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Dimer Formation (dimer + formation)
Selected AbstractsStereoselective Synthesis of Highly Enantioenriched (E)-Allylsilanes by Palladium-Catalyzed Intramolecular Bis-Silylation: 1,3-Chirality Transfer and Enantioenrichment via Dimer Formation.CHEMINFORM, Issue 14 2006Michinori Suginome Abstract ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF. [source] Y-position cysteine substitution in type I collagen (,1(I) R888C/p.R1066C) is associated with osteogenesis imperfecta/Ehlers-Danlos syndrome phenotype,,HUMAN MUTATION, Issue 4 2007Wayne A. Cabral Abstract The most common mutations in type I collagen causing types II,IV osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) result in substitution for glycine in a Gly-Xaa-Yaa triplet by another amino acid. We delineated a Y-position substitution in a small pedigree with a combined OI/Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) phenotype, characterized by moderately decreased DEXA z-score (,1.3 to ,2.6), long bone fractures, and large-joint hyperextensibility. Affected individuals have an ,1(I)R888C (p.R1066C) substitution in one COL1A1 allele. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) of [3H]-proline labeled steady-state collagen reveals slight overmodification of the ,1(I) monomer band, much less than expected for a substitution of a neighboring glycine residue, and a faint ,1(I) dimer. Dimers form in about 10% of proband type I collagen. Dimer formation is inefficient compared to a possible 25%, probably because the SH-side chains have less proximity in this Y-position than when substituting for a glycine. Theoretical stability calculations, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermograms, and thermal denaturation curves showed only weak local destabilization from the Y-position substitution in one or two chains of a collagen helix, but greater destabilization is seen in collagen containing dimers. Y-position collagen dimers cause kinking of the helix, resulting in a register shift that is propagated the full length of the helix and causes resistance to procollagen processing by N-proteinase. Collagen containing the Y-position substitution is incorporated into matrix deposited in culture, including immaturely and maturely cross-linked fractions. In vivo, proband dermal fibrils have decreased density and increased diameter compared to controls, with occasional aggregate formation. This report on Y-position substitutions in type I collagen extends the range of phenotypes caused by nonglycine substitutions and shows that, similar to X- and Y-position substitutions in types II and III collagen, the phenotypes resulting from nonglycine substitutions in type I collagen are distinct from those caused by glycine substitutions. Hum Mutat 28(4), 396,405, 2007. Published 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Green tea extract reduces induction of p53 and apoptosis in UVB-irradiated human skin independent of transcriptional controlsEXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2009Christian D. Mnich Abstract:, Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation plays a pivotal role in human skin carcinongenesis. Preclinically, systemically and topically applied green tea extract (GTE) has shown reduction of UV-induced (i) erythema, (ii) DNA damage, (iii) formation of radical oxygen species and (iv) downregulation of numerous factors related to apoptosis, inflammation, differentiation and carcinogenesis. In humans, topical GTE has so far only been tested in limited studies, with usually very high GTE concentrations and over short periods of time. Both chemical stability of GTE and staining properties of highly concentrated green tea polyphenols limit the usability of highly concentrated green tea extracts in cosmetic products. The present study tested the utility of stabilized low-dose GTE as photochemopreventive agents under everyday conditions. We irradiated with up to 100 mJ/cm2 of UVB light skin patches which were pretreated with either OM24® -containing lotion or a placebo lotion. Biopsies were taken from both irradiated and un-irradiated skin for both immunohistochemistry and DNA microarray analysis. We found that while OM24® treatment did not significantly affect UV-induced erythema and thymidine dimer formation, OM24® treatment significantly reduced UV-induced p53 expression in keratinocytes. We also found that OM24® treatment significantly reduced the number of apoptotic keratinocytes (sunburn cells and TUNEL-positive cells). Carefully controlled DNA microarray analyses showed that OM24® treatment does not induce off-target changes in gene expression, reducing the likelihood of unwanted side-effects. Topical GTE (OM24®) reduces UVB-mediated epithelial damage already at low, cosmetically usable concentrations, without tachyphylaxis over 5 weeks, suggesting GTE as suitable everyday photochemopreventive agents. [source] The N-terminal cysteine pair of yeast sulfhydryl oxidase Erv1p is essential for in vivo activity and interacts with the primary redox centreFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 7 2003Götz Hofhaus Yeast Erv1p is a ubiquitous FAD-dependent sulfhydryl oxidase, located in the intermembrane space of mitochondria. The dimeric enzyme is essential for survival of the cell. Besides the redox-active CXXC motif close to the FAD, Erv1p harbours two additional cysteine pairs. Site-directed mutagenesis has identified all three cysteine pairs as essential for normal function. The C-terminal cysteine pair is of structural importance as it contributes to the correct arrangement of the FAD-binding fold. Variations in dimer formation and unique colour changes of mutant proteins argue in favour of an interaction between the N-terminal cysteine pair with the redox centre of the partner monomer. [source] A hydrophobic segment within the C-terminal domain is essential for both client-binding and dimer formation of the HSP90-family molecular chaperoneFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 1 2003Shin-ichi Yamada The , isoform of human 90-kDa heat shock protein (HSP90,) is composed of three domains: the N-terminal (residues 1,400); middle (residues 401,615) and C-terminal (residues 621,732). The