α-d-Galactosidase immobilized on a soluble polymer

α-d-Galactosidase (α-d-galactoside galactohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.22) from green coffee beans has been immobilized by attachment to cyanogen bromide-activated Dextran T-70. Since this represents the first reported example of the preparation of a water-soluble derivative of an enzyme showing substrate inhibition, the kinetic properties, thermal stability and pH optima were investigated and compared with those of the free enzyme. The K_m, K_s, K_i, V_max, optimum substrate concentration and optimum pH were all lower than those of free enzyme. The enzyme conjugate showed greater resistance than the free enzyme to thermal inactivation. These data, although obtained with the synthetic substrate 4-nitrophenyl-α-d-galactoside, suggest some advantages in using the enzyme conjugate for the removal of terminal α-d-galactopyranosyl groups from the erythrocyte cell surface.     

α-Ketoglutarate dehydrogenase: a mitochondrial redox sensor

α-Ketoglutarate dehydrogenase (KGDH), a key regulatory enzyme within the Krebs cycle, is sensitive to mitochondrial redox status. Treatment of mitochondria with H?O? results in reversible inhibition of KGDH due to glutathionylation of the cofactor, lipoic acid. Upon consumption of H?O?, glutathione is removed by glutaredoxin restoring KGDH activity. Glutathionylation appears to be enzymatically catalysed or require a unique microenvironment. This may represent an antioxidant response, diminishing the flow of electrons to the respiratory chain and protecting sulphydryl residues from oxidative damage. KGDH is, however, also susceptible to oxidative damage. 4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), a lipid peroxidation product, reacts with lipoic acid resulting in enzyme inactivation. Evidence indicates that HNE modified lipoic acid is cleaved from KGDH, potentially the first step of a repair process. KGDH is therefore a likely redox sensor, reversibly altering metabolism to reduce oxidative damage and, under severe oxidative stress, acting as a sentinel of mitochondrial viability.     

Unusual oxidative transformations of a steroidal 16α,17α,22-triol

A number of unexpected reactions were observed during attempts to invert configuration at C16 in 16α,17α,22-triol 3a. The PDC oxidation of 3a produced the D-seco-aldehyde 4a. Analogous compound 4b was obtained by Swern oxidation of the 16α,17α-dihydroxy-22-O-TES-ether 3b in addition to the desired 16-ketone 7. The unprotected triol 3a yielded pentacyclic products 5 and 6 under similar conditions. The Mitsunobu reaction of the triol 3a afforded 16-ketone 8 with inverted configuration of the side chain. During heating of a solution of 3a in THF with NaH at reflux autoxidation to the 16-ketone cyclic hemiketal 5, identical to one of the Swern oxidation products, took place.     

α-Catenin uses a novel mechanism to activate vinculin

Vinculin, an actin-binding protein, is emerging as an important regulator of adherens junctions. In focal-adhesions, vinculin is activated by simultaneous binding of talin to its head domain and actin filaments to its tail domain. Talin is not present in adherens junctions. Consequently, the identity of the ligand that activates vinculin in cell-cell junctions is not known. Here we show that in the presence of F-actin, α-catenin, a cytoplasmic component of the cadherin adhesion complex, activates vinculin. Direct binding of α-catenin to vinculin is critical for this event because a point mutant (α-catenin L344P) lacking high affinity binding does not activate vinculin. Furthermore, unlike all known vinculin activators, α-catenin binds to and activates vinculin independently of an A50I substitution in the vinculin head, a mutation that inhibits vinculin binding to talin and IpaA. Collectively, these data suggest that α-catenin employs a novel mechanism to activate vinculin and may explain how vinculin is differentially recruited and/or activated in cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesions.     

SIRPα/CD172a regulates eosinophil homeostasis

Eosinophils are abundant in the lamina propria of the small intestine, but they rarely show degranulation in situ under steady-state conditions. In this study, using two novel mAbs, we found that intestinal eosinophils constitutively expressed a high level of an inhibitory receptor signal regulatory protein α (SIRPα)/CD172a and a low, but significant, level of a tetraspanin CD63, whose upregulation is closely associated with degranulation. Cross-linking SIRPα/CD172a on the surface of wild-type eosinophils significantly inhibited the release of eosinophil peroxidase induced by the calcium ionophore A23187, whereas this cross-linking effect was not observed in eosinophils isolated from mice expressing a mutated SIRPα/CD172a that lacks most of its cytoplasmic domain (SIRPα Cyto(-/-)). The SIRPα Cyto(-/-) eosinophils showed reduced viability, increased CD63 expression, and increased eosinophil peroxidase release with or without A23187 stimulation in vitro. In addition, SIRPα Cyto(-/-) mice showed increased frequencies of Annexin V-binding eosinophils and free MBP(+)CD63(+) extracellular granules, as well as increased tissue remodeling in the small intestine under steady-state conditions. Mice deficient in CD47, which is a ligand for SIRPα/CD172a, recapitulated these phenomena. Moreover, during Th2-biased inflammation, increased eosinophil cell death and degranulation were obvious in a number of tissues, including the small intestine, in the SIRPα Cyto(-/-) mice compared with wild-type mice. Collectively, our results indicated that SIRPα/CD172a regulates eosinophil homeostasis, probably by interacting with CD47, with substantial effects on eosinophil survival. Thus, SIRPα/CD172a is a potential therapeutic target for eosinophil-associated diseases.     

