共查询到20条相似文献,搜索用时 93 毫秒
1.
Tomomi Izumikawa Kazumasa Saigoh Jun Shimizu Shoji Tsuji Susumu Kusunoki Hiroshi Kitagawa 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2013
Background
Previously, we identified two missense mutations in the chondroitin N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase-1 gene in patients with neuropathy. These mutations are associated with a profound decrease in chondroitin N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase-1 enzyme activity. Here, we describe a patient with neuropathy who is heterozygous for a chondroitin synthase-1 mutation. Chondroitin synthase-1 has two glycosyltransferase activities: it acts as a GlcUA and a GalNAc transferase and is responsible for adding repeated disaccharide units to growing chondroitin sulfate chains.Methods
Recombinant wild-type chondroitin synthase-1 enzyme and the F362S mutant were expressed. These enzymes and cells expressing them were then characterized.Results
The mutant chondroitin synthase-1 protein retained approximately 50% of each glycosyltransferase activity relative to the wild-type chondroitin synthase-1 protein. Furthermore, unlike chondroitin polymerase comprised of wild-type chondroitin synthase-1 protein, the non-reducing terminal 4-O-sulfation of GalNAc residues synthesized by chondroitin N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase-1 did not facilitate the elongation of chondroitin sulfate chains when chondroitin polymerase that consists of the mutant chondroitin synthase-1 protein was used as the enzyme source.Conclusions
The chondroitin synthase-1 F362S mutation in a patient with neuropathy resulted in a decrease in chondroitin polymerization activity and the mutant protein was defective in regulating the number of chondroitin sulfate chains via chondroitin N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase-1. Thus, the progression of peripheral neuropathies may result from defects in these regulatory systems.General significance
The elongation of chondroitin sulfate chains may be tightly regulated by the cooperative expression of chondroitin synthase-1 and chondroitin N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase-1 in peripheral neurons and peripheral neuropathies may result from synthesis of abnormally truncated chondroitin sulfate chains. 相似文献2.
Vasantha Madhuri Kallakunta Andrea StaruchBulent Mutus 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2010
Background
Protein S-nitrosation is an important post-translational modification altering protein function. Interaction of nitric oxide with thiols is an active area of research, and is one of the mechanisms by which NO exerts its biological effects. Biotin switch assay is the method, which has been developed to identify S-nitrosated proteins. The major concern with biotin switch assay includes reducing disulfide which may lead to false positives. We report a modification of the biotin switch assay where sinapinic acid is utilized instead of ascorbate to eliminate potential artifacts in the detection of S-nitrosated proteins.Methods
The denitrosation ability of sinapinic acid was assessed by monitoring either the NO or NO2- released by chemiluminescent NO detection or by the griess assay, respectively. DTNB assay was used to compare disulfide reduction by ascorbate and sinapinic acid. Sinapinic acid and ascorbate were compared in the biotin switch detection of S-nitrosoproteins in RAW 264.7 cells ± S-nitrosocysteine (CysNO) exposure.Results
We show that sinapinic acid has the ability to denitrosate S-nitrosothiols at pH 7.0 and denitrate plus denitrosate at pHs 8 and 8.5. Unlike ascorbate, sinapinic acid degrades S-nitrosothiols, but it does not reduce disulfide bridges.Conclusions
Sinapinic acid denitrosate RSNO and does not reduce disulfides. Thus can readily replace ascorbate in detection of S-nitrosated proteins in biotin switch assay.General significance
The work described is important in view of protein S-nitrosation. In this study we provide an important modification that eliminates artifacts in widely used technique for detecting the S-nitrosoproteome, the biotin switch assay. 相似文献3.
