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Rat urate oxidase: cloning and structural analysis of the gene and 5'-flanking region.

The structural gene (UOX) encoding rat urate oxidase (UOX) spans at least 23 kb and is composed of eight exons and seven introns. All of the exon-intron splice junction sequences conformed to the GT/AG consensus established for eukaryotic genes. The transcription start point (tsp) was determined using S1-type nuclease protection riboprobe, and assigned to an adenine 54 nucleotides (nt) upstream of the ATG start codon. A 456-bp 5'-terminal fragment, starting at the ATG codon, carries a putative TATA (ATAAAA) sequence at -32, and two putative 'CAAT box' sequences at -62 and -71 bp upstream from the tsp. No sequence resembling 'GC' box hexanucleotides (GGGCGG or CCGCCC) was found. The structural features of the 5'-flanking region of the UOX gene are distinct from the 5'-flanking sequences of peroxisomal beta-oxidation system genes which contain one or more 'GC' box elements but lack TATA- and CAAT-like features [Osumi et al., J. Biol. Chem. 262 (1987) 8138-8143; Ishii et al., J. Biol. Chem. 262 (1987) 8144-8150]. The 5'-flanking region of the UOX gene reveals a sequence, TTAGTAATT at nt -276 from the tsp, which appears to be complementary to the underlined part of the liver-specific LF-B1/HNF-1 consensus sequence, GTTAATNATTAAC (where N = A, C, T, G or no nt).

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Mild tagging procedures for the structural analysis of glycans.

The reductive oxyamination of model glycan structures has been investigated as a mild, alternative tagging procedure to reductive amination using O-(4-nitrobenzyl)-hydroxylamine. Oxime formation was quantitative, but the reduction step did not always go to completion. Novel O- and N-substituted 7-hydroxycoumaryl- and 3-methoxybenzylhydroxylamines were synthesized and shown to couple quantitatively with model saccharides by oxime formation and reductive hydroxyamination, respectively, under very mild, aqueous conditions. The fluorescent derivatives produced show good chromatographic and mass spectrometric properties. Both procedures are suitable for the labeling of carbohydrates and oligosaccharide fragments from glycosaminoglycan structures, such as heparin and heparan sulfate.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗

Structural analysis of cataract incision construction.

This report examines the structural components of incision construction for cataract surgery so the causes of corneal instability and astigmatism can be understood. Changing the shape of the external incision, from limbus-parallel to linear to curved away from the limbus, results in a more stable external incision. The internal entry incision is more directly associated with corneal instability, however, and its construction and closure are crucial. Corneal stability improves as the closure changes from radial to horizontal to corneal valve autoclosure. Hyphema rates also improve with this progression because blood is directed into the anterior chamber with posterior incision closure, but out of the eye with anterior corneal valve closure.

Astigmatism↗

Nucleotide switches in molecular motors: structural analysis of kinesins and myosins.

Recent breakthroughs in the structural biology of cytoskeletal motor proteins show that two distinct families of motors--kinesins and myosins - use a similar mechanism of conformational switching for converting small structural changes in their nucleotide-binding sites into larger movements to provide force generation and motion. This mechanism is found to be similar to that employed by G proteins, the well-known molecular switches that regulate protein-protein interactions in many biological systems.

Catalytic Domain↗

Structural analysis of ternary complexes of vaccinia RNA polymerase.

The structure of the elongation complex of vaccinia RNA polymerase halted at discrete template positions was examined by DNase I footprinting. The leading edge of the footprint bore a constant relationship to the catalytic template position, being 22-24 nucleotides (nt) in advance on the nontemplate strand and 17 nt on the template strand. DNase hypersensitivity of the nontemplate strand at the leading edge suggested that the DNA might be distorted as it entered the polymerase molecule. The region of DNA unwinding at the transcription bubble extended at least 12 nt 5' from the catalytic center, as indicated by the reactivity of adenosine residues to diethylpyrocarbonate. Cu-phenanthroline-hypersensitive sites located 13 nt 5' and 4 nt 3' of the growing point appeared to demarcate the margins of the bubble. Strand asymmetry of chemical modification within the bubble was consistent with an RNA-DNA hybrid of no more than 10 base pairs.

Base Sequence↗

Structural analysis of chlamydial major outer membrane proteins.

The primary structure and surface exposure of the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) isolated from 14C intrinsically or 125I extrinsically radiolabeled Chlamydia trachomatis serotypes D/UW-3, G/UW-57, H/UW-4, I/UW-12, and L2/434 and the Chlamydia psittaci meningopneumonitis strain were analyzed by two different peptide-mapping techniques. Radiolabeled proteins were digested with either Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, the patterns of peptide fragments produced being displayed by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis, or alpha-chymotrypsin, the peptides being analyzed after separation by high-voltage electrophoresis and thin-layer chromatography. The comparative structural data obtained from these two different techniques were remarkably similar. From these data, the following points could be made. (i) MOMPs are structurally heterogeneous between members of chlamydial species; the C. psittaci MOMP was clearly distinct from each of the C. trachomatis MOMPs. (ii) Considerable structural homology occurs among MOMPs from different C. trachomatis serotypes; however, distinct differences in the primary structure of each C. trachomatis MOMP were evident. (iii) These observed differences were most obvious in peptide maps of MOMPs isolated from chlamydiae that had been surface labeled by lactoperoxidase-mediated radioiodination. The surface-exposed portions of the MOMPs from serotypes L2 and D were very similar. In contrast, those from serotypes G, H, and I were quite different. These structural data are in agreement with the serospecificities described for these proteins.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Effect of smoking cessation on pulmonary and cardiovascular function and structure: analysis of guinea pig model.

To assess the pulmonary structural and functional effects of smoking cessation, we exposed groups of guinea pigs to cigarette smoke for 4 and 8 mo and included a group of animals in which smoke exposure was stopped at 4 mo (ex-smokers). We found that, compared with control nonsmokers, the smokers at both 4 and 8 mo showed airflow obstruction with alterations in lung volume and morphological evidence of emphysema with increased alveolar air space size and decreased alveolar surface area-to-volume ratio. There was an alteration in the pulmonary vascular structure, with increased numbers of muscularized arterioles, in the smokers at both time periods, and this was associated with significantly increased pulmonary arterial pressure at 8 mo. Cessation of smoke exposure appeared to halt, but not reverse, these structural changes. The smokers at 8 mo showed clear evidence for a "healthy smoker" effect, underscoring the necessity for longitudinal studies even when using an animal model. We conclude that cessation of exposure to cigarette smoke is associated with an apparent halt, but not a reversal, of emphysematous lung enlargement and pulmonary arteriolar muscularization. However, the magnitude of improvement in pulmonary function is not as great as the apparent structural differences would imply, and there is no clear effect on the pulmonary arterial pressure.

Airway Obstruction↗

Tissue distribution of rat angiotensinogen mRNA and structural analysis of its heterogeneity.

The tissue distribution and the structural heterogeneity of the rat angiotensinogen mRNA have been investigated with the aid of a previously cloned cDNA as well as a genomic DNA for rat angiotensinogen as analytical probes. The angiotensinogen mRNA is expressed not only in the liver but also in various tissues including the brain, kidney, adrenal gland, ovary, and lung. The relative levels of the mRNA in the above tissues have been estimated to be 3-4, 20-30 (for the next three tissues), and around 100 times less than that in the liver, respectively. The mRNAs in both hepatic and extrahepatic tissues are encoded by a single gene in the rat genome. At least four different size classes of the angiotensinogen mRNA that start with a single 5' terminus and differ only in the lengths of their 3'-untranslated regions have been identified, and these multiple mRNA species are most likely generated by using the polyadenylation signals AAUAAA and AUUAAA found 10-30 nucleotides upstream from the four polyadenylation sites. Because the structures of these multiple mRNA species do not vary among the tissues of the liver, brain, and kidney, angiotensinogen synthesized locally is structurally identical to that produced in the liver and may have some biological roles independent of the circulating angiotensinogen, mainly derived from the liver. In addition, the sequence of the 5'-flanking region of the angiotensinogen gene has been determined, and some features common to other steroid hormone-responsive genes have been discussed.

