Ecotoxicological assessment and dermal layer interactions of nanoparticle and its routes of penetrations

Our review focused on nanomaterials-based toxicity evaluation and its exposure to the human and aquatic animals when it was leached and contaminated in the environment. Ecotoxicological assessment and its mechanism mainly affect the skin covering layers and its preventive barriers that protect the foreign particles' skin. Nanoscale materials are essential in the medical field, especially in biomedical and commercial applications such as nanomedicine and drug delivery, mainly in therapeutic treatments. However, various commercial formulations of pharmaceutical drugs are manufactured through a series of clinical trials. The role of such drugs and their metabolites has not met the requirement of an individual's need at the early stage of the treatments except few drugs and medicines with minimal or no side effects. Therefore, biology and medicines are taken up the advantages of nano scaled drugs and formulations for the treatment of various diseases. The present study identifies and analyses the different nanoparticles and their chemical components on the skin and their effects due to penetration. There are advantageous factors available to facilitate positive and negative contact between dermal layers. It creates a new agenda for an established application that is mainly based on skin diseases.

Cordia diffusa K.C. Jacob, the Kovai Manjack (Boraginaceae): a highly threatened steno-endemic species from Coimbatore City, Tamil Nadu, India

Cordia diffusa K.C. Jacob, belonging to Boraginaceae, discovered in 1938 and named by K.C. Jacob in 1944, is a little-known and the only narrow endemic but neglected plant of Coimbatore City.  The lectotype of the steno-endemic is determined and the current status, distribution, potential threats, bioprospecting potential, and suggestions for conservation of the species are discussed.  The collection of steno-endemic plant during intensive exploration in its type locality nearly after 90 years is of phytogeographic and conservation significance.  The endemic is proposed the category of Critically Endangered (CR) based on criterion D of IUCN (as per versions 3.1 & 13).  C. diffusa can be protected by promoting awareness of the rarity of native species and mass propagation through vegetative means so as to introduce it in gardens, parks, and avenues, etc. at once in the city. 

Cordia diffusa K.C. Jacob, the Kovai Manjack (Boraginaceae): a highly threatened steno-endemic species from Coimbatore City, Tamil Nadu, India

Cordia diffusa K.C. Jacob, belonging to Boraginaceae, discovered in 1938 and named by K.C. Jacob in 1944, is a little-known and the only narrow endemic but neglected plant of Coimbatore City.  The lectotype of the steno-endemic is determined and the current status, distribution, potential threats, bioprospecting potential, and suggestions for conservation of the species are discussed.  The collection of steno-endemic plant during intensive exploration in its type locality nearly after 90 years is of phytogeographic and conservation significance.  The endemic is proposed the category of Critically Endangered (CR) based on criterion D of IUCN (as per versions 3.1 & 13).  C. diffusa can be protected by promoting awareness of the rarity of native species and mass propagation through vegetative means so as to introduce it in gardens, parks, and avenues, etc. at once in the city. 

Computational Modeling and Analysis of Fluid Structure Interaction in Micromixers with Deformable Baffle

A passive micromixer with obstacles in the form of deformable baffles is examined numerically. The model deploys an Arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian framework with Fluid-structure interaction coupled with a diffusion–advection model. Numerical analysis is carried out in the Reynolds number [Re] range of 0.01≤Re≤300. The objective of the present study is to enhance mixing between two component flow streams in a microchannel encompassing a deformable baffle. In the present work, the baffle deforms only due to the dynamic force of fluids. No external forces are applied. To exemplify the effectiveness of the present design, water and a suspension of curcumin drug loaded nanoparticles are taken as two fluids. Mixing index based on the variance of the local concentration of the suspension is employed to appraise the mixing performance of the micromixer. The introduction of the deformable baffle in a micromixer proliferates the mixing performance with minimal pressure drop over the tested Reynolds number range.

Effect of Mutagens on Quantitative Characters in M₂ and M₃ Generation of Sesame (<i>Sesamum indicum</i> L.)

