Selective detection of peptide-oligonucleotide heteroconjugates utilizing capillary HPLC-ICPMS

A method for the selective detection and quantification of peptide:oligonucleotide heteroconjugates, such as those generated by protein:nucleic acid cross-links, using capillary reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (cap-RPHPLC) coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry detection (ICPMS) is described. The selective detection of phosphorus as (31)P(+), the only natural isotope, in peptide-oligonucleotide heteroconjugates is enabled by the elemental detection capabilities of the ICPMS. Mobile phase conditions that allow separation of heteroconjugates while maintaining ICPMS compatibility were investigated. We found that trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) mobile phases, used in conventional peptide separations, and hexafluoroisopropanol/triethylamine (HFIP/TEA) mobile phases, used in conventional oligonucleotide separations, both are compatible with ICPMS and enable heteroconjugate separation. The TFA-based separations yielded limits of detection (LOD) of ~40 ppb phosphorus, which is nearly seven times lower than the LOD for HFIP/TEA-based separations. Using the TFA mobile phase, 1-2 pmol of a model heteroconjugate were routinely separated and detected by this optimized capLC-ICPMS method.

A transgenic Drosophila model for arsenic methylation suggests a metabolic rationale for differential dose-dependent toxicity endpoints

The mechanisms by which exposure to arsenic induces its myriad pathological effects are undoubtedly complex, while individual susceptibility to their type and severity is likely to be strongly influenced by genetic factors. Human metabolism of arsenic into methylated derivatives, once presumed to result in detoxification, may actually produce species with significantly greater pathological potential. We introduce a transgenic Drosophila model of arsenic methylation, allowing its consequences to be studied in a higher eukaryote exhibiting conservation of many genes and pathways with those of human cells while providing an important opportunity to uncover mechanistic details via the sophisticated genetic analysis for which the system is particularly well suited. The gene for the human enzyme, arsenic (+3 oxidation state) methyltransferase, was introduced into nonmethylating Drosophila under inducible control. Transgenic flies were characterized for enzyme inducibility, production of methylated arsenic species, and the dose-dependent consequences for chromosomal integrity and organismal longevity. Upon enzyme induction, transgenic flies processed arsenite into mono and dimethylated derivatives identical to those found in human urine. When induced flies were exposed to 9 ppm arsenite, chromosomal stability was clearly reduced, whereas at much higher doses, adult life span was significantly increased, a seemingly paradoxical pair of outcomes. Measurement of arsenic body burden in the presence or absence of methylation suggested that enhanced clearance of methylated species might explain this greater longevity under acutely toxic conditions. Our study clearly demonstrates both the hazards and the benefits of arsenic methylation in vivo and suggests a resolution based on evolutionary grounds.

Distribution and in vitro availability of selenium in selenium-containing storage protein from selenium-enriched rice utilizing optimized extraction

Selenium (Se) distribution in Se-enriched rice and optimization of extraction for Se-containing protein were studied. Se availability in Se-containing protein product was simulated using an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion. The results showed that Se was predominately found as organic Se, whereas inorganic Se comprised only 2.85% of the total Se. The glutelin fraction contained the largest amount of Se, approximately 31.3% of the total Se in the rice gain. Utilizing orthogonal analysis, the optimum extraction conditions were selected at a volume to weight of 20:1, 0.08 M NaOH, an extraction time of 3 h, and at a temperature of 35 degrees C. A Se-containing rice protein product with 83.5% protein and 9.09 microg g(-1) Se was sequestered using the optimal extraction method. This rice protein product with high molecular weight Se-containing protein can readily be digested to low molecular weight peptides and selenomethionine (52.3% of total Se in protein extract).

Elucidating the selenium and arsenic metabolic pathways following exposure to the non-hyperaccumulating Chlorophytum comosum, spider plant

Although many studies have investigated the metabolism of selenium and arsenic in hyperaccumulating plants for phytoremediation purposes, few have explored non-hyperaccumulating plants as a model for general contaminant exposure to plants. In addition, the result of simultaneous supplementation with selenium and arsenic has not been investigated in plants. In this study, Chlorophytum comosum, commonly known as the spider plant, was used to investigate the metabolism of selenium and arsenic after single and simultaneous supplementation. Size exclusion and ion-pairing reversed phase liquid chromatography were coupled to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer to obtain putative metabolic information of the selenium and arsenic species in C. comosum after a mild aqueous extraction. The chromatographic results depict that selenium and arsenic species were sequestered in the roots and generally conserved upon translocation to the leaves. The data suggest that selenium was directly absorbed by C. comosum roots when supplemented with Se(VI), but a combination of passive and direct absorption occurred when supplemented with Se(IV) due to the partial oxidation of Se(IV) to Se(VI) in the rhizosphere. Higher molecular weight selenium species were more prevalent in the roots of plants supplemented with Se(IV), but in the leaves of plants supplemented with Se(VI) due to an increased translocation rate. When supplemented as As(III), arsenic is proposed to be passively absorbed as As(III) and partially oxidized to As(V) in the plant root. Although total elemental analysis demonstrates a selenium and arsenic antagonism, a compound containing selenium and arsenic was not present in the general aqueous extract of the plant.

