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Cysteine Residues (cysteine + residue)
Kinds of Cysteine Residues Selected AbstractsCover Picture: Electrophoresis 22'2008ELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 22 2008Article first published online: 26 NOV 200 Regular issues provide a wide range of research and review articles covering all aspects of electrophoresis. Here you will find cutting-edge articles on methods and theory, instrumentation, nucleic acids, CE and CEC, miniaturization and microfluidics, proteomics and two-dimensional electrophoresis. Selected topics of issue 22 are: Microfluidics: Applications for analytical purposes in chemistry and biochemistry ((http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/elps.200800121)) Simultaneous laser-induced fluorescence and retro-reflected beam interference detection for CE ((http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/elps.200800292)) Quantitative Proteomics by Fluorescent Labeling of Cysteine Residues using a Set of Two Cyanine-based or Three Rhodamine-based Dyes ((http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/elps.200800092)) Chemometric resolution of fully overlapped capillary electrophoresis peaks: quantitation of carbamazepine in human serum in the presence of several interferences ((http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/elps.200800400)) Identification of inorganic ions in post-blast explosive residues using portable capillary electrophoresis instrumentation and capacitively-coupled contactless conductivity detection ((http://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/elps.200800226)) [source] Binding 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] A Biocompatible Condensation Reaction for the Labeling of Terminal Cysteine Residues on Proteins,ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE, Issue 51 2009Hongjun Ren Dr. Lebendig markiert: Eine Proteinmarkierungsmethode, die einen einzelnen Aminosäurelinker in Form eines N-terminalen Cysteinrests sowie niedermolekulare Sonden mit einer Cyanbenzothiazol(CBT)-Einheit verwendet, wurde für die spezifische Fluoreszenzmarkierung von Proteinen in vitro und auf der Oberfläche lebender Zellen eingesetzt (siehe Schema). Diese einfache Ligationsreaktion verläuft hoch spezifisch unter physiologischen Bedingungen. Rd: ein Rhodamin-Farbstoff; TEV: Tabakmosaikvirus. [source] Mutagenesis of ,-tubulin cysteine residues in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Mutation of cysteine 354 results in cold-stable microtubulesCYTOSKELETON, Issue 2 2001Mohan L. Gupta Jr. Abstract Cysteine residues play important roles in the control of tubulin function. To determine which of the six cysteine residues in ,-tubulin are critical to tubulin function, we mutated the cysteines in Saccharomyces cerevisiae ,-tubulin individually to alanine and serine residues. Of the twelve mutations, only three produced significant effects: C12S, C354A, and C354S. The C12S mutation was lethal in the haploid, but the C12A mutation had no observable phenotype. Based on interactive views of the electron crystallographic structure of tubulin, we suggest that substitution of serine for cysteine at this position has a destabilizing effect on the interaction of tubulin with the exchangeable GTP. The two C354 mutations, although not lethal, produced dramatic effects on microtubules and cellular processes that require microtubules. The C354 mutant cells had decreased growth rates, a slowed mitosis, increased resistance to benomyl, and impaired nuclear migration and spindle assembly. The C354A mutation produced a more severe phenotype than the C354S mutation: the haploid cells had chromosome segregation defects, only 50% of cells in a culture were viable, and a significant percentage of the cells were misshapened. Cytoplasmic microtubules in the C354S and C354A cells were longer than in the control strain and spindle structures appeared shorter and thicker. Both cytoplasmic and spindle microtubules in the two C354 mutants were extremely stable to cold temperature. After 24 h at 4°C, the microtubules were still present and, in fact, very long and thick tubulin polymers had formed. Evidence exists to indicate that the C354 residue in mammalian tubulin is near the colchicine binding site and the electron crystal structure of tubulin places the residue at the interface between the ,- and ,-subunits. The sulfhydryl group is situated in a polar environment, which may explain why the alanine mutation is more severe than the serine mutation. When the C12S and the two C354 mutations were made in a diploid strain, the mutated tubulin was incorporated into microtubules and the resulting heterozygotes had phenotypes that were intermediate between those of the mutated haploids and the wild-type strains. The results suggest that the C12 and C354 residues play important roles in the structure and function of tubulin. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 49:67,77, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Paralog of the formylglycine-generating enzyme , retention in the endoplasmic reticulum by canonical and noncanonical signalsFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 6 2008Santosh Lakshmi Gande Formylglycine-generating enzyme (FGE) catalyzes in newly synthesized sulfatases the oxidation of a specific cysteine residue to formylglycine, which is the catalytic residue required for sulfate ester hydrolysis. This post-translational modification occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), and is an essential step in the biogenesis of this enzyme family. A paralog of FGE (pFGE) also localizes to the ER. It shares many properties with FGE, but lacks formylglycine-generating activity. There is evidence that FGE and pFGE act in concert, possibly by forming complexes with sulfatases and one another. Here we show that human pFGE, but not FGE, is retained in the ER through its C - terminal tetrapeptide PGEL, a noncanonical variant of the classic KDEL ER-retention signal. Surprisingly, PGEL, although having two nonconsensus residues (PG), confers efficient ER retention when