褐腐真菌产生的羟基自由基HO˙对纤维素作用的研究*

由褐腐真菌的典型菌株——密粘褶菌Gloeophyllum trabeum的胞外培养液中分离纯化得到一能还原Fe3+,产生羟基自由基HO˙的多肽组分(称作Gt因子)。 采用HO˙特异性的抑制剂硫脲,对Gt因子产生的HO˙在纤维素降解中的作用进行了对照研究,结果表明Gt因子及其产生的HO˙在纤维素降解中起着重要的作用,为褐腐菌HO˙氧化降解纤维素机制假说的确立提供了一些依据。     

Formation of hydroxyl radicals by irradiated 1-nitronaphthalene (1NN): oxidation of hydroxyl ions and water by the 1NN triplet state

The excited triplet state of 1-nitronaphthalene ((3)1NN*) reacts with OH(-) with a second-order reaction rate constant of (1.66 ± 0.08)×10(7) M(-1) s(-1) (μ±σ). The reaction yields the ˙OH radical and the radical anion 1NN(-)˙. In aerated solution, the radical 1NN(-)˙ would react with O(2) to finally produce H(2)O(2) upon hydroperoxide/superoxide disproportionation. The photolysis of H(2)O(2) is another potential source of ˙OH, but such a pathway would be a minor one in circumneutral (pH 6.5) or in basic solution ([OH(-)] = 0.3-0.5 M). The oxidation of H(2)O by (3)1NN*, with rate constant 3.8 ± 0.3 M(-1) s(-1), could be the main ˙OH source at pH 6.5.     

HPLC-MS aided PC12 cell systems: to quantitatively monitor the conversion of nitronyl nitroxide in biological systems with and without NO

Nitronyl nitroxides are capable of preventing cells, tissues, and organs from radical-induced damage through scavenging NO˙, ˙O(2)(-) and ˙OH. In order to explore the conversions of nitronyl nitroxides in biological systems with and without NO˙, HPLC-MS aided PC12 cell systems were developed, and the conversions of 2-(3'-nitrophenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline-1-oxyl -3-oxide (3-nitro-PTIO), 1-oxyl-2-(3'-nitrophenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline (3-nitro-PTI), and 1-hydroxyl-2-(3'-nitrophenyl)-4,4,5,5-tetramethylimidazoline (3-nitro-PTIH) were quantitatively monitored. In these systems 3-nitro-PTIO and 3-nitro-PTI were time-dependently converted to 3-nitro-PTIH, while no conversion of 3-nitro-PTIH was detected. Free radical NO˙ donors (sodium nitroprusside, SNP) accelerated the conversions, but had no effect upon the conversion product. In the in vitro and in vivo assays the 3-nitro-PTIH treated cells and mice exhibited no toxic response.     

Cross-linking of myosin subfragment 1 and heavy meromyosin by use of vanadate and a bis(adenosine 5'-triphosphate) analogue

