茯苓多糖结构修饰及其与AA相互作用机理的研究

将茯苓多糖硫酸化得到硫酸化茯苓多糖(SP),应用光谱法研究了SP与天青A(AA)相互作用机理,并通过理论模型测得SP与AA最大结合数N=62,结合常数K=3.703×105。考察了反应体系中AA/SP摩尔比、NaCl、乙醇、羟丙基β环糊精以及TritonX 100对相互作用的影响。并对SP与AA相互作用机理提出了合理的解释。     

硫酸乙酰肝素与口蹄疫病毒感染

受体是病毒宿主嗜性和致病机制的主要决定因素。硫酸乙酰肝素(HS)是一种多聚阴离子碳水化合物, 广泛存在于真核细胞的细胞膜和细胞基质。HS是许多病毒在细胞膜上的特异受体或辅助受体。目前发现口蹄疫病毒可利用HS和整联蛋白(αvβ3、αvβ6、αvβ1、αvβ8)作为病毒受体。口蹄疫病毒可能在不同的感染阶段利用不同类型的受体与宿主细胞相互作用。研究病毒受体的结构和功能对理解病毒与宿主细胞的关系具有重要意义。本文主要论述了HS的生物学特性及其与口蹄疫病毒感染的关系。     

硫酸酯化川芎多糖的制备及其抗氧化活性研究

以三种川芎多糖组分和淀粉为原料采用氯磺酸-吡啶法制备硫酸酯化产物,紫外和红外光谱对其进行结构表征,氯化钡-明胶比浊法测定硫酸酯化川芎多糖的取代度,分别考察试样在硫酸酯化前后对邻苯三酚自氧化反应产生的超氧阴离子和1,1-二苯基-2-苦基肼(DPPH)自由基的体外清除率。实验结果表明:川芎粗多糖和硫酸酯化川芎多糖对两种自由基的清除作用远低于阳性对照维生素C,但硫酸酯化修饰有助于提升川芎多糖对DPPH自由基的清除作用,对超氧阴离子自由基无明显影响;硫酸基的引入能够提高淀粉对O2-.的清除作用,但清除作用很弱。     

过硫酸化岩藻多糖硫酸酯

岩藻多糖硫酸酯(fucoidan或fucan sulfate,FS)是一种硫酸多糖,具有多种生物活性。硫酸基团对多糖活性起重要作用,并且多糖活性与硫酸基团含量呈正相关。近些年,国内外研究者对SF进行硫酸化修饰以获得高硫酸基团含量和高活性的过硫酸化岩藻多糖硫酸酯。为促进对FS硫酸化修饰的深入了解,本文对FS活性与硫酸基团含量及位置的关系、过硫酸化方法及过硫酸化岩藻多糖硫酸酯活性的研究进展进行了综述。     

硫酸乙酰肝素与口蹄疫病毒感染

受体是病毒宿主嗜性和致病机制的主要决定因素.硫酸乙酰肝素(HS)是一种多聚阴离子碳水化合物,广泛存在于真核细胞的细胞膜和细胞基质.HS是许多病毒在细胞膜上的特异受体或辅助受体.目前发现口蹄疫病毒可利用HS和整联蛋白(ανβ3、ανβ6、ανβ1、ανβ8)作为病毒受体.口蹄疫病毒可能在不同的感染阶段利用不同类型的受体与宿主细胞相互作用中.研究病毒受体的结构和功能对理解病毒与宿主细胞的关系具有重要意义.本文主要论述了HS的生物学特性及其与口蹄疫病毒感染的关系.     

岩藻多糖的提取、化学改性、降血糖活性及机理研究进展

岩藻多糖(fucoidans, FU)主要来源于海洋褐藻和海洋无脊椎动物,是一种复杂的硫酸化多糖。FU主要单糖组成为岩藻糖,含有大量硫酸基团,是一种多聚阴离子同型杂多糖。FU具有广泛的潜在健康功效及治疗作用,包括抗肿瘤、调节免疫、抗病毒、降血糖等。FU的化学结构及硫酸基团含量对功能活性具有重要影响,不同提取方法影响FUs的结构组成,而化学改性可以进一步提高其生物活性。因此,本文旨在概述FU的提取、化学改性方法及降血糖活性和机理,展望了FU提取、化学改性、结构及降血糖活性及其他生物活性构效关系方面未来研究方向,为今后的加工和创新利用提供理论参考。     

