scholarly journals Spinning sugars in antigen biosynthesis: a direct study of the Coxiella burnetii and Streptomyces griseus TDP-sugar epimerases

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice R Cross ◽  
Sumita Roy ◽  
Mirella Vivoli Vega ◽  
Martin Rejzek ◽  
Sergey A Nepogodiev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genome Sequencing ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Active Site ◽  
Streptomyces Griseus ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Ring Contraction ◽  
Zoonotic Pathogen ◽  
Similar Path

The sugars streptose and dihydrohydroxystreptose (DHHS) are unique to the bacteria Streptomyces griseus and Coxiella burnetii respectively. Streptose forms the central moiety of the antibiotic streptomycin, whilst DHHS is found in the O-antigen of the zoonotic pathogen C. burnetii. Biosynthesis of these sugars has been proposed to follow a similar path to that of TDP-rhamnose, catalysed by the enzymes RmlA/RmlB/RmlC/RmlD. Streptose and DHHS biosynthesis unusually require a ring contraction step that might be performed by the orthologues of RmlC or RmlD. Genome sequencing of S. griseus and C. burnetii proposed the StrM and CBU1838 proteins respectively as RmlC orthologues. Here, we demonstrate through both coupled and direct observation studies that both enzymes can perform the RmlC 3'',5'' double epimerisation activity; and that this activity supports TDP-rhamnose biosynthesis in vivo. We demonstrate that proton exchange is faster at the 3'' position than the 5'' position, in contrast to a previously studied orthologue. We solved the crystal structures of CBU1838 and StrM in complex with TDP and show that they form an active site highly similar to previously characterised enzymes. These results further support the hypothesis that streptose and DHHS are biosynthesised using the TDP pathway and are consistent with the ring contraction step being performed on a double epimerised substrate, most likely by the RmlD paralogue. This work will support the determination of the full pathways for streptose and DHHS biosynthesis.

scholarly journals First serological record of Coxiella burnetii infection in the equine population of Slovakia

Biologia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Monika Drážovská ◽  
Marián Prokeš ◽  
Boris Vojtek ◽  
Jana Mojžišová ◽  
Anna Ondrejková ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
16S Rrna ◽  
Coxiella Burnetii ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Elisa Method ◽  
Zoonotic Pathogen ◽  
Specific Antibodies

AbstractCoxiella burnetii is a worldwide zoonotic pathogen causing Q fever in various animal species and humans. In Slovakia, cases of C. burnetii infection in both animals and humans are confirmed every year. The role of horses in the epidemiology of this neglected disease is still unclear. In our study, we focused on a serosurvey of C. burnetii in the equine population in Slovakia by the ELISA method. Subsequently, a nested PCR was performed to detect the 16S rRNA fragment of the genus Coxiella. Among 184 horse sera, the presence of specific antibodies to C. burnetii was detected in four samples, representing a 2.17% seropositivity. All the positive horses were mares; two originated from Central Slovakia and two from Eastern Slovakia. Although the number of positive samples was too small for a determination of statistical significance, our results provide the first confirmation of antibodies to C. burnetii in horses from Slovakia. Although no positive PCR result was obtained, these serological findings may help to clarify the circulation of the pathogen in the environment.

Ancylostoma caninum Anticoagulant Peptide Blocks Metastasis In Vivo and Inhibits Factor Xa Binding to Melanoma Cells In Vitro

1998 ◽  
Vol 79 (05) ◽  
pp. 1041-1047 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen M. Donnelly ◽  
Michael E. Bromberg ◽  
Aaron Milstone ◽  
Jennifer Madison McNiff ◽  
Gordon Terwilliger ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Active Site ◽  
Thrombin Generation ◽  
Factor Xa ◽  
Coagulation Factor ◽  
Melanoma Cells ◽  
Factor V ◽  
Ancylostoma Caninum ◽  
Metastatic Activity

SummaryWe evaluated the in vivo anti-metastatic activity of recombinant Ancylostoma caninum Anticoagulant Peptide (rAcAP), a potent (Ki = 265 pM) and specific active site inhibitor of human coagulation factor Xa originally isolated from bloodfeeding hookworms. Subcutaneous injection of SCID mice with rAcAP (0.01-0.2 mg/mouse) prior to tail vein injection of LOX human melanoma cells resulted in a dose dependent reduction in pulmonary metastases. In order to elucidate potential mechanisms of rAcAP’s anti-metastatic activity, experiments were carried out to identify specific interactions between factor Xa and LOX. Binding of biotinylated factor Xa to LOX monolayers was both specific and saturable (Kd = 15 nM). Competition experiments using antibodies to previously identified factor Xa binding proteins, including factor V/Va, effector cell protease receptor-1, and tissue factor pathway inhibitor failed to implicate any of these molecules as significant binding sites for Factor Xa. Functional prothrombinase activity was also supported by LOX, with a half maximal rate of thrombin generation detected at a factor Xa concentration of 2.4 nM. Additional competition experiments using an excess of either rAcAP or active site blocked factor Xa (EGR-Xa) revealed that most of the total factor Xa binding to LOX is mediated via interaction with the enzyme’s active site, predicting that the vast majority of cell-associated factor Xa does not participate directly in thrombin generation. In addition to establishing two distinct mechanisms of factor Xa binding to melanoma, these data raise the possibility that rAcAP’s antimetastatic effect in vivo might involve novel non-coagulant pathways, perhaps via inhibition of active-site mediated interactions between factor Xa and tumor cells.

