13th International Congress of Biochemistry

Cytochrome caa₃ (cytochrome oxidase) from the thermophilic bacterium PS3 can exhibit full catalytic activity in the presence of ascorbate and TMPD or other electron donors and in the absence of added soluble c-type cytochromes. It appears to possess only a low-affinity and not a high-affinity site for the soluble cytochromes. Proteoliposomal cytochrome caa₃ develops an effective membrane potential in the presence of ascorbate and TMPD or PMS, in the absence of added soluble cytochrome c. Reduction of the a₃ centre is blocked in the presence of cyanide. During reductive titrations of the cyanide-inhibited enzyme, electrons initially equilibrate among three centres, the c haem, the a haem and one of the associated Cu atoms. During steady-state turnover, electrons probably enter the complex via the bound c haem; the a haem and perhaps an associated Cu_A atom are reduced next. It is concluded that, despite its size and hydrophobic association with the aa₃ complex, the haem c-containing subunit can behave in an analogous way to that of mammalian cytochrome c, bound at the high-affinity site of the eucaryotic enzyme.     

Replication of bacteriophage M13: XIII. Structure and replication of cloned M13 miniphage

Restriction analysis of the duplex replicative forms of four cloned M13 miniphage indicates that all species examined contain a single copy of the intergenic space between genes II and IV plus one or more copies of a portion of the genome extending from within gene IV to a site in the HaeIII G fragment within the intergenic space. Both the viral and the complementary strand origins of replication have been localized previously within the 160 base-pair HaeIII G fragment. Since reiteration of a portion of the HaeIII G fragment could possibly lead to phages having multiple copies of the origin of replication, we have determined the location of the viral strand origin-terminus in M13 miniphage by mapping the position of the discontinuity(ies) in mini-RFII³ molecules isolated during asymmetric viral strand synthesis. Limited repair of late life-cycle mini-RFII molecules with DNA polymerase I in the presence of labeled deoxynucleoside triphosphates followed by restriction analysis demonstrates that the discontinuity in the RFII is contained at a unique site within the single HaeIII G fragment. The absence of a discontinuity in the reiterated DNA sequence containing only a portion of the HaeIII G fragment indicates that the reiterations of the origin region do not include the entire sequence specifying the viral strand origin-terminus.     

Matrix Metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) Directly and Indirectly Promotes Tumor Angiogenesis

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are extracellular zinc-dependent endopeptidases involved in the degradation and remodeling of extracellular matrix in physiological and pathological processes. MMPs also have a role in cell proliferation, migration, differentiation, angiogenesis, and apoptosis. We previously identified cancer invasion-related factors by comparing the gene expression profiles between parent and the highly invasive clone of cancer cells. Matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) was identified as a common up-regulated gene by cancer invasion-related factors. Although MMP-13 slightly promoted tumor invasion, we found that MMP-13 was involved in tumor angiogenesis. Conditioned medium from MMP-13-overexpressing cells promoted capillary formation of immortalized human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Furthermore, treatment with recombinant MMP-13 protein enhanced capillary tube formation both in vitro and in vivo. MMP-13-promoted capillary tube formation was mediated by activation of focal adhesion kinase and ERK. Interestingly, MMP-13 promoted the secretion of VEGF-A from fibroblasts and endothelial cells. By immunohistochemical analysis, we found a possible correlation between MMP-13 expression and the number of blood vessels in human cancer cases. In summary, these findings suggest that MMP-13 may directly and indirectly promote tumor angiogenesis.     

Lysine to 13C-labeled homoarginine conversion in microbial cytochromes c. Electron transport rates and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Seven microbial and one mammalian species of cytochrome c have been reacted with O-methylisourea to convert lysine residues to homoarginines containing enriched ¹³C. This set of guanidinated cytochromes has been assayed for electron transport reactivity and the nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of incorporated label have been obtained. The set consisted of c-type cytochromes from horse, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida krusei, Paracoccus denitrificans, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Rhodospirillum rubrum, Rhodopseudomonas capsulata, and Rhodopseudomanas spheroides. All derivatives demonstrated high electron transport reactivity with cytochrome oxidases; at some concentrations this rate was 100% or higher compared to corresponding native rates. All labeled ferricytochrome spectra followed a common pattern giving about five resolved or partially resolved resonance peaks. Two of these, at approximately 158.1 and 157.3 parts per million, correspond to single carbon sites. They have been assigned to labeled lysine 27 and lysine 79 (horse numbering), respectively, on the basis of sequence comparisons and an approximate chemical shift calculation. Labeled ferrocytochrome spectra were obtained and shown to be more diverse than the set of ferric spectra. Poly-[¹³C]homoarginine was prepared and shown to be an inhibitor of the horse cytochrome c-cytochrome oxidase reaction but an activator for the reactions of Paracoccus cytochrome c550. Relaxation measurements indicated that polyhomoarginine forms a complex with both cytochromes c.     

