Kinetics and physico-chemical characterization of exopolysaccharides produced by the cyanobacterium Oscillatoria formosa

Exopolysaccharides of the cyanobacterium Oscillatoria formosa have been physico-chemically characterized and kinetics of their production studied. The organism produced 334.8 μg EPS per ml culture in 24 days with the maximum rate of production obtained during initial days of growth. HPLC analysis of the EPS hydrolysate revealed that besides three unidentified sugars, EPS contained ribose, mannose, and galacturonic acid. FT-IR spectrum of EPS revealed the presence of methyl, carboxyl and C–N groups. Elemental analysis indicated the presence of 4.7% nitrogen in EPS. The organism produced 75.6% more EPS when incubated at 35°C compared to cultures at 28°C. Under varied nutritional conditions, though the growth of the organism was less yet it produced enhanced amounts of EPS. Aqueous dispersions of EPS showed non-Newtonian, pseudoplastic behaviour. The viscosity of the aqueous solution of EPS was quite stable over a wide range of pH and temperature but it was observed to be affected by CaCl_2.     

Integration of protein motions with molecular networks reveals different mechanisms for permanent and transient interactions

The integration of molecular networks with other types of data, such as changing levels of gene expression or protein-structural features, can provide richer information about interactions than the simple node-and-edge representations commonly used in the network community. For example, the mapping of 3D-structural data onto networks enables classification of proteins into singlish- or multi-interface hubs (depending on whether they have >2 interfaces). Similarly, interactions can be classified as permanent or transient, depending on whether their interface is used by only one or by multiple partners. Here, we incorporate an additional dimension into molecular networks: dynamic conformational changes. We parse the entire PDB structural databank for alternate conformations of proteins and map these onto the protein interaction network, to compile a first version of the Dynamic Structural Interaction Network (DynaSIN). We make this network available as a readily downloadable resource file, and we then use it to address a variety of downstream questions. In particular, we show that multi-interface hubs display a greater degree of conformational change than do singlish-interface ones; thus, they show more plasticity which perhaps enables them to utilize more interfaces for interactions. We also find that transient associations involve smaller conformational changes than permanent ones. Although this may appear counterintuitive, it is understandable in the following framework: as proteins involved in transient interactions shuttle between interchangeable associations, they interact with domains that are similar to each other and so do not require drastic structural changes for their activity. We provide evidence for this hypothesis through showing that interfaces involved in transient interactions bind fewer classes of domains than those in a control set.     

Protection of DNA and membrane from gamma radiation induced damage by gallic acid

Gallic acid (3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid, GA) is a naturally occurring plant phenol. In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that this phytochemical protected DNA and membranes against ionizing radiation. Rat liver microsomes and plasmid pBR322 DNA were exposed to various doses of gamma radiation in presence and absence of GA. Exposure of the microsomes to gamma radiation resulted in the formation of peroxides of membrane lipids measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and presence of GA during irradiation prevented the formation of lipid peroxidation. Gamma irradiation of plasmid DNA resulted in induction of strand breaks in DNA resulting in disappearance of the supercoiled (ccc) form. Presence of GA during irradiation protected the DNA from undergoing the strand breaks. In in vivo studies it was found that whole body exposure of mice to gamma radiation (4 Gy) increased the formation of lipid peroxides in various tissues and damage to cellular DNA (as measured by alkaline comet assay) in peripheral blood leucocytes. Administration of GA to mice prior to whole body radiation exposure reduced the peroxidation of lipids and the damage to the cellular DNA indicating in vivo radiation protection of membranes and DNA by GA. (Mol Cell Biochem 278: 111–117, 2005)     

Antibody-targeted chemotherapy of B-cell lymphoma using calicheamicin conjugated to murine or humanized antibody against CD22

