Rapid quantification of HIV protease inhibitors in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

HIV protease inhibitors are important antiretroviral drugs which have substantially reduced the morbidity and mortality associated with HIV-1 infection. Recent data have shown relationships between plasma concentrations of the protease inhibitors and clinical response, which makes therapeutic drug monitoring valuable. We have developed and validated an assay, using liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS), for the routine quantification of the six licensed protease inhibitors (amprenavir, indinavir, lopinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir and saquinavir) and the pharmacologically active nelfinavir metabolite M8 in plasma. The sample pretreatment consisted of protein precipitation with a mixture of methanol and acetronitrile using only 100 microl of plasma. Chromatographic separation was performed on an Inertsil ODS3 column (50 x 2.0 mm i.d., particle size 5 microm), with a quick stepwise gradient using an acetate buffer (pH 5) and methanol, at a flow rate of 0.5 ml min(-1). The analytical run time was 5.5 min. The use of a 96-well plate autosampler allowed batch sizes up to 150 patient samples. The triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer was operated in the positive ion mode and multiple reaction monitoring was used for drug quantification. The method was validated over the concentration ranges 0.01-10 microg ml(-1) for indinavir and saquinavir, 0.1-10 microg ml(-1) for amprenavir, 0.05-10 microg ml(-1) for nelfinavir and ritonavir, 0.1-20 microg ml(-1) for lopinavir and 0.01-5 microg ml(-1) for M8. Saquinavir-d(5) and indinavir-d(6) were used as internal standards. The coefficients of variation were always <10% for both intra-day and inter-day precisions for each compound. Mean accuracies were also between the designated limits (+/-15%). The validated concentration ranges proved to be adequate in daily practice. This robust and fast LC/MS/MS assay is now successfully applied for routine therapeutic drug monitoring and pharmacokinetic studies in our hospital.     

Relative stability of major types of beta-turns as a function of amino acid composition: a study based on Ab initio energetic and natural abundance data

Folding properties of small globular proteins are determined by their amino acid sequence (primary structure). This holds both for local (secondary structure) and for global conformational features of linear polypeptides and proteins composed from natural amino acid derivatives. It thus provides the rational basis of structure prediction algorithms. The shortest secondary structure element, the beta-turn, most typically adopts either a type I or a type II form, depending on the amino acid composition. Herein we investigate the sequence-dependent folding stability of both major types of beta-turns using simple dipeptide models (-Xxx-Yyy-). Gas-phase ab initio properties of 16 carefully selected and suitably protected dipeptide models (for example Val-Ser, Ala-Gly, Ser-Ser) were studied. For each backbone fold most probable side-chain conformers were considered. Fully optimized 321G RHF molecular structures were employed in medium level [B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p)//RHF/3-21G] energy calculations to estimate relative populations of the different backbone conformers. Our results show that the preference for beta-turn forms as calculated by quantum mechanics and observed in Xray determined proteins correlates significantly.     

Microfiltration of protein solutions at thin film composite membranes

An experimental study of the interaction of the enzyme yeast alcohol dehydrogenase (YADH) with polysulfone thin film composite microfiltration membranes (Dow-Danmark) has been carried out. It was found that the membranes adsorbed only 3/4 of a monolayer of the enzyme under the conditions studied. Even so, under filtration conditions, the membrane permeation rate decreased continuously with time. This decrease in permeation rate was due neither to concentration polarisation nor to protein adsorption alone. However, it could be quantified using the standard blocking filtration law, which describes a decrease in pore volume due to deposition of protein in the interior structure of the membrane. Reversal of the membrane, so that the supporting matrix faced the feed solution, gave more stable permeation rates. Implications for the microfiltration of industrial fermentation broths are discussed.     

Expression and Characterization of Catalytic Domain of T Cell Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase（△TC-PTP） —— Immunohistochemical Study of △TC-PTP Expression in Non-small Cell Lung Carcinomas

This study objective was to express and characterize the catalytic domain of the human T cell protein tyrosine phosphatase（△TC-PTP） and to study immunohistochemically the expression of △TC-PTP in human non-small cell lung cancers. △TC-PTP gene was PCR amplified with the cDNA of human TC-PTP as template, and cloned into the pT7 expression vector. The recombinant pT7-△TC-PTP was expressed in E. coli Rosetta （ DE3 ） host cells and puri- fied. The enzymatic characteristics of △TC-PTP including enzyme activity and kinetics assay were measured. The antiserum was prepared by immunizing rabbit with the purified recombinant △TC-PTP. Rabbit polyclonal antibody against △TC-PTP was purified by PVDF immobilized antigen affinity chromatography. Immunohistochemical staining of lung cancer tissues was performed with antibody against △TC-PTP protein. △TC-PTP gene was correctly cloned, expressed, and purified. The recombinant △TC-PTP had a highly catalytic activity of PTPase. Squamous cell lung carcinoma showed a significantly higher expression rate of △TC-PTP （76. 92%, 10/13 ） than adenocarcinoma （57.14%, 4/7） and normal lung tissue（20%, 1/5 ）. This study represents the first demonstration that △TC-PTP is highly expressed in human squamous cell lung carcinomas. In addition, this study provides an important basis for further studying the biological function of TC-PTP and its relationship with lung carcinomas and other diseases.     

