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Complex Proteins (complex + protein)
Terms modified by Complex Proteins Selected AbstractsMolecular characterization of Ciona sperm outer arm dynein reveals multiple components related to outer arm docking complex protein 2CYTOSKELETON, Issue 10 2006Akiko Hozumi Abstract Using proteomic and immunochemical techniques, we have identified the light and intermediate chains (IC) of outer arm dynein from sperm axonemes of the ascidian Cionaintestinalis. Ciona outer arm dynein contains six light chains (LC) including a leucine-rich repeat protein, Tctex1- and Tctex2-related proteins, a protein similar to Drosophila roadblock and two components related to Chlamydomonas LC8. No LC with thioredoxin domains is included in Ciona outer arm dynein. Among the five ICs in Ciona, three are orthologs of those in sea urchin dynein: two are WD-repeat proteins and the third one, unique to metazoan sperm flagella, contains both thioredoxin and nucleoside diphosphate kinase modules. The remaining two Ciona ICs have extensive coiled coil structure and show sequence similarity to outer arm dynein docking complex protein 2 (DC2) that was first identified in Chlamydomonas flagella. We recently identified a third DC2-like protein with coiled coil structure, Ci-Axp66.0 that is also associated in substoichiometric amounts with Ciona outer arm dynein. In addition, Oda5p, a component of an additional complex required for assembly of outer arm dynein in Chlamydomonas flagella, also groups with this family of DC2-like proteins. Thus, the assembly of outer arm dynein onto doublet microtubules involves multiple coiled-coil proteins related to DC2. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Role of side chains in collagen triple helix stabilization and partner recognition,JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE, Issue 3 2009Rita Berisio Abstract Collagen is a widespread protein family involved in a variety of biological processes. The complexity of collagen and its fibrous nature prevent detailed investigations on the full-length protein. Reductionist approaches conducted by dissecting the protein complexity through the use of model peptides have proved to be quite effective. There are, however, several issues regarding structure,stability relationships, aggregation in higher-order assemblies, and partner recognition that are still extensively investigated. In this review, we discuss the role that side chains play in triple helix stabilization and in partner recognition. On the basis of recent literature data, we show that collagen triple helix stability is the result of the interplay of different factors. As a general trend, interactions established by amino/imino acid side chains within the triple helix scaffold effectively modulate the intrinsic residue propensity for this common structural motif. The use of peptide models has also highlighted the role that side chains play in collagen self-association and in its interactions with receptors. Valuable examples in these fields are illustrated. Finally, future actions required to obtain more detailed information on the structure and the function of this complex protein are also delineated. Copyright © 2008 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Studying natural structural protein fibers by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonanceCONCEPTS IN MAGNETIC RESONANCE, Issue 1 2009Alexandre A. Arnold Abstract As a consequence of evolutionary pressure, various organisms have developed structural fibers displaying a range of exceptional mechanical properties adapted specifically to their functions. An understanding of these properties at the molecular level requires a detailed description of local structure, orientation with respect to the fiber and size of constitutive units, and dynamics on various timescales. The size and lack of long-range order in these protein systems constitute an important challenge to classical structural techniques such as high-resolution NMR and X-ray diffraction. Solid-state NMR overcomes these constraints and is uniquely suited to the study of these inherently disordered systems. Solid-state NMR experiments developed or applied to determine structure, orientation, and dynamics of these complex proteins will be reviewed and illustrated through examples of their applications to fibers such as spider and silkworm silks, collagen, elastin, and keratin. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Concepts Magn Reson Part A 34A: 24,27, 2009. [source] A specific GFP expression assay, penetrance estimate, and histological assessment for a putative splice site mutation in BRCA1,HUMAN MUTATION, Issue 1 2003M.C. Southey Abstract Genetic testing for cancer predisposing mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 has been of benefit to many individuals from breast and ovarian cancer-prone kindreds. However, a function has not been assigned to many of the domains that make up these complex proteins and hence, the significance of many sequence variants, including missense mutations, splice-site mutations, and in-frame deletions/insertions, remains unclear. We identified a putative splice site mutation (IVS6-2delA) in BRCA1 in a family attending a Familial Cancer Centre that had a significant history of both breast and ovarian cancer. This sequence variant was not novel but the exact effect on mRNA splicing and hence the biological impact of this sequence variation was unclear and therefore the finding was unable to be used in genetic counseling of the family. Via the construction of novel GFP-based expression fusion constructs, we demonstrated that this sequence variation prevented normal splicing of the BRCA1 transcript. By combining these data with an assessment of the histopathological features of the breast carcinomas in this family and mutation penetrance estimate we were able to conclude that this BRCA1 variant conveyed an increased risk of breast cancer. Hum Mutat 22:86,91, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] HPV related VIN: Highly proliferative and diminished responsiveness to extracellular signalsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CANCER, Issue 4 2007Lindy A.M. Santegoets Abstract Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (VIN) is a premalignant disorder caused by human papillomaviruses. Basic knowledge about the molecular pathogenesis of VIN is sparse. Therefore, we