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1.
2.

Objective

Around one-fourth of the Komagataella phaffii genes encode hypothetical proteins with unknown functions. However, lack of powerful tools for genetic screening in K. phaffii significantly limits the functional analysis of these unknown genes. Transposon mutagenesis has been utilized as an insertional mutagenesis tool in many other organisms and would be extremely valuable if it could be applied in K. phaffii.

Results

In this study, we investigated in K. phaffii the transposition activity and efficiency of piggyBac (PB) transposon, a DNA transposon from the cabbage looper moth Trichoplusia ni through the integrated-plasmid system. We also designed a binary-plasmid system which could generate stable mutants. Finally we evaluated the quality of this mutagenesis system by a simple screening for functional genes involved in K. phaffii carbon catabolite repression.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that PB-mediated mutagenesis could be a feasible and useful tool for functional gene screening in K. phaffii.
  相似文献   

3.

Background

The nuclear genome of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii encodes a dozen hemoglobins of the truncated lineage. Four of these, named THB1–4, contain a single ~130-residue globin unit. THB1, which is cytoplasmic and capable of nitric oxide dioxygenation activity, uses a histidine and a lysine as axial ligands to the heme iron. In the present report, we compared THB2, THB3, and THB4 to THB1 to gain structural and functional insights into algal globins.

Methods

We inspected properties of the globin domains prepared by recombinant means through site-directed mutagenesis, electronic absorption, CD, and NMR spectroscopies, and X-ray crystallography.

Results

Recombinant THB3, which lacks the proximal histidine but has a distal histidine, binds heme weakly. NMR data demonstrate that the recombinant domains of THB2 and THB4 coordinate the ferrous heme iron with the proximal histidine and a lysine from the distal helix. An X-ray structure of ferric THB4 confirms lysine coordination. THB1, THB2, and THB4 have reduction potentials between ?65 and ?100 mV, are capable of nitric oxide dioxygenation, are reduced at different rates by the diaphorase domain of C. reinhardtii nitrate reductase, and show different response to peroxide treatment.

Conclusions

Three single-domain C. reinhardtii hemoglobins use lysine as a distal heme ligand in both Fe(III) and Fe(II) oxidation states. This common feature is likely related to enzymatic activity in the management of reactive oxygen species.

General significance

Primary structure analysis of hemoglobins has limited power in the prediction of heme ligation. Experimental determination reveals variations in this essential property across the superfamily.  相似文献   

4.

Background

Under oxidative stress cytoplasmic aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase (aaRSs) substrate specificity can be compromised, leading to tRNA mischarging and mistranslation of the proteome. Whether similar processes occur in mitochondria, which are major cellular sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS), is unknown. However, relaxed substrate specificity in yeast mitochondrial phenylalanyl-tRNA synthetase (ScmitPheRS) has been reported to increase tRNA mischarging and blocks mitochondrial biogenesis.

Methods

Non-reducing denaturing PAGE, cysteine reactivity studies, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, enzyme assay, western blot, growth assay, circular dichroism, dynamic light scattering and fluorescence spectroscopy were used to study the effect of oxidative stress on ScmitPheRS activity.

Results

ScmitPheRS is reversibly inactivated under oxidative stress. The targets for oxidative inactivation are two conserved cysteine residues resulting in reversible intra-molecular disulfide bridge formation. Replacement of either conserved cysteine residue increased viability during growth under oxidative stress.

Conclusion

Formation of intra-molecular disulfide bridge under oxidative stress hinders the tRNAPhe binding of the enzyme, thus inactivating ScmitPheRS reversibly.

General significance

The ScmitPheRS activity is compromised under oxidative stress due to formation of intra-molecular disulfide bridge. The sensitivity of ScmitPheRS to oxidation may provide a protective mechanism against error-prone translation under oxidative stress.  相似文献   

5.

