Baker's Yeast Mediated Reduction of Optically Active Diketone

Baker's yeast (BY) mediated reduction of synthetic substrate is a useful method for preparing chiral intermediate in synthesis chemistry1,2, because it is readily available and inexpensive. The selectivity is generally predicted by Prelog rule3, that is, a hydride is transferred to the re face of the prochiral ketone.The baker's yeast mediated reduction of bicyclic diketones was previously reported by several groups4-6, but to our knowledge, no application of this reduction to sesquiter-pene-…     

Consistency of the Mediated Electrochemical Method and the Fluorescence Method in Monitoring the Catabolic Activities of Yeasts

Abstract

The mediated electrochemical method and the intrinsic NADH fluorescence method were employed in evaluating the catabolic activities of three yeasts. The responses from the menadione/ferricyanide system were 70.00 ± 2.25 nA, 61.39 ± 1.76 nA, and 57.18 ± 1.51 nA, respectively, for Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pachysolen tannophilus, and Pichia stipitis. The NADH fluorescence intensities were 1638 ± 25.46 FI, 1039 ± 18.67 FI, and 963.4 ± 15.78 FI, respectively,for S. cerevisiae, P. tannophilus, and P. stipitis. It was evident that there is a positive relationship between the mediated electrochemical method and the intrinsic NADH fluorescence method in cellular metabolic activity assays.     

Investigation of Active and Inactivated Yeast Cells by Scanning Electrochemical Impedance Microscopy

Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and scanning electrochemical impedance microscopy (SEIM) were used to investigate electrochemical activity of active and inactivated yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells. SEIM experiment was performed using a unique electrochemical impedance spectrometer with a fast Fourier transform (FFT‐EIS) function, which enabled simultaneously perturb/evaluate electrochemical system at 50 frequencies. This allowed very quick observing the differences between impedance spectra, which were taken every few seconds. Therefore, we were able to apply SEIM for relatively fast determination of electrochemical impedance dependence on the distance between ultramicroelectrode (UME) and surface modified by immobilized yeast cells. It was determined that electrochemical activity and ‘breathing’ (a consumption of dissolved oxygen) of yeast can be electrochemically observed when the distance between UME and surface of yeast cells is in the range from 0 μm to 25 μm. Therefore, 25 μm is the maximum distance suitable for efficient investigation of yeast cell activity when experiments are performed in FFT‐SEIM mode. Charge transfer resistance of active and inactivated yeast cells was determined using EIS. It was calculated that charge transfer resistance of active yeast cells is 1.5 times lower than that of inactivated yeast cells. Lipophilic vitamin K₃ (Vit‐K₃) and hydrophilic vitamin K₁ (Vit‐K₁) were mixtured and used as redox mediators for charge transfer from yeast cells.     

Baker＇s Yeast Mediated Reduction of Optically Active Diketone

Baker‘s yeast mediated reduction of optically active diketone is described. The two keto groups are efficiently differentiated and the ee value of the recovered material is considerably raised. It affords highly optically active key intermediates efficiently for the synthesis of natural polyhydroxylated agarofuran products.     

Plasmonic-Based Electrochemical Impedance Imaging of Electrical Activities in Single Cells

Studying electrical activities in cells, such as action potential and its propagation in neurons, requires a sensitive and non-invasive analytical tool that can image local electrical signals with high spatial and temporal resolutions. Here we report a plasmonic-based electrochemical impedance imaging technique to study transient electrical activities in single cells. The technique is based on the conversion of the electrical signal into a plasmonic signal, which is imaged optically without labels. We demonstrate imaging of the fast initiation and propagation of action potential within single neurons, and validate the imaging technique with the traditional patch clamp technique. We anticipate that the plasmonic imaging technique will contribute to the study of electrical activities in various cellular processes.     

