共查询到20条相似文献,搜索用时 15 毫秒
1.
Shivani Kanodia Gautam Kumar Luca Rizzi Alessandro Pedretti Anthony N. Hodder Sergio Romeo Pawan Malhotra 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2014
Background
Plasmodium falciparum serine repeat antigen 5 (PfSERA5) is an abundant blood stage protein that plays an essential role in merozoite egress and invasion. The native protein undergoes extensive proteolytic cleavage that appears to be tightly regulated. PfSERA5 N-terminal fragment is being developed as vaccine candidate antigen. Although PfSERA5 belongs to papain-like cysteine protease family, its catalytic domain has a serine in place of cysteine at the active site.Methods
In the present study, we synthesized a number of peptides from the N- and C-terminal regions of PfSERA5 active domain and evaluated their inhibitory potential.Results
The final proteolytic step of PfSERA5 involves removal of a C-terminal ~ 6 kDa fragment that results in the generation of a catalytically active ~ 50 kDa enzyme. In the present study, we demonstrate that two of the peptides derived from the C-terminal ~ 6 kDa region inhibit the parasite growth and also cause a delay in the parasite development. These peptides reduced the enzyme activity of the recombinant protein and co-localized with the PfSERA5 protein within the parasite, thereby indicating the specific inhibition of PfSERA5 activity. Molecular docking studies revealed that the inhibitory peptides interact with the active site of the protein. Interestingly, the peptides did not have an effect on the processing of PfSERA5.Conclusions
Our observations indicate the temporal regulation of the final proteolytic cleavage step that occurs just prior to egress.General significance
These results reinforce the role of PfSERA5 for the intra-erythrocytic development of malaria parasite and show the role of carboxy terminal ~ 6 kDa fragments in the regulation of PfSERA5 activity. The results also suggest that final cleavage step of PfSERA5 can be targeted for the development of new anti-malarials. 相似文献2.
Background
Snake venoms are rich sources of bioactive molecules, and several venom-derived proteins have entered clinical trials for use in ischemic disorders; however, late-stage failure of a recent drug candidate due to low in vivo efficacy demonstrated the need for new sources of fibrinogenolytic drug candidates.Methods
A 51.3 kDa thrombin-like serine protease (Russelobin) purified from the venom of Russell's Viper (Daboia russelii russelii) was subjected to extensive biochemical characterization, including N-terminal sequencing, substrate specificity, kinetic and inhibitor assays, glycosylation analysis and stability assays. Toxicity and pathology analyses were conducted in NSA mice.Results
Russelobin has extensive N-terminus identity with a beta-fibrinogenase-like serine proteinase precursor from Daboia russelii siamensis venom, a mass of 51.3 kDa and contains extensive N-linked oligosaccharides. Serine protease inhibitors and heparin significantly decreased activity, with much lower inhibition by DTT, antithrombin-III and α2-macroglobulin. Russelobin preferentially released FPA and slowly released FPB from human fibrinogen, forming a labile fibrin clot readily hydrolyzed by plasmin. The partially deglycosylated enzyme showed significantly lower activity toward fibrinogen and less resistance against neutralization by plasma α2MG and antithrombin-III. Russelobin was non-cytotoxic, non-lethal and produced no histopathologies in mice, and it demonstrated in vivo dose-dependent defibrinogenating activity.Conclusions
Russelobin is an A/B fibrinogenase with high specificity toward fibrinogen, both in vitro and in vivo. Extensive glycosylation appears to protect the molecule against endogenous protease inhibitors, prolonging its in vivo efficacy.General significance
Due to its low toxicity, stability and activity as a defibrinogenating agent, Russelobin shows high potential for cardiovascular drug development. 相似文献3.