Background

The nucleotidyl cyclase toxin ExoY is an important virulence determinant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa that causes severe acute and chronic infections in immune-compromised individuals. Additionally, this unique T3SS effector shows a striking preference for cUMP, a newly identified non-canonical secondary messenger. Thereby, ExoY is also considered as a potential tool to study unexplored cUMP signaling pathways.

Methods

The crystal structure of ExoY was determined at 2.2?Å resolutions by in-situ proteolysis assisted crystallization and Rosetta-molecular replacement method. Additionally, isothermal calorimetric (ITC) and molecular dynamic (MD) simulation studies were also carried out to gain molecular insights into its substrate specificity and catalysis.

Results and conclusion

ExoY is a partially unfolded protein with higher propensity to form soluble higher-order oligomers. However, with meticulous attempts of removing of disordered regions by proteases, the recalcitrant ExoY could be successfully crystallized. The crystal structure of ExoY revealed similar overall structural fold present in other anthrax toxA family of nucleotidyl cyclases, with two-to-three distinctly conserved regions conferring specificity to eukaryotic binding partner. The in-vitro catalytic preference of ExoY is in the following order: cGMP > cUMP > cAMP > cCMP. The substrate specificity of ExoY mainly depends on its ability to bind NTP in proper geometrical orientations. ExoY also seems to prefer one-metal-ion dependent catalysis than two-metal-ion dependent catalysis.

General significance

Our results provide much needed structural insight on ExoY, an important virulence determinant of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and an exciting tool to study non-canonical cNMP signaling pathways.

Accession numbers

The structure factors and coordinate files have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank with accession number 5XNW.  相似文献   

6.

Background

Protoporphyrin IX (PPn), an intermediate in the heme biosynthesis reaction, generates singlet oxygen upon exposure to UV light. It has been proposed that PPn is channeled directly to ferrochelatase within a protoporphyrinogen dehydrogenase (PgdH1)-protoporphyrin ferrochelatase (PpfC) complex as a way to avoid this damaging side reaction. However, the PgdH1-PpfC complex has not been characterized, and the question of how heme affects the activities of PgdH1 has not been addressed.

Methods

Protein interactions were explored through pull-down assays and western blotting, and the importance of this complex in vivo was examined using inter-species combinations of the two proteins. The purified PgdH1-PpfC complex was characterized kinetically and used for heme binding studies.

Results

In Vibrio vulnificus, PgdH1 and PpfC formed an 8:8 heterohexadecameric complex that was important for maintaining PPn at low levels. PpfC catalyzed PPn efficiently whether or not it was part of the complex. Notably, heme was a noncompetitive inhibitor of V. vulnificus PgdH1, but a competitive inhibitor of the human protoporphyrinogen oxidase PgoX.

Conclusion

The PdgH1-PpfC complex is important for protective channeling of PPn and for efficient catalysis of free PPn. The production of PPn by PgdH1 is regulated by feedback inhibition by heme.

General significance

Both proteobacteria and eukaryotes have evolved mechanisms to prevent the harmful accumulation of the heme biosynthesis intermediate PPn. The data presented here suggest two previously unknown mechanisms: the channeling of PPn through the PgdH1-PpfC complex, and the direct inhibition of PgdH1 activity (PgoX activity as well) by heme.  相似文献   

7.

Background

Methylation driven by thiopurine S-methylatransferase (TPMT) is crucial for deactivation of cytostatic and immunosuppressant thiopurines. Despite its remarkable integration into clinical practice, the endogenous function of TPMT is unknown.

Methods

To address the role of TPMT in methylation of selenium compounds, we established the research on saturation transfer difference (STD) and 77Se NMR spectroscopy, fluorescence measurements, as well as computational molecular docking simulations.