The synthesis of a divalent ATP analogue [3,3'-dithiobis[3'(2')-O-[6-(propionylamino)hexanoyl]adenosine 5'-triphosphate] (bis22ATP)] is described in which two molecules of ATP are linked via esterification of their 3'(2')-hydroxyls to the linear dicarboxylic acid 3,3'-dithiobis[N-(5-carboxypentyl)-propionamide] [[HO2C(CH2)5NHC(O)(CH2)2S-]2]. This linkage introduces 22 atoms (a maximum of approximately 2.8 nm) between the ribose oxygens of two ATP molecules. Myosin subfragment 1 (SF1) or heavy meromyosin (HMM) readily cleave bis22ATP to bis22ADP. Upon subsequent addition of excess vanadate ion, both enzymes are rapidly inactivated by formation of a stable vanadate-bis22ADP complex at the active site. By adjustment of the reaction conditions, dimers of SF1 or HMM, both cross-linked with bis22ADP-vanadate, could be prepared. Dimers of SF1 could be separated from monomers by sucrose gradient centrifugation but not by gel filtration. These observations imply that the average Stokes radius of the dimer approximates that of the monomer, a result predicted only for monomers linked approximately side by side. Conversely, dimers of HMM were separated from HMM monomers by gel filtration, reflecting an increase in their Stokes radii. This increase, however, prevented resolution of HMM dimers from monomers by sucrose gradient centrifugation. These results and the molecular dimensions of bis22ATP suggest that the 3'-(2')-hydroxyl of ATP is no more than 1.3 nm from the surface of myosin and suggest further in the simplest interpretation that the active site is most likely located near the middle of the heads of myosin. Analytical sedimentation velocity experiments were performed in order to compare the sedimentation coefficient (s0(20),w) of the SF1 dimer formed by cross-linking to values predicted from ellipsoidal models of the dimer. The observed s0(20),w of the dimer was much closer to the range predicted for a side-to-side arrangement of SF1 monomers than the range predicted for two monomers linked end to end, a result consistent with the active site location suggested above. During the course of these experiments, unmodified SF1 was used as a control, and its sedimentation behavior was reexamined. We have corroborated the finding that the s0(20),w displayed by SF1 can be affected to a limited extent by the particular experimental parameters employed during centrifugation [Morel, J. E., & Garrigos, M. (1982) Biochemistry 21, 2679-2686].(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Comparison of the dark and light-induced toxicity of thio and seleno analogues of the thiopyrylium dye AA1

2,6-Bis(4-anilino)-4-(4-N,N-dimethylanilino)thiopyrylium chloride (AA1) and -selenopyrylium chloride (AA1-Se) and 2,6-bis(4-anilino)-4-(4-N-morpholinophenyl)thiopyrylium chloride (1) and -selenopyrylium chloride (2) were prepared via the addition of 4-N,N-dimethylanilino magnesium bromide and 4-N-morpholinophenyl magnesium bromide to chalcogenopyranones 3 followed by treatment with HCl gas then water. Cellular uptake of these dyes varied from 12+/-3fmol/cell for AA1 to 150+/-40 fmol/cell for AA1-Se. upon exposure to 5 x 10(-5) M solutions of the dyes for 3 h. Exposure of cell cultures to 1.8 J/cm2) of 360-750-nm light following incubation with 1 x 10(-6) M of either AA1, 1, or 2 for 24h resulted in no significant additional phototoxicity while AA1-Se showed a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in cell viability from 81% to 46%. Thiopyrylium dyes AA1 and 1 showed significant dark toxicity relative to selenopyrylium dyes AA1-Se and 2, respectively. AA1 was the only one of the four dyes to show inhibition of whole-cell mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase activity in the dark. Irradiation of whole cells or mitochondrial suspensions treated with AA1, AA1-Se, or 2 gave inhibition of mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase activity. Studies of JC-1-efflux indicated that all four cationic dyes accelerated the loss of JC-1 from the mitochondria, which suggests that all four dyes target the mitochondria.     

Romanowsky dyes and Romanowsky-Giemsa effect. 2. Eosin Y, erythrosin B, tetrachlorofluorescein, spectroscopic characterization of pure dyes, association of eosin Y

Analytically pure samples of the Romanowsky dyes eosin y, erythrosin b and tetrachlorofluorescein are prepared. DC of the dye samples shows no contaminations. We measured the absorption spectra of the dye dianions in alkaline aqueous solution and of the dye acids in 95% ethanol at very low dye concentrations. The molar extinction coefficients of the long wavelength absorption of the monomeric dye species are determined (Table 1). The extinction coefficients may be used for standardisation of dye samples. The absorption spectra of eosin y in aqueous solution are dependent on concentration. Using a new very sensitive method it was possible to identify two association equilibria from the concentration dependency of the spectra. Dimers are formed even in very dilute solutions, at higher concentrations tetramers. The dissociation constant of the dimers D in monomers M at 293 K, pH = 12, is K21 = 2,9 X 10(-5) M; of the tetramers Q in dimers D K42 = 2,4 X 10(-3) M. From the experimental spectra of eosin solutions at various concentrations, pH = 12, and the equilibrium constants K21, K42 the absorption spectra of the pure monomers, dimers and tetramers are calculated. M has one long wavelength absorption band, VM = 19300 cm-1, epsilon M = 1,03 X 10(5) M-1 cm-1; D also one absorption band, VD = 19300 cm-1, epsilon D = 1,74 X 10(5) M-1 cm-1; Q two absorption bands, VQ1 = 19100, VQ2 = 20200 cm-1, epsilon Q1 = 1,65 X 10(5), epsilon Q2 = 1,96 X 10(5) M-1 cm-1. The absorption spectrum of the dimers is discussed by quantum mechanics.     

