scholarly journals Effect of the divalent cations zinc and calcium on the structure and mechanics of reconstituted vimentin intermediate filaments

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huayin Wu ◽  
Yinan Shen ◽  
Dianzhuo Wang ◽  
Harald Herrmann ◽  
Robert D. Goldman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intermediate Filaments ◽  
Network Structure ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Divalent Cations ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Structural Elements ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Hofmeister Effect ◽  
Ion Species

AbstractDivalent cations in a concentration-dependent manner behave as effective crosslinkers of intermediate filaments (IFs) such as vimentin IF (VIF). These interactions have been mostly attributed to their multivalency. However, ion-protein interactions often depend on the ion species, and these effects have not been widely studied in IFs. Here we investigate the effects of two biologically important divalent cations, Zn2+ and Ca2+, on VIF network structure and mechanics in vitro. We find that the network structure is unperturbed at micromolar Zn2+ concentrations, but strong bundle formation is observed at a concentration of 100 μM. Microrheological measurements show that network stiffness increases with cation concentration. However, bundling of filaments softens the network. This trend also holds for VIF networks formed in the presence of Ca2+, but remarkably, a concentration of Ca2+ that is two orders higher is needed to achieve the same effect as with Zn2+, which suggests the importance of salt-protein interactions as described by the Hofmeister effect. Furthermore, we find evidence of competitive binding between the two divalent ion species. Hence, specific interactions between VIFs and divalent cations are likely to be an important mechanism by which cells can control their cytoplasmic mechanics.SignificanceIntermediate filaments are key structural elements within cells; they are known to form networks that can be crosslinked by divalent cations, but the interactions between the ions and the filaments are not well understood. By measuring the effects that two divalent cations, zinc and calcium, have on the structure and mechanics of vimentin intermediate filaments (VIFs), we show that although both have concentration-dependent effects on VIFs, much more calcium is needed to achieve the same effect as a small amount of zinc. Furthermore, when mixtures of the ions are present, the results suggest that there is binding competition. Thus, cells may use the presence of different cation species to precisely control their internal mechanical properties.

Direct interaction of the tau 1 transactivation domain of the human glucocorticoid receptor with the basal transcriptional machinery

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 399-407
Author(s):  
I J McEwan ◽  
A P Wright ◽  
K Dahlman-Wright ◽  
J Carlstedt-Duke ◽  
J A Gustafsson
Keyword(s):  
Glucocorticoid Receptor ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Core Promoter ◽  
Specific Interaction ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Transactivation Domain ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner

We have used a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cell free transcription system to study protein-protein interactions involving the tau 1 transactivation domain of the human glucocorticoid receptor that are important for transcriptional transactivation by the receptor. Purified tau 1 specifically inhibited transcription from a basal promoter derived from the CYC1 gene and from the adenovirus 2 major late core promoter in a concentration-dependent manner. This inhibition or squelching was correlated with the transactivation activity of tau 1. Recombinant yeast TATA-binding protein (yTFIID), although active in vitro, did not specifically reverse the inhibitory effect of tau 1. In addition, no specific interaction between tau 1 and yTFIID could be shown in vitro by affinity chromatography. Taken together, these results indicate that the tau 1 transactivation domain of the human glucocorticoid receptor interacts directly with the general transcriptional apparatus through some target protein(s) that is distinct from the TATA-binding factor. Furthermore, this assay can be used to identify interacting factors, since after phosphocellulose chromatography of a whole-cell yeast extract, a fraction that contained an activity which selectively counteracted the squelching effect of tau 1 was found.

scholarly journals New RNA Structural Elements Identified in the Coding Region of the Coxsackie B3 Virus Genome

Viruses ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (11) ◽  
pp. 1232
Author(s):  
Mariola Dutkiewicz ◽  
Jakub Kuczynski ◽  
Michal Jarzab ◽  
Aleksandra Stachowiak ◽  
Agata Swiatkowska
Keyword(s):  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Rna Structure ◽  
Magnesium Concentration ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Structural Elements ◽  
Coding Region ◽  
Virus Propagation ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Computer Prediction ◽  
Coding Regions

