important role of comb-like macromolecules with protein backbone and polysaccharide side chains is outlined. Special interactions are crucial also for immunologic response, i.e. for cell recognition and antibody-antigen complex formation. The latter is one of the best examples of a successful application of the Flory-Stockmayer theory of branching and gelation. Most of the reversible gels are not yet fully understood in their properties, and theory is lacking. This is particularly true for products like gelatin and starch.