scholarly journals Melanogenesis Using Tyrosinate (Not Tyrosinase)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koen Vercruysse ◽  
Nahfisa Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Disodium Salt ◽  
Size Exclusion ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Vis Spectroscopy ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Mediated Oxidation

<p>We present our initial observations regarding the effect of the presence of L-tyrosinate (= L-tyrosine disodium salt) on the auto- or Fe<sup>2+</sup>/H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>-mediated oxidation of various catecholic substances into melanin-like pigments. We observed that L-tyrosinate inhibited the Fe<sup>2+</sup>/H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>-mediated oxidation. In contrast, L-tyrosinate promoted the auto-oxidation of ortho-diphenols like L-DOPA, dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, catechol or pyrogallol, but not a meta-diphenol like resorcinol. In addition, we briefly demonstrated the melanogenic properties of cell culture media containing L-tyrosinate. The reactions were monitored using UV-Vis spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography. For a reaction between L-tyrosinate and L-DOPA, a large scale experiment was set up allowing us to isolate, purify and characterize using FT-IR spectroscopy the melanin-like material obtained. We discuss our observations in the context of the <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> study of melanogenesis and provide some directions for future research efforts.<i></i></p>

scholarly journals Melanogenesis Using Tyrosinate (Not Tyrosinase)

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koen Vercruysse ◽  
Nahfisa Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Disodium Salt ◽  
Size Exclusion ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Vis Spectroscopy ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Mediated Oxidation

<p>We present our initial observations regarding the effect of the presence of L-tyrosinate (= L-tyrosine disodium salt) on the auto- or Fe<sup>2+</sup>/H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>-mediated oxidation of various catecholic substances into melanin-like pigments. We observed that L-tyrosinate inhibited the Fe<sup>2+</sup>/H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>-mediated oxidation. In contrast, L-tyrosinate promoted the auto-oxidation of ortho-diphenols like L-DOPA, dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, catechol or pyrogallol, but not a meta-diphenol like resorcinol. In addition, we briefly demonstrated the melanogenic properties of cell culture media containing L-tyrosinate. The reactions were monitored using UV-Vis spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography. For a reaction between L-tyrosinate and L-DOPA, a large scale experiment was set up allowing us to isolate, purify and characterize using FT-IR spectroscopy the melanin-like material obtained. We discuss our observations in the context of the <i>in vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> study of melanogenesis and provide some directions for future research efforts.<i></i></p>

scholarly journals Molecular Fitness Landscapes from High-Coverage Sequence Profiling

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Celia Blanco ◽  
Evan Janzen ◽  
Abe Pressman ◽  
Ranajay Saha ◽  
Irene A. Chen
Keyword(s):  
High Throughput ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Fitness Landscape ◽  
Complete Sequence ◽  
Fitness Landscapes ◽  
Future Research ◽  
High Coverage

The function of fitness (or molecular activity) in the space of all possible sequences is known as the fitness landscape. Evolution is a random walk on the fitness landscape, with a bias toward climbing hills. Mapping the topography of real fitness landscapes is fundamental to understanding evolution, but previous efforts were hampered by the difficulty of obtaining large, quantitative data sets. The accessibility of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) has transformed this study, enabling large-scale enumeration of fitness for many mutants and even complete sequence spaces in some cases. We review the progress of high-throughput studies in mapping molecular fitness landscapes, both in vitro and in vivo, as well as opportunities for future research. Such studies are rapidly growing in number. HTS is expected to have a profound effect on the understanding of real molecular fitness landscapes.

scholarly journals Melanogenesis: A Search for Pheomelanin and Also, What Is Lurking Behind Those Dark Colors?