middle domain is simultaneously associated with the N- and C-terminal domains, and the interaction with the latter mediates the dimeric configuration of HSP90. Besides one in the N-terminal domain, an additional client-binding site exists in the C-terminal domain of HSP90. The aim of the present study is to elucidate the regions within the C-terminal domain responsible for the bindings to the middle domain and to a client protein, and to define the relationship between the two functions. A bacterial two-hybrid system revealed that residues 650,697 of HSP90, were essential for the binding to the middle domain. An almost identical region (residues 657,720) was required for the suppression of heat-induced aggregation of citrate synthase, a model client protein. Replacement of either Leu665-Leu666 or Leu671-Leu672 to Ser-Ser within the hydrophobic segment (residues 662,678) of the C-terminal domain caused the loss of bindings to both the middle domain and the client protein. The interaction between the middle and C-terminal domains was also found in human 94-kDa glucose-regulated protein. Moreover, Escherichia coli HtpG, a bacterial HSP90 homologue, formed heterodimeric complexes with HSP90, and the 94-kDa glucose-regulated protein through their middle-C-terminal domains. Taken together, it is concluded that the identical region including the hydrophobic segment of the C-terminal domain is essential for both the client binding and dimer formation of the HSP90-family molecular chaperone and that the dimeric configuration appears to be similar in the HSP90-family proteins. [source] Crystal structure of a staphylokinase variantFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 2 2002A model for reduced antigenicity Staphylokinase (SAK) is a 15.5-kDa protein from Staphylococcus aureus that activates plasminogen by forming a 1 : 1 complex with plasmin. Recombinant SAK has been shown in clinical trials to induce fibrin-specific clot lysis in patients with acute myocardial infarction. However, SAK elicits high titers of neutralizing antibodies. Biochemical and protein engineering studies have demonstrated the feasibility of generating SAK variants with reduced antigenicity yet intact thrombolytic potency. Here, we present X-ray crystallographic evidence that the SAK(S41G) mutant may assume a dimeric structure. This dimer model, at 2.3-Å resolution, could explain a major antigenic epitope (residues A72,F76 and residues K135-K136) located in the vicinity of the dimer interface as identified by phage-display. These results suggest that SAK antigenicity may be reduced by eliminating dimer formation. We propose several potential mutation sites at the dimer interface that may further reduce the antigenicity of SAK. [source] EDEM accelerates ERAD by preventing aberrant dimer formation of misfolded ,1-antitrypsinGENES TO CELLS, Issue 5 2006Nobuko Hosokawa Misfolded glycoproteins are degraded by a mechanism known as ERAD (ER-associated degradation) after retrotranslocation out of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This mechanism plays an important role in ER quality control. We previously reported that an ER membrane protein, EDEM, accelerates ERAD of a misfolded ,1-antitrypsin variant, null (Hong Kong) (NHK), suggesting that EDEM may function as an acceptor of terminally misfolded glycoproteins. In this study, we constructed several genetically manipulated cell lines to test this hypothesis. EDEM expression did not alter the secretion rate of properly folded molecules and the forced retention of wild-type ,1-antitrypsin in the ER did not cause its association with EDEM, suggesting that EDEM may function as a molecular chaperone. To examine this possibility, we analyzed the effect of EDEM over-expression on the structure of NHK, and found that the accumulation of covalent NHK dimers was selectively prevented by the over-expression of EDEM. Co-expression of NHK with two other ER membrane proteins, calnexin and H+/K+ -ATPase (, subunit), did not inhibit NHK dimer formation or accelerate NHK ERAD. These results indicate that EDEM may maintain the retrotranslocation competence of NHK by inhibiting aggregation so that unstable misfolded proteins can be accommodated by the dislocon for ERAD. [source] Intra and intermolecular hydrogen bonding in formohydroxamic acid,INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUANTUM CHEMISTRY, Issue 1 2008Damanjit Kaur Abstract The presence of hydrogen bonding interactions in several tautomeric forms of formohydroxamic acid (FHA) and 1:1 association among the tautomeric forms and water-coordinated tautomeric forms of FHA is explored theoretically. Out of the seven equilibrium structures, four tautomeric forms have been selected for aggregation with single water molecule and dimer formation. Fifteen aggregates of FHA with H2O have been optimized at MP2/AUG-cc-PVDZ level and analyzed for intramolecular and intermolecular H-bond interactions. Twenty-seven dimers of the four tautomeric forms have been obtained at MP2/6-31+G* level. The stabilization energies associated with dimerization and adduct formation with water are the result of H-bond interactions and range from very weak to medium. The atomic charges and NBO analysis indicate that the electrostatic and the charge transfer are the important components favoring H-bond formation. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008 [source] Protective effects of a topical antioxidant mixture containing vitamin C, ferulic acid, and phloretin against ultraviolet-induced photodamage in human skinJOURNAL OF COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2008Christian Oresajo PhD Summary Background, Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation of the skin leads to acute inflammatory reactions, such as erythema, sunburn, and chronic reactions, including premature skin aging and skin cancer. Aim, In this study, the effects of a topical antioxidant mixture consisting of vitamin C, ferulic acid, and phloretin on attenuating the harmful effects of UV irradiation on normal healthy volunteers were studied using biomarkers of skin damage. Subjects/methods, Ten subjects (age, 18,60 years; Fitzpatrick skin types II and III) were randomized and treated with antioxidant product or vehicle control on the lower back for four consecutive days. On day 3, the minimal erythema dose (MED) was determined for each subject at a different site on the back. On day 4, the two test sites received solar-simulated UV irradiation 1,5× MED at 1× MED intervals. On day 5, digital images were taken, and 4-mm punch biopsies were collected from the two 5× MED test sites and a control site from each subject for morphology and immunohistochemical studies. Results, UV irradiation significantly increased the erythema of human skin in a linear manner from 1× to 5× MED. As early as 24 h after exposure to 5× MEDs of UV irradiation, there were significant increases in sunburn cell formation, thymine dimer formation, matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression, and p53 protein expression. All these changes were attenuated by the antioxidant composition. UV irradiation also suppressed the amount of CD1a-expressing Langerhans cells, indicating immunosuppressive effects of a single 5× MED dose of UV irradiation. Pretreatment of skin with the antioxidant composition blocked this effect. Conclusion, This study confirms the protective role of a unique mixture of antioxidants containing vitamin C, ferulic acid, and phloretin on human skin from the harmful effects of UV irradiation. Phloretin, in addition to being a potent antioxidant, may stabilize and increase the skin availability of topically applied vitamin C and ferulic acid. We propose that antioxidant mixture will complement and synergize with sunscreens in providing photoprotection for human skin. [source] Proteasomal inhibition by misfolded mutant superoxide dismutase 1 induces selective motor neuron death in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosisJOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 5 2002Makoto Urushitani Abstract Accumulating evidence indicates that abnormal conformation of mutant superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) is an essential feature underlying the pathogenesis of mutant SOD1-linked familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here we investigated the role of ubiquitin-proteasome pathway in the mutant SOD1-related cell death and the effect of oxidative stress on the misfolding of mutant SOD1. Transient overexpression of ubiquitin with human SOD1 (wild-type, ala4val, gly85arg, gly93ala) in Neuro2A cells decreased the amount of mutant SOD1, but not of wild-type, while only mutants were co-immunoprecipitated with poly-ubiquitin. Proteasome inhibition by lactacystin augmented accumulation of mutant SOD1 in the non-ionic detergent-insoluble fraction. The spinal cord lysates from mutant SOD1 transgenic mice showed multiple carbonylated proteins, including mutant SOD1 with SDS-resistant dimer formation. Furthermore, the treatment of hSOD1-expressing cells with hydrogen peroxide promoted the oligomerization, and detergent-insolubility of mutant SOD1 alone, and the oxidized mutant SOD1 proteins were more heavily poly-ubiquitinated. In Neuro2A cells stably expressing human SOD1 protein, the proteasome function measured by chymotrypsin-like activity, was decreased over time without a quantitative alteration of the 20S proteasomal component. Finally, primary motor neurons from the mouse embryonic spinal cord were more vulnerable to lactacystin than non-motor neurons. These results indicate that the sustained expression of mutant SOD1 leads to proteasomal inhibition and motor neuronal death, which in part explains the pathogenesis of mutant SOD1-linked ALS. [source] Unexpected reactions associated with the xanthate-mediated polymerization of N -vinylpyrrolidoneJOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 19 2008Gwenaelle Pound Abstract The monomer N -vinylpyrrolidone (NVP) undergoes side reactions in the presence of R group functional xanthates and impurities. The fate of the monomer NVP and a selection of six O -ethyl xanthates during xanthate-mediated polymerization were studied via NMR spectroscopy. A high number of by-products were identified. Significant side reactions affecting NVP include the formation of an unsaturated dimer and hydration products in bulk or in solution in C6D6. In addition, the xanthate adjacent to a NVP unit was found to undergo elimination at moderate temperature (60,70 °C), resulting in unsaturated species and the formation of new xanthate species. The presence of the chlorinated compound ,-chlorophenyl acetic acid, ethyl ester, a precursor in the synthesis of the xanthate S -(2-ethyl phenylacetate) O -ethyl xanthate, resulted in a dramatic increase in the rate of side reactions such as unsaturated dimer formation and a high ratio of unsaturated chain ends. The conditions for the occurrence of such side reactions are discussed in this article, with relevance to increasing the control over the polymerization kinetics, endgroup functionality, and control over the molar mass distribution. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 46: 6575,6593, 2008 [source] Pulsed laser polymerization study of the propagation kinetics of acrylamide in waterJOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE (IN TWO SECTIONS), Issue 7 2005Shane A. Seabrook Abstract Pulsed laser polymerization was used in conjunction with aqueous-phase size exclusion chromatography with multi-angle laser light scattering detection to determine the propagation rate coefficient (kp) for the water-soluble monomer acrylamide. The influence of the monomer concentration was investigated from 0.3 to 2.8 M, and kp decreased with increasing monomer concentration. These data and data for acrylic acid in water were consistent with this decrease being caused by the depletion of the monomer concentration by dimer formation in water. Two photoinitiators, uranyl nitrate and 2,2,-azobis(2-amidinopropane) (V-50), were used; kp was dependent on their concentrations. The concentration dependence of kp was ascribed to a combination of solvent effects arising from association (thermodynamic effects) and changes in the free energy of activation (effects of the solvent on the structure of the reactant and transition state). Arrhenius parameters for kp (M,1 s,1) = 107.2 exp(,13.4 kJ mol,1/RT) and kp (M,1 s,1) = 107.1 exp(,12.9 kJ mol,1/RT) were obtained for 0.002 M uranyl nitrate and V-50, respectively, with a monomer concentration of 0.32 M. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 1357,1368, 2005 [source] Intermolecular H-bond in propan-2-ol and its solutions with acetonitrileJOURNAL OF RAMAN SPECTROSCOPY, Issue 12 2007F. H. Tukhvatullin Abstract Formation of propan-2-ol,acetonitrile dimers is manifested in the Raman spectra as an appearance of a band of aggregates in the high-wavenumber side of the CN vibrational band of liquid acetonitrile (,2 cm,1). The intensity of the band of aggregates changes with a change in the concentration of the mixture (1,0.05 mole fraction). For propan-2-ol we carried out nonempirical calculations of a structure of isolated dimer aggregates. The formation of an intramolecular H-bond between the H and the O atom of the \newbox\osprulebox \newdimen\osprulewd \def\osprule#1#2{ \global\setbox\osprulebox=\hbox{#1} \osprulewd=\wd\osprulebox\advance\osprulewd by -8pt \raise0.5pc\hbox{$\matrix{\hskip-1pt\lower6.5pt\hbox{\vrule height #2pt}\lower4.5pt\hbox to \osprulewd{\hrulefill}\lower6.5pt\hbox{\vrule height #2pt}\cr \noalign{\vskip-1pt} \hbox{#1}\cr}$} } $\osprule{{\rm HCO}}{2.5} \hbox{H}$ group of length 2.045 Å is possible in the monomer molecule. The CH3 groups of alcohol are not equivalent. In the dimer formation, intramolecular H-bond in the \newbox\osprulebox \newdimen\osprulewd \def\osprule#1#2{ \global\setbox\osprulebox=\hbox{#1} \osprulewd=\wd\osprulebox\advance\osprulewd by -8pt \raise0.5pc\hbox{$\matrix{\hskip-1pt\lower6.5pt\hbox{\vrule height #2pt}\lower4.5pt\hbox to \osprulewd{\hrulefill}\lower6.5pt\hbox{\vrule height #2pt}\cr \noalign{\vskip-1pt} \hbox{#1}\cr}$} } $\osprule{{\rm HCO}}{2.5} \hbox{H}$ group is preserved. An intermolecular H-bond of length 2.045 Å and energy 15 kJ/mole is formed between the H atom of one molecule and the O atom of another molecule of the OH. The length and energy of the H-bond for the propan-2-ol,acetonitrile dimer formations calculate to 2.27 Å and 12.9 kJ/mole, respectively. The H-bond is formed by ,-electrons of nitrogen. The experimental data and the results of calculations are in good agreement. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Glycoprotein (GP) VI dimer as a major collagen-binding site of native platelets: direct evidence obtained with dimeric GPVI-specific FabsJOURNAL OF THROMBOSIS AND HAEMOSTASIS, Issue 8 2009S. M. JUNG Summary.,Background: The platelet collagen receptor glycoprotein (GP) VI is suggested to exist as a dimer on the platelet surface, but no direct proof of the functional importance of dimer formation has been provided. Objectives: To obtain direct evidence for GPVI dimers on the platelet membrane and their functional importance, Fab antibodies were developed that bind to GPVI dimer (GPVI-Fc2) but not to GPVI monomer (GPVIex) through a phage display method. Results: Ssix Fabs were found: B,F, only reactive with GPVI-Fc2, and A, mainly reactive with GPVI-Fc2, with some reactivity towards GPVIex; each Fab (Fab-dHLX-MH) forms a bivalent dimer (b-Fab) by dimerizing the dHLX domains from two Fab molecules. Fab F was subcloned to a monovalent format by deleting its dHLX domain. All b-Fabs induced platelet aggregation, but the monomeric form of Fab F (m-Fab-F) specifically inhibited collagen-induced aggregation. All b-Fabs and m-Fab-F inhibited GPVI-Fc2 binding to fibrous collagen. Immunoblotting showed that b-Fab-F and m-Fab-F bound weakly to GPVI-Fc2. Adding the anti-GPVI monoclonal antibody 204-11 increased the Bmax of m-Fab-F binding to GPVI-Fc2, suggesting that 204-11 binds to GPVI-Fc2 molecules not already in the appropriate conformation to recognize the Fab, converting them to a conformation reactive to the Fab. Conclusions: GPVI forms a specific structure by dimerization that is necessary for the binding of this receptor to collagen fibrils. The binding of m-Fab-F to platelets directly demonstrates that GPVI is present as a functionally relevant dimer on the platelet surface. [source] Fluorescence spectroscopic analysis of circulating platelet activation during coronary angioplastyLASERS IN SURGERY AND MEDICINE, Issue 5 2001Alexander Christov PhD Abstract Background and Objective Platelet activation during percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) initiates thrombus formation and plaque regrowth at sites of arterial injury, limiting procedure efficacy. We have developed a simple assay for circulating platelet activation based on fluorescence analysis of membrane fluidity and intracellular calcium concentration and light scattering analysis of platelet aggregation. Study Design/Materials and Methods Platelet activation state was measured in 45 patients undergoing angioplasty, before and after treatment with platelet inhibitors. Results PTCA alone produced a decrease in pyrene dimer formation (P0.0083) and an increase in light scattering at 650 nm (P0.0128). Treatment with ADP and GPIIb/IIIa receptor antagonists reduced PTCA induced changes in pyrene dimer formation. An unexpected decrease in pyrene dimer formation (P0.05) was detected when the GPIIb/IIIa receptor antagonist was given together with an ADP receptor antagonist. Conclusions 1) Analysis of membrane fluidity provides a sensitive marker for platelet activation state. 2) Reduced membrane fluidity after combined platelet inhibitor treatments suggests reduced antiplatelet efficacy. Lasers Surg. Med. 39:414,426, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Dimer-induced signal propagation in Spo0AMOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 3 2004K. Muchová Summary Spo0A, the response regulator protein controlling the initiation of sporulation in Bacillus, has two distinct domains, an N-terminal phosphoacceptor (or receiver) domain and a C-terminal DNA-binding (or effector) domain. The phosphoacceptor domain mediates dimerization of Spo0A on phosphorylation. A comparison of the crystal structures of phosphorylated and unphosphorylated response regulators suggests a mechanism of activation in which structural changes originating at the phosphorylatable aspartate extend to the ,4,5,5 surface of the protein. In particular, the data show an important role in downstream signalling for a conserved aromatic residue (Phe-105 