Variability in APOE genotype status in human-derived cell lines: a cause for concern in cell culture studies?

Although cell culture studies have provided landmark discoveries in the basic and applied life sciences, it is often under-appreciated that cells grown in culture are prone to generating artifacts. Here, we introduce the genotype status (exemplified by apolipoprotein E) of human-derived cells as a further important parameter that requires attention in cell culture experiments. Epidemiological and clinical studies indicate that variations from the main apolipoprotein E3/E3 genotype might alter the risk of developing chronic diseases, especially neurodegeneration, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

NAADP signaling revisited.

Nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) is the most potent Ca²⁺ mobilizing endogenous compound known to date. Although its Ca²⁺ releasing activity has been demonstrated in many cell types and in response to different extracellular stimuli, several aspects of NAADP signaling are unclear. This overview focuses on the controversial aspects and reviews NAADP's role as second messenger: endogenous concentrations and its receptor-mediated alterations, metabolism, and potential organelle and ion channel targets.

Sulforaphane and phenylethyl isothiocyanate protect human skin against UVR-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis: role of Nrf2-dependent gene expression and antioxidant enzymes.

Chronic UVR-exposure may impair the stress response and antioxidant defense mechanisms of human skin. The transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) orchestrates the expression of genes coding for the stress response and antioxidant proteins. Here, we tested sulforaphane (SFN) and phenylethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) for their ability to counteract UVR-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in ex vivo human full-thickness skin combined with in vitro HaCaT keratinocytes.

Adenine Dinucleotide Second Messengers and T-lymphocyte Calcium Signaling.

Calcium signaling is a universal signal transduction mechanism in animal and plant cells. In mammalian T-lymphocytes calcium signaling is essential for activation and re-activation and thus important for a functional immune response. Since many years it has been known that both calcium release from intracellular stores and calcium entry via plasma membrane calcium channels are involved in shaping spatio-temporal calcium signals.

Synthesis and Nrf2-inducing activity of the isothiocyanates iberverin, iberin and cheirolin.

Numerous studies have reported a potent induction of Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2)-dependent gene expression by the isothiocyanate sulforaphane. However, little is known regarding the Nrf2-inducing activities of the lower structure-related sulforaphane homologues, such as iberverin, iberin and cheirolin, which exhibit different sulfur oxidation states. Therefore, in this study we synthesized the isothiocyanates iberverin, iberin and cheirolin with a high yield and purity and determined their Nrf2-inducing activity in NIH3T3 fibroblasts.

Gene expression and physiological changes of different populations of the long-lived bivalve Arctica islandica under low oxygen conditions.

The bivalve Arctica islandica is extremely long lived (>400 years) and can tolerate long periods of hypoxia and anoxia. European populations differ in maximum life spans (MLSP) from 40 years in the Baltic to >400 years around Iceland. Characteristic behavior of A.

Curcumin--from molecule to biological function.

Turmeric is traditionally used as a spice and coloring in foods. It is an important ingredient in curry and gives curry powder its characteristic yellow color. As a consequence of its intense yellow color, turmeric, or curcumin (food additive E100), is used as a food coloring (e.

Genistein as a potential inducer of the anti-atherogenic enzyme paraoxonase-1: studies in cultured hepatocytes in vitro and in rat liver in vivo.

A number of cardioprotective effects, including the reduced oxidation of the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles, have been attributed to dietary soy isoflavones. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1), an enzyme mainly synthesized in the liver, may exhibit anti-atherogenic activity by protecting LDL from oxidation. Thus, dietary and pharmacological inducers of PON1 may decrease cardiovascular disease risk.

A diet rich in olive oil phenolics reduces oxidative stress in the heart of SAMP8 mice by induction of Nrf2-dependent gene expression.

A Mediterranean diet rich in olive oil has been associated with health benefits in humans. It is unclear if and to what extent olive oil phenolics may mediate these health benefits. In this study, we fed senescence-accelerated mouse-prone 8 (SAMP8, n=11 per group) semisynthetic diets with 10% olive oil containing either high (HP) or low amounts of olive oil phenolics (LP) for 4.

Allyl-, butyl- and phenylethyl-isothiocyanate activate Nrf2 in cultured fibroblasts.

The isothiocyanate sulforaphane (SFN) has been shown to induce phase 2 and antioxidant enzymes in cultured cells and in vivo via a Nrf2 dependent signal transduction pathway. However, little is known regarding the effect of structurally related compounds such as allyl isothiocyanate (AITC), butyl isothiocyanate (BITC) and phenylethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC) on Nrf2 target gene expression. In this study AITC, BITC and PEITC significantly increased phosphorylation of ERK1/2, an upstream target of Nrf2 in NIH3T3 fibroblasts.