scholarly journals Nrp1 is Activated by Konjac Ceramide Binding-Induced Structural Rigidification of the a1a2 Domain

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 517
Author(s):  
Seigo Usuki ◽  
Yoshiaki Yasutake ◽  
Noriko Tamura ◽  
Tomohiro Tamura ◽  
Kunikazu Tanji ◽  
...  

Konjac ceramide (kCer) is a plant-type ceramide composed of various long-chain bases and α-hydroxyl fatty acids. The presence of d4t,8t-sphingadienine is essential for semaphorin 3A (Sema3A)-like activity. Herein, we examined the three neuropilin 1 (Nrp1) domains (a1a2, b1b2, or c), and found that a1a2 binds to d4t,8t-kCer and possesses Sema3A-like activity. kCer binds to Nrp1 with a weak affinity of μM dissociation constant (Kd). We wondered whether bovine serum albumin could influence the ligand–receptor interaction that a1a2 has with a single high affinity binding site for kCer (Kd in nM range). In the present study we demonstrated the influence of bovine serum albumin. Thermal denaturation indicates that the a1a2 domain may include intrinsically disordered region (IDR)-like flexibility. A potential interaction site on the a1 module was explored by molecular docking, which revealed a possible Nrp1 activation mechanism, in which kCer binds to Site A close to the Sema3A-binding region of the a1a2 domain. The a1 module then accesses a2 as the IDR-like flexibility becomes ordered via kCer-induced protein rigidity of a1a2. This induces intramolecular interaction between a1 and a2 through a slight change in protein secondary structure.

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lin Zhou ◽  
Kun Wang ◽  
Hao Sun ◽  
Simin Zhao ◽  
Xianfeng Chen ◽  
...  

Abstract A simple, convenient, and highly sensitive bio-interface for graphene field-effect transistors (GFETs) based on multifunctional nano-denatured bovine serum albumin (nano-dBSA) functionalization was developed to target cancer biomarkers. The novel graphene–protein bioelectronic interface was constructed by heating to denature native BSA on the graphene substrate surface. The formed nano-dBSA film served as the cross-linker to immobilize monoclonal antibody against carcinoembryonic antigen (anti-CEA mAb) on the graphene channel activated by EDC and Sulfo-NHS. The nano-dBSA film worked as a self-protecting layer of graphene to prevent surface contamination by lithographic processing. The improved GFET biosensor exhibited good specificity and high sensitivity toward the target at an ultralow concentration of 337.58 fg mL−1. The electrical detection of the binding of CEA followed the Hill model for ligand–receptor interaction, indicating the negative binding cooperativity between CEA and anti-CEA mAb with a dissociation constant of 6.82 × 10−10 M. The multifunctional nano-dBSA functionalization can confer a new function to graphene-like 2D nanomaterials and provide a promising bio-functionalization method for clinical application in biosensing, nanomedicine, and drug delivery.


1991 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
J T Mason ◽  
T J O'Leary

We investigated the effects of formaldehyde fixation on the secondary structure of isolated proteins (bovine serum albumin, ribonuclease A, and hemoglobin) using high-sensitivity differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Whereas thermograms obtained by scanning calorimetry on unfixed purified proteins demonstrated denaturation transitions in the 70-90 degrees C temperature range, the thermograms showed no denaturation transitions in this temperature range when the proteins had been placed in formaldehyde solutions. Thus, fixation destroyed the denaturation transition of bovine serum albumin, ribonuclease A, and hemoglobin. Infrared spectra obtained on the unfixed and fixed proteins were essentially identical. This demonstrates that the "fixed" proteins retain the secondary structure present before fixation. We therefore conclude that the cross-linking of proteins that occurs in the process of formaldehyde fixation "locks in" the secondary structure of these protein molecules.


Author(s):  
G. D. Gagne ◽  
M. F. Miller

We recently described an artificial substrate system which could be used to optimize labeling parameters in EM immunocytochemistry (ICC). The system utilizes blocks of glutaraldehyde polymerized bovine serum albumin (BSA) into which an antigen is incorporated by a soaking procedure. The resulting antigen impregnated blocks can then be fixed and embedded as if they are pieces of tissue and the effects of fixation, embedding and other parameters on the ability of incorporated antigen to be immunocyto-chemically labeled can then be assessed. In developing this system further, we discovered that the BSA substrate can also be dried and then sectioned for immunolabeling with or without prior chemical fixation and without exposing the antigen to embedding reagents. The effects of fixation and embedding protocols can thus be evaluated separately.


1981 ◽  
Vol 46 (03) ◽  
pp. 645-647 ◽  
Author(s):  
M A Orchard ◽  
C Robinson

SummaryThe biological half-life of prostacyclin in Krebs solution, human cell-free plasma or whole blood was measured by bracket assay on ADP-induced platelet aggregation. At 37°C, pH 7.4, plasma and blood reduced the rate of loss of antiaggregatory activity compared with Krebs solution. The protective effect of plasma was greater than that of whole blood. This effect could be partially mimicked by the addition of human or bovine serum albumin to the Krebs solution. The stabilisation afforded by human serum albumin was dependent on the fatty acid content of the albumin, although this was less important for bovine serum albumin.


1974 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 133-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. E. Senior

ABSTRACT A radioimmunoassay was developed to measure the levels of oestrone and oestradiol in 0.5–1.0 ml of domestic fowl peripheral plasma. The oestrogens were extracted with diethyl ether, chromatographed on columns of Sephadex LH-20 and assayed with an antiserum prepared against oestradiol-17β-succinyl-bovine serum albumin using a 17 h incubation at 4°C. The specificity, sensitivity, precision and accuracy of the assays were satisfactory. Oestrogen concentrations were determined in the plasma of birds in various reproductive states. In laying hens the ranges of oestrone and oestradiol were 12–190 pg/ml and 29–327 pg/ml respectively. Levels in immature birds, in adult cockerels and in an ovariectomized hen were barely detectable. The mean concentrations of oestrone and oestradiol in the plasma of four non-laying hens (55 pg/ml and 72 pg/ml respectively) and one partially ovariectomized hen (71 pg/ml and 134 pg/ml respectively) were well within the range for laying hens. It is evident that the large, yolk-filled follicles are not the only source of oestrogens in the chicken ovary.


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