Fcgamma receptor IIA and IIIB polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to cerebral malaria

Human FcgammaRIIA and FcgammaRIIIB exhibit genetic polymorphisms, FcgammaRIIA-131H/R and FcgammaRIIIB-NA1/NA2, coding for different capacities for IgG binding and phagocytosis. Recently, FcgammaRIIA-131R was reported to be associated with protection against high-density Plasmodium falciparum infection in Kenya. Furthermore, FcgammaRIIIB-NA1/NA2 polymorphism was shown to influence FcgammaRIIA function in an allele-specific manner. In this study, we examined a possible association of FcgammaRIIA-131H/R and FcgammaRIIIB-NA1/NA2 polymorphisms with malaria severity in 107 cerebral malaria patients, 157 non-cerebral severe malaria patients, and 202 mild malaria controls living in northwest Thailand. This study reveals that, with the FcgammaRIIIB-NA2 allele, the FcgammaRIIA-131H/H genotype is associated with susceptibility to cerebral malaria (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.14-3.01; P=0.012), although these polymorphisms are not individually involved in the disease severity. Our results suggest that FcgammaRIIA-131H/R and FcgammaRIIIB-NA1/NA2 polymorphisms have an interactive effect on host defense against malaria infection.     

Oxidation of 1,4-alkanediols into γ-lactones via γ-lactols using Rhodococcus erythropolis as biocatalyst

Whole cells of Rhodococcus erythropolis DSM 44534 grown on ethanol, (R)- and (S)-1,2-propanediol were used for biotransformation of racemic 1,4-alkanediols into γ-lactones. The cells oxidized 1,4-decanediol (1a) and 1,4-nonanediol (2a) into the corresponding γ-lactones 5-hexyl-dihydro-2(3H)-furanone (γ-decalactone, 1c) and 5-pentyl-dihydro-2(3H)-furanone (γ-nonalactone, 2c), respectively, with an EE(R) of 40–75%. The transient formation of the γ-lactols 5-hexyl-tetrahydro-2-furanol (γ-decalactol, 1b) and 5-pentyl-tetrahydro-2-furanol (γ-nonalactol, 2b) as intermediates was observed by GC–MS. 1,4-Pentanediol (3a) was transformed into 5-methyl-dihydro-2(3H)-furanone (γ-valerolactone, 3c) whereas (R)- and (S)-2-methyl-1,4-butanediol (4a) was converted to the methyl-substituted γ-butyrolactones 4-methyl-dihydro-2(3H)-furanone (4c₁) and 3-methyl-dihydro-2(3H)-furanone (4c₂) in a ratio of 80:20 with a yield of 55%. Also cis-2-buten-1,4-diol (5a) was transformed resulting in the formation of 2(5H)-furanone (γ-crotonolactone, 5c). At the higher pH values of 8.8 the yield of lactone formed was improved; however, the enatiomeric excesses were slightly higher at the lower pH of 5.2.     

Anti-diabetic properties of the Canadian lowbush blueberry Vaccinium angustifolium Ait.

Incidence of type II diabetes is rapidly increasing worldwide. In order to identify complementary or alternative approaches to existing medications, we studied anti-diabetic properties of Vaccinium angustifolium Ait., a natural health product recommended for diabetes treatment in Canada. Ethanol extracts of root, stem, leaf, and fruit were tested at 12.5 μg/ml for anti-diabetic activity in peripheral tissues and pancreatic β cells using a variety of cell-based bioassays. Specifically, we assessed: (1) deoxyglucose uptake in differentiated C2C12 muscle cells and 3T3-L1 adipocytes; (2) glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) in β TC-tet pancreatic β cells; (3) β cell proliferation in β TC-tet cells; (4) lipid accumulation in differentiating 3T3-L1 cells; (5) protection against glucose toxicity in PC12 cells. Root, stem, and leaf extracts significantly enhanced glucose transport in C2C12 cells by 15–25% in presence and absence of insulin after 20 h of incubation; no enhancement resulted from a 1 h exposure. In 3T3 cells, only the root and stem extracts enhanced uptake, and this effect was greater after 1 h than after 20 h; uptake was increased by up to 75% in absence of insulin. GSIS was potentiated by a small amount in growth-arrested β TC-tet cells incubated overnight with leaf or stem extract. However, fruit extracts were found to increase ³H-thymidine incorporation in replicating β TC-tet cells by 2.8-fold. Lipid accumulation in differentiating 3T3-L1 cells was accelerated by root, stem, and leaf extracts by as much as 6.5-fold by the end of a 6-day period. Stem, leaf, and fruit extracts reduced apoptosis by 20–33% in PC12 cells exposed to elevated glucose for 96 h. These results demonstrate that V. angustifolium contains active principles with insulin-like and glitazone-like properties, while conferring protection against glucose toxicity. Enhancement of proliferation in β cells may represent another potential anti-diabetic property. Extracts of the Canadian blueberry thus show promise for use as a complementary anti-diabetic therapy.     

