Sample records for acetyltransferase reporter construct

  1. Recent progress in N-acetyltransferase research: 7th international workshop on N-acetyltransferases (NAT): workshop report.

    PubMed

    Lichter, Jutta; Golka, Klaus; Sim, Edith; Blömeke, Brunhilde

    2017-07-01

    The 7th International Workshop on N-Acetyltransferases (NAT), held from 18 to 20 June 2016, was hosted by Brunhilde Blömeke and her team at the Trier University (Germany). The workshop addressed important aspects and latest advancements in the fields of NAT enzymes, endogenous functions of NATs, NAT gene nomenclature, genetic polymorphisms, and their associations with diseases as well as their use in diagnosis. Representatives from the leading teams performing research on NATs presented their excellent work, discussed the latest results, and created new ideas in the field of N-acetyltransferase research.

  2. Insights into the Specificity of Lysine Acetyltransferases

    DOE PAGES

    Tucker, Alex C.; Taylor, Keenan C.; Rank, Katherine C.; ...

    2014-11-07

    Reversible lysine acetylation by protein acetyltransferases is a conserved regulatory mechanism that controls diverse cellular pathways. Gcn5-related N-acetyltransferases (GNATs), named after their founding member, are found in all domains of life. GNATs are known for their role as histone acetyltransferases, but non-histone bacterial protein acetytransferases have been identified. Only structures of GNAT complexes with short histone peptide substrates are available in databases. Given the biological importance of this modification and the abundance of lysine in polypeptides, how specificity is attained for larger protein substrates is central to understanding acetyl-lysine-regulated networks. In this paper, we report the structure of a GNATmore » in complex with a globular protein substrate solved to 1.9 Å. GNAT binds the protein substrate with extensive surface interactions distinct from those reported for GNAT-peptide complexes. Finally, our data reveal determinants needed for the recognition of a protein substrate and provide insight into the specificity of GNATs.« less

  3. Thiolsubtilisin acts as an acetyltransferase in organic solvents.

    PubMed

    Tai, Dar Fu; Liaw, Wen Chen

    2002-04-24

    The catalytic mechanism of arylamine N-acetyltransferase has been proposed to involve Cys-His-Asp as its catalytic triad. Thiolsubtilisin, a chemically modified enzyme that has a catalytic triad of Cys-His-Asp at the active site, mimics the catalysis of arylamine N-acetyltransferase, serotonin N-acetyltransferase, histone N-acetyltransferase and amino acid N-acetyltransferase. Thiolsubtilisin not only can catalyze amino acid transacetylation, but is also able to catalyze amine transacetylation. Ethyl acetate was used as the acylating reagent to form N-acetyl amino acids and amines in organic solvents with moderate yield. Hence, these findings broaden our understanding of the structural features required for N-acetyltransferases activity as well as provide a structural relationship between cysteine protease and other N-acyltransferases.

  4. Biochemical characterization of rice xylan O-acetyltransferases.

    PubMed

    Zhong, Ruiqin; Cui, Dongtao; Dasher, Robert L; Ye, Zheng-Hua

    2018-06-01

    Rice xylan is predominantly monoacetylated at O-2 and O-3, and 14 rice DUF231 proteins were demonstrated to be xylan acetyltransferases. Acetylated xylans are the principal hemicellulose in the cell walls of grass species. Because xylan acetylation impedes the conversion of cellulosic biomass into biofuels, knowledge on acetyltransferases catalyzing xylan acetylation in grass species will be instrumental for a better utilization of grass biomass for biofuel production. Xylan in rice (Oryza sativa) is predominantly monoacetylated at O-2 and O-3 with a total degree of acetylation of 0.19. In this report, we have characterized 14 rice DUF231 proteins (OsXOAT1 to OsXOAT14) that are phylogenetically grouped together with Arabidopsis xylan acetyltransferases ESK1 and its close homologs. Complementation analysis demonstrated that the expression of OsXOAT1 to OsXOAT7 in the Arabidopsis esk1 mutant was able to rescue its defects in 2-O- and 3-O-monoacetylation and 2,3-di-O-acetylation. Activity assay of recombinant proteins revealed that all 14 OsXOATs exhibited acetyltransferase activities capable of transferring acetyl groups from acetyl-CoA to the xylohexaose acceptor with 10 of them having high activities. Structural analysis of the OsXOAT-catalyzed products showed that the acetylated structural units consisted mainly of 2-O- and 3-O-monoacetylated xylosyl residues with a minor amount of 2,3-di-O-acetylated xylosyl units, which is consistent with the acetyl substitution pattern of rice xylan. Further kinetic studies revealed that OsXOAT1, OsXOAT2, OsXOAT5, OsXOAT6 and OsXOAT7 had high affinity toward the xylohexaose acceptor. Our results provide biochemical evidence indicating that OsXOATs are acetyltransferases involved in xylan acetylation in rice.

  5. Phosphinothricin Acetyltransferases Identified Using In Vivo, In Vitro, and Bioinformatic Analyses

    PubMed Central

    VanDrisse, Chelsey M.; Hentchel, Kristy L.

    2016-01-01

    ABSTRACT Acetylation of small molecules is widespread in nature, and in some cases, cells use this process to detoxify harmful chemicals. Streptomyces species utilize a Gcn5 N-acetyltransferase (GNAT), known as Bar, to acetylate and detoxify a self-produced toxin, phosphinothricin (PPT), a glutamate analogue. Bar homologues, such as MddA from Salmonella enterica, acetylate methionine analogues such as methionine sulfoximine (MSX) and methionine sulfone (MSO), but not PPT, even though Bar homologues are annotated as PPT acetyltransferases. S. enterica was used as a heterologous host to determine whether or not putative PPT acetyltransferases from various sources could acetylate PPT, MSX, and MSO. In vitro and in vivo analyses identified substrates acetylated by putative PPT acetyltransferases from Deinococcus radiodurans (DR_1057 and DR_1182) and Geobacillus kaustophilus (GK0593 and GK2920). In vivo, synthesis of DR_1182, GK0593, and GK2920 blocked the inhibitory effects of PPT, MSX, and MSO. In contrast, DR_1057 did not detoxify any of the above substrates. Results of in vitro studies were consistent with the in vivo results. In addition, phylogenetic analyses were used to predict the functionality of annotated PPT acetyltransferases in Burkholderia xenovorans, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter baylyi, and Escherichia coli. IMPORTANCE The work reported here provides an example of the use of a heterologous system for the identification of enzyme function. Many members of this superfamily of proteins do not have a known function, or it has been annotated solely on the basis of sequence homology to previously characterized enzymes. The critical role of Gcn5 N-acetyltransferases (GNATs) in the modulation of central metabolic processes, and in controlling metabolic stress, necessitates approaches that can reveal their physiological role. The combination of in vivo, in vitro, and bioinformatics approaches reported here identified GNATs that can

  6. Molecular Characterization of a Novel N-Acetyltransferase from Chryseobacterium sp.

    PubMed Central

    Yoshida, Kenji; Tanaka, Kosei; Yoshida, Ken-ichi

    2014-01-01

    N-Acetyltransferase from Chryseobacterium sp. strain 5-3B is an acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA)-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the enantioselective transfer of an acetyl group from acetyl-CoA to the amino group of l-2-phenylglycine to produce (2S)-2-acetylamino-2-phenylacetic acid. We purified the enzyme from strain 5-3B and deduced the N-terminal amino acid sequence. The gene, designated natA, was cloned with two other hypothetical protein genes; the three genes probably form a 2.5-kb operon. The deduced amino acid sequence of NatA showed high levels of identity to sequences of putative N-acetyltransferases of Chryseobacterium spp. but not to other known arylamine and arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferases. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that NatA forms a distinct lineage from known N-acetyltransferases. We heterologously expressed recombinant NatA (rNatA) in Escherichia coli and purified it. rNatA showed high activity for l-2-phenylglycine and its chloro- and hydroxyl-derivatives. The Km and Vmax values for l-2-phenylglycine were 0.145 ± 0.026 mM and 43.6 ± 2.39 μmol · min−1 · mg protein−1, respectively. The enzyme showed low activity for 5-aminosalicylic acid and 5-hydroxytryptamine, which are reported as good substrates of a known arylamine N-acetyltransferase and an arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase. rNatA had a comparatively broad acyl donor specificity, transferring acyl groups to l-2-phenylglycine and producing the corresponding 2-acetylamino-2-phenylacetic acids (relative activity with acetyl donors acetyl-CoA, propanoyl-CoA, butanoyl-CoA, pentanoyl-CoA, and hexanoyl-CoA, 100:108:122:10:<1). PMID:24375143

  7. Insights into the phylogeny or arylamine N-acetyltransferases in fungi.

    PubMed

    Martins, Marta; Dairou, Julien; Rodrigues-Lima, Fernando; Dupret, Jean-Marie; Silar, Philippe

    2010-08-01

    Previous studies have shown that Eumycetes fungi can acylate arylamine thanks to arylamine N-acetyltransferases, xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes also found in animals and bacteria. In this article, we present the results of mining 96 available fungal genome sequences for arylamine N-acetyltransferase genes and propose their phylogeny. The filamentous Pezizomycotina are shown to possess many putative N-acetyltransferases, whilst these are often lacking in other fungal groups. The evolution of the N-acetyltransferases is best explained by the presence of at least one gene in the opisthokont ancestor of the fungi and animal kingdoms, followed by recurrent gene losses and gene duplications. A possible horizontal gene transfer event may have occurred from bacteria to the basidiomycetous yeast Malassezia globosa.

  8. Transfection of cultured cells of the cotton boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis, with a heat-shock-promoter-chloramphenicol-acetyltransferase construct.

    PubMed

    Stiles, B; Heilmann, J; Sparks, R B; Santoso, A; Leopold, R A

    1992-01-01

    Expression of heat shock proteins (hsp) in the BRL-AG-3C cell line from the cotton boll weevil was examined. It was determined that the maximal expression of endogenous hsp occurred at 41 degrees C. Various transfection methods were then compared using this cell line in conjunction with a transiently expressed bacterial gene marker (chloramphenicol acetyltransferase) which was under the control of the Drosophila hsp 70 gene promoter. The cationic lipid preparation Lipofectin was found to be very efficient at transfecting the boll weevil cells. Polylysine and 20-hydroxyecdysone-conjugated polylysine were moderately effective, whereas polybrene and electroporation, under the conditions reported herein, were ineffective at transfecting this cell line.

  9. The histone acetyltransferase MOF overexpression blunts cardiac hypertrophy by targeting ROS in mice.

    PubMed

    Qiao, Weiwei; Zhang, Weili; Gai, Yusheng; Zhao, Lan; Fan, Juexin

    2014-06-13

    Imbalance between histone acetylation/deacetylation critically participates in the expression of hypertrophic fetal genes and development of cardiac hypertrophy. While histone deacetylases play dual roles in hypertrophy, current evidence reveals that histone acetyltransferase such as p300 and PCAF act as pro-hypertrophic factors. However, it remains elusive whether some histone acetyltransferases can prevent the development of hypertrophy. Males absent on the first (MOF) is a histone acetyltransferase belonging to the MYST (MOZ, Ybf2/Sas3, Sas2 and TIP60) family. Here in this study, we reported that MOF expression was down-regulated in failing human hearts and hypertrophic murine hearts at protein and mRNA levels. To evaluate the roles of MOF in cardiac hypertrophy, we generated cardiac-specific MOF transgenic mice. MOF transgenic mice did not show any differences from their wide-type littermates at baseline. However, cardiac-specific MOF overexpression protected mice from transverse aortic constriction (TAC)-induced cardiac hypertrophy, with reduced radios of heart weight (HW)/body weight (BW), lung weight/BW and HW/tibia length, decreased left ventricular wall thickness and increased fractional shortening. We also observed lower expression of hypertrophic fetal genes in TAC-challenged MOF transgenic mice compared with that of wide-type mice. Mechanically, MOF overexpression increased the expression of Catalase and MnSOD, which blocked TAC-induced ROS and ROS downstream c-Raf-MEK-ERK pathway that promotes hypertrophy. Taken together, our findings identify a novel anti-hypertrophic role of MOF, and MOF is the first reported anti-hypertrophic histone acetyltransferase. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  10. Neisseria meningitidis serogroup A capsular polysaccharide acetyltransferase, methods and compositions

    DOEpatents

    Stephens, David S [Stone Mountain, GA; Gudlavalleti, Seshu K [Kensington, MD; Tzeng, Yih-Ling [Atlanta, GA; Datta, Anup K [San Diego, CA; Carlson, Russell W [Athens, GA

    2011-02-08

    Provided are methods for recombinant production of an O-acetyltransferase and methods for acetylating capsular polysaccharides, especially those of a Serogroup A Neisseria meningitidis using the recombinant O-acetyltransferase, and immunogenic compositions comprising the acetylated capsular polysaccharide.

  11. Peripheral choline acetyltransferase in rat skin demonstrated by immunohistochemistry.

    PubMed

    Hanada, Keiji; Kishimoto, Saburo; Bellier, Jean-Pierre; Kimura, Hiroshi

    2013-03-01

    Conventional choline acetyltransferase immunohistochemistry has been used widely for visualizing central cholinergic neurons and fibers but not often for labeling peripheral structures, probably because of their poor staining. The recent identification of the peripheral type of choline acetyltransferase (pChAT) has enabled the clear immunohistochemical detection of many known peripheral cholinergic elements. Here, we report the presence of pChAT-immunoreactive nerve fibers in rat skin. Intensely stained nerve fibers were distributed in association with eccrine sweat glands, blood vessels, hair follicles and portions just beneath the epidermis. These results suggest that pChAT-positive nerves participate in the sympathetic cholinergic innervation of eccrine sweat glands. Moreover, pChAT also appears to play a role in cutaneous sensory nerve endings. These findings are supported by the presence of many pChAT-positive neuronal cells in the sympathetic ganglion and dorsal root ganglion. Thus, pChAT immunohistochemistry should provide a novel and unique tool for studying cholinergic nerves in the skin.

  12. A unique GCN5-related glucosamine N-acetyltransferase region exist in the fungal multi-domain glycoside hydrolase family 3 β-N-acetylglucosaminidase.

    PubMed

    Qin, Zhen; Xiao, Yibei; Yang, Xinbin; Mesters, Jeroen R; Yang, Shaoqing; Jiang, Zhengqiang

    2015-12-16

    Glycoside hydrolase (GH) family 3 β-N-acetylglucosaminidases widely exist in the filamentous fungi, which may play a key role in chitin metabolism of fungi. A multi-domain GH family 3 β-N-acetylglucosaminidase from Rhizomucor miehei (RmNag), exhibiting a potential N-acetyltransferase region, has been recently reported to show great potential in industrial applications. In this study, the crystal structure of RmNag was determined at 2.80 Å resolution. The three-dimensional structure of RmNag showed four distinctive domains, which belong to two distinguishable functional regions--a GH family 3 β-N-acetylglucosaminidase region (N-terminal) and a N-acetyltransferase region (C-terminal). From structural and functional analysis, the C-terminal region of RmNag was identified as a unique tandem array linking general control non-derepressible 5 (GCN5)-related N-acetyltransferase (GNAT), which displayed glucosamine N-acetyltransferase activity. Structural analysis of this glucosamine N-acetyltransferase region revealed that a unique glucosamine binding pocket is located in the pantetheine arm binding terminal region of the conserved CoA binding pocket, which is different from all known GNAT members. This is the first structural report of a glucosamine N-acetyltransferase, which provides novel structural information about substrate specificity of GNATs. The structural and functional features of this multi-domain β-N-acetylglucosaminidase could be useful in studying the catalytic mechanism of GH family 3 proteins.

  13. Choline acetyltransferase in the nettle Urtica dioica L

    PubMed Central

    Barlow, Richard B.; Dixon, Robert O. D.

    1973-01-01

    Extracts of acetone-dried powders prepared from nettle leaves were shown to catalyse the synthesis of acetylcholine. The specific activity of the enzyme in these extracts is of the same order as that of extracts from mammalian sources, such as ox brain, and the effects of temperature and pH are similar to those reported for mammalian choline acetyltransferase. Synthesis is not restricted to the younger leaves but appears to be continuous up to senescence. PMID:4737362

  14. A unique GCN5-related glucosamine N-acetyltransferase region exist in the fungal multi-domain glycoside hydrolase family 3 β-N-acetylglucosaminidase

    PubMed Central

    Qin, Zhen; Xiao, Yibei; Yang, Xinbin; Mesters, Jeroen R.; Yang, Shaoqing; Jiang, Zhengqiang

    2015-01-01

    Glycoside hydrolase (GH) family 3 β-N-acetylglucosaminidases widely exist in the filamentous fungi, which may play a key role in chitin metabolism of fungi. A multi-domain GH family 3 β-N-acetylglucosaminidase from Rhizomucor miehei (RmNag), exhibiting a potential N-acetyltransferase region, has been recently reported to show great potential in industrial applications. In this study, the crystal structure of RmNag was determined at 2.80 Å resolution. The three-dimensional structure of RmNag showed four distinctive domains, which belong to two distinguishable functional regions — a GH family 3 β-N-acetylglucosaminidase region (N-terminal) and a N-acetyltransferase region (C-terminal). From structural and functional analysis, the C-terminal region of RmNag was identified as a unique tandem array linking general control non-derepressible 5 (GCN5)-related N-acetyltransferase (GNAT), which displayed glucosamine N-acetyltransferase activity. Structural analysis of this glucosamine N-acetyltransferase region revealed that a unique glucosamine binding pocket is located in the pantetheine arm binding terminal region of the conserved CoA binding pocket, which is different from all known GNAT members. This is the first structural report of a glucosamine N-acetyltransferase, which provides novel structural information about substrate specificity of GNATs. The structural and functional features of this multi-domain β-N-acetylglucosaminidase could be useful in studying the catalytic mechanism of GH family 3 proteins. PMID:26669854

  15. Comparative genomic and phylogenetic investigation of the xenobiotic metabolizing arylamine N-acetyltransferase enzyme family

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NATs) are xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes characterized in several bacteria and eukaryotic organisms. We report a comprehensive phylogenetic analysis employing an exhaustive dataset of NAT-homologous sequences recovered through inspection of 2445 genomes. We describe ...

  16. Construction of a self-cloning sake yeast that overexpresses alcohol acetyltransferase gene by a two-step gene replacement protocol.

    PubMed

    Hirosawa, I; Aritomi, K; Hoshida, H; Kashiwagi, S; Nishizawa, Y; Akada, R

    2004-07-01

    The commercial application of genetically modified industrial microorganisms has been problematic due to public concerns. We constructed a "self-cloning" sake yeast strain that overexpresses the ATF1 gene encoding alcohol acetyltransferase, to improve the flavor profile of Japanese sake. A constitutive yeast overexpression promoter, TDH3p, derived from the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene from sake yeast was fused to ATF1; and the 5' upstream non-coding sequence of ATF1 was further fused to TDH3p-ATF1. The fragment was placed on a binary vector, pGG119, containing a drug-resistance marker for transformation and a counter-selection marker for excision of unwanted DNA. The plasmid was integrated into the ATF1 locus of a sake yeast strain. This integration constructed tandem repeats of ATF1 and TDH3p-ATF1 sequences, between which the plasmid was inserted. Loss of the plasmid, which occurs through homologous recombination between either the TDH3p downstream ATF1 repeats or the TDH3p upstream repeat sequences, was selected by growing transformants on counter-selective medium. Recombination between the downstream repeats led to reversion to a wild type strain, but that between the upstream repeats resulted in a strain that possessed TDH3p-ATF1 without the extraneous DNA sequences. The self-cloning TDH3p-ATF1 yeast strain produced a higher amount of isoamyl acetate. This is the first expression-controlled self-cloning industrial yeast.

  17. Arylamine n-acetyltransferases in eukaryotic microorganisms

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Microorganisms can survive highly toxic environments through numerous xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes, including arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NATs). NAT genes are present in bacteria, archaea, protists and fungi. In lower taxa of fungi, NAT genes are found in chytridiomycetes. In Dikarya, NAT gen...

  18. Characterization of a Glucosamine/Glucosaminide N-Acetyltransferase of Clostridium acetobutylicum▿†

    PubMed Central

    Reith, Jan; Mayer, Christoph

    2011-01-01

    Many bacteria, in particular Gram-positive bacteria, contain high proportions of non-N-acetylated amino sugars, i.e., glucosamine (GlcN) and/or muramic acid, in the peptidoglycan of their cell wall, thereby acquiring resistance to lysozyme. However, muramidases with specificity for non-N-acetylated peptidoglycan have been characterized as part of autolytic systems such as of Clostridium acetobutylicum. We aim to elucidate the recovery pathway for non-N-acetylated peptidoglycan fragments and present here the identification and characterization of an acetyltransferase of novel specificity from C. acetobutylicum, named GlmA (for glucosamine/glucosaminide N-acetyltransferase). The enzyme catalyzes the specific transfer of an acetyl group from acetyl coenzyme A to the primary amino group of GlcN, thereby generating N-acetylglucosamine. GlmA is also able to N-acetylate GlcN residues at the nonreducing end of glycosides such as (partially) non-N-acetylated peptidoglycan fragments and β-1,4-glycosidically linked chitosan oligomers. Km values of 114, 64, and 39 μM were determined for GlcN, (GlcN)2, and (GlcN)3, respectively, and a 3- to 4-fold higher catalytic efficiency was determined for the di- and trisaccharides. GlmA is the first cloned and biochemically characterized glucosamine/glucosaminide N-acetyltransferase and a member of the large GCN5-related N-acetyltransferases (GNAT) superfamily of acetyltransferases. We suggest that GlmA is required for the recovery of non-N-acetylated muropeptides during cell wall rescue in C. acetobutylicum. PMID:21784938

  19. Structure of Mesorhizobium loti arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Holton, Simon J.; Dairou, Julien; Sandy, James

    2005-01-01

    The crystal structure of a M. loti arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 has been determined at 2.0 Å resolution. The arylamine N-acetyltransferase (NAT) enzymes have been found in a broad range of both eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms. The NAT enzymes catalyse the transfer of an acetyl group from acetyl Co-enzyme A onto the terminal nitrogen of a range of arylamine, hydrazine and arylhydrazine compounds. Recently, several NAT structures have been reported from different prokaryotic sources including Salmonella typhimurium, Mycobacterium smegmatis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Bioinformatics analysis of the Mesorhizobium loti genome revealed two NAT paralogues, the first example of multiple NAT isoenzymes inmore » a eubacterial organism. The M. loti NAT 1 enzyme was recombinantly expressed and purified for X-ray crystallographic studies. The purified enzyme was crystallized in 0.5 M Ca(OAc){sub 2}, 16% PEG 3350, 0.1 M Tris–HCl pH 8.5 using the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method. A data set diffracting to 2.0 Å was collected from a single crystal at 100 K. The crystal belongs to the orthorhombic spacegroup P2{sub 1}2{sub 1}2{sub 1}, with unit-cell parameters a = 53.2, b = 97.3, c = 114.3 Å. The structure was refined to a final free-R factor of 24.8%. The structure reveals that despite low sequence homology, M. loti NAT1 shares the common fold as reported in previous NAT structures and exhibits the same catalytic triad of residues (Cys-His-Asp) in the active site.« less

  20. Structure of a putative acetyltransferase (PA1377) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Davies, Anna M.; Tata, Renée; Chauviac, François-Xavier

    2008-05-01

    The crystal structure of an acetyltransferase encoded by the gene PA1377 from Pseudomonas aeruginosa has been determined at 2.25 Å resolution. Comparison with a related acetyltransferase revealed a structural difference in the active site that was taken to reflect a difference in substrate binding and/or specificity between the two enzymes. Gene PA1377 from Pseudomonas aeruginosa encodes a 177-amino-acid conserved hypothetical protein of unknown function. The structure of this protein (termed pitax) has been solved in space group I222 to 2.25 Å resolution. Pitax belongs to the GCN5-related N-acetyltransferase family and contains all four sequence motifs conserved among family members. Themore » β-strand structure in one of these motifs (motif A) is disrupted, which is believed to affect binding of the substrate that accepts the acetyl group from acetyl-CoA.« less

  1. Codominant Expression of N-Acetylation and O-Acetylation Activities Catalyzed by N-Acetyltransferase 2 in Human Hepatocytes

    PubMed Central

    Doll, Mark A.; Zang, Yu; Moeller, Timothy

    2010-01-01

    Human populations exhibit genetic polymorphism in N-acetylation capacity, catalyzed by N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2). We investigated the relationship between NAT2 acetylator genotype and phenotype in cryopreserved human hepatocytes. NAT2 genotypes determined in 256 human samples were assigned as rapid (two rapid alleles), intermediate (one rapid and one slow allele), or slow (two slow alleles) acetylator phenotypes based on functional characterization of the NAT2 alleles reported previously in recombinant expression systems. A robust and significant relationship was observed between deduced NAT2 phenotype (rapid, intermediate, or slow) and N-acetyltransferase activity toward sulfamethazine (p < 0.0001) and 4-aminobiphenyl (p < 0.0001) and for O-acetyltransferase-catalyzed metabolic activation of N-hydroxy-4-aminobiphenyl (p < 0.0001), N-hydroxy-2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f] quinoxaline (p < 0.01), and N-hydroxy-2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b] pyridine (p < 0.0001). NAT2-specific protein levels also significantly associated with the rapid, intermediate, and slow NAT2 acetylator phenotypes (p < 0.0001). As a negative control, p-aminobenzoic acid (an N-acetyltransferase 1-selective substrate) N-acetyltransferase activities from the same samples did not correlate with the three NAT2 acetylator phenotypes (p > 0.05). These results clearly document codominant expression of human NAT2 alleles resulting in rapid, intermediate, and slow acetylator phenotypes. The three phenotypes reflect levels of NAT2 protein catalyzing both N- and O-acetylation. Our results suggest a significant role of NAT2 acetylation polymorphism in arylamine-induced cancers and are consistent with differential cancer risk and/or drug efficacy/toxicity in intermediate compared with rapid or slow NAT2 acetylator phenotypes. PMID:20430842

  2. Homology modeling and prediction of the amino acid residues participating in the transfer of acetyl-CoA to arylalkylamine by the N-acetyltransferase from Chryseobacterium sp.

    PubMed

    Takenaka, Shinji; Ozeki, Takahiro; Tanaka, Kosei; Yoshida, Ken-Ichi

    2017-11-01

    To predict the amino acid residues playing important roles in acetyl-CoA and substrate binding and to study the acetyl group transfer mechanism of Chryseobacterium sp. 5-3B N-acetyltransferase (5-3B NatA). A 3-dimensional homology model of 5-3B NatA was constructed to compare the theoretical structure of this compound with the structures of previously reported proteins belonging to the bacterial GCN5 N-acetyltransferase family. Homology modeling of the 5-3B NatA structure and a characterization of the enzyme's kinetic parameters identified the essential amino acid residues involved in binding and acetyl-group transfer. 126 Leu, 132 Leu, and 135 Lys were implicated in the binding of phosphopantothenic acid, and 100 Tyr and 131 Lys in that of adenosyl biphosphate. The data supported the participation of 83 Glu and 133 Tyr in catalyzing acetyl-group transfer to L-2-phenylglycine. 5-3B NatA catalyzes the enantioselective N-acetylation of L-2-phenylglycine via a ternary complex comprising the enzyme, acetyl-CoA, and the substrate.

  3. Systemic functional expression of N-acetyltransferase polymorphism in the F344 Nat2 congenic rat

    PubMed Central

    Hein, David W.; Bendaly, Jean; Neale, Jason R.; Doll, Mark A.

    2008-01-01

    Rat lines congenic for the rat N-acetyltransferase 2 [(RAT)Nat2] gene were constructed and characterized. F344 (homozygous Nat2 rapid) males were mated to WKY (homozygous Nat2 slow) females to produce heterozygous F1. F1 females were then backcrossed to F344 males. Heterozygous acetylator female progeny from this and each successive backcross were identified by rat Nat2 genotyping and mated with F344 rapid acetylator males. Following ten generations of backcross mating, heterozygous acetylator brother/sister progeny were mated to produce the homozgygous rapid and slow acetylator Nat2 congenic rat lines. p-Aminobenzoic acid (selective for rat NAT2) and 4-aminobiphenyl N-acetyltransferase activities were expressed in all tissues examined (liver, lung, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, pancreas, kidney, skin, leukocytes, and urinary bladder in male and female rats and in breast of female and prostate of male rats). NAT2 expression in rat extrahepatic tissues was much higher than in liver. In each tissue, activities were Nat2-genotype dependent, with highest levels in homozygous rapid acetylators, intermediate levels in heterozygous acetylators, and lowest in homozygous slow acetylators. Sulfamethazine (selective for rat NAT1) N-acetyltransferase activities were observed in all tissues examined in both male and female rats except for breast (females), bladder and leukocytes. In each tissue, the activity was Nat2-genotype independent, with similar levels in homozygous rapid, heterozygous, and homozygous slow acetylators. These congenic rat lines are useful to investigate the role of NAT2 genetic polymorphism in susceptibility to cancers related to arylamine carcinogen exposures. PMID:18799801

  4. Structure-based molecular design for thermostabilization of N-acetyltransferase Mpr1 involved in a novel pathway of L-arginine synthesis in yeast.

    PubMed

    Nasuno, Ryo; Hirase, Saeka; Norifune, Saki; Watanabe, Daisuke; Takagi, Hiroshi

    2016-02-01

    Previously, N-Acetyltransferase Mpr1 was suggested to be involved in a novel pathway of L-arginine biosynthesis in yeast. Our recent crystallographic analysis demonstrated that the overall structure of Mpr1 is a typical folding among proteins in the Gcn5-related N-acetyltransferase superfamily, and also provided clues to the design of mutations for improvement of the enzymatic functions. Here, we constructed new stable variants, Asn203Lys- and Asn203Arg-Mpr1, which exhibited 2.4-fold and 2.2-fold longer activity half-lives than wild-type Mpr1, respectively, by structure-based molecular design. The replacement of Asn203 with a basic amino acid was suggested to stabilize α-helix 2, which is important for the Mpr1 structure, probably by neutralizing its dipole. In addition, the combination of two amino acid substitutions at positions 65 and 203 in Mpr1, Phe65Leu, which was previously isolated by the screening from PCR random mutagenesis library of MPR1, and Asn203Lys or Asn203Arg, led to further stabilization of Mpr1. Our growth assay suggests that overexpression of the stable Mpr1 variants increase L-arginine synthesis in yeast cells. Our finding is the first report on the rational engineering of Mpr1 for thermostabilization and could be useful in the construction of new yeast strains with higher L-arginine synthetic activity and also improved fermentation ability. © The Authors 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Japanese Biochemical Society. All rights reserved.

  5. Species specific substrates and products choices of 4-O-acetyltransferase from Trichoderma brevicompactum.

    PubMed

    Sharma, Shikha; Kumari, Indu; Hussain, Razak; Ahmed, Mushtaq; Akhter, Yusuf

    2017-09-01

    Antagonistic species of Trichoderma such as T. harzianum, T. viride, T. virens and T. koningii are well-known biocontrol agents that have been reported to suppress pathogenic soil microbes and enhance the growth of crop plants. Secondary metabolites (SMs) including trichothecenes are responsible for its biocontrol activities. The trichothecenes, trichodermin and harzianum A (HA) are produced in species dependent manner respectively, by Trichoderma brevicompactum (TB) and Trichoderma arundinaceum (TA). The last step in the pathway involves the conversion of trichodermol into trichodermin or HA alternatively, which is catalyzed by 4-O-acetyltransferase (encoded by tri3 gene). Comparative sequence analysis of acetyltransferase enzyme of TB with other chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) family proteins revealed the conserved motif involved in the catalysis. Multiple substrate binding studies were carried out to explore the mechanism behind the two different outcomes. His188 was found to have a role in initial substrate binding. In the case of trichodermin synthesis, represented by ternary complex 1, the trichodermol and acetic anhydride (AAn), the two substrates come very close to each other during molecular simulation analysis so that interactions become possible between them and acetyl group may get transferred from AAn to trichodermol, and Tyr476 residue mediates this phenomenon resulting in the formation of trichodermin. However, in case of the HA biosynthesis using the TB version of enzyme, represented by ternary complex 2, the two substrates, trichodermol and octa-2Z,4E,6E-trienedioic acid (OCTA) did not show any such interactions. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  6. Purification and Kinetic Properties of Serine Acetyltransferase Free of O-Acetylserine(thiol)lyase from Spinach Chloroplasts.

    PubMed

    Ruffet, M. L.; Droux, M.; Douce, R.

    1994-02-01

    Serine acetyltransferase, a key enzyme in the L-cysteine biosynthetic pathway, was purified over 300,000-fold from the stroma of spinach (Spinacia oleracea) leaf chloroplasts. The purification procedure consisted of ammonium sulfate precipitation, anion-exchange chromatography (Trisacryl M DEAE and Mono Q HR10/10), hydroxylapatite chromatography, and gel filtration (Superdex 200). The purified enzyme exhibited a specific activity higher than 200 units mg-1 and a subunit molecular mass of about 33 kD upon polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Moreover, the purified serine acetyltransferase appeared to be essentially free of O-acetyleserine(thiol)lyase, another enzyme component in the L-cysteine biosynthetic pathway. A steady-state kinetic analysis indicated that the mechanism of the enzyme-catalyzed reaction involves a double displacement. The apparent Km for the two substrates, L-serine and acetyl-coenzyme A, were 2.29 [plus or minus] 0.43 and 0.35 [plus or minus] 0.02 mM, respectively. The rate of L-cysteine synthesis in vitro was measured in a coupled enzyme assay using extensively purified O-acetylserine(thiol)lyase and serine acetyltransferase. This rate was maximum when the assay contained approximately a 400-fold excess of O-acetylserine(thiol)lyase over serine acetyltransferase. Measurements of the relative level of O-acetylserine(thiol)lyase and serine acetyltransferase activities in the stroma indicated that the former enzyme was present in much larger quantities than the latter. Thus, the activity ratio for these two enzymes [O-acetylserine(thiol)lyase activity/serine acetyltransferase activity] measured in the stromal protein extract was 345. This strongly suggested that all the O-acetylserine(thiol)lyase and serine acetyltransferase activities in the stroma are involved in bringing a full synthesis of L-cysteine in the chloroplast.

  7. Purification and Kinetic Properties of Serine Acetyltransferase Free of O-Acetylserine(thiol)lyase from Spinach Chloroplasts.

    PubMed Central

    Ruffet, M. L.; Droux, M.; Douce, R.

    1994-01-01

    Serine acetyltransferase, a key enzyme in the L-cysteine biosynthetic pathway, was purified over 300,000-fold from the stroma of spinach (Spinacia oleracea) leaf chloroplasts. The purification procedure consisted of ammonium sulfate precipitation, anion-exchange chromatography (Trisacryl M DEAE and Mono Q HR10/10), hydroxylapatite chromatography, and gel filtration (Superdex 200). The purified enzyme exhibited a specific activity higher than 200 units mg-1 and a subunit molecular mass of about 33 kD upon polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate. Moreover, the purified serine acetyltransferase appeared to be essentially free of O-acetyleserine(thiol)lyase, another enzyme component in the L-cysteine biosynthetic pathway. A steady-state kinetic analysis indicated that the mechanism of the enzyme-catalyzed reaction involves a double displacement. The apparent Km for the two substrates, L-serine and acetyl-coenzyme A, were 2.29 [plus or minus] 0.43 and 0.35 [plus or minus] 0.02 mM, respectively. The rate of L-cysteine synthesis in vitro was measured in a coupled enzyme assay using extensively purified O-acetylserine(thiol)lyase and serine acetyltransferase. This rate was maximum when the assay contained approximately a 400-fold excess of O-acetylserine(thiol)lyase over serine acetyltransferase. Measurements of the relative level of O-acetylserine(thiol)lyase and serine acetyltransferase activities in the stroma indicated that the former enzyme was present in much larger quantities than the latter. Thus, the activity ratio for these two enzymes [O-acetylserine(thiol)lyase activity/serine acetyltransferase activity] measured in the stromal protein extract was 345. This strongly suggested that all the O-acetylserine(thiol)lyase and serine acetyltransferase activities in the stroma are involved in bringing a full synthesis of L-cysteine in the chloroplast. PMID:12232109

  8. N-acetyltransferase 2 gene polymorphism as a biomarker for susceptibility to bladder cancer in Bangladeshi population.

    PubMed

    Hosen, Md Bayejid; Islam, Jahidul; Salam, Md Abdus; Islam, Md Fakhrul; Hawlader, M Zakir Hossain; Kabir, Yearul

    2015-03-01

    To investigate the association between the three most common single nucleotide polymorphisms of the N-acetyltransferase 2 gene together with cigarette smoking and the risk of developing bladder cancer and its aggressiveness. A case-control study on 102 bladder cancer patients and 140 control subjects was conducted. The genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral white blood cells and N-acetyltransferase 2 alleles were differentiated by polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. Bladder cancer risk was estimated as odds ratio and 95% confidence interval using binary logistic regression models adjusting for age and gender. Overall, N-acetyltransferase 2 slow genotypes were associated with bladder cancer risk (odds ratio=4.45; 95% confidence interval=2.26-8.77). The cigarette smokers with slow genotypes were found to have a sixfold increased risk to develop bladder cancer (odds ratio=6.05; 95% confidence interval=2.23-15.82). Patients with slow acetylating genotypes were more prone to develop high-grade (odds ratio=6.63; 95% confidence interval=1.15-38.13; P<0.05) and invasive (odds ratio=10.6; 95% confidence interval=1.00-111.5; P=0.05) tumor. N-acetyltransferase 2 slow genotype together with tobacco smoking increases bladder cancer risk. Patients with N-acetyltransferase 2 slow genotypes were more likely to develop a high-grade and invasive tumor. N-acetyltransferase 2 slow genotype is an important genetic determinant for bladder cancer in Bangladesh population. © 2014 Wiley Publishing Asia Pty Ltd.

