Isolation and characterization of δ-melanotropin,a new peptide from bovine pituitary glands

A new melanotropin (MSH) was isolated from bovine pituitary extract by means of gel filtration, ion exchange chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography and paper electrophoresis. Amino terminal analysis, amino acid composition and tryptic hydrolysis were performed on the purified peptide. The peptide was found to contain the amino acid sequence of γ-MSH, a theoretical segment of the proopiomelanocortin molecule. However, theoretical segment of the proopiomelanocortin molecule. However, the new peptide differs from the γ-MSH in several major ways, thus it is designated a bovine δ-MSH or δ_b-MSH.     

Isolation and characterization of porcine somatotropin containing a succinimide residue in place of aspartate129.

Aspartate129 in porcine somatotropin was converted into a cyclic imide residue (succinimide) under acidic solution conditions. Reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography was utilized to isolate and quantitate this altered species, which accounted for approximately 30% of the total protein. The molecular mass of this modified species was determined by electrospray mass spectrometry to be 18 Da less than normal porcine somatotropin, indicative of a loss of 1 H2O molecule. Tryptic peptide mapping demonstrated that the peptide composed of residues 126-133 was altered in this modified protein. Amino acid analysis, amino acid sequencing, mass spectrometry, and capillary zone electrophoresis were used to demonstrate that aspartate129 in this peptide had been converted into a succinimide residue. Further confirmation that this peptide contained a succinimide was obtained by hydrolyzing the modified peptide at pH 9.0, which yielded both the aspartate and isoaspartate peptides.     

涂料微生物污染与防腐剂使用情况关系的探讨

为了解涂料的微生物污染与防腐剂使用情况之间的关系,按照ISO 9252-1989(E)检测207件市售涂料微生物指标,利用高效液相色谱检测有微生物检出涂料和40件无微生物检出涂料的防腐剂使用情况。结果发现有12件涂料微生物超标;异噻唑啉酮类防腐剂是本实验检出使用最多的防腐剂;微生物超标涂料防腐剂含量比正常低或者未检测到,种类单一。涂料的防腐剂使用情况与微生物污染程度有着密切的联系,建议建立和完善涂料限用防腐剂标准,指导涂料企业安全生产和质量监督。     

Purification and characterization of a novel angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptide derived from enzymatic hydrolysate of grass carp protein

Peptides inhibiting angiotensin-I converting enzyme (ACE, EC. 3.4.15.1) are possible cures of hypertension. Food-derived ACE-inhibitory peptides are particularly attractive because of reduced side effects. Previously, we reported ACE-inhibitory activity of grass carp protein hydrolysates. In this work, we report steps for purifying the ACE-inhibitory peptide from the hydrolysate and its biochemical properties. Following steps of ultrafiltration, macroporous adsorption resin, and two steps of reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography (RE-HPLC), a single Val-Ala-Pro (VAP) tripeptide was identified. The tripeptide with excellent ACE-inhibitory activity (IC(50) value of 0.00534 mg/mL) was a competitive ACE inhibitor and stable against both ACE and gastrointestinal enzymes of pepsin and chymotrypsin. This is the first report of food-derived VAP. The identified unique biochemical properties of VAP may enable the application of grass carp protein hydrolysates as a functional food for treatments of hypertension. The developed purification conditions also allow the production of VAP for pharmaceutical applications.     

Isolation and taxonomic characterization of a novel type I methanotrophic bacterium

A methane-oxidizing bacterium was isolated from the effluent of manure and its molecular and biochemical properties were characterized. The isolate was aerobic, Gram-negative, and non-motile. The organism had a type I intracytoplasmic membrane structure and granular inclusion bodies. The outer cell wall surface (S-layers) was tightly packed with cup-shaped structures. Colonies were light yellow on nitrate mineral salt agar medium. In addition, the organism was catalase and oxidase positive. The isolate used the ribulose monophosphate (RuMP) pathway for carbon assimilation, and was able to utilize methane and methanol as a sole carbon and energy source, however, it could not utilize any other organic compounds that were tested. The cells grew well in a mixture of methane and air (methane:air=1:1, v/v) in a compulsory circulation diffusion system, and when grown under those conditions, the optimum pH was approximately 7.0 and the optimal temperature was 30 degrees. In addition, the specific growth rate and generation time were 0.13 per h and 5.43 h, respectively, when grown under the optimum conditions. The major ubiquinone was Q-8, and the G+C mol% of the DNA was 55.3. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence comparisons showed that this bacterium belongs to a group of type I methanotrophs, and that it is most closely related to Methylomicrobium, with a sequence similarity of 99%. Therefore, the isolate was named Methylomicrobium sp. HG-1.     

