Determination of key enzymes for threonine synthesis through in vitro metabolic pathway analysis

Figure S1. The pathway flux (J) in the in vitro system when one enzyme concentration was increased. (A) The pathway flux when purified ThrA was added to the crude enzyme extract. (B) The pathway flux when purified Asd was added to the crude enzyme extract. (C) The pathway flux when purified ThrB was added to the crude enzyme extract. (D) The pathway flux when purified ThrC was added to the crude enzyme extract

MicroRNA let-7c Is Downregulated in Prostate Cancer and Suppresses Prostate Cancer Growth

Prostate cancer (PCa) is characterized by deregulated expression of several tumor suppressor or oncogenic miRNAs. The objective of this study was the identification and characterization of miR-let-7c as a potential tumor suppressor in PCa.Levels of expression of miR-let-7c were examined in human PCa cell lines and tissues using qRT-PCR and in situ hybridization. Let-7c was overexpressed or suppressed to assess the effects on the growth of human PCa cell lines. Lentiviral-mediated re-expression of let-7c was utilized to assess the effects on human PCa xenografts.We identified miR-let-7c as a potential tumor suppressor in PCa. Expression of let-7c is downregulated in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) cells. Overexpression of let-7c decreased while downregulation of let-7c increased cell proliferation, clonogenicity and anchorage-independent growth of PCa cells in vitro. Suppression of let-7c expression enhanced the ability of androgen-sensitive PCa cells to grow in androgen-deprived conditions in vitro. Reconstitution of Let-7c by lentiviral-mediated intratumoral delivery significantly reduced tumor burden in xenografts of human PCa cells. Furthermore, let-7c expression is downregulated in clinical PCa specimens compared to their matched benign tissues, while the expression of Lin28, a master regulator of let-7 miRNA processing, is upregulated in clinical PCa specimens.These results demonstrate that microRNA let-7c is downregulated in PCa and functions as a tumor suppressor, and is a potential therapeutic target for PCa

Bienzyme system immobilized in biomimetic silica for application in antifouling coatings

Antifouling coatings are used extensively on vessels and underwater structures. Conventional antifouling coatings contain toxic biocides and heavy metals, which may induce unwanted adverse effects such as toxicity to non target organisms, imposex in gastropods and increased multiresistance among bacteria. Therefore, enzyme-based coatings could be a new alternative solution. A H2O2-producing bienzyme system was developed in this study. H2O2 can be produced from starch by the cooperation of a-amylase and glucose oxidase, which promotes the hydrolysis of polymeric chain and oxidizes the glucose to produce H2O2, respectively. The encapsulated bienzyme (A-G@BS) exhibits enhanced stabilities of thermal, pH, recycling and tolerance of xylene. The A-G@BS-containing coating releases H2O2 at rates exceeding a target of 36 nmol.cm(-2).d(-1) for 90 days in a laboratory assay. The results demonstrate that the method is a promising coating technology for entrapping active enzymes, presenting an interesting avenue for enzyme-based antifouling solutions. (C) 2015 The Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China, and Chemical Industry Press. All rights reserved