  9. Crystallization and preliminary X-ray characterization of arylamine N-acetyltransferase C (BanatC) from Bacillus anthracis

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Pluvinage, Benjamin; Li de la Sierra-Gallay, Inés; Martins, Marta

    2007-10-01

    Bacillus anthracis arylamine N-acetyltransferase C (BanatC) is an enzyme that metabolizes the drug sulfamethoxazole. Crystals of the purified enzyme that diffract at 1.95 Å are reported. The arylamine N-acetyltransferase (NAT) enzymes are xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes that have been found in a large range of eukaryotes and prokaryotes. These enzymes catalyse the acetylation of arylamine drugs and/or pollutants. Recently, a Bacillus anthracis NAT isoform (BanatC) has been cloned and shown to acetylate the sulfonamide antimicrobial sulfamethoxazole (SMX). Subsequently, it was shown that BanatC contributes to the resistance of this bacterium to SMX. Here, the crystallization and the X-ray characterization of BanatCmore » (Y38F mutant) are reported. The crystals belong to the tetragonal space group P4{sub 1}2{sub 1}2 or P4{sub 3}2{sub 1}2, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 53.70, c = 172.40 Å, and diffract to 1.95 Å resolution on a synchrotron source.« less

  10. Immunohistochemical localization of serotonin and choline acetyltransferase in sensory neurones of the locust.

    PubMed

    Lutz, E M; Tyrer, N M

    1988-01-15

    Sensory neuronal cell bodies in the leg of locust, Schistocerca gregaria, were visualized with antibodies to locust choline acetyltransferase and with antibodies to serotonin by the avidin-biotin peroxidase technique. Two groups of sensory cells react with the antibody to choline acetyltransferase: One group is associated with external mechanoreceptors (i.e., hair-plate hairs and campaniform sensilla) and the other with internal proprioceptors (i.e., chordotonal organs and multiterminal receptors). Sensory cells which react with the antibody to serotonin are associated only with internal proprioceptors being found in both chordotonal organs and multiterminal receptors. In the metathoracic femoral chordotonal organ indirect evidence suggests that some sensory cells are reactive to both antibodies. Some multiterminal receptors react with anti-choline-acetyltransferase, while others react with antiserotonin. These results support the conclusion that most insect sensory neurones are cholinergic but some are serotoninergic.

  11. Inhibitors of acetyltransferase domain of N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate-uridyltransferase/glucosamine-1-phosphate-acetyltransferase (GlmU). Part 1: Hit to lead evaluation of a novel arylsulfonamide series.

    PubMed

    Green, Oluyinka M; McKenzie, Andrew R; Shapiro, Adam B; Otterbein, Ludovic; Ni, Haihong; Patten, Arthur; Stokes, Suzanne; Albert, Robert; Kawatkar, Sameer; Breed, Jason

    2012-02-15

    A novel arylsulfonamide-containing series of compounds represented by 1, discovered by highthroughput screening, inhibit the acetyltransferase domain of N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphate-uridyltransferase/glucosamine-1-phosphate-acetyltransferase (GlmU). X-ray structure determination confirmed that inhibitor binds at the site occupied by acetyl-CoA, indicating that series is competitive with this substrate. This letter documents our early hit-to-lead evaluation of the chemical series and some of the findings that led to improvement in in-vitro potency against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial isozymes, exemplified by compound 40. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  12. Choline acetyltransferase-like immunofluorescence in epidermis of human skin.

    PubMed

    Johansson, O; Wang, L

    1993-01-01

    Using the indirect immunofluorescence approach the occurrence of choline acetyltransferase-like immunoreactivity in epidermis, except stratum basale, of human skin is described. Immunoreactive cells were also found in hair follicles, sweat gland ducts and sebaceous glands.

  13. Induction of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase by methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone).

    PubMed

    Pegg, A E; Erwin, B G; Persson, L

    1985-10-17

    The anti-tumor agent methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) was found to be a competitive inhibitor of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase with a Ki of about 8 microM. Treatment of rats with this drug lead to a very large increase in the total amount of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase in liver, kidney and spleen. The total increase as measured using a specific antiserum amounted to 700-fold in liver and 100-fold in kidney within 18 h of treatment with 80 mg/kg doses. At least part of this induction was due to a pronounced increase in the half-life of the acetyltransferase which increased from 15 min to more than 12 h. The very large increase in the amount of the enzyme is likely to overwhelm the direct inhibition, and a net increase in the acetylation of polyamines by this enzyme would be expected to occur after treatment with methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone). The acetylated polyamines are known to be rapidly degraded by polyamine oxidase producing putrescine. Direct evidence that a substantial part of the increase in the content of putrescine in the liver of rats treated with methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) occurs via the induction of this acetylase/oxidase pathway was obtained. These results indicate that methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) affects cellular polyamine levels not only by means of its inhibitory effect on S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase and diamine oxidase but also by the induction of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase. They also raise the possibility that the enormous increase in this enzyme which occurs with higher doses may contribute to the very severe toxicity of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone).

  14. Synthesis of 4′-aminopantetheine and derivatives to probe aminoglycoside N-6′-acetyltransferase

    PubMed Central

    Yan, Xuxu; Akinnusi, T. Olukayode; Larsen, Aaron T.; Auclair, Karine

    2011-01-01

    Summary A convenient synthesis of 4′-aminopantetheine from commercial D-pantethine is reported. The amino group was introduced by reductive amination in order to avoid substitution at a sterically congested position. Derivatives of 4′-aminopantetheine were also prepared to evaluate the effect of O-to-N substitution on inhibitors of the resistance-causing enzyme aminoglycoside N-6′-acetyltransferase. The biological results combined with docking studies indicate that in spite of its reported unusual flexibility and ability to adopt different folds, this enzyme is highly specific for AcCoA. PMID:21225062

  15. Lysine acetyltransferase inhibitors: structure-activity relationships and potential therapeutic implications.

    PubMed

    Fiorentino, Francesco; Mai, Antonello; Rotili, Dante

    2018-05-01

    Lysine acetylation is a post-translational modification of both histone and nonhistone proteins that is catalyzed by lysine acetyltransferases and plays a key role in numerous biological contexts. The dysregulation of this enzyme activity is implicated in many human pathologies such as cancer, neurological and inflammatory disorders. Many lysine acetyltransferase inhibitors (KATi) have been developed so far, but there is still the need for new, more potent, metabolically stable and selective KATi as chemical tools for studying KAT biology and/or as potential therapeutic agents. This review will examine the features of KAT enzymes and related diseases, with particular emphasis on KATi (bisubstrate analogs, natural compounds and synthetic derivatives), analyzing their mechanism of action, structure-activity relationships, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties and potential future applications.

  16. No association between apolipoprotein E or N-acetyltransferase 2 gene polymorphisms and age-related hearing loss.

    PubMed

    Dawes, Piers; Platt, Hazel; Horan, Michael; Ollier, William; Munro, Kevin; Pendleton, Neil; Payton, Antony

    2015-01-01

    Age-related hearing loss has a genetic component, but there have been limited genetic studies in this field. Both N-acetyltransferase 2 and apolipoprotein E genes have previously been associated. However, these studies have either used small sample sizes, examined a limited number of polymorphisms, or have produced conflicting results. Here we use a haplotype tagging approach to determine association with age-related hearing loss and investigate epistasis between these two genes. Candidate gene association study of a continuous phenotype. We investigated haplotype tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms in the N-acetyltransferase 2 gene and the presence/absence of the apolipoprotein E ε4 allele for association with age-related hearing loss in a cohort of 265 Caucasian elderly volunteers from Greater Manchester, United Kingdom. Hearing phenotypes were generated using principal component analysis of the hearing threshold levels for the better ear (severity, slope, and concavity). Genotype data for the N-acetyltransferase 2 gene was obtained from existing genome-wide association study data from the Illumina 610-Quadv1 chip. Apolipoprotein E genotyping was performed using Sequenom technology. Linear regression analysis was performed using Plink and Stata software. No significant associations (P value, > 0.05) were observed between the N-acetyltransferase 2 or apolipoprotein E gene polymorphisms and any hearing factor. No significant association was observed for epistasis analysis of apolipoprotein E ε4 and the N-acetyltransferase 2 single nucleotide polymorphism rs1799930 (NAT2*6A). We found no evidence to support that either N-acetyltransferase 2 or apolipoprotein E gene polymorphisms are associated with age-related hearing loss in a cohort of 265 elderly volunteers. © 2014 The American Laryngological, Rhinological and Otological Society, Inc.

  17. A new arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase in silkworm (Bombyx mori) affects integument pigmentation.

    PubMed

    Long, Yaohang; Li, Jiaorong; Zhao, Tianfu; Li, Guannan; Zhu, Yong

    2015-04-01

    Dopamine is a precursor for melanin synthesis. Arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) is involved in the melatonin formation in insects because it could catalyze the transformation from dopamine to dopamine-N-acetyldopamine. In this study, we identified a new AANAT gene in the silkworm (Bombyx mori) and assessed its role in the silkworm. The cDNA of this gene encodes 233 amino acids that shares 57 % amino acid identity with the Bm-iAANAT protein. We thus refer to this gene as Bm-iAANAT2. To investigate the role of Bm-iAANAT2, we constructed a transgenic interference system using a 3xp3 promoter to suppress the expression of Bm-iAANAT2 in the silkworm. We observed that melanin deposition occurs in the head and integument in transgenic lines. To verify the melanism pattern, dopamine content and the enzyme activity of AANAT were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). We found that an increase in dopamine levels affects melanism patterns on the heads of transgenic B. mori. A reduction in the enzyme activity of AANAT leads to changes in dopamine levels. We analyzed the expression of the Bm-iAANAT2 genes by qPCR and found that the expression of Bm-iAANAT2 gene is significantly lower in transgenic lines. Our results lead us to conclude that Bm-iAANAT2 is a new arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase gene in the silkworm and is involved in the metabolism of the dopamine to avoid the generation of melanin.

  18. Expression, crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic analyses of two N-terminal acetyltransferase-related proteins from Thermoplasma acidophilum

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Han, Sang Hee; Ha, Jun Yong; Kim, Kyoung Hoon

    2006-11-01

    An N-terminal acetyltransferase ARD1 subunit-related protein (Ta0058) and an N-terminal acetyltransferase-related protein (Ta1140) from T. acidophilum were crystallized. X-ray diffraction data were collected to 2.17 and 2.40 Å, respectively. N-terminal acetylation is one of the most common protein modifications in eukaryotes, occurring in approximately 80–90% of cytosolic mammalian proteins and about 50% of yeast proteins. ARD1 (arrest-defective protein 1), together with NAT1 (N-acetyltransferase protein 1) and possibly NAT5, is responsible for the NatA activity in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In mammals, ARD1 is involved in cell proliferation, neuronal development and cancer. Interestingly, it has been reported that mouse ARD1 (mARD1{sup 225}) mediatesmore » ∊-acetylation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) and thereby enhances HIF-1α ubiquitination and degradation. Here, the preliminary X-ray crystallographic analyses of two N-terminal acetyltransferase-related proteins encoded by the Ta0058 and Ta1140 genes of Thermoplasma acidophilum are reported. The Ta0058 protein is related to an N-terminal acetyltransferase complex ARD1 subunit, while Ta1140 is a putative N-terminal acetyltransferase-related protein. Ta0058 shows 26% amino-acid sequence identity to both mARD1{sup 225} and human ARD1{sup 235}.The sequence identity between Ta0058 and Ta1140 is 28%. Ta0058 and Ta1140 were overexpressed in Escherichia coli fused with an N-terminal purification tag. Ta0058 was crystallized at 297 K using a reservoir solution consisting of 0.1 M sodium acetate pH 4.6, 8%(w/v) polyethylene glycol 4000 and 35%(v/v) glycerol. X-ray diffraction data were collected to 2.17 Å. The Ta0058 crystals belong to space group P4{sub 1} (or P4{sub 3}), with unit-cell parameters a = b = 49.334, c = 70.384 Å, α = β = γ = 90°. The asymmetric unit contains a monomer, giving a calculated crystal volume per protein weight (V{sub M}) of 2.13 Å{sup 3} Da{sup −1} and a solvent

  19. N-acetyltransferase 2 activity and folate levels

    PubMed Central

    Cao, Wen; Strnatka, Diana; McQueen, Charlene A.; Hunter, Robert J.; Erickson, Robert P.

    2010-01-01

    Aims To determine whether increased N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity might have a toxic effect during development and an influence on folate levels since previous work has shown that only low levels of exogenous NAT can be achieved in constitutionally transgenic mice (Cao, et al, 2005) Main Methods A human NAT1 tet-inducible construct was used that would not be expressed until the inducer was delivered. Human NAT1 cDNA was cloned into pTRE2 and injected into mouse oocytes. Two transgenic lines were crossed to mouse line TgN(rtTahCMV)4Uh containing the CMV promoted “teton.”Measurements of red blood cell folate levels in inbred strains of mice were performed. Key findings Only low levels of human NAT1 could be achieved in kidney (highly responsive in other studies) whether the inducer, doxycycline, was given by gavage or in drinking water.An inverse correlation of folate levels with Nat2 enzyme activity was found. Significance Since increasing NAT1 activity decrease folate in at least one tissue, the detrimental effect of expression of human NAT1 in combination with endogenous mouse Nat2 may be a consequence of increased catabolism of folate. PMID:19932120

  20. Choline acetyltransferase expression during periods of behavioral activity and across natural sleep-wake states in the basal forebrain.

    PubMed

    Greco, M A; McCarley, R W; Shiromani, P J

    1999-01-01

    The present study examined whether the expression of the messenger RNA encoding the protein responsible for acetylcholine synthesis is associated with sleep-wakefulness. Choline acetyltransferase messenger RNA levels were analysed using a semi-quantitative assay in which reverse transcription was coupled to complementary DNA amplification using the polymerase chain reaction. To examine the relationship between steady-state messenger RNA and behavioral activity, rats were killed during the day (4.00 p.m.) or night (4.00 a.m.), and tissue from the vertical and horizontal limbs of the diagonal bands of Broca was analysed. Choline acetyltransferase messenger RNA levels were higher during the day than during the night. The second study examined more closely the association between choline acetyltransferase messenger RNA levels and individual bouts of wakefulness, slow-wave sleep or rapid eye movement sleep. Choline acetyltransferase messenger RNA levels were low during wakefulness, intermediate in slow-wave sleep and high during rapid eye movement sleep. In contrast, protein activity, measured at a projection site of cholinergic neurons of the basal forebrain, was higher during wakefulness than during sleep. These findings suggest that choline acetyltransferase protein and messenger RNA levels exhibit an inverse relationship during sleep and wakefulness. The increased messenger RNA expression during sleep is consistent with a restorative function of sleep.

  1. Regulation of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase in L6 cells by polyamines and related compounds.

    PubMed Central

    Erwin, B G; Pegg, A E

    1986-01-01

    Exposure of rat L6 cells in culture to exogenous polyamines led to a very large increase in the activity of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase. Spermine was more potent than spermidine in bringing about this increase, but in both cases the elevated acetyltransferase activity increased the cellular conversion of spermidine into putrescine. The N1-acetyltransferase turned over very rapidly in the L6 cells, with a half-life of 9 min after spermidine and 18 min after spermine. A wide variety of synthetic polyamine analogues also brought about a substantial induction of spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase activity. These included sym-norspermidine, sym-norspermine, sym-homospermidine, N4-substituted spermidine derivatives, 1,3,6-triaminohexane, 1,4,7-triaminoheptane and deoxyspergualin, which were comparable with spermidine in their potency, and N1N8-bis(ethyl)spermidine, N1N9-bis(ethyl)homospermidine, methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone), ethylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) and 1,1'-[(methylethanediylidene)dinitrilo]bis(3-amino-guanidine ), which were even more active than spermidine. It is suggested that these polyamine analogues may bring about a decrease in cellular polyamines not only by inhibiting biosynthesis but by stimulating the degradation of spermidine into putrescine. PMID:3800951

  2. Identification of aaNAT5b as a spermine N-acetyltransferase in the mosquito, Aedes aegypti.

    PubMed

    Guan, Huai; Wang, Maoying; Liao, Chenghong; Liang, Jing; Mehere, Prajwalini; Tian, Meiling; Liu, Hairong; Robinson, Howard; Li, Jianyong; Han, Qian

    2018-01-01

    Mosquitoes transmit a number of diseases in animals and humans, including Dengue, Chikungunya and Zika viruses that affect millions of people each year. Controlling the disease-transmitting mosquitoes has proven to be a successful strategy to reduce the viruses transmission. Polyamines are required for the life cycle of the RNA viruses, Chikungunya virus and Zika virus, and a depletion of spermidine and spermine in the host via induction of spermine N-acetyltransferase restricts their replication. Spermine N-acetyltransferase is a key catabolic enzyme in the polyamine pathway, however there is no information of the enzyme identification in any insects. Aliphatic polyamines play a fundamental role in tissue growth and development in organisms. They are acetylated by spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SAT). In this study we provided a molecular and biochemical identification of SAT from Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Screening of purified recombinant proteins against polyamines established that aaNAT5b, named previously based on sequence similarity with identified aaNAT1 in insects, is active to spermine and spermidine. A crystal structure was determined and used in molecular docking in this study. Key residues were identified to be involved in spermine binding using molecular docking and simulation. In addition, SAT transcript was down regulated by blood feeding using a real time PCR test. Based on its substrate profile and transcriptional levels after blood feeding, together with previous reports for polyamines required in arboviruses replication, SAT might be potentially used as a target to control arboviruses with human interference.

  3. Radiochemical micro assays for the determination of choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase activities

    PubMed Central

    Fonnum, F.

    1969-01-01

    1. The methods for the assay of choline acetyltransferase were based on the reaction between labelled acetyl-CoA and unlabelled choline to give labelled acetylcholine. 2. Both synthetic acetyl-CoA and acetyl-CoA formed from sodium [1-14C]acetate or sodium [3H]acetate by incubation with CoA, ATP, Mg2+ and extract from acetone-dried pigeon liver were used. 3. [1-14C]Acetylcholine was isolated by extraction with ketonic sodium tetraphenylboron. 4. [3H]Acetylcholine was precipitated with sodium tetraphenylboron to remove a ketone-soluble contaminant in sodium [3H]acetate and then extracted with ketonic sodium tetraphenylboron. 5. The values of choline acetyltransferase activity obtained in the presence of sodium cyanide or EDTA and synthetic acetyl-CoA were similar to those obtained with acetyl-CoA synthesized in situ. 6. The assay of acetylcholinesterase was based on the formation of labelled acetate from labelled acetylcholine. The labelled acetylcholine could be quantitatively removed from the acetate by extraction with ketonic sodium tetraphenylboron. 7. The methods were tested with samples from central and peripheral nervous tissues and purified enzymes. 8. The blank values for choline acetyltransferase and acetylcholinesterase corresponded to the activities in 20ng. and 5ng. of brain tissue respectively. PMID:4982085

  4. Transcriptional regulation of arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase-2 gene in the pineal gland of the gilthead seabream.

    PubMed

    Zilberman-Peled, B; Appelbaum, L; Vallone, D; Foulkes, N S; Anava, S; Anzulovich, A; Coon, S L; Klein, D C; Falcón, J; Ron, B; Gothilf, Y

    2007-01-01

    Pineal serotonin-N-acetyltransferase (arylalkylamine-N-acetyltransferase; AANAT) is considered the key enzyme in the generation of circulating melatonin rhythms; the rate of melatonin production is determined by AANAT activity. In all the examined species, AANAT activity is regulated at the post-translational level and, to a variable degree, also at the transcriptional level. Here, the transcriptional regulation of pineal aanat (aanat2) of the gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) was investigated. Real-time polymerase chain reaction quantification of aanat2 mRNA levels in the pineal gland collected throughout the 24-h cycle revealed a rhythmic expression pattern. In cultured pineal glands, the amplitude was reduced, but the daily rhythmic expression pattern was maintained under constant illumination, indicating a circadian clock-controlled regulation of seabream aanat2. DNA constructs were prepared in which green fluorescent protein was driven by the aanat2 promoters of seabream and Northern pike. In vivo transient expression analyses in zebrafish embryos indicated that these promoters contain the necessary elements to drive enhanced expression in the pineal gland. In the light-entrainable clock-containing PAC-2 zebrafish cell line, a stably transfected seabream aanat2 promoter-luciferase DNA construct exhibited a clock-controlled circadian rhythm of luciferase activity, characteristic for an E-box-driven expression. In NIH-3T3 cells, the seabream aanat2 promoter was activated by a synergistic action of BMAL/CLOCK and orthodenticle homeobox 5 (OTX5). Promoter sequence analyses revealed the presence of the photoreceptor conserved element and an extended E-box (i.e. the binding sites for BMAL/CLOCK and OTX5 that have been previously associated with pineal-specific and rhythmic gene expression). These results suggest that seabream aanat2 is a clock-controlled gene that is regulated by conserved mechanisms.

  5. Mechanism of the lysosomal membrane enzyme acetyl coenzyme A: alpha-glucosaminide N-acetyltransferase

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Bame, K.J.

    1986-01-01

    Acetyl-CoA:..cap alpha..-glucosaminide N-acetyltransferase is a lysosomal membrane enzyme, deficient in the genetic disease Sanfilippo C syndrome. The enzyme catalyzes the transfer of an acetyl group from cytoplasmic acetyl-CoA to terminal ..cap alpha..-glucosamine residues of heparan sulfate within the organelle. The reaction mechanism was examined using high purified lysosomal membranes from rat liver and human fibroblasts. The N-acetyltransferase reaction is optimal above pH 5.5 and a 2-3 fold stimulation of activity is observed in the presence of 0.1% taurodeoxycholate. Double reciprocal analysis and product inhibition studies indicate that the enzyme works by a Di-Iso Ping Pong Bi Bi mechanism. The bindingmore » of acetyl-CoA to the enzyme is measured by exchange label from (/sup 3/H)CoA to acetyl-CoA, and is optimal at pH's above 7.0. The acetyl-enzyme intermediate is formed by incubating membranes with (/sup 3/H)acetyl-CoA. The acetyl group can be transferred to glucosamine, forming (/sup 3/H)N-acetylglucosamine; the transfer is optimal between pH 4 and 5. Lysosomal membranes from Sanfilippo C fibroblasts confirm that these half reactions carried out by the N-acetyltransferase. The enzyme is inactivated by N-bromosuccinimide and diethylpyrocarbonate, indicating that a histidine is involved in the reaction. These results suggest that the histidine residue is at the active site of the enzyme. The properties of the N-acetyltransferase in the membrane, the characterization of the enzyme kinetics, the chemistry of a histidine mediated acetylation and the pH difference across the lysosomal membrane all support a transmembrane acetylation mechanism.« less

  6. Antisilencing role of the RNA-directed DNA methylation pathway and a histone acetyltransferase in Arabidopsis

    PubMed Central

    Li, Xiaojie; Qian, Weiqiang; Zhao, Yusheng; Wang, Chunlei; Shen, Jie; Zhu, Jian-Kang; Gong, Zhizhong

    2012-01-01

    REPRESSOR OF SILENCING 1 (ROS1) is a DNA demethylation enzyme that was previously identified during a genetic screen for the silencing of both RD29A-LUC and 35S-NPTII transgenes on a T-DNA construct. Here we performed a genetic screen to identify additional mutants in which the 35S-NPTII transgene is silenced. We identified several alleles of ros1 and of the following components of the RNA-directed DNA methylation (RdDM) pathway: NRPD1 (the largest subunit of polymerase IV), RDR2, NRPE1 (the largest subunit of polymerase V), NRPD2, AGO4, and DMS3. Our results show that the silencing of 35S-NPTII in the RdDM pathway mutants is due to the reduced expression of ROS1 in the mutants. We also identified a putative histone acetyltransferase (ROS4) from the genetic screen. The acetyltransferase contains a PHD-finger domain that binds to unmethylated histone H3K4. The mutation in ROS4 led to reduction of H3K18 and H3K23 acetylation levels. We show that the silencing of 35S-NPTII and some transposable element genes was released by the ddm1 mutation but that this also required ROS4. Our study identifies a unique antisilencing factor, and reveals that the RdDM pathway has an antisilencing function due to its role in maintaining ROS1 expression. PMID:22733760

  7. Estradiol increases choline acetyltransferase activity in specific basal forebrain nuclei and projection areas of female rats.

    PubMed

    Luine, V N

    1985-08-01

    Administration of estradiol to gonadectomized female, but not male rats, is associated with increased activity of choline acetyltransferase in the medial aspect of the horizontal diagonal band nucleus, the frontal cortex, and CA1 of the dorsal hippocampus. Four other basal forebrain cholinergic nuclei did not show changes in choline acetyltransferase activity after estradiol. These data have implications for possible benefits of estradiol administration to patients with senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type.

  8. Backbone resonance assignment of an insect arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase from Bombyx mori reveals conformational heterogeneity.

    PubMed

    Aboalroub, Adam A; Zhang, Ziming; Keramisanou, Dimitra; Gelis, Ioannis

    2017-04-01

    Arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferases (AANATs) catalyze the transfer of an acetyl group from the acetyl-group donor, acetyl-CoA, to an arylalkylamine acceptor. Although a single AANAT has been identified in mammals, insects utilize multiple AANATs in a diverse array of biological processes. AANATs belong to the GCN5-related acetyltransferase (GNAT) superfamily of enzymes, which despite their overall very low sequence homology, are characterized by a well conserved catalytic core domain. The structural properties of many GNATs have been extensively studied by X-ray crystallography that revealed common features during the catalytic cycle. Here we report the 1 H, 13 C and 15 N backbone NMR resonance assignment of the 24 kDa AANAT3 from Bombyx mori (bmAANAT3) as a first step towards understanding the role of protein dynamics in the catalytic properties of AANATs. Our preliminary solution NMR studies reveal that bmAANAT3 is well-folded in solution. The P-loop, which is responsible for cofactor binding, is flexible in the free-state, while a large region of the enzyme interconverts between two distinct conformations in the slow exchange regime.

  9. Revealing the protein propionylation activity of the histone acetyltransferase MOF (males absent on the first).

    PubMed

    Han, Zhen; Wu, Hong; Kim, Sunjoo; Yang, Xiangkun; Li, Qianjin; Huang, He; Cai, Houjian; Bartlett, Michael G; Dong, Aiping; Zeng, Hong; Brown, Peter J; Yang, Xiang-Jiao; Arrowsmith, Cheryl H; Zhao, Yingming; Zheng, Y George

    2018-03-02

    Short-chain acylation of lysine residues has recently emerged as a group of reversible posttranslational modifications in mammalian cells. The diversity of acylation further broadens the landscape and complexity of the proteome. Identification of regulatory enzymes and effector proteins for lysine acylation is critical to understand functions of these novel modifications at the molecular level. Here, we report that the MYST family of lysine acetyltransferases (KATs) possesses strong propionyltransferase activity both in vitro and in cellulo Particularly, the propionyltransferase activity of MOF, MOZ, and HBO1 is as strong as their acetyltransferase activity. Overexpression of MOF in human embryonic kidney 293T cells induced significantly increased propionylation in multiple histone and non-histone proteins, which shows that the function of MOF goes far beyond its canonical histone H4 lysine 16 acetylation. We also resolved the X-ray co-crystal structure of MOF bound with propionyl-coenzyme A, which provides a direct structural basis for the propionyltransferase activity of the MYST KATs. Our data together define a novel function for the MYST KATs as lysine propionyltransferases and suggest much broader physiological impacts for this family of enzymes. © 2018 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  10. Structural and Functional Role of Acetyltransferase hMOF K274 Autoacetylation

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    McCullough, Cheryl E.; Song, Shufei; Shin, Michael H.

    Many histone acetyltransferases undergo autoacetylation, either through chemical or enzymatic means, to potentiate enzymatic cognate substrate lysine acetylation, although the mode and molecular role of such autoacetylation is poorly understood. The MYST family of histone acetyltransferases is autoacetylated at an active site lysine residue to facilitate cognate substrate lysine binding and acetylation. Here, we report on a detailed molecular investigation of Lys-274 autoacetylation of the human MYST protein Males Absent on the First (hMOF). A mutational scan of hMOF Lys-274 reveals that all amino acid substitutions of this residue are able to bind cofactor but are significantly destabilized, both inmore » vitro and in cells, and are catalytically inactive for cognate histone H4 peptide lysine acetylation. The x-ray crystal structure of a hMOF K274P mutant suggests that the reduced stability and catalytic activity stems from a disordering of the residue 274-harboring a α2-β7 loop. We also provide structural evidence that a C316S/E350Q mutant, which is defective for cognate substrate lysine acetylation; and biochemical evidence that a K268M mutant, which is defective for Lys-274 chemical acetylation in the context of a K274-peptide, can still undergo quantitative K274 autoacetylation. Together, these studies point to the critical and specific role of hMOF Lys-274 autoacetylation in hMOF stability and cognate substrate acetylation and argues that binding of Ac-CoA to hMOF likely drives Lys-274 autoacetylation for subsequent cognate substrate acetylation.« less

  11. Histone acetyltransferase activity of MOF is required for adult but not early fetal hematopoiesis in mice

    PubMed Central

    Valerio, Daria G.; Xu, Haiming; Eisold, Meghan E.; Woolthuis, Carolien M.; Pandita, Tej K.

    2017-01-01

    K(lysine) acetyltransferase 8 (KAT8, also known as MOF) mediates the acetylation of histone H4 at lysine 16 (H4K16ac) and is crucial for murine embryogenesis. Lysine acetyltransferases have been shown to regulate various stages of normal hematopoiesis. However, the function of MOF in hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) development has not yet been elucidated. We set out to study the role of MOF in general hematopoiesis by using a Vav1-cre–induced conditional murine Mof knockout system and found that MOF is critical for hematopoietic cell maintenance and HSC engraftment capacity in adult hematopoiesis. Rescue experiments with a MOF histone acetyltransferase domain mutant illustrated the requirement for MOF acetyltransferase activity in the clonogenic capacity of HSCs and progenitors. In stark contrast, fetal steady-state hematopoiesis at embryonic day (E) 14.5 was not affected by homozygous Mof deletion despite dramatic loss of global H4K16ac. Hematopoietic defects start manifesting in late gestation at E17.5. The discovery that MOF and its H4K16ac activity are required for adult but not early and midgestational hematopoiesis supports the notion that multiple chromatin regulators may be crucial for hematopoiesis at varying stages of development. MOF is therefore a developmental-stage–specific chromatin regulator found to be essential for adult but not early fetal hematopoiesis. PMID:27827827

  12. Regioselective Acetylation of C21 Hydroxysteroids by the Bacterial Chloramphenicol Acetyltransferase I.

    PubMed

    Mosa, Azzam; Hutter, Michael C; Zapp, Josef; Bernhardt, Rita; Hannemann, Frank

    2015-07-27

    Chloramphenicol acetyltransferase I (CATI) detoxifies the antibiotic chloramphenicol and confers a corresponding resistance to bacteria. In this study we identified this enzyme as a steroid acetyltransferase and designed a new and efficient Escherichia-coli-based biocatalyst for the regioselective acetylation of C21 hydroxy groups in steroids of pharmaceutical interest. The cells carried a recombinant catI gene controlled by a constitutive promoter. The capacity of the whole-cell system to modify different hydroxysteroids was investigated, and NMR spectroscopy revealed that all substrates were selectively transformed into the corresponding 21-acetoxy derivatives. The biotransformation was optimized, and the reaction mechanism is discussed on the basis of a computationally modeled substrate docking into the crystal structure of CATI. © 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  13. Subcellular distribution of serine acetyltransferase from Pisum sativum and characterization of an Arabidopsis thaliana putative cytosolic isoform.

    PubMed

    Ruffet, M L; Lebrun, M; Droux, M; Douce, R

    1995-01-15

    The intracellular compartmentation of serine acetyltransferase, a key enzyme in the L-cysteine biosynthesis pathway, has been investigated in pea (Pisum sativum) leaves, by isolation of organelles and fractionation of protoplasts. Enzyme activity was mainly located in mitochondria (approximately 76% of total cellular activity). Significant activity was also identified in both the cytosol (14% of total activity) and chloroplasts (10% of total activity). Three enzyme forms were separated by anion-exchange chromatography, and each form was found to be specific for a given intracellular compartment. To obtain cDNA encoding the isoforms, functional complementation experiments were performed using an Arabidopsis thaliana expression library and an Escherichia coli mutant devoid of serine acetyltransferase activity. This strategy allowed isolation of three distinct cDNAs encoding serine acetyltransferase isoforms, as confirmed by enzyme activity measurements, genomic hybridizations, and nucleotide sequencing. The cDNA and related gene for one of the three isoforms have been characterized. The predicted amino acid sequence shows that it encodes a polypeptide of M(r) 34,330 exhibiting 41% amino acid identity with the E. coli serine acetyltransferase. Since none of the general features of transit peptides could be observed in the N-terminal region of this isoform, we assume that it is a cytosolic form.

  14. Genetic Variation at the N-acetyltransferase (NAT) Genes in Global Populations

    EPA Science Inventory

    Functional variability at the N-acetyltransferase (NAT) genes is associated with adverse drug reactions and cancer susceptibility in humans. Previous studies of small sets of ethnic groups have indicated that the NAT genes have high levels of amino acid variation that differ in f...

  15. Structure and Functional Diversity of GCN5-Related N-Acetyltransferases (GNAT)

    PubMed Central

    Salah Ud-Din, Abu Iftiaf Md; Tikhomirova, Alexandra; Roujeinikova, Anna

    2016-01-01

    General control non-repressible 5 (GCN5)-related N-acetyltransferases (GNAT) catalyze the transfer of an acyl moiety from acyl coenzyme A (acyl-CoA) to a diverse group of substrates and are widely distributed in all domains of life. This review of the currently available data acquired on GNAT enzymes by a combination of structural, mutagenesis and kinetic methods summarizes the key similarities and differences between several distinctly different families within the GNAT superfamily, with an emphasis on the mechanistic insights obtained from the analysis of the complexes with substrates or inhibitors. It discusses the structural basis for the common acetyltransferase mechanism, outlines the factors important for the substrate recognition, and describes the mechanism of action of inhibitors of these enzymes. It is anticipated that understanding of the structural basis behind the reaction and substrate specificity of the enzymes from this superfamily can be exploited in the development of novel therapeutics to treat human diseases and combat emerging multidrug-resistant microbial infections. PMID:27367672

  16. Histone acetyltransferase activity of MOF is required for adult but not early fetal hematopoiesis in mice.

    PubMed

    Valerio, Daria G; Xu, Haiming; Eisold, Meghan E; Woolthuis, Carolien M; Pandita, Tej K; Armstrong, Scott A

    2017-01-05

    K(lysine) acetyltransferase 8 (KAT8, also known as MOF) mediates the acetylation of histone H4 at lysine 16 (H4K16ac) and is crucial for murine embryogenesis. Lysine acetyltransferases have been shown to regulate various stages of normal hematopoiesis. However, the function of MOF in hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) development has not yet been elucidated. We set out to study the role of MOF in general hematopoiesis by using a Vav1-cre-induced conditional murine Mof knockout system and found that MOF is critical for hematopoietic cell maintenance and HSC engraftment capacity in adult hematopoiesis. Rescue experiments with a MOF histone acetyltransferase domain mutant illustrated the requirement for MOF acetyltransferase activity in the clonogenic capacity of HSCs and progenitors. In stark contrast, fetal steady-state hematopoiesis at embryonic day (E) 14.5 was not affected by homozygous Mof deletion despite dramatic loss of global H4K16ac. Hematopoietic defects start manifesting in late gestation at E17.5. The discovery that MOF and its H4K16ac activity are required for adult but not early and midgestational hematopoiesis supports the notion that multiple chromatin regulators may be crucial for hematopoiesis at varying stages of development. MOF is therefore a developmental-stage-specific chromatin regulator found to be essential for adult but not early fetal hematopoiesis. © 2017 by The American Society of Hematology.

  17. The group B streptococcal sialic acid O-acetyltransferase is encoded by neuD, a conserved component of bacterial sialic acid biosynthetic gene clusters.

    PubMed

    Lewis, Amanda L; Hensler, Mary E; Varki, Ajit; Nizet, Victor

    2006-04-21

    Nearly two dozen microbial pathogens have surface polysaccharides or lipo-oligosaccharides that contain sialic acid (Sia), and several Sia-dependent virulence mechanisms are known to enhance bacterial survival or result in host tissue injury. Some pathogens are also known to O-acetylate their Sias, although the role of this modification in pathogenesis remains unclear. We report that neuD, a gene located within the Group B Streptococcus (GBS) Sia biosynthetic gene cluster, encodes a Sia O-acetyltransferase that is itself required for capsular polysaccharide (CPS) sialylation. Homology modeling and site-directed mutagenesis identified Lys-123 as a critical residue for Sia O-acetyltransferase activity. Moreover, a single nucleotide polymorphism in neuD can determine whether GBS displays a "high" or "low" Sia O-acetylation phenotype. Complementation analysis revealed that Escherichia coli K1 NeuD also functions as a Sia O-acetyltransferase in GBS. In fact, NeuD homologs are commonly found within Sia biosynthetic gene clusters. A bioinformatic approach identified 18 bacterial species with a Sia biosynthetic gene cluster that included neuD. Included in this list are the sialylated human pathogens Legionella pneumophila, Vibrio parahemeolyticus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Campylobacter jejuni, as well as an additional 12 bacterial species never before analyzed for Sia expression. Phylogenetic analysis shows that NeuD homologs of sialylated pathogens share a common evolutionary lineage distinct from the poly-Sia O-acetyltransferase of E. coli K1. These studies define a molecular genetic approach for the selective elimination of GBS Sia O-acetylation without concurrent loss of sialylation, a key to further studies addressing the role(s) of this modification in bacterial virulence.