Dissociation and in vitro reconstitution of bovine liver uridine diphosphoglucose dehydrogenase. The paired subunit nature of the enzyme

Uridine diphosphoglucose dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.22: UDPglucose dehydrogenase) at pH 5.5-7.8 is a stable homohexamer of 305 +/- 7 kDa that does not undergo concentration-dependent dissociation at enzyme concentrations greater than 5 micrograms/mL. Chemical cross-linking of the native enzyme at varying glutaraldehyde concentrations yields dimers, tetramers, and hexamers; at greater than 2% (w/v) glutaraldehyde, plateau values of 21% monomers, 16% dimers, 5% tetramers, and 58% hexamers are obtained. Dissociation at acid pH (pH 2.3) or in 4-6 M guanidine hydrochloride leads to inactive monomers (Mr 52,000). Denaturation at increasing guanidine hydrochloride concentration reveals separable unfolding steps suggesting the typical domain structure of dehydrogenases holds for the present enzyme. At greater than 4 M guanidine hydrochloride complete randomization of the polypeptide chains is observed after 10-min denaturation. Reconstitution of the native hexamer after dissociation/denaturation has been monitored by reactivation and glutaraldehyde fixation. The kinetics may be described in terms of a sequential uni-bimolecular model, governed by rate-determining folding and association steps at the monomer level. Trimeric intermediates do not appear in significant amounts. Reactivation is found to parallel hexamer formation. Structural changes during reconstitution (monitored by circular dichroism) are characterized by complex kinetics, indicating the rapid formation of "structured monomers" (with most of the native secondary structure) followed by slow "reshuffling" prior to subunit association. The final product of reconstitution is indistinguishable from the initial native enzyme.     

Hydrophobic acridine dyes for fluorescence staining of mitochondria in living cells. 1.Thermodynamic and spectroscopic properties of 10-n-alkylacridine orange chlorides

10-n-Alkyl-acridine-orange-chlorides (alkyl-AOs) are excellent dyes for fluorescence staining of mitochondria in living cells. The thermodynamic and spectroscopic properties of the series alkyl = methyl to nonyl have been investigated. The dyes form dimers in aqueous solution. The dimerisation is mainly a consequence of the hydrophobic interaction. The dissociation constant K respectively association constant K-1 of the dimers describes the hydrophobic interaction and therefore the hydrophobic properties of the dye cations. The dissociation constant K = K0 at the standard temperature T = 298 K has been determined spectroscopically in aqueous solution. It depends on the length of the alkyl residue n-CmH2m + 1 (m = 1 - 9) (Table 2). In addition the standard dissociation enthalpies (energies) delta H0 and dissociation entropies delta S0 have been determined from the temperature dependence of K (Table 2). With increasing chain length m the thermodynamic parameters K0, delta H0, delta S0 decrease. Therefore with growing m the dimers are stabilized. This stabilization is an entropic effect which is diminished by the energetic effect. The change of the thermodynamic parameters with m is in agreement with the concept of hydrophobic interaction and the stabilization of water structure in the surroundings of hydrophobic residues. As one would expect nonyl-AO is the most hydrophobic dye of the series. As an example the spectroscopic properties of nonyl-AO have been determined. We measured the absorption, luminescence and polarization spectra in rigid ethanol at 77 K. Under these conditions alkyl-AOs associate like dyes in Water at room temperature. The spectra depend on the concentration of the solution. In very dilute solution we observe mainly the spectra of the monomers M, in concentrated solution the spectra of the dimers D. The spectra of M and D are characteristically different. The monomers have one long wave length absorption M1 = 20.000 cm-1 with resonance fluorescence. In addition there is a long living phosphorescence at 16.600 cm-1. Its polarization is nearly perpendicular to the plane of the AO residue. The dimers have two long wave length absorption bands D1 = 18.700 and D2 = 21.200 cm-1 with very different intensities. D1 has very low intensity and is forbitten, D2 is allowed. D1 shows fluorescence. Phosphorescence has not been observed. D1, D2 and also M1 are polarized in the plane of the AO residue. At short wave length absorption and polarization spectra are very similar. From the spectra we constructed the energy level diagram of M and D (Fig. 9). The first excited state of M splits in D in two levels. The level splitting and the transition i     

