Photoactivated cell-killing involving a low molecular weight, donor-acceptor diphenylacetylene.

Photoactivation of photosensitisers can be utilised to elicit the production of ROS, for potential therapeutic applications, including the destruction of diseased tissues and tumours. A novel class of photosensitiser, exemplified by , has been designed possessing a modular, low molecular weight and 'drug-like' structure which is bioavailable and can be photoactivated by UV-A/405 nm or corresponding two-photon absorption of near-IR (800 nm) light, resulting in powerful cytotoxic activity, ostensibly through the production of ROS in a cellular environment. A variety of cellular assays confirmed ROS formation and cytotoxic activity was exemplified irradiation and subsequent targeted destruction of specific areas of a zebrafish embryo.

Fluorescent Retinoic Acid Analogues as Probes for Biochemical and Intracellular Characterization of Retinoid Signaling Pathways.

Retinoids, such as all- trans-retinoic acid (ATRA), are endogenous signaling molecules derived from vitamin A that influence a variety of cellular processes through mediation of transcription events in the cell nucleus. Because of these wide-ranging and powerful biological activities, retinoids have emerged as therapeutic candidates of enormous potential. However, their use has been limited, to date, due to a lack of understanding of the complex and intricate signaling pathways that they control.

Manufacture of Third-Generation Lentivirus for Preclinical Use, with Process Development Considerations for Translation to Good Manufacturing Practice.

Lentiviral vectors are used in laboratories around the world for in vivo and ex vivo delivery of gene therapies, and increasingly clinical investigation as well as preclinical applications. The third-generation lentiviral vector system has many advantages, including high packaging capacity, stable gene expression in both dividing and post-mitotic cells, and low immunogenicity in the recipient organism. Yet, the manufacture of these vectors is challenging, especially at high titers required for direct use in vivo, and further challenges are presented by the process of translating preclinical gene therapies toward manufacture of products for clinical investigation.

Fatty acid oxidation is required for the respiration and proliferation of malignant glioma cells.

Background: Glioma is the most common form of primary malignant brain tumor in adults, with approximately 4 cases per 100 000 people each year. Gliomas, like many tumors, are thought to primarily metabolize glucose for energy production; however, the reliance upon glycolysis has recently been called into question. In this study, we aimed to identify the metabolic fuel requirements of human glioma cells.

Tandem affinity purification tagging of fatty acid biosynthetic enzymes in Synechocystis sp. PCC6803 and Arabidopsis thaliana.

De novo fatty acid synthesis in plants occurs primarily in the plastids and is catalysed by a type-II fatty acid synthase (FAS) in which separate enzymes catalyse sequential reactions. Genes encoding all of the plant FAS components have been identified, following enzyme purification or by homology to Escherichia coli genes, and the structure of a number of the individual proteins determined. There are several lines of biochemical evidence indicating that FAS enzymes form a multi-protein complex and both in vitro and in vivo strategies can be used to investigate the association and interactions between them.