Inhibitory analysis of the effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on the activity of chitinase by means of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry of chitin oligosaccharides

The analytical method of determining enzyme activity by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC/MS) was developed and applied for investigation of the effect of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on the enzyme activity of chitinase. The measurement of chitinase activity by LC/MS is useful in order to use the nonderivatized substrate, which can show in vivo chitinase activity. Substrate consumption and product formation were monitored in order to determine chitinase activity. It was shown that, for the first time, in vitro addition of PAHs inhibited the activity of chitinase in a noncompetitive manner. The IC₅₀ value of benzo[a]pyrene was 1.4 μM, and PAHs containing four or more aromatic rings showed the same or higher inhibitory effect, whereas PAHs with a lower number of aromatic rings showed lower inhibition of the chitinase activity than benzo[a]pyrene.     

Purification and partial characterization of a lipase from Bacillus coagulans ZJU318

An extracellular lipase was purified from the fermentation broth of Bacillus coagulans ZJU318 by CM-Sepharose chromatography, followed by Sephacryl S-200 chromatography. The lipase was purified 14.7-fold with 18% recovery and a specific activity of 141.1 U/mg. The molecular weight of the homogeneous enzyme was (32 kDa), determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme activity was maximum at pH 9.0 and was stable over a pH range of 7.0–10.0, and the optimum temperature for the enzyme reaction was 45°C. Little activity loss (6.2%) was observed after 1 h of incubation at 40°C. However, the stability of the lipase decreased sharply at 50 and 60°C. The enzyme activity was strongly inhibited by Ag⁺ and Cu²⁺, whereas EDTA caused no inhibition. SDS, Brij 30, and Tween-80 inhibited lipase, whereas Triton X-100 did not significantly inhibit lipase activity.     

Comparison of the Effect of Hydrostatic and Dynamic High Pressure Processing on the Enzymatic Activity and Physicochemical Quality Attributes of ‘Ataulfo’ Mango Nectar

The effects of hydrostatic (HHP) and dynamic (HPH) high-pressure treatments on the activity of pectin methylesterase (PME) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) as well as the physicochemical quality attributes of ‘Ataulfo’ mango nectar were assessed. HHP reduced PME relative activity by 28% at 100 MPa for 5 min but increased PPO activity almost five-fold. Contrarily, HPH did not affect PME activity, but PPO was effectively reduced to 10% of residual activity at 300 MPa and at three passes. Color parameters (CIEL*a*b*), °hue, and chroma were differently affected by each type of high-pressure processing technology. The viscosity and fluid behavior were not affected by HHP, however, HPH changed the apparent viscosity at low dynamic pressure levels (100 MPa with one and three passes). The viscosity decreased at high shear rates in nectar samples, showing a shear-thinning effect. The results highlight how different effects can be achieved with each high-pressure technology; thus, selecting the most appropriate system for processing and preserving liquid foods like fruit beverages is recommended.     

Structure-Activity Relationship, Cytotoxicity and Mode of Action of 2-Ester-substituted 1,5-Benzothiazepines as Potent Antifungal Agents

Our studies examined the structural features responsible for the antifungal activity of 2-ethoxycarbonyl-1,5- benzothiazepine （7a）. Three series of 1,5-benzothiazepine derivatives were synthesized and screened for their antifungal activity. The results suggested that the ethoxycarbonyl group at the 2 position and the imine moiety on the seven-membered ring are essential for activity. The most potent of the synthesized analogues （7a, 7b） were further studied by evaluating their cytotoxicity and mode of action （for 7a）. The results showed that compounds 7a and 7b were relatively safe for BV2 cells, but compound 7a interfered with Cryptococcus neoformans cell wall integrity by increasing the chitinase activity. Therefore, compound 7a was considered safe as an antifungal agent for animal cells.     