Jure Pohleven Nataša Obermajer Jerica Sabotič Sabina Anžlovar Kristina Sepčić Janko Kos Bogdan Kralj Borut Štrukelj Jože Brzin 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2009
Background
Lectins are a diverse group of carbohydrate-binding proteins exhibiting numerous biological activities and functions.Methods
Two-step serial carbohydrate affinity chromatography was used to isolate a lectin from the edible mushroom clouded agaric (Clitocybe nebularis). It was characterized biochemically, its gene and cDNA cloned and the deduced amino acid sequence analyzed. Its activity was tested by hemagglutination assay and carbohydrate-binding specificity determined by glycan microarray analysis. Its effect on proliferation of several human cell lines was determined by MTS assay.Results
A homodimeric lectin with 15.9-kDa subunits agglutinates human group A, followed by B, O, and bovine erythrocytes. Hemagglutination was inhibited by glycoprotein asialofetuin and lactose. Glycan microarray analysis revealed that the lectin recognizes human blood group A determinant GalNAcα1–3(Fucα1–2)Galβ-containing carbohydrates, and GalNAcβ1–4GlcNAc (N,N'-diacetyllactosediamine). The lectin exerts antiproliferative activity specific to human leukemic T cells.Conclusions
The protein belongs to the ricin B-like lectin superfamily, and has been designated as C. nebularis lectin (CNL). Its antiproliferative effect appears to be elicited by binding to carbohydrate receptors on human leukemic T cells.General significance
CNL is one of the few mushroom ricin B-like lectins that have been identified and the only one so far shown to possess immunomodulatory properties. 相似文献4.
Julia Knöckel Rositsa Jordanova Ingrid B. Müller Carsten Wrenger Matthew R. Groves 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2009
Background
Vitamin B6 synthesis requires a functional Pdx1 assembly that is dodecameric in vivo. We have previously shown that mutation of a catalytic lysine in the plasmodial Pdx1 protein results in a protein that is both inactive and hexameric in vitro.Methods
Static and dynamic light scattering, circular dichroism, co-purification and enzyme assays are used to investigate the role of a glycine conserved in all Pdx1 family members.Results
Static light scattering indicates that a glycine to alanine mutant is present as a hexamer in vitro. Subsequent circular dichroism experiments demonstrate that a significant change in secondary structure content is induced by this mutation. However, this mutant is still competent to bind and support Pdx2 activity.Conclusions
As the mutated glycine occupies an unrestricted region of the Ramachandran plot the additional stereo-chemical restrictions imposed on alanine residues strongly support our hypothesis that significant structural rearrangement of Pdx1 is required during the transition from hexamer to dodecamer.General significance
The presented results demonstrate that reduction in the mobility of this region in Pdx1 proteins is required for formation of the in vivo dodecamer, negatively affecting the activity of Pdx1, opening the possibility of allosteric Pdx1 inhibitors. 相似文献5.
Chunli Zhang Matteo Allegretti Janet Vonck Julian D. Langer Marco Marcia Guohong Peng Hartmut Michel 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2014
Background
F1FO ATP synthases catalyze the synthesis of ATP from ADP and inorganic phosphate driven by ion motive forces across the membrane. A number of ATP synthases have been characterized to date. The one from the hyperthermophilic bacterium Aquifex aeolicus presents unique features, i.e. a putative heterodimeric stalk. To complement previous work on the native form of this enzyme, we produced it heterologously in Escherichia coli.Methods
We designed an artificial operon combining the nine genes of A. aeolicus ATP synthase, which are split into four clusters in the A. aeolicus genome. We expressed the genes and purified the enzyme complex by affinity and size-exclusion chromatography. We characterized the complex by native gel electrophoresis, Western blot, and mass spectrometry. We studied its activity by enzymatic assays and we visualized its structure by single-particle electron microscopy.Results
We show that the heterologously produced complex has the same enzymatic activity and the same structure as the native ATP synthase complex extracted from A. aeolicus cells. We used our expression system to confirm that A. aeolicus ATP synthase possesses a heterodimeric peripheral stalk unique among non-photosynthetic bacterial F1FO ATP synthases.Conclusions
Our system now allows performing previously impossible structural and functional studies on A. aeolicus F1FO ATP synthase.General significance
More broadly, our work provides a valuable platform to characterize many other membrane protein complexes with complicated stoichiometry, i.e. other respiratory complexes, the nuclear pore complex, or transporter systems. 相似文献6.