The mutagenic effects of different dose/concentrations of gamma rays (30, 40 and 50 KR) and ethyl methane sulphonate (1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mM) on sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) varieties VRI-1 were investigated. The characters studied include; days to first flower, plant height, number of branches per plant, number of capsule per plant, number of seeds per capsule and seed yield per plant in M2 and M3 generations. Both negative and positive shifts in mean values were recorded as a result of the physical and chemical treatments. The results indicate the possibilities of evolving higher yield variants through proper selection. Thus, economic traits like number of capsule per plant, number of seeds per capsule and hundred seed weight in M3 generation offer scope for selection and improvement.

Effect of Mutagens on Quantitative Characters in M₂ and M₃ Generation of Sesame (<i>Sesamum indicum</i> L.)

The mutagenic effects of different dose/concentrations of gamma rays (30, 40 and 50 KR) and ethyl methane sulphonate (1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mM) on sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) varieties VRI-1 were investigated. The characters studied include; days to first flower, plant height, number of branches per plant, number of capsule per plant, number of seeds per capsule and seed yield per plant in M2 and M3 generations. Both negative and positive shifts in mean values were recorded as a result of the physical and chemical treatments. The results indicate the possibilities of evolving higher yield variants through proper selection. Thus, economic traits like number of capsule per plant, number of seeds per capsule and hundred seed weight in M3 generation offer scope for selection and improvement.

Introduction of Pea DNA Helicase 45 Into Sugarcane (Saccharum spp. Hybrid) Enhances Cell Membrane Thermostability And Upregulation Of Stress-responsive Genes Leads To Abiotic Stress Tolerance

DNA helicases are motor proteins that play an essential role in nucleic acid metabolism, by providing a duplex-unwinding function. To improve the drought and salinity tolerance of sugarcane, a DEAD-box helicase gene isolated from pea with a constitutive promoter, Port Ubi 2.3 was transformed into the commercial sugarcane variety Co 86032 through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, and the transgenics were screened for tolerance to soil moisture stress and salinity. The transgene integration was confirmed through polymerase chain reaction, and the V 0 transgenic events showed significantly higher cell membrane thermostability under normal irrigated conditions. The V 1 transgenic events were screened for tolerance to soil moisture stress and exhibited significantly higher cell membrane thermostability, transgene expression, relative water content, gas exchange parameters, chlorophyll content, and photosynthetic efficiency under soil moisture stress compared to wild-type (WT). The overexpression of PDH45 transgenic sugarcane also led to the upregulation of DREB2-induced downstream stress-related genes. The transgenic events demonstrated higher germination ability and better chlorophyll retention than WT under salinity stress. Our results suggest the possibility for development of increased abiotic stress tolerant sugarcane cultivars through overexpression of PDH45 gene. Perhaps this is the first report, which provides evidence for increased drought and salinity tolerance in sugarcane through overexpression of PDH45.

Erianthus arundinaceus HSP70 (EaHSP70) overexpression increases drought and salinity tolerance in sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid)

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) have a major role in stress tolerance mechanisms in plants. Our studies have shown that the expression of HSP70 is enhanced under water stress in Erianthus arundinaceus. In this paper, we evaluate the effects of overexpression of EaHSP70 driven by Port Ubi 2.3 promoter in sugarcane. The transgenic events exhibit significantly higher gene expression, cell membrane thermostability, relative water content, gas exchange parameters, chlorophyll content and photosynthetic efficiency. The overexpression of EaHSP70 transgenic sugarcane led to the upregulation of stress-related genes. The transformed sugarcane plants had better chlorophyll retention and higher germination ability than control plants under salinity stress. Our results suggest that EaHSP70 plays an important role in sugarcane acclimation to drought and salinity stresses and its potential for genetic engineering of sugarcane for drought and salt tolerance.