Background
Snake venoms are rich in Kunitz-type protease inhibitors that may have therapeutic applications. However, apart from trypsin or chymotrypsin inhibition, the functions of most of these inhibitors have not been elucidated. A detailed functional characterization of these inhibitors may lead to valuable drug candidates.Methods
A Kunitz-type protease inhibitor, named DrKIn-II, was tested for its ability to inhibit plasmin using various approaches such as far western blotting, kinetic analyses, fibrin plate assay and euglobulin clot lysis assay. In addition, the antifibrinolytic activity of DrKIn-II was demonstrated in vivo.Results
DrKIn-II potently decreased the amidolytic activity of plasmin in a dose-dependent manner, with a global inhibition constant of 0.2 nM. Inhibition kinetics demonstrated that the initial binding of DrKIn-II causes the enzyme to isomerize, leading to the formation of a much tighter enzyme-inhibitor complex. DrKIn-II also demonstrated antifibrinolytic activity in fibrin plate assay and significantly prolonged the lysis of the euglobulin clot. Screening of DrKIn-II against a panel of serine proteases indicated that plasmin is the preferential target of DrKIn-II. Furthermore, DrKIn-II treatment prevented the increase of FDP in coagulation-stimulated mice and significantly reduced the bleeding time in a murine tail bleeding model.Conclusion
DrKIn-II is a potent, slow and tight-binding plasmin inhibitor that demonstrates antifibrinolytic activity both in vitro and in vivo.General significance
This is the first in-depth functional characterization of a plasmin inhibitor from a viperid snake. The potent antifibrinolytic activity of DrKIn-II makes it a potential candidate for the development of novel antifibrinolytic agents. 相似文献4.
Alexis Nazareno Campetelli Noelia Edith Monesterolo Gabriela Previtali Verónica Silvina Santander Marina Rafaela Amaiden Carlos Angel Arce Javier Valdez-Taubas César Horacio Casale 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2013
Background
Glucose induces H+-ATPase activation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Our previous study showed that (i) S. cerevisiae plasma membrane H+-ATPase forms a complex with acetylated tubulin (AcTub), resulting in inhibition of the enzyme activity; (ii) exogenous glucose addition results in the dissociation of the complex and recovery of the enzyme activity.Methods
We used classic biochemical and molecular biology tools in order to identify the key components in the mechanism that leads to H+-ATPase activation after glucose treatment.Results
We demonstrate that glucose-induced dissociation of the complex is due to pH-dependent activation of a protease that hydrolyzes membrane tubulin. Biochemical analysis identified a serine protease with a kDa of 35–40 and an isoelectric point between 8 and 9. Analysis of several knockout yeast strains led to the detection of Lpx1p as the serine protease responsible of tubulin proteolysis. When lpx1Δ cells were treated with glucose, tubulin was not degraded, the AcTub/H+-ATPase complex did not undergo dissociation, and H+-ATPase activation was significantly delayed.Conclusion
Our findings indicate that the mechanism of H+-ATPase activation by glucose involves a decrease in the cytosolic pH and consequent activation of a serine protease that hydrolyzes AcTub, accelerating the process of the AcTub/H+-ATPase complex dissociation and the activation of the enzyme.General significance
Our data sheds light into the mechanism by which acetylated tubulin dissociates from the yeast H+-ATPase, identifying a degradative step that remained unknown. This finding also proposes an indirect way to pharmacologically regulate yeast H+-ATPase activity and open the question about mechanistic similarities with other higher eukaryotes. 相似文献5.
Ona Barauskas Amoreena C. CorsaRuth Wang Scott HluhanichDebi Jin Magdeleine HungHuiling Yang William E. Delaney IVBrian E. Schultz 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2014
Background
GS-9256 and vedroprevir are inhibitors of the hepatitis C virus NS3 protease enzyme, an important drug target. The potency, selectivity, and binding kinetics of the two compounds were determined using in vitro biochemical assays.Methods
Potency of the compounds against NS3 protease and selectivity against a panel of mammalian proteases were determined through steady-state enzyme kinetics. Binding kinetics were determined using stopped-flow techniques. Dissociation rates were measured using dilution methods.Results
GS-9256 and vedroprevir had measured Ki values of 89 pM and 410 pM, respectively, against genotype 1b NS3 protease; Ki values were higher against genotype 2a (2.8 nM and 39 nM) and genotype 3 proteases (104 nM and 319 nM) for GS-9256 and vedroprevir, respectively. Selectivity of GS-9256 and vedroprevir was > 10,000-fold against all tested off-target proteases. Association rate constants of 4 × 105 M− 1 s− 1 and 1 × 106 M− 1 s− 1, respectively, were measured, and dissociation rate constants of 4.8 × 10− 5 s− 1 and 2.6 × 10− 4 s− 1 were determined.Conclusions
GS-9256 and vedroprevir are potent inhibitors of NS3 protease with high selectivity against off-target proteases. They have rapid association kinetics and slow dissociation kinetics.General Significance
The NS3 protease is a key drug target for the treatment of hepatitis C. The potency, selectivity, and binding kinetics of GS-9256 and vedroprevir constitute a biochemical profile that supports the evaluation of these compounds in combination with other direct-acting antivirals in clinical trials for hepatitis C. 相似文献6.