Electrochemical Kinetic Characterization of Redox Mediated Glucose Oxidase Reactions: A Simplified Approach

One of the main drawbacks affecting first‐generation electrochemical biosensors in the analysis of real matrices is the interference of electroactive species present in the sample under investigation. Several approaches have been attempted to overcome this problem in the past ten years but the best results were achieved by using mediated based electrochemical biosensors. Despite this, the kinetic of the redox mediators‐enzymatic proteins interaction has not been studied deeply enough. In this work we have developed a theoretical‐methodological approach for the characterization of the kinetic of interaction between redox enzymes and substrates and/or redox mediators. Particularly, the interaction of glucose oxidase (GOx) with several commercially available redox mediators has been studied by means of amperometry and cyclic voltammetry. The main kinetic parameters for different mediators were exploited and discussed with the aim of finding the best mediator for a glucose biosensor to be used on real samples.     

Evaluation of Redox Activity of Human Myocardium‐derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy

In this study the redox activity of human myocardium‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (hmMSC) were investigated by redox‐competition (RC‐SECM) and generation‐collection (GC‐SECM) modes of scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), using 2‐methylnaphthalene‐1,4‐dione (menadione, MD) as a redox mediator. The redox activity of human healthy and dilated hmMSCs was evaluated by measuring reduction of MD. Measurements were performed by approaching and retracting the UME from the surface of growing hmMSC cells. The current study shows that the RC‐SECM mode can be applied to investigate integrity of cell membranes, whereas the most promising results were observed by using the GC‐SECM mode and applying the Hill's equation for the calculation/fitting of dependencies of electrical current vs menadione concentration. The calculated apparent Michaelis constant (K_M) for the production of menadiol (MDH₂) in the pathological hmMSC cells was 14.4 folds higher compared to that of the healthy hmMSC revealing the lover redox activity of pathological cells. Moreover, the calculated Hill's coefficient n shows a negative cooperative binding between MD and healthy hmMSC and positive cooperative binding between MD and pathological hmMSC. It means that healthy hmMSC is of lower affinity to MD, which is also related to the better membrane integrity of healthy cells. Data of this study demonstrate that SECM can be applied to investigate intracellular redox and membrane changes ongoing in human dilated myocardium‐derived hmMSC in order to improve their functioning and further regenerative potential.     

Electron Transfer between Genetically Modified Hansenula polymorpha Yeast Cells and Electrode Surfaces via Os‐complex modified Redox Polymers

Graphite electrodes modified with redox‐polymer‐entrapped yeast cells were investigated with respect to possible electron‐transfer pathways between cytosolic redox enzymes and the electrode surface. Either wild‐type or genetically modified Hansenula polymorpha yeast cells over‐expressing flavocytochrome b2 (FC b₂) were integrated into Os‐complex modified electrodeposition polymers. Upon increasing the L ‐lactate concentration, an increase in the current was only detected in the case of the genetically modified cells. The overexpression of FC b₂ and the related amplification of the FC b₂/L ‐lactate reaction cycle was found to be necessary to provide sufficient charge to the electron‐exchange network in order to facilitate sufficient electrochemical coupling between the cells, via the redox polymer, to the electrode. The close contact of the Os‐complex modified polymer to the cell wall appeared to be a prerequisite for electrically wiring the cytosolic FC b₂/L ‐lactate redox activity and suggests the critical involvement of a plasma membrane redox system. Insights in the functioning of whole‐cell‐based bioelectrochemical systems have to be considered for the successful design of whole‐cell biosensors or microbial biofuel cells.     

