LPA signaling is required for dopaminergic neuron development and is reduced through low expression of the LPA1 receptor in a 6-OHDA lesion model of Parkinson's disease.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) is a bioactive phospholipid that activates at least five known G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs): LPA1-LPA5. The nervous system is a major locus for LPA1 expression. LPA has been shown to regulate neuronal proliferation, migration, and differentiation during central nervous system development as well as neuronal survival. Furthermore, deficient LPA signaling has been implicated in several neurological disorders including neuropathic pain and schizophrenia. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative movement disorder that results from the loss of dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). The specific molecular pathways that lead to DA neuron degeneration, however, are poorly understood. The influence of LPA in the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into DA neurons in vitro and LPA1 expression in a 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesion model of PD in vivo were examined in the present study. LPA induced neuronal differentiation in 80.2 % of the MSC population. These MSCs developed characteristic neuronal morphology and expressed the neuronal marker, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), while expression of the glial marker, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), was absent. Moreover, 27.6 % of differentiated MSCs were positive for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a marker for DA neurons. In the 6-OHDA PD rat model, LPA1 expression in the substantia nigra was significantly reduced compared to control. These results suggest LPA signaling via activation of LPA1 may be necessary for DA neuron development and survival. Furthermore, reduced LPA/LPA1 signaling may be involved in DA neuron degeneration thus contributing to the pathogenesis of PD.

[ZNF185 gene cloning and the localization in mouse testis].

AIM: we Clone the ZNF185 gene and detect the position of ZNF185 in the mouse testis. METHODS: extracted from mouse testis RNA, by RT-PCR, and then the obtained fragment was cloned and identified; extracted from mouse liver, testis and ovary proteins were Western blot analysis; preparation of frozen sections of mouse testes, immunofluorescence techniques analysis. RESULTS: (1) ZNF185 gene cloning was correct. (2) Western blot showed that the most abundant in the testes ZNF185. (3) Immunofluorescence showed, ZNF185 located in Leydig cells and sperm, Leydig cells in the weak, and in round spermatids and mature sperm were highly expressed. CONCLUSION: the gene cloning of ZNF185 was successful and initially proved the position of ZNF185 in the mouse testis.

3-(2H-Benzotriazol-2-yl)-1-(4-fluoro-phen-yl)propan-1-one.

In the title compound, C(15)H(12)FN(3)O, the benzotriazole ring system is essentially planar, with a maximum deviation from the least-squares plane of 0.016 (3) Å. The dihedral angle between this ring system and the fluoro-substituted benzene ring is 67.97 (2)°. The crystal structure is stabilized by weak inter-molecular C-H⋯N inter-actions.

(E)-3-(4-Fluoro-phen-yl)-1-(2-nitro-phen-yl)prop-2-en-1-one.

The title compound, C(15)H(10)F(N)O(3), was prepared from 2-nitro-acetphenone and 4-fluoro-benzaldehyde by an Aldol condensation reaction. The dihedral angle formed by the two benzene rings is 67.37 (2)°. The crystal structure is stabilized by weak inter-molecular C-H⋯O and C-H⋯F hydrogen bonds.

Acrosome formation-associated factor is involved in fertilization.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of a novel acrosome formation-associated factor (Afaf) on fertilization by its regulation of acrosomal exocytosis and endosomal trafficking. DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. SETTING: Institution-affiliated state key laboratory. SUBJECTS: ICR mice. INTERVENTION(S): Sperm penetration assay and in vitro fertilization experiment were performed to study the effects of the Afaf antibody on acrosome reaction and fertilization. Acrosome exocytosis (AE) with streptolysin O (SLO) permeabilization was conducted to test the Afaf's action in calcium events. Colocalization and coimmunoprecipitation was done to determine the interaction between Afaf and SNAP25 (synaptosome-associated protein of 25,000 daltons). Transferrin (Tf) uptake assay was performed to demonstrate the impact of Afaf on endosomal pathway. RNAi was used to rescue the inhibition of Afaf on Tf uptake. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Number of penetrated sperms, in vitro fertilization rate. Acrosomal exocytosis index, relative Tf fluorescence. RESULT(S): The Afaf antibodies were capable of significantly inhibiting sperm penetration of the eggs, therefore reducing the rate of in vitro fertilization. Acrosome formation-associated factor was involved in calcium-triggered AE by acting upstream of the calcium efflux from the acrosome inside. Acrosome formation-associated factor might exert an interaction with SNAP25, which is a crucial component in both exocytosis and endosomal trafficking. Acrosome formation-associated factor was also involved in the endocytic pathway by down-regulating Tf endocytosis in the HeLa cells, and the miRNA-mediated RNAi could rescue this alternation induced by Afaf. CONCLUSION(S): Acrosome formation-associated factor might play an important role in membrane trafficking during acrosome formation and participate in fertilization.

3-(4-Amino-5-thioxo-4,5-dihydro-1H-1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)pyridinium chloride.

In the title compound, C(7)H(8)N(5)S(+)·Cl(-), the dihedral angle formed by the pyridine ring with the triazole ring is 10.0 (1)°. There are weak inter-molecular hydrogen-bond inter-actions in the crystal structure, involving the NH and NH(2) groups as donors, and the chloride anion, the S atom in the thio-ketone group and the unsubstituted ring N atom as acceptors.