Indresh Kumar Maurya Chaitanya Kumar Thota Jyotsna Sharma Santosh Genba Tupe Preeti Chaudhary Manoj Kumar Singh Indu Shekhar Thakur Mukund Deshpande Rajendra Prasad Virander Singh Chauhan 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2013
Background
Three de novo designed low molecular weight cationic peptides (IJ2, IJ3 and IJ4) containing an unnatural amino acid α,β-didehydrophenylalanine (?Phe) exhibited potent antifungal activity against fluconazole (FLC) sensitive and resistant clinical isolates of Candida albicans as well as non-albicans and other yeast and filamentous pathogenic fungi. In the present study, their synthesis, susceptibility of different fungi and the mechanism of anti-candidal action have been elucidated.Methods
The antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) were synthesized by solid-phase method and checked for antifungal activity against different yeasts and fungi by broth microdilution method. Anti-candidal mode of action of the peptides was investigated through detecting membrane permeabilization by confocal microscopy, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) generation by fluorometry, apoptosis and necrosis by flow cytometry and cell wall damage using Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy.Results and conclusions
The MIC of the peptides against C. albicans and other yeast and filamentous fungal pathogens ranged between 3.91 and 250 μM. All three peptides exhibited effect on multiple targets in C. albicans including disruption of cell wall structures, compromised cell membrane permeability leading to their enhanced entry into the cells, accumulation of ROS and induction of apoptosis. The peptides also showed synergistic effect when used in combination with fluconazole (FLC) and caspofungin (CAS) against C. albicans.General significance
The study suggests that the AMPs alone or in combination with conventional antifungals hold promise for the control of fungal pathogens, and need to be further explored for treatment of fungal infections. 相似文献7.
8.
Salvatore Nesci Vittoria VentrellaFabiana Trombetti Maurizio PiriniAlessandra Pagliarani 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2014
Background
The macrolide antibiotics oligomycin, venturicidin and bafilomycin, sharing the polyketide ring and differing in the deoxysugar moiety, are known to block the transmembrane ion channel of ion-pumping ATPases; oligomycins are selective inhibitors of mitochondrial ATP synthases.Methods
The inhibition mechanism of macrolides was explored on swine heart mitochondrial F1FO-ATPase by kinetic analyses. The amphiphilic membrane toxicant tributyltin (TBT) and the thiol reducing agent dithioerythritol (DTE) were used to elucidate the nature of the macrolide–enzyme interaction.Results
When individually tested, the macrolide antibiotics acted as uncompetitive inhibitors of the ATPase activity. Binary mixtures of macrolide inhibitors I1 and I2 pointed out a non-exclusive mechanism, indicating that each macrolide binds to its binding site on the enzyme. When co-present, the two macrolides acted synergistically in the formed quaternary complex (ESI1I2), thus mutually strengthening the enzyme inhibition. The enzyme inhibition by macrolides displaying a shared mechanism was dose-dependently reduced by TBT ≥ 1 μM. The TBT-driven enzyme desensitization was reversed by DTE.Conclusions
The macrolides tested share uncompetitive inhibition mechanism by binding to a specific site in a common macrolide-binding region of FO. The oxidation of highly conserved thiols in the ATP synthase c-ring of FO weakens the interaction between the enzyme and the macrolides. The native macrolide-inhibited enzyme conformation can be restored by reducing crucial thiols oxidized by TBT.General significance
The findings, by elucidating the macrolide inhibitory mechanism on FO, indirectly cast light on the F1FO torque generation involving crucial amino acid residues and may address drug design and antimicrobial therapy. 相似文献9.
