Luminescence-based detection and identification of illicit drugs.

Luminescence-based sensing is capable of being used for the sensitive, rapid, and in some cases selective detection of chemicals. Furthermore, the method is amenable to incorporation into handheld low-power portable detectors that can be used in the field. Luminescence-based detectors are now commercially available for explosive detection with the technology built on a strong foundation of science. In contrast, there are fewer examples of luminescence-based detection of illicit drugs, despite the pervasive and global challenge of combating their manufacture, distribution and consumption and the need for handheld detection systems. This perspective describes the relatively nascent steps that have been reported in the use of luminescent materials for the detection of illicit drugs. Much of the published work has focused on detection of illicit drugs in solution with less work on vapour detection using thin luminescent sensing films. The latter are better suited for handheld sensing devices and detection in the field. Illicit drug detection has been achieved via different mechanisms, all of which change the luminescence of the sensing material. These include photoinduced hole transfer (PHT) leading to quenching of the luminescence, disruption of Förster energy transfer between different chromophores by a drug, and chemical reaction between the sensing material and a drug. The most promising of these is PHT, which can be used for rapid and reversible detection of illicit drugs in solution and film-based sensing of drugs in the vapour phase. However, there are still significant knowledge gaps, for example, how vapours of illicit drugs interact with the sensing films, and how to achieve selectivity for specific drugs.

Real-time fluorescence quenching-based detection of nitro-containing explosive vapours: what are the key processes?

The detection of explosives continues to be a pressing global challenge with many potential technologies being pursued by the scientific research community. Luminescence-based detection of explosive vapours with an organic semiconductor has attracted much interest because of its potential for detectors that have high sensitivity, compact form factor, simple operation and low-cost. Despite the abundance of literature on novel sensor materials systems there are relatively few mechanistic studies targeted towards vapour-based sensing. In this Perspective, we will review the progress that has been made in understanding the processes that control the real-time luminescence quenching of thin films by analyte vapours. These are the non-radiative quenching process by which the sensor exciton decays, the analyte-sensor intermolecular binding interaction, and the diffusion process for the analyte vapours in the film. We comment on the contributions of each of these processes towards the sensing response and, in particular, the relative roles of analyte diffusion and exciton diffusion. While the latter has been historically judged to be one of, if not the primary, causes for the high sensitivity of many conjugated polymers to nitrated vapours, recent evidence suggests that long exciton diffusion lengths are unnecessary. The implications of these results on the development of sensor materials for real-time detection are discussed.

Molecular versus exciton diffusion in fluorescence-based explosive vapour sensors.

The diffusion of p-nitrotoluene vapours into polymer or dendrimer sensing films follows Super Case II dynamics in which the quenching efficiency is strongly correlated to an accelerating analyte front propagating through the neat film rather than being reliant on exciton diffusion.

Effects of ulapualide A and synthetic macrolide analogues on actin dynamics and gene regulation.

Several marine macrolide toxins act as potent and specific actin-severing molecules. Recent elucidation of their stereochemistries and modes of interaction with actin has allowed the syntheses of bioactive analogues. Here we used synthetic analogues in a structure-function analysis of ulapualide A, a trisoxazole-based macrolide. Ulapualide A harboured potent actin-depolymerising activity both in cells and in vitro. Its synthetic diastereoisomer was three orders of magnitude less active than the natural toxin and synthetic macrolide fragments lacked actin-capping/ severing activity altogether. Modulation of serum response factor (SRF)-dependent gene expression, as described for other actin-binding toxins, was also examined. Specific changes in response to ulapualide A were not observed, primarily due to its profound effects on cytoskeletal integrity and cell adhesion. Several synthetic fragments of ulapualide A also had no effect on SRF-dependent gene expression. However, inhibition was observed with a molecule corresponding to the extended aliphatic side chain of halichondramide, a structurally related macrolide. These findings indicate that side-chain derivatives of trisoxazole-based macrolides may serve to uncouple gene-regulatory events from actin dynamics.

Dynamics of vascular endothelial-cadherin and beta-catenin localization by vascular endothelial growth factor-induced angiogenesis in human umbilical vein cells.