Overexpression of EaDREB2 and pyramiding of EaDREB2 with the pea DNA helicase gene (PDH45) enhance drought and salinity tolerance in sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid)

KEY MESSAGE

EaDREB2 overexpressed in sugarcane enhanced tolerance to drought and salinity. When co-transformed with plant DNA helicase gene, DREB2 showed greater level of salinity tolerance than in single-gene transgenics. Drought is one of the most challenging agricultural issues limiting sustainable sugarcane production and can potentially cause up to 50 % yield loss. DREB proteins play a vital regulatory role in abiotic stress tolerance in plants. We previously reported that expression of EaDREB2 is enhanced by drought stress in Erianthus arundinaceus. In this study, we have isolated the DREB2 gene from E. arundinaceus, transformed one of the most popular sugarcane variety Co 86032 in tropical India with EaDREB2 through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation, pyramided the EaDREB2 gene with the gene coding for PDH45 driven by Port Ubi 2.3 promoter through particle bombardment and evaluated the V1 transgenics for soil deficit moisture and salinity stresses. Soil moisture stress was imposed at the tillering phase by withholding irrigation. Physiological, molecular and morphological parameters were used to assess drought tolerance. Salinity tolerance was assessed through leaf disc senescence and bud sprout assays under salinity stress. Our results indicate that overexpression of EaDREB2 in sugarcane enhances drought and salinity tolerance to a greater extent than the untransformed control plants. This is the first report of the co-transformation of EaDREB2 and PDH45 which shows higher salinity tolerance but lower drought tolerance than EaDREB2 alone. The present study seems to suggest that, for combining drought and salinity tolerance together, co-transformation is a better approach.

Immune Augmentation of Single Contact Hepatitis B Vaccine by Using PLGA Microspheres as an Adjuvant

The present study was aimed to replace the alum type adjuvant for hepatitis B vaccine. The hepatitis B vaccine was encapsulated in poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres by solvent evaporation technique. The formulated microspheres were characterized in terms of morphology, particle size analysis, in vitro release study and in vivo immune response in male Wistar rats. The FT IR spectrum illustrates the characteristics bands of poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres and hepatitis B vaccine at 1750 cm(-1) and 1650 cm(-1), respectively. The hepatitis B vaccine loaded poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres were able to release antigens till day 42. Significant enhancement of specific antibodies to HBsAg was produced till day 90 after a single administration of HBsAg encapsulated poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres. However, the conventional alum adsorbed hepatitis B vaccine was not found to produce any significant specific antibody levels till day 90 after a single dose. The results showed that poly (DL-lactide-co-glycolide) microspheres show potential as an adjuvant for hepatitis B vaccine.

Stability of embedded indium nanoclusters in silica under thermal treatment and ion irradiation

The stability of embedded Indium (In) nanoclusters (NCs) in silica under thermal annealing and ion irradiation was investigated. The In NCs were prepared by implantation of 890 keV indium ions in silica matrix at room temperature. Post implantation annealing resulted in the shifting of the size distribution to higher side. On the other hand 140 keV Nitrogen ion irradiation at elevated temperature resulted in the reduction of NCs size, with significant narrowing of the size distribution. The paper discusses the results of the study in the light of the models pertaining to the stability of NCs under ion irradiation conditions.

Nanostructure assembly of indium sulphide quantum dots and their characterization

Nanocrystals (approximately 5 nm) of the semiconducting wide band gap material beta-In2S3 obtained by chemical synthesis through a hydrothermal route were characterized for phase and compositional purity. These nanoparticles exhibited quantum confinement characteristics as revealed by a blue-shifted optical absorption. These quantum dots of beta-In2S3 were electrically driven from a monodisperse colloidal suspension on to conducting glass substrates by Electophoretic Deposition (EPD) technique and nanostructural thin films were obtained. The crystalline and morphological structures of these deposits were investigated by X-ray diffraction and nanoscopic techniques. We report here that certain interesting nanostructural morphologies were observed in the two-dimensional quantum dot assemblies of beta-In2S3. The effect of the controlling parameters on the cluster growth and deposit integrity was also systematically studied through a series of experiments and the results are reported here.