Results

Using STD NMR spectroscopy and fluorescence measurements of tryptophan residues in TPMT, we determined the binding of selenocysteine (Sec) to human recombinant TPMT. By comparing binding characteristics of Sec in the absence and in the presence of methyl donor, we confirmed S-adenosylmethionine (SAM)-induced conformational changes in TPMT. Molecular docking analysis positioned Sec into the active site of TPMT with orientation relevant for methylation reaction. Se-methylselenocysteine (MeSec), produced in the enzymatic reaction, was detected by 77Se NMR spectroscopy. A direct interaction between Sec and SAM in the active site of rTPMT and the formation of both products, MeSec and S-adenosylhomocysteine, was demonstrated using NMR spectroscopy.

Conclusions

The present study provides evidence on in vitro methylation of Sec by rTPMT in a SAM-dependant manner.

General significance

Our results suggest novel role of TPMT and demonstrate new insights into enzymatic modifications of the 21st amino acid.  相似文献   

8.

Background

Glutaredoxins (GRXs) are oxidoreductases involved in diverse cellular processes through their capacity to reduce glutathionylated proteins and/or to coordinate iron?sulfur (Fe-S) clusters. Among class II GRXs, the plant-specific GRXS16 is a bimodular protein formed by an N-terminal endonuclease domain fused to a GRX domain containing a 158CGFS signature.

Methods

The biochemical properties (redox activity, sensitivity to oxidation, pKa of cysteine residues, midpoint redox potential) of Arabidopsis thaliana GRXS16 were investigated by coupling oxidative treatments to alkylation shift assays, activity measurements and mass spectrometry analyses.

Results

Activity measurements using redox-sensitive GFP2 (roGFP2) as target protein did not reveal any significant glutathione-dependent reductase activity of A. thaliana GRXS16 whereas it was able to catalyze the oxidation of roGFP2 in the presence of glutathione disulfide. Accordingly, Arabidopsis GRXS16 reacted efficiently with oxidized forms of glutathione, leading to the formation of an intramolecular disulfide between Cys158 and the semi-conserved Cys215, which has a midpoint redox potential of - 298?mV at pH?7.0 and is reduced by plastidial thioredoxins (TRXs) but not GSH. By promoting the formation of this disulfide, Cys215 modulates GRXS16 oxidoreductase activity.

Conclusion

The reduction of AtGRXS16, which is mandatory for its oxidoreductase activity and the binding of Fe-S clusters, depends on light through the plastidial FTR/TRX system. Hence, disulfide formation may constitute a redox switch mechanism controlling GRXS16 function in response to day/night transition or oxidizing conditions.

General significance

From the in vitro data obtained with roGFP2, one can postulate that GRXS16 would mediate protein glutathionylation/oxidation in plastids but not their deglutathionylation.  相似文献   

9.

Background

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase 2 (CaMKK2) is a member of the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase (CaMK) family involved in adiposity regulation, glucose homeostasis and cancer. This upstream activator of CaMKI, CaMKIV and AMP-activated protein kinase is inhibited by phosphorylation, which also triggers an association with the scaffolding protein 14-3-3. However, the role of 14-3-3 in the regulation of CaMKK2 remains unknown.

Methods

The interaction between phosphorylated CaMKK2 and the 14-3-3γ protein, as well as the architecture of their complex, were studied using enzyme activity measurements, small-angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and protein crystallography.

Results

Our data suggest that the 14-3-3 protein binding does not inhibit the catalytic activity of phosphorylated CaMKK2 but rather slows down its dephosphorylation. Structural analysis indicated that the complex is flexible and that CaMKK2 is located outside the phosphopeptide-binding central channel of the 14-3-3γ dimer. Furthermore, 14-3-3γ appears to interact with and affect the structure of several regions of CaMKK2 outside the 14-3-3 binding motifs. In addition, the structural basis of interactions between 14‐3-3 and the 14-3-3 binding motifs of CaMKK2 were elucidated by determining the crystal structures of phosphopeptides containing these motifs bound to 14-3-3.

Conclusions

14-3-3γ protein directly interacts with the kinase domain of CaMKK2 and the region containing the inhibitory phosphorylation site Thr145 within the N-terminal extension.

