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At least 1,135 records · Page 63Linked to original sources
PubMed2004

Construction of a chemically and conformationally self-replicating system of amyloid-like fibrils.

The amyloid-like fibril is considered to be a macromolecular self-assemblage with a highly-ordered quaternary structure, in which numerous beta-stranded polypeptide chains align regularly. Therefore, this kind of fibril has the potential to be engineered into proteinaceous materials, although conformational alteration of proteins from their native form to the amyloid form is a misfolding and undesirable process related to amyloid diseases. In this study, we have attempted to design an artificial system to explore applicability of using the amyloid-like fibril as a construct possessing self-recognition and self-catalytic abilities. A peptide self-replicating system based on the beta-structure of the amyloid-like fibril was designed and constructed. The beta-stranded peptide was self-replicated by the native chemical ligation reaction, and the newly generated peptide was self-assembled into amyloid-like fibrils. Thus, the constructed system was of both chemical and conformational self-replicating fibrils.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1995

Functional reconstitution of the purified mannose phosphotransferase system of Escherichia coli into phospholipid vesicles.

The mannose transporter complex acts by a mechanism which couples translocation with phosphorylation of the substrate. It consists of a hydrophilic subunit (IIABMan) and two transmembrane subunits (IICMan, IIDMan). The purified complex was reconstituted into phospholipid vesicles by octyl glucoside dilution. Glucose export was measured with proteoliposomes which were loaded with radiolabeled glucose and to which purified IIABMan, cytoplasmic phosphorylcarrier proteins, and P-enolpyruvate were added from the outside. Vectorial transport was accompanied by stoichiometric phosphorylation of the transported sugar. Glucose added to the outside of the proteoliposomes was also phosphorylated rapidly but did not compete with vectorial export and phosphorylation of internal glucose. Glucose uptake was measured with proteoliposomes which were loaded with the cytoplasmic phosphoryl carrier proteins and P-enolpyruvate and to which glucose was added from the outside. Vectorial import and phosphorylation occurred with a higher specificity (Km 30 +/- 6 microM, kcat 401 +/- 32 pmol of Glc/micrograms of IICDMan/min) than nonvectorial phosphorylation (Km 201 +/- 43 microM, kcat 975 +/- 88 pmol of Glc/micrograms of IICDMan/min). A new plasmid pTSHIC9 for the controlled overexpression of the cytoplasmic phosphoryl carrier proteins, enzyme I, HPr, and IIAGlc, and a simplified procedure for the purification of these proteins are also described.

Escherichia coli↗
PubMed1985

Identification of the phosphocarrier protein enzyme IIIgut: essential component of the glucitol phosphotransferase system in Salmonella typhimurium.

The phosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphorylation of glucitol has been shown to require four distinct proteins in Salmonella typhimurium: two general energy-coupling proteins, enzyme I and HPr, and two glucitol-specific proteins, enzyme IIgut and enzyme IIIgut. The enzyme IIgut was solubilized from the membrane and purified about 100-fold, free of the other protein constituents of the phosphotransferase system. Enzyme IIIgut was found in both the soluble and the membrane fractions. The soluble enzyme IIIgut was purified to near homogeneity by gel filtration, hydroxylapatite chromatography, and hydrophobic chromatography on butylagarose. It was sensitive to parital inactivation by trypsin and N-ethylmaleimide, but was stable at 80 degrees C. The protein had an approximate molecular weight of 15,000. It was phosphorylated in the presence of phosphoenolpyruvate, enzyme I, and HPr, and this phosphoprotein was dephosphorylated in the presence of enzyme IIgut and glucitol. Antibodies were raised against enzyme IIIgut. Enzyme IIIglc and enzyme IIIgut exhibited no enzymatic or immunological cross-reactivity. Enzyme IIgut, enzyme IIIgut, and glucitol phosphate dehydrogenase activities were specifically induced by growth in the presence of glucitol. These results serve to characterize the glucitol-specific proteins of the phosphotransferase system in S. typhimurium.

Escherichia coli Proteins↗
PubMed1992

Glutamate receptors of Drosophila melanogaster: cloning of a kainate-selective subunit expressed in the central nervous system.

