Pharmacological Effects and Pharmacokinetic Properties of a Dual-Function Peptide 5rolGLP-HV

In order to better understand the therapeutic mechanism of dual-function peptide 5rolGLP-HV in treatment of treat diabetes and its complication of thrombosis, the pharmacological effects and pharmacokinetic properties of 5rolGLP-HV were conducted in this study. 5rolGLP-HV was orally administered to diabetic mice, and the hypoglycemic mechanism was investigated. Thrombotic mice were applied to study the thrombus dissolving ability of 5rolGLP-HV. The concentration of rolGLP and rHV in rat plasma following single oral dose or intravenous injection of 5rolGLP-HV was measured. Treatment with 5rolGLP-HV decreased insulin resistance (2.96 ± 1.43 vs. 9.35 ± 1.51, p < 0.05) of diabetic mice. 5rolGLP-HV shortened the length of thrombus in thrombosis mice (2.92 ± 0.74 vs. 5.92 ± 1.16 cm, p < 0.01) and extended the thrombin time (15.35 ± 1.22 vs. 8.67 ± 0.89 s, p < 0.01) of normal mice. Meanwhile, 5rolGLP-HV restored the damage of pancreatic, liver, kidney, and adipose tissues induced in the diabetic mice. 5rolGLP-HV exhibited a fast absorption and slow elimination phase after digested into rolGLP-1 and rHV in vivo. These results suggested that 5rolGLP-HV had an ideal therapeutic potential in the prevention of β cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes and delay of the thrombus.     

Toxicology of a Boronated Porphyrin in Dogs

Among the most important characteristics of any therapeutic agent are efficacy and an acceptable toxicity. Prior to human use, toxicity studies are performed in both small and large animal models. Our laboratory has developed a new binary therapy agent, a boronated porphyrin (BOPP), with excellent potential efficacy. The purpose of this study is to examine the toxicology of this compound in dogs. Sixteen dogs were given 35 mg/kg of BOPP intravenously and evaluated for up to 28 days following administration. Clinical and pathologic responses were measured. BOPP was clinically well tolerated with some cases of weight loss, vomiting and mild photosensitivity. Adverse effects were limited primarily to thrombosis at the administration site in several subjects and three cases of mild, possibly transient, liver injury. Clinical pathologic tests found reversible changes in white blood cell counts and platelets, with neither change being clinically significant. The low toxicity associated with BOPP as shown in this study provides valuable evidence supporting the use of BOPP in binary therapy.     

Peptide sequence scrambling through cyclization of b5 ions

The CID mass spectra of the MH(+) ions and the b(5) ions derived therefrom have been determined for the hexapeptides YAAAAA, AYAAAA, AAYAAA, AAAYAA, and AAAAYA. The CID mass spectra for the b(5) ions derived from the five isomers are essentially identical and show abundant ion signals for nonsequence b ions. This result is consistent with cyclization of the b(5) ions to a cyclic pentapeptide before fragmentation; this cyclic peptide can open at various positions, leading to losses of amino acid residues that are not characteristic of the original amino acid sequence. These nonsequence b ions are also observed in the fragmentation of the MH(+) ions and increase substantially in importance with increasing collision energy. A comparison of the fragmentation of AAAYAA and Ac-AAAYAA indicates that N-acetylation eliminates the cyclization of b(5) ions and, thus, eliminates the nonsequence ions in the CID mass spectra of both b(5) and MH(+) ions.     

Effects of Shrimp Peptide Hydrolysate on Intestinal Microbiota Restoration and Immune Modulation in Cyclophosphamide-Treated Mice

