Lorenzo's oil inhibits ELOVL1 and lowers the level of sphingomyelin with a saturated very long-chain fatty acid

X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD) is a peroxisomal disorder caused by impaired degradation of very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) due to mutations in the ABCD1 gene responsible for VLCFA transport into peroxisomes. Lorenzo''s oil, a 4:1 mixture of glyceryl trioleate and glyceryl trierucate, has been used to reduce the saturated VLCFA level in the plasma of X-ALD patients; however, the mechanism by which this occurs remains elusive. We report the biochemical characterization of Lorenzo''s oil activity toward elongation of very long-chain fatty acid (ELOVL) 1, the primary enzyme responsible for the synthesis of saturated and monounsaturated VLCFAs. Oleic and erucic acids inhibited ELOVL1, and, moreover, their 4:1 mixture (the FA composition of Lorenzo''s oil) exhibited the most potent inhibitory activity. The kinetics analysis revealed that this was a mixed (not a competitive) inhibition. At the cellular level, treatment with the 4:1 mixture reduced the level of SM with a saturated VLCFA accompanied by an increased level of SM with a monounsaturated VLCFA, probably due to the incorporation of erucic acid into the FA elongation cycle. These results suggest that inhibition of ELOVL1 may be an underlying mechanism by which Lorenzo''s oil exerts its action.     

Inhibition of dihydroceramide desaturase activity by the sphingosine kinase inhibitor SKI II

Sphingosine kinase inhibitor (SKI) II has been reported as a dual inhibitor of sphingosine kinases (SKs) 1 and 2 and has been extensively used to prove the involvement of SKs and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) in cellular processes. Dihydroceramide desaturase (Des1), the last enzyme in the de novo synthesis of ceramide (Cer), regulates the balance between dihydroceramides (dhCers) and Cers. Both SKs and Des1 have interest as therapeutic targets. Here we show that SKI II is a noncompetitive inhibitor (K_i = 0.3 μM) of Des1 activity with effect also in intact cells without modifying Des1 protein levels. Molecular modeling studies support that the SKI II-induced decrease in Des1 activity could result from inhibition of NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase. SKI II, but not the SK1-specific inhibitor PF-543, provoked a remarkable accumulation of dhCers and their metabolites, while both SKI II and PF-543 reduced S1P to almost undetectable levels. SKI II, but not PF543, reduced cell proliferation with accumulation of cells in the G0/G1 phase. SKI II, but not PF543, induced autophagy. These overall findings should be taken into account when using SKI II as a pharmacological tool, as some of the effects attributed to decreased S1P may actually be caused by augmented dhCers and/or their metabolites.     

Spectral analysis and antibacterial potential of bioactive principles of Sargassum crassifolium J. Agardh from Red sea of Jazan origin

Seaweeds have been focused as potential and promising resources to develop novel pharmaceuticals. The present study was aimed to investigate the bioactive principles of Sargassum crassifolium (S. crassifolium) through organic solvents methanol and petroleum ether extractions individually. The present study also extended to determine the antibacterial potentiality of the bioactive principles from methanolic extract (ME) and petroleum ether extract (PEE) of S. crassifolium against a set of human pathogenic bacteria. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis of the ME and PEE were exhibiting unique bioactive constituents. The antibacterial effect of ME and PEE were showed the moderate spectrum of activity when compared to the standard streptomycin disc against the screened human pathogenic bacteria. The bacterial sensitivity to the ME was sequenced as Bacillus subtilis > Pseudomonas aeruginosa > Escherichia coli > Klebsiella pneumoniae > Staphylococcus aureus > Streptococcus pyogenes. Furthermore, the spectrum of activity of PEE was showing more or less similar pattern of action with almost equal potency. The spectrum of activity of PEE extract was in the order Bacillus subtilis > Pseudomonas aeruginosa > Escherichia coli > Staphylococcus aureus > Streptococcus pyogenes > Klebsiella pneumoniae.     

In silico proteolysis and analysis of bioactive peptides from sequences of fatty acid desaturase 3 (FAD3) of flaxseed protein

Flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum), commonly known as linseed is an oilseed crop, emerging as an important and functional ingredient of food and has been paid more attention due to its nutritional value as well as beneficial effects. It is mainly rich in is α-linolenic acid (ALA, omega-3 fatty acid), fibres and lignans that have potential health benefits in reducing cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis, atherosclerosis, cancer, arthritis, neurological and autoimmune disorders. Due to its richness in omega-3 fatty acid, a group of enzymes known as fatty acid desaturases (FADs) mainly introduce double bonds into fatty acids’ (FAs) hydrocarbon chains that produce unsaturated fatty acids. Fatty acid desaturase 3 (FAD3), the commonest microsomal enzyme of omega-3 fatty acid, synthesizes linolenic acid (C18:3) from linoleic acid located in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) facing towards the cytosol. The emerging field of bioinformatics and large number of databases of bioactive peptides, helps in providing time-saving and efficient method for identification of potential bioactivities of any protein. In this study, 10 unique sequences of FAD3 from flaxseed protein have been used for in silico proteolysis and releasing of various bioactive peptides using three plant proteases, namely ficin, papain and stem bromelain, that are evaluated with the help of BIOPEP database. Overall, 20 biological activities were identified from these proteins. The results showed that FAD3 protein is a potential source of peptides with angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory and dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) activities, and also various parameters such as ∑A, ∑B, A_E, W, B_E, V and DHt were also calculated. Furthermore, PeptideRanker have been used for screening of novel promising bioactive peptides. Various bioinformatics tools also used to study protein’s physicochemical properties, peptide’s score, toxicity, allergenicity aggregation, water solubility, and drug likeliness. The present work suggests that flaxseed protein can be a good source of bioactive peptides for the synthesis of good quality and quantity of oil, and in silico method helps in investigating and production of functional peptides.     

