Performance and Value of IFN-Lambda3 and IFN-Lambda4 Genotyping in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C (CHC) Genotype 2/3 in a Real World Setting

Background

SNPs near the interferon lambda (IFNL) 3 gene are predictors for sustained virological response (SVR) in patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype (GT) 1. In addition, a dinucleotide frame shift in ss469415590 was described, which generates IFNL4. In this study, we compared the role of IFNL4 variants with IFNL3-(rs12979860) and IFNL3-(rs8099917) on response to pegylated (PEG)-IFN and Ribavirin (RBV) in patients with chronic hepatitis C GT2/3.

Methods

We recruited 1006 patients with chronic hepatitis C and GT2/3 in a large German registry. A treatment with PEG-IFN and Ribavirin was started by 959 patients. We performed genotyping of IFNL3 (rs12979860, n = 726; rs8099917, n = 687) and of IFNL4 (ss469415590; n = 631).

Results

Both preferable IFNL3 genotypes were associated with RVR (both p<0.0001) rather than with SVR (rs12979860: p = 0.251; rs8099917: p = 0.447). Only RVR was linked to SVR in univariate and multivariate analyzes (both p<0.001). Concordance of genotyping in patients with available serum samples and EDTA blood samples (n = 259) was more than 96% for both IFNL3 SNPs. IFNL3-(rs12979860) correlated with IFNL4: 99.2% of patients with IFNL3-(rs12979860)-CC were IFNL4-(ss469415590)-TT/TT. IFNL3-(rs12979860)-CT was linked with IFNL4-(ss469415590)-TT/ΔG (98.0%) and IFNL3-(rs12979860)-TT was associated with IFNL4-(ss469415590)-ΔG/ΔG (97.6%).

Conclusion

IFNL3 genotyping from serum was highly efficient and can be used as an alternative if EDTA whole blood is not available. In Caucasian GT2/3 patients genotyping for INFL4-(ss469415590) does not lead to additional information for the decision-making process. Importantly, IFNL3 SNPs were not associated with SVR but with RVR. Even in the era of new direct acting antiviral (DAA) therapies, IFNL3 testing may therefore still be considered for naïve GT2/3 patients to decide if dual Peg-IFN/RBV therapy is an option in resource limited regions.     

IFNL4 and IFNL3 Associated Polymorphisms Strongly Influence the Spontaneous IFN-Alpha Receptor-1 Expression in HCV-Infected Patients

Single-nucleotide polymorphism in IFNL3 gene (rs12979860) predicts spontaneous and therapy-induced HCV clearance. In a previous study from our group PBMC from patients with favourable rs12979860 genotype showed higher levels of IFNAR-1 mRNA. Recently, a dinucleotide polymorphism, ss469415590 (TT or ΔG), has been discovered in the region upstream IFNL3 gene, which is in high linkage disequilibrium with rs12979860. ss469415590[ΔG] is a frameshift variant that creates a novel gene, designed IFNL4, encoding the interferon-lambda 4 protein (IFNL4). The aim of the present study was to extend the analysis of IFNAR-1 mRNA levels to the ss469415590 variants. Our results highlight that the difference of IFNAR-1 mRNA levels between favourable and unfavourable genotype combinations, at both rs12979860 and ss469415590 loci, is stronger than that observed for single polymorphisms at each locus. These findings suggest may represent the biological basis for the observed association between IFNL3 CC and IFNL4 TT/TT genotypes and favourable outcome of either natural HCV infection (clearance vs chronic evolution) or IFN-based therapy.     

Association with Spontaneous Hepatitis C Viral Clearance and Genetic Differentiation of IL28B/IFNL4 Haplotypes in Populations from Mexico

Aim

To analyze the genetic heterogeneity of the Amerindian and admixed population (Mestizos) based on the IL28B (rs12979860, rs8099917) and IFNL4 (rs368234815) haplotypes, and their association with spontaneous clearance (SC) and liver damage in patients with hepatitis C infection from West Mexico.

Methods

A total of 711 subjects from West Mexico (181 Amerindians and 530 Mestizos) were studied for the prevalence of IL28B (rs12979860C/T, rs8099917G/T) and IFNL4 (rs368234815∆G/TT) genotypes. A case-control study was performed in 234 treatment-naïve HCV Mestizos (149 chronic hepatitis C and 85 with SC) for the association of haplotypes with SC and liver damage. A real-time PCR assay was used for genotyping, and transitional elastography staged liver damage.