General significance

Our results suggested that CaMKK isoforms differ in their 14-3-3-mediated regulations and that the interaction between 14-3-3 protein and the N-terminal 14-3-3-binding motif of CaMKK2 might be stabilized by small-molecule compounds.  相似文献   

10.

Background

Nitric oxide is a well-known gaseous signaling molecule and protein modifying agent. However, at higher concentrations or during oxidative stress nitric oxide may exert some deleterious effects on protein structure and function. Here we investigated the influence of nitric oxide and products of its oxidation on two glycolytic enzymes: GAPDH and LDH under in vitro nitrosative stress conditions. Secondly, we applied natural antioxidants: melatonin and resveratrol to examine their effects on the enzymes under studied conditions.

Methods

By means of UV–VIS and fluorescence spectroscopy methods we compared nitric oxide mediated changes of enzyme activities, amount of free sulfhydryl groups (-SH) and bis-ANS probe binding. Finally, we predicted potential cysteine residues modified by nitric oxide in studied proteins using GPS-SNO software.

Results

Our results indicated that nitric oxide reversibly inactivates GAPDH but does not affect the activity of LDH. Nitric oxide dependent GAPDH activity decline was accompanied by the reduction of the amount of free –SH groups and GAPDH-bound bis-ANS fluorescence. Reduction of the number of free –SH groups and protein-bound bis-ANS fluorescence was also observed in LDH treated with NO. Applied antioxidants increased inactivation of GAPDH and structural changes of GAPDH and LDH.

Conclusions

Nitric oxide modifies function and structure of thiol-dependent enzyme such as GAPDH and structure of LDH which function do not rely on cysteine thiols. Both resveratrol and melatonin exerted prooxidative properties in studied conditions.

General significance

Extensively studied antioxidants: resveratrol and melatonin may function as a prooxidative species under in vitro nitrosative stress conditions.  相似文献   

11.

Background

Carbamylation is a non-enzymatic post-translational modification (PTM), which involves the covalent modification of N-terminus of protein or ε-amino group of Lys. The role of carbamylation in several age-related disorders is well documented, however, the relationship between carbamylation and neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease remains uncharted.

Methods

In the present study, using aggregation-prone tau-core hexapeptide fragments 306VQIVYK311 (PHF6) and 275VQIINK280 (PHF6*) as models, we have elucidated the effect of carbamylation on aggregation kinetics and the changes occurring in the 3-dimensional architecture of fibrils using biophysical assays and molecular dynamics simulations.

Results

We found that carbamylation aids in amyloid formation and can convert the unstructured off-pathway aggregates into robust amyloids, which were toxic to cells. Electron microscopy images and molecular dynamics simulations of PHF6 fibrils showed that carbamylated peptides can form excess hydrogen bonds and modulate the pitch length and twist of peptides fibrils. We have also compared N-terminal carbamylation to acetylation and further extended our finding to full length tau that exhibits aggregation upon carbamylation even in the absence of any external inducer.

Conclusion

Our in vitro and in silico results together suggest that carbamylation can modulate the aggregation pathway of the amyloidegenic sequences and cause structural changes in fibril assemblies.

General significance

Carbamylation acts as a switch, which triggers the aggregation in short amyloidogenic peptide fragments and modulate the structural changes in resulting amyloid fibrils.  相似文献   

12.

Background

Malaria is a serious parasitic infection affecting millions of people worldwide each year. Cerebral malaria is the most severe complication of Plasmodium infections, predominantly affecting children. Extracellular vesicles are essential mediators of intercellular communication and include apoptotic bodies, microvesicles and exosomes. Microvesicle numbers increase during disease pathogenesis and inhibition of their release can prevent brain pathology and mortality.

Scope of review

We explore the current knowledge on microvesicles and exosomes in cerebral malaria pathogenesis.

Major conclusions

Microvesicles and exosomes are implicated in cerebral malaria pathogenesis, in the modulation of host immunity to Plasmodium, and in cell-cell communication. Blocking their production is protective in models of cerebral malaria, both in vivo and in vitro.

