SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Bioactive protein”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources

PubMed2004

Pulmonary delivery of an erythropoietin Fc fusion protein in non-human primates through an immunoglobulin transport pathway.

Administration of therapeutic proteins by methods other than injection is limited, in part, by inefficient penetration of epithelial barriers. Therefore, unique approaches to breaching these barriers are needed. The neonatal constant region fragment (Fc) receptor (FcRn), which is responsible for IgG transport across the intestinal epithelium in newborn rodents, is expressed in epithelial cells in adult humans and non-human primates. Here we show that FcRn-mediated transport is functional in the lung of non-human primates and that this transport system can be used to deliver erythropoietin (Epo) when it is conjugated to the Fc domain of IgG1. FcRn-dependent absorption was more efficient when the EpoFc fusion protein was deposited predominantly in the upper and central airways of the lung, where epithelial expression of FcRn was most prominently detected. To optimize fusion protein absorption in the lung, we created a recombinant "monomeric-Epo" Fc fusion protein comprised of a single molecule of Epo conjugated to a dimeric Fc. This fusion protein exhibited enhanced pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties. The bioavailability of the EpoFc monomer when delivered through the lung was approximately equal to that reported for unconjugated Epo delivered s.c. in humans. These studies show that FcRn can be harnessed to noninvasively deliver bioactive proteins into the systemic circulation in therapeutic quantities.

Absorption↗

PubMed2006

Coaxial electrospinning of (fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated bovine serum albumin)-encapsulated poly(epsilon-caprolactone) nanofibers for sustained release.

As an aim toward developing biologically mimetic and functional nanofiber-based tissue engineering scaffolds, we demonstrated the encapsulation of a model protein, fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated bovine serum albumin (fitcBSA), along with a water-soluble polymer, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), within the biodegradable poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofibers using a coaxial electrospinning technique. By variation of the inner flow rates from 0.2 to 0.6 mL/h with a constant outer flow rate of 1.8 mL/h, fitcBSA loadings of 0.85-2.17 mg/g of nanofibrous membranes were prepared. Variation of flow rates also resulted in increases of fiber sizes from ca. 270 nm to 380 nm. The encapsulation of fitcBSA/PEG within PCL was subsequently characterized by laser confocal scanning microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. In vitro release studies were conducted to evaluate sustained release potential of the core-sheath-structured composite nanofiber PCL-r-fitcBSA/PEG. As a negative control, composite nanofiber PCL/fitcBSA/PEG blend was prepared from a normal electrospinning method. It was found that core-sheath nanofibers PCL-r-fitcBSA/PEG pronouncedly alleviated the initial burst release for higher protein loading and gave better sustainability compared to that of PCL/fitcBSA/PEG nanofibers. The present study would provide a basis for further design and optimization of processing conditions to control the nanostructure of core-sheath composite nanofibers and ultimately achieve desired release kinetics of bioactive proteins (e.g., growth factors) for practical tissue engineering applications.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Control of hematopoietic cell growth regulators during mouse fetal development.

Gene expression for the four different growth-regulatory proteins for cells of the myeloid hematopoietic cell lineages was analyzed in mouse fetal and extraembryonic tissues at various stages of development. The macrophage growth inducer MGI-1M (colony-stimulating factor 1) was the only myeloid hematopoietic growth regulator detected as both mRNA and bioactive protein during fetal development. This regulator was produced predominantly in extraembryonic tissues, and the production of hematopoietic growth regulators in embryogenesis was regulated by transcriptional and posttranscriptional controls.

Animals↗

PubMed1994

[Interdependence of the immune system and structure of extracellular matrix proteins].

The major proteins from plasma and extracellular matrices (ECM) are described. The interaction of lymphoid cells with their microenvironment is critical for their growth and function. The interaction with ECM may play a significant role in defining the biological properties of many cells. ECM form a network of bioactive proteins, that is being linked with an increasing number of processes, including antigen-independent activation, proliferation, homing and cell migration. Some aspects of the participation of the extracellular matrix in the language of intracellular communication is discussed.

Cell Communication↗

PubMed2002

Semisolid, self-catalyzed poly(ortho ester)s as controlled-release systems: protein release and protein stability issues.

