scholarly journals Assessment of Splice Variant-Specific Functions of Desmocollin 1 in the Skin

2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 154-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xing Cheng ◽  
Kusal Mihindukulasuriya ◽  
Zhining Den ◽  
Andrew P. Kowalczyk ◽  
Cathárine C. Calkins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Adhesion ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Intermediate Filament ◽  
Structural Integrity ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
In Vitro Experiments ◽  
Adhesion Receptor ◽  
The Common ◽  
Cell Adhesion Receptor

ABSTRACT Desmocollin 1 (Dsc1) is part of a desmosomal cell adhesion receptor formed in terminally differentiating keratinocytes of stratified epithelia. The dsc1 gene encodes two proteins (Dsc1a and Dsc1b) that differ only with respect to their COOH-terminal cytoplasmic amino acid sequences. On the basis of in vitro experiments, it is thought that the Dsc1a variant is essential for assembly of the desmosomal plaque, a structure that connects desmosomes to the intermediate filament cytoskeleton of epithelial cells. We have generated mice that synthesize a truncated Dsc1 receptor that lacks both the Dsc1a- and Dsc1b-specific COOH-terminal domains. This mutant transmembrane receptor, which does not bind the common desmosomal plaque proteins plakoglobin and plakophilin 1, is integrated into functional desmosomes. Interestingly, our mutant mice did not show the epidermal fragility previously observed in dsc1-null mice. This suggests that neither the Dsc1a- nor the Dsc1b-specific COOH-terminal cytoplasmic domain is required for establishing and maintaining desmosomal adhesion. However, a comparison of our mutants with dsc1-null mice suggests that the Dsc1 extracellular domain is necessary to maintain structural integrity of the skin.

Effects of peptide hormone structure on H+ secretion by Necturus gastric mucosa

1976 ◽  
Vol 231 (2) ◽  
pp. 573-578 ◽  
Author(s):  
JM Berkowitz ◽  
M Praissman ◽  
ME LeFevre
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Gastric Mucosa ◽  
Peptide Hormone ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Gastrointestinal Hormone ◽  
Gastric Tissue ◽  
The Common ◽  
Subsequent Addition ◽  
Lower Molar

The actions of human synthetic gastrin I(G), the C-terminal tetrapeptide of gastrin (T), and the C-terminal octapeptide of cholecystokinin (OP) on acid secretion and transepithelial potential difference (PD) of the isolated Necturus gastric mucosa were determined. All three peptides induced H+ secretion, but the maximum H+ output was less with OP than with G or T. G and OP produced their maximum H+ output at lower molar concentrations than T. G- and OP-stimulated secretion was long sustained, but T-stimulated secretion rapidly returned to basal levels. T- and G-stimulated secretion was partially inhibited by the addition of OP. Evidence is presented that T rapidly disappears from solutions exposed to gastric mucosa, whereas G does not. Washing sensitized the mucosa to subsequent addition of T. The results suggest that the action of the common C-terminal tetrapeptide of G, T, and OP is modified by the preceding amino acid sequences, and that T, the smallest of the three peptides, is rapidly degraded by gastric tissue in vitro. The implications of the work for the study of gastrointestinal hormone structure-function relationships in isolated tissue preparations are discussed.

Role of cysteine in jaundice hemorrhages

1935 ◽  
Vol 31 (8-9) ◽  
pp. 1114-1114
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Obstructive Jaundice ◽  
Blood Clotting ◽  
In Vitro Experiments ◽  
Main Factor

The role of calcium, platelets, and other factors that were associated with bleeding was not confirmed in jaundice. Carr and Toote found that the amino acid cysteine was the main factor impeding blood clotting. In obstructive jaundice, this amino acid accumulates in the blood and in in vitro experiments and, when administered to animals, causes a deterioration in blood clotting.

scholarly journals Charge influences substrate recognition and self-assembly of hydrophobic FG sequences