Gustavo B. Naumann Liliana F. Silva Luciana Silva Gilson Faria Michael Richardson Karla Evangelista Markus Kohlhoff Celia M.F. Gontijo Alexei Navdaev Flavia F. de Rezende Johannes A. Eble Eladio F. Sanchez 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2011
Background
Multifunctional l-amino acid oxidases (LAAOs) occur widely in snake venoms.Methods
The l-AAO from Bothrops leucurus (Bl-LAAO) venom was purified using a combination of molecular exclusion and ion-exchange chromatographies. We report some biochemical features of Bl-LAAO associated with its effect on platelet function and its cytotoxicity.Results
Bl-LAAO is a 60 kDa monomeric glycoprotein. Its N-terminal sequence shows high homology to other members of the snake-venom LAAO family. Bl-LAAO catalyzes oxidative deamination of l-amino acids with the generation of H2O2. The best substrates were: l-Met, l-Norleu, l-Leu, l-Phe and l-Trp. The effects of snake venom LAAOs in hemostasis, especially their action on platelet function remain largely unknown. Bl-LAAO dose-dependently inhibited platelet aggregation of both human PRP and washed platelets. Moreover, the purified enzyme exhibited a killing effect in vitro against Leishmania sp., promastigotes, with a very low EC50 of 0.07 μM. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of Bl-LAAO was observed in the stomach cancer MKN-45, adeno carcinoma HUTU, colorectal RKO and human fibroblast LL-24 cell lines. The enzyme released enough H2O2 in culture medium to induce apoptosis in cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The biological effects were inhibited by catalase.Conclusion
Bl-LAAO, a major component of B. leucurus venom, is a cytotoxin acting primarily via the generation of high amounts of H2O2 which kill the cells.General significance
These results allow us to consider the use of LAAOs as anticancer agents, as tools in biochemical studies to investigate cellular processes, and to obtain a better understanding of the envenomation mechanism. 相似文献7.
Peter Biely Mária Cziszárová Iveta Uhliariková Jane W. Agger Xin-Liang Li Vincent G.H. Eijsink Bjorge Westereng 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2013
Background
Substitutions on the xylan main chain are widely accepted to limit plant cell wall degradability and acetylations are considered as one of the most important obstacles. Hence, understanding the modes of action of a range of acetylxylan esterases (AcXEs) is of ample importance not only to increase the understanding of the enzymology of plant decay/bioremediation but also to enable efficient bioconversion of plant biomass.Methods
In this study, the modes of action of acetylxylan esterases (AcXEs) belonging to carbohydrate esterase (CE) families 1, 4, 5 and 6 on xylooligosaccharides generated from hardwood acetyl glucuronoxylan were compared using MALDI ToF MS. Supporting data were obtained by following enzymatic deacetylation by 1H NMR spectroscopy.Conclusions
None of the used enzymes were capable of complete deacetylation, except from linear xylooligosaccharides which were completely deacetylated by some of the esterases in the presence of endoxylanase. A clear difference was observed between the performance of the serine-type esterases of CE families 1, 5 and 6, and the aspartate-metalloesterases of family CE4. The difference is mainly due to the inability of CE4 AcXEs to catalyze deacetylation of 2,3-di-O-acetylated xylopyranosyl residues. Complete deacetylation of a hardwood acetyl glucuronoxylan requires additional deacetylating enzyme(s).General significance
The results contribute to the understanding of microbial degradation of plant biomass and outline the way to achieve complete saccharification of plant hemicelluloses which did not undergo alkaline pretreatment. 相似文献8.
Peter Biely Mária Cziszárová Jane W. Agger Xin-Liang Li Vladimír Puchart Mária Vršanská Vincent G.H. Eijsink Bjorge Westereng 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2014
Background
Trichoderma reesei CE16 acetyl esterase (AcE) is a component of the plant cell wall degrading system of the fungus. The enzyme behaves as an exo-acting deacetylase removing acetyl groups from non-reducing end sugar residues.Methods
In this work we demonstrate this exo-deacetylating activity on natural acetylated xylooligosaccharides using MALDI ToF MS.Results
The combined action of GH10 xylanase and acetylxylan esterases (AcXEs) leads to formation of neutral and acidic xylooligosaccharides with a few resistant acetyl groups mainly at their non-reducing ends. We show here that these acetyl groups serve as targets for TrCE16 AcE. The most prominent target is the 3-O-acetyl group at the non-reducing terminal Xylp residues of linear neutral xylooligosaccharides or on aldouronic acids carrying MeGlcA at the non-reducing terminus. Deacetylation of the non-reducing end sugar may involve migration of acetyl groups to position 4, which also serves as substrate of the TrCE16 esterase.Conclusion
Concerted action of CtGH10 xylanase, an AcXE and TrCE16 AcE resulted in close to complete deacetylation of neutral xylooligosaccharides, whereas substitution with MeGlcA prevents removal of acetyl groups from only a small fraction of the aldouronic acids. Experiments with diacetyl derivatives of methyl β-d-xylopyranoside confirmed that the best substrate of TrCE16 AcE is 3-O-acetylated Xylp residue followed by 4-O-acetylated Xylp residue with a free vicinal hydroxyl group.General significance
This study shows that CE16 acetyl esterases are crucial enzymes to achieve complete deacetylation and, consequently, complete the saccharification of acetylated xylans by xylanases, which is an important task of current biotechnology. 相似文献9.
