Genome-wide Identification of the GRAS Gene Family of Actinidia Arguta

GRAS transcription factors play important roles in plant growth, development, and abiotic and biotic stress responses. In this study, the genome-wide identification of the transcription factor family of Actinidia arguta was carried out including an analysis of the physical and chemical properties, phylogenetic development, gene structure, collinearity between genes, and protein interactions. A total of 88 GRAS genes were identified in the genome of Actinidia arguta with protein lengths of 103-510 aa, a molecular mass of 11,603.25-22,457.96 kDa, and isoelectric points in the hydrophilic range between 4.45 and 6.50 From these genes, 67 were located in the nucleus and 21 in the chloroplast. The identified genes were further divided into eight subfamilies: SCR, HAM, DELLA, PAT1, SHR, SCL4/7, and GIGR. Members of the same subfamily had similar gene structures and conserved motifs. Motif 5 was highly conserved in the GRAS family. On the chromosomes of LG3, LG15, LG22, LG24, LG26 and LG28, there was a large number of tandem duplications of GRAS genes, with 64 pairs of genes orthologous with Arabidopsis thaliana. The analysis of protein interactions found that there were interactive relationships between SCL28 in the DLT subfamily and SCL14 in the LISCL subfamily and between SCL13 in the PAT1 subfamily and proteins of the LAS subfamily. Interactions were also observed between the SCL30, SCL33, and HAM4 proteins in the LISCL subfamily. This study, therefore, provides a reference for mining and verification within the GRAS genes in the Actinidia arguta genome.

A Study of Glutathione S-Aryltransferase from Costelytra Zealandica

<p>An investigation has been made of the stability, purification and properties of Glutathione S-aryltransferase (Ec 2.5.1.13) from the grass-grub, Costelytra zealandica. The enzyme was found to be extremely unstable in crude homogenates of grass-grubs that had been stored frozen at -2O degrees C, but was considerably more stable in homogenates of live grass-grubs. The instability increased with increase of pH. Glutathione gave some protection against inactivation. Selective fractionation of crude homogenates with (NH4)2SO4 provided some evidence for the presence of an endogenous inhibitor of the enzyme. DEAE-cellulose chromatography and isoelectric focusing studies showed the presence of two major GSH S-aryltransferases with isoelectric points of 4.6 and 8.7. Both enzymes were present in the homogenate from a single, live, grass-grub. The molecular weight and optimum pH of each enzyme was identical within experimental error. A brief comparative study of GSH S-transferases showed the presence of GSH S-alkyl- and GSH s-alkene-transferase, but in only very small amounts compared with GSH S-aryltransferase. Differences in stability were demonstrated and some cross-specificity was indicated. Several inhibitor-substituted Sepharoses were prepared in an attempt to purify GSH s-aryltransferase by affinity chromatography. Although columns of the inhibitors removed the enzyme from solution an active enzyme could not be recovered. The effects of pH and temperature on the enzyme-catalysed reaction of GSH and 1, 2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene (DCNB) were investigated in detail. Analysis of the variation of pKGSH with pH showed the presence of active site groups with pK approximately 9 involved in GSH binding. Calculation of the heat of ionization of these groups in the pI 8.7 enzyme, from the effect of temperature on their pK, suggested that the groups may be Lysine epsilon-NH2. Values for the enthalpy, free energy and entropy of GSH-binding to the pI 8.7 enzyme and of DCNB-binding to the enzyme-GSH complex were also obtained.</p>

A Study of Glutathione S-Aryltransferase from Costelytra Zealandica

<p>An investigation has been made of the stability, purification and properties of Glutathione S-aryltransferase (Ec 2.5.1.13) from the grass-grub, Costelytra zealandica. The enzyme was found to be extremely unstable in crude homogenates of grass-grubs that had been stored frozen at -2O degrees C, but was considerably more stable in homogenates of live grass-grubs. The instability increased with increase of pH. Glutathione gave some protection against inactivation. Selective fractionation of crude homogenates with (NH4)2SO4 provided some evidence for the presence of an endogenous inhibitor of the enzyme. DEAE-cellulose chromatography and isoelectric focusing studies showed the presence of two major GSH S-aryltransferases with isoelectric points of 4.6 and 8.7. Both enzymes were present in the homogenate from a single, live, grass-grub. The molecular weight and optimum pH of each enzyme was identical within experimental error. A brief comparative study of GSH S-transferases showed the presence of GSH S-alkyl- and GSH s-alkene-transferase, but in only very small amounts compared with GSH S-aryltransferase. Differences in stability were demonstrated and some cross-specificity was indicated. Several inhibitor-substituted Sepharoses were prepared in an attempt to purify GSH s-aryltransferase by affinity chromatography. Although columns of the inhibitors removed the enzyme from solution an active enzyme could not be recovered. The effects of pH and temperature on the enzyme-catalysed reaction of GSH and 1, 2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene (DCNB) were investigated in detail. Analysis of the variation of pKGSH with pH showed the presence of active site groups with pK approximately 9 involved in GSH binding. Calculation of the heat of ionization of these groups in the pI 8.7 enzyme, from the effect of temperature on their pK, suggested that the groups may be Lysine epsilon-NH2. Values for the enthalpy, free energy and entropy of GSH-binding to the pI 8.7 enzyme and of DCNB-binding to the enzyme-GSH complex were also obtained.</p>

