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1.
Tadahiro Kumagai Minesuke Yokoyama Tadashi Shinkai 《Biochemical and biophysical research communications》2009,379(2):456-27224
The β-1,4-galactosyltransferase (β-1,4-GalT) V whose human and mouse genes were cloned by us has been suggested to be involved in the biosynthesis of N-glycans and O-glycans, and lactosylceramide. To determine its biological function, β-1,4-GalT V (B4galt5) mutant mice obtained by a gene trap method were analyzed. Analysis of pre- and post-implantation embryos revealed that the B4galt5−/− mice die by E10.5 while B4galt5+/− mice were born and grown normally. Histological study showed that most tissues are formed in B4galt5−/− embryos but their appearance at E10.5 is close to that of B4galt5+/− embryos at E9.0-9.5. The results indicate that the growth is delayed by one to one and half day in B4galt5−/− embryos when compared to B4galt5+/− embryos, which results in early death of the embryos by E10.5, probably due to hematopoietic and/or placental defects. 相似文献
2.
Mitsushiro Nakatomi Xiu-Ping Wang Darren Key Jennifer J. Lund Ralf Kist Yiping Chen Heiko Peters 《Developmental biology》2010,340(2):438-4073
Developmental abnormalities of craniofacial structures and teeth often occur sporadically and the underlying genetic defects are not well understood, in part due to unknown gene-gene interactions. Pax9 and Msx1 are co-expressed during craniofacial development, and mice that are single homozygous mutant for either gene exhibit cleft palate and an early arrest of tooth formation. Whereas in vitro assays have demonstrated that protein-protein interactions between Pax9 and Msx1 can occur, it is unclear if Pax9 and Msx1 interact genetically in vivo during development. To address this question, we compounded the Pax9 and Msx1 mutations and observed that double homozygous mutants exhibit an incompletely penetrant cleft lip phenotype. Moreover, in double heterozygous mutants, the lower incisors were consistently missing and we find that transgenic BMP4 expression partly rescues this phenotype. Reduced expression of Shh and Bmp2 indicates that a smaller “incisor field” forms in Pax9+/−;Msx1+/− mutants, and dental epithelial growth is substantially reduced after the bud to cap stage transition. This defect is preceded by drastically reduced mesenchymal expression of Fgf3 and Fgf10, two genes that encode known stimulators of epithelial growth during odontogenesis. Consistent with this result, cell proliferation is reduced in both the dental epithelium and mesenchyme of double heterozygous mutants. Furthermore, the developing incisors lack mesenchymal Notch1 expression at the bud stage and exhibit abnormal ameloblast differentiation on both labial and lingual surfaces. Thus, Msx1 and Pax9 interact synergistically throughout lower incisor development and affect multiple signaling pathways that influence incisor size and symmetry. The data also suggest that a combined reduction of PAX9 and MSX1 gene dosage in humans may increase the risk for orofacial clefting and oligodontia. 相似文献
3.
Background
Chitinase inhibitors have chemotherapeutic potential as fungicides, pesticides and antiasthmatics. The majority of chitinase inhibitors reported are natural products like argifin, argifin linear fragments, argadin, allosamidin and disulfide-cyclized peptides. Here, we report a novel peptidic inhibitor API (Aspartic Protease Inhibitor), isolated from Bacillus licheniformis that inhibits chitinase A (ChiA) from Serratia marcescens.Methods
The binding affinity of API with ChiA and type of inhibition was determined by the inhibition kinetics assays. Fluorescence and CD spectroscopic analysis and chemical modification of API with different affinity reagents elucidated the mechanism of binding of API with ChiA.Results and conclusions
The peptide has an amino acid sequence N-Ile1-Cys2-Glu3-Ala4-Glu5-His6-Lys7-Trp8-Gly9-Asp10-Tyr11-Leu12-Asp13-C. The ChiA–API kinetic interactions reveal noncompetitive, irreversible and tight binding nature of API with I50 = 600 nM and Ki = 510 nM in the presence of chromogenic substrate p-nitrophenyl-N,N′-diacetyl-β-chitobioside[p-NP-(GlcNAc)2]. The inhibition progress curves show a two-step slow tight binding inhibition mechanism with the rate constant k5 = 8.7 ± 1 × 10− 3 s− 1 and k6 = 7.3 ± 0.6 × 10− 5 s− 1. CD-spectra and tryptophanyl fluorescence analysis of ChiA incubated with increasing API concentrations confirms conformational changes in enzyme structure which may be due to irreversible denaturation of enzyme upon binding of API. Chemical modifications by WRK abolished the anti-chitinase activity of API and revealed the involvement of carboxyl groups in the enzyme inactivation. Abolished isoindole fluorescence of OPTA-labeled ChiA demonstrates the irreversible denaturation of ChiA upon incubation with API for prolonged time and distortion of active site of the enzyme.General significance
The data provide useful information that could lead to the generation of drug-like, natural product-based chitinase inhibitors. 相似文献4.