fused to a secretory protein. Inducible coexpression of pFGE at different levels in FGE-expressing cells did not significantly influence the kinetics of FGE secretion, suggesting that pFGE is not a retention factor for FGE in vivo. PGEL is accessible at the surface of the pFGE structure. It is found in 21 mammalian species with available pFGE sequences. Other species carry either canonical signals (eight mammals and 26 nonmammals) or different noncanonical variants (six mammals and six nonmammals). Among the latter, SGEL was tested and found to also confer ER retention. Although evolutionarily conserved for mammalian pFGE, the PGEL signal is found only in one further human protein entering the ER. Its consequences for KDEL receptor-mediated ER retrieval and benefit for pFGE functionality remain to be fully resolved. [source] Expression of the recombinant bacterial outer surface protein A in tobacco chloroplasts leads to thylakoid localization and loss of photosynthesisFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 21 2007Anna Hennig Bacterial lipoproteins play crucial roles in host,pathogen interactions and pathogenesis and are important targets for the immune system. A prominent example is the outer surface protein A (OspA) of Borrelia burgdorferi, which has been efficiently used as a vaccine for the prevention of Lyme disease. In a previous study, OspA could be produced in tobacco chloroplasts in a lipidated and immunogenic form. To further explore the potential of chloroplasts for the production of bacterial lipoproteins, the role of the N-terminal leader sequence was investigated. The amount of recombinant OspA could be increased up to ten-fold by the variation of the insertion site in the chloroplast genome. Analysis of OspA mutants revealed that replacement of the invariant cysteine residue as well as deletion of the leader sequence abolishes palmitolyation of OspA. Also, decoration of OspA with an N-terminal eukaryotic lipidation motif does not lead to palmitoylation in chloroplasts. Strikingly, the bacterial signal peptide of OspA efficiently targets the protein to thylakoids, and causes a mutant phenotype. Plants accumulating OspA at 10% total soluble protein could not grow without exogenously supplied sugars and rapidly died after transfer to soil under greenhouse conditions. The plants were found to be strongly affected in photosystem II, as revealed by the analyses of temporal and spatial dynamics of photosynthetic activity by chlorophyll fluorescence imaging. Thus, overexpression of OspA in chloroplasts is limited by its concentration-dependent interference with essential functions of chloroplastic membranes required for primary metabolism. [source] The crystal structure of phenylpyruvate decarboxylase from Azospirillum brasilense at 1.5 Å resolutionFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 9 2007Implications for its catalytic, regulatory mechanism Phenylpyruvate decarboxylase (PPDC) of Azospirillum brasilense, involved in the biosynthesis of the plant hormone indole-3-acetic acid and the antimicrobial compound phenylacetic acid, is a thiamine diphosphate-dependent enzyme that catalyses the nonoxidative decarboxylation of indole- and phenylpyruvate. Analogous to yeast pyruvate decarboxylases, PPDC is subject to allosteric substrate activation, showing sigmoidal v versus [S] plots. The present paper reports the crystal structure of this enzyme determined at 1.5 Å resolution. The subunit architecture of PPDC is characteristic for other members of the pyruvate oxidase family, with each subunit consisting of three domains with an open ,/, topology. An active site loop, bearing the catalytic residues His112 and His113, could not be modelled due to flexibility. The biological tetramer is best described as an asymmetric dimer of dimers. A cysteine residue that has been suggested as the site for regulatory substrate binding in yeast pyruvate decarboxylase is not conserved, requiring a different mechanism for allosteric substrate activation in PPDC. Only minor changes occur in the interactions with the cofactors, thiamine diphosphate and Mg2+, compared to pyruvate decarboxylase. A greater diversity is observed in the substrate binding pocket accounting for the difference in substrate specificity. Moreover, a catalytically important glutamate residue conserved in nearly all decarboxylases is replaced by a leucine in PPDC. The consequences of these differences in terms of the catalytic and regulatory mechanism of PPDC are discussed. [source] Homologous expression of a bacterial phytochromeFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 8 2007The cyanobacterium Fremyella diplosiphon incorporates biliverdin as a genuine, functional chromophore Bacteriophytochromes constitute a light-sensing subgroup of sensory kinases with a chromophore-binding motif in the N-terminal half and a C-terminally located histidine kinase activity. The cyanobacterium Fremyella diplosiphon (also designated Calothrix sp.) expresses two sequentially very similar bacteriophytochromes, cyanobacterial phytochrome A (CphA) and cyanobacterial phytochrome B (CphB). Cyanobacterial phytochrome A has the canonical cysteine residue, by which covalent chromophore attachment is accomplished in the same manner as in plant phytochromes; however, its paralog cyanobacterial phytochrome B carries a leucine residue at that position. On the basis of in vitro experiments that showed, for both cyanobacterial phytochrome A and cyanobacterial phytochrome B, light-induced autophosphorylation and phosphate transfer to their cognate response regulator proteins RcpA and RcpB [Hübschmann T, Jorissen HJMM, Börner T, Gärtner W & deMarsac NT (2001) Eur J Biochem268, 3383,3389], we aimed at the identification of a chromophore that is incorporated in vivo into cyanobacterial phytochrome B within the cyanobacterial cell. The approach was based on the introduction of a copy of cphB into the cyanobacterium via triparental conjugation. The His-tagged purified, recombinant protein (CphBcy) showed photoreversible absorption bands similar to those of plant and bacterial phytochromes, but with remarkably red-shifted maxima [,max 700 and 748 nm, red-absorbing (Pr) and far red-absorbing (Pfr) forms of phytochrome, respectively]. A comparison of the absorption maxima with those of the heterologously generated apoprotein, assembled with phycocyanobilin (,max 686 and 734 nm) or with biliverdin IX, (,max 700 and 750 ± 2 nm), shows biliverdin IX, to be a genuine chromophore. The kinase activity of CphBcy and phosphotransfer to its cognate response regulator was found to be strictly Pr -dependent. As an N-terminally located cysteine was found as an alternative covalent binding site for several bacteriophytochrome photoreceptors that bind biliverdin and lack the canonical cysteine residue (e.g. Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Deinococcus radiodurans), this corresponding residue in heterologously expressed cyanobacterial phytochrome B was mutated into a serine (C24S); however, there was no change in its spectral properties. On the other hand, the mutation of His267, which is located directly after the canonical cysteine, into alanine (H267A), caused complete loss of the capability of cyanobacterial phytochrome B to form a chromoprotein. [source] Synthesis and structural characterization of a mimetic membrane-anchored prion proteinFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 6 2006Matthew R. Hicks During pathogenesis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) an abnormal form (PrPSc) of the host encoded prion protein (PrPC) accumulates in insoluble fibrils and plaques. The two forms of PrP appear to have identical covalent structures, but differ in secondary and tertiary structure. Both PrPC and PrPSc have glycosylphospatidylinositol (GPI) anchors through which the protein is tethered to cell membranes. Membrane attachment has been suggested to play a role in the conversion of PrPC to PrPSc, but the majority of in vitro studies of the function, structure, folding and stability of PrP use recombinant protein lacking the GPI anchor. In order to study the effects of membranes on the structure of PrP, we synthesized a GPI anchor mimetic (GPIm), which we have covalently coupled to a genetically engineered cysteine residue at the C-terminus of recombinant PrP. The lipid anchor places the protein at the same distance from the membrane as does the naturally occurring GPI anchor. We demonstrate that PrP coupled to GPIm (PrP,GPIm) inserts into model lipid membranes and that structural information can be obtained from this membrane-anchored PrP. We show that the structure of PrP,GPIm reconstituted in phosphatidylcholine and raft membranes resembles that of PrP, without a GPI anchor, in solution. The results provide experimental evidence in support of previous suggestions that NMR structures of soluble, anchor-free forms of PrP represent the structure of cellular, membrane-anchored PrP. The availability of a lipid-anchored construct of PrP provides a unique model to investigate the effects of different lipid environments on the structure and conversion mechanisms of PrP. [source] Redox-regulated affinity of the third PDZ domain in the phosphotyrosine phosphatase PTP-BL for cysteine-containing target peptidesFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 13 2005Lieke C. J. Van Den Berk PDZ domains are protein,protein interaction modules that are crucial for the assembly of structural and signalling complexes. They specifically bind to short C-terminal peptides and occasionally to internal sequences that structurally resemble such peptide termini. The binding of PDZ domains is dominated by the residues at the P0 and P,2 position within these C-terminal targets, but other residues are also important in determining specificity. In this study, we analysed the binding specificity of the third PDZ domain of protein tyrosine phosphatase BAS-like (PTP-BL) using a C-terminal combinatorial peptide phage library. Binding of PDZ3 to C-termini is preferentially governed by two cysteine residues at the P,1 and P,4 position and a valine residue at the P0 position. Interestingly, we found that this binding is lost upon addition of the reducing agent dithiothrietol, indicating that the interaction is disulfide-bridge-dependent. Site-directed mutagenesis of the single cysteine residue in PDZ3 revealed that this bridge formation does not occur intermolecularly, between peptide and PDZ3 domain, but rather is intramolecular. These data point to a preference of PTP-BL PDZ3 for cyclic C-terminal targets, which may suggest a redox state-sensing role at the cell cortex. [source] Biochemical and spectroscopic characterization of the bacterial phytochrome of Pseudomonas aeruginosaFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 8 2005Ronja Tasler Phytochromes are photochromic biliproteins found in plants as well as in some cyanotrophic, photoautotrophic and heterotrophic bacteria. In many bacteria, their function is largely unknown. Here we describe the biochemical and spectroscopic characterization of recombinant bacterial phytochrome from the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PaBphP). The recombinant protein displays all the characteristic features of a bonafide phytochrome. In contrast with cyanobacteria and plants, the chromophore of this bacterial phytochrome is biliverdin IX,, which is produced by the heme oxygenase BphO in P. aeruginosa. This chromophore was shown to be covalently attached via its A-ring endo-vinyl group to a cysteine residue outside the defined bilin lyase domain of plant and cyanobacterial phytochromes. Site-directed mutagenesis identified Cys12 and His247 as being important for chromophore binding and photoreversibility, respectively. PaBphP is synthesized in the dark in the red-light-absorbing Pr form and immediately converted into a far-red-light-absorbing Pfr-enriched form. It shows the characteristic red/far-red-light-induced photoreversibility of phytochromes. A chromophore analog that lacks the C15/16 double bond was used to show that this photoreversibility is due to a 15Z/15E isomerization of the biliverdin chromophore. Autophosphorylation of PaBphP was demonstrated, confirming its role as a sensor kinase