We report the isolation and functional characterization of cDNAs encoding a Drosophila kainate-selective glutamate receptor. The deduced mature 964-residue protein (DGluR-I) is 108,482 Da and exhibits significant homology to mammalian glutamate receptor subunits. Injection of DGluR-I cRNA into Xenopus oocytes generated kainate-operated ion channels which were blocked by the selective non-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist 6-cyano-7-nitro-quinoxaline-2,3-dione and philanthotoxin. DGluR-I transcripts are differentially expressed during Drosophila development and, in late embryogenesis, accumulate in the central nervous system.

6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione↗
PubMed1989

Poly(ethylene glycol)-induced shrinkage of Sephadex gel. A model system for quantitative analysis of osmoelastic coupling.

Shrinkage of Sephadex gels caused by addition of a high-molecular weight molecule, poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was studied. A quantitative analysis based on the cross-linked network theory by Flory and Tanaka (Tanaka, T. 1978. Phys. Rev. Lett. 40:820-823) showed that the shrinkage is due to a mechanochemical coupling between the elasticity of the network and the osmotic stress arising from preferential exclusion of PEG. These results may provide good evidence for "osmoelastic coupling", the coupling between elasticity of macromolecular structures and osmotic stress, which has been predicted in some biological systems such as phospholipid bilayer membranes (Ito, T., M. Yamazaki, and S. Ohnishi. 1989. Biochemistry. 28:5626-5630; Yamazaki, M., S. Ohnishi, and T. Ito. 1989. Biochemistry. 28:3710-3715) or actin filaments.

Biopolymers↗
PubMed2003

A computational model of direct interstitial infusion of macromolecules into the spinal cord.

Convection-enhanced interstitial infusion can deliver macromolecular drugs to large tissue volumes of the central nervous system. To characterize infusion into the spinal cord, an image-based three-dimensional finite element model of the rat spinal cord was developed. The model incorporated convection and diffusion through white and gray matter, including anisotropic transport due to alignment of white matter tracts. Spatial and temporal distribution of the marker substance albumin within the interstitial space was determined. Consistent with previous experiments, predicted distribution was highly anisotropic. Infusing into the dorsal column, albumin was primarily confined to, white matter with limited penetration into adjacent gray matter. Distribution was determined primarily by the ratio of fiber-parallel to fiber-perpendicular hydraulic conductivity tensor components (k(wm-z)/k(wm-x)), the ratio of transverse white and gray matter hydraulic conductivity (k(wm-x)/k(gm)), and tissue porosity. Fits to previous experimental measures of axial and transverse spread, distribution volume, and protein recovery yielded an optimum k(wm-z)/k(wm-x) of approximately 20 at 0.1 microl/min. k(wm-x)/k(gm) of 100 was sufficient to match experimental transverse distribution data. Best fits to data at 0.1 microl/min were achieved by porosities characteristic of moderate edema (e.g., 0.26). Distribution also varied with catheter placement with more medial placement resulting in greater distribution volumes.

Albumins↗
PubMed1990

Addition of N-acetylcysteine to aqueous model bile systems accelerates dissolution of cholesterol gallstones.

The organic matrix of cholesterol gallstones contains a macromolecular complex of mucin and bilirubin that may inhibit stone dissolution by limiting contact of desaturated bile with crystalline cholesterol. The goal of this study was to determine if the mucolytic agent N-acetylcysteine could accelerate gallstone dissolution in vitro. Paired gallstones were dissolved in either pure taurocholate (140 mM) or ursodeoxycholate (100 mM), or in bovine bile supplemented with either taurocholate or ursodeoxycholate to achieve the same respective bile-salt concentrations. N-acetylcysteine was added to 1 stone from each pair at a concentration of 500 mM in pure bile salts and 100 mM in supplemented bile. Gallstones dissolved significantly faster in bovine bile supplemented with taurocholate or ursodeoxycholate than in pure solutions of the respective bile salts (n = 30, p less than 0.001). N-acetylcysteine significantly accelerated gallstone dissolution in pure solutions of bile acids (n = 30, p less than 0.001 for each) and in supplemented bovine biles (n = 30, p less than 0.001). N-acetylcysteine also significantly increased the frequency of complete gallstone dissolution in taurocholate-supplemented (66.6% vs. 40.0%) and ursodeoxycholate-supplemented (76.6% vs. 50.0%) bile. These results indicate that the mucolytic agent N-acetylcysteine significantly accelerates in vitro gallstone dissolution. We speculate that adjuvant therapy with an appropriate mucolytic agent may potentially increase the efficacy of clinical gallstone dissolution.