3¢-磷酸腺苷-5¢-磷酸硫酸的高效合成及其应用

硫酸化化合物广泛存在于胞浆、细胞表面及胞外基质中,在机体细胞发育、分化、免疫、解毒和信号传递等生命活动过程中起着不可替代的作用。3'-磷酸腺苷-5'-磷酸硫酸(3'-phosphoadenosine-5'-phosphosulfate,PAPS)是化合物硫酸化过程中最常用的硫酸基供体,但目前合成PAPS并最终实现其工业化应用还困难重重。文中主要综述过去10年内关于PAPS的生物合成及应用的研究进展,以期为PAPS的合成及其在芥子油苷、肝素、硫酸软骨素及羟胺硝喹等的生物合成中的应用提供参考。     

水溶性壳聚糖与牛血清白蛋白相互作用的研究

采用紫外和荧光光谱研究了水溶性壳聚糖(CS)与牛血清白蛋白(BSA)之间的相互作用。结果表明:随CS浓度的增加,BSA的紫外吸收光谱表现出明显的增色效应和较小的紫移;CS可以猝灭BSA的内源荧光,其猝灭机理是CS与BSA形成复合物的静态猝灭。并且测定了在不同温度下,该反应的结合常数KA分别为6.92×106(298 K),5.01×106(308 K),3.31×106(318 K),CS与BSA以摩尔比1∶1结合。同时采用同步荧光光谱法探讨了CS对BSA构象的影响。     

谷胱甘肽S-转移酶活性中心的研究—羧基、氨基和胍基的化学修饰

用1-乙基-3-(3-二甲基氨基丙基)-碳二亚胺(EDC),2.4.6.三硝基苯磺酸(TNBS)和丁二酮(DIC)分别修饰人胎盘型谷胱甘肽S-转移酶(GST-π)的羧基、氨基和胍基,研究了酶的失活动力学,发现引起一分子酶亚基全部失活所需抑制剂的分子数分别为1.0、1.08和0.98,提示每亚基只有一个羧基、氨基和胍基参与酶的活性中心。底物及其类似物谷胱甘肽,S-己烷或S-辛烷谷胱甘肽可保护GST-π免受上述抑制剂的修饰,使假一级反应速度常数k_1明显降低,说明羧基、氨基和胍基是GST-π和GSH结合部位的组成基团。作者曾证明GST-π中的一个快反应巯基也参与酶与GSH的结合,故至少有四个不同的基团是酶亚基的结合基团,本文还对TNBS对氨基修饰的特异性作了验证,并讨论了GST-π与GSH结合时形成离子键的情况。     

人血清脂蛋白与糖胺聚糖及人主动脉蛋白聚糖的相互作用

本文报道了在[Ca~(2+)]=30mmol/L时,人血清或人血清脂蛋白与各种糖胺聚糖(GAG)及人主动脉两种蛋白聚糖(PG)的相互作用。GAG与血清的作用能力为6—硫酸软骨素(C6—S)>肝素(Hep)>4—硫酸软骨素(C4—S)>透明质酸(HA)>硫酸皮肤素(DS)。极低密度脂蛋白(VLDL)及低密度脂蛋白(LDL)可与肝素作用形成不溶性复合物,而高密度脂蛋白(HDL)则不能。人主动脉硫酸软骨素—PG(CS—PG)、硫酸皮肤素—硫酸软骨素—PG(DS—CS—PG)与血清形成不溶性复合物的曲线类型不同,后者的类型似有利于DS—CS—PG与血清脂蛋白结合从而使之在动脉壁沉积。     

Graphene oxide-methylene blue nanocomposite in photodynamic therapy of human breast cancer

The interaction of methylene blue (MB) as a photosensitizer with graphene oxide nano-sheets (GO) was examined in aqueous solution using UV-vis spectrophotometric techniques. MB–GO composites were prepared by mixing the solutions of GO nano-sheets and methylene blue due to interacting of the cationic methylene blue photosensitizer via electrostatic and π–π stacking or hydrophobic cooperative interactions. The cell killing potential of nanocomposite was examined on the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in the absence and presence of red LED irradiation. The results demonstrated that the MB-GO nanocomposite has good performance in photodynamic therapy (PDT) during red LED irradiation. The cytotoxicity of nanocomposite caused reducing cell viability up to 20%. These effects would be due to the nano size structure of composite that could lead to effective cellular penetration. Also the significant difference has seen in lower concentrations of MB and MB-GO nanocomposite. The results show more than 40% increases in cell killing potential in lower concentrations of nanocomposite by using 2.5 μg/mL of each compound. The ratio of GO/MB can affect the interaction and higher ratios of graphene oxide (GO/MB > 1) can induce dimerization of MB. In lower concentrations and ratios of (GO/MB < 1) the free MB concentration increases and the electron shuttling effect of GO in photo activity decreases – which could affect the photocatalytic yield in PDT. The cell viability measurements confirm these effects on cancer cell killing potential of nanocomposite. According to microscopic and PDT assay results, the nanocomposite distribution and diffusion in cells enhanced the photochemical reaction yield in photodynamic therapy of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line.     

