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Biological Implications (biological + implication)
Selected AbstractsBinding of Oxovanadium(IV) to Tripeptides Containing Histidine and Cysteine Residues and Its Biological Implication in the Transport of Vanadium and Insulin-Mimetic CompoundsEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 24 2005Eugenio Garribba Abstract The complexation of VIVO ion with three tripeptides of biological importance containing L -histidine or L -cysteine (HisGlyGly, GlyGlyHis and GlyGlyCys) has been studied. This study was performed in aqueous solution by the combined application of potentiometric and spectroscopic (electronic absorption and EPR) techniques. The results indicate that these oligopeptides, if a ligand-to-metal molar ratio of 10 or 15 is used, can keep VIVO ion in solution until the deprotonation of the amide group with the donor set (NH2, CO, Nimax) for HisGlyGly or (COO,, CO) for GlyGlyHis and GlyGlyCys. In all the systems, at pH values around neutrality, a VOLH,2 species is formed with an (NH2, N,, N,, COO,) donor set for HisGlyGly, (NH2, N,, N,, Nim) for GlyGlyHis and (NH2, N,,N,, S,) for GlyGlyCys. These species, and those with onedeprotonated amide group coordinated to the VIVO ion, can be detected by EPR spectroscopy. The N,(amide) contribution to the hyperfine coupling constant along the z axis, Az, depends on the total charge of the donor atoms in the equatorial plane. The participation of albumin in the transport of vanadium and insulin-mimetic VIVO compounds is reconsidered based on these results. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005) [source] Cardiosulfa, a Small Molecule that Induces Abnormal Heart Development in Zebrafish, and Its Biological Implications,ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE, Issue 42 2009Sung-Kyun Ko Verändertes Herz: Die Titelverbindung Cardiosulfa wurde mithilfe eines chemogenetischen Phänotyp-zu-Genotyp-Ansatzes identifiziert. Zebrafisch-Embryos, die ihr ausgesetzt sind, haben ein enges, elongiertes Herz innerhalb eines vergrößerten Herzbeutels (siehe Bild; Herz markiert mit grün fluoreszierendem Protein). [source] Hydroxycinnamic Acids as DNA-Cleaving Agents in the Presence of CuII Ions: Mechanism, Structure,Activity Relationship, and Biological ImplicationsCHEMISTRY - A EUROPEAN JOURNAL, Issue 46 2009Gui-Juan Fan Abstract The effectiveness of hydroxycinnamic acids (HCAs), that is, caffeic acid (CaA), chlorogenic acid (ChA), sinapic acid (SA), ferulic acid (FA), 3-hydroxycinnamic acid (3-HCA), and 4-hydroxycinnamic acid (4-HCA), as pBR322 plasmid DNA-cleaving agents in the presence of CuII ions was investigated. Compounds bearing o -hydroxy or 3,5-dimethoxy groups on phenolic rings (CaA, SA, and ChA) were remarkably more effective at causing DNA damage than the compounds bearing no such groups; furthermore, CaA was the most active among the HCAs examined. The involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and CuI ions in the DNA damage was affirmed by the inhibition of the DNA breakage by using specific scavengers of ROS and a CuI chelator. The interaction between CaA and CuII ions and the influence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), the solvent, and pH value on the interaction were also studied to help elucidate the detailed prooxidant mechanism by using UV/Vis spectroscopic analysis. On the basis of these observations, it is proposed that it is the CaA phenolate anion, instead of the parent molecule, that chelates with the CuII ion as a bidentate ligand, hence facilitating the intramolecular electron transfer to form the corresponding CaA semiquinone radical intermediate. The latter undergoes a second electron transfer with oxygen to form the corresponding o -quinone and a superoxide, which play a pivotal role in the DNA damage. The intermediacy of the semiquinone radical was supported by isolation of its dimer from the CuII -mediated oxidation products. Intriguingly, CaA was also the most cytotoxic compound among the HCAs toward human promyelocytic leukemia (HL-60) cell proliferation. Addition of exogenous CuII ions resulted in an effect dichotomy on cell viability depending on the concentration of CaA; that is, low concentrations of CaA enhanced the cell viability and, conversely, high concentrations of CaA almost completely inhibited the cell proliferation. On the other hand, when superoxide dismutase was added before, the two stimulation effects of