The adherens junctional molecule, vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin), functions to maintain adherens junction stability and to suppress apoptosis of endothelial cells by forming a complex with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor 2 and members of the armadillo family of cytoplasmic proteins. In order to investigate the dynamics of the association of VE-cadherin with adherens junctions during the initial stages of angiogenesis, human umbilical cord endothelial cells (HUVECs) were stimulated with VEGF to undergo angiogenesis in type-I collagen three-dimensional culture. In confluent monolayers of HUVECs, VE-cadherin and its signaling partner, beta-catenin, as well as the paracellular transmembrane adhesion molecule platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule (PECAM-1), were all present in regions of cell-cell contact. Within 3 h of stimulation of angiogenesis, VE-cadherin and beta-catenin were lost from these regions. In contrast, the distribution pattern of PECAM-1 did not alter. After 6 h the majority of endothelial cells had migrated to form a network of capillary cords with cell-cell contacts that contained all three molecules. By metabolic labeling of HUVECs it was found that de novo synthesis of VE-cadherin was not essential for the formation of new adherens junctions. Coimmunoprecipitation and immunoblotting experiments showed that the VE-cadherin and beta-catenin remained associated after they were lost from adherens junctions. Detergent extraction of cells with Triton X-100 indicted that the majority of VE-cadherin and beta-catenin was Triton soluble, indicating that they are only weakly associated with the actin-based cytoskeleton.

Volatile components in aqueous essence and fresh fruit of Cucumis melo cv. Athena (muskmelon) by GC-MS and GC-O.

A comparative study between the aromatic profile of muskmelon aqueous essence and the puree of fresh fruit was carried out using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O). Results obtained show a total of 53 components quantified in the essence and 38 in the fresh fruit. In addition, four new components are described for the first time as contributors to the aromatic profile of muskmelon including 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol, 2,3-butanediol, methyl 3-phenylpropionate, and ethyl 3-phenylpropionate (found only in the puree of the fruit). The olfactometric analysis revealed the presence of 25 components with aromatic activity. Esters, alcohols, and one sulfur component [ethyl 3-(methylthio)propionate] appear to be the most important contributors to the essence aroma. The aromagram of fresh fruit is richer in high molecular weight components, which have not yet been positively identified and do not present detectable peaks in the flame ionization detector.

Aromatic profile of aqueous banana essence and banana fruit by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O).

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O) were used to determine the aromatic composition and aroma active components of commercial banana essence and fresh banana fruit paste. Totals of 43 and 26 compounds were quantified in commercial banana essence and fresh banana fruit paste, respectively. Five new components in commercial banana essence were identified as methyl butyrate, 2,3-butanediol diacetate, 2-hydroxy-3-methylethylbutyrate, 1-methylbutyl isobutyrate, and ethyl 3-hydroxyhexanoate. A total of 42 components appear to contribute to the aromatic profile in banana. Isoamyl acetate, 2-pentanol acetate, 2-methyl-1-propanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methylbutanal, acetal, isobutyl acetate, hexanal, ethyl butyrate, 2-heptanol, and butyl butyrate had high concentrations and were most detected by GC-O panelists in the commercial banana essence. Volatile components found only in fresh banana fruit paste that were detected by aroma panelists include E-2-hexenal, limonene, and eugenol.

Serum response factor cleavage by caspases 3 and 7 linked to apoptosis in human BJAB cells.

Apoptosis involves the cessation of cellular processes, the breakdown of intracellular organelles, and, finally, the nonphlogistic clearance of apoptotic cells from the body. Important for these events is a family of proteases, caspases, which are activated by a proteolytic cleavage cascade and drive apoptosis by targeting key proteins within the cell. Here, we demonstrate that serum response factor (SRF), a transcription factor essential for proliferative gene expression, is cleaved by caspases and that this cleavage occurs in proliferating murine fibroblasts and can be induced in the human B-cell line BJAB. We identify the two major sites at which SRF cleavage occurs as Asp(245) and Asp(254), the caspases responsible for the cleavage and generate a mutant of SRF resistant to cleavage in BJAB cells. Investigation of the physiological and functional significance of SRF cleavage reveals that it correlates with the loss of c-fos expression, whereby neither SRF cleavage fragment retains transcriptional activity. Moreover, the expression of a noncleavable SRF in BJAB cells suppresses apoptosis induced by Fas cross-linking. These results suggest that for apoptosis to proceed, the transcriptional events promoting cell survival and proliferation, in which SRF is involved, must first be inactivated.

The small-GTPase RalA activates transcription of the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) gene via an AP1-dependent mechanism.

The urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) focuses extracellular protease activity to the cell surface, modulates cell adhesion and activates intracellular signal transduction pathways. In a range of cancers uPAR expression often has a negative correlation with prognosis. Here we show that uPAR transcription is stimulated by V12 H-Ras, the effector loop mutant V12 H-Ras G37 and constitutively-active RalA 72L. RalA-dependent transcription required the presence of the ATF2-like AP1-site at -70 bp and the c-Jun binding motif at -184 bp in the uPAR promoter. Consistent with this, both Gal4-c-Jun- and Gal4-ATF2-fusion proteins were activated by RalA signalling through phosphorylation of their activation domains at Ser63 and Ser73 of c-Jun or Thr69 and Thr71 of ATF2. A transdominant inhibitory mutant of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) failed to inhibit uPAR transcription demonstrating that JNK activation is not a prerequisite for RalA-dependent uPAR transcription. A dominant negative inhibitor of c-Src effectively inhibited RalA-dependent uPAR transcription identifying it as a downstream effector in the RalA signalling pathway. These data provide evidence for the existence of a novel signalling pathway that links RalA to the activation of uPAR transcription via a c-Src intermediate and activation of AP1.