in Spo0A), the conformation of which alters upon phosphorylation. In this study, we have prepared a Phe-105 to Ala mutant to probe the contribution of this residue to Spo0A function. We have also made an alanine substitution of the neighbouring residue Tyr-104 that is absolutely conserved in the Spo0As of spore-forming Bacilli. The spo0A(Y104A) and spo0A(F105A) alleles severely impair sporulation in vivo. In vitro phosphorylation of the purified proteins by phosphoramidate is unaffected, but dimerization and DNA binding are abolished by the mutations. We have identified intragenic suppressor mutations of spo0A(F105A) and shown that these second-site mutations in the purified proteins restore phosphorylation-dependent dimer formation. Our data support a model in which dimerization and signal transduction between the two domains of Spo0A are mediated principally by the ,4,5,5 signalling surface in the receiver domain. [source] Role of the N-terminal Region in the Function of the Photosynthetic Bacterium Transcription Regulator PpsR,PHOTOCHEMISTRY & PHOTOBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2008Yoichi Yamazaki PpsR is a transcription repressor for the gene cluster encoding photosystem genes in Rhodobacter sphaeroides. Repression activity is accomplished by DNA binding on the promoter regions of the photosystem gene clusters, and depends on both the redox potential and the presence of antirepressor protein AppA. To understand DNA repression regulation by PpsR, we investigated the function of PpsR domains in self-association for DNA binding. We constructed domain-deletion mutants and verified DNA-binding activity and dimer formation. Gel shift assay for measuring the DNA-binding activity of three sequential N-terminal deletion mutants revealed that N-terminal deletions (of minimum 121 residues) caused loss of binding activity. Size-exclusion gel chromatography revealed that deletion mutant which lacks the N-terminal 121-amino acid deletion mutant to exist as a dimer, although it was less stable than the intact PpsR. The mutants lacking the adjacent regions, Q-linker region and the first Per-Ant-Sim domain, did not form dimers, suggesting the involvement of the N-terminal region in dimer formation. This region is thus considered to be a functional domain in self-association, although not yet identified as a structural domain. Circular dichroism spectrum of the N-terminal region fragment exhibited a ,/, structure. We conclude that this region is a structural and functional domain, contributing to PpsR repression through dimer stabilization. [source] Optimization of DNA Extraction from a Scleractinian Coral for the Detection of Thymine Dimers by Immunoassay,PHOTOCHEMISTRY & PHOTOBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2007Anastazia T. Banaszak ABSTRACT Ultraviolet (UV)-B is known to cause DNA damage, principally by the formation of thymine dimers, but little research has been conducted in coral reef environments where UV doses are high. The majority of tropical reef-dwelling corals form a mutualistic symbiosis with the dinoflagellate Symbiodinium but few studies have been conducted on in situ DNA damage in corals and none have investigated the symbiotic components separately. The aim of this research was to quantify DNA damage in both the coral host and the dinoflagellate symbiont. The first step in this investigation was to optimize the extraction of DNA from the host, Porites astreoides, as well as the symbiont. The optimization was divided into a series of steps: the preservation of the samples, separation of the coral tissue from the skeleton, separation of the host tissue from the algal cells to prevent cross contamination as well as the extraction and purification of genomic DNA from the algae that are located intracellularly within the invertebrate animal tissue. The best preservation method was freezing at low temperatures without ethanol. After scraping with a razor blade, the coral tissue can be divided into host and algal components and the DNA extracted using modifications of published techniques yielding DNA suitable for the quantification of thymine dimer formation using antibodies. Preliminary data suggest that in P. astreoides collected from 1 m depth, thymine dimers form approximately 2.8 times more frequently in the host DNA than in the DNA of its symbionts. [source] Bound Transcription Factor Suppresses Photoproduct Formation in the NF-,B Promoter,PHOTOCHEMISTRY & PHOTOBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2001Rita Ghosh ABSTRACT The relationship between purified transcription factor p50 binding and ultraviolet light,induced DNA damage formation in the NF-,B promoter element was investigated. The effect of bound transcription factor on cyclobutane dimer formation was quantified using Maxam,Gilbert analysis of irradiated substrate digested with T4 phage endonuclease V. Two methods were employed for cleaving (6-4) photoproducts. Sites of (6-4) photoproducts cleaved by piperidine showed a general suppression in the presence of bound p50 protein similar to that observed for cyclobutane dimers. In contrast to piperidine, digestion with ultraviolet damage endonuclease (UVDE) from Saccharomyces pombe subsequent to cyclobutane dimer reversal by photolyase displayed a broader spectrum of damaged sites. Whereas some of these sites were suppressed by bound p50 protein, some remained unaffected and one site showed increased (6-4) photoproduct induction. These data illustrate the advantage of UVDE over piperidine for studying (6-4) photoproducts at the sequence level and suggest that this approach may be useful for footprinting transcription factor binding in other promoters. [source] Sunscreens containing the broad-spectrum UVA absorber, Mexoryl® SX, prevent the cutaneous detrimental effects of UV exposure: a review of clinical study resultsPHOTODERMATOLOGY, PHOTOIMMUNOLOGY & PHOTOMEDICINE, Issue 4 2008Anny Fourtanier Background: UVA exposure of human skin mainly produces reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to DNA, cell and tissue damage. It alters immune function, pigmentation and it is certainly responsible for a large part of photoaging changes. Moreover UVA is implicated in the etiology of several photodermatoses. As