Kinetic locking-on and auxiliary tactics for bioaffinity purification of NADP+-dependent dehydrogenases using N6-linked immobilized NADP+ derivatives: Studies with mammalian and microbial glutamate dehydrogenases

This study is concerned with the development and application of kinetic locking-on and auxiliary tactics for bioaffinity purification of NADP(+)-dependent dehydrogenases, specifically (1) the synthesis and characterization of highly substituted N(6)-linked immobilized NADP(+) derivatives using a rapid solid-phase modular approach; (2) the evaluation of the N(6)-linked immobilized NADP(+) derivatives for use with the kinetic locking-on strategy for bioaffinity purification of NADP(+)-dependent dehydrogenases: Model bioaffinity chromatographic studies with glutamate dehydrogenase from bovine liver (GDH with dual cofactor specificity, EC 1.4.1.3) and glutamate dehydrogenase from Candida utilis (GDH which is NADP(+)-specific, EC 1.4.1.4); (3) the selection of an effective "stripping ligand" for NADP(+)-dehydrogenase bioaffinity purifications using N(6)-linked immobilized NADP(+) derivatives in the locking-on mode; and (4) the application of the developed bioaffinity chromatographic system to the purification of C. utilis GDH from a crude cellular extract.Results confirm that the newly developed N(6)-linked immobilized NADP(+) derivatives are suitable for the one-step bioaffinity purification of NADP(+)-dependent GDH provided that they are used in the locking-on mode, steps are taken to inhibit alkaline phosphatase activity in crude cellular extracts, and 2',5'-ADP is used as the stripping ligand during chromatography. The general principles described here are supported by a specific sample enzyme purification; the purification of C. utilis GDH to electrophoretic homogeneity in a single bioaffinity chromatographic step (specific activity, 9.12 micromol/min/mg; purification factor, 83.7; yield 88%). The potential for development of analogous bioaffinity systems for other NADP(+)-dependent dehydrogenases is also discussed.     

A Gly1127Ser mutation in an EGF-like domain of the fibrillin-1 gene is a risk factor for ascending aortic aneurysm and dissection.

Ascending aortic disease, ranging from mild aortic root enlargement to aneurysm and/or dissection, has been identified in 10 individuals of a kindred, none of whom had classical Marfan syndrome (MFS). Single-strand conformation analysis of the entire fibrillin-1 (FBN1) cDNA of an affected family member revealed a G-to-A transition at nucleotide 3379, predicting a Gly1127Ser substitution. The glycine in this position is highly conserved in EGF-like domains of FBN1 and other proteins. This mutation was present in 9 of 10 affected family members and in 1 young unaffected member but was not found in other unaffected members, in 168 chromosomes from normal controls, and in 188 chromosomes from other individuals with MFS or related phenotypes. FBN1 intragenic marker haplotypes ruled out the possibility that the other allele played a significant role in modulating the phenotype in this family. Pulse-chase studies revealed normal fibrillin synthesis but reduced fibrillin deposition into the extracellular matrix in cultured fibroblasts from a Gly1127Ser carrier. We postulate that the Gly1127Ser FBN1 mutation is responsible for reduced matrix deposition. We suggest that mutations such as this one may disrupt EGF-like domain folding less drastically than do substitutions of cysteine or of other amino acids important for calcium-binding that cause classical MFS. The Gly1127Ser mutation, therefore, produces a mild form of autosomal dominantly inherited weakness of elastic tissue, which predisposes to ascending aortic aneurysm and dissection later in life.     

From microbial gene essentiality to novel antimicrobial drug targets

Background

Bacterial respiratory tract infections, mainly caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis are among the leading causes of global mortality and morbidity. Increased resistance of these pathogens to existing antibiotics necessitates the search for novel targets to develop potent antimicrobials.