Triiodothyronamine--a beta-adrenergic metabolite of triiodothyronine?

Triiodothyronamine (Triam) is a potential metabolite of triidothyronine (T3), resulting from decarboxylation of the side-chain. In an attempt to elucidate the physiological properties of Triam we have investigated the binding of Triam to beta-adrenergic receptors, using turkey-erythrocytes and performing binding studies with ( (-)(3H)-dihydroalprenolol) ( (-)(3H)-DHA) as a specific beta-adrenergic ligand. The inhibition constant Ki for Triam was determined as 5 X 10(-6) M, compared to dopamine (Ki = 1,3 X 10(-2) M), norepinephrine (Ki = 3 X 10(-4) M), epinephrine (Ki = 5 X 10(-5) M) and isoproterenol (Ki = 3 X 10(-6) M). The inhibition of ( (-)(3H)-DHA)-binding by Triam was further compared with other iodothyronines thyroxine (T4), T3, 3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (rT3) and 3,3'-diiodothyronine (3,3'-T2). It is concluded that Triam binds to beta-adrenergic receptors like naturally occurring amines but different from typical circulating iodothyronines.     

Nitric oxide and cancer: the emerging role of S-nitrosylation

Nitric oxide (NO˙) is a short-lived, endogenously produced gas that is highly diffusible across cell membranes and acts as a signaling molecule in the body. The redox state and chemistry of NO˙ facilitate its interaction with various proteins thus regulating various intracellular and intercellular events. One of the key mechanisms by which NO˙ regulates the function of various target proteins is through the coupling of a nitroso moiety from NO-derived metabolites to a reactive cysteine leading to the formation of a S-nitrosothiol (SNO), a process commonly known as S-nitrosylation. S-nitrosylation signaling events within the cell have led to the discovery of many other physiological functions of NO˙ in many other types of cells including cancer cells. Only recently are the diverse roles of S-nitrosylation in cancer beginning to be understood. In the present review we discuss the recent evidence for the diverse roles of NO˙/SNO-related mechanisms in cancer biology and therapy, including the participation of NO˙ in the pathogenesis of cancer, its duality in protecting against or inducing cancer cell death and the contribution of NO˙ to metastatic processes. In addition, NO˙ can be therapeutically used in the reversal of tumor cell resistance to cytotoxic drugs and as a sensitizing agent to chemo- and radiotherapy. Finally, recent studies providing evidence for NO-related mechanisms of epigenetic gene expression regulation will also be discussed. Undoubtedly, new exciting results will contribute to this rapidly expanding area of cancer research.     

Increased tryptophan decarboxylase and monoamine oxidase activities induce Sekiguchi lesion formation in rice infected with Magnaporthe grisea