Results

Significant Fst-values indicated differentiation between the studied populations. The frequencies of the protective C, T, TT alleles were significantly lower in the Amerindians than in Mestizos (p<0.05). The r² measure of linkage disequilibrium was significant for all variants and the T/G/ΔG risk haplotype predominated in Amerindians and secondly in Mestizos. The protective C/T/TT haplotype was associated with SC (OR = 0.46, 95% IC 0.22–0.95, p = 0.03) and less liver damage (OR = 0.32, 95% IC 0.10–0.97, p = 0.04) in chronic patients. The Structure software analysis demonstrated no significant differences in ancestry among SC and chronic patients.

Conclusions

West Mexico´s population is genetically heterogeneous at the IL28B/IFNL4 polymorphisms. The T/G/ΔG high-risk haplotype predominated in Amerindians and the beneficial alternative haplotype in Mestizos. The C/T/TT haplotype was associated with SC and less liver damage in chronically infected Mestizo patients.     

Predictive Value of Interferon-Lambda Gene Polymorphisms for Treatment Response in Chronic Hepatitis C

Background

IL28B gene polymorphism is the best baseline predictor of response to interferon alfa-based antiviral therapies in chronic hepatitis C. Recently, a new IFN-L4 polymorphism was identified as first potential functional variant for induction of IL28B expression. Individualization of interferon alfa-based therapies based on a combination of IL28B/IFN-L4 polymorphisms may help to optimize virologic outcome and economic resources.

Methods

Optimization of treatment outcome prediction was assessed by combination of different IL28B and IFN-L4 polymorphisms in patients with chronic HCV genotype 1 (n = 385), 2/3 (n = 267), and 4 (n = 220) infection treated with pegylated interferon alfa (PEG-IFN) and ribavirin with (n = 79) or without telaprevir. Healthy people from Germany (n = 283) and Egypt (n = 96) served as controls.

Results

Frequencies of beneficial IL28B rs12979860 C/C genotypes were lower in HCV genotype 1/4 infected patients in comparison to controls (20–35% vs. 46–47%) this was also true for ss469415590 TT/TT (20–35% vs. 45–47%). Single interferon-lambda SNPs (rs12979860, rs8099917, ss469415590) correlated with sustained virologic response (SVR) in genotype 1, 3, and 4 infected patients while no association was observed for genotype 2. Interestingly, in genotype 3 infected patients, best SVR prediction was based on IFN-L4 genotype. Prediction of SVR with high accuracy (71–96%) was possible in genotype 1, 2, 3 and 4 infected patients who received PEG-IFN/ribavirin combination therapy by selection of beneficial IL28B rs12979860 C/C and/or ss469415590 TT/TT genotypes (p<0.001). For triple therapy with first generation protease inhibitors (PIs) (boceprevir, telaprevir) prediction of high SVR (90%) rates was based on the presence of at least one beneficial genotype of the 3 IFN-lambda SNPs.

Conclusion

IFN-L4 seems to be the best single predictor of SVR in genotype 3 infected patients. For optimized prediction of SVR by treatment with dual combination or first generation PI triple therapies, grouping of interferon-lambda haplotypes may be helpful with positive predictive values of 71–96%.     

Herpes Simplex Virus 2 (HSV-2) Infected Cell Proteins Are among the Most Dominant Antigens of a Live-Attenuated HSV-2 Vaccine

Virion glycoproteins such as glycoprotein D (gD) are believed to be the dominant antigens of herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2). We have observed that mice immunized with a live HSV-2 ICP0^- mutant virus, HSV-2 0ΔNLS, are 10 to 100 times better protected against genital herpes than mice immunized with a HSV-2 gD subunit vaccine (PLoS ONE 6:e17748). In light of these results, we sought to determine which viral proteins were the dominant antibody-generators (antigens) of the live HSV-2 0ΔNLS vaccine. Western blot analyses indicated the live HSV-2 0ΔNLS vaccine elicited an IgG antibody response against 9 or more viral proteins. Many antibodies were directed against infected-cell proteins of >100 kDa in size, and only 10 ± 5% of antibodies were directed against gD. Immunoprecipitation (IP) of total HSV-2 antigen with 0ΔNLS antiserum pulled down 19 viral proteins. Mass spectrometry suggested 44% of immunoprecipitated viral peptides were derived from two HSV-2 infected cells proteins, RR-1 and ICP8, whereas only 14% of immunoprecipitated peptides were derived from HSV-2’s thirteen glycoproteins. Collectively, the results suggest the immune response to the live HSV-2 0ΔNLS vaccine includes antibodies specific for infected cell proteins, capsid proteins, tegument proteins, and glycoproteins. This increased breadth of antibody-generating proteins may contribute to the live HSV-2 vaccine’s capacity to elicit superior protection against genital herpes relative to a gD subunit vaccine.     