Semisolid, self-catalyzed poly(ortho ester)s (POEs), are investigated as potential sustained-release systems for proteins. In this study, some factors influencing protein release kinetics and protein instability were evaluated. As model proteins, lysozyme, alpha-lactalbumin, bovine serum albumin, and vascular endothelial growth factor, which were lyophilized from various buffer solutions in the absence and presence of lyoprotectants, were used. For all protein formulations, the release kinetics followed the visually observed polymer dissolution profile. In the absence of any buffers in the protein formulation, the release was continuous. Formulations containing a buffer below pH 7 accelerated POE degradation, resulting in faster protein release. In contrast, a strong buffer capacity at pH 7 reduced the POE degradation and resulted in a biphasic release pattern. Moreover, proteins with a high isoelectric point (pI > 7) appeared to catalyze the POE degradation, and the effect of the buffer strength and pH was much smaller than for proteins with low pI (< 7). In the absence of lyoprotectants, all proteins tested showed an increasing fraction of covalent protein aggregates during the release. Protein formulations containing a lyoprotectant, such as sucrose or trehalose, did not show a significantly increased aggregation, whereas there was a minor influence of the large solid loadings on the release kinetics. In conclusion, this semisolid, self-catalyzed POE showed good promise as a sustained-release matrix for bioactive proteins.

Animals↗

PubMed1997

Inhibin, activin and follistatin in the human placenta--a new family of regulatory proteins.

The family of inhibin-related proteins has been investigated extensively in the last decade. It is composed of three members: inhibin, activin and follistatin. Inhibin and activin are chemically related, while follistatin acts as an activin-binding protein. Initially identified as regulators of pituitary follice stimulating hormone (FSH) secretion, inhibin, activin and follistatin have more recently been characterized as growth factors, embryo modulators and immune factors. Human placenta, amnion, chorion and maternal decidua express mRNAs for inhibin, activin and follistatin, and the presence of both immunoreactive and bioactive proteins has been demonstrated. The proteins are present in maternal and fetal circulation, and are measurable in amniotic fluid with changes related to gestational age and to the occurrence of gestational diseases. Various biological actions have been described in embryo and intrauterine tissues, which suggest a role for these proteins in the development of the gestational unit. However, several questions remain to be elucidated. The chemical forms of inhibin, activin and follistatin produced by human placenta and the mechanisms involved in the regulation of their secretion are largely unknown. The nature of the receptors for these proteins and the physiological implications of receptor activation have not yet been elucidated and this will require further investigation.

Activins↗

PubMed2001

Effects of dietary protein types on immune responses and levels of infection with Eimeria vermiformis in mice.

The present study reports the dietary effects of bovine alpha whey fraction, bovine casein and soy protein isolate on the immune responsiveness of C57BL/6J mice infected with Eimeria vermiformis. During the patent period, mice fed alpha whey fraction had significantly higher blood total white cell, CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte counts and higher Con A-stimulated IFN-gamma production by spleen cells than those fed other protein sources, but there was no significant difference in output of faecal oocysts. Casein-fed mice had significantly higher levels of Con A- stimulated IFN-gamma production and a lower output of faecal oocysts than soy-fed mice. The study demonstrated that dietary proteins have different impacts on immune responsiveness and level of parasitic infection in the gut; however, the mechanisms affecting level of infection are not clear. These effects appeared not to be solely related to nutritional properties of the diets. Further research into the underlying immune mechanisms and possible direct interactions between bioactive proteins and the parasite E. vermiformis should be fruitful.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Production and purification of recombinant human inhibin and activin.

Inhibin and activin are protein hormones with diverse physiological roles including the regulation of pituitary FSH secretion. Like other members of the transforming growth factor-beta gene family, they undergo processing from larger precursor molecules as well as assembly into functional dimers. Isolation of inhibin and activin from natural sources can only produce limited quantities of bioactive protein. To purify large-scale quantities of recombinant human inhibin and activin, we have utilized stably transfected cell lines in self-contained bioreactors to produce protein. These cells produce approximately 200 microg/ml per day total recombinant human inhibin. Conditioned cell media can be purified through column chromatography resulting in dimeric mature 32-34 kDa inhibin A and 28 kDa activin A. The purified recombinant proteins maintain their biological activity as measured by traditional in vitro assays including the regulation of FSH in rat anterior pituitary cultures and the regulation of promoter activity of the activin-responsive promoter p3TP-luc in tissue culture cells. These proteins will be valuable for future analysis of inhibin and activin function and have been distributed to the US National Hormone and Peptide Program.

Activins↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Action of New World scorpion venom and its neurotoxins in secretion.

New World scorpion venom contains protein toxins specific for ion channels in the plasmalemma of excitable cells. The effects were examined of whole venoms from Tityus serrulatus, T. bahiensis and T. stigmurus, and some purified toxins in isolated nerve endings (synaptosomes) and pancreatic acinar cells. Both systems initiated exocytosis in a dose-dependent response to the venom or its bioactive protein toxins. Actions differed, however, such that pancreatic acinar cells required Ca2+ while cerebrocortical synaptosomes responded by a Ca(2+)-dependent mechanism, except in the case of one toxin, IV-5, that elicited a Ca(2+)-independent response. Membrane depolarization caused by scorpion venom toxins was measured via radioisotopic discharge of tetra[3H]phenylphosphonium bromide. The role of protein kinase C in second-messenger coupling in pancreatic acinar cells is favored over ion-exclusive routes characteristic of synaptosomes.

Animals↗

PubMed2001

Enhanced matrix synthesis and in vitro formation of cartilage-like tissue by genetically modified chondrocytes expressing BMP-7.

Bone morphogenic protein-7 (BMP-7) supports ectopic cartilage and bone formation, is expressed in normal articular cartilage, and increases matrix synthesis in chondrocytes. Based on this knowledge, we hypothesized that an adenovirus (Ad) vector encoding human BMP-7 could be used to modify chondrocytes genetically to improve their capacity for cartilage repair. An adenovirus vector encoding BMP-7 (AdBMP-7) was constructed and its bioactivity confirmed by ectopic bone formation assay. AdBMP-7 modification of bovine chondrocytes induced expression of BMP-7 mRNA and bioactive protein, resulting in an increase in incorporation of 35SO4- into proteoglycan, 3H-proline uptake into protein, and the expression of the cartilage-specific matrix genes, aggrecan and type II collagen. An in vitro model of chondrocyte transplantation was used to demonstrate the feasibility of using genetically modified chondrocytes to enhance formation of cartilage-like tissue. When transplanted onto cartilage explants and maintained in vitro for 3 weeks, chondrocytes modified with AdBMP-7 formed 1.9-fold thicker tissue than chondrocytes modified with a control vector (P < 0.001). This tissue was positive for type II collagen and proteoglycan but negative for type X collagen and demonstrated a cartilage-like morphology. These observations suggest that Ad-mediated transfer of BMP-7 gene to chondrocytes enhances the chondrocyte-specific matrix synthesis and their capacity to form cartilage-like tissue, thus representing a strategy that may improve cell-based cartilage repair.

Adenoviridae↗

PubMed2005

Detection of a single nucleotide polymorphism in the human alpha-lactalbumin gene: implications for human milk proteins.

Variability in the protein composition of breast milk has been observed in many women and is believed to be due to natural variation of the human population. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are present throughout the entire human genome, but the impact of this variation on human milk composition and biological activity and infant nutrition and health is unclear. The goals of this study were to characterize a variant of human alpha-lactalbumin observed in milk from a Filipino population by determining the location of the polymorphism in the amino acid and genomic sequences of alpha-lactalbumin. Milk and blood samples were collected from 20 Filipino women, and milk samples were collected from an additional 450 women from nine different countries. alpha-Lactalbumin concentration was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and milk samples containing the variant form of the protein were identified with both HPLC and mass spectrometry (MS). The molecular weight of the variant form was measured by MS, and the location of the polymorphism was narrowed down by protein reduction, alkylation and trypsin digestion. Genomic DNA was isolated from whole blood, and the polymorphism location and subject genotype were determined by amplifying the entire coding sequence of human alpha-lactalbumin by PCR, followed by DNA sequencing. A variant form of alpha-lactalbumin was observed in HPLC chromatograms, and the difference in molecular weight was determined by MS (wild type=14,070 Da, variant=14,056 Da). Protein reduction and digestion narrowed the polymorphism between the 33rd and 77th amino acid of the protein. The genetic polymorphism was identified as adenine to guanine, which translates to a substitution from isoleucine to valine at amino acid 46. The frequency of variation was higher in milk from China, Japan and Philippines, which suggests that this polymorphism is most prevalent in Asia. There are SNPs in the genome for human milk proteins and their implications for protein bioactivity and infant nutrition need to be considered.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2001

Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-5 inhibits growth and induces differentiation of mouse osteosarcoma cells.

