Double-Edged Roles of Nitric Oxide Signaling on APP Processing and Amyloid-β Production In Vitro: Preliminary Evidence from Sodium Nitroprusside.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that is thought to be caused in part by the age-related accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) in the brain. Recent findings have revealed that nitric oxide (NO) modulates the processing of amyloid-β precursor protein (APP) and alters Aβ production; however, the previously presented data are contradictory and the underlying molecular mechanisms are still incomplete. Here, using human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells stably transfected with wild-type APPwt695, we found that NO, derived from NO donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP), bi-directionally modulates APP processing in vitro.

A DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine, exacerbates neurotoxicity and upregulates Parkinson's disease-related genes in dopaminergic neurons.

Aims: To investigate effects of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) inhibitors on dopaminergic neurons and its underlied mechanism.

Methods: The DNMT inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC) was tested in cultured dopaminergic cells. Cell viability and apoptosis were assayed with 5-aza-dC alone.

One-pot, three-component synthesis of a library of spirooxindole-pyrimidines catalyzed by magnetic nanoparticle supported dodecyl benzenesulfonic acid in aqueous media.

Dodecyl benzenesulfonic acid functionalized silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles (γ-Fe2O3@SiO2-DDBSA) were readily prepared and identified as an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of a library of spirooxindole-pyrimidine derivatives by three-component condensation reaction of barbituric acids, isatins and cyclohexane-1,3-diones. The aqueous reaction medium, easy recovery of the catalyst using an external magnet, and high yields make the protocol sustainable and economic.