  18. Purification and characterization of aspartate N-acetyltransferase: A critical enzyme in brain metabolism.

    PubMed

    Wang, Qinzhe; Zhao, Mojun; Parungao, Gwenn G; Viola, Ronald E

    2016-03-01

    Canavan disease (CD) is a neurological disorder caused by an interruption in the metabolism of N-acetylaspartate (NAA). Numerous mutations have been found in the enzyme that hydrolyzes NAA, and the catalytic activity of aspartoacylase is significantly impaired in CD patients. Recent studies have also supported an important role in CD for the enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of NAA in the brain. However, previous attempts to study this enzyme had not succeeded in obtaining a soluble, stable and active form of this membrane-associated protein. We have now utilized fusion constructs with solubilizing protein partners to obtain an active and soluble form of aspartate N-acetyltransferase. Characterization of the properties of this enzyme has set the stage for the development of selective inhibitors that can lower the elevated levels of NAA that are observed in CD patients and potentially serve as a new treatment therapy. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. Cloning, expression profiling, and acetylation identification of alpha-tubulin N-acetyltransferase 1 from Bombyx mori.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Huaixiang; Cheng, Xusheng; Xu, Xiaoyuan; Jiang, Tianlong; Zhou, Haimeng; Sheng, Qing; Nie, Zuoming

    2018-03-22

    Alpha-tubulin N-acetyltransferase 1 (ATAT1) is an acetyltransferase specific to α-tubulin and performs important functions in many cellular processes. Bombyx mori is an economic insect and also known as a model lepidoptera insect. In this study, we cloned a B. mori ATAT1 gene (BmATAT1) (Gen Bank accession number: XP_004932777.1). BmATAT1 contained an open reading frame (ORF) of 1,065 bp encoding 355 amino acids (aa). Expression profiling of BmATAT1 protein showed that the expression levels of BmATAT1 at different developmental stages and different tissues in fifth-instar larvae differ. BmATAT1 was highly expressed at the egg stage and in the head of the fifth-instar larvae. Subcellular localization showed that BmATAT1 was distributed in the cytoplasm and nucleus. Furthermore, BmATAT1 may lead to time-dependent induction of cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase by flow cytometry analysis. Interestingly, using site-specific mutation, immunoprecipitation, and Western blotting, we further found a BmATAT1 acetylated site at K156, suggesting that this acetyltransferase could be regulated by acetylation itself. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  20. Construction of trypanosome artificial mini-chromosomes.

    PubMed Central

    Lee, M G; E, Y; Axelrod, N

    1995-01-01

    We report the preparation of two linear constructs which, when transformed into the procyclic form of Trypanosoma brucei, become stably inherited artificial mini-chromosomes. Both of the two constructs, one of 10 kb and the other of 13 kb, contain a T.brucei PARP promoter driving a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene. In the 10 kb construct the CAT gene is followed by one hygromycin phosphotransferase (Hph) gene, and in the 13 kb construct the CAT gene is followed by three tandemly linked Hph genes. At each end of these linear molecules are telomere repeats and subtelomeric sequences. Electroporation of these linear DNA constructs into the procyclic form of T.brucei generated hygromycin-B resistant cell lines. In these cell lines, the input DNA remained linear and bounded by the telomere ends, but it increased in size. In the cell lines generated by the 10 kb construct, the input DNA increased in size to 20-50 kb. In the cell lines generated by the 13 kb constructs, two sizes of linear DNAs containing the input plasmid were detected: one of 40-50 kb and the other of 150 kb. The increase in size was not the result of in vivo tandem repetitions of the input plasmid, but represented the addition of new sequences. These Hph containing linear DNA molecules were maintained stably in cell lines for at least 20 generations in the absence of drug selection and were subsequently referred to as trypanosome artificial mini-chromosomes, or TACs. Images PMID:8532534

  1. A novel, colorimetric method for biogenic amine detection based on arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase.

    PubMed

    Leng, Pei-Qiang; Zhao, Feng-Lan; Yin, Bin-Cheng; Ye, Bang-Ce

    2015-05-21

    We developed a novel colorimetric method for rapid detection of biogenic amines based on arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (aaNAT). The proposed method offers distinct advantages including simple handling, high speed, low cost, good sensitivity and selectivity.

  2. Interactions between serine acetyltransferase and O-acetylserine (thiol) lyase in higher plants--structural and kinetic properties of the free and bound enzymes.

    PubMed

    Droux, M; Ruffet, M L; Douce, R; Job, D

    1998-07-01

    The last steps of cysteine synthesis in plants involve two consecutive enzymes. The first enzyme, serine acetyltransferase, catalyses the acetylation of L-serine in the presence of acetyl-CoA to form O-acetylserine. The second enzyme, O-acetylserine (thiol) lyase, converts O-acetylserine to L-cysteine in the presence of sulfide. We have, in the present work, over-produced in Escherichia coli harboring various type of plasmids, either a plant serine acetyltransferase or this enzyme with a plant O-acetylserine (thiol) lyase. The free recombinant serine acetyltransferase (subunit mass of 34 kDa) exhibited a high propensity to form high-molecular-mass aggregates and was found to be highly unstable in solution. However, these aggregates were prevented in the presence of O-acetylserine (thiol) lyase (subunit mass of 36 kDa). Under these conditions homotetrameric serine acetyltransferase associated with two molecules of homodimeric O-acetylserine (thiol) lyase to form a bienzyme complex (molecular mass approximately 300 kDa) called cysteine synthase containing 4 mol pyridoxal 5'-phosphate/mol complex. O-Acetylserine triggered the dissociation of the bienzyme complex, whereas sulfide counteracted the action of O-acetylserine. Protein-protein interactions within the bienzyme complex strongly modified the kinetic properties of plant serine acetyltransferase: there was a transition from a typical Michaelis-Menten model to a model displaying positive kinetic co-operativity with respect to serine and acetyl-CoA. On the other hand, the formation of the bienzyme complex resulted in a very dramatic decrease in the catalytic efficiency of bound O-acetylserine (thiol) lyase. The latter enzyme behaved as if it were a structural and/or regulatory subunit of serine acetyltransferase. Our results also indicated that bound serine acetyltransferase produces a build-up of O-acetylserine along the reaction path and that the full capacity for cysteine synthesis can only be achieved in the

  3. Structural and Functional Evidence for Bacillus subtilis PaiA as a Novel N1-spermidine/spermine acetyltransferase (SSAT)

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Forouhar,F.; Lee, I.; Vujcic, J.

    2005-01-01

    Bacillus subtilis PaiA has been implicated in the negative control of sporulation as well as production of degradative enzymes. PaiA shares recognizable sequence homology with N-acetyltransferases, including those that can acetylate spermidine/spermine substrates (SSATs). We have determined the crystal structure of PaiA in complex with CoA at 1.9 Angstrom resolution and found that PaiA is a member of the N-acetyltransferase superfamily of enzymes. Unexpectedly, we observed the binding of an oxidized CoA dimer in the active site of PaiA, and the structural information suggests the substrates of the enzyme could be linear, positively charged compounds. Our biochemical characterization is alsomore » consistent with this possibility since purified PaiA possesses N1-acetyltransferase activity towards polyamine substrates including spermidine and spermine. Further, conditional over-expression of PaiA in bacteria results in increased acetylation of endogenous spermidine pools. Thus, our structural and biochemical analyses indicate that PaiA is a novel N-acetyltransferase capable of acetylating both spermidine and spermine. In this way, the pai operon may function in regulating intracellular polyamine concentrations and/or binding capabilities. In addition to preventing toxicity due to polyamine excess, this function may also serve to regulate expression of certain bacterial gene products such as those involved in sporulation.« less

  4. Genetic heterogeneity among slow acetylator N-acetyltransferase 2 phenotypes in cryopreserved human hepatocytes.

    PubMed

    Doll, Mark A; Hein, David W

    2017-07-01

    Genetic polymorphisms in human N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) modify the metabolism of numerous drugs and carcinogens. These genetic polymorphisms modify both drug efficacy and toxicity and cancer risk associated with carcinogen exposure. Previous studies have suggested phenotypic heterogeneity among different NAT2 slow acetylator genotypes. NAT2 phenotype was investigated in vitro and in situ in samples of human hepatocytes obtained from various NAT2 slow and intermediate NAT2 acetylator genotypes. NAT2 gene dose response (NAT2*5B/*5B > NAT2*5B/*6A > NAT2*6A/*6A) was observed towards the N-acetylation of the NAT2-specific drug sulfamethazine by human hepatocytes both in vitro and in situ. N-acetylation of 4-aminobiphenyl, an arylamine carcinogen substrate for both N-acetyltransferase 1 and NAT2, showed the same trend both in vitro and in situ although the differences were not significant (p > 0.05). The N-acetylation of the N-acetyltransferase 1-specific substrate p-aminobenzoic acid did not follow this trend. In comparisons of NAT2 intermediate acetylator genotypes, differences in N-acetylation between NAT2*4/*5B and NAT2*4/*6B hepatocytes were not observed in vitro or in situ towards any of these substrates. These results further support phenotypic heterogeneity among NAT2 slow acetylator genotypes, consistent with differential risks of drug failure or toxicity and cancer associated with carcinogen exposure.

  5. The Regulation of a Post-Translational Peptide Acetyltransferase: Strategies for Selectively Modifying the Biological Activity of Neural and Endocrine Peptides

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1988-02-01

    quantitatively miror pathway. Only two of the enzymes which process 8-endorphin have been firmly identified, peptide acetyltransferase and... quantitatively minor. This implied that perhaps peptide acetyltransferase is not a critical determinant of the bioactivity of B-endorphin in brain. If so...provided us with a more difinitive understanding of the role of processing enzyme regulation in the overall biochemical and cellular response of the

  6. Dapsone-induced agranulocytosis-possible involvement of low-activity N-acetyltransferase 2.

    PubMed

    Potočnjak, Ines; Likić, Robert; Šimić, Iveta; Juričić Nahal, Danica; Čegec, Ivana; Ganoci, Lana; Božina, Nada

    2017-10-01

    Dapsone-induced agranulocytosis is a rare but potentially fatal adverse drug reaction (ADR). A 45-year-old male Caucasian patient developed agranulocytosis caused by dapsone (diamino-diphenyl sulfone), which he was prescribed for leukocytoclastic vasculitis. Patient's treatment consisted of termination of dapsone, antibiotic therapy, and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor leading to prompt improvement of symptoms and normalization of laboratory blood values. Diagnostic evaluation revealed methemoglobinemia and excluded glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. Pharmacogenetics testing showed that he was a carrier of NAT2 *5/*6 genotype, predisposing to low activity of the N-acetyltransferase 2 enzyme. This was the first and only ADR to dapsone reported in Croatia. In total, there have been 73 ADR to dapsone recorded worldwide, including only four cases of agranulocytosis. © 2017 Société Française de Pharmacologie et de Thérapeutique.

  7. Structure and function of human Naa60 (NatF), a Golgi-localized bi-functional acetyltransferase

    DOE PAGES

    Chen, Ji-Yun; Liu, Liang; Cao, Chun-Ling; ...

    2016-08-23

    N-terminal acetylation (Nt-acetylation), carried out by N-terminal acetyltransferases (NATs), is a conserved and primary modification of nascent peptide chains. Naa60 (also named NatF) is a recently identified NAT found only in multicellular eukaryotes. This protein was shown to locate on the Golgi apparatus and mainly catalyze the Nt-acetylation of transmembrane proteins, and it also harbors lysine Nε -acetyltransferase (KAT) activity to catalyze the acetylation of lysine ε-amine. Here, we report the crystal structures of human Naa60 (hNaa60) in complex with Acetyl-Coenzyme A (Ac-CoA) or Coenzyme A (CoA). The hNaa60 protein contains an amphipathic helix following its GNAT domain that maymore » contribute to Golgi localization of hNaa60, and the β7-β8 hairpin adopted different conformations in the hNaa60(1-242) and hNaa60(1-199) crystal structures. Remarkably, we found that the side-chain of Phe 34 can influence the position of the coenzyme, indicating a new regulatory mechanism involving enzyme, co-factor and substrates interactions. Moreover, structural comparison and biochemical studies indicated that Tyr 97 and His 138 are key residues for catalytic reaction and that a non-conserved β3-β4 long loop participates in the regulation of hNaa60 activity.« less

  8. Conformational Flexibility and Subunit Arrangement of the Modular Yeast Spt-Ada-Gcn5 Acetyltransferase Complex*

    PubMed Central

    Setiaputra, Dheva; Ross, James D.; Lu, Shan; Cheng, Derrick T.; Dong, Meng-Qiu; Yip, Calvin K.

    2015-01-01

    The Spt-Ada-Gcn5 acetyltransferase (SAGA) complex is a highly conserved, 19-subunit histone acetyltransferase complex that activates transcription through acetylation and deubiquitination of nucleosomal histones in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Because SAGA has been shown to display conformational variability, we applied gradient fixation to stabilize purified SAGA and systematically analyzed this flexibility using single-particle EM. Our two- and three-dimensional studies show that SAGA adopts three major conformations, and mutations of specific subunits affect the distribution among these. We also located the four functional modules of SAGA using electron microscopy-based labeling and transcriptional activator binding analyses and show that the acetyltransferase module is localized in the most mobile region of the complex. We further comprehensively mapped the subunit interconnectivity of SAGA using cross-linking mass spectrometry, revealing that the Spt and Taf subunits form the structural core of the complex. These results provide the necessary restraints for us to generate a model of the spatial arrangement of all SAGA subunits. According to this model, the chromatin-binding domains of SAGA are all clustered in one face of the complex that is highly flexible. Our results relate information of overall SAGA structure with detailed subunit level interactions, improving our understanding of its architecture and flexibility. PMID:25713136

  9. PCAF interacts with tax and stimulates tax transactivation in a histone acetyltransferase-independent manner.

    PubMed

    Jiang, H; Lu, H; Schiltz, R L; Pise-Masison, C A; Ogryzko, V V; Nakatani, Y; Brady, J N

    1999-12-01

    Recent studies have shown that the p300/CREB binding protein (CBP)-associated factor (PCAF) is involved in transcriptional activation. PCAF activity has been shown strongly associated with histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity. In this report, we present evidence for a HAT-independent transcription function that is activated in the presence of the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) Tax protein. In vitro and in vivo GST-Tax pull-down and coimmunoprecipitation experiments demonstrate that there is a direct interaction between Tax and PCAF, independent of p300/CBP. PCAF can be recruited to the HTLV-1 Tax responsive element in the presence of Tax, and PCAF cooperates with Tax in vivo to activate transcription from the HTLV-1 LTR over 10-fold. Point mutations at Tax amino acid 318 (TaxS318A) or 319 to 320 (Tax M47), which have decreased or no activity on the HTLV-1 promoter, are defective for PCAF binding. Strikingly, the ability of PCAF to stimulate Tax transactivation is not solely dependent on the PCAF HAT domain. Two independent PCAF HAT mutants, which knock out acetyltransferase enzyme activity, activate Tax transactivation to approximately the same level as wild-type PCAF. In contrast, p300 stimulation of Tax transactivation is HAT dependent. These studies provide experimental evidence that PCAF contains a coactivator transcription function independent of the HAT activity on the viral long terminal repeat.

  10. PCAF Interacts with Tax and Stimulates Tax Transactivation in a Histone Acetyltransferase-Independent Manner

    PubMed Central

    Jiang, Hua; Lu, Hanxin; Schiltz, R. Louis; Pise-Masison, Cynthia A.; Ogryzko, Vasily V.; Nakatani, Yoshihiro; Brady, John N.

    1999-01-01

    Recent studies have shown that the p300/CREB binding protein (CBP)-associated factor (PCAF) is involved in transcriptional activation. PCAF activity has been shown strongly associated with histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity. In this report, we present evidence for a HAT-independent transcription function that is activated in the presence of the human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) Tax protein. In vitro and in vivo GST-Tax pull-down and coimmunoprecipitation experiments demonstrate that there is a direct interaction between Tax and PCAF, independent of p300/CBP. PCAF can be recruited to the HTLV-1 Tax responsive element in the presence of Tax, and PCAF cooperates with Tax in vivo to activate transcription from the HTLV-1 LTR over 10-fold. Point mutations at Tax amino acid 318 (TaxS318A) or 319 to 320 (Tax M47), which have decreased or no activity on the HTLV-1 promoter, are defective for PCAF binding. Strikingly, the ability of PCAF to stimulate Tax transactivation is not solely dependent on the PCAF HAT domain. Two independent PCAF HAT mutants, which knock out acetyltransferase enzyme activity, activate Tax transactivation to approximately the same level as wild-type PCAF. In contrast, p300 stimulation of Tax transactivation is HAT dependent. These studies provide experimental evidence that PCAF contains a coactivator transcription function independent of the HAT activity on the viral long terminal repeat. PMID:10567539

  11. Effect of Increased Yeast Alcohol Acetyltransferase Activity on Flavor Profiles of Wine and Distillates

    PubMed Central

    Lilly, M.; Lambrechts, M. G.; Pretorius, I. S.

    2000-01-01

    The distinctive flavor of wine, brandy, and other grape-derived alcoholic beverages is affected by many compounds, including esters produced during alcoholic fermentation. The characteristic fruity odors of the fermentation bouquet are primarily due to a mixture of hexyl acetate, ethyl caproate (apple-like aroma), iso-amyl acetate (banana-like aroma), ethyl caprylate (apple-like aroma), and 2-phenylethyl acetate (fruity, flowery flavor with a honey note). The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility of improving the aroma of wine and distillates by overexpressing one of the endogenous yeast genes that controls acetate ester production during fermentation. The synthesis of acetate esters by the wine yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae during fermentation is ascribed to at least three acetyltransferase activities, namely, alcohol acetyltransferase (AAT), ethanol acetyltransferase, and iso-amyl AAT. To investigate the effect of increased AAT activity on the sensory quality of Chenin blanc wines and distillates from Colombar base wines, we have overexpressed the alcohol acetyltransferase gene (ATF1) of S. cerevisiae. The ATF1 gene, located on chromosome XV, was cloned from a widely used commercial wine yeast strain of S. cerevisiae, VIN13, and placed under the control of the constitutive yeast phosphoglycerate kinase gene (PGK1) promoter and terminator. Chromoblot analysis confirmed the integration of the modified copy of ATF1 into the genome of three commercial wine yeast strains (VIN7, VIN13, and WE228). Northern blot analysis indicated constitutive expression of ATF1 at high levels in these yeast transformants. The levels of ethyl acetate, iso-amyl acetate, and 2-phenylethyl acetate increased 3- to 10-fold, 3.8- to 12-fold, and 2- to 10-fold, respectively, depending on the fermentation temperature, cultivar, and yeast strain used. The concentrations of ethyl caprate, ethyl caprylate, and hexyl acetate only showed minor changes, whereas the acetic acid

  12. A bifunctional aminoglycoside acetyltransferase/phosphotransferase conferring tobramycin resistance provides an efficient selectable marker for plastid transformation.

    PubMed

    Tabatabaei, Iman; Ruf, Stephanie; Bock, Ralph

    2017-02-01

    A new selectable marker gene for stable transformation of the plastid genome was developed that is similarly efficient as the aadA, and produces no background of spontaneous resistance mutants. More than 25 years after its development for Chlamydomonas and tobacco, the transformation of the chloroplast genome still represents a challenging technology that is available only in a handful of species. The vast majority of chloroplast transformation experiments conducted thus far have relied on a single selectable marker gene, the spectinomycin resistance gene aadA. Although a few alternative markers have been reported, the aadA has remained unrivalled in efficiency and is, therefore, nearly exclusively used. The development of new marker genes for plastid transformation is of crucial importance to all efforts towards extending the species range of the technology as well as to those applications in basic research, biotechnology and synthetic biology that involve the multistep engineering of plastid genomes. Here, we have tested a bifunctional resistance gene for its suitability as a selectable marker for chloroplast transformation. The bacterial enzyme aminoglycoside acetyltransferase(6')-Ie/aminoglycoside phosphotransferase(2″)-Ia possesses an N-terminal acetyltransferase domain and a C-terminal phosphotransferase domain that can act synergistically and detoxify aminoglycoside antibiotics highly efficiently. We report that, in combination with selection for resistance to the aminoglycoside tobramycin, the aac(6')-Ie/aph(2″)-Ia gene represents an efficient marker for plastid transformation in that it produces similar numbers of transplastomic lines as the spectinomycin resistance gene aadA. Importantly, no spontaneous antibiotic resistance mutants appear under tobramycin selection.

  13. Comparative investigation of the xenobiotic metabolizing arylamine N-acetyltransferase enzyme family among fungi

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NATs) are xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes well-characterized in several bacteria and higher eukaryotes. The role of NATs in fungal biology has only recently been investigated. The NAT1 gene of Gibberella moniliformis was the first NAT cloned and characterized from fun...

  14. 17th Annual School Construction Report, 2012

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Abramson, Paul

    2012-01-01

    The 2012 "School Planning & Management"'s 17th Annual School Construction Report reports over the last two years although school construction had fallen from previous highs, the pipeline of projects funded before the recession was still full. And so, in 2009 total construction was a solid $16.4 billion. But the pipeline is not being…

  15. The histone acetyltransferase p300 inhibitor C646 reduces pro-inflammatory gene expression and inhibits histone deacetylases

    PubMed Central

    van den Bosch, Thea; Boichenko, Alexander; Leus, Niek G. J.; Eleni Ourailidou, Maria; Wapenaar, Hannah; Rotili, Dante; Mai, Antonello; Imhof, Axel; Bischoff, Rainer; Haisma, Hidde J.; Dekker, Frank J.

    2016-01-01

    Lysine acetylations are reversible posttranslational modifications of histone and non-histone proteins that play important regulatory roles in signal transduction cascades and gene expression. Lysine acetylations are regulated by histone acetyltransferases as writers and histone deacetylases as erasers. Because of their role in signal transduction cascades, these enzymes are important players in inflammation. Therefore, applications of histone acetyltransferase inhibitors to reduce inflammatory responses are interesting. Among the few histone acetyltransferase inhibitors described, C646 is one of the most potent (Ki of 0.4 μM for histone acetyltransferase p300). C646 was described to regulate the NF-κB pathway; an important pathway in inflammatory responses, which is regulated by acetylation. Interestingly, this pathway has been implicated in asthma and COPD. Therefore we hypothesized that via regulation of the NF-κB signaling pathway, C646 can inhibit pro-inflammatory gene expression, and have potential for the treatment of inflammatory lung diseases. In line with this, here we demonstrate that C646 reduces pro-inflammatory gene expression in RAW264.7 murine macrophages and murine precision-cut lung slices. To unravel its effects on cellular substrates we applied mass spectrometry and found, counterintuitively, a slight increase in acetylation of histone H3. Based on this finding, and structural features of C646, we presumed inhibitory activity of C646 on histone deacetylases, and indeed found inhibition of histone deacetylases from 7 μM and higher concentrations. This indicates that C646 has potential for further development towards applications in the treatment of inflammation, however, its newly discovered lack of selectivity at higher concentrations needs to be taken into account. PMID:26718586

  16. Metabolic regulation of histone acetyltransferases by endogenous Acyl-CoA cofactors | Center for Cancer Research

    Cancer.gov

    Unraveling the metabolic regulation of lysine acetyltransferases (KATs). Montgomery et al. detail the application of a competitive chemoproteomic strategy to quantitatively characterize the interactions of acyl-CoA metabolites with cellular KAT enzymes.

  17. A novel member of the GCN5-related N-acetyltransferase superfamily from Caenorhabditis elegans preferentially catalyses the N-acetylation of thialysine [S-(2-aminoethyl)-L-cysteine

    PubMed Central

    2004-01-01

    The putative diamine N-acetyltransferase D2023.4 has been cloned from the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. The 483 bp open reading frame of the cDNA encodes a deduced polypeptide of 18.6 kDa. Accordingly, the recombinantly expressed His6-tagged protein forms an enzymically active homodimer with a molecular mass of approx. 44000 Da. The protein belongs to the GNAT (GCN5-related N-acetyltransferase) superfamily, and its amino acid sequence exhibits considerable similarity to mammalian spermidine/spermine-N1-acetyltransferases. However, neither the polyamines spermidine and spermine nor the diamines putrescine and cadaverine were efficiently acetylated by the protein. The smaller diamines diaminopropane and ethylenediamine, as well as L-lysine, represent better substrates, but, surprisingly, the enzyme most efficiently catalyses the N-acetylation of amino acids analogous with L-lysine. As determined by the kcat/Km values, the C. elegans N-acetyltransferase prefers thialysine [S-(2-aminoethyl)-L-cysteine], followed by O-(2-aminoethyl)-L-serine and S-(2-aminoethyl)-D,L-homocysteine. Reversed-phase HPLC and mass spectrometric analyses revealed that N-acetylation of L-lysine and L-thialysine occurs exclusively at the amino moiety of the side chain. Remarkably, heterologous expression of C. elegans N-acetyltransferase D2023.4 in Escherichia coli, which does not possess a homologous gene, results in a pronounced resistance against the anti-metabolite thialysine. Furthermore, C. elegans N-acetyltransferase D2023.4 exhibits the highest homology with a number of GNATs found in numerous genomes from bacteria to mammals that have not been biochemically characterized so far, suggesting a novel group of GNAT enzymes closely related to spermidine/spermine-N1-acetyltransferase, but with a distinct substrate specificity. Taken together, we propose to name the enzyme ‘thialysine Nε-acetyltransferase’. PMID:15283700

  18. Structure and function of histone acetyltransferase MOF

    PubMed Central

    Chen, Qiao Yi; Costa, Max; Sun, Hong

    2016-01-01

    MOF was first identified in Drosophila melanogaster as an important component of the dosage compensation complex. As a member of MYST family of histone acetyltransferase, MOF specifically deposits the acetyl groups to histone H4 lysine 16. Throughout evolution, MOF and its mammalian ortholog have retained highly conserved substrate specificity and similar enzymatic activities. MOF plays important roles in dosage compensation, ESC self-renewal, DNA damage and repair, cell survival, and gene expression regulation. Dysregulation of MOF has been implicated in tumor formation and progression of many types of human cancers. This review will discuss the structure and activity of mammalian hMOF as well as its function in H4K16 acetylation, DNA damage response, stem cell pluripotency, and carcinogenesis. PMID:28503659

  19. Structure and function of histone acetyltransferase MOF.

    PubMed

    Chen, Qiao Yi; Costa, Max; Sun, Hong

    2015-01-01

    MOF was first identified in Drosophila melanogaster as an important component of the dosage compensation complex. As a member of MYST family of histone acetyltransferase, MOF specifically deposits the acetyl groups to histone H4 lysine 16. Throughout evolution, MOF and its mammalian ortholog have retained highly conserved substrate specificity and similar enzymatic activities. MOF plays important roles in dosage compensation, ESC self-renewal, DNA damage and repair, cell survival, and gene expression regulation. Dysregulation of MOF has been implicated in tumor formation and progression of many types of human cancers. This review will discuss the structure and activity of mammalian hMOF as well as its function in H4K16 acetylation, DNA damage response, stem cell pluripotency, and carcinogenesis.

  20. A B-type histone acetyltransferase Hat1 regulates secondary metabolism, conidiation, and cell wall integrity in the taxol-producing fungus Pestalotiopsis microspora.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Qian; Chen, Longfei; Yu, Xi; Liu, Heng; Akhberdi, Oren; Pan, Jiao; Zhu, Xudong

    2016-12-01

    In filamentous fungi, many gene clusters for the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites often stay silent under laboratory culture conditions because of the absence of communication with its natural environment. Epigenetic processes have been demonstrated to be critical in the expression of the genes or gene clusters. Here, we report the identification of a B-type histone acetyltransferase, Hat1, and demonstrate its significant roles in secondary metabolism, conidiation, and the cell wall integrity in the fungus Pestalotiopsis microspora. An hat1 deletion strain shows a dramatic decrease of SMs in this fungus, suggesting hat1 functions as a global regulator on secondary metabolism. Moreover, the mutant strain hat1Δ delays to produce conidia with significantly decreased number of conidia, while shows little effect on vegetative growth, suggesting that it plays a critical role in conidiation. The hypersensitivity of hat1Δ to Congo red demonstrates that disruption of hat1 impairs the integrity of cell wall. Overexpression of the wild-type hat1 allele enhances conidiation by boosting the number of conidia. This is the first report on the role of a B-type histone acetyltransferase in fungal secondary metabolism and cell wall integrity. © 2016 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  1. From Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase to Folate-Dependent Acetyl CoA Hydrolase: Impact of Folic Acid on the Activity of (HUMAN)NAT1 and Its Homologue (MOUSE)NAT2

    PubMed Central

    Laurieri, Nicola; Dairou, Julien; Egleton, James E.; Stanley, Lesley A.; Russell, Angela J.; Dupret, Jean-Marie; Sim, Edith; Rodrigues-Lima, Fernando

    2014-01-01

    Acetyl Coenzyme A-dependent N-, O- and N,O-acetylation of aromatic amines and hydrazines by arylamine N-acetyltransferases is well characterised. Here, we describe experiments demonstrating that human arylamine N-acetyltransferase Type 1 and its murine homologue (Type 2) can also catalyse the direct hydrolysis of acetyl Coenzyme A in the presence of folate. This folate-dependent activity is exclusive to these two isoforms; no acetyl Coenzyme A hydrolysis was found when murine arylamine N-acetyltransferase Type 1 or recombinant bacterial arylamine N-acetyltransferases were incubated with folate. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy allowed chemical modifications occurring during the catalytic reaction to be analysed in real time, revealing that the disappearance of acetyl CH 3 from acetyl Coenzyme A occurred concomitantly with the appearance of a CH 3 peak corresponding to that of free acetate and suggesting that folate is not acetylated during the reaction. We propose that folate is a cofactor for this reaction and suggest it as an endogenous function of this widespread enzyme. Furthermore, in silico docking of folate within the active site of human arylamine N-acetyltransferase Type 1 suggests that folate may bind at the enzyme’s active site, and facilitate acetyl Coenzyme A hydrolysis. The evidence presented in this paper adds to our growing understanding of the endogenous roles of human arylamine N-acetyltransferase Type 1 and its mouse homologue and expands the catalytic repertoire of these enzymes, demonstrating that they are by no means just xenobiotic metabolising enzymes but probably also play an important role in cellular metabolism. These data, together with the characterisation of a naphthoquinone inhibitor of folate-dependent acetyl Coenzyme A hydrolysis by human arylamine N-acetyltransferase Type 1/murine arylamine N-acetyltransferase Type 2, open up a range of future avenues of exploration, both for elucidating the developmental role of

  2. Functional effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the coding region of human N-acetyltransferase 1

    PubMed Central

    Zhu, Yuanqi; Hein, David W.

    2007-01-01

    Genetic variants of human N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) are associated with cancer and birth defects. N- and O-acetyltransferase catalytic activities, Michaelis-Menten kinetic constants (Km & Vmax), and steady state expression levels of NAT1-specific mRNA and protein were determined for the reference NAT1*4 and variant human NAT1 haplotypes possessing single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the open reading frame. Although none of the SNPs caused a significant effect on steady state levels of NAT1-specific mRNA, C97T(R33stop), C190T(R64W), C559T (R187stop) and A752T(D251V) each reduced NAT1 protein level and/or N- and O-acetyltransferase catalytic activities to levels below detection. G560A(R187Q) substantially reduced NAT1 protein level and catalytic activities and increased substrate Km. The G445A(V149I), G459A(synonymous) and T640G(S214A) haplotype present in NAT1*11 significantly (p<0.05) increased NAT1 protein level and catalytic activity. Neither T21G(synonymous), T402C(synonymous), A613G(M205V), T777C(synonymous), G781A(E261K), or A787G(I263V) significantly affected Km, catalytic activity, mRNA or protein level. These results suggest heterogeneity among slow NAT1 acetylator phenotypes. PMID:17909564

  3. Balance of Activities of Alcohol Acetyltransferase and Esterase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae Is Important for Production of Isoamyl Acetate

    PubMed Central

    Fukuda, Kiyoshi; Yamamoto, Nagi; Kiyokawa, Yoshifumi; Yanagiuchi, Toshiyasu; Wakai, Yoshinori; Kitamoto, Katsuhiko; Inoue, Yoshiharu; Kimura, Akira

    1998-01-01

    Isoamyl acetate is synthesized from isoamyl alcohol and acetyl coenzyme A by alcohol acetyltransferase (AATFase) in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and is hydrolyzed by esterases at the same time. We hypothesized that the balance of both enzyme activities was important for optimum production of isoamyl acetate in sake brewing. To test this hypothesis, we constructed yeast strains with different numbers of copies of the AATFase gene (ATF1) and the isoamyl acetate-hydrolyzing esterase gene (IAH1) and used these strains in small-scale sake brewing. Fermentation profiles as well as components of the resulting sake were largely alike; however, the amount of isoamyl acetate in the sake increased with an increasing ratio of AATFase/Iah1p esterase activity. Therefore, we conclude that the balance of these two enzyme activities is important for isoamyl acetate accumulation in sake mash. PMID:9758847

  4. Cloning, characterization, and expression analysis of the novel acetyltransferase retrogene Ard1b in the mouse.

    PubMed

    Pang, Alan Lap-Yin; Peacock, Stephanie; Johnson, Warren; Bear, Deborah H; Rennert, Owen M; Chan, Wai-Yee

    2009-08-01

    N-alpha-terminal acetylation is a modification process that occurs cotranslationally on most eukaryotic proteins. The major enzyme responsible for this process, N-alpha-terminal acetyltransferase, is composed of the catalytic subunit ARD1A and the auxiliary subunit NAT1. We cloned, characterized, and studied the expression pattern of Ard1b (also known as Ard2), a novel homolog of the mouse Ard1a. Comparison of the genomic structures suggests that the autosomal Ard1b is a retroposed copy of the X-linked Ard1a. Expression analyses demonstrated a testis predominance of Ard1b. A reciprocal expression pattern between Ard1a and Ard1b is also observed during spermatogenesis, suggesting that Ard1b is expressed to compensate for the loss of Ard1a starting from meiosis. Both ARD1A and ARD1B can interact with NAT1 to constitute a functional N-alpha-terminal acetyltransferase in vitro. The expression of ARD1B protein can be detected in mouse testes but is delayed until the first appearance of round spermatids. In a cell culture model, the inclusion of the long 3' untranslated region of Ard1b leads to reduction of luciferase reporter activity, which implicates its role in translational repression of Ard1b during spermatogenesis. Our results suggest that ARD1B may have an important role in the later course of the spermatogenic process.

  5. Functional Effects of Genetic Polymorphisms in the N-acetyltransferase 1 Coding and 3′ Untranslated Regions

    PubMed Central

    Zhu, Yuanqi; States, J. Christopher; Wang, Yang; Hein, David W.

    2011-01-01

    BACKGROUND The functional effects of N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) polymorphisms and haplotypes are poorly understood, compromising the validity of associations reported with diseases including birth defects and numerous cancers. METHODS We investigated the effects of genetic polymorphisms within the NAT1 coding region and the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) and their associated haplotypes on N- and O-acetyltransferase catalytic activities, and NAT1 mRNA and protein levels following recombinant expression in COS-1 cells. RESULTS 1088T>A (rs1057126; 3′-UTR) and 1095C>A (rs15561; 3′-UTR) each slightly reduced NAT1 catalytic activity and NAT1 mRNA and protein levels. A 9-base pair (TAATAATAA) deletion between nucleotides 1065-1090 (3′-UTR) reduced NAT1 catalytic activity and NAT1 mRNA and protein levels. In contrast, a 445G>A (rs4987076; V149I), 459G>A (rs4986990; T153T), 640T>G (rs4986783; S214A) coding region haplotype present in NAT1*11 increased NAT1 catalytic activity and NAT1 protein, but not NAT1 mRNA levels. A combination of the 9-base pair (TAATAATAA) deletion and the 445G>A, 459G>A, 640T>G coding region haplotypes, both present in NAT1*11, appeared to neutralize the opposing effects on NAT1 protein and catalytic activity, resulting in levels of NAT1 protein and catalytic activity that did not differ significantly from the NAT1*4 reference. CONCLUSIONS Since 1095C>A (3′-UTR) is the sole polymorphism present in NAT1*3, our data suggests that NAT1*3 is not functionally equivalent to the NAT1*4 reference. Furthermore, our findings provide biological support for reported associations of 1088T>A and 1095C>A polymorphisms with birth defects. PMID:21290563

  6. The role of lysine(100) in the binding of acetylcoenzyme A to human arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1: implications for other acetyltransferases.