Acetylcysteine↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Use of dextran 75 as a macromolecular agent in centrifugal leukapheresis.

Twenty-five leukaphereses were done by the Haemonetics system using citrated Dextran 75 in normal saline as anticoagulant, and were compared with a much larger series using hydroxyethyl starch (HES) with and without steroid premedication. The granulocyte and platelet yields were only minimally different between the two agents. Both were inferior in granulocyte collection to the group that was premedicated with a steroid. Dextran is thus a satisfactory substitute for HES in leukapheresis with this system.

Anticoagulants↗
PubMed1977

Effects of 6-thioguanine on macromolecular events in regenerating rat liver.

Regenerating rat liver was used as a semisynchronous system in which to investigate the effects of 6-thioguanine on biochemical processes occurring in discrete phases of the cell cycle. 6-Thioguanine inhibited the first wave of DNA biosynthesis in regenerating rat liver. This effect appeared to be the result of a decrease, caused by 6-thioguanine, in the induction of several enzyme activities (i.e., thymidine kinase, deoxycytidylate deaminase, cytidine diphosphate reductase, and DNA polymerase) necessary for the initiation of DNA replication in regenerating liver. There was a fairly short period during which 6-thioguanine could be given to rats to accomplish the inhibition of the appearance of the induced activities of these enzymes; this period corresponded to the time just before enzyme induction. The inhibition of the induced synthesis of this group of enzymes occurred in the presence of an intact translational apparatus and intact polysomes and in the absence of interference with the incorporation of radioactive leucine and tyrosine into total protein of liver. Synthesis of polyadenylate-containing RNA was depressed in 6-thioguanine-treated rats, whereas the synthesis of polyadenylate-lacking RNA was unaffected. It is suggested that the inhibition of the synthesis of polyadenylate-containing RNA by 6-thioguanine is at least in part responsible for the observed decrease in induced enzyme activities and the resulting interference with DNA replication.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Cell cycle checkpoints in bacteria.

When DNA replication is interrupted in bacteria, a specific inhibitor (SfiA), a component of the SOS system, is synthesised which transiently blocks cell division. This is the prototype, dispensable, cell cycle checkpoint, essential for maximal survival under a particular stress. In contrast, no process specifically signalling the termination of chromosomal replication to activate the subsequent division event, which might be termed an essential checkpoint, has yet been demonstrated. In E coli, a specific mechanism is apparently required to reactivate replication forks blocked by damage, but its molecular basis is unclear. Induction of the stringent response, mediated by RelA via the level of ppGpp, presumably to optimise macromolecular synthesis according to the availability of nutrients, activates a control system which inhibits DNA replication in both E coli and B subtilis. In E coli, this blocks new rounds of initiation at oriC, although the mechanism is not clear. Conversely, initiation is not blocked in B subtilis, but replication is blocked apparently at a number of distinct sites 100-200 kb downstream and either side of oriC. This nutrient-dependent replicating checkpoint specifically requires RTP, the chromosomal terminator protein, and new evidence indicates that specific RTP binding sites may be involved in this post-initiation control mechanism. A similar post-initiation control mechanism appears to block replication reversibly after premature initiation in B subtilis, indicating that this system may have a dual function, limiting replication in starvation conditions and as a mechanism to compensate for premature initiations.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1975

Macromolecular antitumor agents from Chamaenerium angustifolium.

