Evidence that histidine protonation of receptor-bound anthrax protective antigen is a trigger for pore formation

The protective antigen (PA) component of the anthrax toxin forms pores within the low pH environment of host endosomes, through mechanisms that are poorly understood. It has been proposed that pore formation is dependent on histidine protonation. In previous work, we biosynthetically incorporated 2-fluorohistidine (2-FHis), an isosteric analog of histidine with a significantly reduced pKa (~1), into PA, and showed that the pH-dependent conversion from the soluble prepore to a pore was unchanged. However, we also observed that 2-FHisPA was non-functional in the ability to mediate cytotoxicity of CHO-K1 cells by LFN-DTA, and was defective in translocation through planar lipid bilayers. Here, we show that the defect in cytotoxicity is due to both a defect in translocation and, when bound to the host cellular receptor, an inability to undergo low pH-induced pore formation. Combining X-ray crystallography with hydrogen-deuterium (H-D) exchange mass spectrometry, our studies lead to a model in which hydrogen bonds to the histidine ring are strengthened by receptor binding. The combination of both fluorination and receptor binding is sufficient to block low pH-induced pore formation

YAP regulates cell mechanics by controlling focal adhesion assembly

Hippo effectors YAP/TAZ act as on-off mechanosensing switches by sensing modifications in extracellular matrix (ECM) composition and mechanics. The regulation of their activity has been described by a hierarchical model in which elements of Hippo pathway are under the control of focal adhesions (FAs). Here we unveil the molecular mechanism by which cell spreading and RhoA GTPase activity control FA formation through YAP to stabilize the anchorage of the actin cytoskeleton to the cell membrane. This mechanism requires YAP co-transcriptional function and involves the activation of genes encoding for integrins and FA docking proteins. Tuning YAP transcriptional activity leads to the modification of cell mechanics, force development and adhesion strength, and determines cell shape, migration and differentiation. These results provide new insights into the mechanism of YAP mechanosensing activity and qualify this Hippo effector as the key determinant of cell mechanics in response to ECM cues.Peer reviewe

YAP regulates cell mechanics by controlling focal adhesion assembly

Hippo effectors YAP/TAZ act as on–off mechanosensing switches by sensing modifications inextracellular matrix (ECM) composition and mechanics. The regulation of their activity hasbeen described by a hierarchical model in which elements of Hippo pathway are under thecontrol of focal adhesions (FAs). Here we unveil the molecular mechanism by which cellspreading and RhoA GTPase activity control FA formation through YAP to stabilize theanchorage of the actin cytoskeleton to the cell membrane. This mechanism requires YAPco-transcriptional function and involves the activation of genes encoding for integrins and FAdocking proteins. Tuning YAP transcriptional activity leads to the modification of cellmechanics, force development and adhesion strength, and determines cell shape, migrationand differentiation. These results provide new insights into the mechanism of YAPmechanosensing activity and qualify this Hippo effector as the key determinant of cellmechanics in response to ECM cues.</p

Molecular recognition in the P2Y14 receptor: Probing the structurally permissive terminal sugar moiety of uridine-5′-diphosphoglucose

The P2Y14 receptor, a nucleotide signaling protein, is activated by uridine-5′-diphosphoglucose 1 and other uracil nucleotides. We have determined that the glucose moiety of 1 is the most structurally permissive region for designing analogues of this P2Y14 agonist. For example, the carboxylate group of uridine-5′-diphosphoglucuronic acid proved to be suitable for flexible substitution by chain extension through an amide linkage. Functionalized congeners containing terminal 2-acylaminoethylamides prepared by this stratgegy retained P2Y14 activity, and molecular modeling predicted close proximity of this chain to the 2nd extracellular loop of the receptor. In addition, replacement of glucose with other sugars did not diminish P2Y14 potency. For example, the [5″]ribose derivative had an EC50 of 0.24 μM. Selective monofluorination of the glucose moiety indicated a role for the 2″- and 6″-hydroxyl groups of 1 in receptor recognition. The β-glucoside was 2-fold less potent than the native α-isomer, but methylene replacement of the 1″-oxygen abolished activity. Replacement of the ribose ring system with cyclopentyl or rigid bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane groups abolished activity. Uridine-5′-diphosphoglucose also activates the P2Y2 receptor, but the 2-thio analogue and several of the potent modified-glucose analogues were P2Y14-selective

Novel markers for differentiation of lobular and ductal invasive breast carcinomas by laser microdissection and microarray analysis