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wesley G. Chen ◽  
Jacob Witten ◽  
Scott C. Grindy ◽  
Niels Holten-Andersen ◽  
Katharina Ribbeck
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Self Assembly ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Nuclear Pore ◽  
Selective Binding ◽  
Charged Amino Acids ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
Transport Receptors

AbstractThe nuclear pore complex controls the passage of molecules via hydrophobic phenylalanine-glycine (FG) domains on nucleoporins. Such FG-domains consist of repeating units of FxFG, FG, or GLFG sequences, which can be interspersed with highly charged amino acid sequences. Despite the high density of charge exhibited in certain FG-domains, if and how charge influences FG-domain self-assembly and selective binding of nuclear transport receptors is largely unexplored. Studying how individual charged amino acids contribute to nuclear pore selectivity is challenging with modern in vivo and in vitro techniques due to the complexity of nucleoporin sequences. Here, we present a rationally designed approach to deconstruct essential components of nucleoporins down to 14 amino acid sequences. With these nucleoporin-based peptides, we systematically dissect how charge type and placement of charge influences self-assembly and selective binding of FG-containing gels. Specifically, we find that charge type determines which hydrophobic substrates FG sequences recognize while spatial localization of charge tunes hydrophobic self-assembly and receptor selectivity of FG sequences.

scholarly journals Computational model combined with in vitro experiments to analyse mechanotransduction during mesenchymal stem cell adhesion

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 97-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
J-L Milan ◽  
◽  
S Lavenus ◽  
P Pilet ◽  
G Louarn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cell Adhesion ◽  
Mesenchymal Stem Cell ◽  
Computational Model ◽  
In Vitro Experiments

scholarly journals In vitro and In Silico Approach For Characterization of Antimicrobial Peptide From Probiotics Against Staphylococcus Aureus and Escherichia Coli

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amrutha Bindu ◽  
Lakshmi Devi
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Antimicrobial Peptide ◽  
Lactobacillus Plantarum ◽  
Exchange Chromatography ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Proteinase K ◽  
Kinetic Assay ◽  
Wide Range

Abstract The focus of present study was to characterize antimicrobial peptide produced by probiotic cultures, Enterococcus durans DB-1aa (MCC4243), Lactobacillus plantarum Cu2-PM7 (MCC4246) and Lactobacillus fermentum Cu3-PM8 (MCC4233) against Staphylococus aureus and E. coli. The growth kinetic assay revealed 24 h of incubation to be optimum for bacteriocin production. The partially purified compound after ion-exchange chromatography was found to be thermoresistant and stable under wide range of pH. The compound was sensitive to proteinase-K, but resistant to trypsin, a-amylase and lipase. The apparent molecular weight of bacteriocin from MCC4243 and MCC4246 was found to be 3.5 KDa. Translated partial amino acid sequence of plnA gene in MCC4246 displayed 48 amino acid sequences showing 100% similarity with plantaricin A of Lactobacillus plantarum (WP_0036419). The sequence revealed 7 β sheets, 6 α sheets, 6 predicted coils and 9 predicted turns. The functions on cytoplasm show 10.82 isoelectric point and 48.6% hydrophobicity. The molecular approach of using Geneious Prime software and protein prediction data base for characterization of bacteriocin is novel and predicts “KSSAYSLQMGATAIKQVKKLFKKWGW” as peptide responsible for antimicrobial activity. The study provides information about broad spectrum bacteriocin in native probiotic culture and paves a way towards its application in functional foods as biopreservative agents.

