A new compound Trichomicin exerts antitumor activity through STAT3 signaling inhibition.

Trichomicin, a novel small-molecule compound isolated from the fungus Trichoderma harzianum and identified as new structure compound, exhibited antitumor activities in various human cancer cell lines and reversed drug resistance activity in the multidrug-resistant cancer cell line KBV. The underlying cellular and molecular mechanism was illuminated. Trichomicin can significantly induce cancer cell apoptosis and reduced IL-6 expression and phosphorylation of STAT3 were found in response to Trichomicin treatment.

Concealed body mesoporous silica nanoparticles for orally delivering indometacin with chiral recognition function.

The primary purpose of this research was to explore the potential chiral recognition functions induced by two kinds of novel concealed body mesoporous silica nanoparticles (Cb-D-MSN and Cb-L-MSN) with the entrapment of indometacin (IMC). The as-synthesized Cb-D-MSN and Cb-L-MSN were successfully fabricated through grafting molecular functional groups. The TEM result showed that Cb-D-MSN and Cb-L-MSN were regular spheres with concealed pore channels.

Validated LC-MS-MS Method for Simultaneous Analysis of 17 Barbiturates in Horse Plasma for Doping Control.

A rapid and sensitive method for simultaneous screening, quantification and confirmation of 17 barbiturates in horse plasma using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry is described. Analytes were recovered from plasma by liquid-liquid extraction using methyl tert-butyl ether, separated on a C18 column, and analyzed in negative electrospray ionization mode. Multiple-reaction monitoring was employed for screening and quantification.

A ChIP-seq-defined genome-wide map of MEF2C binding reveals inflammatory pathways associated with its role in bone density determination.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have demonstrated that genetic variation at the MADS box transcription enhancer factor 2, polypeptide C (MEF2C) locus is robustly associated with bone mineral density, primarily at the femoral neck. MEF2C is a transcription factor known to operate via the Wnt signaling pathway. Our hypothesis was that MEF2C regulates the expression of a set of molecular pathways critical to skeletal function.

Jagged1 immobilization to an osteoconductive polymer activates the Notch signaling pathway and induces osteogenesis.

Treatment of nonunion fractures is a significant problem. Common therapeutics, including autologous bone grafts and bone morphogenetic proteins, show well-established limitations. Therefore, a need persists for the identification of novel clinical therapies to promote healing.

PKCδ is required for Jagged-1 induction of human mesenchymal stem cell osteogenic differentiation.

JAG1, the gene for the Jagged-1 ligand (Jag1) in the Notch signaling pathway, is variably mutated in Alagille Syndrome (ALGS). ALGS patients have skeletal defects, and additionally JAG1 has been shown to be associated with low bone mass through genome-wide association studies. Plating human osteoblast precursors (human mesenchymal stem cells-hMSCs) on Jag1 is sufficient to induce osteoblast differentiation; however, exposure of mouse MSC (mMSC) to Jag1 actually inhibits osteoblastogenesis.

The transcription factor osterix (SP7) regulates BMP6-induced human osteoblast differentiation.

The transcription factor osterix (Sp7) is essential for osteoblastogenesis and bone formation in mice. Genome wide association studies have demonstrated that osterix is associated with bone mineral density in humans; however, the molecular significance of osterix in human osteoblast differentiation is poorly described. In this study we have characterized the role of osterix in human mesenchymal progenitor cell (hMSC) differentiation.

[Study of a novel compound 2460A with activities produced by fungus].

With IL-6R as target, a new compound 2460A was identified from fungus using HTS screening model. The taxonomics of the produced strain was confirmed to be Trichoderma hazianum rifai after sequencing analysis of rDNA-ITS (internal transcribed spacer). Results showed that this compound has a binding activity on IL-6R competed with IL-6, thus it is a new ligand of IL-6R originating from microbe.

Coupling cellular mitogenesis to apoptosis by designed biomolecules.

Cellular signal transduction pathways transduce input signals to produce corresponding output effects, ensuring correct response to extracellular signals. Manipulation of components in signaling pathways will alter correlation of input signals to output effects. Here we report that by reconstructing the components in mitogenic and apoptotic signaling pathways, Ras, Raf, and caspase-3, we manipulated the cells to couple mitogenic signal input to apoptotic output.

[A IL-6R antagonist 2520A produced by a fungal species].

Aim: To isolate IL-6R antagonists from the cultured broth of the strain Torulomyces ovatus.

Methods: Various column chromatographyes were used to separate and purify the compounds with IL-6R antagonist activity. The spectral data and physic-chemical properties were measured for structure identification.