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Resonance Raman spectra of cytochrome oxidase. Evidence for photoreduction by laser photons in resonance with the Soret band.

Resonance Raman spectra of cytochrome oxidase solubilized in Tween 20 and sodium cholate, and excited at 413.1 nm have been recorded. Differences in the resonance Raman spectra of the two preparations are minimal indicating that the local environment of the hemes is similar in the two preparations. As in the work of Salmeen, et al. (1973) (Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 52, 1100) the strongest band appears at 1358 cm-1. Some of the other bands differ slightly in their band shapes and frequencies when compared to their spectra; these differences can be accounted for by differences in resonance enhancement of the various bands wnen exciting at 441.6 and 413.1 nm. A study of the region from 1350 to 1380 cm-1 as a function of laser intensity (10--130 mW on sample) indicate that the doublet reported by Salmeen, et al. at 1358 and 1372 cm-1 is a result of photoreduction of the preparations. In samples to which potassium ferricyanide had been added, broad luminescence bands appear at 476 and 641 nm from which it is inferred that catalytic amounts of flavin in the preparations are photoreduced providing reducing equivalents to cytochrome oxidase.

Electron Transport Complex IV↗

The amino acid sequence of Erythrina corallodendron lectin and its homology with other legume lectins.

The primary sequence of Erythrina corallodendron lectin was deduced from analysis of the peptides derived from the lectin by digestion with trypsin, chymotrypsin, Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, elastase and lysylendopeptidase-C, and of fragments generated by cleavage of the lectin with dilute formic acid in 6 M guanidine hydrochloride. Purification of the individual peptides was achieved by gel filtration, followed by reverse phase HPLC. The glycosylation site (Asn17-Leu18-Thr19) was deduced from analysis of the glycopeptide isolated from a pronase digest of the lectin before and after deglycosylation of the glycopeptide with endoglycosidase F. Comparison of the sequence of 244 residues thus obtained with those of 9 other legume lectins revealed extensive homologies, including 39 invariant positions and 60 partial identities. These data provide further evidence for the conservation of the lectin gene in leguminous plants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Cloning, sequence analysis and expression in Escherichia coli of the cDNA encoding a precursor of peanut agglutinin.

The cDNA coding for pre-peanut agglutinin (PNA) was isolated from a bacterial expression library. It codes for a polypeptide of 273 amino acids composed of a hydrophobic signal peptide of 23 amino acids and a mature protein of 250 amino acids. The sequence of the latter is identical to that of native PNA, determined very recently by conventional methods, except that it contains 14 additional amino acids at the C-terminus. Bacterial cells harboring a plasmid with the prePNA-cDNA, produced two PNA cross-reacting proteins: one migrated on SDS-PAGE identically with the native lectin (apparent mol. wt. 31 kDa); the other, at 35 kDa, was a beta-galactosidase pre-PNA fusion protein. The former protein possessed an N-terminal sequence identical to that of the mature, native PNA, suggesting that it was processed from the 35 kDa prePNA precursor. Only the 31 kDa protein was exported into the bacterial periplasmic space, and had the ability to bind to galactose-Sepharose. The isolated processed protein had the same hemagglutinating activity as the native lectin, when assayed with sialidase-treated human erythrocytes. Like the native lectin, it did not agglutinate the untreated cells, was not inhibited by N-acetylgalactosamine, and was inhibited by Gal beta 1----3GalNAc 30-times more strongly than by galactose.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Modification by site-directed mutagenesis of the specificity of Erythrina corallodendron lectin for galactose derivatives with bulky substituents at C-2.