Towards the understanding of the activity of G9a inhibitors: an activity landscape and molecular modeling approach

In this work, we analyze the structure–activity relationships (SAR) of epigenetic inhibitors (lysine mimetics) against lysine methyltransferase (G9a or EHMT2) using a combined activity landscape, molecular docking and molecular dynamics approach. The study was based on a set of 251 G9a inhibitors with reported experimental activity. The activity landscape analysis rapidly led to the identification of activity cliffs, scaffolds hops and other active an inactive molecules with distinct SAR. Structure-based analysis of activity cliffs, scaffold hops and other selected active and inactive G9a inhibitors by means of docking followed by molecular dynamics simulations led to the identification of interactions with key residues involved in activity against G9a, for instance with ASP 1083, LEU 1086, ASP 1088, TYR 1154 and PHE 1158. The outcome of this work is expected to further advance the development of G9a inhibitors.

     

Chemistry and Biology of Cylindrols: Novel Inhibitors of Ras Farnesyl-Protein Transferase from Cylindrocarpon lucidum

Farnesyl-protein transferase (FPTase) is an enzyme responsible for the farnesylation of Ras protein. Farnesylation is required for cell-transforming activity in several tumor-types, and therefore, inhibition of FPTase activity may be a potential target for anticancer drugs. Our continued search for novel inhibitors led to the isolation of a number of bicyclic resorcinaldehyde cyclohexanone derivatives named here cylindrols A(1) to A(4), cylindrols B and B(1), and a number of known compounds, from Cylindrocarpon lucidum. The compounds were isolated by bioassay-guided separation using Sephadex LH-20, silica gel, and reverse phase HPLC. Structures were elucidated by extensive application of 2D NMR and X-ray crystallography. The determination of absolute stereochemistry was accomplished by CD measurements. Chemical transformations of the most abundant compound resulted in a number of key derivatives which were critical for the evaluation of structure activity relationship. These compounds are members of ascochlorin family and showed a wide range of inhibitory activity (0.7 &mgr;M to >140 &mgr;M) against FPTase. The FPTase activity was noncompetitive with respect to both substrates. Isolation, structures, chemical transformations, and FPTase activity are discussed in detail.     

核壳结构碳化钨/碳化钨铁复合材料的制备与电催化活性

以铁黄为载体,偏钨酸铵为钨源,将直接包覆与原位还原碳化技术相结合制备了碳化钨/碳化钨铁复合材料.经X射线衍射(XRD)分析和透射电子显微镜(TEM)观察,复合材料的主要物相为碳化钨铁(Fe3W3C)、碳化钨(WC)和碳化二钨(W2C),且构成了以Fe3W3C为核、WC和W2C为壳的核壳结构.采用三电极体系循环伏安法测试了复合材料在酸性、中性和碱性体系中对甲醇的电催化氧化活性.结果表明,与颗粒状碳化钨和介孔空心球状碳化钨相比,复合材料的电催化活性有了明显的提高;进一步研究发现,复合材料的电催化活性不仅受到体系性质的影响,还与其物相组成和微结构相关.上述结果说明,通过控制复合材料的物相组成及微结构,以及反应体系的性质可实现对其电催化活性的调控;同时表明,核壳结构是提高碳化钨催化材料活性的有效途径之一.     

Interference of adenylate kinase (AK) with creatine kinase (CK) determination in sera of patients with acute liver cell damage

Conclusion The results have shown that after liver TX a considerable fraction (up to 36%) of apparent CK activity may consist of uninhibited L-AK activity. This inaccuracy can roughly be estimated by measuring a serum blank. This is recommended, if ASAT activity is higher than 15 × URL and GLDH activity is clearly elevated, especially with CK activity near the decision limit.

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Adenylat-kinase (AK) als Störfaktor bei der Bestimmung der Kreatin-Kinase (CK) in Seren von Patienten mit akutem Leberzellschaden

     

