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Biomedical subjects

P Jungblut

Publications and source records attributed to P Jungblut.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Molecular and physiological characterisation of a 3-phytase from soil bacterium Klebsiella sp. ASR1.

Klebsiella sp. strain ASR1 isolated from an Indonesian rice field is able to hydrolyse myo-inositol hexakis phosphate (phytate). The phytase protein was purified and characterised as a 42 kDa protein accepting phytate, NADP and sugar phosphates as substrates. The corresponding gene (phyK) was cloned from chromosomal DNA using a combined approach of protein and genome analysis, and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant enzyme was identified as a 3-phytase yielding myo-inositol monophosphate, Ins(2)P, as the final product of enzymatic phytate hydrolysis. Based on its amino acid sequence, PhyK appears to be a member of a hitherto unknown subfamily of histidine acid phytate-degrading enzymes with the active site RHGXRXP and HD sequence motifs, and is different from other general phosphatases and phytases. Due to its ability to degrade sodium phytate to the mono phosphate ester, the phyK gene product is an interesting candidate for industrial and agricultural applications to make phytate phosphorous available for plant and animal nutrition.

Klebsiella↗

Effects of selenium deficiency on the rat myocardial protein pattern-- investigation by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis.

Dietary selenium deficiency represents an etiological factor in "Keshan disease", a distinct form of an endemic cardiomyopathy. The biochemical effects of selenium depletion in the myocardium are, however, not yet known. Therefore, we investigated the changes in the myocardial protein pattern in rats after long-term selenium deficiency. The myocardial proteins were analyzed in samples from five selenium-depleted rats (Se-deficient group) and five rats supplied with adequate amounts of the element (Se-adequate group). Isoelectric focusing (IEF) with carrier ampholytes on large 2-DE gels was used for the separation of proteins in the first dimension and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) for the second dimension. The protein patterns were evaluated by means of a computer-assisted gel analysis system. The biochemical identification of the proteins of interest was achieved by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI) or immunoblotting. On average, 588 +/- 68 protein spots were found on the gels. No significant difference in spot numbers existed between the groups. A pattern of 270 spots with identical positions was found on every gel; 247 of these spots were not saturated and used for quantitative comparison. Thirty-five, i.e., 14 %, differed significantly in their relative intensity in the two groups. Twenty-eight protein spots were decreased in the Se-deficient group and seven were increased. Sarcomeric creatine kinase M chain, alpha-myosin heavy chain (alpha-MHC) and myosin light chain 1 and 2 (MLC 1 and 2) were largely decreased in Se-deficiency. Three protein spots were increased by more than twofold or appeared only in the Se-deficient group. A mitochondrial creatine kinase was identified in this group. The results suggest that selenium deficiency affects myocardial energy metabolism and contractile proteins. These changes probably reflect non-specific alterations in heart failure.

Animals↗

Comparison of human COP9 signalsome and 26S proteasome lid'.

The human core COP9 signalosome consists of eight subunits which have been identified, cloned and sequenced. The components of COP9 signalosome possess homologies with eight non-ATPase regulatory subunits of the 26S proteasome. These polypeptides of the 19S regulator form a reversibly binding subcomplex called the 'lid'. We isolated the 'lid' from human red blood cells and compared it with the COP9 signalosome complex. In addition to the non-ATPase regulatory polypeptides, we found a high molecular mass ATPase copurifying with the human 'lid'. The COP9 signalosome-associated kinase activity is either not at all or only weakly affected by common kinase inhibitors such as 1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methyl-piperazine (H7), 5,6-dichloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosyl-benzimidazole (DRB) or Wortmannin. Curcumin, a tumor suppressor and effector of AP-1 activation, is a potent inhibitor of the COP9 signalosome kinase activity with a Ki of about 10 microM. Since curcumin is known as an inhibitor of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway acting upstream of the MAP kinase kinase kinase level, one site of action of the COP9 signalosome might be proximal to regulators on that level.

