Functional role of the noncatalytic subunit of complement C5 convertase

The C5 convertase is a serine protease that consists of two subunits: a catalytic subunit which is bound in a Mg2+-dependent complex to a noncatalytic subunit. To understand the functional role of the noncatalytic subunit, we have determined the C5-cleaving properties of the cobra venom factor-dependent C5 convertase (CVF, Bb) made with CVF purified from the venom of Naja naja (CVFn) and Naja haje (CVFh) and compared them to those for two C3b-dependent C5 convertases (ZymC3b,Bb and C3b,Bb). A comparison of the kinetic parameters indicated that although the four C5 convertases (CVFn,Bb, ZymC3b,Bb, CVFh,Bb, and C3b,Bb) had similar catalytic rate constants (kcat = 0.004-0.012 s-1) they differed 700-fold in their affinity for the substrate as indicated by the Km values (CVFn,Bb = 0.036 microM, ZymC3b,Bb = 1.24 microM, CVFh,Bb = 14.0 microM, and C3b,Bb = 24 microM). Analysis of binding interactions between C5 and the noncatalytic subunits (CVFh or C3b, or CVFn) using the BIAcore, revealed dissociation binding constants (Kd) that were similar to the Km values of the respective enzymes. The kinetic and binding data demonstrate that the binding site for C5 resides in the noncatalytic subunit of the enzyme, the affinity for the substrate is solely determined by the noncatalytic subunit and the catalytic efficiency of the enzyme appears not to be influenced by the nature of this subunit.     

Quantification of the magnification and distortion effects of a pediatric flexible video-bronchoscope

Background

Flexible video bronchoscopes, in particular the Olympus BF Type 3C160, are commonly used in pediatric respiratory medicine. There is no data on the magnification and distortion effects of these bronchoscopes yet important clinical decisions are made from the images. The aim of this study was to systematically describe the magnification and distortion of flexible bronchoscope images taken at various distances from the object.

Methods

Using images of known objects and processing these by digital video and computer programs both magnification and distortion scales were derived.

Results

Magnification changes as a linear function between 100 mm (×1) and 10 mm (×9.55) and then as an exponential function between 10 mm and 3 mm (×40) from the object. Magnification depends on the axis of orientation of the object to the optic axis or geometrical axis of the bronchoscope. Magnification also varies across the field of view with the central magnification being 39% greater than at the periphery of the field of view at 15 mm from the object. However, in the paediatric situation the diameter of the orifices is usually less than 10 mm and thus this limits the exposure to these peripheral limits of magnification reduction. Intraclass correlations for measurements and repeatability studies between instruments are very high, r = 0.96. Distortion occurs as both barrel and geometric types but both types are heterogeneous across the field of view. Distortion of geometric type ranges up to 30% at 3 mm from the object but may be as low as 5% depending on the position of the object in relation to the optic axis.

Conclusion

We conclude that the optimal working distance range is between 40 and 10 mm from the object. However the clinician should be cognisant of both variations in magnification and distortion in clinical judgements.     

Capacity of Irpex lacteus and Pleurotus ostreatus for decolorization of chemically different dyes

The rate and efficiency of decolorization of poly R-478- or Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR)-containing agar plates (200 μg g⁻¹) were tested to evaluate the dye degradation activity in a total of 103 wood-rotting fungal strains. Best strains were able to completely decolorize plates within 10 days at 28 °C. Irpex lacteus and Pleurotus ostreatus were selected and used for degradation of six different groups of dyes (azo, diazo, anthraquinone-based, heterocyclic, triphenylmethane, phthalocyanine) on agar plates. Both fungi efficiently degraded dyes from all groups. Removal of RBBR, Bromophenol blue, Cu-phthalocyanine, Methyl red and Congo red was studied with I. lacteus also in liquid medium. Within 14 days, the following color reductions were attained: RBBR 93%, Bromophenol blue 100%, Cu-phthalocyanine 98%, Methyl red 56%, Congo red 58%. The ability of I. lacteus to degrade RBBR spiked into sterile soil was checked, the removal being 77% of the dye added within 6 weeks. The capacity of selected white rot fungal species to remove efficiently diverse synthetic dyes from water and soil environments is documented.     

Assessment of phytochemicals,antioxidant and antimutagenic activity in micropropagated plants of Quercus serrata,a high value tree species of Himalaya

The major aim of the present study was to: (i) develop an efficient clonal in vitro propagation procedure, and (ii) investigate and compare phytochemicals, antioxidant, and DNA damage protection activity in methanolic extracts of in vitro raised and mother plant leaves of Quercus serrata. The study succeeded in establishing an efficient clonal micropropagation procedure using nodal segments taken from in vivo growing mother plant. The WP medium supplemented with six-benzyleaminopurine (BAP: 8.88 μM) plus indole-3-acetic acid (IAA: 1.43μM) produced the highest number of shoots/explant having maximum average shoot length. In vitro derived shoots exhibited best rooting upon application of 100μM indole-3-butyric acid for 48 h. Among studied phytochemicals, the total phenol content was recorded higher from in vitro raised plants and total flavonoid in the mother plant. Antioxidant activities were recorded higher in case of in vitro raised plants. Also, the methanolic leaf extract of in vitro raised plants exhibited higher antimutagenic activity that of mother plant. These findings indicate Q. serrata as a promising source of natural antioxidants that could be utilized commercially for the prevention of photoaging and oxidative stress-mediated skin diseases.     