Gustav Vaaje-Kolstad Vladimir Farkaš Maria Hrmova Geoffrey B. Fincher 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2010
Background
Xyloglucan xyloglucosyl transferases (EC 2.4.1.207), known as xyloglucan endotransglycosylases (XETs) use a disproportionation reaction mechanism and modulate molecular masses of xyloglucans. However, it is not known precisely how these size modulations and transfer reactions occur with polymeric acceptor substrates.Methods
cDNAs encoding three barley HvXETs were expressed in Pichia pastoris and reaction mechanism and molecular properties of HvXETs were investigated.Results
Significant differences in catalytic efficiencies (kcat·Km−1) were observed and these values were 0.01, 0.02 and 0.2 s−1·mg−1·ml for HvXET3, HvXET4 and HvXET6, respectively, using tamarind xyloglucan as a donor substrate. HPLC analyses of the reaction mixtures showed that HvXET6 followed a stochastic reaction mechanism with fluorescently or radioactively labelled tamarind xyloglucans and xyloglucan-derived oligosaccharides. The analyses from two successive reaction cycles revealed that HvXET6 could increase or decrease molecular masses of xyloglucans. In the first reaction cycle equilibrium was reached under limiting donor substrate concentrations, while xyloglucan mass modulations occurred during the second reaction cycle and depended on the molecular masses of incoming acceptors. Deglycosylation experiments indicated that occupancy of a singular N-glycosylation site was required for activity of HvXET6. Experiments with organic solvents demonstrated that HvXET6 tolerated DMSO, glycerol, methanol and 1,4-butanediol in 20% (v/v) concentrations.Conclusions
The two-phase experiments demonstrated that large xyloglucan molecules can bind in the acceptor sites of HvXETs.General significance
The results characterise donor and acceptor binding sites in plant XET, report that HvXETs act on xyloglucan donor substrates adsorbed onto nanocrystals and that HvXETs tolerate the presence of organic solvents. 相似文献5.
Aims
Aristolochic acid (AA) nephrotoxicity is related to accumulation of methylglyoxal (MGO) and Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) in the mouse kidney. We studied the activity of renal semicarbazide-sensitive amine oxidase (SSAO), a key enzyme involved in MGO generation, in AA-treated mice, and investigated nephroprotective effects produced by metformin, a MGO scavenger.Methods
Mice were orally administered water or metformin for 15 days (12 or 24 mg kg− 1 day− 1), and injected AA (5 mg kg− 1 day− 1) intraperitoneally for 8 days starting on day 8. Renal function was studied, and histopathological examination, determination of renal SSAO activity, and measurement of MGO levels were performed.Key findings
Compared to control mice, AA-injected mice showed significant renal damage and approximately 2.7-fold greater renal SSAO activity (p < 0.05). Further, compared to control treatment, administration of 12 mg/kg metformin inhibited formation of renal lesions, and significantly decreased renal MGO levels (37.33 ± 9.78 vs. 5.89 ± 2.64 μg/mg of protein, respectively, p < 0.01). In the AA-treated mice, metformin also inhibited the accumulation of CML in renal tubules, but did not affect SSAO activity.Significance
This study is the first to show elevated renal SSAO activity in AA-treated mice, which could be involved in MGO accumulation. Moreover, MGO scavenging by metformin reduces AA nephrotoxicity. These findings suggest that reducing MGO accumulation produces nephroprotection, revealing new therapeutic strategies for the management. SSAO is a key enzyme involved in MGO generation, and consequently, inhibition of renal SSAO activity is worth investigating in AA nephrotoxicity and other renal pathologies further. 相似文献6.
Chai Siah Ku Tho X. Pham Youngki Park Bohkyung Kim Min Sun Shin Insoo Kang Jiyoung Lee 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2013
Background
Chronic inflammation contributes to the development of pathological disorders including insulin resistance and atherosclerosis. Identification of anti-inflammatory natural products can prevent the inflammatory diseases.Methods
Anti-inflammatory effects of blue-green algae (BGA), i.e., Nostoc commune var. sphaeroides Kützing (NO) and Spirulina platensis (SP), were compared in RAW 264.7 and mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMM) as well as splenocytes from apolipoprotein E knockout (apoE−/−) mice fed BGA.Results
When macrophages pretreated with 100 μg/ml NO lipid extract (NOE) or SP lipid extract (SPE) were activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), expression and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα), interleukin 1β (IL-1β), and IL-6, were significantly repressed. NOE and SPE also significantly repressed the expression of TNFα and IL-1β in BMM. LPS-induced secretion of IL-6 was lower in splenocytes from apoE−/− fed an atherogenic diet containing 5% NO or SP for 12 weeks. In RAW 264.7 macrophages, NOE and SPE markedly decreased nuclear translocation of NF-κB. The degree of repression of pro-inflammatory gene expression by algal extracts was much stronger than that of SN50, an inhibitor of NF-κB nuclear translocation. Trichostatin A, a pan histone deacetylase inhibitor, increased basal expression of IL-1β and attenuated the repression of the gene expression by SPE. SPE significantly down-regulated mRNA abundance of 11 HDAC isoforms, consequently increasing acetylated histone 3 levels.Conclusion
NOE and SPE repress pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and secretion in macrophages and splenocytes via inhibition of NF-κB pathway. Histone acetylation state is likely involved in the inhibition.General significance
This study underscores natural products can exert anti-inflammatory effects by epigenetic modifications such as histone acetylation. 相似文献7.
Zhuo Li Gengshu Wu Roger B. Sher Zohreh Khavandgar Martin Hermansson Gregory A. Cox Michael R. Doschak Monzur Murshed Frank Beier Dennis E. Vance 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2014
Background
Choline kinase has three isoforms encoded by the genes Chka and Chkb. Inactivation of Chka in mice results in embryonic lethality, whereas Chkb−/− mice display neonatal forelimb bone deformations.Methods
To understand the mechanisms underlying the bone deformations, we compared the biology and biochemistry of bone formation from embryonic to young adult wild-type (WT) and Chkb−/− mice.Results
The deformations are specific to the radius and ulna during the late embryonic stage. The radius and ulna of Chkb−/− mice display expanded hypertrophic zones, unorganized proliferative columns in their growth plates, and delayed formation of primary ossification centers. The differentiation of chondrocytes of Chkb−/− mice was impaired, as was chondrocyte proliferation and expression of matrix metalloproteinases 9 and 13. In chondrocytes from Chkb−/− mice, phosphatidylcholine was slightly lower than in WT mice whereas the amount of phosphocholine was decreased by approximately 75%. In addition, the radius and ulna from Chkb−/− mice contained fewer osteoclasts along the cartilage/bone interface.Conclusions
Chkb has a critical role in the normal embryogenic formation of the radius and ulna in mice.General Significance
Our data indicate that choline kinase beta plays an important role in endochondral bone formation by modulating growth plate physiology. 相似文献8.
9.
Carrie A. May John K. Grady Thomas M. Laue Maura Poli Paolo Arosio N. Dennis Chasteen 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2010
Background
Ferritin exhibits complex behavior in the ultracentrifuge due to variability in iron core size among molecules. A comprehensive study was undertaken to develop procedures for obtaining more uniform cores and assessing their homogeneity.Methods
Analytical ultracentrifugation was used to measure the mineral core size distributions obtained by adding iron under high- and low-flux conditions to horse spleen (apoHoSF) and human H-chain (apoHuHF) apoferritins.Results
More uniform core sizes are obtained with the homopolymer human H-chain ferritin than with the heteropolymer horse spleen HoSF protein in which subpopulations of HoSF molecules with varying iron content are observed. A binomial probability distribution of H- and L-subunits among protein shells qualitatively accounts for the observed subpopulations. The addition of Fe2+ to apoHuHF produces iron core particle size diameters from 3.8 ± 0.3 to 6.2 ± 0.3 nm. Diameters from 3.4 ± 0.6 to 6.5 ± 0.6 nm are obtained with natural HoSF after sucrose gradient fractionation. The change in the sedimentation coefficient as iron accumulates in ferritin suggests that the protein shell contracts ∼ 10% to a more compact structure, a finding consistent with published electron micrographs. The physicochemical parameters for apoHoSF (15%/85% H/L subunits) are M = 484,120 g/mol, ν? = 0.735 mL/g, s20,w = 17.0 S and D20,w = 3.21 × 10−7 cm2/s; and for apoHuHF M = 506,266 g/mol, ν? = 0.724 mL/g, s20,w = 18.3 S and D20,w = 3.18 × 10−7 cm2/s.Significance
The methods presented here should prove useful in the synthesis of size controlled nanoparticles of other minerals. 相似文献10.
