The Antibacterial Drug Candidate SBC3 is a Potent Inhibitor of Bacterial Thioredoxin Reductase

Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem for public health and associated with increasing economic costs and mortality rates. Silver and silver-related compounds have been used for centuries due to their antimicrobial properties. In this work, we show that 1,3-dibenzyl-4,5-diphenyl-imidazol-2-ylidene silver(I) acetate/NHC*-Ag-OAc (SBC3) is a reversible, high affinity inhibitor of E. coli thioredoxin reductase (TrxR; K_i=10.8±1.2 nM). Minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) tests with different E. coli and P. aeruginosa strains demonstrated that SBC3 can efficiently inhibit bacterial cell growth, especially in combination with established antibiotics like gentamicin. Our results show that SBC3 is a promising antibiotic drug candidate targeting bacterial TrxR.     

Effect of different rates of N-fertilizers on nodulation, nodule activities and growth of two field grown cvs. of soybean

The effect of N fertilizers on nodulation, nitrogenase, nitrate reductase activities and growth of two cultivars of soybean, Clark and Crauford was evaluated in a field experiment. KNO₃ or NH₄Cl were applied 27 days after planting at 0,16, 32, 64 and 128 kg N/ha. Nodulation and growth of both cultivars significantly increased when N was applied at low levels whereas specific N₂-ase activity (SNA) slightly and insignificantly increased. Cv Crauford showed a greater positive response than cv. Clark. Higher rates of KNO₃ and NH₄Cl (128 kg N/ha) significantly depressed nodulation and SNA but slightly decreased the plant dry matter. Cv. Crauford was more tolerant to N fertilizers than cv. Clark. The decline in SNA was ascribed to increased nitrate reductase activity (NRA) and higher accumulation of nitrites in nodule cytosol. NRA and nitrate contents in nodules of cv. Clark were greater than that in cv. Crauford. Results showed that NH₄ ⁺ is the preferred N source with occasional increases in nodule number and weight. This study provides an evidence for the nodulation and growth variability of soybean cultivars fertilized with different levels of N. The results also suggest that diminishing NRA could contribute to increased N₂ fixation and the interaction between NO₃ ^– assimilation and N₂ fixation is strongly dependent on the plant cultivar.     

Ethylene and Nitric Oxide Involvement in the Regulation of Fe and P Deficiency Responses in Dicotyledonous Plants

Iron (Fe) and phosphorus (P) are two essential elements for plant growth. Both elements are abundant in soils but with poor availability for plants, which favor their acquisition by developing morphological and physiological responses in their roots. Although the regulation of the genes related to these responses is not totally known, ethylene (ET) and nitric oxide (NO) have been involved in the activation of both Fe-related and P-related genes. The common involvement of ET and NO suggests that they must act in conjunction with other specific signals, more closely related to each deficiency. Among the specific signals involved in the regulation of Fe- or P-related genes have been proposed Fe-peptides (or Fe ion itself) and microRNAs, like miR399 (P), moving through the phloem. These Fe- or P-related phloem signals could interact with ET/NO and confer specificity to the responses to each deficiency, avoiding the induction of the specific responses when ET/NO increase due to other nutrient deficiencies or stresses. Besides the specificity conferred by these signals, ET itself could confer specificity to the responses to Fe- or P-deficiency by acting through different signaling pathways in each case. Given the above considerations, there are preliminary results suggesting that ET could regulate different nutrient responses by acting both in conjunction with other signals and through different signaling pathways. Because of the close relationship among these two elements, a better knowledge of the physiological and molecular basis of their interaction is necessary to improve their nutrition and to avoid the problems associated with their misuse. As examples of this interaction, it is known that Fe chlorosis can be induced, under certain circumstances, by a P over- fertilization. On the other hand, Fe oxides can have a role in the immobilization of P in soils. Qualitative and quantitative assessment of the dynamic of known Fe- and P-related genes expression, selected ad hoc and involved in each of these deficiencies, would allow us to get a profound knowledge of the processes that regulate the responses to both deficiencies. The better knowledge of the regulation by ET of the responses to these deficiencies is necessary to properly understand the interactions between Fe and P. This will allow the obtention of more efficient varieties in the absorption of P and Fe, and the use of more rational management techniques for P and Fe fertilization. This will contribute to minimize the environmental impacts caused by the use of P and Fe fertilizers (Fe chelates) in agriculture and to adjust the costs for farmers, due to the high prices and/or scarcity of Fe and P fertilizers. This review aims to summarize the latest advances in the knowledge about Fe and P deficiency responses, analyzing the similarities and differences among them and considering the interactions among their main regulators, including some hormones (ethylene) and signaling substances (NO and GSNO) as well as other P- and Fe-related signals.     

强光照对雨生红球藻合成虾青素的影响

在不同的光照强度下研究了雨生红球藻细胞内虾青素的合成与初级代谢的关系.在强光(HL)和中等强度(ML)的光照条件下,雨生红球藻细胞内1,5-二磷酸核酮糖羧化酶 (Rubisco)和硝酸还原酶(NR)的活性第1天大幅度提高,2天后又迅速下降.与此同时,硝酸盐浓度也快速降低.当虾青素在第4天(HL)和第6天(ML)开始合成时, HL中Rubisco和NR活性以及NO3-浓度分别下降了75.5%,71.5% 和96.2%,而ML中则下降了76.5%,74.7% 和94.3%.相比之下,在低光照(LL)条件下,实验结束时三个指标仅下降了25.9%,29.8% 和56.8%,细胞中没有虾青素积累.结果表明强光提高了Rubisco 和 NR活性,导致硝酸盐浓度迅速降低而最终又抑制了这两种酶的活性,造成雨生红球藻光合作用效率下降即"碳饥饿".在此状态下,为了生存,细胞内合成虾青素的相关基因被激活,藻细胞开始合成并积累虾青素.     

