scholarly journals The Impact of Glycerol on an Affibody Conformation and Its Correlation to Chemical Degradation

Pharmaceutics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 1853
Author(s):  
Ingrid Ramm ◽  
Adrian Sanchez-Fernandez ◽  
Jaeyeong Choi ◽  
Christian Lang ◽  
Jonas Fransson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Protein Conformation ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Stable State ◽  
Stability Study ◽  
Chemical Degradation ◽  
Glycerol Concentration ◽  
Degradation Reactions ◽  
Pharmaceutical Protein ◽  
The Impact

The addition of glycerol to protein solutions is often used to hinder the aggregation and denaturation of proteins. However, it is not a generalised practice against chemical degradation reactions. The chemical degradation of proteins, such as deamidation and isomerisation, is an important deteriorative mechanism that leads to a loss of functionality of pharmaceutical proteins. Here, the influence of glycerol on the chemical degradation of a protein and its correlation to glycerol-induced conformational changes is presented. The time-dependent chemical degradation of a pharmaceutical protein, GA-Z, in the absence and presence of glycerol was investigated in a stability study. The effect of glycerol on protein conformation and oligomerisation was characterised using asymmetric field-flow fractionation and small-angle neutron scattering in a wide glycerol concentration range of 0–90% v/v. The results from the stability study were connected to the observed glycerol-induced conformational changes in the protein. A correlation between protein conformation and the protective effect of glycerol against the degradation reactions deamidation, isomerisation, and hydrolysis was found. The study reveals that glycerol induces conformational changes of the protein, which favour a more compact and chemically stable state. It is also shown that the conformation can be changed by other system properties, e.g., protein concentration, leading to increased chemical stability.

Comparison of the effect of poly(N-vinyl caprolactam) and poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) trimers on the stability of hydrated Na-montmorillonite: A molecular dynamics study

2020 ◽  
pp. 096739112093524
Author(s):  
Jiafang Xu ◽  
Moussa Camara ◽  
Hualin Liao ◽  
Hong Guo ◽  
Kouassi Louis Kra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Stable State ◽  
Dynamics Simulation ◽  
Effect Of Temperature ◽  
Radius Of Gyration ◽  
Molecular Arrangement ◽  
Isopropyl Acrylamide ◽  
The Stability ◽  
The Impact

In the present study, we performed a molecular dynamics simulation of the intercalation of poly( N-isopropyl acrylamide) (NIPAM)3 and poly( N-vinyl caprolactam) (NVCL)3 trimers into Na-montmorillonite (Na-Mt) to evaluate their effects on the interlayer structure and the stability of hydrated Na-Mt. The impact of both trimers on the interlayer species and their dynamics properties at different temperatures in a canonical ensemble (NVT) were investigated. The results showed that the electrostatic forces exerted by Na cations on H2O molecules and the interlayer H2O molecular arrangement are not affected by the rise in temperature after adding both trimers. Trimer addition reinforced the structure of interlayer H2O molecules so that the effect of temperature increase on them became negligible. The structural dynamics evolution of the radius of gyration of both trimers showed the existence of conformation changes when temperature increased. These conformational changes are more complex in the case of (NVCL)3 than (NIPAM)3 due to its large monomers. Both trimers reduced the mobility of interlayer particles with a better inhibition effect obtained for (NVCL)3 compared to (NIPAM)3. The concentration profile of interlayers’ species showed the affinity of Na cations for clay mineral surfaces while H2O molecules moved away. Compared these two trimers, the most stable state of Na-Mt is achieved with (NVCL)3. These results could help highlight the inhibition properties of (NIPAM)3 and (NVCL)3 on hydrated Na-Mt and to predict its stability against changes in environmental conditions.

scholarly journals AB1240 C4B BINDING PROTEIN AND WARFARIN IN THE ANTIPHOSPHOLIPID SYNDROME

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1911.2-1911
Author(s):  
G. Grosso ◽  
K. Sandholm ◽  
I. Gunnarsson ◽  
A. Zickert ◽  
A. Vikerfors ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antiphospholipid Syndrome ◽  
Mediation Analysis ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Protein S ◽  
Protein Isoforms ◽  
Type I ◽  
Complement Inhibitor ◽  
Warfarin Treatment ◽  
The Impact