BACKGROUND: Invasive ductal and lobular carcinomas (IDC and ILC) are the most common histological types of breast cancer. Clinical follow-up data and metastatic patterns suggest that the development and progression of these tumors are different. The aim of our study was to identify gene expression profiles of IDC and ILC in relation to normal breast epithelial cells. METHODS: We examined 30 samples (normal ductal and lobular cells from 10 patients, IDC cells from 5 patients, ILC cells from 5 patients) microdissected from cryosections of ten mastectomy specimens from postmenopausal patients. Fifty nanograms of total RNA were amplified and labeled by PCR and in vitro transcription. Samples were analysed upon Affymetrix U133 Plus 2.0 Arrays. The expression of seven differentially expressed genes (CDH1, EMP1, DDR1, DVL1, KRT5, KRT6, KRT17) was verified by immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays. Expression of ASPN mRNA was validated by in situ hybridization on frozen sections, and CTHRC1, ASPN and COL3A1 were tested by PCR. RESULTS: Using GCOS pairwise comparison algorithm and rank products we have identified 84 named genes common to ILC versus normal cell types, 74 named genes common to IDC versus normal cell types, 78 named genes differentially expressed between normal ductal and lobular cells, and 28 named genes between IDC and ILC. Genes distinguishing between IDC and ILC are involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition, TGF-beta and Wnt signaling. These changes were present in both tumor types but appeared to be more prominent in ILC. Immunohistochemistry for several novel markers (EMP1, DVL1, DDR1) distinguished large sets of IDC from ILC. CONCLUSION: IDC and ILC can be differentiated both at the gene and protein levels. In this study we report two candidate genes, asporin (ASPN) and collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 (CTHRC1) which might be significant in breast carcinogenesis. Besides E-cadherin, the proteins validated on tissue microarrays (EMP1, DVL1, DDR1) may represent novel immunohistochemical markers helpful in distinguishing between IDC and ILC. Further studies with larger sets of patients are needed to verify the gene expression profiles of various histological types of breast cancer in order to determine molecular subclassifications, prognosis and the optimum treatment strategies

Therapeutic potential and limitations of curcumin as antimetastatic agent

Treatment of metastatic cancer is one of the biggest challenges in anticancer therapy. Curcumin is interesting nature polyphenolic compound with unique biological and medicinal effects, including repression of metastases. High impact studies imply that curcumin can modulate the immune system, independently target various metastatic signalling pathways, and repress migration and invasiveness of cancer cells. This review discusses the potential of curcumin as an antimetastatic agent and describes potential mechanisms of its antimetastatic activity. In addition, possible strategies (curcumin formulation, optimization of the method of administration and modification of its structure motif) to overcome its limitation such as low solubility and bioactivity are also presented. These strategies are discussed in the context of clinical trials and relevant biological studies

Cytotoxic conjugates of betulinic acid and substituted triazoles prepared by Huisgen Cycloaddition from 30-azidoderivatives

<div><p>In this work, we describe synthesis of conjugates of betulinic acid with substituted triazoles prepared <i>via</i> Huisgen 1,3-cycloaddition. All compounds contain free 28-COOH group. Allylic bromination of protected betulinic acid by NBS gave corresponding 30-bromoderivatives, their substitution with sodium azides produced 30-azidoderivatives and these azides were subjected to Cu^I catalysed Huisgen 1,3-cycloaddition to give the final conjugates. Reactions had moderate to high yields. All new compounds were tested for their <i>in vitro</i> cytotoxic activities on eight cancer and two non-cancer cell lines. The most active compounds were conjugates of 3β-<i>O</i>-acetylbetulinic acid and among them, conjugate with triazole substituted by benzaldehyde <b>9b</b> was the best with IC₅₀ of 3.3 μM and therapeutic index of 9.1. Five compounds in this study had IC₅₀ below 10 μM and inhibited DNA and RNA synthesis and caused block in G0/G1 cell cycle phase which is highly similar to actinomycin D. It is unusual that here prepared 3β-<i>O</i>-acetates were more active than compounds with the free 3-OH group and this suggests that this set may have common mechanism of action that is different from the mechanism of action of previously known 3β-<i>O</i>-acetoxybetulinic acid derivatives. Benzaldehyde type conjugate <b>9b</b> is the best candidate for further drug development.</p></div

A Fast HPLC/UV Method for Determination of Ketoprofen in Cellular Media

Abstract A simple, sensitive and quick HPLC method was developed for the determination of ketoprofen in cell culture media (EMEM, DMEM, RPMI). Separation was performed using a gradient on the C18 column with a mobile phase of acetonitrile and miliQ water acidified by 0.1 % (v/v) formic acid. The method was validated for parameters including linearity, accuracy, precision, limit of quantitation and limit of detection, as well as robustness. The response was found linear over the range of 3–100 μg/mL as demonstrated by the acquired value of correlation coefficient R2=0.9997. The described method is applicable for determination of various pharmacokinetic aspects of ketoprofen in vitro