Animals↗

The ease of peptide detection by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry: the effect of secondary structure on signal intensity.

Several structurally well-characterized model peptides were used to examine the relationship between peptide structure and signal intensity in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). It was found that peptides displaying stable alpha-helical and beta-sheet structures show lower signal intensities than the corresponding analogs having disturbed secondary structures caused by substitution of two adjacent amino acids by their D isomers. Since such substitutions do not affect properties other than the secondary structure propensity, the differences observed are ascribed to this phenomenon or some related effect such as association. The results indicate that the formation of stable secondary structures in peptides may be a possible source of incomplete peptide mass fingerprints resulting from protein digestion and for difficulties in the quantitative evaluation of peptide mixtures via MALDI-MS.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Peptide mass fingerprint sequence coverage from differently stained proteins on two-dimensional electrophoresis patterns by matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS).

Identification of proteins separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) is a necessary task to overcome the purely descriptive character of 2-DE and a prerequisite to the construction of 2-DE databases in proteome projects. Matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) has a sensitivity for peptide detection in the lower fmol range, which should be sufficient for an analysis of even weakly silver-stained protein spots by peptide mass fingerprinting. Unfortunately, proteins are modified by the silver staining procedure, leading to low sequence coverage. Omission of glutaraldehyde increased the sequence coverage, but this improved sequence coverage is still clearly below the sequence coverage starting with Coomassie Brilliant Blue (CBB) R-250-stained spots. Other factors additionally seem to modify proteins during silver staining. By decreasing the protein amount, the advantage of very sensitive detection on the gel is lost during identification, because the resulting low sequence coverage is not sufficient for secure identification. Low-quantity proteins can be identified better starting with CBB G-250 or Zn-imidazol-stained proteins. In contrast, for high-quantity CBB R-250-stained spots, a sequence coverage of up to 90% can be obtained by using only one cleaving enzyme, and up to 80% was reached for medium-quantity spots after combination of tryptic digest with Asp-N- and Glu-C digest.

Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional↗

Overexpression of calcium-binding protein calgranulin B in colonic mucosal diseases.

Subtractive two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) has been used for the study of the protein patterns of the normal colonic mucosa and the specimens collected from patients diagnosed for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), colonic polyps and colorectal cancer. We found a 13 kDa protein that was detected in five of seven adenomas and in 13 of 15 colorectal carcinomas while it was absent or only slightly expressed in normal colonic mucosa. Furthermore, this protein occurred in all specimens collected from patients suffering from IBD and its quantity reflected the increased severity of inflammation. The combination of microsequencing and mass spectrometry led to the identification of the 13 kDa spot as calgranulin B. Our results indicate that the production of calgranulin B is unregulated in inflammatory, preneoplastic and neoplastic lesions of colonic mucosa.

Adult↗

Penicillin biosynthesis: intermediates of biosynthesis of delta-L-alpha-aminoadipyl-L-cysteinyl-D-valine formed by ACV synthetase from Acremonium chrysogenum.

The tripeptide delta-L-alpha-aminoadipyl-L-cysteinyl-D-valine (LLD-ACV) is synthesised by the multifunctional enzyme ACV synthetase integrating four steps of the penicillin and cephalosporin biosynthetic pathway. Peptide synthesis follows the thiotemplate mechanism from intermediates bound as thioesters to the enzyme. The formation of delta-(L-alpha-aminoadipyl)-L-cysteinyl-thioester in the absence of L-valine was shown by isolation of the enzyme-substrate complex and cleavage of the covalently bound intermediate with performic acid. The dipeptide was recovered as cysteic acid or cysteic acid oxime and detected by HPLC and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. We conclude that the first peptide bond is formed between delta-carboxyl of L-aminoadipic acid and L-cysteine, followed by addition of the dipeptidyl intermediate to L-valine.

Acremonium↗

Identification and characterization of heat shock protein 27 protein species in human myocardial two-dimensional electrophoresis patterns.

