Bis induces growth inhibition and differentiation of HL-60 cells via up-regulation of p27

Bis (Bag-3, CAIR), a Bcl-2-interacting protein, promotes the anti-apoptotic activity of Bcl-2 and increased levels of Bis have been observed in several disease models. The involvement of Bcl-2 and some Bcl-2-binding proteins in differentiation has recently been reported. However, the relevance of Bis to cellular differentiation remains unknown. The findings herein show that Bis expression is up-regulated during the differentiation of HL-60 cells. To investigate the effect of Bis expression on differentiation, we established Bis-overexpressing HL-60 cells (HL-60-bis). HL-60-bis cells have a low nuclear: cytoplasmic ratio and indented nucleus in Wright- Giemsa staining, and an increased expression of CD11b in immunofluorescence study, indicating the promotion of differentiation. The overexpression of Bis also resulted in a retarded cell growth rate, accompanied by the accumulation of HL-60 cells at the G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle, which was sustained during the differentiation process. Western blot analysis revealed that the expression of p27, a representative inducer of cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase, was increased 2.5-fold in HL-60-bis cells compared to HL-60-neo cells. These results suggest that the Bis induced growth inhibition of HL-60 cells promotes G0/G1 phase arrest via up-regulation of p27, which seems to be a prerequisite for differentiation. Further studies will be required to define the exact roles of Bis on cellular differentiation more precisely.     

Sequential actions of cobalt nanoparticles and palladium(II) catalysts: three-step one-pot synthesis of fenestranes from an enyne and an alkyne diester

A three-step one-pot synthesis of fenestranes from a readily available enyne and an alkyne diester has been carried out with cobalt nanoparticles and palladium(II) as catalysts.     

Crucial role of three-center hydrogen bonding in a challenging chiral molecular recognition

The enantio-discrimination of beta-chiral primary ammonium ions is achieved by a rational approach that utilizes three-center (bifurcated) hydrogen bonding. The extraction experiments on various selected guests reveal that the bifurcated H-bonding plays a crucial role for the chiral discrimination. The X-ray data obtained for an inclusion complex substantiate such interactions. Using the bifurcated H-bonding, the chiral molecular recognition with our C(3)-symmetric tripodal oxazoline receptors is extended generally toward ammonium ions of alpha-, beta-, and alpha,beta-chiral amines. Simple molecular models, evoking the bifurcated H-bonding, explain the chiral discrimination modes.     

Dual effect of oxidative stress on NF-kappakB activation in HeLa cells

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been implicated as an inducer of NF-kappaB activity in numbers of cell types where exposure of cells to ROS such as H(2)O(2) leads to NF-kappaB activation. In contrast, exposure to oxidative stress in certain cell types induced reduction of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- induced NF-kappaB activation. And various thiol-modifying agents including gold compounds and cyclopentenone prostaglandins inhibit NF-kappaB activation by blocking IkappaB kinase (IKK). To understand such conflicting effect of oxidative stress on NF- kappakB activation, HeLa cells were incubated with H(2)O(2) or diamide and TNF-induced expression of NF-kappaB reporter gene was measured. NF-kappaB activation was significantly blocked by these oxidizing agents, and the inhibition was accompanied with reduced nuclear NF-kappaB and inappropriate cytosolic IkappaB degradation. H(2)O(2) and diamide also inhibited IKK activation in HeLa and RAW 264.7 cells stimulated with TNF and lipopolysaccharide, respectively, and directly blocked IKK activity in vitro. In cells treated with H(2)O(2) alone, nuclear NF-kappaB was induced after 2 h without detectable degradation of cytosolic IkappaBalphaa or activation of IKK. Our results suggest that ROS has a dual effect on NF-kappaB activation in the same HeLa cells: it inhibits acute IKK-mediated NF-kappakB activation induced by inflammatory signals, while longer-term exposure to ROS induces NF-kappaB activity through an IKK-independent pathway.     

Improved expression by cytomegalovirus promoter/enhancer and behavior of vascular endothelial growth factor gene after myocardial injection of naked DNA

Direct injection of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene plasmid DNA into the myocardium was shown to induce development of new blood vessels to increase the circulation in the heart of patients with coronary artery diseases. However, such angiogenic gene therapy (via naked DNA) was limited by low level of gene expression. Furthermore, the temporal and spatial characteristics of VEGF gene transfer in the heart are not known. In this study, we demonstrated that a plasmid vector, containing the human cytomegalovirus immediate early (HCMV IE) promoter and enhancer, induces greater expression of gene in the rat heart monitored by gene fused to the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) reporter, than four different viral and cellular promoters. Interestingly, expression of VEGF121 protein showed an earlier peak, a shorter duration, and a wider distribution than that of CAT only. Therefore, a plasmid vector with an HCMV IE promoter/enhancer provides clear advantages over other previously developed plasmids. Furthermore, expression profile of VEGF121 gene may provide useful information in the design of angiogenic gene therapy in the heart.     

A systematic nomenclature for cascade polymers

Cascade (dendritic) polymers are discrete, highly branched, monodisperse polymers that possess branching patterns described by a mathematical progression. A systematic nomenclature that accurately represents these molecules is described. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Indium-mediated one-pot reductive conversion of nitroarenes to N-arylacetamides

N-Arylacetamides were prepared in excellent yields from nitroarenes in the presence of acetic anhydride, acetic acid and indium by a one-pot procedure.     

Efficient oxidation of benzylic alcohols with [hydroxy(tosyloxy)iodo]benzene under microwave irradiation

An efficient method for the oxidation of benzylic alcohols with [hydroxy(tosyloxy)iodo]benzene under solvent-free microwave irradiation conditions is described.     

Anomalous behavior of atomic hydrogen interacting with gold clusters

The change in the electronic structure of Au(n)- clusters induced by the exchange of an Au atom by hydrogen is studied using photoelectron spectroscopy. Au anion clusters react with one hydrogen atom but not with molecular hydrogen. The spectra of Au(n)- and Au(n-1)H- clusters show almost identical features for n > 2 suggesting that hydrogen behaves as a protonated species by contributing one electron to the valence pool of the Au(n)- cluster. This behavior is in sharp contrast to that of the commonly understood electronic structure of hydrogen in metals; namely, it attracts an electron from the conduction band of the metal and remains in an "anionic" form or forms covalent bonding. We discuss the influence of the unique electronic structure of H on the unusual catalytic behavior of Au clusters.