exogenous CuII ions were significantly ameliorated, thus clearly indicating that the oxidative-stress level regulates cell proliferation and death. These findings provide direct evidence for the antioxidant/prooxidant mechanism of cancer chemoprevention. [source] Specific reactions of S -nitrosothiols with cysteine hydrolases: A comparative study between dimethylargininase-1 and CTP synthetasePROTEIN SCIENCE, Issue 8 2007Oliver Braun Abstract S-Transnitrosation is an important bioregulatory process whereby NO+ equivalents are transferred between S -nitrosothiols and Cys of target proteins. This reaction proceeds through a common intermediate R,S,N(O,),S,R, and it has been proposed that products different from S -nitrosothiols may be formed in protein cavities. Recently, we have reported on the formation of such a product, an N -thiosulfoximide, at the active site of the Cys hydrolase dimethylargininase-1 (DDAH-1) upon reaction with S -nitroso- l -homocysteine (HcyNO). Here we have addressed the question of whether this novel product can also be formed with the endogenously occurring S -nitrosothiols S -nitroso- l -cysteine (CysNO) and S -nitrosoglutathione (GSNO). Further, to explore the reason responsible for the unique formation of an N -thiosulfoximide in DDAH-1 we have expanded these studies to cytidine triphosphate synthetase (CTPS), which shows a similar active site architecture. ESI-MS and activity measurements showed that the bulky GSNO does not react with both enzymes. In contrast, S-nitrosylation of the active site Cys occurred in DDAH-1 with CysNO and in CTPS with CysNO and HcyNO. Although kinetic analysis indicated that these compounds act as specific irreversible inhibitors, no N -thiosulfoximide was formed. The reasons likely responsible for the absence of the N -thiosulfoximide formation are discussed using molecular models of DDAH-1 and CTPS. In tissue extracts DDAH was inhibited only by HcyNO, with an IC50 value similar to that of the isolated protein. Biological implications of these studies for the function of both enzymes are discussed. [source] Tolerance of Antarctic cyanobacterial mats to enhanced UV radiationFEMS MICROBIOLOGY ECOLOGY, Issue 1 2001Alison L. George Abstract To assess the biological implications of ozone depletion over the Antarctic Peninsula, the ultraviolet (UV) regime of two Antarctic cyanobacterial communities (composed of Leptolyngbya sp. and Phormidium sp.) was manipulated using screens that cut out UV radiation and a lamp which enhanced the dose of UV-B radiation (280,315 nm). The biological response of the cyanobacterial mats was monitored by measurement of chlorophyll fluorescence and pigment concentrations. The Leptolyngbya mat showed significant photochemical inhibition due to increased UV-B relative to photosynthetically active radiation (400,700 nm). The effect of UV on the Phormidium mat was less pronounced and dependent on the method of analysis: significantly lower photochemical yields were observed in UV-enhanced Phormidium mats compared to UV-excluded treatment, but if the yield data relative to the time zero control were considered then no effect of UV enhancement was observed. The Phormidium mat contained over 25 times the absolute concentration of UV-protecting mycosporine-like amino acid (MAA) and double the concentration of carotenoids compared to the Leptolyngbya mat, but the latter contained a higher ratio of carotenoids+MAAs to chlorophyll. There were no significant treatment-related changes in the concentrations of MAA, carotenoids and chlorophyll a in the Phormidium mat. The Leptolyngbya mat showed significantly lower chlorophyll a concentrations under UV enhancement, which could account for the lower photochemical yield in this sample. Our results show that different cyanobacterial species have differing photochemical sensitivity to UV-B radiation, which may confer a subtle advantage to the UV-B tolerant species over the less tolerant type during a period of high UV-B irradiance. [source] Influence of Decreasing Solvent Polarity (1,4-Dioxane/Water Mixtures) on the Acid,Base and Copper(II)-Binding Properties of Guanosine 5,-Diphosphate,HELVETICA CHIMICA ACTA, Issue 3 2005Emanuela The acidity constants of twofold protonated guanosine 5,-diphosphate, H2(GDP),, and the stability constants of the [Cu(H;GDP)] and [Cu(GDP)], complexes were determined in H2O as well as in 30 or 50% (v/v) 1,4-dioxane/H2O by potentiometric pH titrations (25°; I=0.1M, NaNO3). The