Highly efficient enzymatic synthesis of tert-butyl (S)-6-chloro-5-hydroxy-3-oxohexanoate with a mutant alcohol dehydrogenase of Lactobacillus kefir.

tert-Butyl (S)-6-chloro-5-hydroxy-3-oxohexanoate ((S)-CHOH) is a valuable chiral synthon, which is used for the synthesis of the cholesterol-lowering drugs atorvastatin and rosuvastatin. To date, only the alcohol dehydrogenases from Lactobacillus brevis (LbADH) and Lactobacillus kefir (LkADH) have demonstrated catalytic activity toward the asymmetric reduction of tert-butyl 6-chloro-3,5-dioxohexanoate (CDOH) to (S)-CHOH. Herein, a tetrad mutant of LkADH (LkTADH), A94T/F147L/L199H/A202L, was screened to be more efficient in this bioreduction process, exhibiting a 3.

Functional analysis of flavonoid 3',5'-hydroxylase from tea plant (Camellia sinensis): critical role in the accumulation of catechins.

Background: Flavonoid 3',5'-hydroxylase (F3'5'H), an important branch point enzyme in tea plant flavan-3-ol synthesis, belongs to the CYP75A subfamily and catalyzes the conversion of flavones, flavanones, dihydroflavonols and flavonols into 3',4',5'-hydroxylated derivatives. However, whether B-ring hydroxylation occurs at the level of flavanones and/or dihydroflavonols, in vivo remains unknown.

Results: The Camellia sinensis F3'5'H (CsF3'5'H) gene was isolated from tea cDNA library.

[Effects of zhuhong ointment on MMPs activities and production by HSF].

HuaFu Shengji is the primary traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapy for treating chronic skin ulcer. The high activities of the protein enzyme in the wound fluids is one of the main cause of healing delay. In order to investigate the effect of TCM Zhuhong ointment for promoting wound healing.

Dexamethasone impairs the differentiation and maturation of murine dendritic cells by Toll-like receptor 4-nuclear factor-kappaB pathway.

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated that dexamethasone (DEX) interferes with immune responses by targeting key functions of dendritic cells (DCs) at the earliest stage. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms are still incompletely understood. This study aimed to explore the possible mechanisms by investigating the roles of DEX on differentiation, maturation & function of murine DCs and the effects of DEX on DCs via Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB mediated signal pathway.

[The analysis in the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 mRNA and the effect of dexamethasone on mice dendritic cells by real-time PCR].

Aim: To establish a SYBR Green I quantitative real-time PCR method for detecting the expression of the TLR4 mRNA of mice and to monitor the dynamics for TLR4 mRNA level of mice bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DC) in the process of the maturation and the effect of dexamethasone (DEX) on TLR4 expression.

Methods: (1) DC from mice bone marrow were induced by cytokines and separated by magnetic beads. (2) The combined plasmid pUCm-T/TLR4 and pUCm-T/beta-actin for the standard materials in the real-time PCR was reconstructed.

[Effect of rapamycin and dexamethasone on differentiation and maturation of murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells].

Aim: To observe the effect of rapamycin (Rap) and dexamethasone (Dex) on differentiation and development of murine bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (DC) in vitro.

Methods: DC cells generated from C57BL/6 murine bone marrow cells were induced by GM-CSF and IL-4. During the course, Rap or Dex was added to the culture and the cells were then stimulated by LPS.