The gut microbiota is important in regulating host metabolism, maintaining physiology, and protecting immune homeostasis. Gut microbiota dysbiosis affects the development of the gut microenvironment, as well as the onset of various external systemic diseases and metabolic syndromes. Cyclophosphamide (CTX) is a commonly used chemotherapeutic drug that suppresses the host immune system, intestinal mucosa inflammation, and dysbiosis of the intestinal flora. Immunomodulators are necessary to enhance the immune system and prevent homeostasis disbalance and cytotoxicity caused by CTX. In this study, shrimp peptide hydrolysate (SPH) was evaluated for immunomodulation, intestinal integration, and microbiota in CTX-induced immunosuppressed mice. It was observed that SPH would significantly restore goblet cells and intestinal mucosa integrity, modulate the immune system, and increase relative expression of mRNA and tight-junction associated proteins (Occludin, Zo-1, Claudin-1, and Mucin-2). It also improved gut flora and restored the intestinal microbiota ecological balance by removing harmful microbes of various taxonomic groups. This would also increase the immune organs index, serum levels of cytokines (IFN-ϒ, IL1β, TNF-α, IL-6), and immunoglobin levels (IgA, IgM). The Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes proportion was decreased in CTX-induced mice. Finally, SPH would be recommended as a functional food source with a modulatory effect not only on intestinal microbiota, but also as a potential health-promoting immune function regulator.     

Phage-Display Based Discovery and Characterization of Peptide Ligands against WDR5

WD40 is a ubiquitous domain presented in at least 361 human proteins and acts as scaffold to form protein complexes. Among them, WDR5 protein is an important mediator in several protein complexes to exert its functions in histone modification and chromatin remodeling. Therefore, it was considered as a promising epigenetic target involving in anti-cancer drug development. In view of the protein–protein interaction nature of WDR5, we initialized a campaign to discover new peptide-mimic inhibitors of WDR5. In current study, we utilized the phage display technique and screened with a disulfide-based cyclic peptide phage library. Five rounds of biopanning were performed and isolated clones were sequenced. By analyzing the sequences, total five peptides were synthesized for binding assay. The four peptides are shown to have the moderate binding affinity. Finally, the detailed binding interactions were revealed by solving a WDR5-peptide cocrystal structure.     

Peptide Inhibitors of HIV-1 Virus Infection Based on Cullin-5

Virion infectivity factor（Vif） is one of the six accessory proteins of HIV-1 and is necessary for viral infectivity. Human Apolipoprotein B editing complex protein 3G（h-APOBEC3G） is a cytidine deaminase only expressed in ＂nonpermissive＂ cells and exhibits virus suppressive activity. With the aid of a Cullin-5 E3 ligase, Vif induces h-APOBEC3G degradation and with the destruction of this ligase, Vif is functionally inactive. Therefore, it is expected that blocking this E3 pathway would be a new therapeutic strategy against HIV-1 infection. In this article, the authors＇ took sequence alignment of the N-termini of Cullin-5 and three other members of the Cullin protein family, respectively. A set of small peptides has been synthesized based on the sequence comparison results and possible Vif-Cullin-5 interaction domains. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that several peptides can reduce virus infectivity in ＂nonpermissive＂ cells with a dose-responsive manner, but not in ＂permissive＂ cells. The results also indicate that the loss of viral infectivity may be because of the increase of APOBEC3G amount in the peptide-treated cells. It is concluded that peptides derived from Cullin-5 can block the APOBEC3G degradation induced by Vif and suppress HIV-1 infectivity. Therefore this study starts a novel strategy for the development of a new HIV-1 inhibitor.     

新型游离胶分馏器OFFGEL对SH-SY5Y细胞蛋白酶切后肽段分离性能考察

在基于鸟枪法鉴定蛋白的策略中,需要在肽段水平上进行高效良好的预分离。以人多巴胺能神经细胞瘤(SH-SY5Y)为研究对象,考察了游离胶分馏器(OFFGEL)分离肽段的性能。SH-SY5Y细胞全酶切肽段经过OFFGEL分离后,得到24个不同馏分,每一个馏分经过微流液相色谱-质谱检测,发现有83.7%的肽段是专属于一个馏分中,各个馏分中肽段平均等电点与理论值基本一致,且在pH低端肽段的等电点偏差较小,达到良好的聚焦效果。OFFGEL不但能同时分离多达16个样品,而且能够从溶液中回收样品,具有高通量、操作简单、方便后续质谱检测等优点。因此,OFFGEL在蛋白质组学中多肽的分离具有很好的应用前景。     

