Expression of cDNA for batroxobin, a thrombin-like snake venom enzyme

The cloned cDNA for batroxobin has been expressed in E. coli. Batroxobin could only be obtained as intracellular aggregates of fusion proteins, fused with a small peptide. To obtain the mature batroxobin, the recognition sequence for thrombin was inserted between the peptide and the mature batroxobin. This fusion protein accumulated in an insoluble form and could easily be purified. After site-specific cleavage of the fusion protein with thrombin, recombinant batroxobin was isolated by preparative electrophoresis. Batroxobin with enzymatic activity was obtained by the refolding of recombinant batroxobin.     

Functional characterization of recombinant batroxobin, a snake venom thrombin-like enzyme, expressed from Pichia pastoris

A thrombin-like enzyme of Bothrops atrox moojeni venom, batroxobin, specifically cleaves fibrinogen alpha chain, resulting in the formation of non-crosslinked fibrin clots. The cDNA encoding batroxobin was cloned, expressed in Pichia pastoris and the molecular function of purified recombinant protein was also characterized. The recombinant batroxobin had an apparent molecular weight of 33 kDa by SDS-PAGE analysis and biochemical activities similar to those of native batroxobin. The purified recombinant protein strongly converted fibrinogen into fibrin clot in vitro, and shortened bleeding time and whole blood coagulation time in vivo. However, it did not make any considerable alterations on other blood coagulation factors. Several lines of experimental evidence in this study suggest that the recombinant batroxobin is a potent pro-coagulant agent.     

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of cDNA for batroxobin, a thrombin-like snake venom enzyme

Determination of the nucleotide sequence of a cDNA for batroxobin, a thrombin-like enzyme from Bothrops atrox, moojeni venom, allowed elucidation of the complete amino acid sequence of batroxobin for the first time for a thrombin-like snake venom enzyme. The molecular weight of batroxobin is 25,503 (231 amino acids). The amino acid sequence of batroxobin exhibits significant homology with those of mammalian serine proteases (trypsin, pancreatic kallikrein, and thrombin), indicating that batroxobin is a member of the serine protease family. Based on this homology and enzymatic and chemical studies, the catalytic residues and disulfide bridges of batroxobin were deduced to be as follows: catalytic residues, His41, Asp86, and Ser178; and disulfide bridges, Cys7-Cys139, Cys26-Cys42, Cys74-Cys230, Cys118-Cys184, Cys150-Cys163, and Cys174-Cys199. The amino-terminal amino acid residue of batroxobin, valine, is preceded by 24 amino acids. This may indicate that the amino-terminal hydrophobic peptide (18 amino acids) is a prepeptide and that the hydrophilic peptide (6 amino acids), preceded by the putative prepeptide, is a propeptide.     

Modification of batroxobin with activated polyethylene glycol: reduction of binding ability towards anti-batroxobin antibody and retention of defibrinogenation activity in circulation of preimmunized dogs

Amino groups of batroxobin (Bothrops atrox thrombic protease) were modified with 2,4-bis(O-methoxypolyethylene glycol)-6-chloro-s-triazine (activated PEG2). The modified batroxobin had the reduced binding ability towards anti-batroxobin antibody but retained its enzymic activity in vitro and in vivo. Administration of modified batroxobin in which 29% of the total amino groups in the molecule had been modified, to beagle dogs preimmunized with native batroxobin gave rise to a marked reduction of the fibrinogen level in plasma, accompanied with an increased level of fibrinogen (fibrin) degradation products, FDP. On the other hand, no reduction of fibrinogen level was observed when native batroxobin instead of modified batroxobin was injected to immunized dogs.     

Organization of the gene for batroxobin, a thrombin-like snake venom enzyme. Homology with the trypsin/kallikrein gene family

We have isolated and analyzed the gene for batroxobin, a thrombin-like snake venom enzyme. Three overlapping DNA segments containing the entire batroxobin gene were identified. Sequence analysis revealed that the batroxobin gene spans 8 kilobase pairs and contains five exons. Mature batroxobin is encoded by four separate exons, 2 to 5. The catalytic residues of batroxobin, His-41, Asp-86, and Ser-178, are encoded by separate exons, exons 2, 3, and 5, respectively. The exon/intron organization of the batroxobin gene is different from that of the prothrombin gene but very similar to those of the trypsin and kallikrein genes. These results indicate that batroxobin is not a member of the prothrombin family but one of the trypsin/kallikrein family. The snake venom gland is assumed to originate from the submaxillary gland. Therefore, batroxobin is expected to be a member of the glandular kallikrein family.     

