scholarly journals Polycarboxylated Eggshell Membrane Scaffold as Template for Calcium Carbonate Mineralization

Crystals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 797
Author(s):  
José L. Arias ◽  
Karla Silva ◽  
Andrónico Neira-Carrillo ◽  
Liliana Ortiz ◽  
José Ignacio Arias ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Inorganic Ions ◽  
Keratan Sulfate ◽  
Eggshell Membrane ◽  
Carboxylate Groups ◽  
Organic Matrices ◽  
Chicken Eggshell ◽  
Eggshell Membranes ◽  
Membrane Scaffold

Biomineralization is a process in which specialized cells secrete and deliver inorganic ions into confined spaces limited by organic matrices or scaffolds. Chicken eggshell is the fastest biomineralization system on earth, and therefore, it is a good experimental model for the study of biomineralization. Eggshell mineralization starts on specialized dispersed sites of the soft fibrillar eggshell membranes referred to as negatively charged keratan sulfate mammillae. However, the rest of the fibrillar eggshell membranes never mineralizes, although 21% of their amino acids are acidic. We hypothesized that, relative to the mammillae, the negatively charged amino acids of the fibrillar eggshell membranes are not competitive enough to promote calcite nucleation and growth. To test this hypothesis, we experimentally increased the number of negatively charged carboxylate groups on the eggshell membrane fibers and compared it with in vitro calcite deposition of isolated intact eggshell membranes. We conclude that the addition of poly-carboxylated groups onto eggshell membranes increases the number of surface nucleation sites but not the crystal size.

scholarly journals Structure–Activity Relationship Study Reveals the Molecular Basis for Specific Sensing of Hydrophobic Amino Acids by the Campylobacter jejuni Chemoreceptor Tlp3

Biomolecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 744
Author(s):  
Mohammad F. Khan ◽  
Mayra A. Machuca ◽  
Mohammad M. Rahman ◽  
Cengiz Koç ◽  
Raymond S. Norton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Campylobacter Jejuni ◽  
Foodborne Pathogen ◽  
Binding Pocket ◽  
Crystallographic Analysis ◽  
Jejunal Mucosa ◽  
Signal Molecule ◽  
Carboxylate Groups ◽  
Hydrophobic Amino Acids

Chemotaxis is an important virulence factor of the foodborne pathogen Campylobacter jejuni. Inactivation of chemoreceptor Tlp3 reduces the ability of C. jejuni to invade human and chicken cells and to colonise the jejunal mucosa of mice. Knowledge of the structure of the ligand-binding domain (LBD) of Tlp3 in complex with its ligands is essential for a full understanding of the molecular recognition underpinning chemotaxis. To date, the only structure in complex with a signal molecule is Tlp3 LBD bound to isoleucine. Here, we used in vitro and in silico screening to identify eight additional small molecules that signal through Tlp3 as attractants by directly binding to its LBD, and determined the crystal structures of their complexes. All new ligands (leucine, valine, α-amino-N-valeric acid, 4-methylisoleucine, β-methylnorleucine, 3-methylisoleucine, alanine, and phenylalanine) are nonpolar amino acids chemically and structurally similar to isoleucine. X-ray crystallographic analysis revealed the hydrophobic side-chain binding pocket and conserved protein residues that interact with the ammonium and carboxylate groups of the ligands determine the specificity of this chemoreceptor. The uptake of hydrophobic amino acids plays an important role in intestinal colonisation by C. jejuni, and our study suggests that C. jejuni seeks out hydrophobic amino acids using chemotaxis.

Antimyotoxic Activity of Synthetic Peptides Derived from Bothrops atrox Snake Gamma Phospholipase A2 Inhibitor Selected by Virtual Screening

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (22) ◽  
pp. 1952-1961 ◽  
Author(s):  
J.C. Sobrinho ◽  
A.F. Francisco ◽  
R. Simões-Silva ◽  
A.M. Kayano ◽  
J.J. Alfonso Ruiz Diaz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Molecular Docking ◽  
Synthetic Peptides ◽  
Cell Damage ◽  
Neutralization Assay ◽  
Phospholipase Activity ◽  
Phospholipases A2 ◽  
Catalytically Active ◽  
Bothrops Atrox

