Different oxidized phospholipid molecules unequally affect bilayer packing

The aim of this study was to gain more detailed knowledge about the effect of the presence of defined oxidized phospholipid molecules in phospholipid bilayers. After chromatographic and mass spectrometry analysis, the previously used product of the Fenton reaction with unsaturated lecithins proved to consist of a plethora of oxidatively modified lecithins, unuseful either for the detailed study of the effects brought about in the bilayer or as the source of defined oxidized phospholipid molecules. The latter, particularly 2-(ω-carboxyacyl)- and 2-(n-hydroperoxyacyl)-lecithins, can be more conveniently prepared by chemical or enzymatic synthesis rather than by chemical or physical oxidation. The effect of those molecules and of commercially available 12-hydroxy-stearic and dodecanedioic acid was studied in planar supported phospholipid bilayers (SPBs) by use of EPR spectrometry. The SPBs also contained 2-(5-doxylstearoyl)-lecithin as the spin probe, and the EPR spectral anisotropy loss, indicative of bilayer disordering, was measured as a function of the molar percentage of oxidized lipid. Most oxidized lipid molecules examined in this study were able to induce bilayer disordering, while hydroperoxyl group-bearing acyl chains appeared to be much less effective. It is concluded that the effects of different oxidized phospholipids on phospholipid bilayer structure cannot be generalized, as happens with batch-oxidized phospholipids, and that the use of defined oxidized phospholipid molecular species for membrane oxidative stress guarantees a more reliable and detailed response.     

Novel mutations in the adipose triglyceride lipase gene causing neutral lipid storage disease with myopathy

A subgroup of neutral lipid storage disease has been recently associated with myopathy (NLSDM) and attributed to mutations in the gene (PNPLA2) encoding an adipose triglyceride lipase involved in the degradation of intracellular triglycerides. Five NLSDM patients have been described thus far and we reported three additional patients. A 44-year old Iranian woman and two Italian brothers, aged 40 and 35, presented with exercise intolerance and proximal limb weakness, elevated CK levels, and Jordan’s anomaly. Muscle biopsies showed marked neutral lipid accumulation in all patients. The 10 exons and the intron-exon junctions of the PNPLA2 gene were sequenced. Two novel homozygous mutations in exon 5 of PNPLA2 gene were found (c.695delT and c.542delAC). Both mutations resulted in frameshifts leading to premature stop codons (p.L255X and p.I212X, respectively). These mutations predict a truncated PNPLA2 protein lacking the C-terminal hydrophobic domain. These findings indicate that NLSDM is rare, but genetically heterogeneous.     

Differential distribution of aldolase A and C in the human central nervous system

We have analyzed the distribution of aldolase A and C mRNAs and proteins in various areas of the human brain using Northern blot analyses and immunohistochemistry. Aldolase A mRNA expression was higher than aldolase C mRNA expression in all areas of the brain examined. Aldolase C mRNA expression was highest in the cerebellum. Aldolase C protein was present in well-delimited regions of the CNS, and was distributed in stripes in the Purkinje cell layer of the cerebellum, in the inferior olives and in the sensory neurons of the posterior horn of the spinal cord. The novel finding of aldolase C in well-delimited cell compartments of the human cerebellum and in several other areas of the CNS lends weight to the hypothesis that this protein exerts other functions (e.g. sensory transmission) besides those characteristic of a glycolytic enzyme.     

Reactivity and stability of mycelium-bound carboxylesterase from Aspergillus oryzae.

The reactivity and thermostability of a novel mycelium-bound carboxylesterase from lyophilized cells of Aspergillus oryzae are explored in organic solvent. Ethanol acetylation was selected as reference esterification reaction. High carboxylesterase activity cells were used as biocatalyst in batch esterification tests at 12.5 < S(o) < 125 mmol L(-1), 5.0 < X(o) < 30 g L(-1), 0.49 < log P < 4.5 and 30 < T < 80 degrees C, as well as in residual activity tests after incubation at 40 < T < 90 degrees C. The starting rates of product formation were used to estimate with the Arrhenius model the apparent activation enthalpies of the enzymatic reaction (29-33 kJ mol(-1)), the reversible unfolding (56-63 kJ mol(-1)), and the irreversible denaturation (22 kJ mol(-1)) of the biocatalyst.     

Structure of human NMN adenylyltransferase. A key nuclear enzyme for NAD homeostasis.

Nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase (NMNAT), a member of the nucleotidyltransferase alpha/beta-phosphodiesterases superfamily, catalyzes a universal step (NMN + ATP = NAD + PP(i)) in NAD biosynthesis. Localized within the nucleus, the activity of the human enzyme is greatly altered in tumor cells, rendering it a promising target for cancer chemotherapy. By using a combination of single isomorphous replacement and density modification techniques, the human NMNAT structure was solved by x-ray crystallography to a 2.5-A resolution, revealing a hexamer that is composed of alpha/beta-topology subunits. The active site topology of the enzyme, analyzed through homology modeling and structural comparison with other NMNATs, yielded convincing evidence for a substrate-induced conformational change. We also observed remarkable structural conservation in the ATP-recognition motifs GXXXPX(T/H)XXH and SXTXXR, which we take to be the universal signature for NMNATs. Structural comparison of human and prokaryotic NMNATs may also lead to the rational design of highly selective antimicrobial drugs.     

A basic peroxidase from wheat kernel with antifungal activity.

A basic heme-peroxidase (WP1) was purified to homogeneity from wheat (Triticum aestivum) kernels. The protein was not glycosylated and exhibited a molecular mass of 36 kDa and a pI of 8.0. The N-terminal amino acid sequence revealed a very high similarity with a wheat flour peroxidase allergen associated with baker's asthma. WPI showed indole-3-acetic acid oxidase activity in the presence of Mn2+ and phenolic cofactors. Antifungal assays performed in vitro towards phytopathogenic fungi indicated that WP1 was active in inhibiting germ tube elongation. This first report on antifungal properties of a heme-peroxidase gives experimental support to the idea that peroxidases play a defensive role against invading pathogens.     

Ozone Quenching Properties of Isoprene and Its Antioxidant Role in Leaves

Isoprene is formed in and emitted by plants and the reason for this apparent carbon waste is still unclear. It has been proposed that isoprene stabilizes cell and particularly chloroplast thylakoid membranes. We tested if membrane stabilization or isoprene reactivity with ozone induces protection against acute ozone exposures. The reduction of visible, physiological, anatomical, and ultrastructural (chloroplast) damage shows that clones of plants sensitive to ozone and unable to emit isoprene become resistant to acute and short exposure to ozone if they are fumigated with exogenous isoprene, and that isoprene-emitting plants that are sensitive to ozone do not suffer damage when exposed to ozone. Isoprene-induced ozone resistance is associated with the maintenance of photochemical efficiency and with a low energy dissipation, as indicated by fluorescence quenching. This suggests that isoprene effectively stabilizes thylakoid membranes. However, when isoprene reacts with ozone within the leaves or in a humid atmosphere, it quenches the ozone concentration to levels that are less or non-toxic for plants. Thus, protection from ozone in plants fumigated with isoprene may be due to a direct ozone quenching rather than to an induced resistance at membrane level. Irrespective of the mechanism, isoprene is one of the most effective antioxidants in plants.     

Molecular Characterization and Identification of Bacillus clausii Strains Marketed for Use in Oral Bacteriotherapy

A substantial number of Bacillus species have been marketed for use in oral bacteriotherapy because of their purported ability to prevent or treat various gastrointestinal disorders. Recently, some of the Bacillus strains in Enterogermina, which is made up of aqueous suspensions of viable Bacillus spores, have been partially characterized and aligned with members of the Bacillus alcalophilus subgroup rather than with Bacillus subtilis, as previously reported. With a view toward verifying the original taxonomic position of the Enterogermina strains, we catalogued both phenotypic and genotypic traits exhibited by the four Bacillus strains isolated from the spore mixtures found in original commercial preparations dated 1975 and 1984 and commercial preparations now being propagated industrially. Analyses of physiological and biochemical traits, complete 16S rRNA gene sequences, DNA-DNA reassociation, tRNA intergenic spacer length polymorphism, single-strand conformation polymorphism of PCR-amplified spacer regions of tRNA genes, and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA led to the finding that all of the Enterogermina strains belong to a unique genospecies, which is unequivocally identified as the alkalitolerant species Bacillus clausii. Moreover, we provide evidence that in contrast to several reference strains of B. clausii, the strains constituting Enterogermina are characterized by a notable low level of intraspecific genome diversity and that each strain has remained the same for the last 25 years.