FabQ,a Dual-Function Dehydratase/Isomerase,Circumvents the Last Step of the Classical Fatty Acid Synthesis Cycle

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Site-specific discrimination of Cytosine and 5-methylcytosine in duplex DNA by Peptide nucleic acids

For site-specific discrimination of cytosine (C) and 5-methylcytosine (mC) in duplex DNA, we developed a new method using peptide nucleic acids (PNAs). The combination of a PNA-assisted DNA displacement complex and a fluorescein-labeled probe oligomer allowed the detection of mC at the defined sites in target DNA using a restriction enzyme. After treatment of the complex with a restriction enzyme, strong fluorescence emission was observed for the complex containing C at the target site, whereas the fluorescence intensity for the complex containing mC was extremely weak.     

Assessment of Tissue Distribution and Metabolism of MP1, a Novel Pyrrolomycin,in Mice Using a Validated LC-MS/MS Method

MP1 is a novel marinopyrrole analogue with activity in MYCN amplified neuroblastoma cell lines. A rapid, selective, and sensitive liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated for quantitation of MP1 in mouse plasma. Analyte separation was achieved using a Waters Acquity UPLC^®BEH C18 column (1.7 µm, 100 × 2.1 mm). Mobile phase consisted of 0.1% acetic acid in water (10%) and methanol (90%) at a total flow rate of 0.25 mL/min. The mass spectrometer was operated at unit resolution in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode, using precursor ion > product ion transitions of 324.10 > 168.30 m/z for MP1 and 411.95 > 224.15 m/z for PL-3. The MS/MS response was linear over the concentration range from 0.2–500 ng/mL for MP1, correlation coefficient (r²) of 0.988. Precision (% RSD) and accuracy (% bias) were within the acceptable limits as per FDA guidelines. MP1 was stable under storage and laboratory handling conditions. The validated method was successfully applied to assess the solubility, in-vitro metabolism, plasma protein binding, and bio-distribution studies of MP1.     

利用肽库技术筛选成纤维细胞生长因子的短肽亲和配体

成纤维细胞生长因子(FGF)具有促进血管和神经形成的功能^[1],但它在体内作用过度则经常伴随着肿瘤的发生^[2].当前,研制和开发FGF拮抗剂,以有效地抑制FGF与细胞受体的结合,已成为国际性前沿课题.     

液相色谱-串联质谱法测定牛奶中5种多肤类抗生素

建立了牛奶中杆菌肽、粘杆菌素A、粘杆菌素B、维吉尼霉素和万占霉素5种多肽类抗生素的反相液相色谱-串联质谱(HPLC-MS/MS)检测方法.牛奶样品经甲醇-0.1%甲酸水提取后,用4%三氯乙酸乙睛除蛋白,液-液萃取后,采用0.1%甲酸(A)和0.1%甲酸乙腈(B)作为流动相进行梯度洗脱.质谱(ESI+)采用多离子检测模式...     

Correlative and Mechanistic QSAR Models in Toxicology

Abstract

An outline is provided on the development and use of correlative and mechanistic approaches to predictive toxicology, with particular emphasis on the experience at the U.S. EPA as applied to assessing the potential hazard posed by new industrial chemicals for which little or no test data are provided under the Toxic Substances Control Act. This information is presented with a historical perspective.     