Examination of the three-dimensional structure of Erythrina corallodendron lectin (ECorL) in complex with a ligand (lactose), the first of its kind for a Gal/GalNAc-specific lectin [(1991) Science 254, 862-866], revealed the presence of a hydrophobic cavity, surrounded by Tyr108 and Pro134-Trp135, which can accommodate bulky substituents such as acetamido or dansylamido (NDns) at C-2 of the lectin-bound galactose. Comparison of the primary sequence of ECorL with that of soybean agglutinin, specific for galactose and its C-2 substituted derivatives, and of peanut agglutinin, specific for galactose only, showed that in soybean agglutinin, Tyr108 is retained, and Pro134-Trp135 is replaced by Ser-Trp, whereas in peanut agglutinin, the former residue is replaced by Thr and the dipeptide by Ser-Glu- Tyr-Asn. Three mutants of ECorL were therefore constructed: L2, in which Pro134-Trp135 was replaced by Ser-Glu-Tyr-Asn; Y108T, in which Tyr108 was replaced by Thr and the double mutant L2; Y108T. They were expressed in Escherichia coli, as done for recombinant ECorL [(1992) Eur. J. Biochem. 205, 575-581]. The mutants had the same hemagglutinating activity as native or rECorL. Their specificity for galactose, GalNAc and Me beta GalNDns was examined by inhibition of hemagglutination and of the binding of the lectin to immobilized asialofetuin; in addition, their association constants with Me alpha GalNDns and Me beta GalNDns were measured by spectrofluorimetric titration. The results showed that Y108T had essentially similar specificity as the native and recombinant lectins. The affinity of L2 and L2;Y108T for galactose was also the same as ECorL, but they had a lower affinity for GalNAc and markedly diminished affinity for the dansyl sugars (up to 43 times, or 2 kcal, less). This appears to be largely due to steric hindrance by the two additional amino acids present in the cavity region in these mutants. Our findings also provide an explanation for the inability of PNA to accommodate C-2-substituted galactose derivatives at its primary subsite.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Changes in plasmatic tissue-type plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor activity during acute arterial occlusion associated with severe ischemia.

Severe lower limb ischemia in patients with acute arterial occlusion was associated with a significant increase in systemic fibrinolytic activity. Plasmatic level of t-PA activity was twice the normal value at the peak of ischemia. This level declined gradually within no less than 40 hours after reperfusion procedure or limb amputation had reverted the ischemic state. In spite of major tissue damage and surgical trauma, plasmatic PAI activity stayed within normal range, and did not increase within the first 24 hours postoperatively. These findings strongly suggest that acute ischemia initiates systemic induction of excessive and continuous release of t-PA, which outweighs any anticipated increase in PAI activity.

Arterial Occlusive Diseases↗

Close similarity among streptavidin-like, biotin-binding proteins from Streptomyces.

Two strains of Streptomyces venezuelae were found to produce high-affinity, biotin-binding proteins, termed streptavidin v1 and v2, respectively. Both proteins were isolated to purity, and their corresponding genes were cloned and sequenced. Compared to streptavidin from S. avidinii, streptavidin v1 had only a single amino acid substitution and streptavidin v2 showed 9 such differences. The substitutions were remarkably conservative, none of which affected the amino acid residues known to be important to the biotin-binding properties or to the structure of the tetrameric protein. The results also indicate that the biosynthesis of such biotin-binding proteins is not simply a curious anomaly in a single species of Streptomyces. It is suggested that the classification of S. avidinii as a unique species should be reconsidered. The occurrence of these proteins appears to be linked to the production of an unusual synergistic antibiotic complex.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Characterization and application of Raman labels for confocal Raman microspectroscopic detection of cellular proteins in single cells.

A method using confocal Raman microspectroscopy for the detection of cellular proteins in single intact cells was developed. Two approaches were used to improve the detection of these cellular components. First, compounds with high Raman scattering were investigated for potential use as Raman labels. Raman labels were conjugated to either biomolecules or biotin and used as markers in the detection of cellular enzymes and receptors. Second, silver colloids were used to increase the surface-enhanced Raman scatter (SERS) of these Raman labels. Cresyl violet and dimethylaminoazobenzene are Raman labels that provide very sensitive SERS detection by a confocal Raman microscope with a HeNe laser at wavelength of 632.8 nm. The detection of 12-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase-1 in single bovine coronary artery endothelial cells and the binding of angiotensin II to its receptors in zona glomerulosa cells was demonstrated.