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koen Vercruysse ◽  
Venise Govan
Keyword(s):  
Size Exclusion ◽  
Black Pigment ◽  
Main Reaction ◽  
Main Reaction Product ◽  
Light Yellow ◽  
Exclusion Chromatography ◽  
Co Precipitation ◽  
Mediated Oxidation

<p>We investigated the synthesis of melanin-like materials from DOPA, dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine in the presence of L-cysteine. We observed that L-cysteine delayed the formation of pigment from these catecholamines and that the presence of L-cysteine yielded darker-colored reaction mixtures. No reddish pigment was observed that would indicate the synthesis of pheomelanin-like material. The reactions were performed in the presence of Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> and through the addition of CaCl<sub>2</sub> at the end of the reaction; the black, eumelanin-like material was co-precipitated with CaCO<sub>3</sub>. The remaining supernatant solutions were observed to be light-yellow to rusty-orange in color depending on the catecholamine used in the reaction. Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) analyses indicated that the removal of the black pigment left behind an oligomeric material that exhibited a strong absorbance band around 280nm. Our experimental and analytical observations prompt us to raise a number of points of discussion or hypotheses. 1) The presence of L-cysteine during the air-mediated oxidation of catecholamines leads to darker-colored pigments; not reddish or lighter-colored pigments that would visually resemble pheomelanin-like pigments, 2) SEC analyses suggested that the black pigment generated during the air-mediated oxidation of catecholamines is not necessarily the main reaction product, 3) The pre-formed, dark-colored pigments obtained through the air-mediated oxidative melanogenesis process can readily be deposited on insoluble mineral surfaces using an <i>in situ</i> co-precipitation procedure, 4) The air-mediated oxidation of catecholamines leads to a binary product that contains an insoluble, melanin-like substance and a soluble, oligo- or polymeric substance containing unoxidized precursor units, 5) The melanogenesis process leads to a binary product involving a non-covalently bonded combination of dark-colored pigment and a lighter-colored or colorless substance; the latter being understudied or ignored in the <i>in vitro</i> or <i>in vivo</i> studies of the melanogenesis process, 6) The kinetics of the melanogenesis process may determine the balance between insoluble and soluble components of the binary product generated; the slower the reaction the more dark-colored, insoluble pigment generated, 7) One should consider the possibility of intermolecularly, N-to-C, bonded units of catecholamines when evaluating the structure of melanins, polydopamines, etc. and 8) There is a need for a systematic study of the effect of amino acids (beyond just L-cysteine) and amines in general on the melanogenesis process.</p>

scholarly journals Melanogenesis: A Search for Pheomelanin and Also, What Is Lurking Behind Those Dark Colors?

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Koen Vercruysse ◽  
Venise Govan
Keyword(s):  
Size Exclusion ◽  
Black Pigment ◽  
Main Reaction ◽  
Main Reaction Product ◽  
Light Yellow ◽  
Exclusion Chromatography ◽  
Co Precipitation ◽  
Mediated Oxidation

<p>We investigated the synthesis of melanin-like materials from DOPA, dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine in the presence of L-cysteine. We observed that L-cysteine delayed the formation of pigment from these catecholamines and that the presence of L-cysteine yielded darker-colored reaction mixtures. No reddish pigment was observed that would indicate the synthesis of pheomelanin-like material. The reactions were performed in the presence of Na<sub>2</sub>CO<sub>3</sub> and through the addition of CaCl<sub>2</sub> at the end of the reaction; the black, eumelanin-like material was co-precipitated with CaCO<sub>3</sub>. The remaining supernatant solutions were observed to be light-yellow to rusty-orange in color depending on the catecholamine used in the reaction. Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) analyses indicated that the removal of the black pigment left behind an oligomeric material that exhibited a strong absorbance band around 280nm. Our experimental and analytical observations prompt us to raise a number of points of discussion or hypotheses. 1) The presence of L-cysteine during the air-mediated oxidation of catecholamines leads to darker-colored pigments; not reddish or lighter-colored pigments that would visually resemble pheomelanin-like pigments, 2) SEC analyses suggested that the black pigment generated during the air-mediated oxidation of catecholamines is not necessarily the main reaction product, 3) The pre-formed, dark-colored pigments obtained through the air-mediated oxidative melanogenesis process can readily be deposited on insoluble mineral surfaces using an <i>in situ</i> co-precipitation procedure, 4) The air-mediated oxidation of catecholamines leads to a binary product that contains an insoluble, melanin-like substance and a soluble, oligo- or polymeric substance containing unoxidized precursor units, 5) The melanogenesis process leads to a binary product involving a non-covalently bonded combination of dark-colored pigment and a lighter-colored or colorless substance; the latter being understudied or ignored in the <i>in vitro</i> or <i>in vivo</i> studies of the melanogenesis process, 6) The kinetics of the melanogenesis process may determine the balance between insoluble and soluble components of the binary product generated; the slower the reaction the more dark-colored, insoluble pigment generated, 7) One should consider the possibility of intermolecularly, N-to-C, bonded units of catecholamines when evaluating the structure of melanins, polydopamines, etc. and 8) There is a need for a systematic study of the effect of amino acids (beyond just L-cysteine) and amines in general on the melanogenesis process.</p>