Angiotensinogen↗

Structural analysis of two crystal forms of lentil lectin at 1.8 A resolution.

The structures of two crystal forms of lentil lectin are determined and refined at high resolution. Orthorhombic lentil lectin is refined at 1.80 A resolution to an R-factor of 0.184 and monoclinic lentil lectin at 1.75 A resolution to an R-factor of 0.175. These two structures are compared to each other and to the other available legume lectin structures. The monosaccharide binding pocket of each lectin monomer contains a tightly bound phosphate ion. This phosphate makes hydrogen bonding contacts with Asp-81 beta, Gly-99 beta, and Asn-125 beta, three residues that are highly conserved in most of the known legume lectin sequences and essential for monosaccharide recognition in all legume lectin crystal structures described thus far. A detailed analysis of the composition and properties of the hydrophobic contact network and hydrophobic nuclei in lentil lectin is presented. Contact map calculations reveal that dense clusters of nonpolar as well as polar side chains play a major role in secondary structure packing. This is illustrated by a large cluster of 24 mainly hydrophobic amino acids that is responsible for the majority of packing interactions between the two beta-sheets. Another series of four smaller and less hydrophobic clusters is found to mediate the packing of a number of loop structures upon the front sheet. A very dense, but not very conserved cluster is found to stabilize the transition metal binding site. The highly conserved and invariant nonpolar residues are distributed asymmetrically over the protein.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Computer-assisted structural analysis of regular glycopolymers on the basis of 13C NMR data.

A computer-assisted approach to the prediction of the primary structures of regular glycopolymers is described. The analysis is based on comparing the calculated 13C NMR spectra of all the possible structures of the repeating unit (for the given monomeric composition) to an experimental 13C NMR spectrum. The spectra generation is based on the spectral database containing information on the 13C chemical shifts of monomers, di- and trimeric fragments. If the required data are missing from this database, the special database for average glycosylation effects is used. The analysis reveals those structures with the calculated 13C NMR spectrum most close to observed. The structures of repeating units of any topology containing up to six residues linked by glycosidic, amidic or phospho-diester bridges can be predicted. Unambiguous selection of the proper structure from the output list of possible structures may require additional experimental data. Testing the created program and databases on bacterial polysaccharides and their derivatives containing up to three non-sugar residues (alditols, amino acids, phosphate groups etc.) per repeating unit revealed the good convergence of prediction with independently obtained structural data.

Algorithms↗

In situ structural analysis of microsomal UDP-glucuronyltransferases by radiation inactivation.

The structure of the UDP-glucuronyltransferases in microsomes from guinea pig and rat liver was examined in situ by radiation inactivation analysis. The p-nitrophenol conjugating activity of guinea pig microsomes increased at lower doses of radiation; at higher doses (greater than or equal to 36 megarads), activity showed a first order decline yielding a target size of 71 +/- 9 kDa. Treating microsomes with Triton X-100 eliminated the activation seen at lower doses of radiation and yielded a simple exponential decrease in activity which gave a larger target size (95 +/- 18 kDa). A monoexponential decrease in activity was seen in sonicated microsomes, at greater than or equal to 36 megarads. The same response was obtained when the reaction was assayed in the reverse direction. The estrone conjugating activity of guinea pig microsomes was similarly activated at lower doses of radiation and declined at higher doses (greater than or equal to 36 megarads), with a target size of 57 +/- 11 kDa. Allosteric activation of the enzyme by UDP-N-acetylglucosamine was eliminated by lower doses of radiation. Thus, activation of the enzyme by radiation, detergent, sonication, and UDP-N-acetylglucosamine appear to be interdependent. These activations are postulated to be due to the existence of the enzyme in an oligomeric form which can be dissociated into monomers with higher activity. The same biphasic activation-inactivation curves were obtained for p-nitrophenol conjugation in rat liver microsomes. The target sizes were 54 +/- 8 kDa (p-nitrophenol in the forward direction) and 66 +/- 10 kDa (p-nitrophenol in the reverse direction). Thus, the enzyme appears to be smaller in rat liver as compared with guinea pig liver. Lithocholate glucuronidating activity in rat liver microsomes (at greater than 36 megarads) gave a target size of 74 +/- 1 kDa.