Background: Several studies have aimed to identify molecules that inhibit the toxic actions of snake venom phospholipases A2 (PLA2s). Studies carried out with PLA2 inhibitors (PLIs) have been shown to be efficient in this assignment. Objective: This work aimed to analyze the interaction of peptides derived from Bothrops atrox PLIγ (atPLIγ) with a PLA2 and to evaluate the ability of these peptides to reduce phospholipase and myotoxic activities. Methods: Peptides were subjected to molecular docking with a homologous Lys49 PLA2 from B. atrox venom modeled by homology. Phospholipase activity neutralization assay was performed with BthTX-II and different ratios of the peptides. A catalytically active and an inactive PLA2 were purified from the B. atrox venom and used together in the in vitro myotoxic activity neutralization experiments with the peptides. Results: The peptides interacted with amino acids near the PLA2 hydrophobic channel and the loop that would be bound to calcium in Asp49 PLA2. They were able to reduce phospholipase activity and peptides DFCHNV and ATHEE reached the highest reduction levels, being these two peptides the best that also interacted in the in silico experiments. The peptides reduced the myotubes cell damage with a highlight for the DFCHNV peptide, which reduced by about 65%. It has been suggested that myotoxic activity reduction is related to the sites occupied in the PLA2 structure, which could corroborate the results observed in molecular docking. Conclusion: This study should contribute to the investigation of the potential of PLIs to inhibit the toxic effects of PLA2s.

The 1- and 2-Naphthylalanine Analogs of Oxytocin and Vasopressin

1995 ◽  
Vol 60 (12) ◽  
pp. 2170-2177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zdenko Procházka ◽  
Jiřina Slaninová
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Pressor Test

Solid phase technique on p-methylbenzhydrylamine resin was used for the synthesis of four analogs of oxytocin and four analogs of vasopressin with the non-coded amino acids L- or D- and 1- or 2-naphthylalanine and D-homoarginine. [L-1-Nal2]oxytocin, [D-1-Nal2]oxytocin, [L-2-Nal2]oxytocin, [D-2-Nal2]oxytocin, [L-1-Nal2, D-Har8]vasopressin, [D-1-Nal2, D-Har8]vasopressin, [L-2-Nal2, D-Har8]vasopressin and [D-2-Nal2, D-Har8]vasopressin were synthesized. All eight analogs were found to be uterotonic inhibitors in vitro and in vivo. Analogs with 2-naphthylalanine are stronger inhibitors, particularly in the vasopressin series than the analogs with 1-naphthylalanine. Analogs with 1-naphthylalanine have no activity in the pressor test, analogs with 2-naphthylalanine are weak pressor inhibitors.

scholarly journals Seminal Plasma: Relevant for Fertility?

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 4368
Author(s):  
Heriberto Rodriguez-Martinez ◽  
Emilio A. Martinez ◽  
Juan J. Calvete ◽  
Fernando J. Peña Vega ◽  
Jordi Roca
Keyword(s):  
Seminal Plasma ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Inorganic Ions ◽  
Vitro Fertilization ◽  
Dna And Rna ◽  
Model Animal ◽  
Sexual Glands ◽  
Species Specific

Seminal plasma (SP), the non-cellular component of semen, is a heterogeneous composite fluid built by secretions of the testis, the epididymis and the accessory sexual glands. Its composition, despite species-specific anatomical peculiarities, consistently contains inorganic ions, specific hormones, proteins and peptides, including cytokines and enzymes, cholesterol, DNA and RNA—the latter often protected within epididymis- or prostate-derived extracellular vesicles. It is beyond question that the SP participates in diverse aspects of sperm function pre-fertilization events. The SP also interacts with the various compartments of the tubular genital tract, triggering changes in gene function that prepares for an eventual successful pregnancy; thus, it ultimately modulates fertility. Despite these concepts, it is imperative to remember that SP-free spermatozoa (epididymal or washed ejaculated) are still fertile, so this review shall focus on the differences between the in vivo roles of the SP following semen deposition in the female and those regarding additions of SP on spermatozoa handled for artificial reproduction, including cryopreservation, from artificial insemination to in vitro fertilization. This review attempts, including our own results on model animal species, to critically summarize the current knowledge of the reproductive roles played by SP components, particularly in our own species, which is increasingly affected by infertility. The ultimate goal is to reconcile the delicate balance between the SP molecular concentration and their concerted effects after temporal exposure in vivo. We aim to appraise the functions of the SP components, their relevance as diagnostic biomarkers and their value as eventual additives to refine reproductive strategies, including biotechnologies, in livestock models and humans.

