scholarly journals Identification and characterization of hirudin-HN, a new thrombin inhibitor, from the salivary glands of Hirudo nipponia

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Boxing Cheng ◽  
Fei Liu ◽  
Qiaosheng Guo ◽  
Yuxi Lu ◽  
Hongzhuan Shi ◽  
...  

Transcriptome sequencing data (6.5 Gb) of the salivary glands of the haematophagous leech Hirudo nipponia was obtained by using the BGIseq-500 platform. After identification and analysis, one transcript (Unigene5370) was annotated to hirudin HV3 from Hirudo medicinalis with an e-value of 1e-29 and was named hirudin-HN. This transcript was a new thrombin inhibitor gene belonging to the proteinase inhibitor I14 (hirudin) family. Hirudin-HN, with a 270-bp cDNA, encodes an 89-aa protein containing a 20-aa signal peptide. The mature hirudin-HN protein contains the typical structural characteristics of hirudin, e.g., three conserved disulfide bonds and the PKP and DFxxIP motifs. Proteins (Hir and M-Hir) were obtained via prokaryotic expression, and the mature hirudin-HN protein was shown to have anticoagulant activity and thrombin affinity by using the chromogenic substrate S2238 and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) interaction analysis, respectively. The N-terminal structure of the mature hirudin-HN protein was shown to be important for anticoagulant activity by comparing the activity and thrombin affinity of Hir and M-Hir. The abundances of Hirudin-HN mRNA and protein were higher in the salivary glands of starving animals than in those of feeding or fed leeches. These results provided a foundation for further study on the structure-function relationship of hirudin-HN with thrombin.

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven R Ahrendt ◽  
Edgar Mauricio Medina ◽  
Chia-en A Chang ◽  
Jason E Stajich

Background. Opsin proteins are seven transmembrane receptor proteins which detect light. Opsins can be classified into two types and share little sequence identity: type 1, typically found in bacteria, and type 2, primarily characterized in metazoa. The type 2 opsins (Rhodopsins) are a subfamily of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), a large and diverse class of seven transmembrane proteins and are generally restricted to metazoan lineages. Fungi use light receptors including opsins to sense the environment and transduce signals for developmental or metabolic changes. Opsins characterized in the Dikarya (Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes) are of the type 1 bacteriorhodopsin family but the early diverging fungal lineages have not been as well surveyed. We identified by sequence similarity a rhodopsin-like GPCR in genomes of early diverging chytrids and examined the structural characteristics of this protein to assess its likelihood to be homologous to animal rhodopsins and bind similar chromophores. Methods. We used template-based structure modeling, automated ligand docking, and molecular modeling to assess the structural and binding properties of an identified opsin-like protein found in Spizellomyces punctatus, a unicellular, flagellated species belonging to Chytridiomycota, one of the earliest diverging fungal lineages. We tested if sequence and inferred structure were consistent with a solved crystal structure of a type 2 rhodopsin from the squid Todarodes pacificus. Results. Our results indicate that the Spizellomyces opsin has structural characteristics consistent with functional animal type 2 rhodopsins and is capable of maintaining a stable structure when associated with the retinaldehyde chromophore, specifically the 9-cis­-retinal isomer. Together, these results support further the homology of Spizellomyces opsins to animal type 2 rhodopsins. Discussion. This represents the first test of structure/function relationship of a type 2 rhodopsin identified in early branching fungal lineages, and provides a foundation for future work exploring pathways and components of photoreception in early fungi.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenshuang Wang ◽  
Cédric Przybylski ◽  
Xiaojuan Cai ◽  
Chrystel Lopin-Bon ◽  
Runmiao Jiao ◽  
...  