Cross Talk between KGF and KITLG Proteins Implicated with Ovarian Folliculogenesis in Buffalo Bubalus bubalis

Molecular interactions between mesenchymal-derived Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) and Kit ligand (KITLG) are essential for follicular development. These factors are expressed by theca and granulosa cells. We determined full length coding sequence of buffalo KGF and KITLG proteins having 194 and 274 amino acids, respectively. The recombinant KGF and KITLG proteins were solubilized in 10 mM Tris, pH 7.5 and 50 mM Tris, pH 7.4 and purified using Ni-NTA column and GST affinity chromatography, respectively. The purity and molecular weight of His-KGF (~23 kDa) and GST-KITLG (~57 kDa) proteins were confirmed by SDS-PAGE and western blotting. The co-immunoprecipitation assay accompanied with computational analysis demonstrated the interaction between KGF and KITLG proteins. We deduced 3D structures of the candidate proteins and assessed their binding based on protein docking. In the process, KGF specific residues, Lys123, Glu135, Lys140, Lys155 and Trp156 and KITLG specific ones, Ser226, Phe233, Gly234, Ala235, Phe236, Trp238 and Lys239 involved in the formation of KGF-KITLG complex were detected. The hydrophobic interactions surrounding KGF-KITLG complex affirmed their binding affinity and stability to the interacting interface. Additionally, in-silico site directed mutagenesis enabled the assessment of changes that occurred in the binding energies of mutated KGF-KITLG protein complex. Our results demonstrate that in the presence of KITLG, KGF mimics its native binding mode suggesting all the KGF residues are specific to their binding complex. This study provides an insight on the critical amino acid residues participating in buffalo ovarian folliculogenesis.     

Follicular regulatory T cells expressing Foxp3 and Bcl-6 suppress germinal center reactions

Foxp3(+) regulatory T (T(reg)) cells suppress different types of immune responses to help maintain homeostasis in the body. How T(reg) cells regulate humoral immunity, including germinal center reactions, is unclear. Here we identify a subset of T(reg) cells expressing CXCR5 and Bcl-6 that localize to the germinal centers in mice and humans. The expression of CXCR5 on T(reg) cells depends on Bcl-6. These CXCR5(+)Bcl-6(+) T(reg) cells are absent in the thymus but can be generated de novo from CXCR5(-)Foxp3(+) natural T(reg) precursors. A lack of CXCR5(+) T(reg) cells leads to greater germinal center reactions including germinal center B cells, affinity maturation of antibodies and the differentiation of plasma cells. These results unveil a Bcl-6-CXCR5 axis in T(reg) cells that drives the development of follicular regulatory T (T(FR)) cells that function to inhibit the germinal center reactions.     

Sperm competition and the evolution of sperm design in mammals

Background  

The influence of sperm competition upon sperm size has been a controversial issue during the last 20 years which remains unresolved for mammals. The hypothesis that, when ejaculates compete with rival males, an increase in sperm size would make sperm more competitive because it would increase sperm swimming speed, has generated contradictory results from both theoretical and empirical studies. In addition, the debate has extended to which sperm components should increase in size: the midpiece to accommodate more mitochondria and produce more energy to fuel motility, or the principal piece to generate greater propulsion forces.     

Polyphenol biosensor based on laccase immobilized onto silver nanoparticles/multiwalled carbon nanotube/polyaniline gold electrode

Laccase purified from Ganoderma sp. was immobilized covalently onto electrochemically deposited silver nanoparticles (AgNPs)/carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (cMWCNT)/polyaniline (PANI) layer on the surface of gold (Au) electrode. A polyphenol biosensor was fabricated using this enzyme electrode (laccase/AgNPs/cMWCNT/PANI/Au electrode) as the working electrode, Ag/AgCl as the reference electrode, and platinum (Pt) wire as the auxiliary electrode connected through a potentiostat. The biosensor showed optimal response at pH 5.5 (0.1 M acetate buffer) and 35 °C when operated at a scan rate of 50 mV s⁻¹. Linear range, response time, and detection limit were 0.1–500 μM, 6 s, and 0.1 μM, respectively. The sensor was employed for the determination of total phenolic content in tea, alcoholic beverages, and pharmaceutical formulations. The enzyme electrode was used 200 times over a period of 4 months when stored at 4 °C. The biosensor has an advantage over earlier enzyme sensors in that it has no leakage of enzyme during reuse and is unaffected by the external environment due to the protective PANI microenvironment.