a consequence, to provide adequate protection, sunscreens or skin care products for daily use protective products need UVA absorbers combined with UVB ones. Aim: To assess the efficacy of sunscreens containing a broad-spectrum UVA absorber the Mexoryl® SX or ecamsule and to compare formulations with and without it through a large number of clinical studies in human volunteers and patients. Methods: The following assessments were conducted: ,Prevention of excessive pigmentation induced by UV exposure in Caucasian and Asian skins using a method that measures pigmentation protection factors (PPF). ,Efficacy against DNA damage by measurement of pyrimidine dimer formation and p53 protein accumulation. ,Protection of immune system using delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) reactions to recall antigens, isomerization of urocanic acid (UCA), alteration of Langerhans cells (LC) density, morphology and function. ,Reduction of epidermal and dermal alterations induced by repeated UVA or UV solar simulated radiation (SSR) using histology or immunohistology. ,Prevention of the polymorphous light eruption (PMLE) in patients prone to develop this disease. Results: Mexoryl® SX-containing formulations showed a dose-dependent level of protection against pigmentation. For a same sun protection factor (SPF) the higher the UVA protection was, the higher was the PPF. Pyrimidine dimer formation and p53 accumulation were significantly reduced by formulations with Mexoryl® SX. In the studies looking at the suppression of DTH reactions to recall antigens by the different UV spectra, the LC alterations and the cis UCA formation, Mexoryl® SX formulations always showed a higher protective potency than sunscreen without it even when the protection against erythema was similar (products with same SPF). Mexoryl® SX formulations also prevented or significantly decreased to minimal, ferritin, tenascin and lysozyme expression induced by repeated UVA or SSR exposure. It also reduced the enhancement of collagenase 2 mRNA expression induced by SSR exposure. Finally PMLE study demonstrated that UVA protection was essential for the prevention of this photodermatose. Conclusion: Mexoryl® SX formulated in sunscreens or daily use products have been shown to be an effective UV absorber, leading to an increased efficacy of these products against a large number of biological damage induced by UVA, SSR or sun exposure. [source] Repair of cyclobutyl pyrimidine dimers in human skin: variability among normal humans in nucleotide excision and in photorepairPHOTODERMATOLOGY, PHOTOIMMUNOLOGY & PHOTOMEDICINE, Issue 3 2002Betsy M. Sutherland Background/Aims: Photoreactivation (PR) of cyclobutyl pyrimidine dimers (CPD) in human skin remains controversial. Recently Whitmore et al. (1) reported negative results of experiments using two photorepair light (PRL) sources on UV-irradiated skin of volunteers. However, their PRL sources induced substantial levels of dimers in skin, suggesting that the additional dimers formed could have obscured PR. We met a similar problem of dimer induction by a PRL source. We designed and validated a PRL source of sufficient intensity to catalyse PR, but that did not induce CPD, and used it to measure photorepair in human skin. Methods and Results: Using a solar simulator filtered with three types of UV-filters, we found significant dimer formation in skin, quantified by number average length analysis using electrophoretic gels of isolated skin DNA. To prevent scattered UV from reaching the skin, we interposed shields between the filters and skin, and showed that the UV-filtered/shielded solar simulator system did not induce damage in isolated DNA or in human skin. We exposed skin of seven healthy human volunteers to 302 nm radiation, then to the improved PRL source (control skin areas were kept in the dark for measurement of excision repair). Conclusions: Using a high intensity PRL source that did not induce dimers in skin, we found that three of seven subjects carried out rapid photorepair of dimers; two carried out moderate or slow dimer photorepair, and three did not show detectable photorepair. Excision repair was similarly variable in these volunteers. Subjects with slower excision repair showed rapid photorepair, whereas those with rapid excision generally showed little or no photoreactivation. [source] Application of the comet assay to measure DNA damage induced by UV radiation in the hydrophyte, Spirodela polyrhizaPHYSIOLOGIA PLANTARUM, Issue 3 2007Lei Jiang The single-cell gel electrophoresis or comet assay is now widely used to detect DNA damage in animal cells induced by radiation or chemicals. Here, we apply the comet assay to measure ultraviolet (UV)-B-induced DNA damage in plant cells. The accepted animal cell protocol for the comet assay was modified to adapt it to plant cells. The major modifications were conversion of the plant cells to protoplasts and the use of T4 endonuclease V. As a positive control hydrogen peroxide was applied. Significant DNA damage was detected at 100 ,M H2O2. This type of DNA damage was not affected by T4 endonuclease V treatment, which implies that the mechanism of H2O2 -induced DNA damage was different from UV-B-induced DNA damage. Our results also indicate that both UV-A and UV-B radiation can induce DNA single-strand breaks in plant cells, while UV-B was more effective than UV-A for inducing pyrimidine dimer formation. [source] Thermodynamic characterization of two homologous protein complexes: Associations of the semaphorin receptor plexin-B1 RhoGTPase binding domain with Rnd1 and active Rac1PROTEIN SCIENCE, Issue 5 2009Prasanta K. Hota Abstract Plexin receptors function in response to semaphorin guidance cues in a variety of developmental processes involving cell motility. Interactions with Rho, as well as Ras family small GTPases are critical events in the cell signaling mechanism. We have recently determined the structure of a cytoplasmic domain (RBD) of plexin-B1 and mapped its binding interface with several Rho-GTPases, Rac1, Rnd1, and RhoD. All three GTPases associate with a similar region of this plexin domain, but show different functional behavior in cells. To understand whether thermodynamic properties of the GTPase,RBD interaction