Calcium is required for the increase of dark respiration during diurnal nitrogen fixation by Synechococcus RF-1

Under 12/12 h light/dark cycles, 1 mM ethyleneglycol-bis-(β-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA, pH 8.0) added at the start of the dark period, inhibited the increase of dark respiration which was associated with nitrogen fixation in Synechococcus RF-1. Twenty-five millimolar NaNO₃ added 30 min before the start of dark period suppressed this respiratory increase. If 1.25 mM CaCl₂ was added to the EGTA-treated sample from 3 to at least 10 h later in the dark period, a quick rise in respiratory rate was observed. This rise was also reduced by 25 mM NaNO₃. Extracellular Ca²⁺ appears to be required for the increase in dark respiration associated with the rhythmic appearance of nitrogenase activity in the dark cycle.     

X-ray crystal structure of Cu2(medpco-2H)Cl2, (medpco = N,N′-bis(2-N,N-dimethylaminoethyl)pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide 1-oxide. Copper(II) complexes of a deprotonated binucleating pyridine N-oxide ligand

The X-ray structure is reported for the complex Cu₂(medpco-2H)Cl₂, (medpco = N,N′-bis-N,N-dimethylaminoethyl)pyridine-2,6-dicarboxamide 1-oxide. The complex is triclinic, , a=8.313(4), B=11.403(5), C=11.611(3) Å, =91.66(3), β=108.99(4), γ=109.60(3)° and Z=2. The deprotonated ligand (medpco-2H)²⁻ acts as a binulceating ligand, producing an N-oxide-bridged complex. Each copper in Cu₂(medpco-2H)Cl₂ is five-coordinate, being coordinated by a bridging N-oxide oxygen, a deprotonated amide nitrogen, a tertiary amine nitrogen and two bridging chlorides. The complex does not exhibit significant magnetic interaction, and this may be the result of distortion of the bridging geometry from planarity. A range of other, apparently N-oxide-bridged, complexes of the type Cu₂(medpco-2H)X₂ is reported. The complex Cu₂(medpco-2H)Br₂·H₂O is strongly antiferromagnetic, with magnetic data closely fitting the expected binuclear structure.     

Piezoelectric properties of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate and copolymers of β-hydroxybutyrate and β-hydroxyvalerate

The shear piezoelectricity was observed in oriented films of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) and copolymers of β-hydroxybutyrate (HB) and β-hydroxyvalerate (HV). The piezoelectric stress constant 3₁₄ = e′₁₄ − ie″₁₄ (polarization/strain), the piezoelectric strain constant d₁₄ = d′₁₄ − id″₁₄ (polarization/stress), the elastic constant c = c′ + ic″ and the dielectric constant = ′ − i″ were determined at a frequency of 10 Hz over a temperature range from −150° to +150°C. Piezoelectric relaxations as well as elastic and dielectric relaxations were clearly observed at the glass transition temperature of about 15°C. In order to evaluate the piezoelectric constants (e₂ and d₂) for the piezoelectric phase which consists of the crystalline region and the oriented non-crystalline region, a spherical dispersion two phase model was utilized. Assuming the appropriate fixed values for the elastic and dielectric constants in the piezoelectric phase, d₂ and d₂ were calculated as a function of temperature. For a PHB and a copolymer (17 HV/83 HB), e₂ and d₂ showed relaxations, leading to a conclusion that the instantaneous piezoelectric constant in the crystalline phase is constant independent of temperature but the piezoelectric constant in the oriented non-crystalline phase is relaxational and has the opposite sign. For a copolymer (25 HV/75 HB) and a chloroform treated copolymer (17 HV/83 HB), e₂ and d₂ were constant independent of temperature, indicating that the oriented non-crystalline phase has disappeared owing to the increased molecular flexibility due to copolymerization or annealing in chloroform vapour.     

