scholarly journals Molecular cloning and biochemical characterization of sialidases from zebrafish (Danio rerio)

2007 ◽  
Vol 408 (3) ◽  
pp. 395-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marta Manzoni ◽  
Paolo Colombi ◽  
Nadia Papini ◽  
Luana Rubaga ◽  
Natascia Tiso ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Danio Rerio ◽  
Biochemical Characterization ◽  
Chromosome 21 ◽  
Ph Optimum ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Genome Wide Search ◽  
Putative Orthologues

Sialidases remove sialic acid residues from various sialo-derivatives. To gain further insights into the biological roles of sialidases in vertebrates, we exploited zebrafish (Danio rerio) as an animal model. A zebrafish transcriptome- and genome-wide search using the sequences of the human NEU polypeptides as templates revealed the presence of seven different genes related to human sialidases. neu1 and neu4 are the putative orthologues of the mammalian sialidases NEU1 and NEU4 respectively. Interestingly, the remaining genes are organized in clusters located on chromosome 21 and are all more closely related to mammalian sialidase NEU3. They were thus named neu3.1, neu3.2, neu3.3, neu3.4 and neu3.5. Using RT–PCR (reverse transcription–PCR) we detected transcripts for all genes, apart from neu3.4, and whole-mount in situ hybridization experiments show a localized expression pattern in gut and lens for neu3.1 and neu4 respectively. Transfection experiments in COS7 (monkey kidney) cells demonstrate that Neu3.1, Neu3.2, Neu3.3 and Neu4 zebrafish proteins are sialidase enzymes. Neu3.1, Neu3.3 and Neu4 are membrane-associated and show a very acidic pH optimum below 3.0, whereas Neu3.2 is a soluble sialidase with a pH optimum of 5.6. These results were further confirmed by subcellular localization studies carried out using immunofluorescence. Moreover, expression in COS7 cells of these novel zebrafish sialidases (with the exception of Neu3.2) induces a significant modification of the ganglioside pattern, consistent with the results obtained with membrane-associated mammalian sialidases. Overall, the redundancy of sialidases together with their expression profile and their activity exerted on gangliosides of living cells indicate the biological relevance of this class of enzymes in zebrafish.

scholarly journals Recombinant Deg/HtrA proteases from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 differ in substrate specificity, biochemical characteristics and mechanism

2011 ◽  
Vol 435 (3) ◽  
pp. 733-742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pitter F. Huesgen ◽  
Helder Miranda ◽  
XuanTam Lam ◽  
Manuela Perthold ◽  
Holger Schuhmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Serine Proteases ◽  
Protein Quality ◽  
Biochemical Characterization ◽  
Pdz Domain ◽  
Control Mechanisms ◽  
Ph Optimum ◽  
Periplasmic Proteins ◽  
Synechocystis Sp ◽  
Pcc 6803

Cyanobacteria require efficient protein-quality-control mechanisms to survive under dynamic, often stressful, environmental conditions. It was reported that three serine proteases, HtrA (high temperature requirement A), HhoA (HtrA homologue A) and HhoB (HtrA homologue B), are important for survival of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 under high light and temperature stresses and might have redundant physiological functions. In the present paper, we show that all three proteases can degrade unfolded model substrates, but differ with respect to cleavage sites, temperature and pH optima. For recombinant HhoA, and to a lesser extent for HtrA, we observed an interesting shift in the pH optimum from slightly acidic to alkaline in the presence of Mg2+ and Ca2+ ions. All three proteases formed different homo-oligomeric complexes with and without substrate, implying mechanistic differences in comparison with each other and with the well-studied Escherichia coli orthologues DegP (degradation of periplasmic proteins P) and DegS. Deletion of the PDZ domain decreased, but did not abolish, the proteolytic activity of all three proteases, and prevented substrate-induced formation of complexes higher than trimers by HtrA and HhoA. In summary, biochemical characterization of HtrA, HhoA and HhoB lays the foundation for a better understanding of their overlapping, but not completely redundant, stress-resistance functions in Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803.

scholarly journals Characterization of a Vesivirus Associated with an Outbreak of Acute Hemorrhagic Gastroenteritis in Domestic Dogs

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Randall W. Renshaw ◽  
Jennifer Griffing ◽  
Jaime Weisman ◽  
Lisa M. Crofton ◽  
Melissa A. Laverack ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intestinal Tract ◽  
Virus Isolation ◽  
Cho Cell ◽  
Mild Disease ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Housing Facility ◽  
Diagnostic Investigations

ABSTRACT Four of eleven affected dogs died despite aggressive treatment during a 2015 focal outbreak of hemorrhagic gastroenteritis following a stay in a pet housing facility. Routine diagnostic investigations failed to identify a specific cause. Virus isolation from fresh necropsy tissues yielded a calicivirus with sequence homology to a vesivirus within the group colloquially known as the vesivirus 2117 strains that were originally identified as contaminants in CHO cell bioreactors. In situ hybridization and reverse transcription-PCR assays of tissues from the four deceased dogs confirmed the presence of canine vesivirus (CaVV) nucleic acids that localized to endothelial cells of arterial and capillary blood vessels. CaVV nucleic acid corresponded to areas of necrosis and hemorrhage primarily in the intestinal tract, but also in the brain of one dog with nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis. This is the first report of an atypical disease association with a putative hypervirulent vesivirus strain in dogs, as all other known strains of CaVV appear to cause nonclinical infections or relatively mild disease. After identification of the CU-296 vesivirus strain from this outbreak, four additional CaVV strains were amplified from unrelated fecal specimens and archived stocks provided by other laboratories. Broader questions include the origins, reservoir(s), and potential for reemergence and spread of these related CaVVs.

scholarly journals RADIOMETRIC CHARACTERIZATION OF A MARSH SITE AT THE ARGENTINIAN PAMPAS IN THE CONTEXT OF HYPERNETS PROJECT (A NEW AUTONOMOUS HYPERSPECTRAL RADIOMETER)

2020 ◽  
Vol IV-3/W2-2020 ◽  
pp. 95-100
Author(s):  
E. Piegari ◽  
J. I. Gossn ◽  
Á. Juárez ◽  
V. Barraza ◽  
G. González Trilla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biochemical Characterization ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Photosynthetic Apparatus ◽  
Test Site ◽  
Coastal Marsh ◽  
Radiative Transfer Model ◽  
Transfer Model ◽  
Coastal Habitat

Abstract. In the context of HYPERNETS project, which is developing a relatively low cost hyperspectral radiometer (and associated pointing system and embedded calibration device for automated measurement of water and land bidirectional reflectance), the tidal coastal marsh in the Mar Chiquita (Argentina) lagoon is being characterized as a test site for validation of radiometric variables. High quality in situ measurements will be available at all spectral bands at this site (and other sites over land and water around the world) for the validation of the surface reflectance data issued from all earth observation missions. This site, dominanted by Sporobolus densiflorus vegetation, is a coastal habitat that provides ecosystem services essential to people and the environment. There is evidence that growth and photosynthetic apparatus of S. densiflorus is negatively affected by the herbicide glyphosate, which is extensively used in the Argentinian agricultural production. As a way to monitor this risk, in this work a theoretical study was performed to establish if it is possible to estimate the chlorophyll content (Ca+b in S. densiflorus), which concentrations are known to be affected by the herbicide, using hyperspectral reflectance. Signatures recorded in situ plus other parameters obtained from a biochemical characterization of the plant were used to obtain a simulated reflectance with the radiative transfer model PROSAIL. Then, a BaseLine Residual approach, based on close band triplets, was proposed to retrieve Ca+b. As a result, we found that it is possible to distinguish between two levels of Ca+b.