Expression of intermediate filament proteins during development of Xenopus laevis. I. cDNA clones encoding different forms of vimentin

Development ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 105 (2) ◽  
pp. 279-298
Author(s):  
H. Herrmann ◽  
B. Fouquet ◽  
W.W. Franke
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Xenopus Laevis ◽  
Intermediate Filament ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Mesenchymal Cell ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Cytoskeletal Proteins ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Mammalian Development ◽  
Intermediate Filament Proteins

To provide a basis for studies of the expression of genes encoding the diverse kinds of intermediate-filament (IF) proteins during embryogenesis of Xenopus laevis we have isolated and characterized IF protein cDNA clones. Here we report the identification of two types of Xenopus vimentin, Vim1 and Vim4, with their complete amino acid sequences as deduced from the cloned cDNAs, both of which are expressed during early embryogenesis. In addition, we have obtained two further vimentin cDNAs (Vim2 and 3) which are sequence variants of closely related Vim1. The high evolutionary conservation of the amino acid sequences (Vim1: 458 residues; Mr approximately 52,800; Vim4: 463 residues; Mr approximately 53,500) to avian and mammalian vimentin and, to a lesser degree, to desmin from the same and higher vertebrate species, is emphasized, including conserved oligopeptide motifs in their head domains. Using these cDNAs in RNA blot and ribonuclease protection assays of various embryonic stages, we observed a dramatic increase of vimentin RNA at stage 14, in agreement with immunocytochemical results obtained with antibody VIM-3B4. The significance of very weak mRNA signals detected in earlier stages is discussed in relation to negative immunocytochemical results obtained in these stages. The first appearance of vimentin has been localized to a distinct mesenchymal cell layer underlying the neural plate or tube, respectively. The results are discussed in relation to programs of de novo synthesis of other cytoskeletal proteins in amphibian and mammalian development.

Differentiating closely affiliated Dehalococcoides lineages by a novel genetic marker identified via computational pangenome analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siyan Zhao ◽  
Chen Zhang ◽  
Matthew J. Rogers ◽  
Xuejie Zhao ◽  
Jianzhong He
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Genetic Marker ◽  
Genetic Markers ◽  
Unknown Function ◽  
Computational Approach ◽  
Amino Acid Sequences ◽  
Reductive Dehalogenation ◽  
Wide Range

As a group, Dehalococcoides dehalogenate a wide range of organohalide pollutants but the range of organohalide compounds that can be utilized for reductive dehalogenation differs among the Dehalococcoides strains. Dehalococcoides lineages cannot be reliably disambiguated in mixed communities using typical phylogenetic markers, which often confounds bioremediation efforts. Here, we describe a computational approach to identify Dehalococcoides genetic markers with improved discriminatory resolution. Screening core genes from the Dehalococcoides pangenome for degree of similarity and frequency of 100% identity found a candidate genetic marker encoding a bacterial neuraminidase repeat (BNR)-containing protein of unknown function. This gene exhibits the fewest completely identical amino acid sequences and among the lowest average amino acid sequence identity in the core pangenome. Primers targeting BNR could effectively discriminate between 40 available BNR sequences ( in silico ) and 10 different Dehalococcoides isolates ( in vitro ). Amplicon sequencing of BNR fragments generated from 22 subsurface soil samples revealed a total of 109 amplicon sequence variants, suggesting a high diversity of Dehalococcoides distributed in environment. Therefore, the BNR gene can serve as an alternative genetic marker to differentiate strains of Dehalococcoides in complicated microbial communities. Importance The challenge of discriminating between phylogenetically similar but functionally distinct bacterial lineages is particularly relevant to the development of technologies seeking to exploit the metabolic or physiological characteristics of specific members of bacterial genera. A computational approach was developed to expedite screening of potential genetic markers among phylogenetically affiliated bacteria. Using this approach, a gene encoding a bacterial neuraminidase repeat (BNR)-containing protein of unknown function was selected and evaluated as a genetic marker to differentiate strains of Dehalococcoides , an environmentally relevant genus of bacteria whose members can transform and detoxify a range of halogenated organic solvents and persistent organic pollutants, in complex microbial communities to demonstrate the validity of the approach. Moreover, many apparently phylogenetically distinct, currently uncharacterized Dehalococcoides were detected in environmental samples derived from contaminated sites.

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