Total Chemical Synthesis of Biologically Active Fluorescent Dye‐Labeled Ts1 Toxin

Ts1 toxin is a protein found in the venom of the Brazilian scorpion Tityus serrulatus. Ts1 binds to the domain II voltage sensor in the voltage‐gated sodium channel Nav and modifies its voltage dependence. In the work reported here, we established an efficient total chemical synthesis of the Ts1 protein using modern chemical ligation methods and demonstrated that it was fully active in modifying the voltage dependence of the rat skeletal muscle voltage‐gated sodium channel rNav1.4 expressed in oocytes. Total synthesis combined with click chemistry was used to label the Ts1 protein molecule with the fluorescent dyes Alexa‐Fluor 488 and Bodipy. Dye‐labeled Ts1 proteins retained their optical properties and bound to and modified the voltage dependence of the sodium channel Nav. Because of the highly specific binding of Ts1 toxin to Nav, successful chemical synthesis and labeling of Ts1 toxin provides an important tool for biophysical studies, histochemical studies, and opto‐pharmacological studies of the Nav protein.     

QuEChERS提取-高效液相色谱-高分辨质谱法测定水产品中3种蓝藻毒素的含量

取水产品样品2.00g与2g无水硫酸钠混匀后加入提取剂10 mL甲醇,涡旋振荡5min后超声提取5 min,再离心5 min,取其上清液。在上清液中加入500 mg中性氧化铝和15mg石墨化碳黑(GCB)涡旋振荡1min,离心5min,取上清液,于40℃下吹氮至近干,用体积比为1∶1的流动相A-流动相B混合溶液溶解残渣并定容至2.0mL,经0.22μm滤膜过滤,取其滤液按高效液相色谱-高分辨质谱法测定其中3种蓝藻毒素的含量。色谱分离中用Hypersile Gold C8色谱柱(150mm×2.1mm,3μm)为固定相,用不同比例的流动相A和流动相B两溶液的混合液作为流动相进行程序梯度洗脱。质谱测定中采用电喷雾离子源,正、负离子切换模式。由于3种蓝藻毒素均产生基质减弱效应,制作工作曲线需用基质标准溶液以消除基质效应。结果表明:所测3种蓝藻毒素均在10~200μg·L^-1内与其峰面积之间呈线性关系,其检出限(3S/N)均为5μg·kg^-1。通过标准加入法进行回收试验,测得回收率为68.3%~104%,测定值的相对标准偏差(n=6)为7.7%~17%。     

Peptide mimotopes of phomopsins: Identification, characterization and application in an immunoassay

Peptide mimotopes of plant-associated toxins offer the potential for improving analytical and diagnostic methodologies as well as providing candidates for potential protective vaccines against plant poisoning diseases. Monoclonal antibody (mAb) C₃C₁₁, which recognizes the antimicrotubule phomopsin mycotoxins, was used to isolate peptide mimics of phomopsin A from a random 15-mer phage display peptide library. A total of 46 clones were isolated that showed specific reactivity with the mAb. Amino acid sequence analysis revealed four different types of mimotope sequences, all of which contained a common motif V-A-L/V-C. Of the 46 clones isolated, 44 contained the motif V-A-L-C while 2 contained the V-A-V-C motif. All four types of phage clones inhibited the reactivity of the mAb with phomopsin A in a competition ELISA. The clone with the mimotope sequence CT VALCNMYFGAKLD demonstrated the strongest binding. It was further shown that synthetic peptides containing these mimotope amino acid sequences were able to inhibit the mAb-phomopsin A interaction, indicating that the peptide mimotopes were responsible for the specific binding, independent of the phage framework. The results also suggest that the mimotope peptides bind to mAb C₃C₁₁ at the same site as phomopsin A. The application of recombinant phage particles carrying phomopsin mimotopes in immunoassay was evaluated and the results demonstrated approximately 100-fold increase in sensitivity in comparison with a conventional immunoassay using a chemically linked phomopsin-horseradish peroxidase conjugate.     

A simple mathematical model for seasonal planktonic blooms

We show how the inclusion of the defense strategy by different species can alter the prediction of simple models. One of the defense strategy by the phytoplankton population against their grazer is the release of toxic chemicals. In turn the zooplankton population reduces there predation rate over toxin producing phytoplankton (TPP) to protect themselves from those toxic chemicals. Thus, when the level of toxicity is high, the grazing pressure is low and when the level of toxicity is low or when the toxin is absent, the grazing pressure is high. Here we have considered a TPP–zooplankton system where the rate of toxin liberation and the predation rate vary with zooplankton abundance. We observe that our proposed model has the potential to show different dynamical behaviour that are similar to that seen in real‐world situations. Further, we consider three different functional forms for the distribution of the toxins and compare them using latin hypercube sampling technique and found that the functional forms seem to have no effect in determining the final outcome of the system. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Nanoanalysis of the arthropod neuro-toxins

Many kinds of venomous principles modulate physiological responses of mammalian signal transduction systems, on which they act selectively as enhancers, inhibitors or some other kind of effectors. These toxins become useful tools for physiological research. We have employed and characterized paralyzing toxins from the venom of spiders, insects and scorpions with a limited supply. We have developed rapid and sensitive mass spectrometric technology and applied for the identification of these toxins. Venom profiles are screened by MALDI-TOF fingerprinting analysis prior to purification of venomous components, then marked target toxins of small molecular mass (1000–5000) are characterized directly by means of mass spectrometric techniques such as Frit-FAB MS/MS, CID/PSD-TOF MS, Capil.-HPLC/Q-TOF MS/MS etc.     

