scholarly journals Brown Spiders’ Phospholipases-D with Potential Therapeutic Applications: Functional Assessment of Mutant Isoforms

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 320
Author(s):  
Thaís Pereira da Silva ◽  
Fernando Jacomini de Castro ◽  
Larissa Vuitika ◽  
Nayanne Louise Costacurta Polli ◽  
Bruno César Antunes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Changes ◽  
Capillary Permeability ◽  
Structural Data ◽  
Histopathological Analysis ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Antigenic Properties ◽  
Harmful Effects

Phospholipases-D (PLDs) found in Loxosceles spiders’ venoms are responsible for the dermonecrosis triggered by envenomation. PLDs can also induce other local and systemic effects, such as massive inflammatory response, edema, and hemolysis. Recombinant PLDs reproduce all of the deleterious effects induced by Loxosceles whole venoms. Herein, wild type and mutant PLDs of two species involved in accidents—L. gaucho and L. laeta—were recombinantly expressed and characterized. The mutations are related to amino acid residues relevant for catalysis (H12-H47), magnesium ion coordination (E32-D34) and binding to phospholipid substrates (Y228 and Y228-Y229-W230). Circular dichroism and structural data demonstrated that the mutant isoforms did not undergo significant structural changes. Immunoassays showed that mutant PLDs exhibit conserved epitopes and kept their antigenic properties despite the mutations. Both in vitro (sphingomyelinase activity and hemolysis) and in vivo (capillary permeability, dermonecrotic activity, and histopathological analysis) assays showed that the PLDs with mutations H12-H47, E32-D34, and Y228-Y229-W230 displayed only residual activities. Results indicate that these mutant toxins are suitable for use as antigens to obtain neutralizing antisera with enhanced properties since they will be based on the most deleterious toxins in the venom and without causing severe harmful effects to the animals in which these sera are produced.

scholarly journals Structural Requirements of Tom40 for Assembly into Preexisting TOM Complexes of Mitochondria

2001 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1189-1198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Doron Rapaport ◽  
Rebecca D. Taylor ◽  
Michael Käser ◽  
Thomas Langer ◽  
Walter Neupert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Stage ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Mitochondrial Outer Membrane ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Tom Complex ◽  
Precursor Proteins ◽  
Blue Native

Tom40 is the major subunit of the translocase of the outer mitochondrial membrane (the TOM complex). To study the assembly pathway of Tom40, we have followed the integration of the protein into the TOM complex in vitro and in vivo using wild-type and altered versions of the Neurospora crassa Tom40 protein. Upon import into isolated mitochondria, Tom40 precursor proteins lacking the first 20 or the first 40 amino acid residues were assembled as the wild-type protein. In contrast, a Tom40 precursor lacking residues 41 to 60, which contains a highly conserved region of the protein, was arrested at an intermediate stage of assembly. We constructed mutant versions of Tom40 affecting this region and transformed the genes into a sheltered heterokaryon containing a tom40 null nucleus. Homokaryotic strains expressing the mutant Tom40 proteins had growth rate defects and were deficient in their ability to form conidia. Analysis of the TOM complex in these strains by blue native gel electrophoresis revealed alterations in electrophoretic mobility and a tendency to lose Tom40 subunits from the complex. Thus, both in vitro and in vivo studies implicate residues 41 to 60 as containing a sequence required for proper assembly/stability of Tom40 into the TOM complex. Finally, we found that TOM complexes in the mitochondrial outer membrane were capable of exchanging subunits in vitro. A model is proposed for the integration of Tom40 subunits into the TOM complex.

scholarly journals Invading the Yeast Nucleus: a Nuclear Localization Signal at the C Terminus of Ty1 Integrase Is Required for Transposition In Vivo

1998 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 1115-1124 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret A. Kenna ◽  
Carrie Baker Brachmann ◽  
Scott E. Devine ◽  
Jef D. Boeke
Keyword(s):  
Nuclear Localization ◽  
Nuclear Localization Signal ◽  
Reverse Transcriptase Activity ◽  
Deletion Mutants ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Localization Signal

