Bcl-2 protein family: Implications in vascular apoptosis and atherosclerosis

Apoptosis has been recognized as a central component in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, in addition to the other human pathologies such as cancer and diabetes. The pathophysiology of atherosclerosis is complex, involving both apoptosis and proliferation at different phases of its progression. Oxidative modification of lipids and inflammation differentially regulate the apoptotic and proliferative responses of vascular cells during progression of the atherosclerotic lesion. Bcl-2 proteins act as the major regulators of extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis signalling pathways and more recently it has become evident that they mediate the apoptotic response of vascular cells in response to oxidation and inflammation either in a provocative or an inhibitory mode of action. Here we address Bcl-2 proteins as major therapeutic targets for the treatment of atherosclerosis and underscore the need for the novel preventive and therapeutic interventions against atherosclerosis, which should be designed in the light of molecular mechanisms regulating apoptosis of vascular cells in atherosclerotic lesions

Bioinformatic analyses identifies novel protein-coding pharmacogenomic markers associated with paclitaxel sensitivity in NCI60 cancer cell lines

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Paclitaxel is a microtubule-stabilizing drug that has been commonly used in treating cancer. Due to genetic heterogeneity within patient populations, therapeutic response rates often vary. Here we used the NCI60 panel to identify SNPs associated with paclitaxel sensitivity. Using the panel's GI50 response data available from Developmental Therapeutics Program, cell lines were categorized as either sensitive or resistant. PLINK software was used to perform a genome-wide association analysis of the cellular response to paclitaxel with the panel's SNP-genotype data on the Affymetrix 125 k SNP array. FastSNP software helped predict each SNP's potential impact on their gene product. mRNA expression differences between sensitive and resistant cell lines was examined using data from BioGPS. Using Haploview software, we investigated for haplotypes that were more strongly associated with the cellular response to paclitaxel. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software helped us understand how our identified genes may alter the cellular response to paclitaxel.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>43 SNPs were found significantly associated (FDR < 0.005) with paclitaxel response, with 10 belonging to protein-coding genes (<it>CFTR</it>, <it>ROBO1</it>, <it>PTPRD</it>, <it>BTBD12</it>, <it>DCT</it>, <it>SNTG1</it>, <it>SGCD</it>, <it>LPHN2</it>, <it>GRIK1</it>, <it>ZNF607</it>). SNPs in <it>GRIK1</it>, <it>DCT</it>, <it>SGCD </it>and <it>CFTR </it>were predicted to be intronic enhancers, altering gene expression, while SNPs in <it>ZNF607 </it>and <it>BTBD12 </it>cause conservative missense mutations. mRNA expression analysis supported these findings as <it>GRIK1</it>, <it>DCT</it>, <it>SNTG1</it>, <it>SGCD </it>and <it>CFTR </it>showed significantly (p < 0.05) increased expression among sensitive cell lines. Haplotypes found in <it>GRIK1, SGCD, ROBO1, LPHN2</it>, and <it>PTPRD </it>were more strongly associated with response than their individual SNPs.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our study has taken advantage of available genotypic data and its integration with drug response data obtained from the NCI60 panel. We identified 10 SNPs located within protein-coding genes that were not previously shown to be associated with paclitaxel response. As only five genes showed differential mRNA expression, the remainder would not have been detected solely based on expression data. The identified haplotypes highlight the role of utilizing SNP combinations within genomic loci of interest to improve the risk determination associated with drug response. These genetic variants represent promising biomarkers for predicting paclitaxel response and may play a significant role in the cellular response to paclitaxel.</p