Isolation and characterization of a thermophilic, acetate-utilizing methanogenic bacterium

Abstract A thermophilic acetate-decarboxylating methanogenic bacterium was isolated from a laboratory-scale 60°C sludge digestor. Cells form straight filaments with flat to blunted ends normally consisting of 2–3 cells held together by a sheath-like outer cell wall. The organism uses acetate, H₂-CO₂ and formate for methanogenesis and growth. With acetate as the sole methanogenic substrate, almost all of the radioactivity from methyl-labelled acetate appeared as methane. Acetate was converted to methane in equimolar amounts with a doubling time of 3 days.     

In vitro and in vivo characterization of a novel CCR3 antagonist, YM-344031

Eosinophils play a prominent proinflammatory role in a broad range of diseases, including atopic dermatitis and asthma. Eotaxin-1 and its receptor CCR3 are implicated in the recruitment of eosinophils from blood into inflammatory tissues, therefore inhibition of Eotaxin-1/CCR3 interaction may have therapeutic potential for allergic inflammation with eosinophil infiltration. YM-344031, a novel and selective small molecule CCR3 antagonist, potently inhibited ligand binding (IC(50)=3.0nM), ligand-induced Ca(2+) flux (IC(50)=5.4nM), and the chemotaxis of human CCR3-expressing cells (IC(50)=19.9nM). YM-344031 (1-10mg/kg) orally administered to cynomolgus monkeys significantly inhibited Eotaxin-1-induced eosinophil shape change in whole blood. Additionally, orally administered YM-344031 (100mg/kg) prevented both immediate- and late-phase allergic skin reactions in a mouse allergy model. YM-344031 therefore has potential as a novel and orally available compound for the treatment of allergic inflammation, such as atopic dermatitis and asthma.     

一株高效DEHP降解菌的分离、鉴定及其降解特性

【目的】分离得到高效的邻苯二甲酸二乙基己基酯(DEHP)降解菌。【方法】采用富集培养法筛选分离菌株,并对菌株进行驯化;通过PCR扩增得到其16S rRNA和gyrB基因序列,进行同源序列分析及分子系统发育树的构建,同时结合形态学观察和生理生化实验对菌株进行初步鉴定;采用高效液相色谱(HPLC)分析菌株对DEHP的降解特性。【结果】分离得到一株能以DEHP为唯一碳源和能源生长的菌株,命名为HS-NH1,初步鉴定其为戈登氏菌(Gordoniasp.)。菌株HS-NH1最适的生长和降解条件为30°C、pH 7.0,在此条件下,该菌株60 h内能够将浓度为500 mg/L的DEHP降解90%以上。高效液相色谱(HPLC)分析表明,菌株HS-NH1在降解DEHP过程中产生了一种重要的中间代谢产物——邻苯二甲酸。底物广谱性试验证明,菌株HS-NH1能够有效地利用多种常见的邻苯二甲酸酯(PAEs)与芳香族衍生物。【结论】筛选得到了一株DEHP降解菌Gordonia sp.HS-NH1,该菌降解效率高,具有良好的底物广谱性,在邻苯二甲酸酯类化合物的污染治理中将会有一定的应用潜力。     

Isolation and characterization of a bacterium possessing a novel aldoxime-dehydration activity and nitrile-degrading enzymes

A bacterial strain capable of utilizing E-pyridine-3-aldoxime as a nitrogen source was isolated from soil after a 4-month acclimation period and was identified as Rhodococcus sp. The strain contained a novel aldoxime dehydration activity that catalyzed a stoichiometric dehydration of E-pyridine-3-aldoxime to form 3-cyanopyridine. The enzyme activity was induced by various aldoximes and nitriles. The strain metabolized the aldoxime as follows: E-pyridine-3-aldoxime was dehydrated to form 3-cyanopyridine, which was converted to nicotinamide by a nitrile hydratase, and the nicotinamide was successively hydrolyzed to nicotinic acid by an amidase. Received: 21 January 1998 / Accepted: 12 May 1998     

Discovery and characterization of NVP-QAV680, a potent and selective CRTh2 receptor antagonist suitable for clinical testing in allergic diseases

Optimization of a 7-azaindole-3-acetic acid CRTh2 receptor antagonist chemotype derived from high throughput screening furnished a highly selective compound NVP-QAV680 with low nM functional potency for inhibition of CRTh2 driven human eosinophil and Th2 lymphocyte activation in vitro. The molecule exhibited good oral bioavailability in the rat, combined with efficacy in rodent CRTh2-dependent mechanistic and allergic disease models and was suitable for clinical development.     

