Probing the settlement signals of <i>Amphibalanus amphitrite</i>

<p>To achieve their reproductive potential, barnacles combine tactile exploration of surface structural properties and integration of cellular signals originating from their antennular sensory setae within a developmentally defined, temporally narrow window of settlement opportunity. Behavioural assays with cyprids coupled with biometric analysis of scanning electron microscopy-acquired images in the presence of specific chemical compounds were used to investigate how settlement on a substratum is altered in response to the presence of these compounds. Impeding tactile exploration was shown which altered cellular signalling and/or induced malformation of anatomical features of the antennular sensory setae, which disrupted the settlement behaviour of the model barnacle species <i>Amphibalanus amphitrite</i>. It is concluded that surface exploration by the cyprids relies on mechanical and nociception-related and calcium-mediated signals while a protein kinase C signalling cascade controls the timely metamorphosis of the cyprids to sessile juveniles.</p

Table1_Radiolabeled iron oxide nanoparticles functionalized with PSMA/BN ligands for dual-targeting of prostate cancer.docx

IntroductionProstate cancer (PCa) is the second most frequent cancer diagnosis in men and the fifth leading cause of death worldwide. Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) and Gastrin Releasing Peptide (GRP) receptors are overexpressed in PCa. In this study, we have developed iron oxide nanoparticles (IONs) functionalized with the Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA) and Gastrin Releasing Peptide (GRP) ligands for dual targeting of Prostate cancer.MethodsIONs were developed with a thin silica layer on their surface with MPTES (carrying -SH groups, IONs-SH), and they were coupled either with a pharmacophore targeting PSMA (IONs-PSMA) or with bombesin peptide (IONs-BN), targeting GRP receptors, or with both (IONs-PSMA/BN). The functionalized IONs were characterized for their size, zeta potential, and efficiency of functionalization using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). All the aforementioned types of IONs were radiolabeled directly with Technetium-99m (99mTc) and evaluated for their radiolabeling efficiency, stability, and binding ability on two different PCa cell lines (PC3 and LNCaP).Results and DiscussionThe MTT assay demonstrated low toxicity of the IONs against PC3 and LNCaP cells, while the performed wound-healing assay further proved that these nanostructures did not affect cellular growth mechanisms. The observed hemolysis ratio after co-incubation with red blood cells was extremely low. Furthermore, the 99mTc-radiolabeled IONs showed good stability in human serum, DTPA, and histidine, and high specific binding rates in cancer cells, supporting their future utilization as potential diagnostic tools for PCa with Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) imaging.</p