A molecular docking model of SARS-CoV S1 protein in complex with its receptor, human ACE2

The exact residues within severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) S1 protein and its receptor, human ACE2, involved in their interaction still remain largely undetermined. Identification of exact amino acid residues that are crucial for the interaction of S1 with ACE2 could provide working hypotheses for experimental studies and might be helpful for the development of antiviral inhibitor. In this paper, a molecular docking model of SARS-CoV S1 protein in complex with human ACE2 was constructed. The interacting residue pairs within this complex model and their contact types were also identified. Our model, supported by significant biochemical evidence, suggested receptor-binding residues were concentrated in two segments of S1 protein. In contrast, the interfacial residues in ACE2, though close to each other in tertiary structure, were found to be widely scattered in the primary sequence. In particular, the S1 residue ARG453 and ACE2 residue LYS341 might be the key residues in the complex formation.     

Micro-Determination of Protein Containing SH– and –S–S– Groups Based on the Polarographic wave of an Electroactive Derivative

This paper presents a new simple and sensitive method for the micro-determination of protein containing SH– and –S–S– groups based on the single sweep polarographic wave of an electroactive derivative. In 0.04molL^–1 Na₃PO₄ and 0.2% ascorbic acid solution, protein is heated in a boiling water bath for 15min, the reaction product giving a sensitive reduction wave at –0.70V (vs. SCE). The wave height is linearly proportional to the concentration of protein. The calibration curves of bovine serum albumin (BSA), human serum albumin (HSA), ovalbumin (OVA) and lysozyme (Lyso) are constructed under the optimal conditions. For BSA and HSA, the linear ranges and detection limits are 0.05–24mgL^–1 and 0.02mgL^–1, respectively. The method has been applied to the determination of protein in human serum samples with satisfactory results. The mechanism of the polarographic wave was also studied, and the results show that S^2– ion is released from the protein molecule during the derivatization reaction, the wave being attributed to the reduction of HgS.     

Structure control within poly(amidoamine) dendrimers: size, shape and regio-chemical mimicry of globular proteins

This work describes the syntheses of a new poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer family possessing a disulfide function (cystamine) in its core. Traditional redox-chemistry associated with the disulfide core in these dendrimer structures, provides a versatile strategy for designing unique sizes, shapes and controlling the regio-disposition of chemical groups on the surface of these dendrimers. Various single site, sulfhydryl functionalized dendron reactants may be generated in situ, under standard reducing conditions (i.e. dithiothreitol (DTT)). Facile control of size, shape and chemical functionality placement involves covalent hybridization of these single point, sulfhydryl reactive dendron components. This is accomplished by re-oxidation in the presence of air, to yield generation/surface chemistry differentiated cross-over products which may be isolated by preparative thin layer or column chromatography. Differentiated cystamine core dendrimers derived from combination and permutation of lower generation (i.e. Gen.=0-3) sulfhydryl functionalized dendrons possessing amino, hydroxyl, acetamido or dansyl surface groups, were synthesized and isolated. They were characterized by a variety of methods including; ¹³C NMR, capillary electrophoresis (CE), gel electrophoresis (PAGE), thin layer chromatography (TLC) and electrospray (ES) or matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. This general strategy has broad implications for the systematic size, shape and regio-chemical control of a wide range of dendritic nanostructures, many of which may be designed to mimic the sizes, shapes and regio specific chemo-domains observed for globular proteins.     

Rapid Protein Hydrolysis by Microwave Irradiation Using Heat-Resistant Teflon-Pyrex Tubes

A rapid peptide-bond hydrolysis by means of microwave irradiation is introduced for the facile preparation of protein hydrolysates used for amino acid analysis. The optimal hydrolysis condition has been determined using several enzymes with known amino acid compositions. The effects of hydrolysis time on the recovery of various labile and hydrophobic amino acids are also exemplified in the microwave heating of standard amino acids. The method has been applied to the complete amino acid analysis with a single nonvolatile solvent of methanesulfonic acid with good recovery of tryptophan and half-cystine. It provides a radical expedition of protein and peptide hydrolysis via commercial microwave ovens and specially-designed Teflon-Pyrex tubes, circumventing the tedious procedures using vacuum-sealed pyrex lubes heating at 110°C for more than 24 h. This novel type of microwave chemistry associated with rapid peptide-bond cleavage is of great potential in the automation of the complete process of amino acid analysis starting from the preparation of protein hydrolysates.     

New methods for data analysis of isothermal titration calorimetry

Heat divided by ligand concentration vs. heat, similar to the Scatchard plot, was introduced to obtain the equilibrium constant (K) and the enthalpy of binding (DH) using isothermal titration calorimetry data. Values of K and DH obtained by this linear pseudo-Scatchard plot for a system with a set of independent binding sites (such as binding fluoride ions on urease and monosaccharide methyl a-D-mannopyranoside on concavalin A) were remarkably like that obtained from a normal fitting Wiseman method and other our technical methods. On applying this graphical method to study the binding of copper ion on myelin basic protein (MBP), a concave downward curve obtained was consistent with the positive cooperativity in the binding. A graphical fitting by simple method for determination of thermodynamic parameters was also introduced. This method is general, without any assumption and restriction made in previous method. This general method was applied to the product inhibition study of adenosine deaminase. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.