Isolation and characterization of precursors in bacteriophage T4 baseplate assembly. III. The carboxyl termini of protein P11 are required for assembly activity

The assembly activity and electrophoretic mobility of a T4 bacteriophage baseplate protein, P11, have been found to be affected by digestion with the proteases trypsin, subtilisin and carboxypeptidase Y. Analysis of the trypsin limit-digestion product of P11 by sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and size analysis by high performance liquid chromatography indicate that there is a decrease of approximately 5000 in the molecular weight of the P11 molecule or a loss of 2500 in Mr from each of the gp11 subunits of the dimer. During protease treatment P11 demonstrates a time-dependent loss in the ability to interact with the baseplate protein P10 to form the P(10/11) complex, the first assembly intermediate of the T4 baseplate 1/6th arm. Similar treatments of the P(10/11) complex indicate that P11 in the complex is not affected by these proteases. Concomitant with the loss of assembly activity is a change in the electrophoretic mobility of P11 on non-denaturing polyacrylamide gels from a single band to a series of more mobile bands suggesting sequential loss of positive charge. P11 assembly activity is completely lost after removal of the first positive charge. These results suggest that the carboxyl termini of the two gp11 subunits of the P11 molecule are involved in the interaction of P11 with P10 to form the P(10/11) complex. Analysis of the portion of gp11 removed by carboxypeptidase Y demonstrates that there are up to 13 aliphatic and aromatic carboxyl-terminal amino acids.     

Isolation and biochemical characterization of laccase and tyrosinase activities in a novel melanogenic soil bacterium

Bacterial polyphenol oxidases (PPOs) with a high oxidizing capacity for a wide range of substrates could make their applications in phenolic biotransformation, food processing, cosmetics, and textile industry. We have isolated a melanogenic soil bacterium by differential screening of a number of strains which were isolated from the Iranian microflora. The taxonomic characterization of this strain indicates that it belongs to the genus Bacillus (HR03), and has the ability to produce all types of PPOs; cresolase (EC 1.14.18.1), cathecolase (EC.1.10.3.1), and laccase (EC 1.10.3.2). We studied the tyrosinase activity using l-tyrosine and l-dopa as substrates and the laccase activity with specific substrates such as syringaldazine and 2,6-dimethoxyphenol. The optimum pH and temperature, obtained for all types of polyphenol oxidases, were at about pH 5.5 and 55 °C, respectively. Tyrosinase-like enzyme of this strain shows a lag period in its tyrosine hydroxylase activity that could be avoided by the addition of small amounts of l-dopa and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). In addition, tyrosinase and laccase were activated by SDS below the critical micelle concentration and were inhibited by 1 mM EDTA. We tested the resistance of melanized-cells against UVA, UVC and H₂O₂. Results show that melanin protects strain HR03 against UV lights and the oxidant.     

内生真菌对氮添加羽茅根际土壤特性和微生物群落的影响

内生真菌不仅能改变与其共生植物的生理和生长指标,还可通过宿主植物间接对土壤的理化性质和微生物群落结构产生影响。以天然禾草——羽茅(Achnatherum sibiricum)为研究材料,探究在不同施氮水平下,内生真菌的种类对不同基因型的宿主植物根际土壤理化性质和微生物群落产生何种影响。结果表明,内生真菌侵染显著提高了羽茅根际土壤的pH值和微生物总量,但降低了土壤中真菌与细菌的比值。同时,土壤的pH值还受到了内生真菌种类的影响,其中感染Epichlo3 sibirica的羽茅根际土壤pH显著高于感染Epichlo3 gansuense-1的羽茅,而感染Epichlo3 gansuense-2的羽茅根际土壤pH与感染E.gansuensis-1、E.sibirica菌的羽茅相比没有显著差异。另外,内生真菌感染与否、内生真菌种类、施氮量以及宿主植物基因型对土壤总碳、总氮、微生物及碳矿化能力均无显著影响。     

Identification and characterization of a novel fibril forming peptide in fungal starch binding domain

Scanty information is available regarding the chemical basis for structural alterations of the carbohydrate-binding modules (CBMs). The N-terminal starch binding domain (SBD) of Rhizopus oryzae glucoamylase (GA) forms fibrils under thermal stress, presenting an unusual conformational change from immunoglobulin-like to β-sheet-rich structure. Site-directed mutagenesis revealed that the C-terminal Lys of SBD played a crucial role in the fibril formation. The synthetic peptide (DNNNSANYQVSTSK) representing the C-terminal 14 amino acid residues of SBD was further demonstrated to act as a fibril-forming segment, in which terminal charges and an internal NNNxxNYQ motif were key fibril-forming determinants. The formation of fibril structure in a fungal SBD, caused by its chemical and biophysical requirements, was demonstrated for the first time.     