    PubMed

    Minchin, Rodney F; Butcher, Neville J

    2015-04-01

    The arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NATs) catalyze the acetylation of aromatic and heterocyclic amines as well as hydrazines. All proteins in this family of enzymes utilize acetyl coenzyme A (AcCoA) as an acetyl donor, which initially binds to the enzyme and transfers an acetyl group to an active site cysteine. Here, we have investigated the role of a highly conserved amino acid (Lys(100)) in the enzymatic activity of human NAT1. Mutation of Lys(100) to either a glutamine or a leucine significantly increased the Ka for AcCoA without changing the Kb for the acetyl acceptor p-aminobenzoic acid. In addition, substrate inhibition was more marked with the mutant enzymes. Steady state kinetic analyzes suggested that mutation of Lys(100) to either leucine or glutamine resulted in a less stable enzyme-cofactor complex, which was not seen with a positively charged arginine at this position. When p-nitrophenylacetate was used as acetyl donor, no differences were seen between the wild-type and mutant enzymes because p-nitrophenylacetate is too small to interact with Lys(100) when bound to the active site. Using 3'-dephospho-AcCoA as the acetyl donor, kinetic data confirmed that Ly(100) interacts with the 3'-phosphoanion to stabilize the enzyme-cofactor complex. Mutation of Lys(100) decreases the affinity of AcCoA for the protein and increases the rate of CoA release. Crystal structures of several other unrelated acetyltransferases show a lysine or arginine residue within 3Å of the 3'-phosphoanion of AcCoA, suggesting that this mechanism for stabilizing the complex by the formation of a salt bridge may be widely applicable in nature. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  7. Recycled plastics in highway construction and maintenance : construction report.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1993-12-01

    Oregon Senate Bill 66 directed the Oregon Department of Transportation to conduct a research project to evaluate the use of recycled plastic products and composite materials containing recycled plastic in construction maintenance. This report documen...

  8. Phylogenetic and biological investigation of the xenobiotic metabolizing arylamine N-acetyltransferase enzyme family among fungi

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NATs) are xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes well-characterized in several bacteria and eukaryotic organisms. The role of NATs in fungal biology has only recently been investigated. The NAT1 (FDB2) gene of Fusarium verticillioides was the first NAT cloned and character...

  9. GPS-PAIL: prediction of lysine acetyltransferase-specific modification sites from protein sequences.

    PubMed

    Deng, Wankun; Wang, Chenwei; Zhang, Ying; Xu, Yang; Zhang, Shuang; Liu, Zexian; Xue, Yu

    2016-12-22

    Protein acetylation catalyzed by specific histone acetyltransferases (HATs) is an essential post-translational modification (PTM) and involved in the regulation a broad spectrum of biological processes in eukaryotes. Although several ten thousands of acetylation sites have been experimentally identified, the upstream HATs for most of the sites are unclear. Thus, the identification of HAT-specific acetylation sites is fundamental for understanding the regulatory mechanisms of protein acetylation. In this work, we first collected 702 known HAT-specific acetylation sites of 205 proteins from the literature and public data resources, and a motif-based analysis demonstrated that different types of HATs exhibit similar but considerably distinct sequence preferences for substrate recognition. Using 544 human HAT-specific sites for training, we constructed a highly useful tool of GPS-PAIL for the prediction of HAT-specific sites for up to seven HATs, including CREBBP, EP300, HAT1, KAT2A, KAT2B, KAT5 and KAT8. The prediction accuracy of GPS-PAIL was critically evaluated, with a satisfying performance. Using GPS-PAIL, we also performed a large-scale prediction of potential HATs for known acetylation sites identified from high-throughput experiments in nine eukaryotes. Both online service and local packages were implemented, and GPS-PAIL is freely available at: http://pail.biocuckoo.org.

  10. GPS-PAIL: prediction of lysine acetyltransferase-specific modification sites from protein sequences

    PubMed Central

    Deng, Wankun; Wang, Chenwei; Zhang, Ying; Xu, Yang; Zhang, Shuang; Liu, Zexian; Xue, Yu

    2016-01-01

    Protein acetylation catalyzed by specific histone acetyltransferases (HATs) is an essential post-translational modification (PTM) and involved in the regulation a broad spectrum of biological processes in eukaryotes. Although several ten thousands of acetylation sites have been experimentally identified, the upstream HATs for most of the sites are unclear. Thus, the identification of HAT-specific acetylation sites is fundamental for understanding the regulatory mechanisms of protein acetylation. In this work, we first collected 702 known HAT-specific acetylation sites of 205 proteins from the literature and public data resources, and a motif-based analysis demonstrated that different types of HATs exhibit similar but considerably distinct sequence preferences for substrate recognition. Using 544 human HAT-specific sites for training, we constructed a highly useful tool of GPS-PAIL for the prediction of HAT-specific sites for up to seven HATs, including CREBBP, EP300, HAT1, KAT2A, KAT2B, KAT5 and KAT8. The prediction accuracy of GPS-PAIL was critically evaluated, with a satisfying performance. Using GPS-PAIL, we also performed a large-scale prediction of potential HATs for known acetylation sites identified from high-throughput experiments in nine eukaryotes. Both online service and local packages were implemented, and GPS-PAIL is freely available at: http://pail.biocuckoo.org. PMID:28004786

  11. Structural and Biochemical Characterization of Acinetobacter spp. Aminoglycoside Acetyltransferases Highlights Functional and Evolutionary Variation among Antibiotic Resistance Enzymes.

    PubMed

    Stogios, Peter J; Kuhn, Misty L; Evdokimova, Elena; Law, Melissa; Courvalin, Patrice; Savchenko, Alexei

    2017-02-10

    Modification of aminoglycosides by N-acetyltransferases (AACs) is one of the major mechanisms of resistance to these antibiotics in human bacterial pathogens. More than 50 enzymes belonging to the AAC(6') subfamily have been identified in Gram-negative and Gram-positive clinical isolates. Our understanding of the molecular function and evolutionary origin of these resistance enzymes remains incomplete. Here we report the structural and enzymatic characterization of AAC(6')-Ig and AAC(6')-Ih from Acinetobacter spp. The crystal structure of AAC(6')-Ig in complex with tobramycin revealed a large substrate-binding cleft remaining partially unoccupied by the substrate, which is in stark contrast with the previously characterized AAC(6')-Ib enzyme. Enzymatic analysis indicated that AAC(6')-Ig and -Ih possess a broad specificity against aminoglycosides but with significantly lower turnover rates as compared to other AAC(6') enzymes. Structure- and function-informed phylogenetic analysis of AAC(6') enzymes led to identification of at least three distinct subfamilies varying in oligomeric state, active site composition, and drug recognition mode. Our data support the concept of AAC(6') functionality originating through convergent evolution from diverse Gcn5-related-N-acetyltransferase (GNAT) ancestral enzymes, with AAC(6')-Ig and -Ih representing enzymes that may still retain ancestral nonresistance functions in the cell as provided by their particular active site properties.

  12. A Novel 6'-N-Aminoglycoside Acetyltransferase, AAC(6')-Ial, from a Clinical Isolate of Serratia marcescens.

    PubMed

    Tada, Tatsuya; Miyoshi-Akiyama, Tohru; Shimada, Kayo; Dahal, Rajan K; Mishra, Shyam K; Ohara, Hiroshi; Kirikae, Teruo; Pokhrel, Bharat M

    2016-03-01

    Serratia marcescens IOMTU115 has a novel 6'-N-aminoglycoside acetyltransferase-encoding gene, aac(6')-Ial. The encoded protein AAC(6')-Ial has 146 amino acids, with 91.8% identity to the amino acid sequence of AAC(6')-Ic in S. marcescens SM16 and 97.3% identity to the amino acid sequence of AAC(6')-Iap in S. marcescens WW4. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of aminoglycosides for Escherichia coli expressing AAC(6')-Ial were similar to those for E. coli expressing AAC(6')-Ic or AAC(6')-Iap. Thin-layer chromatography showed that AAC(6')-Ial, AAC(6')-Ic, or AAC(6')-Iap acetylated all the aminoglycosides tested, except for apramycin, gentamicin, and lividomycin. Kinetics assays revealed that AAC(6')-Ial is a functional acetyltransferase against aminoglycosides. The aac(6')-Ial gene was located on chromosomal DNA.

  13. 33rd Annual Official Education Construction Report

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Agron, Joe

    2007-01-01

    Construction spending by education institutions topped $36 billion in 2006. While strong by historical standards, it represents the third consecutive year that total spending on construction dropped from the year before. According to the "American School & University" 33rd annual Official Education Construction Report, total spending on new,…

  14. Cinnamoyl compounds as simple molecules that inhibit p300 histone acetyltransferase.

    PubMed

    Costi, Roberta; Di Santo, Roberto; Artico, Marino; Miele, Gaetano; Valentini, Paola; Novellino, Ettore; Cereseto, Anna

    2007-04-19

    Cinnamoly compounds 1a-c and 2a-d were designed, synthesized, and in vitro tested as p300 inhibitors. At different degrees, all tested compounds were proven to inactivate p300, particularly, derivative 2c was the most active inhibitor, also showing high specificity for p300 as compared to other histone acetyltransferases. Most notably, 2c showed anti-acetylase activity in mammalian cells. These compounds represent a new class of synthetic inhibitors of p300, characterized by simple chemical structures.

  15. Cloning, Characterization, and Expression Analysis of the Novel Acetyltransferase Retrogene Ard1b in the Mouse1

    PubMed Central

    Pang, Alan Lap-Yin; Peacock, Stephanie; Johnson, Warren; Bear, Deborah H.; Rennert, Owen M.; Chan, Wai-Yee

    2009-01-01

    N-alpha-terminal acetylation is a modification process that occurs cotranslationally on most eukaryotic proteins. The major enzyme responsible for this process, N-alpha-terminal acetyltransferase, is composed of the catalytic subunit ARD1A and the auxiliary subunit NAT1. We cloned, characterized, and studied the expression pattern of Ard1b (also known as Ard2), a novel homolog of the mouse Ard1a. Comparison of the genomic structures suggests that the autosomal Ard1b is a retroposed copy of the X-linked Ard1a. Expression analyses demonstrated a testis predominance of Ard1b. A reciprocal expression pattern between Ard1a and Ard1b is also observed during spermatogenesis, suggesting that Ard1b is expressed to compensate for the loss of Ard1a starting from meiosis. Both ARD1A and ARD1B can interact with NAT1 to constitute a functional N-alpha-terminal acetyltransferase in vitro. The expression of ARD1B protein can be detected in mouse testes but is delayed until the first appearance of round spermatids. In a cell culture model, the inclusion of the long 3′ untranslated region of Ard1b leads to reduction of luciferase reporter activity, which implicates its role in translational repression of Ard1b during spermatogenesis. Our results suggest that ARD1B may have an important role in the later course of the spermatogenic process. PMID:19246321

  16. K-Lysine acetyltransferase 2a regulates a hippocampal gene expression network linked to memory formation

    PubMed Central

    Stilling, Roman M; Rönicke, Raik; Benito, Eva; Urbanke, Hendrik; Capece, Vincenzo; Burkhardt, Susanne; Bahari-Javan, Sanaz; Barth, Jonas; Sananbenesi, Farahnaz; Schütz, Anna L; Dyczkowski, Jerzy; Martinez-Hernandez, Ana; Kerimoglu, Cemil; Dent, Sharon YR; Bonn, Stefan; Reymann, Klaus G; Fischer, Andre

    2014-01-01

    Neuronal histone acetylation has been linked to memory consolidation, and targeting histone acetylation has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for neuropsychiatric diseases. However, the role of histone-modifying enzymes in the adult brain is still far from being understood. Here we use RNA sequencing to screen the levels of all known histone acetyltransferases (HATs) in the hippocampal CA1 region and find that K-acetyltransferase 2a (Kat2a)—a HAT that has not been studied for its role in memory function so far—shows highest expression. Mice that lack Kat2a show impaired hippocampal synaptic plasticity and long-term memory consolidation. We furthermore show that Kat2a regulates a highly interconnected hippocampal gene expression network linked to neuroactive receptor signaling via a mechanism that involves nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB). In conclusion, our data establish Kat2a as a novel and essential regulator of hippocampal memory consolidation. PMID:25024434

  17. Structure of soybean serine acetyltransferase and formation of the cysteine regulatory complex as a molecular chaperone

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Serine acetyltransferase (SAT) catalyzes the limiting reaction in plant and microbial biosynthesis of cysteine. In addition to its enzymatic function, SAT forms a macromolecular complex with O-acetylserine sulfhydrylase (OASS). Formation of the cysteine regulatory complex (CRC) is a critical biochem...

  18. Acetyl group coordinated progression through the catalytic cycle of an arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase.

    PubMed

    Aboalroub, Adam A; Bachman, Ashleigh B; Zhang, Ziming; Keramisanou, Dimitra; Merkler, David J; Gelis, Ioannis

    2017-01-01

    The transfer of an acetyl group from acetyl-CoA to an acceptor amine is a ubiquitous biochemical transformation catalyzed by Gcn5-related N-acetyltransferases (GNATs). Although it is established that the reaction proceeds through a sequential ordered mechanism, the role of the acetyl group in driving the ordered formation of binary and ternary complexes remains elusive. Herein, we show that CoA and acetyl-CoA alter the conformation of the substrate binding site of an arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) to facilitate interaction with acceptor substrates. However, it is the presence of the acetyl group within the catalytic funnel that triggers high affinity binding. Acetyl group occupancy is relayed through a conserved salt bridge between the P-loop and the acceptor binding site, and is manifested as differential dynamics in the CoA and acetyl-CoA-bound states. The capacity of the acetyl group carried by an acceptor to promote its tight binding even in the absence of CoA, but also its mutually exclusive position to the acetyl group of acetyl-CoA underscore its importance in coordinating the progression of the catalytic cycle.

  19. Acetyl group coordinated progression through the catalytic cycle of an arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase

    PubMed Central

    Aboalroub, Adam A.; Bachman, Ashleigh B.; Zhang, Ziming; Keramisanou, Dimitra; Merkler, David J.

    2017-01-01

    The transfer of an acetyl group from acetyl-CoA to an acceptor amine is a ubiquitous biochemical transformation catalyzed by Gcn5-related N-acetyltransferases (GNATs). Although it is established that the reaction proceeds through a sequential ordered mechanism, the role of the acetyl group in driving the ordered formation of binary and ternary complexes remains elusive. Herein, we show that CoA and acetyl-CoA alter the conformation of the substrate binding site of an arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) to facilitate interaction with acceptor substrates. However, it is the presence of the acetyl group within the catalytic funnel that triggers high affinity binding. Acetyl group occupancy is relayed through a conserved salt bridge between the P-loop and the acceptor binding site, and is manifested as differential dynamics in the CoA and acetyl-CoA-bound states. The capacity of the acetyl group carried by an acceptor to promote its tight binding even in the absence of CoA, but also its mutually exclusive position to the acetyl group of acetyl-CoA underscore its importance in coordinating the progression of the catalytic cycle. PMID:28486510

  20. Structural and Functional Survey of Environmental Aminoglycoside Acetyltransferases Reveals Functionality of Resistance Enzymes.

    PubMed

    Xu, Zhiyu; Stogios, Peter J; Quaile, Andrew T; Forsberg, Kevin J; Patel, Sanket; Skarina, Tatiana; Houliston, Scott; Arrowsmith, Cheryl; Dantas, Gautam; Savchenko, Alexei

    2017-09-08

    Aminoglycoside N-acetyltransferases (AACs) confer resistance against the clinical use of aminoglycoside antibiotics. The origin of AACs can be traced to environmental microbial species representing a vast reservoir for new and emerging resistance enzymes, which are currently undercharacterized. Here, we performed detailed structural characterization and functional analyses of four metagenomic AAC (meta-AACs) enzymes recently identified in a survey of agricultural and grassland soil microbiomes ( Forsberg et al. Nature 2014 , 509 , 612 ). These enzymes are new members of the Gcn5-Related-N-Acetyltransferase superfamily and confer resistance to the aminoglycosides gentamicin C, sisomicin, and tobramycin. Moreover, the meta-AAC0020 enzyme demonstrated activity comparable with an AAC(3)-I enzyme that serves as a model AAC enzyme identified in a clinical bacterial isolate. The crystal structure of meta-AAC0020 in complex with sisomicin confirmed an unexpected AAC(6') regiospecificity of this enzyme and revealed a drug binding mechanism distinct from previously characterized AAC(6') enzymes. Together, our data highlights the presence of highly active antibiotic-modifying enzymes in the environmental microbiome and reveals unexpected diversity in substrate specificity. These observations of additional AAC enzymes must be considered in the search for novel aminoglycosides less prone to resistance.

  1. Substrate Binding and Catalytic Mechanism of Human Choline Acetyltransferase

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Kim,A.; Rylett, J.; Shilton, B.

    2006-01-01

    Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) catalyzes the synthesis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine from choline and acetyl-CoA, and its presence is a defining feature of cholinergic neurons. We report the structure of human ChAT to a resolution of 2.2 {angstrom} along with structures for binary complexes of ChAT with choline, CoA, and a nonhydrolyzable acetyl-CoA analogue, S-(2-oxopropyl)-CoA. The ChAT-choline complex shows which features of choline are important for binding and explains how modifications of the choline trimethylammonium group can be tolerated by the enzyme. A detailed model of the ternary Michaelis complex fully supports the direct transfer of the acetyl group from acetyl-CoAmore » to choline through a mechanism similar to that seen in the serine hydrolases for the formation of an acyl-enzyme intermediate. Domain movements accompany CoA binding, and a surface loop, which is disordered in the unliganded enzyme, becomes localized and binds directly to the phosphates of CoA, stabilizing the complex. Interactions between this surface loop and CoA may function to lower the K{sub M} for CoA and could be important for phosphorylation-dependent regulation of ChAT activity.« less

  2. 15th Annual School Construction Report, 2010

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Abramson, Paul

    2010-01-01

    School construction in 2009 fell 16 percent from one year ago, to just $16.4 billion, the lowest annual total for school construction since 1998. Indications are that it will fall further this year. "School Planning & Management" received reports on school construction completed and underway during 2009 and planned to start in 2010…

  3. Effect of dietary γ-aminobutyric acid on the nerve growth factor and the choline acetyltransferase in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of ovariectomized female rats.

    PubMed

    Tujioka, Kazuyo; Thanapreedawat, Panicha; Yamada, Takashi; Yokogoshi, Hidehiko; Horie, Kenji; Kim, Mujo; Tsutsui, Kazumi; Hayase, Kazutoshi

    2014-01-01

    The brain protein synthesis and the plasma concentration of growth hormone (GH) is sensitive to the dietary γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in ovariectomized female rats; however, the role of dietary GABA on biomarkers including nerve growth factor (NGF) and choline acetyltransferase for the function of cholinergic neurons remains unknown in ovariectomized female rats. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the dietary GABA affects the concentration and mRNA level of NGF, and the activity of choline acetyltransferase in the brains of ovariectomized female rats. Experiments were done on two groups of 24-wk-old ovariectomized female rats given 0 or 0.5% GABA added to a 20% casein diet. The concentrations of NGF and activities of choline acetyltransferase in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, and mRNA level of NGF in the hippocampus increased significantly with the 20% casein+0.5% GABA compared with the 20% casein diet alone. In the hippocampus, the mRNA level of NGF significantly correlated with the NGF concentration (r=0.714, p<0.01). These results suggest that the administration of GABA to ovariectomized female rats is likely to control the mRNA level and concentration of NGF and cause an increase in the activity of choline acetyltransferase in the brains.

  4. Chloroplast-encoded serotonin N-acetyltransferase in the red alga Pyropia yezoensis: gene transition to the nucleus from chloroplasts.

    PubMed

    Byeon, Yeong; Yool Lee, Hyoung; Choi, Dong-Woog; Back, Kyoungwhan

    2015-02-01

    Melatonin biosynthesis involves the N-acetylation of arylalkylamines such as serotonin, which is catalysed by serotonin N-acetyltransferase (SNAT), the penultimate enzyme of melatonin biosynthesis in both animals and plants. Here, we report the functional characterization of a putative N-acetyltransferase gene in the chloroplast genome of the alga laver (Pyropia yezoensis, formerly known as Porphyra yezoensis) with homology to the rice SNAT gene. To confirm that the putative Pyropia yezoensis SNAT (PySNAT) gene encodes an SNAT, we cloned the full-length chloroplastidic PySNAT gene by PCR and purified the recombinant PySNAT protein from Escherichia coli. PySNAT was 174 aa and had 50% amino acid identity with cyanobacteria SNAT. Purified recombinant PySNAT showed a peak activity at 55 °C with a K m of 467 µM and V max of 28 nmol min-1 mg(-1) of protein. Unlike other plant SNATs, PySNAT localized to the cytoplasm due to a lack of N-terminal chloroplast transit peptides. Melatonin was present at 0.16ng g(-1) of fresh mass but increased during heat stress. Phylogenetic analysis of the sequence suggested that PySNAT has evolved from the cyanobacteria SNAT gene via endosymbiotic gene transfer. Additionally, the chloroplast transit peptides of plant SNATs were acquired 1500 million years ago, concurrent with the appearance of green algae. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Experimental Biology.

  5. NolL of Rhizobium sp. Strain NGR234 Is Required for O-Acetyltransferase Activity

    PubMed Central

    Berck, S.; Perret, X.; Quesada-Vincens, D.; Promé, J.-C.; Broughton, W. J.; Jabbouri, S.

    1999-01-01

    Following (iso)flavonoid induction, nodulation genes of the symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacterium Rhizobium sp. strain NGR234 elaborate a large family of lipooligosaccharidic Nod factors (NodNGR factors). When secreted into the rhizosphere of compatible legumes, these signal molecules initiate root hair deformation and nodule development. The nonreducing glucosamine residue of NodNGR factors are N acylated, N methylated, and mono- or biscarbamoylated, while position C-6 of the reducing extremity is fucosylated. This fucose residue is normally 2-O methylated and either sulfated or acetylated. Here we present an analysis of all acetylated NodNGR factors, which clearly shows that the acetate group may occupy position C-3 or C-4 of the fucose moiety. Disruption of the flavonoid-inducible nolL gene, which is preceded by a nod box, results in the synthesis of NodNGR factors that lack the 3-O- or 4-O-acetate groups. Interestingly, the nodulation capacity of the mutant NGRΩnolL is not impaired, whereas introduction of the nod box::nolL construct into the related strain Rhizobium fredii USDA257 extends the host range of this bacterium to Calopogonium caeruleum, Leucaena leucocephala, and Lotus halophilus. Nod factors produced by a USDA257(pnolL) transconjugant were also acetylated. The nod box::nolL construct was also introduced into ANU265 (NGR234 cured of its symbiotic plasmid), along with extra copies of the nodD1 gene. When permeabilized, these cells possessed acetyltransferase activity, although crude extracts did not. PMID:9922261

  6. Immunolocalization of choline acetyltransferase of common type in the central brain mass of Octopus vulgaris

    PubMed Central

    Casini, A.; Vaccaro, R.; D'Este, L.; Sakaue, Y.; Bellier, J.P.; Kimura, H.; Renda, T.G.

    2012-01-01

    Acetylcholine, the first neurotransmitter to be identified in the vertebrate frog, is widely distributed among the animal kingdom. The presence of a large amount of acetylcholine in the nervous system of cephalopods is well known from several biochemical and physiological studies. However, little is known about the precise distribution of cholinergic structures due to a lack of a suitable histochemical technique for detecting acetylcholine. The most reliable method to visualize the cholinergic neurons is the immunohistochemical localization of the enzyme choline acetyltransferase, the synthetic enzyme of acetylcholine. Following our previous study on the distribution patterns of cholinergic neurons in the Octopus vulgaris visual system, using a novel antibody that recognizes choline acetyltransferase of the common type (cChAT), now we extend our investigation on the octopus central brain mass. When applied on sections of octopus central ganglia, immunoreactivity for cChAT was detected in cell bodies of all central brain mass lobes with the notable exception of the subfrontal and subvertical lobes. Positive varicosed nerves fibers where observed in the neuropil of all central brain mass lobes. PMID:23027350

  7. Immunolocalization of choline acetyltransferase of common type in the central brain mass of Octopus vulgaris.

    PubMed

    Casini, A; Vaccaro, R; D'Este, L; Sakaue, Y; Bellier, J P; Kimura, H; Renda, T G

    2012-07-19

    Acetylcholine, the first neurotransmitter to be identified in the vertebrate frog, is widely distributed among the animal kingdom. The presence of a large amount of acetylcholine in the nervous system of cephalopods is well known from several biochemical and physiological studies. However, little is known about the precise distribution of cholinergic structures due to a lack of a suitable histochemical technique for detecting acetylcholine. The most reliable method to visualize the cholinergic neurons is the immunohistochemical localization of the enzyme choline acetyltransferase, the synthetic enzyme of acetylcholine. Following our previous study on the distribution patterns of cholinergic neurons in the Octopus vulgaris visual system, using a novel antibody that recognizes choline acetyltransferase of the common type (cChAT), now we extend our investigation on the octopus central brain mass. When applied on sections of octopus central ganglia, immunoreactivity for cChAT was detected in cell bodies of all central brain mass lobes with the notable exception of the subfrontal and subvertical lobes. Positive varicosed nerves fibers where observed in the neuropil of all central brain mass lobes.

  8. An extracellular factor regulating expression of the chromosomal aminoglycoside 2'-N-acetyltransferase of Providencia stuartii.

    PubMed Central

    Rather, P N; Parojcic, M M; Paradise, M R

    1997-01-01

    The chromosomal aac(2')-Ia gene in Providencia stuartii encodes a housekeeping 2'-N-acetyltransferase [AAC(2')-Ia] involved in the acetylation of peptidoglycan. In addition, the AAC(2')-Ia enzyme also acetylates and confers resistance to the clinically important aminoglycoside antibiotics gentamicin, tobramycin, and netilmicin. Expression of the aac(2')-Ia gene was found to be strongly influenced by cell density, with a sharp decrease in aac(2')-Ia mRNA accumulation as cells approached stationary phase. This decrease was mediated by the accumulation of an extracellular factor, designated AR (for acetyltransferase repressing)-factor. AR-factor was produced in both minimal and rich media and acted in a manner that was strongly dose dependent. The activity of AR-factor was also pH dependent, with optimal activity at pH 8.0 and above. Biochemical characterization of conditioned media from P. stuartii has shown that AR-factor is between 500 and 1,000 Da in molecular size and is heat stable. In addition, AR-factor was inactivated by a variety of proteases, suggesting that it may be a small peptide. PMID:9257754

  9. Crystal structure of bacillus subtilis YdaF protein : a putative ribosomal N-acetyltransferase.

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Brunzelle, J. S.; Wu, R.; Korolev, S. V.

    2004-12-01

    Comparative sequence analysis suggests that the ydaF gene encodes a protein (YdaF) that functions as an N-acetyltransferase, more specifically, a ribosomal N-acetyltransferase. Sequence analysis using basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) suggests that YdaF belongs to a large family of proteins (199 proteins found in 88 unique species of bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes). YdaF also belongs to the COG1670, which includes the Escherichia coli RimL protein that is known to acetylate ribosomal protein L12. N-acetylation (NAT) has been found in all kingdoms. NAT enzymes catalyze the transfer of an acetyl group from acetyl-CoA (AcCoA) to a primary amino group. Formore » example, NATs can acetylate the N-terminal {alpha}-amino group, the {epsilon}-amino group of lysine residues, aminoglycoside antibiotics, spermine/speridine, or arylalkylamines such as serotonin. The crystal structure of the alleged ribosomal NAT protein, YdaF, from Bacillus subtilis presented here was determined as a part of the Midwest Center for Structural Genomics. The structure maintains the conserved tertiary structure of other known NATs and a high sequence similarity in the presumed AcCoA binding pocket in spite of a very low overall level of sequence identity to other NATs of known structure.« less

  10. Valproic acid exposure decreases Cbp/p300 protein expression and histone acetyltransferase activity in P19 cells

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lamparter, Christina L.

    The teratogenicity of the antiepileptic drug valproic acid (VPA) is well established and its inhibition of histone deacetylases (HDAC) is proposed as an initiating factor. Recently, VPA-mediated HDAC inhibition was demonstrated to involve transcriptional downregulation of histone acetyltransferases (HATs), which was proposed to compensate for the increased acetylation resulting from HDAC inhibition. Cbp and p300 are HATs required for embryonic development and deficiencies in either are associated with congenital malformations and embryolethality. The objective of the present study was to characterize Cbp/p300 following VPA exposure in P19 cells. Consistent with previous studies, exposure to 5 mM VPA over 24 hmore » induced a moderate decrease in Cbp/p300 mRNA, which preceded a strong decrease in total cellular protein mediated by ubiquitin-proteasome degradation. Nuclear Cbp/p300 protein was also decreased following VPA exposure, although to a lesser extent. Total cellular and nuclear p300 HAT activity was reduced proportionately to p300 protein levels, however while total cellular HAT activity also decreased, nuclear HAT activity was unaffected. Using the Cbp/p300 HAT inhibitor C646, we demonstrated that HAT inhibition similarly affected many of the same endpoints as VPA, including increased reactive oxygen species and caspase-3 cleavage, the latter of which could be attenuated by pre-treatment with the antioxidant catalase. C646 exposure also decreased NF-κB/p65 protein, which was not due to reduced mRNA and was not attenuated with catalase pre-treatment. This study provides support for an adaptive HAT response following VPA exposure and suggests that reduced Cbp/p300 HAT activity could contribute to VPA-mediated alterations. - Highlights: • VPA exposure in vitro downregulates Cbp/p300 mRNA and induces protein degradation. • Cbp/p300 histone acetyltransferase activity is similarly reduced with VPA exposure. • Inhibition of Cbp/p300 acetyltransferase

  11. Homologues of xenobiotic metabolizing N-acetyltransferases in plant-associated fungi: Novel functions for an old enzyme family

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Plant-pathogenic fungi and their hosts engage in chemical warfare, attacking each other with toxic products of secondary metabolism and defending themselves via an arsenal of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes. One such enzyme is homologous to arylamine N-acetyltransferase (NAT) and has been identified...

  12. Insight into cofactor recognition in arylamine N-acetyltransferase enzymes: structure of Mesorhizobium loti arylamine N-acetyltransferase in complex with coenzyme A.

    PubMed

    Xu, Ximing; Li de la Sierra-Gallay, Inés; Kubiak, Xavier; Duval, Romain; Chaffotte, Alain F; Dupret, Jean Marie; Haouz, Ahmed; Rodrigues-Lima, Fernando

    2015-02-01

    Arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NATs) are xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes that catalyze the acetyl-CoA-dependent acetylation of arylamines. To better understand the mode of binding of the cofactor by this family of enzymes, the structure of Mesorhizobium loti NAT1 [(RHILO)NAT1] was determined in complex with CoA. The F42W mutant of (RHILO)NAT1 was used as it is well expressed in Escherichia coli and displays enzymatic properties similar to those of the wild type. The apo and holo structures of (RHILO)NAT1 F42W were solved at 1.8 and 2 Å resolution, respectively. As observed in the Mycobacterium marinum NAT1-CoA complex, in (RHILO)NAT1 CoA binding induces slight structural rearrangements that are mostly confined to certain residues of its `P-loop'. Importantly, it was found that the mode of binding of CoA is highly similar to that of M. marinum NAT1 but different from the modes reported for Bacillus anthracis NAT1 and Homo sapiens NAT2. Therefore, in contrast to previous data, this study shows that different orthologous NATs can bind their cofactors in a similar way, suggesting that the mode of binding CoA in this family of enzymes is less diverse than previously thought. Moreover, it supports the notion that the presence of the `mammalian/eukaryotic insertion loop' in certain NAT enzymes impacts the mode of binding CoA by imposing structural constraints.

  13. Choline acetyltransferase immunoreactivity in the human vestibular end-organs.

    PubMed

    Ishiyama, A; Lopez, I; Wackym, P A

    1994-10-01

    Acetylcholine (ACh) is believed to play a major role in the efferent vestibular system in several animal models, however no information regarding the role of ACh in the human efferent vestibular system has been published. Post-embedding immunohistochemistry in a hydrophilic resin was used to investigate the choline acetyltransferase immunoreactivity (ChATi) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) histochemistry in human vestibular end-organs. ChATi and AChE activity was found in numerous bouton-type terminals at the basal area of the vestibular hair cells. These terminals were found to contact type II vestibular hair cells and the afferent chalices surrounding type I hair cells. This study provides the first evidence that the human efferent vestibular axons and terminals are cholinergic.

  14. Comparative genomic, phylogenetic, and functional investigation of the xenobiotic metabolizing arylamine N-acetyltransferase enzyme family among fungi

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NATs) are xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes well-characterized in several bacteria and higher eukaryotes. The role of NATs in fungal biology has only recently been investigated (Glenn and Bacon, 2009; Glenn et al., 2010). The NAT1 gene of Gibberella moniliformis was the...

  15. Acetyl coenzyme A synthetase is acetylated on multiple lysine residues by a protein acetyltransferase with a single Gcn5-type N-acetyltransferase (GNAT) domain in Saccharopolyspora erythraea.

    PubMed

    You, Di; Yao, Li-Li; Huang, Dan; Escalante-Semerena, Jorge C; Ye, Bang-Ce

    2014-09-01

    Reversible lysine acetylation (RLA) is used by cells of all domains of life to modulate protein function. To date, bacterial acetylation/deacetylation systems have been studied in a few bacteria (e.g., Salmonella enterica, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Erwinia amylovora, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Geobacillus kaustophilus), but little is known about RLA in antibiotic-producing actinomycetes. Here, we identify the Gcn5-like protein acetyltransferase AcuA of Saccharopolyspora erythraea (SacAcuA, SACE_5148) as the enzyme responsible for the acetylation of the AMP-forming acetyl coenzyme A synthetase (SacAcsA, SACE_2375). Acetylated SacAcsA was deacetylated by a sirtuin-type NAD(+)-dependent consuming deacetylase (SacSrtN, SACE_3798). In vitro acetylation/deacetylation of SacAcsA enzyme was studied by Western blotting, and acetylation of lysine residues Lys(237), Lys(380), Lys(611), and Lys(628) was confirmed by mass spectrometry. In a strain devoid of SacAcuA, none of the above-mentioned Lys residues of SacAcsA was acetylated. To our knowledge, the ability of SacAcuA to acetylate multiple Lys residues is unique among AcuA-type acetyltransferases. Results from site-specific mutagenesis experiments showed that the activity of SacAcsA was controlled by lysine acetylation. Lastly, immunoprecipitation data showed that in vivo acetylation of SacAcsA was influenced by glucose and acetate availability. These results suggested that reversible acetylation may also be a conserved regulatory posttranslational modification strategy in antibiotic-producing actinomycetes. Copyright © 2014, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

  16. 20th Annual Residence Hall Construction Report

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Agron, Joe

    2009-01-01

    Even in difficult economic times, colleges and universities continue to invest in residence hall construction projects as a way to attract new students and keep existing ones on campus. According to data from "American School & University"'s 20th annual Residence Hall Construction Report, the median new project completed in 2008 was…

  17. Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of the glucosamine-6-phosphate N-acetyltransferase from human liver

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Wang, Juan; Zhou, Yan-Feng; Li, Lan-Fen

    2006-11-01

    Glucosamine-6-phosphate N-acetyltransferase from human liver was expressed, purified and crystallized. Diffraction data have been collected to 2.6 Å resolution. Glucosamine-6-phosphate N-acetyltransferase from human liver, which catalyzes the transfer of an acetyl group from acetyl coenzyme A (AcCoA) to the primary amine of d-glucosamine 6-phosphate to form N-acetyl-d-glucosamine 6-phosphate, was expressed in a soluble form from Escherichia coli strain BL21 (DE3). The protein was purified to homogeneity using Ni{sup 2+}-chelating chromatography followed by size-exclusion chromatography. Crystals of the protein were obtained by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method and diffracted to 2.6 Å resolution. The crystals belonged to space group P4{sub 1}2{sub 1}2more » or P4{sub 3}2{sub 1}2, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 50.08, c = 142.88 Å.« less

  18. The yeast SAS (something about silencing) protein complex contains a MYST-type putative acetyltransferase and functions with chromatin assembly factor ASF1

    PubMed Central

    Osada, Shigehiro; Sutton, Ann; Muster, Nemone; Brown, Christine E.; Yates, John R.; Sternglanz, Rolf; Workman, Jerry L.

    2001-01-01

    It is well established that acetylation of histone and nonhistone proteins is intimately linked to transcriptional activation. However, loss of acetyltransferase activity has also been shown to cause silencing defects, implicating acetylation in gene silencing. The something about silencing (Sas) 2 protein of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a member of the MYST (MOZ, Ybf2/Sas3, Sas2, and TIP60) acetyltransferase family, promotes silencing at HML and telomeres. Here we identify a ∼450-kD SAS complex containing Sas2p, Sas4p, and the tf2f-related Sas5 protein. Mutations in the conserved acetyl-CoA binding motif of Sas2p are shown to disrupt the ability of Sas2p to mediate the silencing at HML and telomeres, providing evidence for an important role for the acetyltransferase activity of the SAS complex in silencing. Furthermore, the SAS complex is found to interact with chromatin assembly factor Asf1p, and asf1 mutants show silencing defects similar to mutants in the SAS complex. Thus, ASF1-dependent chromatin assembly may mediate the role of the SAS complex in silencing. PMID:11731479

  19. Eis, a novel family of arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.87).

    PubMed

    Pan, Qian; Zhao, Feng-Lan; Ye, Bang-Ce

    2018-02-05

    Enhanced intracellular survival (Eis) proteins were found to enhance the intracellular survival of mycobacteria in macrophages by acetylating aminoglycoside antibiotics to confer resistance to these antibiotics and by acetylating DUSP16/MPK-7 to suppress host innate immune defenses. Eis homologs composing of two GCN5 N-acetyltransferase regions and a sterol carrier protein fold are found widely in gram-positive bacteria. In this study, we found that Eis proteins have an unprecedented ability to acetylate many arylalkylamines, are a novel type of arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase AANAT (EC 2.3.1.87). Sequence alignment and phyletic distribution analysis confirmed Eis belongs to a new aaNAT-like cluster. Among the cluster, we studied three typical Eis proteins: Eis_Mtb from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Eis_Msm from Mycobacterium smegmatis, and Eis_Sen from Saccharopolyspora erythraea. Eis_Mtb prefers to acetylate histamine and octopamine, while Eis_Msm uses tyramine and octopamine as substrates. Unlike them, Eis_Sen exihibits good catalytic efficiencies for most tested arylalkylamines. Considering arylalkylamines such as histamine plays a fundamental role in immune reactions, future work linking of AANAT activity of Eis proteins to their physiological function will broaden our understanding of gram-positive pathogen-host interactions. These findings shed insights into the molecular mechanism of Eis, and reveal potential clinical implications for many gram-positive pathogens.