Synthesis, characterization, and assembly of beta-In2S3 nanoparticles

Semiconductor nanoparticles of Indium Sulphide were synthesized by a hydrothermal method using InCl3 and Na2S. Powder X-ray Diffraction analysis confirmed that the product obtained was nanocrystals of single-phase beta-In2S3. The crystallite size distribution was obtained from the diffraction profile and the average size was approximately 5 nm. The compositional analyses performed on the as-prepared powder showed that the material was devoid of any impurity with an In:S ratio very close to 2:3. A colloid of very fine In2S3 particles was obtained from the as-prepared powder by suspending them in acetonitrile. The optical absorption of this colloid showed evidence of strong quantum confinement of excitons and as a result the particles yielded intense photoluminescence in the violet-blue region. These colloidal particles were then electrophoretically driven on to a transparent conducting substrate to assemble into a nanostructure. A Grazing Incidence X-ray Diffraction analysis of the deposited layer revealed that the preferred orientation noticed in the native powder was removed in the deposit. The surface morphology of the deposit studied using SEM and AFM displayed an inherent ordering behaviour in the clusters organized into a two-dimensional film. The locus of the cluster lines tend to form closed circles, at the nanoscopic as well as microscopic scales, indicative of certain strong neighborhood correlations. Such structures may be expected to exhibit novel correlated properties also.

Antifertility activity of hydroalcoholic extract of Ailanthus excelsa (Roxb): an ethnomedicines used by tribals of Nilgiris region in Tamilnadu

The practice of traditional medicine for the control of fertility in Nilgris is based on the use of plant medicine for many years. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of stem bark of Ailanthus excelsa Roxb (Simaroubaceae) (HEA) has been studied in rats to explore its antifertility activity. A strong antiimplantation (72%) and abortifacient activity (56%) was observed at the tested dose levels (200 and 400mg/kg, p.o.). The extract shows further more, significant (P<0.05) increase in uterine weight in immature ovariectomised rats. Simultaneous administration of extract with ethinyl estradiol cause significant antiestrogenic activity. All these observations suggest that hydroalcoholic extract of Ailanthus excelsa has antifertility effect.

Predicting anti-HIV activity of PETT derivatives: CoMFA approach

HIV-1 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type-1) is the pathogenic retrovirus and causative agent of AIDS. HIV-1 RT is one of the key enzymes in the duplication of HIV-1. Inhibitors of HIV-1 RT are classified as NNRTIs and NRTIs. NNRTIs bind in a region not associated with the active site of the enzyme. Within the NNRTIs category, there is a set of inhibitors commonly referred to as phenyl ethyl thiazolyl thiourea (PETT) derivatives. The present 3D QSAR study attempts to explore the structural requirements of phenyl ethyl thiazolyl thiourea (PETT) derivatives for anti-HIV activity. Based on the structures and biodata of previous PETT analogs, 3D-QSAR (CoMFA) study has been performed with a training set consisting of 60 molecules, which resulted in a reliable computational model with q(2)=0.657, S(PRESS)=0.957, r(2)=0.938, and standard error of estimation (SEE)=0.270 with the number of partial least square (PLS) components being 5. It is shown that the steric and electrostatic properties predicted by CoMFA contours can be related to the anti-HIV activity. The predictive ability of the resultant model was evaluated using a test set comprised of 11 molecules and the predicted r(2)=0.893. This model is a more significant guide to trace the features that really matter especially with respect to the design of novel compounds.

Spectrophotometric analysis of raloxifene hydrochloride in pure and pharmaceutical formulations

Two simple and sensitive spectrophotometric methods (A and B) for the determination of raloxifene hydrochloride in bulk samples and pharmaceutical formulations are described. Method A is based on the oxidation of the drug with ferric chloride and coupling with potassium ferric cyanide. Method B is based on reduction of the drug with Fehling's reagent. Bluish green color formed in method A absorbs at 735 nm and brown color produced in method B absorbs at 430 nm.

The GTP binding proteins Gem and Rad are negative regulators of the Rho-Rho kinase pathway

The cytoskeletal changes that alter cellular morphogenesis and motility depend upon a complex interplay among molecules that regulate actin, myosin, and other cytoskeletal components. The Rho family of GTP binding proteins are important upstream mediators of cytoskeletal organization. Gem and Rad are members of another family of small GTP binding proteins (the Rad, Gem, and Kir family) for which biochemical functions have been mostly unknown. Here we show that Gem and Rad interface with the Rho pathway through association with the Rho effectors, Rho kinase (ROK) alpha and beta. Gem binds ROKbeta independently of RhoA in the ROKbeta coiled-coil region adjacent to the Rho binding domain. Expression of Gem inhibited ROKbeta-mediated phosphorylation of myosin light chain and myosin phosphatase, but not LIM kinase, suggesting that Gem acts by modifying the substrate specificity of ROKbeta. Gem or Rad expression led to cell flattening and neurite extension in N1E-115 neuroblastoma cells. In interference assays, Gem opposed ROKbeta- and Rad opposed ROKalpha-mediated cell rounding and neurite retraction. Gem did not oppose cell rounding initiated by ROKbeta containing a deletion of the Gem binding region, demonstrating that Gem binding to ROKbeta is required for the effects observed. In epithelial or fibroblastic cells, Gem or Rad expression resulted in stress fiber and focal adhesion disassembly. In addition, Gem reverted the anchorage-independent growth and invasiveness of Dbl-transformed fibroblasts. These results identify physiological roles for Gem and Rad in cytoskeletal regulation mediated by ROK.

The PDB data uniformity project

The Protein Data Bank (PDB; http://www.rcsb.org/pdb/) is the single worldwide archive of structural data of biological macromolecules. This paper describes the data uniformity project that is underway to address the inconsistency in PDB data.

Phosphorylation of SNAP-23 by the novel kinase SNAK regulates t-SNARE complex assembly

The docking and fusion of cargo-containing vesicles with target membranes of eukaryotic cells is mediated by the interaction of SNARE proteins present on both vesicle and target membranes. In many cases, the target membrane SNARE, or t-SNARE, exists as a complex of syntaxin with a member of the SNAP-25 family of palmitoylated proteins. We have identified a novel human kinase SNAK (SNARE kinase) that specifically phosphorylates the nonneuronal t-SNARE SNAP-23 in vivo. Interestingly, only SNAP-23 that is not assembled into t-SNARE complexes is phosphorylated by SNAK, and phosphorylated SNAP-23 resides exclusively in the cytosol. Coexpression with SNAK significantly enhances the stability of unassembled SNAP-23, and as a consequence, the assembly of newly synthesized SNAP-23 with syntaxin is augmented. These data demonstrate that phosphorylation of SNAP-23 by SNAK enhances the kinetics of t-SNARE assembly in vivo.

Cloning and identification of human syntaxin 5 as a synaptobrevin/VAMP binding protein

Syntaxins are transmembrane proteins that function in regulating transport vesicle docking and fusion with target membranes in neuronal and nonneuronal cells. Vesicle docking is thought to be regulated in part by the specific interactions of syntaxin with a vesicle-associated membrane protein termed synaptobrevin/VAMP. We have cloned a 1557-bp cDNA that encodes the human syntaxin 5 isoform, using a combination of PCR and colony-screening methods. The deduced 301 amino-acid sequence of human syntaxin 5 shares 96% identity with rat syntaxin 5. Like rat syntaxin 1A, human syntaxin 5 binds to synaptobrevin/VAMP in vitro. The identification of human syntaxin 5 as a synaptobrevin/VAMP-binding protein supports the hypothesis that syntaxin 5 regulates protein transport by binding to vesicle-associated membrane proteins.

Diamide primes neutrophils for enhanced release of superoxide anion: relationship to S-thiolation of cellular proteins

Stimulation of the respiratory burst in phagocytes induces the formation of mixed disulfides between sulfhydryl groups of proteins and low-molecular-weight thiols. We hypothesized that this process (S-thiolation) might be involved in turning off the respiratory burst. However, induction of S-thiolation by pretreatment of neutrophils with diamide, a direct thiol oxidizing agent, actually primed the cells for a two- to fivefold increase in total release and fourfold increase in rate of release of 02- on stimulation by f-Met-Leu-Phe. Generation of intracellular oxidants (hydroethidine fluorescence) was increased ninefold. Priming and S-thiolation were apparent at 1 min of incubation and peaked at 5-10 min. Diamide pretreatment also reduced the lag time between addition of phorbol diester and release of 02- by a mean of 23 s (41%). Dithioerythritol, a sulfhydryl-reducing agent, abolished both the S-thiolation and priming mediated by diamide. H202 also induced priming and S-thiolation; and these were eliminated by dithioerythritol. In contrast to the effect of endotoxin, diamide priming did not affect Ca2+ homeostasis of the neutrophils. Diamide did not significantly alter NADPH oxidase activity in a cell-free system. These findings suggest that sulfhydryl groups on one or more proteins play an important role in modulating the respiratory burst.

Identification of a novel syntaxin- and synaptobrevin/VAMP-binding protein, SNAP-23, expressed in non-neuronal tissues

The specificity of vesicular transport is regulated, in part, by the interaction of a vesicle-associated membrane protein termed synaptobrevin/VAMP with a target compartment membrane protein termed syntaxin. These proteins, together with SNAP-25 (synaptosome-associated protein of 25 kDa), form a complex which serves as a binding site for the general membrane fusion machinery. Synaptobrevin/VAMP and syntaxin are ubiquitously expressed proteins and are believed to be involved in vesicular transport in most (if not all) cells. However, SNAP-25 is present almost exclusively in the brain, suggesting that a ubiquitously expressed homolog of SNAP-25 exists to facilitate transport vesicle/target membrane fusion in other tissues. Using the yeast two-hybrid system, we have identified a 23-kDa protein from human B lymphocytes (termed SNAP-23) that binds tightly to multiple syntaxins and synaptobrevins/VAMPs in vitro. SNAP-23 is 59% identical with SNAP-25. Unlike SNAP-25, SNAP-23 was expressed in all tissues examined. These findings suggest that SNAP-23 is an essential component of the high affinity receptor for the general membrane fusion machinery and an important regulator of transport vesicle docking and fusion in all mammalian cells.

Protein S-thiolation and dethiolation during the respiratory burst in human monocytes. A reversible post-translational modification with potential for buffering the effects of oxidant stress

Stimulation of the respiratory burst in mouse macrophages or human neutrophils results in the formation of disulfide bonds between low m.w. thiols and sulfhydryl groups on specific cytosolic proteins (S-thiolation). S-thiolation is reversible in certain chemical systems. The aim of the present study was to analyze the dynamic nature of this process in human monocytes under physiologic conditions. We report here that the extent of S-thiolation and the rate of respiratory burst stimulated by opsonized zymosan or phorbol diester increased for 10 to 20 min and then declined (dethiolation) in close association. Individual proteins underwent S-thiolation and dethiolation at different rates. H2O--appeared particularly effective in mediating S-thiolation, based on inhibition of S-thiolation by added catalase and accentuation by azide, which inhibits cellular catalase. S-thiolation did not occur in stimulated monocytes from patients with chronic granulomatous disease. The addition of H2O2 to monocytes or lymphocytes induced rapid S-thiolation (1 to 3 min); a subsequent dethiolation returned most of the proteins to baseline by 15 to 30 min. At 0 degrees C and after addition of 1,3-bis-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea, there was effective S-thiolation on exposure to H2O2, but dethiolation was inhibited, suggesting a possible role for glutathione (GSH)/thioredoxin reductase systems in this process. GSH was determined to be the most abundant low m.w. thiol bound to S-thiolated proteins, but gamma-glutamylcysteine and cysteine were also bound. The time of maximal reduction in cytosolic GSH during the respiratory burst (10 min) coincided with the time at which protein-bound GSH was highest. S-thiolation-dethiolation represents a reversible post-translational modification that could protect cellular proteins from irreversible oxidative damage.