Antibody-targeted chemotherapy with immunoconjugates of calicheamicin is a clinically validated strategy in cancer therapy. This study describes the selection of a murine anti-CD22 mAb, m5/44, as a targeting agent, its conjugation to a derivative of calicheamicin (CalichDM) via either acid-labile or acid-stable linkers, the antitumor activity of CalichDM conjugated to m5/44, and its subsequent humanization by CDR grafting. Murine IgG1 mAb m5/44 was selected based on its subnanomolar affinity for CD22 and ability to be internalized into B cells. CalichDM conjugated to m5/44 caused potent growth inhibition of CD22⁺ human B-cell lymphomas (BCLs) in vitro. The conjugate of m5/44 with an acid-labile linker was more potent than an acid-stable conjugate, a nonbinding conjugate with a similar acid-labile linker, or unconjugated CalichDMH in inhibiting BCL growth. CalichDM conjugated to m5/44 caused regression of established BCL xenografts in nude mice. In contrast, both unconjugated m5/44 and a nonbinding conjugate were ineffective against these xenografts. Based on the potent antitumor activity of m5/44-CalichDM conjugates, m5/44 was humanized by CDR grafting to create g5/44, an IgG4 anti-CD22 antibody. Both m5/44 and g5/44 bound CD22 with subnanomolar affinity. Competitive blocking with previously characterized murine anti-CD22 mAbs suggested that g5/44 recognizes epitope A located within the first N-terminal Ig-like domain of human CD22. Antitumor efficacy of CalichDM conjugated to g5/44 against BCL xenografts was more potent than its murine counterpart. Based on these results, a calicheamicin conjugate of g5/44, CMC-544, was selected for further development as a targeted chemotherapeutic agent for the treatment of B-cell malignancies.Abbreviations AcBut 4-(4-Acetylphenoxy) butanoic acid - AcPAc (3-Acetylphenyl) acetic acid - ATC Antibody-targeted chemotherapy - BCL B-cell lymphoma - CalichDM N-Acetyl--calicheamicin dimethyl disulfide derivative(s) - CalichDMA CalichDM acid - CalichDMH CalichDM hydrazide - CDR Complementarity determining region - NHL Non-Hodgkins lymphoma - PBMC Peripheral blood mononuclear cell - TAA Tumor-associated antigen     

Snapshot of HIV pathogenesis in China

Several reviews have focused on the nature of HIV infection and its spread in various geographical regions of China. In contrast, this review provides a comprehensive update on the prevalence of multiple HIV-1 subtypes, consequent emergence of recombinant and novel forms of HIV-1 in China, and the implications this may have on HIV diversity and the development of effective vaccines. In addition it also examines the dissemination of primary drug resistance in therapy na?ve patients, as well as co-infections with two other important viruses-hepatitis B and C. The main purpose of this review is to provide a current snapshot of HIV-1 pathogenesis in China and possibly shed some light on the future of HIV evolution, and potential challenges for future vaccine and anti-retroviral therapeutics against HIV strains in this area.     

Identification of a major recombination hotspot in patients with short stature and SHOX deficiency

Human growth is influenced not only by environmental and internal factors but also by a large number of different genes. One of these genes, SHOX, is believed to play a major role in growth, since defects in this homeobox-containing gene on the sex chromosomes lead to syndromal short stature (Leri-Weill dyschondrosteosis, Langer mesomelic dysplasia, and Turner syndrome) as well as to idiopathic short stature. We have analyzed 118 unrelated patients with Leri-Weill dyschondrosteosis and >1,500 patients with idiopathic short stature for deletions encompassing SHOX. Deletions were detected in 34% of the patients with Leri-Weill dyschondrosteosis and in 2% of the patients with idiopathic short stature. For 27 patients with Leri-Weill dyschondrosteosis and for 6 with idiopathic short stature, detailed deletion mapping was performed. Analysis was performed by polymerase chain reaction with the use of pseudoautosomal polymorphic markers and by fluorescence in situ hybridization with the use of cosmid clones. Here, we show that, although the identified deletions vary in size, the vast majority (73%) of patients tested share a distinct proximal deletion breakpoint. We propose that the sequence present within this proximal deletion breakpoint "hotspot" region predisposes to recurrent breaks.     

CTLA-4 regulates expansion and differentiation of Th1 cells following induction of peripheral T cell tolerance

Intravenous treatment with Ag (peptide)-coupled, ethylene carbodiimide-fixed syngeneic splenocytes (Ag-SP) is a powerful method to induce anergy in vitro and peripheral T cell tolerance in vivo. In this study, we examined the effects of Ag-SP administration on T cell activity ex vivo and in vivo using OVA-specific DO11.10 TCR transgenic T cells. Although treatment with OVA323-339-SP resulted in a strong inhibition of peptide-specific T cell recall responses in vitro, examination of the immediate effects of Ag-SP treatment on T cells in vivo demonstrated that tolerogen injection resulted in rapid T cell activation and proliferation. Although there was an increase in the number of OVA-specific DO11.10 T cells detected in the lymphoid organs, these previously tolerized T cells were strongly inhibited in mounting proliferative or inflammatory responses upon rechallenge in vivo with peptide in CFA. This unresponsiveness was reversible by treatment with anti-CTLA-4 mAb. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that Ag-SP injection induces a state of T cell anergy that is maintained by CTLA-4 engagement.