Lipophilic methylene blue analogues enhance mitochondrial function and increase frataxin levels in a cellular model of Friedreich’s ataxia

Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder resulting from reduced expression of the protein frataxin (FXN). Although its function is not fully understood, frataxin appears to help assemble iron sulfur clusters; these are critical for the function of many proteins, including those needed for mitochondrial energy production. Finding ways to increase FXN levels has been a major therapeutic strategy for this disease. Previously, we described a novel series of methylene violet analogues and their structural optimization as potential therapeutic agents for neurodegenerative and mitochondrial disorders. Presently, a series of methylene blue analogues has been synthesized and characterized for their in vitro biochemical and biological properties in cultured Friedreich’s ataxia lymphocytes. Favorable methylene blue analogues were shown to increase frataxin levels and mitochondrial biogenesis, and to improve aconitase activity. The analogues were found to be good ROS scavengers, and able to protect cultured FRDA lymphocytes from oxidative stress resulting from inhibition of complex I and from glutathione depletion. The analogues also preserved mitochondrial membrane potential and augmented ATP production. Our results suggest that analogue 5, emerging from the initial structure of the parent compound methylene blue (MB), represents a promising lead structure and lacks the cytotoxicity associated with the parent compound MB.     

In vitro study of DNA interaction with clodinafop-propargyl herbicide

The interaction of native calf thymus DNA with clodinafop-propargyl (CP), in 10 mM HEPES aqueous solutions at neutral pH 7.2, has been investigated by spectrophotometric, circular dichroism (CD), spectrofluorometric, melting temperature (Tm), and viscosimetric techniques. It was found that CP molecules could intercalate between base pairs of DNA as evidenced by hyperchromism in UV absorption band of DNA, an increase in melting temperature, a sharp increase in specific viscosity of DNA, induced CD spectral changes, and increase in the fluorescence of methylene blue (MB)-DNA solutions in the presence of increasing amounts of CP, which indicates that it is able to release the intercalated MB completely. All results suggest that the CP interacts with calf thymus DNA by an intercalative mode of binding.     

Study on the interaction of aromatic dyes with nucleic acids by means of UV, CD and NMR spectroscopies.

The interaction of several aromatic cationic dyes such as, ethidium bromide (EB), methylene blue (MB), acridine orange (AO), and Hoechst 33258 with calf-thymus DNA and poly(A)-poly(U) duplex was investigated. The different induced extrinsic Cotton effects (greater than 300 nm) were observed for DNA- and RNA-dye complexes. The binding properties of these complexes were examined by UV, CD, and NMR spectroscopies.     

Endometrial and endocervical secretion: the search for histochemical differentiation

OBJECTIVE: To determine the ideal histochemical stain to differentiate between non-neoplastic and neoplastic endocervix and endometrium. STUDY DESIGN: A total of 90 cases representing nonneoplastic cervix, non-neoplastic endometrium, endocervical adenocarcinoma and endometrial adenocarcinoma were stained with toluidine blue (TB); methylene blue (MB); mucicarmine (MUC); periodic acid-Schiff before and after diastase digestion (PAS, PAS-D); Alcian blue, pH 2.5 (AB); and periodic acid-Schiff after Alcian blue, pH 2.5 (PAB). Cases were blinded and randomly divided between two pathologists for evaluation of the staining and the staining distribution of the glandular epithelium by means of a 36-color scheme. RESULTS: The majority of non-neoplastic endocervix samples stained blue with MB (57%), fuchsia with MUC (70%), magenta with PAS (77%) and PAS-D (73%) and dark turquoise with AB (70%). The majority of non-neoplastic endometrium samples stained slate blue with TB (60%) and pink with PAS-D (53.3%). There is statistical difference (p < 0.05) in the color of the epithelium and secretions between the non-neoplastic cervix and endometrium. The malignant glands of endocervical origin could be differentiated significantly (p = 0.043) from non-neoplastic endocervical epithelium by MUC. The epithelium of the non-neoplastic endometrium is significantly differentiated from malignant endometrium using TB (p = 0.015) and MB (p = 0.038). Endocervical carcinoma could be significantly differentiated from endometrial carcinoma by MB. The staining in endocervical adenocarcinoma and endometrial carcinoma was predominantly present in both apical and cytoplasmic locations compared to their non-neoplastic counterparts (endocervix, p = 0.003; endometrium, p = 0.049). CONCLUSION: This study showed that a panel of histochemical stains could differentiate glandular cells of endocervical epithelium from endometrium.     

