Molecular Docking Study of Beta-Glucosidase with Cellobiose,Cellotetraose and Cellotetriose

Beta-glucosidase (3.2.1.21) plays an essential role in the removal of non-reducing terminal glucosyl residues from glycosides. Recently, beta-glucosidase has been of interest for biomass conversion that acts in synergy with two other enzymes, endoglucanase and exo-glucanase. However, there is not much information available on the catalytic interactions of beta-glucosidase with its substrates. Thus, this study reports on the binding modes between beta-glucosidase from glycoside hydrolase family 1 namely BglB with cellobiose, cellotetraose and cellotetriose via molecular docking simulation. From the results, the binding affinities of BglB-cellobiose, BglB-cellotetraose, and BglB-cellotetriose complexes were reported to be -6.2kJ/mol , -5.68 kJ/mol and -5.63 kJ/mol, respectively. The detail interactions were also been investigated that revealed the key residues involved in forming hydrogen bonds (h-bond) with the substrates. These findings may provide valuable insigths in designing beta-glucosidase with higher cellobiose-hydrolyzing efficiency.     

Purification and characterization of a Ca(2+)-dependent novel lectin from Nymphaea nouchali tuber with antiproliferative activities

A lectin (termed NNTL) was purified from the extracts of Nymphaea nouchali tuber followed by anion-exchange chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, hydrophobic chromatography on HiTrap Phenyl HP and by repeated anion-exchange chromatography on HiTrap Q FF column. The molecular mass of the purified lectin was 27.0 ± 1.0 kDa, as estimated by SDS/PAGE both in the presence and in the absence of 2-mercaptoethanol. NNTL was an o-nitrophenyl β-D-galactopyranoside sugar-specific lectin that agglutinated rat, chicken and different groups of human blood cells and exhibited high agglutination activity over the pH range 5-9 and temperatures of 30-60 °C. The N-terminal sequence of NNTL did not show sequence similarity with any other lectin and the amino acid analysis revealed that NNTL was rich in leucine, methionine and glycine residues. NNTL was a glycoprotein containing 8% neutral sugar and showed toxicity against brine shrimp nauplii with an LC(50) value of 120 ± 29 μg/ml and exerted strong agglutination activity against four pathogenic bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Sarcina lutea, Shigella shiga and Shigella sonnei). In addition, antiproliferative activity of this lectin against EAC (Ehrlich ascites carcinoma) cells showed 56% and 76% inhibition in vivo in mice at 1.5 and 3 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1) respectively. NNTL was a divalent ion-dependent glycoprotein, which lost its activity markedly in the presence of denaturants. Furthermore, measurement of fluorescence spectra in the presence and absence of urea and CaCl(2) indicated the requirement of Ca(2+) for the stability of NNTL.     

Peptide derived from anti-idiotypic single-chain antibody is a potent antifungal agent compared to its parent fungicide HM-1 killer toxin peptide

Based on anti-idiotypic network theory in light of the need for new antifungal drugs, we attempted to identify biologically active fragments from HM-1 yeast killer toxin and its anti-idiotypic antibody and to compare their potency as an antifungal agent. Thirteen overlapping peptides from HM-1 killer toxin and six peptides from its anti-idiotypic single-chain variable fragment (scFv) antibodies representing the complementarity determining regions were synthesized. The binding affinities of these peptides were investigated and measured by Dot blot and surface plasmon resonance analysis and finally their antifungal activities were investigated by inhibition of growth, colony forming unit assay. Peptide P6, containing the potential active site of HM-1 was highly capable of inhibiting the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae but was less effective on pathogenic fungi. However, peptide fragments derived from scFv antibody exerted remarkable inhibitory effect on the growth of pathogenic strains of Candida and Cryptococcus species in vitro. One scFv-derived decapeptide (SP6) was selected as the strongest killer peptide for its high binding affinity and antifungal abilities on both Candida and Cryptococcus species with IC₅₀ values from 2.33 × 10⁻⁷ M to 36.0 × 10⁻⁷ M. SP6 peptide activity was neutralized by laminarin, a β-1,3-glucan molecule, indicating this peptide derived from scFv anti-idiotypic antibody retains antifungal activity through interaction with cell wall β-glucan of their target fungal cells. Experimental evidence strongly suggested the possibility of development of anti-idiotypic scFv peptide-based antifungal agents which may lead to improve therapeutics for the management of varieties of fungal infections.     

