scholarly journals HydDB: A web tool for hydrogenase classification and analysis

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Søndergaard Dan ◽  
Pedersen Christian N. S. ◽  
Greening Chris
Keyword(s):  
Classification Scheme ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
Nearest Neighbors ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Biological Functions ◽  
Primary Sequence ◽  
Web Tool ◽  
Catalytic Subunits ◽  
And Function ◽  
H2 Metabolism

AbstractH2 metabolism is proposed to be the most ancient and diverse mechanism of energy-conservation. The metalloenzymes mediating this metabolism, hydrogenases, are encoded by over 60 microbial phyla and are present in all major ecosystems. We developed a classification system and web tool, HydDB, for the structural and functional analysis of these enzymes. We show that hydrogenase function can be predicted by primary sequence alone using an expanded classification scheme (comprising 29 [NiFe], 8 [FeFe], and 1 [Fe] hydrogenase classes) that defines 11 new classes with distinct biological functions. Using this scheme, we built a web tool that rapidly and reliably classifies hydrogenase primary sequences using a combination of k-nearest neighbors’ algorithms and CDD referencing. Demonstrating its capacity, the tool reliably predicted hydrogenase content and function in 12 newly-sequenced bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. HydDB provides the capacity to browse the amino acid sequences of 3248 annotated hydrogenase catalytic subunits and also contains a detailed repository of physiological, biochemical, and structural information about the 38 hydrogenase classes defined here. The database and classifier are freely and publicly available at http://services.birc.au.dk/hyddb/

scholarly journals Three-Finger Toxins from Brazilian Coral Snakes: From Molecular Framework to Insights in Biological Function

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 328
Author(s):  
Jessica Matos Kleiz-Ferreira ◽  
Nuria Cirauqui ◽  
Edson Araujo Trajano ◽  
Marcius da Silva Almeida ◽  
Russolina Benedeta Zingali
Keyword(s):  
Structural Model ◽  
Biological Function ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Biological Functions ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Specific Guideline ◽  
Broad Variety ◽  
And Function ◽  
Structural Homologue ◽  
Molecular Framework

Studies on 3FTxs around the world are showing the amazing diversity in these proteins both in structure and function. In Brazil, we have not realized the broad variety of their amino acid sequences and probable diversified structures and targets. In this context, this work aims to conduct an in silico systematic study on available 3FTxs found in Micrurus species from Brazil. We elaborated a specific guideline for this toxin family. First, we grouped them according to their structural homologue predicted by HHPred server and further curated manually. For each group, we selected one sequence and constructed a representative structural model. By looking at conserved features and comparing with the information available in the literature for this toxin family, we managed to point to potential biological functions. In parallel, the phylogenetic relationship was estimated for our database by maximum likelihood analyses and a phylogenetic tree was constructed including the homologous 3FTx previously characterized. Our results highlighted an astonishing diversity inside this family of toxins, showing some groups with expected functional similarities to known 3FTxs, and pointing out others with potential novel roles and perhaps structures. Moreover, this classification guideline may be useful to aid future studies on these abundant toxins.

scholarly journals Structure and function of crocodilian hemoglobins and allosteric regulation by chloride, ATP, and CO2

2020 ◽  
Vol 318 (3) ◽  
pp. R657-R667 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angela Fago ◽  
Chandrasekhar Natarajan ◽  
Martín Pettinati ◽  
Federico G. Hoffmann ◽  
Tobias Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
Allosteric Regulation ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Chloride Ions ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Regulatory Control ◽  
Structural Basis ◽  
Independent Effect ◽  
And Function

