Pea ferritin stability under gastric pH conditions determines the mechanism of iron uptake in Caco-2 cells

Background: Iron deficiency is an enduring global health problem that requires new remedial approaches. Iron absorption from soybean-derived ferritin, an ∼550-kDa iron storage protein, is comparable to bioavailable ferrous sulfate (FeSO4). However, the absorption of ferritin is reported to involve an endocytic mechanism, independent of divalent metal ion transporter 1 (DMT-1), the transporter for nonheme iron. Objective: Our overall aim was to examine the potential of purified ferritin from peas (Pisum sativum) as a food supplement by measuring its stability under gastric pH treatment and the mechanisms of iron uptake into Caco-2 cells. Methods: Caco-2 cells were treated with native or gastric pH–treated pea ferritin in combination with dietary modulators of nonheme iron uptake, small interfering RNA targeting DMT-1, or chemical inhibitors of endocytosis. Cellular ferritin formation, a surrogate measure of iron uptake, and internalization of pea ferritin with the use of specific antibodies were measured. The production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in response to equimolar concentrations of native pea ferritin and FeSO4 was also compared. Results: Pea ferritin exposed to gastric pH treatment was degraded, and the released iron was transported into Caco-2 cells by DMT-1. Inhibitors of DMT-1 and nonheme iron absorption reduced iron uptake by 26–40%. Conversely, in the absence of gastric pH treatment, the iron uptake of native pea ferritin was unaffected by inhibitors of nonheme iron absorption, and the protein was observed to be internalized in Caco-2 cells. Chlorpromazine (clathrin-mediated endocytosis inhibitor) reduced the native pea ferritin content within cells by ∼30%, which confirmed that the native pea ferritin was transported into cells via a clathrin-mediated endocytic pathway. In addition, 60% less ROS production resulted from native pea ferritin in comparison to FeSO4. Conclusion: With consideration that nonheme dietary inhibitors display no effect on iron uptake and the low oxidative potential relative to FeSO4, intact pea ferritin appears to be a promising iron supplement

Scaling Up Fodder Innovations to Catalyse Agricultural Systems Transformation in Southern Ethiopia

This InfoNote shares project experiences of scaling up fodder production in southern Ethiopia as an entry point to catalysing agricultural systems resilience and landscape transformation. • The fodder innovations build on 20 years of experimentation on soil & water conservation work in the region by Inter-Aide and various development partners to refine the design and delivery of the technology. • Earlier versions of the technology, however, saw low adoption in part due to limited engagement with social relations to translate innovation into a perceived relevant opportunity for end-users. • Over time, Inter Aide leveraged and strengthened the capacity of various local stakeholders to stimulate community ownership of fodder innovations work and to ensure consistent implementation at watershed levels. • The process has empowered local actors to champion the scaling of fodder innovations and more, in ways that leverage the agency of beneficiaries to catalyse action on systems change in the management and preservation of natural resources

Catalysis of iron core formation in Pyrococcus furiosus ferritin

The hollow sphere-shaped 24-meric ferritin can store large amounts of iron as a ferrihydrite-like mineral core. In all subunits of homomeric ferritins and in catalytically active subunits of heteromeric ferritins a diiron binding site is found that is commonly addressed as the ferroxidase center (FC). The FC is involved in the catalytic Fe(II) oxidation by the protein; however, structural differences among different ferritins may be linked to different mechanisms of iron oxidation. Non-heme ferritins are generally believed to operate by the so-called substrate FC model in which the FC cycles by filling with Fe(II), oxidizing the iron, and donating labile Fe(III)–O–Fe(III) units to the cavity. In contrast, the heme-containing bacterial ferritin from Escherichia coli has been proposed to carry a stable FC that indirectly catalyzes Fe(II) oxidation by electron transfer from a core that oxidizes Fe(II). Here, we put forth yet another mechanism for the non-heme archaeal 24-meric ferritin from Pyrococcus furiosus in which a stable iron-containing FC acts as a catalytic center for the oxidation of Fe(II), which is subsequently transferred to a core that is not involved in Fe(II)-oxidation catalysis. The proposal is based on optical spectroscopy and steady-state kinetic measurements of iron oxidation and dioxygen consumption by apoferritin and by ferritin preloaded with different amounts of iron. Oxidation of the first 48 Fe(II) added to apoferritin is spectrally and kinetically different from subsequent iron oxidation and this is interpreted to reflect FC building followed by FC-catalyzed core formation

