β-环糊精及其衍生物在生物制药领域中的应用

β-环糊精及其衍生物近年来一直是人们研究的热点,研究人员尝试将其应用到制药、食品、化工和农业等领域。本介绍了β-环糊精及其衍生物的结构和理化性质,并综述了它们在生物制药领域中的应用,重点介绍了在生物药物制剂方面的进展。     

环糊精及其衍生物在多肽/蛋白质类药物非注射给药体系中的应用

目前,多肽/蛋白质类药物多数需要采用注射剂型给药以确保其生物利用度。开发易于给药、病人顺应性高以及治疗费用更低的非注射剂型是非常有意义的。然而,多肽/蛋白质类药物直接进行非注射给药的生物利用度通常非常低,需要制备具有设计功能的载药系统,例如加入不同比例的酶抑制剂、吸收促进剂等以提高生物利用度。环糊精及其衍生物由于其能与客体分子形成包合物的特性,以及对粘膜的促渗透作用等,在多肽/蛋白质药物的非注射给药系统中获得了日益广泛的应用。综述了近年来环糊精及其衍生物在多肽/蛋白质类药物非注射给药体系中的应用情况。     

β-环糊精主客体识别抗菌剂及抗菌性能研究进展

细菌污染与人类的生存息息相关,随着多重耐药细菌的增加,提高抗菌剂抗菌性能、抑制细菌传播和感染成为抗菌剂研究领域的热点问题。利用β-环糊精的包结作用与抗菌剂主客体识别改善抗菌剂的理化性质,增强抗菌剂的抗菌性能引起了广泛关注。环糊精具有内疏水外亲水的特殊结构,疏水内腔可选择性地与空腔大小相匹配的疏水客体分子进行主客体识别,将抗菌剂包合,从而改善抗菌剂理化性质,提高抗菌剂抗菌性能。本文综述了β-环糊精及其衍生物与有机抗菌剂、天然抗菌剂主客体识别对抗菌剂理化性质及抗菌性能的影响,分析了主客体识别的包合机理及主客体之间的作用,系统地归纳总结了环糊精主客体识别抗菌剂对不同细菌的抗菌作用及在医药、纺织、食品等领域的应用研究现状,以期为环糊精主客体识别抗菌剂的深入研究及应用提供参考。     

亚位点?7处突变对碱性芽胞杆菌CGT酶产物特异性的影响

为了研究来源于碱性芽胞杆菌的γ-环糊精葡萄糖基转移酶(CGT酶)具有较高产物特异性的作用机理,对其氨基酸序列和模拟结构进行了分析,确定其亚位点7处氨基酸的缺失可能影响其产物特异性。运用重叠PCR的方法,在其亚位点7处添加缺失的6个氨基酸,造成插入突变。将突变基因与pET-20b(+)连接并在大肠杆菌BL21(DE3)中表达。以可溶性淀粉为底物进行酶转化,HPLC分析转化产物中的环糊精含量。结果表明,相对于野生型γ-CGT酶,突变酶转化生成的3种环糊精中,γ-环糊精所占的比例从76.0%降至12.5%,α-、β-环糊精分别从8.7%和15.2%提高至37.5%和50%。分析其可能机理为:与α-、β-CGT酶相比,野生型γ-CGT酶的亚位点7处缺失6个氨基酸,该构象为葡萄糖的结合提供了更大的空间,从而更适合γ-环糊精的生成;而在其亚位点7处插入6个氨基酸,造成插入突变后,葡萄糖链结合的空间变小,这种构象不利于γ-环糊精的生成。     

环糊精的药学应用

环糊精是一类由D-吡喃型葡萄糖单体以α-1,4-糖苷键相互连接而成的环状低聚糖。这种环状的低聚糖形成了一种内穴疏水、外缘亲水的特殊结构。因此,环糊精能够和脂溶性药物分子形成包合物,从而可以增加脂溶性药物分子的水溶性和稳定性。同时,这些低聚糖自身无毒性,亦没有明显的药理活性。这些使得环糊精被广泛应用于食品、化妆品和药品当中。作为一种新型的药物赋形剂,环糊精广泛应用于口服、静脉注射和鼻下给药等多种药物剂型,目前在市场上至少有35种环糊精相关的药品,相信在不久的将来,环糊精在药学领域会得到越来越广泛的应用。本文综述了环糊精类的结构特点、包合性能、药物代谢、毒理学性质和目前在药学领域的应用。     

重组β-环糊精葡萄糖基转移酶生产β-环糊精的工艺条件优化

将来自于Bacillus circulans 251的β-CGTase编码基因克隆到表达载体pET-20b(+),转化Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)。经酶活检测培养基上清中的β-CGTase酶活为20 U/mL。对酶转化淀粉生成β-环糊精的反应条件进行了优化,结果表明,当底物马铃薯淀粉浓度15%,反应初始pH5.5,温度30℃,加酶量10 U/g干淀粉,环己烷浓度2.5%-5%(V/V),转化周期24 h,β-环糊精转化率达到最高值75.3%,是国内外报道的酶法生产β-环糊精的最高水平。     

环糊精葡萄糖基转移酶的结构特征与催化机理

随着环糊精在食品、医药等领域的应用越来越广,生产环糊精所必需的环糊精葡萄糖基转移酶(CGT酶)已经成为当今研究的热点。特别是近二十年来,国外对该酶进行了比较深入的研究。首先介绍了CGT酶的功能特性与结构特征。CGT酶是一种多功能型酶,能催化三种转糖基反应(歧化、环化和耦合反应)和水解反应,其中,能将淀粉转化为环糊精的环化反应是特征反应;作为α-淀粉酶家族的成员,CGT酶除了具有与α-淀粉酶相同的A、B、C结构域外,还存在D和E结构域。另外,对CGT酶的催化机理包括底物结合方式、转糖苷反应机理以及环化机理等进行了详细的讨论。     

正交设计法优选甲硝唑-β-环糊精包合物制备工艺

目的:优选甲硝唑-β-环糊精包合物的制备工艺,提高甲硝唑的溶解度。方法:用饱和溶液法制备包合物,并用正交设计法优化甲硝唑-β-环糊精包合物的最佳制备条件。结果:甲硝唑-β-环糊精最佳包合条件为:甲硝唑:β-环糊精为1:2,包合时间为4h,包合温度为50℃。结论:该包合工艺可提高甲硝唑-β-环糊精包合物中甲硝唑的溶解度,工艺稳定可行。     

石斛碱/环糊精衍生物包合行为研究

为了提高石斛碱的水溶性，用环糊精衍生物制备石斛碱包合物，并探讨其包合行为。采用显微分析法、差示扫描量热法（DSC）和薄层色谱法（TLC）对所制备的包合物进行表征，通过分子对接技术模拟包合行为，通过气相色谱法测定包合物的水溶性。各项表征分析均表明石斛碱可以被成功包合，分子模拟表明羟丙基-β-环糊精能完全包埋石斛碱，且其构象稳定，溶解度试验表明石斛碱被包合后在水中的溶解度提升了约277倍。石斛碱环糊精包合物能提高石斛碱的水溶性，拓展石斛碱在外用剂型中的应用。     

基于分子动力学模拟的高γ-环糊精专一性环糊精糖基转移酶理性改造

【背景】环糊精糖基转移酶的分子动力学模拟较传统基因改造而言能有效提高改造效率,减少盲目性。【目的】探究环糊精糖基转移酶的催化专一性机理,为获得产γ-环糊精专一性更高的环糊精糖基转移酶提供高效突变菌株方法。【方法】通过分子对接和分子动力学模拟,获得3种产物类型CGTase与底物的对接模拟结构,并通过定点突变实验进行验证。【结果】分子动力学模拟结果显示α-和β-CGTase与十糖链在酶蛋白S1区域呈现闭合的形态,而γ-CGTase和十糖链在S1区域呈现更易于生成γ-环糊精的张开形态;3种CGTase与十糖链在相同位置存在氢键的氨基酸共有17个相对应位点,其中14个位点的氨基酸种类一致,不一致的3个氨基酸对应α-CGTase位点分别为Y89、D234和Y262。本研究对Y262位点进行定点突变和产物专一性实验,结果显示经过分子动力学预测的Y262L有助于提高产γ-CD专一性,从野生酶的13.7%提高到39.9%,γ-环糊精产物比例提高了3倍。【结论】分子动力学模拟结果对于指导环糊精糖基转移酶的专一性内在机理具有一定的正向指导意义。     

CD4 mimics targeting the mechanism of HIV entry

A structure–activity relationship study was conducted of several CD4 mimicking small molecules which block the interaction between HIV-1 gp120 and CD4. These CD4 mimics induce a conformational change in gp120, exposing its co-receptor-binding site. This induces a highly synergistic interaction in the use in combination with a co-receptor CXCR4 antagonist and reveals a pronounced effect on the dynamic supramolecular mechanism of HIV-1 entry.     

Polyethyleneimine-based immunopolyplex for targeted gene transfer in human lymphoma cell lines

Background

Specific and efficient delivery of genes into targeted cells is a priority objective in non‐viral gene therapy. Polyethyleneimine‐based polyplexes have been reported to be good non‐viral transfection reagents. However, polyplex‐mediated DNA delivery occurs through a non‐specific mechanism. This article reports the construction of an immunopolyplex, a targeted non‐viral vector based on a polyplex backbone, and its application in gene transfer over human lymphoma cell lines.

Methods

Targeting elements (biotin‐labeled antibodies), which should recognize a specific element of the target cell membrane and promote nucleic acid entry into the cell, were attached to the polyplex backbone through a bridge protein (streptavidin). Immunopolyplex transfection activity was studied in several hematological cell lines [Jurkat (CD3+/CD19?), Granta 519 (CD3?/ CD19+), and J.RT3‐T3.5 (CD3?/CD19?)] using the EGFP gene as a reporter gene and anti‐CD3 and anti‐CD19 antibodies as targeting elements. Transfection activity was evaluated via green fluorescence per cell and the percentage of positive cells determined by flow cytometry.

Results

A significant selectivity of gene delivery was observed, since the anti‐CD3 immunopolyplex worked only in Jurkat cells while the anti‐CD19 immunopolyplex worked only in the Granta cell line. Moreover, transfection of a CD3+/CD3? cell mixture with anti‐CD3 immunopolyplexes showed up to 16‐fold more transfection in CD3+ than in CD3? cells. Several non‐specific transfection reagents showed poor or no transfection activity.

Conclusion

It is concluded that immunopolyplex is a good non‐viral vector for specific and selective nucleic acid delivery. Immunopolyplex design allows easy replacement of the targeting element (antibody) – the streptavidin–polyplex backbone remaining intact – thereby conferring high versatility. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

     

CD28 signals in the immature immunological synapse

T cell recognition of peptide-MHC complexes on APCs results in the aggregation of TCRs at a central supramolecular activation complex (c-SMAC) within a mature immunological synapse. T cells require a second "costimulatory" signal for activation, the most important of which, for naive T cells, is from CD28. However the time at which CD28-derived signals are induced relative to c-SMAC formation is not well understood. In this study, we have assessed the kinetics of CD28 localization and function relative to well-established aspects of c-SMAC formation. CD28 accumulates at the immature synapse alongside the TCR and is likewise enriched at the synapse at the onset of the calcium signal. In addition, using CD28 deficient or reconstituted murine cells in a single-cell recording approach shows that CD28 regulates this signal within seconds of a TCR-mediated rise in intracellular calcium levels. Finally, CD28 exerts effects on both the initiation and stabilization of the synapse in parallel with its effects on the downstream proliferation of T cells. Together, the data show that CD28 functions in the immunological synapse before the formation of the c-SMAC.     

Cutting edge: dynamic redistribution of tetraspanin CD81 at the central zone of the immune synapse in both T lymphocytes and APC

The tetraspanin CD81 has been involved in T-dependent B cell-mediated immune responses. However, the behavior of CD81 during immune synapse (IS) formation has not been elucidated. We determined herein that CD81 redistributed to the contact area of T cell-B cell and T cell-dendritic cell conjugates in an Ag-dependent manner. Confocal microscopy showed that CD81 colocalized with CD3 at the central supramolecular activation complex. Videomicroscopy studies with APC or T cells transiently expressing CD81-green fluorescent protein (GFP) revealed that in both cells CD81 redistributed toward the central supramolecular activation complex. In T lymphocytes, CD81-GFP rapidly redistributed to the IS, whereas, in the APC, CD81-GFP formed a large accumulation in the contact area that later concentrated in a discrete cluster and waves of CD81 accumulated at the IS periphery. These results suggest a relevant role for CD81 in the topography of the IS that would explain its functional implication in T cell-B cell collaboration.     

Two types of Alzheimer's beta-amyloid (1-40) peptide membrane interactions: aggregation preventing transmembrane anchoring versus accelerated surface fibril formation