Peter Schönfeld Nicol Kruska Georg Reiser 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2009,1790(12):1698-1704
Background
Hydroxy-1-aryl-isochromans (HAIC) are newly emerging natural polyphenolic antioxidants, enriched in extravirgin olive oil, whose antioxidative potency was only scarcely characterized using cell-free systems and cells.Methods
We characterized the activity of HAIC to inactivate reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system, mitochondria (rat brain) and neural cells. ROS levels were estimated using ROS-sensitive probes, such as Amplex Red, MitoSOXRED.Results
HAIC (with 2, 3 or 4 hydroxyl substituents) effectively scavenge ROS released from mitochondria. EC50 values estimated with mitochondria and submitochondrial particles were around 20 μM. Moreover, in PC12 and cultured neural primary cells, HAIC buffered cytosolic ROS. Although HAIC permeate biological membranes, HAIC fail to buffer matrix ROS in isolated mitochondria. We show that hydrogen peroxide was effectively abolished by HAIC, whereas the production of superoxide was not affected.Conclusion
HAIC exert high antioxidative activity to reduce hydrogen peroxide. The antioxidative activity of HAIC is comparable with that of the stilbene-like, polyphenolic resveratrol, but much higher than that of trolox, N-acetylcysteine or melatonin.General significance
Unlike resveratrol, HAIC do not impair mitochondrial ATP synthesis or Ca2+ retention by mitochondria. Thus, HAIC have the decisive advantage to be potent antioxidants with no detrimental side effects on mitochondrial functions. 相似文献10.
Iveta Uhliariková Mária Vršanská Barry V. McCleary Peter Biely 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2013
Background
Microbial degradation of acetylated plant hemicelluloses involves besides enzymes cleaving the glycosidic linkages also deacetylating enzymes. A detailed knowledge of the mode of action of these enzymes is important in view of the development of efficient bioconversion of plant materials that did not undergo alkaline pretreatment leading to hydrolysis of ester linkages.Methods
In this work deacetylation of hardwood acetylglucuronoxylan by acetylxylan esterases from Streptomyces lividans (carbohydrate esterase family 4) and Orpinomyces sp. (carbohydrate esterase family 6) was monitored by 1H-NMR spectroscopy.Results
The 1H-NMR resonances of all acetyl groups in the polysaccharide were fully assigned. The targets of both enzymes are 2- and 3-monoacetylated xylopyranosyl residues and, in the case of the Orpinomyces sp. enzyme, also the 2,3-di-O-acetylated xylopyranosyl residues. Both enzymes do not recognize as a substrate the 3-O-acetyl group on xylopyranosyl residues α-1,2-substituted with 4-O-methyl-d-glucuronic acid.Conclusions
The 1H-NMR spectroscopy approach to study positional and substrate specificity of AcXEs outlined in this work appears to be a simple way to characterize catalytic properties of enzymes belonging to various CE families.Significance
The results contribute to development of efficient and environmentally friendly procedures for enzymatic degradation of plant biomass. 相似文献11.