The precise role of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-5 (IGFBP-5) in regulating the growth of tumor cells, especially of bone-derived malignant cells, is not well understood. We have investigated the biological activity of IGFBP-5 by transfecting OS/50-K8 mouse osteosarcoma cells with an expression vector containing the osteocalcin promoter and the complete mouse IGFBP-5 cDNA (OC-IGFBP-5). Overexpression of IGFBP-5 mRNA and secretion of increased amounts of bioactive protein in conditioned media were demonstrated in different clones. For the analysis of cell proliferation, three clones exhibiting high levels of IGFBP-5 expression were selected and compared to a mock clone and to nontransfected parental cells. IGFBP-5-secreting clones displayed reduced proliferation under both anchorage-dependent and -independent conditions (P < 0.05). The increase in proliferation observed in IGFBP-5-secreting clones after addition of exogenous IGF was significantly lower than that observed in mock-transfected or parental cells. A similar result was obtained with long[R3]IGF-I which has a low affinity for all IGFBPs, suggesting that the inhibitory effect of IGFBP-5 is only partially IGF-dependent. OC-IGFBP-5-transfected clones expressed significantly higher amounts of osteocalcin mRNA (P < 0.05) and secreted more osteocalcin protein than a mock clone or parental OS-50/K8 cells. Thus, part of the growth-inhibiting effect of IGFBP-5 may be due to an induction of differentiation in these cells.

Animals↗

PubMed1995

Discovery of inhibitors of human renin with high oral bioavailability.

Knowledge of the sequence of a bioactive protein (angiotensinogen) and the availability of a natural product inhibitor lead (pepstatin) were the starting point for discovery of potent penta- and hexapeptide renin inhibitors. Study of the metabolism and disposition of these substances forced the discovery of simpler inhibitors leading to the discovery of oral activity in Terlakiren (22). Modification of physical properties led to the synthesis of aminopiperidine 30, which was identified by oral efficacy profiling. Structural modification to give enzymatic stability produced the bioavailable benzylsuccinate inhibitor 34. Its bioactive monomethylamine metabolite (35, CP-108,671) was subsequently found to have uniformly high oral bioavailability and activity in various species including primates.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1998

Prostaglandin E2 in the salivary glands of the female tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.): calcium mobilization and exocytosis.

A cholera toxin-sensitive, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) specific receptor has been identified in the plasma membrane fraction of tick salivary glands. In the present study, we report that stimulation of dispersed salivary glands of the lone star tick Amblyomma americanum (L.) with 1 nM to 10 microM PGE2 increased the intracellular concentration of inositol trisphosphate (IP3) in a dose-dependent manner. Incubation of dispersed tissue with 1 nM to 10 microM PGE2 also stimulated release of 45Ca2+ from preloaded tissue. PGE2 (10 microM) did not stimulate an influx of 45Ca2+. Therefore, the PGE2 receptor in the salivary glands appears to activate a phosphoinositide phospholipase C signalling pathway to increase formation of intracellular IP3 and, thus, mobilize Ca2+ from intracellular stores. Incubation of dispersed salivary glands with 1 nM to 1 microM PGE2 stimulated secretion of anticoagulant protein, but not at < 1 nM or > 1 microM PGE2. In addition, the mammalian PGE2 EP1 receptor antagonist AH-6809 affected secretion of anticoagulant by dispersed salivary gland tissue at a low concentration supporting the hypothesis that the PGE2 receptor in tick salivary glands is EP1-like. We propose that a major function for PGE2 in tick salivary glands is to mobilize Ca2+ and stimulate secretion (exocytosis) of bioactive proteins into the tick's saliva during feeding.

Animals↗

PubMed1999

Proprotein and prohormone convertases: a family of subtilases generating diverse bioactive polypeptides.

Proproteins and prohormones are the fundamental units from which bioactive proteins and peptides as well as neuropeptides are derived by limited proteolysis within the secretory pathway. Precursors are usually cleaved at the general motif (K/R)--(X)n--(K/R)down arrow, where n=0, 2, 4 or 6 and X is any amino acid and usually is not a Cys. Seven mammalian precursor convertases (PCs) have been identified: PC1, PC2, furin, PC4, PC5, PACE4 and PC7. Each of these enzymes, either alone or in combination with others, is responsible for the tissue-specific processing of multiple polypeptide precursors both in the brain and in periphery. This combinatorial mechanism generates a large diversity of bioactive molecules in an exquisitively regulated manner. The production of null mice allowed the assessment of the critical role of convertases in vivo. Thus, male PC4 (-/-) mice are infertile, furin (-/-) and PC1(-/-) mice are embryonic lethal, and PC2 (-/-) mice are mildly diabetic and runted. Interestingly, animals deficient in 7B2, a PC2-specific binding protein, exhibit a Cushing-like syndrome and die soon after birth. Recently, the first member of a new class of subtilisin--kexin-like convertases, called SKI-1, was identified. Its structure is closer to pyrolysin than to mammalian PCs and it exhibits a specificity for cleavage at the motif (R/K)--X--X--(L,T) down arrow as deduced from its ability to process sterol regulatory element binding proteins and pro-brain derived neurotrophic factor. Thus, while PCs are responsible for the processing of neuropeptides, adhesion molecules, receptors, growth factors, cell surface glycoprotein and enzymes, SKI-1 cleaves proproteins that are critical for the control of cholesterol and fatty acid metabolism and for neuronal protection and growth.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed1997

[Leptin].