Background:Complement plays a role in the Antiphospholipid Syndrome (APS). C4b Binding Protein (C4BP) is a complement inhibitor with anticoagulant function (1). It belongs to the same protein family as β2GPI, the main antigen in APS. Its main isoform is bound to protein S in the circulation. Levels of both protein S and C4BP are known to be reduced by warfarin treatment (2) as well as by aPL, directly and indirectly.Objectives:To investigate the levels of C4BP in primary (p) and secondary (s) APS, also considering warfarin treatment.Methods:The total amount of C4BP (C4BPt) was measured by using magnetic carboxylated microspheres which were coupled with a monoclonal antibody against the α-chain of human-C4BP to capture the antigen. To detect C4BPt the same antibody was used, biotinylated. The binding of biotinylated antibodies was detected by streptavidin-phycoerythrin and data were collected using a MAGPIX Multiplex Reader. Using independent t-test, we compared C4BP in 118 SLE patients with repeated positivity for Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) (39/118 on warfarin), 291 aPL negative SLE patients (16/291 on warfarin), 67 pAPS (33/67 on warfarin), and 322 controls (none on warfarin). We then performed an interaction and a mediation analysis (3) in the SLE group to study the impact of warfarin on C4BP levels: since warfarin is mostly prescribed to aPL+ patients, it is considered a mediator in the reducing effect of aPL on C4BP. Therefore we compared individuals exposed and non-exposed to the presence of aPL with or without the mediator warfarin and calculated the percentage of reduction in C4BP that could be attributed to aPL or warfarin.Results:Overall C4BP is 20% reduced in aPL+ patients (fig 1), independently of SLE, past thrombotic events and nephritis. Warfarin treated patients have lower levels of C4BP (fig 2). According to mediation analysis 11% of C4BP reduction is due to aPL and 9% to warfarin.Figure 1.C4BP in different subgroups (67 pAPS, 118 SLEaPL+, 291 SLEaPL-, 322 controls)Figure 2.C4BP in 67 pAPS patients, 33/67 on warfarinConclusion:Both aPL and warfarin decrease levels of C4BP, a complement and coagulation regulator. Reduction of this complement inhibitor could contribute to complement activation and thrombosis in APS. Our results raise new questions regarding the effects of warfarin treatment on complement and coagulation in APS.References:[1]Dahlbäck B. C4b-binding protein: a forgotten factor in thrombosis and hemostasis. Seminars in thrombosis and hemostasis 2011; 37(4): 355.[2]Zöller B, García de Frutos P, Dahlbäck B. Evaluation of the relationship between protein S and C4b-binding protein isoforms in hereditary protein S deficiency demonstrating type I and type III deficiencies to be phenotypic variants of the same genetic disease. Blood 1995; 85(12): 3524.[3]Vanderweele TJ, Vansteelandt S. Conceptual issues concerning mediation, interventions and composition. Statistics and Its Interface 2009; 2(4): 457-68.Disclaimer:AV is employed at the Swedish Medical Products Agency, the views expressed in this paper are the personal views of the authors and not necessarily the views of the Governement AgencyAcknowledgments:Thanks to the Biostatistics Core Facility, Karolinska UniversityDisclosure of Interests:None declared

Abstract 160: Pim-1 Preserves Cardiac Stem Cell Proliferation with Age

2012 ◽  
Vol 111 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael McGregor ◽  
Shabana Din ◽  
Natalie Gude ◽  
Mark A Sussman
Keyword(s):  
Cell Proliferation ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Protein A ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Tissue Homeostasis ◽  
Dominant Negative ◽  
Repair Capacity ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
The Impact