M. Barra D. Viggiano P. Ambrosino F. Bloisi F.V. Di Girolamo M.V. Soldovieri M. Taglialatela A. Cassinese 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2013
Background
There is no doubt that future discoveries in the field of biochemistry will depend on the implementation of novel biosensing techniques, able to record biophysiological events with minimal biological interference. In this respect, organic electronics may represent an important new tool for the analysis of structures ranging from single molecules up to cellular events. Specifically, organic field-effect transistors (OFET) are potentially powerful devices for the real-time detection/transduction of bio-signals. Despite this interest, up to date, the experimental data useful to support the development of OFET-based biosensors are still few and, in particular, n-type (electron-transporting) devices, being fundamental to develop highly-performing circuits, have been scarcely investigated.Methods
Here, films of N,N′-1H,1H-perfluorobutyldicyanoperylene-carboxydi-imide (PDIF-CN2) molecules, a recently-introduced and very promising n-type semiconductor, have been evaporated on glass and silicon dioxide substrates to test the biocompatibility of this compound and its capability to stay electrically-active even in liquid environments.Results
We found that PDIF-CN2 transistors can work steadily in water for several hours. Biocompatibility tests, based on in-vitro cell cultivation, remark the need to functionalize the PDIF-CN2 hydrophobic surface by extra-coating layers (i.e. poly-l-lysine) to favor the growth of confluent cellular populations.Conclusions
Our experimental data demonstrate that PDIF-CN2 compound is an interesting organic semiconductor to develop electronic devices to be used in the biological field.General significance
This work contributes to define a possible strategy for the fabrication of low-cost and flexible biosensors, based on complex organic complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) circuitry including both p- (hole-transporting) and n-type transistors. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Organic Bioelectronics—Novel Applications in Biomedicine. 相似文献12.
Arti Parihar Mordhwaj S. Parihar Rafal Nazarewicz Pedram Ghafourifar 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2010
Background
Ceramides are intracellular lipid mediator implicated in various cellular responses, including oxidative stress and programmed cell death. Studies demonstrated strong links between ceramide and the mitochondria in the regulation of apoptosis. However, the mechanism of apoptosis induced by ceramides is not fully understood. The present study delineates importance of the redox state of cytochrome c for release of cytochrome c and apoptosis of human mammary adenocarcinoma MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells induced by ceramides.Methods
The study uses MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells, isolated mitochondria, submitochondrial particles, and oxidized and reduced cytochrome c. Methods used include flow cytometry, immunoblotting, spectroscopy, and respirometry.Results
We show that ceramides induce mitochondrial oxidative stress and release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria of these cells. Our findings show that ceramides react with oxidized cytochrome c whereas reduced cytochrome c does not react with ceramides. We also show that oxidized cytochrome c reacted with ceramides exerts lower reducibility and function to support mitochondrial respiration. Furthermore, our data show that glutathione protects cytochrome c of reacting with ceramides by increasing the reduced state of cytochrome c.Conclusions
Ceramides induce oxidative stress and apoptosis in human mammary adenocarcinoma cells by interacting with oxidized cytochrome c leading to the release of cytochrome c from the mitochondria. Our findings suggest a novel mechanism for protective role of glutathione.General significance
Our study suggests that the redox state of cytochrome c is important in oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by ceramides. 相似文献13.
Lichun Tang Hanna Fares Xingfu Zhao Wei Du Bi-Feng Liu 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2012
Background
ADP-ribosylation factors (ARFs) are a family of small GTP-binding proteins that play roles in membrane dynamics and vesicle trafficking. AGEF-1, which is thought to act as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor of class I ARFs, is required for caveolin-1 body formation and receptor-mediated endocytosis in oocytes of Caenorhabditis elegans. This study explores additional roles of AGEF-1 in endocytic transport.Methods
agef-1 expression was knocked down by using RNAi in C. elegans. Markers that allow analysis of endocytic transport in scavenger cells were investigated for studying the effect of AGEF-1 on different steps of membrane transport.Results
Knockdown of AGEF-1 levels results in two apparent trafficking defects in coelomocytes of C. elegans. First, there is a delay in the uptake of solutes from the extracellular medium. Second, there is a dramatic enlargement of the sizes of lysosomes, even though lysosomal acidification is normal and degradation still occurs.Conclusion
Our results suggest that AGEF-1 regulates endosome/lysosome fusion or fission events, in addition to earlier steps in endocytic transport.General significance
AGEF-1 is the first identified GTPase regulator that functions at the lysosome fusion or fission stage of the endocytic pathway. Our study provides insight into lysosome dynamics in C. elegans. 相似文献14.