13a-hydroxytylophorine from tylophora hirsuta

13a-hydroxytylophorine isolated from Tylophora hirsuta on heating with concentrated hydrochloric acid gave a quaternized salt which was reduced with sodium borohydride to (+)-tylophorine. An amine and a ketoamine having a seco[10–13a] bond were formed after lithium aluminium hydride reduction and chromium trioxide oxidation, respectively.     

Carbon-13 nmr spectra of some ent-rosane diterpenoids

The ¹³C NMR signals of the parent hydrocarbon ent-rosa-5,15-diene (ent-(8,5-friedo-pimara-5,15-diene)and some of their oxygenated derivatives have been assigned.     

Frequency of KCNC3 DNA variants as causes of spinocerebellar ataxia 13 (SCA13)

Background

Gain-of function or dominant-negative mutations in the voltage-gated potassium channel KCNC3 (Kv3.3) were recently identified as a cause of autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxia. Our objective was to describe the frequency of mutations associated with KCNC3 in a large cohort of index patients with sporadic or familial ataxia presenting to three US ataxia clinics at academic medical centers.

Methodology

DNA sequence analysis of the coding region of the KCNC3 gene was performed in 327 index cases with ataxia. Analysis of channel function was performed by expression of DNA variants in Xenopus oocytes.

Principal Findings

Sequence analysis revealed two non-synonymous substitutions in exon 2 and five intronic changes, which were not predicted to alter splicing. We identified another pedigree with the p.Arg423His mutation in the highly conserved S4 domain of this channel. This family had an early-onset of disease and associated seizures in one individual. The second coding change, p.Gly263Asp, subtly altered biophysical properties of the channel, but was unlikely to be disease-associated as it occurred in an individual with an expansion of the CAG repeat in the CACNA1A calcium channel.

Conclusions

Mutations in KCNC3 are a rare cause of spinocerebellar ataxia with a frequency of less than 1%. The p.Arg423His mutation is recurrent in different populations and associated with early onset. In contrast to previous p.Arg423His mutation carriers, we now observed seizures and mild mental retardation in one individual. This study confirms the wide phenotypic spectrum in SCA13.     

Synthesis and antiproliferative evaluation of 13-aryl-13H-benzo[g]benzothiazolo [2,3-b]quinazoline-5,14-diones

A simple synthesis of novel 13-aryl-13H-benzo[g]benzothiazolo [2,3-b]quinazoline-5,14-dione derivatives was accomplished in excellent yields via the reaction of 2-aminobenzothiazole, aromatic aldehydes and 2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone in the presence of amberlyst-15. The antiproliferative activities of all the synthesized compounds were assessed on two different human cancer cell lines (HepG2 and Hela), and the results showed that most of the new compounds showed good to potent cytotoxic activities.     

Respiration of 13C-Labeled Substrates Added to Soil in the Field and Subsequent 16S rRNA Gene Analysis of 13C-Labeled Soil DNA

Our goal was to develop a field soil biodegradation assay using ¹³C-labeled compounds and identify the active microorganisms by analyzing 16S rRNA genes in soil-derived ¹³C-labeled DNA. Our biodegradation approach sought to minimize microbiological artifacts caused by physical and/or nutritional disturbance of soil associated with sampling and laboratory incubation. The new field-based assay involved the release of ¹³C-labeled compounds (glucose, phenol, caffeine, and naphthalene) to soil plots, installation of open-bottom glass chambers that covered the soil, and analysis of samples of headspace gases for ¹³CO₂ respiration by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). We verified that the GC/MS procedure was capable of assessing respiration of the four substrates added (50 ppm) to 5 g of soil in sealed laboratory incubations. Next, we determined background levels of ¹³CO₂ emitted from naturally occurring soil organic matter to chambers inserted into our field soil test plots. We found that the conservative tracer, SF₆, that was injected into the headspace rapidly diffused out of the soil chamber and thus would be of little value for computing the efficiency of retaining respired ¹³CO₂. Field respiration assays using all four compounds were completed. Background respiration from soil organic matter interfered with the documentation of in situ respiration of the slowly metabolized (caffeine) and sparingly soluble (naphthalene) compounds. Nonetheless, transient peaks of ¹³CO₂ released in excess of background were found in glucose- and phenol-treated soil within 8 h. Cesium-chloride separation of ¹³C-labeled soil DNA was followed by PCR amplification and sequencing of 16S rRNA genes from microbial populations involved with ¹³C-substrate metabolism. A total of 29 full sequences revealed that active populations included relatives of Arthrobacter, Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Massilia, Flavobacterium, and Pedobacter spp. for glucose; Pseudomonas, Pantoea, Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, Stenotrophomonas, and Alcaligenes spp. for phenol; Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, and Variovorax spp. for naphthalene; and Acinetobacter, Enterobacter, Stenotrophomonas, and Pantoea spp. for caffeine.     

Diterpenoids from Sideritis varoi subspecies cuatrecasasii: 13C NMR of ent-13-epi-manoyl oxides functionalized at C-12

Several ent-13-epi-manoyl oxides and a new natural product, ent-8α-hydroxylabda-13(16),14-dien-19-oic acid, have been isolated from Sideritis varoi subsp. cuatrecasasii. In addition, a study has been made of some natural and semisynthetic ent-13-epi-manoyl oxides functionalized at C-12.     