and DFT calculations

In this work, the structure of a novel 3-acetoxy-2-methyl-N-(4-methoxyphenyl) benzamide, was analyzed both experimentally and theoretically using three methods, X-ray single crystal diffraction technique, IR spectroscopy, and quantum chemical computation. The X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that 3-acetoxy-2-methyl-N-(4-methoxyphenyl) benzamide molecula crystallizes in a triclinic system (space group P-1) and the calculated lattice constants are, a = 5.1205 +/- 0.0004 angstrom, b = 9.8598 +/- 0.0008 A, c = 15.3398 +/- 0.0013 angstrom, alpha = 80.79(7), beta = 83.142(6)degrees, gamma = 85.411(6)degrees, and Z = 2. In addition, the molecular geometry and vibrational frequencies of the title compound in ground state have been calculated using density functional theory (DFT) at B3LYP level 6-31G+(d,p) basis set. The geometrical parameters of the title compound obtained from XRD studies are good in agreement with the calculated values. The electronic properties, such as HOMO and LUMO energies and thermodynamic properties were calculated with DFT (using B3LYP/6-31G+(d,p) basis set) approach. To estimate the chemical reactivity of the molecule, the molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surface map of the title molecule and PES scan were investigated with theoretical calculations at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) and B3LYP/3-21G levels, respectively. Antioxidant properties are determined using DPPH free radical scavenging test. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Fair Shares for the Zone - Allocating Health-Care Resources for the Native Populations of the Sioux Lookout Zone, Northern Ontario

The title compound, C17H17NO3, was synthesized, characterized by IR spectroscopy and its crystal structure was determined from single-crystal diffraction data. The asymmetric unit contains two molecules, which adopt different conformations. In one molecule, the acetoxy and the terminal 2-methylphenyl groups are positioned on opposite sides of the plane formed by the central benzene ring, whereas in the other molecule they lie on the same side of this plane. In the crystal, the molecules are linked through strong N-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonds into chains along [010]. Hirshfeld surface analysis and fingerprint plots were used to investigate the intermolecular interactions in the solid state.C1 [Yaman, Mavise; Dege, Necmi] Ondokuz Mayis Univ, Fac Arts & Sci, Dept Phys, TR-55139 Samsun, Turkey.[Cakmak, Sukriye] Sinop Univ, Environm Hlth Programme, Vocat Sch Hlth Serv, TR-57000 University, Turkey.[Odabasoglu, Mustafa] Pamukkale Univ, Dept Chem & Chem Proc Technol, TR-20070 Kinikli Denizli, Turkey.[Pavlenko, Vadim A.] Taras Shevchenko Natl Univ Kyiv, Dept Chem, 64 Vladimirska Str, UA-01601 Kiev, Ukraine.[Kutuk, Halil] Ondokuz Mayis Univ, Fac Arts & Sci, Dept Chem, TR-55139 Samsun, Turkey

and DFT calculations

In this work, the structure of a novel 3-acetoxy-2-methyl-N-(4-methoxyphenyl) benzamide, was analyzed both experimentally and theoretically using three methods, X-ray single crystal diffraction technique, IR spectroscopy, and quantum chemical computation. The X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that 3-acetoxy-2-methyl-N-(4-methoxyphenyl) benzamide molecula crystallizes in a triclinic system (space group P-1) and the calculated lattice constants are, a = 5.1205 +/- 0.0004 angstrom, b = 9.8598 +/- 0.0008 A, c = 15.3398 +/- 0.0013 angstrom, alpha = 80.79(7), beta = 83.142(6)degrees, gamma = 85.411(6)degrees, and Z = 2. In addition, the molecular geometry and vibrational frequencies of the title compound in ground state have been calculated using density functional theory (DFT) at B3LYP level 6-31G+(d,p) basis set. The geometrical parameters of the title compound obtained from XRD studies are good in agreement with the calculated values. The electronic properties, such as HOMO and LUMO energies and thermodynamic properties were calculated with DFT (using B3LYP/6-31G+(d,p) basis set) approach. To estimate the chemical reactivity of the molecule, the molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surface map of the title molecule and PES scan were investigated with theoretical calculations at the B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) and B3LYP/3-21G levels, respectively. Antioxidant properties are determined using DPPH free radical scavenging test. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved