Fatty acid compositions of Taenia solium metacestode and its surrounding tissues

Fatty acids (FAs) are the main energy sources of living organisms and are the major components of cellular and organelle membranes. Their compositions also affect the flexibility/rigidity of cells and cell vitality. The Taenia solium metacestode (TsM) causes neurocysticercosis (NC), which is one of the most common helminthic infections of the central nerve system. We investigated the FA composition of the cyst fluid (CF) and parenchyma of the TsM, together with those of the granuloma and swine tissue surrounding the granuloma. The FA fractions of the TsM CF and swine tissue showed a composition and proportional contents comparable to each other, in which C18:0 (stearic acid), C18:1n9c (oleic acid), C20:4 (arachidonic acid) and C16:0 (palmitic acid) constituted the major fractions. However, the relative amount of individual FAs of the TsM parenchyma and granuloma differed from those of TsM CF and swine tissue, which contained enriched C16:0 and a lower amount of C20:4. Saturated FAs were the major constituents in parenchyma and granuloma, 50.4% and 46.1%, respectively. Conversely, monounsaturated FAs were the major constituents of CF and swine tissue, 38.7% and 40.3%, respectively. Our results strongly suggest that host-derived FAs might translocate across the parasite syncytial membrane and be stored in the CF.     

Implementation of batchwise bioscouring of cotton knits

The examination of critical factors determining the performance of bioscouring showed that a short treatment of the fabric at greater than 80°C after pectinase treatment at 60°C was essential for removal of waxes from the fabric as demonstrated by diminished intensities of methylene peaks in FT-IR measurements. Batch-wise bioscouring of cotton knits was carried out several times with post-treatment at 80°C using a rapid dyeing machine. The dye-ability of bioscoured knits was as good as the company's alkaline scoured ones with slightly higher K/S values. Water pollution caused by effluents of bioscouring and alkaline processes were estimated, as well as that due to the input of chemicals and enzymes. Higher BOD:COD_Cr ratios for enzymes indicated their biodegradable character. After calculation of energy consumption using a simulation program, an economic evaluation of the two processes was done on the basis of one ton production by considering the costs of chemicals and enzyme, water usage, energy consumption and waste water treatment charge.     

Anti‐adipogenic Effects of αAL14 Mediated by Modulation of PI3K/Akt Pathways in 3T3-L1 Cells

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - A model peptide, αAL14, was designed from the primary structure of a novel antimicrobial peptide purified form the abalone....     

Functional expression of human prostaglandin E2 receptor 4 (EP4) in E. coli and characterization of the binding property of EP4 with Gα proteins

Human prostaglandin E2 receptor 4 (EP4) is one of the four subtypes of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) receptors and belongs to the rhodopsin-type G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) family. Particularly, EP4 is expressed in various cancer cells and is involved in cancer-cell proliferation by a G protein signaling cascade. To prepare an active form of EP4 for biochemical characterization and pharmaceutical application, this study designed a recombinant protein comprising human EP4 fused to the P9 protein (a major envelope protein of phi6 phage) and overexpressed the P9-EP4 fusion protein in the membrane fraction of E. coli. The solubilized P9-EP4 with sarkosyl (a strong anionic detergent) was purified by affinity chromatography. The purified protein was stabilized with amphiphilic polymers derived from poly-γ-glutamate. The polymer-stabilized P9-EP4 showed specific interaction with the alpha subunits of G_s or G_i proteins, and a high content of α-helical structure by a circular dichroism spectroscopy. Furthermore, the polymer-stabilized P9-EP4 showed strong heat resistance compared with P9-EP4 in detergents. The functional preparation of EP4 and its stabilization with amphiphilic polymers could facilitate both the biochemical characterization and pharmacological applications targeting EP4.     

Isolation and characterization of a family VII esterase derived from alluvial soil metagenomic library

A novel esterase gene, estDL30, was isolated from an alluvial metagenomic library using function-driven screening. estDL30 consisted of 1,524 nucleotides and encoded a 507-amino acid protein. Sequence analysis revealed that EstDL30 is similar to many type B carboxylesterases, containing a G-E-S-A-G pentapeptide with a catalytic Ser residue. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that EstDL30 belongs to the family VII lipases, together with esterases from Bacillus subtilis (P37967), Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) (CAA22794), and Arthrobacter oxydans (Q01470). Purified EstDL30 showed its highest catalytic efficiency toward p-nitrophenyl butyrate, with a k _cat of 2293 s⁻¹ and k _cat/K _m of 176.4 s⁻¹mM⁻¹; however, little activity was detected when the acyl chain length exceeded C₈. Biochemical characterization of EstDL30 revealed that it is an alkaline esterase that possesses maximal activity at pH 8 and 40° C. The effects of denaturants and divalent cations were also investigated. EstDL30 tolerated well the presence of methanol and Tween 20. Its activity was strongly inhibited by 1 mM Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺, but stimulated by Fe²⁺. The unique properties of EstDL30, its high activity under alkaline conditions and stability in the presence of organic solvents, may render it applicable to organic synthesis.     

Cancer chemopreventive effects of starfish polysaccharide in human breast cancer cells

We investigated the effect of starfish (Asterina pectinifera) polysaccharide on the progression and metastasis of human breast cancer cells. At a concentration range of 10 ∼ 120 μg/mL the polysaccharide significantly decreased the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and of aromatase mRNA. In a wound healing assay, motility of human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells was prevented by the polysaccharide in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that starfish polysaccharide can prevent breast cancer progression and metastasis by decreasing prostaglandin E₂ and estrogen biosynthesis by COX-2 and aromatase, and by inhibiting cell motility. This report presents information regarding the effectiveness of starfish polysaccharide as a chemopreventive agent against breast cancer.     

Molecular cloning,purification, and characterization of a superoxide dismutase from a fast-growing <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycobacterium</Emphasis> sp. Strain JC1 DSM 3803

A cytosolic superoxide dismutase (SOD) was purified and characterized from a fast-growing Mycobacterium sp. strain JC1 DSM 3803 grown on methanol. The native molecular weight of the purified SOD was estimated to be 48 kDa. SDS-PAGE revealed a subunit of 23 kDa, indicating that the enzyme is a homodimer. The enzyme activity was inhibited by H₂O₂ and azide. The purified SOD contained 1.12 and 0.56 g-atom of Mn and Fe per mol of enzyme, respectively, suggesting that it may be a Fe/Mn cambialistic SOD. The apo-SOD reconstitution study revealed that Mn salts were more specific than Fe salts in the SOD activity. The gene encoding the SOD was identified from the JC1 cosmid genomic library by PCR screening protocol. The cloned gene, sodA, had an open reading frame (ORF) of 624 nt, encoding a protein with a calculated molecular weight of 22,930 Da and pi of 5.33. The deduced SodA sequence exhibited 97.6% identity with that of Mycobacterium fortuitum Mn-SOD and clustered with other mycobacterial Mn-SODs. A webtool analysis on the basis of SOD sequence and structure homologies predicted the SOD as a tetrameric Mn-SOD, suggesting that the protein is a dimeric Mn-SOD having tetramer-specific sequence and structure characteristics.