General significance

While anti-malarial treatments exist to combat Plasmodium infections, increasing drug resistance presents a major challenge. In order to improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes, further research is required to better appreciate extracellular vesicle involvement in cerebral malaria.  相似文献   

13.

Background

Bombyx mori silk fibers with thin diameters have advantages of lightness and crease-resistance. Many studies have used anti-juvenile hormones to induce trimolters in order to generate thin silk; however, there has been comparatively little analysis of the morphology, structure and mechanical properties of trimolter silk.

Methods

This study induced two kinds of trimolters by appling topically anti-juvenile hormones and obtained thin diameter silk. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), FTIR analysis, tensile mechanical testing, chitin staining were used to reveal that the morphology, conformation and mechanical property of the trimolter silk.

Results

Cocoon of trimolters were highly densely packed by thinner fibers and thus had small apertures. We found that the conformation of trimolter silk fibroin changed and formed more β-sheet structures. In addition, analysis of mechanical parameters yielded a higher Young's modulus and strength in trimolter silk than in the control. By chitin staining of silk gland, we postulated that the mechanical properties of trimolters' silk was enhanced greatly during to the structural changes of silk gland.

Conclusion

We induced trimolters by anti-juvenile hormones and the resulting cocoons were more closely packed and had smaller silk fiber diameters. We found that the conformation of trimolters silk fibroin had a higher content of β-sheet structures and better mechanical properties.

General significance

Our study revealed the structures and mechanical properties of trimolter silk, and provided a valuable reference to improve silk quality by influencing molting in silkworms.  相似文献   

14.

Background

Catechins, polyphenols derived from tea leaves, have been shown to have antibacterial properties, through direct killing of bacteria as well as through inhibition of bacterial toxin activity. In particular, certain catechins have been shown to have bactericidal effects on the oral bacterium, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, as well as the ability to inhibit a key virulence factor of this organism, leukotoxin (LtxA). The mechanism of catechin-mediated inhibition of LtxA has not been shown.

Methods

In this work, we studied the ability of six catechins to inhibit LtxA-mediated cytotoxicity in human white blood cells, using Trypan blue staining, and investigated the mechanism of action using a combination of techniques, including fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy, confocal microscopy, and surface plasmon resonance.

Results

We found that all the catechins except (?)-catechin inhibited the activity of this protein, with the galloylated catechins having the strongest effect. Pre-incubation of the toxin with the catechins increased the inhibitory action, indicating that the catechins act on the protein, rather than the cell. The secondary structure of LtxA was dramatically altered in the presence of catechin, which resulted in an inhibition of toxin binding to cholesterol, an important initial step in the cytotoxic mechanism of the toxin.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that the catechins inhibit LtxA activity by altering its structure to prevent interaction with specific molecules present on the host cell surface.

General significance

Galloylated catechins modify protein toxin structure, inhibiting the toxin from binding to the requisite molecules on the host cell surface.  相似文献   

15.

Background

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) is an essential pyridine nucleotide that is currently investigated as an important target to extend lifespan and health span. Age-related NAD+ depletion due to the accumulation of oxidative stress is associated with reduced energy production, impaired DNA repair and genomic instability.

Scope of review

NAD+ levels can be elevated therapeutically using NAD+ precursors or through lifestyle modifications including exercise and caloric restriction. However, high amounts of NAD+ may be detrimental in cancer progression and may have deleterious immunogenic roles.

Major conclusions

Standardized quantitation of NAD+ and related metabolites may therefore represent an important component of NAD+ therapy.

General significance

Quantitation of NAD+ may serve dual roles not only as an ageing biomarker, but also as a diagnostic tool for the prevention of malignant disorders.  相似文献   

16.

Background

The crystal structure of lipase from Gibberella zeae (GZEL) indicates that its C-terminal extension is composed of a loop and a α-helix. This structure is unique, possibly providing novel evidence on lipase mechanisms.