Werner E.G. Müller Michael Binder Johannes von Lintig Yue-Wei Guo Xiaohong Wang Jaap A. Kaandorp Matthias Wiens Heinz C. Schröder 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2011
Background
The formation of the spicules in siliceous sponges involves the formation of cylinder-like structures in the extraspicular space, composed of the enzyme silicatein and the calcium-dependent lectin.Scope of review
Molecular cloning of the cDNAs (carotene dioxygenase, retinal dehydrogenase, and BMB-1 [bone morphogenic protein-1]) from the demosponge Suberites domuncula was performed. These tools were used to understand the retinoid metabolism in the animal by qRT-PCR, immunoblotting and TEM.Major conclusions
We demonstrate that silintaphin-2, a silicatein-interacting protein, is processed from a longer-sized 15-kDa precursor to a truncated, shorter-sized 13 kDa calcium-binding protein via proteolytic cleavage at the dipeptide Ala↓Asp, mediated by BMP-1. The expression of this protease as well as the expression of two key enzymes of the carotinoid metabolism, the β,β-carotene-15,15′-dioxygenase and the retinal dehydrogenase/reductase, were found to be strongly up-regulated by retinoic acid. Hence retinoic acid turned out to be a key factor in skeletogenesis in the most ancient still existing metazoans, the sponges.General significance
It is shown that retinoic acid regulates the formation of the organic cylinder that surrounds the axis of the spicules and enables, as a scaffold, the radial apposition of new silica layers and hence the growth of the spicules. 相似文献10.
Feroz Khan Haichuan Liu Aileen Reyes H. Ewa Witkowska Olga Martinez-Avila Li Zhu Wu Li Stefan Habelitz 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2013
Background
Enamel synthesis is a highly dynamic process characterized by simultaneity of matrix secretion, assembly and processing during apatite mineralization. MMP-20 is the first protease to hydrolyze amelogenin, resulting in specific cleavage products that self-assemble into nanostructures at specific mineral compositions and pH. In this investigation, enzyme kinetics of MMP-20 proteolysis of recombinant full-length human amelogenin (rH174) under different mineral compositions is elucidated.Methods
Recombinant amelogenin was cleaved by MMP-20 under various physicochemical conditions and the products were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and MALDI-TOF MS.Results
It was observed that mineral ions largely affect cleavage pattern, and enzyme kinetics of rH174 hydrolysis. Out of the five selected mineral ion compositions, MMP-20 was most efficient at high calcium concentration, whereas it was slowest at high phosphate, and at high calcium and phosphate concentrations. In most of the compositions, N- and C-termini were cleaved rapidly at several places but the central region of amelogenin was protected up to some extent in solutions with high calcium and phosphate contents.Conclusion
These in vitro studies showed that the chemistry of the protein solutions can significantly alter the processing of amelogenin by MMP-20, which may have significant effects in vivo matrix assembly and subsequent calcium phosphate mineralization.General significance
This study elaborates the possibilities of the processing of the organic matrix into mineralized tissue during enamel development. 相似文献11.
Young-Jun Park Sung-Jin Yoon Hee-Bong Lee 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2010
Background
Dienelactone hydrolases catalyze the hydrolysis of dienelactone to maleylacetate, which play a key role for the microbial degradation of chloroaromatics via chlorocatechols. Here, a thermostable dienelactone hydrolase from thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus P1 was the first purified and characterized and then expressed in Escherichia coli.Methods
The enzyme was purified by using several column chromatographys and characterized by determining the enzyme activity using p-nitrophenyl caprylate and dienelactones. In addition, the amino acids related to the catalytic mechanism were examined by site-directed mutagenesis using the identified gene.Results
The enzyme, approximately 29 kDa monomeric, showed the maximal activity at 74 °C and pH 5.0, respectively. The enzyme displayed remarkable thermostability: it retained approximately 50% of its activity after 50 h of incubation at 90 °C, and showed high stability against denaturing agents, including various detergents, urea, and organic solvents. The enzyme displayed substrate specificities toward trans-dienelactone, not cis-isomer, and also carboxylesterase activity toward p-nitrophenyl esters ranging from butyrate (C4) to laurate (C12). The kcat/Km ratios for trans-dienelactone and p-nitrophenyl caprylate (C8), the best substrate, were 92.5 and 54.7 s−1 μM−1, respectively.Conclusions
The enzyme is a typical dienelactone hydrolase belonging to α/β hydrolase family and containing a catalytic triad composed of Cys151, Asp198, and His229 in the active site.General significance
The enzyme is the first characterized archaeal dienelactone hydrolase. 相似文献12.