Recently, a novel CS/DS 4-O-endosulfatase was identified from a marine bacterium and its catalytic mechanism was investigated further (Wang, W., et.al (2015) J. Biol. Chem. 290, 7823-7832; Wang, S., et.al (2019) Front. Microbiol. 10:1309). In the study herein, we provide new insight about the structural characteristics of substrate which determine the activity of this enzyme. The substrate specificities of the 4-O-endosulfatase were probed by using libraries of structure-defined CS/DS oligosacccharides issued from synthetic and enzymatic sources. We found that this 4-O-endosulfatase effectively remove the 4-O-sulfate of disaccharide sequences GlcUAβ1-3GalNAc(4S) or GlcUAβ1-3GalNAc(4S,6S) in all tested hexasaccharides. The sulfated GalNac residue is resistant to the enzyme when adjacent uronic residues are sulfated as shown by the lack of enzymatic desulfation of GlcUAβ1-3GalNAc(4S) connected to a disaccharide GlcUA(2S)β1-3GalNAc(6S) in an octasaccharide. The 3-O-sulfation of GlcUA was also shown to hinder the action of this enzyme. The 4-O-endosulfatase exhibited an oriented action from the reducing to the non-reducing whatever the saturation or not of the non-reducing end. Finally, the activity of the 4-O-endosulfatase decreases with the increase of substrate size. With the deeper understanding of this novel 4-O-endosulfatase, such chondroitin sulfate (CS)/dermatan sulfate (DS) sulfatase is a useful tool for exploring the structure-function relationship of CS/DS.


PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven R. Ahrendt ◽  
Edgar Mauricio Medina ◽  
Chia-en A. Chang ◽  
Jason E. Stajich

BackgroundOpsin proteins are seven transmembrane receptor proteins which detect light. Opsins can be classified into two types and share little sequence identity: type 1, typically found in bacteria, and type 2, primarily characterized in metazoa. The type 2 opsins (Rhodopsins) are a subfamily of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), a large and diverse class of seven transmembrane proteins and are generally restricted to metazoan lineages. Fungi use light receptors including opsins to sense the environment and transduce signals for developmental or metabolic changes. Opsins characterized in the Dikarya (Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes) are of the type 1 bacteriorhodopsin family but the early diverging fungal lineages have not been as well surveyed. We identified by sequence similarity a rhodopsin-like GPCR in genomes of early diverging chytrids and examined the structural characteristics of this protein to assess its likelihood to be homologous to animal rhodopsins and bind similar chromophores.MethodsWe used template-based structure modeling, automated ligand docking, and molecular modeling to assess the structural and binding properties of an identified opsin-like protein found inSpizellomyces punctatus, a unicellular, flagellated species belonging to Chytridiomycota, one of the earliest diverging fungal lineages. We tested if the sequence and inferred structure were consistent with a solved crystal structure of a type 2 rhodopsin from the squidTodarodes pacificus.ResultsOur results indicate that theSpizellomycesopsin has structural characteristics consistent with functional animal type 2 rhodopsins and is capable of maintaining a stable structure when associated with the retinaldehyde chromophore, specifically the 9-cis-retinal isomer. Together, these results support further the homology ofSpizellomycesopsins to animal type 2 rhodopsins.DiscussionThis represents the first test of structure/function relationship of a type 2 rhodopsin identified in early branching fungal lineages, and provides a foundation for future work exploring pathways and components of photoreception in early fungi.


2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven R Ahrendt ◽  
Edgar Mauricio Medina ◽  
Chia-en A Chang ◽  
Jason E Stajich

Background. Opsin proteins are seven transmembrane receptor proteins which detect light. Opsins can be classified into two types and share little sequence identity: type 1, typically found in bacteria, and type 2, primarily characterized in metazoa. The type 2 opsins (Rhodopsins) are a subfamily of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), a large and diverse class of seven transmembrane proteins and are generally restricted to metazoan lineages. Fungi use light receptors including opsins to sense the environment and transduce signals for developmental or metabolic changes. Opsins characterized in the Dikarya (Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes) are of the type 1 bacteriorhodopsin family but the early diverging fungal lineages have not been as well surveyed. We identified by sequence similarity a rhodopsin-like GPCR in genomes of early diverging chytrids and examined the structural characteristics of this protein to assess its likelihood to be homologous to animal rhodopsins and bind similar chromophores. Methods. We used template-based structure modeling, automated ligand docking, and molecular modeling to assess the structural and binding properties of an identified opsin-like protein found in Spizellomyces punctatus, a unicellular, flagellated species belonging to Chytridiomycota, one of the earliest diverging fungal lineages. We tested if sequence and inferred structure were consistent with a solved crystal structure of a type 2 rhodopsin from the squid Todarodes pacificus. Results. Our results indicate that the Spizellomyces opsin has structural characteristics consistent with functional animal type 2 rhodopsins and is capable of maintaining a stable structure when associated with the retinaldehyde chromophore, specifically the 9-cis­-retinal isomer. Together, these results support further the homology of Spizellomyces opsins to animal type 2 rhodopsins. Discussion. This represents the first test of structure/function relationship of a type 2 rhodopsin identified in early branching fungal lineages, and provides a foundation for future work exploring pathways and components of photoreception in early fungi.