Methods

Two C-terminally truncated mutants (GZEL-Δ(α-helix) and GZEL-Δ(α-helix+loop)) were constructed. The role of these secondary structure segments on enzymatic activities and interfacial binding properties of GZEL was investigated by using conventional pH-stat method and monomolecular film techniques. In addition, inactive variants (Ser144Ala) of wild-type GZEL and two truncated mutants were constructed and produced specifically for interfacial binding experiments.

Results

Compared to the wild-type GZEL, lipase and phospholipase activities were significantly decreased in the two mutants. Deletion of the α-helix had great influence on the lipase activity of GZEL, resulting in residual 7.3% activity; the additional deletion of the loop led to 8.1% lipase activity. As for the phospholipase function, residual activities of 63.0% and 35.4% were maintained for GZEL-Δ(α-helix) and GZEL-Δ(α-helix+loop), respectively. Findings obtained with monomolecular film experiments further indicated that the reduction in phospholipase activity occurred with the anionic phospholipid as substrate, but was not seen with zwitterionic phospholipid. Results of the maximum insertion pressure, synergy factor and binding kinetic parameters documented that the α-helix structure of GZEL strongly influence the binding and insertion of enzyme to the phospholipid monolayer. Moreover, the interfacial binding function of α-helix was partly conformed by connecting to the C-terminal of Aspergillus oryzae lipase.

General significance

Our results provide important information on the understanding of the structure-function relationship of GZEL.  相似文献   

17.

Background

Metastatic tumor cells have acidic extracellular pH and differential electrochemical H+ gradients generated across their cell membranes by V-type H+-ATPases. This study shows that inhibition of the V-ATPases by the plant-derived monoterpene Myrtenal results in tumor cell death and decreased metastatic dissemination in mice.

Methods

The Myrtenal anticancer toxicity was evaluated in vitro using murine (B16F0 and B16F10) and human (SkMel-5) melanoma cell lines, and in in vivo mouse metastatic dissemination model. Proton flux and extracellular acidification were directly evaluated at the surface of living cells using a non-invasive selective ion electrode approach.

Results

The inhibition of V-ATPases by 100?μM Myrtenal disrupted the electrochemical H+ gradient across the cell membranes, strongly induced cell death (4–5 fold), and decreased tumor cells migration and invasion in vitro. Myrtenal (15?mg/kg) also significantly reduced metastasis induced by B16F10 in vivo, further reinforcing that V-ATPase is a molecular target to halt the progression of cancers.

Conclusions

These data revealed the therapeutic potential of Myrtenal as inhibitor of melanoma progression proposing a mechanism of action by which once inhibited by this monoterpene the proton pumps fail to activate cancer-related differential electrochemical gradients and H+ fluxes across the tumor cell membranes, disrupting pH signatures inherent in tumor progression, resulting in reprogrammed cell death and metastasis inhibition.

General significance

The work represents a new mechanistic strategy for contention of melanoma, the most aggressive and deadly form of cutaneous neoplasm, and highlights Myrtenal, other related monoterpenes and derivatives as promising proton pump inhibitors with high chemotherapeutic potential.  相似文献   

18.

Background

Prior studies of the human growth hormone receptor (GHR) revealed a distinct role of spatial rearrangements of its dimeric transmembrane domain in signal transduction across membrane. Detailed structural information obtained in the present study allowed elucidating the bases of such rearrangement and provided novel insights into receptor functioning.

Methods

We investigated the dimerization of recombinant TMD fragment GHR254–294 by means of high-resolution NMR in DPC micelles and molecular dynamics in explicit POPC membrane.