Sandeep Kumar Vasundhara Kain Sandhya L. Sitasawad 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2012
Background
Cardiac cell apoptosis is the initiating factor of cardiac complications especially diabetic cardiomyopathy. Mitochondria are susceptible to the damaging effects of elevated glucose condition. Calcium overload and oxidative insult are the two mutually non-exclusive phenomena suggested to cause cardiac dysfunction. Here, we examined the effect of high-glucose induced calcium overload in calpain-1 mediated cardiac apoptosis in an in vitro setting.Methods
H9c2, rat ventricular myoblast cell line was treated with elevated glucose condition and the cellular consequences were studied. Intracellular calcium trafficking, ROS generation, calpain-1 activation and caspase-12 and caspase-9 pathway were studied using flow cytometry, confocal microscopy and Western blot analysis.Results
High-glucose treatment resulted in increased intracellular calcium ([Ca2 +]i) which was mobilized to the mitochondria. Concomitant intra-mitochondrial calcium ([Ca2 +]m) increase resulted in enhanced reactive oxygen and nitrogen species generation. These events led to mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis. Cardiomyocyte death exhibited several classical markers of apoptosis, including activation of caspases, appearance of annexin V on the outer plasma membrane, increased population of cells with sub-G0/G1 DNA content and nuclear condensation. Key findings include elucidation of cell signaling mechanism of high-glucose induced calcium-dependent cysteine protease calpain-1 activation, which triggers non-conventional caspases as alternate mode of cell death.Conclusion
This information increases the understanding of cardiac cell death under hyperglycemic condition and can possibly be extended for designing new therapeutic strategies for diabetic cardiomyopathy.General significance
The novel findings of the study reveal that high glucose induces apoptosis by both mitochondria-dependent and independent pathways via concomitant rise in intracellular calcium. 相似文献13.
Jorge Soriano María García-Díaz Margarita Mora Maria Lluïsa Sagristá Santi Nonell Angeles Villanueva Juan Carlos Stockert Magdalena Cañete 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2013
Background
The cell death pathway activated after photodynamic therapy (PDT) is controlled by a variety of parameters including the chemical structure of the photosensitizer, its subcellular localization, and the photodynamic damage induced. The present study aims to characterize a suitable m-THPPo liposomal formulation, to determine its subcellular localization in HeLa cells and to establish the cell death mechanisms that are activated after photodynamic treatments.Methods
Liposomes containing m-THPPo were prepared from a mixture of DPPC and DMPG at a 9:1 molar ratio. In order to procure the best encapsulation efficiency, the m-THPPo/lipid molar ratio was considered. HeLa cells were incubated with liposomal m-THPPo and the subcellular localization of m-THPPo was studied. Several assays such as TUNEL, annexin V/propidium iodide and Hoechst-33258 staining were performed after photodynamic treatments. The apoptotic initiation was assessed by cytochrome c and caspase-2 immunofluorescence.Results
m-THPPo encapsulated in liposomes showed a decrease of the fluorescence and singlet oxygen quantum yields, compared to those of m-THPPo dissolved in tetrahydrofuran. Liposomal m-THPPo showed colocalization with LysoTracker® and it induced photoinactivation of HeLa cells by an apoptotic mechanism. In apoptotic cells no relocalization of cytochrome c could be detected, but caspase-2 was positive immediately after photosensitizing treatments.Conclusions
Photodynamic treatment with liposomal m-THPPo leads to a significant percentage of apoptotic morphology of HeLa cells. The activation of caspase-2, without the relocalization of cytochrome c, indicates a mitochondrial-independent apoptotic mechanism.General significance
These results provide a better understanding of the cell death mechanism induced after liposomal m-THPPo photodynamic treatment. 相似文献14.
Ka-Yee Au Rui-Rui Wang Yuen-Ting Wong Kam-Bo Wong Yong-Tang Zheng Pang-Chui Shaw 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2014
Background
Ricin is a type II ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP) that potently inactivates eukaryotic ribosomes by removing a specific adenine residue at the conserved α-sarcin/ricin loop of 28S ribosomal RNA (rRNA). Here, we try to increase the specificity of the enzymatically active ricin A chain (RTA) towards human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) by adding a loop with HIV protease recognition site to RTA.Methods
HIV-specific RTA variants were constructed by inserting a peptide with HIV-protease recognition site either internally or at the C-terminal region of wild type RTA. Cleavability of variants by viral protease was tested in vitro and in HIV-infected cells. The production of viral p24 antigen and syncytium in the presence of C-terminal variants was measured to examine the anti-HIV activities of the variants.Results
C-terminal RTA variants were specifically cleaved by HIV-1 protease both in vitro and in HIV-infected cells. Upon proteolysis, the processed variants showed enhanced antiviral effect with low cytotoxicity towards uninfected cells.Conclusions
RTA variants with HIV protease recognition sequence engineered at the C-terminus were cleaved and the products mediated specific inhibitory effect towards HIV replication.General significance
Current cocktail treatment of HIV infection fails to eradicate the virus from patients. Here we illustrate the feasibility of targeting an RIP towards HIV-infected cells by incorporation of HIV protease cleavage sequence. This approach may be generalized to other RIPs and is promising in drug design for combating HIV. 相似文献15.
