|
| ||
|
|
||
Binding Ratios (binding + ratio)
Selected AbstractsVoltammetric Studies of the Interactions Between Ferrocene-Labeled Glutathione and Proteins in Solution or Immobilized onto SurfaceELECTROANALYSIS, Issue 16 2009Yong Peng Abstract Glutathione (GSH) tagged with a ferrocene (Fc) label at its C-terminal was synthesized via coupling ferrocenyl amine to glutathione using o -(benzotriazol-1-yl)- N,N,N,,N, -tetramethyluronium (HBTU)/1-hydroxybenzotrizole (HOBt). The presence of Fc yielded well defined voltammetric signals, rendering the Fc-tagged GSH (GSH-Fc) suitable for electrochemical studies of GSH binding to other biological species. The interaction of GSH-Fc with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated, and a binding ratio of 1.41±0.06 (GSH-Fc/BSA) and an affinity constant Ka of 6.53±2.01×106,M,1 were determined. These results compare well with those measured by fluorescence using untagged GSH, suggesting that the attachment of Fc to GSH does not significantly perturb the GSH structure and binding behavior. By contrasting the binding behavior to several compounds that are known to conjugate to different domains of BSA, the voltammetric study confirmed that GSH-Fc binds at subdomain IIA of BSA with high affinity. The versatility of GSH-Fc for studying GSH binding to surface-confined proteins was also demonstrated with the GSH binding to electroinactive Zn-metallothionein (Zn7 -MT) through hydrogen binding at the region between the Zn7 -MT , and , domains. [source] Efficient Ca2+ buffering in fast-spiking basket cells of rat hippocampusTHE JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 8 2008Yexica Aponte Fast-spiking parvalbumin-expressing basket cells (BCs) represent a major type of inhibitory interneuron in the hippocampus. These cells inhibit principal cells in a temporally precise manner and are involved in the generation of network oscillations. Although BCs show a unique expression profile of Ca2+ -permeable receptors, Ca2+ -binding proteins and Ca2+ -dependent signalling molecules, physiological Ca2+ signalling in these interneurons has not been investigated. To study action potential (AP)-induced dendritic Ca2+ influx and buffering, we combined whole-cell patch-clamp recordings with ratiometric Ca2+ imaging from the proximal apical dendrites of rigorously identified BCs in acute slices, using the high-affinity Ca2+ indicator fura-2 or the low-affinity dye fura-FF. Single APs evoked dendritic Ca2+ transients with small amplitude. Bursts of APs evoked Ca2+ transients with amplitudes that increased linearly with AP number. Analysis of Ca2+ transients under steady-state conditions with different fura-2 concentrations and during loading with 200 ,m fura-2 indicated that the endogenous Ca2+ -binding ratio was ,200 (,S= 202 ± 26 for the loading experiments). The peak amplitude of the Ca2+ transients measured directly with 100 ,m fura-FF was 39 nm AP,1. At ,23°C, the decay time constant of the Ca2+ transients was 390 ms, corresponding to an extrusion rate of ,600 s,1. At 34°C, the decay time constant was 203 ms and the corresponding extrusion rate was ,1100 s,1. At both temperatures, continuous theta-burst activity with three to five APs per theta cycle, as occurs in vivo during exploration, led to a moderate increase in the global Ca2+ concentration that was proportional to AP number, whereas more intense stimulation was required to reach micromolar Ca2+ concentrations and to shift Ca2+ signalling into a non-linear regime. In conclusion, dentate gyrus BCs show a high endogenous Ca2+ -binding ratio, a small AP-induced dendritic Ca2+ influx, and a relatively slow Ca2+ extrusion. These specific buffering properties of BCs will sharpen the time course of local Ca2+ signals, while prolonging the decay of global Ca2+ signals. [source] First Evidence of Genetic Imbalances in AngiofibromasTHE LARYNGOSCOPE, Issue 2 2002Bernhard Schick MD Abstract Objective/Hypothesis Angiofibromas are clinically well characterized by their origin at the posterior lateral nasal wall close to the sphenopalatine foramen, their occurrence in male adolescent patients, and the histological findings of a benign fibrovascular neoplasm with irregular, endothelium-lined vascular spaces in a fibrous stroma. However, their etiology and genetic causes remain unknown. The present study addresses genetic imbalances in angiofibromas. Study Design The present pilot study compared genomic hybridization in three angiofibromas to search for chromosomal abnormalities in this rare tumor. Methods Fluorescence-marked normal DNA and angiofibroma DNA were compared using genomic hybridization screening to detect chromosomal abnormalities. Their binding ratio to metaphase chromosomes were analyzed by special digital image analysis. Results Chromosomal gains and losses showing a high level of agreement were detected in all three angiofibromas. Specifically, DNA gains were observed on chromosomes 3q, 4q, 5q, 6q, 7q, 8q, 12p, 12q, 13q, 14q, 18q, 21q, and X, and DNA losses were screened on chromosomes 17, 19p, 22q, and Y. Finding chromosomal abnormalities at the sex chromosomes X and Y of this rare tumor is remarkable. Concurrent chromosomal gain on 8q12q22 was noted