A Molecular Approach to Immunoscintigraphy: A Study of the T-Antigen Conformation on the Surface of Tumors

1987 ◽  
Vol 26 (01) ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Selvaraj ◽  
M. R. Suresh ◽  
G. McLean ◽  
D. Willans ◽  
C. Turner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Monoclonal Antibodies ◽  
Tumor Cell ◽  
T Antigen ◽  
Human Carcinomas ◽  
Animal Tumor ◽  
Synthetic Antigens

The role of glycoconjugates in tumor cell differentiation has been well documented. We have examined the expression of the two anomers of the Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen on the surface of human, canine and murine tumor cell membranes both in vitro and in vivo. This has been accomplished through the synthesis of the disaccharide terminal residues in both a and ß configuration. Both entities were used to generate murine monoclonal antibodies which recognized the carbohydrate determinants. The determination of fine specificities of these antibodies was effected by means of cellular uptake, immunohistopathology and immunoscintigraphy. Examination of pathological specimens of human and canine tumor tissue indicated that the expressed antigen was in the β configuration. More than 89% of all human carcinomas tested expressed the antigen in the above anomeric form. The combination of synthetic antigens and monoclonal antibodies raised specifically against them provide us with invaluable tools for the study of tumor marker expression in humans and their respective animal tumor models.

Storage of Human Blood Platelets

1974 ◽  
Vol 32 (02/03) ◽  
pp. 405-416 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. R Hardeman ◽  
Carina J L. Heynens
Keyword(s):  
Storage Temperature ◽  
Platelet Rich Plasma ◽  
Blood Platelets ◽  
Storage Period ◽  
Serotonin Uptake ◽  
Hypotonic Shock ◽  
Glycolytic Intermediates

SummaryStorage experiments were performed at 4°, 25° and 37° C with platelet-rich plasma under sterile conditions. In some experiments also the effect of storing platelets at 4° C in whole blood was investigated.Before, during and after three days of storage, the platelets were tested at 37° C for their serotonin uptake and response to hypotonic shock. In addition some glycolytic intermediates were determined.A fair correlation was noticed between the serotonin uptake and hypotonic shock experiments. Both parameters were best maintained at 25° C. Also platelet counting, performed after the storage period, indicated 25° C as the best storage temperature. Determination of glycolytic intermediates did not justify any conclusion regarding the optimal storage temperature. Of the various anticoagulants studied, ACD and heparin gave the best results as to the serotonin uptake and hypotonic shock response, either with fresh or stored platelets. The use of EDTA resulted in the lowest activity, especially after storage.The results of these storage experiments in vitro, correspond well with those in vivo reported in the literature.

Turnover of Human Extrinsic (Tissue-Type) Plasminogen Activator in Rabbits

1981 ◽  
Vol 46 (03) ◽  
pp. 658-661 ◽  
Author(s):  
C Korninger ◽  
J M Stassen ◽  
D Collen
Keyword(s):  
Plasminogen Activator ◽  
Intravenous Injection ◽  
Active Site ◽  
Half Life ◽  
Degradation Products ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Tissue Type ◽  
Organ Distribution ◽  
Small Rise

SummaryThe turnover of highly purified human extrinsic plasminogen activator (EPA) (one- and two-chain form) was studied in rabbits. Following intravenous injection, EPA-activity declined rapidly. The disappearance rate of EPA from the plasma could adequately be described by a single exponential term with a t ½ of approximately 2 min for both the one-chain and two-chain forms of EPA.The clearance and organ distribution of EPA was studied by using 125I-labeled preparations. Following intravenous injection of 125I-1abeled EPA the radioactivity disappeared rapidly from the plasma also with a t ½ of approximately 2 min down to a level of 15 to 20 percent, followed by a small rise of blood radioactivity. Gel filtration of serial samples revealed that the secondary increase of the radioactivity was due to the reappearance of radioactive breakdown products in the blood. Measurement of the organ distribution of 125I at different time intervals revealed that EPA was rapidly accumulated in the liver, followed by a release of degradation products in the blood.Experimental hepatectomy markedly prolonged the half-life of EPA in the blood. Blocking the active site histidine of EPA had no effect on the half-life of EPA in blood nor on the gel filtration patterns of 125I in serial plasma samples.It is concluded that human EPA is rapidly removed from the blood of rabbits by clearance and degradation in the liver. Recognition by the liver does not require a functional active site in the enzyme. Neutralization in plasma by protease inhibitors does not represent a significant pathway of EPA inactivation in vivo.