Hemoglobins (Hbs) of crocodilians are reportedly characterized by unique mechanisms of allosteric regulatory control, but there are conflicting reports regarding the importance of different effectors, such as chloride ions, organic phosphates, and CO2. Progress in understanding the unusual properties of crocodilian Hbs has also been hindered by a dearth of structural information. Here, we present the first comparative analysis of blood properties and Hb structure and function in a phylogenetically diverse set of crocodilian species. We examine mechanisms of allosteric regulation in the Hbs of 13 crocodilian species belonging to the families Crocodylidae and Alligatoridae. We also report new amino acid sequences for the α- and β-globins of these taxa, which, in combination with structural analyses, provide insights into molecular mechanisms of allosteric regulation. All crocodilian Hbs exhibited a remarkably strong sensitivity to CO2, which would permit effective O2 unloading to tissues in response to an increase in metabolism during intense activity and diving. Although the Hbs of all crocodilians exhibit similar intrinsic O2-affinities, there is considerable variation in sensitivity to Cl− ions and ATP, which appears to be at least partly attributable to variation in the extent of NH2-terminal acetylation. Whereas chloride appears to be a potent allosteric effector of all crocodile Hbs, ATP has a strong, chloride-independent effect on Hb-O2 affinity only in caimans. Modeling suggests that allosteric ATP binding has a somewhat different structural basis in crocodilian and mammalian Hbs.

Probing vacancies and structural distortions at individual defects in ceramics using EELS

1996 ◽  
Vol 54 ◽  
pp. 678-679
Author(s):  
D. J. Wallis ◽  
N. D. Browning
Keyword(s):  
Structural Information ◽  
Core Loss ◽  
Nearest Neighbors ◽  
Ceramic Materials ◽  
Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope ◽  
Real Space ◽  
Atomic Scale ◽  
Structure Property ◽  
Scanning Transmission ◽  
Key Issues

In electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), the near-edge region of a core-loss edge contains information on high-order atomic correlations. These correlations give details of the 3-D atomic structure which can be elucidated using multiple-scattering (MS) theory. MS calculations use real space clusters making them ideal for use in low-symmetry systems such as defects and interfaces. When coupled with the atomic spatial resolution capabilities of the scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM), there therefore exists the ability to obtain 3-D structural information from individual atomic scale structures. For ceramic materials where the structure-property relationships are dominated by defects and interfaces, this methodology can provide unique information on key issues such as like-ion repulsion and the presence of vacancies, impurities and structural distortion.An example of the use of MS-theory is shown in fig 1, where an experimental oxygen K-edge from SrTiO3 is compared to full MS-calculations for successive shells (a shell consists of neighboring atoms, so that 1 shell includes only nearest neighbors, 2 shells includes first and second-nearest neighbors, and so on).

Structure and Function of Angiopoietin-like Protein 3 (ANGPTL3) in Atherosclerosis

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (31) ◽  
pp. 5159-5174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinjie Lu
Keyword(s):  
Low Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Lipoprotein Metabolism ◽  
Density Lipoprotein ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Biological Functions ◽  
Pharmacological Management ◽  
Vascular Growth ◽  
Promising Target ◽  
And Function ◽  
Systematic Appraisal

Background:Angiopoietin-Like Proteins (ANGPTLs) are structurally related to the angiopoietins. A total of eight ANGPTLs (from ANGPTL1 to ANGPTL8) have been identified so far. Most ANGPTLs possess multibiological functions on lipid metabolism, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Among them, ANGPTL3 has been shown to regulate the levels of Very Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL) made by the liver and play a crucial role in human lipoprotein metabolism.Method:A systematic appraisal of ANGPTLs was conducted, focusing on the main features of ANGPTL3 that has a significant role in atherosclerosis.Results:Angiopoietins including ANGPTL3 are vascular growth factors that are highly specific for endothelial cells, perform a variety of other regulatory activities to influence inflammation, and have been shown to possess both pro-atherosclerotic and atheroprotective effects.Conclusion:ANGPTL3 has been demonstrated as a promising target in the pharmacological management of atherosclerosis. However, many questions remain about its biological functions.