Immunostaining of heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) protein species on two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) gels with enhanced sensitivity yields 59 spots reacting with anti-Hsp27 antibodies. Recombinant Hsp27 exists in 2-DE as two major protein species which comigrate in the human myocardial pattern with Hsp27 spots C754 and D899 as defined in the heart high-performance 2-DE database (http://www.mdc-berlin.de/emu/heart/). Preparative electrophoresis of human myocardial proteins and analysis of the enriched mass range 20-30 kDa by 2-DE revealed eight protein spots (C438, C582, C658, C697, C754, C595, C750) from the human myocardial database and a new spot not previously detected on silver-stained gels. These spots were identified as Hsp27 protein species by enzymatic in-gel-digestion and analysis by matrix assisted laser desorption-ionization (MALDI) peptide mass fingerprinting and, in part, MALDI-post source decay sequencing of single fragments. Possible post-translational modifications were investigated: immunostaining tests with anti-phospho-serine/-threonine/-tyrosine antibodies, although positive for other myocardial proteins, were negative for presumed Hsp27 protein species; likewise, periodate-glycostaining assays and biotinylation screening did not detect modifications in the investigated Hsp27 protein species.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) is cardiodepressant in pathophysiologically relevant concentrations without inducing inducible nitric oxide-(NO)-synthase (iNOS) or triggering serious cytotoxicity.

Cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure are frequently accompanied by elevated plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), the pathogenetic relevance of this finding being a matter of debate. In human acute septic cardiomyopathy, on the other hand, the negative inotropic impact of TNF alpha on the heart is well documented and frequently ascribed to the induction of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) and an enhanced production of NO in the heart. Yet the present study presents evidence that in cardiomyocytes TNF alpha in non-toxic concentrations specifically depresses contractile performance independent of NO. In spontaneously beating neonatal rat cardiomyocytes, TNF alpha in a low, pathophysiologically relevant concentration (10 U/ml, 1-3 days) does not alter basal pulsation amplitude, but blocks alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor-stimulated increase in contractility and beating irregularity and impairs the impact of high extracellular calcium on contractile performance. However, this low TNF alpha-concentration does not suffice to induce iNOS - documented by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction - or enhance nitrite concentrations in the cell culture supernatants as a measure of cellular NO production, neither in the presence nor absence of dexamethasone (0.1 micro M). Only in high concentration - the specific proinflammatory action being documented by an enhanced release of interleukin-6 from cardiomyocytes - TNF alpha (1000 U/mol; 6, 24 h) weakly induces the mRNA for iNOS, with a consecutive moderate rise in cellular nitrite production. TNF alpha-incubation (10-1000 U/ml) does not alter the morphological appearance of the cells displayed by phase contrast microscopy or evoke gross cytotoxicity.

Animals↗

In vitro targeting of antibody-conjugated echogenic liposomes for site-specific ultrasonic image enhancement.

Tissue-specific ultrasonic enhancement can be used for the detection and characterization of atherosclerosis. We have previously demonstrated the generation of inherently echogenic (acoustically reflective) liposomes solely by varying lipid composition and controlling the method of production. In this study, echogenic liposomes composed of phosphatidylcholine (PC), 4-(p-maleimidophenyl) butyryl phosphatidylethanolamine (MPB-PE), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), and cholesterol were conjugated to human gamma globulin to determine the effect of antibody conjugation on liposomal acoustic reflectivity. The liposomes remained highly echogenic following antibody conjugation. Echogenic liposomes were also conjugated to rabbit antihuman fibrinogen to study their ability to target fibrin. Antibody-conjugated liposomes were targeted to fibrin-coated filter paper and slides, thrombi made in vitro, and segments of atheroma in an animal model of atherosclerosis. Liposomes were detected by scanning electron microscopy, radiolabeling, and imaging with intravascular ultrasound. Electron microscopy revealed attachment of antibody-conjugated liposomes to fibrin on slides and to the fibrous plaques of the arterial segments, whereas unconjugated liposomes did not attach. Similarly, conjugated liposomes did not attach to normal arteries, indicating their binding to the arterial segment is directed towards a component of the fibrous plaque. Ultrasound imaging of the thrombi demonstrated surface attachment of the acoustic conjugated liposomes. 125I-Labeled liposomes conjugated to rabbit anti-human were targeted to fibrin-coated paper. Counting specifically bound radioactivity showed that > 84% of applied liposomes remained attached to the fibrin after washing with saline. These results demonstrate the potential of acoustically reflective liposomes for site-specific targeting and acoustic enhancement.

