Probing embryonic development enables the discovery of unique small-molecule bone morphogenetic protein potentiators

We report on the feasibility to harness embryonic development in vitro for the identification of small-molecule cytokine mimetics and signaling activators. Here, a phenotypic, target-agnostic, high throughput assay is presented that probes bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling during mesodermal patterning of embryonic stem cells. The temporal discrimination of BMP- and transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ)-driven stages of cardiomyogenesis underpins a selective, authentic orchestration of BMP cues that can be recapitulated for the discovery of BMP activator chemotypes. Proof of concept is shown from a chemical screen of 7000 compounds, provides a robust hit validation workflow, and afforded 2,3 disubstituted 4H-chromen-4-ones as potent BMP potentiators with osteogenic efficacy. Mechanistic studies suggest that Chromenone 1 enhances canonical BMP outputs at the expense of TGFβ-Smads in an unprecedented manner. Pharmacophoric features were defined, providing a set of novel chemical probes for various applications in (stem) cell biology, regenerative medicine, and basic research on the BMP pathway

Towards Blood Flow in the Virtual Human: Efficient Self-Coupling of HemeLB

Many scientific and medical researchers are working towards the creation of a virtual human - a personalised digital copy of an individual - that will assist in a patient's diagnosis, treatment and recovery. The complex nature of living systems means that the development of this remains a major challenge. We describe progress in enabling the HemeLB lattice Boltzmann code to simulate 3D macroscopic blood flow on a full human scale. Significant developments in memory management and load balancing allow near linear scaling performance of the code on hundreds of thousands of computer cores. Integral to the construction of a virtual human, we also outline the implementation of a self-coupling strategy for HemeLB. This allows simultaneous simulation of arterial and venous vascular trees based on human-specific geometries.Comment: 30 pages, 10 figures, To be published in Interface Focus (https://royalsocietypublishing.org/journal/rsfs

Challenges and Opportunities in Finfish Nutrition

Much of the criticism leveled at aquaculture (e.g., dependency on animal-derived feedstuffs, nutrient-laden effluent discharges, and increased organic contamination in edible products) can be traced to the feeds in use. Accordingly, finfish nutritionists are being challenged to formulate feeds that not only meet the nutritional requirements of livestock but also minimize production costs, limit environmental impacts, and enhance product quality. These challenges not only add considerable complexity to finfish nutrition but also afford opportunities to avoid some of the mistakes made by other industries in the past. From a review of the current status of finfish nutrition with respect to major nutrient classes, we comment on future opportunities and promising avenues of research. Alternative protein sources, specifically those derived from marine bycatch, plants, and microbes, are discussed, as well as methods to facilitate their implementation in finfish feeds. Dietary lipid, its role in fish bioenergetics and physiology, and quality of aquaculture products is reviewed with special emphasis on alternative lipid sources and finishing diets. Carbohydrates and fiber are discussed in terms of nutrient-sparing, least-cost diet formulation and digestive physiology. Micronutrients are reviewed in terms of current knowledge of requirements and, along with other dietary immunostimulants, are given further consideration in a review of nutriceuticals and application in finfish feeds. The status of nutritional research in new aquaculture species is also outlined. By integrating classical approaches with emerging technologies, dietary formulations, and species, finfish nutritionists may identify means to increase production efficiency and sustainability and provide for the continued success of aquaculture

Ascorbic acid sulfate sulfohydrolase (C2 sulfatase): the modulator of cellular levels of L-ascorbic acid in rainbow trout.

The enzyme L-ascorbic acid 2-sulfate sulfohydrolase (C2 sulfatase) was purified from rainbow trout liver. The enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of L-ascorbic acid 2-sulfate and has a pH optimum at 6.0. It has a molecular weight of about 117,500 at pH 5.0 and is inhibited by a number of sulfhydryl blocking agents including L-ascorbic acid. C2 sulfatase activity was observed in most metabolic organs of rainbow trout. These findings suggest that the physiologic role of the enzyme is to maintain adequate cellular concentrations of L-ascorbic acid in the fish. The activity of the enzyme is controlled by L-ascorbic acid through feedback inhibition. Comparison of kinetic constants and inhibition patterns suggests that C2 sulfatase is structurally identical to human arylsulfatase A. However, unlike C2 sulfatase, human arylsulfatase A may not be involved in ascorbate metabolism. Its physiologic substrate is reported to be cerebroside-3-sulfate, not L-ascorbic acid 2-sulfate. A scheme is proposed to account for the functional divergence of these two structurally identical enzymes