Rationale Cardiac stem cells (CSC) regulate cardiomyogenesis and support regenerative processes in the heart, but aging adversely affects stem cell repair capacity. Aging is a primary cause of impaired cardiac function characterized by accumulation of senescent cells. CSC senescence is associated with permanent growth arrest that decreases survival signaling and cellular replacement, inevitably diminishing the capacity of the heart to maintain tissue homeostasis. Therefore, promoting CSC growth may improve cardiac performance with age. Pim-1 kinase exhibits protective and proliferative effects in the myocardium but the role of Pim-1 in cardiac aging has not been thoroughly studied. Objective Demonstrate that Pim-1 promotes stem cell growth in the aged myocardium correlating with increased expression of centromere protein A (CENP-A), a kinetochore-associated protein known to support cell proliferation in numerous species and cell types. Methods & Results CENP-A expression levels were evaluated from murine myocardial tissue samples ranging in age from 11 days post coitum to 4 months of age with analysis by immunoblot as well as quantitative PCR. CENP-A expression was colocalized with c-kit as a marker of CSC by immunohistochemical labeling, revealing a decline in CENP-A expression over the time course of postnatal myocardial maturation. The impact of Pim-1 upon CENP-A level was assessed by comparative analysis of non-transgenic mice versus genetically modified transgenic mouse lines expressing either Pim-1 (wild type) or a dominant negative functionally dead Pim-1 mutant. Pim-1 overexpression increases persistence of CENP-A in CSCs with age, as well as the prevalence of cycling CSCs as marked by phosph-H3 expression, while the functionally dead mutant accelerates CENP-A diminution and decreases CSC proliferation. Conclusion CENP-A decline in c-kit positive cells with age provides intriguing evidence of a potential mechanism for the diminished capacity of CSCs to maintain tissue homeostasis. Pim-1 mitigates CENP-A diminution, demonstrating the promising potential of Pim-1 to promote cardiac growth and repair with age.

scholarly journals Landing Impact Analysis of a Bioinspired Intermittent Hopping Robot with Consideration of Friction

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Long Bai ◽  
Wenjie Ge ◽  
Xiaohong Chen ◽  
Qian Tang ◽  
Rong Xiang
Keyword(s):  
Impact Analysis ◽  
Influence Factors ◽  
Oblique Impact ◽  
Stability Study ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
General Applicability ◽  
Complementarity Conditions ◽  
Hopping Robot ◽  
Landing Impact ◽  
The Impact

Multibody dynamics for the flying and landing oblique impact processes of a bioinspired intermittent hopping robot is derived in this paper by using the impulse-momentum principle. The dynamics model that involves the multibody configuration, mass distribution of the robot, and friction is solved by the linear complementarity conditions in terms of different impact types. The computational and experimental data is compared. And the influence factors of landing impact are analysed as well. Based on the influence rules for landing impact, a technical design of solution is proposed for adjusting the robot’s attitude during the jumping and for absorbing the impact energy during the landing. Lessons learned from the theoretical and experimental results have general applicability to the motion prediction, performance analysis, and landing stability study for intermittent hopping robots or other legged robots.

scholarly journals The Evolving E-cigarette: Comparative Chemical Analyses of E-cigarette Vapor and Cigarette Smoke

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony Cunningham ◽  
Kevin McAdam ◽  
Jesse Thissen ◽  
Helena Digard
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Decomposition ◽  
Thermal Degradation ◽  
Benzoic Acid ◽  
Cigarette Smoke ◽  
Iron Alloy ◽  
Decomposition Products ◽  
Nickel Iron ◽  
Degradation Reactions ◽  
Nickel Iron Alloy ◽  
The Impact

Background: E-cigarette designs, materials, and ingredients are continually evolving, with cotton wicks and diverse coil materials emerging as the popular components of atomisers. Another recent development is the use of nicotine salts in e-liquids to replicate the form of nicotine found in cigarette smoke, which may help cigarette smokers to transition to e-cigarettes. However, scientific understanding of the impact of such innovations on e-cigarette aerosol chemistry is limited.Methods: To address these knowledge gaps, we have conducted a comparative study analyzing relevant toxicant emissions from five e-cigarettes varying in wick, atomiser coil, and benzoic acid content and two tobacco cigarettes, quantifying 97 aerosol constituents and 84 smoke compounds, respectively. Our focus was the potential for benzoic acid in e-liquids and cotton wicks to form aerosol toxicants through thermal degradation reactions, and the potential for nickel–iron alloy coils to catalyze degradation of aerosol formers. In addition, we analyzed e-cigarette emissions for 19 flavor compounds, thermal decomposition products, and e-liquid contaminants that the FDA has recently proposed adding to the established list of Harmful and Potentially Harmful Constituents (HPHCs) in tobacco products.Results: Analyses for benzene and phenol showed no evidence of the thermal decomposition of benzoic acid in the e-cigarettes tested. Measurements of cotton decomposition products, such as carbonyls, hydrocarbons, aromatics, and PAHs, further indicated that cotton wicks can be used without thermal degradation in suitable e-cigarette designs. No evidence was found for enhanced thermal decomposition of propylene glycol or glycerol by the nickel–iron coil. Sixteen of the 19 FDA-proposed compounds were not detected in the e-cigarettes. Comparing toxicant emissions from e-cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes showed that levels of the nine WHO TobReg priority cigarette smoke toxicants were more than 99% lower in the aerosols from each of five e-cigarettes as compared with the commercial and reference cigarettes.Conclusions: Despite continuing evolution in design, components and ingredients, e-cigarettes continue to offer significantly lower toxicant exposure alternatives to cigarette smoking.