Novel structure of the N-acetylgalactosamine containing N-glycosidic carbohydrate chain of batroxobin, a thrombin-like snake venom enzyme.

The structure of the Asn-linked carbohydrate chain of batroxobin, a thrombin-like enzyme from Bothrops atrox moojeni snake venom, has been determined. The sugar chain was isolated from batroxobin by hydrazinolysis followed by pyridylamination (PA). The PA-oligosaccharide chain was purified by HPLC on an anion exchange or reverse phase columns, and its structure was examined by sequential exoglycosidase digestion, 600 MHZ 1H NMR spectroscopy and methylation analysis. The results indicate that the oligosaccharide chain has the following structure involving a novel linkage, NeuAc alpha 2----3GalNAc.     

Comparison of the effect of calcium gluconate and batroxobin on the release of transforming growth factor beta 1 in canine platelet concentrates

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The clinical use of autologous platelet concentrates (also known as platelet-rich plasma) on the field of regenerative therapy, in the last decade has been the subject of several studies especially in equine medicine and surgery. The objectives of this study was: 1) to describe and compare the cellular population in whole blood, lower fraction (A) and upper fraction (B) of platelet concentrates, 2) to measure and compare the transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-beta1) concentration in plasma and both platelet concentrates after be activated with calcium gluconate or batroxobin plus calcium gluconate and, 3) to determine correlations between cell counts in platelet concentrates and concentrations of TGF-beta1. Blood samples were taken from 16 dogs for complete blood count, plasma collection and platelet concentrates preparation. The platelet concentrates (PC) were arbitrarily divided into two fractions, specifically, PC-A (lower fraction) and PC-B (upper fraction). The Platelet concentrates were analyzed by hemogram. After activated with calcium gluconate or batroxobin plus calcium gluconate, TGF-beta1 concentration was determined in supernatants of platelet concentrates and plasma. RESULTS: There were differences statistically significant (P < 0.05) for the platelet count and leukocyte count and TGF-beta1 concentration between whole blood, plasma and both platelet concentrates. A significant correlation was found between the number of platelets in both platelet concentrates and TGF-beta1 concentration. Platelet collection efficiency was 46.34% and 28.16% for PC-A and PC-B, respectively. TGF-beta1 concentration efficiency for PC activated with calcium gluconate was 47.75% and 31.77%, for PC-A and PC-B, respectively. PC activated with batroxobin plus CG showed 46.87% and 32.24% for PC-A and PC-B, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The methodology used in this study allows the concentration of a number of platelets and TGF-beta1 that might be acceptable for a biological effect for clinical or experimental use as a regenerative therapy in dogs.     

定点突变巴曲酶在毕赤酵母中的克隆与表达

目的 为避免毕赤酵母分泌的Kex2蛋白酶对发酵液中所表达的巴曲酶的降解.利用重叠PCR方法对巴曲酶基因进行定点突变,将巴曲酶基因第45位的Arg突变为Lys.方法 将突变后的基因克隆到酵母分泌型表达载体pPICZαA中,将重组载体酶切线性化后经电转化转入巴斯德毕赤酵母细胞,筛选鉴定转化子,经摇瓶发酵甲醇诱导,酵母菌分泌表达有凝血活性的定点突变巴曲酶,经SDS-PAG电泳、免疫印迹确定其分子量为32 kD.结果发酵罐的表达量达到52 KU/ml发酵液,较重组天然巴曲酶的表达量提高了73.3%.结论 定点突变巴曲酶的表达量比重组天然巴曲酶的表达量有显著提高,表达的突变巴曲酶同样具有凝血活性.     