Results

We resolved two distinct dimeric structures of GHR TMD coexisting in membrane-mimicking micellar environment and providing left- and right-handed helix-helix association via different dimerization motifs. Based on the available mutagenesis data, the conformations correspond to the dormant and active receptor states and are distinguished by cis-trans isomerization of Phe-Pro266 bond in the transmembrane helix entry. Molecular dynamic relaxations of the structures in lipid bilayer revealed the role of the proline residue in functionally significant rearrangements of the adjacent juxtamembrane region supporting alternation between protein-protein and protein-lipid interactions of this region that can be triggered by ligand binding. Also, the importance of juxtamembrane SS bonding for signal persistency, and somewhat unusual aspects of transmembrane region interaction with water molecules were demonstrated.

Conclusions

Two alternative dimeric structures of GHR TMD attributed to dormant and active receptor states interchange via allosteric rearrangements of transmembrane helices and extracellular juxtamembrane regions that support coordination between protein-protein and protein-lipid interactions.

General significance

This study provides a holistic vision of GHR signal transduction across the membrane emphasizing the role of protein-lipid interactions.  相似文献   

19.

Background

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disorder which is characterized by the deposits of intra-cellular tau protein and extra-cellular amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides in the human brain. Understanding the mechanism of protein aggregation and finding compounds that are capable of inhibiting its aggregation is considered to be highly important for disease therapy.

Methods

We used an in vitro High-Throughput Screening for the identification of potent inhibitors of tau aggregation using a proxy model; a highly aggregation-prone hexapeptide fragment 306VQIVYK311 derived from tau. Using ThS fluorescence assay we screened a library of 2401 FDA approved, bio-active and natural compounds in attempt to find molecules which can efficiently modulate tau aggregation.

Results

Among the screened compounds, palmatine chloride (PC) alkaloid was able to dramatically reduce the aggregation propensity of PHF6 at sub-molar concentrations. PC was also able to disassemble preformed aggregates of PHF6 and reduce the amyloid content in a dose-dependent manner. Insights obtained from MD simulation showed that PC interacted with the key residues of PHF6 responsible for β-sheet formation, which could likely be the mechanism of inhibition and disassembly. Furthermore, PC could effectively inhibit the aggregation of full-length tau and disassemble preformed aggregates.

Conclusions

We found that PC possesses “dual functionality” towards PHF6 and full-length tau, i.e. inhibit their aggregation and disassemble pre-formed fibrils.

General significance

The “dual functionality” of PC is valuable as a disease modifying strategy for AD, and other tauopathies, by inhibiting their progress and reducing the effect of fibrils already present in the brain.  相似文献   

20.

Background

Little is known about enzymatic N-glycosylation in type 2 diabetes, a common posttranslational modification of proteins influencing their function and integrating genetic and environmental influences. We sought to gain insights into N-glycosylation to uncover yet unexplored pathophysiological mechanisms in type 2 diabetes.

Methods

Using a high-throughput MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry method, we measured N-glycans in plasma samples of the DiaGene case-control study (1583 cases and 728 controls). Associations were investigated with logistic regression and adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, non-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and smoking. Findings were replicated in a nested replication cohort of 232 cases and 108 controls.

Results

Eighteen glycosylation features were significantly associated with type 2 diabetes. Fucosylation and bisection of diantennary glycans were decreased in diabetes (odds ratio (OR)?=?0.81, p?=?1.26E-03, and OR?=?0.87, p?=?2.84E-02, respectively), whereas total and, specifically, alpha2,6-linked sialylation were increased (OR?=?1.38, p?=?9.92E-07, and OR?=?1.40, p?=?5.48E-07). Alpha2,3-linked sialylation of triantennary glycans was decreased (OR?=?0.60, p?=?6.38E-11).

Conclusions

While some glycosylation changes were reflective of inflammation, such as increased alpha2,6-linked sialylation, our finding of decreased alpha2,3-linked sialylation in type 2 diabetes patients is contradictory to reports on acute and chronic inflammation. Thus, it might have previously unreported immunological implications in type 2 diabetes.

General significance

This study provides new insights into N-glycosylation patterns in type 2 diabetes, which can fuel studies on causal mechanisms and consequences of this complex disease.  相似文献   

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