Sekiguchi lesion (sl)-mutant rice infected with Magnaporthe grisea showed increased light-dependent tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) activities. TDC and MAO activities were observed before the penetration of M. grisea to rice cells and maintained high levels even after Sekiguchi lesion formation. Light-dependent expression of TDC gene was observed in leaves inoculated with M. grisea before Sekiguchi lesion formation. Spore germination fluid (SGF) of M. grisea also induced Sekiguchi lesion formation accompanied by increased enzymes activities and tryptamine accumulation. Sekiguchi lesion was also induced by treatments with tryptamine and beta-phenylethylamine, which are substrates for MAO, but was not induced by non-substrates such as indole-3-propionic acid, (+/-)-phenylethylamine and tryptophan under light. Light-dependent induction of Sekiguchi lesion by tryptamine was significantly inhibited in the presence of MAO inhibitors, metalaxyl and semicarbazide, and H2O2-scavengers, ascorbic acid and catalase. H2O2 in M. grisea-infected leaves with and without Sekiguchi lesions was demonstrated directly in situ by strong 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB) staining. On the other hand, H2O2 induced Sekiguchi lesions on leaves of cv. Sekiguchi-asahi under light, but not in darkness. This difference was associated with the decrease of catalase activity in infected leaves under light and the absence of decrease in darkness. We hypothesize that the H2O2-induced breakdown of cellular organelles such as chloroplasts and mitochondria in mesophyll cells may cause high TDC and MAO activities and the development of Sekiguchi lesion, and that the sl gene products in wild-type rice may function as a suppressor of organelle breakdown caused by chemical or environmental stress.     

Conformational changes of transcobalamin induced by aquocobalamin binding. Mechanism of substitution of the cobalt-coordinated group in the bound ligand

Binding of aquo-, cyano-, or azidocobalamin (Cbl.OH(2), Cbl.CN, and Cbl.N(3), respectively) to the recombinant human transcobalamin (TC) and haptocorrin from human plasma was investigated via stopped-flow spectroscopy. Association of cobalamins with haptocorrin always proceeded in one step. TC, however, displayed a certain selectivity for the ligands: Cbl.CN or Cbl.N(3) bound in one step with k(+1) = 1 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1) (20 degrees C), whereas binding of Cbl.OH(2) under the same conditions occurred in two steps with k(+1) = 3 x 10( 7) M(-1) s(-1) (E(a) = 30 kJ/mol) and k(+2) = 0.02 s(-1) (E(a) = 120 kJ/mol). The second step of Cbl.OH(2) binding was interpreted as a transformation of the initial "open" intermediate TC.Cbl.OH(2) to the "closed" conformation TC(Cbl) with displaced water. The backward transition from the closed to the open conformation was the reason for the identical rate-limiting steps during substitution of H(2)O in TC.Cbl.OH(2) for cyanide or azide according to the reaction TC(Cbl) --> TC.Cbl.OH(2) + CN(-)/N(3)(-). The cyano and azido forms of holo-TC which were produced behaved as the open proteins. Different conformations of holo-TC, determined by the nature of the active group in the bound Cbl, may direct transportation of cobalamins in the organism.     

The ecto-5'-nucleotidase subunits in dimers are not linked by disulfide bridges but by non-covalent bonds

It has long been considered that ecto-5'-nucleotidase (eNT) dimers consist of subunits linked by disulfide bonds. Hydrophilic (6.7S) and amphiphilic (4.0S) dimers were separated by sedimentation analysis of eNT purified from bull seminal plasma. Hydrophilic (4. 2S) and amphiphilic (2.6S) eNT monomers were obtained after reduction of disulfide bonds in dimers. The amphiphilic eNT dimers or monomers were converted into their hydrophilic variants with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C. SDS-PAGE plus Western blot showed 68 kDa subunits, regardless of the addition of beta-mercaptoethanol to the SDS mixture. Active eNT monomers were obtained by addition of 1 M guanidinium chloride (Gdn) to dimers, and unfolded subunits by addition of 4 M Gdn. The results unambiguously demonstrate that the subunits in eNT dimers are not linked by disulfide bridges, but by non-covalent bonds, and that dissociation precedes inactivation and unfolding.     

Parallel and antiparallel dimers of magainin 2: their interaction with phospholipid membrane and antibacterial activity.