of a bacterial two-component signaling system. [source] Inactivation of Aeromonas hydrophila metallo-,-lactamase by cephamycins and moxalactamFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 13 2001Astrid Zervosen Incubation of moxalactam and cefoxitin with the Aeromonas hydrophila metallo-,-lactamase CphA leads to enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis of both compounds and to irreversible inactivation of the enzyme by the reaction products. As shown by electrospray mass spectrometry, the inactivation of CphA by cefoxitin and moxalactam is accompanied by the formation of stable adducts with mass increases of 445 and 111 Da, respectively. The single thiol group of the inactivated enzyme is no longer titrable, and dithiothreitol treatment of the complexes partially restores the catalytic activity. The mechanism of inactivation by moxalactam was studied in detail. Hydrolysis of moxalactam is followed by elimination of the 3, leaving group (5-mercapto-1-methyltetrazole), which forms a disulfide bond with the cysteine residue of CphA located in the active site. Interestingly, this reaction is catalyzed by cacodylate. [source] 2-Methylisocitrate lyases from the bacterium Escherichia coli and the filamentous fungus Aspergillus nidulansFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 12 2001Characterization, comparison of both enzymes In Escherichia coli and Aspergillus nidulans, propionate is oxidized to pyruvate via the methylcitrate cycle. The last step of this cycle, the cleavage of 2-methylisocitrate to succinate and pyruvate is catalysed by 2-methylisocitrate lyase. The enzymes from both organisms were assayed with chemically synthesized threo -2-methylisocitrate; the erythro -diastereomer was not active. 2-Methylisocitrate lyase from E. coli corresponds to the PrpB protein of the prp operon involved in propionate oxidation. The purified enzyme has a molecular mass of approximately 32 kDa per subunit, which is lower than those of isocitrate lyases from bacterial sources (, 48 kDa). 2-Methylisocitrate lyase from A. nidulans shows an apparent molecular mass of 66 kDa per subunit, almost equal to that of isocitrate lyase of the same organism. Both 2-methylisocitrate lyases have a native homotetrameric structure as identified by size-exclusion chromatography. The enzymes show no measurable activity with isocitrate. Starting from 250 mm pyruvate, 150 mm succinate and 10 µm PrpB, the enzymatically active stereoisomer could be synthesized in 1% yield. As revealed by chiral HPLC, the product consisted of a single enantiomer. This isomer is cleaved by 2-methylisocitrate lyases from A. nidulans and E. coli. The PrpB protein reacted with stoichiometric amounts of 3-bromopyruvate whereby the activity was lost and one amino-acid residue per subunit became modified, most likely a cysteine as shown for isocitrate lyase of E. coli. PrpB exhibits 34% sequence identity with carboxyphosphoenolpyruvate phosphonomutase from Streptomyces hygroscopicus, in which the essential cysteine residue is conserved. [source] Photoinduced intracomplex electron transfer between cytochrome c oxidase and TUPS-modified cytochrome cFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 18 2000Alexander Kotlyar A novel method for initiating intramolecular electron transfer in cytochrome c oxidase is reported. The method is based upon photoreduction of cytochrome c labeled with thiouredopyrene-3,6,8-trisulfonate in complex with cytochrome oxidase. The thiouredopyrene-3,6,8-trisulfonate-labeled cytochrome c was prepared by incubating the thiol reactive form of the dye with yeast iso-1-cytochrome c, containing a single cysteine residue. Laser pulse excitation of a stoichiometrical complex between thiouredopyrene-3,6,8-trisulfonate-cytochrome c and bovine heart cytochrome oxidase at low ionic strength resulted in the reduction of cytochrome c by the excited form of thiouredopyrene-3,6,8-trisulfonate and subsequent intramolecular electron transfer from the reduced cytochrome c to cytochrome oxidase. The maximum efficiency by a single laser pulse resulted in the reduction of ,,17% of cytochrome a, and was achieved only at a 1 : 1 ratio of cytochrome c to cytochrome oxidase. At higher cytochrome c to cytochrome oxidase ratios the heme a reduction was strongly suppressed. [source] Multilevel Biomemory Device Consisting of Recombinant Azurin/Cytochrome cADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 4 2010Taek Lee A multilevel biomemory device displays two pairs of nonvolatile write, read, and erase functions (see figure). The device consists of recombinant azurin/cytochrome c. Azurin is recombined with a cysteine residue to enhance the stability of the self-assembled protein on a gold surface. Then, cytochrome c is adsorbed onto the immobilized azurin layer. The verified memory characteristic of the proposed device implies that the metalloprotein is a very promising molecule for the development of a new type of memory device. [source] First missense mutation in the SOST gene causing sclerosteosis by loss of sclerostin function,HUMAN MUTATION, Issue 7 2010Elke Piters Abstract Sclerosteosis is a rare bone dysplasia characterized by greatly increased bone mass, especially of the long bones and the skull. Patients are tall, show facial asymmetry and often have syndactyly. Clinical complications are due to entrapment of cranial nerves. The disease is thought to be due to loss-of-function mutations in the SOST gene. The SOST gene product, sclerostin, is secreted by osteocytes and transported to the bone surface where it inhibits osteoblastic bone formation by antagonizing Wnt signaling. In a small Turkish family with sclerosteosis, we identified a missense mutation (c.499T>C; p.Cys167Arg) in exon 2 of the SOST gene. This type of mutation has not been previously reported and using different functional approaches, we show that it has a devastating effect on the biological function of sclerostin. The affected cysteine is the last cysteine residue of the cystine-knot motif and loss of this residue leads to retention of the mutant protein in the ER, possibly as a consequence of impaired folding. Together with a significant reduced ability to bind to LRP5 and inhibit Wnt signaling, the p.Cys167Arg mutation leads to a complete loss of function of sclerostin and thus to the characteristic sclerosteosis phenotype. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Mutation screening of the fibrillin-1 (FBN1) gene in 76 unrelated patients with Marfan syndrome or Marfanoid features leads to the identification of 11 novel and three previously reported mutations,,HUMAN MUTATION, Issue 5 2002Kathrin Rommel Abstract Mutations in the gene encoding fibrillin-1 (FBN1) cause Marfan syndrome (MFS) and other related connective tissue disorders. In this study we performed SSCP to analyze all 65 exons of the FBN1 gene in 76 patients presenting with classical MFS or related phenotypes. We report 7 missense mutations, 3 splice site alterations, one indel mutation, one nonsense mutation and two mutations causing frameshifts: a 16bp deletion and a single nucleotide insertion. 5 of the missense mutations (Y1101C, C1806Y, T1908I, G1919D, C2251R) occur in calcium-binding Epidermal Growth Factor-like (EGFcb) domains of exons 26, 43, 46 and 55, respectively. One missense mutation (V449I) substitutes a valine residue in the non-calcium-binding epidermal growth factor like domain (EGFncb) of exon 11. One missense mutation (G880S) affects the "hybrid" motif in exon 21 by replacing glycine to serine. The 3 splice site mutations detected are: IVS1,1G>A in intron 1, IVS38-1G>A in intron 38 and IVS46+5G>A in intron 46. C628delinsK was identified in exon 15 leading to the substitution of a conserved cysteine residue. Furthermore two frameshift mutations were found in exon 15 (1904-1919del ) and exon 63 (8025insC) leading to premature termination codons (PTCs) in exon 17 and 64 respectively. Finally we identified a nonsense mutation (R429X) located in the proline rich domain in exon 10 of the FBN1 gene. Y1101C, IVS46+5G>A and R429X have been reported before. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Molecular characterization of a peroxiredoxin from the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornisINSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, Issue 2 2001N. Tsuji Abstract Antioxidant enzymes in eukaryotes play an important role in protection against the oxygen radicals generated during aerobic metabolism. Here we report the cloning and characterization of a cDNA encoding the antioxidant enzyme peroxiredoxin from the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis (HlPrx). HlPrx is 939 bp long and contains a 101 bp non-translated sequence at the 5, end and a polyadenylation singnal followed by a poly(A) tail at the 3, end. HlPrx encodes a full-length protein with a predicted molecular mass of 26 kDa that possesses one cysteine residue at amino acid 49 that is conserved among Prx proteins of various species. GenBankÔ analysis showed that the deduced amino acid sequence had significant similarity to mammalian and plant Prxs at the amino acid level. A DNA-nicking assay revealed that Escherichia coli,expressed recombinant HlPrx (rHlPrx) inhibited oxidative-nicking of supercoiled plasmid DNA. Two-dimensional immunoblot analysis with mouse antirHlPrx serum showed reaction with a major constituent protein spot in extracts of adult ticks. In addition, immunoblot analysis showed that rHlPrx was immunoreacted with serum from rabbits repeatedly infested with H. longicornis. Localization analysis using mouse antirHlPrx serum revealed that native HlPrx was highly expressed in the salivary gland of the tick. Moreover, Northern blot analysis showed that the level of HlPrx transcripts was increased during blood sucking. The present results indicate that HlPrx may be an important detoxifying enzyme during the normal life span as well as during blood sucking in ticks. [source] Self-assembled films of hydrophobin protein HFBIII from Trichoderma reeseiJOURNAL OF APPLIED CRYSTALLOGRAPHY, Issue 2007Kaisa Kisko Hydrophobins are a group of small amphiphilic proteins which are known to self-assemble on interfaces. They contain eight conserved cysteine residues, which make four disulfide bridges. A new hydrophobin protein, HFBIII, from the fungus Trichoderma reesei contains one extra cysteine residue, giving the protein a naturally reactive site. The self-assembly of hydrophobin protein HFBIII was studied using grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction and reflectivity. HFBIII self-assembles into a hexagonally ordered monolayer at an air/water interface and also forms crystalline coatings on a silicon substrate. The lattice constants for the hexagonal coatings are a = b = 56.5,Å, , = 120°. The self-assembled structure in the HFBIII film is very similar to those formed by two other T. reesei hydrophobins, HFBI and HFBII. [source] Juvenile Paget's Disease: The Second Reported, Oldest Patient Is Homozygous for the TNFRSF11B "Balkan" Mutation (966_969delTGACinsCTT), Which Elevates Circulating Immunoreactive Osteoprotegerin Levels,,§¶JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 6 2007Michael P Whyte MD Abstract The oldest person (60 yr) with juvenile Paget's disease is homozygous for the TNFRSF11B mutation 966_969delTGACinsCTT. Elevated circulating levels of immunoreactive OPG and soluble RANKL accompany this genetic defect that truncates the OPG monomer, preventing formation of OPG homodimers. Introduction: Juvenile Paget's disease (JPD), a rare autosomal recessive disorder, features skeletal pain, fracture, and deformity from extremely rapid bone turnover. Deafness and sometimes retinopathy also occur. Most patients have diminished osteoprotegerin (OPG) inhibition of osteoclastogenesis caused by homozygous loss-of-function defects in TNFRSF11B, the gene that encodes OPG. Circulating immunoreactive OPG (iOPG) is undetectable with complete deletion of TNFRSF11B but normal with a 3-bp in-frame deletion. Materials and Methods: We summarize the clinical course of a 60-yr-old Greek man who is the second reported, oldest JPD patient, including his response to two decades of bisphosphonate therapy. Mutation analysis involved sequencing all