A novel C–S lyase from the latex-producing plant Taraxacum brevicorniculatum displays alanine aminotransferase and l-cystine lyase activity

We isolated a novel pyridoxal-5-phosphate-dependent l-cystine lyase from the dandelion Taraxacum brevicorniculatum. Real time qPCR analysis showed that C–S lyase from Taraxacum brevicorniculatum (TbCSL) mRNA is expressed in all plant tissues, although at relatively low levels in the latex and pedicel. The 1251 bp TbCSL cDNA encodes a protein with a calculated molecular mass of 46,127 kDa. It is homologous to tyrosine and alanine aminotransferases (AlaATs) as well as to an Arabidopsis thaliana carbon–sulfur lyase (C–S lyase) (SUR1), which has a role in glucosinolate metabolism. TbCSL displayed in vitrol-cystine lyase and AlaAT activities of 4 and 19 nkat mg⁻¹ protein, respectively. However, we detected no in vitro tyrosine aminotransferase (TyrAT) activity and RNAi knockdown of the enzyme had no effect on phenotype, showing that TbCSL substrates might be channeled into redundant pathways. TbCSL is in vivo localized in the cytosol and functions as a C–S lyase or an aminotransferase in planta, but the purified enzyme converts at least two substrates specifically, and can thus be utilized for further in vitro applications.     

A proteomic screen reveals novel Fas ligand interacting proteins within nervous system Schwann cells

Fas ligand (FasL) binds Fas (CD95) to induce apoptosis or activate other signaling pathways. In addition, FasL transduces bidirectional or 'reverse signals'. The intracellular domain of FasL contains consensus sequences for phosphorylation and an extended proline rich region, which regulate its surface expression through undetermined mechanism(s). Here, we used a proteomics approach to identify novel FasL interacting proteins in Schwann cells to investigate signaling through and trafficking of this protein in the nervous system. We identified two novel FasL interacting proteins, sorting nexin 18 and adaptin beta, as well as two proteins previously identified as FasL interacting proteins in T cells, PACSIN2 and PACSIN3. These proteins are all associated with endocytosis and trafficking, highlighting the tight regulation of cell surface expression of FasL in the nervous system.     

β-细辛醚对谷蠹成虫体内四种酶活性的影响

采用石菖蒲Acorus gramineus根茎提取物β-细辛醚对谷蠹Rhizopertha dominica成虫进行拌粮处理,测定β-细辛醚对谷蠹体内乙酰胆碱酯酶、谷胱甘肽S-转移酶、羧酸酯酶和酯酶同工酶的时间效应和剂量效应。结果表明：β-细辛醚对试虫体内4种酶的酶活性均表现出较强的时间效应。LC₅₀（94.49 mg/kg）剂量的β-细辛醚处理后,谷蠹成虫体内乙酰胆碱酯酶和谷胱甘肽S-转移酶活性随处理时间的延长整体表现为抑制作用,对羧酸酯酶和酯酶同工酶则表现诱导增加作用。低剂量（67.5 mg/kg）β-细辛醚对乙酰胆碱酯酶具有显著的诱导作用,但是随着处理剂量的升高,对乙酰胆碱酯酶的活力多数表现为抑制作用。低剂量（≤100.0 mg/kg）β-细辛醚对谷胱甘肽S 转移酶具有诱导作用,而高剂量（≥133.3 mg/kg）β-细辛醚对谷胱甘肽S-转移酶具有抑制作用。β-细辛醚对羧酸酯酶的活性多数表现为诱导作用,提高β-细辛醚的处理剂量可提高羧酸酯酶的活力。不同剂量的β-细辛醚处理对谷蠹酯酶同工酶均具有显著的诱导作用,但诱导效果与处理剂量关系并不显著。     

Biochemical characterization of Neurospora crassa glycogenin (GNN), the self-glucosylating initiator of glycogen synthesis

Glycogenin acts in the initiation step of glycogen biosynthesis by catalyzing a self-glucosylation reaction. In a previous work [de Paula et al., Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 435 (2005) 112-124], we described the isolation of the cDNA gnn, which encodes the protein glycogenin (GNN) in Neurospora crassa. This work presents a set of biochemical and functional studies confirming the GNN role in glycogen biosynthesis. Kinetic experiments showed a very low GNN K(m) (4.41 microM) for the substrate UDP-glucose. Recombinant GNN was produced in Escherichia coli and analysis by mass spectroscopy identified a peptide containing an oligosaccharide chain attached to Tyr196 residue. Site-directed mutagenesis and functional complementation of a Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant strain confirmed the participation of this residue in the GNN self-glucosylation and indicated the Tyr198 residue as an additional, although less active, glucosylation site. The physical interaction between GNN and glycogen synthase (GSN) was analyzed by the two-hybrid assay. While the entire GSN was required for full interaction, the C-terminus in GNN was more important. Furthermore, mutation in the GNN glucosylation sites did not impair the interaction with GSN.     

Common structural features of MAPEG -- a widespread superfamily of membrane associated proteins with highly divergent functions in eicosanoid and glutathione metabolism

A novel superfamily designated MAPEG (Membrane Associated Proteins in Eicosanoid and Glutathione metabolism), including members of widespread origin with diversified biological functions is defined according to enzymatic activities, sequence motifs, and structural properties. Two of the members are crucial for leukotriene biosynthesis, and three are cytoprotective exhibiting glutathione S-transferase and peroxidase activities. Expression of the most recently recognized member is strongly induced by p53, and may therefore play a role in apoptosis or cancer development. In spite of the different biological functions, all six proteins demonstrate common structural characteristics typical of membrane proteins. In addition, homologues are identified in plants, fungi, and bacteria, demonstrating this superfamily to be generally occurring.     