contribute to such different behavior, we have examined the interaction at different temperatures, buffer, and pH conditions. Although the binding affinity of both Rnd1 and Rac1 with the plexin-B1 RBD is similar, the detailed thermodynamic properties of the interactions are considerably different. These data suggest that on Rac1 binding to the plexin-B1 RBD, the proteins become more rigid in the complex. By contrast, Rnd1 binding is consistent with unchanged or slightly increased flexibility in one or both proteins. Both GTPases show an appreciable reduction in affinity for the dimeric plexin-B1 RBD indicating that GTPase binding is not cooperative with dimer formation, but that a partial steric hindrance destabilizes the dimer. However, a reduced affinity binding mode to a disulphide stabilized model for the dimeric RBD is also possible. Consistent with cellular studies, the interaction thermodynamics imply that further levels of regulation involving additional binding partners and/or regions outside of the RhoGTPase binding domain are required for receptor activation. [source] Deamidation destabilizes and triggers aggregation of a lens protein, ,A3-crystallinPROTEIN SCIENCE, Issue 9 2008Takumi Takata Abstract Protein aggregation is a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases and also of cataracts. The major proteins in the lens of the eye are crystallins, which accumulate throughout life and are extensively modified. Deamidation is the major modification in the lens during aging and cataracts. Among the crystallins, the ,A3-subunit has been found to have multiple sites of deamidation associated with the insoluble proteins in vivo. Several sites were predicted to be exposed on the surface of ,A3 and were investigated in this study. Deamidation was mimicked by site-directed mutagenesis at Q42 and N54 on the N-terminal domain, N133 and N155 on the C-terminal domain, and N120 in the peptide connecting the domains. Deamidation altered the tertiary structure without disrupting the secondary structure or the dimer formation of ,A3. Deamidations in the C-terminal domain and in the connecting peptide decreased stability to a greater extent than deamidations in the N-terminal domain. Deamidation at N54 and N155 also disrupted the association with the ,B1-subunit. Sedimentation velocity experiments integrated with high-resolution analysis detected soluble aggregates at 15%,20% in all deamidated proteins, but not in wild-type ,A3. These aggregates had elevated frictional ratios, suggesting that they were elongated. The detection of aggregates in vitro strongly suggests that deamidation may contribute to protein aggregation in the lens. A potential mechanism may include decreased stability and/or altered interactions with other ,-subunits. Understanding the role of deamidation in the long-lived crystallins has important implications in other aggregation diseases. [source] Crystal structures of oxidized and reduced forms of human mitochondrial thioredoxin 2PROTEIN SCIENCE, Issue 10 2005Aude Smeets ASK1, apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1; TXN, thioredoxin; hTXN1, human cytosolic/nuclear thioredoxin 1; hTXN2, human mitochondrial thioredoxin 2; hPRDX5, human peroxiredoxin 5. Gene symbols in this article follow standard nomenclature defined by the Human Genome Organization Nomenclature Committee (http://www.gene.ucl.ac.uk/nomenclature/). For this reason TXN is used instead of the commonly used Trx for designating thioredoxin in the literature. Abstract Mammalian thioredoxin 2 is a mitochondrial isoform of highly evolutionary conserved thioredoxins. Thioredoxins are small ubiquitous protein,disulfide oxidoreductases implicated in a large variety of biological functions. In mammals, thioredoxin 2 is encoded by a nuclear gene and is targeted to mitochondria by a N-terminal mitochondrial presequence. Recently, mitochondrial thioredoxin 2 was shown to interact with components of the mitochondrial respiratory chain and to play a role in the control of mitochondrial membrane potential, regulating mitochondrial apoptosis signaling pathway. Here we report the first crystal structures of a mammalian mitochondrial thioredoxin 2. Crystal forms of reduced and oxidized human thioredoxin 2 are described at 2.0 and 1.8 Å resolution. Though the folding is rather similar to that of human cytosolic/nuclear thioredoxin 1, important differences are observed during the transition between the oxidized and the reduced states of human thioredoxin 2, compared with human thioredoxin 1. In spite of the absence of the Cys residue implicated in dimer formation in human thioredoxin 1, dimerization still occurs in the crystal structure of human thioredoxin 2, mainly mediated by hydrophobic contacts, and the dimers are associated to form two-dimensional polymers. Interestingly, the structure of human thioredoxin 2 reveals possible interaction domains with human peroxiredoxin 5, a substrate protein of human thioredoxin 2 in mitochondria. [source] Crystal structure of an enhancer of rudimentary homolog (ERH) at 2.1 Å resolutionPROTEIN SCIENCE, Issue 7 2005Ryoichi Arai Abstract The enhancer of rudimentary gene, e(r), of Drosophila melanogaster encodes an enhancer of rudimentary (ER) protein with functions implicated in pyrimidine biosynthesis and the cell cycle. The ER homolog (ERH) is highly conserved among vertebrates, invertebrates, and plants. Xenopus laevis ERH was reported to be a transcriptional repressor. Here we report the 2.1 Å crystal structure of murine ERH (Protein Data Bank ID 1WZ7), determined by the multiwavelength anomalous dispersion (MAD) method. The monomeric structure of ERH comprises a single domain consisting of three ,-helices and four ,-strands, which is a novel fold. In the crystal structure, ERH assumes a dimeric structure, through interactions between the ,-sheet regions. The formation of an ERH dimer is consistent with the results of analytical ultracentrifugation. The residues at the core region and at the dimer interface are highly conserved, suggesting the conservation of the dimer formation as well as the monomer fold. The long flexible loop (44,53) is also significantly conserved, suggesting that this loop region may be important for the functions of ERH. In