Enzyme markers and isolation of the microvillar and perimicrovillar membranes of Dysdercus peruvianus (hemiptera: pyrrhocoridae) midgut cells

The midgut of Dysdercus peruvianus is divided into four sections (V₁-V₄). All the cells have microvilli ensheathed by a lipoprotein membrane (perimicrovillar membrane) extending toward the lumen as narrow tubes with dead ends. Subcellular fractionation of V₁ and V₂ tissue in isotonic and hypotonic conditions showed that -glucosidase is associated with membranous structures larger than those associated with β-glucosidase. The /β-glucosidase activity ratio is 34 ± 4 in V₁ tissue and 170 ± 10 in membranes recovered from the V₁ luminal contents. These membranes are resolved in sucrose gradients into low density (1.087 ± 0.001 g/cm³) -glucosidase-carrying membranes (/β-glucosidase activity ratio of 330±30) and high density (1.132 ± 0.002g/cm³) β-glucosidase-carrying-membranes. Low-density membranes have 1090 ± 60 μg lipid/mg protein and apparently are not contaminated by high-density ones (electron micrographs). SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed that membranes recovered from V₁ luminal contents are composed mainly of a-glucosidase-rich membranes. The data suggest that -glucosidase-rich membranes are perimicrovillar membranes which may be partly lost into luminal contents on dissection, with densities and lipid/protein ratios similar to that of myelin sheaths, in accordance with previous freeze-fracture data. β-Glucosidase-rich membranes are probably microvillar membranes with densities increased by the presence of associated portasomes.     

Hyperproduction of thermostable β-glucosidase by Sporotrichum (Chrysosporium) thermophile

The effect of the growth of temperature, pH, carbon source, nitrogen supplementation and inoculum size were examined in shake-flask-scale studies to determine the optimum conditions for β-glucosidases production by Sporotrichum (Chrysosporium) thermophile. Wheat bran and sugar-beet pulp were selected as the best carbon sources and (NH₄)₂SO₄, NH₄Cl and KNO₃ as the best nitrogen supplementation. Ten liter fermentations were carried out to study the kinetics of product formation. It was found that S. thermophile is able to produce high thermostable extracellular cellobiase and aryl-β-glucosidase. Very high aryl-β-glucosidase (PNPG) activities in the range from 30 to 40 U ml⁻¹ and cellobiase activities of 2,45 U ml⁻¹ in the 3-day batch fermentations were obtained. The K_m for aryl-β-glucosidase and its thermal properties were also estimated.     

Biotransformation of nitriles by Rhodococcus equi A4 immobilized in LentiKats

Whole cells of Rhodococcus equi A4, a producer of nitrile hydratase and amidase activities, were immobilized in lens-shaped hydrogel particles, LentiKats^®. The immobilized biocatalyst was applied to the biotransformation of benzonitrile, 3-cyanopyridine, (R,S)-3-hydroxy-2-methylenebutanenitrile and (R,S)-3-hydroxy-2-methylene-3-phenylpropanenitrile. The stability of the nitrile hydratase during the repeated use of the biocatalyst was dependent on the type of the substrate. The enzyme was most stable during the transformation of (R,S)-3-hydroxy-2-methylenebutanenitrile. No significant loss of the amidase activity was observed within the course of the biocatalytic reaction.     

Characterization of recombinant fusion constructs of human β1,4-galactosyltransferase 1 and the lipase pre-propeptide from Staphylococcus hyicus

The question whether proteins fused to β1,4galactosyltransferase (β4GalT-1) influence the biocatalytic properties of the glycosyltransferase has not been addressed so far. In the present study we have chosen a novel approach to express the gene encoding for human β4GalT-1 from placenta in an N-terminal fusion with the pre-propeptide of the lipase from Staphylococcus hyicus. The pre-propeptide provides a secretion signal in Escherichia coli and was reported to protect fused proteins against proteolytic degradation. Expression of the fusion protein was challenged with an almost full-length version of human β4GalT-1 including parts of the signal anchor and the stem region (propeptide-natβ4GalT-1) and the full catalytic domain (His₆propeptide-catβ4GalT-1), respectively. We demonstrate that the fusion protein in propeptide-natβ4GalT-1 is cleaved off during purification using immobilized metal ion chromatography IMAC, most probably catalyzed by the immobilized Zn²⁺ ions. Cleavage can be avoided by deletion of five C-terminal amino acids of the propeptide and the stem region yielding His₆propeptide-catβ4GalT-1. Kinetic data reveal that both enzyme constructs possess specific biocatalytic characteristics when compared to a recombinant luminal β4GalT-1 construct. The catalytic efficiency towards more hydrophobic acceptor glycosides, e.g. benzyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranoside and p-nitro phenyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-β-d-glucopyranoside, and the N-glycans of IgG from rat is significantly increased. In summary, the His₆propeptide-catβ4GalT-1 is very useful for biocatalytic applications involving hydrophobic acceptor glycosides and the propeptide-natβ4GalT-1 is able to glycosylate glycoproteins in an efficient way.     