Histoplasma capsulatum proteome response to decreased iron availability

BACKGROUND

A fundamental pathogenic feature of the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum is its ability to evade innate and adaptive immune defenses. Once ingested by macrophages the organism is faced with several hostile environmental conditions including iron limitation. H. capsulatum can establish a persistent state within the macrophage. A gap in knowledge exists because the identities and number of proteins regulated by the organism under host conditions has yet to be defined. Lack of such knowledge is an important problem because until these proteins are identified it is unlikely that they can be targeted as new and innovative treatment for histoplasmosis.

RESULTS

To investigate the proteomic response by H. capsulatum to decreasing iron availability we have created H. capsulatum protein/genomic databases compatible with current mass spectrometric (MS) search engines. Databases were assembled from the H. capsulatum G217B strain genome using gene prediction programs and expressed sequence tag (EST) libraries. Searching these databases with MS data generated from two dimensional (2D) in-gel digestions of proteins resulted in over 50% more proteins identified compared to searching the publicly available fungal databases alone. Using 2D gel electrophoresis combined with statistical analysis we discovered 42 H. capsulatum proteins whose abundance was significantly modulated when iron concentrations were lowered. Altered proteins were identified by mass spectrometry and database searching to be involved in glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, lysine metabolism, protein synthesis, and one protein sequence whose function was unknown.

CONCLUSION

We have created a bioinformatics platform for H. capsulatum and demonstrated the utility of a proteomic approach by identifying a shift in metabolism the organism utilizes to cope with the hostile conditions provided by the host. We have shown that enzyme transcripts regulated by other fungal pathogens in response to lowering iron availability are also regulated in H. capsulatum at the protein level. We also identified H. capsulatum proteins sensitive to iron level reductions which have yet to be connected to iron availability in other pathogens. These data also indicate the complexity of the response by H. capsulatum to nutritional deprivation. Finally, we demonstrate the importance of a strain specific gene/protein database for H. capsulatum proteomic analysis.

Simultaneous characterization of selenium and arsenic analytes via ion-pairing reversed phase chromatography with inductively coupled plasma and electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry for detection applications to river water, plant extract and urine matrices

With an increased awareness and concern for varying toxicities of the different chemical forms of environmental contaminants such as selenium and arsenic, effective methodologies for speciation are paramount. In general, chromatographic methodologies have been developed using a particular detection system and a unique matrix for single element speciation. In this study, a routine method to speciate selenium and arsenic in a variety of "real world" matrices with elemental and molecular mass spectrometric detection has been successfully accomplished. Specifically, four selenium species, selenite, selenate, selenomethionine and selenocystine, and four arsenic species, arsenite, arsenate, monomethlyarsonate and dimethylarsinate, were simultaneously separated using ion-pairing reversed phase chromatography coupled with inductively coupled plasma and electrospray ionization ion trap mass spectrometry. Using tetrabutylammonium hydroxide as the ion-pairing reagent on a C(18) column, the separation and re-equilibration time was attained within 18min. To illustrate the wide range of possible applications, the method was then successfully applied for the detection of selenium and arsenic species found naturally and spiked in river water, plant extract and urine matrices.

Therapeutic choices made by patients with end-stage cancer

The Oklahoma Children's Memorial Hospital Oncology Service has developed a new approach for its patients with end-stage cancer. The emphasis is on the patients' acknowledgement of the progression of the disease and the imminence of death, and informed choice between the use of research drugs and no further chemotherapy. Forty-three patients between 6 and 20 years of age participated in a conference of this type. The results demonstrated that they understood that their health was declining. They decided about further therapy autonomously or together with their family. The majority of children who chose supportive care without chemotherapy and lived for a period of time, participated in activities at home as far as their state of health permitted. Severe depression and severe behavioral problems occurred rarely. There was evidence that this open approach enabled patients and family members to communicate openly with each other.