(S)-α-methyl,α-amino acids: a new stereocontrolled synthesis

A new and convenient stereocontrolled synthesis of the optically pure (S)-α-methyl,α-amino acids 6(a–d) that exploits the chiral synthon 1,4-N,N-[(S)-1-phenylethyl]-piperazine-2,5-dione (1) is described. The (S)-1-phenylethyl group, bonded to each of the N-atoms of the 2,5-diketopiperazine, acts as a chiral inductor in the first alkylation, while the steric hindrance appears to be the determining factor of stereocontrol in third and forth alkylation.     

Mir-26a调控子宫肌瘤中孕激素受体a(PRa)、雌激素受体α(ERα)的表达

目的:雌激素和孕激素在子宫肌瘤发病中起重要作用。但miRNA在子宫肌瘤发病中的作用还知之甚少,我们前期已证实mir-26a在子宫肌瘤中低表达,本实验进一步探讨mir-26a在体外对子宫肌瘤中孕激素受体a(PRa)、雌激素受体α(ERα)表达的调控。方法:利用TargetScan软件预测mir-26a的潜在靶基因,找出靶基因3'UTR区片段,插入PmirGLO绿色荧光蛋白编码区下游,构建报告基因载体,同时原代培养子宫肌瘤平滑肌细胞。将报告基因载体与mir-26a共转染入原代培养的子宫肌瘤平滑肌细胞,引入双荧光素酶报告基因系统对mir-26a的靶基因进行验证。转染mir-26amimics于子宫肌瘤平滑肌细胞,westernblotting检测子宫肌瘤平滑肌细胞中mir-26a靶蛋白表达水平。结果:用TargetScan软件和双荧光素酶报告基因系统证实ERα、PRa为mir-26a的靶基因。蛋白水平进一步验证,mir-26amimics的转染量不同,ERα、PRa的蛋白表达水平下调不同。结论:Mir-26a通过结合靶基因的3'-UTR区调控靶基因的mRNA水平。Mir-26a抑制雌激素受体α(ERα)、孕激素受体a(PRa)在子宫肌瘤中的表达。Mir-26a可能通过调控雌激素受体α(ERα)、孕激素受体a(PRa)影响子宫肌瘤的发展。本实验通过确定mir-26a对子宫肌瘤的作用机制,有望进一步提高子宫肌瘤的治疗技术,减少手术治疗的创伤。     

α-Humulene derivatives including a sesquiterpene acid with a rearranged carbon skeleton from Lychophorora columnaris

An investigation of Lychnophora columnaris afforded in addition to known compounds six new α-humulene derivatives and a rearranged sesquiterpene with a new carbon skeleton. These compounds and several sesquiterpene lactones isolated from this species seem to be of chemotaxonomic importance. The structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and a few chemical transformations including partial synthesis.     

重组人干扰素α2a发酵工艺的研究

对干扰素工程菌ＰＢＶ３２０／７１１８－α２ａ型发酵工艺,由批式培养改为反馈式流加培养［１］可显著提高工程菌ＰＢＶ３２０／７１１８－α２ａ在４０Ｌ发酵罐中的菌体产量及干扰素的表达水平。     

外用重组人干扰素α2a凝胶剂研究

研究重组人干扰素α2a凝胶剂以应用于临床。重组人干扰素α2a以卡波普940NF为基质,加入保湿剂、保护剂、防腐剂制成外用凝胶,用于治疗单纯疱疹、带状疱诊、尖锐湿疣等病毒性皮肤病。稳定性试验结果表明,4℃保存有效期可达2a;药效学试验表明,rhIFNα2a(20万IU/g)对HSVⅠ病毒抑制效价>103.0,HSVⅡ病毒抑制效价>104.0;毒理学试验表明,该品对皮肤无毒,无刺激性,无红斑、水肿现象。临床试验结果表明,重组人干扰素α2a凝胶剂可应用于临床治疗单纯疱疹及预防尖锐湿疣的复发。     

重组人干扰素α2a滴鼻剂抗病毒药效学研究

为了检测干扰素滴鼻剂抗病毒药效作用,采用组织细胞培养法及建立流行性感冒动物模型,对不同浓度的干扰素滴鼻剂进行了体内外抗病毒药效学研究。结果显示:在体外有抑制流感病毒、呼吸道合胞病毒、副流感病毒、麻疹病毒、腺病毒、柯萨奇B3病毒的作用,对单纯疱疹病毒有部分抑制作用。在体内可有效抑制流感病毒所致的病毒性肺炎。可见,重组人干扰素α2a滴鼻剂在体内外均有较明显的抗呼吸道病毒的作用。     

