Auxin-induced SCFTIR1-Aux/IAA interaction involves stable modification of the SCFTIR1 complex

The plant hormone auxin can regulate gene expression by destabilizing members of the Aux/IAA family of transcriptional repressors. Auxin-induced Aux/IAA degradation requires the protein-ubiquitin ligase SCFTIR1, with auxin acting to enhance the interaction between the Aux/IAAs and SCIFTIR1. SKP1, Cullin, and an F-box-containing protein (SCF)-mediated degradation is an important component of many eukaryotic signaling pathways. In all known cases to date, the interaction between the targets and their cognate SCFs is regulated by signal-induced modification of the target. The mechanism by which auxin promotes the interaction between SCFTIR1 and Aux/IAAs is not understood, but current hypotheses propose auxin-induced phosphorylation, hydroxylation, or proline isomerization of the Aux/IAAs. We found no evidence to support these hypotheses or indeed that auxin induces any stable modification of Aux/IAAs to increase their affinity for SCFTIR1. Instead, we present data suggesting that auxin promotes the SCIFTIR1-Aux/IAA interaction by affecting the SCIF component, TIR1, or proteins tightly associated with it

Redox potentials of aryl derivatives from hybrid functional based first principles molecular dynamics

Acknowledgements We acknowledge the National Science Foundation of China (No. 41222015, 41273074, 41572027 and 21373166), Special Program for Applied Research on Super Computation of the NSFC-Guangdong Joint Fund (the second phase), the Foundation for the Author of National Excellent Doctoral Dissertation of P. R. China (No. 201228), Newton International Fellowship Program and the financial support from the State Key Laboratory at Nanjing University. We are grateful to the High Performance Computing Center of Nanjing University for allowing us to use the IBM Blade cluster system. Open access via RSC Gold for GoldPeer reviewedPublisher PD

Acute lung injury inhibition by juglone in LPS induced sepsis mouse model involves Sirt1 activation

Purpose: To investigate the effect of juglone on LPS induced lung injury in a mouse model and in TC 1cell line.Methods: Edema formation in lungs were measured by determination of lung wet/dry weight. Expressions of various proteins were assessed by western blot assay, while Sirt1 level was assessed using immunohistochemistry. Mice were randomly assigned to nine groups of 10 mice each: normal control, untreated and seven juglone treatment groups. Acute lung injury was induced in mice by injecting LPS (10 mg/kg) via intraperitoneal route (ip). The treatment groups were given 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 100 μM of juglone, ip, respectively.Results: The levels of MMP-9, IL-6, IL-1β and iNOS were significantly higher in acute lung injury induced mice compared than the control group (p < 0.05). Treatment of the mice with juglone significantly decreased LPS-induced up-regulation of inflammatory cytokines in a dose-dependentmanner. The production of inflammatory cytokines was almost completely inhibited in the mice treated with 100 mg/kg dose of juglone, while treatment of the LPS-stimulated TC 1 cells with juglone upregulated the expression of Sirt1 mRNA. Down-regulation of Sirt1 expression by siRNA inhibited the effect of juglone on LPS-induced increase in inflammatory cytokine production.Conclusion: Juglone prevents lung injury in mice via up-regulation of Sirt1 expression. Therefore, juglone might be useful for the development of a treatment strategy for lung injury. Keywords: Inflammatory, Sirtuin, Edema, Cytokines, Lung injury, TC 1 lung alveolar epithelial cells, Sirt

Dyeing studies and fastness properties of brown naphtoquinone colorant extracted from Juglans regia L on natural protein fiber using different metal salt mordants

In this study, wool fibers are dyed with a natural colorant extracted from walnut bark in presence and absence of mordants. The effect of aluminum sulfate, ferrous sulfate, and stannous chloride mordants on colorimetric and fastness properties of wool fibers was investigated. Juglone was identified as the main coloring component in walnut bark extract by UV visible and FTIR spectroscopic techniques. The results showed that pretreatment with metallic mordants substantially improved the colorimetric and fastness properties of wool fibers dyed with walnut bark extract. Ferrous sulfate and stannous chloride mordanted wool fibers shows best results than potassium aluminum sulfate mordanted and unmordanted wool fibers. This is ascribed due to strong chelating power of ferrous sulfate and stannous chloride mordants

The effects of Juglone-Selenium combination on invasion and metastasis in pancreatic cancer cell lines