Holzforschung ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 73 (7) ◽  
pp. 629-636 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caiping Lian ◽  
Rong Liu ◽  
Cheng Xiufang ◽  
Shuqing Zhang ◽  
Junji Luo ◽  
...  

Abstract The pits on parenchyma cell walls facilitate transfer of liquids between adjacent cells in the bamboo. To better understand the structure-function relationship of the pits, the structural characteristics of the pits in bamboo parenchyma cells need to be investigated. In this study, the pit structures were studied by field-emission environmental scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The samples included the native structure and the replica structure via resin castings. The results showed that the parenchyma cells possessed various shapes and the pits were diverse. Parenchyma cells exposed both simple and bordered pits. Pitting between vascular parenchyma cells (VPCs) was similar to that of the metaxylem vessel. In particular, a branched pit structure was found for the first time in the parenchyma cell.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ariana A. Vasconcelos ◽  
Jorge C. Estrada ◽  
Victor David ◽  
Luciana S. Wermelinger ◽  
Fabio C. L. Almeida ◽  
...  

Disintegrins are small cysteine-rich proteins found in a variety of snake venom. These proteins selectively modulate integrin function, heterodimeric receptors involved in cell-cell and cell-matrix interaction that are widely studied as therapeutic targets. Snake venom disintegrins emerged from the snake venom metalloproteinase and are classified according to the sequence size and number of disulfide bonds. Evolutive structure and function diversification of disintegrin family involves a stepwise decrease in the polypeptide chain, loss of cysteine residues, and selectivity. Since the structure elucidation of echistatin, the description of the structural properties of disintegrins has allowed the investigation of the mechanisms involved in integrin-cell-extracellular matrix interaction. This review provides an analysis of the structures of all family groups enabling the description of an expanded classification of the disintegrin family in seven groups. Each group presents a particular disulfide pattern and sequence signatures, facilitating the identification of new disintegrins. The classification was based on the disintegrin-like domain of the human metalloproteinase (ADAM-10). We also present the sequence and structural signatures important for disintegrin-integrin interaction, unveiling the relationship between the structure and function of these proteins.


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven R Ahrendt ◽  
Edgar Mauricio Medina ◽  
Chia-en A Chang ◽  
Jason E Stajich

Background. Opsin proteins are seven transmembrane receptor proteins which detect light. Opsins can be classified into two types and share little sequence identity: type 1, typically found in bacteria, and type 2, primarily characterized in metazoa. The type 2 opsins (Rhodopsins) are a subfamily of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), a large and diverse class of seven transmembrane proteins and are generally restricted to metazoan lineages. Fungi use light receptors including opsins to sense the environment and transduce signals for developmental or metabolic changes. Opsins characterized in the Dikarya (Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes) are of the type 1 bacteriorhodopsin family but the early diverging fungal lineages have not been as well surveyed. We identified by sequence similarity a rhodopsin-like GPCR in genomes of early diverging chytrids and examined the structural characteristics of this protein to assess its likelihood to be homologous to animal rhodopsins and bind similar chromophores. Methods. We used template-based structure modeling, automated ligand docking, and molecular modeling to assess the structural and binding properties of an identified opsin-like protein found in Spizellomyces punctatus, a unicellular, flagellated species belonging to Chytridiomycota, one of the earliest diverging fungal lineages. We tested if sequence and inferred structure were consistent with a solved crystal structure of a type 2 rhodopsin from the squid Todarodes pacificus. Results. Our results indicate that the Spizellomyces opsin has structural characteristics consistent with functional animal type 2 rhodopsins and is capable of maintaining a stable structure when associated with the retinaldehyde chromophore, specifically the 9-cis­-retinal isomer. Together, these results support further the homology of Spizellomyces opsins to animal type 2 rhodopsins. Discussion. This represents the first test of structure/function relationship of a type 2 rhodopsin identified in early branching fungal lineages, and provides a foundation for future work exploring pathways and components of photoreception in early fungi.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
William C. Lamanna ◽  
Robert Ernst Mayer ◽  
Alfred Rupprechter ◽  
Michael Fuchs ◽  
Fabian Higel ◽  
...  