Identification and characterization of FHL3 as a novel angiogenin-binding partner

Angiogenin (Ang) is known to induce cell proliferation and inhibit apoptosis by cellular signaling pathways and by direct nuclear functions of Ang, but the mechanism of action for Ang is not yet clear. The aim of present study was to identify novel binding partner of Ang and to explore the underlying mechanism. With the use of yeast two-hybrid screening system, Ang was used as the bait to screen human fetal hepatic cDNA library for interacting proteins. Four and a half LIM domains 3 (FHL3) was identified as a novel Ang binding partner. The interaction between Ang and the full length FHL3 was further confirmed by yeast two-hybrid assay, co-immunoprecipitation and GST pull-down assays. Furthermore, FHL3 was required for Ang-mediated HeLa cell proliferation and nuclear translocation of Ang. These findings suggest that the interaction between Ang and FHL3 may provide some clues to the mechanisms of Ang-regulated cell growth and apoptosis.     

Isolation and Cytotoxic Potency of Endophytic Fungi Associated with Dysosma difformis,a Study for the Novel Resources of Podophyllotoxin

Endophytic fungi are promising sources for the production of podophyllotoxin-an important anticancer compound, replacing depleted medical plants. In this study, the endophytes associated with Dysosma difformis-an ethnomedicinal plant species were isolated to explore novel sources of podophyllotoxin. Fifty-three endophytic fungi were isolated and identified by morphological observation and ITS-based rDNA sequencing, assigning them to 27 genera in 3 divisions. Fusarium was found the most prevalent genus with a colonization frequency of 11.11%, followed by Trametes (9.26%) and Penicillium (7.41%). Phylogenetic trees were constructed for the endophytic fungi community in two collection sites, Ha Giang and Lai Chau, revealing the adaptation of the species to the specific tissues and habitats. Cytotoxic activity of endophytic fungal extracts was investigated on cancer cell lines such as SK-LU-1, HL-60, and HepG2, demonstrating strong anti-cancer activity of six isolates belonging to Penicillium, Trametes, Purpureocillium, Aspergillus, and Ganoderma with IC₅₀ value of lower than 10 µg/mL. The presence of podophyllotoxin was indicated in Penicillium, Trametes, Aspergillus and for the first time in Purpureocillium and Ganoderma via high-performance liquid chromatography, which implied them as a potential source of this anti-cancer compound.     

Identification and characterization of follistatin as a novel angiogenin-binding protein

Angiogenin enhances tumorigenesis. However, the mechanisms of angiogenin-induced angiogenesis and cancer cell proliferation remain elusive. In this study, follistatin was identified as a binding partner of angiogenin by a yeast two-hybrid screen and confirmed by a pull-down experiment. The interaction of fluorescently tagged angiogenin and follistatin was monitored in real time by a laser confocal microscope and shown to localize at the sub-nuclear region of HeLa cells. Additional yeast two-hybrid analysis revealed that domains 2 and 3 of follistatin were the minimal structure requirement for angiogenin binding. These findings provide new clues for further studies on the mechanisms of angiogenin-induced angiogenesis or cancer cell growth.     

Synthesis and Enantioseparation Ability of Xylan Bisphenylcarbamate Derivatives as Chiral Stationary Phases in HPLC

Ten novel xylan bisphenylcarbamate derivatives bearing meta‐ and para‐substituents on their phenyl groups were synthesized and their chiral recognition abilities were evaluated as the chiral stationary phases (CSPs) for high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) after coating them on macroporous silica. The chiral recognition abilities of these CSPs depended on the nature, position, and number of the substituents on the phenyl moieties. The introduction of an electron‐donating group was more attractive than an electron‐withdrawing group to improve the chiral recognition ability of the xylan phenylcarbamate derivatives. Among the CSPs discussed in this study, xylan bis(3,5‐dimethylphenylcarbamate)‐based CSP seems to possess the highest resolving power for many racemates, and the meta‐substituted CSPs showed relatively better chiral recognition than the para‐substituted ones. For some racemates, the xylan bis(3,5‐dimethylphenylcarbamate) derivative exhibited higher enantioselectivity than the CSP based on cellulose tris(3,5‐dimethylphenylcarbamate). Chirality 27:518–522, 2015 © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Induced pluripotent stem cells from hair follicles as a cellular model for neurodevelopmental disorders

Disease-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) allow unprecedented experimental platforms for basic research as well as high-throughput screening. This may be particularly relevant for neuropsychiatric disorders, in which the affected neuronal cells are not accessible. Keratinocytes isolated from hair follicles are an ideal source of patients' cells for reprogramming, due to their non-invasive accessibility and their common neuroectodermal origin with neurons, which can be important for potential epigenetic memory. From a small number of plucked human hair follicles obtained from two healthy donors we reprogrammed keratinocytes to pluripotent iPSC. We further differentiated these hair follicle-derived iPSC to neural progenitors, forebrain neurons and functional dopaminergic neurons.This study shows that human hair follicle-derived iPSC can be differentiated into various neural lineages, suggesting this experimental system as a promising in vitro model to study normal and pathological neural developments, avoiding the invasiveness of commonly used skin biopsies.