Structural Characterization of Complex Bacterial Glycolipids by Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometry

2005 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 535-546 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Kondakov ◽  
Buko Lindner
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Fourier Transform ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
Adaptive Immune System ◽  
Ion Cyclotron Resonance ◽  
Bacterial Membranes ◽  
Multiphoton Dissociation ◽  
The One ◽  
And Function

Bacterial glycolipids are complex amphiphilic molecules which are, on the one hand, of utmost importance for the organization and function of bacterial membranes and which, on the other hand, play a major role in the activation of cells of the innate and adaptive immune system of the host. Already small alterations to their chemical structure may influence the biological activity tremendously. Due to their intrinsic biological heterogeneity [number and type of fatty acids, saccharide structures and substitution with for example, phosphate ( P), 2-aminoethyl-(pyro)phosphate groups ( P-Etn) or 4-amino-4-deoxyarabinose (Ara4N)], separation of the different components are a prerequisite for unequivocal chemical and nuclear magnetic resonance structural analyses. In this contribution, the structural information which can be obtained from heterogenous samples of glycolipids by Fourier transform (FT) ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometric methods is described. By means of recently analysed complex biological samples, the possibilities of high-resolution electrospray ionization FT-MS are demonstrated. Capillary skimmer dissociation, as well as tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) analysis utilizing collision-induced dissociation and infrared multiphoton dissociation, are compared and their advantages in providing structural information of diagnostic importance are discussed.

scholarly journals Nucleic Acids Chemistry and Engineering: Special Issue on Nucleic Acid Conjugates for Biotechnological Applications

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 3594
Author(s):  
Tamaki Endoh ◽  
Eriks Rozners ◽  
Takashi Ohtsuki
Keyword(s):  
Nucleic Acid ◽  
Nucleic Acids ◽  
Genetic Information ◽  
Biotechnological Applications ◽  
Biological Functions ◽  
Primary Sequence ◽  
Special Issue

Nucleic acids not only store genetic information in their primary sequence but also exhibit biological functions through the formation of their unique structures [...]

GAMYB TF modulates bHLH142 and is homeostatically regulated by TDR TF during rice anther tapetal and pollen development

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Swee-Suak Ko ◽  
Min-Jeng Li ◽  
Yi-Cheng Ho ◽  
Chun-Ping Yu ◽  
Ting-Ting Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pollen Development ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Biological Functions ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
Regulatory Pathways ◽  
E Box ◽  
And Function ◽  
Different Tissues

Abstract GAMYB, UDT1, TIP2/bHLH142, TDR, and EAT1/DTD are important transcription factors (TFs) that play a crucial role during rice pollen development. This study demonstrates that bHLH142 acts downstream of UDT1 and GAMYB and works as a “hub” in these two pollen pathways. We show that GAMYB modulates bHLH142 expression through specific binding to the MYB motif of bHLH142 promoter during early stage of pollen development; while TDR acts as a transcriptional repressor of the GAMYB modulation of bHLH142 by binding to the E-box close to the MYB motif on the promoter. The altered expression of TFs highlights the importance that a tight, precise, and coordinated regulation among these TFs is essential for normal pollen development. Most notably, this study illustrates the regulatory pathways of GAMYB and UDT1 that rely on bHLH142 in a direct and an indirect manner, respectively, and function in different tissues with distinct biological functions during pollen development. This study advances our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of rice pollen development.

scholarly journals Gcorn fungi: A Web Tool for Detecting Biases between Gene Evolution and Speciation in Fungi

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 959
Author(s):  
Taiga Kawachi ◽  
Yuta Inuki ◽  
Yoshiyuki Ogata
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Open Access ◽  
Horizontal Gene Transfer ◽  
Gene Evolution ◽  
Gene Mutations ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Web Tool ◽  
Homologous Genes ◽  
Open Access Database ◽  
Fungal Genes