addition, the putative phosphorylation sites are located at the start of the ,2-strand (Thr18) and at the start of the ,1-helix (Ser24), implying that the phosphorylation might cause some structural changes. [source] Change in dimerization mode by removal of a single unsatisfied polar residue located at the interfacePROTEIN SCIENCE, Issue 9 2000P. R. Pokkuluri Abstract The importance of unsatisfied hydrogen bonding potential on protein-protein interaction was studied. Two alternate modes of dimerization (conventional and flipped form) of an immunoglobulin light chain variable domain (VL) were previously identified. In the flipped form, interface residue Gln89 would have an unsatisfied hydrogen bonding potential. Removal of this Gln should render the flipped dimer as the more favorable quaternary form. High resolution crystallographic studies of the Q89A and Q89L mutants show, as we predicted, that these proteins indeed form flipped dimers with very similar interfaces. A small cavity is present in the Q89A mutant that is reflected in the ,100 times lower association constant than found for the Q89L mutant. The association constant of Q89A and Q89L proteins (4 × 106 M,1 and > 108 M,1) are 10- and 1,000-fold higher than that of the wild-type protein that forms conventional dimers clearly showing the energetic reasons for the flipped dimer formation. [source] Visualization of protein interactions in living plant cells using bimolecular fluorescence complementationTHE PLANT JOURNAL, Issue 3 2004Michael Walter Summary Dynamic networks of protein,protein interactions regulate numerous cellular processes and determine the ability to respond appropriately to environmental stimuli. However, the investigation of protein complex formation in living plant cells by methods such as fluorescence resonance energy transfer has remained experimentally difficult, time consuming and requires sophisticated technical equipment. Here, we report the implementation of a bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) technique for visualization of protein,protein interactions in plant cells. This approach relies on the formation of a fluorescent complex by two non-fluorescent fragments of the yellow fluorescent protein brought together by association of interacting proteins fused to these fragments (Hu et al., 2002). To enable BiFC analyses in plant cells, we generated different complementary sets of expression vectors, which enable protein interaction studies in transiently or stably transformed cells. These vectors were used to investigate and visualize homodimerization of the basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor bZIP63 and the zinc finger protein lesion simulating disease 1 (LSD1) from Arabidopsis as well as the dimer formation of the tobacco 14-3-3 protein T14-3c. The interaction analyses of these model proteins established the feasibility of BiFC analyses for efficient visualization of structurally distinct proteins in different cellular compartments. Our investigations revealed a remarkable signal fluorescence intensity of interacting protein complexes as well as a high reproducibility and technical simplicity of the method in different plant systems. Consequently, the BiFC approach should significantly facilitate the visualization of the subcellular sites of protein interactions under conditions that closely reflect the normal physiological environment. [source] Tirofiban and Activated Protein C Synergistically Inhibit the Instant Blood Mediated Inflammatory Reaction (IBMIR) from Allogeneic Islet Cells Exposure to Human BloodAMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 7 2009S. Akima Instant blood mediated inflammatory reaction (IBMIR) occurs when islets are exposed to blood and manifests clinically as portal vein thrombosis and graft failure. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of recombinant human activated protein C (rhAPC) and platelet inhibition on IBMIR in order to develop a better targeted treatment for this condition. Five thousand human islet cell equivalents (IEQ) were mixed in a PVC loop system with 7 mL of ABO compatible human blood and incubated with rhAPC, either alone or in combination with tirofiban. Admixing human islets and blood caused rapid clot formation, consumption of platelets, leukocytes, fibrinogen, coagulation factors and raised d -dimers. Islets were encased in a fibrin and platelet clot heavily infiltrated with neutrophils. Tirofiban monotherapy was ineffective, whereas rhAPC monotherapy prevented IBMIR in a dose-dependent manner, preserving islet integrity while maintaining platelet and leukocyte counts, fibrinogen and coagulation factor levels, and reducing d -dimer formation. The combination of tirofiban and low-dose rhAPC inhibited IBMIR synergistically with an efficacy equal to high dose rhAPC. Tirofiban and rhAPC worked synergistically to preserve islets, suggesting that co-inhibition of the platelet and coagulation pathways' contribution to thrombin generation is required for the optimal anti-IBMIR effect. [source] An X-ray diffraction study of partially ordered electron density in clathrates of Dianin's compound that include simple carboxylic acidsACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION B, Issue 1 2003Ronald W. H. Small The nature of the inclusions in ten clathrate complexes of Dianin's compound have been investigated by the use of electron-density difference maps. The guest species are the first eight straight-chain carboxylic acids, formic to octanoic, a branched-chain acid (dimethylacetic acid) and trifluoroacetic acid. The point-group symmetry of the clathrate cavity, , is satisfied by partial occupation of symmetry-related sites by two included molecules in the case of formic, acetic and trifluoroacetic acids and by a single molecule in the remainder. Hydrogen-bonding requirements in the case of formic and acetic acids are satisfied by dimer formation; in the trifluoroacetic acid complex the two acid molecules form hydrogen bonds to framework O atoms at either end of the cavity. The adoption of gauche conformations in heptanoic and octanoic acid chains shortens them sufficiently that they fit the cavity with only slight distortion. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||