Resolvin D5 (RvD5) Reduces Renal Damage Caused by LPS Endotoxemia in Female Mice

In self-revolving gram-negative Escherichia coli infection, Resolvin D5 (RvD5) was found to enhance bacteria phagocytosis and reduce the production of inflammatory mediators, contributing to the resolution of infection. LPS (lipopolysaccharide) is a gram-negative bacterial structure product which activates the immune system and, at high doses, leads to endotoxemia. To our knowledge, the effect of RvD5 against LPS endotoxemia has not been investigated to date. Female Swiss mice received an i.p. treatment with RvD5 (0.1, 1 or 10 ng/animal). After 1 h, they were stimulated with LPS (10 mg/kg, i.v.), and samples were collected after additional 6 h. The resulting data demonstrated that RvD5 protected the kidneys (urea and creatinine serum levels) from tissue injury. These effects were related to an improvement in histopathological parameters and a reduction of enzymatic markers of leukocyte infiltration, pro-inflammatory cytokine (IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6) production, and oxidative stress. Antioxidant markers were also increased by RvD5, but IL-10 (an anti-inflammatory cytokine) levels were unaltered. We also observed that RvD5 reduced the infiltration of CD45⁺ hematopoietic cells into the kidneys, reduced the activation of NFκB and promoted the Nrf2 pathway by reducing Keap-1 levels. Our data indicate that RvD5 may be a therapeutic possibility to reduce kidney lesions in LPS endotoxemia.     

Screening and Identification of a Targeting Peptide to nGLP-1R from Phage Display Peptide Library

<正>In order to provide the structure information for designing new exendin-4 analogues,a phage display peptide library was screened by targeting the N-terminal extracellular domain of GLP-1R(nGLP-1R).After four rounds of selection,nine sequences were obtained,four of them have higher affinity for nGLP-1R than the others.We chose two of them named X and Y peptides.Isletβ-cell proliferation assay suggested that X and Y peptides didn't have any activity to increase isletβ-cell proliferation.In other words,X and Y peptides were not agonists to GLP-1R.However, the conservative motifs of X and Y peptides provided us useful information to design new exendin-4 analogues.     

Dual-Function HKUST-1: Templating and Catalyzing Formation of Graphitic Carbon Nitride Quantum Dots Under Mild Conditions

Graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots (g-CNQDs) are highly promising photoresponsive materials. However, synthesis of monodispersed g-CNQDs remains challenging. Here we report the dual function of MOF [Cu₃BTC₂] (HKUST-1) as a catalyst and template simultaneously to prepare g-CNQDs under mild conditions. Cyanamide (CA), a graphitic carbon nitride precursor, catalytically dimerized inside the larger MOF cavities at 90 °C and condensed into g-CNQDs at 120 °C in a controlled fashion. The HKUST-1 template was stable under the reaction conditions, leading to uniform g-CNQDs with a particle size of 2.22±0.68 nm. The as prepared g-CNQDs showed photoluminescence emission with a quantum yield of 3.1 %. This concept (MOF dual functionality) for catalyzing CA polycondensation (open metal sites (OMSs) effect) and controlling the produced particle size (pore-templating effect), together with the tunable MOF porosity, is expected to produce unique g-CNQDs with controllable size, morphology, and surface functionality.     

Polymer‐Peptide Block Copolymers – An Overview and Assessment of Synthesis Methods

Incorporating peptide blocks into block copolymers opens up new realms of bioactive or smart materials. Because there are such a variety of peptides, polymers, and hybrid architectures that can be imagined, there are many different routes available for the synthesis of these chimera molecules. This review summarizes the contemporary strategies in combining synthesis techniques to create well‐defined peptide‐polymer hybrids that retain the vital aspects of each disparate block. Living polymerization can be united with the molecular‐level control afforded by peptide blocks to yield block copolymers that not only have precisely defined primary structures, but that also interact with other (bio)molecules in a well defined manner.

     

Two-dimensional Infrared Spectroscopy of a Model Peptide Homodimer

A pair of peptide groups in space, as modeled by formamide dimer, was used to evaluate vibrational coupling between the amide-I modes and the spatial behavior of the coupling using ab initio quantum chemical calculations. It was found that the coupling between two C=O groups, which is electrostatic in nature, is still quite signiˉcant as the intermolecular distance reaches 10 oA. One- and two-dimensional infrared spectra of the dimer at several conˉgurations were calculated using a vibrational exciton model that utilizes the abinitio computation-obtained parameters. The distance dependence of the coupling is dramatically shown in both the 1D and 2D infrared spectral features. The results suggest that the C=O stretching modes in polypeptide can be coupled and their states can be delocalized over quite a long distance in space.