Epigenetic Contribution of High-Mobility Group A Proteins to Stem Cell Properties.

High-mobility group A (HMGA) proteins have been examined to understand their participation as structural epigenetic chromatin factors that confer stem-like properties to embryonic stem cells (ESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and cancer stem cells (CSCs). The function of HMGA was evaluated in conjunction with that of other epigenetic factors such as histones and microRNAs (miRs), taking into consideration the posttranscriptional modifications (PTMs) of histones (acetylation and methylation) and DNA methylation. HMGA proteins were coordinated or associated with histone and DNA modification and the expression of the factors related to pluripotency.

Translating Proteomic Into Functional Data: An High Mobility Group A1 (HMGA1) Proteomic Signature Has Prognostic Value in Breast Cancer.

Cancer is a very heterogeneous disease, and biological variability adds a further level of complexity, thus limiting the ability to identify new genes involved in cancer development. Oncogenes whose expression levels control cell aggressiveness are very useful for developing cellular models that permit differential expression screenings in isogenic contexts. HMGA1 protein has this unique property because it is a master regulator in breast cancer cells that control the transition from a nontumorigenic epithelial-like phenotype toward a highly aggressive mesenchymal-like one.

Analysis of regioisomers of polyunsaturated triacylglycerols in marine matrices by HPLC/HRMS.

Natural sources of triacylglycerols containing ω-3 fatty acids are of particular interest due to their protective role against several human diseases. However, as it has been well ascertained, the position of the ω-3 fatty acid on the triacylglycerol backbone influences how digestion occurs. In particular, occurrence at the sn-2 position allows optimal intestinal absorption conditions.

Qualitative characterization of Desmodium adscendens constituents by high-performance liquid chromatography-diode array ultraviolet-electrospray ionization multistage mass spectrometry.

The many effects of the African medicinal herb Desmodium adscendens were studied in the 1980s and 1990s. In spite of this, a comprehensive analytical protocol for the quality control of its constituents (soyasaponins, alkaloids and flavonoids) has not yet been formulated and reported. This study deals with the optimization of extraction conditions from the plant and qualitative identification of the constituents by HPLC-diode array UV and multistage mass spectrometry.

Study of the photocatalytic transformation of synephrine: a biogenic amine relevant in anti-doping analysis.

The occurrence of some cases of positive results in anti-doping analysis of octopamine requires clarification as to whether its methylated derivative synephrine could be a metabolic precursor of octopamine itself. Synephrine is a natural phenylethylamine derivative present in some food supplements containing Citrus aurantium, permitted in sport regulations. A simulative laboratory study had been done using a photocatalytic process, to identify all possible main and secondary transformation products, in a clean matrix; these were then sought in biological samples obtained from three human volunteers and four rats treated with synephrine; the parent compound and its new potential metabolic products were investigated in human urine and rat plasma samples.