scholarly journals Investigation of phase II metabolism of 11-hydroxy-Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and metabolite verification by chemical synthesis of 11-hydroxy-Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-glucuronide

2020 ◽  
Vol 134 (6) ◽  
pp. 2105-2119
Author(s):  
Christoph Hassenberg ◽  
Florian Clausen ◽  
Grete Hoffmann ◽  
Armido Studer ◽  
Jennifer Schürenkamp
Keyword(s):  
Phase Ii ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Reference Standard ◽  
Phase Ii Metabolism ◽  
Chromatographic Peaks ◽  
Set Up ◽  
Vitro Analysis

Abstract (−)-Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol ((−)-Δ-9-THC) is the main psychoactive constituent in cannabis. During phase I metabolism, it is metabolized to (−)-11-hydroxy-Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol ((−)-11-OH-Δ-9-THC), which is psychoactive, and to (−)-11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol ((−)-Δ-9-THC-COOH), which is psychoinactive. It is glucuronidated during phase II metabolism. The biotransformation of (−)-Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-glucuronide ((−)-Δ-9-THC-Glc) and (−)-11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-glucuronide ((−)-Δ-9-THC-COOH-Glc) is well understood, which is mainly due to the availability of commercial reference standards. Since such a standardized reference is not yet available for (−)-11-hydroxy-Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-glucuronide ((−)-11-OH-Δ-9-THC-Glc), its biotransformation is harder to study and the nature of the glucuronide bonding—alcoholic and/or phenolic—remains unclear. Consequently, the aim of this study was to investigate the biotransformation of (−)-11-OH-Δ-9-THC-Glc in vitro as well as in vivo and to identify the glucuronide by chemically synthesis of a reference standard. For in vitro analysis, pooled human S9 liver fraction was incubated with (−)-Δ-9-THC. Resulting metabolites were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography system coupled to a high-resolution mass spectrometer (HPLC-HRMS) with heated electrospray ionization (HESI) in positive and negative full scan mode. Five different chromatographic peaks of OH-Δ-9-THC-Glc have been detected in HESI positive and negative mode, respectively. The experiment set up according to Wen et al. indicates the two main metabolites being an alcoholic and a phenolic glucuronide metabolite. In vivo analysis of urine (n = 10) and serum (n = 10) samples from cannabis users confirmed these two main metabolites. Thus, OH-Δ-9-THC is glucuronidated at either the phenolic or the alcoholic hydroxy group. A double glucuronidation was not observed. The alcoholic (−)-11-OH-Δ-9-THC-Glc was successfully chemically synthesized and identified the main alcoholic glucuronide in vitro and in vivo. (−)-11-OH-Δ-9-THC-Glc is the first reference standard for direct identification and quantification. This enables future research to answer the question whether phenolic or alcoholic glucuronidation forms the predominant way of metabolism.

scholarly journals A Chemically Defined, Xeno- and Blood-Free Culture Medium Sustains Increased Production of Small Extracellular Vesicles From Mesenchymal Stem Cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aliosha I. Figueroa-Valdés ◽  
Catalina de la Fuente ◽  
Yessia Hidalgo ◽  
Ana María Vega-Letter ◽  
Rafael Tapia-Limonchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Extracellular Vesicles ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Culture Medium ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Cell Phenotype ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Scale Production ◽  
Paracrine Factors

Cell therapy is witnessing a notable shift toward cell-free treatments based on paracrine factors, in particular, towards small extracellular vesicles (sEV), that mimic the functional effect of the parental cells. While numerous sEV-based applications are currently in advanced preclinical stages, their promised translation depends on overcoming the manufacturing hurdles posed by the large-scale production of purified sEV. Unquestionably, the culture medium used with the parental cells plays a key role in the sEV’s secretion rate and content. An essential requisite is the use of a serum-, xeno-, and blood-free medium to meet the regulatory entity requirements of clinical-grade sEV’s production. Here, we evaluated OxiumTMEXO, a regulatory complying medium, with respect to production capacity and conservation of the EV’s characteristics and functionality and the parental cell’s phenotype and viability. A comparative study was established with standard DMEM and a commercially available culture medium developed specifically for sEV production. Under similar conditions, OxiumTMEXO displayed a three-fold increase of sEV secretion, with an enrichment of particles ranging between 51 and 200 nm. These results were obtained through direct quantification from the conditioned medium to avoid the isolation method’s interference and variability and were compared to the two culture media under evaluation. The higher yield obtained was consistent with several harvest time points (2, 4, and 6 days) and different cell sources, incluiding umbilical cord-, menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stromal cells and fibroblasts. Additionally, the stem cell phenotype and viability of the parental cell remained unchanged. Furthermore, OxiumTMEXO-sEV showed a similar expression pattern of the vesicular markers CD63, CD9, and CD81, with respect to sEV derived from the other conditions. The in vitro internalization assays in different target cell types and the pharmacokinetic profile of intraperitoneally administered sEV in vivo indicated that the higher EV production rate did not affect the uptake kinetics or the systemic biodistribution in healthy mice. In conclusion, the OxiumTMEXO medium sustains an efficient and robust production of large quantities of sEV, conserving the classic functional properties of internalization into acceptor target cells and biodistribution in vivo, supplying the amount and quality of EVs for the development of cell-free therapies.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review of Potential Therapeutic Use of Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharides in Disease

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sum Sum Kwok ◽  
Yashan Bu ◽  
Amy Cheuk-Yin Lo ◽  
Tommy Chung-Yan Chan ◽  
Kwok Fai So ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
English Language ◽  
Good Evidence ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Lycium Barbarum ◽  
Double Blinded ◽  
Lycium Barbarum Polysaccharides

Objective. To evaluate the effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides in the treatment and/or prevention of diseases of different etiologies and systems. Methods. We performed an Entrez PubMed literature search using keywords “lycium”, “barbarum”, “polysaccharides”, “anti-fibrotic”, “anti-apoptotic”, “anti-oxidizing”, “anti-aging”, “neuroprotection”, “metabolism”, “diabetes”, “hyperlipidemia”, “neuroprotection”, and “immunomodulation” on the 14th of August 2018, resulting in 207 papers, of which 20 were chosen after filtering for ‘English language’ and ‘published within 10 years’ as well as curation for relevance by the authors. Results. The 20 selected papers included 2 randomized control trials (1 double-blinded RCT and 1 double-blinded placebo-controlled RCT), 11 in vivo studies, 5 in vitro studies, 1 study with both in vivo and in vitro results, and 1 chemical study. There is good evidence from existing studies on the antifibrotic, antioxidizing, neuroprotective, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides. However, there is a need for further studies in the form of large-scale clinical trials to support its use in humans. There is also significant potential for LBP as a safe and effective topical treatment in ocular surface diseases, owing to promising in vitro results and a lack of demonstrated toxic effects to corneal epithelial cells. Conclusion. Results from existing studies suggest that LBP is a promising therapeutic agent, particularly in the management of liver disease, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes. One major limitation of current research is a lack of standardization and quality control for the LBP used. The availability of research-grade LBP will inevitably promote future research in this field worldwide.