超高效液相色谱-串联质谱法快速测定沉积物中11种藻毒素

建立了超高效液相色谱-串联质谱(UPLC-MS/MS)快速测定沉积物中11种藻毒素的方法。沉积物经冷冻干燥、粉碎过筛,用0.1 mol/L EDTA-Na4P2O7溶液涡旋超声提取,经HLB固相萃取小柱净化后,用甲醇-0.2%甲酸洗脱、浓缩并氮吹定容至1 m L。经Waters BEH C18色谱小柱,以乙腈-0.2%甲酸水溶液为流动相,梯度洗脱分离后,在电喷雾正离子模式下,以超高效液相色谱-串联质谱多级监测模式(MRM)外标法进行定性定量分析。结果表明:沉积物中11种藻毒素的检出限为1.0~5.0 ng/kg。对同一环境样品进行了0.1、1.0、4.0μg/kg不同水平的加标回收试验,平均回收率为70.3%~112.5%,相对标准偏差(RSD)为2.2%~9.3%。该方法快速、灵敏、准确,可应用于沉积物中11种藻毒素的快速监测。     

Molecularly imprinted polymer for selective extraction of domoic acid from seafood coupled with high-performance liquid chromatographic determination

In this work, a highly selective sample cleanup procedure that combining molecular imprinting technique (MIT) and solid phase extraction (SPE) was developed for the isolation of domoic acid (a fascinating marine toxin) from seafood samples. The molecular imprinting polymer (MIP) for domoic acid was prepared using 1,3,5-pentanetricarboxylic acid as the template molecule instead of domoic acid. 4-Vinyl pyridine was used as the functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate was used as the cross-linking monomer. The obtained imprinted polymer showed high affinity to domoic acid and was used as selective sorbent for the SPE of domoic acid from seafood samples. An off-line molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction (MISPE) method followed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with diode-array detection for the detection of domoic acid was also established. Good linearity was obtained from 0.5 mg L⁻¹ to 25 mg L⁻¹ (R² > 0.99) with a quantitation limit of 0.1 mg L⁻¹, which was sufficient to determine domoic acid at the maximum level permitted by several authorities. The mean recoveries of domoic acid from mussel extracts were 93.4-96.7%. It was demonstrated that the proposed MISPE-HPLC method could be applied to direct determination of domoic acid from seafood samples.     

Episodic paroxysmal laryngospasm: Voice and pulmonary function assessment and management

Episodic paroxysmal laryngospasm (EPL) is a sign of laryngeal dysfunction, often without a specific organic etiology, which can masquerade as asthma, vocal fold paralysis, or a functional voice disorder. The intermittent respiratory distress of EPL may precipitate an apparent upper airway obstructive emergency, resulting in unnecessary endotracheal intubation, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, or tracheostomy. During 27 months, seven women and three men, ages 30–76 years, were assessed by a high diagnostic index of suspicion, an intensive history including psychosocial factors, physical examination of the airways, provocative asthma testing, and swallowing studies. Videolaryngoscopy, stroboscopy, and pulmonary flow-volume loop testing were definitive. The classic appearance was paradoxic inspiratory adduction of the anterior vocal folds with a posterior diamond-shaped glottic gap. During an attack of stridor or wheezing, attenuation of the inspiratory flow rate as depicted by the flow-volume loop suggested partial extrathoracic upper airway obstruction. Swallowing evaluation by videolaryngoscopy and videoesophagography may uncover gastroesophageal reflux disease. Hallmarks of management include patient and family education by observation of laryngoscopic videos, a specific speech therapy program, psychotherapy, and medical treatment of associated disorders. Electromyography may become a valuable future adjunct. Unlike laryngeal dystonia, patients with EPL do not benefit from botulinum toxin type A.     

The impact of long-term botulinum toxin injections on symptom severity in patients with spasmodic dysphonia

Injection of botulinum toxin (BT) into the muscles of the larynx is an effective treatment for the symptoms of spasmodic dysphonia (SD). To date, however, there have been no studies that have used blinded raters to assess the efficacy of BT injections on overall symptom severity in a cohort of SD patients followed over a prolonged period. In this study, 102 subjects with SD were treated with serial BT injections for up to 2 years. Voice recordings were obtained at several time points during treatment and were played to a panel of expert and novice listeners who rated them based on overall symptom severity in a single-blind fashion. Subjects demonstrated significant improvement over baseline at all time points. In addition, patients showed a sustained responsiveness to therapy over time. These results provide support for the efficacy of serial BT injections for SD and suggest that successful treatment may depend, in part, on patients' early recognition of returning symptoms.