Glycosylation of Aromatic Amines I: Characterization of Reaction Products and Kinetic Scheme

The reactions of aliphatic and aromatic amines with reducing sugars are important in both drug stability and synthesis. The formation of glycosylamines in solution, the first step in the Maillard reaction, does not typically cause browning but results in decreased potency and is hence significant from the aspect of drug instability. The purpose of this research was to present (1) unreported ionic equilibria of model reactant (kynurenine), (2) the analytical methods used to characterize and measure reaction products, (3) the kinetic scheme used to measure reaction rates and (4) relevant properties of various reducing sugars that impact the reaction rate in solution. The methods used to identify the reversible formation of two products from the reaction of kynurenine and monosaccharides included LC mass spectrometry, UV spectroscopy, and 1-D and 2-D ¹H–¹H COSY NMR spectroscopy. Kinetics was studied using a stability-indicating HPLC method. The results indicated the formation of α and β glycosylamines by a pseudo first-order reversible reaction scheme in the pH range of 1–6. The forward reaction was a function of initial glucose concentration but not the reverse reaction. It was concluded that the reaction kinetics and equilibrium concentrations of the glycosylamines were pH-dependent and also a function of the acyclic content of the reacting glucose isomer.     

UDP-Gal: <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-acetylglucosamine β 1–4 galactosyltransferase expressing live attenuated parasites as vaccine for visceral leishmaniasis

As compared to cutaneous leishmaniasis, vaccination against visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has received limited attention. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time that an UDP-Galactose: N-acetylglucosamine β 1–4 galactosyltransferase (GenBank Accession No. EF159943) expressing attenuated LD clonal population (A-LD) is able to confer protection against the experimental challenge with the virulent LD AG83 parasite. A-LD was also effective in established leishmania infection. The vaccinated animals showed both cell mediated (in vitro T-cell proliferation, and DTH response) and humoral responses (Th1 type). These results demonstrate the potential of the attenuated clones as an immunotherapeutic and immunoprophylactic agent against visceral leishmaniasis.     

Protoplast formation and regeneration in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus delbrueckii</Emphasis>

Method for production and regeneration of Lactobacillus delbrueckii protoplasts are described. The protoplasts were obtained by treatment with a mixture of lysozyme and mutanolysin in protoplast buffer at pH 6.5 with different osmotic stabilizers. The protoplasts were regenerated on deMan, Rogosa and Sharpe (MRS) with various osmotic stabilizers. Maximum protoplast formation was obtained in protoplast buffer with sucrose as an osmotic stabilizer using a combination of lysozyme (1 mg/ml) and mutanolysin (10 μg/ml). Maximum protoplast regeneration was obtained on MRS medium with sucrose (0.5 M) as an osmotic stabilizer. The regeneration medium was also applicable to other species of lactobacilli as well. This is, to our knowledge, the first report on protoplast formation and efficient regeneration in case of L. delbrueckii.     

Role of Melanin in Release of Extracellular Enzymes and Selection of Aggressive Isolates of Bipolaris sorokiniana in Barley

Eighteen barley isolates of Bipolaris sorokiniana belonging to wild and clonal type of black, mixed and white subpopulations were quantitatively assayed for their melanin content and aggressiveness with respect to production of some of the extracellular enzymes such as cellulase, pectinase, amylase and protease. Cellulase and pectinase constituted major portion of the enzymes recovered from the black, mixed and white isolates. Enzyme production and aggressiveness were relatively higher in melanin devoid or low melanin isolates. The melanin deficient isolates were also differentiated from black and mixed isolates on the basis of variation in internal transcribed spacer region of the ribosomal DNA. Higher enzyme productions positively correlated with area under disease progress curve (AUDPC) and lesion development. Melanin content was negatively correlated with extracellular enzymes and aggressiveness of the isolates. Based on melanin content, lesion size, AUDPC and extracellular enzymes, the isolates were grouped in two major clusters (I and II) with further division of cluster II into two sub-clusters (II-A and II-B). The results appears to indicate a possible role of melanin in release of extracellular enzymes and hence in evolution and selection of aggressive isolates of B. sorokiniana in barley.     

Glycophorin A interferes in the agglutination of human erythrocytes by concanavalin A. Explanation of the requirement for enzymic predigestion.

Human erythrocytes become agglutinable with concanavalin A (Con A) after treatment with various proteinases or neuraminidase. The extent of agglutinability achieved with different enzymes is, however, different: Pronase, papain, trypsin, neuraminidase and chymotrypsin enhance the agglutinability in decreasing order, the last being barely effective. The actions of the enzymes on band 3, the Con A receptor, do not correlate with their abilities to increase the agglutinability: Pronase, papain and chymotrypsin cleave the protein, but not trypsin or neuraminidase. No significant differences are found in the number of Con A-binding sites or the affinities for the lectin between the normal and trypsin- or Pronase-treated cells. Thus the receptor does not seem to play a role in determining the Con A-agglutinability of erythrocytes. On the other hand, the cleavage of glycophorins, especially glycophorin A, and the release of sialic acid (in the peptide-bound form) are well-correlated with the enhancement in agglutination after the action of proteinases. The release of sialic acid by graded neuraminidase digestion and the increase in Con A-agglutinability show a correlation coefficient of 0.88. The major inhibitory role of glycophorin A in the process is indicated by the agglutination of En(a) heterozygous erythrocytes; the cells, known to bear about 50% glycophorin A molecules in their membrane, are agglutinated approximately half as well without proteolysis as are the trypsin-treated cells. Possible mechanisms by which glycophorin A could affect Con A-mediated agglutination are discussed.     