Effect of Caffeic acid on the Tumor Cells U937 Evaluated by an Electrochemical Voltammetric Method

Catl'eicacidisoneofthemajorpolyphenolcompoundsfoundinnumerousplantspecies.t'llbicbcallbeaccumulatedto29/Oinhumandailydieti.Itiswidelyrecognizedtobedlllioxidallt.whichcallscavengereactivespeciesofoxygenandnitrogen?.itsantimutagenecit}hasalsobeenevaluatedbySa/l}]()}7el/atjphi)]lllrllll)Isystem'.however.thereisnorepoltofthischemical'sdirecteft'ectontumorcells.Recently,asakindofnon-morpllologicalobservationmethod,electrochemicalmethodhasbeendevelopedforfollowingcellhealthstates#andevaluatingeffec…     

Intracellular Wireless Analysis of Single Cells by Bipolar Electrochemiluminescence Confined in a Nanopipette

The inside walls of a nanopipette tip are decorated by a Pt deposit that is used as an open bipolar electrochemiluminescence (ECL) device to achieve intracellular wireless electroanalysis. The synergetic actions of nanopipette and of bipolar ECL lead to the spatial confinement of the voltage drop at the level of the Pt deposit, which generates ECL emission from luminol. The porous structure of Pt deposit permits the electrochemical transport of intracellular molecules into the nanopipette that is coupled with enzymatic reactions. Thus, the intracellular concentrations of hydrogen peroxide or glucose are measured in vivo as well as the intracellular sphingomyelinase activity. In comparison with the classic bipolar ECL, the remarkably low potential applied in our approach is restricted inside the nanopipette and it minimizes the potential bias of the voltage on the cellular activity. Accordingly, this wireless ECL approach provides a new direction for analysis of single living cells.     

Increased Sensitivity of Ascorbate Detection by Mediated Oxidation in Confined Electrochemical Cells

In this work, the EC’ mechanism involving ascorbate (AA⁻) and the oxidized form of ferrocenemethanol (FcMeOH) was explored as an analytical strategy to monitor AA⁻ at low concentration levels. The feasibility of this approach was investigated at different mass transport regimes utilizing macro- (glassy carbon) and ultramicroelectrodes (5 μm radius carbon disk). Cyclic voltammograms (CV) were recorded in acetate buffer solution (pH 3.7) using a glassy carbon electrode, and an expressive increase in the anodic peak current (and decrease in the cathodic peak) was noticed in the CV in a solution containing both FcMeOH and ascorbate, confirming the presence of an electrocatalytic process (EC’). The current increase was more pronounced when the reactants and products were confined in a thin solution layer, which was created by approaching an ultramicroelectrode close to an insulator surface. At optimized experimental conditions, a correlation between ascorbate concentration and the steady-state current measured at the ultramicroelectrode was established, allowing the development of an analytical method for ascorbate detection in the micromolar range. The proposed approach was used to quantify ascorbate in a commercial juice sample.     

Monitoring of Intracellular Vesicles in Cultured Neurons at Different Growth Stages Using Intracellular Vesicle Electrochemical Cytometry

The exploration of intracellular vesicles plays crucial roles for neuronal activity assessment. Neurons at different growth stages may possess distinct neuronal activity, including vesicular content and release kinetics. Here, we monitored the vesicular content and its release kinetics in neurons at different growth stages by intracellular vesicle electrochemical cytometry. We found that the neurotransmitters content of vesicles changed to be increased and the vesicle release process became longer as the neurons grew. Further, we demonstrated that the vesicular adsorption and rupture modes changed from the dominant simple event to simple and complex event coexisting mode. We speculate that this work provides a new strategy for the neuronal activity assessment or real- time cell activity analysis.     

微流控芯片测定单细胞内化学组分的进展

细胞是生命的基本单元。由于细胞的个体差异,传统分析群体细胞的方法难以得到单细胞的重要信息。准确可靠地测定单细胞内化学组分的含量能大大提高从正常细胞中辨别不正常细胞的能力,为进一步研究和发展生物化学、医学和临床检验等领域奠定基础。近年来,用微流控芯片进行单细胞分析已引起广泛的兴趣。微流控芯片可以集成单细胞进样、溶膜、电泳分离胞内化学组分和高灵敏度测定等一系列操作步骤,为分析单细胞内的化学组分提供了新的技术平台。本文主要综述了近年来微流控芯片测定单细胞内化学组分的进展。重点在于利用电渗流、压力结合电渗流和激光镊子等技术操控单细胞在微流控芯片上完成单细胞进样、溶膜、细胞内化学组分的电泳分离和高灵敏度测定等一系列操作步骤。对在微流控芯片上的衍生技术也做了较为详细的阐述。     