results showed that in H2O one of the two protons of H2(GDP), is located mainly at the N(7) site and the other one at the terminal , -phosphate group. In contrast, for 50% 1,4-dioxane/H2O solutions, a micro acidity-constant evaluation evidenced that ca. 75% of the H2(GDP), species have both protons phosphate-bound, because the basicity of pyridine-type N sites decreases with decreasing solvent polarity whereas the one of phosphate groups increases. In the [Cu(H;GDP)] complex, the proton and the metal ion are in all three solvents overwhelmingly phosphate-bound, and the release of this proton is inhibited by decreasing polarity of the solvent. Based on previously determined straight-line plots of log,Kvs. pK (where R represents a non-interacting residue in simple diphosphate monoesters ROP(O,)(O)OP(O)(O,)2, RDP3,), which were now extended to mixed solvents (based on analogies), it is concluded that, in all three solvents, the [Cu(GDP)], complex is more stable than expected based on the basicity of the diphosphate residue. This increased stability is attributed to macrochelate formation of the phosphate-coordinated Cu2+ with N(7) of the guanine residue. The formation degree of this macrochelate amounts in aqueous solution to ca. 75% (being thus higher than that of the Cu2+ complex of adenosine 5,-diphosphate) and in 50% (v/v) 1,4-dioxane/H2O to ca. 60%, i.e., the formation degree of the macrochelate is only relatively little affected by the change in solvent, though it needs to be emphasized that the overall stability of the [Cu(GDP)], complex increases with decreasing solvent polarity. By including previously studied systems in the considerations, the biological implications are shortly discussed, and it is concluded that Nature has here a tool to alter the structure of complexes by shifting them on a protein surface from a polar to an apolar region and vice versa. [source] Anchor ice formation in streams: a field studyHYDROLOGICAL PROCESSES, Issue 16 2009Morten Stickler Abstract In northern steep streams anchor ice is commonly observed during winter, and plays a key role when considering in-stream conditions. The understanding, however, of the nature of anchor ice formation is less understood, in particular, under natural conditions. In the following, observations of anchor ice formation in three stream environments with different physical characteristics are presented. Results demonstrate that anchor ice not only form in riffle areas, but also in shallow and slow running stream sections. No linkage between spatial distribution of anchor ice and calculated dimensionless numbers (Froude and Reynolds number) was found. Furthermore, analyses on growth and density showed that anchor ice may be distinguished by two main types. (1) Type I: Lower density forming on top of substrata. (2) Type II: Higher density forming between the substrata filling interstitial spaces. Distribution of anchor ice Types I and II suggests a relation between intensity of turbulence expressed by the Reynolds number, growth pattern and density. As anchor ice has both physical and biological implications on in-stream environments, findings from the present study may be of particular interest to cold region freshwater stream management. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Localization and interactions of melatonin in dry cholesterol/lecithin mixed reversed micelles used as cell membrane modelsJOURNAL OF PINEAL RESEARCH, Issue 4 2005David Bongiorno Abstract:, The state of melatonin confined in dry cholesterol/lecithin mixed reversed micelles dispersed in CCl4 was investigated using 1H-NMR and FT-IR spectroscopies as a function of the melatonin to lecithin molar ratio (RMLT) and of the cholesterol to lecithin molar ratio (RCHL). An analysis of experimental results leads to the hypothesis that, independent of RMLT and as a consequence of anisotropic melatonin/lecithin, melatonin/cholesterol and cholesterol/lecithin interactions, melatonin is totally solubilized in reversed micelles. Melatonin is mainly located in and oriented in the nanodomain constituted by the hydrophilic groups of cholesterol and lecithin. A competition of melatonin and cholesterol for the hydrophilic binding sites of the reversed micelles was observed by changing the RCHL. Some possible biological implications of the specific interactions governing the solubilization process, the preferential location and the peculiar properties of melatonin confined in