Thermostability of β-xylosidase from Aspergillus sydowii MG49

Heating of Aspergillus β-xylosidase at 85°C ± 1°C and pH 5.5–6.0 (optimum for activity), causes irreversible, covalent thermoinactivation of the enzyme, involving oxidation of the thiol groups that are required for catalysis. Exogenous addition of cysteine, DTT, GSH and mercaptoethanol stabilizes the enzyme by extending its half-life. A similar effect is also exhibited by bivalent cations like Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, Ca²⁺and Zn²⁺ while, on the other hand Cu²⁺ accelerates thermoinactivation. Chemical modification of crude β-xylosidase with cross-linking agents like glutaraldehyde or covalent immobilization to a nonspecific protein like gelatin and BSA also enhances enzyme thermostability. These results suggest that addition of thiols and bivalent metal ions to a crude β-xylosidase preparation or immobilization/chemical modification enhances its thermal stability, thus preventing loss of catalytic activity at elevated temperatures.     

Biosynthetic studies of lactucin derivatives in hairy root cultures of Lactuca floridana

Biosynthetic studies of the guaianolide-type sesquiterpene lactones 11βH,13-dihydrolactucin-8-O-acetate and 8-desoxylactucin were performed in Agrobacterium rhizogenes—transformed hairy root cultures of blue-flowered lettuce, Lactuca floridana. The ¹³C NMR spectra of the two guaianolides labelled by incorporation of [1-¹³C], [2-¹³C], [1,2-¹³C₂]acetate and [2-¹³C]mevalolactone showed patterns of enrichment consistent with a previously proposed biogenetic pathway for guaianolide-type sesquiterpene lactones via the acetate-mevalonate-germacradiene route.     

Enzymatic production of γ-L-glutamyltaurine through the transpeptidation reaction of γ-glutamyltranspeptidase from Escherichia coli K-12

γ-L-Glutamyltaurine is a naturally occurring peptide and known to have several physiological functions in mammals. This paper describes a new method for the enzymatic production of γ-L-glutamyltaurine from L-glutamine and taurine through the transpeptidation reaction of γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (EC 2.3.2.2) of Escherichia coli K-12. The optimum conditions for the production of γ-L-glutamyltaurine were 200 mM L-glutamine, 200 mM taurine and 0.2 U/ml γ-glutamyltranspeptidase, pH 10, and 1-h incubation at 37°C. Forty-five mM γ-L-glutamyltaurine was obtained, the yield being 22.5%. γ-L-Glutamyltaurine was purified on Dowex 1 × 8 and C₁₈ columns, and identified by means of NMR and a polarimeter.     

IL2-330G polymorphic allele is associated with decreased risk of Helicobacter pylori infection in adulthood

We evaluated whether polymorphisms in genes coding molecules linked to the innate and adaptive immune response are associated with susceptibility to Helicobacter pylori infection. IL1B-511C → T, IL1B-31 T → C, IL1RN allele 2, IL2-330 T → G, TNFA-307 G → A, TLR2Arg677Trp, TLR2Arg753Gln, TLR4Asp299Gly, and TLR5^392STOP polymorphisms were determined in 541 blood donors. IL2-330 T → G allele carriers had a decreased H. pylori infection risk (OR = 0.63, 95% CI = 0.43–0.93) after adjustment for demographic and environmental factors. Hence, we investigated whether the polymorphism is functional by evaluating IL-2 serum concentration in 150 blood donors and 100 children. IL-2 pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory properties were indirectly investigated by determining serum IFN-γ and IL-10/TGF-β levels. The polymorphism was associated with increased mean IL-2 levels in H. pylori-positive adults (2.65 pg/mL vs. 7.78 pg/mL) and children (4.19 pg/mL vs. 8.03 pg/mL). Increased IL-2 was associated with pro-inflammatory activity in adults (IFN-γ = 18.61 pg/mL vs. 25.71 pg/mL), and with anti-inflammatory activity in children (IL-10 = 6.99 vs. 14.17 pg/mL, TGF-β = 45.88 vs. 93.44 pg/mL) (p < 10⁻³ for all). In conclusion, in the context of H. pylori infection, IL2-330 T → G polymorphism is functional and is associated with decreased risk of infection in adults.     