Angiotensin II↗

Age-related changes in physicochemical properties of mineral crystals are related to impaired mechanical function of cortical bone.

The measures of bone mass and architecture need to be supplemented with physicochemical and compositional measures for better assessment of fracture risk. In the current studies, we investigated the effects of physicochemical properties of mineral crystals on tissue and organ-level mechanical function of aging rat cortical bone. Our hypothesis was that age-related changes in physicochemical properties of mineral crystals are related to impaired elastic deformability of cortical bone tissue. Raman microspectroscopy was used to investigate the age-related changes in mineralization (relative amounts of mineral and organic matrix), the substitution of carbonate ions in phosphate positions (type-B carbonate substitution) and mineral crystallinity (the orderliness of crystal lattice) of femurs from young adult (3-month old), middle-aged (8-month old) and aged (24-month old) female Sprague-Dawley rats. Cross-sectional properties, the area and the moment of inertia at the mid-diaphysis, were histomorphometrically quantified and the elastic deformation capacity of femurs was quantified via three-point bending tests. It was observed that the elastic deformation capacity of aged rats was significantly impaired both at the tissue and the organ levels with increasing age. In parallel with this impairment in the elastic deformability and in support of our hypothesis, we found that increasing mineralization, increasing crystallinity and increasing type-B carbonate substitution were significantly correlated with decreasing elastic deformation capacity with age. We conclude that the measure of bone mass needs to be supplemented with measures reflecting the physicochemical status of mineral crystals for improved assessment of fracture susceptibility.

Aging↗

Evaluation of soil flushing potential for clean-up of desert soil contaminated by industrial wastewater.

The flushing potential of a desert loess soil contaminated by the flame retardant Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), chloride (Cl(-)) and bromide (Br(-)) was studied in undisturbed laboratory column experiments (20 cm diameter, 45 cm long) and a small field plot (2 x 2 m). While the soluble inorganic ions (Cl(-) and Br(-)) were efficiently flushed from the soil profile after less than three pore volumes (PV) of water, about 50% of the initial amount of TBBPA in the soil was also flushed, despite its hydrophobic nature. TBBPA leaching was made possible due to a significant increase in the pH of the soil solution from 7.5 to 9, which increased TBBPA aqueous solubility. The remaining TBBPA mass in the soil was not mobilized from its initial location in the topsoil due to the decrease in pH at this horizon. In situ soil flushing demonstrated that this method is a feasible treatment for reducing soil contamination at this site.

Desert Climate↗

Editing Approaches to Treat Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency.

TOPIC IMPORTANCE: Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is a genetic disorder most commonly due to a single G to A point mutation (E342K), leading to debilitating lung and/or liver disorders and is associated with increased mortality. The E342K point mutation causes a conformational change of the AAT protein resulting in its retention in liver hepatocytes. This reduces AAT secretion into the serum resulting in higher protease activities due to the lack of inhibition from AAT, causing damage to healthy lung tissue. The current standard of care for lung manifestations involves weekly IV augmentation therapy and is considered suboptimal for these patients. Furthermore, there is currently no approved treatment for liver manifestations. The unmet medical need for patients with AAT deficiency remains high, and new treatment options are needed to treat the underlying disease etiology. REVIEW FINDINGS: Advances in genomic medicines may enable treatment by editing the DNA or RNA sequence to produce wild-type AAT instead of the mutated AAT caused by the E342K mutation. One approach can be achieved by directing endogenous adenosine deaminases that act on RNA to the E342K RNA site, where they catalyze adenosine to inosine conversion through a process known as RNA editing. The A-I RNA change will be read as a G during protein translation, resulting in an altered amino acid and restoration of wild-type AAT secretion and function. SUMMARY: In this review, we will discuss the pathophysiology of AAT deficiency and emerging treatment options with particular focus on RNA editing as a disease-modifying treatment for both liver and lung disease.

alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency↗

Translesion DNA synthesis across non-DNA segments in cultured human cells.