The Effect of Active Site-inhibited Factor VIIa on Tissue Factor-initiated Coagulation Using Platelets before and after Aspirin Administration

1997 ◽  
Vol 78 (04) ◽  
pp. 1202-1208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marianne Kjalke ◽  
Julie A Oliver ◽  
Dougald M Monroe ◽  
Maureane Hoffman ◽  
Mirella Ezban ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Factor ◽  
Active Site ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Thrombin Generation ◽  
Factor Viia ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Antithrombotic Agent ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Ic50 Values

SummaryActive site-inactivated factor VIIa has potential as an antithrombotic agent. The effects of D-Phe-L-Phe-L-Arg-chloromethyl ketone-treated factor VIla (FFR-FVIIa) were evaluated in a cell-based system mimicking in vivo initiation of coagulation. FFR-FVIIa inhibited platelet activation (as measured by expression of P-selectin) and subsequent large-scale thrombin generation in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 values of 1.4 ± 0.8 nM (n = 8) and 0.9 ± 0.7 nM (n = 7), respectively. Kd for factor VIIa binding to monocytes ki for FFR-FVIIa competing with factor VIIa were similar (11.4 ± 0.8 pM and 10.6 ± 1.1 pM, respectively), showing that FFR-FVIIa binds to tissue factor in the tenase complex with the same affinity as factor VIIa. Using platelets from volunteers before and after ingestion of aspirin (1.3 g), there were no significant differences in the IC50 values of FFR-FVIIa [after aspirin ingestion, the IC50 values were 1.7 ± 0.9 nM (n = 8) for P-selectin expression, p = 0.37, and 1.4 ± 1.3 nM (n = 7) for thrombin generation, p = 0.38]. This shows that aspirin treatment of platelets does not influence the inhibition of tissue factor-initiated coagulation by FFR-FVIIa, probably because thrombin activation of platelets is not entirely dependent upon expression of thromboxane A2.

Acyl-Enzymes as Thrombolytic Agents in a Rabbit Model of Venous Thrombosis

1982 ◽  
Vol 47 (03) ◽  
pp. 269-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
R A G Smith ◽  
R J Dupe ◽  
P D English ◽  
J Green
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Active Site ◽  
Fibrinolytic Activity ◽  
Rabbit Model ◽  
Fibrinolytic Agent ◽  
Essential Nature ◽  
Thrombolytic Agents

SummaryA derivative of human lys-plasmin in which the active site has been reversibly acylated (BRL 26920; p-anisoyl human lys-plasmin) has been examined as a fibrinolytic agent in a previously described rabbit model of venous thrombosis and shown to be significantly more active and less fibrinogenolytic than free plasmin. A p-anisoylated derivative of a streptokinase (SK)-activated plasmin preparation was significantly less fibrinogenolytic in vivo than the non-acylated enzyme. Acylation increased the fibrinolytic activity of preparations of SK-plasmin activator complexes. BRL 26921, the active site anisoylated derivative of the primary 2-chain SK-plasminogen complex was the most potent fibrinolytic agent studied. SK-Val442-plasminogen complexes, free or acylated, were biologically inactive in this model and confirm the essential nature of fibrin binding processes for effective thrombolysis in vivo.

Acyl-Enzymes as Thrombolytic Agents in Dog Models of Venous Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism

1984 ◽  
Vol 51 (02) ◽  
pp. 248-253 ◽  
Author(s):  
R J Dupe ◽  
P D English ◽  
R A G Smith ◽  
J Green
Keyword(s):  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Active Site ◽  
Acute Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Quantitative Model ◽  
Beagle Dog ◽  
Thrombosis Model ◽  
Derivatives Of

SummaryA quantitative model of venous thrombosis in the beagle dog is described. The model was adapted to permit ageing of isolated experimental clots in vivo. A model of acute pulmonary embolism in this species is also described. In the venous thrombosis model, infusion of streptokinase (SK) or SK-activated human plasmin gave significant lysis but bolus doses of SK. plasmin complex were ineffective. Active site anisoylated derivatives of SK. plasminogen complex, SK-activated plasmin and activator-free plasmin were all active when given as bolus doses in both models. At lytic doses, the acyl-enzymes caused fewer side-effects attributable to plasminaemia than the corresponding unmodified enzymes.

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