Here we present a set of new structural elements formed within the open reading frame of the virus, which are highly probable, evolutionarily conserved and may interact with host proteins. This work focused on the coding regions of the CVB3 genome (particularly the V4-, V1-, 2C-, and 3D-coding regions), which, with the exception of the cis-acting replication element (CRE), have not yet been subjected to experimental analysis of their structures. The SHAPE technique, chemical modification with DMS and RNA cleavage with Pb2+, were performed in order to characterize the RNA structure. The experimental results were used to improve the computer prediction of the structural models, whereas a phylogenetic analysis was performed to check universality of the newly identified structural elements for twenty CVB3 genomes and 11 other enteroviruses. Some of the RNA motifs turned out to be conserved among different enteroviruses. We also observed that the 3′-terminal region of the genome tends to dimerize in a magnesium concentration-dependent manner. RNA affinity chromatography was used to confirm RNA–protein interactions hypothesized by database searches, leading to the discovery of several interactions, which may be important for virus propagation.

scholarly journals Direct interaction of the tau 1 transactivation domain of the human glucocorticoid receptor with the basal transcriptional machinery.

1993 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 399-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
I J McEwan ◽  
A P Wright ◽  
K Dahlman-Wright ◽  
J Carlstedt-Duke ◽  
J A Gustafsson
Keyword(s):  
Glucocorticoid Receptor ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Core Promoter ◽  
Specific Interaction ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Transactivation Domain ◽  
Yeast Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner

We have used a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) cell free transcription system to study protein-protein interactions involving the tau 1 transactivation domain of the human glucocorticoid receptor that are important for transcriptional transactivation by the receptor. Purified tau 1 specifically inhibited transcription from a basal promoter derived from the CYC1 gene and from the adenovirus 2 major late core promoter in a concentration-dependent manner. This inhibition or squelching was correlated with the transactivation activity of tau 1. Recombinant yeast TATA-binding protein (yTFIID), although active in vitro, did not specifically reverse the inhibitory effect of tau 1. In addition, no specific interaction between tau 1 and yTFIID could be shown in vitro by affinity chromatography. Taken together, these results indicate that the tau 1 transactivation domain of the human glucocorticoid receptor interacts directly with the general transcriptional apparatus through some target protein(s) that is distinct from the TATA-binding factor. Furthermore, this assay can be used to identify interacting factors, since after phosphocellulose chromatography of a whole-cell yeast extract, a fraction that contained an activity which selectively counteracted the squelching effect of tau 1 was found.

Stimulatory effects of neuronally released norepinephrine on renin release in vitro

1988 ◽  
Vol 255 (4) ◽  
pp. F614-F620
Author(s):  
Y. Matsumura ◽  
S. Kawazoe ◽  
T. Ichihara ◽  
H. Shinyama ◽  
M. Kageyama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Divalent Cations ◽  
Rat Kidney ◽  
Sympathetic Nerves ◽  
Renin Release ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
High Potassium ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Release In Vitro ◽  
Renal Sympathetic

Extracellular high potassium inhibits renin release in vitro by increasing calcium concentrations in the juxtaglomerular cells. We found that the decreased response of renin release from rat kidney cortical slices in high potassium solution (20-80 mM) changed to a strikingly increased one in the presence of nifedipine at doses over 10(-6) M. We then examined the stimulatory effect of extracellular high potassium in the presence of nifedipine on renin release. The enhancement of release was significantly suppressed either by propranolol or by metoprolol but not by prazosin. High potassium plus nifedipine-induced increase in renin release was markedly attenuated by renal denervation. The enhancing effect was not observed when the slices were incubated in calcium-free medium. Divalent cations such as Cd2+, Co2+, and Mn2+ (0.1-3.0 mM) blocked this enhancement in a concentration-dependent manner. High potassium elicited an increase in 3H efflux from the slices preloaded with [3H]norepinephrine. The increasing effect was not influenced by nifedipine but was abolished by the removal of extracellular calcium or by the addition of divalent cations. These observations suggest to us that the high potassium plus nifedipine-induced increase in renin release from the slices is mediated by norepinephrine derived from renal sympathetic nerves and that this neuronally released norepinephrine stimulates renin release via activation of beta-adrenoceptors.

scholarly journals Methylene Blue Inhibits In Vitro the SARS-CoV-2 Spike – ACE2 Protein-Protein Interaction – A Mechanism That Can Contribute to Its Antiviral Activity Against COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Damir Bojadzic ◽  
Oscar Alcazar ◽  
Peter Buchwald
Keyword(s):  
Methylene Blue ◽  
Antiviral Activity ◽  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Inhibitory Activity ◽  
Organic Dyes ◽  
Chemical Space ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Viral Attachment