The antineoplastic substances isolated from Chamaenerium angustifolium, Chanerol, a macromolecular polyphenol, and its complex with polysaccharide, Chanerozan, have been studied in vitro in tests of haemagglutination, tumor cell agglutination, leucoagglutination and some others. The results obtained show Chanerol as a new phytohaemagglutinin (lectin) which has no group specificity for human erythrocytes (ABO system). As distinct from other lectins (proteins) Chanerol belongs to another chemical class (macromolecular polyphenols) and has no effect on lymphocytes in leukoagglutination and blast transformation tests. Both preparations have been shown capable of agglutinating tumor cells in vitro and revealed antitumor activity in the intravenous and intraperitoneal administration to mice with transplanted tumors. The toxicity of Chanerozan and its titre of human and mouse erythrocyte agglutination are considerably lower than those of Chanerol. Thus, judging by haemagglutination test Chanerozan behaves as a typical complex of agglutinin with concurrent sugar.

ABO Blood-Group System↗
PubMed2002

Identification of rotavirus VP6 residues located at the interface with VP2 that are essential for capsid assembly and transcriptase activity.

Rotavirus has a complex triple-layered icosahedral capsid. The external layer consists of VP7 and VP4, the intermediate layer consists of VP6 trimers, and the internal layer consists of VP2. Double-layered particles (DLP) derived from the virus by solubilization of VP4 and VP7 are transcriptionally competent and extrude capped mRNA from their vertices. Analysis of the pseudoatomic model of the VP6 layer, obtained by placing the atomic structure of VP6 into electron microscopy reconstructions of the DLP, has identified the regions of the protein involved in interactions with the internal layer. To study the role of VP6 both in the assembly of DLP and in transcription, 13 site-specific substitution mutations of VP6, targeting the contacts between the two inner layers, were constructed and expressed in the baculovirus system. The effects of these mutations on VP6 expression, trimerization, and formation of macromolecular assemblies were investigated. Using either in vitro reconstituted DLP derived from purified viral cores and recombinant VP6 or in vivo self-assembled virus-like particles resulting from the coexpression of VP2 and VP6 in the baculovirus-Sf9 system (VLP2/6), we have identified the amino acids essential for recovery of transcription or assembly. All VP6 mutants formed stable trimers which, like wild-type VP6, assembled into tubular structures. The ability of VP6 to interact with VP2 was examined by several assays, including electron microscopy, coimmunoprecipitation, purification of VLP2/6, and monitoring of the transcriptase activity of reconstituted DLP. Of the 13 VP6 mutants examined, 3 were unable to assemble with VP2 and 3 others partially assembled. These mutants either did not rescue the transcriptase activity of core particles or did so only marginally. Four mutants as well as the wild-type VP6 assembled and transcribed very well. Three mutants assembled well on cores but, surprisingly, did not rescue the transcriptase activity of reconstituted DLP. Our results indicate that hydrophobic interactions between VP6 and VP2 residues are responsible for the stability of the DLP. They also show that subtle electrostatic interactions between VP6 and the underlying transcriptase machinery can be essential for mRNA synthesis.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2005

In silico identification of regulatory elements of GRIN1 genes.

The ionotropic receptor of glutamate activated by N-methyl-D-aspartate (iGluR-NMDA) is a multiheteromeric complex constituted by at least three different types of subunits, encoded by seven different genes. The subunits of iGluR-NMDA have a complex system of regulation of their gene expression. Their expression is specific for each type of neural cell, as well as for the age of the organism. Moreover, there are reports that iGluR-NMDA expression is species-specific. Even though this macromolecular complex is very important in physiology and pathology of the central nervous system, knowledge to date about the regulatory elements controlling expression is scarce. We present the results of an in silico prediction of potential regulatory elements, some of which coincide with the few known experimentally. We also present the important differences regarding the presence and the localization of the regulatory elements among human, rat, and mouse species.

Algorithms↗
PubMed1995

Characterization of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor beta 3 gene. Its regulation within the avian nervous system is effected by a promoter 143 base pairs in length.