Background: Pancreatic cancer does not show any symptoms in the early period and metastatic process is already passed when the diagnosis is done. Therefore, in the battle with pancreatic cancer, novel treatment strategies, particularly antiinvasive and antimetastatic strategies, are needed. The cytotoxic and anticancer effects of juglone and sodium selenite (NaSe) have been showed in various cancer cells. Objectives: In this study, it is aimed to investigate the synergistic effects of juglone and selenium on PANC-1 and BxPC-3 pancreatic cancer cells. Methods: Antimetastatic effects of juglone-NaSe were carried out by adhesion and invasion assays and the genes and protein expressions. Expression analysis of the CDH1, ITGB3 and COL4A3 genes and their proteins E-cadherin, β3 integrin and tumstatin which play role in metastasis and angiogenesis processes, were done by qPCR and immunohistochemical analysis, respectively. Results: Study findings have provided evidences that the juglone-selenium has a cytotoxic and dose dependent suppressive effect on invasion and metastasis in PANC-1 and BxPC-3 cells. Conclusion: The juglone-NaSe has the potential to be a promising agent especially to inhibit invasion and metastasis in pancreatic cancer treatment. However, more in depth studies are needed to more clearly demonstrate the effects of juglone-selenium. Keywords: Pancreatic cancer cell lines; juglone-selenium; invasion; metastasis

Transcriptional profiling of catalase genes in juglone-treated seeds of maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

The major aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of juglone (JU; 5-hydroxy-1,4 naphthoquinone) treatments on the expression level of Cat1, Cat2 and Cat3 genes, encoding the respective catalase isozymes in maize (Zea mays L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seeds. In parallel, germination efficiency, catalase (CAT) activity and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content in juglone-exposed cereal seeds were assessed. Juglone applications significantly stimulated abundance of three target catalase transcripts as well as induced CAT activity and generation of H2O2 in both maize and wheat kernels. Furthermore, germination process of juglone-affected maize seeds was more severe suppressed than in case of wheat kernels. The role of juglone in triggering the oxidative stress as well as antioxidative responses in seeds of the studied model cereal species are discussed

Ability of the Oriental Fruit Moth Grapholita molesta (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) to Detoxify Juglone, the Main Secondary Metabolite of the Non-host Plant Walnut

Many plant species produce toxic secondary metabolites that limit attacks by herbivorous insects, and may thereby constrain insect expansion to new hosts. Walnut is a host for the codling moth Cydia pomonella, which efficiently detoxifies the main walnut defensive compound juglone (5-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone). The oriental fruit moth Grapholita molesta, which also belongs to the tribe Grapholitini, does not feed on walnut. We tested the performance of G. molesta, a highly invasive species, on artificial diets containing juglone at levels mimicking those found in walnut over the growing season. Juglone-fed G. molesta survived relatively well to adulthood, but larval and adult body weights were reduced, and larval developmental time was prolonged in a dose-dependent fashion. Chemical analysis of frass from larvae that had been fed a juglone-containing diet suggests that G. molesta reduces juglone to non-toxic 1,4,5-trihydroxynaphthalene in its gut. This unexpected tolerance of G. molesta to high levels of juglone may facilitate expansion of the host range beyond the current rosacean fruit trees used by this invasive pest

Synthesis and Spectroscopic Characterization of High-Spin Mononuclear Iron(II) \u3cem\u3ep\u3c/em\u3e-Semiquinonate Complexes

Two mononuclear iron(II) p-semiquinonate (pSQ) complexes have been generated via one-electron reduction of precursor complexes containing a substituted 1,4-naphthoquinone ligand. Detailed spectroscopic and computational analysis confirmed the presence of a coordinated pSQ radical ferromagnetically coupled to the high-spin FeII center. The complexes are intended to model electronic interactions between (semi)quinone and iron cofactors in biology

Colour, health and wellbeing: the hidden qualities and properties of natural dyes

This paper addresses the questions: Is it feasible that the chemicals present in the natural dyes of both plants and insects which in the past, man has exploited for their colour, could exhibit other properties? And; In the future will these natural colours be understood and exploited for the health and wellbeing of Mankind?Is it feasible that the chemicals present in the natural dyes and colours of both plants and insects, which in the past have been exploited for their colour, could exhibit other properties that in the future will be understood and exploited for the health and wellbeing of mankind? Historically many dye plants were once regarded to possess ‘magical properties’ with the power to heal and to keep evil away [1]. Today many of these plants that can be used for dye extraction are classified as medicinal and in recent studies have been shown to process remarkable anti-microbial, anti-fungal, anti-viral activity [2]. The cosmetic industry now employs many natural dyes due to the fact they will cause fewer side affects than the employment of synthetic dyestuffs but they can also provide extra properties such as UV protection, skin moisturising and anti-aging [3,4]. In the context of these facts, this paper asks the question: What possibilities exist within the chemical nature of certain natural dyes to help with healing and well-being and if in the future we will be wearing clothes dyed with such colours from nature that we will be able to enhance our well being as well as be fashionable?.University of Derb