AbstractDue to our interest in the chemical space of organic dyes to identify potential small-molecule inhibitors (SMIs) for protein-protein interactions (PPIs), we initiated a screen of such compounds to assess their inhibitory activity against the interaction between SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and its cognate receptor ACE2, which is the first critical step initiating the viral attachment and entry of this coronavirus responsible for the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. As part of this, we found that methylene blue, a tricyclic phenothiazine compound approved by the FDA for the treatment of methemoglobinemia and used for other medical applications (including the inactivation of viruses in blood products prior to transfusion when activated by light), inhibits this interaction. We confirmed that it does so in a concentration-dependent manner with a low micromolar half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 = 3 μM) in our protein-based ELISA-type setup, while chloroquine, siramesine, and suramin showed no inhibitory activity in this assay. Erythrosine B, which we have shown before to be a promiscuous SMI of PPIs, also inhibited this interaction with an activity similar, possibly slightly higher, than those found for it for other PPIs. This PPI inhibitory activity of methylene blue could contribute to its antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2 even in the absence of light by blocking its attachment to ACE2-expressing cells and making this inexpensive and widely available drug potentially useful in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 as an oral or inhaled medication.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Lectin Exhibit Inhibition of ACE-I, α-amylase and α-glucosidase Activity

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 494-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sameer Suresh Bhagyawant ◽  
Dakshita Tanaji Narvekar ◽  
Neha Gupta ◽  
Amita Bhadkaria ◽  
Ajay Kumar Gautam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Effects ◽  
Exchange Chromatography ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Carbohydrate Binding ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Ic50 Values ◽  
Chickpea Lectin

Background: Diabetes and hypertension are the major health concern and alleged to be of epidemic proportions. This has made it a numero uno subject at various levels of investigation. Glucosidase inhibitor provides the reasonable option in treatment of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) as it specifically targets post prandial hyperglycemia. The Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) plays an important role in hypertension. Therefore, inhibition of ACE in treatment of elevated blood pressure attracts special interest of the scientific community. Chickpea is a food legume and seeds contain carbohydrate binding protein- a lectin. Some of the biological properties of this lectin hitherto been elucidated. Methods: Purified by ion exchange chromatography, chickpea lectin was tested for its in vitro antioxidant, ACE-I inhibitory and anti-diabetic characteristic. Results: Lectin shows a characteristic improvement over the synthetic drugs like acarbose (oral anti-diabetic drug) and captopril (standard antihypertensive drug) when, their IC50 values are compared. Lectin significantly inhibited α-glucosidase and α-amylase in a concentration dependent manner with IC50 values of 85.41 ± 1.21 ҝg/ml and 65.05 ± 1.2 µg/ml compared to acarbose having IC50 70.20 ± 0.47 value of µg/ml and 50.52 ± 1.01 µg/ml respectively. β-Carotene bleaching assay showed antioxidant activity of lectin (72.3%) to be as active as Butylated Hydroxylanisole (BHA). In addition, lectin demonstrated inhibition against ACE-I with IC50 value of 57.43 ± 1.20 µg/ml compared to captopril. Conclusion: Lectin demonstrated its antioxidant character, ACE-I inhibition and significantly inhibitory for α-glucosidase and α-amylase seems to qualify as an anti-hyperglycemic therapeutic molecule. The biological effects of chickpea lectin display potential for reducing the parameters of medically debilitating conditions. These characteristics however needs to be established under in vivo systems too viz. animals through to humans.

Improved Method for Obtaining of Arctigenin from Arctium Lappa L. and its Antiproliferative Effect on Human Hepatocarcinoma HepG2 Cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 358-362
Author(s):  
Renan S. Teixeira ◽  
Paulo H.D. Carvalho ◽  
Jair A.K. Aguiar ◽  
Valquíria P. Medeiros ◽  
Ademar A. Da Silva Filho ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antitumor Activity ◽  
Crude Extract ◽  
Hepg2 Cells ◽  
Liver Carcinoma ◽  
Adhesion Assay ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Arctium Lappa ◽  
Nih 3T3

Background: Arctigenin is a lignan found in Arctium lappa L. (Asteraceae) that displays anti-inflammatory activities. Previous studies showed that the crude extract of A. Lappa has antitumor activity in human liver carcinoma, lung and stomach cancer cells. The aim of this study was to obtain arctigenin from A. lappa L., as well as to evaluate its antiproliferative effects in cells of liver carcinoma (HepG2) and fibroblasts (NIH/3T3). Methods: Arctigenin was obtained from the hydrolysis of arctiin, which was isolated from the crude extract of A. lappa. The effects of arctigenin and arctiin on HepG2 cell viability and cell adhesion were analyzed by MTT method. Adhesion assay was also carried out to evaluate the antitumor activity. Results: Our results showed that the analytical process to obtain arctigenin was fast and easy. In vitro experiments showed that arctigenin (107-269 μM) decreased HepG2 cells viability and did not cause cytotoxicity on NIH/3T3 cells. Arctigenin (27-269 μM) demonstrated anti-adhesion in HepG2 cells in a concentration-dependent manner, when compared with control. Conclusion: These results suggest a promising pharmacological activity for arctigenin as an antiproliferative compound.

scholarly journals Identification and Biochemical Characterization of High Mobility Group Protein 20A as a Novel Ca2+/S100A6 Target

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 510
Author(s):  
Maho Yamamoto ◽  
Rina Kondo ◽  
Haruka Hozumi ◽  
Seita Doi ◽  
Miwako Denda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Biochemical Characterization ◽  
S100 Protein ◽  
High Mobility ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Protein Signaling ◽  
Protein Protein Interactions ◽  
High Mobility Group Protein ◽  
Pulldown Assay

During screening of protein-protein interactions, using human protein arrays carrying 19,676 recombinant glutathione s-transferase (GST)-fused human proteins, we identified the high-mobility protein group 20A (HMG20A) as a novel S100A6 binding partner. We confirmed the Ca2+-dependent interaction of HMG20A with S100A6 by the protein array method, biotinylated S100A6 overlay, and GST-pulldown assay in vitro and in transfected COS-7 cells. Co-immunoprecipitation of S100A6 with HMG20A from HeLa cells in a Ca2+-dependent manner revealed the physiological relevance of the S100A6/HMG20A interaction. In addition, HMG20A has the ability to interact with S100A1, S100A2, and S100B in a Ca2+-dependent manner, but not with S100A4, A11, A12, and calmodulin. S100A6 binding experiments using various HMG20A mutants revealed that Ca2+/S100A6 interacts with the C-terminal region (residues 311–342) of HMG20A with stoichiometric binding (HMG20A:S100A6 dimer = 1:1). This was confirmed by the fact that a GST-HMG20A mutant lacking the S100A6 binding region (residues 311–347, HMG20A-ΔC) failed to interact with endogenous S100A6 in transfected COS-7 cells, unlike wild-type HMG20A. Taken together, these results identify, for the first time, HMG20A as a target of Ca2+/S100 proteins, and may suggest a novel linkage between Ca2+/S100 protein signaling and HMG20A function, including in the regulation of neural differentiation.

scholarly journals Human Neuronal Cell Lines as An In Vitro Toxicological Tool for the Evaluation of Novel Psychoactive Substances

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (13) ◽  
pp. 6785
Author(s):  
Valeria Sogos ◽  
Paola Caria ◽  
Clara Porcedda ◽  
Rafaela Mostallino ◽  
Franca Piras ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Neuronal Cell ◽  
In Vitro Study ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Novel Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Psychoactive Substances ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Mechanisms Of Toxicity ◽  
Neuronal Cell Lines

Novel psychoactive substances (NPS) are synthetic substances belonging to diverse groups, designed to mimic the effects of scheduled drugs, resulting in altered toxicity and potency. Up to now, information available on the pharmacology and toxicology of these new substances is very limited, posing a considerable challenge for prevention and treatment. The present in vitro study investigated the possible mechanisms of toxicity of two emerging NPS (i) 4′-methyl-alpha-pyrrolidinoexanophenone (3,4-MDPHP), a synthetic cathinone, and (ii) 2-chloro-4,5-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (2-Cl-4,5-MDMA), a phenethylamine. In addition, to apply our model to the class of synthetic opioids, we evaluated the toxicity of fentanyl, as a reference compound for this group of frequently abused substances. To this aim, the in vitro toxic effects of these three compounds were evaluated in dopaminergic-differentiated SH-SY5Y cells. Following 24 h of exposure, all compounds induced a loss of viability, and oxidative stress in a concentration-dependent manner. 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA activates apoptotic processes, while 3,4-MDPHP elicits cell death by necrosis. Fentanyl triggers cell death through both mechanisms. Increased expression levels of pro-apoptotic Bax and caspase 3 activity were observed following 2-Cl-4,5-MDMA and fentanyl, but not 3,4-MDPHP exposure, confirming the different modes of cell death.

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