Construction of peptide mimetics of an epitope of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) gp41 protein, recognized by virus-neutralizing antibodies 2F5

A phase peptide library was screened with virus-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (MCA) 2F5 which recognize a conserved epitope of HIV-1 gp41. Phages that expose peptides specifically binding with MCA 2F5 were selected by ELISA. Amino acid sequence analysis revealed a homology to region 662-671 of HIV-1 HB10 gp160 for most peptides. The major role in recognition was ascribed to Asp-664, Lys-665, and Trp-666. The epitope-mimicking peptides were tested for immunogenicity. Antibodies to gp41 were detected in serum of immunized rabbits.     

Determination of glycyrrhizic acid binding sites by a phage display method

Phages that expose peptides specifically interacting with glycyrrhizic acid (GA) were selected from a phage peptide library by affinity selection and ELISA. Amino acid sequence analysis of the selected peptides and human proteins with the SIM program revealed homology to tyrosine protein kinases, serine/threonine protein kinases, tyrosine phosphatases, and some receptors. Analysis of the peptide and virus protein sequences with the BLAST program showed that GA has affinity for various surface proteins of several human viruses such as HIV-1, hepatitis C virus, and herpesviruses.     

Restriction Endonuclease Sst12I from a Strain of Streptomyces Recognizing the Nucleotide Sequence 5"-CTGCAG-3"

A new restriction endonuclease Sst12I belonging to type II and recognizing the sequence 5"-CTGCAG-3" was isolated from the bacterial strain Streptomycessp. St-12. The enzyme hydrolyzes DNA between adenine and guanine residues; thus, it is a true isoschizomer of restrictase PstI. In contrast to PstI, the restriction endonuclease Sst12I hydrolyses DNA both at 37 and 55°C and remains active after long-term storage.     

Immunogenic Properties of Peptides Mimicking a HIV-1 gp41 Epitope Recognized by Virus-Neutralizing Antibodies 2F5

Phage display was used to obtain peptides mimicking a HIV-1 gp41 conserved epitope recognized by virus-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAb) 2F5. Rabbits and mice were immunized with the peptides exposed on the surface of filamentous bacteriophages. Antibodies to gp41 were detected in the sera of immunized animals. The virus-neutralizing activity of the sera was examined.     

Localization of the HIV-1 gp120 Conformational Epitope Recognized by Virus-Neutralizing Monoclonal Antibodies 2G12

A phage peptide library was used to select peptides interacting with virus-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAb) 2G12 which recognize a discontinuous surface epitope of HIV-1 gp120. With the published X-ray data, gp120 regions involved in the antigenic determinant were predicted. Binding with mAb 2G12 was ascribed to Thr297, Phe383, Tyr384, Arg419, Ile240, Thr415, Leu416, Pro417, Lys421, and Trp112. Though distant in the gp120 sequence, these residues are close in space and form the 2G12 epitope on the gp120 surface.     

Immunogenetic properties of peptides mimicking a human immunodeficiency virus gp41 (HIV-1) epitope recognized by virus-neutralizing antibody 2F5

Phage display was used to obtain peptides mimicking a HIV-1 gp41 conserved epitope recognized by virus-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (MCA) 2F5. Rabbits and mice were immunized with the peptides exposed on the surface of filamentous bacteriophages. Antibodies to gp41 were detected in the sera of immunized animals. The virus-neutralizing activity of the sera was examined.     

Construction of Peptides Mimicking a HIV-1 gp41 Epitope Recognized by Virus-Neutralizing Antibodies 2F5

A phage peptide library was screened with virus-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (MAb) 2F5 which recognize a conserved epitope of HIV-1 gp41. Phages that expose peptides specifically binding with MAb 2F5 were selected by ELISA. Amino acid sequence analysis revealed homology to region 662–671 of HIV-1 HB10 gp160 for most peptides. The major role in recognition was ascribed to Asp-664, Lys-665, and Trp-666. The epitope-mimicking peptides were tested for immunogenicity. Antibodies to gp41 were detected in the serum of immunized rabbits.     

Nitric oxide metabolites in exhaled breath condensate in young people

Exhaled breath samples were taken from students of the Medical Academy and condensed. The total nitrite and nitrate concentration (NNC) was measured in the condensed samples. At rest, smoking young men show a tendency to a lower NNC as compared to nonsmoking young men; smoking young women at rest, on the contrary, have a significantly higher NNC as compared to nonsmoking young women. Under psychoemotional stress, the NNC decreases in both young men and young women. Subjects with the maximum indices of systolic blood pressure (BP_s) show a significantly lower NNC as compared to subjects with the minimum BP_s indices.     

Analysis of the Glycyrrhizic Acid-Binding Sites with Phage Display

Phages that expose peptides specifically interacting with glycyrrhizic acid (GA) were selected from a phage peptide library by affinity selection and ELISA. Amino acid sequence analysis of the selected peptides and human proteins with the SIM program revealed homology to tyrosine protein kinases, serine/threonine protein kinases, tyrosine phosphatases, and some receptors. Analysis of the peptide and virus protein sequences with the BLAST program showed that GA has affinity for various surface proteins of several human viruses such as HIV-1, hepatitis C virus, and herpesviruses.