Glutathionylation of beta-actin via a cysteinyl sulfenic acid intermediary

Background  

Cysteinyl residues in actin are glutathionylated, ie. form a mixed disulfide with glutathione, even in the absence of exogenous oxidative stress. Glutathionylation inhibits actin polymerization and reversible actin glutathionylation is a redox dependent mechanism for regulation of the cytoskeleton structure. The molecular mechanism that mediates actin glutathionylation in vivo is unclear.     

Dictyostelium cells bind a secreted autocrine factor that represses cell proliferation

Background  

Mycobacterium tuberculosis, an intracellular pathogen encounters redox stress throughout its life inside the host. In order to protect itself from the redox onslaughts of host immune system, M. tuberculosis appears to have developed accessory thioredoxin-like proteins which are represented by ORFs encoding WhiB-like proteins. We have earlier reported that WhiB1/Rv3219 is a thioredoxin like protein of M. tuberculosis and functions as a protein disulfide reductase. Generally thioredoxins have many substrate proteins. The current study aims to identify the substrate protein(s) of M. tuberculosis WhiB1.     

Secreted fungal sulfhydryl oxidases: sequence analysis and characterisation of a representative flavin-dependent enzyme from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus oryzae</Emphasis>

Background  

Sulfhydryl oxidases are flavin-dependent enzymes that catalyse the formation of de novo disulfide bonds from free thiol groups, with the reduction of molecular oxygen to hydrogen peroxide. Sulfhydryl oxidases have been investigated in the food industry to remove the burnt flavour of ultraheat-treated milk and are currently studied as potential crosslinking enzymes, aiming at strengthening wheat dough and improving the overall bread quality.     

Analytical methods for detection of small amounts of amino groups on solid surfaces: a survey

Abstract  

Various analytical methods have been performed or adapted for the detection of small amounts of amino groups on solid surfaces. As well as the quantification of available amino groups, area-wide coatings should be detectable for applications such as biocompatible coatings of medically relevant materials. In this regard, photometric and fluorometric methods have been used and an enzymatic assay developed, all of which are compared herein.     

Characterization of yeast histone H3-specific type B histone acetyltransferases identifies an <Emphasis Type="Italic">ADA2</Emphasis>-independent Gcn5p activity

Background  

The acetylation of the core histone NH₂-terminal tails is catalyzed by histone acetyltransferases. Histone acetyltransferases can be classified into two distinct groups (type A and B) on the basis of cellular localization and substrate specificity. Type B histone acetyltransferases, originally defined as cytoplasmic enzymes that acetylate free histones, have been proposed to play a role in the assembly of chromatin through the acetylation of newly synthesized histones H3 and H4. To date, the only type B histone acetyltransferase activities identified are specific for histone H4.     

A sequence-dependent exonuclease activity from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tetrahymena thermophila</Emphasis>

Background  

Telomere function requires a highly conserved G rich 3'- overhang. This structure is formed by 5'-resection of the C-rich telomere strand. However, while many nucleases have been suggested to play a role in processing, it is not yet clear which nucleases carry out this 5'-resection.     

The "dark side" of β-lactoglobulin: unedited structural features suggest unexpected functions

The in-depth characterization of water buffalo (WB) whey proteins based on chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques revealed unexpected structural co- and post-translational modifications for β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg). The residues Lys⁴⁷ and Lys⁶⁹ of β-Lg were found to be lactosylated early, at the time of milking. Thiol groups of β-Lg underwent a dynamic sulfhydryl/disulfide exchange that is probably essential in accomplishing specific physiological requirements in which proteins may alternatively act either as a trigger or as a target. In this sense, the free sulfhydryl group of β-Lg established a glutathionylation/deglutathionylation equilibrium, which could be functional in conveying and delivering glutathione. Furthermore, the N-lauroylated β-Lg occurring exclusively in WB milk has been characterized for the first time. N-acylation could be an evolutionary remnant of ancestral lipocalins. Combined with the known aptitude of β-Lg to interact with phospholipid bilayers, this suggests that the protein could also be involved in the membrane translocation of small molecules, in addition to targeting, trafficking or the maintenance of membrane integrity. This structural characterization of β-Lg adds to the currently existing data and expands our understanding of the possible biological roles of this enigmatic protein.     