Microtubule affinity–regulating kinase 4 with an Alzheimer's disease-related mutation promotes tau accumulation and exacerbates neurodegeneration

Accumulation of the microtubule-associated protein tau is associated with Alzheimer''s disease (AD). In AD brain, tau is abnormally phosphorylated at many sites, and phosphorylation at Ser-262 and Ser-356 plays critical roles in tau accumulation and toxicity. Microtubule affinity–regulating kinase 4 (MARK4) phosphorylates tau at those sites, and a double de novo mutation in the linker region of MARK4, ΔG316E317D, is associated with an elevated risk of AD. However, it remains unclear how this mutation affects phosphorylation, aggregation, and accumulation of tau and tau-induced neurodegeneration. Here, we report that MARK4^ΔG316E317D increases the abundance of highly phosphorylated, insoluble tau species and exacerbates neurodegeneration via Ser-262/356–dependent and –independent mechanisms. Using transgenic Drosophila expressing human MARK4 (MARK4^wt) or a mutant version of MARK4 (MARK4^ΔG316E317D), we found that coexpression of MARK4^wt and MARK4^ΔG316E317D increased total tau levels and enhanced tau-induced neurodegeneration and that MARK4^ΔG316E317D had more potent effects than MARK4^wt. Interestingly, the in vitro kinase activities of MARK4^wt and MARK4^ΔG316E317D were similar. When tau phosphorylation at Ser-262 and Ser-356 was blocked by alanine substitutions, MARK4^wt did not promote tau accumulation or exacerbate neurodegeneration, whereas coexpression of MARK4^ΔG316E317D did. Both MARK4^wt and MARK4^ΔG316E317D increased the levels of oligomeric forms of tau; however, only MARK4^ΔG316E317D further increased the detergent insolubility of tau in vivo. Together, these findings suggest that MARK4^ΔG316E317D increases tau levels and exacerbates tau toxicity via a novel gain-of-function mechanism and that modification in this region of MARK4 may affect disease pathogenesis.     

Fruit softening: evidence for pectate lyase action in vivo in date (Phoenix dactylifera) and rosaceous fruit cell walls

Background and AimsThe programmed softening occurring during fruit development requires scission of cell wall polysaccharides, especially pectin. Proposed mechanisms include the action of wall enzymes or hydroxyl radicals. Enzyme activities found in fruit extracts include pectate lyase (PL) and endo-polygalacturonase (EPG), which, in vitro, cleave de-esterified homogalacturonan in mid-chain by β-elimination and hydrolysis, respectively. However, the important biological question of whether PL exhibits action in vivo had not been tested.MethodsWe developed a method for specifically and sensitively detecting in-vivo PL products, based on Driselase digestion of cell wall polysaccharides and detection of the characteristic unsaturated product of PL action.Key ResultsIn model in-vitro experiments, pectic homogalacturonan that had been partially cleaved by commercial PL was digested to completion with Driselase, releasing an unsaturated disaccharide (‘ΔUA–GalA’), taken as diagnostic of PL action. ΔUA–GalA was separated from saturated oligogalacturonides (EPG products) by electrophoresis, then subjected to thin-layer chromatography (TLC), resolving ΔUA–GalA from higher homologues. The ΔUA–GalA was confirmed as 4-deoxy-β-l-threo-hex-4-enopyranuronosyl-(1→4)-d-galacturonic acid by NMR spectroscopy. Driselase digestion of cell walls from ripe fruits of date (Phoenix dactylifera), pear (Pyrus communis), rowan (Sorbus aucuparia) and apple (Malus pumila) yielded ΔUA–GalA, demonstrating that PL had been acting in vivo in these fruits prior to harvest. Date-derived ΔUA–GalA was verified by negative-mode mass spectrometry, including collision-induced dissociation (CID) fragmentation. The ΔUA–GalA:GalA ratio from ripe dates was roughly 1:20 (mol mol^–1), indicating that approx. 5 % of the bonds in endogenous homogalacturonan had been cleaved by in-vivo PL action.ConclusionsThe results provide the first demonstration that PL, previously known from studies of fruit gene expression, proteomic studies and in-vitro enzyme activity, exhibits enzyme action in the walls of soft fruits and may thus be proposed to contribute to fruit softening.     

