Biomimetic Chiral Pyridoxal and Pyridoxamine Catalysts

What is the most favorite and original chemistry developed in your research group? Vitamin B6-based biomimetic asymmetric catalysis. How do you get into this specific field? Could you please share some experiences with our readers? Enzymatic transformations are characterized by high efficiency, specific selectivities, and mild conditions, which attracts me to do some chemistry related to biological systems.

Effect of miR-27b-3p and Nrf2 in human retinal pigment epithelial cell induced by high-glucose

AIM:To determine whether the microRNA-27b-3p(miR-27b-3p)/NF-E2-related factor 2(Nrf2)pathway plays a role in human retinal pigment epithelial(hRPE)cell response to high glucose,how miR-27b-3p and Nrf2 expression are regulated,and whether this pathway could be specifically targeted.METHODS:hRPE cells were cultured in normal glucose or high glucose for 1,3,or 6d before measuring cellular proliferation rates using cell counting kit-8 and reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels using a dihydroethidium kit.miR-27b-3p,Nrf2,NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1(NQO1)and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)mRNA and protein levels were analyzed using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)and immunocytofluorescence(ICF),respectively.Western blot analyses were performed to determine nuclear and total Nrf2 protein levels.Nrf2,NQO1,and HO-1 expression levels by RT-qPCR,ICF,or Western blot were further tested after miR-27b-3p overexpression or inhibitor lentiviral transfection.Finally,the expression level of those target genes was analyzed after treating hRPE cells with pyridoxamine.RESULTS:Persistent exposure to high glucose gradually suppressed hRPE Nrf2,NQO1,and HO-1 mRNA and protein levels and increased miR-27b-3p mRNA levels.High glucose also promoted ROS release and inhibited cellular proliferation.Nrf2,NQO1,and HO-1 mRNA levels decreased after miR-27b-3p overexpression and,conversely,both mRNA and protein levels increased after expressing a miR-27b-3p inhibitor.After treating hRPE cells exposed to high glucose with pyridoxamine,ROS levels tended to decreased,proliferation rate increased,Nrf2,NQO1,and HO-1 mRNA and protein levels were upregulated,and miR-27b-3p mRNA levels were suppressed.CONCLUSION:Nrf2 is a downstream target of miR-27b-3p.Furthermore,the miR-27b-3p inhibitor pyridoxamine can alleviate high glucose injury by regulating the miR-27b-3p/Nrf2 axis.

Vitamin B6 and Lipid Contents in Engraulisjaponica Specifically Caught for Production of Japanese Soup Stock

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the relationship between percentage of body lipid and individual vitamin B6 contents in the anchovy used for production of Japanese soup stock. The contents of individual vitamin B6 compound in foods should be determined to estimate the functionality of foods. Anchovies （Engraulisjaponica） for use as production of iriko, which is a raw material for preparation of Japanese soup stock, were caught using a medium-sized purse seine on May 26th, June 1st, and July 6th 2011 in Tachibana Bay, Nagasaki, Japan. Vitamin B6 contents were analyzed by 4-pyridoxolacone-coversion （all-enzymatic） HPLC. The relationship between body length, lipid content and the individual contents of vitamin B6 compounds in the anchovies was determined. The propriety of anchovies for iriko preparation could not be estimated based on the appearance of length of fishes. The anchovies were rich in vitamin B6, especially pyridoxamine 5＇-phosphate, which may prevent diabetic complications. The percentage of body lipid significantly showed a negative correlation with the content of pyridoxamine 5＇-phosphate. The contents of the other vitamin B6 compounds did not show the significant correlation with the percentage of body lipid.