Kinetic characterisation of arylamine <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-acetyltransferase from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pseudomonas aeruginosa</Emphasis>

Background  

Arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NATs) are important drug- and carcinogen-metabolising enzymes that catalyse the transfer of an acetyl group from a donor, such as acetyl coenzyme A, to an aromatic or heterocyclic amine, hydrazine, hydrazide or N-hydroxylamine acceptor substrate. NATs are found in eukaryotes and prokaryotes, and they may also have an endogenous function in addition to drug metabolism. For example, NAT from Mycobacterium tuberculosis has been proposed to have a role in cell wall lipid biosynthesis, and is therefore of interest as a potential drug target. To date there have been no studies investigating the kinetic mechanism of a bacterial NAT enzyme.     

Supramolecular assembled of hexameric water clusters into a 1D chain containing (H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)<Subscript>6</Subscript> and [(H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O)<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>] stabilized by hydrogen bonding in a copper complex

Background  

Various water clusters including hexamers, heptamers, octamers, decamers and 1D or 2D infinite water chains in a number of organic and inorganic-organic hybrid hosts, have been reported.     

Thermophile-specific proteins: the gene product of <Emphasis Type="Italic">aq_1292</Emphasis> from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aquifex aeolicus</Emphasis> is an NTPase

Background  

To identify thermophile-specific proteins, we performed phylogenetic patterns searches of 66 completely sequenced microbial genomes. This analysis revealed a cluster of orthologous groups (COG1618) which contains a protein from every thermophile and no sequence from 52 out of 53 mesophilic genomes. Thus, COG1618 proteins belong to the group of thermophile-specific proteins (THEPs) and therefore we here designate COG1618 proteins as THEP1s. Since no THEP1 had been analyzed biochemically thus far, we characterized the gene product of aq_1292 which is THEP1 from the hyperthermophilic bacterium Aquifex aeolicus (aaTHEP1).     

Characterization of rubber particles and rubber chain elongation in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Taraxacum koksaghyz</Emphasis>

Background  

Natural rubber is a biopolymer with exceptional qualities that cannot be completely replaced using synthetic alternatives. Although several key enzymes in the rubber biosynthetic pathway have been isolated, mainly from plants such as Hevea brasiliensis, Ficus spec. and the desert shrub Parthenium argentatum, there have been no in planta functional studies, e.g. by RNA interference, due to the absence of efficient and reproducible protocols for genetic engineering. In contrast, the Russian dandelion Taraxacum koksaghyz, which has long been considered as a potential alternative source of low-cost natural rubber, has a rapid life cycle and can be genetically transformed using a simple and reliable procedure. However, there is very little molecular data available for either the rubber polymer itself or its biosynthesis in T. koksaghyz.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodobacter capsulatus</Emphasis> porphobilinogen synthase,a high activity metal ion independent hexamer

Background  

The enzyme porphobilinogen synthase (PBGS), which is central to the biosynthesis of heme, chlorophyll and cobalamins, has long been known to use a variety of metal ions and has recently been shown able to exist in two very different quaternary forms that are related to metal ion usage. This paper reports new information on the metal ion independence and quaternary structure of PBGS from the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodobacter capsulatus.     

Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase is largely unresponsive to low regulatory levels of hydrogen peroxide in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces cerevisiae</Emphasis>

Background  

The reversible oxidation of protein SH groups has been considered to be the basis of redox regulation by which changes in hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) concentrations may control protein function. Several proteins become S-glutathionylated following exposure to H₂O₂ in a variety of cellular systems. In yeast, when using a high initial H₂O₂ dose, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) was identified as the major target of S-glutathionylation which leads to reversible inactivation of the enzyme. GAPDH inactivation by H₂O₂ functions to reroute carbohydrate flux to produce NADPH. Here we report the effect of low regulatory H₂O₂ doses on GAPDH activity and expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.     

Synthesis,spectral and structural studies of oxovanadium(IV/V) complexes derived from 2-hydroxyacetophenone-3-hydroxy-2-naphthoylhydrazone: polymorphs of oxovanadium(V) complex [VOL(OCH<Subscript>3</Subscript>)]

Abstract  

Oxovanadium(IV/V) complexes of 2-hydroxyacetophenone-3-hydroxy-2-naphthoylhydrazone (H₂L) have been synthesized and characterized. The complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, IR, electronic and EPR spectra. The oxovanadium(V) complex [VOL(OCH₃)] is crystallized in two polymorphic forms, denoted by 1a and 1b, with space groups Pn2₁a and P_[`1] P_{{\bar{1}}} , respectively. Both have distorted square pyramidal structures.     