cholesterol/lecithin mixed reversed micelles are discussed. [source] Staphylococcus aureus primase has higher initiation specificity, interacts with single-stranded DNA stronger, but is less stimulated by its helicase than Escherichia coli primaseMOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2008Scott A. Koepsell Summary The study of primases from model organisms such as Escherichia coli, phage T7 and phage T4 has demonstrated the essential nature of primase function, which is to generate de novo RNA polymers to prime DNA polymerase. However, little is known about the function of primases from other eubacteria. Their overall low primary sequence homology may result in functional differences. To help understand which primase functions were conserved, primase and its replication partner helicase from the pathogenic Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus were compared in detail with that of E. coli primase and helicase. The conserved properties were to primer initiation and elongation and included slow kinetics, low fidelity and poor sugar specificity. The significant differences included S. aureus primase having sixfold higher kinetic affinity for its template than E. coli primase under equivalent conditions. This naturally higher activity was balanced by its fourfold lower stimulation by its replication fork helicase compared with E. coli primase. The most significant difference between the two primases was that S. aureus helicase stimulation did not broaden the S. aureus primase initiation specificity, which has important biological implications. [source] Body size and human energy requirements: Reduced mass-specific total energy expenditure in tall adults,AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY, Issue 3 2010Steven B. Heymsfield Mammalian resting energy expenditure (REE) increases as ,weight0.75 while mass-specific REE scales as ,weight,0.25. Energy needs for replacing resting losses are thus less relative to weight (W) in large compared with small mammals, a classic observation with biological implications. Human weight scales as ,height2 and tall adults thus have a greater weight than their short counterparts. However, it remains unknown if mass-specific energy requirements are less in tall adults; allometric models linking total energy expenditure (TEE) and weight with height (H) are lacking. We tested the hypothesis that mass-specific energy requirements scale inversely to height in adults by evaluating TEE (doubly labeled water) data collected by the National Academy of Sciences. Activity energy expenditure (AEE) was calculated from TEE, REE (indirect calorimetry), and estimated diet-induced energy expenditure. Main analyses focused on nonmorbidly obese subjects ,50 yrs of age with non-negative AEE values (n = 404), although results were directionally similar for all samples. Allometric models, including age as a covariate, revealed significantly (P < 0.05) greater REE, AEE, and TEE as a function of height (range H1.5,1.7) in both men and women. TEE/W scaled negatively to height (,H,0.7, P < 0.01) with predicted mass-specific TEE (kcal/kg/d) at ±2 SD for US height lower in tall compared with short men (40.3 vs. 46.5) and women (37.7 vs. 42.7). REE/W also scaled negatively to height in men (P < 0.001) and women (P < 0.01). Results were generally robust across several different analytic strategies. These observations reveal previously unforeseen associations between human stature and energy requirements that have implications for modeling efforts and provide new links to mammalian biology as a whole. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Redox regulation of cyclophilin A by glutathionylationPROTEINS: STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND BIOINFORMATICS, Issue 3 2006Pietro Ghezzi Abstract Using redox proteomics techniques to characterize the thiol status of proteins in human T lymphocytes, we identified cyclophilin,A (CypA) as a specifically oxidized protein early after mitogen activation. CypA is an abundantly expressed cytosolic protein, target of the immunosuppressive drug cyclosporin,A (CsA), for which a variety of functions has been described. In this study, we could identify CypA as a protein undergoing glutathionylation in vivo. Using MALDI-MS we identified Cys52 and Cys62 as targets of glutathionylation in T,lymphocytes, and, using bioinformatic tools, we defined the reasons for the susceptibility of these residues to the