Young-Jun Park Sung-Jin Yoon Hee-Bong Lee 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2010
Background
Dienelactone hydrolases catalyze the hydrolysis of dienelactone to maleylacetate, which play a key role for the microbial degradation of chloroaromatics via chlorocatechols. Here, a thermostable dienelactone hydrolase from thermoacidophilic archaeon Sulfolobus solfataricus P1 was the first purified and characterized and then expressed in Escherichia coli.Methods
The enzyme was purified by using several column chromatographys and characterized by determining the enzyme activity using p-nitrophenyl caprylate and dienelactones. In addition, the amino acids related to the catalytic mechanism were examined by site-directed mutagenesis using the identified gene.Results
The enzyme, approximately 29 kDa monomeric, showed the maximal activity at 74 °C and pH 5.0, respectively. The enzyme displayed remarkable thermostability: it retained approximately 50% of its activity after 50 h of incubation at 90 °C, and showed high stability against denaturing agents, including various detergents, urea, and organic solvents. The enzyme displayed substrate specificities toward trans-dienelactone, not cis-isomer, and also carboxylesterase activity toward p-nitrophenyl esters ranging from butyrate (C4) to laurate (C12). The kcat/Km ratios for trans-dienelactone and p-nitrophenyl caprylate (C8), the best substrate, were 92.5 and 54.7 s−1 μM−1, respectively.Conclusions
The enzyme is a typical dienelactone hydrolase belonging to α/β hydrolase family and containing a catalytic triad composed of Cys151, Asp198, and His229 in the active site.General significance
The enzyme is the first characterized archaeal dienelactone hydrolase. 相似文献11.
Katharina Pflüger-Grau Max Chavarría Víctor de Lorenzo 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2011
Background
Pseudomonas putida KT2440 is endowed with a variant of the phosphoenolpyruvate-carbohydrate phosphotransferase system (PTSNtr), which is not related to sugar transport but believed to rule the metabolic balance of carbon vs. nitrogen. The metabolic targets of such a system are largely unknown.Methods
Dielectric breakdown of P. putida cells grown in rich medium revealed the presence of forms of the EIIANtr (PtsN) component of PTSNtr, which were strongly associated to other cytoplasmic proteins. To investigate such intracellular partners of EIIANtr, a soluble protein extract of bacteria bearing an E epitope tagged version of PtsN was immunoprecipitated with a monoclonal anti-E antibody and the pulled-down proteins identified by mass spectrometry.Results
The E1 subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) complex, the product of the aceE gene, was identified as a major interaction partner of EIIANtr. To examine the effect of EIIANtr on PDH, the enzyme activity was measured in extracts of isogenic ptsN+/ptsN−P. putida strains and the role of phosphorylation was determined. Expression of PtsN and AceE proteins fused to different fluorescent moieties and confocal laser microscopy indicated a significant co-localization of the two proteins in the bacterial cytoplasm.Conclusion
EIIANtr down-regulates PDH activity. Both genetic and biochemical evidence revealed that the non-phosphorylated form of PtsN is the protein species that inhibits PDH.General significance
EIIANtr takes part in the node of C metabolism that checks the flux of carbon from carbohydrates into the Krebs cycle by means of direct protein–protein interactions with AceE. This type of control might connect metabolism to many other cellular functions. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Systems Biology of Microorganisms. 相似文献12.