α-Fucosidase as a novel convenient biomarker for cellular senescence

Due to its role in aging and antitumor defense, cellular senescence has recently attracted increasing interest. However, there is currently no single specific marker that can unequivocally detect senescent cells. Here, we identified α-L-fucosidase (α-Fuc) as a novel sensitive biomarker for cellular senescence. Regardless of the stress stimulus and cell type, α-Fuc activity was induced in all canonical types of cellular senescence, including replicative, DNA damage- and oncogene-induced senescence. Strikingly, in most models the degree of α-Fuc upregulation was higher than the induction of senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-Gal), the current gold standard for senescence detection. As α-Fuc is convenient and easy to measure, we suggest its utility as a valuable marker, in particular in cells with low SA-β-Gal activity.     

α-Enolase: a promising therapeutic and diagnostic tumor target

α-enolase (ENOA) is a metabolic enzyme involved in the synthesis of pyruvate. It also acts as a plasminogen receptor and thus mediates activation of plasmin and extracellular matrix degradation. In tumor cells, ΕΝΟΑ is upregulated and supports anaerobic proliferation (Warburg effect), it is expressed at the cell surface, where it promotes cancer invasion, and is subjected to a specific array of post-translational modifications, namely acetylation, methylation and phosphorylation. Both ENOA overexpression and its post-translational modifications could be of diagnostic and prognostic value in cancer. This review will discuss recent information on the biochemical, proteomics and immunological characterization of ENOA, particularly its ability to trigger a specific humoral and cellular immune response. In our opinion, this information can pave the way for effective new therapeutic and diagnostic strategies to counteract the growth of the most aggressive human disease.     

16α-hydroxylation of progesterone by a strain ofactinomyces globosus

В систематическое исследование трансформации свойств Actinomycetes было было установлено, что 17 из 76 видов тестировани е преобразованы прогестерон по 16 га-гидрокси -п рогестерона. Оптимальные условия для этой трансформац ии были изучены этой трансформации б ыли изучены следующие результат ы:

1. (1)
   Оптимальное рН для данного типа трансформации была 6–7. На нижней hydroxylation ценностей была меш ает.     
   
   

αB-crystallin polydispersity is a consequence of unbiased quaternary dynamics

The inherent heterogeneity of many protein assemblies complicates characterization of their structure and dynamics, as most biophysical techniques require homogeneous preparations of isolated components. For this reason, quantitative studies of the molecular chaperone αB-crystallin, which populates a range of interconverting oligomeric states, have been difficult, and the physicochemical basis for its polydispersity has remained unknown. Here, we perform mass spectrometry experiments to study αB-crystallin and extract detailed information as to its oligomeric distribution and exchange of subunits under a range of conditions. This allows a determination of the thermodynamic and kinetic parameters that govern the polydisperse ensemble and enables the construction of a simple energy profile for oligomerization. We find that the quaternary structure and dynamics of the protein can be explained using a simple model with just two oligomer-independent interactions (i.e., interactions that are energetically identical in all oligomers from 10mers to 40mers) between constituent monomers. As such, the distribution of oligomers is governed purely by the dynamics of individual monomers. This provides a new means for understanding the polydispersity of αB-crystallin and a framework for interrogating other heterogeneous protein assemblies.     

α-Chymotrypsin-catalyzed synthesis of poly-l-cysteine in a frozen aqueous solution

Poly-l-cysteine (PLCys) is drawing attention as a potential sorbent of thiol (SH)-reactive toxic heavy metal ions in the wastewater and polluted soils. However, preparation of PLCys relies on chemically synthesized polymers, in which SH groups must be protected and deprotected prior to use. On the other hand, α-chymotrypsin polymerized l-cysteine ethyl ester in a frozen aqueous solution, provides PLCys with degree of polymerization from 6 to 11 without blocking of SH groups. Kinetic analyses suggested that the acylation of α-chymotrypsin with the initial substrate was a rate-limiting step in the enzymatic polymerization. The peptide yields reached 85% and 65% of SH groups in PLCys were assumed to be free forms. Although detail information on correlation between the state of SH groups and heavy metal adsorption properties of PLCys should be explored in further studies, the present study for the first time proposed an easy method for synthesis of PLCys requiring neither SH-protection nor -deprotection.     

α2a型基因工程干扰素发酵工艺的研究

对干扰素工程菌PBV320／7118－α2a型发酵工艺,由批式培养改为反馈式流加培养^[1]可显著提高工程菌PBV320／7188－α2a在40L发酵罐中的菌体产量及干扰素的表达水平。     

α-Methyl-l-tryptophan as a tracer to study brain serotonergic system

Special issue devoted to Dr. Leon S. Wolfe.