Modification of the toxicity of Bothrops atrox poison by interventions in the coagulation and kallikrein system of prey

LD50-determinations with venom mixtures from different age groups of Bothrops atrox were carried out on differently pretreated mice. No differences were seen in the LD50 when comparing untreated mice with mice previously defibrinogenated with batroxobin. Inhibition of the coagulation-, kallikrein-kinin- and fibrinolytic system by pretreatment with batroxobin and aprotinin led to a significantly decreased toxicity of the venom mixtures of all age groups. The age-related difference in toxicity had practically disappeared. Furthermore, the number of mice of the latter group dying within one hour after the venom injection was strongly reduced as compared to untreated and only batroxobin-treated animals. Tests performed on rats showed that the rapidly occurring lethality following the venom injection as a consequence of circulatory disturbances (strong fall of arterial blood pressure, bradycardia, dyspnea), may be prevented almost completely by preincubation of the venom with aprotinin.     

Pharmacologic influence on secondary generalized fibrinolysis

Secondary generalized hyperfibrinolysis was induced by thrombin infusion or batroxobin injection in rats. To follow intravascular fibrinolysis quantitatively, an electroimmuno-assay was used for determination of the fibrin degradation products formed. Anticoagulants (heparin, hirudin), antifibrinolytics (EACA, PAMBA, AMCA), and synthetic (APPA) and naturally occurring (aprotinin) protease inhibitors were studied with regard to their influence on secondary fibrinolysis. The potency and duration of action of the antifibrinolytics tested correspond to their antifibrinolytic activity measured in vitro and to their pharmacokinetics. Formation of degradation products is initiated after the appearance of fibrin monomer or fibrin, respectively. Due to their antithrombin action heparin, hirudin, and APPA prevent the thrombin-induced fibrin formation and thus the induction of secondary fibrinolysis. In contrast, formation of fibrin monomers caused by batroxobin is not influenced by thrombin inhibitors so that in this case formation of degradation products is not prevented.     

毕赤酵母表达巴曲酶发酵条件的优化研究

目的对表达重组巴曲酶的巴斯德毕赤酵母的发酵条件进行优化,确定最佳的发酵控制条件以获得重组巴曲酶的最高表达量。方法通过多因素正交实验确定巴曲酶发酵培养的最适培养条件。结果表达温度在25℃,pH值为7．0,加入甲醇的量为10g／L时为最优发酵条件,诱导表达时间为84-96h。结论重组巴曲酶可以开发为止血药,代替临床应用的从蛇毒中提取的巴曲酶。     

参麦注射液联合阿替普酶治疗急性心肌梗死的临床效果研究

目的:研究参麦注射液联合阿替普酶治疗急性心肌梗死的临床效果。方法:选择2015年1月～2016年12月在我院进行诊治的急性心肌梗死患者98例,随机分为两组,每组各49例。对照组静脉滴注阿替普酶100 mg治疗,于90 min内滴注完毕,先静脉推注15 mg,再于30 min内静脉滴注50 mg阿替普酶,最后于60 min内静脉滴注35 mg,每天1次;观察组联合静脉滴注参麦注射液治疗,每次100 mL,每天1次。比较两组的临床治疗效果,治疗前后左心室射血分数、左心室舒张末期内径、左心室后壁厚度等心功能指标及血清心肌肌钙蛋白I(c TnI)、肌酸激酶同工酶(CK-MB)、超氧化物歧化酶以及(SOD)内皮素1(ET-1)水平的变化。随访半年,观察两组的预后情况(再梗死、梗死后心绞痛、血管再通以及冠脉血栓的发生率)。结果:治疗后,观察组的有效率为91.83%(45/49),明显高于对照组[71.43%(35/49)](P0.05);两组的左心室射血分数、左心室舒张末期内径、左心室后壁厚度均较治疗前明显改善(P0.05),且观察组的改善程度明显优于对照组(P0.05);两组的血清TnI、CK-MB、ET-1水平均较治疗前明显降低(P0.05),血清SOD水平均较治疗前明显升高(P0.05),且观察组以上指标的改善情况较对照组更为明显(P0.05);观察组再梗死、梗死后心绞痛以及冠脉血栓的发生率均明显低于对照组(P0.05),血管再通的发生明显高于对照组(P0.05)。结论:与单独使用阿替普酶对比,参麦注射液联合阿替普酶治疗急性心肌梗死临床疗效和安全性较好。     

