Oxidative modification of neurofilament-L by the Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase and hydrogen peroxide system

Neurofilament-L (NF-L) is a major element of neuronal cytoskeletons and known to be important for their survival in vivo. Since oxidative stress might play a critical role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases, we investigated the role of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the modification of NF-L. When disassembled NF-L was incubated with Cu,Zn-SOD and H2O2, the aggregation of protein was proportional to the concentration of hydrogen peroxide. Cu,Zn-SOD/H2O2-mediated modification of NF-L was significantly inhibited by radical scavenger, spin trap agents and copper chelators. Dityrosine crosslink formation was obtained in Cu,Zn-SOD/H2O2-mediated NF-L aggregates. Antioxidant molecules, carnosine and anserine significantly inhibited the aggregation of NF-L and the formation of dityrosine. This study suggests that copper-mediated NF-L modification may be closely related to oxidative reactions which play a critical role in neurodegenerative diseases.     

Dendritic cells loaded with exogenous antigen by electroporation can enhance MHC class I–mediated antitumor immunity

To develop an efficient antitumor immunotherapy, we have examined if dendritic cells (DCs) loaded with soluble antigens by electroporation present more antigens via the MHC (major histocompatibility complex) class I pathway, which mediate a cytotoxic T-cell response. DCs loaded with ovalbumin (OVA) by electroporation presented more MHC class I–restricted determinants compared with DCs pulsed with OVA. When electroporated DCs were pulsed with OVA for additional times, both MHC class I– and II–restricted presentation of OVA were increased compared with each single procedure, including electroporation or simple pulse. Immunization with DCs loaded with OVA by electroporation induced higher cytotoxicity of splenocytes to E.G7 cells, a clone of EL4 cells transfected with an OVA cDNA, than immunization with DCs pulsed with OVA. In the animal study, immunization with DCs loaded with OVA or tumor cell lysates by electroporation induced an effective antitumor immunity against tumor of E.G7 cells or Lewis lung carcinoma cells, respectively. In addition, immunization with DCs loaded with antigen by combination of electroporation and pulse, completely protected mice from tumor formation, and prolonged survival, in both tumor models. These results demonstrated that electroporation would be a useful way to enhance MHC class I–mediated antitumor immunity without functional deterioration, and that the combination of electroporation and pulse could be a simple and efficient antigen-loading method and consequently lead to induction of strong antitumor immunity.Abbreviations DCs dendritic cells - MHC major histocompatibility complex - OVA ovalbumin - TAA tumor-associated antigen - CTL cytotoxic T lymphocyte - LDH lactate dehydrogenase     

Current concepts on Escherichia coli K1 translocation of the blood-brain barrier

The mortality and morbidity associated with neonatal gram-negative meningitis have remained significant despite advances in antimicrobial chemotherapy. Escherichia coli K1 is the most common gram-negative organism causing neonatal meningitis. Our incomplete knowledge of the pathogenesis of this disease is one of the main reasons for this high mortality and morbidity. We have previously established both in vitro and in vivo models of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) using human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) and hematogenous meningitis in neonatal rats, respectively. With these in vitro and in vivo models, we have shown that successful crossing of the BBB by circulating E. coli requires a high-degree of bacteremia, E. coli binding to and invasion of HBMEC, and E. coli traversal of the BBB as live bacteria. Our previous studies using TnphoA, signature-tagged mutagenesis and differential fluorescence induction identified several E. coli K1 determinants such as OmpA, Ibe proteins, AslA, TraJ and CNF1 contributing to invasion of HBMEC in vitro and traversal of the blood-brain barrier in vivo. We have shown that some of these determinants interact with specific receptors on HBMEC, suggesting E. coli translocation of the BBB is the result of specific pathogen-host cell interactions. Recent studies using functional genomics techniques have identified additional E. coli K1 factors that contribute to the high degree of bacteremia and HBMEC binding/invasion/transcytosis. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the mechanisms underlying the successful E. coli translocation of the BBB.     

Surface plasmon resonance immunosensor for the detection of Salmonella typhimurium

An immunosensor based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) using protein G was developed for the detection of Salmonella typhimurium. A protein G layer was fabricated by binding chemically to self-assembly monolayer (SAM) of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) on gold (Au) surface. The formation of protein G layer on Au surface modified with 11-MUA and the binding of antibody and antigen in series were confirmed by SPR spectroscopy. The effect of detergent such as Tween-20 on binding efficiency of antibody and antigen was investigated by SPR. The binding efficiency of antigen to the antibody immobilized on Au surface was improved up to about 85% and 100% by using protein G and Tween-20, respectively. The surface morphology analyses of 11-MUA monolayer on Au substrate, protein G layer on 11-MUA monolayer and antibody layer immobilized on protein G layer were performed by atomic force microscope (AFM). Consequently, an immunosensor based on SPR for the detection of S. typhimurium using protein G was developed with a detection range of 10(2) to 10(9)CFU/ml. The current fabrication technique of a SPR immunosensor for the detection of S. typhimurium could be applied to construct other immnosensors or protein chips.     

Effects of endocytosis inhibitory drugs on rubella virus entry into VeroE6 cells

It has been suggested that infectious entry of rubella virus (RV) is conducted by receptor mediated endocytosis. To explore the cellular entry mechanism of RV, inhibitory effects of drugs affecting various endocytic pathways on RV entry into VeroE6 cells were analyzed. Results showed that RV infectious entry into VeroE6 cells is mediated by clathrin-dependent endocytosis and not by caveolae-mediated endocytosis. Moreover, chemical inhibition of macropinocytosis such as treatments of amiloride, actin and microtubule-disrupting drug significantly reduced RV infection. Considering that macropinocytosis is inducible endocytosis by cellular stimulations, clathrin-mediated endocytosis is likely to be a major route of RV infectious entry.     

A nodule-specific dicarboxylate transporter from alder is a member of the peptide transporter family

Alder (Alnus glutinosa) and more than 200 angiosperms that encompass 24 genera are collectively called actinorhizal plants. These plants form a symbiotic relationship with the nitrogen-fixing actinomycete Frankia strain HFPArI3. The plants provide the bacteria with carbon sources in exchange for fixed nitrogen, but this metabolite exchange in actinorhizal nodules has not been well defined. We isolated an alder cDNA from a nodule cDNA library by differential screening with nodule versus root cDNA and found that it encoded a transporter of the PTR (peptide transporter) family, AgDCAT1. AgDCAT1 mRNA was detected only in the nodules and not in other plant organs. Immunolocalization analysis showed that AgDCAT1 protein is localized at the symbiotic interface. The AgDCAT1 substrate was determined by its heterologous expression in two systems. Xenopus laevis oocytes injected with AgDCAT1 cRNA showed an outward current when perfused with malate or succinate, and AgDCAT1 was able to complement a dicarboxylate uptake-deficient Escherichia coli mutant. Using the E. coli system, AgDCAT1 was shown to be a dicarboxylate transporter with a K(m) of 70 microm for malate. It also transported succinate, fumarate, and oxaloacetate. To our knowledge, AgDCAT1 is the first dicarboxylate transporter to be isolated from the nodules of symbiotic plants, and we suggest that it may supply the intracellular bacteria with dicarboxylates as carbon sources.     

Two enzymes in one; two yeast peroxiredoxins display oxidative stress-dependent switching from a peroxidase to a molecular chaperone function

Although a great deal is known biochemically about peroxiredoxins (Prxs), little is known about their real physiological function. We show here that two cytosolic yeast Prxs, cPrxI and II, which display diversity in structure and apparent molecular weights (MW), can act alternatively as peroxidases and molecular chaperones. The peroxidase function predominates in the lower MW forms, whereas the chaperone function predominates in the higher MW complexes. Oxidative stress and heat shock exposure of yeasts causes the protein structures of cPrxI and II to shift from low MW species to high MW complexes. This triggers a peroxidase-to-chaperone functional switch. These in vivo changes are primarily guided by the active peroxidase site residue, Cys(47), which serves as an efficient "H(2)O(2)-sensor" in the cells. The chaperone function of these proteins enhances yeast resistance to heat shock.