have analyzed the gene expression profile of 9 VIN samples in comparison to 10 control samples by using genome wide Affymetrix Human U133A plus2 GeneChips. Results were validated by quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis and immunostaining of a few representative genes (TACSTD1, CCNE2, AR and ESR1). Significance analysis of microarrays (SAM) showed that 1,497 genes were differentially expressed in VIN compared to controls. By analyzing the biological processes affected by the observed differences, we found that VIN appears to be a highly proliferative disease; many cyclins (CCNA, CCNB and CCNE) and almost all prereplication complex proteins are upregulated. Thereby, VIN does not seem to depend for its proliferation on paracrine or endocrine signals. Many receptors (for example ESR1 and AR) and ligands are downregulated. Furthermore, although VIN is not an invasive disease, the inhibition of expression of a marked number of cell,cell adhesion molecules seems to indicate development towards invasion. Upon reviewing apoptosis and angiogenesis, it was observed that these processes have not become significantly disregulated in VIN. In conclusion: although VIN is still a premalignant disease, it already displays several hallmarks of cancer. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Simple evolutionary pathways to complex proteinsPROTEIN SCIENCE, Issue 9 2005Michael Lynch Abstract A recent paper in this journal has challenged the idea that complex adaptive features of proteins can be explained by known molecular, genetic, and evolutionary mechanisms. It is shown here that the conclusions of this prior work are an artifact of unwarranted biological assumptions, inappropriate mathematical modeling, and faulty logic. Numerous simple pathways exist by which adaptive multi-residue functions can evolve on time scales of a million years (or much less) in populations of only moderate size. Thus, the classical evolutionary trajectory of descent with modification is adequate to explain the diversification of protein functions. [source] Towards functional proteomics of membrane protein complexes: analysis of thylakoid membranes from Chlamydomonas reinhardtiiTHE PLANT JOURNAL, Issue 5 2001Michael Hippler Summary Functional proteomics of membrane proteins is an important tool for the understanding of protein networks in biological membranes but structural studies on this part of the proteome are limited. In this study we undertook such an approach to analyse photosynthetic thylakoid membranes isolated from wild-type and mutant strains of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Thylakoid membrane proteins were separated by high-resolution two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) and analysed by immuno-blotting and mass spectrometry for the presence of membrane-spanning proteins. Our data show that light-harvesting complex proteins (LHCP), that cross the membrane with three transmembrane domains, can be separated using this method. We have identified more than 30 different LHCP spots on our gels. Mass spectrometric analysis of 2-DE separated Lhcb1 indicates that this major LHCII protein can associate with the thylakoid membrane with part of its putative transit sequence. Separation of isolated photosystem I (PSI) complexes by 2-DE revealed the presence of 18 LHCI protein spots. The use of two peptide-specific antibodies directed against LHCI subunits supports the interpretation that some of these spots represent products arising from differential processing and post-translational modifications. In addition our data indicate that the reaction centre subunit of PSI, PsaA, that possesses 11 transmembrane domains, can be separated by 2-DE. Comparison between 2-DE maps from thylakoid membrane proteins isolated from a PSI-deficient (,ycf4) and a crd1 mutant, which is conditionally reduced in PSI and LHCI under copper-deficiency, showed the presence of most of the LHCI spots in the former but their absence in the latter. Our data demonstrate that (i) hydrophobic membrane proteins like the LHCPs can be faithfully separated by 2-DE, and (ii) that high-resolution 2-DE facilitates the comparative analysis of membrane protein complexes in wild-type and mutants cells. [source] Development of a vaccine marker technology: Display of B cell epitopes on the surface of recombinant polyomavirus-like pentamers and capsoids induces peptide-specific antibodies in piglets after vaccinationBIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL, Issue 12 2006Markus Neugebauer Abstract Highly immunogenic capsomers (pentamers) and virus-like particles (VLPs) were generated through insertion of foreign B cell epitopes into the surface-exposed loops of the VP1 protein of murine polyomavirus and via heterologous expression of the recombinant fusion proteins in E. coli. Usually, complex proteins like the keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH) act as standard carrier devices for the display of such immunogenic peptides after chemical linkage. Here, a comparative analysis revealed that antibody responses raised against the carrier entities, KLH or VP1 pentamers, did not significantly differ up to 18 weeks, demonstrating the highly immunogenic nature of VP1-based particulate structures. The carrier-specific antibody response was reproducibly detected in the meat juice after processing. More importantly, chimeric VP1 pentamers and VLPs carrying peptides of 12 and 14 amino acids in length, inserted into the BC2 loop, induced a strong and long-lasting humoral immune response against VP1 and the inserted foreign epitope. Remarkably, the epitope-specific antibody response was only moderately decreased when VP1 pentamers were used instead of VLPs. In conclusion, we identified polyomavirus VP1-based structures displaying surface-exposed immunodominant B cell epitopes as being an efficient carrier system for the induction of potent peptide-specific antibodies. The application of this approach in vaccine marker technology in livestock holding and the meat production chain is discussed. [source] Abnormalities of prefrontal cortex SNARE complex proteins in bipolar disorderBIPOLAR DISORDERS, Issue 2002William G Honer Honer WG, Falkai P, Li H-Y, Knable MB, Buslei R, Bayer TA. Abnormalities of prefrontal cortex SNARE complex proteins in bipolar disorder. Bipolar Disord 2002: 4(Suppl. 1): . © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2002 [source] |