A comparison of the cellulolytic activities of rumen bacteria and protozoa

Cellulolytic activity can be released from rumen Entodiniomorphid protozoa by gentle sonication (Coleman, 1978) and there is evidence that most of this activity is of protozoal rather than bacterial origin (Coleman, 1978). Cellulolytic activity can also be released under the same conditions from a crude mixture of bacteria isolated from the rumen. The purpose of this communication is to compare the cellulolytic activity in fractions (prepared by sonication followed by centrifugation (15,500g, 30 min) to produce a clear, bacteria-free supernatant fluid) from faunated and defaunated sheep. Activities were measured by the release of reducing material from carboxymethylcellulose and the release of dye from cellulose azure (Sigma, type II), but unfortunately with both methods the relationship between product and time or enzyme concentration was a curve with a steadily decreasing slope. To overcome this difficulty a standard curve of product against concentration of an extract of the ciliateEpidinium ecaudatum caudatum was constructed for all experiments. Using this curve, the amount of product formed with other enzyme preparations was converted into concentrations of this extract. The specific activity (activity/mg protein) of this extract was taken to be 100. Fractions were prepared from strained rumen contents by differential centrifugation and after sonication and centrifugation as described above, no activity was found in the 360g min pellet (“protozoal fraction”) from defaunated sheep or in the green or brown layer that was present above the protozoa in the same fraction from refaunated animals. Cellulolytic activity was progressively released from washed rumen bacteria prepared from both types of sheep during sonication for 15 min, at which time the specific activity of the material was 2–3% of that in the protozoon. There was a small but variable amount of activity (specific activity, 0.1–1.0%) in the cell-free rumen liquor. If it is assumed that the activity released from the protozoa and bacteria is actually available to degrade cellulose, an estimate can be made of the comparative importance of protozoa and bacteria in rumen cellulolysis. In a sheep containing 20,000 epidinia/mL as the only ciliate protozoon, the bacteria and cellfree rumen liquor contained only 12 and 2 1/2%, respectively, of the activity in the protozoa. If 65% of the protozoa die and are degraded in the rumen (Leng, 1982), then the protozoal cellulase released could be very important in cellulose degradation.     

The In Vitro Anti-pathogenic Activity of Immunoglobulin Concentrates Extracted from Ovine Blood

An immunoglobulin-rich fraction has been prepared from ovine blood in our laboratory. We have investigated its antibacterial activity and binding activity to pathogenic whole cell antigens, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and staphylococcal enterotoxin B. Ovine immunoglobulin concentrate (OIC) comprised about 73 ± 2% of IgG and 11 ± 1% of IgM on a protein basis. It inhibited the growth of all 13 strains of pathogens tested, but the inhibitory activity varied according to bacterial strain. The inhibitory activity of OIC was attributed to the high contents of undenatured immunoglobulin present because its inhibitory activity was destroyed by pepsin digestion and heat treatment (65°C for 30 min). OIC bound to all the Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, regardless of cell wall structure. The highest magnitude of crossreactivity to whole cell antigens was against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Shigella soneii strains (p < 0.001). The binding activity of OIC to LPS obtained from Escherichia coli O111:B4 and Salmonella enterica serotype typhimurium was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and lymphoblast K-562 proliferation assay. OIC bound to LPS with a binding activity that was dependent on OIC concentration and saturable, showing typical hyperbolic curves. For toxin-binding activity, an OIC concentration-dependent trend like that for LPS-binding activity was also observed. This preliminary evidence suggests that the OIC used in this study could be a promising supplement for protecting against pathogenic bacteria.     

GO-PtNi hybrid nanoenzyme mimics for the colorimetric detection of hydrogen peroxide

GO-PtNi nanocomposites with intrinsic peroxidase-like activity were obtained through one-pot synthesis. The hybrid nanomaterial was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The peroxidase-like activity of GO-PtNi nanocomposites was found to be dependent on pH, temperature, the concentration of enzyme and substrates. The optimal conditions for the catalytic activity of GO-PtNi nanocomposites were determined. Based on these findings, a simple and sensitive colorimetric method for the detection of H₂O₂ by using GO-PtNi nanocomposites and 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) was developed. The linear range was from 0.08 to 1.5 mM with a detection limit of 5 μM.     