ABSTRACT Retrotransposon Ty1 faces a formidable cell barrier during transposition—the yeast nuclear membrane which remains intact throughout the cell cycle. We investigated the mechanism by which transposition intermediates are transported from the cytoplasm (the presumed site of Ty1 DNA synthesis) to the nucleus, where they are integrated into the genome. Ty1 integrase has a nuclear localization signal (NLS) at its C terminus. Both full-length integrase and a C-terminal fragment localize to the nucleus. C-terminal deletion mutants in Ty1 integrase were used to map the putative NLS to the last 74 amino acid residues of integrase. Mutations in basic segments within this region decreased retrotransposition at least 50-fold in vivo. Furthermore, these mutant integrase proteins failed to localize to the nucleus. Production of virus-like particles, reverse transcriptase activity, and complete in vitro Ty1 integration resembled wild-type levels, consistent with failure of the mutant integrases to enter the nucleus.

scholarly journals Conserved hydrophobic amino acid residues in the N-terminal region of DnaA protein are involved in DnaA–DnaA interaction

2002 ◽  
Vol 365 (3) ◽  
pp. 881-887 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shinji MIMA ◽  
Masaki MAKISE ◽  
Motohiro KOTERASAWA ◽  
Tomofusa TSUCHIYA ◽  
Tohru MIZUSHIMA
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Leucine Zipper ◽  
Terminal Region ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Glutathione S Transferase ◽  
Hydrophobic Amino Acid ◽  
Dnaa Protein

We previously reported that a leucine-zipper-like structure (I26, L33 and L40) located in the N-terminal region of DnaA is essential for the duplex opening at oriC by DnaA. In this study, we focused on three other conserved hydrophobic amino acid residues, L3, L10 and L17, and examined the function of DnaA proteins mutated in these amino acid residues. DnaA427 (L17S) and DnaA413 (L3S, L10S and L17S) were inactive for oriC DNA replication both in vitro and in vivo. Although these mutant DnaA proteins maintained their binding activities for both ATP and oriC, they were unable to induce the opening of duplex DNA at oriC. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST)-fused wild-type DnaA interacted with wild-type DnaA but not with DnaA427 and DnaA413. Based on these results, we propose that conserved hydrophobic amino acid residues in the N-terminal region of DnaA are involved in DnaA oligomerization, in which DnaA—DnaA interaction is required.

Oxytocin analogues with non-coded amino acid residues in position 8: [8-Neopentylglycine]oxytocin and [8-cycloleucine]oxytocin

1987 ◽  
Vol 52 (9) ◽  
pp. 2317-2325 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Hlaváček ◽  
Jan Pospíšek ◽  
Jiřina Slaninová ◽  
Walter Y. Chan ◽  
Victor J. Hruby
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Solid Phase Synthesis ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
The Other ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Phase Synthesis ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Fragment Condensation

[8-Neopentylglycine]oxytocin (II) and [8-cycloleucine]oxytocin (III) were prepared by a combination of solid-phase synthesis and fragment condensation. Both analogues exhibited decreased uterotonic potency in vitro, each being about 15-30% that of oxytocin. Analogue II also displayed similarly decreased uterotonic potency in vivo and galactogogic potency. On the other hand, analogue III exhibited almost the same potency as oxytocin in the uterotonic assay in vivo and in the galactogogic assay.