Modulation of glutathione-related antioxidant defense system of fish chronically treated by the fungicide propiconazole

Recently, residual fungicides are generally recognized as relevant sources of aquatic environmental pollutants. However, the toxicological effects of these contaminants have not been adequately researched. In this study, the chronic effect of PCZ, a triazole-containing fungicide commonly present in aquatic environment, on GSH-related antioxidant system and oxidative stress indices of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were investigated. Fish were exposed at sub-lethal concentrations of PCZ (0.2, 50 and 500 μg/L) for 7, 20 and 30 days. GSH levels and GSH-related enzyme activities, including GPx, GR and GST, were quantified in three tissues—liver, gill and muscle. The levels of LPO and CP were also measured as makers of oxidative damage. In addition, the correlations of the measured parameters in various tissues were evaluated by using PCA. The results of this study indicate that chronic exposure of PCZ has resulted in different responses in various tissues and the gill was the most sensitive tissue; however, before these parameters are used as potential biomarkers for monitoring residual fungicides in aquatic environment, more detailed experiments in laboratory need to be performed in the future.     

不同浓度阿维菌素对鲤鱼过氧化氢酶和谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶活性的影响

采用半静态水质接触染毒法,研究不同浓度(0、3.2、5.6、7.5、10.0和18.0μg.-1)阿维菌素对鲤鱼(Cyprinus carpio)肝胰脏和肌肉过氧化氢酶(CAT)、谷胱甘肽-S-转移酶(GSTs)活性的影响。结果表明:除3.2μg.L-1浓度对CAT和GSTs活性无显著影响外,其余各浓度的阿维菌素均对鲤鱼组织中CAT和GSTs产生显著影响,总体表现为低浓度诱导,高浓度先诱导后抑制;5.6和7.5μg.L-1浓度组的肌肉CAT活性与对照组相比无显著差异,肝胰脏CAT活性以及肌肉和肝胰脏GSTs活性均显著升高;10.0和18.0μg.L-1浓度组的肌肉和肝胰脏中CAT、GSTs活性先显著升高,随后又显著下降;解除污染胁迫10d,18.0μg.L-1浓度组的肝胰脏中酶活性不能恢复到正常水平,其余各组与对照无显著差异,说明高浓度阿维菌素暴露可能对鲤鱼机体造成不可逆损伤;阿维菌素暴露浓度与其对鲤鱼肝胰脏和肌肉CAT、GSTs活性抑制率之间具有显著的剂量-效应关系,可以考虑将其作为水体中阿维菌素类药物污染的生物标志物;同时,由于鲤鱼受污染胁迫时肌肉CAT、GSTs活性变化的显著性均远低于肝胰脏,因此当考虑...     

Phytochemicals in Morinda citrifolia fruit selectively modulate age-associated immunity and antioxidant enzyme activities through ERK pathway in splenic lymphocytes of male F344 rats

Context/objective: The mechanisms of immunomodulatory effects of Morinda citrifolia (Noni) were examined through intracellular signaling pathways in the splenocytes and their modulation by phytochemicals using bioinformatics tools. Materials and methods: Noni fruit juices without seeds (NSL) and with seeds (NWS) were co-incubated in vitro with splenocytes from young, middle-aged and old F344 male rats and proliferation of lymphocytes, cytokine production, antioxidant enzyme activities and intracellular signaling markers were measured. Results: NSL decreased lymphoproliferation in early middle-aged rats, and IL-2 and IFN-γ production in old rats. In contrast, NWS enhanced lymphoproliferation in young and old rats, IL-2 and IFN-γ production in middle-aged and old rats. The activities of antioxidant enzymes were augmented by NWS and NSL in old rats. NWS reversed age-related increase in lipid peroxidation in all age-groups, while NSL increased lipid peroxidation in old rats. NSL increased p-ERK in old rats and decreased p-CREB in young and middle-aged rats. In contrast, NWS decreased p-ERK in all age groups and increased p-CREB in old rats. Both NSL and NWS increased p-Akt expression in middle-aged and old rats. Both NSL and NWS suppressed p-NF-κB expression in middle-aged and old rats. Docking studies demonstrated that Noni phytochemicals, damnacanthal, myricetin and ursolic acid, are potent inhibitors of ERK with binding sites in the catalytic and phosphorylation sites of the molecule. Conclusions: These results suggest that Noni fruit juices with or without seeds modulate cell-mediated immunity and antioxidant enzyme activities based on the phytochemicals that may differentially influence cell signaling and therefore, age-associated immunity.     

日本血吸虫GST蛋白和14-3-3蛋白的研究进展

血吸虫病是严重危害人类健康的人兽共患病之一,在全球范围内,血吸虫病曾在76个国家和地区流行,有超过2亿人感染了血吸虫病。目前,世界上采取了一些人畜同步治疗等综合防治措施,虽取得了一定的成效,但仍面临着成本高、再感染率高等一系列问题。因此,寻找新的治疗药物、疫苗候选分子以及开发高度特异且敏感的标准化免疫诊断试剂是当前日本血吸虫病基础研究的重要内容。主要对WHO提出的最具潜力的疫苗候选分子血吸虫GST蛋白以及参与血吸虫许多生物学功能的14-3-3蛋白的最新研究进展进行一些阐述。