The 39-42 amino acid long, amphipathic amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) is one of the key components involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the neuropathology of AD, Abeta presumably exerts its neurotoxic action via interactions with neuronal membranes. In our studies a combination of 31P MAS NMR (magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance) and CD (circular dichroism) spectroscopy suggest fundamental differences in the functional organization of supramolecular Abeta(1-40) membrane assemblies for two different scenarios with potential implication in AD: Abeta peptide can either be firmly anchored in a membrane upon proteolytic cleavage, thereby being prevented against release and aggregation, or it can have fundamentally adverse effects when bound to membrane surfaces by undergoing accelerated aggregation, causing neuronal apoptotic cell death. Acidic lipids can prevent release of membrane inserted Abeta(1-40) by stabilizing its hydrophobic transmembrane C-terminal part (residue 29-40) in an alpha-helical conformation via an electrostatic anchor between its basic Lys28 residue and the negatively charged membrane interface. However, if Abeta(1-40) is released as a soluble monomer, charged membranes act as two-dimensional aggregation-templates where an increasing amount of charged lipids (possible pathological degradation products) causes a dramatic accumulation of surface-associated Abeta(1-40) peptide followed by accelerated aggregation into toxic structures. These results suggest that two different molecular mechanisms of peptide-membrane assemblies are involved in Abeta's pathophysiology with the finely balanced type of Abeta-lipid interactions against release of Abeta from neuronal membranes being overcompensated by an Abeta-membrane assembly which causes toxic beta-structured aggregates in AD. Therefore, pathological interactions of Abeta peptide with neuronal membranes might not only depend on the oligomerization state of the peptide, but also the type and nature of the supramolecular Abeta-membrane assemblies inherited from Abeta's origin.     

The use of circular dichroism spectroscopy for studying the chiral molecular self-assembly: an overview

Self-assembly plays an important role in the formation of many chiral biological structures and in the preparation of chiral functional materials. Therefore the control of chirality in synthetic or biological self-assembled systems is important either for the comprehension of recognition phenomena or to obtain materials with predictable and controllable properties. Circular dichroism was developed to study molecular chirality, however, because of its outstanding sensitivity to chiral perturbations of the system under investigation; it has been extended more recently to supramolecular chemistry. In particular, self-assembly processes leading to the formation of chiral supramolecular architectures (and eventually to gels or liquid crystal phases) can be monitored by CD. Furthermore, CD spectroscopy often allows one to obtain structural information on the assembled structures. This review deals with representative contributions to the study of supramolecular chirality by means of circular dichroism.     

Syntenin-1 and Ezrin Proteins Link Activated Leukocyte Cell Adhesion Molecule to the Actin Cytoskeleton

Activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM) is a type I transmembrane protein member of the immunoglobulin superfamily of cell adhesion molecules. Involved in important pathophysiological processes such as the immune response, cancer metastasis, and neuronal development, ALCAM undergoes both homotypic interactions with other ALCAM molecules and heterotypic interactions with the surface receptor CD6 expressed at the T cell surface. Despite biochemical and biophysical evidence of a dynamic association between ALCAM and the actin cytoskeleton, no detailed information is available about how this association occurs at the molecular level. Here, we exploit a combination of complementary microscopy techniques, including FRET detected by fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy and single-cell force spectroscopy, and we demonstrate the existence of a preformed ligand-independent supramolecular complex where ALCAM stably interacts with actin by binding to syntenin-1 and ezrin. Interaction with the ligand CD6 further enhances these multiple interactions. Altogether, our results propose a novel biophysical framework to understand the stabilizing role of the ALCAM supramolecular complex engaged to CD6 during dendritic cell-T cell interactions and provide novel information on the molecular players involved in the formation and signaling of the immunological synapse at the dendritic cell side.     

SLAM family receptors distinguish hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells and reveal endothelial niches for stem cells

To improve our ability to identify hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and their localization in vivo, we compared the gene expression profiles of highly purified HSCs and non-self-renewing multipotent hematopoietic progenitors (MPPs). Cell surface receptors of the SLAM family, including CD150, CD244, and CD48, were differentially expressed among functionally distinct progenitors. HSCs were highly purified as CD150(+)CD244(-)CD48(-) cells while MPPs were CD244(+)CD150(-)CD48(-) and most restricted progenitors were CD48(+)CD244(+)CD150(-). The primitiveness of hematopoietic progenitors could thus be predicted based on the combination of SLAM family members they expressed. This is the first family of receptors whose combinatorial expression precisely distinguishes stem and progenitor cells. The ability to purify HSCs based on a simple combination of SLAM receptors allowed us to identify HSCs in tissue sections. Many HSCs were associated with sinusoidal endothelium in spleen and bone marrow, though some HSCs were associated with endosteum. HSCs thus occupy multiple niches, including sinusoidal endothelium in diverse tissues.     

Poly(Pro-Nle-Gly): Can an amorphus polypeptide take up a supramolecular elastinlike structure?

Poly(Pro-Nle-Gly) was found to have a CD spectrum characteristic of a random polypeptide and an x-ray powder pattern that does not reveal any regular secondary structure. In its electron micrograph, however, filaments and fibers were seen. This is a random polymer with supramolecular structure. It suggests that the supramolecular structure seen in electron micrographs of elastin preparations and related polypeptides does not necessarily imply an ordered structure at the molecular level.