Gustavo B. Naumann Liliana F. Silva Luciana Silva Gilson Faria Michael Richardson Karla Evangelista Markus Kohlhoff Celia M.F. Gontijo Alexei Navdaev Flavia F. de Rezende Johannes A. Eble Eladio F. Sanchez 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2011
Background
Multifunctional l-amino acid oxidases (LAAOs) occur widely in snake venoms.Methods
The l-AAO from Bothrops leucurus (Bl-LAAO) venom was purified using a combination of molecular exclusion and ion-exchange chromatographies. We report some biochemical features of Bl-LAAO associated with its effect on platelet function and its cytotoxicity.Results
Bl-LAAO is a 60 kDa monomeric glycoprotein. Its N-terminal sequence shows high homology to other members of the snake-venom LAAO family. Bl-LAAO catalyzes oxidative deamination of l-amino acids with the generation of H2O2. The best substrates were: l-Met, l-Norleu, l-Leu, l-Phe and l-Trp. The effects of snake venom LAAOs in hemostasis, especially their action on platelet function remain largely unknown. Bl-LAAO dose-dependently inhibited platelet aggregation of both human PRP and washed platelets. Moreover, the purified enzyme exhibited a killing effect in vitro against Leishmania sp., promastigotes, with a very low EC50 of 0.07 μM. Furthermore, the cytotoxicity of Bl-LAAO was observed in the stomach cancer MKN-45, adeno carcinoma HUTU, colorectal RKO and human fibroblast LL-24 cell lines. The enzyme released enough H2O2 in culture medium to induce apoptosis in cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The biological effects were inhibited by catalase.Conclusion
Bl-LAAO, a major component of B. leucurus venom, is a cytotoxin acting primarily via the generation of high amounts of H2O2 which kill the cells.General significance
These results allow us to consider the use of LAAOs as anticancer agents, as tools in biochemical studies to investigate cellular processes, and to obtain a better understanding of the envenomation mechanism. 相似文献16.
Jeyoun Jang Minhui Cho Hae-Ri Lee Kiweon Cha Jeong-Hoon Chun Kee-Jong Hong Jungchan Park Gi-eun Rhie 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2013
Background
The poly-γ-d-glutamic acid (PGA) capsule, a major virulence factor of Bacillus anthracis, protects bacilli from immune surveillance and allows its unimpeded growth in the host. Recently, the importance of the PGA in the pathogenesis of anthrax infection has been reported. The PGA capsule is associated with lethal toxin (LT) in the blood of experimentally infected animals and enhances the cytotoxicity of LT.Methods
To investigate the role of anti-PGA Abs on progression of anthrax infection, two mouse anti-PGA mAbs with Kd values of 0.8 μM and 2.6 μM respectively were produced and in silico three dimensional (3D) models of mAbs with their cognitive PGA antigen complex were analyzed.Results
Anti-PGA mAbs specifically bound encapsulated B. anthracis H9401 and showed opsonophagocytosis activity against the bacteria with complement. The enhancement effect of PGA on LT-mediated cytotoxicity was confirmed ex vivo using mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages and was effectively inhibited by anti-PGA mAb. Passive immunization of mAb completely protected mice from PGA-enhanced LT toxicity and partially rescued mice from anthrax spore challenges. 3D structure models of these mAbs and PGA complex support specific interactions between CDR and cognitive PGA. These results indicate that mouse mAb against PGA capsule prevents the progress of anthrax disease not only by eliminating the vegetative form of encapsulated B. anthracis but also by inhibiting the enhanced cytotoxic activity of LT by PGA through specific binding with PGA capsule antigen.General significance
Our results suggest a potential role for PGA antibodies in preventing and treating anthrax infection. 相似文献17.
