Biomedical subjects

R Gurunath

Publications and source records attributed to R Gurunath.

9 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

Truncated thioredoxin (Trx80) induces production of interleukin-12 and enhances CD14 expression in human monocytes.

Human thioredoxin (Trx) is the major 12-kd cellular disulfide-reductase that on secretion acts as a cocytokine with several interleukins. Truncated Trx with the 80 N-terminal residues (Trx80), also present in plasma, was by itself a mitogenic cytokine for human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). This study investigated which cells in PBMC are targets of recombinant Trx80. Purified human CD14(+) monocytes, but not B or T cells, in a synthetic medium were activated to differentiation by Trx80 as measured by flow cytometry of surface antigens because exposure to 100 nM Trx80 increased expression of CD14, CD40, CD54, and CD86. Proliferation of the monocytes was increased in a dose-dependent manner by Trx80 in concentrations ranging from 10 nM to 1 microM. Trx or interleukin (IL) 2 did not induce proliferation or expression of surface antigens on monocytes. Trx80 alone induced secretion of IL-12 from CD40(+) monocytes in the PBMC cultures and this effect was enhanced by IL-2. Trx80 and IL-2 together were strongly synergistic to induce secretion of interferon-gamma in PBMC cultures. The results showed that Trx80 is a potent cytokine for normal human monocytes and directs the immune system in favor of a Th1 response via IL-12 production.

Antigens, CD↗

PubMed2000

Truncated thioredoxin is a mitogenic cytokine for resting human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and is present in human plasma.

Human thioredoxin (Trx) catalyzes intracellular disulfide reductions but has also co-cytokine activity with interleukins after leaderless secretion. A recombinant truncated form of thioredoxin with the 80 N-terminal residues (Trx80) was purified to homogeneity. We discovered that Trx80 by itself is a potent mitogenic cytokine stimulating growth of resting human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. No effect was seen by Trx, but Trx80 at 50-100 nm induced cell proliferation of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in serum-free synthetic medium, measured as [(3)H]thymidine incorporation after 72 h, with a maximum effect being comparable with that of 5 units/ml of interleukin-2. Trx80 lacked redox activity, but CD spectra suggested a secondary structure similar to Trx. Reduced Trx80 had an M(r) of 25,000, indicating that it is a dimer in solution. We also developed two different sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays that distinguish between full-length Trx and Trx80 and determined plasma levels of Trx and Trx80 in blood donors. The levels of Trx80 varied from 2 to 175 ng/ml; in comparison levels of Trx varied from 16 to 55 ng/ml without correlation to Trx80. In conclusion, the naturally occurring Trx80 is a novel mitogenic cytokine for normal resting human blood mononuclear cells.

Chromatography, Ion Exchange↗

PubMed1999

Thioredoxin, a redox enzyme released in infection and inflammation, is a unique chemoattractant for neutrophils, monocytes, and T cells.

Thioredoxin (Trx) is a ubiquitous intracellular protein disulfide oxidoreductase with a CXXC active site that can be released by various cell types upon activation. We show here that Trx is chemotactic for monocytes, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and T lymphocytes, both in vitro in the standard micro Boyden chamber migration assay and in vivo in the mouse air pouch model. The potency of the chemotactic action of Trx for all leukocyte populations is in the nanomolar range, comparable with that of known chemokines. However, Trx does not increase intracellular Ca2+ and its activity is not inhibited by pertussis toxin. Thus, the chemotactic action of Trx differs from that of known chemokines in that it is G protein independent. Mutation of the active site cysteines resulted in loss of chemotactic activity, suggesting that the latter is mediated by the enzyme activity of Trx. Trx also accounted for part of the chemotactic activity released by human T lymphotropic virus (HTLV)-1-infected cells, which was inhibited by incubation with anti-Trx antibody. Since Trx production is induced by oxidants, it represents a link between oxidative stress and inflammation that is of particular interest because circulating Trx levels are elevated in inflammatory diseases and HIV infection.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Observation of a mixed antiparallel and parallel beta-sheet motif in the crystal structure of Boc-Ala-Ile-Aib-OMe.