Chemiluminescence lateral flow immunoassay based on Pt nanoparticle with peroxidase activity

A lateral flow immunoassay (LF-immunoassay) with an enhanced sensitivity and thermostability was developed by using Pt nanoparticles with a peroxidase activity. The Pt nanoparticles were synthesized by citrate reduction method, and the peroxidase activity of Pt nanoparticles was optimized by adjusting reaction conditions. The peroxidase activity was estimated by using Michaelis–Menten kinetics model with TMB as a chromogenic substrate. The kinetics parameters of K_M and V_max were calculated and compared with horseradish peroxidase (HRP). The thermal stability of the Pt nanoparticles was compared with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) according to the storage temperature and long-term storage period. The feasibility of lateral flow immunoassay with a chemiluminescent signal band was demonstrated by the detection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) as a model analyte, and the sensitivity was determined to be improved by as much as 1000-fold compared to the conventional rapid test based on colored gold-colloids.     

靛红类双功能抑制剂: 调控SARS-3CL蛋白酶聚集状态与活性

1-(2-萘甲基)靛红-5-甲酰胺类化合物通过与底物口袋结合来抑制SARS-3CL 蛋白酶的活性, 而SARS-3CL蛋白酶自身的N端8 肽是作用于蛋白二聚界面的抑制剂. 本文设计同时占据SARS-3CL蛋白酶底物口袋和二聚界面的双功能抑制剂, 通过固相多肽合成方法制备由1-(2-萘甲基)靛红-5-甲酸和N端8肽组成的化合物, 得到不同长度连接链的6 个目标产物. 用显色底物方法测定化合物对SARS-3CL蛋白酶的抑制活性,其中化合物3的活性最高, IC₅₀值(半抑制率)为3.8 μmol·L^-1, 连接偶数甘氨酸的活性明显要好于连接奇数甘氨酸的化合物. 用超速离心沉降速率方法研究了化合物3对SARS-3CL蛋白酶聚集状态与活性的调控作用, 其同时具有诱导与抑制二聚的双重能力, 综合调控结果是抑制SARS-3CL蛋白酶的二聚. 这项研究给应用合成的化合物研究酶活性调节机制提供了一个示例.     

巴马火麻仁木脂素酰胺类提取物的鉴定及清除自由基活性的研究

将巴马火麻仁木脂素酰胺类的粗提物采用硅胶柱层析法以V(氯仿)∶V(甲醇)＝85∶15洗脱分离, 分离产物经快原子轰击质谱(FAB-MS)、核磁共振(NMR)鉴定为大麻酰胺A (cannabisin A). 以1,1-二苯基-2-苦基肼自由基(DPPH&#8226;)、超氧阴离子自由基 、羟自由基(OH&#8226;)三种不同自由基体系研究火麻仁木脂素酰胺类的粗提物、大孔树脂纯化后的精提物及cannabisin A的活性清除作用. 结果表明在一定的剂量范围内, 三者均有显著的活性清除作用, 且与剂量呈明显量效关系. 精提物的清除作用最强, 尤其是在OH&#8226;体系中, 其清除活性为粗提物的13倍.     

Effect of dopant concentration on photocatalytic activity of TiO2 film doped by Mn non-uniformly

The thin films of TiO₂ doped by Mn non-uniformly were prepared by sol-gel method under process control. In our preceding study, we investigated in detail, the effect of doping mode on the photocatalytic activity of TiO₂ films showing that Mn non-uniform doping can greatly enhance the activity. In this study we looked at the effect of doping concentration on the photocatalytic activity of the TiO₂ films. In this paper, the thin films were characterized by UV-vis spectrophotometer and electrochemical workstation. The activity of the photocatalyst was also evaluated by photocatalytic degradation rate of aqueous methyl orange under UV radiation. The results illustrate that the TiO₂ thin film doped by Mn non-uniformly at the optimal dopant concentration (0.7 at %) is of the highest activity, and on the contrary, the activity of those doped uniformly is decreased. As a comparison, in 80 min, the degradation rate of methyl orange is 62 %, 12 % and 34 % for Mn non-uniform doping film (0.7 at %), the uniform doping film (0.7 at %) and pure titanium dioxide film, respectively. We have seen that, for the doping and the pure TiO₂ films, the stronger signals of open circuit potential and transient photocurrent, the better photocatalytic activity. We also discusse the effect of dopant concentration on the photocatalytic activity of the TiO₂ films in terms of effective separation of the photon-generated carriers in the semiconductor.     

