α-CGRP disrupts amylin fibrillization and regulates insulin secretion: implications on diabetes and migraine

Despite being relatively benign and not an indicative signature of toxicity, fibril formation and fibrillar structures continue to be key factors in assessing the structure–function relationship in protein aggregation diseases. The inability to capture molecular cross-talk among key players at the tissue level before fibril formation greatly accounts for the missing link toward the development of an efficacious therapeutic intervention for Type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We show that human α-calcitonin gene-related peptide (α-CGRP) remodeled amylin fibrillization. Furthermore, while CGRP and/or amylin monomers reduce the secretion of both mouse Ins1 and Ins2 proteins, CGRP oligomers have a reverse effect on Ins1. Genetically reduced Ins2, the orthologous version of human insulin, has been shown to enhance insulin sensitivity and extend the life-span in old female mice. Beyond the mechanistic insights, our data suggest that CGRP regulates insulin secretion and lowers the risk of T2DM. Our result rationalizes how migraine might be protective against T2DM. We envision the new paradigm of CGRP : amylin interactions as a pivotal aspect for T2DM diagnostics and therapeutics. Maintaining a low level of amylin while increasing the level of CGRP could become a viable approach toward T2DM prevention and treatment.

CGRP concentration is elevated in migraine conditions. The protective effect of migraine against type 2 diabetes is attributed to the ability of CGRP to remodel human amylin aggregation and to suppress the secretion of mouse insulin 2 (the orthologue of human insulin).     

Reactivity of amino acids in nitrosation reactions and its relation to the alkylating potential of their products

Nitrosation reactions of amino acids with an -NH(2) group [namely, six alpha-amino acids (glycine, alanine, alpha-aminobutyric acid, alpha-aminoisobutyric acid, valine, and norvaline); two beta-amino acids (beta-alanine and beta-aminobutyric acid), and one gamma-amino acid (gamma-aminobutyric acid)] were studied. Nitrosation was carried out in aqueous acid media, mimicking the conditions of the stomach lumen. The rate equation was r = k(3)(exp)[amino acid][nitrite](2), with a maximum k(3)(exp) value in the 2.3-2.7 pH range. The existence of an isokinetic relationship supports the argument that all the reactions share a common mechanism. A nitrosation mechanism is proposed, and the following conclusions are drawn: (i) Nitrosation reactions of amino acids with a primary amino group in acid media occur with dinitrogen trioxide as the main nitrosating agent. The finding that the nitrosation rate is proportional to the square of the nitrite concentration suggests that the yield of nitrosation products in the stomach would increase sharply with higher nitrate/nitrite intakes. (ii) Stomach hypochlorhydria could be a potential enhancer of in vivo amino acid nitrosation. (iii) The reactivity (k(3)()(exp)) [alpha-amino acids > beta-amino acids > gamma-amino acids] is the same as that found in a previous work for the alkylating potential of lactones formed from nitrosation products of the same amino acids. This implies that the nitrosation reactions of the most common natural amino acids are the most efficient precursors of the most powerful alkylating agents. (iv) The order of magnitude (10(7)-10(8) M(-1) s(-1)) of the bimolecular rate constants of nitrosation shows that such reactions occur through an encounter process.     

Synthesis and molecular structure of the optically active organoaluminium dimer (S)-(—)-(S)-(—)- [(C6H5)CH(CH3)NHA1(CH3)2]2

Reaction of the optically active primary amine (S)-(—)--methylbenzylamine with trimethylaluminium in heptane affords the crystalline organoaluminium dimer (S)-(—)-(S)-(—)-[(C₆H₅)CH(CH₃)NHA1(CH₃)₂]₂. Isolated as large, colourless, extremely air-sensitive prismatic crystals, the title compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁ with unit cell parameters a = 8.406(3), b = 15.505(4), c = 17.547(5) Å, V = 2287 ų and p = 1.03 g cm⁻³ for Z = 4. Least-squares refinement based on 1477 observed reflections converged at R = 0.056, R_w = 0.058. Methane was eliminated during the course of the reaction due to cleavage of A1---C and N---H bonds resulting in an asymmetric A1₂N₂ fragment at the core of the organoaluminium dimer. The mean A1---C bond distance in the dimethylaluminium units is 1.930(8), while the mean A1---N bond distance is 1.950(5) Å. Specific rotation ([]_D²⁵ in CH₂C1₂)of the dimer is determined to be - 20.6°.     

Complete Duality for Quasiconvex and Convex Set-Valued Functions

This paper provides a unique dual representation of set-valued lower semi-continuous quasiconvex and convex functions. The results are based on a duality result for increasing set-valued functions.     

Nitro-oxidized carboxycellulose nanofibers from moringa plant: effective bioadsorbent for mercury removal

Cellulose - Mercury contamination in drinking water is a worldwide problem due to its severely harming effects on the human body. A nanostructured natural bioadsorbent, carboxycellulose nanofiber...     

Multicomponent Polymers of Poly(Lactic Acid) Macromonomers with Methacrylate Terminal and Copolymers of Poly(2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate)

Abstract

Poly(lactic acid) macromonomers with methacrylate terminal functionality have been synthesized from the cyclic dimer of lactic acid (referred to as lactide) with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) as initiator and stannous 2-ethyl hexanoate as catalyst. The macromonomers were characterized with FT-IR, NMR, GPC, DSC, WAXS, and CD. The molecular weights of the macromonomers ranging from M _n 1425 to 19,169 are predictable from the lactide/HEMA ratio in the polymerization feeds. The properties of the macromonomers vary with the stereochemistry of the lactide and the composition. Circular dichroism measurements demonstrate that there is little racemization during polymerization.     

Allyl sulfides and α‐substituted acrylates as addition–fragmentation chain transfer agents for methacrylate polymer networks

The rapid and uncontrolled nature of network formation from di(meth)acrylate monomers produces high shrinkage stress and results in polymers with oftentimes brittle mechanical properties. Methods for regulating polymerization and network formation are sought. One option is the use of addition–fragmentation chain transfer (AFCT) agents, which are well known to control molecular weight and molecular weight distribution of monofunctional (meth)acrylates. A series of novel and previously described AFCT reagents were synthesized and screened with laser flash photolysis to determine reactivity. Well‐performing AFCT reagents were then tested in polymerizations with monofunctional and difunctional methacrylates. With monofunctional monomers, the molecular weight and polydispersity of the resultant linear polymers tend to decrease with the addition of AFCT agent. In copolymerization with dimethacrylate monomers, the AFCT agents were found to substantially lower and sharpen the glass transition. Sharpness of the glass transition is here indicative of a more regular and homogenous network. After coupling of the instruments, photorheology was performed simultaneously with real‐time IR to show an increase in monomer conversion at the time of gelation, which appears to have a positive effect on reducing shrinkage stress. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2016 , 54, 394–406