DNA lesions that have escaped DNA repair are tolerated via translesion DNA synthesis (TLS), carried out by specialized error-prone DNA polymerases. To evaluate the robustness of the TLS system in human cells, we examined its ability to cope with foreign non-DNA stretches of 3 or 12 methylene residues, using a gap-lesion plasmid assay system. We found that both the trimethylene and dodecamethylene inserts were bypassed with significant efficiencies in human cells, using both misinsertion and misalignment mechanisms. TLS across these non-DNA segments was aphidicolin-sensitive, and did not require poleta. In vitro primer extension assays showed that purified poleta, polkappa and poliota were each capable of inserting each of the four nucleotides opposite the trimethylene chain, but only poleta and polkappa could fully bypass it. Poleta and poliota, but not polkappa, could also insert each of the four nucleotides opposite the dodecamethylene chain, but all three polymerases were severely blocked by this lesion. The ability of TLS polymerases to insert nucleotides opposite a hydrocarbon chain, despite the lack of any similarity to DNA, suggests that they may act via a mode of transient and local template-independent polymerase activity, and highlights the robustness of the TLS system in human cells.

Animals↗

Impact of microbial activity on the hydraulic properties of fractured chalk.

The impact of microbial activity on fractured chalk transmissivity was investigated on a laboratory scale. Long-term experiments were conducted on six fractured chalk cores (20 cm diameter, 23-44 cm long) containing a single natural fracture embedded in a porous matrix. Biodegradation experiments were conducted under various conditions, including several substrate and oxygen concentrations and flow rates. 2,4,6-Tribromophenol (TBP) was used as a model contaminant (substrate). TBP biodegradation efficiency depended mainly on the amount of oxygen. However, under constant oxygen concentration at the core inlet, elevating the flow rates increased the removal rate of TBP. Transmissivity reduction was clearly related to TBP removal rate, following an initial slow decline and a further sharp decrease with time. The fracture's transmissivity was reduced by as much as 97% relative to the initial value, with no leveling off of the clogging process. For the most extreme cases, reductions of 262 and 157 microm in the equivalent hydraulic apertures were recorded for fractures with initial apertures of 495 and 207 microm, respectively. The reductions in fracture transmissivity occurred primarily because of clogging by bacterial cells and extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) produced by the bacteria. Most of the biodegradation activity was concentrated near the fracture inlet, where the most suitable biodegradation conditions (nutrients and oxygen) prevailed, suggesting that the clogging had occurred in that vicinity. The clogging must have changed the structure of the fracture void, thereby reducing the active volume participating in flow and transport processes. This phenomenon caused accelerated transport of non-reactive tracers and doubled the fracture's dispersivity under constant flow rates.

Bacteria↗

Two-dimensional distribution of microbial activity and flow patterns within naturally fractured chalk.

The two-dimensional distribution of flow patterns and their dynamic change due to microbial activity were investigated in naturally fractured chalk cores. Long-term biodegradation experiments were conducted in two cores ( approximately 20 cm diameter, 31 and 44 cm long), intersected by a natural fracture. 2,4,6-tribromophenol (TBP) was used as a model contaminant and as the sole carbon source for aerobic microbial activity. The transmissivity of the fractures was continuously reduced due to biomass accumulation in the fracture concurrent with TBP biodegradation. From multi-tracer experiments conducted prior to and following the microbial activity, it was found that biomass accumulation causes redistribution of the preferential flow channels. Zones of slow flow near the fracture inlet were clogged, thus further diverting the flow through zones of fast flow, which were also partially clogged. Quantitative evaluation of biodegradation and bacterial counts supported the results of the multi-tracer tests, indicating that most of the bacterial activity occurs close to the inlet. The changing flow patterns, which control the nutrient supply, resulted in variations in the concentrations of the chemical constituents (TBP, bromide and oxygen), used as indicators of biodegradation.

Aerobiosis↗