Crystallographic studies of the complexes of antiviral protein griffithsin with glucose and N-acetylglucosamine

Crystal structures of complexes of an antiviral lectin griffithsin (GRFT) with glucose and N-acetylglucosamine were solved and refined at high resolution. In both complexes, all six monosaccharide-binding sites of GRFT were occupied and the mode of binding was similar to that of mannose. In our previous attempts to obtain a complex with N-acetylglucosamine by soaking, only a single site was occupied; thus, cocrystallization was clearly superior despite lower concentration of the ligand. Isothermal titration calorimetric experiments with N-acetylglucosamine, glucose, and mannose provided enthalpic evidence of distinct binding differences between the three monosaccharides. A comparison of the mode of binding of different monosaccharides is discussed in the context of the antiviral activity of GRFT, based on specific binding to high-mannose-containing complex carbohydrates found on viral envelopes.     

Ho3+‐doped strontium–aluminium–bismuth–borate glasses for green light emission

Strontium–aluminium–bismuth–borate glasses (SAlBiB) doped with different concentrations of Ho³⁺ were prepared using conventional melt quenching technique and their structural and optical properties investigated. X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy analysis were used to study the structural properties. Optical properties were studied by measuring the optical absorption and visible luminescence spectra. The Judd–Ofelt (J‐O) theory was applied to evaluate J‐O intensity parameters, Ω_λ (λ = 2, 4 and 6). Using J‐O intensity parameters, radiative properties such as spontaneous transition probabilities (A_R), branching ratios (β_R) and radiative lifetimes (τ_R) were determined. From the emission spectra, a strong green emission nearly at 549 nm corresponding to the transition, ⁵S₂(⁵F₄)→⁵I₈ was observed. Emission peak positions (λ_P), effective bandwidths (Δλ_eff) and stimulated emission cross‐sections (σ_p) were calculated for the observed emission transitions, ⁵F₃→⁵I₈, ⁵S₂(⁵F₄)→⁵I₈ and ⁵F₅→⁵I₈ of Ho³⁺ in all the glass matrices. Chromaticity color coordinates were calculated using the emission spectra. The experimental results suggest that SAlBiB glass matrix with 1.5 mol% of Ho³⁺ has better emission properties. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dissecting the functional role of polyketide synthases in Dictyostelium discoideum: biosynthesis of the differentiation regulating factor 4-methyl-5-pentylbenzene-1,3-diol

Dictyostelium discoideum exhibits the largest repository of polyketide synthase (PKS) proteins of all known genomes. However, the functional relevance of these proteins in the biology of this organism remains largely obscure. On the basis of computational, biochemical, and gene expression studies, we propose that the multifunctional Dictyostelium PKS (DiPKS) protein DiPKS1 could be involved in the biosynthesis of the differentiation regulating factor 4-methyl-5-pentylbenzene-1,3-diol (MPBD). Our cell-free reconstitution studies of a novel acyl carrier protein Type III PKS didomain from DiPKS1 revealed a crucial role of protein-protein interactions in determining the final biosynthetic product. Whereas the Type III PKS domain by itself primarily produces acyl pyrones, the presence of the interacting acyl carrier protein domain modulates the catalytic activity to produce the alkyl resorcinol scaffold of MPBD. Furthermore, we have characterized an O-methyltransferase (OMT12) from Dictyostelium with the capability to modify this resorcinol ring to synthesize a variant of MPBD. We propose that such a modification in vivo could in fact provide subtle variations in biological function and specificity. In addition, we have performed systematic computational analysis of 45 multidomain PKSs, which revealed several unique features in DiPKS proteins. Our studies provide a new perspective in understanding mechanisms by which metabolic diversity could be generated by combining existing functional scaffolds.     

Synthesis and spectral investigation of manganese(II), cadmium(II) and oxovanadium(IV) complexes with 2,6-diacetylpyridine bis(2-aminobenzoylhydrazone): Crystal structure of manganese(II) and cadmium(II) complexes

The chelating behavior of 2,6-diacetylpyridine bis(2-aminobenzoylhydrazone) (H₂dapa) towards manganese(II), cadmium(II) and oxovanadium(IV) ions has been studied by elemental analyses, conductance measurements, magnetic properties and spectral (IR, ¹H NMR, UV-Vis and EPR) studies. The IR spectral studies suggest the pentadentate nature of the ligand with pyridine nitrogen, two azomethine nitrogens and two carbonyl oxygen atoms as the ligating sites. Six coordinate structure for [VO(H₂dapa)]SO₄ · H₂O and seven coordinate structures for [Mn(H₂dapa)(Cl)(H₂O)]Cl · 2H₂O and [Cd(H₂dapa)Cl₂] · H₂O complexes have been proposed. Pentagonal bipyramidal geometry for [Mn(H₂dapa)(Cl)(H₂O)]Cl · 2H₂O and [Cd(H₂dapa)(Cl₂)] · H₂O complexes was confirmed by single crystal analysis. The X-band EPR spectra of the oxovanadium(IV) and manganese(II) complexes in the polycrystalline state at room (300 K) and also at liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K) were recorded and their salient features are reported.     