modification. In addition, we found by circular dichroism spectroscopy that glutathionylation has an important impact on the secondary structure of CypA. Finally, we suggest that glutathionylation of CypA may have biological implications and that CypA may play a key role in redox regulation of immunity. [source] A shrew-sized origin for primatesAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY, Issue S39 2004Daniel L. Gebo Abstract The origin of primates has had a long history of discussion and debate, with few ever considering the impact of the original body weight on subsequent primate adaptive radiations. Here, I attempt to reconstruct early primate evolution by considering the initial size of primates as well as the critical functional-adaptive events that had to occur prior to the early Eocene. Microcebus is often viewed as a living model, and thus 40,65 g might represent a practical ancestral weight for the origin of primates. I consider a smaller original body weight, likely 10,15 g in actual size, and I address the biological implications for shrew-sized primates by comparing the behavioral ecology of mouse lemurs, our smallest living primates, to another tiny-sized mammalian group, the shrews (Family Soricidae). Several behavioral and ecological characteristics are shared by shrews and mouse lemurs, and several mammalian trends are evident with decreased size. I suggest that a shrew-sized ancestral primate would have had high metabolic, reproductive, and predation rates, relatively low population densities, and a dispersed and solitary existence with a promiscuous mating system. Although small mammals like shrews provide insights concerning the ancestral size of primates, primate origins have always been tied to arboreality. I assess other potential arboreal models such as Ptilocercus and Caluromys. By combining all of this information, I try to sequence the events in a functional-adaptive series that had to occur before the early Eocene primate radiations. I suggest that all of these important adaptive events had to occur at a small body size below 50 g. Yrbk Phys Anthropol 47:40,62, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Quantification of vitellin/vitellogenin-like proteins in the oyster Crassostrea corteziensis (Hertlein 1951) as a tool to predict the degree of gonad maturityAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 6 2009Fabiola G. Arcos Abstract The oyster's reproductive process is poorly documented, especially in terms of a quantitative approach. In recent years, investigations with this species have been directed at determining important reproductive factors. Within this scope, techniques that allow standardized and accurate quantitative estimations of gonad development have become of primary importance. In this study, the histological characteristics and the levels of vitellin/vitellogenin-like proteins (Vn/Vtg) from ovaries of the Mexican Pacific ,pleasure' oyster Crassostrea corteziensis (Hertlein 1951) were analysed during different stages of gonad maturation using quantitative histological techniques and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. This was performed in order to evaluate a possible quantitative tool to predict the degrees of gonad maturity and to analyse the biological implications of the findings relative not only to broodstock conditioning but also to natural populations. Using this information, we expect to be able to undertake further research on different reproductive aspects of this oyster species, including, among others, evaluation of the response in Vn/Vtg concentrations to different diets and environmental conditions during laboratory conditioning. [source] Seed morphology of Linaria species from eastern Spain: identification of species and taxonomic implicationsBOTANICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY, Issue 4 2001JOSÉ GABRIEL SEGARRA Seed morphology of 15 taxa of Linaria from eastern Spain has been studied using stereoscopic and scanning electron microscopy. Four different morphological types are described according to features of the seed-coat surface. The type that includes winged seeded taxa is divided into three subtypes. Seed morphology of each type and subtype is described, compared, illustrated and discussed according to its taxonomic and biological implications. A key to identify the different species or groups of species is also supplied. 2001 The Linnean Society of London [source] | |||||||||||||