Animals↗

Rapid typing and elucidation of new secondary metabolites of intact cyanobacteria using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.

Toxic cyanobacterial blooms are a threat because of secondary metabolite production. We used matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry to identify intact microorganisms. Microgram quantities of prepared cells, including solvent (acetonitrile and ethanol) and alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid matrix, display spectra showing predominantly the secondary metabolites including known microcystins, micropeptin, and anabaenopeptolin. A new cyclic anabaenopeptolin has been identified using the Post-Source-Decay mode. Strains of various origins can easily be typed according to their cyclic peptide production, and toxic and nontoxic algal blooms can be differentiated within minutes.

Anabaena↗

Identification of human myocardial proteins separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.

Disease-associated proteins separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) are often in the femtomole range. Identification of 2-DE separated proteins by sequencing and amino acid analysis is limited to the lower picomole range. Identification down to the femtomole range can be achieved by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS). We optimized the measurement by MALDI-MS for the analysis of proteolytic digests of 2-DE-separated proteins. The direct analysis of peptide mixtures can be used for rapid and sensitive protein identification. In some cases, more information about the protein can be obtained by separating the peptides by micro high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) before employing MALDI-MS analysis. More peptides are found than in the mixtures, and comparison of HPLC patterns can reveal some differences to be post-translational modifications of proteins, even in the case of identical peptide mass fingerprints. Furthermore, carboxy-terminal sequencing by on-target carboxypeptidase P digestion can be used to confirm the obtained result without the need for more material. The search program FRAGFIT was modified and renamed FRAGMOD to include the modifications of methionine and tryptophan oxidation and alkylation of cysteine by acrylamide into the mass search. By applying this procedure, 15 proteins were identified, among them two different putative phosphorylated forms of two proteins, a putative N-terminal blocking group and four dilated cardiomyopathy-associated proteins. The resulting approach for the identification may be used for large-scale investigations of 2-DE-separated proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Identification of human myocardial proteins separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis using an effective sample preparation for mass spectrometry.

Peptide mass fingerprinting is a powerful tool for the identification of proteins separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). The identification of in-gel digested proteins by peptide mass fingerprinting was significantly improve in comparison to blot-digests by using a peptide-collecting device. This device allows the effective purification and concentration of enzymatic digests of low-intensity spots without expensive equipment and is described in detail. Sensitivity in the fmol range was demonstrated by unequivocal identification of bovine serum albumin after sodium dodecyl sulfate--polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Furthermore the high performance liquid chromatography pattern of in-gel digests indicated a 2- to 3-fold higher yield of the separated peptides. Therefore, a higher amount of the peptides was available to perform N-terminal sequencing. The identification of 16 proteins from a high-resolution 2-DE gel map of human myocardium tissue has been achieved by means of this technique. Three of these proteins were associated with changes in spot intensity with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Acetyl-CoA C-Acyltransferase↗

High-performance human myocardial two-dimensional electrophoresis database: edition 1996.