Phosphorylation of beta-arrestin2 regulates its function in internalization of beta(2)-adrenergic receptors

Beta-arrestins mediate agonist-dependent desensitization and internalization of G protein-coupled receptors. Previously, we have shown that phosphorylation of beta-arrestin1 by ERKs at Ser-412 regulates its association with clathrin and its function in promoting clathrin-mediated internalization of the receptor. In this paper we report that beta-arrestin2 is also phosphorylated, predominantly at residues Thr-383 and Ser-361. Isoproterenol stimulation of the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor promotes dephosphorylation of beta-arrestin2. Mutation of beta-arrestin2 phosphorylation sites to aspartic acid decreases the association of beta-arrestin2 with clathrin, thereby reducing its ability to promote internalization of the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor. Its ability to bind and desensitize the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor is, however, unaltered. These results suggest that, analogous to beta-arrestin1, phosphorylation/dephosphorylation of beta-arrestin2 regulates clathrin-mediated internalization of the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor. In contrast to beta-arrestin1, which is phosphorylated by ERK1 and ERK2, phosphorylation of beta-arrestin2 at Thr-383 is shown to be mediated by casein kinase II. Recently, it has been reported that phosphorylation of visual arrestin at Ser-366 prevents its binding to clathrin. Thus it appears that the function of all arrestin family members in mediating internalization of G protein-coupled receptors is regulated by distinct phosphorylation/dephosphorylation mechanisms.     

Increased Carotid Intima-Media Thickness and Reduced Distensibility in Human Class III Obesity: Independent and Differential Influences of Adiposity and Blood Pressure on the Vasculature

Carotid intima-media-thickness (cIMT) and carotid distensibility (distensibility), structural and functional properties of carotid arteries respectively, are early markers, as well as strong predictors of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The characteristic of these two parameters in individuals with BMI>40.0 kg/m² (Class III obesity), however, are largely unknown. The present study was designed to document cIMT and distensibility in this population and to relate these to other factors with established association with CVD in obesity. The study included 96 subjects (65 with BMI>40.0 kg/m² and 31, age- and gender-matched, with BMI of 18.5 to 30.0 kg/m²). cIMT and distensibility were measured by non-invasive high resolution ultrasonography, circulatory CD133⁺/KDR⁺ angiogenic cells and endothelial microparticles (EMP) by flow cytometry, and plasma levels of adipokines, growth factors and cytokines by Luminex immunoassay kits. The study results demonstrated increased cIMT (0.62±0.11 mm vs. 0.54±0.08 mm, P = 0.0002) and reduced distensibility (22.52±10.79 10⁻³kpa⁻¹ vs. 29.91±12.37 10⁻³kpa⁻¹, P<0.05) in individuals with BMI>40.0 kg/m². Both cIMT and distensibility were significantly associated with traditional CVD risk factors, adiposity/adipokines and inflammatory markers but had no association with circulating angiogenic cells. We also demonstrated, for the first time, elevated plasma EMP levels in individuals with BMI>40.0 kg/m². In conclusion, cIMT is increased and distensibility reduced in Class III obesity with the changes predominantly related to conventional CVD risk factors present in this condition, demonstrating that both cIMT and distensibility remain as CVD markers in Class III obesity.     

Stability of sheath blight resistance in transgenic ASD16 rice lines expressing a rice <Emphasis Type="Italic">chi11</Emphasis> gene encoding chitinase

Development of transgenic plants by introducing defense genes is one of the strategies to engineer disease resistance. Transgenic ASD16 rice plants harbouring rice chitinase chi11 gene, belonging to a PR-3 group of defense gene conferring sheath blight (Rhizoctonia solani Kuhn) resistance, were used in this study. Three T₂ homozygous lines (ASD16-4-1-1, 5-1-1, and 6-1-1) were identified from seven putative (T₀) transgenic lines expressing chi11 using Western blotting analysis. The inheritance of sheath blight resistance in those lines was studied over generations. The stability of chi11 expression up to T₄ generation in all the three homozygous lines was proved by Western blot and the stability of sheath blight resistance in the homozygous lines was proved up to T₄ generation using detached leaf and intact leaf sheath assays. Among the three homozygous lines tested, ASD16-4-1-1 showed consistent results in all the generations and gave a better protection against the sheath blight pathogen than the other two lines.     

An expedient synthesis of N-protected- -tetrahydrofuranylglycine and its application in the synthesis of novel substrate based inhibitors of HIV-1 protease

Z- and Fmoc-L-tetrahydrofuranylglycines have been obtained from L-vinylglycine through dipolar cycloaddition reaction, and its Fmoc derivative has been applied in the synthesis of modified S9 and S10 substrates of HIV-1 protease. These compounds mostly acted as strong inhibitors, rather than substrates, of the protease, probably due to the favourable interactions of the tetrahydrofuranylglycine moiety at the S(2) site.