DNA-bound transcription factor complexes analysed by mass-spectrometry: binding of novel proteins to the human c-fos SRE and related sequences.

Transcription factors control eukaryotic polymerase II function by influencing the recruitment of multiprotein complexes to promoters and their subsequent integrated function. The complexity of the functional 'transcriptosome' has necessitated biochemical fractionation and subsequent protein sequencing on a grand scale to identify individual components. As a consequence, much is now known of the basal transcription complex. In contrast, less is known about the complexes formed at distal promoter elements. The c-fos SRE, for example, is known to bind Serum Response Factor (SRF) and ternary complex factors such as Elk-1. Their interaction with other factors at the SRE is implied but, to date, none have been identified. Here we describe the use of mass-spectrometric sequencing to identify six proteins, SRF, Elk-1 and four novel proteins, captured on SRE duplexes linked to magnetic beads. This approach is generally applicable to the characterisation of nucleic acid-bound protein complexes and the post-translational modification of their components.

Volatile constituents in fresh and processed juices from grapefruit and new grapefruit hybrids.

Forty-five volatile constituents of juices from grapefruit and grapefruit hybrids were quantified by headspace gas chromatography. The three types of grapefruit juice analyzed include pasteurized juice not from concentrate, reconstituted single strength juice from concentrate, and fresh, unpasteurized juice. Principal component and discriminant analyses were carried out using 48 grapefruit juice samples, and the samples were classified into the three types of juice based on degree of processing. Discriminant analysis was superior to principal component analysis for this purpose. Juices from two recently developed grapefruit hybrids were classified similarly to unpasteurized grapefruit juices from commercial cultivars.

Volatile constituents in juice and oil of Australian wild lime (Microcitrus inodora).

Fifty-three volatile constituents from the juice and twenty from the peel oil of Microcitrus inodora have been identified by gas chromatographic and mass spectral analysis. All except seven had been reported earlier as citrus constituents. Since M. inodora is used as a parent for production of new citrus hybrids, this information will be useful to horticulturists, plant breeders and phytochemists.

Dimer formation by ternary complex factor ELK-1.

Ternary complex factors (TCFs), a subgroup of the ets protein family, bind with a dimer of serum response factor to the c-fos serum response element. Both DNA binding and transcriptional activation by TCFs are regulated by mitogen-activated protein kinases. When activated, mitogen-activated protein kinases form homodimers that translocate to the nucleus, where they interact with TCFs via specific docking sites. Here we show by three different criteria that Elk-1 is capable of forming dimers in eukaryotic cells through two distinct interaction domains. These observations are consistent with a dynamic model of TCF-promoter interactions.

Nociception activates Elk-1 and Sap1a following expression of the ORL1 receptor in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

Nociceptin stimulation of the ORL1 receptor expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells results in the activation of the extracellular signal regulated kinases ERK1 and ERK2. ERK1/ERK2 activation is inhibited by pertussis toxin, the MEK inhibitor PD 98059 and by transient expression of alpha-transducin, indicating that ORL1 up-regulation of these kinases occurs as a consequence of the release of the G-protein betagamma complex following the activation of pertussis-toxin sensitive Galphai-family G-proteins. Using specific reporter genes we demonstrate that the transcription factors Elk-1 and Sapla are activated in a pertussis toxin-sensitive manner as a consequence of ORL1 upregulation of ERK1/ERK2 to induce changes in gene expression. The activation of these transcription factors is also inhibited following treatment with PD 98059 and following coexpression of alpha-transducin.

Insulin-stimulated expression of c-fos, fra1 and c-jun accompanies the activation of the activator protein-1 (AP-1) transcriptional complex.

The activator protein-1 (AP-1) transcriptional complex is made up of members of the Fos (c-Fos, FosB, Fra1, Fra2) and Jun (c-Jun, JunB, JunD) families and is stimulated by insulin in several cell types. The mechanism by which insulin activates this complex is not well understood but it is dependent on the activation of the Erk1 and Erk2 isoforms of mitogen-activated protein kinases. In the current study we show that the AP-1 complex isolated from insulin-stimulated cells contained c-Fos, Fra1, c-Jun and JunB. The activation of the AP-1 complex by insulin was accompanied by (i) a transient increase in c-fos expression, and the transactivation of the ternary complex factors Elk1 and Sap1a, in an Erk1/Erk2-dependent fashion; (ii) a substantial increase in the expression of Fra1 protein and mRNA, which was preceded by a transient decrease in its electrophoretic mobility upon SDS/PAGE, indicative of phosphorylation; and (iii) a sustained increase in c-jun expression without increasing c-Jun phosphorylation on serines 63 and 73 or activation of the stress-activated kinase JNK/SAPK. In conclusion, insulin appears to stimulate the activity of the AP-1 complex primarily through a change in the abundance of the components of this complex, although there may be an additional role for Fra1 phosphorylation.

