Relative quantitation of transfer RNAs using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry and signature digestion products

Transfer ribonucleic acids (tRNAs) are challenging to identify and quantify from unseparated mixtures. Our lab previously developed the signature digestion approach for identifying tRNAs without specific separation. Here we describe the combination of relative quantification via enzyme-mediated isotope labeling with this signature digestion approach for the relative quantification of tRNAs. These quantitative signature digestion products were characterized using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and we find that up to 5-fold changes in tRNA abundance can be quantified from sub-microgram amounts of total tRNA. Quantitative tRNA signature digestion products must (i) incorporate an isotopic label during enzymatic digestion; (ii) have no m/z interferences from other signature digestion products in the sample and (iii) yield a linear response during LC-MS analysis. Under these experimental conditions, the RNase T1, A and U2 signature digestion products that potentially could be used for the relative quantification of Escherichia coli tRNAs were identified, and the linearity and sequence identify of RNase T1 signature digestion products were experimentally confirmed. These RNase T1 quantitative signature digestion products were then used in proof-of-principle experiments to quantify changes arising due to different culturing media to 17 tRNA families. This method enables new experiments where information regarding tRNA identity and changes in abundance are desired

Cysteamine Suppresses Invasion, Metastasis and Prolongs Survival by Inhibiting Matrix Metalloproteinases in a Mouse Model of Human Pancreatic Cancer

Background: Cysteamine, an anti-oxidant aminothiol, is the treatment of choice for nephropathic cystinosis, a rare lysosomal storage disease. Cysteamine is a chemo-sensitization and radioprotection agent and its antitumor effects have been investigated in various tumor cell lines and chemical induced carcinogenesis. Here, we investigated whether cysteamine has anti-tumor and anti-metastatic effects in transplantable human pancreatic cancer, an aggressive metastatic disease. Methodology/Principal Findings: Cysteamine’s anti-invasion effects were studied by matrigel invasion and cell migration assays in 10 pancreatic cancer cell lines. To study mechanism of action, we examined cell viability and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activity in the cysteamine-treated cells. We also examined cysteamine’s anti-metastasis effect in two orthotopic murine models of human pancreatic cancer by measuring peritoneal metastasis and survival of animals. Cysteamine inhibited both migration and invasion of all ten pancreatic cancer cell lines at concentrations (,25 mM) that caused no toxicity to cells. It significantly decreased MMPs activity (IC50 38–460 mM) and zymographic gelatinase activity in a dose dependent manner in vitro and in vivo; while mRNA and protein levels of MMP-9, MMP-12 and MMP-14 were slightly increased using the highest cysteamine concentration. In vivo, cysteamine significantly decreased metastasis in two established pancreatic tumor models, although it did not affect the size of primary tumors. Additionally, cysteamin

α-Arrestins Aly1 and Aly2 Regulate Intracellular Trafficking in Response to Nutrient Signaling

Arrestins, known regulators of endocytosis, take on novel functions in nutrient-regulated endosomal recycling. Yeast α-arrestins, Aly1 and Aly2, redistribute the Gap1 permease from endosomes to the cell surface and interact with clathrin/AP-1. Aly2 is regulated by the Npr1 kinase and acts through mechanisms distinct from Aly1

The supernatural characters and powers of sacred trees in the Holy Land

This article surveys the beliefs concerning the supernatural characteristics and powers of sacred trees in Israel; it is based on a field study as well as a survey of the literature and includes 118 interviews with Muslims and Druze. Both the Muslims and Druze in this study attribute supernatural dimensions to sacred trees which are directly related to ancient, deep-rooted pagan traditions. The Muslims attribute similar divine powers to sacred trees as they do to the graves of their saints; the graves and the trees are both considered to be the abode of the soul of a saint which is the source of their miraculous powers. Any violation of a sacred tree would be strictly punished while leaving the opportunity for atonement and forgiveness. The Druze, who believe in the transmigration of souls, have similar traditions concerning sacred trees but with a different religious background. In polytheistic religions the sacred grove/forest is a centre of the community's official worship; any violation of the trees is regarded as a threat to the well being of the community. Punishments may thus be collective. In the monotheistic world (including Christianity, Islam and Druze) the pagan worship of trees was converted into the worship/adoration of saints/prophets; it is not a part of the official religion but rather a personal act and the punishments are exerted only on the violating individual

Phase fluorometric method for determination of standard lifetimes

Rayleigh scatterers have long been used as standards for fluorescence lifetime determinations, but they have many drawbacks, including the well-known “color effect ’. To avoid these problems, various fiuorophores have been used as standards. Unfortunately, the lifetimes of these compounds are not agreed upon to better than 5%, and the compounds cited in the literature do not fully cover the 250–850 nm band of common fluorescence emission. We describe a multifrequency phase fluorometric method for accurately determining the lifetimes of monoexponential fluorophores (standards) without reference to another standard. Results are shown for some widely used standard fluorophores and some recently developed compounds. An Independent test of the accuracy of the method based on quenching experiments is presented. © 1988, American Chemical Society. All rights reserved