A diastereomeric mixture of the tripeptide Boc-Ala-Ile-Aib-OMe crystallized in the space group P1 from CH3OH/H2O. The unit cell parameters are a = 10.593(2) A, b = 14.377(3) A, c = 17.872(4) A, alpha = 104.41(2) degrees, beta = 90.55(2) degrees, gamma = 106.91(2) degrees, V = 2512.4 A3, Z = 4. X-Ray crystallographic studies show the presence of four molecules in the asymmetric unit consisting of two pairs of diastereomeric peptides, Boc-L-Ala-L-Ile-Aib-OMe and Boc-L-Ala-D-Ile-Aib-OMe. The four molecules in the asymmetric unit form a rarely found mixed antiparallel and parallel beta-sheet hydrogen bond motif. The Ala and (L,D)-Ile residues in all the four molecules adopt the extended conformations, while the phi, psi values of the Aib residues are in the right-handed helical region. In one of the molecules the Ile sidechain adopts the unusual gauche conformation about the C beta-C gamma bond.

Crystallization↗

PubMed1996

Crystal structures of a nonapeptide helix containing alpha, alpha-di-n-butylglycine (Dbg), Boc-Gly-Dbg-Ala-Val-Ala-Leu-Aib-Val-Leu-OMe.

Two crystal structures of a nonapeptide (anhydrous and hydrated) containing the amino acid residue alpha, alpha-di-n-butylglycyl, reveal a mixed 3(10)-/alpha-helical conformation. Residues 1-7 adopt phi, psi values in the helical region, with Val(8) being appreciably distorted. The Dbg residue has phi, psi values of -40, -37 degrees and -46, -40 degrees in the two crystals with the two butyl side chains mostly extended in each. Peptide molecules in the crystals pack into helical columns. The crystal parameters are: C50H91N9O12, space group P2(1), with a = 9.789(1) A, b = 20.240(2) A, c = 15.998(3) A, beta = 103.27(1); Z = 2, R = 10.3% for 1945 data observed > 3 sigma (F) and C50H91N9O12.3H2O, space group P2(1), with a = 9.747(3) A, b = 21.002(8) A, c = 15.885(6) A, beta = 102.22(3) degrees, Z = 2, R = 13.6% for 2535 data observed > 3 sigma (F). The observation of a helical conformation at Dbg suggests that the higher homologs in the alpha, alpha-dialkylated glycine series also have a tendency to stabilize peptide helices.

Norleucine↗

PubMed1995

Enhancing peptide antigenicity by helix stabilization.

The engineering of antigenic determinants on super secondary structures using de novo design approaches often involves synthesis of long peptide chains (35-80 residues long). This communication illustrates that the stabilization of secondary structure by rational design can also greatly enhance immunogenicity and antigenicity, but in much shorter peptide sequences (21 residues long). A peptide epitope the sequence of which has been derived from the C-terminus of the chicken riboflavin carrier protein (cRCP), H2N-Tyr-His-Ala-Cys-Gln-Lys-Lys-Leu-Leu- Lys-Phe-Glu-Ala-Leu-Gln-Gln-Glu-Glu-Gly-Glu-Glu-OH, has been chosen for analysis. Helical conformations were induced in the peptide in aqueous trifluoroethanol. Analogs were designed to stabilize this conformation in water by either the introduction of appropriately spaced ion pairs or the strongly helix nucleating residue alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib), substituted for Ala/Gly, thus affording a comparison of the helix stabilization strategies. Circular dichroism (CD) results demonstrate that all the designed analogs are appreciably more helical than the parent peptide in 50% aqueous trifluoroethanol. Peptide antisera were raised for all analogs in rabbits. The affinities of these antisera for the native protein antigen, determined using a chaotrope disrupted binding assay, correlated very well with the helix content determined by CD.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1995

A nonhelical, multiple beta-turn conformation in a glycine-rich heptapeptide fragment of trichogin A IV containing a single central alpha-aminoisobutyric acid residue.