Kirk Nylen Jose Luis Perez Velazquez Venus Sayed K. Michael Gibson W.M. Burnham O. Carter Snead III 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2009
Background
Succinic semialdehyde dehydrogenase (SSADH) deficiency is an inborn error of GABA metabolism characterized clinically by ataxia, psychomotor retardation and seizures. A mouse model of SSADH deficiency, the Aldh5a1−/− mouse, has been used to study the pathophysiology and treatment of this disorder. Recent work from our group has shown that the ketogenic diet (KD) is effective in normalizing the Aldh5a1−/− phenotype, although the mechanism of the effect remains unclear.Methods
Here, we examine the effects of a KD on the number of hippocampal mitochondria as well as on ATP levels in hippocampus. Electron microscopy was performed to determine the number of mitochondria in the hippocampus of Aldh5a1−/− mice. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels were measured in hippocampal extracts.Results
Our results show that the KD increases the number of mitochondria in Aldh5a1−/− mice. We also show that Aldh5a1−/− mice have significant reductions in hippocampal ATP levels as compared to controls, and that the KD restores ATP in mutant mice to normal levels.General significance
Taken together, our data suggest that the KD's actions on brain mitochondria may play a role in the diet's ability to treat murine SSADH deficiency. 相似文献13.
Massimo Mezzavilla Annamaria Iorio Marco Bobbo Angela D'Eustacchio Marco Merlo Paolo Gasparini Sheila Ulivi Gianfranco Sinagra 《Gene》2014
Background
Recent studies suggested that resting heart rate (RHR) might be an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Nonetheless, the interrelation between RHR and cardiovascular diseases is not clear. In order to resolve this puzzle, the importance of genetic determinants of RHR has been recently suggested, but it needs to be further investigated.Objective
The aim of this study was to estimate the contribution of common genetic variations on RHR using Genome Wide Association Study.Methods
We performed a Genome Wide Association Study in an isolated population cohort of 1737 individuals, the Italian Network on Genetic Isolates — Friuli Venezia Giulia (INGI-FVG). Moreover, a haplotype analysis was performed. A regression tree analysis was run to highlight the effect of each haplotype combination on the phenotype.Results
A significant level of association (p < 5 × 10− 8) was detected for Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) in two genes expressed in the heart: MAML1 and CANX. Founding that the three different variants of the haplotype, which encompass both genes, yielded a phenotypic correlation. Indeed, a haplotype in homozygosity is significantly associated with the lower quartile of RHR (RHR ≤ 58 bpm). Moreover no significant association was found between cardiovascular risk factors and the different haplotype combinations.Conclusion
Mastermind-like 1 and Calnexin were found to be associated with RHR. We demonstrated a relation between a haplotype and the lower quartile of RHR in our populations. Our findings highlight that genetic determinants of RHR may be implicated in determining cardiovascular diseases and could allow a better risk stratification. 相似文献14.
Ellen De Langhe Frederic Cailotto Vanessa De Vooght Carolina Aznar-Lopez Jeroen Alfons Vanoirbeek Frank Prosper Luyten Rik Jozef Urbain Lories 《Respiratory research》2015,16(1)
Background
Effective treatments for fibrotic diseases such as idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis are largely lacking. Transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) plays a central role in the pathophysiology of fibrosis. We hypothesized that bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP), another family within the TGFβ superfamily of growth factors, modulate fibrogenesis driven by TGFβ. We therefore studied the role of endogenous BMP signaling in bleomycin induced lung fibrosis.Methods
Lung fibrosis was induced in wild-type or noggin haploinsufficient (Nog+/LacZ) mice by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin, or phosphate buffered saline as a control. Invasive pulmonary function tests were performed using the flexiVent® SCIREQ system. The mice were sacrificed and lung tissue was collected for analysis using histopathology, collagen quantification, immunohistochemistry and gene expression analysis.Results
Nog+/LacZ mice are a known model of increased BMP signaling and were partially protected from bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis with reduced Ashcroft score, reduced collagen content and preservation of pulmonary compliance. In bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis, TGFβ and BMP signaling followed an inverse course, with dynamic activation of TGFβ signaling and repression of BMP signaling activity.Conclusions
Upon bleomycin exposure, active BMP signaling is decreased. Derepression of BMP signaling in Nog+/LacZ mice protects against bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Modulating the balance between BMP and TGFβ, in particular increasing endogenous BMP signals, may therefore be a therapeutic target in fibrotic lung disease. 相似文献15.