Développement du préleveur passif pour la mesure du formaldehyde dans l'air en vue d'améliorer le diagnostic dans les environnements intérieurs

Depuis 2001 et la création d'un observatoire de la qualité de l'air intérieur (OQAI), la qualité de l'air intérieur est devenue un enjeu majeur de santé publique et fait l'objet d'un cadre réglementaire qui continue d'évoluer au cours des dernières années. Deux décrets récents, en France, prévoient la mise en œuvre de l'étiquetage des matériaux de construction en fonction de leurs émissions de composés organiques volatils (COV) (décret n° 2011-321, 23/03/2011) et le contrôle de la concentration des polluants (benzène et formaldéhyde) avec un guide des valeurs pour les bâtiments ouverts au public (n ° 2011-1728, 12/02/2012). De nos jours, la méthode analytique utilisée pour mesurer la concentration en formaldéhyde dans l'air consiste en un prélèvement sur cartouche de 2,4-dinitrophénylhydrazine (DNPH), qui est analysée par chromatographie en phase liquide après extraction. Cette méthode nécessite un équipement lourd et une étape en laboratoire est nécessaire. La société Ethera développe et commercialise des capteurs spécifiques pour la détection et la mesure du formaldéhyde avec des échantillonneurs passifs ou actifs. Ce capteur est basé sur des matrices nanoporeuses contenant du Fluoral-P (4-amino-3-pentène-2-one), qui réagit sélectivement avec le formaldéhyde pour produire un composé coloré de la 3,5-diacétyl-1,4-dihydrolutidine (DDL). La DDL est détectée à 420nm par lecture optique et la différence de densité optique mesurée avant et après l'exposition du capteur est directement proportionnelle à la concentration en formaldéhyde dans l'air intérieur. Le but de cette thèse est d'améliorer les performances des échantillonneurs passifs. Les différentes phases du développement des échantillonneurs passifs sont étudiées (conception, évaluation en chambre d’exposition) avec différentes approches et méthodologies. Deux axes d'étude sont considérés: une approche théorique et des essais en laboratoire. Une approche théorique a été mise en œuvre pour optimiser un échantillonneur passif ou dimensionner un nouveau préleveur. Les tests de laboratoire ont permis d'évaluer les paramètres métrologiques des échantillonneurs passifs (limite de détection, sensibilité, répétabilité, linéarité ...) et les effets des facteurs d'exposition (température, humidité relative, concentration).Since 2001 and the creation of a French Indoor Air Quality Observatory (OQAI), indoor air quality has become a major public health issue. It is the subject of a regulatory framework that continues to evolve in recent years. Two recent decrees, in France, foresee the implementation of the labeling of building materials according to their emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) (decree n°2011-321, 23/03/2011) and the survey of air concentration of two pollutants (benzene and formaldehyde) with guide values in public buildings (n°2011-1728, 2/12/2012). Today, the analytical method used to measure formaldehyde concentration in air consists in a 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) sampling cartridge which is analyzed by liquid chromatography after solvent extraction. This method is time consuming, expensive and complicated to perform. The company Ethera develops and markets specific, sensitive sensors for detection and measurement of formaldehyde with passive or active samplers. This sensor is based on a nanoporous matrix containing Fluoral-P (4-amino-3-penten-2-one), which selectively reacts with formaldehyde to produce a colored compound the 3,5-diacetyl-1,4-dihydrolutidine (DDL). DDL is detected at 420nm by optical reading and the difference of the optical density measured before and after exposition of the sensor is directly proportional to the concentration of formaldehyde in air. The purpose of this thesis is to improve the performance of passive samplers. The different phases of the development of passive samplers are studied (design, evaluation in environmental chamber) with different approaches and methodologies. In fact, two axis of study are considered: a theoretical approach and laboratory tests. Theoretical approach will be implemented to optimize a passive sampler or for sizing a new one based on the study of theoretical sampling rates. Laboratory tests will allow to assess metrological parameters of passive samplers (detection limit, sensitivity, repeatability, linearity…) and to estimate effects of exposure factors (temperature, relative humidity, concentration levels …)