Polymorphisms in CYP1B1, CYP3A5, GSTT1, and SULT1A1 Are Associated with Early Age Acute Leukemia

Based on observational studies, early age leukemia (EAL) was associated with maternal hormone exposure during pregnancy. We studied the association between genetic polymorphisms of estrogen metabolism and EAL. Using data from the Brazilian Collaborative Study Group of Infant Acute Leukemia (2000–2012), 350 cases and 404 age-matched controls and 134 mothers of cases and controls were genotyped to explore polymorphisms in genes of the estrogen metabolism pathway: CYP1B1 (c.1294C>G, rs1056836), CYP3A4 (c.-392A>G, rs2740574), CYP3A5 (c.219-237G>A, rs776746), GSTM1/GSTT1 deletions, and SULT1A1 (c.638G>A, rs9282861; and c.667A>G, rs1801030). Logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), and unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) by ethnicity. Because of multiple testing, p values < 0.01 were significant after Bonferroni correction. SULT1A1 (c.638G>A) was associated to infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) risk in males (additive model: aOR = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.29–0.95, p = 0.03; dominant model: aOR = 2.18; 95% CI: 1.17–4.05, p = 0.01, respectively). CYP1B1 polymorphism was associated with a decreased risk of AML either for non-white or female children (additive model: OR = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.08–0.76, p < 0.01; additive model: aOR = 0.27; 95% CI: 0.08–0.89, p = 0.03, respectively). Since polymorphisms of Cytochrome P450 genes presented gender-specific risk associations, we also investigated their expression. CYP1B1 was not expressed in 57.1% of EAL cases, and its expression varied by genotype, gender, and leukemia subtype. Maternal-fetal GSTT1 null genotype was associated with risk of EAL. This study shows that polymorphisms in genes of estrogen metabolism confer genetic susceptibility to EAL, mainly in males, and maternal susceptibility genes modify the risk for developing EAL in newborns.     

The T309G MDM2 Gene Polymorphism Is a Novel Risk Factor for Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is still the major cause of failure in retinal detachment (RD) surgery. It is believed that down-regulation in the p53 pathway could be an important key in PVR pathogenesis. The purpose was to evaluate the impact of T309G MDM2 polymorphism (rs2279744) in PVR. Distribution of T309G MDM2 genotypes among European subjects undergoing RD surgery was evaluated. Proportions of genotypes between subsamples from different countries were analyzed. Also, a genetic interaction between rs2279744 in MDM2 and rs1042522 in p53 gene was analyzed. Significant differences were observed comparing MDM2 genotype frequencies at position 309 of intron 1 between cases (GG: 21.6%, TG: 54.5%, TT: 23.8%) and controls (GG: 7.3%, TG: 43.9%, TT: 48.7%). The proportions of genotypes between sub-samples from different countries showed a significant difference. Distribution of GG genotype revealed differences in Spain (35.1–53.0)/(22.6–32.9), Portugal (39.0–74.4)/(21.4–38.9), Netherlands (40.6–66.3)/(25.3–38.8) and UK (37.5–62.4)/(23.3–34.2). The OR of G carriers in the global sample was 5.9 (95% CI: 3.2 to 11.2). The OR of G carriers from Spain and Portugal was 5.4 (95% CI: 2.2–12.7), whereas in the UK and the Netherlands was 7.3 (95% CI: 2.8–19.1). Results indicate that the G allele of rs2279744 is associated with a higher risk of developing PVR in patients undergoing a RD surgery. Further studies are necessary to understand the role of this SNP in the development of PVR.     