Result

Here, we report a proof of concept study for the reliable identification of potential drug targets in these human respiratory pathogens by combining high-density transposon mutagenesis, high-throughput sequencing, and integrative genomics. Approximately 20% of all genes in these three species were essential for growth and viability, including 128 essential and conserved genes, part of 47 metabolic pathways. By comparing these essential genes to the human genome, and a database of genes from commensal human gut microbiota, we identified and excluded potential drug targets in respiratory tract pathogens that will have off-target effects in the host, or disrupt the natural host microbiota. We propose 249 potential drug targets, 67 of which are targets for 75 FDA-approved antimicrobials and 35 other researched small molecule inhibitors. Two out of four selected novel targets were experimentally validated, proofing the concept.

Conclusion

Here we have pioneered an attempt in systematically combining the power of high-density transposon mutagenesis, high-throughput sequencing, and integrative genomics to discover potential drug targets at genome-scale. By circumventing the time-consuming and expensive laboratory screens traditionally used to select potential drug targets, our approach provides an attractive alternative that could accelerate the much needed discovery of novel antimicrobials.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2164-15-958) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Fracture prevention in COPD patients; a clinical 5-step approach

Although osteoporosis and its related fractures are common in patients with COPD, patients at high risk of fracture are poorly identified, and consequently, undertreated. Since there are no fracture prevention guidelines available that focus on COPD patients, we developed a clinical approach to improve the identification and treatment of COPD patients at high risk of fracture. We organised a round-table discussion with 8 clinical experts in the field of COPD and fracture prevention in the Netherlands in December 2013. The clinical experts presented a review of the literature on COPD, osteoporosis and fracture prevention. Based on the Dutch fracture prevention guideline, they developed a 5-step clinical approach for fracture prevention in COPD. Thereby, they took into account both classical risk factors for fracture (low body mass index, older age, personal and family history of fracture, immobility, smoking, alcohol intake, use of glucocorticoids and increased fall risk) and COPD-specific risk factors for fracture (severe airflow obstruction, pulmonary exacerbations and oxygen therapy). Severe COPD (defined as postbronchodilator FEV₁ < 50% predicted) was added as COPD-specific risk factor to the list of classical risk factors for fracture. The 5-step clinical approach starts with case finding using clinical risk factors, followed by risk evaluation (dual energy X-ray absorptiometry and imaging of the spine), differential diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. This systematic clinical approach, which is evidence-based and easy-to-use in daily practice by pulmonologists, should contribute to optimise fracture prevention in COPD patients at high risk of fracture.     

Maintenance of the cellobiose utilization genes of Escherichia coli in a cryptic state

The genes for cellobiose utilization are normally cryptic in Escherichia coli. The cellobiose system was used as a model to understand the process by which silent genes are maintained in microbial populations. Previously reported was (1) the isolation of a mutant strain that expresses the cellobiose-utilization (Cel) genes and (2) that expression of those genes allows utilization of three beta- glucoside sugars: cellobiose, arbutin, and salicin. The Cel gene cluster has now been cloned from that mutant strain. In the course of locating the Cel genes within the cloned DNA segment, it was discovered that inactivation of the Cel-encoded hydrolase rendered the host strain sensitive to all three beta-glucosides as potent inhibitors. This sensitivity arises from the accumulation of the phosphorylated beta- glucosides. Because even the fully active genes conferred some degree of beta-glucoside sensitivity, the effects of cellobiose on a series of five Cel+ mutants of independent origin were investigated. Although each of those strains utilizes cellobiose as a sole carbon and energy source, cellobiose also acts as a potent inhibitor that reduces the growth rate on glycerol 2.5-16.5-fold. On the other hand, wild-type strains that cannot utilize cellobiose are not inhibited. The observation that the same compound can serve either as a nutrient or as an inhibitor suggests that, under most conditions in which cellobiose will be present together with other resources, there is a strong selective advantage to having the cryptic (Cel0) allele. In those environments in which cellobiose is the sole, or the best, resource, mutants that express the genes (Cel+) will have a strong selective advantage. It is suggested that temporal alternation between these two conditions is a major factor in the maintenance of these genes in E. coli populations. This alternation of environments and fitnesses was predicted by the model for cryptic-gene maintenance that was previously published.      