Genomic and cDNA clones encoding the chicken neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor beta 3 subunit were isolated and sequenced. The beta 3 gene consists of six protein-encoding exons and the deduced protein has the structural features found in all other members of the neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunit family. Although they are undetectable in most brain compartments, beta 3 mRNAs are relatively abundant in the developing retina and in the trigeminal ganglion. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that in retina, beta 3 transcripts and protein are confined to subpopulations of cells in the inner nuclear and ganglion cell layers. Beta 3 is expressed in the proximal and distal regions of the developing trigeminal ganglion, i.e. in both placode- and neural crest-derived neurons. Transient transfection assays in cells freshly dissociated from selected regions of the central nervous system at different developmental stages allowed the identification of genetic elements involved in the neuronal-selective expression of the beta 3 gene. A promoter fragment 143 base pairs in length and containing TATA, CAAT, and other consensus sequences is sufficient to restrict reporter gene expression to a subpopulation of retinal neurons. This promoter is totally inactive upon transfection into neuronal and non-neuronal cells from other regions of the central nervous system.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2005

Regulation of intestinal epithelial function: a link between opportunities for macromolecular drug delivery and inflammatory bowel disease.

The intestinal epithelium performs a multitude of tasks related to digestion and homeostasis. As a consequence of ingestion, this tissue must also participate in activities associated with protecting the body from potential pathogenic agents and toxic materials. To efficiently perform tasks associated with digestion and these protective functions, the intestinal epithelium has established several anatomical, biochemical and physiological barriers to impede unregulated uptake of materials. In order to perform functions of digestion and homeostasis, the intestinal epithelium uses mechanisms that allow dynamic modulation of regulated uptake pathways that can respond rapidly to changes in diet, health and challenges from pathogenic agents and macromolecules. This review focuses on specific, recent advances made in understanding cellular pathways and mechanisms that regulate dynamic processes of these barriers and examines the feasibility of drug delivery strategies focusing on macromolecular therapeutics potentially useful in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Animals↗
PubMed1990

Analysis of binding in macromolecular complexes: a generalized numerical approach.

In this work, we introduce a generalized, global numerical methodology for analysis of binding phenomena in complex macromolecular assemblies. On the basis of a numerical algorithm (EQS) to solve systems of simultaneous free energy equations, binding profiles of simple to highly complex interacting systems can be analyzed over any concentration region without any need to generate an analytical form to describe the data. The output of the numerical algorithm is the concentration of each individual species in solution, allowing the generation of all possible binding profiles of the system (e.g., protein saturation by ligand). We present here the application of this approach to the DNA-protein subunit-ligand interactions of the trp repressor system as a typical example. From a practical point of view, the analysis program is capable of the rapid and simultaneous analysis of multiple binding profiles in terms of internally consistent sets of free energies. Given both the enormous complexity, as well as the underlying subtlety, involved in the regulation of biological function, the present generalized approach to analyzing macromolecular binding should find wide applications.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2004

Host-guest complexation of oxicam NSAIDs with beta-cyclodextrin.

Spectroscopic and molecular modeling techniques have been employed to study the interaction of the oxicam group of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) with a polysaccharide such as beta-cyclodextrin (beta-cd). beta-cd is a good drug delivery system and is known to reduce harmful side effects of these drugs in the gastrointestinal tract and to increase their clinical efficacy. A detailed understanding of such host-guest interaction helps in designing a better drug delivery system coupled with increased therapeutic potential. However, there exists a controversy as to which prototropic form of piroxicam, a drug belonging to the oxicam group, becomes encapsulated in the host and also the stoichiometry of binding. In this study, we have revisited that controversy using steady state fluorescence, absorption, fluorescence anisotropy measurements, and molecular modeling techniques. In addition, we have for the first time studied the interactions of two other oxicam drugs, viz. tenoxicam and meloxicam, with beta-cd in aqueous solution. In all cases the neutral forms of these drugs were incorporated in the beta-cd cavity with a binding stoichiometry of 1:1 host : guest. The values of the binding constants for piroxicam, meloxicam, and tenoxicam with beta-cyclodextrin are 134 +/- 21, 114 +/- 15, and 115 +/- 13 M(-1), respectively. Molecular modeling studies show that the minimum energy configuration gives favorable interaction energy between the host and the guest in the complex with 1:1 stoichiometry when the conjugated rings of the drugs are inside the hydrophobic bucket-like cavity of beta-cd and the third ring is exposed to the solvent.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal↗