scholarly journals Conformational changes in myeloperoxidase induced by ubiquitin and NETs containing free ISG15 from systemic lupus erythematosus patients promote a pro-inflammatory cytokine response in CD4+ T cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Alberto Carrillo-Vázquez ◽  
Eduardo Jardón-Valadez ◽  
Jiram Torres-Ruiz ◽  
Guillermo Juárez-Vega ◽  
José Luis Maravillas-Montero ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Molecular Dynamics ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Lupus Erythematosus ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Hydration Status ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Heme Group ◽  
Systemic Lupus ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are characterized by lower ubiquitylation and myeloperoxidase (MPO) as a substrate. The structural and functional effect of such modification and if there are additional post-translational modifications (PTMs) are unknown. Methods To assess the expression and functional role of PTMs in NETs of patients with SLE; reactivation, proliferation and cytokine production was evaluated by flow cytometry using co-cultures with dendritic cells (DC) and CD4+ from SLE patients and healthy controls. The impact of ubiquitylation on MPO was assessed by molecular dynamics. The expression of ISG15 in NETs was evaluated by immunofluorescence and Western Blot. Results Fifteen patients with SLE and ten healthy controls were included. In the co-cultures of CD4+ lymphocytes with DC stimulated with ubiquitylated MPO or recombinant MPO, a higher expression of IFNγ and IL-17A was found in CD4+ from SLE patients (p < 0.05). Furthermore, with DC stimulated with ubiquitylated MPO a trend towards increased expression of CD25 and Ki67 was found in lupus CD4+ lymphocytes, while the opposite was documented in controls (p < 0.05). Through molecular dynamics we found the K129-K488-K505 residues of MPO as susceptible to ubiquitylation. Ubiquitylation affects the hydration status of the HEME group depending on the residue to which it is conjugated. R239 was found near by the HEME group when the ubiquitin was in K488-K505. In addition, we found greater expression of ISG15 in the SLE NETs vs controls (p < 0.05), colocalization with H2B (r = 0.81) only in SLE samples and increased production of IFNγ in PBMCs stimulated with lupus NETs compared to healthy controls NETs. Conclusion The ubiquitylated MPO has a differential effect on the induction of reactivation of CD4+ lymphocytes in patients with SLE, which may be related to structural changes by ubiquitylation at the catalytic site of MPO. Besides a lower ubiquitylation pattern, NETs of patients with SLE are characterized by the expression of ISG15, and the induction of IFNγ by Th1 cells.

scholarly journals Lifetime Prediction Methods for Degradable Polymeric Materials—A Short Review

Materials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (20) ◽  
pp. 4507 ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelika Plota ◽  
Anna Masek
Keyword(s):  
Polymeric Materials ◽  
Short Review ◽  
Isoconversional Method ◽  
Lifetime Prediction ◽  
Accelerated Ageing ◽  
Radiation Chemical ◽  
Degradation Reactions ◽  
Wlf Model ◽  
Advanced Isoconversional Method ◽  
The Impact