(1) Background: Fungi contain several millions of species, and the diversification of fungal genes has been achieved by speciation, gene duplication, and horizontal gene transfer. Although several databases provide information on orthologous and paralogous events, these databases show no information on biases between gene mutation and speciation. Here, we designed the Gcorn fungi database to better understand such biases. (2) Methods: Amino acid sequences of fungal genes in 249 species, which contain 2,345,743 sequences, were used for this database. Homologous genes were grouped at various thresholds of the homology index, which was based on the percentages of gene mutations. By grouping genes that showed highly similar homology indices to each other, we showed functional and evolutionary traits in the phylogenetic tree depicted for the gene of interest. (3) Results: Gcorn fungi provides well-summarized information on the evolution of a gene lineage and on the biases between gene evolution and speciation, which are quantitatively identified by the Robinson–Foulds metric. The database helps users visualize these traits using various depictions. (4) Conclusions: Gcorn fungi is an open access database that provides a variety of information with which to understand gene function and evolution.

scholarly journals Self-Supervised Representation Learning of Protein Tertiary Structures (PtsRep): Protein Engineering as A Case Study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junwen Luo ◽  
Yi Cai ◽  
Jialin Wu ◽  
Hongmin Cai ◽  
Xiaofeng Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Deep Learning ◽  
Protein Engineering ◽  
Structural Information ◽  
Representation Learning ◽  
Sequence Information ◽  
Structural Representation ◽  
Tertiary Structures ◽  
Structural Space ◽  
General Protein ◽  
And Function

AbstractIn recent years, deep learning has been increasingly used to decipher the relationships among protein sequence, structure, and function. Thus far deep learning of proteins has mostly utilized protein primary sequence information, while the vast amount of protein tertiary structural information remains unused. In this study, we devised a self-supervised representation learning framework to extract the fundamental features of unlabeled protein tertiary structures (PtsRep), and the embedded representations were transferred to two commonly recognized protein engineering tasks, protein stability and GFP fluorescence prediction. On both tasks, PtsRep significantly outperformed the two benchmark methods (UniRep and TAPE-BERT), which are based on protein primary sequences. Protein clustering analyses demonstrated that PtsRep can capture the structural signals in proteins. PtsRep reveals an avenue for general protein structural representation learning, and for exploring protein structural space for protein engineering and drug design.

scholarly journals The Distinct Properties of the Consecutive Disordered Regions Inside or Outside Protein Domains and Their Functional Significance

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (19) ◽  
pp. 10677
Author(s):  
Huqiang Wang ◽  
Haolin Zhong ◽  
Chao Gao ◽  
Jiayin Zang ◽  
Dong Yang
Keyword(s):  
Intrinsically Disordered Proteins ◽  
Protein Domains ◽  
Comprehensive Analysis ◽  
Disordered Proteins ◽  
Functional Constraints ◽  
Biological Functions ◽  
Post Translational Modification ◽  
Intrinsically Disordered ◽  
And Function ◽  
Disordered Regions

The consecutive disordered regions (CDRs) are the basis for the formation of intrinsically disordered proteins, which contribute to various biological functions and increasing organism complexity. Previous studies have revealed that CDRs may be present inside or outside protein domains, but a comprehensive analysis of the property differences between these two types of CDRs and the proteins containing them is lacking. In this study, we investigated this issue from three viewpoints. Firstly, we found that in-domain CDRs are more hydrophilic and stable but have less stickiness and fewer post-translational modification sites compared with out-domain CDRs. Secondly, at the protein level, we found that proteins with only in-domain CDRs originated late, evolved rapidly, and had weak functional constraints, compared with the other two types of CDR-containing proteins. Proteins with only in-domain CDRs tend to be expressed spatiotemporal specifically, but they tend to have higher abundance and are more stable. Thirdly, we screened the CDR-containing protein domains that have a strong correlation with organism complexity. The CDR-containing domains tend to be evolutionarily young, or they changed from a domain without CDR to a CDR-containing domain during evolution. These results provide valuable new insights about the evolution and function of CDRs and protein domains.

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