Similar hypotensive responses to resistance exercise with and without blood flow restriction

Low intensity resistance exercise (RE) with blood flow restriction (BFR) has gained attention in the literature due to the beneficial effects on functional and morphological variables, similar to those observed during traditional RE without BFR, while the effects of BFR on post-exercise hypotension remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to compare the blood pressure (BP) response of trained normotensive individuals to RE with and without BFR. In this cross-over randomized trial, eight male subjects (23.8 ± 4 years, 74 ± 3 kg, 174 ± 4 cm) completed two exercise protocols: traditional RE (3 x 10 repetitions at 70% one-repetition maximum [1-RM]) and low intensity RE (3 x 15 repetitions at 20% 1-RM) with BFR. Blood pressure measurements were performed after 15 min of seated rest (0), immediately after and 10 min, 20 min, 30 min, 40 min, 50 min and 60 min after the experimental sessions. Similar hypotensive effects for systolic BP (SBP) were observed for both protocols (P < 0.05) after exercise, with no differences between groups (P > 0.05) and no statistically significant difference for diastolic BP (P > 0.05). These results suggest that in normotensive trained individuals, both traditional RE and RE with BFR induce hypotension for SBP, which is important to prevent cardiovascular disturbances.     

Inactivation of porcine heart cytoplasmic malate dehydrogenase by pyridoxal 5'-phosphate.

Pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (pyridoxal-5'-P) has been found to act as a bifunctional reagent during the inactivation of porcine heart cytoplasmic malate dehydrogenase (L-malate: NAD+ oxidoreductase, EC 1.1.1.37). The biphasic kinetics and X-azolidine-like structure formed were similar to those observed for mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase (Wimmer, M.J., Mo, T., Sawyers, D.L., and Harrison, J.H. (1975) J. Biol. Chem. 250, 710-715). In the cytoplasmic enzyme, however, irreversible inactivation representing X-azolidine formation was found to be the dominant characteristic of the interaction with pyridoxal-5'-P. Spectral evidence indicated that at total inactivation 2 mol of pyridoxal-5'-P were incorporated per mol of enzyme or one pyridoxal-5'-P per enzymatic active site. The presence of NADH protected the enzyme from inactivation suggesting interaction of pyridoxal-5'-P at or near the enzymatic active centers of this enzyme. Fluorometric titrations indicated that pyridoxal-5'-P-inactivated enzyme failed to bind NADH or at least failed to bind NADH in the same fashion as native enzyme.     

Destabilization of the Homotetrameric Assembly of 3-Deoxy-d-Arabino-Heptulosonate-7-Phosphate Synthase from the Hyperthermophile Pyrococcus furiosus Enhances Enzymatic Activity

Many proteins adopt homomeric quaternary structures to support their biological function, including the first enzyme of the shikimate pathway that is ultimately responsible for the biosynthesis of the aromatic amino acids in plants and microorganisms. This enzyme, 3-deoxy-d-arabino-heptulosonate-7-phosphate synthase (DAH7PS), adopts a variety of different quaternary structures depending on the organism in which it is found. The DAH7PS from the hyperthermophilic archaebacterium Pyrococcus furiosus was previously shown to be tetrameric in its crystalline form, and this quaternary association is confirmed in an improved structure in a different crystal system. This tetramer is also present in solution as revealed by small-angle X-ray scattering and analytical ultracentrifugation. This homotetrameric form has two distinct interfaces, both of which bury over 10% each of the surface area of a single monomer. Substitution of Ile for Asp in the hydrophobic region of one interface gives a protein with a remarkable 4-fold higher maximum catalytic rate than the wild-type enzyme. Analytical ultracentrifugation at pH 7.5 reveals that the tetrameric form is destabilized; although the protein crystallizes as a tetramer, equilibrium exists between tetrameric and dimeric forms with a dissociation constant of 22 μM. Thus, under the conditions of kinetic assay, the enzyme is primarily dimeric, revealing that the dimeric form is a fully functional catalyst. However, in comparison to the wild-type protein, the thermal stability of the dimeric protein is significantly compromised. Thus, an unusual compromise of enzymatic activity versus stability is observed for this DAH7PS from an organism that favors a hyperthermophilic environment.     

Cytokinin dehydrogenase: a genetic target for yield improvement in wheat

The plant hormone group, the cytokinins, is implicated in both qualitative and quantitative components of yield. Cytokinins have opposing actions in shoot and root growth—actions shown to involve cytokinin dehydrogenase (CKX), the enzyme that inactivates cytokinin. We revise and provide unambiguous names for the CKX gene family members in wheat, based on the most recently released wheat genome database, IWGSC RefSeq v1.0 & v2.0. We review expression data of CKX gene family members in wheat, revealing tissue‐specific gene family member expression as well as sub‐genome‐specific expression. Manipulation of CKX in cereals shows clear impacts on yield, root growth and orientation, and Zn nutrition, but this also emphasizes the necessity to unlink promotive effects on grain yield from negative effects of cytokinin on root growth and uptake of mineral nutrients, particularly Zn and Fe. Wheat is the most widely grown cereal crop globally, yet is under‐research compared with rice and maize. We highlight gaps in our knowledge of the involvement of CKX for wheat. We also highlight the necessity for accurate analysis of endogenous cytokinins, acknowledging why this is challenging, and provide examples where inadequate analyses of endogenous cytokinins have led to unjustified conclusions. We acknowledge that the allohexaploid nature of bread wheat poses challenges in terms of uncovering useful mutations. However, we predict TILLING followed by whole‐exome sequencing will uncover informative mutations and we indicate the potential for stacking mutations within the three genomes to modify yield components. We model a wheat ideotype based on CKX manipulation.     