Search for chromosomal variations among gas-exposed persons in Bhopal

Summary A chromosomal survey using standard lymphocyte cultures employing different media and G-banding techniques was initiated in 1984. This study became particularly important following the tragic gaseous exposure of the population in Bhopal at midnight on 2 December 1984. We have been able to formulate a chromosomal profile for each person whom we have studied; during 1986–1988, 154 persons were examined twice. Among seemingly normal individuals, as many as 20% might possess some chromosomal abnormality; of these, 50% may develop, at a later date, some kind of pathological complication (such as tumours, recurrent abortion or transmission of defects to their offspring). The people exposed to methyl isocyanate have repeatedly shown Robertsonian translocations, mostly in acrocentric chromosomes 13 and 21. Other types of translocations have been studied among all exposed (53) and normal (101) persons; the involvement of chromosomes 5, 9, 11, 14 and 16 is statistically significant (P= <0.001). One of the major clinical symptoms is dyspnoea; we have estimated that almost all seriously dyspnoeic patients have developed at least two categories of chromosomal aberrations, one of which is Robertsonian translocation, in at least 10% metaphases. Our chromosomal survey will be of significance because we are able to identify people with chromosomal aberrations that might be correlated with future pathological consequences of the accident. The chromosomal load that can be sustained with an apparently normal phenotype can also be measured.     

The role of the membrane skeleton in concanavalin A-mediated agglutination of human erythrocytes

In the erythrocyte membrane, the mobility of band 3 protein, the receptor for concanavalin A (Con A), is drastically reduced by the membrane skeleton. Yet, the vesicles free of membrane skeletal proteins, isolated from the highly agglutinable proteinase-treated cells, are found to be devoid of Con A agglutinability. The vesicles bind Con A in normal amounts, and remain agglutinable with the wheat germ and Ricinus agglutinins. Intracellular entrapment of monospecific antibodies to spectrin and 4.1 protein (two of the major skeletal components of the membrane) is also found to inhibit agglutination by 30-50%. Thus the membrane skeleton appears to play a positive role in the agglutination of the cells with Con A. The anti-ankyrin antibodies are found to be without any effect. The anti-band 3 (cytoplasmic domain) antibodies are also inhibitory to agglutination. Since Con A binding to cells alters the shape responses and deformability of the cells, and the cells resist fragmentation at 49 degrees C, the properties of the whole skeleton, especially spectrin, appear to be changed. The Con A-bound membranes also do not release the complex of spectrin-band 4.1-actin when extracted with a hypotonic medium. It appears that Con A binding leads to interaction of the cytoplasmic domain of the receptor with a skeletal component, possibly spectrin. Subsequent to this, the receptor molecules and the skeletal proteins undergo aggregation in the membrane, which is detected by their crosslinking by an 8.6-A span bifunctional reagent. The contractility believed to be associated with the membrane skeleton may be responsible for the aggregation.     

Xylanase and β-xylosidase production byAspergillus niger NCIM 1207

Summary Aspergillus niger NCIM 1207 producing significantly high levels of -glucosidase was found to secrete hemicellulolytic enzymes (xylanase and -xylosidase) in the culture medium. High yields of -xylosidase were obtained when it was grown on either xylan (3%) or wheat bran (4%). Cellulose was a poor inducer of -xylosidase. The pH and temperature optima for-xylosidase were 4.5 and 65°C respectively.NCL Communication No. 3751     

Nano-biotechnology in tumour and cancerous disease: A perspective review

In recent years, drug manufacturers and researchers have begun to consider the nanobiotechnology approach to improve the drug delivery system for tumour and cancer diseases. In this article, we review current strategies to improve tumour and cancer drug delivery, which mainly focuses on sustaining biocompatibility, biodistribution, and active targeting. The conventional therapy using cornerstone drugs such as fludarabine, cisplatin etoposide, and paclitaxel has its own challenges especially not being able to discriminate between tumour versus normal cells which eventually led to toxicity and side effects in the patients. In contrast to the conventional approach, nanoparticle-based drug delivery provides target-specific delivery and controlled release of the drug, which provides a better therapeutic window for treatment options by focusing on the eradication of diseased cells via active targeting and sparing normal cells via passive targeting. Additionally, treatment of tumours associated with the brain is hampered by the impermeability of the blood–brain barriers to the drugs, which eventually led to poor survival in the patients. Nanoparticle-based therapy offers superior delivery of drugs to the target by breaching the blood–brain barriers. Herein, we provide an overview of the properties of nanoparticles that are crucial for nanotechnology applications. We address the potential future applications of nanobiotechnology targeting specific or desired areas. In particular, the use of nanomaterials, biostructures, and drug delivery methods for the targeted treatment of tumours and cancer are explored.