Haiyan Ren Zhuwen Xu Wenhao Zhang Lin Jiang Jianhui Huang Shiping Chen Lixin Wang Xingguo Han 《Annals of botany》2013,112(9):1879-1885
Background and Aims
Leaf longevity is an important plant functional trait that often varies with soil nitrogen supply. Ethylene is a classical plant hormone involved in the control of senescence and abscission, but its role in nitrogen-dependent leaf longevity is largely unknown.Methods
Pot and field experiments were performed to examine the effects of nitrogen addition on leaf longevity and ethylene production in two dominant plant species, Agropyron cristatum and Stipa krylovii, in a temperate steppe in northern China.Key Results
Nitrogen addition increased leaf ethylene production and nitrogen concentration but shortened leaf longevity; the addition of cobalt chloride, an ethylene biosynthesis inhibitor, reduced leaf nitrogen concentration and increased leaf longevity. Path analysis indicated that nitrogen addition reduced leaf longevity mainly through altering leaf ethylene production.Conclusions
These findings provide the first experimental evidence in support of the involvement of ethylene in nitrogen-induced decrease in leaf longevity. 相似文献15.
Background
Malaria is a devastating disease and Plasmodium falciparum is the most lethal parasite infecting humans. Understanding the biology of this parasite is vital in identifying potential novel drug targets. During every 48-hour intra-erythrocytic asexual replication cycle, a single parasite can produce up to 32 progeny. This extensive proliferation implies that parasites require substantial amounts of lipid precursors for membrane biogenesis. Glycerol kinase is a highly conserved enzyme that functions at the interface of lipid synthesis and carbohydrate metabolism. P. falciparum glycerol kinase catalyzes the ATP-dependent phosphorylation of glycerol to glycerol-3-phosphate, a major phospholipid precursor.Methods
The P. falciparum glycerol kinase gene was disrupted using double crossover homologous DNA recombination to generate a knockout parasite line. Southern hybridization and mRNA analysis were used to verify gene disruption. Parasite growth rates were monitored by flow cytometry. Radiolabelling studies were used to assess incorporation of glycerol into parasite phospholipids.Results
Disruption of the P. falciparum glycerol kinase gene produced viable parasites, but their growth was significantly reduced to 56.5 ± 1.8% when compared to wild type parasites. 14C-glycerol incorporation into the major phospholipids of the parasite membrane, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, was 48.4 ± 10.8% and 53.1 ± 5.7% relative to an equivalent number of wild type parasites.Conclusions
P. falciparum glycerol kinase is required for optimal intra-erythrocytic asexual parasite development. Exogenous glycerol may be used as an alternative carbon source for P. falciparum phospholipid biogenesis, despite the lack of glycerol kinase to generate glycerol-3-phosphate.General significance
These studies provide new insight into glycerolipid metabolism in P. falciparum. 相似文献16.
Satoru Iwata Yutaka Miyazawa Nobuharu Fujii Hideyuki Takahashi 《Annals of botany》2013,112(1):103-114
Background and Aims
Root hydrotropism is a response to water-potential gradients that makes roots bend towards areas of higher water potential. The gene MIZU-KUSSEI1 (MIZ1) that is essential for hydrotropism in Arabidopsis roots has previously been identified. However, the role of root hydrotropism in plant growth and survival under natural conditions has not yet been proven. This study assessed how hydrotropic response contributes to drought avoidance in nature.Methods
An experimental system was established for the study of Arabidopsis hydrotropism in soil. Characteristics of hydrotropism were analysed by comparing the responses of the miz1 mutant, transgenic plants overexpressing MIZ1 (MIZ1OE) and wild-type plants.Key Results
Wild-type plants developed root systems in regions with higher water potential, whereas the roots of miz1 mutant plants did not show a similar response. This pattern of root distribution induced by hydrotropism was more pronounced in MIZ1OE plants than in wild-type plants. In addition, shoot biomass and the number of plants that survived under drought conditions were much greater in MIZ1OE plants.Conclusions
These results show that hydrotropism plays an important role in root system development in soil and contributes to drought avoidance, which results in a greater yield and plant survival under water-limited conditions. The results also show that MIZ1 overexpression can be used for improving plant productivity in arid areas. 相似文献17.