Magainin 2 (M2) forms pores by associating with several other M2 molecules in lipid membranes and shows antibacterial activity. To examine the effect of M2 dimerization on biological activity and membrane interaction, parallel and antiparallel M2 dimers were prepared from two monomeric precursors. Antibacterial and haemolytic activities were enhanced by dimerization. CD measurements showed that both dimers and monomers have an alpha-helical structure in the presence of lipid vesicles. Tryptophan fluorescence shift and KI quenching studies showed that all the peptides were more deeply embedded in acidic liposomes than in neutral liposomes. Experiments on dye-leakage activity and membrane translocation of peptides suggest that dimers and monomers form pores through lipid membranes, although the pore formation may be accompanied by membrane disturbance. Although dimerization of M2 increased the interaction activity with lipid membranes, no appreciable difference between the activities of parallel and antiparallel M2 dimers was observed.     

Calcium triggers folding of lipoprotein lipase into active dimers

The active form of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is a noncovalent homodimer of 55-kDa subunits. The dimer is unstable and tends to undergo irreversible dissociation into inactive monomers. We noted that a preparation of such monomers slowly regained traces of activity under assay conditions with substrate, heparin, and serum or in cell culture medium containing serum. We therefore studied the refolding pathway of LPL after full denaturation in 6 M guanidinium chloride or after dissociation into monomers in 1 M guanidinium chloride. In crude systems, we identified serum as the factor promoting reactivation. Further investigations demonstrated that Ca2+ was the crucial component in serum for reactivation of LPL and that refolding involved at least two steps. Studies of far-UV circular dichroism, fluorescence, and proteolytic cleavage patterns showed that LPL started to refold from the C-terminal domain, independent of calcium. The first step was rapid and resulted in formation of an inactive monomer with a completely folded C-terminal domain, whereas the N-terminal domain was in the molten globule state. The second step was promoted by Ca2+ and converted LPL monomers from the molten globule state to dimerization-competent and more tightly folded monomers that rapidly formed active LPL dimers. The second step was slow, and it appears that proline isomerization (rather than dimerization as such) is rate-limiting. Inactive monomers isolated from human tissue recovered activity under the influence of Ca2+. We speculate that Ca2+-dependent control of LPL dimerization might be involved in the normal post-translational regulation of LPL activity.     

Homologous expression of the nrdF gene of Corynebacterium ammoniagenes strain ATCC 6872 generates a manganese-metallocofactor (R2F) and a stable tyrosyl radical (Y˙) involved in ribonucleotide reduction

Ribonucleotide reduction, the unique step in the pathway to DNA synthesis, is catalyzed by enzymes via radical-dependent redox chemistry involving an array of diverse metallocofactors. The nucleotide reduction gene (nrdF) encoding the metallocofactor containing small subunit (R2F) of the Corynebacterium ammoniagenes ribonucleotide reductase was reintroduced into strain C. ammoniagenes ATCC 6872. Efficient homologous expression from plasmid pOCA2 using the tac-promotor enabled purification of R2F to homogeneity. The chromatographic protocol provided native R2F with a high ratio of manganese to iron (30:1), high activity (69 μmol 2'-deoxyribonucleotide·mg?1 ·min?1) and distinct absorption at 408 nm, characteristic of a tyrosyl radical (Y˙), which is sensitive to the radical scavenger hydroxyurea. A novel enzyme assay revealed the direct involvement of Y˙ in ribonucleotide reduction because 0.2 nmol 2'-deoxyribonucleotide was formed, driven by 0.4 nmol Y˙ located on R2F. X-band electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy demonstrated a tyrosyl radical at an effective g-value of 2.004. Temperature dependent X/Q-band EPR studies revealed that this radical is coupled to a metallocofactor. Similarities of the native C. ammoniagenes ribonucleotide reductase to the in vitro activated Escherichia coli class Ib enzyme containing a dimanganese(III)-tyrosyl metallocofactor are discussed.     

