Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation enhances HuR oligomerization and contributes to pro-inflammatory gene mRNA stabilization.

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation) is an important post-translational modification mainly catalyzed by poly-ADP-ribose polymerase 1 (PARP1). In addition to having important roles in DNA damage detection and repair, it functions in gene expression regulation, especially at the posttranscriptional level. Embryonic lethal abnormal vision-like 1/human antigen R (ELAVL/HuR), a canonical 3' untranslated region AU-rich element-binding protein, is a crucial mRNA-stabilizing protein that protects target mRNAs from RNA-destabilizing protein- or microRNA-induced silencing complex (miRISC)-mediated degradation.

Novel insights into PARPs in gene expression: regulation of RNA metabolism.

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation) is an important post-translational modification in which an ADP-ribose group is transferred to the target protein by poly(ADP-riboses) polymerases (PARPs). Since the discovery of poly-ADP-ribose (PAR) 50 years ago, its roles in cellular processes have been extensively explored. Although research initially focused on the functions of PAR and PARPs in DNA damage detection and repair, our understanding of the roles of PARPs in various nuclear and cytoplasmic processes, particularly in gene expression, has increased significantly.

Promotion of enamel caries remineralization by an amelogenin-derived peptide in a rat model.

Objective: An amelogenin-derived peptide has been shown to promote remineralization of demineralized enamel in an in vitro model of initial caries induced by pH cycling. The present study examines whether the peptide exerts similar effects within the complex oral environment in vivo.

Design: Specific pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats (n=36) were infected with Streptococcus mutans, given ad libitum access to Diet 2000 and drinking water supplemented with sucrose (10%, w/v), and then randomly divided into three groups treated with 25μM peptide solution, 1g/L NaF or deionized water.

Activity of Synthetic Antimicrobial Peptide GH12 against Oral Streptococci.

Controlling the growth of cariogenic microorganisms such as oral streptococci is an adjunct therapy for caries-active individuals to prevent and treat caries. Here we investigated the antimicrobial activity of the synthetic amphipathic α- helical antimicrobial peptide GH12 (GLLWHLLHHLLH-NH2) against oral streptococci in vitro. Circular dichroism studies showed that GH12 takes on an α-helical conformation in the presence of membrane-mimicking solvents, and reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography studies showed that GH12 remains stable in saliva.

Synergistic Inhibition of Enamel Demineralization by Peptide 8DSS and Fluoride.

The biomimetic peptide 8DSS has shown beneficial effects in promoting remineralization of demineralized enamel in vitro. Here we examined the ability of 8DSS alone and in combination with fluoride to inhibit enamel demineralization during pH-cycling mimicking intraoral conditions. Enamel blocks were subjected to 9 days of pH-cycling in the presence of 1,000 ppm NaF (positive control), distilled-deionized water (DDW; negative control), 25 μM 8DSS alone, 25 μM 8DSS with 500 ppm NaF (8DSS-FL) or 25 μM 8DSS with 1,000 ppm NaF (8DSS-FH) twice daily for 1 min each time.

Potential of an amelogenin based peptide in promoting reminerlization of initial enamel caries.

Objective: In this study we give a preliminary study of a rationally designed small peptide, which is based on the enamel matrix protein amelogenin, to investigate its effect on remineralization of initial enamel caries lesions.

Design: A novel peptide was designed and synthesized to investigate its effects on the remineralization of initial enamel carious lesions during pH cycling that simulates intra-oral conditions. Initial lesions were created in bovine enamel blocks, which were then pH-cycled for 12 days in the presence of 25μM peptide, 1g/L NaF (positive control), 50mM HEPES buffer(negative control).