Octacalcium Phosphate: A Potential Scaffold Material for Controlling Activity of Bone-Related Cells In Vitro

2014 ◽  
Vol 783-786 ◽  
pp. 1366-1371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Osamu Suzuki ◽  
Takahisa Anada
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Bone Repair ◽  
Serum Proteins ◽  
Culture Media ◽  
Synthesis Method ◽  
Octacalcium Phosphate ◽  
Scaffold Material ◽  
Adsorption Affinity

We have previously established a wet synthesis method of octacalcium phosphate (OCP) in a relatively large scale and found that OCP enhances bone formation more than synthetic hydroxyapatite (HA) if implanted onto bone surface and various bone defects. The present paper reviews, based on our studies, as to how OCP controls in vitro cellular activities of bone-related cells, such as bone marrow stromal cells, and how OCP enhances bone repair in critical sized bone defect experimentally created in animal models. OCP tends to progressively convert to HA in culture media and in rat calvaria defects. OCP is capable of enhancing in vitro osteoblast differentiation and osteoclast formation in the presence of osteoblasts. Recent our studies also indicated that OCP enhances odontoblast differentiation while suppresses chondrogenic differentiation. The physicochemical properties, such as chemical composition and adsorption affinity of serum proteins, vary depending on the advancement of conversion from OCP to HA, which suggests that the change on the surface property during the conversion of OCP may affect the cellular responses in vitro and tissue reaction in vivo. OCP could be used as a scaffold material that can control the activity of bone-related cells.

scholarly journals Modelling aspects of oviduct fluid formation in vitro

Reproduction ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 153 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Constantine A Simintiras ◽  
Thomas Fröhlich ◽  
Thozhukat Sathyapalan ◽  
Georg J Arnold ◽  
Susanne E Ulbrich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Culture Media ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Dual Culture ◽  
Dynamic Function ◽  
Fluid Formation ◽  
Oviduct Fluid ◽  
Genome Activation ◽  
Reproductive Processes

Oviduct fluid is the microenvironment that supports early reproductive processes including fertilisation, embryo cleavage and genome activation. However, the composition and regulation of this critical environment remain rather poorly defined. This study uses anin vitropreparation of the bovine oviduct epithelium to investigate the formation and composition ofin vitro-derived oviduct fluid (ivDOF) within a controlled environment. We confirm the presence of oviduct-specific glycoprotein 1 inivDOF and show that the amino acid and carbohydrate content resembles that of previously reportedin vivodata. In parallel, using a different culture system, a panel of oviduct epithelial solute carrier genes and the corresponding flux of amino acids withinivDOF in response to steroid hormones were investigated. We next incorporated fibroblasts directly beneath the epithelium. This dual culture arrangement represents more faithfully thein vivoenvironment and impacts onivDOF composition. Lastly, physiological and pathophysiological endocrine states were modelled and their impact on thein vitrooviduct preparation was evaluated. These experiments help clarify the dynamic function of the oviductin vitroand suggest a number of future research avenues, such as investigating epithelial–fibroblast interactions, probing the molecular aetiologies of subfertility and optimising embryo culture media.

Purification of the Antihemophilic Factor by Gel Filtration on Agarose

1969 ◽  
Vol 22 (03) ◽  
pp. 577-583 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.M.P Paulssen ◽  
A.C.M.G.B Wouterlood ◽  
H.L.M.A Scheffers
Keyword(s):  
Factor Viii ◽  
Plasma Proteins ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Large Scale Preparation ◽  
Scale Preparation ◽  
Antihemophilic Factor

SummaryFactor VIII can be isolated from plasma proteins, including fibrinogen by chromatography on agarose. The best results were obtained with Sepharose 6B. Large scale preparation is also possible when cryoprecipitate is separated by chromatography. In most fractions containing factor VIII a turbidity is observed which may be due to the presence of chylomicrons.The purified factor VIII was active in vivo as well as in vitro.

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