Radical Chain Breaking Bis(ortho-organoselenium) Substituted Phenolic Antioxidants

The presence of a chalcogen atom at the ortho-position of phenols enhances their radical chain-breaking activity. Here, a copper(I)-catalyzed reaction of 2,6-dibromo- and 2,6-diiodophenols with diorganodiselenides has been studied for the introduction of two organoselenium substituents at both ortho-positions of the phenolic radical chain-breaking antioxidants, which afforded 2,6-diorganoseleno-substituted phenols in 80–92% yields having electron-donating CH₃, and electron-withdrawing CN and CHO functionalities. Additionally, 2,6-diiodophenols with electron-withdrawing CHO and CN groups also afforded novel 5,5′-selenobis(4-hydroxy-3-(phenylselanyl)benzaldehyde) and 5,5′-selenobis(4-hydroxy-3-(phenylselanyl)benzonitrile) consisting of three selenium and two phenolic moieties along with 2,6-diorganoseleno-substituted phenols has been synthesized. The electron-withdrawing CHO group has been reduced by sodium borohydride to the electron-donating alcohol CH₂OH group, which is desirable for efficient radical quenching activity of phenols. The developed copper-catalyzed reaction conditions enable the installation of two-arylselenium group ortho to phenolic radical chain-breaking antioxidants, which may not be possible by conventional organolithium-bromine exchange methods due to the sluggish reactivity of trianions (dicarba and phenoxide anion), which are generated by the reaction of organolithium with 2,6-dibromophenols, with diorganodiselenides. The antioxidant activities of the synthesized bis and tris selenophenols have been accessed by DPPH, thiol peroxides, and singlet oxygen quenching assay. The radical quenching antioxidant activity has been studied for the synthesized compounds by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The bis-selenophenols show comparable radical deactivating activity, while tris seleno-bisphenols show higher radical deactivating activity than α-tocopherol. Furthermore, the tris seleno-bisphenol shows comparable peroxide decomposing activity with ebselen molecules.     

The Antimicrobial Activity,Mosquito Larvicidal Activity,Antioxidant Property and Tyrosinase Inhibition of Piper Betle

The essential oil and methanolic and aqueous extracts of Piper betle L. were assayed for their antimicrobial activity, mosquito larvicidal activity, antioxidant property and mushroom tyrosinase inhibition. The methanolic and aquaous extracts showed strong activity against the yeasts: C. albicans, and M. pachydermatis. The crude essential oil exhibited a broad‐spectrum strong antimicrobial activity against all test organisms. The strongest activity was observed against C. albicans, followed by S. aureus and M. pachydermatis. The chemical composition of the essential oil and its fractions was analyzed by GC/MS analysis. Eugenol (36.2%), chavibetol acetate (16.9%), 4‐allylphenyl acetate (9.4%) and 4‐allylphenol (7.2%) were the main components, comprising 69.7% of the oil. The fractionation of the essential oil gave two fractions. Fraction I was rich in eugenol (71.3%) and fraction II in eugenol (46.4%), chavibetol acetate (19.4%) and 4‐allylphenyl acetate (11.8%). The essential oil exhibited the mosquito larvicidal activity with 2 h and 24 h LD₅₀ value of 86 and 48 ppm, respectively. The methanolic extract of P. betle showed larvicidal activity with 2 h and 24 h LD₅₀ value of 153 and 125 ppm, respectively, whereas the aqueous extract showed slight active. The individual antioxidant assays such as DPPH scavenging activity, chelating effect of ferrous ions and reducing power have been used. P. betle showed remarkable antioxidant activity in DPPH and reducing power assays. The activity observed can be attributed to the presence of the phenolic compounds. The essential oil exhibited concentration‐dependent inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase, giving an IC₅₀ value of 126 ppm. The fraction I showed a strong inhibition of tyrosinase activity, giving an IC₅₀ value of 115 ppm. The presence of 4‐allylphenolic components in the essential oil may play an important role in the inhibition of tyrosinase. In conclusion, the results presented here show that Piper betle essential oil could be considered as a natural antimicrobial, mosquito larvicidal, antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibition source.     