scholarly journals INCORPORATION IN VITRO OF LABELED AMINO ACIDS INTO BONE MARROW CELL PROTEINS

1950 ◽  
Vol 186 (1) ◽  
pp. 297-307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry. Borsook ◽  
Clara L. Deasy ◽  
A.J. Haagen-Smit ◽  
Geoffrey. Keighley ◽  
Peter H. Lowy
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Bone Marrow Cell ◽  
Marrow Cell

scholarly journals Suitability of sugar, amino acid, and inorganic ion compositions to distinguish fir and spruce honey

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Basel Shaaban ◽  
Victoria Seeburger ◽  
Annette Schroeder ◽  
Gertrud Lohaus
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Picea Abies ◽  
Multivariate Analyses ◽  
Abies Alba ◽  
Inorganic Ions ◽  
Scale Insects ◽  
Inorganic Ion ◽  
Plant Feeding ◽  
Different Types

AbstractHoneydew honey is produced by bees from excretions of plant-feeding insects, such as aphids and scale insects. Honeydew on conifers, like fir (Abies alba) or spruce (Picea abies), is produced by different species of the genera Cinara and Physokermes. This means that honeydew honey can stem from different botanical as well as zoological origins, but so far it is not possible to clearly distinguish the different types of honeys. In the attempt to identify distinguishing markers, 19 sugars, 25 amino acids and 9 inorganic ions were quantified in three groups of honeydew honey (fir/Cinara, spruce/Cinara and spruce/Physokermes) with 20 honey samples each. It could be demonstrated that the contents of isomaltose, raffinose, erlose, two undefined oligosaccharides, several amino acids, sulfate, and phosphate differed significantly between the three groups of honey. Furthermore, multivariate analyses resulted in a separation of spruce/Physokermes honey from spruce- or fir/Cinara honey due to its higher contents of phosphate, sulfate, erlose and two undefined oligosaccharides. Moreover, the amino acid composition and the isomaltose as well as the raffinose contents proved useful in the distinction between fir/Cinara and spruce/Cinara honey. In sum, the contents of sugars, amino acids, and inorganic ions in German fir and spruce honeys provide useful information about the botanical and zoological origin of honeydew honeys.

scholarly journals Zn(ferulate)-LSH Systems as Multifunctional Filters

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 2349
Author(s):  
Gustavo Pereira Saito ◽  
Ana Carolina Lanfredi Matsumoto ◽  
Renata Pires Assis ◽  
Iguatemy Lourenço Brunetti ◽  
Marco Aurélio Cebim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Structural Changes ◽  
Reactive Species ◽  
Layered Compounds ◽  
Human Organism ◽  
Metal Hydroxides ◽  
Spectroscopic Analyses ◽  
Carboxylate Groups ◽  
Constant Ph ◽  
Solar Radiation Exposure

Excessive UV solar radiation exposure causes human health risks; therefore, the study of multifunctional filters is important to skin UV protective ability and also to other beneficial activities to the human organism, such as reduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) responsible for cellular damages. Potential multifunctional filters were obtained by intercalating of ferulate anions into layered simple metal hydroxides (LSH) through anion exchange and precipitation at constant pH methods. Ultrasound treatment was used in order to investigate the structural changes in LSH-ferulate materials. Structural and spectroscopic analyses show the formation of layered materials composed by a mixture of LSH intercalated with ferulate anions, where carboxylate groups of ferulate species interact with LSH layers. UV-VIS absorption spectra and in vitro SPF measurements indicate that LSH-ferulate systems have UV shielding capacity, mainly UVB protection. The results of reactive species assays show the ability of layered compounds in capture DPPH•, ABTS•+, ROO•, and HOCl/OCl− reactive species. LSH-ferulate materials exhibit antioxidant activity and singular optical properties that enable their use as multifunctional filters.

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