in all three tumor specimens. Conclusions Comparative genomic hybridization is suitable for screening angiofibromas on a genetic level. The results on these screens indicate that further genetic investigations of this rare benign tumor may provide more details about the tumor's genetic abnormalities and perhaps clarify the etiology of angiofibromas. [source] Dopamine transporter binding in Gilles de la Tourette syndrome: a [123I]FP-CIT/SPECT studyACTA PSYCHIATRICA SCANDINAVICA, Issue 2 2004J. Serra-Mestres Objective:, To investigate dopamine transporter binding in Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) with SPECT and [123I]FP-CIT. Method:, Ten neuroleptic naïve/free patients with GTS, and 10 age- and gender-matched normal volunteers were studied. Subjects were clinically evaluated. GTS severity and affective symptoms were measured and the presence of GTS-related behaviours were recorded. Results:, The GTS group showed significantly higher binding in both caudate and putamen nuclei than the controls. No associations were found between striatal binding ratios and measures of affect or GTS-related behaviours. Conclusion:, Patients with GTS show higher striatal binding of FP-CIT to the striatum in comparison with age- and gender-matched control subjects, indicating that dopamine transporter abnormalities are involved in the pathophysiology of GTS. These abnormalities appear to be distributed across both caudate and putamen. [source] Measurement of dissociation rate of biomolecular complexes using CEELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 3 2009Peilin Yang Abstract Fluorescence anisotropy (FA), non-equilibrium CE of equilibrium mixtures (NECEEM) and high-speed CE were evaluated for measuring dissociation kinetics of peptide,protein binding systems. Fyn-SH3-SH2, a protein construct consisting of the src homology 2 (SH2) and 3 (SH3) domain of the protein Fyn, and a fluorescein-labeled phosphopeptide were used as a model system. All three methods gave comparable half-life of,53,s for Fyn-SH3-SH2:peptide complex. Achieving satisfactory results by NECEEM required columns over 30,cm long. When using Fyn-SH2-SH3 tagged with glutathione S -transferase (GST) as the binding protein, both FA and NECEEM assays gave evidence of two complexes forming with the peptide, yet neither method allowed accurate measurement of dissociation rates for both complexes because of a lack of resolution. High-speed CE, with a 7,s separation time, enabled separation of both complexes and allowed determination of dissociation rate of both complexes independently. The two complexes had half-lives of 22.0±2.7 and 58.8±6.1,s, respectively. Concentration studies revealed that the GST-Fyn-SH3-SH2 protein formed a dimer so that complexes had binding ratios of 2:1 (protein-to-peptide ratio) and 2:2. Our results demonstrate that although all methods are suitable for 1:1 binding systems, high-speed CE is unique in allowing multiple complexes to be resolved simultaneously. This property allows determination of binding kinetics of complicated systems and makes the technique useful for discovering novel affinity interactions. [source] BRIEF REPORT: Varenicline increases striatal dopamine D2/3 receptor binding in ratsADDICTION BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2009Cleo L. Crunelle ABSTRACT Increasing dopamine D2/3 receptor availability is postulated to be a treatment for drug addiction. Varenicline, an ,4,2-nicotinic partial agonist, is effective for nicotine dependence. We hypothesize that varenicline increases dopamine D2/3 receptor availability. Twenty male drug-naïve rats were randomized to varenicline (2 mg/kg) or placebo for 14 days, and then injected with the dopamine D2/3 radiotracer 123I-IBZM. We found significantly higher striatum-to-cerebellum binding ratios in both dorsal and ventral striatum for the varenicline group compared with placebo. Varenicline increases dopamine D2/3 receptor availability in drug-naïve rats. Therefore, varenicline may be an effective treatment for addictions other than smoking. [source] Ferrocene Conjugates Containing Diarginine and Aspartic Acid: Salt Bridge Interactions in WaterEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 29-30 2009Anas Lataifeh Abstract The ferrocene peptide conjugates of diarginine (MeO-Fc-Arg-Arg-NH2) (1) and aspartic acid [Boc-Fca-Asp(OH)-OH] (2) were found to form a stable 1:1 associate in aqueous solution. The molecular recognition was achieved through a combination of multipoint hydrogen bonding (H-bonding) sites and a guanidinium-carboxylate ion pair. The associate stoichiometry was confirmed by using ESI-MS and NMR experiments; the NMR titration curve shows multiple equilibria with stepwise interconversion from 1:2,,,1:1 binding ratios, and the electrochemical behaviour of the ferrocenyl groups (Fc, Fca) confirm the formation of an ion pair. The CD spectra in the peptide region exhibit a characteristic absorption of a more ordered structure, while the ferrocene helical chirality remains intact. The solid-state IR measurements exclude the involvement of the amide backbone in the interaction.(© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2009) [source] | ||||||||||||||||