Aspirin-induced Bcl-2 translocation and its phosphorylation in the nucleus trigger apoptosis in breast cancer cells

Here, we report that B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) is a novel target molecule of aspirin in breast cancer cells. Aspirin influenced the formation of a complex by Bcl-2 and FKBP38 and induced the nuclear translocation of Bcl-2 and its phosphorylation. These events inhibited cancer cell proliferation and subsequently enhanced MCF-7 breast cancer cell apoptosis. Bcl-2 knockdown using small interfering RNA (siRNA) delayed apoptotic cell death, which correlated with increased proliferation following aspirin exposure. In contrast, Bcl-2 overexpression enhanced the onset of aspirin-induced apoptosis, which was also associated with a significant increase in Bcl-2 phosphorylation in the nucleus. Therefore, this study may provide novel insight into the molecular mechanism of aspirin, particularly its anticancer effects in Bcl-2- and estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer cells.     

An ultraviolet-curable mold for sub-100-nm lithography

We describe a novel UV-curable mold that is stiff enough for replicating dense sub-100-nm features even with a high aspect ratio. It also allows for flexibility when the mold is prepared on a flexible support such that large area replication can be accomplished. The composite material of the mold is inert to chemicals and solvents. The surface energy is made low with a small amount of releasing agent such that the mold can be removed easily and cleanly after patterning. In addition, the material allows self-replication of the mold. These unique features of the mold material should make the mold quite useful for various patterning purposes.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of new iron(III) complexes of S-Alkyl/Aryl dithiocarbazates of 5-methyl-3-formylpyrazole and 5-methyl-3-formylpyrazolyl-thiosemicarbazones

New iron (III) complexes of S-methyl-βN-(5-methylpyrazole-3-yl)methylenedithiocarbazate, S-benzyl-β-N-β-(5-methylpyrazole-3-yl)methylenedithiocarbazate, 5-methyl-3-formylpyrazole-3-pyrrolidinylthiosemicarbazone, and 5-methyl-3-formylpyrazole-⁴N-benzylthiosemicarbazone have been synthesized and physicochemically characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic moment measurements (polycrystalline state), electronic, IR, and EPR spectra, as well as conductance measurements, are used to confirm the coordination geometry. The spectral studies reveal the low-spin distorted octahedral structure of the iron (III) complexes containing two uninegative tridentate ligands with NNS donor sites, where the EPR data confirm the presence of a spin — paired iron (III) with d _xz ² d _yz ² d _xy ¹ configuration in the ground state. The article is published in the original.     

Direct glycosylation with anomeric hydroxy sugars by activation with 3-fluorophthalic anhydride and trifluoromethanesulfonic anhydride

An efficient and direct one-pot glycosylation method using anomeric hydroxy sugars as glycosyl donors, employing 3-fluorophthalic anhydride and triflic anhydride as activating agents, has been developed. The present glycosylation utilizing 3-fluorophthalic anhydride resulted in few to no undesired self-condensed esters than the glycosylation using phthalic anhydride. Intermediates in the present glycosylation were identified by an NMR study.     

Toll-like receptor 9-mediated inhibition of apoptosis occurs through suppression of FoxO3a activity and induction of FLIP expression

Synthetic oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) with a CpG-motif are recognized by Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) and pleiotropic immune responses are elicited. Stimulation of macrophages with TLR9 agonist prevented apoptosis induced by serum deprivation through increased expression of FLICE-like inhibitory protein (FLIP). CpG ODN-mediated anti-apoptosis depended on the TLR9-Akt-FoxO3a signaling pathway. Inhibition of TLR9 by small interfering (si) RNA or an inhibitor suppressed CpG ODN-mediated anti-apoptosis. Analysis of signaling pathways revealed that the anti-apoptotic effect of CpG ODN required phosphorylation of FoxO3a and its translocation from the nucleus to the cytosol. Overexpression of FoxO3a increased apoptosis induced by serum deprivation and CpG ODN blocked these effects through FLIP expression. In contrast, siRNA knock-down of FoxO3a decreased apoptosis by serum deprivation. In addition, Akt activation was involved in CpG ODN-induced phosphorylation of FoxO3a, expression of FLIP, and anti-apoptosis. Taken together, these results demonstrate the involvement of Akt-FoxO3a in TLR9-mediated anti-apoptosis and indicate that FoxO3a is a distinct regulator for FLIP expression.     

Simplifying patterning process of ZnO nanowires by one step development and etching process

We present herein a simple protocol of growing a patterned ZnO nanowire by etching of ZnO seed layer in the tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide (TMAH) solution. The ZnO seed layer was fabricated by sol–gel method using zinc acetate solution and patterned by using photolithographic method. Patterned ZnO seed layer as etched in the TMAH solution, followed by growth of ZnO nanowires by hydrothermal method. Remarkable point of present ZnO seed layer patterning is that development of UV-exposed photoresist and etching of ZnO seed layer is subsequently processed in aqueous TMAH solution without interruption. The grown ZnO nanowires were analyzed using XRD patterns to exhibit high purity and degree of crystallinity, and showed very good pattern fidelity.     

Effect of changing electrophilic center from C=O to C=S on rates and mechanism: pyridinolyses of O-2,4-dinitrophenyl thionobenzoate and its oxygen analogue

Second-order rate constants have been measured spectrophotometrically for the reactions of O-2,4-dinitrophenyl thionobenzoate (1) and 2,4-dinitrophenyl benzoate (2) with a series of substituted pyridines in 80 mol % H(2)O/20 mol % DMSO at 25.0 +/- 0.1 degrees C. The Br?nsted-type plots obtained are nonlinear with beta(1) = 0.26, beta(2) = 1.07, and pK(a) degrees = 7.5 for the reactions of 1 and beta(1) = 0.40, beta(2) = 0.90, and pK(a) degrees = 9.5 for the reactions of 2, suggesting that the pyridinolyses of 1 and 2 proceed through a zwiterionic tetrahedral intermediate T(+/-) with a change in the rate-determining step at pK(a) degrees = 7.5 and 9.5, respectively. The thiono ester 1 is more reactive than its oxygen analogue 2 except for the reaction with the strongest basic pyridine studied (pK(a) = 11.30). The k(1) value is larger for the reactions of 1 than for those of 2 in the low pK(a) region, but the difference in the k(1) value becomes negligible with increasing the basicity of pyridines. On the other hand, 1 exhibits slightly larger k(2)/k(-1) ratio than 2 in the low pK(a) region but the difference in the k(2)/k(-1) ratio becomes more significant with increasing the basicity of pyridines. Pyridines are more reactive than alicyclic secondary amines of similar basicity toward 2 in the pK(a) above ca. 7.2 but less reactive in the pK(a) below ca. 7.2. The k(1) value is slightly larger, but the k(2)/k(-1) ratio is much smaller for the reactions of 2 with pyridines than with isobasic secondary amines in the low pK(a) region, which is responsible for the fact that the weakly basic pyridines are less reactive than isobasic secondary amines.