  20. Structural characterization of ribT from Bacillus subtilis reveals it as a GCN5-related N-acetyltransferase.

    PubMed

    Srivastava, Ritika; Kaur, Amanpreet; Sharma, Charu; Karthikeyan, Subramanian

    2018-04-01

    In bacteria, biosynthesis of riboflavin occurs through a series of enzymatic steps starting with one molecule of GTP and two molecules of ribulose-5-phosphate. In Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) the genes (ribD/G, ribE, ribA, ribH and ribT) which are involved in riboflavin biosynthesis are organized in an operon referred as rib operon. All the genes of rib operon are characterized functionally except for ribT. The ribT gene with unknown function is found at the distal terminal of rib operon and annotated as a putative N-acetyltransferase. Here, we report the crystal structure of ribT from B. subtilis (bribT) complexed with coenzyme A (CoA) at 2.1 Å resolution determined by single wavelength anomalous dispersion method. Our structural study reveals that bribT is a member of GCN5-related N-acetyltransferase (GNAT) superfamily and contains all the four conserved structural motifs that have been in other members of GNAT superfamily. The members of GNAT family transfers the acetyl group from acetyl coenzyme A (AcCoA) to a variety of substrates. Moreover, the structural analysis reveals that the residues Glu-67 and Ser-107 are suitably positioned to act as a catalytic base and catalytic acid respectively suggesting that the catalysis by bribT may follow a direct transfer mechanism. Surprisingly, the mutation of a non-conserved amino acid residue Cys-112 to alanine or serine affected the binding of AcCoA to bribT, indicating a possible role of Cys-112 in the catalysis. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. Gene cloning and characterization of arylamine N-acetyltransferase from Bacillus cereus strain 10-L-2.

    PubMed

    Takenaka, Shinji; Cheng, Minyi; Mulyono; Koshiya, Atsushi; Murakami, Shuichiro; Aoki, Kenji

    2009-01-01

    Bacillus cereus strain 10-L-2 synthesizes two arylamine N-acetyltransferases (Nat-a and Nat-b) with broad substrate specificities toward aniline and its derivatives. In southern blot analysis using probes encoding the NH2-terminus of Nat-b and a conserved region of N-acetyltransferases, digested total DNA of strain 10-L-2 showed one positive band. We cloned and sequenced the gene encoding Nat-b. The NH2-terminal amino acid sequence predicted from the open reading frame (768 base pairs) corresponded to that of purified Nat-b. The cloned Nat-b gene was expressed in Escherichia coli. The expressed enzyme (BcNAT) from the recombinant strain was partially purified and characterized. Nat-b from strain 10-L-2 and BcNAT from the recombinant strain were slightly different from each others in substrate specificity and thermo-stability. We examined the biotransformations of 2-aminophenols and phenylenediamines by the whole cells of the recombinant strain. The cells converted these compounds into their corresponding acetanilides. Only one amino group of phenylenediamines was acetylated. The cells utilized 4-nitroacetanilide as an acetyl donor instead of acetyl-CoA. 4-Aminoacetanilide was produced and 4-nitroaniline was released almost stoichiometrically.

  2. Volatile Ester Formation in Roses. Identification of an Acetyl-Coenzyme A. Geraniol/Citronellol Acetyltransferase in Developing Rose Petals1

    PubMed Central

    Shalit, Moshe; Guterman, Inna; Volpin, Hanne; Bar, Einat; Tamari, Tal; Menda, Naama; Adam, Zach; Zamir, Dani; Vainstein, Alexander; Weiss, David; Pichersky, Eran; Lewinsohn, Efraim

    2003-01-01

    The aroma of roses (Rosa hybrida) is due to more than 400 volatile compounds including terpenes, esters, and phenolic derivatives. 2-Phenylethyl acetate, cis-3-hexenyl acetate, geranyl acetate, and citronellyl acetate were identified as the main volatile esters emitted by the flowers of the scented rose var. “Fragrant Cloud.” Cell-free extracts of petals acetylated several alcohols, utilizing acetyl-coenzyme A, to produce the corresponding acetate esters. Screening for genes similar to known plant alcohol acetyltransferases in a rose expressed sequence tag database yielded a cDNA (RhAAT1) encoding a protein with high similarity to several members of the BAHD family of acyltransferases. This cDNA was functionally expressed in Escherichia coli, and its gene product displayed acetyl-coenzyme A:geraniol acetyltransferase enzymatic activity in vitro. The RhAAT1 protein accepted other alcohols such as citronellol and 1-octanol as substrates, but 2-phenylethyl alcohol and cis-3-hexen-1-ol were poor substrates, suggesting that additional acetyltransferases are present in rose petals. The RhAAT1 protein is a polypeptide of 458 amino acids, with a calculated molecular mass of 51.8 kD, pI of 5.45, and is active as a monomer. The RhAAT1 gene was expressed exclusively in floral tissue with maximum transcript levels occurring at stage 4 of flower development, where scent emission is at its peak. PMID:12692346

  3. Positional effects of monofluorinated phenylalanines on histone acetyltransferase stability and activity.

    PubMed

    Voloshchuk, Natalya; Zhu, Anita Y; Snydacker, David; Montclare, Jin Kim

    2009-09-15

    To explore the impact of global incorporation of fluorinated aromatic amino acids on protein function, we investigated the effects of three monofluorinated phenylalanine analogs para-fluorophenylalanine (pFF), meta-fluorophenylalanine (mFF), and ortho-fluorophenylalanine (oFF) on the stability and enzymatic activity of the histone acetyltransferase (HAT), tGCN5. We selected this set of fluorinated amino acids because they bear the same size and overall polarity but alter in side chain shape and dipole direction. Our experiments showed that among three fluorinated amino acids, the global incorporation of pFF affords the smallest perturbation to the structure and function of tGCN5.

  4. The human serotonin N-acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.87) gene (AANAT): Structure, chromosomal localization, and tissue expression

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Coon, S.L.; Bernard, M.; Roseboom, P.H.

    Serotonin N-acetyltransferase (arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase, AA-NAT, HGMW-approved symbol AANAT;EC 2.3.1.87) is the penultimate enzyme in melatonin synthesis and controls the night/day rhythm in melatonin production in the vertebrate pineal gland. We have found that the human AA-NAT gene spans {approx}2.5 kb, contains four exons, and is located at chromosome 17q25. The open reading frame encodes a 23.2-kDa protein that is {approx}80% identical to sheep and rat AA-NAT. The AA-NAT transcript ({approx}1 kb) is highly abundant in the pineal gland and is expressed at lower levels in the retina and in the Y79 retinoblastoma cell line. AA-NAT mRNA is also detectable atmore » low levels in several brain regions and the pituitary gland, but not in several peripheral tissues examined. Brain and pituitary AA-NAT could modulate serotonin-dependent aspects of human behavior and pituitary function. 31 refs., 5 figs.« less

  5. Resveratrol Promotes Nerve Regeneration via Activation of p300 Acetyltransferase-Mediated VEGF Signaling in a Rat Model of Sciatic Nerve Crush Injury.

    PubMed

    Ding, Zhuofeng; Cao, Jiawei; Shen, Yu; Zou, Yu; Yang, Xin; Zhou, Wen; Guo, Qulian; Huang, Changsheng

    2018-01-01

    Peripheral nerve injuries are generally associated with incomplete restoration of motor function. The slow rate of nerve regeneration after injury may account for this. Although many benefits of resveratrol have been shown in the nervous system, it is not clear whether resveratrol could promote fast nerve regeneration and motor repair after peripheral nerve injury. This study showed that the motor deficits caused by sciatic nerve crush injury were alleviated by daily systematic resveratrol treatment within 10 days. Resveratrol increased the number of axons in the distal part of the injured nerve, indicating enhanced nerve regeneration. In the affected ventral spinal cord, resveratrol enhanced the expression of several vascular endothelial growth factor family proteins (VEGFs) and increased the phosphorylation of p300 through Akt signaling, indicating activation of p300 acetyltransferase. Inactivation of p300 acetyltransferase reversed the resveratrol-induced expression of VEGFs and motor repair in rats that had undergone sciatic nerve crush injury. The above results indicated that daily systematic resveratrol treatment promoted nerve regeneration and led to rapid motor repair. Resveratrol activated p300 acetyltransferase-mediated VEGF signaling in the affected ventral spinal cord, which may have thus contributed to the acceleration of nerve regeneration and motor repair.

  6. The construction FACE database - Codifying the NIOSH FACE reports.

    PubMed

    Dong, Xiuwen Sue; Largay, Julie A; Wang, Xuanwen; Cain, Chris Trahan; Romano, Nancy

    2017-09-01

    The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has published reports detailing the results of investigations on selected work-related fatalities through the Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) program since 1982. Information from construction-related FACE reports was coded into the Construction FACE Database (CFD). Use of the CFD was illustrated by analyzing major CFD variables. A total of 768 construction fatalities were included in the CFD. Information on decedents, safety training, use of PPE, and FACE recommendations were coded. Analysis shows that one in five decedents in the CFD died within the first two months on the job; 75% and 43% of reports recommended having safety training or installing protection equipment, respectively. Comprehensive research using FACE reports may improve understanding of work-related fatalities and provide much-needed information on injury prevention. The CFD allows researchers to analyze the FACE reports quantitatively and efficiently. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd and National Safety Council. All rights reserved.

  7. Mycobacterium tuberculosis Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase Acetylates and Thus Inactivates para-Aminosalicylic Acid.

    PubMed

    Wang, Xude; Yang, Shanshan; Gu, Jing; Deng, Jiaoyu

    2016-12-01

    Mycobacterium tuberculosis arylamine N-acetyltransferase (TBNAT) is able to acetylate para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS) both in vitro and in vivo as determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) techniques. The antituberculosis activity of the acetylated PAS is significantly reduced. As a result, overexpression of TBNAT in M. tuberculosis results in PAS resistance, as determined by MIC tests and drug exposure experiments. Taken together, our results suggest that TBNAT from M. tuberculosis is able to inactivate PAS by acetylating the compound. Copyright © 2016, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

  8. The relationship of choline acetyltransferase activity at the neuromuscular junction to changes in muscle mass and function

    PubMed Central

    Diamond, Ivan; Franklin, Gary M.; Milfay, Dale

    1974-01-01

    1. The role of muscle mass and function in the regulation of choline acetyltransferase activity at the neuromuscular junction has been investigated in the rat. 2. Choline acetyltransferase (ChAc) is located in presynaptic nerve terminals and is a specific enzymatic marker of cholinergic innervation in muscle. 3. ChAc activity increased co-ordinately with developmental growth of the soleus muscle. However, another form of muscle growth, work hypertrophy, did not produce an increase in ChAc. 4. Growth arrest of muscle by hypophysectomy did not alter the normal development of ChAc activity, and cortisone-induced muscle atrophy did not reduce ChAc activity in the soleus or plantaris. 5. Tenotomy-induced muscle atrophy provoked a significant fall in ChAc in the soleus and plantaris. 6. The tonic soleus had significantly greater ChAc activity than the phasic plantaris. 7. These observations suggest that muscle mass per se does not influence the development and regulation of ChAc in muscle but that the quality of muscle contraction may modulate enzyme activity. PMID:4818500

  9. Biochemical and Structural Analysis of an Eis Family Aminoglycoside Acetyltransferase from Bacillus anthracis

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Green, Keith D.; Biswas, Tapan; Chang, Changsoo

    Proteins from the enhanced intracellular survival (Eis) family are versatile acetyltransferases that acetylate amines at multiple positions of several aminoglycosides (AGs). Their upregulation confers drug resistance. Homologues of Eis are present in diverse bacteria, including many pathogens. Eis from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Eis_Mtb) has been well characterized. In this study, we explored the AG specificity and catalytic efficiency of the Eis family protein from Bacillus anthracis (Eis_Ban). Kinetic analysis of specificity and catalytic efficiency of acetylation of six AGs indicates that Eis_Ban displays significant differences from Eis_Mtb in both substrate binding and catalytic efficiency. The number of acetylated amines was alsomore » different for several AGs, indicating a distinct regiospecificity of Eis_Ban. Furthermore, most recently identified inhibitors of Eis_Mtb did not inhibit Eis_Ban, underscoring the differences between these two enzymes. To explain these differences, we determined an Eis_Ban crystal structure. The comparison of the crystal structures of Eis_Ban and Eis_Mtb demonstrates that critical residues lining their respective substrate binding pockets differ substantially, explaining their distinct specificities. Our results suggest that acetyltransferases of the Eis family evolved divergently to garner distinct specificities while conserving catalytic efficiency, possibly to counter distinct chemical challenges. The unique specificity features of these enzymes can be utilized as tools for developing AGs with novel modifications and help guide specific AG treatments to avoid Eis-mediated resistance.« less

  10. Effect of chemical sympathectomy on the content of acetylcholine, choline and choline acetyltransferase activity in the cat spleen and iris.

    PubMed

    Consolo, S; Garattini, S; Ladinsky, H; Thoenen, H

    1972-02-01

    1. Acetylcholine and choline were measured in the spleens and irides of normal and 6-hydroxydopamine-treated cats. In addition, choline acetyltransferase activity was measured in the spleens.2. No acetylcholine or choline acetyltransferase activity were found in spleens of normal or treated cats. The choline content of normal spleens was 12.4 +/- 1.5 mug/g wet wt. (mean +/- S.E. of mean), which was not significantly altered by chemical sympathectomy.3. The acetylcholine and choline contents of the cat iris were 3.0 +/- 0.3 mug/g wet wt. and 7.7 +/- 0.9 mug/g wet wt., respectively. There was no difference in acetylcholine and choline concentrations between left and right or normal and sympathectomized irides.4. These results are discussed in relation to the question of a cholinergic link in post-ganglionic sympathetic transmission.

  11. The Lysine Acetyltransferase GCN5 Is Required for iNKT Cell Development through EGR2 Acetylation.

    PubMed

    Wang, Yajun; Yun, Chawon; Gao, Beixue; Xu, Yuanming; Zhang, Yana; Wang, Yiming; Kong, Qingfei; Zhao, Fang; Wang, Chyung-Ru; Dent, Sharon Y R; Wang, Jian; Xu, Xiangping; Li, Hua-Bin; Fang, Deyu

    2017-07-18

    The development of CD1d-restricted invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells, a population that is critical for both innate and adaptive immunity, is regulated by multiple transcription factors, but the molecular mechanisms underlying how the transcriptional activation of these factors are regulated during iNKT development remain largely unknown. We found that the histone acetyltransferase general control non-derepressible 5 (GCN5) is essential for iNKT cell development during the maturation stage. GCN5 deficiency blocked iNKT cell development in a cell-intrinsic manner. At the molecular level, GCN5 is a specific lysine acetyltransferase of early growth responsive gene 2 (EGR2), a transcription factor required for iNKT cell development. GCN5-mediated acetylation positively regulated EGR2 transcriptional activity, and both genetic and pharmacological GCN5 suppression specifically inhibited the transcription of EGR2 target genes in iNKT cells, including Runx1, promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger protein (PLZF), interleukin (IL)-2Rb, and T-bet. Therefore, our study revealed GCN5-mediated EGR2 acetylation as a molecular mechanism that regulates iNKT development. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  12. A group of Populus trichocarpa DUF231 proteins exhibit differential O-acetyltransferase activities toward xylan.

    PubMed

    Zhong, Ruiqin; Cui, Dongtao; Ye, Zheng-Hua

    2018-01-01

    Wood represents the most abundant biomass produced by plants and one of its major components is acetyl xylan. Acetylation in xylan can occur at O-2 or O-3 of a xylosyl residue, at both O-2 and O-3 of a xylosyl residue, and at O-3 of a xylosyl residue substituted at O-2 with glucuronic acid. Acetyltransferases responsible for the regiospecific acetylation of xylan in tree species have not yet been characterized. Here we report the biochemical characterization of twelve Populus trichocarpa DUF231-containing proteins, named PtrXOATs, for their roles in the regiospecific acetylation of xylan. The PtrXOAT genes were found to be differentially expressed in Populus organs and among them, PtrXOAT1, PtrXOAT2, PtrXOAT9 and PtrXOAT10 exhibited the highest level of expression in stems undergoing wood formation. Activity assays of recombinant proteins demonstrated that all twelve PtrXOAT proteins were able to transfer acetyl groups from acetyl CoA onto a xylohexaose acceptor with PtrXOAT1, PtrXOAT2, PtrXOAT3, PtrXOAT11 and PtrXOAT12 having the highest activity. Structural analysis of the PtrXOAT-catalyzed reaction products using 1H NMR spectroscopy revealed that PtrXOAT1, PtrXAOT2 and PtrXOAT3 mediated 2-O- and 3-O-monoacetylation and 2,3-di-O-acetylation of xylosyl residues and PtrXOAT11 and PtrXOAT12 only catalyzed 2-O- and 3-O-monoacetylation of xylosyl residues. Of the twelve PtrXOATs, only PtrXOAT9 and PtrXOAT10 were capable of transferring acetyl groups onto the O-3 position of 2-O-glucuronic acid-substituted xylosyl residues. Furthermore, when expressed in the Arabidopsis eskimo1 mutant, PtrXOAT1, PtrXAOT2 and PtrXOAT3 were able to rescue the defects in xylan acetylation. Together, these results demonstrate that the twelve PtrXOATs are acetyltransferases with different roles in xylan acetylation in P. trichocarpa.

  13. Acetylation of aromatic cysteine conjugates by recombinant human N-acetyltransferase 8.

    PubMed

    Deol, Reema; Josephy, P David

    2017-03-01

    1. The mercapturic acid (MA) pathway is a metabolic route for the processing of glutathione conjugates to MA (N-acetylcysteine conjugates). An N-acetyltransferase enzyme, NAT8, catalyzes the transfer of an acetyl group from acetyl-CoA to the cysteine amino group, producing a MA, which is excreted in the urine. We expressed human NAT8 in HEK293T cells and developed an HPLC-MS method for the quantitation of the S-aryl-substituted cysteine conjugates and their MA. 2. We measured the activity of the enzyme for acetylation of benzyl-, 4-nitrobenzyl-, and 1-menaphthylcysteine substrates. 3. NAT8 catalyzed the acetylation of all three cysteine conjugates with similar Michaelis-Menten kinetics.

  14. Body Awareness: Construct and Self-Report Measures

    PubMed Central

    Mehling, Wolf E.; Gopisetty, Viranjini; Daubenmier, Jennifer; Price, Cynthia J.; Hecht, Frederick M.; Stewart, Anita

    2009-01-01

    Objectives Heightened body awareness can be adaptive and maladaptive. Improving body awareness has been suggested as an approach for treating patients with conditions such as chronic pain, obesity and post-traumatic stress disorder. We assessed the psychometric quality of selected self-report measures and examined their items for underlying definitions of the construct. Data sources PubMed, PsychINFO, HaPI, Embase, Digital Dissertations Database. Review methods Abstracts were screened; potentially relevant instruments were obtained and systematically reviewed. Instruments were excluded if they exclusively measured anxiety, covered emotions without related physical sensations, used observer ratings only, or were unobtainable. We restricted our study to the proprioceptive and interoceptive channels of body awareness. The psychometric properties of each scale were rated using a structured evaluation according to the method of McDowell. Following a working definition of the multi-dimensional construct, an inter-disciplinary team systematically examined the items of existing body awareness instruments, identified the dimensions queried and used an iterative qualitative process to refine the dimensions of the construct. Results From 1,825 abstracts, 39 instruments were screened. 12 were included for psychometric evaluation. Only two were rated as high standard for reliability, four for validity. Four domains of body awareness with 11 sub-domains emerged. Neither a single nor a compilation of several instruments covered all dimensions. Key domains that might potentially differentiate adaptive and maladaptive aspects of body awareness were missing in the reviewed instruments. Conclusion Existing self-report instruments do not address important domains of the construct of body awareness, are unable to discern between adaptive and maladaptive aspects of body awareness, or exhibit other psychometric limitations. Restricting the construct to its proprio- and interoceptive

  15. A distinct DGAT with sn-3 acetyltransferase activity that synthesizes unusual, reduced-viscosity oils in Euonymus and transgenic seeds.

    PubMed

    Durrett, Timothy P; McClosky, Daniel D; Tumaney, Ajay W; Elzinga, Dezi A; Ohlrogge, John; Pollard, Mike

    2010-05-18

    Endosperm and embryo tissues from the seeds of Euonymus alatus (Burning Bush) accumulate high levels of 3-acetyl-1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerols (acTAGs) as their major storage lipids. In contrast, the aril tissue surrounding the seed produces long-chain triacylglycerols (lcTAGs) typical of most other organisms. The presence of the sn-3 acetyl group imparts acTAGs with different physical and chemical properties, such as a 30% reduction in viscosity, compared to lcTAGs. Comparative transcriptome analysis of developing endosperm and aril tissues using pyrosequencing technology was performed to isolate the enzyme necessary for the synthesis of acTAGs. An uncharacterized membrane-bound O-acyltransferase (MBOAT) family member was the most abundant acyltransferase in the endosperm but was absent from the aril. Expression of this MBOAT in yeast resulted in the accumulation of acTAGs but not lcTAG; hence, the enzyme was named EaDAcT (Euonymus alatus diacylglycerol acetyltransferase). Yeast microsomes expressing EaDAcT possessed acetyl-CoA diacylglycerol acetyltransferase activity but lacked long-chain acyl-CoA diacylglycerol acyltransferase activity. Expression of EaDAcT under the control of a strong, seed-specific promoter in Arabidopsis resulted in the accumulation of acTAGs, up to 40 mol % of total TAG in the seed oil. These results demonstrate the utility of deep transcriptional profiling with multiple tissues as a gene discovery strategy for low-abundance proteins. They also show that EaDAcT is the acetyltransferase necessary and sufficient for the production of acTAGs in Euonymus seeds, and that this activity can be introduced into the seeds of other plants, allowing the evaluation of these unusual TAGs for biofuel and other applications.

  16. N-acetylglucosamine sensing by a GCN5-related N-acetyltransferase induces transcription via chromatin histone acetylation in fungi.

    PubMed

    Su, Chang; Lu, Yang; Liu, Haoping

    2016-10-03

    N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) exists ubiquitously as a component of the surface on a wide range of cells, from bacteria to humans. Many fungi are able to utilize environmental GlcNAc to support growth and induce cellular development, a property important for their survival in various host niches. However, how the GlcNAc signal is sensed and subsequently transduced is largely unknown. Here, we identify a gene that is essential for GlcNAc signalling (NGS1) in Candida albicans, a commensal and pathogenic yeast of humans. Ngs1 can bind GlcNAc through the N-terminal β-N-acetylglucosaminidase homology domain. This binding activates N-acetyltransferase activity in the C-terminal GCN5-related N-acetyltransferase domain, which is required for GlcNAc-induced promoter histone acetylation and transcription. Ngs1 is targeted to the promoters of GlcNAc-inducible genes constitutively by the transcription factor Rep1. Ngs1 is conserved in diverse fungi that have GlcNAc catabolic genes. Thus, fungi use Ngs1 as a GlcNAc-sensor and transducer for GlcNAc-induced transcription.

  17. N-acetylglucosamine sensing by a GCN5-related N-acetyltransferase induces transcription via chromatin histone acetylation in fungi

    PubMed Central

    Su, Chang; Lu, Yang; Liu, Haoping

    2016-01-01

    N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) exists ubiquitously as a component of the surface on a wide range of cells, from bacteria to humans. Many fungi are able to utilize environmental GlcNAc to support growth and induce cellular development, a property important for their survival in various host niches. However, how the GlcNAc signal is sensed and subsequently transduced is largely unknown. Here, we identify a gene that is essential for GlcNAc signalling (NGS1) in Candida albicans, a commensal and pathogenic yeast of humans. Ngs1 can bind GlcNAc through the N-terminal β-N-acetylglucosaminidase homology domain. This binding activates N-acetyltransferase activity in the C-terminal GCN5-related N-acetyltransferase domain, which is required for GlcNAc-induced promoter histone acetylation and transcription. Ngs1 is targeted to the promoters of GlcNAc-inducible genes constitutively by the transcription factor Rep1. Ngs1 is conserved in diverse fungi that have GlcNAc catabolic genes. Thus, fungi use Ngs1 as a GlcNAc-sensor and transducer for GlcNAc-induced transcription. PMID:27694804

  18. Resistance to glufosinate is proportional to phosphinothricin acetyltransferase expression and activity in LibertyLink® and WideStrike® Cotton

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    LibertyLink® cotton cultivars are engineered for glufosinate resistance by overexpressing the bar gene that encodes phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (PAT), whereas the insect-resistant WideStrike® cultivars were obtained by using the similar pat gene as a selectable marker. The latter cultivars ca...

  19. Structural and functional characterization of an arylamine N-acetyltransferase from the pathogen Mycobacterium abscessus: differences from other mycobacterial isoforms and implications for selective inhibition.

    PubMed

    Cocaign, Angélique; Kubiak, Xavier; Xu, Ximing; Garnier, Guillaume; Li de la Sierra-Gallay, Inès; Chi-Bui, Linh; Dairou, Julien; Busi, Florent; Abuhammad, Areej; Haouz, Ahmed; Dupret, Jean Marie; Herrmann, Jean Louis; Rodrigues-Lima, Fernando

    2014-11-01

    Mycobacterium abscessus is the most pathogenic rapid-growing mycobacterium and is one of the most resistant organisms to chemotherapeutic agents. However, structural and functional studies of M. abscessus proteins that could modify/inactivate antibiotics remain nonexistent. Here, the structural and functional characterization of an arylamine N-acetyltransferase (NAT) from M. abscessus [(MYCAB)NAT1] are reported. This novel prokaryotic NAT displays significant N-acetyltransferase activity towards aromatic substrates, including antibiotics such as isoniazid and p-aminosalicylate. The enzyme is endogenously expressed and functional in both the rough and smooth M. abscessus morphotypes. The crystal structure of (MYCAB)NAT1 at 1.8 Å resolution reveals that it is more closely related to Nocardia farcinica NAT than to mycobacterial isoforms. In particular, structural and physicochemical differences from other mycobacterial NATs were found in the active site. Peculiarities of (MYCAB)NAT1 were further supported by kinetic and docking studies showing that the enzyme was poorly inhibited by the piperidinol inhibitor of mycobacterial NATs. This study describes the first structure of an antibiotic-modifying enzyme from M. abscessus and provides bases to better understand the substrate/inhibitor-binding specificities among mycobacterial NATs and to identify/optimize specific inhibitors. These data should also contribute to the understanding of the mechanisms that are responsible for the pathogenicity and extensive chemotherapeutic resistance of M. abscessus.

  20. Characterization, Localization, Essentiality, and High-Resolution Crystal Structure of Glucosamine 6-Phosphate N-Acetyltransferase from Trypanosoma brucei ▿ ‡ §

    PubMed Central

    Mariño, Karina; Güther, M. Lucia Sampaio; Wernimont, Amy K.; Qiu, Wei; Hui, Raymond; Ferguson, Michael A. J.

    2011-01-01

    A gene predicted to encode Trypanosoma brucei glucosamine 6-phosphate N-acetyltransferase (TbGNA1; EC 2.3.1.4) was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein was enzymatically active, and its high-resolution crystal structure was obtained at 1.86 Å. Endogenous TbGNA1 protein was localized to the peroxisome-like microbody, the glycosome. A bloodstream-form T. brucei GNA1 conditional null mutant was constructed and shown to be unable to sustain growth in vitro under nonpermissive conditions, demonstrating that there are no metabolic or nutritional routes to UDP-GlcNAc other than via GlcNAc-6-phosphate. Analysis of the protein glycosylation phenotype of the TbGNA1 mutant under nonpermissive conditions revealed that poly-N-acetyllactosamine structures were greatly reduced in the parasite and that the glycosylation profile of the principal parasite surface coat component, the variant surface glycoprotein (VSG), was modified. The significance of results and the potential of TbGNA1 as a novel drug target for African sleeping sickness are discussed. PMID:21531872

  1. Purification and characterization of glutamate N-acetyltransferase involved in citrulline accumulation in wild watermelon.

    PubMed

    Takahara, Kentaro; Akashi, Kinya; Yokota, Akiho

    2005-10-01

    Citrulline is an efficient hydroxyl radical scavenger that can accumulate at concentrations of up to 30 mm in the leaves of wild watermelon during drought in the presence of strong light; however, the mechanism of this accumulation remains unclear. In this study, we characterized wild watermelon glutamate N-acetyltransferase (CLGAT) that catalyses the transacetylation reaction between acetylornithine and glutamate to form acetylglutamate and ornithine, thereby functioning in the first and fifth steps in citrulline biosynthesis. CLGAT enzyme purified 7000-fold from leaves was composed of two subunits with different N-terminal amino acid sequences. Analysis of the corresponding cDNA revealed that these two subunits have molecular masses of 21.3 and 23.5 kDa and are derived from a single precursor polypeptide, suggesting that the CLGAT precursor is cleaved autocatalytically at the conserved ATML motif, as in other glutamate N-acetyltransferases of microorganisms. A green fluorescence protein assay revealed that the first 26-amino acid sequence at the N-terminus of the precursor functions as a chloroplast transit peptide. The CLGAT exhibited thermostability up to 70 degrees C, suggesting an increase in enzyme activity under high leaf temperature conditions during drought/strong-light stresses. Moreover, CLGAT was not inhibited by citrulline or arginine at physiologically relevant high concentrations. These findings suggest that CLGAT can effectively participate in the biosynthesis of citrulline in wild watermelon leaves during drought/strong-light stress.

  2. Chromatic biosensor for detection of phosphinothricin acetyltransferase by use of polydiacetylene vesicles encapsulated within automatically generated immunohydrogel beads.

    PubMed

    Jung, Sung-Ho; Jang, Huisoo; Lim, Min-Cheol; Kim, Jae-Hwan; Shin, Kong-Sik; Kim, Sun Min; Kim, Hae-Yeong; Kim, Young-Rok; Jeon, Tae-Joon

    2015-02-17

    We developed a simple and sensitive colorimetric biosensor in the form of microparticles by using polydiacetylene (PDA) vesicles encapsulated within a hydrogel matrix for the detection of phosphinothricin acetyltransferase (PAT) protein, which is one of the most important marker proteins in genetically modified (GM) crops. Although PDA is commonly used as a sensing material due to its unique colorimetric properties, existing PDA biosensors are ineffective due to their low sensitivity as well as their lack of robustness. To overcome these disadvantages, we devised immunohydrogel beads made of anti-PAT-conjugated PDA vesicles embedded at high density within a poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEG-DA) hydrogel matrix. In addition, the construction of immunohydrogel beads was automated by use of a microfluidic device. In the immunoreaction, the sensitivity of antibody-conjugated PDA vesicles was significantly amplified, as monitored by the unaided eye. The limit of detection for target molecules reached as low as 20 nM, which is sufficiently low enough to detect target materials in GM organisms. Collectively, the results show that immunohydrogel beads constitute a promising colorimetric sensing platform for onsite testing in a number of fields, such as the food and medical industries, as well as warfare situations.

  3. Effect of chemical sympathectomy on the content of acetylcholine, choline and choline acetyltransferase activity in the cat spleen and iris

    PubMed Central

    Consolo, S.; Garattini, S.; Ladinsky, H.; Thoenen, H.

    1972-01-01

    1. Acetylcholine and choline were measured in the spleens and irides of normal and 6-hydroxydopamine-treated cats. In addition, choline acetyltransferase activity was measured in the spleens. 2. No acetylcholine or choline acetyltransferase activity were found in spleens of normal or treated cats. The choline content of normal spleens was 12·4 ± 1·5 μg/g wet wt. (mean ± S.E. of mean), which was not significantly altered by chemical sympathectomy. 3. The acetylcholine and choline contents of the cat iris were 3·0 ± 0·3 μg/g wet wt. and 7·7 ± 0·9 μg/g wet wt., respectively. There was no difference in acetylcholine and choline concentrations between left and right or normal and sympathectomized irides. 4. These results are discussed in relation to the question of a cholinergic link in post-ganglionic sympathetic transmission. PMID:4335730

  4. Rabbit N-acetyltransferase 2 genotyping method to investigate role of acetylation polymorphism on N- and O-acetylation of aromatic and heterocyclic amine carcinogens.

    PubMed

    Hein, David W; Doll, Mark A

    2017-09-01

    The rabbit was the initial animal model to investigate the acetylation polymorphism expressed in humans. Use of the rabbit model is compromised by lack of a rapid non-invasive method for determining acetylator phenotype. Slow acetylator phenotype in the rabbit results from deletion of the N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) gene. A relatively quick and non-invasive method for identifying the gene deletion was developed and acetylator phenotypes confirmed by measurement of N- and O-acetyltransferase activities in hepatic cytosols. Rabbit liver cytosols catalyzed the N-acetylation of sulfamethazine (p = 0.0014), benzidine (p = 0.0257), 4-aminobiphenyl (p = 0.0012), and the O-acetylation of N-hydroxy-2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (N-OH-PhIP; p = 0.002) at rates significantly higher in rabbits possessing NAT2 gene than rabbits with NAT2 gene deleted. In contrast, hepatic cytosols catalyzed the N-acetylation of p-aminobenzoic acid (an N-acetyltransferase 1 selective substrate) at rates that did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) between rabbits positive and negative for NAT2. The new NAT2 genotyping method facilitates use of the rabbit model to investigate the role of acetylator polymorphism in the metabolism of aromatic and heterocyclic amine drugs and carcinogens.

  5. Projecting Labor Requirements for Transportation-Related Construction. Final Report.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Washington Technical Inst., Washington, DC. Center for Urban Services.

    This report examines the urban transportation planning process and its labor market impact, including projections of opportunities for minority participation in construction, operation, and maintenance of a transportation system and forecasts of training needed in critical occupations. It was found that transportation-related construction may be…

  6. Arylamine N-acetyltransferase 2 gene polymorphism in an Algerian population.

    PubMed

    Chelouti, Hiba; Khelil, Malika

    2017-09-01

    The arylamine N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) is a key enzyme in the biotransformation of xenobiotics. NAT2 gene polymorphisms have been associated with the risk of isoniazid hepatotoxicity and these polymorphisms change among different populations. The objective of this study is to investigate NAT2 polymorphisms in order to predict the prevalence of NAT2 phenotype in an Algerian population. Genotyping of NAT2 was done using a PCR-RFLP method. Haplotype was analysed using the software package PHASE, version 2.0. The major haplotypes were NAT2*5B (23.72%), NAT2*6 A (18.61%), NAT2*4 (14.60%) and NAT2*5 F (10%). The average of the expected slow acetylator phenotype was 53%. Our results suggest that the high frequency of slow acetylator phenotype requires investigation into its possible association with ATDH.

  7. Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) Well Construction Technology Evaluation Report

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Polsky, Yarom; Capuano, Louis; Finger, John

    2008-12-01

    This report provides an assessment of well construction technology for EGS with two primary objectives: 1. Determining the ability of existing technologies to develop EGS wells. 2. Identifying critical well construction research lines and development technologies that are likely to enhance prospects for EGS viability and improve overall economics.

