Perilla Derived Compounds Mediate Human TRPA1 Channel Activity

Compounds from food plants affecting the somatosensory system, like Perilla frutescens (L.), are well known for their flavoring, pharmacological and medical properties. Yet the exact mechanisms underlying their activity are still poorly understood. Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels involved in chemestetic sensations likely represent some of the primary targets for these compounds. Using a heterologous expression system and calcium imaging we show that a number of Perilla derived compounds (S-(-)-1,8-p-menthadiene-7-al (perillaldehyde, PA); 3-(4-methyl-1-oxopentyl)furan (perillaketone, PK); 1,2,4-trimethoxy-5-[(E)-prop-1-enyl]benzene (\u3b1-asarone, ASA)) and synthetic compounds derivative from Perilla (3-(4-methoxy-phenyl)-1-furan-2-yl-propenone (PK-16) and 3-(4-chloro-phenyl)-1-furan-2-yl-propenone (PK-18)) are capable of activating the human TRP Ankyrin family channel (h-TRPA1). The compounds tested appear to be partial agonists of the channel with the potency sequence (EC50, \u3bcM): PK-16(107.7)>PA (160.5)>ASA(210.9)>PK(350). Our findings provide important insight into the functional properties of the compounds derived from P. frutescens and reveal new perspectives for the design of tools for pharmaceutical, agricultural and food industry applications

Atomic diffraction from nanostructured optical potentials

We develop a versatile theoretical approach to the study of cold-atom diffractive scattering from light-field gratings by combining calculations of the optical near-field, generated by evanescent waves close to the surface of periodic nanostructured arrays, together with advanced atom wavepacket propagation on this optical potential.Comment: 8 figures, 10 pages, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Accurate and sensitive quantitation of glucose and glucose phosphates derived from storage carbohydrates by mass spectrometry

The addition of phosphate groups into glycogen modulates its branching pattern and solubility which all impact its accessibility to glycogen interacting enzymes. As glycogen architecture modulates its metabolism, it is essential to accurately evaluate and quantify its phosphate content. Simultaneous direct quantitation of glucose and its phosphate esters requires an assay with high sensitivity and a robust dynamic range. Herein, we describe a highly-sensitive method for the accurate detection of both glycogen-derived glucose and glucose-phosphate esters utilizing gas-chromatography coupled mass spectrometry. Using this method, we observed higher glycogen levels in the liver compared to skeletal muscle, but skeletal muscle contained many more phosphate esters. Importantly, this method can detect femtomole levels of glucose and glucose phosphate esters within an extremely robust dynamic range with excellent accuracy and reproducibility. The method can also be easily adapted for the quantification of plant starch, amylopectin or other biopolymers

Advances in sensors; the lessons from neurosciences

Dordrecht, The Netherland

Effect of in ovo creatine monohydrate on hatchability, post-hatch performance, breast muscle yield and fiber size in chicks from young breeder flocks

ABSTRACT: Younger broiler breeder flocks produce smaller eggs containing smaller yolks, with potentially lower energy reserves for the developing chick. Creatine is a naturally occurring energy source and is abundant in metabolically active tissues; providing this to chicks in ovo should provide additional energy to improve hatchability and post-hatch growth. Thus, post-hatch performance of male and female chicks hatched from younger breeder flocks supplemented with creatine monohydrate (CrM) in ovo was investigated. Four hundred eggs from Ross 308 breeder hens aged 27 to 29 wk were collected and at d 14 assigned to a treatment group and received 1) no injection, 2) 0.75% saline injection, or 3) 8.16 mg creatine monohydrate in 0.75% saline. At hatch 72 birds (24/treatment) were euthanized and BW, breast muscle, heart and liver weight were obtained, and breast muscle tissue was placed in 10% buffered formalin. Birds were then placed in raised metal pens (24 pens; 10–11 birds/pen; 8 replicates/treatment) and grown to d 42 with BW and pen feed intake measured once a week. At d 42, ninty-six birds were euthanized (2 male and 2 female/pen) and the process occurred as at hatch. Body composition was obtained for 48 birds (2/pen; 1 male,1 female) with a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanner. Breast muscle tissue was processed for histological analysis and breast muscle fiber parameters were analyzed by ImageJ. While not statistically significant, the CrM treatment group saw an improved hatch rate (CrM: 93.5%, Saline: 88.6%, Control: 88.8%) and reduced early post hatch mortality. Chicks given in ovo CrM had significantly increased creatine concentrations in both liver and heart tissue at hatch compared to those in the saline and control groups. BW, BW gain, and final body composition parameters were not statistically different between treatments and in ovo CrM did not affect breast muscle fiber number or area. The creatine injection likely improved the energy status of the growing embryo resulting in the improved hatch rate but leaving little reserves for post-hatch growth

Functional characterization of heterologously expressed codling moth olfactory receptors

The Codling Moth (Cydia pomonella L.), is one of the most notorious pest species threatening apple, pear, walnuts and other fruit orchards worldwide. Olfaction plays a dominate role in the ‘host’-selection behavior of the Codling Moth. Earlier, based on antennal transcriptome analysis we identified a number of critical elements of the moth olfactory system, including Olfactory Receptors (ORs) the co-receptor (CpomORCO) and the potential Pheromone Receptors CpomOR1, CpomOR3, CpomOR4, CpomOR5, CpomOR6 (Bengtsson et al 2012). To date we have described CpomOR3 using heterologous expression in Drosophila T1 trichoid and ab3A basiconic sensilla (Bengtsson et al 2014). We now extensively characterize recombinant Codling Moth ORs transiently expressed in HEK cells. Using calcium imaging and whole-cell and outside-out patch clamp recordings, we demonstrate that both the homomeric CpomORco channel forming subunit and heteromeric CpomOR complexes can be activated by the ORCO agonists VUAA1 and VUAA3. Different OR complexes show different sensitivity to the agonists and different activation/inactivation kinetics. Both the homo- and heteromeric OR complexes were also susceptible to inhibition by amiloride derivatives when activated by agonists. Functional expression of CpomORs therefore represents a valuable tool that can be utilized to further investigate mechanisms of insect OR function and develop novel means to intervene and control the pest’s behavior. A larger scale physiological and molecular analysis is under way to identify and characterize unique physiological properties of the receptors