H NMR study of the interaction of N,N′,N″-triacetyl chitotriose with Ac-AMP2, a sugar binding antimicrobial protein isolated from Amaranthus caudatus

The interaction between Ac-AMP2, a lectin-like small protein with antimicrobial and antifungal activity isolated from Amaranthus caudatus, and N,N′,N″-triacetyl chitotriose was studied using ¹H NMR spectroscopy. Changes in chemical shift and line width upon increasing concentration of N,N′,N″-triacetyl chitotriose to Ac-AMP2 solutions at pH 6.9 and 2.4 were used to determine the interaction site and the association constant K_a. The most pronounced shifts occur mainly in the C-terminal half of the sequence. They involve the aromatic residues Phe¹⁸, Tyr²⁰ and Tyr²⁷ together with their surrounding residues, as well as the N-terminal Val-Gly-Glu segment. Several NOEs between Ac-AMP2 and the N,N′,N″-triacetyl chitotriose resonances are reported.     

Catalytic function and affinity purification of site-directed mutant β-cyclodextrin glucanotransferase from alkalophilic Bacillus firmus var. alkalophilus

Subsites −3 and −7 in the active site of β-cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (β-CGTase) from alkalophilic Bacillus firmus var. alkalophilus were modified through site-directed mutagenesis to obtain novel mutant CGTases. Four mutant CGTases, H59Q, Y96M, 90-PPI-92, and Δ(154–160) were constructed and produced using a recombinant E. coli with a secretive expression system extracellularly. The secreted mutant β-CGTases were purified by one-step affinity adsorption chromatography using a β-cyclodextrin (CD) polymer as an adsorbent to nearly homogeneous purity. The catalytic activities were modified significantly compared to the wild-type. In particular, the Y96M and Δ(154–160) mutants increased cyclization activity around 1.5 times without any significant reduction of coupling and hydrolyzing activities. Meanwhile, the Y96M and Δ(154–160) mutants exhibited a much higher conversion yield into CDs from 28.6 to 39% without any recognizable change in the CD ratio. The conversion yield into linear maltooligosaccharides was also significantly reduced. The catalytic functions of subsites −3 and −7 in the active site of β-CGTase would appear to be related to the overall productivity of CDs rather than the product specificity.     

The detection and characterization of G-proteins in the eyespot of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

The presence of G-proteins in the eyespot fraction of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is shown. This fraction is capable of binding (GTPγ[³⁵S], possesses the GTPase activity and interacts with antibodies raised against a highly conserved peptide of most G-proteins' -subunit. Cross-reaction with a 24-kDa protein is detected on immunoblots. Using an antiserum prepared from vertebrate β-subunit peptide, two additional proteins with apparent M_r 21 and 29 kDa could be revealed. The light-dependence of GTPase extraction from eyespot membranes is shown. The results make it possible to suggest the participation of G-proteins in the photosensory transduction chain of Ch. reinhardtii.     

Allelic variants interaction of CLOCK gene and G-protein beta3 subunit gene with diurnal preference

The 3111 C/T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the CLOCK gene and the 825C/T SNP in the G-protein β3 subunit gene (GNB3) have been reported to influence diurnal preference. This study has attempted to characterize the association between the CLOCK gene and GNB3 polymorphisms and diurnal preference in healthy Korean college students. All subjects completed the 13-item Composite Scale for Morningness (CSM). The interaction between the 3111 C/T SNP in the CLOCK gene and the 825 C/T SNP in the GNB3 gene significantly influenced diurnal preference, according to the CSM Performance subscore (F=10.94, p=0.001). However, when the different polymorphisms of the two genes were analyzed independently, no direct correlations with diurnal preference were detected. The CLOCK gene 3111 C/T SNP and GNB3 gene 825 C/T SNP were found to manifest a gene-gene interaction that affects diurnal preference.