  8. A distinct DGAT with sn-3 acetyltransferase activity that synthesizes unusual, reduced-viscosity oils in Euonymus and transgenic seeds

    PubMed Central

    Durrett, Timothy P.; McClosky, Daniel D.; Tumaney, Ajay W.; Elzinga, Dezi A.; Ohlrogge, John; Pollard, Mike

    2010-01-01

    Endosperm and embryo tissues from the seeds of Euonymus alatus (Burning Bush) accumulate high levels of 3-acetyl-1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerols (acTAGs) as their major storage lipids. In contrast, the aril tissue surrounding the seed produces long-chain triacylglycerols (lcTAGs) typical of most other organisms. The presence of the sn-3 acetyl group imparts acTAGs with different physical and chemical properties, such as a 30% reduction in viscosity, compared to lcTAGs. Comparative transcriptome analysis of developing endosperm and aril tissues using pyrosequencing technology was performed to isolate the enzyme necessary for the synthesis of acTAGs. An uncharacterized membrane-bound O-acyltransferase (MBOAT) family member was the most abundant acyltransferase in the endosperm but was absent from the aril. Expression of this MBOAT in yeast resulted in the accumulation of acTAGs but not lcTAG; hence, the enzyme was named EaDAcT (Euonymus alatus diacylglycerol acetyltransferase). Yeast microsomes expressing EaDAcT possessed acetyl-CoA diacylglycerol acetyltransferase activity but lacked long-chain acyl-CoA diacylglycerol acyltransferase activity. Expression of EaDAcT under the control of a strong, seed-specific promoter in Arabidopsis resulted in the accumulation of acTAGs, up to 40 mol % of total TAG in the seed oil. These results demonstrate the utility of deep transcriptional profiling with multiple tissues as a gene discovery strategy for low-abundance proteins. They also show that EaDAcT is the acetyltransferase necessary and sufficient for the production of acTAGs in Euonymus seeds, and that this activity can be introduced into the seeds of other plants, allowing the evaluation of these unusual TAGs for biofuel and other applications. PMID:20439724

  9. Arylamine N-Acetyltransferases in Mycobacteria

    PubMed Central

    Sim, Edith; Sandy, James; Evangelopoulos, Dimitrios; Fullam, Elizabeth; Bhakta, Sanjib; Westwood, Isaac; Krylova, Anna; Lack, Nathan; Noble, Martin

    2008-01-01

    Polymorphic Human arylamine N-acetyltransferase (NAT2) inactivates the anti-tubercular drug isoniazid by acetyltransfer from acetylCoA. There are active NAT proteins encoded by homologous genes in mycobacteria including M. tuberculosis, M. bovis BCG, M. smegmatis and M. marinum. Crystallographic structures of NATs from M. smegmatis and M. marinum, as native enzymes and with isoniazid bound share a similar fold with the first NAT structure, Salmonella typhimurium NAT. There are three approximately equal domains and an active site essential catalytic triad of cysteine, histidine and aspartate in the first two domains. An acetyl group from acetylCoA is transferred to cysteine and then to the acetyl acceptor e.g. isoniazid. M. marinum NAT binds CoA in a more open mode compared with CoA binding to human NAT2. The structure of mycobacterial NAT may promote its role in synthesis of cell wall lipids, identified through gene deletion studies. NAT protein is essential for survival of M. bovis BCG in macrophage as are the proteins encoded by other genes in the same gene cluster (hsaA-D). HsaA-D degrade cholesterol, essential for mycobacterial survival inside macrophage. Nat expression remains to be fully understood but is co-ordinated with hsaA-D and other stress response genes in mycobacteria. Amide synthase genes in the streptomyces are also nat homologues. The amide synthases are predicted to catalyse intramolecular amide bond formation and creation of cyclic molecules, e.g. geldanamycin. Lack of conservation of the CoA binding cleft residues of M. marinum NAT suggests the amide synthase reaction mechanism does not involve a soluble CoA intermediate during amide formation and ring closure. PMID:18680471

  10. Human Immunodeficiency Virus Tat-Activated Expression of Poliovirus Protein 2A Inhibits mRNA Translation

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sun, Xiao-Hong; Baltimore, David

    1989-04-01

    To study the effect of poliovirus protein 2A on cellular RNA translation, the tat control system of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was used. Protein 2A was expressed from a plasmid construct (pHIV/2A) incorporating the HIV long terminal repeat. Protein synthesis was measured by using chloramphenicol acetyltransferase as a reporter gene driven by the Rous sarcoma virus long terminal repeat. When HIV/2A was contransfected with the reporter, addition of a tat-producing plasmid caused at least a 50-fold drop in chloramphenicol acetyltransferase synthesis. A HeLa cell line carrying HIV/2A was established. In it, tat expression caused more than a 10-fold drop in chloramphenicol acetyltransferase synthesis from the reporter plasmid. Furthermore, 2A induction by tat caused cleavage of the cellular translation factor P220, a part of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4F. Thus protein 2A can, by itself, carry out the inhibition of cellular protein synthesis characteristic of a poliovirus infection. Also, the HIV tat activation provides a very effective method to control gene expression in mammalian cells.

  11. Structural and functional analysis of the yeast N-acetyltransferase Mpr1 involved in oxidative stress tolerance via proline metabolism

    PubMed Central

    Nasuno, Ryo; Hirano, Yoshinori; Itoh, Takafumi; Hakoshima, Toshio; Hibi, Takao; Takagi, Hiroshi

    2013-01-01

    Mpr1 (sigma1278b gene for proline-analog resistance 1), which was originally isolated as N-acetyltransferase detoxifying the proline analog l-azetidine-2-carboxylate, protects yeast cells from various oxidative stresses. Mpr1 mediates the l-proline and l-arginine metabolism by acetylating l-Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate, leading to the l-arginine–dependent production of nitric oxide, which confers oxidative stress tolerance. Mpr1 belongs to the Gcn5-related N-acetyltransferase (GNAT) superfamily, but exhibits poor sequence homology with the GNAT enzymes and unique substrate specificity. Here, we present the X-ray crystal structure of Mpr1 and its complex with the substrate cis-4-hydroxy-l-proline at 1.9 and 2.3 Å resolution, respectively. Mpr1 is folded into α/β-structure with eight-stranded mixed β-sheets and six α-helices. The substrate binds to Asn135 and the backbone amide of Asn172 and Leu173, and the predicted acetyl-CoA–binding site is located near the backbone amide of Phe138 and the side chain of Asn178. Alanine substitution of Asn178, which can interact with the sulfur of acetyl-CoA, caused a large reduction in the apparent kcat value. The replacement of Asn135 led to a remarkable increase in the apparent Km value. These results indicate that Asn178 and Asn135 play an important role in catalysis and substrate recognition, respectively. Such a catalytic mechanism has not been reported in the GNAT proteins. Importantly, the amino acid substitutions in these residues increased the l-Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate level in yeast cells exposed to heat stress, indicating that these residues are also crucial for its physiological functions. These studies provide some benefits of Mpr1 applications, such as the breeding of industrial yeasts and the development of antifungal drugs. PMID:23818613

  12. Effects of surgical lesions on choline acetyltransferase activity in the cat cochlea.

    PubMed

    Frilling, Mark J; Wiet, Gregory J; Godfrey, Donald A; Parli, Judy A; Dunn, Jon D; Ross, C David

    2017-12-01

    Although it is well established that the choline acetyltransferase (ChAT, the enzyme for acetylcholine synthesis) in the mammalian cochlea is associated with its olivocochlear innervation, the distribution of this innervation in the cochlea varies somewhat among mammalian species. The quantitative distribution of ChAT activity in the cochlea has been reported for guinea pigs and rats. The present study reports the distribution of ChAT activity within the organ of Corti among the three turns of the cat cochlea and the effects of removing olivocochlear innervation either by a lateral cut aimed to totally transect the left olivocochlear bundle or a more medial cut additionally damaging the superior olivary complex on the same side. Similarly to results for guinea pig and rat, the distribution of ChAT activity in the cat outer hair cell region showed a decrease from base to apex, but, unlike in the guinea pig and rat, the cat inner hair cell region did not. As in the rat, little ChAT activity was measured in the outer supporting cell region. As previously reported for whole cat cochlea and for rat cochlear regions, transection of the olivocochlear bundle resulted in almost total loss of ChAT activity in the hair cell regions of the cat cochlea. Lesions of the superior olivary complex resulted in loss of ChAT activity in the inner hair cell region of all cochlear turns only on the lesion side but bilateral losses in the outer hair cell region of all turns. The results are consistent with previous evidence that virtually all cholinergic synapses in the mammalian cochlea are associated with its olivocochlear innervation, that the olivocochlear innervation to the inner hair cell region is predominantly ipsilateral, and that the olivocochlear innervation to the outer hair cells is bilateral. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  13. Novel ligands of Choline Acetyltransferase designed by in silico molecular docking, hologram QSAR and lead optimization

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Kumar, Rajnish; Långström, Bengt; Darreh-Shori, Taher

    2016-08-01

    Recent reports have brought back the acetylcholine synthesizing enzyme, choline acetyltransferase in the mainstream research in dementia and the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. Here we report, a specific strategy for the design of novel ChAT ligands based on molecular docking, Hologram Quantitative Structure Activity Relationship (HQSAR) and lead optimization. Molecular docking was performed on a series of ChAT inhibitors to decipher the molecular fingerprint of their interaction with the active site of ChAT. Then robust statistical fragment HQSAR models were developed. A library of novel ligands was generated based on the pharmacophoric and shape similarity scoring function, and evaluated in silico for their molecular interactions with ChAT. Ten of the top scoring invented compounds are reported here. We confirmed the activity of α-NETA, the only commercially available ChAT inhibitor, and one of the seed compounds in our model, using a new simple colorimetric ChAT assay (IC50 ~ 88 nM). In contrast, α-NETA exhibited an IC50 of ~30 μM for the ACh-degrading cholinesterases. In conclusion, the overall results may provide useful insight for discovering novel ChAT ligands and potential positron emission tomography tracers as in vivo functional biomarkers of the health of central cholinergic system in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease.

  14. Crystal Structure of the Golgi-Associated Human Nα-Acetyltransferase 60 Reveals the Molecular Determinants for Substrate-Specific Acetylation.

    PubMed

    Støve, Svein Isungset; Magin, Robert S; Foyn, Håvard; Haug, Bengt Erik; Marmorstein, Ronen; Arnesen, Thomas

    2016-07-06

    N-Terminal acetylation is a common and important protein modification catalyzed by N-terminal acetyltransferases (NATs). Six human NATs (NatA-NatF) contain one catalytic subunit each, Naa10 to Naa60, respectively. In contrast to the ribosome-associated NatA to NatE, NatF/Naa60 specifically associates with Golgi membranes and acetylates transmembrane proteins. To gain insight into the molecular basis for the function of Naa60, we developed an Naa60 bisubstrate CoA-peptide conjugate inhibitor, determined its X-ray structure when bound to CoA and inhibitor, and carried out biochemical experiments. We show that Naa60 adapts an overall fold similar to that of the catalytic subunits of ribosome-associated NATs, but with the addition of two novel elongated loops that play important roles in substrate-specific binding. One of these loops mediates a dimer to monomer transition upon substrate-specific binding. Naa60 employs a catalytic mechanism most similar to Naa50. Collectively, these data reveal the molecular basis for Naa60-specific acetyltransferase activity with implications for its Golgi-specific functions. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  15. HAC1 and HAF1 Histone Acetyltransferases Have Different Roles in UV-B Responses in Arabidopsis.

    PubMed

    Fina, Julieta P; Masotti, Fiorella; Rius, Sebastián P; Crevacuore, Franco; Casati, Paula

    2017-01-01

    Arabidopsis has 12 histone acetyltransferases grouped in four families: the GNAT/HAG, the MYST/HAM, the p300/CBP/HAC and the TAFII250/HAF families. We previously showed that ham1 and ham2 mutants accumulated higher damaged DNA after UV-B exposure than WT plants. In contrast, hag3 RNA interference transgenic plants showed less DNA damage and lower inhibition of plant growth by UV-B, and increased levels of UV-B-absorbing compounds. These results demonstrated that HAM1, HAM2, and HAG3 participate in UV-B-induced DNA damage repair and signaling. In this work, to further explore the role of histone acetylation in UV-B responses, a putative function of other acetyltransferases of the HAC and the HAF families was analyzed. Neither HAC nor HAF acetyltrasferases participate in DNA damage and repair after UV-B radiation in Arabidopsis. Despite this, haf1 mutants presented lower inhibition of leaf and root growth by UV-B, with altered expression of E2F transcription factors. On the other hand, hac1 plants showed a delay in flowering time after UV-B exposure and changes in FLC and SOC1 expression patterns. Our data indicate that HAC1 and HAF1 have crucial roles for in UV-B signaling, confirming that, directly or indirectly, both enzymes also have a role in UV-B responses.

  16. HAC1 and HAF1 Histone Acetyltransferases Have Different Roles in UV-B Responses in Arabidopsis

    PubMed Central

    Fina, Julieta P.; Masotti, Fiorella; Rius, Sebastián P.; Crevacuore, Franco; Casati, Paula

    2017-01-01

    Arabidopsis has 12 histone acetyltransferases grouped in four families: the GNAT/HAG, the MYST/HAM, the p300/CBP/HAC and the TAFII250/HAF families. We previously showed that ham1 and ham2 mutants accumulated higher damaged DNA after UV-B exposure than WT plants. In contrast, hag3 RNA interference transgenic plants showed less DNA damage and lower inhibition of plant growth by UV-B, and increased levels of UV-B-absorbing compounds. These results demonstrated that HAM1, HAM2, and HAG3 participate in UV-B-induced DNA damage repair and signaling. In this work, to further explore the role of histone acetylation in UV-B responses, a putative function of other acetyltransferases of the HAC and the HAF families was analyzed. Neither HAC nor HAF acetyltrasferases participate in DNA damage and repair after UV-B radiation in Arabidopsis. Despite this, haf1 mutants presented lower inhibition of leaf and root growth by UV-B, with altered expression of E2F transcription factors. On the other hand, hac1 plants showed a delay in flowering time after UV-B exposure and changes in FLC and SOC1 expression patterns. Our data indicate that HAC1 and HAF1 have crucial roles for in UV-B signaling, confirming that, directly or indirectly, both enzymes also have a role in UV-B responses. PMID:28740501

  17. NATb/NAT1*4 promotes greater arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 mediated DNA adducts and mutations than NATa/NAT1*4 following exposure to 4-aminobiphenyl

    PubMed Central

    Millner, Lori M.; Doll, Mark A.; Cai, Jian; States, J. Christopher; Hein, David W.

    2011-01-01

    N -acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) is a phase II metabolic enzyme responsible for the biotransformation of aromatic and heterocyclic amine carcinogens such as 4-aminobiphenyl (ABP). NAT1 catalyzes N-acetylation of arylamines as well as the O-acetylation of N-hydroxylated arylamines. O-acetylation leads to the formation of electrophilic intermediates that result in DNA adducts and mutations. NAT1 is transcribed from a major promoter, NATb, and an alternative promoter, NATa, resulting in mRNAs with distinct 5′-untranslated regions (UTR). NATa mRNA is expressed primarily in the kidney, liver, trachea and lung while NATb mRNA has been detected in all tissues studied. To determine if differences in 5′-UTR have functional effect upon NAT1 activity and DNA adducts or mutations following exposure to ABP, pcDNA5/FRT plasmid constructs were prepared for transfection of full length human mRNAs including the 5′-UTR derived from NATa or NATb, the open reading frame, and 888 nucleotides of the 3′-UTR. Following stable transfection of NATb/NAT1*4 or NATa/NAT1*4 into nucleotide excision repair (NER) deficient Chinese hamster ovary cells, N-acetyltransferase activity (in vitro and in situ), mRNA, and protein expression were higher in NATb/NAT1*4 than NATa/NAT1*4 transfected cells (p<0.05). Consistent with NAT1 expression and activity, ABP-induced DNA adducts and hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase mutants were significantly higher (p<0.05) in NATb/NAT1*4 than in NATa/NAT1*4 transfected cells following exposure to ABP. These differences observed between NATa and NATb suggest that the 5′-UTRs are differentially regulated. PMID:21837760

  18. Conversion of deoxynivalenol to 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol in barley-derived fuel ethanol co-products with yeast expressing trichothecene 3-O-acetyltransferases

    PubMed Central

    2011-01-01

    Background The trichothecene mycotoxin deoxynivalenol (DON) may be concentrated in distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS; a co-product of fuel ethanol fermentation) when grain containing DON is used to produce fuel ethanol. Even low levels of DON (≤ 5 ppm) in DDGS sold as feed pose a significant threat to the health of monogastric animals. New and improved strategies to reduce DON in DDGS need to be developed and implemented to address this problem. Enzymes known as trichothecene 3-O-acetyltransferases convert DON to 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3ADON), and may reduce its toxicity in plants and animals. Results Two Fusarium trichothecene 3-O-acetyltransferases (FgTRI101 and FfTRI201) were cloned and expressed in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) during a series of small-scale ethanol fermentations using barley (Hordeum vulgare). DON was concentrated 1.6 to 8.2 times in DDGS compared with the starting ground grain. During the fermentation process, FgTRI101 converted 9.2% to 55.3% of the DON to 3ADON, resulting in DDGS with reductions in DON and increases in 3ADON in the Virginia winter barley cultivars Eve, Thoroughbred and Price, and the experimental line VA06H-25. Analysis of barley mashes prepared from the barley line VA04B-125 showed that yeast expressing FfTRI201 were more effective at acetylating DON than those expressing FgTRI101; DON conversion for FfTRI201 ranged from 26.1% to 28.3%, whereas DON conversion for FgTRI101 ranged from 18.3% to 21.8% in VA04B-125 mashes. Ethanol yields were highest with the industrial yeast strain Ethanol Red®, which also consumed galactose when present in the mash. Conclusions This study demonstrates the potential of using yeast expressing a trichothecene 3-O-acetyltransferase to modify DON during commercial fuel ethanol fermentation. PMID:21888629

  19. Construction quality assurance report for the Y-12 Construction/Demolition Landfill VII (CDL VII), Oak Ridge, Tennessee

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Burton, P.M.

    This Construction Quality Assurance (CQA) Report provides documentation that Bid Option 2 of the Y-12 Plant Construction Demolition Landfill 7 (CDL-7) was constructed in substantial compliance with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) approved design, as indicated and specified in the permit drawings, approved changes, and specifications. CDL-7 is located in Anderson County on the south side of Chestnut Ridge, approximately 0.5 miles south of the Y-12 Plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. This report applies specifically to the limits of excavation for Area No. 1 portions of the perimeter maintenance road and drainage channel and Sedimentation Pond No.more » 3. A partial ``As-Built`` survey was performed and is included.« less

  20. Upgrading Programs for Construction Journeymen. Final Report.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Franklin, William S.

    The report describes a study of industry-sponsored upgrading programs for journeymen in construction unions. Interviews with union and training officials, as well as 405 journeymen and 99 contractors, revealed that upgrading activities were concentrated in electrical work, carpentry, and the pipe trades, and that both the number of programs and…

  1. Insights into the O-Acetylation Reaction of Hydroxylated Heterocyclic Amines by Human Arylamine N-Acetyltransferases: A Computational Study

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lau, E Y; Felton, J S; Lightstone, F C

    2006-06-06

    A computational study was performed to better understand the differences between human arylamine N-acetyltransferase (NAT) 1 and 2. Homology models were constructed from available crystal structures and comparisons of the active site residues 125, 127, and 129 for these two enzymes provide insight into observed substrate differences. The NAT2 model provided a basis for understanding how some of the common mutations may affect the structure of the protein. Molecular dynamics simulations of the human NAT models and the template structure (NAT from Mycobacterium smegmatis) were performed and showed the models to be stable and reasonable. Docking studies of hydroxylated heterocyclicmore » amines in the models of NAT1 and NAT2 probed the differences exhibited by these two proteins with mutagenic agents. The hydroxylated heterocyclic amines were only able to fit into the NAT2 active site, and an alternative binding site by the P-loop was found using our models and will be discussed. Additionally, quantum mechanical calculations were performed to study the O-acetylation reaction of the hydroxylated heterocyclic amines N-OH MeIQx and N-OH PhIP. This study has given us insight into why there are substrate differences among isoenzymes and explains some of the polymorphic activity differences.« less

  2. Human Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase 1 Is Inhibited by the Dithiocarbamate Pesticide Thiram.

    PubMed

    Xu, Ximing; Mathieu, Cécile; Berthelet, Jérémy; Duval, Romain; Bui, Linh Chi; Busi, Florent; Dupret, Jean-Marie; Rodrigues-Lima, Fernando

    2017-09-01

    Thiram (tetramethylthiuram disulfide) is a representative dithiocarbamate (DTC) pesticide used in both the field and as a seed protectant. The widespread use of Thiram and other DTC pesticides has raised concerns for health, because these compounds can exert neuropathic, endocrine disruptive, and carcinogenic effects. These toxic effects are thought to rely, at least in part, on the reaction of Thiram (and certain of its metabolites) with cellular protein thiols with subsequent loss of protein function. So far, a limited number of molecular targets of Thiram have been reported, including few enzymes such as dopamine β -hydroxylase, 11 β -hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and brain glycogen phosphorylase. We provide evidence that Thiram is an inhibitor ( K I = 23 μ M; k inact = 0.085 second -1 ; k inact / K I = 3691 M -1 ⋅s -1 ) of human arylamine N -acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1), a phase II xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme that plays a key role in the biotransformation of aromatic amine xenobiotics. Thiram was found to act as an irreversible inhibitor through the modification of NAT1 catalytic cysteine residue as also reported for other enzymes targeted by this pesticide. We also showed using purified NAT1 and human keratinocytes that Thiram impaired the N -acetylation of 3,4-dichloroaniline (3,4-DCA), a major toxic metabolite of aromatic amine pesticides (such as Diuron or Propanil). As coexposure to different classes of pesticides is common, our data suggest that pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions between DTC pesticides such as Thiram and aromatic amine pesticides may occur through alteration of NAT1 enzymes functions. Copyright © 2017 by The American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

  3. N-Acetyltransferase 2 Genotypes Are Associated With Diisocyanate-Induced Asthma.

    PubMed

    Yucesoy, Berran; Kissling, Grace E; Johnson, Victor J; Lummus, Zana L; Gautrin, Denyse; Cartier, André; Boulet, Louis-Philippe; Sastre, Joaquin; Quirce, Santiago; Tarlo, Susan M; Cruz, Maria-Jesus; Munoz, Xavier; Luster, Michael I; Bernstein, David I

    2015-12-01

    To investigate whether genetic variants of N-acetyltransferase (NAT) genes are associated with diisocyanate asthma (DA). The study population consisted of 354 diisocyanate-exposed workers. Genotyping was performed using a 5'-nuclease polymerase chain reaction assay. The NAT2 rs2410556 and NAT2 rs4271002 variants were significantly associated with DA in the univariate analysis. In the first logistic regression model comparing DA+ and asymptomatic worker groups, the rs2410556 (P = 0.004) and rs4271002 (P < 0.001) single nucleotide polymorphisms and the genotype combination, NAT2 rs4271002*NAT1 rs11777998, showed associations with DA risk (P = 0.014). In the second model comparing DA+ and DA- groups, NAT2 rs4271002 variant and the combined genotype, NAT1 rs8190845*NAT2 rs13277605, were significantly associated with DA risk (P = 0.022, P = 0.036, respectively). These findings suggest that variations in the NAT2 gene and their interactions contribute to DA susceptibility.

  4. Dual reporter transgene driven by 2.3Col1a1 promoter is active in differentiated osteoblasts

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Marijanovic, Inga; Jiang, Xi; Kronenberg, Mark S.; Stover, Mary Louise; Erceg, Ivana; Lichtler, Alexander C.; Rowe, David W.

    2003-01-01

    AIM: As quantitative and spatial analyses of promoter reporter constructs are not easily performed in intact bone, we designed a reporter gene specific to bone, which could be analyzed both visually and quantitatively by using chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) and a cyan version of green fluorescent protein (GFPcyan), driven by a 2.3-kb fragment of the rat collagen promoter (Col2.3). METHODS: The construct Col2.3CATiresGFPcyan was used for generating transgenic mice. Quantitative measurement of promoter activity was performed by CAT analysis of different tissues derived from transgenic animals; localization was performed by visualized GFP in frozen bone sections. To assess transgene expression during in vitro differentiation, marrow stromal cell and neonatal calvarial osteoblast cultures were analyzed for CAT and GFP activity. RESULTS: In mice, CAT activity was detected in the calvaria, long bone, teeth, and tendon, whereas histology showed that GFP expression was limited to osteoblasts and osteocytes. In cell culture, increased activity of CAT correlated with increased differentiation, and GFP activity was restricted to mineralized nodules. CONCLUSION: The concept of a dual reporter allows a simultaneous visual and quantitative analysis of transgene activity in bone.

  5. Comparative studies on glutamate decarboxylase and choline acetyltransferase activities in the vertebrate vestibule.

    PubMed

    López, I; Meza, G

    1990-01-01

    1. Vestibular putative neurotransmitters GABA and acetylcholine synthesizing enzymes were quantified in four vertebrate species to find a correlation between all-vertebrate vestibular hair cell II (HCII) and synaptic contacts and appearance of hair cell I (HCI) and related synapses in terrestrial species. 2. Glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) values were: 3.76; 15.38; 21.68; 27.78 and 9.44; 450; 720; 970 n(pico)mol/mg protein/hr (min) in, respectively, frogs, guinea pigs, rats and chicks. 3. GAD and ChAT omnipresence may indicate constant GABAergic HCII and its cholinergic efferent synapses, their raised content, appearance of GABA-containing HCI and related cholinergic boutons in higher vertebrates.

  6. Structural and functional characterization of TRI3 trichothecene 15-O-acetyltransferase from Fusarium sporotrichioides

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Garvey, Graeme S.; McCormick, Susan P.; Alexander, Nancy J.

    2009-08-14

    Fusarium head blight is a devastating disease of cereal crops whose worldwide incidence is increasing and at present there is no satisfactory way of combating this pathogen or its associated toxins. There is a wide variety of trichothecene mycotoxins and they all contain a 12,13-epoxytrichothecene skeleton but differ in their substitutions. Indeed, there is considerable variation in the toxin profile across the numerous Fusarium species that has been ascribed to differences in the presence or absence of biosynthetic enzymes and their relative activity. This article addresses the source of differences in acetylation at the C15 position of the trichothecene molecule.more » Here, we present the in vitro structural and biochemical characterization of TRI3, a 15-O-trichothecene acetyltransferase isolated from F. sporotrichioides and the 'in vivo' characterization of Deltatri3 mutants of deoxynivalenol (DON) producing F. graminearum strains. A kinetic analysis shows that TRI3 is an efficient enzyme with the native substrate, 15-decalonectrin, but is inactive with either DON or nivalenol. The structure of TRI3 complexed with 15-decalonectrin provides an explanation for this specificity and shows that Tri3 and Tri101 (3-O-trichothecene acetyltransferase) are evolutionarily related. The active site residues are conserved across all sequences for TRI3 orthologs, suggesting that differences in acetylation at C15 are not due to differences in Tri3. The tri3 deletion mutant shows that acetylation at C15 is required for DON biosynthesis even though DON lacks a C15 acetyl group. The enzyme(s) responsible for deacetylation at the 15 position of the trichothecene mycotoxins have not been identified.« less

  7. Asphalt cement chip seals in Oregon : construction report

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2000-06-01

    Most chip seals in Oregon have been constructed using an emulsified asphalt binder. However, chip seals using an asphalt cement (hot oil) binder have been tried in limited situations in Oregon. This report includes a literature review and summarizes ...

  8. Design and optimization of aspartate N-acetyltransferase inhibitors for the potential treatment of Canavan disease.

    PubMed

    Thangavelu, Bharani; Mutthamsetty, Vinay; Wang, Qinzhe; Viola, Ronald E

    2017-02-01

    Canavan disease is a fatal neurological disorder caused by defects in the metabolism of N-acetyl-l-aspartate (NAA). Recent work has shown that the devastating symptoms of this disorder are correlated with the elevated levels of NAA observed in these patients, caused as a consequence of the inability of mutated forms of aspartoacylase to adequately catalyze its breakdown. The membrane-associated enzyme responsible for the synthesis of NAA, aspartate N-acetyltransferase (ANAT), has recently been purified and examined (Wang et al., Prot Expr Purif. 2016;119:11). With the availability, for the first time, of a stable and soluble form of ANAT we can now report the identification of initial inhibitors against this biosynthetic enzyme, obtained from the screening of several focused compound libraries. Two core structures of these moderate binding compounds have subsequently been optimized, with the most potent inhibitors in these series possessing sub-micromolar inhibition constants (K i values) against ANAT. Slowing the production of NAA via the inhibition of ANAT will lower the elevated levels of this metabolite and can potentially serve as a treatment option to moderate the symptoms of Canavan disease. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  9. Evolution of insect arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferases: Structural evidence from the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti

    PubMed Central

    Han, Qian; Robinson, Howard; Ding, Haizhen; Christensen, Bruce M.; Li, Jianyong

    2012-01-01

    Arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (aaNAT) catalyzes the transacetylation from acetyl-CoA to arylalkylamines. aaNATs are involved in sclerotization and neurotransmitter inactivation in insects. Phyletic distribution analysis confirms three clusters of aaNAT-like sequences in insects: typical insect aaNAT, polyamine NAT-like aaNAT, and mosquito unique putative aaNAT (paaNAT). Here we studied three proteins: aaNAT2, aaNAT5b, and paaNAT7, each from a different cluster. aaNAT2, a protein from the typical insect aaNAT cluster, uses histamine as a substrate as well as the previously identified arylalkylamines. aaNAT5b, a protein from polyamine NAT -like aaNAT cluster, uses hydrazine and histamine as substrates. The crystal structure of aaNAT2 was determined using single-wavelength anomalous dispersion methods, and that of native aaNAT2, aaNAT5b and paaNAT7 was detected using molecular replacement techniques. All three aaNAT structures have a common fold core of GCN5-related N-acetyltransferase superfamily proteins, along with a unique structural feature: helix/helices between β3 and β4 strands. Our data provide a start toward a more comprehensive understanding of the structure–function relationship and physiology of aaNATs from the mosquito Aedes aegypti and serve as a reference for studying the aaNAT family of proteins from other insect species. The structures of three different types of aaNATs may provide targets for designing insecticides for use in mosquito control. PMID:22753468

  10. Adapting construction staking to modern technology : final report.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2017-08-01

    This report summarizes the tasks and findings of the ICT Project R27-163, Adapting Construction Staking to Modern Technology, which aims to develop written procedures for the use of modern technologies (such as GPS and civil information modeling) in ...

  11. The metal tolerance profile of Thlaspi goesingense is mimicked in Arabidopsis thaliana heterologously expressing serine acetyl-transferase.

    PubMed

    Freeman, John L; Salt, David E

    2007-11-28

    The Ni hyperaccumulator Thlaspi goesingense is tolerant to Ni congruent with Zn, congruent with Co and slightly resistant to > Cd. We previously observed that elevated glutathione, driven by constitutive activation of serine acetyltransferase (SAT), plays a role in the Ni tolerance of T. goesingense. Here we show that the elevated shoot concentration of glutathione, previously shown to cause elevated Ni tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana heterologously expressing T. goesingense mitochondrial serine acetyltransferase (SATm), also causes tolerance to Co and Zn while slightly enhancing resistance to Cd. The level of tolerance afforded to each metal is ranked Ni congruent with Co, > Zn > Cd. The Ni congruent with Co, > Zn tolerances are positively correlated with both the accumulation of glutathione (GSH) and the ability to resist the oxidative damage induced by these different metals. Based on the relative concentrations of each metal used a relatively low level of resistance to Cd was observed in both T. goesingense and TgSATm expressing lines and Cd resistance was least correlated to GSH accumulation. Such data supports the conclusion that elevated glutathione levels, driven by constitutively enhanced SAT activity in the hyperaccumulator T. goesingense, plays an important role in the Ni, Co and Zn tolerance of this and other Thlaspi species. The hyper-activation of S assimilation through SAT is an excellent strategy for engineering enhanced metal tolerance in transgenic plants potentially used for phytoremediation.

  12. The metal tolerance profile of Thlaspi goesingense is mimicked in Arabidopsis thaliana heterologously expressing serine acetyl-transferase

    PubMed Central

    Freeman, John L; Salt, David E

    2007-01-01

    Background The Ni hyperaccumulator Thlaspi goesingense is tolerant to Ni ≅ Zn, ≅ Co and slightly resistant to > Cd. We previously observed that elevated glutathione, driven by constitutive activation of serine acetyltransferase (SAT), plays a role in the Ni tolerance of T. goesingense. Results Here we show that the elevated shoot concentration of glutathione, previously shown to cause elevated Ni tolerance in Arabidopsis thaliana heterologously expressing T. goesingense mitochondrial serine acetyltransferase (SATm), also causes tolerance to Co and Zn while slightly enhancing resistance to Cd. The level of tolerance afforded to each metal is ranked Ni ≅ Co, > Zn > Cd. The Ni ≅ Co, > Zn tolerances are positively correlated with both the accumulation of glutathione (GSH) and the ability to resist the oxidative damage induced by these different metals. Based on the relative concentrations of each metal used a relatively low level of resistance to Cd was observed in both T. goesingense and TgSATm expressing lines and Cd resistance was least correlated to GSH accumulation. Conclusion Such data supports the conclusion that elevated glutathione levels, driven by constitutively enhanced SAT activity in the hyperaccumulator T. goesingense, plays an important role in the Ni, Co and Zn tolerance of this and other Thlaspi species. The hyper-activation of S assimilation through SAT is an excellent strategy for engineering enhanced metal tolerance in transgenic plants potentially used for phytoremediation. PMID:18045473

  13. Histone H3 and the histone acetyltransferase Hat1p contribute to DNA double-strand break repair.

    PubMed

    Qin, Song; Parthun, Mark R

    2002-12-01

    The modification of newly synthesized histones H3 and H4 by type B histone acetyltransferases has been proposed to play a role in the process of chromatin assembly. The type B histone acetyltransferase Hat1p and specific lysine residues in the histone H3 NH(2)-terminal tail (primarily lysine 14) are redundantly required for telomeric silencing. As many gene products, including other factors involved in chromatin assembly, have been found to participate in both telomeric silencing and DNA damage repair, we tested whether mutations in HAT1 and the histone H3 tail were also sensitive to DNA-damaging agents. Indeed, mutations both in specific lysine residues in the histone H3 tail and in HAT1 resulted in sensitivity to methyl methanesulfonate. The DNA damage sensitivity of the histone H3 and HAT1 mutants was specific for DNA double-strand breaks, as these mutants were sensitive to the induction of an exogenous restriction endonuclease, EcoRI, but not to UV irradiation. While histone H3 mutations had minor effects on nonhomologous end joining, the primary defect in the histone H3 and HAT1 mutants was in the recombinational repair of DNA double-strand breaks. Epistasis analysis indicates that the histone H3 and HAT1 mutants may influence DNA double-strand break repair through Asf1p-dependent chromatin assembly.

  14. Role of the histone acetyltransferase Rtt109 in development and pathogenicity of the rice blast fungus.

    PubMed

    Kwon, Seomun; Lee, Jaejoon; Jeon, Jongbum; Kim, Seongbeom; Park, Sook-Young; Jeon, Junhyun; Lee, Yong-Hwan

    2018-06-01

    Acetylation of histone H3 lysine 56 (H3K56) by the fungal-specific histone acetyltransferase Rtt109 plays important roles in maintaining genome integrity and surviving DNA damage. Here we investigated the implications of Rtt109-mediated response to DNA damage on development and pathogenesis of the rice blast fungus, Magnaporthe oryzae (anamorph: Pyricularia oryzae). The ortholog of Rtt109 in M. oryzae (MoRtt109) was found via sequence homology and its functionality confirmed by phenotypic complementation of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae Rtt109 deletion strain. Targeted deletion of MoRtt109 resulted in a significant reduction in acetylation of H3K56 and rendered the fungus defective in hyphal growth and asexual reproduction. Furthermore, the deletion mutant displayed hypersensitivity to genotoxic agents, confirming the conserved importance of Rtt109 in genome integrity maintenance and genotoxic stress tolerance. Elevated expression of DNA repair genes and the results of the comet assay were consistent with constitutive endogenous DNA damage. Although the conidia produced from the mutant were not impaired in germination and appressorium morphogenesis, the mutant was significantly less pathogenic on rice leaves. Transcriptomic analysis provided insight into the factors underlying phenotypic defects that are associated with deficiency of H3K56 acetylation. Overall, our results indicate that MoRtt109 is a conserved histone acetyltransferase that affects proliferation and asexual fecundity of M. oryzae through maintenance of genome integrity and response to DNA damage.

  15. Effects of acute ethanol administration on nocturnal pineal serotonin N-acetyltransferase activity

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Creighton, J.A.; Rudeen, P.K.

    The effect of acute ethanol administration on pineal serotonin N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity, norepinephrine and indoleamine content was examined in male rats. When ethanol was administered in two equal doses (2 g/kg body weight) over a 4 hour period during the light phase, the nocturnal rise in NAT activity was delayed by seven hours. The nocturnal pineal norepinephrine content was not altered by ethanol except for a delay in the reduction of NE with the onset of the following light phase. Although ethanol treatment led to a significant reduction in nocturnal levels of pineal serotonin content, there was no significant effectmore » upon pineal content of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA). The data indicate that ethanol delays the onset of the rise of nocturnal pineal NAT activity.« less

  16. Purification and characterization of an N alpha-acetyltransferase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

    PubMed

    Lee, F J; Lin, L W; Smith, J A

    1988-10-15

    N alpha-Acetyltransferase, which catalyzes the transfer of an acetyl group from acetyl coenzyme A to the alpha-NH2 group of proteins and peptides, was isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae and demonstrated by protein sequence analysis to be NH2-terminally blocked. The enzyme was purified 4,600-fold to apparent homogeneity by successive purification steps using DEAE-Sepharose, hydroxylapatite, DE52 cellulose, and Affi-Gel blue. The Mr of the native enzyme was estimated to be 180,000 +/- 10,000 by gel filtration chromatography, and the Mr of each subunit was estimated to be 95,000 +/- 2,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The enzyme has a pH optimum near 9.0, and its pI is 4.3 as determined by chromatofocusing on Mono-P. The enzyme catalyzed the transfer of an acetyl group to various synthetic peptides, including human adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) (1-24) and its [Phe2] analogue, yeast alcohol dehydrogenase I (1-24), yeast alcohol dehydrogenase II (1-24), and human superoxide dismutase (1-24). These peptides contain either Ser or Ala as NH2-terminal residues which together with Met are the most commonly acetylated NH2-terminal residues (Persson, B., Flinta, C., von Heijne, G., and Jornvall, H. (1985) Eur. J. Biochem. 152, 523-527). Yeast enolase, containing a free NH2-terminal Ala residue, is known not to be N alpha-acetylated in vivo (Chin, C. C. Q., Brewer, J. M., and Wold, F. (1981) J. Biol. Chem. 256, 1377-1384), and enolase (1-24), a synthetic peptide mimicking the protein's NH2 terminus, was not acetylated in vitro by yeast acetyltransferase. The enzyme did not catalyze the N alpha-acetylation of other synthetic peptides including ACTH(11-24), ACTH(7-38), ACTH(18-39), human beta-endorphin, yeast superoxide dismutase (1-24). Each of these peptides has an NH2-terminal residue which is rarely acetylated in proteins (Lys, Phe, Arg, Tyr, Val, respectively). Among a series of divalent cations, Cu2+ and Zn2+ were demonstrated to be

  17. Obesity and lipid stress inhibit carnitine acetyltransferase activity.

    PubMed

    Seiler, Sarah E; Martin, Ola J; Noland, Robert C; Slentz, Dorothy H; DeBalsi, Karen L; Ilkayeva, Olga R; An, Jie; Newgard, Christopher B; Koves, Timothy R; Muoio, Deborah M

    2014-04-01

    Carnitine acetyltransferase (CrAT) is a mitochondrial matrix enzyme that catalyzes the interconversion of acetyl-CoA and acetylcarnitine. Emerging evidence suggests that this enzyme functions as a positive regulator of total body glucose tolerance and muscle activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), a mitochondrial enzyme complex that promotes glucose oxidation and is feedback inhibited by acetyl-CoA. Here, we used tandem mass spectrometry-based metabolic profiling to identify a negative relationship between CrAT activity and muscle content of lipid intermediates. CrAT specific activity was diminished in muscles from obese and diabetic rodents despite increased protein abundance. This reduction in enzyme activity was accompanied by muscle accumulation of long-chain acylcarnitines (LCACs) and acyl-CoAs and a decline in the acetylcarnitine/acetyl-CoA ratio. In vitro assays demonstrated that palmitoyl-CoA acts as a direct mixed-model inhibitor of CrAT. Similarly, in primary human myocytes grown in culture, nutritional and genetic manipulations that promoted mitochondrial influx of fatty acids resulted in accumulation of LCACs but a pronounced decrease of CrAT-derived short-chain acylcarnitines. These results suggest that lipid-induced antagonism of CrAT might contribute to decreased PDH activity and glucose disposal in the context of obesity and diabetes.

