Defense peptides from barnyard grass (Echinochloa crusgalli L.) seeds

A number of defense polypeptides from latent seeds of weed cereal barnyard grass (Echinochloa crusgalli L.) has been isolated and characterized using an acidic extraction and high performance liquid chromatography methods in combination with MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and Edman sequencing. Members of three antimicrobial peptide families and two protease inhibitor families were found to be localized in barnyard grass seeds. Their biological activity concerning to Gram-Positive and Gram-Negative phytopathogenic bacteria, as well as oomycete Phytophthora infestans, has been investigated. Diversity of barnyard grass defense peptides is a significant factor that provides a resistance of E. crusgalli seeds to germination and latent phases.     

Salt-induced phase separation can effectively remove the acetonitrile from the protein sample after the preparative RP-HPLC

Acetonitrile (ACN)–water system is one of the most commonly used mobile phases in practical reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). However, a higher concentration of ACN (normally greater than 60% (v/v)) is required to elute the target protein from the RP-HPLC column in which, further steps to remove the ACN from the protein samples are demanded. It has been demonstrated that the phase separation occurring under the sub-zero temperature could easily remove the majority of ACN from the effluent of RP-HPLC. Recently, we found that the comparable phase separation could be achieved by adding a small amount of proper salts, such as K₂HPO₄ and KH₂PO₄, and the phase separation could take place effectively at 4 °C where the protein-purification processes were usually carried out. In addition, the pH value of the solution could be maintained properly by using potassium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0). With an optimized condition for this salt-induced phase separation, we demonstrated that greater than 60% of ACN could be easily removed; on the other hand, more than 90% of water-soluble protein could be successfully recovered within five hours.     

栽培花锚中抗肝炎活性成分的含量在不同生长期变化的研究

研究了花锚中去甲氧基花锚甙和花锚甙的含量随着不同生长期的变化趋势,为药材的合理栽培和采收提供科学依据。RP—HPLC法,使用VPODS C18柱,流动相为乙腈：磷酸：水(1‰),梯度洗脱程序：0～5．00min乙腈的体积分数(以下同)为15％、5．01～14．00min由15％增至25％、14．01～30．00min由25％增至40％,流速为1mL／min,柱温25C,检测波长：254nm。花锚甙和去甲氧基花锚甙、在花锚全草中的含量在不同生长期有明显变化。     

Bilayer interaction and localization of cell penetrating peptides with model membranes: A comparative study of a human calcitonin (hCT)-derived peptide with pVEC and pAntp(43-58)

Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) are able to translocate problematic therapeutic cargoes across cellular membranes. The exact mechanisms of translocation are still under investigation. However, evidence for endocytic uptake is increasing. We investigated the interactions of CPPs with phospholipid bilayers as first step of translocation. To this purpose, we employed four independent techniques, comprising (i) liposome buffer equilibrium dialysis, (ii) Trp fluorescence quenching, (iii) fluorescence polarization, and (iv) determination of ζ-potentials. Using unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) of different phospholipid composition, we compared weakly cationic human calcitonin (hCT)-derived peptides with the oligocationic CPPs pVEC and penetratin (pAntp). Apparent partition coefficients of hCT-derived peptides in neutral POPC LUVs were dependent on amino acid composition and secondary structure; partitioning in negatively charged POPC/POPG (80:20) LUVs was increased and mainly governed by electrostatic interactions. For hCT(9-32) and its derivatives, D values raised from about 100-200 in POPC to about 1000 to 1500 when negatively charged lipids were present. Localization profiles of CPPs obtained by Trp fluorescence quenching were dependent on the charge density of LUVs. In POPC/POPG, hCT-derived CPPs were located on the bilayer surface, whereas pVEC and pAntp resided deeper in the membrane. In POPG LUVs, an increase of fluorescence polarization was observed for pVEC and pAntp but not for hCT-derived peptides. Generally, we found strong peptide-phospholipid interactions, especially when negatively charged lipids were present.     

Dipalmitoylation of a cellular uptake-mediating apolipoprotein E-derived peptide as a promising modification for stable anchorage in liposomal drug carriers

Liposomes equipped with cellular uptake-mediating peptidic vector compounds have attracted much attention as target-specific drug delivery systems. Aside from the development of the target recognition motif itself, vector coupling to liposomes while conserving the active conformation constitutes an important element in carrier development. To elucidate the most efficient way for adsorptive peptide binding to liposomes, we synthesized and characterized two-domain peptides comprising a cationic sequence derived from the binding domain of apolipoprotein E (apoE) for the low-density lipoprotein receptor and different lipid-binding motifs, that is, an amphipathic helix, a transmembrane helix, single fatty acids or two palmitoyl chains. Peptide properties considered relevant for peptide-liposome complexes to initiate an endocytotic cellular uptake such as lipid binding, helicity, stability of anchorage, bilayer-disturbing activity, and toxicity showed that the dipalmitoyl derivative was the most suitable to associate the apoE peptide to the surface of liposomes. The peptide showed pronounced lipid affinity and was stably anchored within the lipid bilayer on a time scale of at least 30 min. The helicity of about 40% in the lipid-bound state and the location of the amphipathic helix on the liposomal surface provided the prerequisites for interaction of the complex with the cell surface-located receptor. The concentration of the dipalmitoylated peptide to permeabilize neutral lipid bilayers (lipid concentration 25 μM) was 0.06 μM and a 2 μM concentration reduced cell viability to about 80%. Efficient internalization of liposomes bearing about 180 peptide derivatives on the surface into brain capillary endothelial cells was monitored by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The concept of complexation using dipalmitoylated peptides may offer an efficient substitute to covalent vector coupling and a prospective way to optimize the capacity of liposomes as drug delivery systems also for different targets.     