Hussein Kaddour Jacques Vergne Guy Herve Marie-Christine Maurel 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2014
Background
Viroids are the smallest pathogens known to date. They infect plants and cause considerable economic losses. The members of the Avsunviroidae family are known for their capability to form hammerhead ribozymes (HHR) that catalyze self-cleavage during their rolling circle replication.Methods
In vitro inhibition assays, based on the self-cleavage kinetics of the hammerhead ribozyme from a Chrysanthemum chlorotic mottle viroid (CChMVd-HHR) were performed in the presence of various putative inhibitors.Results
Aminated compounds appear to be inhibitors of the self-cleavage activity of the CChMVd HHR. Surprisingly the spermine, a known activator of the autocatalytic activity of another hammerhead ribozyme in the presence or absence of divalent cations, is a potent inhibitor of the CChMVd-HHR with Ki of 17 ± 5 μM. Ruthenium hexamine and TMPyP4 are also efficient inhibitors with Ki of 32 ± 5 μM and IC50 of 177 ± 5 nM, respectively.Conclusions
This study shows that polyamines are inhibitors of the CChMVd-HHR self-cleavage activity, with an efficiency that increases with the number of their amino groups.General significance
This fundamental investigation is of interest in understanding the catalytic activity of HHR as it is now known that HHR are present in the three domains of life including in the human genome. In addition these results emphasize again the remarkable plasticity and adaptability of ribozymes, a property which might have played a role in the early developments of life and must be also of significance nowadays for the multiple functions played by non-coding RNAs. 相似文献18.
Zabdi González-Chávez Viridiana Olin-SandovalRafael Moreno-Sánchez Emma Saavedra 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2015
Background
The principal oxidative-stress defense in the human parasite Trypanosoma cruzi is the tryparedoxin-dependent peroxide detoxification pathway, constituted by trypanothione reductase (TryR), tryparedoxin (TXN), tryparedoxin peroxidase (TXNPx) and tryparedoxin-dependent glutathione peroxidase A (GPxA). Here, Metabolic Control Analysis (MCA) was applied to quantitatively prioritize drug target(s) within the pathway by identifying its flux-controlling enzymes.Methods
The recombinant enzymes were kinetically characterized at physiological pH/temperature. Further, the pathway was in vitro reconstituted using enzyme activity ratios and fluxes similar to those observed in the parasites; then, enzyme and substrate titrations were performed to determine their degree of control on flux. Also, kinetic characterization of the whole pathway was performed.Results
Analyses of the kinetic properties indicated that TXN is the less efficient pathway enzyme derived from its high Kmapp for trypanothione and low Vmax values within the cell. MCA established that the TXN–TXNPx and TXN–GPxA redox pairs controlled by 90–100% the pathway flux, whereas 10% control was attained by TryR. The Kmapp values of the complete pathway for substrates suggested that the pathway flux was determined by the peroxide availability, whereas at high peroxide concentrations, flux may be limited by NADPH.Conclusion
These quantitative kinetic and metabolic analyses pointed out to TXN as a convenient drug target due to its low catalytic efficiency, high control on the flux of peroxide detoxification and role as provider of reducing equivalents to the two main peroxidases in the parasite.General Significance
MCA studies provide rational and quantitative criteria to select enzymes for drug-target development. 相似文献19.
Satoshi Hara Tatsuya Nojima Kohji Seio Masasuke Yoshida Toru Hisabori 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2013
Background
Thiol-mediated redox regulation of proteins plays a key role in many cellular processes.Methods
To understand the redox status of cysteinyl thiol groups of the desired proteins, we developed a new maleimide reagent: a maleimide-conjugated single strand DNA, DNA-maleimide (DNA-Mal).Results
DNA-Mal labelled proteins run as a distinct band on SDS-PAGE, with a discrete 9.32 kDa mobility shift per label regardless of the protein species or electrophoretic conditions.Conclusions
DNA-Mal labels free thiols like standard maleimide reagents, but possesses practical advantages in titration of the number and relative content of free thiols in a protein.General significance
The versatility of DNA molecule enhances the application of DNA-Mal in a broader range of cysteine containing proteins. 相似文献20.
N. Sindhura Reddy S. Sowmya Joel D. Bumgardner K.P. Chennazhi Raja Biswas R. Jayakumar 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2014