MedWorm.com provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest items from the 'Acta Biochim Pol' source. Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:31:28 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5527291&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22187676%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Muñoz-Muñoz JL, Garcia-Molina F, Acosta-Motos JR, Arribas E, Garcia-Ruíz PA, Tudela J, Garcia-Cánovas F, Rodríguez-López JN Abstract Under aerobic conditions, tyrosinase is inactivated by dopa as a result of suicide inactivation, and, under anaerobic conditions, as a result of irreversible inactivation. However, tyrosine protects the enzyme from being inactivated by dopa under anaerobic conditions. This paper describes how under aerobic conditions the enzyme acting on tyrosine is not directly inactivated but undergoes a process of indirect suicide inactivation provoked by reaction with the o-diphenol originated from the evolution of o-dopaquinone and accumulated in the reaction medium. PMID: 22187676 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acta Biochim Pol) Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5527291 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5527291 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5527290&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22187677%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wesołowska O Abstract Multidrug resistance (MDR) of cancer cells poses a serious obstacle to successful chemotherapy. The overexpression of multispecific ATP-binding cassette transporters appears to be the main mechanism of MDR. A search for MDR-reversing agents able to sensitize resistant cells to chemotherapy is ongoing in the hope of their possible clinical use. Studies of MDR modulators, although they have not produced clinically beneficial effects yet, may greatly enrich our knowledge about MDR transporters, their specificity and mechanism of action, especially substrate and/or inhibitor recognition. In the present review, interactions of three groups of modulators: phenothiazines, flavonoids and stilbenes with both P-glycoprotein and MRP1 are discussed. Each group o... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5527290 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5527290 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5527289&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22187678%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study we evaluated variations in PSA levels post-AMI. Twenty-six male patients who had PSA levels within reference limits were included in the study. The diagnosis of AMI was confirmed by clinical findings, ECG (electrocardiogram) and cardiac marker studies. Serum total PSA (tPSA) and free PSA (fPSA) levels were measured at days 0 (day of admission), 1, 2 and 3 after AMI. PSA/albumin ratio was also calculated in order to evaluate the effect of dilution. A statistical analysis of the results of all patients revealed significant decrease in tPSA levels and tPSA/Albumin ratio at day 2 when compared to days 0 and 3, which showed a similar pattern. Changes of fPSA and fPSA/ Albumin ratio according to days were not found significant. In only four patients we found increased levels of tPS... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5527289 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5527289 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5527288&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22187679%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ali A, Waly MI, Al-Farsi YY, Essa MM, Al-Sharbati MM, Deth RC Abstract High serum homocysteine (Hcy) level is regarded as an indicator for impairment of folate-dependent methionine cycle and is associated with oxidative stress. In a case control study, we evaluated eighty 3-5 years old Omani children (40 diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and 40 their age and gender matched controls) for their fasting serum homocysteine levels as a biomarker of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Serum folate and vitamin B(12) status were also evaluated. The serum homocysteine was measured using an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) technique whereas folate and vitamin B(12) were measured using an automated random access immune-assay system. The results indicated that mean serum Hcy levels were sig... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5527288 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5527288 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5527287&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22187680%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Schmidt MT, Handschuh L, Zyprych J, Szabelska A, Olejnik-Schmidt AK, Siatkowski I, Figlerowicz M Abstract Two-color DNA microarrays are commonly used for the analysis of global gene expression. They provide information on relative abundance of thousands of mRNAs. However, the generated data need to be normalized to minimize systematic variations so that biologically significant differences can be more easily identified. A large number of normalization procedures have been proposed and many softwares for microarray data analysis are available. Here, we have applied two normalization methods (median and loess) from two packages of microarray data analysis softwares. They were examined using a sample data set. We found that the number of genes identified as differentially exp... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5527287 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5527287 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5527286&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22187681%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, vitamin K deficiency is a frequent condition in peritoneally dialyzed patients. Assessment of vitamin K status should become a standard procedure in this group of patients. PMID: 22187681 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acta Biochim Pol) Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5527286 Tue, 20 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5527286 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5527294&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22175048%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bertoli A, Leonardi M, Krzyzanowska J, Oleszek W, Pistelli L Abstract In vitro plantlets and callus of M. longifolia were established and their volatile constituents characterized by GC-MS analysis of their headspaces (HSs) and essential oils (EOs). Significant quali-quantitative differences were found in the aromatic fingerprints in comparison with the M. longifolia parent plants. In fact, limonene and carvone were the main constituents in the EOs of the mother plants, while the aroma of the in vitro plant material were especially enriched in oxygenated terpenes. In particular, huge amounts of piperitenone and piperitenone oxide (75 %) were found for in vitro plantlets, while trans-carvone oxide (19 %) and trans-piperitone epoxide (9 %) were found in callus EO. However, t... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5527294 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5527294 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5527293&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22175049%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Krzyściak W Abstract Besides the structural function in proteins, aromatic amino acids are precursors of many important biological compounds essential for normal functioning of the human organism. Many of these compounds may be used as markers for identification of specific pathological states. Comprehensive knowledge about the metabolism of aromatic amino acids and mechanisms of action of their metabolites made it possible to develop effective treatments for many disorders. However, it should not be forgotten that in some pathological conditions, these compounds could not only be involved in the pathogenesis of many disease entities but could also be used as an important tool in prediction of many diseases. This paper contains a review of published literature on aromatic... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5527293 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5527293 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5527292&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22175050%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kot M, Olech Z Abstract Inhibition of jack bean activity by 2,5-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone (DCBQ) was studied in phosphate buffer, pH 7.0. It was found that DCBQ acted as a strong, time and concentration dependent inactivator of urease. Under the experimental conditions obeyed the terms of pseudo-first-order reaction, urease was totally inactivated. Application of Wilson-Kitz method proved that the urease-DCBQ interaction followed a simple bimolecular process and the presence of intermediate complex was undetectable. The determined second order rate constant of the inactivation was 0.053 (μM min)(-1). Thiols such as L-cysteine, glutathione and dithiothreitol (DTT) protected urease from inhibition by DCBQ but DCBQ-modified urease did not regain its activity after DTT applic... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5527292 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5527292 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5527295&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22163350%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Klimecka M, Szczegielniaki J, Godecka L, Lewandowska-Gnatowska E, Dobrowolska G, Muszyńska G Abstract In plant cells, phospholipids are not only membrane components but also act as second messengers interacting with various proteins and regulating diverse cellular processes, including stress signal transduction. Here, we report studies on the effects of various phospholipids on the activity and expression of maize wound-responsive Calcium-Dependent Protein Kinase (ZmCPK11). Our results revealed that in leaves treated with n-butanol, a potent inhibitor of phosphatidic acid (PA) synthesis catalyzed by phospholipase D, a significant decrease of ZmCPK11 activity was observed, indicating contribution of PA in the kinase activation. Using lipid binding assays, we demonstrate th... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5527295 Mon, 12 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5527295 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5490644&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22146133%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Aly HF, Metwally FM, Ahmed HH Abstract The study was undertaken to elucidate a possible neuroprotective role of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) against the development of Alzheimer's disease in experimental rat model. Alzheimer's disease was produced in young female ovariectomized rats by intraperitoneal administration of AlCl(3) (4.2 mg/kg body weight) daily for 12 weeks. Half of these animals also received orally DHEA (250 mg/kg body weight, three times weekly) for 18 weeks. Control groups of animals received either DHAE alone, or no DHEA, or were not ovariectomized. After such treatment the animals were analyzed for oxidative stress biomarkers such as hydrogen peroxide, nitric oxide and malondialdehyde, total antioxidant capacity, reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxida... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5490644 Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5490644 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5490643&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22146134%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Podolska A, Kaczkowski B, Litman T, Fredholm M, Cirera S Abstract The quality of RNA is crucial in gene expression experiments. RNA degradation interferes in the measurement of gene expression, and in this context, microRNA quantification can lead to an incorrect estimation. In the present study, two different RNA isolation methods were used to perform microRNA microarray analysis on porcine brain tissue. One method is a phenol-guanidine isothiocyanate-based procedure that permits isolation of total RNA. The second method, miRVana™ microRNA isolation, is column based and recovers the small RNA fraction alone. We found that microarray analyses give different results that depend on the RNA fraction used, in particular because some microRNAs appear very sensitive to the RNA... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5490643 Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5490643 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5490642&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22146135%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sun J, Zhao Y, Chai H, Wang H, Ng TB Abstract A novel protease with a molecular mass of 15 kDa was purified from fresh fruiting bodies of the wild mushroom Amanita farinosa. The purification protocol entailed anion exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, affinity chromatography on Affi-gel blue gel, cation exchange chromatography on SP-Sepharose, and gel filtration by fast protein liquid chromatography on Superdex 75. The protease was unadsorbed on DEAE-cellulose but adsorbed on Affi-gel blue gel and SP-Sepharose. It demonstrated a single 15-kDa band in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS/PAGE) and a 15-kDa peak in gel filtration. The optimal pH and optimal temperature of the protease were pH 8.0 and 65 °C, respectively. Proliferation of huma... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5490642 Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5490642 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5490641&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22146136%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tandogan B, Güvenç A, Calış I, Ulusu NN Abstract Glutathione reductase (GR, E.C 1.6.4.2) is a flavoprotein that catalyzes NADPH-dependent reduction of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) to reduced glutathione (GSH). The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro effects of phenolic compounds isolated from Sideritis brevibracteata on bovine kidney GR. The Sideritis species are widely found in nature and commonly used as medicinal plants. 7-O-glycosides of 8-OH-flavones (hypolaetin, isoscutellarein and 3'-hydroxy-4'-O-methylisoscutellarein) were isolated from aerial parts of Sideritis brevibracteata. These compounds inhibited bovine kidney cortex GR in a concentration-dependent manner. Kinetic characterization of the inhibition was also performed. PMID: 22146136 [PubMed ... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5490641 Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5490641 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5490640&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22146137%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Laczmanska I, Sasiadek MM Abstract Phosphorylation and dephosphorylation processes catalyzed by numerous kinases and phosphorylases are essential for cell homeostasis and may lead to disturbances in a variety of vital cellular pathways, such as cell proliferation and differentiation, and thus to complex diseases including cancer. As over 80 % of all oncogenes encode protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs), protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), which can reverse the effects of tyrosine kinases, are very important tumor suppressors. Alterations in tyrosine kinase and phosphatase genes including point mutations, changes in epigenetic regulation, as well as chromosomal aberrations involving regions critical to these genes, are frequently observed in a variety of cancers. Colorectal ca... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5490640 Tue, 06 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5490640 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5490646&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22140658%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Liberek A, Jakóbkiewicz-Banecka J, Kloska A, Swiderska J, Kmieć Z, Luczak G, Wierzbicki P, Liberek T, Marek K, Plata-Nazar K, Sikorska-Wiśniewska G, Kamińska B, Węgrzyn G Abstract Transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) is a cytokine affecting cell proliferation and development, which also has an immunomodulatory activity. Correlations between polymorphisms of the TGF-β1 gene and clinical parameters of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) were reported previously in adults. Here, we tested whether such correlations occur in pediatric patients suffering from IBD. One hundred and four pediatric IBD patients were involved in this study. Among them, 36 were diagnosed with Crohn's Disease (CD) and 68 were diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC). The control group consisted of... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5490646 Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5490646 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5490645&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22140659%26dopt%3DAbstract Conclusions: Cytokeratin-18 and hyaluronic acid are suitable serum markers predicting liver fibrosis in children with NAFLD. Studying these markers may identify patients at risk of disease progression. PMID: 22140659 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acta Biochim Pol) Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5490645 Sat, 03 Dec 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5490645 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5490650&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22132371%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tam I, Stępień K Abstract A large body of evidence suggests that epidermal melanocytes are an integral part of the skin immune system and can be considered immunocompetent cells. Recently, it has been reported that human melanocytes constitutively express Toll-like receptors and may be involved in the induction of several inflammatory cytokines. In the study the secretion of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α by cultured normal melanocytes was investigated after stimulation with lipopolysaccharide. LPS increased the secretion of IL-1β in a dose-dependent manner. IL-1β stimulated release of IL-6 and TNF-α by melanocytes, whereas LPS activated production of TNF-α, but not of IL-6. These observations indicate that LPS can participate in the regulation of cytokine activity in norma... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5490650 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5490650 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5490649&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22132372%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, the biological effect of Artocarpus heterophyllus (jackfruit) latex on human blood coagulation was investigated. By a combination of heat precipitation and ion-exchange chromatography, a heat stable heteromultimeric glycoprotein (HSGPL1) was purified from jackfruit milky latex. The apparent molecular masses of the monomeric proteins on SDS/PAGE were 33, 31 and 29 kDa. The isoelectric points (pIs) of the monomers were 6.63, 6.63 and 6.93, respectively. Glycosylation and deglycosylation tests confirmed that each subunit of HSGPL1 formed the native multimer by sugar-based interaction. Moreover, the multimer of HSGPL1 also resisted 2-mercaptoethanol action. Peptide mass fingerprint analysis indicated that HSGPL1 was a complex protein related to Hsps/chaperones. HSGPL1 has an eff... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5490649 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5490649 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5490648&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22132373%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kaźmierczak B, Kuźma-Kozakiewicz M, Usarek E, Barańczyk-Kuźma A Abstract Glutathione S-transferase pi (GST pi) is an enzyme involved in cell protection against toxic electrophiles and products of oxidative stress. GST pi expression was studied in transgenic mice hybrids (B6-C3H) with symptoms of neurodegeneration harboring SOD1G93A (SOD1/+), Dync1h1 (Cra1/+) and double (Cra1/SOD1) mutations, at presymptomatic and symptomatic stages (age 70, 140, 365 days) using RT-PCR and Western blotting. The main changes in GST pi expression were observed in mice with the SODG93A mutation. In SOD1/+ and Cra1/SOD1 transgenics, with the exception of cerebellum, the changes in GST pi-mRNA accompanied those in GST pi protein. In brain cortex of both groups the expression was unchanged at... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5490648 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5490648 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5490647&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22132374%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Leszczynska A, Gora M, Plochocka D, Hoser G, Szkopinska A, Koblowska M, Iwanicka-Nowicka R, Kotlinski M, Rawa K, Kiliszek M, Burzynska B Abstract Statins are inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR), the key enzyme of the sterol biosynthesis pathway. Statin therapy is commonly regarded as well tolerated. However, serious adverse effects have also been reported, especially during high-dose statin therapy. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of statins on gene expression profiles in human hepatoma HepG2 cells using Affymetrix Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 arrays. Expression of 102, 857 and 1091 genes was changed substantially in HepG2 cells treated with simvastatin, fluvastatin and atorvastatin, respectively. Pathway and gene ontology analysi... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5490647 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5490647 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5414801&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22068106%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Olejnik K, Bucholc M, Anielska-Mazur A, Lipko A, Kujawa M, Modzelan M, Augustyn A, Kraszewska E Abstract Arabidopsis thaliana AtNUDT7 Nudix pyrophosphatase hydrolyzes NADH and ADP-ribose in vitro and is an important factor in the cellular response to diverse biotic and abiotic stresses. Several studies have shown that loss-of-function Atnudt7 mutant plants display many profound phenotypes. However the molecular mechanism of AtNUDT7 function remains elusive. To gain a better understanding of this hydrolase cellular role, proteins interacting with AtNUDT7 were identified. Using AtNUDT7 as a bait in an in vitro binding assay of proteins derived from cultured Arabidopsis cell extracts we identified the regulatory protein RACK1A as an AtNUDT7-interactor. RACK1A-AtNUDT7 interact... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5414801 Tue, 08 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5414801 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5414800&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22068107%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kaczmarska M, Kopyściańska Z, Fornal M, Grodzicki T, Matlak K, Korecki J, Burda K Abstract We studied the influence of low doses of γ radiation (from 0.04 to 1.8 mGy) on the stability of human red blood cells (RBC) from healthy donors and diabetic patients using absorption spectroscopy. Because of the alteration of many enzymatic pathways in diabetic RBCs resulting in strong modification of the lipid and protein membrane components one could expect that the ionizing γ-radiation should influence the stability of the healthy and diabetic cells in a different way. Indeed, distinct discontinuities and monotonic changes of hemolysis detected in the healthy and diabetic RBCs suggest that various enzymatic and chemical processes are activated in these membranes by γ radiatio... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5414800 Tue, 08 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5414800 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5414799&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22068108%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Piccinni E, Chelstowska A, Hanus J, Widlak P, Loreti S, Tata AM, Augusti-Tocco G, Bianchi MM, Negri R Abstract In order to understand better the role of the human Tip60 complex component Gas41, we analysed its expression levels in brain tumours and searched for possible interactors. Two-hybrid screening of a human foetal brain library allowed identification of some molecular interactors of Gas41. Among them we found n-Myc transcription factor. The interaction between Gas41 and n-Myc was validated by pull-down experiments. We showed that Gas41 is able to bind both n-Myc and c-Myc proteins, and that the levels of expression of Gas41 and Myc proteins were similar to each other in such brain tumors as neuroblastomas and glioblastomas. Finally, in order to identify which region... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5414799 Tue, 08 Nov 2011 05:00:00 +0100 5414799 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5377425&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21503277%26dopt%3DAbstract We examined changes in profiles of isoflavonoids in roots of lupine (Lupinus luteus L. cv. Juno) seedlings in response to treatment with two heavy metals: cadmium (at 10 mg/l) and lead (at 150 mg/l). Overall, 21 flavonoid conjugates were identified in root extracts, some of them with up to six positional isomers. The total amount of all isoflavonoids increased by about 15 % in cadmium-treated plants and by 46 % in lead-treated ones. Heavy metals markedly increased the content of two compounds: 2'-hydroxygenistein glucoside and 2'-hydroxygenistein 7-O-glucoside malonylated. Possible functions of the identified isoflavonoids in yellow lupine exposed to heavy metal stress are discussed. PMID: 21503277 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Acta Biochim Pol) Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5377425 Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:00:03 +0100 5377425 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5377424&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21503278%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pawlak-Sprada S, Arasimowicz-Jelonek M, Podgórska M, Deckert J Abstract Species-specific changes in expression of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and lignin content were detected in roots of soybean (Glycine max L.) and lupine (Lupinus luteus L.) seedlings treated with different concentrations of cadmium (Cd(2+), 0-25 mg/l) or lead (Pb(2+), 0-350 mg/l). The stimulatory effect of both metals was observed in mRNA coding for PAL in soybean. In the case of lupine, changes of PAL mRNA level were dependent on the metal used: Cd(2+) caused a decrease, whereas Pb(2+) an increase of PAL transcript level. The activity of PAL was enhanced in both plant species at higher metal concentrations (15-25 mg/l of Cd(2+) or 150-350 mg/l of Pb(2+)); however it was not directly correlated wi... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5377424 Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:00:03 +0100 5377424 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5377423&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21584285%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mogielnicka-Brzozowska M, Wysocki P, Strzeżek J, Kordan W Abstract Affinity chromatography on Chelating Sepharose Fast Flow Gel-Zn(2+) was used for fractionation of boar seminal plasma proteins. Approximately 30% of total boar seminal plasma proteins showed affinity for zinc ions (ZnBP fraction). Native electrophoresis (PAGE) of ZnBP revealed six protein fractions which separated into 27 bands under denaturing conditions (SDS/PAGE). Two-dimensional electrophoresis (2D PAGE) showed 148 polypeptides with isoelectric points mostly in the basic and neutral pH range. The zinc-binding proteins comprise mainly 10-20 kDa polypeptides which are probably members of the spermadhesin family. ZnBP present in the incubation mixture of spermatozoa stored for 1 or 24 h at 4 °C allowed p... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5377423 Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:00:03 +0100 5377423 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5377422&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21643559%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jakubowski H Abstract All living organisms conduct protein synthesis with a high degree of accuracy maintained in the transmission and flow of information from a gene to protein product. One crucial 'quality control' point in maintaining a high level of accuracy is the selectivity by which aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases furnish correctly activated amino acids, attached to tRNA species, as the building blocks for growing protein chains. When differences in binding energies of amino acids to an aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase are inadequate, editing is used as a major determinant of enzyme selectivity. Some incorrect amino acids are edited at the active site before the transfer to tRNA (pre-transfer editing), while others are edited after transfer to tRNA at a separate editing site (p... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5377422 Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:00:03 +0100 5377422 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5377421&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21666887%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Dušková J, Tishchenko G, Ponomareva E, Šimůnek J, Koppová I, Skálová T, Štěpánková A, Hašek J, Dohnálek J Abstract The object of this study are chitinolytic enzymes produced by bacterium Clostridium paraputrificum J4 isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of a healthy human. In particular, we focus on the development of purification protocols, determination of properties of the enzymes and their activity profiles. The process of bacteria cultivation and isolation of chitinolytic complex of enzymes showing specific activities of endo-, exo-chitinase and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase was optimized. A range of various purification procedures were used such as ultrafiltration, precipitation, chromatographic separations (ion-exchange, size exclusion, chromatofocusi... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5377421 Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:00:03 +0100 5377421 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5377420&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21666888%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Śmietana K, Mateja A, Krężel A, Otlewski J Abstract Intracellular signaling cascades induced by Wnt proteins play a key role in developmental processes and are implicated in cancerogenesis. It is still unclear how the cell determines which of the three possible Wnt response mechanisms should be activated, but the decision process is most likely dependent on Dishevelled proteins. Dishevelled family members interact with many diverse targets, however, molecular mechanisms underlying these binding events have not been comprehensively described so far. Here, we investigated the specificity of the PDZ domain from human Dishevelled-2 using C-terminal phage display, which led us to identification of a leucine-rich binding motif strongly resembling the consensus sequence of a n... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5377420 Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:00:03 +0100 5377420 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5377419&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21681286%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sabatini S, Sgrò P, Duranti G, Ceci R, Luigi LD Abstract Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are a family of enzymes that hydrolyze cyclic nucleotides, thereby modulating cell functions. Three highly selective PDE5 inhibitors (PDE5i), sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil, have been developed for treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). Experimental evidence showed that chronic treatment with sildenafil PDE5i in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance improved insulin action and decreased circulating fatty acid levels. It has recently been shown that healthy athletes use PDE5i as performance enhancers, hence in the present study we investigated whether the long-lasting PDE5i tadalafil influences energy metabolism in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells by evaluating lacta... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5377419 Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:00:03 +0100 5377419 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5377418&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22030555%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, Rab7b acquired a new function, whereas Rab7a can be assigned to the phagolysosomal pathway. PMID: 22030555 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acta Biochim Pol) Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5377418 Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5377418 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5377417&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22030556%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Nowak-Stępniowska A, Wiktorska K, Małecki M, Romiszewska A, Padzik-Graczyk A Abstract Porphyrin photosensitizers tend to localize in mitochondria. The depolarization of mitochondrial membrane is one of the early stages of apoptosis and Laser Scanning Fluorescence Microscopy allows to determine changes in transmembrane mitochondrial potential under influence of PDT depending on the kind of photosensitizer (PP(Arg)(2), Hp(Arg)(2)), the energy dose (5, 10, 30 and 50 J/cm(2)) and time periods (24 and 48 hours after irradiation) in the LNCaP (lymphonodal metastasis of prostate carcinoma, the androgen dependent cell line). Cyototoxicity induced by PP(Arg)(2)- and Hp(Arg)(2)-based PDT depending on energy dose and time after irradiation in prostate carcinoma is determined with M... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5377417 Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5377417 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5377416&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D22030557%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Majewska I, Gendaszewska-Darmach E Abstract Angiogenesis, the formation of new capillaries from pre-existing vascular network, plays an important role in physiological and pathological processes such as embryonic development, wound healing, and development of atherosclerosis. Extension of the circulatory network is also considered to be one the most important factors during cancerogenesis. Inhibition of angiogenesis may lead to inhibition of tumor growth whereas stimulation may improve wound healing. Research achievements suggest the use of plants and their extracts as potential therapeutic agents with pro- or antiangiogenic activity. Since the anticancer and antiangiogenic properties of many phytomedicines have been amply reviewed elsewhere this paper will focus on the tr... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5377416 Thu, 27 Oct 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5377416 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5294394&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21725501%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Maassen A, Hennig J Abstract Besides the previously described nitric oxide-detoxification activity we identified new features of class-1 non-symbiotic hemoglobin from Medicago sativa (Mhb1). Under in vitro conditions, using peroxidase in-gel activity assay, the Mhb1 protein was shown to possess also peroxidase-like activity. Due to this activity, in the presence of nitrite and hydrogen peroxide, the protein can mediate autonitration and nitration of other proteins at tyrosine residues, as revealed by tandem mass spectrometry and immune assay approaches. Mhb1 through its multifunctional activities can affect different components of signal transduction cascades operating during plant response to infections. This influence is manifested by Mhb1-mediated selective up-regulatio... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5294394 Sat, 08 Oct 2011 04:15:04 +0100 5294394 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5294393&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21725502%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study we investigated the mode of incorporation of the chloroplast-encoded cytochrome b(6) into the bacterial membrane.( )Cytochrome b(6) naturally comprises of four transmembrane helices (A,B,C,D) and contains two b-type hemes. In the present study, mature cytochrome b(6) or constructed deletion mutants of cytochrome were expressed in E. coli cells. The membrane insertion of cytochrome b(6) in this bacterial model system requires an artificially added presequence that directs the protein to use an E. coli membrane-insertion pathway. This could be accomplished by fusion to maltose-binding protein (MBP) or to the bacterial Sec-dependent signal peptide (SSpelB). The integration of mature cytochrome b(6) into the bacterial cytoplasmic membrane by the Sec pathway has been reported prev... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5294393 Sat, 08 Oct 2011 04:15:04 +0100 5294393 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5294392&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21887408%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Romanyuk D, Polak A, Maleszewska A, Sieńko M, Grynberg M, Zołądek T Abstract Yeast ScAtg2, an autophagy-related protein, is highly conserved in other fungi and has two homologues in humans, one of which is hAtg2A encoded by the hATG2A/KIAA0404 gene. Region of homology between Atg2 and hAtg2A proteins comprises the C-terminal domain. We used yeast atg2D strain to express the GFP-KIAA0404 gene, its fragment or fusions with yeast ATG2, and study their effects on autophagy. The GFP-hAtg2A protein localized to punctate structures, some of which colocalized with Ape1-RFP-marked preautophagosomal structure (PAS), but it did not restore autophagy in atg2Δ cells. N-terminal fragment of Atg2 and N-terminal fragment of hAtg2A were sufficient for PAS recruitment but were not suffi... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5294392 Sat, 08 Oct 2011 04:15:04 +0100 5294392 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5294391&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21887409%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Nwozo SO, Oyinloye BE Abstract In recent years there have been remarkable developments in the prevention of diseases, especially with regards to the role of free radicals and antioxidants. Ethanol-induced oxidative stress appears to be one mechanism by which ethanol causes liver injury. The protective effect of aqueous plant extract of Aframomum melegueta on ethanol-induced toxicity was investigated in male Wistar rats. The rats were treated with 45 % ethanol (4.8 g/kg b.w.t.) for 16 days to induce alcoholic diseases in the liver. The activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and triglyceride were monitored and the histological changes in liver examined in order to evaluate the protective effects of the plant extract. Hepatic malondialdehyde and re... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5294391 Sat, 08 Oct 2011 04:15:04 +0100 5294391 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5294390&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21927720%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ablewska U, Jankowski K, Rzewuska E, Liszewska-Pfejfer D, Hryniewiecki T Abstract In recent decades a significant raise in the incidence of myocardial infarction among young women has been recorded. It is presumed that, apart from the classical risk factors, other reasons exist for premature atherosclerosis in young women, related to the homeostasis of gonadal hormones. The aim of the study was to analyze the levels of gonadal hormones (estradiol, progesterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone) measured in the luteal phase, in 65 normally menstruating women post myocardial infarction (MI) and to investigate a possible relationship between the hormone profile and selected coronary artery disease (CAD) risk factors. T... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5294390 Sat, 08 Oct 2011 04:15:04 +0100 5294390 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5294389&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21927721%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wojtal I, Piontek P, Grzela R, Jarmołowski A, Zagórski W, Chroboczek J Abstract Virus-coded VPg protein of Potato virus Y (PVY) does not have homologs apart from other VPgs. Since VPg is indispensable for the potyvirus life cycle, it appeared a good candidate for eliciting pathogen-derived resistance to PVY. Following agroinfection used to obtain PVY VPg-transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana plants, only few transgenic seeds were recovered giving rise to six transgenic plants that contained the VPg gene with the correct sequence. They generated VPg mRNA, but VPg protein was not detected. Some plants were immune to PVY infection suggesting post-transcriptional gene silencing. However, the likely PVY VPg toxicity exerted at an early stage of transformed seeds development preclud... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5294389 Sat, 08 Oct 2011 04:15:04 +0100 5294389 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5241689&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21927719%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wojcieszyńska D, Greń I, Hupert-Kocurek K, Guzik U Abstract The purpose of this study was purification and characterization of phenol monooxygenase from Stenotrophomonas maltophilia strain KB2, enzyme that catabolises phenol and its derivatives through the initial hydroxylation to catechols. The enzyme requires NADH and FAD as a cofactors for activity, catalyses hydroxylation of a wide range of monocyclic phenols, aromatic acids and dihydroxylated derivatives of benzene except for catechol. High activity of this monooxygenase was observed in cell extract of strain KB2 grown on phenol, 2-methylphenol, 3-metylphenol or 4-methylphenol. Ionic surfactants as well as cytochrome P450 inhibitors or 1,4-dioxane, acetone and n-butyl acetate inhibited the enzyme activity, while non... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5241689 Fri, 16 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5241689 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5225907&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21918738%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Maszczak-Seneczko D, Olczak T, Olczak M Abstract The mechanisms of transport and distribution of nucleotide sugars in the cell remain unclear. In an attempt to further characterize nucleotide sugar transporters (NSTs), we determined the subcellular localization of overexpressed epitope-tagged canine UDP-GlcNAc transporter, human UDP-Gal transporter splice variants (UGT1 and UGT2), and human SLC35B4 transporter splice variants (longer and shorter version) by indirect immunofluorescence using an experimental model of MDCK wild-type and MDCK-RCA(r) mutant cells. Our studies confirmed that the UDP-GlcNAc transporter was localized to the Golgi apparatus only and its localization was independent of the presence of endogenous UDP-Gal transporter. After overexpression of UGT1, the... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5225907 Wed, 14 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5225907 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5225906&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21918739%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kabzińska D, Kotruchow K, Ryniewicz B, Kochański A Abstract In contrast to mutations in the coding sequences of a genes involved in the pathogenesis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT), little is known about CMT phenotypes resulting from a DNA variants located in regulatory sequences of a given " CMT gene". Charcot-Marie-Tooth type X1 disease (CMTX1) is caused by mutations in the GJB1 gene coding for an ion channel known as connexin, with a molecular weight of 32 kDa (Cx32). Only 0.01% of the GJB1 gene mutations have been reported in its 5' regulatory sequence. Pathogenic mutations occured in the internal ribosome entry site (IRES) are extremely rarely reported in human genetic disorders. To the best of our knowledge, in this study we report for the first time in an Eas... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5225906 Wed, 14 Sep 2011 04:00:00 +0100 5225906 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5190293&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21887413%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jelonek K, Walaszczyk A, Gabryś D, Pietrowska M, Kanthou C, Widłak P Abstract Cardiovascular disease is recognized as an important clinical problem in radiotherapy and radiation protection. However, only few radiobiological models relevant for assessment of cardiotoxic effects of ionizing radiation are available. Here we describe the isolation of mouse primary cardiac endothelial cells, a possible target for cardiotoxic effects of radiation. Cells isolated from hearts of juvenile mice were cultured and irradiated in vitro. In addition, cells isolated from hearts of locally irradiated adult animals (up to 6 days after irradiation) were tested. A dose-dependent formation of histone γH2A.X foci was observed after in vitro irradiation of cultured cells. However, such cells ... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5190293 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5190293 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5190292&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21887414%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Folwarczna J, Nowińska B, Sliwiński L, Pytlik M, Cegieła U, Betka A Abstract Glucocorticoids and β(2)-adrenergic receptor agonists are the most commonly used drugs in the treatment of asthma. Both therapies are potentially dangerous to the skeletal system. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of fenoterol, a β(2)-receptor agonist, on the development of bone changes induced by glucocorticoid (prednisolone) administration in mature male rats. The experiments were carried out on 24-week-old male Wistar rats. The effects of prednisolone 21-hemisuccinate sodium salt (7 mg/kg s.c. daily) or/and fenoterol hydrobromide (1.4 mg/kg i.p. daily), administered for 4 weeks, on the skeletal system were studied (n = 8-9 per group). Bone turnover markers, geomet... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5190292 Tue, 30 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5190292 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5190294&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21887412%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tan CY, Rahman RN, Kadir HA, Tayyab S Abstract Bacillus licheniformis α-amylase (BLA) was chemically modified using 100-fold molar excess of succinic anhydride over protein or 0.66 M potassium cyanate to obtain 42 % succinylated and 81 % carbamylated BLAs. Size and charge homogeneity of modified preparations was established by Sephacryl S-200 HR gel chromatography and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Conformational alteration in these preparations was evident by the larger Stokes radii (3.40 nm for carbamylated and 3.34 nm for succinylated BLAs) compared to 2.43 nm obtained for native BLA. Urea denaturation results using mean residue ellipticity (MRE) as a probe also showed conformational destabilization based on the early start of transition as well as ΔG(D)(H2O) val... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5190294 Mon, 29 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5190294 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5190300&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21887406%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ligęza J, Ligęza J, Klein A Abstract Autocrine growth factors produced by epithelial cells mediate the development and proliferation of neoplastic human prostate tissue. Various approaches have been used to down-regulate neoplastic growth of prostate cancer using natural flavonoids, soluble receptors, pseudo-ligands, monoclonal antibodies and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (tyrphostins). Selected growth factor/growth factor receptor loops (mainly TGFα/EGFR and IGFs/IGFIR) have been proposed as regulators of prostate cancer cell growth. We have previously determined that blockade of IGFIR or VEGF2R signaling pathways by tyrphostin AG1024 and SU1498 inhibits autocrine growth and viability of DU145 cells in vitro. Recently, we compared the activity of AG1024 and SU1498 with th... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5190300 Sun, 28 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5190300 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5190299&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21887407%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Drzymała-Czyż S, Banasiewicz T, Tubacka M, Majewski P, Biczysko M, Kościński T, Drews M, Walkowiak J Abstract Available data indicates potential effectiveness of prebiotic therapy in alleviating inflammation and prolonging the remission in inflammatory bowel disease. Documented successes of such therapies were the basis for this study. So far, there is no data related to the effectiveness of inulin application in symptomatic or severe pouchitis in humans or in animal model. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of inulin supplementation on the expression of intestinal inflammation and feeding efficiency in rats with induced pouchitis. Twenty-four Wistar rats were operated. After induction of pouchitis animals were randomly divided into control and supplement... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5190299 Sun, 28 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5190299 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5190298&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21887408%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Romanyuk D, Polak A, Maleszewska A, Sieńko M, Grynberg M, Zołądek T Abstract Yeast ScAtg2, an autophagy-related protein, is highly conserved in other fungi and has two homologues in humans, one of which is hAtg2A encoded by the hATG2A/KIAA0404 gene. Region of homology between Atg2 and hAtg2A proteins comprises the C-terminal domain. We used yeast atg2D strain to express the GFP-KIAA0404 gene, its fragment or fusions with yeast ATG2, and study their effects on autophagy. The GFP-hAtg2A protein localized to punctate structures, some of which colocalized with Ape1-RFP-marked preautophagosomal structure (PAS), but it did not restore autophagy in atg2D cells. N-terminal fragment of Atg2 and N-terminal fragment of hAtg2A were sufficient for PAS recruitment but were not suffic... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5190298 Sun, 28 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5190298 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5190297&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21887409%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Nwozo SO, Oyinloye BE Abstract In recent years there have been remarkable developments in the prevention of diseases, especially with regards to the role of free radicals and antioxidants. Ethanol-induced oxidative stress appears to be one mechanism by which ethanol causes liver injury. The protective effect of aqueous plant extract of Aframomum melegueta on ethanol-induced toxicity was investigated in male Wistar rats. The rats were treated with 45 % ethanol (4.8 g/kg b. wt) for 16 days to induce alcoholic diseases in the liver. The activities of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and triglyceride were monitored and the histological changes in liver examined in order to evaluate the protective effects of the plant extract. Hepatic malondialdehyde and red... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5190297 Sun, 28 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5190297 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5190296&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21887410%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lopatniuk P, Witkowski JM Abstract The evidence on the crucial role of a family of calcium-dependent cysteine proteases called calpains in programmed cell death is rich and still growing. However, the understanding of the mechanisms of their functions in apoptosis is not full yet. Calpains have been implicated in both physiological and pathological cell death control, especially in various malignancies, but also in the immune system development and function. There is also growing evidence on calpain involvement in apoptosis execution in certain pathological conditions of the central nervous system, in cardiovascular diseases, etc. Understanding of the clinical significance of calpain activation pathways, after intense studies of the influence of calpain activity on drug-in... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5190296 Sun, 28 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5190296 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5190295&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21887411%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Muñoz-Muñozd JL, Garcia-Molinad F, Varond R, Tudelad J, Garcia-Cánovasd F, Rodríguez-Lópezd JN Abstract Tyrosinase shows kinetic cooperativity in its action on o-diphenols, but not when it acts on monophenols, confirming that the slow step is the hydroxylation of monophenols to o-diphenols. This model can be generalised to a wide range of substrates; for example, type S(A) substrates, which give rise to a stable product as the o-quinone evolves by means of a first or pseudo first order reaction (α-methyl-Dopa, Dopa methyl ester, dopamine, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylpropionic acid, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, α-methyl-tyrosine, tyrosine methyl ester, tyramine, 4-hydroxyphenylpropionic acid and 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid), type S(B) substrates, which include those whose o... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5190295 Sun, 28 Aug 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5190295 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5041916&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21383995%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cumaoğlu A, Rackova L, Stefek M, Kartal M, Maechler P, Karasu C In pancreatic β-cells, although H₂O₂ is a metabolic signal for glucose stimulated insulin secretion, it may induce injury in the presence of increased oxidative stress (OS) as in the case of diabetic chronic hyperglycemia. Olea europea L. (olive) leaves contain polyphenolic compounds that may protect insulin-secreting cells against OS. The major polyphenolic compound in ethanolic olive leaf extract (OLE) is oleuropein (about 20%), thus we compared the effects of OLE with the effects of standard oleuropein on INS-1 cells. The cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of OLE or oleuropein for 24 h followed by exposure to H₂O₂ (0.035 mM) for 45 min. H₂O₂ alone resulted in a significantly decre... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5041916 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 22:00:03 +0100 5041916 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5041915&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21383997%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Romanowska A, Lebensztejn DM, Skiba E, Tarasów E, Kaczmarski M Obesity, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia are the most significant risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) but the role of adipokines in the pathogenesis of this disease is not clear. Assessment of retinol binding protein (RBP-4) seems to be promising because data from animal and human studies suggest its role in the pathomechanism of insulin resistance. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the serum levels of RBP-4 in children with NAFLD. PMID: 21383997 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Acta Biochim Pol) Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5041915 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 22:00:03 +0100 5041915 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5041908&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21394325%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bukowski M, Rojowska A, Wladyka B Bacteria have developed multiple complex mechanisms ensuring an adequate response to environmental changes. In this context, bacterial cell division and growth are subject to strict control to ensure metabolic balance and cell survival. A plethora of studies cast light on toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems as metabolism regulators acting in response to environmental stress conditions. Many of those studies suggest direct relations between the TA systems and the pathogenic potential or antibiotic resistance of relevant bacteria. Other studies point out that TA systems play a significant role in ensuring stability of mobile genetic material. The evolutionary origin and relations between various TA systems are still a subject of a debate. The impact of... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5041908 Wed, 20 Jul 2011 22:00:03 +0100 5041908 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5041898&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21750785%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wróblewska M The pre-β HDL fraction constitutes a heterogeneous population of discoid nascent HDL particles. They transport from 1 to 25 % of total human plasma apo A-I. Pre-β HDL particles are generated de novo by interaction between ABCA1 transporters and monomolecular lipid-free apo A-I. Most probably, the binding of apo A-I to ABCA1 initiates the generation of the phospholipid-apo A-I complex which induces free cholesterol efflux. The lipid-poor nascent pre-β HDL particle associates with more lipids through exposure to the ABCG1 transporter and apo M. The maturation of pre-β HDL into the spherical α-HDL containing apo A-I is mediated by LCAT, which esterifies free cholesterol and thereby forms a hydrophobic core of the lipoprotein particle. LCAT is also a key factor ... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5041898 Mon, 11 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5041898 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5041901&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21750782%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Garczorz W, Francuz T, Gmiński J, Likus W, Siemianowicz K, Jurczak T, Strzałka-Mrozik B Endothelial dysfunction plays an important role in the development of atherosclerosis. Elastin-derived peptides (EDP), hyperglycemia, hypercholesterolemia and oxidized LDL have a proven proatherosclerotic potential. Nitric oxide generated by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS; EC 1.14.13.39) is an important vasorelaxant. Here we studied the influence of those proatherosclerotic factors on eNOS gene and protein expression in artery-derived endothelial cells. Human umbilical artery endothelial cells (HUAEC) were incubated with or without: glucose (270 mg/dl), LDL (200 mg/dl), oxidized LDL (oxLDL 25 mg/dl) or κ-elastin (0.5 and 2.5 µg/ml). Gene expression was assessed by real time RT-... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5041901 Sun, 10 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5041901 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5041900&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21750783%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Glowacka J, Szefel-Markowska M, Waleron M, Lojkowska E, Waleron K The main goal of this study was to determine the distribution of potentially toxic cyanobacteria in 39 selected Polish water bodies. From the water bodies with blooms and also from those in which blooms were not visible 87 samples were investigated. For the first time samples from ponds localized in villages with high agricultural activities were included. Lakes for which microcystin concentrations had been determined before were included as a reference for the research. The detection of cyanobacteria was conducted by microscopic observation as well as by PCR amplification of the rpoC1 gene fragment. Cyanobacteria were present in 75 out of 87 samples. The presence of potentially toxic cyanobacteria was detected ... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5041900 Sun, 10 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5041900 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5041899&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21750784%26dopt%3DAbstract Conclusion: VAPs had no significant effect on OC proliferation and the cell cycle, but did increase the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen type II expression levels in the extracellular matrix, and down-regulated collagen I and X mRNA expression. Treatment of cartilage cells with VAPs maintained their normal phenotype, inhibited matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) secretion, kept the balance of cartilage matrix metabolism, and sustained an external environment where the cartilage cells could survive. Moreover, VAPs reduced the proportion of early apoptotic cells, suggesting that they may block the apoptotic pathway in OCs. PMID: 21750784 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acta Biochim Pol) Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5041899 Sun, 10 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5041899 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5041902&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21738905%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, antibiotic therapy applied routinely in the course of pulmonary exacerbation in CF patients does not seem to result in an improvement of fat digestion and absorption. PMID: 21738905 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acta Biochim Pol) Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5041902 Wed, 06 Jul 2011 23:00:00 +0100 5041902 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4997956&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21706070%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zheng S, Wang H, Zhang G A protease with a molecular mass of 30 kDa and the N-terminal sequence of GLQTNAPWGLARSS, was isolated from fresh fruiting bodies of the wild edible mushroom Termitomyces albuminosus. The purification protocol included ion exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, Q-Sepharose, SP-Sepharose and FPLC-gel filtration on Superdex 75. The protein was unadsorbed on DEAE-cellulose and Q-Sepharose, but adsorbed on SP-Sepharose. The optimal pH and temperature of the purified enzyme were 10.6 and 60 °C, respectively. The enzyme was stable in the presence of 2 % (v/v) Tween 80 and 4 M urea. More than 80 % of the enzyme activity was retained in 2 % (v/v) Triton X 100, 54 % in 10 mM EDTA and 31 % in 2 % (w/v) SDS. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by phenylmethyls... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4997956 Tue, 05 Jul 2011 08:30:08 +0100 4997956 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4949684&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21681286%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sabatini S, Sgrò P, Duranti G, Ceci R, Di Luigi L Phosphodiesterases (PDEs) are a family of enzymes that hydrolyze cyclic nucleotides, thereby modulating cell functions. Three highly selective PDE5 inhibitors (PDE5i), sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil, have been developed for treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). Experimental evidence showed that chronic treatment with sildenafil PDE5i in a mouse model of diet-induced obesity and insulin resistance improved insulin action and decreased circulating fatty acid levels. It has recently been shown that healthy athletes use PDE5i as performance enhancers, hence in the present study we investigated whether the long-lasting PDE5i tadalafil influences energy metabolism in C2C12 skeletal muscle cells by evaluating lactate producti... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4949684 Wed, 15 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4949684 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4949683&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21681287%26dopt%3DAbstract This study investigated the sequence variability of the HCMV US28 ORF, which shows sequence homology to the G protein-coupled receptor. HCMV isolated from suspected pediatric cases and isolates from AIDS patients were compared in order to examine the possible associations between polymorphisms and pathogenesis. Seventy children with suspected congenital HCMV infection, who suffered from jaundice (47), megacolon (10), and microcephaly (13), and 17 AIDS patients, were studied. Mutation was prevalent among the sequences of US28, with a focus on the two ends of US28. The important functional groups of US28 are highly conserved. An unrooted tree showed that all sequences from suspected congenitally infected infants and AIDS patients were divided into three groups. Comparison showed that most of... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4949683 Wed, 15 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4949683 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4949687&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21666887%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Dušková J, Tishchenko G, Ponomareva E, Simůnek J, Koppová I, Skálová T, Stěpánková A, Hašek J, Dohnálek J The object of this study are chitinolytic enzymes produced by bacterium Clostridium paraputrificum J4 isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of a healthy human. In particular, we focus on the development of purification protocols, determination of properties of the enzymes and their activity profiles. The process of bacteria cultivation and isolation of chitinolytic complex of enzymes showing specific activities of endo-, exo-chitinase and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase was optimized. A range of various purification procedures were used such as ultrafiltration, precipitation, chromatographic separations (ion-exchange, size exclusion, chromatofocusing) in altered ... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4949687 Sun, 12 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4949687 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4949686&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21666888%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Smietana K, Mateja A, Krężel A, Otlewski J Intracellular signaling cascades induced by Wnt proteins play a key role in developmental processes and are implicated in cancerogenesis. It is still unclear how the cell determines which of the three possible Wnt response mechanisms should be activated, but the decision process is most likely dependent on Dishevelled proteins. Dishevelled family members interact with many diverse targets, however, molecular mechanisms underlying these binding events have not been comprehensively described so far. Here, we investigated the specificity of the PDZ domain from human Dishevelled-2 using C-terminal phage display, which led us to identification of a leucine-rich binding motif strongly resembling the consensus sequence of a nuclear export ... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4949686 Sun, 12 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4949686 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4949685&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21666889%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lovrić J, Berend S, Lucić Vrdoljak A, Radić B, Katalinić M, Kovarik Z, Zelježić D, Kopjar N, Rast S, Mesić M A conjugate of pyridine-4-aldoxime and atropine (ATR-4-OX) was synthesized and its antidotal efficiency was tested in vitro on tabun- or paraoxon-inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) of human erythrocytes as well as in vivo using soman-, tabun- or paraoxon-poisoned mice. Its genotoxic profile was assessed on human lymphocytes in vitro and was found acceptable for further research. ATR-4-OX showed very weak antidotal activity, inadequate for soman or tabun poisoning. Conversely, it was effective against paraoxon poisoning both in vitro and in vivo. All animals treated with 5% or 25% LD(50) doses of the new oxime survived after administration of 10.0 or 16.0 LD(50... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4949685 Sun, 12 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4949685 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4949689&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21643559%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jakubowski H All living organisms conduct protein synthesis with a high degree of accuracy maintained in the transmission and flow of information from a gene to protein product. One crucial "quality control" point in maintaining a high level of accuracy is the selectivity by which aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases furnish correctly activated amino acids, attached to tRNA species, as the building blocks for growing protein chains. When differences in binding energies of amino acids to an aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase are inadequate, editing is used as a major determinant of enzyme selectivity. Some incorrect amino acids are edited at the active site before the transfer to tRNA (pre-transfer editing), while others are edited after transfer to tRNA at a separate editing site (post-transfer ... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4949689 Sun, 05 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4949689 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4949688&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21643560%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, the inhibitory effect of physiological concentration of GSH and GSSG on topoisomerase IIα activity in vitro was investigated. GSH (0-10 mM) inhibited topoisomerase IIα in a concentration-dependent manner while GSSG (1-100 μM) had no significant effect. These findings suggest that the GSH/GSSG system could have a potential in vivo role in regulating topoisomerase IIα activity. PMID: 21643560 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acta Biochim Pol) Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4949688 Sun, 05 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4949688 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4901910&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21633728%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, subjects with HNF4 alpha P2 variants and haplotypes have been shown to have a higher insulin resistance and are therefore at a higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes mellitus. PMID: 21633728 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acta Biochim Pol) Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4901910 Wed, 01 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4901910 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4901909&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21633729%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kamel K, Kolinski A Understanding the interactions of epothilones with β-tubulin is crucial for computer aided rational design of macrocyclic drugs based on epothilones and epothilone derivatives. Despite numerous structure-activity relationship investigations we still lack substantial knowledge about the binding mode of epothilones and their derivatives to β-tubulin. In this work, we reevaluated the electron crystallography structure of epothilone A/β-tubulin complex (PDB entry 1TVK) and proposed an alternative binding mode of epothilone A to β-tubulin that explains more experimental facts. PMID: 21633729 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acta Biochim Pol) Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4901909 Wed, 01 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4901909 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4901908&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21633730%26dopt%3DAbstract This study reports diagnosis and treatment difficulties in an 18-year-old male patient with hereditary hemochromatosis (HH), ulcerative colitis (UC), chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and Gilbert syndrome. The presented case illustrates problems in diagnostics related to the presence of numerous disease conditions in one patient. It should be taken into consideration that these diseases coexisting in one patient can mutually affect their symptoms creating specific diagnostic difficulties. PMID: 21633730 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acta Biochim Pol) Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4901908 Wed, 01 Jun 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4901908 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4901912&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21623415%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cieśla J, Frączyk T, Rode W Reversible phosphorylation is the most widespread posttranslational protein modification, playing regulatory role in almost every aspect of cell life. The majority of protein phosphorylation research has been focused on serine, threonine and tyrosine that form acid-stable phosphomonoesters. However, protein histidine, arginine and lysine residues also may undergo phosphorylation to yield acid-labile phosphoramidates, most often remaining undetected in conventional studies of protein phosphorylation. It has become increasingly evident that acid-labile protein phosphorylations play important roles in signal transduction and other regulatory processes. Beside acting as high-energy intermediates in the transfer of the phosphoryl group from donor to ac... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4901912 Thu, 26 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4901912 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4901911&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21623416%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, using the LC-ESI-MS method we estimated the conversion of exogenous Bk to its main metabolites - Bk-(1-5) and Bk-(1-7) - in endothelial cell culture and in fragments of aorta of normotensive (WKY) and hypertensive rats (SHR). The effects of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibitors were more pronounced in SHR: perindoprilat inhibited Bk-(1-5) formation by 49% and 76% in WKY and SHR rats, respectively, and tiorphan tended to decrease formation of Bk-(1-5) in both groups of animals. The degradation of bradykinin and generation of both metabolites were significantly higher in the aorta of SHR rats than in WKY controls. Our results show that even in relatively early hypertension (in 4-month old SHR rats) inactivation of Bk by aorta wall is en... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4901911 Thu, 26 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4901911 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4852730&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21584285%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Mogielnicka-Brzozowska M, Wysocki P, Strzeżek J, Kordan W Affinity chromatography on Chelating Sepharose Fast Flow Gel-Zn(2+) was used for fractionation of boar seminal plasma proteins. Approximately 30% of total boar seminal plasma proteins showed affinity for zinc ions (ZnBP fraction). Native electrophoresis (PAGE) of ZnBP revealed six protein fractions which separated into 27 bands under denaturing conditions (SDS/PAGE). Two-dimensional electrophoresis (2 D PAGE) showed 148 polypeptides with isoelectric points mostly in the basic and neutral pH range. The zinc-binding proteins comprise mainly 10-20 kDa polypeptides which are probably members of the spermadhesin family. ZnBP present in the incubation mixture of spermatozoa stored for 1 or 24 h at 4°C allowed preservation o... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4852730 Mon, 16 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4852730 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4852729&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21584286%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Vinish M, Anand A, Prabhakar S The aim of this pilot study was to determine the baseline state of oxidative stress indices in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Peripheral blood samples of 15 PD subjects were analyzed and compared with ten age matched healthy controls. Patients with PARK2 mutations were also compared with PD patients without mutations. There was significant increase in malondialdehyde content and superoxide-dismutase activity in peripheral blood parameters in PD patients (p < 0.05) in comparison to controls. These findings suggest an important role of oxidative stress in Parkinson's disease evolution and progress. No changes were observed in glutathione peroxidase and nitric oxide levels. We found significant correlation between SOD activity and lipid ... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4852729 Mon, 16 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4852729 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4852728&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21584287%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ciszewska M, Ruszczyńska K, Oleszczuk M, Chung NN, Witkowska E, Schiller PW, Wójcik J, Izdebski J Six hybrid N-ureidoethylamides of octapeptides in which an N-terminal cyclic structure related to enkephalin was elongated by a C-terminal fragment of deltorphin were synthesized on MBHA resin. The synthetic procedure involved deprotection of Boc groups with HCl/dioxane and cleavage of the peptide resin with 45 % TFA in DCM. d-Lys and d-Orn were incorporated in position 2, and Lys, Orn, Dab, or Dap in position 5. The side chains of the dibasic amino function were protected with the Fmoc group. This protection was removed by treatment with 55 % piperidine in DMF, and cyclization was achieved by treatment with bis-(4-nitrophenyl)carbonate. Using various combinations of dibasic ami... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4852728 Mon, 16 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4852728 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4852727&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21584288%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rusiecka I, Składanowski AC The multixenobiotic/multidrug resistance (MXR/MDR) system controls transport of foreign molecules across the plasma membrane as a preventive measure before toxicity becomes apparent. The system consists of an efflux pump, ABCB1, and/or a member of the ABCC family. Ionic liquids are broadly used solvents with several unique properties such as wide liquid range, negligible vapor pressure, good thermal and chemical stability and extraordinary dissolution properties for organic and inorganic compounds. Ionic liquids containing imidazolium ring are frequently used as solvents in drug synthesis. Constitutive and induced amounts of ABCB1 and ABCC1 proteins were estimated here by Western blotting and quantified by flow cytometry in HeLa cells exposed to th... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4852727 Mon, 16 May 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4852727 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4798576&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21503277%26dopt%3DAbstract We examined changes in profiles of isoflavonoids in roots of lupine (Lupinus luteus L. cv. Juno) seedlings in response to treatment with two heavy metals: cadmium (at 10 mg/l) and lead (at 150 mg/l). Overall, 21 flavonoid conjugates were identified in root extracts, some of them with up to six positional isomers. The total amount of all isoflavonoids increased by about 15 % in cadmium-treated plants and by 46 % in lead-treated ones. Heavy metals markedly increased the content of two compounds: 2'-hydroxygenistein glucoside and 2'-hydroxygenistein 7-O-glucoside malonylated. Possible functions of the identified isoflavonoids in yellow lupine exposed to heavy metal stress are discussed. PMID: 21503277 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acta Biochim Pol) Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4798576 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4798576 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4798575&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21503278%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pawlak-Sprada S, Arasimowicz-Jelonek M, Podgórska M, Deckert J Species-specific changes in expression of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) and lignin content were detected in roots of soybean (Glycine max L.) and lupine (Lupinus luteus L.) seedlings treated with different concentrations of cadmium (Cd(2+), 0-25 mg/l) or lead (Pb(2+), 0-350 mg/l). The stimulatory effect of both metals was observed in mRNA coding for PAL in soybean. In the case of lupine, changes of PAL mRNA level were dependent on the metal used: Cd(2+) caused a decrease, whereas Pb(2+) an increase of PAL transcript level. The activity of PAL was enhanced in both plant species at higher metal concentrations (15-25 mg/l of Cd(2+) or 150-350 mg/l of Pb(2+)); however it was not directly correlated with PAL mRNA. ... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4798575 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4798575 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4798574&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21503279%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, we assessed A. millefolium methanolic extract and its isolated components for free radical scavenging activity against 2,2-diphenyl-pycrilhydrazyl, total antioxidant capacity (based on the reduction of Cu(++) to Cu(+)), and ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation. The activity against CQ-sensitive and CQ-resistant strains of lasmodium falciparum was also tested. Chlorogenic acid, its derivatives and some flavonoids isolated by semipreparative HPLC and identified by NMR and spectrometric techniques were the major bioactive constituents of the methanolic extract. The latter exhibited significant antioxidant properties, as well as its flavonol glycosides and chlorogenic acids. With regard to the antiplasmodial activity, apigenin 7-glucoside was the most effective compound, follow... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4798574 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 23:00:00 +0100 4798574 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4636884&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21394324%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kałużna-Czaplińska J, Michalska M, Rynkowski J Homocysteine is an amino acid which plays several important roles in human physiology and is an important biomarker for possible deficiencies of various vitamins (vitamin B(6) and B(12), folic acid). In this work GC-MS method was used to determine the levels of homocysteine in the urine of autistic and healthy children. The levels of homocysteine in urine samples from 34 autistic and 21 healthy children were 2.36 ± 1.24 and 0.76 ± 0.31 (mmol∙mol(-1) creatinine), respectively. The higher level of homocysteine in autistic children may indicate deficiencies of folic acid and vitamins B(6) and B(12) in nutrition of these children. The results of this work were taken into consideration in the nutrition of autistic children treat... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4636884 Sat, 26 Mar 2011 13:30:04 +0100 4636884 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4636883&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21394325%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bukowski M, Rojowska A, Wladyka B Bacteria have developed multiple complex mechanisms ensuring an adequate response to environmental changes. In this context, bacterial cell division and growth are subject to strict control to ensure metabolic balance and cell survival. A plethora of studies cast light on toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems as metabolism regulators acting in response to environmental stress conditions. Many of those studies suggest direct relations between the TA systems and the pathogenic potential or antibiotic resistance of relevant bacteria. Other studies point out that TA systems play a significant role in ensuring stability of mobile genetic material. The evolutionary origin and relations between various TA systems are still a subject of a debate. The impact of... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4636883 Sat, 26 Mar 2011 13:30:04 +0100 4636883 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4636882&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21403916%26dopt%3DAbstract In this report, we present studies on the interaction of JHBP with low molecular weight proteins (LMWP) in the hemolymph. Using ligand blotting we found that JHBP interacts with a protein of about 44 kDa. To identify the protein that preferentially binds JHBP, a LMWP fraction was applied to a Sepharose-bound JHBP and, after washing, the column was eluted with free JHBP acting as a specific competitor or with carbonic anhydrase as a negative control. The eluted proteins were separated by SDS/PAGE and analyzed by mass spectrometry. Isocitrate dehydrogenase was identified as a component of the supramolecular complex of JHBP with hemolymph proteins. PMID: 21403916 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Acta Biochim Pol) Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4636882 Sat, 26 Mar 2011 13:30:04 +0100 4636882 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4636881&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21403917%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Koszałka P, Kamysz E, Wejda M, Kamysz W, Bigda J We investigated cytotoxic activity of antimicrobial peptides of different origin (both naturally occurring and synthetic), structure and known mechanisms of action against human histiocytic lymphoma cell line U937. The strongest cytotoxic activity against U937 cell line was shown by Pexiganan MSI-78, followed by Citropin 1.1, Protegrin 1 and a synthetic lipopeptide, N-α-palmitoyl-l-lysyl-l-lysine amide (Pal-Lys-Lys-NH(2)). The cytotoxic activity of the peptides was more dependent on the time of incubation than concentration. Only for the lipopeptide, whose mode of action was restricted to disruption of electric potential of the cell membrane, the correlation between cytotoxicity and concentration was almost linear. The high cy... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4636881 Sat, 26 Mar 2011 13:30:04 +0100 4636881 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4636880&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21403918%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sarabia-Sainz AI, Ramos-Clamont G, Winzerling J, Vázquez-Moreno L Recently, glyco-therapy is proposed to prevent the interaction of bacterial lectins with host ligands (glycoconjugates). This interaction represents the first step in infection. Neoglycans referred to as PSA-Lac (PSA-Glu (β1-4) Gal) were obtained by conjugation of porcine serum albumin (PSA) with lactose at 80 °C, 100 °C and 120 ºC. Characterization studies of the products showed that PSA could contain 1, 38 or 41 added lactoses, depending on the reaction temperature. These neoglycans were approximately 10 times more glycated than PSA-Lac obtained in previous work. Lactose conjugation occurred only at lysines and PSA-Lac contained terminal galactoses as confirmed by Ricinus communis lectin recognition. Furt... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4636880 Sat, 26 Mar 2011 13:30:04 +0100 4636880 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4636879&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21403919%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Przygodzki T, Slominska E, Polakowska E, Mlynarski W, Watala C 1-methylnicotinamide (MNA) is a primary metabolite of nicotinamide. In recent years several activities of MNA have been described, such as anti-inflammatory activity in skin diseases, induction of prostacyclin synthesis via COX-2, aortal endothelium protection in diabetes and hypertriglyceridaemia and increased survival rate of diabetic rats. 1-methylnicotinamide was also suggested to protect pancreatic cells from streptozotocin in vivo. Streptozotocin toxicity is known to be mediated by poly-ADP-ribose polymerase. Nicotinamide and its derivatives have been shown to ameliorate poly-ADP-ribose polymerase-dependent nucleotide pool reduction. We aimed to verify if 1-methylnicotinamide and its metabolite, N-methyl-2-py... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4636879 Sat, 26 Mar 2011 13:30:04 +0100 4636879 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4636878&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21403920%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zuwała-Jagiełło J, Pazgan-Simon M, Simon K, Warwas M Advanced oxidation protein products (AOPPs) are protein markers of oxidative stress with pro-inflammatory properties that accumulated in liver cirrhosis. In the present study, we investigated the association between chronic inflammatory response triggered by AOPPs and the severity of liver disease as assessed by the Child-Pugh score. Plasma concentrations of AOPPs and inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin-6 were measured in 41 patients with HCV-related cirrhosis, 43 patients with alcohol-related liver cirrhosis (ALC), and in 30 age and sex matched controls. In comparison with controls, AOPPs were increased in HCV-related compensated (Child-Pugh A) and decompensated (Chi... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4636878 Sat, 26 Mar 2011 13:30:04 +0100 4636878 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4636877&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21403921%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Guranowski A, Wojdyła AM, Rydzik AM, Stepiński J, Jemielity J Adenosine 5'-phosphoramidate (NH(2)-pA) is an uncommon natural nucleotide of poorly understood biochemistry and function. We studied a plant enzyme potentially involved in the catabolism of NH(2)-pA. A fast and simple method comprising extraction of yellow lupin (Lupinus luteus) seed-meal with a low ionic strength buffer, ammonium sulfate and acetone fractionations, removal of contaminating proteins by heat denaturation, and affinity chromatography on AMP-agarose, yielded homogenous nucleoside 5'-phosphoramidase. Mass spectrometric analysis showed that the lupin hydrolase exhibits closest similarity to Arabidopsis thaliana Hint1 protein. The substrate specificity of the lupin enzyme, in particular its ability to s... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4636877 Sat, 26 Mar 2011 13:30:04 +0100 4636877 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4636876&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21403922%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Szumiel I, Foray N Among post-translational modifications of chromatin proteins taking place in DNA double strand break (DSB) repair, acetylation plays a prominent role. This review lists several facts and hypotheses concerning this process. Lack of acetyltransferase TIP60 (HIV-Tat interacting protein of 60 kDa) activity results in cells with defective DSB repair. The enzyme is present in the nucleus in a multimeric protein complex. TIP60 dependent activation of ATM (ataxia telangiectasia mutated kinase) is an early event in the response to DNA breakage. Other important acetylations are those of histones H4 and γH2AX. Correct reconstruction of the damaged site is critical for survival and prevention of genetic and epigenetic changes in the cell that may affect the function of... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4636876 Sat, 26 Mar 2011 13:30:04 +0100 4636876 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4636875&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21409182%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Choma A, Komaniecka I Lipopolysaccharides of seven Bradyrhizobium strains and three whole-cell fatty acid preparations from bacteria isolated from nodules of Sarothamnus scoparius (Common Broom) were studied for the presence of very long chain (ω-1)-hydroxy fatty acids. Several such fatty acids were identified. Among them, straight-chain as well as mono- and dimethyl branched acids with chains in the range from 26 to 34 carbon atoms were found. Pyrrolidides and 4,4-dimethyloxazoline derivatives were used to determine the branching position. Carbons at the (ω-10) and/or (ω-11) positions in alkyl chains were points of attachment of methyl groups. These data complete the structure of bradyrhizobial lipid A with important details. The obtained results can be applied in the chem... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4636875 Sat, 26 Mar 2011 13:30:04 +0100 4636875 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4636874&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21409183%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Stachurska E, Loboda A, Niderla-Bielińska J, Szperl M, Juszyński M, Jozkowicz A, Dulak J, Ratajska A Cellular retinoic acid binding proteins are considered to be involved in retinoic acid (RA) signaling pathways. Our aim was to compare the expression and localization of cellular retinoic acid binding proteins I and II (CRABP I and II) in embryonic mouse hearts during normal development and after a single teratogenic dose of RA. Techniques such as real-time PCR, RT-PCR, Western blots and immunostaining were employed to examine hearts from embryos at 9-17 dpc. RA treatment at 8.5dpc affects production of CRABP I and II in the heart in the 48-h period. Changes in expression of mRNA for retinaldehyde dehydrogenase II (Raldh2), Crabp1 and Crabp2 genes also occur within the same t... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4636874 Sat, 26 Mar 2011 13:30:04 +0100 4636874 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4636873&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21416065%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Krześniak N, Paziewska A, Rubel T, Skrzypczak M, Mikula M, Dzwonek A, Goryca K, Wyrwicz LS, Jarosz D, Laubitz D, Woszczyński M, Bielecki K, Ostrowski J Colon anastomosis is therapeutically challenging because multiple, usually undetectable factors influence a spectrum of repair mechanisms. We hypothesized that low molecular weight heparins, routinely administered perioperatively, may differentially affect gene expression related to colon healing. Twenty pairs of untreated and enoxaparin-treated rats underwent left-side hemicolectomy with a primary end-to-end anastomosis. Normal colon and anastomotic bowel segments were resected on day 0 and on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 after surgery, respectively. Serial anastomosis transverse cross-sections were evaluated microscopically and by m... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4636873 Sat, 26 Mar 2011 13:30:04 +0100 4636873 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4636872&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21423915%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ignaszak-Szczepaniak M, Horst-Sikorska W, Dytfeld J, Gowin E, Słomski R, Stajgis M Graves' (GD) hyperthyroidism leads to reduced bone mineral density (BMD) accompanied by accelerated bone turnover. Ample studies have identified association between estrogen receptor (ESR1) gene polymorphism and decreased BMD and osteoporosis. In contrast, number of publications that link ESR1, BMD and Graves' disease is limited. The purpose of this study was to identify the association between ESR1 polymorphisms and BMD in premenopausal women with GD and to determine whether ESR1 polymorphic variants can predispose to GD. The study included 75 women aged 23-46 years with GD and 163 healthy controls. BMD was measured at lumbar spine and femoral neck. We investigated two SNPs in the ESR1 gene an... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4636872 Sat, 26 Mar 2011 13:30:04 +0100 4636872 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4574866&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21383993%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Krzyściak W, Kózka M Despite numerous theories, the etiology and pathogenesis of primary varicose veins remain unclear. The etiology of chronic venous diseases (CVDs) known as chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is related to leukocyte trapping. Leukocyte trapping involves trapping of white cells in vessel walls followed by their activation and translocation outside the vessel. Release of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from trapped white cells has been documented. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) directly inhibits the generation of free radicals and compounds that are produced during oxidation by ROS, such as malonyldialdehyde (MDA). The aim of this study was to determine the involvement of free radicals in the etiology of venous changes. The following material was used for the stud... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4574866 Mon, 07 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4574866 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4574865&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21383994%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lin Y, Li ZH, Wang JJ, Xu GL, Shen Q, Tian L, Xue JL, Chen JZ Phage ΦC31 integrase is a potential vector for the insertion of therapeutic genes into specific sites in the human genome. To understand the mechanism involved in ΦC31 integrase-mediated recombination, it is important to understand the interaction between the integrase and cellular proteins. Using a yeast two-hybrid system with pLexA-ΦC31 integrase as bait, we screened a pB42AD human fetal brain cDNA library for potential interacting cellular proteins. From the 10(6) independent clones that were screened, 11 potential interacting clones were isolated, of which one encoded C-terminal fragment of Sp100. The interaction between Sp100 and ΦC31 integrase was further confirmed by yeast mating and co-immunoprecipitatio... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4574865 Mon, 07 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4574865 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4574864&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21383995%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cumaoğlu A, Rackova L, Stefek M, Kartal M, Maechler P, Karasu C In pancreatic β-cells cells, although H(2)O(2) is a metabolic signal for glucose stimulated insulin secretion, it may induce injury in the presence of increased oxidative stress (OS) as in the case of diabetic chronic hyperglycemia. Olea europea L. (olive) leaves contain polyphenolic compounds that may protect insulin-secreting cells against OS. The major polyphenolic compound in ethanolic olive leaf extract (OLE) is oleuropein (~ 20 %), thus we compared the effects of OLE with the effects of standard oleuropein on INS-1 cells. The cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of OLE or oleuropein for 24 h followed by exposure to H(2)O(2) (0.035 mM) for 45 min. H(2)O(2) alone resulted in a significantly de... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4574864 Mon, 07 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4574864 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4574863&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21383996%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Palesch D, Sieńczyk M, Oleksyszyn J, Reich M, Wieczerzak E, Boehm BO, Burster T In the beginning of the 20th century, enzymes with proteolytic activity were classified as peptidases, Erepsin, and proteases. Among these, pepsin, trypsin, and autolytic enzymes were of the protease class. Spleen-derived proteases were poorly characterized until Sven Gustaf Hedin performed several digestion experiments with bovine spleen. He incubated minced bovine spleen under acidic or neutral conditions and characterized two active proteases; the results were published in 1903. The first protease was named α-protease and was active under neutral conditions. The second was named β-protease and was active under acidic conditions. We replicated Hedin's experiments according to his methods and f... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4574863 Mon, 07 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4574863 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4574862&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21383997%26dopt%3DAbstract Conclusion: RBP-4 can be considered as a convenient serum marker of intrahepatic lipid content in obese children. PMID: 21383997 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acta Biochim Pol) Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4574862 Mon, 07 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4574862 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4574861&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21383998%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Korczyński J, Sobierajska K, Krzemiński P, Wasik A, Wypych D, Pomorski P, Kłopocka W Inhibition of Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) activity in glioma C6 cells induces changes in actin cytoskeleton organization and cell morphology similar to those observed in other types of cells with inhibited RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway. We show that phosphorylation of myosin light chains (MLC) induced by P2Y(2) receptor stimulation in cells with blocked ROCK correlates in time with actin cytoskeleton reorganization, F-actin redistribution and stress fibers assembly followed by recovery of normal cell morphology. Presented results indicate that myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK) is responsible for the observed phosphorylation of MLC. We also found that the changes induced by P2Y(2) stim... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4574861 Mon, 07 Mar 2011 00:00:00 +0100 4574861 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4272093&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21165344%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sobczak M, Boczek T, Ferenc B, Taha J, Kozaczuk A, Wiktorska M, Sacewicz-Hofman I, Niewiarowska J, Zylinska L Microsomal glutathione transferase 1 (MGST1) possesses glutathione transferase and peroxidase activities and is active in biotransformation of xenobiotics and in defense against oxidative stress. To assess MGST1 role in the development and functioning of PC12 cells, we constructed a cell line with reduced MGST1 (PC12_M). Real-time PCR and immunoblot assays showed MGST1 expression lowered to 60 % and immunocytochemical analyses demonstrated an altered concentration and distribution of the enzyme. PC12_M cells revealed a larger tendency to grow in clusters, weaker adhesion, irregular shape of bodies, short neurite outgrowth and higher percentage of necrotic cells (34 %).... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4272093 Fri, 17 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4272093 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4272096&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21152446%26dopt%3DAbstract This study was carried out using mitochondria from skeletal muscles of hibernating Yakut ground squirrel, which have a significant level of UCP3 mRNA. We found that millimolar concentrations of GDP, which is considered to be a specific inhibitor of UCPs, slightly recoupled the mitochondrial respiration and restored the membrane potential. Addition of the specific ANT inhibitor CAT, in micromolar concentration, prior to GDP prevented its recoupling effect. Moreover, GDP and ADP exhibited a competitive kinetic behavior with respect to ANT. In brown adipose tissue, CAT did not prevent the UCP1-iduced increase in chloride permeability and the inhibitory effect of GDP, thus confirming the inability of CAT to affect UCP1. These results allow us to conclude that the recoupling effect of purine nu... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4272096 Fri, 10 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4272096 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4272095&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21152447%26dopt%3DAbstract Conclusions: Significantly lower than previously reported incidence of clinically detectable lactose malabsorption in young healthy adults in Poland has been documented. The -13910 C/C genotype upstream of the LCT gene indicates predisposition to ATH, but definitely does not define the current ability to tolerate lactose. PMID: 21152447 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acta Biochim Pol) Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4272095 Fri, 10 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4272095 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4272094&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21152448%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Hanus J, Kalinowska-Herok M, Widlak P Yeast two- and three-hybrid systems were used to screen cDNA libraries from HeLa cells and human brain tissue to identify novel protein partners of DNA Fragmentation Factor, the major apoptotic nuclease. The two-hybrid system revealed the DFF45 inhibitory subunit of the nuclease as the only identified partner of the DFF40 catalytic subunit. Similar analysis revealed several protein candidates that potentially interact with the DFF45 subunit: FBXO28, FOSL1, PGK1, PCNT, FHL1 and GFAP. Recombinant GFAP protected DFF45 against cleavage with caspase-3 and prevented activation of the DFF nuclease in vitro. In addition, three-hybrid system results revealed a putative novel protein partner of the DFF40-DFF45 heterodimer. The candidate cDNA contain... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4272094 Fri, 10 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4272094 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4248098&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21140001%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bagnicka E, Strzałkowska N, Jóźwik A, Krzyżewski J, Horbańczuk J, Zwierzchowski L Due to their activity against bacteria, viruses, and fungi, antimicrobial peptides are important factors in the innate resistance system of humans and animals. They are called "new generation antibiotics" for their potential use in preventive and therapeutic medicine. The most numerous group of antimicrobial peptides is a family of cationic peptides which include defensins and cathelicidins. Among them the most common are peptides with a beta-sheet structure containing three intra-molecular disulphide bonds, called defensins, comprising three classes: alpha, beta, and theta. The class of beta-defensins is the largest one. Their transcripts have been found in many tissues of humans and animal... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4248098 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4248098 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4248097&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21140002%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion. serum pancreatic enzymes in patients with PFIC type 2 are normal. No pancreatic damage in these patients could be detected. PMID: 21140002 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acta Biochim Pol) Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4248097 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4248097 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4248096&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21140003%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Manolescu BN, Oprea E, Farcasanu IC, Berteanu M, Cercasov C Homocysteine (Hcy), a sulfur amino acid, is the only direct precursor for L-methionine synthesis through a reaction that requires vitamin B(12), representing a connection with "one-carbon" units metabolism. Hcy catabolism requires vitamin B(6) and as a consequence, alteration in folic acid and B vitamins status impairs Hcy biotransformation. Numerous studies have indicated that Hcy is an independent risk factor for cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases. In the last decade, several clinical trials have investigated the possible correlation between the use of folic acid and vitamins B(6) and B(12) for lowering Hcy plasma concentration and the reduced risk of stroke or its recurrence. This review is aimed to present some ... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4248096 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4248096 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4248093&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21140004%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Reszka N, Krol E, Patel AH, Szewczyk B Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infects humans, with a prevalence around 3% of population, causing acute and chronic hepatitis and hepatocellular carcinoma. We studied the effect of inhibition of glycosylation on the assembly of the HCV particle. HCV possesses two envelope glycoproteins E1 and E2 that are highly modified by N-glycans. These glycan residues are crucial for viral entry and maturation of the progeny. Here, we examined the influence of inhibition of N-glycosylation on expression of E1 and E2. Since the propagation of HCV in cell culture is limited, we used a recombinant baculovirus producing viral-like particles in insect cells. Our data showed that blocking of N-glycan transfer to the nascent polypeptide chain with the antibiotic tu... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4248093 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4248093 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4248092&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21140005%26dopt%3DAbstract Conclusion: Hyperglycaemia, hyperinsulinaemia and elevated HOMA are evidence for insulin resistance and possibly pancreatic B-cell dysfunction in fatal-CM. PMID: 21140005 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acta Biochim Pol) Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4248092 Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4248092 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4248108&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21125027%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Salin K, Teulier L, Rey B, Rouanet JL, Voituron Y, Duchamp C, Roussel D We investigated the oxidative phosphorylation efficiency of liver and gastrocnemius muscle mitochondria in thermoneutral and cold-acclimated ducklings. The yield of oxidative phosphorylation was lower in muscle than in liver mitochondria, a difference that was associated with a higher proton conductance in muscle mitochondria. Cold exposure did not affect oxidative phosphorylation efficiency or basal proton leak in mitochondria. We conclude that the basal proton conductance of mitochondria may regulate mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation efficiency, but is not an important contributor to thermogenic processes in cold-acclimated ducklings. PMID: 21125027 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: ... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4248108 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4248108 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4248107&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21125028%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Alán L, Zelenka J, Ježek J, Dlasková A, Ježek P To reveal nucleic acid localization in mitochondria, we designed molecular beacon fluorescent probes against: i) the light strand complementary to ND5 mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) gene (annealing also to corresponding mRNA); ii) displacement (D) loop 7S DNA (annealing also to parallel heavy strand mtDNA and corresponding light strand transcript); iii) the proximal D-loop heavy strand displaced by the light strand promoter minor RNA. Confocal microscopy demonstrated ND5 probe spreading (less for other probes) in mitochondrial reticulum tubules but upon RNase A treatment all probes contoured mtDNA nucleoid localization. DNAse I spread the signal over mitochondrial tubules. Future applications are discussed. PMID: 21125028 [Pub... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4248107 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4248107 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4248100&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21125029%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Khan MS, Priyadarshini M, Sumbul S, Bano B Regulation of cysteine proteinases and their inhibitors is of utmost importance in diseases like lung cancer, chronic inflammatory conditions such as asthma, emphysema, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Protease-antiprotease imbalance accelerates disease progression. In the present study, the effect of antineoplastic and antirheumatic/ drug methotrexate (MTX) on lung cystatin (a cysteine protease inhibitor) was studied to explore drug induced changes in functional and structural integrity of the protein. The basic binding interaction was studied by UV-absorption, FT-IR and fluorescence spectroscopy. The quenching of protein fluorescence confirmed the binding of MTX with goat lung cystatin (GLC-I). Stern-Volmer analysis of MTX-GLC-I s... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4248100 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4248100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4215439&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21103453%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Belyaeva EA To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the protective action of stigmatellin (an inhibitor of complex III of mitochondrial electron transport chain, mtETC) against the heavy metal-induced cytotoxicity, we tested its effectiveness against mitochondrial membrane permeabilization produced by heavy metal ions Cd(2+), Hg(2+), Cu(2+) and Zn(2+), as well as by Ca(2+) (in the presence of P(i)) or Se (in form of Na(2)SeO(3)) using isolated rat liver mitochondria. It was shown that stigmatellin modulated mitochondrial swelling produced by these metals/metalloids in the isotonic sucrose medium in the presence of ascorbate plus tetramethyl-p-phenylenediamine (complex IV substrates added for energization of the mitochondria). It was found that stigmatellin and other mtETC inh... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4215439 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4215439 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4215435&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21103454%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wojtovich AP, Nehrke KW, Brookes PS The mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel (mK(ATP)) is important in cardioprotection, although the channel remains molecularly undefined. Several studies have demonstrated that mitochondrial complex II inhibitors activate the mK(ATP), suggesting a potential role for complex II in channel composition or regulation. However, these inhibitors activate mK(ATP) at concentrations which do not affect bulk complex II activity. Using the potent complex II inhibitor Atpenin A5, this relationship was investigated using tight-binding inhibitor theory, to demonstrate that only 0.4 % of total complex II molecules are necessary to activate the mK(ATP). These results estimate the mK(ATP) content at 15 channels per mitochondrion. PMID: 21103454 [... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4215435 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4215435 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4183060&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21079817%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Vial G, Dubouchaud H, Leverve XM With a steadily increasing prevalence, Insulin Resistance (IR) is a major public health issue. This syndrome is defined as a set of metabolic dysfunctions associated with, or contributing to, a range of serious health problems. These disorders include type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). According to the literature in the field, several cell types like β-cell, myocyte, hepatocyte and/or adipocyte, as well as related complex signaling environment involved in peripheral insulin sensitivity are believed to be central in this pathology. Because of the central role of the liver in the whole-body energy homeostasis, liver insulin sensitivity and its potential relationship with mitochondrial oxidativ... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4183060 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4183060 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4183059&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21079818%26dopt%3DAbstract Conclusion. Atorvastatin treatment is safe and improves biomarkers of tubular damage or injury in non-diabetic patients with CKD. PMID: 21079818 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acta Biochim Pol) Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4183059 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4183059 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4183058&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21079819%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, a recombinant form of ACBP derived from human erythroid cells was expressed in E. coli, purified, and functionally characterized. We demonstrate that recombinant hACBP effectively binds palmitoyl-CoA in vitro, undergoing a shift from a monomeric to a dimeric state, and that this ligand-binding ability is involved in erythrocytic membrane phosphatidylcholine (PC) remodeling but not in protein acylation. PMID: 21079819 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acta Biochim Pol) Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4183058 Tue, 16 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4183058 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4164745&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21060896%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study, metallothionein (MT) was evaluated as a prospective marker for such diseases. To this end, serum metallothionein levels of patients with childhood solid tumours were determined using differential pulse voltammetry - Brdicka reaction. A more than 5-fold increase in the amount of metallothionein was found in sera of patients suffering from cancer disease, compared with those in sera of healthy donors. The average metallothionein level in the sera of healthy volunteers was 0.51 ± 0.2 μmol.dm(-3) and was significantly different (p < 0.05, determined using the Schefe test) from the average MT level found in serum samples of patients suffering from childhood solid tumours (3.37 ± 0.79 μmol.dm(-3)). Results found in this work indicate that the MT level in blood serum can be ... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4164745 Tue, 09 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4164745 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4164744&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21060897%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Najafian M, Ebrahim-Habibi A, Yaghmaei P, Parivar K, Larijani B Trans-chalcone is the core structure of naringenin chalcone, located halfway in the biosynthesis pathway of flavonoids. Flavonoids have been reported as mammalian alpha-amylase inhibitors, a property which could be useful in the management of postprandial hyperglycemia in diabetes and related disorders. As a mammalian alpha-amylase inhibitor in vitro, the putative beneficial effect of trans-chalcone on diabetes was tested in a streptozotocin-induced rat model of diabetes type 1, and the results analyzed with commonly used statistical methods. Significant reduction of blood glucose levels and beneficial effect on dyslipidemia were observed in diabetic rats, as well as reduction of disturbing consequences of diabete... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4164744 Tue, 09 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4164744 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4164743&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21060898%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Palusiak A, Sidorczyk Z To extend the knowledge on the fragments of Proteus penneri lipopolysaccharide core regions, which determine the cross-reactions with specific antibodies, serological studies were performed by use of P. penneri 7 core-specific antiserum and Proteus sp. lipopolysaccharides. Different reactivity of the tested antiserum with three groups of antigens suggested differences in their core regions' epitope specificity. Comparing the results of the serological investigations with the previously determined structures of the core regions of the tested P. penneri lipopolysaccharides allowed distinguishing two potential tri- and tetrasaccharide epitopes and a third fragment which could not be determined precisely. PMID: 21060898 [PubMed - as supplied by publishe... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4164743 Tue, 09 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4164743 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4164742&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21060899%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Siomek A, Brzoska K, Sochanowicz B, Gackowski D, Rozalski R, Foksinski M, Zarakowska E, Szpila A, Guz J, Bartlomiejczyk T, Kalinowski B, Kruszewski M, Olinski R Earlier experimental studies have demonstrated that: i) CuZn-superoxide dismutase deficiency leads to oxidative stress and carcinogenesis; ii) dysregulation of NF-κB pathway can mediate a wide variety of diseases, including cancer. Therefore, we decided, for the first time, to examine the level of oxidative DNA damage and the DNA binding activity of NF-κB proteins in SOD1 knockout, heterozygous and wild-type mice. Two kinds of biomarkers of oxidatively damaged DNA: urinary excretion of 8-oxodG and 8-oxoGua, and the level of oxidatively damaged DNA were analysed using HPLC/GC/MS and HPLC/EC. The DNA binding activity o... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4164742 Tue, 09 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4164742 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4136461&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21046014%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Majkowski M, Wypych D, Pomorski P, Dzugaj A Glyconeogenesis, the synthesis of glycogen from carbohydrate precursors like lactate, seems to be an important pathway participating in replenishing glycogen in cardiomyocytes. Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBPase), an indispensible enzyme of glyconeogenesis, has been found in cardiomyocytes on the Z-line, in the nuclei and in the intercalated discs. Glyconeogenesis may proceed only when FBPase accumulates on the Z-line. Searching for the mechanism of a FBPase regulation we investigated the effects of the calcium ionophore A23187, a muscle relaxant dantrolen, glucagon, insulin and medium without glucose on the subcellular localization of this enzyme in primary culture of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Immunofluorescence was used for pro... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4136461 Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4136461 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4136460&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D21046017%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Chen H, Li Y, Chen K, Yao Q, Li G, Wang L Calorie restriction (CR) is known to extend life span from yeast to mammals. To gain an insight into the effects of CR on growth and development of the silkworm Bombyx mori at protein level, we employed comparative proteomic approach to investigate proteomic differences of hemolymph and fat body of the silkworm larvae subjected to CR. Thirty-nine differentially expressed proteins were identified by MALDI TOF/TOF MS. Among them, 19 were from the hemolymph and 20 from the fat body. The hemolymph of the CR group contained two down-regulated and 17 up-regulated proteins, whereas the fat body contained 15 down-regulated and five up-regulated ones. These proteins belonged to those functioning in immune system, in signal transduction and apop... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4136460 Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4136460 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4122146&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20532252%26dopt%3DAbstract This study was aimed to demonstrate the efficacy of interval hypoxic training (IHT) in complex treatment of Helicobacter pylori-associated duodenal peptic ulcer disease (DPUD) by parameters of aerobic metabolism and indexes of heart rate variability (HRV). Eighty patients with H. pylori-associated DPUD were included into the study, mean age 32+/-1.8 yrs, duration of the disease up to 10 years (66.3 %). IHT was modulated using Frolov's hypoxicator (TDI-01) for 30 days after standard eradication therapy. Daily hypoxic sessions consisted of three one-minute sessions, one two-minute, and one three-minute sessions separated by one-minute intervals of room-air breathing. Use of IHT resulted in more efficient elimination of clinical symptoms, histological hallmarks of inflammation and signs of ox... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4122146 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 04:40:03 +0100 4122146 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4122145&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20548970%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Ponist S, Mihalova D, Jancinova V, Snirc V, Ondrejickova O, Mascia C, Poli G, Stancikova M, Nosal R, Bauerová K The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of oxidative stress (OS) reduction by using pyridoindole (PI) antioxidants in adjuvant arthritis (AA). The substances tested were stobadine dipalmitate (STB) and SMe1. AA was used as animal model. The experiments included healthy animals, control arthritic animals and arthritic animals with administration of PI in the oral daily dose of 15 mg/kg b.m during 28 experimental days. The rats were sacrificed on day 28. Clinical and biochemical parameters were determined. The effect of PI administration was evaluated on the basis of the following parameters: (a) arthritis (volume of hind paws - HPW, change of ... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4122145 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 04:40:03 +0100 4122145 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4122144&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20559572%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cipak A, Mrakovcic L, Ciz M, Lojek A, Mihaylova B, Goshev I, Jaganjac M, Cindric M, Sitic S, Margaritoni M, Waeg G, Balic M, Zarkovic N Breast cancer is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in women, mostly due to high metastatic capacity of mammary carcinoma cells. It has been revealed recently that metastases of breast cancer comprise a fraction of specific stem-like cells, denoted as cancer stem cells (CSCs). Breast CSCs, expressing specific surface markers CD44(+)CD24(-/low)ESA(+) usually disseminate in the bone marrow, being able to spread further and cause late metastases. The fundamental factor influencing the growth of CSCs is the microenvironment, especially the interaction of CSCs with extracellular matrix (ECM). The structure and function of ECM proteins, such... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4122144 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 04:40:03 +0100 4122144 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4122143&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20978632%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Xie X, Chowdhury SR, Sangle G, Shen GX Impairments in mitochondrial function have been proposed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetes. Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of mortality in diabetic patients. Mitochondrial dysfunction and increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are associated with diabetes and CAD. Elevated levels of glycated low density lipoproteins (glyLDL) and oxidized LDL (oxLDL) were detected in patients with diabetes. Our previous studies demonstrated that oxLDL and glyLDL increased the generation of ROS and altered the activities of antioxidant enzymes in vascular endothelial cells (EC). The present study examined the effects of glyLDL and oxLDL on mitochondrial respiration, membrane potentia... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4122143 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4122143 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4122142&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20978633%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Sikora A, Grzesiuk E This review concerns reversion of the argE3(ochre) nonsense mutation to prototrophy in E. coli AB1157 strain as an informative system for mutation detection. Strain AB1157 bears the argE3(ochre), hisG4(ochre) and thr-1(amber) mutations, and the supE44 amber suppressor on its chromosome. The Arg(+) phenotype can be restored by (i) any base substitution at the argE3 site that changes the nonsense UAA codon to any sense nucleotide triplet or to UAG recognized by the supE44 amber suppressor, or (ii) suppressor mutations enabling the reading of the UAA nonsense codon. The argE3 → Arg(+) reversion-based system enables (i) determination of the spontaneous or induced mutation level; (ii) determination of base substitutions (suppressor analysis); (iii) examinatio... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4122142 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4122142 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4122141&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20978634%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Nawrot U, Wlodarczyk K, Wrobel M, Wasik A, Dobosz T The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of DNA extraction from water as well as from blood samples spiked with A. fumigatus spores, using selected commercial kits. Extraction of DNA according to manufacturers protocols was preceded by blood cells lysis and disruption of fungal cells by enzymatic digestion or bead beating. The efficiency of DNA extraction was measured by PCR using Aspergillus-specific primers and SYBR Green I dye or TaqMan probe targeting 28S rRNA gene. All methods allowed the detection of Aspergillus at the lowest tested density of water suspensions of spores (10(1) cells/ml). The highest DNA yield was obtained using the ZR Fungal/Bacterial DNA kit, YeastStar Genomic DNA kit, and QIAamp DNA Mini k... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4122141 Wed, 27 Oct 2010 00:00:00 +0100 4122141 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4061227&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20931089%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Zuo K, Zhang L, Yao H, Wang J A lipase gene SR1 encoding an extracellular lipase was isolated from oil-contaminated soil and expressed in Escherichia coli. The gene contained a 1845-bp reading frame and encoded a 615-amino-acid lipase protein. The mature part of the lipase was expressed with an N-terminal histidine tag in E. coli BL21, purified and characterized biochemically. The results showed that the purified lipase combines the properties of Pseudomonas chlororaphis and other Serratia lipases characterized so far. Its optimum pH and temperature for hydrolysis activity was pH 5.5-8.0 and 37°C respectively. The enzyme showed high preference for short chain substrates (556.3±2.8 U/µg for C10 fatty acid oil) and surprisingly it also displayed high activity for long-chain f... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4061227 Wed, 13 Oct 2010 09:50:03 +0100 4061227 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4061226&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20931090%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Giebułtowicz J, Dziadek M, Wroczyński P, Woźnicka K, Wojno B, Pietrzak M, Wierzchowski J Fluorimetric method based on oxidation of the fluorogenic 6-methoxy-2-naphthaldehyde was applied to evaluate temporal and population variability of the specific activity of salivary aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and the degree of its inactivation in healthy human population. Analyzed was also its dependence on drinking and smoking habits, coffee consumption, and its sensitivity to N-acetylcysteine. Both the specific activity of salivary ALDH and the degree of its inactivation were highly variable during the day, with the highest activities recorded in the morning hours. The activities were also highly variable both intra- and interpersonally, and negatively correlated with age, and this... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4061226 Wed, 13 Oct 2010 09:50:03 +0100 4061226 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3981423&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20842290%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study we hypothesized that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located within the 5' regulatory sequence of PMP22 gene may be responsible for the CMT1A/HNPP clinical variability. We have sequenced the PMP22 5' upstream regulatory sequence in a group of 45 CMT1A/HNPP patients harboring the PMP22 duplication (37) /deletion (8). We have identified five SNPs in the regulatory sequence of the PMP22 gene. Three of them i.e. -819C>T, -4785G>T, -4800C>T were detected both in the patients and in the control group. Thus, their pathogenic role in the regulation of the expression of the PMP22 gene seems not to be significant. Two SNPs i.e. -4210T>C and -4759T>A were found only in the CMT patients. Their role in the regulation of the of PMP22 gene expression can not be exclude... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3981423 Tue, 14 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3981423 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3981422&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20842291%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Piekarska I, Rytka J, Rempola B Sporulation of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae - equivalent to gametogenesis in higher organisms, is a complex differentiation program induced by starvation of cells for nitrogen and carbon. Such environmental conditions activate coordinated, sequential changes in gene expression leading to production of haploid, stress-resistant spores. Sporulation comprises two rounds of meiosis coupled with spore morphogenesis and is tightly controlled to ensure viable progeny. This review concerns the regulation of differentiation process by nutritional and transcriptional signals. PMID: 20842291 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acta Biochim Pol) Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3981422 Tue, 14 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3981422 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3981421&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20842292%26dopt%3DAbstract The objective of this research was to study the pathway involved during biotransformation of citral by Penicillium sp. using two methods. The culture preparation was done using different microbial methods and incubation periods to obtain Penicillium for citral biotransformation. The biotransformation products were identified by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) A comparison of the two methods showed that SSCM was more effective, its major products were thymol (21.5 %), geranial (18.6 %) and nerol (13.7 %). LM produced only one compound - thymol - with a low efficiency. PMID: 20842292 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acta Biochim Pol) Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3981421 Mon, 13 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3981421 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3972605&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20835407%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Krzystanek M, Trzeciak HI, Krzystanek E, Małecki A Phospholipase D plays a key role in the biosynthesis of phosphatidic acid, a second messenger involved in essential cellular processes. Oleate-activated phospholipase D was the first mammalian phospholipase D isoform to be discovered but is the least known. The study was aimed to test a fluorometric method of assessment of oleate-activated phospholipase D activity in different biological materials. The brain cortex of male Wistar rats, cultured rat brain astrocytes, and human platelets were processed to yield plasmatic membranes for experiments. To assess phospholipase D activity the modified fluorometric method was used. Previously, the method was used only to determine H(2)O(2). In this enzyme-coupled assay phospholipase ... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3972605 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3972605 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3972604&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20835408%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Radu M, Munteanu MC, Petrache S, Serban AI, Dinu D, Hermenean A, Sima C, Dinischiotu A Particles generated from numerous anthropogenic and/or natural sources, such as crystalline α-Fe(2)O(3) nanoparticles, have the potential to damage lung cells. In our study we investigated the effects of these nanoparticles (12.5 µg/ml) on lipid peroxidation and the antioxidative system in MRC-5 lung fibroblast cells following exposure for 24, 48 or72 hours. Exposure to α-Fe(2)O(3) nanoparticles increased lipid peroxidation by 81 %, 189 % and 110 % after 24, 48 and 72 hours, respectively. Conversely, the reduced glutathione concentration decreased by 23.2 % and 51.4 % after 48 and 72 hours of treatment, respectively. In addition, an augmentation of the activities of superoxide dismu... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3972604 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3972604 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3954762&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20827446%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bauerova K, Paulovicova E, Mihalova D, Drafi F, Strosova M, Mascia C, Biasi F, Rovensky J, Kucharska J, Gvozdjakova A, Ponist S Rheumatoid arthritis is a common severe joint disease that affects all age groups, it is thus of great importance to develop new strategies for its treatment. The aim of the present study was to examine the combined effect of coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)) and methotrexate on the progression of adjuvant-induced arthritis in rats. Adjuvant arthritis (AA) was induced by a single intradermal injection of heat-inactivated Mycobacterium butyricum in incomplete Freund's adjuvant. The experiments included healthy animals, arthritic animals not treated, arthritic animals treated with CoQ(10), with methotrexate, and with a combination of CoQ(10) and methotrexate. Th... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3954762 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3954762 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3954761&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20827447%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Tukaj S, Kotlarz A, Jóźwik A, Smoleńska Z, Bryl E, Witkowski JM, Lipińska B Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disease which affects approximately 1 % of the population worldwide. Recent research on the role of heat shock proteins (Hsps) in RA development indicates that they may have pro- or anti-inflammatory effect, most probably via modulating cytokine secretion. We investigated type Th1 (INFγ, TNFα, IL-2) and type Th2 (IL-10, IL-6, IL-4) cytokine levels in sera of RA patients and healthy controls, using flow cytometric bead array assay, and searched for correlations between the cytokine levels and serum antibodies against bacterial (DnaJ) and human (Hdj1, Hdj2 and Hdj3) Hsp40 proteins, as well as the clinical and laboratory param... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3954761 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3954761 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3954760&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20827448%26dopt%3DAbstract In conclusion, rapid beneficial effects of IR-A towards musculoskeletal pain and joint mobility loss were demonstrated. PMID: 20827448 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher] (Source: Acta Biochim Pol) Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3954760 Tue, 07 Sep 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3954760 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3890719&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20725645%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Jaskolski M Protein crystallography, the main experimental method of structural biology, has undergone in the recent past three revolutionary changes leading to its unexpected renaissance. They were connected with (i) the introduction of synchrotron radiation sources for X-ray diffraction experiments, (ii) implementation of Se-Met multiwavelength anomalous diffraction (MAD) for phasing, and (iii) initiation of structural genomics (SG) programs. It can be foreseen that in the next 10-15 years protein crystallography will continue to be in this revolutionary phase. We can expect not only an avalanche of protein crystal structures from SG centers, but also attacking of more demanding projects, such as the structure of membrane proteins and of very large macromolecular complexes. ... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3890719 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3890719 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3890718&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20725646%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Wesoly J, Sikorski K, Lee CK, Bluyssen HA The prevalence of cardiovascular disease in patients with renal failure is extremely high and accounts for a large part of the morbidity and mortality. Inflammation participates importantly in host defense against infectious agents and injury, but also contributes to the pathophysiology of many diseases, including cardiovascular atherosclerosis, which is a main problem in patients with renal failure. Recruitment of blood leukocytes to the injured vascular endothelium characterizes the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis and involves many inflammatory mediators, modulated by cells of both innate and adaptive immunity. Excessive inflammatory and immune responses, communicated by these different cell types, are driven by inflamm... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3890718 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3890718 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3890717&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20725648%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Pupek M, Lemańska-Perek A, Jasonek J, Kątnik-Prastowska I Three monoclonal antibodies specific to the central cell-binding and the C- and N-terminal domains of fibronectin were used to test antigenic epitope accessibility on human plasma and cerebrospinal fibronectins. In the plasma group, the meanN-terminal FN domain immunoreactivity was about one fourth that of the cell-binding and C-terminal domains, whereas in cerebrospinal fluid they were nearly equal. In the presence of 0.5-6 M urea N-terminal domain immunoreactivity in the plasma increased 3-6-fold, but it decreased 0.7-3 fold in the cerebrospinal fluid. Analysis of fibronectin domain immunoreactivities of the cell-binding and N-terminal domains by a panel of specific monoclonal antibodies may reveal N-terminal fi... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3890717 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3890717 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3890716&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20725649%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Lam SK, Ng TB From the seeds of Acacia confusa, a chitinase-like antifungal protein designated as acaconin that demonstrated antifungal activity toward Rhizoctonia solani with an IC(50) of 30 +/- 4 microM was isolated. Acaconin demonstrated an N-terminal sequence with pronounced similarity to chitinases and a molecular mass of 32 kDa. It was isolated by chromatography on Q-Sepharose, SP-Sepharose and Superdex 75 and was not bound by either ion exchanger. Acanonin was devoid of chitinase activity. The antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia solani was completely preserved from pH 4 to 10 and from 0 degrees C to 70 degrees C. Congo red staining at the tips of R. solani hyphae indicated inhibition of fungal growth. However, there was no antifungal activity toward Mycosphaerella a... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3890716 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3890716 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3890715&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20725650%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Amin E, Saboury AA, Mansouri-Torshizi H, Zolghadri S, Bordbar AK Two structurally related compounds, phenyl dithiocarbamate sodium salt (I) and p-phenylene-bis (dithiocarbamate) sodium salt (II) were prepared by reaction of the parent aniline and p-phenylenediamine with CS(2) in the presence of sodium hydroxide. These water soluble compounds were characterized by spectroscopic techniques, IR, (1)H NMR and elemental analysis. The inhibitory effects of both compounds on both activities of mushroom tyrosinase (MT) from Agricus bisporus were studied at two temperatures, 27 degrees C and 37 degrees C. L-3, 4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), and l-tyrosine were used as natural substrates for the catecholase and cresolase enzyme reactions, respectively. Kinetic analysis confirmed non... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3890715 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3890715 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3890714&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20725651%26dopt%3DAbstract In this study we evaluated efficiency of DNAzymes to modulate motility of cancer cells, an importantfactor in the progression and metastasis of cancers. For this purpose we targeted beta1 integrins that are predominant adhesive receptors in various carcinoma cell lines (CX1.1, HT29, LOVO, LS180, PC-3). To evaluate invasiveness of cancer cells, we used a transwell migration assay that allowed analyzing chemotactic migration of colon carcinoma cell lines across an ECM-coated membrane. Their adhesive properties were also characterized by the analysis of adhesion to fibronectin, laminin and collagen. In addition, the expression of major integrin subunits, selected intact beta1 integrins, and other adhesive receptors (ICAM, E-selectin, uPAR) was analyzed by flow cytometry. Inhibition of beta1 i... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3890714 Thu, 19 Aug 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3890714 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3691318&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20563322%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Rypka M, Veselý J Quantitative real-time RT-PCR study was conducted to reveal the effects of normal (5 mmol/l) and high (30 mmol/l) glucose without or with oleate (0.3 mmol/l) on mRNA levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor- (PPAR-)alpha, -gamma1, -gamma2, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator- (PGC-)1alpha and -1beta in commercial human hepatoma-derived HepG2 cells maintained under low-serum condition. Significant decrease in PPAR-gamma1 and PGC-1alpha mRNA levels to about 50 % was observed during the first 4 h incubation period. During the next 4 h period, both PPAR-gamma1 and PGC-1alpha mRNAs were partly but significantly restored in high glucose batches. In this period, the presence of the transcriptional inhibitor actinomycin D r... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3691318 Thu, 17 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3691318 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3691323&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20559571%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Kornas A, Kuźniak E, Slesak I, Miszalski Z The redox status of the cell is described by the ratio of reduced to non-reduced compounds. Redox reactions which determine the redox state are an essential feature of all living beings on Earth. However, the first life forms evolved under strongly anoxic conditions of the young Earth, and the redox status probably was based on iron and sulphur compounds. Nowadays, redox reactions in cells have developed in strict connection to molecular oxygen and its derivatives i.e. reactive oxygen species (ROS). Oxygen has started to accumulate on the Earth due to oxygenic photosynthesis. All aspects of aerobic life involve ROS, RNS, antioxidants and redox regulation. Many different redox-active compounds are involved in the complex of redox pr... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3691323 Wed, 16 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3691323 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3691320&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20559572%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Cipak A, Mrakovcic L, Ciz M, Lojek A, Mihaylova B, Goshev I, Jaganjac M, Cindric M, Sitic S, Margaritoni M, Waeg G, Balic M, Zarkovic N Breast cancer is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in women, mostly due to high metastatic capacity of mammary carcinoma cells. It has been revealed recently that metastases of breast cancer comprise a fraction of specific stem-like cells, denoted as cancer stem cells (CSCs). Breast CSCs, expressing specific surface markers CD44(+)CD24(-/low)ESA(+) usually disseminate in the bone marrow, being able to spread further and cause late metastases. The fundamental factor influencing the growth of CSCs is the microenvironment, especially the interaction of CSCs with extracellular matrix (ECM). The structure and function of ECM proteins, such... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3691320 Wed, 16 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3691320 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3653232&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20066177%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Janik ME, Przybyło M, Pocheć E, Pokrywka M, Lityńska A The metastatic transformation of melanocytes is associated with altered expression of adhesion molecules, including alpha(v)beta(3) and alpha(3)beta(1) integrins. Integrin alpha(v)beta(3) is a primary vitronectin (VN) receptor, while both integrin types take part in adhesion to VN when they are in complex with uPAR. Although their role in melanoma cell interaction with VN is of great interest, the influence of N-oligosaccharides attached to these glycoproteins is still unappreciated. The present study assesses the role of alpha(v)beta(3) and alpha(3)beta(1) integrins and the influence of their glycosylation status on WM9 and WM239 metastatic melanoma cell interactions with VN. Cell adhesion to and migration on VN ... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3653232 Sat, 12 Jun 2010 10:12:03 +0100 3653232 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3653231&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20309434%26dopt%3DAbstract CONCLUSION: Pentoxifylline may decrease proteinuria in non-diabetic patients with CKD. PMID: 20309434 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] (Source: Acta Biochim Pol) Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3653231 Sat, 12 Jun 2010 10:12:03 +0100 3653231 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3653227&cid=s_31705_60_f&fid=31705&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov%2Fentrez%2Fquery.fcgi%3Ftmpl%3DNoSidebarfile%26db%3DPubMed%26cmd%3DRetrieve%26list_uids%3D20532254%26dopt%3DAbstract Authors: Bellik L, Dragoni S, Pessina F, Sanz E, Unzeta M, Valoti M The novel MAO-B inhibitor PF9601N, its cytochrome P450-dependent metabolite FA72 and L-deprenyl were studied as potential peroxynitrite (ONOO(-))scavengers and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors. The scavenging activity of these compounds was evaluated by measuring the oxygen consumption through peroxynitrite-mediated oxidation of both linoleic acid and brain homogenate. FA72, PF9601N and L-deprenyl caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of ONOO(-)-induced linoleic acid oxidation with an IC(50) value of 60.2, 82.8 and 235.8 microM, respectively. FA72 was the most potent also in inhibiting ONOO(-)-induced brain homogenate oxidation with an IC(50) value of 99.4 microM, while PF9601N and L-deprenyl resulted weake... Acta Biochim Pol journals http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3653227 Tue, 08 Jun 2010 23:00:00 +0100 3653227