Targeted Delivery of Lovastatin and Tocotrienol to Fracture Site Promotes Fracture Healing in Osteoporosis Model: Micro-Computed Tomography and Biomechanical Evaluation

Osteoporosis is becoming a major health problem that is associated with increased fracture risk. Previous studies have shown that osteoporosis could delay fracture healing. Although there are potential agents available to promote fracture healing of osteoporotic bone such as statins and tocotrienol, studies on direct delivery of these agents to the fracture site are limited. This study was designed to investigate the effects of two potential agents, lovastatin and tocotrienol using targeted drug delivery system on fracture healing of postmenopausal osteoporosis rats. The fracture healing was evaluated using micro CT and biomechanical parameters. Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley female rats were divided into 6 groups. The first group was sham-operated (SO), while the others were ovariectomized (OVx). After two months, the right tibiae of all rats were fractured at metaphysis region using pulsed ultrasound and were fixed with plates and screws. The SO and OVxC groups were given two single injections of lovastatin and tocotrienol carriers. The estrogen group (OVx+EST) was given daily oral gavages of Premarin (64.5 µg/kg). The Lovastatin treatment group (OVx+Lov) was given a single injection of 750 µg/kg lovastatin particles. The tocotrienol group (OVx+TT) was given a single injection of 60 mg/kg tocotrienol particles. The combination treatment group (OVx+Lov+TT) was given two single injections of 750 µg/kg lovastatin particles and 60 mg/kg tocotrienol particles. After 4 weeks of treatment, the fractured tibiae were dissected out for micro-CT and biomechanical assessments. The combined treatment group (OVx+Lov+TT) showed significantly higher callus volume and callus strength than the OVxC group (p<0.05). Both the OVx+Lov and OVx+TT groups showed significantly higher callus strength than the OVxC group (p<0.05), but not for callus volume. In conclusion, combined lovastatin and tocotrienol may promote better fracture healing of osteoporotic bone.     

High-performance liquid chromatography-based multivariate analysis to predict the estrogenic activity of an Epimedium koreanum extract

This study characterizes the correlation between the chemical fingerprint and estrogenic activity of an Epimedium koreanum extract. The estrogenic activity of 31 E. koreanum extract samples was evaluated by a luciferase reporter gene assay, and the samples were classified into 3 groups based on their bioactivity. A chemical fingerprint analysis was performed on each sample by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and 44 common peaks were selected from the chromatogram and used as a dataset for a pattern recognition analysis. A canonical discriminant analysis performed on this dataset determined a distinct distribution of the samples according to their estrogenic activity on the scoring plot. The classification results showed that 90.3% of the original grouped cases had been correctly classified. The total content of the 4 major extract compounds, epimedin A, epimedin B, epimedin C, and icariin, exhibited good correlation (r=0.784) with the estrogenic activities of the respective extracts. This chromatographic fingerprint-chemometric analysis system could be useful for predicting the E. koreanum pharmacological activity and consequent biological activity-relevant quality control assessment.     

Soil-transmitted helminthiasis: a critical but neglected factor influencing school participation of Aboriginal children in rural Malaysia

Soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH), among the most common neglected tropical diseases, is a major public health problem in Malaysia with a possible impact on the nutritional status and school participation of rural children. This study was carried out among Aboriginal schoolchildren, living in an endemic area for STH in Malaysia, to determine the possible relationship between intestinal helminthiasis and school absenteeism. We also evaluated whether successful treatment of the infection will affect school attendance among the subjects. Stool analysis revealed that more than 90% of the subjects were infected with at least 1 helminth species, with Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura infections being most prevalent. Infection of moderate-to-heavy worm burdens, low level of fathers' education and anaemia were identified as the significant predictors of high absenteeism among the subjects (P<0·05). Following treatment of the infected children, it was found that school absenteeism was reduced significantly (P<0·01). In conclusion, STH continues to have significant impacts on public health, particularly in rural communities with a negatively significant effect on the school participation of Aboriginal children. A school-based de-worming programme should be introduced and incorporated in the current educational assistance targeted towards the Aboriginal communities, under the auspices of the government.     

In silico mutation on a mutant lipase from Acinetobacter haemolyticus towards enhancing alkaline stability

Abstract

Alkaline-stable lipases are highly valuable biocatalysts that catalyze reactions under highly basic conditions. Herein, computational predictions of lipase from Acinetobacter haemolyticus and its mutant, Mut-LipKV1 was performed to identify functionally relevant mutations that enhance pH performance under increasing basicity. Mut-LipKV1 was constructed by in silico site directed mutagenesis of several outer loop acidic residues, aspartic acid (Asp) into basic ones, lysine (Lys) at positions 51, 122 and 247, followed by simulation under extreme pH conditions (pH 8.0–pH 12.0). The energy minimized Mut-LipKV1 model exhibited good quality as shown by PROCHECK, ERRAT and Verify3D data that corresponded to 79.2, 88.82 and 89.42% in comparison to 75.2, 86.15, and 95.19% in the wild-type. Electrostatic surface potentials and charge distributions of the Mut-LipKV1 model was more stable and better adapted to conditions of elevated pHs (pH 8.0???10.0). Mut-LipKV1 exhibited a mixture of neutral and positive surface charge distribution compared to the predominantly negative charge in the wild-type lipase at pH 8.0. Data of molecular dynamics simulations also supported the increased alkaline-stability of Mut-LipKV1, wherein the lipase was more stable at a higher pH 9.0 (RMSD = ～0.3?nm, RMSF = ～0.05–0.2?nm), over the optimal pH 8.0 of the wild-type lipase (RMSD = 0.3?nm, RMSF = 0.05–0.20?nm). Thus, the adaptive strategy of replacing surface aspartic acid to lysine in lipase was successful in yielding a more alkaline-stable Mut-LipKV1 under elevated basic conditions.

Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma