Redox chemistry of hydrogen peroxide in anhydrous acetonitrile

Biochemical and differential centrifugation studies have demonstrated that the oxidative enzymes of Acanthamoeba sp. are localized in mitochondria and peroxisomes (microbodies). Although hartmanellid amoebae have been the subject of several electron microscopic studies, peroxisomes have not been described from these organisms or other protozoa. Cytochemical tests employing diaminobenzidine-tetra HCl (DAB) and hydrogen peroxide were used for the ultrastructural localization of peroxidases of trophozoites of Hartmanella sp. (A-l, Culbertson), a pathogenic strain grown in axenic cultures of trypticase soy broth.

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Fluorescent proteins for in vivo imaging, where's the biliverdin?

Biochemical Society Transactions ◽

10.1042/bst20200444 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 48 (6) ◽

pp. 2657-2667

Author(s):

Felipe Montecinos-Franjola ◽

John Y. Lin ◽

Erik A. Rodriguez

Keyword(s):

Hydrogen Peroxide ◽

In Vivo Imaging ◽

Near Infrared ◽

Fluorescent Protein ◽

Fluorescent Proteins ◽

Fluorescent Imaging ◽

Infrared Light ◽

Red Fluorescent Protein ◽

Color Palette

Noninvasive fluorescent imaging requires far-red and near-infrared fluorescent proteins for deeper imaging. Near-infrared light penetrates biological tissue with blood vessels due to low absorbance, scattering, and reflection of light and has a greater signal-to-noise due to less autofluorescence. Far-red and near-infrared fluorescent proteins absorb light >600 nm to expand the color palette for imaging multiple biosensors and noninvasive in vivo imaging. The ideal fluorescent proteins are bright, photobleach minimally, express well in the desired cells, do not oligomerize, and generate or incorporate exogenous fluorophores efficiently. Coral-derived red fluorescent proteins require oxygen for fluorophore formation and release two hydrogen peroxide molecules. New fluorescent proteins based on phytochrome and phycobiliproteins use biliverdin IXα as fluorophores, do not require oxygen for maturation to image anaerobic organisms and tumor core, and do not generate hydrogen peroxide. The small Ultra-Red Fluorescent Protein (smURFP) was evolved from a cyanobacterial phycobiliprotein to covalently attach biliverdin as an exogenous fluorophore. The small Ultra-Red Fluorescent Protein is biophysically as bright as the enhanced green fluorescent protein, is exceptionally photostable, used for biosensor development, and visible in living mice. Novel applications of smURFP include in vitro protein diagnostics with attomolar (10−18 M) sensitivity, encapsulation in viral particles, and fluorescent protein nanoparticles. However, the availability of biliverdin limits the fluorescence of biliverdin-attaching fluorescent proteins; hence, extra biliverdin is needed to enhance brightness. New methods for improved biliverdin bioavailability are necessary to develop improved bright far-red and near-infrared fluorescent proteins for noninvasive imaging in vivo.

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