The role of lipid second messengers in aldosterone synthesis and secretion

Second messengers are small rapidly diffusing molecules or ions that relay signals between receptors and effector proteins to produce a physiological effect. Lipid messengers constitute one of the four major classes of second messengers. The hydrolysis of two main classes of lipids, glycerophospholipids and sphingolipids, generate parallel profiles of lipid second messengers: phosphatidic acid (PA), diacylglycerol (DAG), and lysophosphatidic acid versus ceramide, ceramide-1-phosphate, sphingosine, and sphingosine-1-phosphate, respectively. In this review, we examine the mechanisms by which these lipid second messengers modulate aldosterone production at multiple levels. Aldosterone is a mineralocorticoid hormone responsible for maintaining fluid volume, electrolyte balance, and blood pressure homeostasis. Primary aldosteronism is a frequent endocrine cause of secondary hypertension. A thorough understanding of the signaling events regulating aldosterone biosynthesis may lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets. The cumulative evidence in this literature emphasizes the critical roles of PA, DAG, and sphingolipid metabolites in aldosterone synthesis and secretion. However, it also highlights the gaps in our knowledge, such as the preference for phospholipase D-generated PA or DAG, as well as the need for further investigation to elucidate the precise mechanisms by which these lipid second messengers regulate optimal aldosterone production.     

海洋微生物学：新机遇，新挑战

海洋占地球表面积的71%,海洋微生物对海洋及人类的生活有重大影响。由于特殊的生存环境,海洋微生物能产生陆栖微生物所不能产生的结构新颖、作用特殊的生物活性物质,有潜力应用于医疗、食品、环境保护等各个领域。海洋微生物研究充满了新的机遇,同时也面临着新的挑战。《微生物学通报》本期推出了"海洋微生物学主题刊",旨在展现我国海洋微生物学研究的最新进展和成果,促进我国海洋微生物学的交流和发展。     

大肠杆菌热休克或冷休克启动子调控的基因表达载体

基因重组技术已经成为获得各种酶和生物活性蛋白的主要手段。虽然很多基因已在大肠杆菌中得到高效表达,但是当人们认定某种蛋白对科学研究或生产应用极为重要时,却常常因为其基因表达水平很低或产生包涵体而感到束手无策。表达载体pHsh和pEXC通过激活热休克或冷休克转录调控机制提高分子伴侣的表达水平,从而降低目标蛋白的细胞毒性并减少包涵体形成。应用于生物合成、分子修饰或生物降解的高温酶可以通过pHsh系统表达获得高产,而科研和诊疗所需要的来源于动植物和常温微生物的基因可以通过pEXC系统获得高效表达。这些新载体的发展为重组蛋白的小规模制备和大规模生产提供了新策略和有效途径。     

Purification and characterization of high antioxidant peptides from duck egg white protein hydrolysates

The hydrolysate from duck egg white protein (DEWP) prepared by “SEEP–Alcalase” at degree of hydrolysis (DH) value of 21% (namely HSA₂₁) exhibited high antioxidant capacity in different oxidation systems. A consecutive chromatographic method was then developed for separation and purification of HSA₂₁, including ion-exchange chromatography, macroporous adsorption resin (MAR) and gel filter chromatography. The final peptides “P_21-3–75-B” were obtained with significantly enhanced antioxidant activity (p < 0.05). It was further confirmed that the product mainly consisted of five oligopeptides (Mr: 202.1, 294.1, 382.1, 426.3, and 514.4 Da). Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of P_21-3–75-B kept stable after in vitro digestive simulation. Antioxidant capacity of the purified peptides was closely related to the molecular mass, hydrophobic amino acid residues, acidic amino acid and some antioxidant amino acids. This research provided a valuable route for producing new natural-source peptides with strong antioxidant capacity and high nutritious value for our daily intake.     

植物内生菌及其活性代谢产物

植物内生茵是一种新的微生物资源,具有潜在的应用价值。近年来,从植物内生茵中寻找新的生物活性物质的研究方兴未艾。对近年来从植物内生茵中发现的抗肿瘤、抗茵、抗病毒、杀虫、免疫抑制、抗氧化、降糖等活性化合物及其相应的产生茵的研究作一简要综述。     

宁夏枸杞‘中科绿川1号’果实和叶片的主要成分分析

以国家林业局审定的宁夏枸杞新品种‘中科绿川1号’为实验材料,研究不同月份采集的枸杞叶片芦丁含量,以及果实总黄酮、总多糖、总类胡萝卜素、玉米黄素双棕榈酸酯的含量变化。结果显示,叶片芦丁含量在枸杞盛果期较低,抽条期较高;果实总黄酮、总类胡萝卜素、玉米黄素双棕榈酸酯的含量在头茬果中含量较高,盛果期果实含量较低;果实总多糖可能与果实量呈负相关;褐化果(俗称"油果")总黄酮含量与正常果差异不大,可用作提取枸杞黄酮类物质的原材料。研究结果可为枸杞果实分级、成分提取提供新思路。