Oxidation of Benzidine and Its Derivatives by Thyroid Peroxidase

Human thyroid peroxidase (hTPO) catalyzes a one-electron oxidation of benzidine derivatives by hydrogen peroxide through classical Chance mechanism. The complete reduction of peroxidase oxidation products by ascorbic acid with the regeneration of primary aminobiphenyls was observed only in the case of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB). The kinetic characteristics (k(cat) and K(m)) of benzidine (BD), 3,3'-dimethylbenzidine (o-tolidine), 3,3'-dimethoxybenzidine (o-dianisidine), and TMB oxidation at 25 degrees C in 0.05 M phosphate-citrate buffer, pH 5.5, catalyzed by hTPO and horseradish peroxidase (HPR) were determined. The effective K(m) values for aminobiphenyls oxidation by both peroxidases raise with the increase of number of methyl and methoxy substituents in the benzidine molecule. Efficiency of aminobiphenyls oxidation catalyzed by either hTPO or HRP increases with the number of substituents in 3, 3', 5, and 5' positions of the benzidine molecule, which is in accordance with redox potential values for the substrates studied. The efficiency of HRP in the oxidation of benzidine derivatives expressed as k(cat)/K(m) was about two orders of magnitude higher as compared with hTPO. Straight correlation between the carcinogenicity of aminobiphenyls and genotoxicity of their peroxidation products was shown by the electrophoresis detecting the formation of covalent DNA cross-linking.     

Rapid and sensitive colorimetric detection of ascorbic acid in food based on the intrinsic oxidase‐like activity of MnO2 nanosheets

In this paper, we report a colorimetric sensor for the rapid, selective detection of ascorbic acid (AA) in aqueous solutions. Single‐layered MnO₂ nanosheets were established as an artificial oxidase; consequently colorless 3,3´,5,5´‐tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) was oxidized to a blue product (oxTMB), with increase in absorbance at 650 nm. The absorbance of the reaction system decreased after introduction AA, which reduced MnO₂ into Mn²⁺. Under optimum conditions, a detection limit of 62.81 nM for AA in aqueous solutions could be achieved. The linear response range for AA was 0.25–30 μM with a correlation coefficient of 0.996. Importantly, the MnO₂ nanosheet–TMB chromogenic reaction exhibited great selectivity as there was no interference from other metal ions, amino acids and small biological molecules. The proposed colorimetric sensing of AA could be applied for fruit, juice and pharmaceutical samples. Moreover, the proposed sensor showed satisfying performance, including low cost, easy preparation, rapid detection, and good biocompatibility.     

Comparative studies of the antioxidant effects of a naturally occurring resveratrol analogue – <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-3,3′,5,5′-tetrahydroxy-4′-methoxystilbene and resveratrol – against oxidation and nitration of biomolecules in blood platelets

The action of two phenolic compounds isolated from the bark of Yucca schidigera: trans-3,3',5,5'-tetrahydroxy-4'-methoxystilbene and its analogue -- resveratrol (trans-3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene, present also in grapes and wine) on oxidative/nitrative stress induced by peroxynitrite (ONOO(-), which is strong physiological oxidant and inflammatory mediator) in human blood platelets was compared. The trans-3,3',5,5'-tetrahydroxy-4'-methoxystilbene, like resveratrol, significantly inhibited protein carbonylation and nitration (measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method) in the blood platelets treated with peroxynitrite (0.1 mM) and markedly reduced an oxidation of thiol groups of proteins (estimated with 5,5'-dithio-bis(2-nitro-benzoic acid)] or glutathione (measured by high performance liquid chromatography method) in these cells. The trans-3,3',5,5'-tetrahydroxy-4'-methoxystilbene, like resveratrol, also caused a distinct reduction of platelet lipid peroxidation induced by peroxynitrite. The obtained results indicate that in vitro trans-3,3',5,5'-tetrahydroxy-4'-methoxystilbene and resveratrol have very similar protective effects against peroxynitrite-induced oxidative/nitrative damage to the human platelet proteins and lipids. Moreover, trans-3,3',5,5'-tetrahydroxy-4'-methoxystilbene proved to be even more potent than resveratrol in antioxidative tests. We conclude that the novel tested phenolic compound -- trans-3,3',5,5'-tetrahydroxy-4'-methoxystilbene isolated from Y. schidigera bark possessing Generally Recognized As Safe label given by the Food and Drug Administration and allows their human dietary use -- seems to be a promising candidate for future evaluations of its antioxidative activity and may be a good candidate for scavenging peroxynitrite.