Cross-cascade activation of ERKs and ternary complex factors by Rho family proteins.

Mitogens promote cell growth through integrated signal transduction networks that alter cellular metabolism, gene expression and cytoskeletal organization. Many such signals are propagated through activation of MAP kinase cascades partly regulated by upstream small GTP-binding proteins. Interactions among cascades are suspected but not defined. Here we show that Rho family small G proteins such as Rac1 and Cdc42hs, which activate the JNK/SAPK pathway, cooperate with Raf-1 to activate the ERK pathway. This causes activation of ternary complex factors (TCFs), which regulate c-fos gene expression through the serum response element. Examination of ERK pathway kinases shows that neither MEK1 nor Ras will synergize with Rho-type proteins, and that only MEK1 is fully activated, indicating that MEKs are a focal point for cross-cascade regulation. Rho family proteins utilize PAKs for this effect, as expression of an active PAK1 mutant can substitute for Rho family small G proteins, and expression of an interfering PAK1 mutant blocks Rho-type protein stimulation of ERKs. PAK1 phosphorylates MEK1 on Ser298, a site important for binding of Raf-1 to MEK1 in vivo. Expression of interfering PAK1 also reduces stimulation of TCF function by serum growth factors, while expression of active PAK1 enhances EGF-stimulated MEK1 activity. This demonstrates interaction among MAP kinase pathway elements not previously recognized and suggests an explanation for the cooperative effect of Raf-1 and Rho family proteins on cellular transformation.

A role for the small GTPase Rac in polyomavirus middle-T antigen-mediated activation of the serum response element and in cell transformation.

The oncogenic proteins encoded by papovaviruses, the tumor antigens, have been extensively used as model systems to study mitogenic signaling and cell transformation. These proteins stimulate cell growth in cultured cells and induce tumors in virus infected or transgenic animals. One of these proteins, polyomavirus middle-T, acts like a constitutively activated tyrosine growth factor receptor. Middle-T recruits several cellular enzymes into a multifunctional complex located at cellular membranes. This results in the activation of cellular enzymes involved in the regulation of cell signaling, like tyrosine kinases of the Src family, a phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and a GDP/GTP exchange factor for Ras. These activities are all required for stimulation of cell growth by middle-T and activate members of the MAP kinase family. Here we investigate the role of T antigen-activated pathways in the stimulation of transcription of immediate early genes. These genes are essential for progression of resting cells into S phase. Our data show that Rho family GTPases play an essential role in cell transformation by middle-T. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the c-fos promoter is activated by two Ras-initiated signaling cascades. One is Raf-dependent and requires binding of SHC and PI 3-kinase to the middle-T complex. This pathway signals via ternary complex factor (TCF) to the serum response element (SRE) of the c-fos promoter. Signaling to TCF by Raf also depends on functional Rac, but not CDC42, as demonstrated in luciferase reporter assays with an ETS domain-containing promoter. The second pathway is Raf-independent, does not require SHC but functional PI 3-kinase, and transduces signals via Rac to serum response factor (SRF). Microinjection of dominant negative Rac1 blocks nuclear translocation of ERK1 in middle-T-expressing cells. This lends support to the idea that the two signaling cascades initiated by Ras show crosstalk at the level of MAP kinase-mediated signaling to nuclear transcription factors.

Selective response of ternary complex factor Sap1a to different mitogen-activated protein kinase subgroups.

Mitogenic and stres signals results in the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) and stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun N-terminal kinases (SAPK/JNKs), respectively, which are two subgroups of the mitogen-activated protein kinases. A nuclear target of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases is the ternary complex factor Elk-1, which underlies its involvement in the regulation of c-fos gene expression by mitogenic and stress signals. A second ternary complex factor, Sap1a, is coexpressed with Elk-1 in several cell types and shares attributes of Elk-1, the significance of which is not clear. Here we show that Sap1a is phosphorylated efficiently by ERKs but not by SAPK/JNKs. Serum response factor-dependent ternary complex formation by Sap1a is stimulated by ERK phosphorylation but not by SAPK/JNKs. Moreover, Sap1a-mediated transcription is activated by mitogenic signals but not by cell stress. These results suggest that Sap1a and Elk-1 have distinct physiological functions.