Shinjinee Sengupta Shakri BanerjeeSagar Lahiri Trina DuttaTarun K. Dhar Anil K. Ghosh 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2014
Background
In Saccharomyces cerevisiae methylation at cysteine residue displayed enhanced activity of trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS).Methods
The cysteine methyltransferase (CMT) responsible for methylating TPS was purified and characterized. The amino acid sequence of the enzyme protein was determined by a combination of N-terminal sequencing and MALDI-TOF/TOF analysis. The nucleotide sequence of the CMT gene was determined, isolated from S. cerevisiae and expressed in E. coli. Targeted disruption of the CMT gene by PCR based homologous recombination in S. cerevisiae was followed by metabolite characterization in the mutant.Results
The purified enzyme was observed to enhance the activity of TPS by a factor of 1.76. The 14 kDa enzyme was found to be cysteine specific. The optimum temperature and pH of enzyme activity was calculated as 30 °C and 7.0 respectively. The Km Vmax and Kcat against S-adenosyl-l-methionine (AdoMet) were 4.95 μM, 3.2 U/mg and 6.4 s− 1 respectively. Competitive inhibitor S-Adenosyl-l-homocysteine achieved a Ki as 10.9 μM against AdoMet. The protein sequence contained three putative AdoMet binding motifs. The purified recombinant CMT activity exhibited similar physicochemical characteristics with the native counterpart. The mutant, Mataα, cmt:: kanr exhibited almost 50% reduction in intracellular trehalose concentration.Conclusion
A novel cysteine methyltransferase is purified, which is responsible for enhanced levels of trehalose in S. cerevisiae.General significance
This is the first report about a cysteine methyltransferase which performs S methylation at cysteine residue regulating TPS activity by 50%, which resulted in an increase of the intercellular stress sugar, trehalose. 相似文献18.
Background
In the membrane-bound enzyme cytochrome c oxidase, electron transfer from cytochrome c to O2 is linked to proton uptake from solution to form H2O, resulting in a charge separation across the membrane. In addition, the reaction drives pumping of protons across the membrane.Methods
In this study we have measured voltage changes as a function of pH during reaction of the four-electron reduced cytochrome c oxidase from Rhodobacter sphaeroides with O2. These electrogenic events were measured across membranes containing purified enzyme reconstituted into lipid vesicles.Results
The results show that the pH dependence of voltage changes (primarily associated with proton transfer) during O2 reduction does not match that of the previously studied absorbance changes (primarily associated with electron transfer). Furthermore, the voltage changes decrease with increasing pH.Conclusions
The data indicate that cytochrome c oxidase does not pump protons at high pH (10.5) (or protons are taken from the “wrong” side of the membrane) and that at this pH the net proton-uptake stoichiometry is ∼ 1/2 of that at pH 8. Furthermore, the results provide a basis for interpretation of results from studies of mutant forms of the enzyme.General significance
These results provide new insights into the function of cytochrome c oxidase. 相似文献19.
Pierre Andreoletti Jean-Marie Mouesca Patrice Gouet Michel Jaquinod Chantal Capeillère-Blandin Hélène Marie Jouve 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2009
Background
Heme oxidative degradation has been extensively investigated in peroxidases but not in catalases. The verdoheme formation, a product of heme oxidation which inactivates the enzyme, was studied in Proteus mirabilis catalase.Methods
The verdoheme was generated by adding peracetic acid and analyzed by mass spectrometry and spectrophotometry.Results
Kinetics follow-up of different catalase reactional intermediates shows that i) the formation of compound I always precedes that of verdoheme, ii) compound III is never observed, iii) the rate of compound II decomposition is not compatible with that of verdoheme formation, and iv) dithiothreitol prevents the verdoheme formation but not that of compound II, whereas NADPH prevents both of them. The formation of verdoheme is strongly inhibited by EDTA but not increased by Fe3+ or Cu2+ salts. The generation of verdoheme is facilitated by the presence of protein radicals as observed in the F194Y mutated catalase. The inability of the inactive variant (H54F) to form verdoheme, indicates that the heme oxidation is fully associated to the enzyme catalysis.Conclusion
These data, taken together, strongly suggest that the verdoheme formation pathway originates from compound I rather than from compound II.General significance
The autocatalytic verdoheme formation is likely to occur in vivo. 相似文献20.
Huy Hoang Nguyen Thu Hien Nguyen Chi Dung Vu Kim Thoa Nguyen Bac Viet Le Thanh Liem Nguyen Van Hai Nong 《Gene》2012