The determination of the secure working life of polymeric materials is essential for their successful application in the packaging, medicine, engineering and consumer goods industries. An understanding of the chemical and physical changes in the structure of different polymers when exposed to long-term external factors (e.g., heat, ozone, oxygen, UV radiation, light radiation, chemical substances, water vapour) has provided a model for examining their ultimate lifetime by not only stabilization of the polymer, but also accelerating the degradation reactions. This paper presents an overview of the latest accounts on the impact of the most common environmental factors on the degradation processes of polymeric materials, and some examples of shelf life of rubber products are given. Additionally, the methods of lifetime prediction of degradable polymers using accelerated ageing tests and methods for extrapolation of data from induced thermal degradation are described: the Arrhenius model, time–temperature superposition (TTSP), the Williams–Landel–Ferry (WLF) model and 5 isoconversional approaches: Friedman’s, Ozawa–Flynn–Wall (OFW), the OFW method corrected by N. Sbirrazzuoli et al., the Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS) algorithm, and the advanced isoconversional method by S. Vyazovkin. Examples of applications in recent years are given.

P219L substitution in human D-amino acid oxidase impacts the ligand binding and catalytic efficiency

2020 ◽  
Vol 168 (5) ◽  
pp. 557-567
Author(s):  
Wanitcha Rachadech ◽  
Yusuke Kato ◽  
Rabab M Abou El-Magd ◽  
Yuji Shishido ◽  
Soo Hyeon Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Active Site ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Catalytic Efficiency ◽  
Acid Oxidase ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Amino Acid Oxidase ◽  
Adenine Ring ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Human D-amino acid oxidase (DAO) is a flavoenzyme that is implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. We investigated the impact of replacement of proline with leucine at Position 219 (P219L) in the active site lid of human DAO on the structural and enzymatic properties, because porcine DAO contains leucine at the corresponding position. The turnover numbers (kcat) of P219L were unchanged, but its Km values decreased compared with wild-type, leading to an increase in the catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km). Moreover, benzoate inhibits P219L with lower Ki value (0.7–0.9 µM) compared with wild-type (1.2–2.0 µM). Crystal structure of P219L in complex with flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) and benzoate at 2.25 Å resolution displayed conformational changes of the active site and lid. The distances between the H-bond-forming atoms of arginine 283 and benzoate and the relative position between the aromatic rings of tyrosine 224 and benzoate were changed in the P219L complex. Taken together, the P219L substitution leads to an increase in the catalytic efficiency and binding affinity for substrates/inhibitors due to these structural changes. Furthermore, an acetic acid was located near the adenine ring of FAD in the P219L complex. This study provides new insights into the structure–function relationship of human DAO.

Binding of Radiolabeled Folate and 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate to Cow's Milk Folate Binding Protein at pH 7.4 and 5.0. Relationship to Concentration and Polymerization Equilibrium of the Purified Protein

2001 ◽  
Vol 21 (6) ◽  
pp. 733-743 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Holm ◽  
Steen Ingemann Hansen
Keyword(s):  
Ligand Binding ◽  
Binding Affinity ◽  
Conformational Changes ◽  
Protein Conformation ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Cow’S Milk ◽  
Folate Binding Protein ◽  
Cow's Milk ◽  
Polymerization Equilibrium ◽  
Methyl Tetrahydrofolate

Binding of folate (pteroylglutamate) and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, the major endogenous form of folate, to folate binding protein purified from cow's milk was studied at 7°C to avoid degradation of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. Both folates dissociate rapidly from the protein at pH 3.5, but extremely slowly at pH 7.4, most likely due to drastic changes in protein conformation occurring after folate binding. Dissociation of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate showed no increase at 37°C suggesting that protein-bound-5-methyltetrahydrofolate is protected against degradation. Binding displayed two characteristics, positive cooperativity and a binding affinity that increased with decreasing concentrations of the protein. The binding affinity of folate was somewhat greater than that of 5-methyl tetrahydrofolate, in particular at pH 5.0. Ligand-bound protein exhibited concentration-dependent polymerization (8-mers formed at 13 μM) at pH 7.4. At pH 5.0, only folate-bound forms showed noticeable polymerization. The fact that folate at pH 5.0 surpasses 5-methyltetrahydrofolate both with regard to binding affinity and ability to induce polymerization suggests that ligand binding is associated with conformational changes of the protein which favor polymerization.

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