葡萄糖酸锌对肿瘤患者淋巴细胞转化率及NK细胞活性的影响

４例肿瘤患者口服葡萄糖酸锌１片（含锌１０ｍｇ）ｔｉｄ×１个月,以淋巴细胞转化率及ＮＫ细胞活性为细胞免疫功能指标,观察了葡萄糖酸锌对免疫功能的影响。结果显示,肿瘤患者口服葡萄糖酸锌后血清锌水平升高（Ｐ＜００５）,ＮＫ细胞活性增强（Ｐ＜００１）、淋巴细胞转化率提高（Ｐ＜００５）。表明对低锌肿瘤患者补锌,对提高细胞免疫功能,改善预后有重要价值     

An Intracellular H2O2‐Responsive AIEgen for the Peroxidase‐Mediated Selective Imaging and Inhibition of Inflammatory Cells

Inflammatory cells have gained widespread attention because inflammatory diseases increase the risk for many types of cancer. Therefore, it is urgent and important to implement detection and treatment methods for inflammatory cells. Herein, we constructed a theranostic probe with aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) characteristics, in which tetraphenylethene (TPE) was modified with two tyrosine (Tyr) moieties. Owing to the H₂O₂‐dependent, enzyme‐catalyzed dityrosine formation, Tyr‐containing TPE ( TT ) molecules crosslink through dityrosine linkages to induce the formation of hydrophobic aggregates, activating the AIE process in inflammatory cells that contain H₂O₂ and overexpress myeloperoxidase. The emission turn‐on resulting from the crosslinking of TT molecules could be used to distinguish between inflammatory and normal cells. Moreover, the massive TT aggregates induced mitochondria damage and cell apoptosis. This study demonstrates that the H₂O₂‐responsive peroxidase‐activated AIEgen holds great promise for inflammatory‐cell selective imaging and inhibition.     

酵母核糖核酸在碳纳米管修饰电极上的电化学行为及其分析测定

研究了酵母核糖核酸（yRNA）在碳纳米管（MWNT）修饰电极上的电化学行为，优化了测定参数，在此基础上建立了一种直接测定yRNA的电分析测试方法。yRNA在碳纳米管修饰电极上于磷酸盐缓冲溶液中在0．758V处产生不可逆的氧化电流峰，峰电流与yRNA的质量浓度在1～10mg／mL之间有良好的线性关系，线性回归方程为：Iρ=0．0813ρ＋0．1807，相关系数r为0．9980，检出限为0．6mg／mL。     

Selenomethionine Extraction from Selenized Yeast: an LC-MS Study of the Acid Hydrolysis of a Synthetic Selenopeptide

A synthetically prepared seleno-peptide (AHPDVLTVXLQMLDDGR) was used as a model system for the acid hydrolysis of selenized yeast proteins. The seleno-peptide is a tryptic peptide of a heat shock protein 104 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, was subjected to acid hydrolysis using methanesulfonic acid over a time period of 8 hours. Aliquots of the solution were sub-sampled at predetermined time intervals and the peptide fragments characterized by reversed phase LC MSⁿ. Similarly, the appearance of amino acid residues in the solution was monitored. It was found that after about 8 hours the synthetic peptide completely hydrolyzed. The use of a selenopeptide as a model for hydrolysis of selenized yeast hydrolysis was validated by comparing the decomposition time profile of the synthetic peptide with that of a selenized yeast sample. The rate of hydrolysis was identical in both systems, suggesting that the employed acid hydrolysis yields to the complete decomposition of the Se containing proteins in yeast and consequently to the liberation of selenomethionine.