exons and adjacent mRNA splice sites of TNFRSF11B. Over the past 4 yr, we used ELISAs to quantitate his serum iOPG and soluble RANKL (sRANKL) levels. Results: Our patient suffered progressive deafness and became legally blind, although elevated markers of bone turnover have been normal for 6 yr. He carries the same homozygous mutation in TNFRSF11B (966_969delTGACinsCTT) reported in a seemingly unrelated Greek boy and Croatian man who also have relatively mild JPD. This frame-shift deletes 79 carboxyterminal amino acids from the OPG monomer, including a cysteine residue necessary for homodimerization. Nevertheless, serum iOPG and sRANKL levels are persistently elevated. Conclusions: Homozygosity for the TNFRSF11B "Balkan" mutation (966_969delTGACinsCTT) causes JPD in the second reported, oldest patient. Elevated circulating iOPG and sRANKL levels complement evidence that this deletion/insertion omits a cysteine residue at the carboxyterminus needed for OPG homodimerization. [source] Transglutaminase Catalysis of Modified Whey Protein DispersionsJOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE, Issue 4 2010Debra A. Clare ABSTRACT:, Transglutaminase (TGase) cross-linking reactions were accomplished using a heat-modified whey protein concentrate (mWPC) substrate after pH adjustment to 8. Based on earlier reports, the degree of lactosylation with respect to ,-lactoglobulin was lower in mWPC dispersions than measured in commercial whey concentrate (cWPC) protein solutions. In this study, a higher concentration of free sulfhydryl groups was detected in soluble supernatant fractions. Both factors potentially impact the availability of reactive lysine/glutaminyl residues required for TGase reactivity. The addition of 10 mM dithiothreitol (DTT) to the substrate mix, CBZ-glutaminyl glycine and hydroxylamine, revealed a 3.6-fold increase in TGase activity, likely due in part to maintenance of the catalytic cysteine residue in a reduced state. Furthermore, inclusion of DTT to mWPC dispersions significantly raised the apparent viscosity, independently of enzyme modification, while the rate of polymerization increased 2-fold based on OPA assay measurements. Limited cross-linking slightly increased the apparent viscosity, whereas extensive coupling lowered these values compared to equivalent nonenzyme-treated mWPC samples. Carbohydrate-staining revealed formation of glyco-polymers due to covalent linkages between glucosamine and mWPC proteins after TGase processing. Again, the apparent viscosity decreased after extensive enzymatic modification. Larger particles, sized 11.28 ,m, were observed in the structural matrix of TGase-mWPC-fixed samples compared to 8 ,m particles in control mWPC samples as viewed in scanning electron micrographs. Ultimately, the functional characteristics of TGase-mWPC ingredients may be custom-designed to deliver alternative functional attributes by adjusting the experimental reaction conditions under which catalysis is achieved. Practical Application: Taken together, these results suggest that unique TGase-mWPC and/or TGase-mWPC-glucosamine ingredients may be designed to provide novel, value-added, polymeric/glyco-polymeric protein products that afford added benefit for the milk industry. [source] Synthesis of high specific activity 35S-labelled N-methanesulfonyl farnesylcysteine and a photoactive analogJOURNAL OF LABELLED COMPOUNDS AND RADIOPHARMACEUTICALS, Issue 1 2003Tamara A. Kale Abstract Prenylated cysteine analogs, which mimic the prenylated cysteine residue of prenylated GTP-binding proteins (G-proteins), have been used in a variety of contexts for the study of prenylated G-protein behavior. In earlier work in this area, we prepared the photoactive analog [35S]4 and showed that it labelled RhoGDI upon photolysis; those results were consistent with the idea that GDI contains an isoprenoid binding site. Here, we describe the preparation of [35S]N -methanesulfonyl labelled analogs (1a and 2a) of N -acetyl farnesylcysteine and its methyl ester together with an improved synthetic procedure for photoactive analogs 3 and 4; specific activities of ,1100 Ci/mmol were achieved. Compounds 1a and 2a in unlabelled form were used as competitors in photolysis reactions to show that the methanesulfonamido group is a reasonable acetamide substitution. Additional experiments show that the photoactive ester [35S]3 can cross-link GDI in both purified form and crude bacterial extract. However, the extent of cross-linking obtained with the ester ([35S]3) is significantly less than that observed with the free acid ([35S]4) despite the fact that the esterified form probably more closely reflects the structure of the C-terminus of a prenylated protein; using the GDI·Cdc42 co-crystal structure, the structural basis for these results is discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] A novel tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer allowing gaseous collisional activation and surface induced dissociationJOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (INCORP BIOLOGICAL MASS SPECTROMETRY), Issue 12 2001Shabaz Mohammed Abstract A novel tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer is described that enables gaseous collision-induced dissociation (CID) and surface-induced dissociation (SID) experiments. The instrument consists of a commercially available triple quadrupole mass spectrometer connected to an SID region and an additional, orthogonal quadrupole mass analyser. The performance of the instrument was evaluated using leucine-enkephalin, allowing a comparison between CID and SID, and with previous reports of other SID instruments. The reproducibility of SID data was assessed by replicate determinations of the collision energy required for 50% dissociation of leucine-enkephalin; excellent precision was observed (standard deviation of 0.6 eV) though, unexpectedly, the reproducibility of the equivalent figure for CID was superior. Several peptides were analysed using SID in conjunction with liquid secondary-ion mass spectrometry or electrospray; a comparison of the fragmentation of singly protonated peptide ions and the further dissociation of y-type fragments was consistent with the equivalence of the latter fragments to protonated peptides. Few product ions attributable to high-energy cleavages of amino acid side-chains were observed. The SID properties were investigated of a series of peptides differing only in the derivatization of a cysteine residue; similar decomposition efficiencies were observed for all except the cysteic acid analogue, which demonstrated significantly more facile fragmentation. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Modular, self-assembling peptide linkers for stable and regenerable carbon nanotube biosensor interfaces,JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR RECOGNITION, Issue 4 2006Mark R. Contarino Abstract As part of an effort to develop nanoelectronic sensors for biological targets, we tested the potential to incorporate coiled coils as metallized, self-assembling, site-specific molecular linkers on carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Based on a previously conceived modular anchor-probe approach, a system was designed in which hydrophobic residues (valines and leucines) form the interface between the two helical peptide components. Charged residues (glutamates and arginines) on the borders of the hydrophobic interface increase peptide solubility, and provide stability and specificity for anchor-probe assembly. Two histidine residues oriented on the exposed hydrophilic exterior of each peptide were included as chelating sites for metal ions such as cobalt. Cysteines were incorporated at the peptide termini for oriented, thiol-mediated coupling to surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor surfaces, gold nanoparticles or CNT substrates. The two peptides were produced by solid phase peptide synthesis using Fmoc chemistry: an acidic 42-residue peptide E42C, and its counterpart in the heterodimer, a basic 39-residue peptide R39C. The ability of E42C and R39C to bind cobalt was demonstrated by immobilized metal affinity chromatography and isothermal titration calorimetry. SPR biosensor kinetic analysis of dimer assembly revealed apparent sub-nanomolar affinities in buffers with and without 1,mM CoCl2 using two different reference surfaces. For device-oriented CNT immobilization, R39C was covalently anchored to CNT tips via a C-terminal cysteine residue. Scanning electron microscopy was used to visualize the assembly of probe peptide (E42C) N-terminally labeled with 15,nm gold nanoparticles, when added to the R39C-CNT surface. The results obtained open the way to develop CNT tip-directed recognition surfaces, using recombinant and chemically synthesized chimeras containing binding epitopes fused to the E42C sequence domain. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The [Tc(N)(PNP)]2+ metal fragment labeled cholecystokinin-8 (CCK8) peptide for CCK-2 receptors imaging: in vitro and in vivo studiesJOURNAL OF PEPTIDE SCIENCE, Issue 4 2007Stefania Agostini Abstract The radiolabeling of the natural octapeptide CCK8, derivatized with a cysteine residue (Cys-Gly-CCK8), by using the metal fragment [99mTc(N)(PNP3)]2+ (PNP3 = N,N -bis(dimethoxypropylphosphinoethyl)methoxyethylamine) is reported. The [99mTc(N)(NS-Cys-Gly-CCK8)(PNP3)]+ complex was obtained according to two methods (one-step or two-step procedure) that gave the desired compound in high yield. The complex is stable in aqueous solution and in phosphate buffer. In vitro challenge experiments with an excess of cysteine and glutathione indicate that no transchelation reactions occur, confirming the high thermodynamic stability and kinetic inertness of this compound. Stability studies carried out in human and mouse serum, as well as in mouse liver homogenates, show that the radiolabeled compound remains intact for prolonged incubation at 37 °C. Binding properties give Kd (19.0 ± 4.6 nmol/l) and Bmax (,106 sites/cell) values in A431 cells overexpressing the CCK2-R. In vivo evaluation of the compound shows rapid and specific targeting to CCK2-R, a fourfold higher accumulation compared to nonreceptor expressing tumors. Copyright © 2007 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Pharmaceutical and immunological evaluation of human papillomavirus viruslike particle as an antigen carrierJOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, Issue 1 2006Roxana M. Ionescu Abstract We report the preparation and the immunogenicity of a conjugate vaccine obtained by chemically conjugating a variant of the extracellular peptide fragment of influenza type A M2 protein to the human papillomavirus (HPV) viruslike particle (VLP). Conjugates comprised of approximately 4000 copies of the antigenic peptide per VLP are obtained as the result of the reaction between a C-terminal cysteine residue on the peptide and the maleimide-activated HPV VLP. The resulting conjugates have an average particle size slightly larger than the carrier and present enhanced overall stability against chemical and thermal-induced denaturation. The M2-HPV VLP conjugates lost the binding affinity for anti-HPV conformational antibodies but retained reactivity to a M2-specific monoclonal antibody. The conjugate vaccine formulated with aluminum adjuvant and delivered in two doses of 30-ng peptide was found to be highly immunogenic and conferred good protection against lethal challenge of influenza virus in mice. These results suggest that HPV VLP can be used as a carrier for synthetic or small antigens for the development of subunit vaccines. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 95:70,79, 2006 [source] LIGHT REGULATION OF PHYCOBILISOME BIOSYNTHESIS AND CONTROL BY A PHYTOCHROME-LIKE PHOTORECEPTORJOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY, Issue 2000K. Terauchi Ambient light quality changes dramatically affect the composition of light harvesting structures, the phycobilisomes, in many cyanobacterial species. In the cyanobacterium Fremyella diplosiphon, shifts in the ratio of red to green light lead to transcriptional changes and altered synthesis of several phycobilisome components. This process is called complementary chromatic adaptation (CCA). These two colors have opposite effects: red light activates an operon encoding the biliprotein phycocyanin (PC) and inactivates the operon encoding phycoerythrin (PE), whereas green light activates PE synthesis and shuts down PC synthesis. The effects of red and green light on CCA are photoreversible. Thus, CCA is similar to transcriptional processes that are controlled by phytochromes, a family of eukaryotic red/far red photoreversible photoreceptors. We are using molecular genetics to determine the mechanisms by which F. diplosiphon senses changes in the color of light of its environment. Initial mutant generation and complementation lead to the discovery of three CCA regulatory components that are part of a complex two component system. The most interesting of these is RcaE (regulator of chromatic adaptation), a histidine kinase-class protein containing a region in its amino-terminal half with similarity to the chromophore binding domains of phytochromes. Within this region, RcaE contains a cysteine residue in a similar location as that used for covalent attachment of the open-chain tetrapyrrole chromophore in phytochromes. We will present recent data characterizing RcaE, including in vivo analysis of the chromophore that is attached to RcaE, as well as results from our recent isolation of a new CCA regulatory component. [source] C-terminal domains within human MT1 and MT2 melatonin receptors are involved in internalization processesJOURNAL OF PINEAL RESEARCH, Issue 2 2008Shalini Sethi Abstract:, Melatonin, a molecule implicated in a variety of diseases, including cancer, often exerts its effects through G-protein-coupled melatonin receptors, MT1 and MT2. In this study, we sought to understand further the domains involved in the function and desensitization patterns of these receptors through site-directed mutagenesis. Two mutations were constructed in the cytoplasmic C-terminal tail of each receptor subtype: (i) a cysteine residue in the C-terminal tail was mutated to alanine, thus removing a putative palmitoylation site, and a site possibly required for normal receptor function (MT1C7.72A and MT2C7.77A) and (ii) the C-terminal tail in the MT1 and MT2 receptors was truncated, removing the putative phosphorylation and ,-arrestin binding sites (MT1Y7.64 and MT2Y7.64). These mutations did not alter the affinity of 2-[125I]-iodomelatonin binding to the MT1 or MT2 receptors. Using confocal microscopy, it was determined that the putative palmitoylation site (cysteine residue) did not play a role in receptor internalization; however, this residue was essential for receptor function, as determined by 3,,5,-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation assays. Truncation of the C-terminal tail of both receptors (MT1Y7.64 and MT2Y7.64) inhibited internalization as well as the cAMP response, suggesting the importance of the C-terminal tail in these receptor functions. [source] Structure and Photoreaction of Photoactive Yellow Protein, a Structural Prototype of the PAS Domain Superfamily,PHOTOCHEMISTRY & PHOTOBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2007Yasushi Imamoto Photoactive yellow protein (PYP) is a water-soluble photosensor protein found in purple photosynthetic bacteria. Unlike bacterial rhodopsins, photosensor proteins composed of seven transmembrane helices and a retinal chromophore in halophilic archaebacteria, PYP is a highly soluble globular protein. The ,/, fold structure of PYP is a structural prototype of the PAS domain superfamily, many members of which function as sensors for various kinds of stimuli. To absorb a photon in the visible region, PYP has a p -coumaric acid chromophore binding to the cysteine residue via a thioester bond. It exists in a deprotonated trans form in the dark. The primary photochemical event is photo-isomerization of the chromophore from trans to cis form. The twisted cis chromophore in early intermediates is relaxed and finally protonated. Consequently, the chromophore becomes electrostatically neutral and rearrangement of the hydrogen-bonding network triggers overall structural change of the protein moiety, in which local conformational change around the chromophore is propagated to the N-terminal region. Thus, it is an ideal model for protein conformational changes that result in functional change, responding to stimuli and expressing physiological activity. In this paper, recent progress in investigation of the photoresponse of PYP is reviewed. [source] Ab Initio Quantum Chemical Investigation of the First Steps of the Photocycle of Phototropin: A Model Study,PHOTOCHEMISTRY & PHOTOBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2003Christian Neiß ABSTRACT Phototropin is a blue light,activated photoreceptor that plays a dominant role in the phototropism of plants. The protein contains two subunits that bind flavin mononucleotide (FMN), which are responsible for the initial steps of the light-induced reaction. It has been proposed that the photoexcited flavin molecule adds a cysteine residue of the protein backbone, thus activating autophosphorylation of the enzyme. In this study, the electronic properties of several FMN-related compounds in different charge and spin states are characterized by means of ab initio quantum mechanical calculations. The model compounds serve as idealized model chromophores for phototropism. Reaction energies are estimated for simple model reactions, roughly representing the addition of a cysteine residue to the flavin molecule. Excitation energies were calculated with the help of time-dependent density functional theory. On the basis of these calculations we propose the following mechanism for the addition reaction: (1) after photoexcitation of FMN out of the singlet ground state S0, excited singlet state(s) are populated; these relax to the lowest excited singlet state S1, and subsequently by intersystem crossing FMN in the lowest triplet state, T1 is formed; (2) the triplet easily removes the neutral hydrogen atom from the H,S group of the cysteine residue; and (3) the resulting thio radical is added. [source] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||