Animals↗

Characterisation of Carbapenem-Resistant Raoultella planticola and Structural Analysis of NDM Composite Plasmids.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the molecular characteristics, resistant plasmid structures and phylogeny of a carbapenem-resistant Raoultella planticola (CRRP) strain from a patient with pneumonia to inform antimicrobial resistance control strategies. METHODS: We performed strain identification using MALDI-TOF MS, the BD Phoenix 100 system and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). We assessed antimicrobial susceptibility and resistance gene transfer using PCR, conjugation and stability assays, plasmid structure using a bioinformatics tool and phylogeny using a core-genome phylogenetic tree. RESULTS: WGS confirmed the isolate as R. planticola (average nucleotide identity (ANI) > 98.9% with reference type strains), co-harbouring blaKPC-2 and blaNDM-1. It was resistant to 19 antimicrobial agents and susceptible to only polymyxin, amikacin and chloramphenicol. Resistance genes were present on two conjugative plasmids: pzwx_KPC (IncFIA) and pzwx_NDM (a novel repFIB/repHI5B hybrid assembled via non-homologous end joining). Both plasmids demonstrated efficient transfer and stable inheritance over 12 passages. pzwx_KPC was highly homologous to plasmids from Klebsiella pneumoniae. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the closest relationship with German R. planticola strains. CONCLUSION: CRRP carries highly transmissible and stable resistance plasmids. Strengthened monitoring in immunocompromised patients and improved environmental disinfection are recommended. The risk of misidentification by automated systems underscores the importance of WGS for accurate pathogen identification.

Carbapenem resistance↗

Secondary structure analysis of the scrapie-associated protein PrP 27-30 in water by infrared spectroscopy.

A protease-resistant form of the protein PrP (PrP-res) accumulates in tissues of mammals infected with scrapie, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, and related transmissible neurodegenerative diseases. This abnormal form of PrP can aggregate into insoluble amyloid-like fibrils and plaques and has been identified as the major component of brain fractions enriched for scrapie infectivity. Using a recently developed technique in Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy which allows protein conformational analysis in aqueous media, we have studied the secondary structure of the proteinase K resistant core of PrP-res (PrP-res 27-30) as it exists in highly infectious fibril preparations. Second-derivative analysis of the infrared spectra has enabled us to quantitate the relative amounts of different secondary structures in the PrP-res aggregates. The analysis indicated that PrP-res 27-30 is predominantly composed of beta-sheet (47%), which is consistent with its amyloid-like properties. In addition, significant amounts of turn (31%) and alpha-helix (17%) were identified, indicating that amyloid-like fibrils need not be exclusively beta-sheet. The infrared-based secondary structure compositions were then used as constraints to improve the theoretical localization of the secondary structures within PrP-res 27-30.

Acetylglucosamine↗

An antiplatelet aggregation principle and X-ray structural analysis of cis-khellactone diester from Peucedanum japonicum.

Three structurally related khellactone coumarins, 1-3, were isolated from the aerial parts of Peucedanum japonicum (Umbelliferae). Compound 2 was identified as a new coumarin (cis-3'-isovaleryl-4'-senecioylkhellactone) by spectral and chemical analysis. Conformation of the dihydropyrano ring of cis-3',4'-disenecioylkhellactone [3] was elucidated by X-ray crystallographic analysis. These three natural khellactone esters were subjected to the antiplatelet aggregation bioassay where cis-3',4'-diisovalerylkhellactone [1] showed significant activity (at 50 micrograms/ml).

Animals↗

Biochemical and structural analysis of isolated mature cores of human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

Mature human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) particles contain a cone-shaped core structure consisting of the internal ribonucleoprotein complex encased in a proteinaceous shell derived from the viral capsid protein. Because of their very low stability after membrane removal, HIV-1 cores have not been purified in quantities sufficient for structural and biochemical analysis. Based on our in vitro assembly experiments, we have developed a novel method for isolation of intact mature HIV-1 cores. Concentrated virus suspensions were briefly treated with nonionic detergent and immediately centrifuged in a microcentrifuge for short periods of time. The resuspended pellet was subsequently analyzed by negative-stain and thin-section electron microscopy and by immunoelectron microscopy. Abundant cone-shaped cores as well as tubular and aberrant structures were observed. Stereo images showed that core structures preserved their three-dimensional architecture and exhibited a regular substructure. Detailed analysis of 155 cores revealed an average length of ca. 103 nm, an average diameter at the base of ca. 52 nm, and an average angle of 21.3 degrees. There was significant variability in all parameters, indicating that HIV cores are not homogeneous. Immunoblot analysis of core preparations allowed semiquantitative estimation of the relative amounts of viral and cellular proteins inside the HIV-1 core, yielding a model for the topology of various proteins inside the virion.

HIV-1↗

Molecular Cloning, Recombinant Expression, and In Silico Structural Analysis of Cu/Zn-Superoxide Dismutase from Trachyspermum ammi.

Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is an essential antioxidant metalloenzyme that is critical for the cellular defense against oxidative damage, as it scavenges superoxide radicals and maintains the redox status. Cytosolic Cu/Zn-SOD is particularly important in the regulation of oxidative stress among different isoforms in higher plants. While Cu/Zn-SODs from several plant species have been characterized, molecular information is limited for Trachyspermum ammi, a medicinally important member of a family Apiaceae with antioxidant potential.In the present study, an integrated molecular and in silico approach has been taken to clone and analyze a Cu/Zn type SOD gene from T. ammi to get insight into its structural and evolutionary characteristics. PCR amplification yielded an open reading frame of 456 bp encoding a protein of 152 amino acids. Sequence analysis showed that plant Cu/Zn-SODs, especially those from Daucus carota, were highly similar to one another (about 90-95%).Multiple sequence alignment confirmed the presence of conserved catalytic motifs and metal-binding histidine residues, both of which are crucial for enzymatic function. Physicochemical analysis predicted the protein to be stable, hydrophilic and compatible with cytosolic localization. The analysis of secondary structure indicated a predominance of β-strands, consistent with the conserved β-barrel architecture of plant Cu/Zn-SODs.The three-dimensional structure was built by homology modeling using a closely related plant Cu/Zn-SOD template with high sequence identity. Structural validation demonstrated an acceptable stereochemical quality with 86.3% residues in the favored region of Ramachandran plot, satisfactory ERRAT and Verify3D scores, and a low RMSD value of 0.104 Å on structural superimposition. Phylogenetic analysis placed the enzyme in the Apiaceae lineage, suggesting evolutionary conservation among related plant species. In conclusion, this study presents the first molecular and structural characterization of Cu/Zn-SOD from T. ammi and confirms the existence of a conserved structural framework typical of plant Cu/Zn-SODs. These results provide a basis for further studies concerning recombinant expression, enzymatic validation and potential relevance in antioxidant and plant stress biology.

Cloning, Molecular↗

[Chemical structural analysis of steroids by NMR spectroscopy].

NMR is so convenient way to get stereochemical information of an organic compound that organic chemists have readily taken advantage of its spectra to investigate its stereochemistry by means of chemical shifts, coupling constants, nuclear Overhauser effect, etc. Especially in the steroid field, there have been reported many studies for determination of chemical structure and analysis of conformation. It is exemplified how NMR is in steroid chemistry.

Aldosterone↗

Monoclonal antibodies for the structural analysis of the Na+/H+ antiporter NhaA from Escherichia coli.

Since their advent some 25 years ago, monoclonal antibodies have developed into powerful tools for structural and functional analysis of their cognate antigens. Together with the respective antigen binding fragments, antibodies offer exclusive capacities in detection, characterization, purification and functional assays for every given ligand. Antibody-fragment mediated crystallization represents a major advance in determining the three-dimensional structure of membrane-bound protein complexes. In this review, we focus on the methods used to generate monoclonal antibodies against the NhaA antiporter from Escherichia coli as a paradigm of secondary transporters. We describe examples on how antibodies are helpful in understanding structure and function relationships for this important class of integral membrane proteins. The generated conformation-specific antibody fragments are highly valuable reagents for co-crystallization attempts and structure determination of the antiporter.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