Beyond mitophagy: cytosolic PINK1 as a messenger of mitochondrial health.

Significance: Disruptions in mitochondrial homeostasis are implicated in human diseases across the lifespan. Recessive mutations in PINK1, which encodes the mitochondrially targeted PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1), cause an autosomal recessive form of Parkinson's disease. As with all kinases, PINK1 participates in multiple functional pathways, and its dysregulation has been implicated in a growing number of diseases.

Human and mouse neuroinflammation markers in Niemann-Pick disease, type C1.

Niemann-Pick disease, type C1 (NPC1) is an autosomal recessive lipid storage disorder in which a pathological cascade, including neuroinflammation occurs. While data demonstrating neuroinflammation is prevalent in mouse models, data from NPC1 patients is lacking. The current study focuses on identifying potential markers of neuroinflammation in NPC1 from both the Npc1 mouse model and NPC1 patients.

Expression of human E46K-mutated α-synuclein in BAC-transgenic rats replicates early-stage Parkinson's disease features and enhances vulnerability to mitochondrial impairment.

Parkinson's disease (PD), the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, is etiologically heterogeneous, with most cases thought to arise from a combination of environmental factors and genetic predisposition; about 10% of cases are caused by single gene mutations. While neurotoxin models replicate many of the key behavioral and neurological features, they often have limited relevance to human exposures. Genetic models replicate known disease-causing mutations, but are mostly unsuccessful in reproducing major features of PD.

Quantitative proteomic analysis of Niemann-Pick disease, type C1 cerebellum identifies protein biomarkers and provides pathological insight.

Niemann-Pick disease, type C1 (NPC1) is a fatal, neurodegenerative disorder for which there is no definitive therapy. In NPC1, a pathological cascade including neuroinflammation, oxidative stress and neuronal apoptosis likely contribute to the clinical phenotype. While the genetic cause of NPC1 is known, we sought to gain a further understanding into the pathophysiology by identifying differentially expressed proteins in Npc1 mutant mouse cerebella.

Microarray expression analysis and identification of serum biomarkers for Niemann-Pick disease, type C1.

Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) is a lysosomal storage disorder characterized by liver disease and progressive neurodegeneration. Deficiency of either NPC1 or NPC2 leads to the accumulation of cholesterol and glycosphingolipids in late endosomes and early lysosomes. In order to identify pathological mechanisms underlying NPC and uncover potential biomarkers, we characterized liver gene expression changes in an Npc1 mouse model at six ages spanning the pathological progression of the disease.

Hydroxyl-radical-induced degradative oxidation of beta-lactam antibiotics in water: absolute rate constant measurements.

The beta-lactam antibiotics are some of the most prevalent pharmaceutical contaminants currently being detected in aquatic environments. Because the presence of any trace level of antibiotic in water may adversely affect aquatic ecosystems and contribute to the production of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, active removal by additional water treatments, such as using advanced oxidation and reduction processes (AO/RPs), may be required. However, to ensure that any AOP treatment process occurs efficiently and quantitatively, a full understanding of the kinetics and mechanisms of all of the chemical reactions involved under the conditions of use is necessary.

Absolute kinetics and reaction efficiencies of hydroxyl-radical-induced degradation of methyl isothiocyanate (MITC) in different quality waters.

Methyl isothiocyanate (MITC), a toxic and corrosive skin and respiratory irritant, is a common soil fumigant byproduct which has become an atmospheric, aqueous, and soil contaminant. The work described here examines the degradation and potential removal of MITC from contaminated waters via free radical reactions. We have measured the oxidizing hydroxyl radical ((·)OH) reaction rate constant with MITC over a range of temperatures relevant to wastewater treatment conditions, determining a room temperature value of (5.