The master gel of the human myocardial two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) gel database contains about 3300 protein spots characterized in terms of isoelectric point (pI) and molecular mass. A high-performance technique was applied, using large gels (23 x 30 cm). Isoelectric focusing with anodic sample preparation and nonequilibrium running conditions (NEPHGE) was combined with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in 15% acrylamide gels in the second dimension. The range of pI extends from pH 4.5 to 9.6. Seventy proteins were identified by combinations of amino acid analysis, N-terminal and internal sequencing, immunostaining, matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) peptide mass fingerprinting, post-source decay MALDI-MS and ladder sequencing by carboxypeptidase P. The identification of additional proteins, not found in the master gel, was achieved by immunoblotting. Unequivocal identification with high sensitivity and good yield was obtained by combining internal sequencing and MALDI-MS. In-gel digestion, the concentration and purification of peptides in a peptide collecting device, and the improved FRAGMOD program for peptide mass fingerprinting have added to the security and sensitivity of identification. The high-performance human myocardial 2-DE database was built up with proteins detected by the TOPSPOT program. Spots within six sections of the whole pattern are clickable. Protein description includes detailed information about identification, characterization, and links to the related SWISS-PROT, other 2-DE databases and Medline entries. The database is constructed in accordance with four of the rules for a federated database.

Computer Communication Networks↗

Oxygenation of biomembranes by mammalian lipoxygenases: the role of ubiquinone.

15-Lipoxygenase is implicated in the selective breakdown of mitochondria during red cell maturation by virtue of its capability of directly oxygenating phospholipids. To address the reason of the selectivity for mitochondria, we studied the reaction of pure rabbit 15-lipoxygenase with beef heart submitochondrial particles in vitro. This reaction is characterised by a loss of polyenoic fatty acids, the formation of phospholipid-bound hydroperoxy- and keto-polyenoic fatty acids, and oxidative modification of membrane proteins. The total oxygen uptake exceeds the formation of oxygenated polyenoic fatty acids several times. The excessive oxygen uptake was not inhibited by 3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxytoluene or by respiratory inhibitors, but was partly suppressed by superoxide dismutase plus catalase, salicylate, or mannitol. Pentane-extraction of the submitochondrial particles abolished the excessive oxygen uptake, whereas reconstitution with ubiquinone- 50 restored it. A marked excessive oxygen uptake did not occur during the analogous reaction with erythrocyte ghosts. It is proposed that ubiquinone-50 triggers the formation of hydroxyl radicals from 15-lipoxygenase-derived hydroperoxy-lipids via a Fenton-type reaction driven by ubisemiquinone radicals. A new prooxidative function of ubiquinone in the biologically programmed degradation of mitochondria in certain types of cells is proposed.

Amino Acids↗

Protein analysis on a genomic scale.

Methods for protein analysis, such as chromatography, electrophoresis, enzyme tests, receptor assays and immunological tests, have always been aimed in a classical reductionistic manner at investigating single proteins isolated from the complex protein composition of biological compartments. The complexity of the protein composition in biological systems was first visualized by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE). Using 2-DE like a molecular microscope, protein variations between different biological situations may be detected by subtractive 2-DE analyses. Combining 2-DE with microsequencing, amino acid analysis and mass spectrometry protein spots on 2-DE gels may be identified. The sequence information can be used to find the gene. However, by 2-DE not only single protein changes can be detected and investigated on the gene level, but also complex changes of many proteins on a genomic scale.

Amino Acids↗

A novel strategy to identify maternal and paternal inheritance in the mouse.

A novel strategy for identifying proteins which reveal maternal or paternal inheritance in the mouse is presented. Using two-dimensional electrophoresis we investigated protein expression patterns of adult liver and different embryonic and extraembryonic tissue in C57BL/6Crl and in DBA/2Crl mice, as well as in their reciprocal hybrids. We found three groups of protein spots which showed maternal or paternal inheritance of quantitative variations. These proteins were characterized by N-terminal or internal amino acid sequencing, by determination of the amino acid composition, by glycoprotein staining and RNA expression analysis. The three proteins identified were: alpha-enolase, cyclophilin and beta-group hemoglobins. The parental effects observed for alpha-enolase and cyclophilin were found to be due to parent-specific post-translational modifications of these proteins. For the beta-group hemoglobins our results suggested parental effects on the transcriptional level.

Amino Acid Isomerases↗