Protein S-thiolation and dethiolation during the respiratory burst in human monocytes. A reversible post-translational modification with potential for buffering the effects of oxidant stress

Stimulation of the respiratory burst in mouse macrophages or human neutrophils results in the formation of disulfide bonds between low m.w. thiols and sulfhydryl groups on specific cytosolic proteins (S-thiolation). S-thiolation is reversible in certain chemical systems. The aim of the present study was to analyze the dynamic nature of this process in human monocytes under physiologic conditions. We report here that the extent of S-thiolation and the rate of respiratory burst stimulated by opsonized zymosan or phorbol diester increased for 10 to 20 min and then declined (dethiolation) in close association. Individual proteins underwent S-thiolation and dethiolation at different rates. H2O--appeared particularly effective in mediating S-thiolation, based on inhibition of S-thiolation by added catalase and accentuation by azide, which inhibits cellular catalase. S-thiolation did not occur in stimulated monocytes from patients with chronic granulomatous disease. The addition of H2O2 to monocytes or lymphocytes induced rapid S-thiolation (1 to 3 min); a subsequent dethiolation returned most of the proteins to baseline by 15 to 30 min. At 0 degrees C and after addition of 1,3-bis-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea, there was effective S-thiolation on exposure to H2O2, but dethiolation was inhibited, suggesting a possible role for glutathione (GSH)/thioredoxin reductase systems in this process. GSH was determined to be the most abundant low m.w. thiol bound to S-thiolated proteins, but gamma-glutamylcysteine and cysteine were also bound. The time of maximal reduction in cytosolic GSH during the respiratory burst (10 min) coincided with the time at which protein-bound GSH was highest. S-thiolation-dethiolation represents a reversible post-translational modification that could protect cellular proteins from irreversible oxidative damage.

S-thiolation of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase induced by the phagocytosis-associated respiratory burst in blood monocytes

Chemical oxidants can induce the covalent binding of low molecular weight thiols to reactive sulfhydryls on proteins (S-thiolation). We found that stimulation of the respiratory burst of human blood monocytes resulted in S-thiolation of several proteins, most prominently one of 38 kDa. This purified protein was identified as glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) by enzyme activity, immunoblotting, and amino acid analysis. After stimulation of the respiratory burst, S-thiolation of GAPDH gradually increased, and cytosol GAPDH activity decreased; so that at 60 min, GAPDH activity was reduced by approximately 40%. Activity was restored by the addition of the sulfhydryl-reducing agent dithioerythritol. H2O2 appeared to be particularly important in mediating S-thiolation during the respiratory burst. Exposure of monocytes to H2O2 induced concentration-dependent S-thiolation of GAPDH and a concomitant decrease in enzyme activity. The addition of respiratory burst stimuli to lymphocytes, which lack a full respiratory burst, had no effect on GAPDH S-thiolation or activity; but H2O2 induced S-thiolation of lymphocyte GAPDH and inhibition of enzyme activity. Stimulation of monocytes from three patients with chronic granulomatous disease resulted in no respiratory burst, S-thiolation of GAPDH, or inactivation of GAPDH activity. The thiols covalently bound to purified S-thiolated GAPDH were removed by dithioerythritol and were identified as glutathione and cysteine; glutathione was predominant. These results indicate that during the respiratory burst in monocytes, low molecular weight thiols can bind to specific cytosolic proteins, including GAPDH. It is possible that S-thiolation of cytosolic proteins serves to modulate cellular metabolic events during phagocytosis.

Restoration of tissue antioxidants and prevention of renal stone deposition in vitamin B6 deficient rats fed with vitamin E or methionine

Observed loss in body weight gain, increased lipid peroxidation reaction, decreased concentrations of antioxidants, ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol and reduced glutathione and antioxidant enzymes, glutathione peroxidase and catalase and increased concentration of hydroperoxides and hydroxyl radicals in vitamin B6 deficient rat liver [J Nutri Biochem, 2 (1991) 245] and kidney [Biochem International, 21 (1991) 599] were nearly normalized on feeding with vitamin E or methionine. Accumulation of oxalate and calcium during vitamin B6 deficiency was abolished by feeding vitamin E or methionine. Calcium oxalate deposition observed in vitamin B6 deficient kidney was completely prevented when fed along with vitamin E or methionine. However the hyperoxaluria and hypercalciuria persisted even after feeding with vitamin E or methionine.