Epitopes ofEscherichia coli ribosomal protein S13

To analyze the immunochemical structure ofEscherichia coli ribosomal protein S13 and its organizationin situ, we have generated and characterized 22 S13-specific monoclonal antibodies. We used a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to divide them into groups based on their ability to inhibit binding of one another. The discovery of five groups with distinct binding properties suggested that a minimum of five distinct determinants on S13 are recognized by our monoclonal antibodies. The locations of the epitopes detected by these monoclonal antibodies have been mapped on S13 peptides. Three monoclonal antibodies bind a S13 C-terminal 34-residue segment. All the other 19 monoclonal antibodies bind a S13N-terminal segment of about 80 residues. The binding sites of these 19 monoclonal antibodies have been further mapped to subfragments of peptides. Two monoclonal antibodies recognized S13_1–22; three monoclonal antibodies bound to S13_1–40; the binding sites of three other antibodies have been located in S13_23–80, with epitopes possibly associated with residues 40–80. The remaining 11 monoclonal antibodies did not bind to these subfragments. These data provide molecular basis to the structure of S13 epitopes, whosein situ accessibility may reveal the S13 organization on the ribosome.     

p13 from group II baculoviruses is a killing-associated gene

p13 gene was first described in Leucania separata multinuclear polyhedrosis virus (Ls-p13) several years ago, but the function of P13 protein has not been experimentally investigated to date. In this article, we indicated that the expression of p13 from Heliothis armigera single nucleocapsid nucleopolyhedrovirus (Ha-p13) was regulated by both early and late promoter. Luciferase assay demonstrated that the activity of Ha-p13 promoter with hr4 enhancer was more than 100 times in heterologous Sf9 cells than that in nature host Hz-AM1 cells. Both Ls-P13 and Ha-P13 are transmembrane proteins. Confocal microscopic analysis showed that both mainly located in the cytoplasm membrane at 48 h. Results of RNA interference indicated that Ha-p13 was a killing-associated gene for host insects H. armigera. The AcMNPV acquired the mentioned killing activity and markedly accelerate the killing rate when expressing Ls-p13. In conclusion, p13 is a killing associated gene in both homologous and heterologous nucleopolyhedrovirus. [BMB Reports 2012; 45(12): 730-735]     

Roseoside-A C13 glycoside from Vinca Rosea

Roseoside, a C₁₃ glycoside isolated from Vinca rosea has been assigned the structure and stereochemistry (1).     

Cloning and characterization of mouse mSox13 cDN

A novel SRY-related cDNA, mSox13, was isolated from a λ phage library derived from mouse embryo. The cDNA encodes a protein of 595 amino acids containing the SRY-type high mobility group (HMG) box and a putative leucine zipper motif. A sequence comparison of mSox13 and other type-D SOX proteins shows that the leucine zipper and a neighboring glutamine-rich sequence stretch, which was named Q box, are well conserved among known type-D SOX proteins. The expression of mSox13 is restricted to the kidney and ovary. The electrophoretic mobility shift assay indicates that the recombinant mSox13 protein is capable of binding to the AACAAT sequence.     

Targeting (cellular) lysosomal acid ceramidase by B13: Design,synthesis and evaluation of novel DMG-B13 ester prodrugs

Acid ceramidase (ACDase) is being recognized as a therapeutic target for cancer. B13 represents a moderate inhibitor of ACDase. The present study concentrates on the lysosomal targeting of B13 via its N,N-dimethylglycine (DMG) esters (DMG-B13 prodrugs). Novel analogs, the isomeric mono-DMG-B13, LCL522 (3-O-DMG-B13·HCl) and LCL596 (1-O-DMG-B13·HCl) and di-DMG-B13, LCL521 (1,3-O, O-DMG-B13·2HCl) conjugates, were designed and synthesized through N,N-dimethyl glycine (DMG) esterification of the hydroxyl groups of B13. In MCF7 cells, DMG-B13 prodrugs were efficiently metabolized to B13. The early inhibitory effect of DMG-B13 prodrugs on cellular ceramidases was ACDase specific by their lysosomal targeting. The corresponding dramatic decrease of cellular Sph (80–97% Control/1 h) by DMG-B13 prodrugs was mainly from the inhibition of the lysosomal ACDase.     

Characterization of the GLP13 gene promoter in Arabidopsis thaliana

In transgenic plants, for many applications it is important that the inserted genes are expressed in a tissue-specific manner. This in turn could help better understanding their roles in plant development. Germin-like proteins (GLPs) play diverse roles in plant development and defense responses. In order to understand the functions and regulation of the GLP13 gene, its promoter (762 bp) was cloned and fused with a β-glucuronidase (GUS) reporter gene for transient expression in Arabidopsis thaliana and tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum cv. K326). Histochemical analysis of the transgenic plants showed that GUS was specifically expressed in vascular bundles predominantly in phloem tissue of all organs in Arabidopsis. Further analyses in transgenic tobacco also identified similar GUS expression in the vascular bundles.