1993 ◽  
Vol 70 (03) ◽  
pp. 448-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ole Nordfang ◽  
Hanne I Kristensen ◽  
Sanne Valentin ◽  
Per Østergaard ◽  
Johnny Wadt

SummaryThe anticoagulant activities of Tissue Factor Pathway Inhibitor (TFPI), heparin and hirudin were compared in intrinsic (APTT) and extrinsic (PT) activated clotting assays. In contrast to the thrombin inhibitor hirudin, heparin was 10 fold more potent in the APTT assay than in the PT assay, indicating that inhibition of intrinsic activation is important for the anticoagulant activity of heparin as measured in an APTT assay. TFPI was most potent in the PT assay and the effect of TFPI was most pronounced in the presence of other anticoagulants (heparin and hirudin). The activities of the two natural anticoagulants antithrombin III (ATIII) and TFPI were compared in a PT assay with very dilute tissue factor. In this assay system TFPI in normal plasma affected the clotting time more than ATIII in the plasma. However, when heparin was added ATIII was the major anticoagulant, but profound Prolongation of the clotting time was only seen when TFPI was also added. In an ATIII deficient plasma heparin did not augment the effect of TFPI, showing that the increased effect of TFPI in the presence of heparin is dependent on the anticoagulant activity of ATIII/heparin. The effect of TFPI at prolonged clotting times was also illustrated by the significant effect of blocking TFPI in the plasma from warfarin-treated patients. Thus TFPI is a major anticoagulant in normal plasma and the effect of TFPI is especially seen at prolonged clotting times.


1993 ◽  
Vol 69 (02) ◽  
pp. 157-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irving Fox ◽  
Adrian Dawson ◽  
Peter Loynds ◽  
Jane Eisner ◽  
Kathleen Findlen ◽  
...  

SummaryHirulog™ (BG8967) is a direct thrombin inhibitor built by rational design using the protein hirudin as a model (Maraganore et al. [1990]; Biochemistry 29: 7095–101). In order to evaluate the therapeutic potential for hirulog in the management of thrombotic disease, the tolerability and anticoagulant activity of the agent were examined in a study of human volunteers.In a randomized, placebo-controlled study (n = 54), the intravenous infusion of hirulog over 15 min showed a rapid, dose-dependent prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), and thrombin time (TT). There was a corresponding dose-dependent increase in plasma hirulog levels. The peptide was rapidly cleared with a half-life of 36 min and a total body clearance rate for the peptide of 0.43 1 kg−1 h−1. Similar activity was observed following subcutaneous injection but with sustained pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic behavior. There was a significant correlation between pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic variables for both intravenous (r = 0.8, p <0.001) and subcutaneous administration (r = 0.7, p = 0.002).To evaluate the possible interactions of aspirin on the tolerability and anticoagulant activity of intravenous hirulog, a cross-over design was employed in eight subjects. Aspirin administration did not modify the peptide’s activity. At the administered dose of 0.6 mg kg−1 h−1 for 2 h, hirulog infusion prolonged APTT from 230 to 260% baseline. The infusion of hirulog in subjects who had received aspirin was not associated with any significant changes in the template bleeding time.The final phase of the study examined the activity and tolerability of hirulog in ten subjects during prolonged intravenous infusions for up to 24 h. The peptide (0.3 mg kg−1 h−1) exhibited sustained anticoagulant activity with no evidence for a cumulative effect. During hirulog infusion, APTT was prolonged from 210 to 250% baseline.In all phases of the study, hirulog administration was generally well-tolerated.Our observations show that hirulog is an active antithrombin agent with excellent tolerability in humans. As a direct thrombin inhibitor, hirulog provides a novel approach for the management of thrombotic disease.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document