Multi-site inhibition of human plasma cholinesterase by cationic phenoxazine and phenothiazine dyes

Two cationic phenoxazine dyes, meldola blue (MB) and nile blue (NB), and the structurally related phenothiazine, methylene blue (MethB), were found to act as complex inhibitors of human plasma cholinesterase (butyrylcholinesterase, BChE). Studied at 25 degrees C, in 100mM MOPS buffer (pH 8.0), with butyrylthiocholine as substrate, the kinetic pattern of inhibition indicated cooperative I binding at 2 sites. Intrinsic K' values ( identical with[I](0.5)(2) extrapolated to [S]=0) for MB, NB and MethB were 0.64+/-0.05, 0.085+/-0.026 and 0.42+/-0.04 microM, respectively. Under the same experimental conditions the dyes acted as single-occupancy, hyperbolic-mixed inhibitors of electric eel acetylcholinesterase (AChE), with K(i)=0.035+/-0.010, 0.026+/-0.0034 and 0.017+/-0.0063 microM (for MB, NB, MethB); alpha (coefficient of competitive interaction)=1.8-2.4 and beta (coefficient of noncompetitive interaction)=0.15-0.28. The complexity of the BChE inhibitory effect of phenoxazine/phenothiazine dyes contrasted with that of conventional ChE inhibitors which cause single-occupancy (n=1), competitive or mixed inhibition in both AChE and BChE and signaled novel modes of ligand interaction at (or remote from) the active site gorge of the latter enzyme.     

Binding of methylene blue to a surface cleft inhibits the oligomerization and fibrillization of prion protein

Neurodegenerative protein misfolding diseases, including prionopathies, share the common feature of accumulating specific misfolded proteins, with a molecular mechanism closely related. Misfolded prion protein (PrP) generates soluble oligomers that, in turn, aggregate into amyloid fibers. Preventing the formation of these entities, crucially associated with the neurotoxic and/or infectious properties of the resulting abnormal PrP, represents an attractive therapeutic strategy to ameliorate prionopathies. We focused our attention into methylene blue (MB), a well-characterized drug, which is under study against Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we have undertaken an in vitro study on the effects of MB on oligomerization and fibrillization of human, ovine and murine PrP. We demonstrated that MB affects the kinetics of PrP oligomerization and reduces the amount of oligomer of about 30%, in a pH-dependent manner, by using SLS and DSC methodologies. Moreover, TEM images showed that MB completely suppresses fiber formation at a PrP:MB molar ratio of 1:2. Finally, NMR revealed a direct interaction between PrP and MB, which was mapped on a surface cleft including a fibrillogenic region of the protein. Our results allowed to surmise a mechanism of action in which the MB binding to PrP surface markedly interferes with the pathway towards oligomers and fibres. Therefore MB could be considered as a general anti-aggregation compound, acting against proteinopathies.     

Analysis of methylene blue in human urine by capillary electrophoresis

A capillary electrophoresis method for the determination of the dye methylene blue (tetramethylthionine, MB) in human urine depending on liquid/liquid-extraction and diode array detection has been developed, validated, and applied to samples of healthy individuals, who had been dosed with methylene blue within clinical studies. After extraction with dichloromethane and sodium hexanesulfonate, sample extracts were measured on an extended light path capillary. The dye was detected simultaneously at 292 and 592 nm using methylene violet 3 RAX as internal standard. The limit of quantification was 1.0 microg/ml. The accuracy of the method varied between -15.2 and +0.8% and the precision ranged from 2.0 to 12.0%. The method was linear at least within 1.0 and 60 microg/ml. In contrast to earlier indirect determinations no leuco methylene blue (LMB) was directly detected in urine, whereas in aqueous test solutions containing surplus amounts of ascorbic acid leuco methylene blue was well separated from MB in a single run.     

Detection of aptamer-protein interactions using QCM and electrochemical indicator methods

We report novel method of detection thrombin-aptamer interaction based on measurement the charge consumption from the electrode covered by DNA aptamers to an electrochemical indicator methylene blue (MB), that is bounded to a thrombin. The binding of thrombin to an aptamers has been detected also by QCM method in flow measuring cell. We showed that using MB it is possible to detect thrombin with high sensitivity and selectivity.