  18. TRPV4 Stimulation Induced Melatonin Secretion by Increasing Arylalkymine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) Protein Level.

    PubMed

    Alkozi, Hanan Awad; Perez de Lara, Maria J; Sánchez-Naves, Juan; Pintor, Jesús

    2017-04-01

    Melatonin is a molecule which has gained a great deal of interest in many areas of science; its synthesis was classically known to be in the pineal gland. However, many organs synthesize melatonin, such as several ocular structures. Melatonin is known to participate in many functions apart from its main action regulating the circadian rhythm. It is synthesized from serotonin in two steps, with a rate-limiting step carried out by arylalkymine N -acetyltransferase (AANAT). In this report, the role of TRPV4 channel present in human ciliary body epithelial cells in AANAT production was studied. Several experiments were undertaken to verify the adequate time to reach the maximal effect by using the TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A, together with a dose-response study. An increase of 2.4 folds in AANAT was seen after 18 h of incubation with 10 nM of GSK1016790A ( p < 0.001, n = 6). This increment was verified by antagonist assays. In summary, AANAT levels and therefore melatonin synthesis change after TRPV4 channel stimulation. Using this cell model together with human ciliary body tissue it is possible to suggest that AANAT plays an important role in pathologies related to intraocular pressure.

  19. Construction quality assurance report

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Roscha, V.

    1994-09-08

    This report provides a summary of the construction quality assurance (CQA) observation and test results, including: The results of the geosynthetic and soil materials conformance testing. The observation and testing results associates with the installation of the soil liners. The observation and testing results associated with the installation of the HDPE geomembrane liner systems. The observation and testing results associated with the installation of the leachate collection and removal systems. The observation and testing results associated with the installation of the working surfaces. The observation and testing results associated with in-plant manufacturing process. Summary of submittal reviews by Golder Constructionmore » Services, Inc. The submittal and certification of the piping material specifications. The observation and verification associated of the Acceptance Test Procedure results of the operational equipment functions. Summary of the ECNs which are incorporated into the project.« less

  20. Identification of a TAAT-containing motif required for high level expression of the COL1A1 promoter in differentiated osteoblasts of transgenic mice

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Dodig, M.; Kronenberg, M. S.; Bedalov, A.; Kream, B. E.; Gronowicz, G.; Clark, S. H.; Mack, K.; Liu, Y. H.; Maxon, R.; Pan, Z. Z.; hide

    1996-01-01

    Our previous studies have shown that the 49-base pair region of promoter DNA between -1719 and -1670 base pairs is necessary for transcription of the rat COL1A1 gene in transgenic mouse calvariae. In this study, we further define this element to the 13-base pair region between -1683 and -1670. This element contains a TAAT motif that binds homeodomain-containing proteins. Site-directed mutagenesis of this element in the context of a COL1A1-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase construct extending to -3518 base pairs decreased the ratio of reporter gene activity in calvariae to tendon from 3:1 to 1:1, suggesting a preferential effect on activity in calvariae. Moreover, chloramphenicol acetyltransferase-specific immunofluorescence microscopy of transgenic calvariae showed that the mutation preferentially reduced levels of chloramphenicol acetyltransferase protein in differentiated osteoblasts. Gel mobility shift assays demonstrate that differentiated osteoblasts contain a nuclear factor that binds to this site. This binding activity is not present in undifferentiated osteoblasts. We show that Msx2, a homeodomain protein, binds to this motif; however, Northern blot analysis revealed that Msx2 mRNA is present in undifferentiated bone cells but not in fully differentiated osteoblasts. In addition, cotransfection studies in ROS 17/2.8 osteosarcoma cells using an Msx2 expression vector showed that Msx2 inhibits a COL1A1 promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase construct. Our results suggest that high COL1A1 expression in bone is mediated by a protein that is induced during osteoblast differentiation. This protein may contain a homeodomain; however, it is distinct from homeodomain proteins reported previously to be present in bone.

  1. Crystal structure of Helicobacter pylori pseudaminic acid biosynthesis N-acetyltransferase PseH: implications for substrate specificity and catalysis.

    PubMed

    Ud-Din, Abu I; Liu, Yu C; Roujeinikova, Anna

    2015-01-01

    Helicobacter pylori infection is the common cause of gastroduodenal diseases linked to a higher risk of the development of gastric cancer. Persistent infection requires functional flagella that are heavily glycosylated with 5,7-diacetamido-3,5,7,9-tetradeoxy-L-glycero-L-manno-nonulosonic acid (pseudaminic acid). Pseudaminic acid biosynthesis protein H (PseH) catalyzes the third step in its biosynthetic pathway, producing UDP-2,4-diacetamido-2,4,6-trideoxy-β-L-altropyranose. It belongs to the GCN5-related N-acetyltransferase (GNAT) superfamily. The crystal structure of the PseH complex with cofactor acetyl-CoA has been determined at 2.3 Å resolution. This is the first crystal structure of the GNAT superfamily member with specificity to UDP-4-amino-4,6-dideoxy-β-L-AltNAc. PseH is a homodimer in the crystal, each subunit of which has a central twisted β-sheet flanked by five α-helices and is structurally homologous to those of other GNAT superfamily enzymes. Interestingly, PseH is more similar to the GNAT enzymes that utilize amino acid sulfamoyl adenosine or protein as a substrate than a different GNAT-superfamily bacterial nucleotide-sugar N-acetyltransferase of the known structure, WecD. Analysis of the complex of PseH with acetyl-CoA revealed the location of the cofactor-binding site between the splayed strands β4 and β5. The structure of PseH, together with the conservation of the active-site general acid among GNAT superfamily transferases, are consistent with a common catalytic mechanism for this enzyme that involves direct acetyl transfer from AcCoA without an acetylated enzyme intermediate. Based on structural homology with microcin C7 acetyltransferase MccE and WecD, the Michaelis complex can be modeled. The model suggests that the nucleotide- and 4-amino-4,6-dideoxy-β-L-AltNAc-binding pockets form extensive interactions with the substrate and are thus the most significant determinants of substrate specificity. A hydrophobic pocket accommodating the

  2. Changes in consensus arylamine N-acetyltransferase (NAT) gene nomenclature

    PubMed Central

    Hein, David W.; Boukouvala, Sotiria; Grant, Denis M.; Minchin, Rodney F.; Sim, Edith

    2008-01-01

    Changes in consensus arylamine N-acetyltransferase (NAT) gene nomenclature determined at the 2007 international NAT workshop include: 1) Alleles in all species except mouse and rat are all uppercase. For mouse and rat, the first letter is upper case followed by lower case. 2) The nomenclature system is now species-specific. Thus, NAT2*1 (chicken), NAT2*2 & NAT2*3 (rabbit), Nat2*8 Nat2*9, Nat2*22 & Nat2*23 (mouse), NAT2*15, NAT2*16A & NAT2*16B (Syrian hamster), and NAT2*20, NAT2*21A & NAT2*21B (rat) are retired and renumbered within a species. A species modifier incorporated into the allele designation is written in upper case Roman font, e.g., (MOUSE)Nat1*1 is now the reference Nat1 allele in mouse; and 3) The NAT website also can now be accessed at a webbalias address: http://N-acetyltransferasenomenclature.louisville.edu. New NAT alleles should continue to be submitted to the NAT nomenclature committee for inclusion on the website to ensure proper categorization and to continue consistency in nomenclature. PMID:18334921

  3. The Regulation of a Post-Translational Peptide Acetyltransferase: Strategies for Selectively Modifying the Biological Activity of Neural and Endocrine Peptides

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1991-05-01

    peptidase H is not induced by chronic haloperidol treatment (Fig. 3). That peptide acetyltransferase, but not carboxypeptidase H, is induced by...J.F., Millington, W.R., Schwaber, J.S. and Lewis. M.E. NPY, somatostatin and a-MSH: Combined in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry and axonal...365-372, 1985. Fricker, L.D. Neuropeptide biosynthesis: focus on the carboxy- peptidase processing enzyme. Trends in Neurosciences 8:210-214, 1985

  4. Congenic rats with higher arylamine N-acetyltransferase 2 activity exhibit greater carcinogen-induced mammary tumor susceptibility independent of carcinogen metabolism.

    PubMed

    Stepp, Marcus W; Doll, Mark A; Samuelson, David J; Sanders, Mary Ann G; States, J Christopher; Hein, David W

    2017-03-31

    Recent investigations suggest role(s) of human arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) in breast cancer. Rat NAT2 is orthologous to human NAT1 and the gene products are functional homologs. We conducted in vivo studies using F344.WKY-Nat2 rapid/slow rats, congenic at rat Nat2 for high (rapid) and low (slow) arylamine N-acetyltransferase activity, to assess a possible role for rat NAT2 in mammary tumor susceptibility. Mammary carcinogens, methylnitrosourea (MNU) and 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) neither of which is metabolized by N-acetyltransferase, were administered to assess mammary tumors. MNU was administered at 3 or 8 weeks of age. DMBA was administered at 8 weeks of age. NAT2 enzymatic activity and endogenous acetyl-coenzyme A (AcCoA) levels were measured in tissue samples and embryonic fibroblasts isolated from the congenic rats. Tumor latency was shorter in rapid NAT2 rats compared to slow NAT2 rats, with statistical significance for MNU administered at 3 and 8 weeks of age (p = 0.009 and 0.050, respectively). Tumor multiplicity and incidence were higher in rapid NAT2 rats compared to slow NAT2 rats administered MNU or DMBA at 8 weeks of age (MNU, p = 0.050 and 0.035; DMBA, p = 0.004 and 0.027, respectively). Recombinant rat rapid-NAT2, as well as tissue samples and embryonic fibroblasts derived from rapid NAT2 rats, catalyzed p-aminobenzoic acid N-acetyl transfer and folate-dependent acetyl-coenzyme A (AcCoA) hydrolysis at higher rates than those derived from rat slow-NAT2. Embryonic fibroblasts isolated from rapid NAT2 rats displayed lower levels of cellular AcCoA than slow NAT2 rats (p < 0.01). A novel role for rat NAT2 in mammary cancer was discovered unrelated to carcinogen metabolism, suggesting a role for human NAT1 in breast cancer.

  5. Structural and Biochemical Characterization of a Bifunctional Ketoisomerase/N-acetyltransferase from Shewanella denitrificans¶

    PubMed Central

    Chantigian, Daniel P.; Thoden, James B.; Holden, Hazel M.

    2014-01-01

    Unusual N-acetylated sugars have been observed on the O-antigens of some Gram-negative bacteria and on the S-layers of both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. One such sugar is 3-acetamido-3,6-dideoxy-α-d-galactose or Fuc3NAc. The pathway for its production requires five enzymes with the first step involving the attachment of dTMP to glucose-1-phosphate. Here we report a structural and biochemical characterization of a bifunctional enzyme from Shewanella denitificans thought to be involved in the biosynthesis of dTDP-Fuc3NAc. On the basis of a bioinformatics analysis, the enzyme, hereafter referred to as FdtD, has been postulated to catalyze the third and fifth steps in the pathway, namely a 3,4-keto isomerization and an N-acetyltransferase reaction. For the X-ray analysis reported here, the enzyme was crystallized in the presence of dTDP and CoA. The crystal structure shows that FdtD adopts a hexameric quaternary structure with 322 symmetry. Each subunit of the hexamer folds into two distinct domains connected by a flexible loop. The N-terminal domain adopts a left-handed β-helix motif and is responsible for the N-acetylation reaction. The C-terminal domain folds into an antiparallel flattened β-barrel that harbors the active site responsible for the isomerization reaction. Biochemical assays verify the two proposed catalytic activities of the enzyme and reveal that the 3,4-keto isomerization event leads to inversion of configuration about the hexose C-4' carbon. PMID:24128043

  6. Role of N-acetyltransferase 2 acetylation polymorphism in 4, 4'-methylene bis (2-chloroaniline) biotransformation.

    PubMed

    Hein, David W; Zhang, Xiaoyan; Doll, Mark A

    2018-02-01

    Arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) and 2 (NAT2) catalyze the acetylation of arylamine carcinogens. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the NAT2 coding exon present in NAT2 haplotypes encode allozymes with reduced N-acetyltransferase activity towards the N-acetylation of arylamine carcinogens and the O-acetylation of their N-hydroxylated metabolites. NAT2 acetylator phenotype modifies urinary bladder cancer risk following exposures to arylamine carcinogens such as 4-aminobiphenyl. 4, 4'-methylene bis (2-chloroaniline) (MOCA) is a Group 1 carcinogen for which a role of the NAT2 acetylation polymorphism on cancer risk is unknown. We investigated the role of NAT2 and the genetic acetylation polymorphism on both MOCA N-acetylation and N-hydroxy-MOCA O-acetylation. MOCA N-acetylation exhibited a robust gene dose response in rabbit liver cytosol and in cryopreserved human hepatocytes derived from individuals of rapid, intermediate and slow acetylator NAT2 genotype. MOCA exhibited about 4-fold higher affinity for recombinant human NAT2 than NAT1. Recombinant human NAT2*4 (reference) and 15 variant recombinant human NAT2 allozymes catalyzed both the N-acetylation of MOCA and the O-acetylation of N-hydroxy-MOCA. Human NAT2 5, NAT2 6, NAT2 7 and NAT2 14 allozymes catalyzed MOCA N-acetylation and N-hydroxy-O-acetylation at rates much lower than the reference NAT2 4 allozyme. In conclusion, our results show that NAT2 acetylator genotype has an important role in MOCA metabolism and suggest that risk assessments related to MOCA exposures consider accounting for NAT2 acetylator phenotype in the analysis. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  7. Peripheral type of choline acetyltransferase: biological and evolutionary implications for novel mechanisms in cholinergic system.

    PubMed

    Bellier, J-P; Kimura, H

    2011-12-01

    The peripheral type of choline acetyltransferase (pChAT) is an isoform of the well-studied common type of choline acetyltransferase (cChAT), the synthesizing enzyme of acetylcholine. Since pChAT arises by exons skipping, its amino acid sequence is similar to that of cChAT, except the lack of a continuous peptide sequence encoded by all the four exons from 6 to 9. While cChAT expression has been observed in both the central and peripheral nervous systems, pChAT is preferentially expressed in the peripheral nervous system. pChAT appears to be a reliable marker for the visualization of peripheral cholinergic neurons and their processes, whereas other conventional markers including cChAT have not been used successfully for it. In mammals like rodents, pChAT immunoreactivity has been observed in most, if not all, physiologically identified peripheral cholinergic structures such as all parasympathetic postganglionic neurons and most neurons of the enteric nervous system. In addition, pChAT has been found in many peripheral neurons that are derived from the neural crest. These include sensory neurons of the trigeminal ganglion and the dorsal root ganglion, and sympathetic postganglionic neurons. Recent studies moreover indicate that pChAT, as well as cChAT, appears ubiquitously expressed among various species not only of vertebrate mammals but also of invertebrate mollusks. This finding implies that the alternative splicing mechanism to generate pChAT and cChAT has been preserved during evolution, probably for some functional benefits. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. Carnitine Acetyltransferase Mitigates Metabolic Inertia and Muscle Fatigue during Exercise.

    PubMed

    Seiler, Sarah E; Koves, Timothy R; Gooding, Jessica R; Wong, Kari E; Stevens, Robert D; Ilkayeva, Olga R; Wittmann, April H; DeBalsi, Karen L; Davies, Michael N; Lindeboom, Lucas; Schrauwen, Patrick; Schrauwen-Hinderling, Vera B; Muoio, Deborah M

    2015-07-07

    Acylcarnitine metabolites have gained attention as biomarkers of nutrient stress, but their physiological relevance and metabolic purpose remain poorly understood. Short-chain carnitine conjugates, including acetylcarnitine, derive from their corresponding acyl-CoA precursors via the action of carnitine acetyltransferase (CrAT), a bidirectional mitochondrial matrix enzyme. We show here that contractile activity reverses acetylcarnitine flux in muscle, from net production and efflux at rest to net uptake and consumption during exercise. Disruption of this switch in mice with muscle-specific CrAT deficiency resulted in acetyl-CoA deficit, perturbed energy charge, and diminished exercise tolerance, whereas acetylcarnitine supplementation produced opposite outcomes in a CrAT-dependent manner. Likewise, in exercise-trained compared to untrained humans, post-exercise phosphocreatine recovery rates were positively associated with CrAT activity and coincided with dramatic shifts in muscle acetylcarnitine dynamics. These findings show acetylcarnitine serves as a critical acetyl buffer for working muscles and provide insight into potential therapeutic strategies for combatting exercise intolerance. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. Spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase (SSAT) activity in human small-cell lung carcinoma cells following transfection with a genomic SSAT construct.

    PubMed

    Murray-Stewart, Tracy; Applegren, Nancy B; Devereux, Wendy; Hacker, Amy; Smith, Renee; Wang, Yanlin; Casero, Robert A

    2003-07-15

    Spermidine/spermine N (1)-acetyltransferase (SSAT) activity is typically highly inducible in non-small-cell lung carcinomas in response to treatment with anti-tumour polyamine analogues, and this induction is associated with subsequent cell death. In contrast, cells of the small-cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) phenotype generally do not respond to these compounds with an increase in SSAT activity, and usually are only moderately affected with respect to growth. The goal of the present study was to produce an SSAT-overexpressing SCLC cell line to further investigate the role of SSAT in response to these anti-tumour analogues. To accomplish this, NCI-H82 SCLC cells were stably transfected with plasmids containing either the SSAT genomic sequence or the corresponding cDNA sequence. Individual clones were selected based on their ability to show induced SSAT activity in response to exposure to a polyamine analogue, and an increase in the steady-state SSAT mRNA level. Cells transfected with the genomic sequence exhibited a significant increase in basal SSAT mRNA expression, as well as enhanced SSAT activity, intracellular polyamine pool depletion and growth inhibition following treatment with the analogue N (1), N (11)-bis(ethyl)norspermine. Cells containing the transfected cDNA also exhibited an increase in the basal SSAT mRNA level, but remained phenotypically similar to vector control cells with respect to their response to analogue exposure. These studies indicate that both the genomic SSAT sequence and polyamine analogue exposure play a role in the transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation and subsequent induction of SSAT activity in these cells. Furthermore, this is the first production of a cell line capable of SSAT protein induction from a generally unresponsive parent line.

  10. Structural analysis of PseH, the Campylobacter jejuni N-acetyltransferase involved in bacterial O-linked glycosylation.

    PubMed

    Song, Wan Seok; Nam, Mi Sun; Namgung, Byeol; Yoon, Sung-il

    2015-03-20

    Campylobacter jejuni is a bacterium that uses flagella for motility and causes worldwide acute gastroenteritis in humans. The C. jejuni N-acetyltransferase PseH (cjPseH) is responsible for the third step in flagellin O-linked glycosylation and plays a key role in flagellar formation and motility. cjPseH transfers an acetyl group from an acetyl donor, acetyl coenzyme A (AcCoA), to the amino group of UDP-4-amino-4,6-dideoxy-N-acetyl-β-L-altrosamine to produce UDP-2,4-diacetamido-2,4,6-trideoxy-β-L-altropyranose. To elucidate the catalytic mechanism of cjPseH, crystal structures of cjPseH alone and in complex with AcCoA were determined at 1.95 Å resolution. cjPseH folds into a single-domain structure of a central β-sheet decorated by four α-helices with two continuously connected grooves. A deep groove (groove-A) accommodates the AcCoA molecule. Interestingly, the acetyl end of AcCoA points toward an open space in a neighboring shallow groove (groove-S), which is occupied by extra electron density that potentially serves as a pseudosubstrate, suggesting that the groove-S may provide a substrate-binding site. Structure-based comparative analysis suggests that cjPseH utilizes a unique catalytic mechanism of acetylation that has not been observed in other glycosylation-associated acetyltransferases. Thus, our studies on cjPseH will provide valuable information for the design of new antibiotics to treat C. jejuni-induced gastroenteritis. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  11. Altered xanthine oxidase and N-acetyltransferase activity in obese children.

    PubMed

    Chiney, Manoj S; Schwarzenberg, Sarah J; Johnson, L'aurelle A

    2011-07-01

    It is well established that oxidative and conjugative enzyme activity differs between obese and healthy-weight adults. However, the effect of obesity on drug metabolism in children has not been studied extensively. This study examined whether obese and healthy-weight children vary with respect to oxidative enzyme activity of CYP1A2, xanthine oxidase (XO) and conjugative enzyme activity of N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2). In vivo CYP1A2, XO and NAT2 activity was assessed in obese (n= 9) and lean (n= 16) children between the ages of 6-10 years using caffeine (118.3 ml Coca Cola®) as probe. Urine samples were collected in 2-h increments over 8 h. Caffeine and metabolites were measured using LC/MS, and urinary metabolic ratios were determined based on reported methods. Sixteen healthy-weight and nine obese children were evaluated. XO activity was elevated in paediatric obese volunteers compared with non-obese paediatric volunteers (XO metabolic ratio of 0.7 ± 0.06 vs. 0.6 ± 0.06, respectively, 95% CI 0.046, 0.154, P < 0.001). NAT2 activity was fivefold higher in the obese (1 ± 0.4) as compared with non-obese children (0.2 ± 0.1), 95% CI 0.26, 1.34, P < 0.05. However, no difference was observed in CYP1A2 activity between the groups (95% CI -2.72, 0.12, P > 0.05). This study provides evidence that obese children have elevated XO and NAT2 enzyme activity when compared with healthy-weight controls. Further studies are needed to determine how this may impact the efficacy of therapeutic agents that may undergo metabolism by these enzymes. © 2011 The Authors. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology © 2011 The British Pharmacological Society.

  12. COMPONENTS FOR SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION IN THE MID-HUDSON REGION. PROGRESS REPORT 1.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    GREEN, ALAN C.; AND OTHERS

    THIS REPORT IS PART 1 OF A FEASIBILITY STUDY TO SAMPLE APPROPRIATE ASPECTS OF THE SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION FACTORS IN NEW YORK STATE. THE STUDY IS TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS DEVELOPMENT PROCESS IS APPLICABLE TO SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION IN THE MID-HUDSON VALLEY. THE STUDY ALSO EXPLORES POSSIBLE MEANS BY WHICH SUCH SCHOOL BUILDINGS…

  13. N-acetyltransferase 1*10 genotype in bladder cancer patients.

    PubMed

    Höhne, Svetlana; Gerullis, Holger; Blaszkewicz, Meinolf; Selinski, Silvia; Hengstler, Jan G; Otto, Thomas; Golka, Klaus

    2017-01-01

    In a large bladder cancer study in the greater Berlin area with 425 cases and 343 controls, the haplotype N-acetyltransferase 1*10 (NAT1*10) was associated with a decreased bladder cancer risk. In a recently published meta-analysis, results of the studies were found to be inconclusive. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of NAT1*10 in bladder cancer patients and controls recruited in an area without industries reported to be associated with increased bladder cancer risk. Rs1057126 (1088 T > A) and rs15561 (1095 C > A) were determined in 412 bladder cancer patients and 415 controls without a known history of malignancies. With these two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), it was possible to distinguish between NAT1*4 (wild type), NAT1*3 (1095 C > A), and NAT1*10 (1088 T > A, 1095C > A). The frequencies of the determined NAT1 haplotypes did not differ markedly between cases and controls: NAT1*4: 74%, NAT1*3: 6%, NAT1*10: 20%. Bladder cancer risk was not significantly modulated by NAT1*10/*10 (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.71-1.48) but was higher for NAT1*3/*3 genotypes (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.32-3.21). In contrast to the Berlin study from 2001, data in present study demonstrated that NAT1*10 haplotype was not associated with a significantly decreased bladder cancer risk. This may be due to local effects in the greater Berlin area, particularly at the time of investigation. The findings of the present study are in agreement with observations of a recently published meta-analysis which also showed no relevant impact of NAT1*10 haplotype on bladder cancer risk. The impact of the rare NAT1*3/*3 genotype was significant but this may be attributed to rarity without major practical relevance.

  14. A method to detect transfected chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene expression in intact animals

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Narayanan, R.; Jastreboff, M.M.; Chiu, Chang Fang

    1988-01-01

    A rapid procedure is described for assaying chloramphenicol acetyltransferase enzyme activity in intact animals following transfection of the RSV CAT plasmid into mouse bone marrow cells by electroporation. The reconstituted mice were injected with ({sup 14}C)chloramphenicol and ethyl acetate extracts of 24-h urine samples were analyzed by TLC autoradiography for the excretion of {sup 14}C-labeled metabolites. CAT expression in vivo can be detected by the presence of acetylated {sup 14}C-labeled metabolites in the urine within 1 week after bone marrow transplantation and, under the conditions described, these metabolites can be detected for at least 3 months. CAT expression in intactmore » mice as monitored by the urine assay correlates with the CAT expression in the hematopoietic tissues assayed in vitro. This method offers a quick mode of screening for introduced CAT gene expression in vivo without sacrificing the mice.« less

  15. 47 CFR 17.57 - Report of radio transmitting antenna construction, alteration, and/or removal.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 47 Telecommunication 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Report of radio transmitting antenna... COMMISSION GENERAL CONSTRUCTION, MARKING, AND LIGHTING OF ANTENNA STRUCTURES Specifications for Obstruction Marking and Lighting of Antenna Structures § 17.57 Report of radio transmitting antenna construction...

  16. 47 CFR 17.57 - Report of radio transmitting antenna construction, alteration, and/or removal.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 47 Telecommunication 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Report of radio transmitting antenna... COMMISSION GENERAL CONSTRUCTION, MARKING, AND LIGHTING OF ANTENNA STRUCTURES Specifications for Obstruction Marking and Lighting of Antenna Structures § 17.57 Report of radio transmitting antenna construction...

  17. Obesity and lipid stress inhibit carnitine acetyltransferase activity[S

    PubMed Central

    Seiler, Sarah E.; Martin, Ola J.; Noland, Robert C.; Slentz, Dorothy H.; DeBalsi, Karen L.; Ilkayeva, Olga R.; An, Jie; Newgard, Christopher B.; Koves, Timothy R.; Muoio, Deborah M.

    2014-01-01

    Carnitine acetyltransferase (CrAT) is a mitochondrial matrix enzyme that catalyzes the interconversion of acetyl-CoA and acetylcarnitine. Emerging evidence suggests that this enzyme functions as a positive regulator of total body glucose tolerance and muscle activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH), a mitochondrial enzyme complex that promotes glucose oxidation and is feedback inhibited by acetyl-CoA. Here, we used tandem mass spectrometry-based metabolic profiling to identify a negative relationship between CrAT activity and muscle content of lipid intermediates. CrAT specific activity was diminished in muscles from obese and diabetic rodents despite increased protein abundance. This reduction in enzyme activity was accompanied by muscle accumulation of long-chain acylcarnitines (LCACs) and acyl-CoAs and a decline in the acetylcarnitine/acetyl-CoA ratio. In vitro assays demonstrated that palmitoyl-CoA acts as a direct mixed-model inhibitor of CrAT. Similarly, in primary human myocytes grown in culture, nutritional and genetic manipulations that promoted mitochondrial influx of fatty acids resulted in accumulation of LCACs but a pronounced decrease of CrAT-derived short-chain acylcarnitines. These results suggest that lipid-induced antagonism of CrAT might contribute to decreased PDH activity and glucose disposal in the context of obesity and diabetes. PMID:24395925

  18. Estimating procedure for major highway construction bid item cost : final report.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1978-06-01

    The present procedure for estimating construction bid item cost makes use of the quarterly weighted average unit price report coupled with engineering judgement. The limitation to this method is that this report format provides only the lowest bid da...

  19. Molecular identification and functional characterization of the first Nα-acetyltransferase in plastids by global acetylome profiling.

    PubMed

    Dinh, Trinh V; Bienvenut, Willy V; Linster, Eric; Feldman-Salit, Anna; Jung, Vincent A; Meinnel, Thierry; Hell, Rüdiger; Giglione, Carmela; Wirtz, Markus

    2015-07-01

    Protein N(α) -terminal acetylation represents one of the most abundant protein modifications of higher eukaryotes. In humans, six N(α) -acetyltransferases (Nats) are responsible for the acetylation of approximately 80% of the cytosolic proteins. N-terminal protein acetylation has not been evidenced in organelles of metazoans, but in higher plants is a widespread modification not only in the cytosol but also in the chloroplast. In this study, we identify and characterize the first organellar-localized Nat in eukaryotes. A primary sequence-based search in Arabidopsis thaliana revealed seven putatively plastid-localized Nats of which AT2G39000 (AtNAA70) showed the highest conservation of the acetyl-CoA binding pocket. The chloroplastic localization of AtNAA70 was demonstrated by transient expression of AtNAA70:YFP in Arabidopsis mesophyll protoplasts. Homology modeling uncovered a significant conservation of tertiary structural elements between human HsNAA50 and AtNAA70. The in vivo acetylation activity of AtNAA70 was demonstrated on a number of distinct protein N(α) -termini with a newly established global acetylome profiling test after expression of AtNAA70 in E. coli. AtNAA70 predominately acetylated proteins starting with M, A, S and T, providing an explanation for most protein N-termini acetylation events found in chloroplasts. Like HsNAA50, AtNAA70 displays N(ε) -acetyltransferase activity on three internal lysine residues. All MS data have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD001947 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD001947). © 2015 The Authors. PROTEOMICS Published by Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

  20. The incidence of medically reported work-related ill health in the UK construction industry.

    PubMed

    Stocks, S J; McNamee, R; Carder, M; Agius, R M

    2010-08-01

    Self-reported work-related ill health (SWI) data show a high incidence of occupational ill health and a high burden of cancer attributable to occupational factors in the UK construction industry. However, there is little information on the incidence of medically reported work-related ill health (WRI) within this industry. This study aims to examine the incidence of WRI within the UK construction industry. Standardised incidence rate ratios (SRRs) were used to compare incidence rates of reports of medically certified work-related ill health returned to The Health and Occupation Reporting network (THOR) within the UK construction industry with all other UK industries combined. Male UK construction industry workers aged under 65 years had significantly raised SRRs for respiratory (3.8, 95% CI 3.5 to 4.2), skin (1.6, 1.4 to 1.8) and musculoskeletal disorders (MSD; 1.9, 1.6 to 2.2). These SRRs were further raised for those working within a construction trade. The increased SRRs for skin disease within male construction industry workers were due to contact dermatitis (1.4, 1.2 to 1.6) and neoplasia (4.2, 3.3 to 5.3). For respiratory disease, the increased SRRs were due to non-malignant pleural disease (7.1, 6.3 to 8.1), mesothelioma (7.1, 6.0 to 8.3), lung cancer (5.4, 3.2 to 8.9) and pneumoconiosis (5.5, 3.7 to 8.0), but the SRRs for asthma (0.09, 0.06 to 0.11) and mental ill health (0.3, 0.1 to 0.4) were significantly reduced. The significantly raised SRRs for medically reported MSD and significantly reduced SRRs for mental ill health in construction workers confirm self-reported UK data. These SRRs provide a baseline of the incidence of WRI in the UK construction industry from which to monitor the effects of changes in policy or exposures.

  1. Live Virtual Constructive Distributed Test Environment Characterization Report

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Murphy, Jim; Kim, Sam K.

    2013-01-01

    This report documents message latencies observed over various Live, Virtual, Constructive, (LVC) simulation environment configurations designed to emulate possible system architectures for the Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration in the National Airspace System (NAS) Project integrated tests. For each configuration, four scenarios with progressively increasing air traffic loads were used to determine system throughput and bandwidth impacts on message latency.

  2. Unusual regioversatility of acetyltransferase Eis, a cause of drug resistance in XDR-TB

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Chen, Wenjing; Biswas, Tapan; Porter, Vanessa R.

    2011-09-06

    The emergence of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis (TB) is a serious global threat. Aminoglycoside antibiotics are used as a last resort to treat XDR-TB. Resistance to the aminoglycoside kanamycin is a hallmark of XDR-TB. Here, we reveal the function and structure of the mycobacterial protein Eis responsible for resistance to kanamycin in a significant fraction of kanamycin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolates. We demonstrate that Eis has an unprecedented ability to acetylate multiple amines of many aminoglycosides. Structural and mutagenesis studies of Eis indicate that its acetylation mechanism is enabled by a complex tripartite fold that includes two generalmore » control non-derepressible 5 (GCN5)-related N-acetyltransferase regions. An intricate negatively charged substrate-binding pocket of Eis is a potential target of new antitubercular drugs expected to overcome aminoglycoside resistance.« less

  3. Catalytic properties and heat stabilities of novel recombinant human N-acetyltransferase 2 allozymes support existence of genetic heterogeneity within the slow acetylator phenotype.

    PubMed

    Hein, David W; Doll, Mark A

    2017-08-01

    Human N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) catalyzes the N-acetylation of numerous aromatic amine drugs such as sulfamethazine (SMZ) and hydrazine drugs such as isoniazid (INH). NAT2 also catalyzes the N-acetylation of aromatic amine carcinogens such as 2-aminofluorene and the O- and N,O-acetylation of aromatic amine and heterocyclic amine metabolites. Genetic polymorphism in NAT2 modifies drug efficacy and toxicity as well as cancer risk. Acetyltransferase catalytic activities and heat stability associated with six novel NAT2 haplotypes (NAT2*6C, NAT2*14C, NAT2*14D, NAT2*14E, NAT2*17, and NAT2*18) were compared with that of the reference NAT2*4 haplotype following recombinant expression in Escherichia coli. N-acetyltransferase activities towards SMZ and INH were significantly (p < 0.0001) lower when catalyzed by the novel recombinant human NAT2 allozymes compared to NAT2 4. SMZ and INH N-acetyltransferase activities catalyzed by NAT2 14C and NAT2 14D were significantly lower (p < 0.001) than catalyzed by NAT2 6C and NAT2 14E. N-Acetylation catalyzed by recombinant human NAT2 17 was over several hundred-fold lower than by recombinant NAT2 4 precluding measurement of its kinetic or heat inactivation constants. Similar results were observed for the O-acetylation of N-hydroxy-2-aminofluorene and N-hydroxy-2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo [4,5-b] pyridine and the intramolecular N,O-acetylation of N-hydroxy-N-acetyl-2-aminofluorene. The apparent V max of the novel recombinant NAT2 allozymes NAT2 6C, NAT2 14C, NAT2 14D, and NAT2 14E towards AF, 4-aminobiphenyl (ABP), and 3,2'-dimethyl-4-aminobiphenyl (DMABP) were each significantly (p < 0.001) lower while their apparent K m values did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) from recombinant NAT2 4. The apparent V max catalyzed by NAT2 14C and NAT2 14D were significantly lower (p < 0.05) than the apparent V max catalyzed by NAT2 6C and NAT2 14E towards AF, ABP, and DMABP. Heat inactivation rate constants for recombinant

  4. Degradation of Serotonin N-Acetyltransferase, a Circadian Regulator, by the N-end Rule Pathway.

    PubMed

    Wadas, Brandon; Borjigin, Jimo; Huang, Zheping; Oh, Jang-Hyun; Hwang, Cheol-Sang; Varshavsky, Alexander

    2016-08-12

    Serotonin N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) converts serotonin to N-acetylserotonin (NAS), a distinct biological regulator and the immediate precursor of melatonin, a circulating hormone that influences circadian processes, including sleep. N-terminal sequences of AANAT enzymes vary among vertebrates. Mechanisms that regulate the levels of AANAT are incompletely understood. Previous findings were consistent with the possibility that AANAT may be controlled through its degradation by the N-end rule pathway. By expressing the rat and human AANATs and their mutants not only in mammalian cells but also in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and by taking advantage of yeast genetics, we show here that two "complementary" forms of rat AANAT are targeted for degradation by two "complementary" branches of the N-end rule pathway. Specifically, the N(α)-terminally acetylated (Nt-acetylated) Ac-AANAT is destroyed through the recognition of its Nt-acetylated N-terminal Met residue by the Ac/N-end rule pathway, whereas the non-Nt-acetylated AANAT is targeted by the Arg/N-end rule pathway, which recognizes the unacetylated N-terminal Met-Leu sequence of rat AANAT. We also show, by constructing lysine-to-arginine mutants of rat AANAT, that its degradation is mediated by polyubiquitylation of its Lys residue(s). Human AANAT, whose N-terminal sequence differs from that of rodent AANATs, is longer-lived than its rat counterpart and appears to be refractory to degradation by the N-end rule pathway. Together, these and related results indicate both a major involvement of the N-end rule pathway in the control of rodent AANATs and substantial differences in the regulation of rodent and human AANATs that stem from differences in their N-terminal sequences. © 2016 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  5. Autoacetylation of the MYST Lysine Acetyltransferase MOF Protein*

    PubMed Central

    Yang, Chao; Wu, Jiang; Sinha, Sarmistha H.; Neveu, John M.; Zheng, Yujun George

    2012-01-01

    The MYST family of histone acetyltransferases (HATs) plays critical roles in diverse cellular processes, such as the epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Lysine autoacetylation of the MYST HATs has recently received considerable attention. Nonetheless, the mechanism and function of the autoacetylation process are not well defined. To better understand the biochemical mechanism of MYST autoacetylation and the impact of autoacetylation on the cognate histone acetylation, we carried out detailed analyses of males-absent-on-the-first (MOF), a key member of the MYST family. A number of mutant MOF proteins were produced with point mutations at several key residues near the active site of the enzyme. Autoradiography and immunoblotting data showed that mutation of these residues affects the autoacetylation activity and HAT activity of MOF by various degrees demonstrating that MOF activity is highly sensitive to the chemical changes in those residues. We produced MOF protein in the deacetylated form by using a nonspecific lysine deacetylase. Interestingly, both the autoacetylation activity and the histone acetylation activity of the deacetylated MOF were found to be very close to that of wild-type MOF, suggesting that autoacetylation of MOF only marginally modulates the enzymatic activity. Also, we found that the autoacetylation rates of MOF and deacetylated MOF were much slower than the cognate substrate acetylation. Thus, autoacetylation does not seem to contribute to the intrinsic enzymatic activity in a significant manner. These data provide new insights into the mechanism and function of MYST HAT autoacetylation. PMID:22918831

  6. Genetic polymorphisms of N-acetyltransferase 2 & susceptibility to antituberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity.