Biochemical Characterization of Chloromethane Emission from the Wood-Rotting Fungus Phellinus pomaceus

1998 ◽  
Vol 64 (8) ◽  
pp. 2831-2835 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deepti Saxena ◽  
Saleh Aouad ◽  
Jihad Attieh ◽  
Hargurdeep S. Saini
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Chemistry ◽  
Biochemical Characterization ◽  
Active Form ◽  
Methyl Chloride ◽  
Bound State ◽  
Ph Optimum ◽  
Methyl Donors ◽  
Membrane Bound

ABSTRACT Many wood-rotting fungi, including Phellinus pomaceus, produce chloromethane (CH3Cl). P. pomaceus can be cultured in undisturbed glucose mycological peptone liquid medium to produce high amounts of CH3Cl. The biosynthesis of CH3Cl is catalyzed by a methyl chloride transferase (MCT), which appears to be membrane bound. The enzyme is labile upon removal from its natural location and upon storage at low temperature in its bound state. Various detergents failed to solubilize the enzyme in active form, and hence it was characterized by using a membrane fraction. The enzyme had a sharp pH optimum between 7 and 7.2. Its apparent Km for Cl− (ca. 300 mM) was much higher than that for I− (250 μM) or Br− (11 mM). A comparison of theseKm values to the relative in vivo methylation rates for different halides suggests that the realKm for Cl− may be much lower, but the calculated value is high because the CH3Cl produced is used immediately in a coupled reaction. Among various methyl donors tested, S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) was the only one that supported significant methylation by MCT. The reaction was inhibited by S-adenosyl-l-homocysteine, an inhibitor of SAM-dependent methylation, suggesting that SAM is the natural methyl donor. These findings advance our comprehension of a poorly understood metabolic sector at the origin of biogenic emissions of halomethanes, which play an important role in atmospheric chemistry.

scholarly journals Amplification of the EGFR and CCND1 Are Coordinated and Play Important Roles in the Progression of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 760 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huei-Tzu Chien ◽  
Sou-De Cheng ◽  
Chun-Ta Liao ◽  
Hung-Ming Wang ◽  
Shiang-Fu Huang
Keyword(s):  
Squamous Cell ◽  
Tumor Suppressor Genes ◽  
Copy Number ◽  
Clinical Stage ◽  
Copy Number Alterations ◽  
Suppressor Genes ◽  
Common Cancer ◽  
Genome Wide

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common cancer in Taiwan and worldwide. To provide some clues for clinical management of OSCC, 72 advanced-stage OSCCs were analyzed using two microarray platforms (26 cases with Affymetrix 500 K and 46 cases with Affymetrix SNP 6.0). Genomic identification of significant targets in cancer analyses were used to identify significant copy number alterations (CNAs) using a q-value cutoff of 0.25. Among the several significant regions, 12 CNAs were common between these two platforms. Two gain regions contained the well-known oncogenes EGFR (7p11.2) and CCND1 (11q13.3) and several known cancer suppressor genes, such as FHIT (3p14.2–p12.1), FAT1 (4q35.1), CDKN2A (9p21.3), and ATM (11q22.3–q24.3), reside within the 10 deletion regions. Copy number gains of EGFR and CCND1 were further confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization and TaqMan CN assay, respectively, in 257 OSCC cases. Our results indicate that EGFR and CCND1 CNAs are significantly associated with clinical stage, tumor differentiation, and lymph node metastasis. Furthermore, EGFR and CCND1 CNAs have an additive effect on OSCC tumor progression. Thus, current genome-wide CNA analysis provides clues for future characterization of important oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes associated with the behaviors of the disease.

scholarly journals Crystallization and biochemical characterization of the human spliceosomal Aar2–Prp8RNaseHcomplex

2015 ◽  
Vol 71 (11) ◽  
pp. 1421-1428
Author(s):  
Karine Santos ◽  
Marco Preussner ◽  
Anna Christina Heroven ◽  
Gert Weber
Keyword(s):  
Biochemical Characterization ◽  
Homology Modelling ◽  
Molecular Replacement ◽  
Noncoding Sequences ◽  
Internal Loop ◽  
Catalytic Activation ◽  
Maturation Factor ◽  
Spliceosome Activation