Herpes Simplex Virus 2 ICP0? Mutant Viruses Are Avirulent and Immunogenic: Implications for a Genital Herpes Vaccine

Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) ICP0 ⁻ mutants are interferon-sensitive, avirulent, and elicit protective immunity against HSV-1 (Virol J, 2006, 3:44). If an ICP0 ⁻ mutant of herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) exhibited similar properties, such a virus might be used to vaccinate against genital herpes. The current study was initiated to explore this possibility. Several HSV-2 ICP0 ⁻ mutant viruses were constructed and evaluated in terms of three parameters: i. interferon-sensitivity; ii. virulence in mice; and iii. capacity to elicit protective immunity against HSV-2. One ICP0 ⁻ mutant virus in particular, HSV-2 0ΔNLS, achieved an optimal balance between avirulence and immunogenicity. HSV-2 0ΔNLS was interferon-sensitive in cultured cells. HSV-2 0ΔNLS replicated to low levels in the eyes of inoculated mice, but was rapidly repressed by an innate, Stat 1-dependent host immune response. HSV-2 0ΔNLS failed to spread from sites of inoculation, and hence produced only inapparent infections. Mice inoculated with HSV-2 0ΔNLS consistently mounted an HSV-specific IgG antibody response, and were consistently protected against lethal challenge with wild-type HSV-2. Based on their avirulence and immunogenicity, we propose that HSV-2 ICP0 ⁻ mutant viruses merit consideration for their potential to prevent the spread of HSV-2 and genital herpes.     

Natural and synthetic diastereoisomeric (?)-3′,4′,7-trihydroxyflavan-3,4-diols

1. Rhodesian copalwood (Guibourtia coleosperma) contains three diastereo-isomeric leuco-fisetinidins. These consist of the (−)-2,3-cis–3,4-cis (2R,3R,4R) and (−)-2,3-cis–3,4-trans (2R,3R,4S) 3′,4′,7-trihydroxyflavan-3,4-diols, and the third was shown to be a 2,3-trans–3,4-cis isomer by means of paper ionophoresis. 2. There occurrence in similar proportions as tannin precursors also in the tropical hardwoods G. tessmannii and G. demeusii implies a close taxonomic relationship between these, and with G. coleosperma. 3. Epimerization of the natural (−)-3′,4′,7- trihydroxy-2,3-trans-flavan-3,4-trans-diol affords a mixture from which the (−)-2,3-cis–3,4-cis isomer was separated readily, but the (−)-2,3-trans–3,4-cis isomer was obtained with difficulty. These were formed by epimerization of the (−)-2,3-trans–3,4-trans isomer at C-2 and C-4, and at C-4, respectively.     

Function of Interfacial Prolines at the Transmitter-binding Sites of the Neuromuscular Acetylcholine Receptor

The neuromuscular acetylcholine (ACh) receptor has two conserved prolines in loop D of the complementary subunit at each of its two transmitter-binding sites (α-ϵ and α-δ). We used single-channel electrophysiology to estimate the energy changes caused by mutations of these prolines with regard to unliganded gating (ΔG₀) and the affinity change for ACh that increases the open channel probability (ΔG_B). The effects of mutations of ProD2 (ϵPro-121/δPro-123) were greater than those of its neighbor (ϵPro-120/δPro-122) and were greater at α-ϵ versus α-δ. The main consequence of the congenital myasthenic syndrome mutation ϵProD2-L was to impair the establishment of a high affinity for ACh and thus make ΔG_B less favorable. At both binding sites, most ProD2 mutations decreased constitutive activity (increased ΔG₀). LRYHQG and RL substitutions reduced substantially the net binding energy (made ΔG_B^ACh less favorable) by ≥2 kcal/mol at α-ϵ and α-δ, respectively. Mutant cycle analyses were used to estimate energy coupling between the two ProD2 residues and between each ProD2 and glycine residues (αGly-147 and αGly-153) on the primary (α subunit) side of each binding pocket. The distant binding site prolines interact weakly. ProD2 interacts strongly with αGly-147 but only at α-ϵ and only when ACh is present. The results suggest that in the low to-high affinity change there is a concerted inter-subunit strain in the backbones at ϵProD2 and αGly-147. It is possible to engineer receptors having a single functional binding site by using a α-ϵ or α-δ ProD2-R knock-out mutation. In adult-type ACh receptors, the energy from the affinity change for ACh is approximately the same at the two binding sites (approximately −5 kcal/mol).     