Effect of oral methionine and vitamin E on blood lipid peroxidation in vitamin B6 deficient rats

Lipid peroxidation in blood of vitamin B6 deficient rats was significantly increased when compared to pair-fed controls. The observed increased lipid peroxidation in vitamin B6 deficiency was correlated with high levels of lipids, metal ions and low levels of antioxidants, alpha-tocopherol, ascorbic acid and reduced GSH. Supplementation of methionine or vitamin E along with the vitamin B6 deficient diet restored the levels of antioxidants to near normal and also protected against oxidative stress. However plasma TBARS level as well as total lipids were still elevated in M-B6 diet fed rats and normalized in E-B6-d rats.

Increased plasma lipidperoxidation in vitamin B-6 deficient rats

Lipidperoxidation in plasma of rats fed with vitamin B-6 deficient diet for a period of 12 weeks was studied with pair-fed controls. Plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, alanine amino transferase and aspartate amino transferase, the markers of vitamin B-6 status, were significantly low in vitamin B-6 deficient rats. Plasma malondialdehyde level, conjugated dienes and lipofuscin like pigments were increased in vitamin B-6 deficiency. Increased levels of plasma lipids, calcium, iron and copper were observed in vitamin B-6 deficiency. Plasma susceptibility to lipidperoxidation was maximal in vitamin B-6 deficiency, upon stimulation by the promotors, Fe2+, Fe3+, Cu2+, ascorbate, t-butyl hydroperoxide and hydrogen peroxide.

Conformation of methylated amino acids: structure of 3,4-dimethoxy-alpha-methyl-DL-phenylalanine sesquihydrate

C12H17NO4.1.5H2O, Mr = 266.3, triclinic, P1, a = 5.872 (1), b = 11.437 (2), c = 20.434 (1) A, alpha = 95.74 (1), beta = 96.91 (1), gamma = 89.18 (1) degrees, V = 1355.5 A3, Z = 4, Dm = 1.29, D chi = 1.305 g cm-3, lambda(Cu K alpha) = 1.5418 A, mu = 8.3 cm-1, F(000) = 572, T = 294 K, R = 0.038 for 4006 reflections, I greater than or equal to 3 sigma(I). Both the molecules A and B in the asymmetric unit exist as zwitterions. With respect to the D enantiomer, the torsion angles psi 1 and psi 2 are +47.2 and -134.4 degrees in molecule A and +33.3 and -147.5 degrees in molecule B respectively. The torsion angles of the alpha-methyl group, NH3+ and COO- groups with respect to Cv are in molecules A and B respectively +67.2, +66.8, -174.3, -175.6, and -59.2 and -59.5 degrees. The hydrogen-bonding environment of water OW1 is trigonal nonplanar; OW2 is trigonal planar and OW3 is tetrahedral. The crystal structure is stabilized by a number of hydrogen bonds involving the amino and carboxylate groups of both molecules A and B and the water molecules.

Ion pairs in alpha helices

A survey of 47 globular proteins was made to determine the probability of occurrence of ion pairs separated by 1,2,3,... and 8 residues in the alpha helices. As a control, the probability of occurrence of like charged pairs was also determined. The survey showed that ion pairs of the type i,i +/- 3 and i, i +/- 4 are the most predominant. Such a preference was not observed for like charged pairs. The observed frequency of ion pairs is significantly greater than their expected frequency. The normalized frequencies of occurrence of the ion pairs were also found to increase generally with the helix length. These results indicate that the ion pairs may contribute to the stability of solvent-exposed alpha helices. Since the stabilization of protein secondary structure enhances the stability of protein tertiary structure, these results may throw light on the mechanism of protein folding.