J.D. Schulzke A.H. Gitter J. Mankertz U. Seidler M. Saitou M. Fromm 《生物化学与生物物理学报:生物膜》2005,1669(1):34-42
Background and Aims
This study aimed at functional characterization of the tight junction protein occludin using the occludin-deficient mouse model.Methods
Epithelial transport and barrier functions were characterized in Ussing chambers. Impedance analysis revealed the ionic permeability of the epithelium (Re, epithelial resistance). Conductance scanning differentiated transcellular (Gc) and tight junctional conductance (Gtj). The pH-stat technique quantified gastric acid secretion.Results
In occludin+/+ mice, Re was 23±5 Ω cm2 in jejunum, 66±5 Ω cm2 in distal colon and 33±6 Ω cm2 in gastric corpus and was not altered in heterozygotic occludin+/− or homozygotic occludin−/− mice. Additionally, [3H]mannitol fluxes were unaltered. In the control colon, Gc and Gtj were 7.6±1.0 and 0.3±0.1 mS/cm2 and not different in occludin deficiency. Epithelial resistance after mechanical perturbation or EGTA exposition (low calcium switch) was not more affected in occludin−/− mice than in control. Barrier function was measured in the urinary bladder, a tight epithelium, and in the stomach. Control Rt was 5.8±0.8 kΩ cm2 in urinary bladder and 33±6 Ω cm2 in stomach and not altered in occludin−/− mice. In gastric corpus mucosa, the glandular structure exhibited a complete loss of parietal cells and mucus cell hyperplasia, as a result of which acid secretion was virtually abolished in occludin−/− mice.Conclusion
Epithelial barrier characterization in occludin-deficiency points against an essential barrier function of occludin within the tight junction strands or to a substitutional redundancy of single tight junction molecules like occludin. A dramatic change in gastric morphology and secretory function indicates that occludin is involved in gastric epithelial differentiation. 相似文献16.
Valdecir F. Ximenes Adriano S. PessoaCamila Z. Padovan Daniele C. AbrantesFabiana Helena F. Gomes Michele A. MaticoliManoel L. de Menezes 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2009
Background
Melatonin is well-established as a powerful reducing agent of oxidant generated in the cell medium. We aimed to investigate how readily melatonin is oxidized by peroxyl radicals ROO⋅ generated by the thermolysis of 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) hydrochloride (AAPH) and the role of glutathione (GSH) during the reaction course.Methods
Chromatographic, mass spectroscopy, and UV–visible spectrometric techniques were used to study the oxidation of melatonin by ROO⋅ or horseradish peroxidase (HRP)/H2O2. Our focus was the characterization of products and the study of features of the reaction.Results
We found that N1-acetyl-N2-formyl-5-methoxykynuramine (AFMK) and a monohydroxylated derivative of melatonin were the main products of the reaction between melatonin and ROO⋅. Higher pH or saturation of the medium with molecular oxygen increased the yield of AFMK but did not affect the reaction rate. Melatonin increased the depletion of intracellular GSH mediated by AAPH. Using the HRP/H2O2 as the oxidant system, the addition of melatonin promoted the oxidation of GSH to GSSG.Conclusions
These results show, for the first time, that melatonin radical is able to oxidize GSH.General significance
We propose that this new property of melatonin could explain or be related to the recently reported pro-oxidant activities of melatonin. 相似文献17.
M.C. Ribeiro M.S. Costa-Alves M. Wengert J.R. Meyer-Fernandes P. Zancan C. Caruso-Neves A.A.S. Pinheiro 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2012
Background
The concentration of extracellular nucleotides is regulated by enzymes that have their catalytic site facing the extracellular space, the so-called ecto-enzymes.Methods
We used LLC-PK1 cells, a well-characterized porcine renal proximal tubule cell line, to biochemically characterize ecto-ATPase activity in the luminal surface. The [γ-32P]Pi released after reaction was measured in aliquots of the supernatant by liquid scintillation.Results
This activity was linear with time up to 20 min of reaction and stimulated by divalent metals. The ecto-ATPase activity measured in the presence of 5 mM MgCl2 was (1) optimum at pH 8, (2) insensitive to different inhibitors of intracellular ATPases, (3) inhibited by 1 mM suramin, an inhibitor of ecto-ATPases, (4) sensitive to high concentrations of sodium azide (NaN3) and (5) also able to hydrolyze ADP in the extracellular medium. The ATP:ADP hydrolysis ratio calculated was 4:1. The ecto-ADPase activity was also inhibited by suramin and NaN3. The dose–response of ATP revealed a hyperbolic profile with maximal velocity of 25.2 ± 1.2 nmol Pi x mg− 1 x min− 1 and K0.5 of 0.07 ± 0.01 mM. When cells were submitted to ischemia, the E-NTPDase activity was reduced with time, achieving 71% inhibition at 60 min of ischemia.Conclusion
Our results suggest that the ecto-ATPase activity of LLC-PK1 cells has the characteristics of a type 3 E-NTPDase which is inhibited by ischemia.General Significance
This could represent an important pathophysiologic mechanism that explains the increase in ATP concentration in the extracellular milieu in the proximal tubule during ischemia. 相似文献18.
