Structural studies of phosphorylation-dependent interactions between the V2R receptor and arrestin-2.

Arrestins recognize different receptor phosphorylation patterns and convert this information to selective arrestin functions to expand the functional diversity of the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) superfamilies. However, the principles governing arrestin-phospho-receptor interactions, as well as the contribution of each single phospho-interaction to selective arrestin structural and functional states, are undefined. Here, we determined the crystal structures of arrestin2 in complex with four different phosphopeptides derived from the vasopressin receptor-2 (V2R) C-tail.

Down-regulation of CXCL11 inhibits colorectal cancer cell growth and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.

Background: The poor prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) largely results from local invasion and tumor metastases. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key step in the progression of solid tumors and plays a vital role in tumor metastasis. Recent studies demonstrate that C-X-C motif chemokine 11 (CXCL11) is involved in various cancers' progression.

The association between expressions of Ras and CD68 in the angiogenesis of breast cancers.

Objective: Angiogenesis is a critical step of breast cancer metastasis. Oncogenic Ras promotes the remodeling of cancer microenviroment. Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are a prominent inflammatory cell population emerging in the microenviroment and facilitating the angiogenesis and metastasis.

Conjugated linolenic acids and their bioactivities: a review.

Conjugated linolenic acid (CLNA) is a mixture of positional and geometric isomers of octadecatrienoic acid (α-linolenic acid, cis9,cis12,cis15-18:3 n-3) found in plant seeds. Three 8,10,12-18:3 isomers and four 9,11,13-18:3 isomers have been reported to occur naturally. CLNA isomers such as punicic acid, α-eleostearic acid and jacaric acid have been attributed to exhibit several health benefits that are largely based on animal and in vitro studies.

Effect of NaCl treatments on glucosinolate metabolism in broccoli sprouts.

To understand the regulation mechanism of NaCl on glucosinolate metabolism in broccoli sprouts, the germination rate, fresh weight, contents of glucosinolates and sulforaphane, as well as myrosinase activity of broccoli sprouts germinated under 0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mmol/L of NaCl were investigated in our experiment. The results showed that glucoerucin, glucobrassicin, and 4-hydroxy glucobrassicin in 7-d-old broccoli sprouts were significantly enhanced and the activity of myrosinase was inhibited by 100 mmol/L of NaCl. However, the total glucosinolate content in 7-d-old broccoli sprouts was markedly decreased although the fresh weight was significantly increased after treatment with NaCl at relatively low concentrations (20, 40, and 60 mmol/L).

Effects of different cooking methods on health-promoting compounds of broccoli.

The effects of five domestic cooking methods, including steaming, microwaving, boiling, stir-frying, and stir-frying followed by boiling (stir-frying/boiling), on the nutrients and health-promoting compounds of broccoli were investigated. The results show that all cooking treatments, except steaming, caused significant losses of chlorophyll and vitamin C and significant decreases of total soluble proteins and soluble sugars. Total aliphatic and indole glucosinolates were significantly modified by all cooking treatments but not by steaming.

Punicic acid from Trichosanthes kirilowii seed oil is rapidly metabolized to conjugated linoleic acid in rats.

The incorporation and metabolism of orally administered punicic acid (PA), one isomer of conjugated linolenic acid (CLNA), in rat tissues and plasma were studied over a 24-hour period. The punic acid was derived from Trichosanthes kirilowii Maxim seed oil, a unique PA-containing material, and identified and analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results show that PA was incorporated and metabolized to 9c,11t-conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in rat plasma, liver, kidney, heart, brain, and adipose tissue.

[Carpel development in male flowers of cucumber (Cucumis sativus. L)].

Carpel development in cucumber male flowers was studied by morphological, histochemical and isoenzyme electrophoretic analyses. The results showed that: (1) cell number of the carpel in male flowers increased continuously during the development of male flowers, and the carpel in male flowers was abundant in RNA content; (2) the carpel in male flowers at latter developmental stage was differentiated, and a placenta-like structure was formed in the carpel of male flowers during anthesis, while the ovule did not appear as that of mature female flowers; (3) The POD and esterase isoenzyme electrophoretic profiles of carpel varied from the development of male flowers, which further indicated that the carpel in mature male flowers was no longer at the stage of primordium. It could be deduced from the results that carpel of cucumber male flowers develops continuously in a distinct pattern with that of female flowers during sex expression process.