Protein primary structure correlates with calcium oxalate stone matrix preference

Despite the apparent importance of matrix proteins in calcium oxalate kidney stone formation, the complexity of the protein mixture continues to elude explanation. Based on a series of experiments, we have proposed a model where protein aggregates formed from a mixture containing both strongly charged polyanions and strongly charged polycations could initiate calcium oxalate crystal formation and crystal aggregation to create a stone. These protein aggregates also preferentially adsorb many weakly charged proteins from the urine to create a complex protein mixture that mimics the protein distributions observed in patient samples. To verify essential details of this model and identify an explanation for phase selectivity observed in weakly charged proteins, we have examined primary structures of major proteins preferring either the matrix phase or the urine phase for their contents of aspartate, glutamate, lysine and arginine; amino acids that would represent fixed charges at normal urine pH of 6–7. We verified enrichment in stone matrix of proteins with a large number of charged residues exhibiting extreme isoelectric points, both low (pI<5) and high (pI>9). We found that the many proteins with intermediate isoelectric points exhibiting preference for stone matrix contained a smaller number of charge residues, though still more total charges than the intermediate isoelectric point proteins preferring the urine phase. While other sources of charge have yet to be considered, protein preference for stone matrix appears to correlate with high total charge content.

Purification and Characterization of Antibodies Directed against the α-Gal Epitope

The α-Gal epitope is an immunogen trisaccharide structure consisting of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc)β1,4-galactose (Gal)α1,3-Gal. It is presented as part of complex-type glycans on glycoproteins or glycolipids on cell surfaces of non-primate mammalians. About 1% of all antibodies in human sera are specific toward α1,3-Gal and are therefore named as anti-α-Gal antibodies. This work comprises the purification and characterization of anti-α-Gal antibodies from human immunoglobulin G (IgG). A synthetically manufactured α Gal epitope affinity resin was used to enrich anti-α-Gal antibodies. Selectivity experiments with purified antibodies were carried out using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), Western blotting, and erythrocyte agglutination. Furthermore, binding affinities toward α-Gal were determined by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and the IgG distribution of anti α Gal antibodies (83% IgG2, 14% IgG1, 2% IgG3, 1% IgG4) was calculated applying ELISA and immunodiffusion. A range of isoelectric points from pH 6 to pH 8 was observed in 2D gel electrophoresis. Glycan profiling of anti α Gal antibodies revealed complex biantennary structures with high fucosylation grades (86%). Additionally, low amounts of bisecting GlcNAc (15%) and sialic acids (13%) were detected. The purification of anti-α-Gal antibodies from human IgG was successful, and their use as detection antibodies for α Gal-containing structures was evaluated.

Conical Nanotubes Synthesized by Atomic Layer Deposition of Al2O3, TiO2, and SiO2 in Etched Ion-Track Nanochannels

Etched ion-track polycarbonate membranes with conical nanochannels of aspect ratios of ~3000 are coated with Al2O3, TiO2, and SiO2 thin films of thicknesses between 10 and 20 nm by atomic layer deposition (ALD). By combining ion-track technology and ALD, the fabrication of two kinds of functional structures with customized surfaces is presented: (i) arrays of free-standing conical nanotubes with controlled geometry and wall thickness, interesting for, e.g., drug delivery and surface wettability regulation, and (ii) single nanochannel membranes with inorganic surfaces and adjustable isoelectric points for nanofluidic applications.

Expanding the Use of Dynamic Electrostatic Repulsion Reversed-Phase Chromatography: An Effective Elution Mode for Peptides Control and Analysis

Bioactive peptides are increasingly used in clinical practice. Reversed-phase chromatography using formic or trifluoroacetic acid in the mobile phase is the most widely used technique for their analytical control. However, sometimes it does not prove sufficient to solve challenging chromatographic problems. In the search for alternative elution modes, the dynamic electrostatic repulsion reversed-phase was evaluated to separate eight probe peptides characterised by different molecular weights and isoelectric points. This technique, which involves TBAHSO4 in the mobile phase, provided the lowest asymmetry and peak width at half height values and the highest in peak capacity (about 200 for a gradient of 30 min) and resolution concerning the classic reversed-phase. All analyses were performed using cutting-edge columns developed for peptide separation, and the comparison of the chromatograms obtained shows how the dynamic electrostatic repulsion reversed-phase is an attractive alternative to the classic reversed-phase.