Mitochondrial activities in human cultured skin fibroblasts contaminated by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mycoplasma hyorhinis</Emphasis>

Background  

Mycoplasma contaminations are a recurrent problem in the use of cultured cells, including human cells, especially as it has been shown to impede cell cycle, triggering cell death under various conditions. More specific consequences on cell metabolism are poorly known.     

Electrochemical study of gallium(III) with <Emphasis Type="SmallCaps">l</Emphasis>-glutamine at the dropping mercury electrode

Abstract  

Gallium complexes of l-glutamine have been studied polarographically in aqueous media. The reduction was found to be irreversible and diffusion controlled in the presence of 0.1 M KNO₃ and 0.002% Triton-x-100. The values of kinetic parameters, transfer coefficient (α _n), and formal rate constant ( k_{\textf,\texth}⁰ k_{{{\text{f}},{\text{h}}}}^{0} ) of the electrode reactions were calculated by Koutecky's method. The stability constants and composition of the gallium(III)-l-glutamine complexes were evaluated with the help of the Deford-Hume method. The values of stability constants of 1:1, 1:2, and 1:3 gallium(III)-l-glutamine complexes are 1.35, 6.5, and 1,350 at 30 °C, respectively. The values of thermodynamic parameters, the free energy of activation, the enthalpy of activation, and the entropy of activation have been determined at 30 °C. The formation of the metal complexes has been found to be non-spontaneous, endothermic in nature, and entropically favorable at higher temperature.     

The <Emphasis Type="Italic">FTO</Emphasis> (fat mass and obesity associated) gene codes for a novel member of the non-heme dioxygenase superfamily

Background  

Genetic variants in the FTO (fat mass and obesity associated) gene have been associated with an increased risk of obesity. However, the function of its protein product has not been experimentally studied and previously reported sequence similarity analyses suggested the absence of homologs in existing protein databases. Here, we present the first detailed computational analysis of the sequence and predicted structure of the protein encoded by FTO.     

Zirconium(IV) chloride as versatile catalyst for the expeditious synthesis of quinoxalines and pyrido[2,3-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>]pyrazines under ambient conditions

Abstract  

Among the various transition metal chlorides, zirconium(IV) chloride was found to be an efficient catalyst for the rapid synthesis of a wide range of 2,3-dialkyl- and 2,3-diaryl-quinoxaline and pyrido[2,3-b]pyrazine derivatives in excellent yields at room temperature. The remarkable features of this catalytic process are the mild reaction conditions, quantitative yields, short reaction times, high conversions, tolerability of various functional groups, clean reaction profiles, and operational simplicity.     

Glycoproteomic characterization of carriers of the CD15/Lewis<Superscript>x</Superscript> epitope on Hodgkin's Reed-Sternberg cells

Background  

The Lewis^x trisaccharide, also referred to as the CD15 antigen, is a diagnostic marker used to distinguish Hodgkin's lymphoma from other lymphocytic cancers. However, the role of such fucosylated structures remains poorly understood, in part because carriers of Lewis^x structures on Hodgkin's Reed-Sternberg cells have not been identified.     

NMR and quantum chemical studies on association of 2,6-bis(acylamino)pyridines with selected imides and 2,2′-dipyridylamine

Abstract  

Association constants of 2,6-bis(alkylcarbonylamino)pyridines (alkyl = methyl or ethyl) and their perfluoroalkyl analogues with succin- and maleimide as well as with 2,2′-dipyridylamine (complementary DAD and ADA hydrogen bonding motifs are responsible for formation of the associates) have been determined by NMR titrations and quantum chemical calculations. Interactions of 2,6-bis(alkylcarbonylamino)pyridines with imides differ by character from these of perfluoroalkyl analogues. Such large difference was not observed for the 2,2′-dipyridylamine associates. Since fluorine atoms cause carbonylamino groups to be stronger hydrogen bond donors, perfluorinated species of this type were found to be more stable. Single crystal X-ray structures of 2,6-bis(trifluoromethylcarbonylamino)pyridine and 2,6-bis(pentafluoroethylcarbonylamino)pyridine have been also determined.