Dissection of Hexosyl- and Sialyltransferase Domains in the Bifunctional Capsule Polymerases from Neisseria meningitidis W and Y Defines a New Sialyltransferase Family

Crucial virulence determinants of disease causing Neisseria meningitidis species are their extracellular polysaccharide capsules. In the serogroups W and Y, these are heteropolymers of the repeating units (→6)-α-d-Gal-(1→4)-α-Neu5Ac-(2→)_n in NmW and (→6)-α-d-Glc-(1→4)-α-Neu5Ac-(2→)_n in NmY. The capsule polymerases, SiaD_W and SiaD_Y, which synthesize these highly unusual polymers, are composed of two predicted GT-B fold domains separated by a large stretch of amino acids (aa 399–762). We recently showed that residues critical to the hexosyl- and sialyltransferase activity are found in the predicted N-terminal (aa 1–398) and C-terminal (aa 763–1037) GT-B fold domains, respectively. Here we use a mutational approach and synthetic fluorescent substrates to define the boundaries of the hexosyl- and sialyltransferase domains. Our results reveal that the active sialyltransferase domain extends well beyond the predicted C-terminal GT-B domain and defines a new glycosyltransferase family, GT97, in CAZy (Carbohydrate-Active enZYmes Database).     

Pan-HSV-2 IgG Antibody in Vaccinated Mice and Guinea Pigs Correlates with Protection against Herpes Simplex Virus 2

We lack a correlate of immunity to herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) that may be used to differentiate whether a HSV-2 vaccine elicits robust or anemic protection against genital herpes. This gap in knowledge is often attributed to a failure to measure the correct component of the adaptive immune response to HSV-2. However, efforts to identify a correlate of immunity have focused on subunit vaccines that contain less than 3% of HSV-2''s 40,000-amino-acid proteome. We were interested to determine if a correlate of immunity might be more readily identified if 1. animals were immunized with a polyvalent immunogen such as a live virus and/or 2. the magnitude of the vaccine-induced immune response was gauged in terms of the IgG antibody response to all of HSV-2''s antigens (pan-HSV-2 IgG). Pre-challenge pan-HSV-2 IgG levels and protection against HSV-2 were compared in mice and/or guinea pigs immunized with a gD-2 subunit vaccine, wild-type HSV-2, or one of several attenuated HSV-2 ICP0 ⁻ viruses (0Δ254, 0Δ810, 0ΔRING, or 0ΔNLS). These six HSV-2 immunogens elicited a wide range of pan-HSV-2 IgG levels spanning an ∼500-fold range. For 5 of the 6 immunogens tested, pre-challenge levels of pan-HSV-2 IgG quantitatively correlated with reductions in HSV-2 challenge virus shedding and increased survival frequency following HSV-2 challenge. Collectively, the results suggest that pan-HSV-2 IgG levels may provide a simple and useful screening tool for evaluating the potential of a HSV-2 vaccine candidate to elicit protection against HSV-2 genital herpes.     

Structure and Biosynthesis of Two Exopolysaccharides Produced by Lactobacillus johnsonii FI9785

Exopolysaccharides were isolated and purified from Lactobacillus johnsonii FI9785, which has previously been shown to act as a competitive exclusion agent to control Clostridium perfringens in poultry. Structural analysis by NMR spectroscopy revealed that L. johnsonii FI9785 can produce two types of exopolysaccharide: EPS-1 is a branched dextran with the unusual feature that every backbone residue is substituted with a 2-linked glucose unit, and EPS-2 was shown to have a repeating unit with the following structure: -6)-α-Glcp-(1–3)-β-Glcp-(1–5)-β-Galf-(1–6)-α-Glcp-(1–4)-β-Galp-(1–4)-β-Glcp-(1-. Sites on both polysaccharides were partially occupied by substituent groups: 1-phosphoglycerol and O-acetyl groups in EPS-1 and a single O-acetyl group in EPS-2. Analysis of a deletion mutant (ΔepsE) lacking the putative priming glycosyltransferase gene located within a predicted eps gene cluster revealed that the mutant could produce EPS-1 but not EPS-2, indicating that epsE is essential for the biosynthesis of EPS-2. Atomic force microscopy confirmed the localization of galactose residues on the exterior of wild type cells and their absence in the ΔepsE mutant. EPS2 was found to adopt a random coil structural conformation. Deletion of the entire 14-kb eps cluster resulted in an acapsular mutant phenotype that was not able to produce either EPS-2 or EPS-1. Alterations in the cell surface properties of the EPS-specific mutants were demonstrated by differences in binding of an anti-wild type L. johnsonii antibody. These findings provide insights into the biosynthesis and structures of novel exopolysaccharides produced by L. johnsonii FI9785, which are likely to play an important role in biofilm formation, protection against harsh environment of the gut, and colonization of the host.     

A Novel Transition-state Analogue for Lysozyme, 4-O-β-Tri-N-acetylchitotriosyl Moranoline,Provided Evidence Supporting the Covalent Glycosyl-enzyme Intermediate

4-O-β-Di-N-acetylchitobiosyl moranoline (2) and 4-O-β-tri-N-acetylchitotriosyl moranoline (3) were produced by lysozyme-mediated transglycosylation from the substrates tetra-N-acetylchitotetraose, (GlcNAc)₄, and moranoline, and the binding modes of 2 and 3 to hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) was examined by inhibition kinetics, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), and x-ray crystallography. Compounds 2 and 3 specifically bound to HEWL, acting as competitive inhibitors with K_i values of 2.01 × 10⁻⁵ and 1.84 × 10⁻⁶ m, respectively. From ITC analysis, the binding of 3 was found to be driven by favorable enthalpy change (ΔH_r°), which is similar to those obtained for 2 and (GlcNAc)₄. However, the entropy loss (−TΔS_r°) for the binding of 3 was smaller than those of 2 and (GlcNAc)₄. Thus the binding of 3 was found to be more favorable than those of the others. Judging from the K_d value of 3 (760 nm), the compound appears to have the highest affinity among the lysozyme inhibitors identified to date. X-ray crystal structure of HEWL in a complex with 3 showed that compound 3 binds to subsites −4 to −1 and the moranoline moiety adopts an undistorted ⁴C₁ chair conformation almost overlapping with the −1 sugar covalently bound to Asp-52 of HEWL (Vocadlo, Davies, G. J., Laine, R., and Withers, S. G. (2001) Nature 412, 835–838). From these results, we concluded that compound 3 serves as a transition-state analogue for lysozyme providing additional evidence supporting the covalent glycosyl-enzyme intermediate in the catalytic reaction.     

THE COUPLED REDOX POTENTIAL OF THE LACTATE-ENZYME-PYRUVATE SYSTEM

1. The term "coupled redox potential" is defined. 2. The system lactic ion See PDF for Equation pyruvic ion + 2H⁺ + 2e is shown to be reversible (when the enzyme is lactic acid dehydrogenase) and its coupled redox potential between pH 5.2 and 7.2 at 32°C. is: See PDF for Equation 3. The free energy of the reaction: lactic ion (1m) → pyruvic ion (1m) = -ΔF = –14,572. 4. The standard free energy of formation (ΔF ₂₉₈) of pyruvic acid (l) is estimated at –108,127. This is merely an approximation as some necessary data are lacking. 5. The importance of coupled redox potentials as a factor in the regulation of the equilibrium of metabolites is indicated.     

Modulation of telomere terminal structure by telomerase components in Candida albicans

The telomerase ribonucleoprotein in Candida albicans is presumed to contain at least three Est proteins: CaEst1p, CaEst2p/TERT and CaEst3p. We constructed mutants missing each of the protein subunit of telomerase and analyzed overall telomere dynamics and single-stranded telomere overhangs over the course of many generations. The est1-ΔΔ mutant manifested abrupt telomere loss and recovery, consistent with heightened recombination. Both the est2-ΔΔ and est3-ΔΔ mutant exhibited progressive telomere loss, followed by the gradual emergence of survivors with long telomeres. In no case was telomere loss accompanied by severe growth defects, suggesting that cells with short telomeres can continue to proliferate. Furthermore, the amount of G-strand terminal overhangs was greatly increased in the est2-ΔΔ mutant, but not others. Our results suggest that in addition to their well-characterized function in telomere elongation, both CaEst1p and CaEst2p mediate some aspects of telomere protection in Candida, with the former suppressing excessive recombination, and the latter preventing excessive C-strand degradation.