Leptin (ob-protein), a previously unknown protein signal, is secreted from adipose tissue, circulates in the blood, probably bound to a family of binding proteins, and acts on central neural networks, that regulate weight and energy homeostasis. Leptin provides a communication link between fat tissue and the brain. Ob protein appears to play a major role in the control of body fat stores through coordinated regulation of feeding behavior, metabolism, autonomic nervous system and body energy balance in rodents, primates and humans. Leptin levels have pulsative and diurnal character. In lean subjects with relatively low adipose tissue, the majority of circulating leptin is in the bound form. On other hand, in obese individuals the majority of leptin circulates in free form presumably bioactive protein, and thus obese subjects are resistant to free leptin. Leptin's resistance is often coupled with insuline resistance postreceptor type. Leptin receptor is product of db genes. Ob-protein receptor belongs to the cytokine superfamily of receptors and has several variants. Leptin-receptor gene is expressed in abundant degree in ovary, uterus, testes, less in hypothalamus, hypophysis, and little in kidney. Leptin stimulates the reproductive endocrine system and may serve as a permissive signal to the reproductive system of normal animals. Ob-gene product, leptin is regulated by feedings patterns and hormones, such as insulin and glucocorticoids. There is assumed that neuropeptide Y (NPY) and melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) and its receptor (MCR) are a critical components of the biological response to leptin levels. MCR in contrast to leptin receptors are coupled with G-transduction system.

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1999

Cerebral endothelial cells release TNF-alpha after stimulation with cell walls of Streptococcus pneumoniae and regulate inducible nitric oxide synthase and ICAM-1 expression via autocrine loops.

TNF-alpha, inducible NO synthase (iNOS), and ICAM-1 are considered to be key proteins in the inflammatory response of most tissues. We tested the hypothesis that cell walls of Streptococcus pneumoniae (PCW), the most common cause of adult bacterial meningitis, induce TNF-alpha, iNOS, and ICAM-1 expression in rat primary brain microvascular endothelial cell cultures. We detected TNF-alpha mRNA by RT-PCR already 1 h after stimulation with PCW, while TNF-alpha protein peaked at 4 h (9.4 +/- 3.6 vs 0.1 +/- 0.1 pg/microgram protein). PCW induced iNOS mRNA 2 h after stimulation, followed by an increase of the NO degradation product nitrite (18.1 +/- 4 vs 5.8 +/- 1.8 at 12 h; 18.1 +/- 4 vs 5.8 +/- 1.8 pmol/microgram protein at 72 h). The addition of TNF-alpha Ab significantly reduced nitrite production to 62.2 +/- 14.4% compared with PCW-stimulated brain microvascular endothelial cells (100%). PCW induced the expression of ICAM-1 (measured by FACS), which was completely blocked by TNF-alpha Ab (142 +/- 18.6 vs 97.5 +/- 12.4%; 100% unstimulated brain microvascular endothelial cells). Cerebral endothelial cells express TNF-alpha mRNA as well as iNOS mRNA and release the bioactive proteins in response to PCW. PCW-induced NO production is mediated in part by an autocrine pathway involving TNF-alpha, whereas ICAM-1 expression is completely mediated by this autocrine loop. By these mechanisms, cerebral endothelial cells may regulate critical steps in inflammatory blood-brain-barrier disruption of bacterial meningitis.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Molecular cloning of protein-based polymers.

Protein-based biopolymers have become a promising class of materials for both biomedical and pharmaceutical applications, as they have well-defined molecular weights, monomer compositions, as well as tunable chemical, biological, and mechanical properties. Using standard molecular biology tools, it is possible to design and construct genes encoding artificial proteins or protein-based polymers containing multiple repeats of amino acid sequences. This article reviews some of the traditional methods used for constructing DNA duplexes encoding these repeat-containing genes, including monomer generation, concatemerization, iterative oligomerization, and seamless cloning. A facile and versatile method, called modules of degenerate codons (MDC), which uses PCR and codon degeneracy to overcome some of the disadvantages of traditional methods, is introduced. Re-engineering of the random coil spacer domain of a bioactive protein, WPT2-3R, is used to demonstrate the utility of the MDC method. MDC re-constructed coding sequences facilitate further manipulations, such as insertion, deletion, and swapping of various sequence modules. A summary of some promising emerging techniques for synthesizing repetitive sequence-containing artificial proteins is also provided.

Base Sequence↗