Investigating extracellular in situ EGFR structure and conformational changes using FRET microscopy

The crystallographic structures of functional fragments of ErbBs have provided excellent insights into the geometry of growth factor binding and receptor dimerization. By placing together receptor fragments to build structural models of entire receptors, we expect to understand how these enzymes are allosterically regulated; however, several predictions from these models are inconsistent with experimental evidence from cells. The opening of this gap underlines the need to investigate intact ErbBs by combining cellular and structural studies into a full picture.     

Synthesis of a highly substituted N(6)-linked immobilized NAD(+) derivative using a rapid solid-phase modular approach: suitability for use with the kinetic locking-on tactic for bioaffinity purification of NAD(+)-dependent dehydrogenases

This study is concerned with further development of the kinetic locking-on strategy for bioaffinity purification of NAD(+)-dependent dehydrogenases. Specifically, the synthesis of highly substituted N(6)-linked immobilized NAD(+) derivatives is described using a rapid solid-phase modular approach. Other modifications of the N(6)-linked immobilized NAD(+) derivative include substitution of the hydrophobic diaminohexane spacer arm with polar spacer arms (9 and 19.5 A) in an attempt to minimize nonbiospecific interactions. Analysis of the N(6)-linked NAD(+) derivatives confirm (i) retention of cofactor activity upon immobilization (up to 97%); (ii) high total substitution levels and high percentage accessibility levels when compared to S(6)-linked immobilized NAD(+) derivatives (also synthesized with polar spacer arms); (iii) short production times when compared to the preassembly approach to synthesis. Model locking-on bioaffinity chromatographic studies were carried out with bovine heart l-lactate dehydrogenase (l-LDH, EC 1.1.1.27), bakers yeast alcohol dehydrogenase (YADH, EC 1.1.1.1) and Sporosarcinia sp. l-phenylalanine dehydrogenase (l-PheDH, EC 1.4.1.20), using oxalate, hydroxylamine, and d-phenylalanine, respectively, as locking-on ligands. Surprisingly, two of these test NAD(+)-dependent dehydrogenases (lactate and alcohol dehydrogenase) were found to have a greater affinity for the more lowly substituted S(6)-linked immobilized cofactor derivatives than for the new N(6)-linked derivatives. In contrast, the NAD(+)-dependent phenylalanine dehydrogenase showed no affinity for the S(6)-linked immobilized NAD(+) derivative, but was locked-on strongly to the N(6)-linked immobilized derivative. That this locking-on is biospecific is confirmed by the observation that the enzyme failed to lock-on to an analogous N(6)-linked immobilized NADP(+) derivative in the presence of d-phenylalanine. This differential locking-on of NAD(+)-dependent dehydrogenases to N(6)-linked and S(6)-linked immobilized NAD(+) derivatives cannot be explained in terms of final accessible substitutions levels, but suggests fundamental differences in affinity of the three test enzymes for NAD(+) immobilized via N(6)-linkage as compared to thiol-linkage.     

Genetic stability of the D1Z2 region: implications for DNA genotyping and paternity testing.

The aim of the present study was to examine a single locus variable number tandem repeat for the purpose of DNA genotyping ("fingerprinting"). DNAs of 175 individuals from five ethnic groups (Black, Chinese, Japanese, Caucasian, and Melanesian) were analyzed. Restriction fragment length polymorphic analysis of random individuals revealed individual specific DNA patterns in all but one group. Among 20 Melanesian inhabitants of the Vanuatu islands in the southwest Pacific, three individuals were found to share a common pattern. This island population represents a "genetic isolate" and illustrates the importance of carrying out population studies on individual ethnic groups of interest. The complexity and the genetic stability of the D1Z2 region as revealed by the probe hMF1 make it an excellent candidate for DNA genotyping in paternity testing as 101 Caucasian individuals each had unique patterns for PstI and SinI digests.