巴曲酶在毕赤酵母中的高效表达

目的研究巴曲酶在毕赤酵母菌中的表达。方法按Pichiapastoris偏好密码子人工合成巴曲酶全基因,克隆到酵母分泌型表达载体pPICZaA中,将重组载体酶切线性化后经电转化转入X-33。筛选鉴定转化子．经摇瓶发酵甲醇诱导,酵母菌分泌表达有凝血活性的巴曲酶。经SDS-PAGE电泳确定其分子量为33．0 kDa．免疫印迹证明重组巴曲酶具有天然巴曲酶的免疫活性。结果经发酵条件的优化．发酵罐的表达量达到25000Ku／L发酵液。从每升发酵液中可纯化出11．0mg重组巴曲酶。结论巴曲酶毕氏酵母菌成功的构建．为重组巴曲酶止血药的开发奠定了基础。     

重组巴曲酶在毕赤酵母中的高效表达

以毕赤酵母为表达系统,建立生产重组巴曲酶的技术工艺路线。通过递归式PCR的方法,人工合成了巴曲酶基因,将其插入pPIC9表达质粒中,转化至毕赤酵母GS115(his4),筛选出的表达株经甲醇诱导,表达了重组巴曲酶,并得以纯化。从每升发酵液中可纯化得到10mg重组巴曲酶,其比活为238NIHunits/mg,分子量为30.55kD。重组巴曲酶在体外可使纤维蛋白凝固,在体内缩短小鼠出血时间。为开发重组的蛇毒类凝血酶止血剂打下了基础。     

Fibrinogen Depleting Agent Batroxobin has a Beneficial Effect on Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) was characterized with widespread demyelination and axonal loss of central nervous system (CNS). Fibrinogen (fibrin) deposition was considered as one of the pathogenesis of MS. Therefore, we explored the effects of fibrinogen depleting agent batroxobin in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice model. Our study showed that prevention and suppression with batroxobin significantly ameliorated clinical severity of EAE, reduced inflammatory cells infiltration, and demyelination, and suppressed the activation of astrocytes and macrophages comprising the CD11b⁺ population. Batroxobin treatment leads to reduced expression of p-Akt and increased expression of MBP as compared to control. In addition, batroxobin treatment partly reversed the dendric-like formation of macrophages irritated by fibrinogen in vitro. The reduced severity of EAE mice treated with batroxobin suggests that strategy targeting fibrin as a potential therapy for EAE may be beneficial for the treatment of MS patients.     

东菱迪芙治疗急性脑梗死的效果观察

目的探讨东菱迪芙治疗急性脑梗死的临床疗效及安全性。方法随机将收治的80例急性脑梗死患者分为治疗组40例,对照组40例。两组均给予抗血小板聚集、钙拮抗剂等基础治疗,并将血塞通0．25g加入生理盐水或5％葡萄糖液250ml中静脉点滴,连用14天。在此基础上,治疗组于治疗第1、3、5日给予东菱迪芙10u、5u、5u加入生理盐水250ml中静滴,每次滴注时间不少于1h。观察两组疗效、治疗前后神经功能缺损评分及治疗前后血浆FIB水平。结果治疗组显效率（75．00％）明显优于对照组（47．50％）,χ2=6．37,P〈0．05;神经功能缺损评分明显低于对照组（P〈0．05或0．01）;治疗组FIB由治疗前（3.98±0．86）g／L降至（1．84±0．42）g／L,治疗前后比较有显著性差异（P〈0．01）。结论东菱迪芙通过降低血浆FIB,增强纤溶活性,降低血粘度,改善脑循环等综合作用,对治疗急性脑梗死疗效显著、安全性好,值得推广应用。     

2-Bromopalmitate Reduces Protein Deacylation by Inhibition of Acyl-Protein Thioesterase Enzymatic Activities

S-acylation, the covalent attachment of palmitate and other fatty acids on cysteine residues, is a reversible post-translational modification that exerts diverse effects on protein functions. S-acylation is catalyzed by protein acyltransferases (PAT), while deacylation requires acyl-protein thioesterases (APT), with numerous inhibitors for these enzymes having already been developed and characterized. Among these inhibitors, the palmitate analog 2-brompalmitate (2-BP) is the most commonly used to inhibit palmitoylation in cells. Nevertheless, previous results from our laboratory have suggested that 2-BP could affect protein deacylation. Here, we further investigated in vivo and in vitro the effect of 2-BP on the acylation/deacylation protein machinery, with it being observed that 2-BP, in addition to inhibiting PAT activity in vivo, also perturbed the acylation cycle of GAP-43 at the level of depalmitoylation and consequently affected its kinetics of membrane association. Furthermore, 2-BP was able to inhibit in vitro the enzymatic activities of human APT1 and APT2, the only two thioesterases shown to mediate protein deacylation, through an uncompetitive mechanism of action. In fact, APT1 and APT2 hydrolyzed both the monomeric form as well as the micellar state of the substrate palmitoyl-CoA. On the basis of the obtained results, as APTs can mediate deacylation on membrane bound and unbound substrates, this suggests that the access of APTs to the membrane interface is not a necessary requisite for deacylation. Moreover, as the enzymatic activity of APTs was inhibited by 2-BP treatment, then the kinetics analysis of protein acylation using 2-BP should be carefully interpreted, as this drug also inhibits protein deacylation.     

