Two Cellular Protein Kinases, DNA-PK and PKA, Phosphorylate the Adenoviral L4-33K Protein and Have Opposite Effects on L1 Alternative RNA Splicing

Accumulation of the complex set of alternatively processed mRNA from the adenovirus major late transcription unit (MLTU) is subjected to a temporal regulation involving both changes in poly (A) site choice and alternative 3′ splice site usage. We have previously shown that the adenovirus L4-33K protein functions as an alternative splicing factor involved in activating the shift from L1-52,55K to L1-IIIa mRNA. Here we show that L4-33K specifically associates with the catalytic subunit of the DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) in uninfected and adenovirus-infected nuclear extracts. Further, we show that L4-33K is highly phosphorylated by DNA-PK in vitro in a double stranded DNA-independent manner. Importantly, DNA-PK deficient cells show an enhanced production of the L1-IIIa mRNA suggesting an inhibitory role of DNA-PK on the temporal switch in L1 alternative RNA splicing. Moreover, we show that L4-33K also is phosphorylated by protein kinase A (PKA), and that PKA has an enhancer effect on L4-33K-stimulated L1-IIIa splicing. Hence, we demonstrate that these kinases have opposite effects on L4-33K function; DNA-PK as an inhibitor and PKA as an activator of L1-IIIa mRNA splicing. Taken together, this is the first report identifying protein kinases that phosphorylate L4-33K and to suggest novel regulatory roles for DNA-PK and PKA in adenovirus alternative RNA splicing

Preparation and physicochemical evaluation of topical formulations of purified curcuminoids from Curcuma longa rhizome

Background and objectives: The purpose of this study was optimization of semisolid topical formulation from ethanol extract of turmeric and evaluation of rheological characterization and investigation of physicochemical control tests. Methods: The ethanolic extract was prepared with Soxhlet method and the compounds were isolated with silica gel column chromatography. Isolation of curcuminoids was accomplished by preparative HPLC.  The accelerated and real time stability tests for the formulations were investigated at 40±2 °C/70% RH for 90 days and 30±2° C/35%±5 RH for 12 month, respectively. Results: The yield of pure curcuminoids was 0.8%.The results of rheograms at 25° C showed pseudoplastic, plastic and pseudoplastic behavior for the ointment, cream and gel formulations respectively. The pH was measured by using  a  digital  type  of  pH  meter  by  dipping  the  glass electrical probe  for all of formulation, and the consequences exhibited PH values of 6.6, 6.8 and 6.9for the ointment, cream and gel, respectively. The results of cumulative release (µg/cm2) for ointment, cream and gel formulation achieved with dissolution media which contained buffer phosphate with pH 7.2 and 1% tween 20 after 24 h were 693.6, 648.5 and 650.5, respectively. Discussion:  The advantage of this method extraction compared to previously described methods, was utilizing safer solvent for extraction. The cumulative release of formulation and drug content during the physicochemical control tests was compared with commercial product and showed no significant different (p˃ 0.05).The formulations of this study showed functional and physical stability in the period of the study