Synthesis of Fragments of the Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) and Analysis of Their Residual Biological Activities

1995 ◽  
Vol 60 (7) ◽  
pp. 1229-1235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivana Zoulíková ◽  
Ivan Svoboda ◽  
Jiří Velek ◽  
Václav Kašička ◽  
Jiřina Slaninová ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Residual Activity ◽  
Detailed Examination ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Linear Peptide ◽  
Zone Electrophoresis ◽  
Capillary Zone

The vasoactive intestinal (poly)peptide (VIP) is a linear peptide containing 28 amino acid residues, whose primary structure indicates a low metabolic stability. The following VIP fragments, as potential metabolites, and their analogues were prepared by synthesis on a solid: [His(Dnp)1]VIP(1-10), VIP(11-14), [D-Arg12]VIP(11-14), [Lys(Pac)15,21,Arg20]VIP(15-22), and VIP(23-28). After purification, the peptides were characterized by amino acid analysis, mass spectrometry, RP HPLC, and capillary zone electrophoresis. In some tests, detailed examination of the biological activity of the substances in vivo and in vitro gave evidence of a low, residual activity of some fragments, viz. a depressoric activity in vivo for [His(Dnp)1]VIP(1-10) and a stimulating activity for the release of α-amylase in vitro and in vivo for [Lys(Pac)15,21,Arg20]VIP(15-22) and VIP(23-28).

scholarly journals Arabidopsis Disulfide Reductase, Trx-h2, Functions as an RNA Chaperone under Cold Stress

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (15) ◽  
pp. 6865
Author(s):  
Eun Seon Lee ◽  
Joung Hun Park ◽  
Seong Dong Wi ◽  
Ho Byoung Chae ◽  
Seol Ki Paeng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cold Stress ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Rna Chaperone ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Cold Sensitive ◽  
Thioredoxin H ◽  
Functional Rnas

The thioredoxin-h (Trx-h) family of Arabidopsis thaliana comprises cytosolic disulfide reductases. However, the physiological function of Trx-h2, which contains an additional 19 amino acids at its N-terminus, remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the molecular function of Trx-h2 both in vitro and in vivo and found that Arabidopsis Trx-h2 overexpression (Trx-h2OE) lines showed significantly longer roots than wild-type plants under cold stress. Therefore, we further investigated the role of Trx-h2 under cold stress. Our results revealed that Trx-h2 functions as an RNA chaperone by melting misfolded and non-functional RNAs, and by facilitating their correct folding into active forms with native conformation. We showed that Trx-h2 binds to and efficiently melts nucleic acids (ssDNA, dsDNA, and RNA), and facilitates the export of mRNAs from the nucleus to the cytoplasm under cold stress. Moreover, overexpression of Trx-h2 increased the survival rate of the cold-sensitive E. coli BX04 cells under low temperature. Thus, our data show that Trx-h2 performs function as an RNA chaperone under cold stress, thus increasing plant cold tolerance.

scholarly journals Neuroprotective Potential of a Small Molecule RET Agonist in Cultured Dopamine Neurons and Hemiparkinsonian Rats

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-24
Author(s):  
Juho-Matti Renko ◽  
Arun Kumar Mahato ◽  
Tanel Visnapuu ◽  
Konsta Valkonen ◽  
Mati Karelson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mapk Signaling ◽  
Dopamine Neurons ◽  
Dopamine Depletion ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Disease Modifying Therapy ◽  
Immortalized Cells ◽  
Midbrain Dopamine ◽  
6 Hydroxydopamine

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurological disorder where loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra and dopamine depletion in the striatum cause characteristic motor symptoms. Currently, no treatment is able to halt the progression of PD. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) rescues degenerating dopamine neurons both in vitro and in animal models of PD. When tested in PD patients, however, the outcomes from intracranial GDNF infusion paradigms have been inconclusive, mainly due to poor pharmacokinetic properties. Objective: We have developed drug-like small molecules, named BT compounds that activate signaling through GDNF’s receptor, the transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase RET, both in vitro and in vivo and are able to penetrate through the blood-brain barrier. Here we evaluated the properties of BT44, a second generation RET agonist, in immortalized cells, dopamine neurons and rat 6-hydroxydopamine model of PD. Methods: We used biochemical, immunohistochemical and behavioral methods to evaluate the effects of BT44 on dopamine system in vitro and in vivo. Results: BT44 selectively activated RET and intracellular pro-survival AKT and MAPK signaling pathways in immortalized cells. In primary midbrain dopamine neurons cultured in serum-deprived conditions, BT44 promoted the survival of the neurons derived from wild-type, but not from RET knockout mice. BT44 also protected cultured wild-type dopamine neurons from MPP +-induced toxicity. In a rat 6-hydroxydopamine model of PD, BT44 reduced motor imbalance and could have protected dopaminergic fibers in the striatum. Conclusion: BT44 holds potential for further development into a novel, possibly disease-modifying therapy for PD.