In eukaryotes, the removal of nuclear noncoding sequences (pre-mRNA splicing) is catalyzed by the spliceosome, which consists of five ribonucleoprotein particles (U1, U2, U4, U5 and U6 snRNPs, each with a respective snRNA) and a plethora of protein factors that aid spliceosomal maturation, assembly, activation and disassembly. Recently, the U5 snRNP maturation factor Aar2p from baker's yeast has been characterized structurally and biochemically. Aar2p binds to the RNaseH (RH) and Jab1/MPN domains of the highly conserved U5-specific Prp8p, which forms a framework for the spliceosomal catalytic centre. Thereby, Aar2p sterically excludes Brr2p, a helicase essential for the catalytic activation of the spliceosome, from Prp8p binding. At the same time, Aar2p blocks U4/U6 di-snRNA binding to Prp8p. Aar2p therefore prevents premature spliceosome activation and its functions are regulated by reversible phosphorylation. To date, little is known about the hypothetical human Aar2 (hsAar2) orthologue C20ORF4. This study identifies C20ORF4 (i) as part of the HeLa proteome by Western blotting and (ii) as a true Aar2 orthologue which binds to the RH domain (hsRH) of Prp8 and corroborates an evolutionary link between yeast and human Aar2 function. An elaborate strategy was devised to crystallize hsAar2 in complex with hsRH. The analysis of initial weakly diffracting crystals obtained byin situproteolysis and homology modelling guided the design of an hsAar2 construct in which an internal loop was replaced by three serines (hsAar2Δloop). A complex of hsAar2Δloopand hsRH crystallized in space groupC2; the crystals diffracted to 2.35 Å resolution and were suitable for structure determination by molecular-replacement approaches. The study presented here suggests a connection between Aar2 and the spliceosome in human cells and paves the way for structural studies of human Aar2.

scholarly journals Comparative Biochemical Characterization of Three Exolytic Oligoalginate Lyases from Vibrio splendidus Reveals Complementary Substrate Scope, Temperature, and pH Adaptations

2014 ◽  
Vol 80 (14) ◽  
pp. 4207-4214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sujit Sadashiv Jagtap ◽  
Jan-Hendrik Hehemann ◽  
Martin F. Polz ◽  
Jung-Kul Lee ◽  
Huimin Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Biochemical Characterization ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Catalytic Efficiency ◽  
Vibrio Splendidus ◽  
Marine Microbes ◽  
Ph Optimum ◽  
Brown Seaweeds ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Alginate Lyases

ABSTRACTMarine microbes use alginate lyases to degrade and catabolize alginate, a major cell wall matrix polysaccharide of brown seaweeds. Microbes frequently contain multiple, apparently redundant alginate lyases, raising the question of whether these enzymes have complementary functions. We report here on the molecular cloning and functional characterization of three exo-type oligoalginate lyases (OalA, OalB, and OalC) fromVibrio splendidus12B01 (12B01), a marine bacterioplankton species. OalA was most active at 16°C, had a pH optimum of 6.5, and displayed activities toward poly-β-d-mannuronate [poly(M)] and poly-α-l-guluronate [poly(G)], indicating that it is a bifunctional enzyme. OalB and OalC were most active at 30 and 35°C, had pH optima of 7.0 and 7.5, and degraded poly(M·G) and poly(M), respectively. Detailed kinetic analyses of oligoalginate lyases with poly(G), poly(M), and poly(M·G) and sodium alginate as substrates demonstrated that OalA and OalC preferred poly(M), whereas OalB preferred poly(M·G). The catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) of OalA against poly(M) increased with decreasing size of the substrate. OalA showedkcat/Kmfrom 2,130 mg−1ml s−1for the trisaccharide to 224 mg−1ml s−1for larger oligomers of ∼50 residues, and 50.5 mg−1ml s−1for high-molecular-weight alginate. Although OalA was most active on the trisaccharide, OalB and OalC preferred dimers. Taken together, our results indicate that these three Oals have complementary substrate scopes and temperature and pH adaptations.

scholarly journals Genome-wide identification and biochemical characterization of calcineurin B-like calcium sensor proteins in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