Localization of the high molecular weight kininogen binding site in the heavy chain of human factor XI to amino acids phenylalanine 56 through serine 86

We have previously demonstrated that a monoclonal antibody (5F7) directed against the heavy chain region of factor XI inhibits the binding of factor XI to high molecular weight kininogen (high Mr kininogen) and the surface-mediated proteolytic activation of factor XI by factor XIIa in the presence of high Mr kininogen. In order to identify the structural domain of factor XI that binds high Mr kininogen, CNBr-digested factor XI was passed over a 5F7 antibody affinity column. One of two CNBr peptides that bound to this 5F7 affinity column inhibited binding of 125I-factor XI to high Mr kininogen, as did intact factor XI. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in sodium dodecyl sulfate of an inhibitory peptide purified by high performance liquid chromatography revealed an Mr of 10,000-15,000. Gas-phase sequencing of this peptide revealed the following amino-terminal sequence: X-X-Val-Thr-Gln-Leu-Leu-Lys-Asp-Thr. These data together with the amino acid composition of the isolated peptide indicate that both the epitope recognized by antibody 5F7 and at least a portion of the high Mr kininogen binding site are contained within the amino-terminal portion of factor XI comprising residues Glu-1 through Met-102. Further cleavage of this peptide with o-iodosobenzoic acid at a tryptophanyl peptide bond revealed that an Mr 5,000 peptide (with the amino-terminal sequence Trp-Phe-Thr-Cys-Val-Leu) bound to a high Mr kininogen affinity column and inhibited binding of 125I-factor XI to high Mr kininogen. Finally, a synthetic peptide comprising residues Phe-56 through Ser-86 inhibited 125I-factor XI binding to high Mr kininogen. These experiments strongly suggest that the high Mr kininogen binding site is contained within the domain in the heavy chain region of factor XI comprising residues Phe-56 through Ser-86.     

The antigenic index: a novel algorithm for predicting antigenic determinants

In this paper, we introduce a computer algorithm which can beused to predict the topological features of a protein directlyfrom its primary amino acid sequence. The computer program generatesvalues for surface accessibility parameters and combines thesevalues with those obtained for regional backbone flexibilityand predicted secondary structure. The output of this algorithm,the antigenic index, is used to create a linear surface contourprofile of the protein. Because most, if not all, antigenicsites are located within surface exposed regions of a protein,the program offers a reliable means of predicting potentialantigenic determinants. We have tested the ability of this programto generate accurate surface contour profiles and predict antigenicsites from the linear amino acid sequences of well-characterizedproteins and found a strong correlation between the predictionsof the antigenic index and known structural and biological data. Received on August 17, 1987; accepted on December 31, 1987     

An integrated family of amino acid sequence analysis programs

During the last years abundant sequence data has become availabledue to the rapid progress in protein and DNA sequencing techniques.The exact three-dimensional structures, however, are availableonly for a fraction of proteins with known sequences. For manypurposes the primary amino acid sequence of a protein can bedirectly used to predict important structural parameters. However,mathematical presentation of the calculated values often makesinterpretation difficult, especially if many proteins must beanalysed and compared. Here we introduce a broad-based, user-definedanalysis of amino acid sequence information. The program packageis based on published algorithms and is designed to access standardprotein data bases, calculate hydropathy, surface probabilityand flexibility values and perform secondary structure predictions.The data output is in an ‘easy-to-read’ graphicformat and several parameters can be superimposed within a singleplot in order to simplify data interpretations. Additionally,this package includes a novel algorithm for the prediction ofpotential antigenic sites. Thus the software package presentedhere offers a powerful means of analysing an amino acid sequencefor the purpose of structure/function studies as well as antigenicsite analyses. These algorithms were written to function incontext with the UWGCG (University of Wisconsin Genetics ComputerGroup) program collection, and are now distributed within thatpackage. Received on March 20, 1987; accepted on September 4, 1987     

Identification of a novel retroviral gene unique to human immunodeficiency virus type 2 and simian immunodeficiency virus SIVMAC.

Human and simian immunodeficiency-associated retroviruses are extraordinarily complex, containing at least five genes, tat, art, sor, R, and 3' orf, in addition to the structural genes gag, pol, and env. Recently, nucleotide sequence analysis of human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (HIV-2) and simian immunodeficiency virus SIVMAC revealed the existence of still another open reading frame, termed X, which is highly conserved between these two viruses but absent from HIV-1. In this report, we demonstrate for the first time that the X open reading frame represents a functional retroviral gene in both HIV-2 and SIVMAC and that it encodes a virion-associated protein of 14 and 12 kilodaltons, respectively. We also describe the production of recombinant TrpE/X fusion proteins in Escherichia coli and show that sera from some HIV-2-infected individuals specifically recognize these proteins.