Kinetic determination of the GTPase activity of Ras proteins by means of a luminescent terbium complex

Guanine nucleotide binding proteins, such as Ras proteins, play a pivotal role in maintaining the regular life cycle of cells. The involvement of Ras mutants in the progress of cancer has attracted many efforts to find detection methods for Ras activity. In this study we present a luminescent microwell plate assay for monitoring GTPase activity of Ras proteins. The luminescence intensity of the Tb–norfloxacin complex is influenced by nucleoside phosphates as well as by inorganic phosphates. Real-time kinetics of the GTPase activity of wild-type Ras and Ras mutants can be monitored online. The effect of a GTPase activating protein as well as of a downstream effector (Ras-binding domain of human Raf-1) on the GTPase activity of different Ras mutants is examined. In contrast to other methods, this assay does not require the use of radioactively labeled substrates or chromatographic separation steps. Moreover, the application of fluorescently labeled GTP substrates which often interfere with enzymatic activity can be avoided. This in vitro assay can serve as a model system for the screening of regulators affecting the GTPase activity of Ras proteins. Figure The emission of the lanthanide complex Tb(III)-norfloxacin is influenced by nucleoside phosphates as well as by inorganic phosphates. Ras proteins display a specific GTPase activity which converts protein-bound GTP to GDP and phosphate, the latter being released. The Ras activity can be monitored by a significant decrease in luminescence intensity of Tb(III)-norfloxacin owing to the strong quenching effect induced by the enzymatically hydrolyzed phosphate anions. This luminescent assay enables the monitoring of real-time kinetics of the GTPase activity of Ras proteins and Ras mutants and a fast screening of their regulators.     

Spectroscopic Determination of Cholinesterase Activity and Inhibition in Sol-Gel Media

Biological activity of cholinesterases can be determined by optically monitoring the enzymatic reaction with indophenyl acetate, (N-4′-acetoxyphenyl)-4-quinone imine. At pH 8.0 cholinesterases hydrolyze this yellow dye to yield a blue reaction product. Cholinesterase inhibitors reduce the rate of this hydrolysis. Thus, by monitoring absorbance of the hydrolysis product at its maximum (630 nm) as a function of time, reaction rates of both cholinesterase activity and cholinesterase inhibition may be quantified spectroscopically. Using this technique, we measured the enzymatic activity of butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) molecules encapsulated in tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS) silicate gel-glass prepared by hydrolysis and condensation. This activity is reduced, in a concentration-dependent manner, by the reversible cholinesterase inhibitors 1,5-bis(4-allyldimethyl-ammoniumphenyl) pentan 3-one dibromide (BADAPP) and 9-amino-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine (THA; tacrine, Cognex). The gel-glasses are rigid, and compact, transparent and porous enough to allow reagents to diffuse in and out.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Biological Evaluation of New 3,5-Disubstituted-Pyrazoline Derivatives as Potential Anti-Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra Compounds

A total of fourteen pyrazoline derivatives were synthesized through cyclo-condensation reactions by chalcone derivatives with different types of semicarbazide. These compounds were characterized by IR, 1D-NMR (¹H, ¹³C and Distortionless Enhancement by Polarization Transfer - DEPT-135) and 2D-NMR (COSY, HSQC and HMBC) as well as mass spectroscopy analysis (HRMS). The synthesized compounds were tested for their antituberculosis activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra in vitro. Based on this activity, compound 4a showed the most potent inhibitory activity, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 17 μM. In addition, six other synthesized compounds, 5a and 5c–5g, exhibited moderate activity, with MIC ranges between 60 μM to 140 μM. Compound 4a showed good bactericidal activity with a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) value of 34 μM against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra. Molecular docking studies for compound 4a on alpha-sterol demethylase was done to understand and explore ligand–receptor interactions, and to hypothesize potential refinements for the compound.