2020 ◽  
Vol 477 (10) ◽  
pp. 1879-1892
Author(s):  
Manoj Kumar ◽  
Komal Sharma ◽  
Akhilesh K. Yadav ◽  
Kajal Kanchan ◽  
Madhu Baghel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chlamydomonas Reinhardtii ◽  
Biochemical Characterization ◽  
Abiotic And Biotic Stresses ◽  
Biotic Stresses ◽  
Physiological Processes ◽  
Calcineurin B ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Dependent Protein ◽  
Sensor Proteins

Calcium (Ca2+) signaling is involved in the regulation of diverse biological functions through association with several proteins that enable them to respond to abiotic and biotic stresses. Though Ca2+-dependent signaling has been implicated in the regulation of several physiological processes in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Ca2+ sensor proteins are not characterized completely. C. reinhardtii has diverged from land plants lineage, but shares many common genes with animals, particularly those encoding proteins of the eukaryotic flagellum (or cilium) along with the basal body. Calcineurin, a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase, is an important effector of Ca2+ signaling in animals, while calcineurin B-like proteins (CBLs) play an important role in Ca2+ sensing and signaling in plants. The present study led to the identification of 13 novel CBL-like Ca2+ sensors in C. reinhardtii genome. One of the archetypical genes of the newly identified candidate, CrCBL-like1 was characterized. The ability of CrCBL-like1 protein to sense as well as bind Ca2+ were validated using two-step Ca2+-binding kinetics. The CrCBL-like1 protein localized around the plasma membrane, basal bodies and in flagella, and interacted with voltage-gated Ca2+ channel protein present abundantly in the flagella, indicating its involvement in the regulation of the Ca2+ concentration for flagellar movement. The CrCBL-like1 transcript and protein expression were also found to respond to abiotic stresses, suggesting its involvement in diverse physiological processes. Thus, the present study identifies novel Ca2+ sensors and sheds light on key players involved in Ca2+signaling in C. reinhardtii, which could further be extrapolated to understand the evolution of Ca2+ mediated signaling in other eukaryotes.

scholarly journals Isolation and functional characterization of two dioxygenasese putatively involved in bixin biosynthesis in annatto (Bixa orellana L.)

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Manuel Carballo-Uicab ◽  
Yair Cárdenas-Conejo ◽  
Alba Adriana Vallejo-Cardona ◽  
Margarita Aguilar-Espinosa ◽  
Jacobo Rodríguez-Campos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Industry ◽  
Developmental Stages ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Bixa Orellana ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Bona Fide

Carotenoid cleavage dioxygenases (CCDs) are enzymes that have been implicated in the biosynthesis of a wide diversity of secondary metabolites with important economic value, including bixin. Bixin is the second most used pigment in the world’s food industry worldwide, and its main source is the aril of achiote (Bixa orellana L.) seeds. A recent transcriptome analysis of B. orellana identified a new set of eight CCD members (BoCCD4s and BoCCD1s) potentially involved in bixin synthesis. We used several approaches in order to discriminate the best candidates with CCDs genes. A reverse transcription-PCR (RT-qPCR) expression analysis was carried out in five developmental stages of two accessions of B. orellana seeds with different bixin contents: (P13W, low bixin producer and N4P, high bixin producer). The results showed that three BoCCDs (BoCCD4-1, BoCCD4-3, and BoCCD1-1) had an expression pattern consistent with bixin accumulation during seed development. Additionally, an alignment of the CCD enzyme family and homology models of proteins were generated to verify whether the newly proposed CCD enzymes were bona fide CCDs. The study confirmed that these three enzymes were well-preserved and belonged to the CCD family. In a second selection round, the three CCD genes were analyzed by in situ RT-qPCR in seed tissue. Results indicated that BoCCD4-3 and BoCCD1-1 exhibited tissue-specific expressions in the seed aril. To test whether the two selected CCDs had enzymatic activity, they were expressed in Escherichia coli; activity was determined by identifying their products in the crude extract using UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS. The cleavage product (bixin aldehyde) was also analyzed by Fourier transform infrared. The results indicated that both BoCCD4-3 and BoCCD1-1 cleave lycopene in vitro at 5,6-5′,6′.

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