Inhibition of Metalloproteinase Activity by Chinese Formulations Used to Treat Inflammatory Diseases

Introduction Matrixmetalloproteinases(MMPs)areaclassof zinc requiringextracellularendopeptidasesthatcanto getherdegradeallcomponentsoftheextracellularma trixandbasementmembranes[1—3].Theyplayimpor tantrolesinconnectivetissueremodeling,occurringin normalb…     

Catechu Inhibiting Cathepsin B Activity and Motility of HT1080 Cells

We reported that Catechu extract has a significant inhibitory effect on cathepsin B activity. The IC50 value for the Catechu extract against cathepsin B was 7.6 μg/mL. In addition, we showed that HT1080 human fibrosarcoma cells express cathepsin B and Catechu modulate the invasion and motility of these cells. These data may provide molecular mechanisms for the therapeutic effects of Catechu.     

Expression Optimization and Characterization of the Catalytic Domain of Human MT3-MMP

Introduction Matrixmetalloproteinases(MMPs)areafamilyof calciumandzincrequiringendoproteinasesthattogether candegradeallthemaincomponentsoftheextra cellu larmatrixandbasementmembranes[1].MMPsarein volvedinawiderangeofproteolyticevents,innormal andpatholog…     

A Paleogenomic Algorithm for Reconstruction of Ancient Operons from Complete Microbial Genome Sequences

Operons, or co-transcribed and co-regulated contiguous sets of genes, in microbial genomes are poorly conserved across different genomes due to gene fusion, deletion, duplication and other genome shuffling processes. The currently available genomes are the results of numerous reshuffling and acceptance iterations. We hypothesized that in ancient times, when life was more primitive, functionally related genes existed in close proximity and operated together as an operon to simplify regulation. As more sophisticated regulation mechanisms became available during evolution the genes forming an operon could be separated by the above mentioned processes. If gene shuffling is a random event, neighbor gene pairs are more likely to be preserved than distant gene pairs. Thus, if enough gene pairs can be identified, the original operon could be reconstructed by assembling the pairs. Here we propose a novel paleogenomic method to reconstruct present neighbor gene pairs into "ancient" operons that possibly existed at some point during evolution.     

Design, Synthesis and Molecular Docking of a Novel Small-molecule Inhibitor of Caspase-3

4,5-Dihydro-3-methylbenzo[1,2-b]furan-4,5-dione(4) was identified as a novel and potent inhibitor of caspase-3 through structural modification of an existing drug,sodium tanshinone ⅡA sulfonate(STS).Compound 4 showed high potency against caspase-3 in vitro(IC50=0.13 μmol/L).Molecular docking study further provided an insight into the interaction of compound 4 with activated caspase-3.Hence,this small-molecule caspase-3 inhibitor could be a promising therapeutic candidate against diseases caused by abnormally up-regulated apoptosis.     

Inhibitory Effects of Polygoni Multiflori Caulis Extracts on Matrix Metalloproteinase Activities

Matrix metalloproteinases(MMPs) play an essential role in development and tissue remodeling of living organisms.However,the overexpression of MMPs has lead to a series of diseases,such as cancer,arthritis,and atherosclerosis;and inhibition of MMPs may have therapeutic benefits.The discovery of MMP inhibitors from herbal has become a prospective event.We showed that the extract of Polygoni multiflori caulis from ethy1 acetate or water(ethy1 acetate extract and water extract) can inhibit the activities of MMPs 9,14,and 16 in a dose-dependent manner and n-buty1 alcohol extract of it can also inhibit these MMPs.Furthermore,we found that n-buty1 alcohol extract and water extract of it influence the cell viability.These discoveries may contribute to the development of MMP inhibitors for the therapy of a variety of pathological conditions.