Lysophospholipase I identified as a ghrelin deacylation enzyme in rat stomach

Ghrelin, discovered in rat stomach as an endogenous growth hormone secretagogue, is octanoylated at the Ser3 residue. Since this octanoylation is essential for the functions of ghrelin, the enzymes that catalyze acylation for ghrelin biosynthesis and deacylation (deactivation step) must be considered as important regulators. We found that rat stomach homogenate contained ghrelin deacylation activity, and we isolated the active fractions by column chromatography. After sequencing and expressing candidate proteins, the ghrelin deacylation enzyme in the stomach was identified as lysophospholipase I (LysoPLA I). The enzyme properties were examined using recombinant rat LysoPLA I expressed in Escherichia coli. K(m) and V(max) values were determined as 6.5 microM and 2.3 micromol/min/mg for ghrelin and 2.2 x 10(2) microM and 0.5 micromol/min/mg for lysophosphatidylcholine (LysoPC), respectively. The deacylation of both substrates was inhibited by methyl arachidonyl fluorophosphonate (MAFP), which is known as an irreversible inhibitor of LysoPLA I. These results reveal that LysoPLA I catalyzes the removal of n-octanoic acid from ghrelin to form des-acyl ghrelin. Identification of the ghrelin deacylation enzyme in the stomach and a deacylation inhibitor will be helpful in investigating ghrelin biosynthesis.     

Regulation of arachidonic acid metabolism in Madin-Darby canine kidney cells. Comparison of A23187 and 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate

Challenge of Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells with the divalent cation ionophore A23187 caused a marked increase in the deacylation of [3H]arachidonic acid but not of [14C]palmitic acid. When the cells were treated with 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and A23187, there was an additional increase in the deacylation of [3H]arachidonic acid compared to that observed with either agent alone. In contrast to deacylation, the stimulation of prostaglandin production by A23187 was small compared to the stimulation by TPA. Cycloheximide inhibited synthesis of prostaglandins in TPA-treated cells, but did not block the stimulated deacylation caused by either TPA or A23187. These data indicate that, while both TPA and A23187 stimulated the deacylation of [3H]arachidonic acid, TPA had an additional, cycloheximide-sensitive effect that was required for efficient conversion of the release fatty acids to prostaglandins. Thus, although required, deacylation appeared to be independent of and insufficient to stimulate maximum prostaglandin synthesis in these cells.     

Increase of the deacylation rate of PBP2x from Streptococcus pneumoniae by single point mutations mimicking the class A beta-lactamases.

The class A beta-lactamases and the transpeptidase domain of the penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) share the same topology and conserved active-site residues. They both react with beta-lactams to form acylenzymes. The stability of the PBP acylenzymes results in the inhibition of the transpeptidase function and the antibiotic activity of the beta-lactams. In contrast, the deacylation of the beta-lactamases is extremely fast, resulting in a high turnover of beta-lactam hydrolysis, which confers resistance to these antibiotics. In TEM-1 beta-lactamase from Escherichia coli, Glu166 is required for the fast deacylation and occupies the same spatial location as Phe450 in PBP2x from Streptococcus pneumoniae. To gain insight into the deacylation mechanism of both enzymes, Phe450 of PBP2x was replaced by various residues. The introduction of ionizable side chains increased the deacylation rate, in a pH-dependent manner, for the acidic residues. The aspartic acid-containing variant had a 110-fold faster deacylation at pH 8. The magnitude of this effect is similar to that observed in a naturally occurring variant of PBP2x, which confers increased resistance to cephalosporins.