Developing novel hCT derived cell-penetrating peptides with improved metabolic stability

Many promising therapeutics are currently awaiting their clinical application. Due to their low capability of cell membrane crossing, these compounds do not reach their site of action. One way to overcome this problem might be the fusion of these agents to cell-penetrating peptides (CPP), which are able to shuttle various cargoes across cellular membranes. One disadvantage in using CPP in drug delivery is their low metabolic stability. The aim of our work was to increase the proteolytic resistance of the CPP hCT(9-32), a truncated C-terminal fragment of human calcitonin. Thus, we synthesised six modified N-terminally carboxyfluorescein labelled hCT(9-32) derivatives by replacing positions 12 and/or 16 of hCT(9-32) with either N-methylphenylalanine or d-phenylalanine, respectively. By using confocal laser scanning microscopy we showed that the modifications did neither affect the peptide internalisation efficiency in HeLa nor HEK 293T cells. The metabolic stability of the peptides was investigated in human blood plasma and HEK 293T cell culture supernatant. To analyse the degradation patterns, we used RP-HPLC and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. However, we found for all of the new derivatives high metabolic stabilities. In blood plasma, the half-lives for five of the six peptides increased compared to unmodified hCT(9-32). The degradation patterns showed a distinct stabilisation in the N-terminal part of the modified peptides, in the C-terminal part, we found some cleavage to a minor extent. Furthermore, we studied the conformation of the peptides by CD spectroscopy and demonstrated that they possess no cell toxicity. Since our metabolically more stable compounds are still able to pass the cell membrane they provide powerful tools as drug delivery vectors.     

Anti-platelet activity of a three-finger toxin (3FTx) from Indian monocled cobra (Naja kaouthia) venom

A low molecular weight anti-platelet peptide (6.9 kDa) has been purified from Naja kaouthia venom and was named KT-6.9. MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry analysis revealed the homology of KT-6.9 peptide sequence with many three finger toxin family members. KT-6.9 inhibited human platelet aggregation process in a dose dependent manner. It has inhibited ADP, thrombin and arachidonic acid induced platelet aggregation process in dose dependent manner, but did not inhibit collagen and ristocetin induced platelet aggregation. Strong inhibition (70%) of the ADP induced platelet aggregation by KT-6.9 suggests competition with ADP for its receptors on platelet surface. Anti-platelet activity of KT-6.9 was found to be 25 times stronger than that of anti-platelet drug clopidogrel. Binding of KT-6.9 to platelet surface was confirmed by surface plasma resonance analysis using BIAcore X100. Binding was also observed by a modified sandwich ELISA method using anti-KT-6.9 antibodies. KT-6.9 is probably the first 3FTx from Indian monocled cobra venom reported as a platelet aggregation inhibitor.     

Metallothionein separation and analysis by reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography coupled with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract

The feasibility of using reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) for the separation of metallothioneins (MTs) and subsequent determination of cadmium in MTs by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) in rabbit kidney and liver has been studied. RP-HPLC was used to isolate, characterise and quantitate liver and kidney MT isoforms. The MTs were eluted from a radially compressed C18 column with a neutral sodium phosphate buffer and detected by UV absorbance at 254 nm. Rabbit liver MTs was found to be comprised of seven distinct isoforms with five of which were found to be subspecies of the MT-I isoform. Rabbit kidney MTs exhibited only two predominant isoforms. A standard calibration curve was constructed using purified rabbit kidney MT-I and MT-II which demonstrated excellent linear correlation between peak height and the quantity of MT injected into the column. Recovery of MT from RP-HPLC was found to exceed 90%. Kidney and liver tissues from rabbit by feeding low levels of cadmium in diets was assayed using the RP-HPLC analysis of cytosol samples. Feeding stable cadmium in the diet resulted in the deposition of MT in the kidney rather than in the liver. The cadmium content in MT isoforms was determined by GFAAS. Less than 10% of the total cadmium in kidney was associated with MTs.     

RP-HPLC同时测定喙果绞股蓝中芦丁和槲皮素的含量

目的:建立RP-HPLC同时测定喙果绞股蓝中芦丁和槲皮素含量的方法,并揭示其含量动态变化规律。方法:采用大连依利特SinoChromODS-APC18色谱柱(250 mm×4.6 mm,5μm),流动相:甲醇-0.4%磷酸水溶液梯度洗脱,流速:1 mL/min,检测波长:364 nm,柱温:30℃。结果:芦丁在0.1525～3.8120μg范围内线性关系良好,r=0.9998,平均回收率为98.2%(RSD=2.0%);槲皮素在0.0589～1.4720μg范围内线性关系良好,r=0.9999,平均回收率为97.7%(RSD=2.3%)。含量测定结果表明芦丁和槲皮素的含量具季节性动态变化,芦丁8月份含量高,平均质量分数达6.31 mg/g,槲皮素9月份含量最高,平均质量分数达0.86 mg/g。结论:该方法简单,准确度高,为喙果绞股蓝的质量控制提供实验依据,芦丁和槲皮素含量动态变化规律为其开发利用提供参考。     

一种根系分泌物中有机酸的前处理和高效液相色谱检测方法

改进了根系分泌有机酸的前处理和高效液相色谱检测方法.将DEAE纤维素层析法直接用于根系分泌物中有机酸的富集浓缩,并与旋转蒸发浓缩的回收率进行了比较.结果表明,DEAE纤维素柱层析有较高的回收率,可用于根系分泌物中有机酸的富集浓缩,特别适用于大批量样品的前处理.确定了反向高效液相色谱同时检测草酸、酒石酸、马来酸、苹果酸、乙酸、柠檬酸、琥珀酸等7种有机酸的条件.玉米根系分泌物样品中可检出苹果酸等5种有机酸.