Effects of α-Terthienyl on the midgut detoxification enzymes of the European corn borer,Ostrinia nubilalis

The biochemical basis for the tolerance of the European corn borer,Ostrinia nubilalis, to the phototoxin-terthienyl was investigated by measuring the midgut polysubstrate monooxygenases and glutathioneS-transferase activities.-Terthienyl administered in the diet to the corn borers increased the level of cytochromeb ₅, NADH-cytochromec reductase,O-demethylase, and glutathioneS-transferase activities. The induced detoxification enzyme activities should enable the corn borer to metabolize-terthienyl more efficiently and therefore render the corn borer highly tolerant to-terthienyl.     

二氢叶酸还原酶在盐溶液中的分子动力学模拟

为了研究嗜盐酶如何在高盐环境下维持稳定性与活性,本文以沃尔卡尼极嗜盐菌及大肠杆菌的二氢叶酸还原酶(DHFR)为模型,将二者分别置于5种不同盐浓度的水溶液中进行分子动力学模拟。经9ns动力学模拟,得到了二者在不同浓度盐溶液中的运动轨迹,通过对运动轨迹的分析,获取了二者在不同盐浓度下的动力学特性。结果发现嗜盐古生菌的二氢叶酸还原酶自身所形成盐桥及与溶剂所形成的氢键均比大肠杆菌的二氢叶酸还原酶多,而溶剂可及性表面则要小,二者差异均达极显著水平。同时还分析了这两种分子及其氨基酸残基的柔性等。     

Flavin-Dependent Enzymes in Cancer Prevention

Statistical studies have demonstrated that various agents may reduce the risk of cancer’s development. One of them is activity of flavin-dependent enzymes such as flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO)_GS-OX1, FAD-dependent 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase and flavin-dependent monoamine oxidase. In the last decade, many papers concerning their structure, reaction mechanism and role in the cancer prevention were published. In our work, we provide a more in-depth analysis of flavin-dependent enzymes and their contribution to the cancer prevention. We present the actual knowledge about the glucosinolate synthesized by flavin-containing monooxygenase (FMO)_GS-OX1 and its role in cancer prevention, discuss the influence of mutations in FAD-dependent 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase on the cancer risk, and describe FAD as an important cofactor for the demethylation of histons. We also present our views on the role of riboflavin supplements in the prevention against cancer.     

通过核糖核苷酸还原酶M2逆转肝癌细胞对5-氟尿嘧啶耐药

目的：探讨核糖核苷酸还原酶M2（RRM2）在肝癌细胞对5-氟尿嘧啶（5-FU）耐药中的作用,并开发潜在的策略来提高肝癌细胞对5-FU的敏感性。方法：利用Western blot检测5-FU耐药肝癌细胞（BEL/5-FU）与非耐药肝癌细胞（BEL7402）中RRM2蛋白的表达差异;通过用RNA干扰技术下调BEL/5-FU细胞中RRM2的表达或RRM2抑制剂3-AP（Triapine）抑制RRM2活性;CCK-8和集落形成实验用于检测细胞的增殖能力;使用高内涵细胞成像系统仪检测与分析细胞凋亡。结果：BEL/5-FU细胞中RRM2的表达量是BEL7402细胞的2.5倍。RNA干扰技术能够下调BEL/5-FU细胞中RRM2的表达,并使5-FU对BEL/5-FU细胞的半数抑制浓度（IC50）下降约50%,同时细胞集落形成能力也显著减弱。3-AP与5-FU联合处理BEL/5-FU细胞,使5-FU对BEL/5-FU细胞的IC50下降约40%,细胞集落形成能力减弱,并促进5-FU导致的细胞凋亡。结论：RRM2与肝癌细胞对5-FU的耐药相关,本研究通过抑制RRM2的活性来逆转肝癌细胞对5-FU的耐药,为提高肝癌的5-FU化疗疗效提供新靶点和新思路。     

Traumatic Acid Reduces Oxidative Stress and Enhances Collagen Biosynthesis in Cultured Human Skin Fibroblasts

Traumatic acid (TA) is a plant hormone (cytokinin) that in terms of chemical structure belongs to the group of fatty acids derivatives. It was isolated from Phaseolus vulgaris. TA activity and its influence on human cells and organism has not previously been the subject of research. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of TA on collagen content and basic oxidative stress parameters, such as antioxidative enzyme activity, reduced glutathione, thiol group content, and lipid peroxidation in physiological conditions. The results show a stimulatory effect of TA on tested parameters. TA caused a decrease in membrane phospholipid peroxidation and exhibited protective properties against ROS production. It also increases protein and collagen biosynthesis and its secretion into the culture medium. The present findings reveal that TA exhibits multiple and complex activity in fibroblast cells in vitro. TA, with its activity similar to unsaturated fatty acids, shows antioxidant and stimulatory effects on collagen biosynthesis. It is a potentially powerful agent with applications in the treatment of many skin diseases connected with oxidative stress and collagen biosynthesis disorders.