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Interaction Properties (interaction + property)
Selected AbstractsThe influence of cholesterol on the interaction of HIV gp41 membrane proximal region-derived peptides with lipid bilayersFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 19 2007Ana S. Veiga A small amino acid sequence (LWYIK) inside the HIV-1 gp41 ectodomain membrane proximal region (MPR) is commonly referred to as a cholesterol-binding domain. To further study this unique and peculiar property we have used fluorescence spectroscopy techniques to unravel the membrane interaction properties of three MPR-derived synthetic peptides: the membrane proximal region peptide-complete (MPRP-C) which corresponds to the complete MPR; the membrane proximal region peptide-short (MPRP-S), which corresponds to the last five MPR amino acid residues (the putative cholesterol-binding domain) and the membrane proximal region peptide-intermediate (MPRP-I), which corresponds to the MPRP-C peptide without the MPRP-S sequence. MPRP-C and MPRP-I membrane interaction is largely independent of the membrane phase. Membrane interaction of MPRP-S occurs for fluid phase membranes but not in gel phase membranes or cholesterol-containing bilayers. The gp41 ectodomain MPR may have a very specific function in viral fusion through the concerted and combined action of cholesterol-binding and non-cholesterol-binding domains (i.e. domains corresponding to MPRP-S and MPRP-I, respectively). [source] Escherichia coli thioredoxin inhibition by cadmiumFEBS JOURNAL, Issue 7 2004Asp2, Two mutually exclusive binding sites involving Cys3 Observations of thioredoxin inhibition by cadmium and of a positive role for thioredoxin in protection from Cd2+ led us to investigate the thioredoxin,cadmium interaction properties. We used calorimetric and spectroscopic methods at different pH values to explore the relative contribution of putative binding residues (Cys32, Cys35, Trp28, Trp31 and Asp26) within or near the active site. At pH 8 or 7.5 two binding sites were identified by isothermal titration calorimetry with affinity constants of 10 × 106 m,1 and 1 × 106 m,1. For both sites, a proton was released upon Cd2+ binding. One mole of Cd2+ per mole of reduced thioredoxin was measured by mass spectrometry at these pH values, demonstrating that the two binding sites were partially occupied and mutually exclusive. Cd2+ binding at either site totally inhibited the thiol,disulfide transferase activity of Trx. The absence of Cd2+ interaction detected for oxidized or alkylated Trx and the inhibition of the enzymatic activity of thioredoxin by Cd2+ supported the role of Cys32 at the first site. The fluorescence profile of Cd2+ -bound thioredoxin differed, however, from that of oxidized thioredoxin, indicating that Cd2+ was not coordinated with Cys32 and Cys35. From FTIR spectroscopy, we inferred that the second site might involve Asp26, a buried residue that deprotonates at a rather high and unusual pKa for a carboxylate (7.5/9.2). The pKa of the two residues Cys32 and Asp26 have been shown to be interdependent [Chivers, T. P. (1997) Biochemistry36, 14985,14991]. A mechanism is proposed in which Cd2+ binding at the solvent-accessible thiolate group of Cys32 induces a decrease of the pKa of Asp26 and its deprotonation. Conversely, interaction between the carboxylate group of Asp26 and Cd2+ at a second binding site induces Cys32 deprotonation and thioredoxin inhibition, so that Cd2+ inhibits thioredoxin activity not only by binding at the Cys32 but also by interacting with Asp26. [source] Computed molecular surface electrostatic potentials of two groups of reverse transcriptase inhibitors: Relationships to anti-HIV-1 activitiesINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF QUANTUM CHEMISTRY, Issue 3-4 2001Oscar Galvez Gonzalez Abstract We have used the GIPF approach (general interaction properties function) to develop analytical representations for the anti-HIV-1 potencies of two groups of reverse transcriptase inhibitors. Their activities are expressed in terms of certain statistical properties of their molecular surface electrostatic potentials, computed at the HF/STO-5G*//HF/STO-3G* level. The results provide insight into some of the factors that promote inhibition. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 83: 115,121, 2001 [source] Evaluation of Modified CMC and CMC-PVA as Miscible Polymer Blend Membranes for HepatocytesMACROMOLECULAR BIOSCIENCE, Issue 5 2007Aysel Koç Abstract CMC and CMC-PVA were blended either with type I collagen, BSA or CS to obtain biocompatible membranes for evaluation as potential hepatocyte culture substrates. Pure and modified forms of CMC showed distinct surface, mechanical, and cell attachment properties. While the hydrophilicity decreased, the mechanical stability and the porosity of CMC membranes increased after blending. Serum proteins were adsorbed by all types of membranes. Among eight membranes tested, collagen-modified CMC was found to be a suitable membrane material for hepatocyte culture, in terms of mechanical and cell interaction properties. [source] | ||||||||||