The conformational properties of the protected seven-residue C-terminal fragment of the lipopeptaibol antibiotic Trichogin A IV (Boc-Gly-Gly-Leu-Aib-Gly-Ile-Leu-OMe) has been examined in CDCl3 and (CD3)2SO by 1H-nmr. Evidence for a multiple beta-turn conformation [type I' at Gly(1)-Gly(2), type II at Leu(3)-Aib(4), and a type I' at Aib(4)-Gly(5)] suggests that Leu(3) has preferred an extended or semiextended conformation over a helical conformation in CDCl3. This structure is thus in contrast to earlier observations of seven-residue peptides containing a single central Aib preferring helical conformations in both solution and crystalline states. A structural transition to a frayed right-handed helix is observed in (CD3)2SO. These results suggest that nonhelical conformations may be important in Gly-rich peptides containing Aib. Further, the presence of amino acids with contradictory influences on backbone conformational freedom can lead to well-defined conformational transitions even in small peptides.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Incorporation of a potentially helix breaking D-Phe-Pro sequence into the center of a right handed 16 residue peptide helix.

Non protein amino acids with strong secondary structure preferences are potentially useful in peptide design. alpha-Aminoisobutyric acid (Aib) is a powerful 'stereochemical director' of polypeptide chain folding, stabilizing helical conformations in diverse oligopeptide sequences. In an approach to the de novo design of alpha,alpha motifs, the 16 residue peptides Boc-Val-Ala-Leu-Aib-Val-Ala-Leu-Xxx-Pro-Val-Ala-Leu-Aib-Val-Ala-Leu-OMe (Xxx = D-Phe 1; Xxx = L-Phe 2) have been spectroscopically studied in solution. Analysis of nuclear Overhauser effects, delineation of solvent shielded NH groups and circular dichroism spectra establish helical conformations in both the peptides. Despite the presence of a potentially helix breaking, central, (D)Phe-(L)Pro segment, peptide 1 is forced into a continuous helical fold presumably as a consequence of the overriding stereochemical dominance of the Aib residues.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1994

Facile transition between 3(10)- and alpha-helix: structures of 8-, 9-, and 10-residue peptides containing the -(Leu-Aib-Ala)2-Phe-Aib- fragment.

A structural transition from a 3(10)-helix to an alpha-helix has been characterized at high resolution for an octapeptide segment located in 3 different sequences. Three synthetic peptides, decapeptide (A) Boc-Aib-Trp-(Leu-Aib-Ala)2-Phe-Aib-OMe, nonapeptide (B) Boc-Trp-(Leu-Aib-Ala)2-Phe-Aib-OMe, and octapeptide (C) Boc-(Leu-Aib-Ala)2-Phe-Aib-OMe, are completely helical in their respective crystals. At 0.9 A resolution, R factors for A, B, and C are 8.3%, 5.4%, and 7.3%, respectively. The octapeptide and nonapeptide form ideal 3(10)-helices with average torsional angles phi(N-C alpha) and psi(C alpha-C') of -57 degrees, -26 degrees C and -60 degrees, -27 degrees for B. The 10-residue peptide (A) begins as a 3(10)-helix and abruptly changes to an alpha-helix at carbonyl O(3), which is the acceptor for both a 4-->1 hydrogen bond with N(6)H and a 5-->1 hydrogen with N(7)H, even though the last 8 residues have the same sequence in all 3 peptides. The average phi, psi angles in the decapeptide are -58 degrees, -28 degrees for residues 1-3 and -63 degrees, -41 degrees for residues 4-10. The packing of helices in the crystals does not provide any obvious reason for the transition in helix type. Fourier transform infrared studies in the solid state also provide evidence for a 3(10)- to alpha-helix transition with the amide I band appearing at 1,656-1,657 cm-1 in the 9- and 10-residue peptides, whereas in shorter sequences the band is observed at 1,667 cm-1.

Amino Acid Sequence↗