scholarly journals The double-stranded DNA-binding proteins TEBP-1 and TEBP-2 form a telomeric complex with POT-1

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina Dietz ◽  
Miguel Vasconcelos Almeida ◽  
Emily Nischwitz ◽  
Jan Schreier ◽  
Nikenza Viceconte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Proteomics ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
C Elegans ◽  
Double Stranded Dna ◽  
Telomere Sequence ◽  
Proteomics Approach ◽  
Telomeric Protein ◽  
Regulate Telomere Length

AbstractTelomeres are bound by dedicated proteins, which protect them from DNA damage and regulate telomere length homeostasis. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, a comprehensive understanding of the proteins interacting with the telomere sequence is lacking. Here, we harnessed a quantitative proteomics approach to identify TEBP-1 and TEBP-2, two paralogs expressed in the germline and embryogenesis that associate to telomeres in vitro and in vivo. tebp-1 and tebp-2 mutants display strikingly distinct phenotypes: tebp-1 mutants have longer telomeres than wild-type animals, while tebp-2 mutants display shorter telomeres and a Mortal Germline. Notably, tebp-1;tebp-2 double mutant animals have synthetic sterility, with germlines showing signs of severe mitotic and meiotic arrest. Furthermore, we show that POT-1 forms a telomeric complex with TEBP-1 and TEBP-2, which bridges TEBP-1/-2 with POT-2/MRT-1. These results provide insights into the composition and organization of a telomeric protein complex in C. elegans.

scholarly journals Interaction of Lactoferrin with Unsaturated Fatty Acids: In Vitro and In Vivo Study of Human Lactoferrin/Oleic Acid Complex Cytotoxicity

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 1602
Author(s):  
Anna Elizarova ◽  
Alexey Sokolov ◽  
Valeria Kostevich ◽  
Ekaterina Kisseleva ◽  
Evgeny Zelenskiy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oleic Acid ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Unsaturated Fatty Acids ◽  
Structural Features ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Acid Complex ◽  
Hepatoma 22A ◽  
Constitutive Parameters

As shown recently, oleic acid (OA) in complex with lactoferrin (LF) causes the death of cancer cells, but no mechanism(s) of that toxicity have been disclosed. In this study, constitutive parameters of the antitumor effect of LF/OA complex were explored. Complex LF/OA was prepared by titrating recombinant human LF with OA. Spectral analysis was used to assess possible structural changes of LF within its complex with OA. Structural features of apo-LF did not change within the complex LF:OA = 1:8, which was toxic for hepatoma 22a cells. Cytotoxicity of the complex LF:OA = 1:8 was tested in cultured hepatoma 22a cells and in fresh erythrocytes. Its anticancer activity was tested in mice carrying hepatoma 22a. In mice injected daily with LF-8OA, the same tumor grew significantly slower. In 20% of animals, the tumors completely resolved. LF alone was less efficient, i.e., the tumor growth index was 0.14 for LF-8OA and 0.63 for LF as compared with 1.0 in the control animals. The results of testing from 48 days after the tumor inoculation showed that the survival rate among LF-8OA-treated animals was 70%, contrary to 0% rate in the control group and among the LF-treated mice. Our data allow us to regard the complex of LF and OA as a promising tool for cancer treatment.

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