Background
Malaria is a devastating disease and Plasmodium falciparum is the most lethal parasite infecting humans. Understanding the biology of this parasite is vital in identifying potential novel drug targets. During every 48-hour intra-erythrocytic asexual replication cycle, a single parasite can produce up to 32 progeny. This extensive proliferation implies that parasites require substantial amounts of lipid precursors for membrane biogenesis. Glycerol kinase is a highly conserved enzyme that functions at the interface of lipid synthesis and carbohydrate metabolism. P. falciparum glycerol kinase catalyzes the ATP-dependent phosphorylation of glycerol to glycerol-3-phosphate, a major phospholipid precursor.Methods
The P. falciparum glycerol kinase gene was disrupted using double crossover homologous DNA recombination to generate a knockout parasite line. Southern hybridization and mRNA analysis were used to verify gene disruption. Parasite growth rates were monitored by flow cytometry. Radiolabelling studies were used to assess incorporation of glycerol into parasite phospholipids.Results
Disruption of the P. falciparum glycerol kinase gene produced viable parasites, but their growth was significantly reduced to 56.5 ± 1.8% when compared to wild type parasites. 14C-glycerol incorporation into the major phospholipids of the parasite membrane, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine, was 48.4 ± 10.8% and 53.1 ± 5.7% relative to an equivalent number of wild type parasites.Conclusions
P. falciparum glycerol kinase is required for optimal intra-erythrocytic asexual parasite development. Exogenous glycerol may be used as an alternative carbon source for P. falciparum phospholipid biogenesis, despite the lack of glycerol kinase to generate glycerol-3-phosphate.General significance
These studies provide new insight into glycerolipid metabolism in P. falciparum. 相似文献19.
Junitsu Ito Noriyuki Otsuki Xuhong Zhang Tasuku Konno Toshihiro Kurahashi Motoko Takahashi Mayumi Yamato Yuta Matsuoka Ken-ichi Yamada Satoshi Miyata Junichi Fujii 《Life sciences》2014
Aims
Aldehyde reductase (AKR1A), a member of the aldo-keto reductase superfamily, is highly expressed in the liver and is involved in both the detoxification of carbonyl compounds and ascorbic acid biosynthesis. By comparison with wild-type mice, Akr1a-knockout (Akr1a−/−) mice and human Akrla-transgenic (Akr1atg/+) mice experience different anesthetic actions from pentobarbital—prolonged in Akr1a-knockout (Akr1a−/−) mice and shortened in human Akrla-transgenic (Akr1atg/+) mice.Main methods
We investigated this alteration in the anesthetic efficacy of pentobarbital in Akr1a genetically modified mice.Key findings
Neither the cytosolic protein of wild-type mouse liver nor purified rat AKR1A directly reduced pentobarbital. Ascorbic acid administration neutralized the prolonged duration of the loss of the righting reflex (LORR) in Akr1a−/− mice, but preincubation of pentobarbital with ascorbic acid prior to administration did not change the anesthetic effect. Those results indicated that ascorbic acid does not directly reduce pentobarbital. Enzymatic activities and levels of the proteins of some cytochrome P450s that make up a potent detoxification system for pentobarbital showed no changes in the genetically modified mice examined. Thus, ascorbic acid also had no effect on the detoxification system in the liver. The prolonged duration of LORR in the Akr1a−/− mice caused by pentobarbital and the neutralization of the anesthetic effect by ascorbic acid together with other results imply that ascorbic acid alters the responses of the neuronal system to anesthetics.Significance
Pentobarbital action is increased under conditions of ascorbic acid deficiency, and this may have to be taken into account when anesthetizing malnourished patients. 相似文献20.
Alessandra Linardi Thomaz A.A. Rocha e Silva Elen H. Miyabara Carla F. Franco-Penteado Kiara C. Cardoso Patrícia A. Boer Anselmo S. Moriscot José A.R. Gontijo Paulo P. Joazeiro Carla B. Collares-Buzato Stephen Hyslop 《Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA)/General Subjects》2011