    PubMed

    Sharma, Surendra K; Jha, Brajesh Kumar; Sharma, Abhishek; Sreenivas, V; Upadhyay, Vishwanath; Jaisinghani, Chandrita; Singla, Rohit; Mishra, Hemant Kumar; Soneja, Manish

    2016-12-01

    The N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) gene encodes an enzyme which both activates and deactivates arylamine and other drugs and carcinogens. This study was aimed to investigate the role of NAT2 gene polymorphism in anti-tuberculosis drug-induced hepatotoxicity (DIH). In this prospective study, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism results for NAT2 gene were compared between 185 tuberculosis patients who did not develop DIH and 105 tuberculosis patients who developed DIH while on anti-tuberculosis drugs. Frequency of slow-acetylator genotype was commonly encountered and was not significantly different between DIH (82.8%) and non-DIH (77.2%) patients. However, the genotypic distribution of variant NAT2FNx015/FNx017 amongst slow-acetylator genotypes was significantly higher in DIH (56%) group as compared to non-DIH (39%) group (odds ratio 2.02; P=0.006). The present study demonstrated no association between NAT2 genotype and DIH in the north Indian patients with tuberculosis.

  7. Muscle-specific Deletion of Carnitine Acetyltransferase Compromises Glucose Tolerance and Metabolic Flexibility

    PubMed Central

    Muoio, Deborah M.; Noland, Robert C.; Kovalik, Jean-Paul; Seiler, Sarah E.; Davies, Michael N.; DeBalsi, Karen L.; Ilkayeva, Olga R.; Stevens, Robert D.; Kheterpal, Indu; Zhang, Jingying; Covington, Jeffrey D.; Bajpeyi, Sudip; Ravussin, Eric; Kraus, William; Koves, Timothy R.; Mynatt, Randall L.

    2012-01-01

    Summary The concept of “metabolic inflexibility” was first introduced to describe the failure of insulin resistant human subjects to appropriately adjust mitochondrial fuel selection in response to nutritional cues. This phenomenon has since gained increasing recognition as a core component of the metabolic syndrome, but the underlying mechanisms have remained elusive. Here, we identify an essential role for the mitochondrial matrix enzyme, carnitine acetyltransferase (CrAT), in regulating substrate switching and glucose tolerance. By converting acetyl-CoA to its membrane permeant acetylcarnitine ester, CrAT regulates mitochondrial and intracellular carbon trafficking. Studies in muscle-specific Crat knockout mice, primary human skeletal myocytes and human subjects undergoing L-carnitine supplementation support a model wherein CrAT combats nutrient stress, promotes metabolic flexibility and enhances insulin action by permitting mitochondrial efflux of excess acetyl moieties that otherwise inhibit key regulatory enzymes such as pyruvate dehydrogenase. These findings offer therapeutically relevant insights into the molecular basis of metabolic inflexibility. PMID:22560225

  8. Muscle-specific deletion of carnitine acetyltransferase compromises glucose tolerance and metabolic flexibility.

    PubMed

    Muoio, Deborah M; Noland, Robert C; Kovalik, Jean-Paul; Seiler, Sarah E; Davies, Michael N; DeBalsi, Karen L; Ilkayeva, Olga R; Stevens, Robert D; Kheterpal, Indu; Zhang, Jingying; Covington, Jeffrey D; Bajpeyi, Sudip; Ravussin, Eric; Kraus, William; Koves, Timothy R; Mynatt, Randall L

    2012-05-02

    The concept of "metabolic inflexibility" was first introduced to describe the failure of insulin-resistant human subjects to appropriately adjust mitochondrial fuel selection in response to nutritional cues. This phenomenon has since gained increasing recognition as a core component of the metabolic syndrome, but the underlying mechanisms have remained elusive. Here, we identify an essential role for the mitochondrial matrix enzyme, carnitine acetyltransferase (CrAT), in regulating substrate switching and glucose tolerance. By converting acetyl-CoA to its membrane permeant acetylcarnitine ester, CrAT regulates mitochondrial and intracellular carbon trafficking. Studies in muscle-specific Crat knockout mice, primary human skeletal myocytes, and human subjects undergoing L-carnitine supplementation support a model wherein CrAT combats nutrient stress, promotes metabolic flexibility, and enhances insulin action by permitting mitochondrial efflux of excess acetyl moieties that otherwise inhibit key regulatory enzymes such as pyruvate dehydrogenase. These findings offer therapeutically relevant insights into the molecular basis of metabolic inflexibility. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  9. Mapping the local protein interactome of the NuA3 histone acetyltransferase

    PubMed Central

    Smart, Sherri K; Mackintosh, Samuel G; Edmondson, Ricky D; Taverna, Sean D; Tackett, Alan J

    2009-01-01

    Protein–protein interactions modulate cellular functions ranging from the activity of enzymes to signal transduction cascades. A technology termed transient isotopic differentiation of interactions as random or targeted (transient I-DIRT) is described for the identification of stable and transient protein–protein interactions in vivo. The procedure combines mild in vivo chemical cross-linking and non-stringent affinity purification to isolate low abundance chromatin-associated protein complexes. Using isotopic labeling and mass spectrometric readout, purified proteins are categorized with respect to the protein ‘bait’ as stable, transient, or contaminant. Here we characterize the local interactome of the chromatin-associated NuA3 histone lysine-acetyltransferase protein complex. We describe transient associations with the yFACT nucleosome assembly complex, RSC chromatin remodeling complex and a nucleosome assembly protein. These novel, physical associations with yFACT, RSC, and Nap1 provide insight into the mechanism of NuA3-associated transcription and chromatin regulation. PMID:19621382

  10. The Histone Acetyltransferase MOF Promotes Induces Generation of Pluripotent Stem Cells.

    PubMed

    Mu, Xupeng; Yan, Shaohua; Fu, Changhao; Wei, Anhui

    2015-08-01

    Histone modification plays an important role in maintaining pluripotency and self-renewal of embryonic stem cells (ESCs). The histone acetyltransferase MOF is a key regulator of ESCs; however, the role of MOF in the process of reprogramming back to induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the function of MOF on the generation of iPSCs. We show that iPSCs contain high levels of MOF mRNA, and the expression level of MOF protein is dramatically upregulated following reprogramming. Most importantly, overexpression of MOF improves reprogramming efficiency and facilitates the formation of iPSCs, whereas small hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated knockdown of MOF impairs iPSCs generation during reprogramming. Further investigation reveals that MOF interacts with the H3K4 methyltransferase Wdr5 to promote endogenous Oct4 expression during the reprogramming process. Knockdown of MOF reduces H4K16ac and H3K4me3 modification at the Oct4 promoter. In conclusion, our data indicate that MOF is an important epigenetic regulator that is critical for efficient reprogramming.

  11. Characterization of the Biosynthesis, Processing and Kinetic Mechanism of Action of the Enzyme Deficient in Mucopolysaccharidosis IIIC

    PubMed Central

    Fan, Xiaolian; Tkachyova, Ilona; Sinha, Ankit; Rigat, Brigitte; Mahuran, Don

    2011-01-01

    Heparin acetyl-CoA:alpha-glucosaminide N-acetyltransferase (N-acetyltransferase, EC 2.3.1.78) is an integral lysosomal membrane protein containing 11 transmembrane domains, encoded by the HGSNAT gene. Deficiencies of N-acetyltransferase lead to mucopolysaccharidosis IIIC. We demonstrate that contrary to a previous report, the N-acetyltransferase signal peptide is co-translationally cleaved and that this event is required for its intracellular transport to the lysosome. While we confirm that the N-acetyltransferase precursor polypeptide is processed in the lysosome into a small amino-terminal alpha- and a larger ß- chain, we further characterize this event by identifying the mature amino-terminus of each chain. We also demonstrate this processing step(s) is not, as previously reported, needed to produce a functional transferase, i.e., the precursor is active. We next optimize the biochemical assay procedure so that it remains linear as N-acetyltransferase is purified or protein-extracts containing N-acetyltransferase are diluted, by the inclusion of negatively charged lipids. We then use this assay to demonstrate that the purified single N-acetyltransferase protein is both necessary and sufficient to express transferase activity, and that N-acetyltransferase functions as a monomer. Finally, the kinetic mechanism of action of purified N-acetyltransferase was evaluated and found to be a random sequential mechanism involving the formation of a ternary complex with its two substrates; i.e., N-acetyltransferase does not operate through a ping-pong mechanism as previously reported. We confirm this conclusion by demonstrating experimentally that no acetylated enzyme intermediate is formed during the reaction. PMID:21957468

  12. Irradiation with heavy-ion particles changes the cellular distribution of human histone acetyltransferase HAT1.

    PubMed

    Lebel, Emily A; Boukamp, Petra; Tafrov, Stefan T

    2010-06-01

    Hat1 was the first histone acetyltransferase identified; however, its biological function is still unclear. In this report, it is shown for the first time that human Hat1 has two isoforms. Isoform a has 418 amino acids (aa) and is localized exclusively in the nuclear matrix of normal human keratinocytes (NHKs). Isoform b has 334 aa and is located in the cytoplasm, the nucleoplasm, attached to the chromatin and to the nuclear matrix. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that the bulk of Hat1 is confined to the nucleus, with much lesser amounts in the cytoplasm. Cells undergoing mitotic division have an elevated amount of Hat1 compared to those that are non-mitotic. Senescent cells, however, exhibit a higher concentration of Hat1 in the cytoplasm compare to proliferating cells and the amount of Hat1 in the nucleus decreases with the progression of senescence. NHKs exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) or to a beam of high mass and energy ion particles displayed bright nuclear staining for Hat1, a phenotype that was not observed in NHKs exposed to gamma-rays. We established that the enhanced nuclear staining for Hat1 in response to these treatments is regulated by the PI3K and the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathways. Our observations clearly implicate Hat1 in the cellular response assuring the survival of the treated cells.

  13. Single nucleotide polymorphism coverage and inference of N-acetyltransferase-2 acetylator phenotypes in wordwide population groups.

    PubMed

    Suarez-Kurtz, Guilherme; Fuchshuber-Moraes, Mateus; Struchiner, Claudio J; Parra, Esteban J

    2016-08-01

    Several algorithms have been proposed to reduce the genotyping effort and cost, while retaining the accuracy of N-acetyltransferase-2 (NAT2) phenotype prediction. Data from the 1000 Genomes (1KG) project and an admixed cohort of Black Brazilians were used to assess the accuracy of NAT2 phenotype prediction using algorithms based on paired single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs1041983 and rs1801280) or a tag SNP (rs1495741). NAT2 haplotypes comprising SNPs rs1801279, rs1041983, rs1801280, rs1799929, rs1799930, rs1208 and rs1799931 were assigned according to the arylamine N-acetyltransferases database. Contingency tables were used to visualize the agreement between the NAT2 acetylator phenotypes on the basis of these haplotypes versus phenotypes inferred by the prediction algorithms. The paired and tag SNP algorithms provided more than 96% agreement with the 7-SNP derived phenotypes in Europeans, East Asians, South Asians and Admixed Americans, but discordance of phenotype prediction occurred in 30.2 and 24.8% 1KG Africans and in 14.4 and 18.6% Black Brazilians, respectively. Paired SNP panel misclassification occurs in carriers of NATs haplotypes *13A (282T alone), *12B (282T and 803G), *6B (590A alone) and *14A (191A alone), whereas haplotype *14, defined by the 191A allele, is the major culprit of misclassification by the tag allele. Both the paired SNP and the tag SNP algorithms may be used, with economy of scale, to infer NAT2 acetylator phenotypes, including the ultra-slow phenotype, in European, East Asian, South Asian and American populations represented in the 1KG cohort. Both algorithms, however, perform poorly in populations of predominant African descent, including admixed African-Americans, African Caribbeans and Black Brazilians.

  14. DEMONSTRATION OF RADON RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION TECHNIQUES - PHASE II. FINAL REPORT

    EPA Science Inventory

    The report gives results of a demonstration of radon resistant construction techniques. Sub-slab mitigation systems were installed (in accordance with draft standards) in 15 new Florida houses in 1992, and these houses have undergone extensive testing to validate techniques used ...

  15. N-acetyltransferase single nucleotide polymorphisms: Emerging concepts serve as a paradigm for understanding complexities of personalized medicine

    PubMed Central

    Hein, David W.

    2009-01-01

    Arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) and 2 (NAT2) exhibit single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in human populations that modify drug and carcinogen metabolism. This paper updates the identity, location, and functional effects of these SNPs and then follows with emerging concepts for understanding why pharmacogenetic findings may not be replicated consistently. Using this paradigm as an example, laboratory-based mechanistic analyses can reveal complexities such that genetic polymorphisms become biologically and medically relevant when confounding factors are more fully understood and considered. As medical care moves to a more personalized approach, the implications of these confounding factors will be important in understanding the complexities of personalized medicine. PMID:19379125

  16. Mechanistic and Structural Analysis of Drosophila melanogaster Arylalkylamine N-Acetyltransferases

    PubMed Central

    2015-01-01

    Arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) catalyzes the penultimate step in the biosynthesis of melatonin and other N-acetylarylalkylamides from the corresponding arylalkylamine and acetyl-CoA. The N-acetylation of arylalkylamines is a critical step in Drosophila melanogaster for the inactivation of the bioactive amines and the sclerotization of the cuticle. Two AANAT variants (AANATA and AANATB) have been identified in D. melanogaster, in which AANATA differs from AANATB by the truncation of 35 amino acids from the N-terminus. We have expressed and purified both D. melanogaster AANAT variants (AANATA and AANATB) in Escherichia coli and used the purified enzymes to demonstrate that this N-terminal truncation does not affect the activity of the enzyme. Subsequent characterization of the kinetic and chemical mechanism of AANATA identified an ordered sequential mechanism, with acetyl-CoA binding first, followed by tyramine. We used a combination of pH–activity profiling and site-directed mutagenesis to study prospective residues believed to function in AANATA catalysis. These data led to an assignment of Glu-47 as the general base in catalysis with an apparent pKa of 7.0. Using the data generated for the kinetic mechanism, structure–function relationships, pH–rate profiles, and site-directed mutagenesis, we propose a chemical mechanism for AANATA. PMID:25406072

  17. In Bacillus subtilis, the SatA (Formerly YyaR) Acetyltransferase Detoxifies Streptothricin via Lysine Acetylation

    PubMed Central

    Burckhardt, Rachel M.

    2017-01-01

    ABSTRACT Soil is a complex niche, where survival of microorganisms is at risk due to the presence of antimicrobial agents. Many microbes chemically modify cytotoxic compounds to block their deleterious effects. Streptothricin is a broad-spectrum antibiotic produced by streptomycetes that affects Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria alike. Here we identify the SatA (for streptothricin acetyltransferase A, formerly YyaR) enzyme of Bacillus subtilis as the mechanism used by this soil bacterium to detoxify streptothricin. B. subtilis strains lacking satA were susceptible to streptothricin. Ectopic expression of satA+ restored streptothricin resistance to B. subtilis satA (BsSatA) strains. Purified BsSatA acetylated streptothricin in vitro at the expense of acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA). A single acetyl moiety transferred onto streptothricin by SatA blocked the toxic effects of the antibiotic. SatA bound streptothricin with high affinity (Kd [dissociation constant] = 1 μM), and did not bind acetyl-CoA in the absence of streptothricin. Expression of B. subtilis satA+ in Salmonella enterica conferred streptothricin resistance, indicating that SatA was necessary and sufficient to detoxify streptothricin. Using this heterologous system, we showed that the SatA homologue from Bacillus anthracis also had streptothricin acetyltransferase activity. Our data highlight the physiological relevance of lysine acetylation for the survival of B. subtilis in the soil. IMPORTANCE Experimental support is provided for the functional assignment of gene products of the soil-dwelling bacilli Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus anthracis. This study focuses on one enzyme that is necessary and sufficient to block the cytotoxic effects of a common soil antibiotic. The enzyme alluded to is a member of a family of proteins that are broadly distributed in all domains of life but poorly studied in B. subtilis and B. anthracis. The initial characterization of the enzyme provides insights into its

  18. Endoplasmic reticulum stress-responsive transcription factor ATF6α directs recruitment of the Mediator of RNA polymerase II transcription and multiple histone acetyltransferase complexes.

    PubMed

    Sela, Dotan; Chen, Lu; Martin-Brown, Skylar; Washburn, Michael P; Florens, Laurence; Conaway, Joan Weliky; Conaway, Ronald C

    2012-06-29

    The basic leucine zipper transcription factor ATF6α functions as a master regulator of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response genes. Previous studies have established that, in response to ER stress, ATF6α translocates to the nucleus and activates transcription of ER stress response genes upon binding sequence specifically to ER stress response enhancer elements in their promoters. In this study, we investigate the biochemical mechanism by which ATF6α activates transcription. By exploiting a combination of biochemical and multidimensional protein identification technology-based mass spectrometry approaches, we have obtained evidence that ATF6α functions at least in part by recruiting to the ER stress response enhancer elements of ER stress response genes a collection of RNA polymerase II coregulatory complexes, including the Mediator and multiple histone acetyltransferase complexes, among which are the Spt-Ada-Gcn5 acetyltransferase (SAGA) and Ada-Two-A-containing (ATAC) complexes. Our findings shed new light on the mechanism of action of ATF6α, and they outline a straightforward strategy for applying multidimensional protein identification technology mass spectrometry to determine which RNA polymerase II transcription factors and coregulators are recruited to promoters and other regulatory elements to control transcription.

  19. Structural Analysis of a Putative Aminoglycoside N-Acetyltransferase from Bacillus anthracis

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Klimecka, Maria M.; Chruszcz, Maksymilian; Font, Jose

    2012-02-15

    For the last decade, worldwide efforts for the treatment of anthrax infection have focused on developing effective vaccines. Patients that are already infected are still treated traditionally using different types of standard antimicrobial agents. The most popular are antibiotics such as tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones. While aminoglycosides appear to be less effective antimicrobial agents than other antibiotics, synthetic aminoglycosides have been shown to act as potent inhibitors of anthrax lethal factor and may have potential application as antitoxins. Here, we present a structural analysis of the BA2930 protein, a putative aminoglycoside acetyltransferase, which may be a component of the bacterium's aminoglycosidemore » resistance mechanism. The determined structures revealed details of a fold characteristic only for one other protein structure in the Protein Data Bank, namely, YokD from Bacillus subtilis. Both BA2930 and YokD are members of the Antibiotic-NAT superfamily (PF02522). Sequential and structural analyses showed that residues conserved throughout the Antibiotic-NAT superfamily are responsible for the binding of the cofactor acetyl coenzyme A. The interaction of BA2930 with cofactors was characterized by both crystallographic and binding studies.« less

  20. Interaction with a kinesin-2 tail propels choline acetyltransferase flow towards synapse

    PubMed Central

    Sadananda, Aparna; Hamid, Runa; Doodhi, Harinath; Ghosal, Debnath; Girotra, Mukul; Jana, Swadhin Chandra; Ray, Krishanu

    2012-01-01

    Bulk flow constitutes a substantial part of the slow transport of soluble proteins in axons. Though the underlying mechanism is unclear, evidences indicate that intermittent, kinesin based movement of large protein-aggregates aids this process. Choline acetyl-transferase (ChAT), a soluble enzyme catalyzing acetylcholine synthesis, propagates towards synapse at an intermediate, slow rate. The presynaptic enrichment of ChAT requires heterotrimeric kinesin-2, comprising KLP64D, KLP68D and DmKAP, in Drosophila. Here, we show that the bulk flow of a recombinant Green Fluorescent Protein-tagged ChAT (GFP::ChAT), in Drosophila axons, lacks particulate features. It occurs for a brief period during the larval stages. In addition, both the endogenous ChAT and GFP::ChAT directly bind to the KLP64D tail, which is essential for the GFP::ChAT entry and anterograde flow in axon. These evidences suggest that a direct interaction with motor proteins could regulate the bulk flow of soluble proteins, and thus establish their asymmetric distribution. PMID:22486887

  1. Immunocytochemical localization of choline acetyltransferase-like immunoreactivity in the guinea pig cochlea.

    PubMed

    Altschuler, R A; Kachar, B; Rubio, J A; Parakkal, M H; Fex, J

    1985-07-08

    The immunocytochemical localization of the enzyme choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) was examined in the guinea pig organ of Corti to determine if both lateral and medial systems of efferents would show immunoreactive labeling for this specific enzyme marker of cholinergic neurons. Cochleae were also examined after lesion of efferents to determine if ChAT-like immunoreactivity is confined to efferents. ChAT-like immunoreactivity was seen in the inner spiral bundle, tunnel spiral bundle and by the bases of inner hair cells corresponding to the lateral system of efferents. ChAT-like immunoreactivity was also seen in crossing fibers and puncta at the bases and by the nuclei of outer hair cells corresponding to the medial system of efferents. With the use of video enhanced contrast microscopy more than 9 ChAT-like immunoreactive puncta at the bases of outer hair cells could be resolved. In cochleae examined 6 weeks after ipsilateral lesion of efferents, no ChAT-like immunoreactivity was observed. These results add strong evidence that acetylcholine is a transmitter of both the medial and lateral systems of efferents.

  2. A simple and rapid radiochemical choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) assay screening test.

    PubMed

    Shiba, Kazuhiro; Ogawa, Kazuma; Kinuya, Seigo; Yajima, Kazuyoshi; Mori, Hirofumi

    2006-10-15

    A simple radiochemical choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) assay screening test was developed by measuring for [(3)H]acetylcholine ([(3)H]ACh) formed from 0.2 mM [(3)H]acetyl-coenzyme A ([(3)H]acetyl-CoA) and 1 mM choline by 0.2 mg of rat brain homogenates containing ChAT into 96-well microplates. A simple and rapid procedure for isolating [(3)H]ACh from the incubation mixture into 96-well microplates was achieved by using a sodium tetraphenylboron (Kalibor) solution (in ethyl acetate, 0.75%, w/v) and a hydrophobic liquid scintillator mixture (1:5, v/v, 0.2 mL) as an extraction solvent. The benefits of this radiochemical method using 96-well microplates are as follows: (1) this method is reliable and reproducible; (2) many samples can be examined at the same time by this method; (3) this method is economical and effective in reducing radioactive waste. The development of a new simple radiochemical ChAT assay screening test is the first stage of development of radiolabeled ChAT mapping agent.

  3. Susceptibility of N-acetyltransferase 2 slow acetylators to antituberculosis drug-induced liver injury: a meta-analysis.

    PubMed

    Shi, Jing; Xie, Min; Wang, Jianmiao; Xu, Yongjian; Liu, Xiansheng

    2015-12-01

    This study aimed to evaluate the association between N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) gene polymorphisms and the risk of antituberculosis drug-induced liver injury (ATLI). A meta-analysis was performed including 27 studies with 1289 cases and 5462 controls. Odds ratio with 95% CI was used to evaluate the strength of association. Our meta-analysis found that NAT2 slow acetylators were associated with increased risk of ATLI compared with fast and intermediate acetylators when standard dose of isoniazid was administrated (odds ratio: 3.08; 95% CI: 2.29-4.15). Individuals with NAT2 slow acetylators may have increased risk of ATLI when standard dose of isoniazid was used. Detection of NAT2 genotype may benefit to the prevention of ATLI.

  4. Genetic and small molecule inhibition of arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 reduces anchorage-independent growth in human breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231.

    PubMed

    Stepp, Marcus W; Doll, Mark A; Carlisle, Samantha M; States, J Christopher; Hein, David W

    2018-04-01

    Arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) expression is reported to affect proliferation, invasiveness, and growth of cancer cells. MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells were engineered such that NAT1 expression was elevated or suppressed, or treated with a small molecule inhibitor of NAT1. The MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell lines were engineered with a scrambled shRNA, a NAT1 specific shRNA or a NAT1 overexpression cassette stably integrated into a single flippase recognition target (FRT) site facilitating incorporation of these different genetic elements into the same genomic location. NAT1-specific shRNA reduced NAT1 activity in vitro by 39%, increased endogenous acetyl coenzyme A levels by 35%, and reduced anchorage-independent growth (sevenfold) without significant effects on cell morphology, growth rates, anchorage-dependent colony formation, or invasiveness compared to the scrambled shRNA cell line. Despite 12-fold overexpression of NAT1 activity in the NAT1 overexpression cassette transfected MDA-MB-231 cell line, doubling time, anchorage-dependent cell growth, anchorage-independent cell growth, and relative invasiveness were not changed significantly when compared to the scrambled shRNA cell line. A small molecule (5E)-[5-(4-hydroxy-3,5-diiodobenzylidene)-2-thioxo-1,3-thiazolidin-4-one (5-HDST) was 25-fold more selective towards the inhibition of recombinant human NAT1 than N-acetyltransferase 2. Incubation of MDA-MB-231 cell line with 5-HDST resulted in 60% reduction in NAT1 activity and significant decreases in cell growth, anchorage-dependent growth, and anchorage-independent growth. In summary, inhibition of NAT1 activity by either shRNA or 5-HDST reduced anchorage-independent growth in the MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell line. These findings suggest that human NAT1 could serve as a target for the prevention and/or treatment of breast cancer. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  5. The Functional Analysis of Histone Acetyltransferase MOF in Tumorigenesis

    PubMed Central

    Su, Jiaming; Wang, Fei; Cai, Yong; Jin, Jingji

    2016-01-01

    Changes in chromatin structure and heritably regulating the gene expression by epigenetic mechanisms, such as histone post-translational modification, are involved in most cellular biological processes. Thus, abnormal regulation of epigenetics is implicated in the occurrence of various diseases, including cancer. Human MOF (males absent on the first) is a member of the MYST (Moz-Ybf2/Sas3-Sas2-Tip60) family of histone acetyltransferases (HATs). As a catalytic subunit, MOF can form at least two distinct multiprotein complexes (MSL and NSL) in human cells. Both complexes can acetylate histone H4 at lysine 16 (H4K16); however, the NSL complex possesses broader substrate specificity and can also acetylate histone H4 at lysines 5 and 8 (H4K5 and H4K8), suggesting the complexity of the intracellular functions of MOF. Silencing of MOF in cells leads to genomic instability, inactivation of gene transcription, defective DNA damage repair and early embryonic lethality. Unbalanced MOF expression and its corresponding acetylation of H4K16 have been found in certain primary cancer tissues, including breast cancer, medulloblastoma, ovarian cancer, renal cell carcinoma, colorectal carcinoma, gastric cancer, as well as non-small cell lung cancer. In this review, we provide a brief overview of MOF and its corresponding histone acetylation, introduce recent research findings that link MOF functions to tumorigenesis and speculate on the potential role that may be relevant to tumorigenic pathways. PMID:26784169

  6. The Functional Analysis of Histone Acetyltransferase MOF in Tumorigenesis.

    PubMed

    Su, Jiaming; Wang, Fei; Cai, Yong; Jin, Jingji

    2016-01-14

    Changes in chromatin structure and heritably regulating the gene expression by epigenetic mechanisms, such as histone post-translational modification, are involved in most cellular biological processes. Thus, abnormal regulation of epigenetics is implicated in the occurrence of various diseases, including cancer. Human MOF (males absent on the first) is a member of the MYST (Moz-Ybf2/Sas3-Sas2-Tip60) family of histone acetyltransferases (HATs). As a catalytic subunit, MOF can form at least two distinct multiprotein complexes (MSL and NSL) in human cells. Both complexes can acetylate histone H4 at lysine 16 (H4K16); however, the NSL complex possesses broader substrate specificity and can also acetylate histone H4 at lysines 5 and 8 (H4K5 and H4K8), suggesting the complexity of the intracellular functions of MOF. Silencing of MOF in cells leads to genomic instability, inactivation of gene transcription, defective DNA damage repair and early embryonic lethality. Unbalanced MOF expression and its corresponding acetylation of H4K16 have been found in certain primary cancer tissues, including breast cancer, medulloblastoma, ovarian cancer, renal cell carcinoma, colorectal carcinoma, gastric cancer, as well as non-small cell lung cancer. In this review, we provide a brief overview of MOF and its corresponding histone acetylation, introduce recent research findings that link MOF functions to tumorigenesis and speculate on the potential role that may be relevant to tumorigenic pathways.

  7. Arylamine N-acetyltransferase 2 genotype-dependent N-acetylation of isoniazid in cryopreserved human hepatocytes.

    PubMed

    Doll, Mark A; Salazar-González, Raúl A; Bodduluri, Srineil; Hein, David W

    2017-07-01

    Cryopreserved human hepatocytes were used to investigate the role of arylamine N -acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2; EC 2.3.1.5) polymorphism on the N -acetylation of isoniazid (INH). NAT2 genotype was determined by Taqman allelic discrimination assay and INH N -acetylation was measured by high performance liquid chromatography. INH N -acetylation rates in vitro exhibited a robust and highly significant ( P <0.005) NAT2 phenotype-dependent metabolism. N -acetylation rates in situ were INH concentration- and time-dependent. Following incubation for 24 h with 12.5 or 100 µmol/L INH, acetyl-INH concentrations varied significantly ( P = 0.0023 and P = 0.0002) across cryopreserved human hepatocytes samples from rapid, intermediate, and slow acetylators, respectively. The clear association between NAT2 genotype and phenotype supports use of NAT2 genotype to guide INH dosing strategies in the treatment and prevention of tuberculosis.

  8. 42 CFR 137.352 - What is contained in a construction project progress report?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 42 Public Health 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false What is contained in a construction project progress report? 137.352 Section 137.352 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TRIBAL SELF-GOVERNANCE Construction Roles of Self-Governance Tribe in...

  9. 42 CFR 137.353 - What is contained in a construction project financial report?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 42 Public Health 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false What is contained in a construction project financial report? 137.353 Section 137.353 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TRIBAL SELF-GOVERNANCE Construction Roles of Self-Governance Tribe in...

  10. 42 CFR 137.352 - What is contained in a construction project progress report?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 42 Public Health 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false What is contained in a construction project progress report? 137.352 Section 137.352 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TRIBAL SELF-GOVERNANCE Construction Roles of Self-Governance Tribe in...

  11. 42 CFR 137.353 - What is contained in a construction project financial report?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 42 Public Health 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false What is contained in a construction project financial report? 137.353 Section 137.353 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TRIBAL SELF-GOVERNANCE Construction Roles of Self-Governance Tribe in...

  12. 42 CFR 137.353 - What is contained in a construction project financial report?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 42 Public Health 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false What is contained in a construction project financial report? 137.353 Section 137.353 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TRIBAL SELF-GOVERNANCE Construction Roles of Self-Governance Tribe in...

  13. The Apicomplexa-specific glucosamine-6-phosphate N-acetyltransferase gene family encodes a key enzyme for glycoconjugate synthesis with potential as therapeutic target.

    PubMed

    Cova, Marta; López-Gutiérrez, Borja; Artigas-Jerónimo, Sara; González-Díaz, Aida; Bandini, Giulia; Maere, Steven; Carretero-Paulet, Lorenzo; Izquierdo, Luis

    2018-03-05

    Apicomplexa form a phylum of obligate parasitic protozoa of great clinical and veterinary importance. These parasites synthesize glycoconjugates for their survival and infectivity, but the enzymatic steps required to generate the glycosylation precursors are not completely characterized. In particular, glucosamine-phosphate N-acetyltransferase (GNA1) activity, needed to produce the essential UDP-N-acetylglucosamine (UDP-GlcNAc) donor, has not been identified in any Apicomplexa. We scanned the genomes of Plasmodium falciparum and representatives from six additional main lineages of the phylum for proteins containing the Gcn5-related N-acetyltransferase (GNAT) domain. One family of GNAT-domain containing proteins, composed by a P. falciparum sequence and its six apicomplexan orthologs, rescued the growth of a yeast temperature-sensitive GNA1 mutant. Heterologous expression and in vitro assays confirmed the GNA1 enzymatic activity in all lineages. Sequence, phylogenetic and synteny analyses suggest an independent origin of the Apicomplexa-specific GNA1 family, parallel to the evolution of a different GNA1 family in other eukaryotes. The inability to disrupt an otherwise modifiable gene target suggests that the enzyme is essential for P. falciparum growth. The relevance of UDP-GlcNAc for parasite viability, together with the independent evolution and unique sequence features of Apicomplexa GNA1, highlights the potential of this enzyme as a selective therapeutic target against apicomplexans.

  14. Molecular evolution of multiple arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) in fish.

    PubMed

    Zilberman-Peled, Bina; Bransburg-Zabary, Sharron; Klein, David C; Gothilf, Yoav

    2011-01-01

    Arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) catalyzes the transfer of an acetyl group from acetyl coenzyme A (AcCoA) to arylalkylamines, including indolethylamines and phenylethylamines. Multiple aanats are present in teleost fish as a result of whole genome and gene duplications. Fish aanat1a and aanat2 paralogs display different patterns of tissue expression and encode proteins with different substrate preference: AANAT1a is expressed in the retina, and acetylates both indolethylamines and phenylethylamines; while AANAT2 is expressed in the pineal gland, and preferentially acetylates indolethylamines. The two enzymes are therefore thought to serve different roles. Here, the molecular changes that led to their specialization were studied by investigating the structure-function relationships of AANATs in the gilthead seabream (sb, Sperus aurata). Acetylation activity of reciprocal mutated enzymes pointed to specific residues that contribute to substrate specificity of the enzymes. Inhibition tests followed by complementary analyses of the predicted three-dimensional models of the enzymes, suggested that both phenylethylamines and indolethylamines bind to the catalytic pocket of both enzymes. These results suggest that substrate selectivity of AANAT1a and AANAT2 is determined by the positioning of the substrate within the catalytic pocket, and its accessibility to catalysis. This illustrates the evolutionary process by which enzymes encoded by duplicated genes acquire different activities and play different biological roles.

  15. Structural analysis of PseH, the Campylobacter jejuni N-acetyltransferase involved in bacterial O-linked glycosylation

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Song, Wan Seok; Nam, Mi Sun; Namgung, Byeol

    2015-03-20

    Campylobacter jejuni is a bacterium that uses flagella for motility and causes worldwide acute gastroenteritis in humans. The C. jejuni N-acetyltransferase PseH (cjPseH) is responsible for the third step in flagellin O-linked glycosylation and plays a key role in flagellar formation and motility. cjPseH transfers an acetyl group from an acetyl donor, acetyl coenzyme A (AcCoA), to the amino group of UDP-4-amino-4,6-dideoxy-N-acetyl-β-L-altrosamine to produce UDP-2,4-diacetamido-2,4,6-trideoxy-β-L-altropyranose. To elucidate the catalytic mechanism of cjPseH, crystal structures of cjPseH alone and in complex with AcCoA were determined at 1.95 Å resolution. cjPseH folds into a single-domain structure of a central β-sheet decorated by four α-helicesmore » with two continuously connected grooves. A deep groove (groove-A) accommodates the AcCoA molecule. Interestingly, the acetyl end of AcCoA points toward an open space in a neighboring shallow groove (groove-S), which is occupied by extra electron density that potentially serves as a pseudosubstrate, suggesting that the groove-S may provide a substrate-binding site. Structure-based comparative analysis suggests that cjPseH utilizes a unique catalytic mechanism of acetylation that has not been observed in other glycosylation-associated acetyltransferases. Thus, our studies on cjPseH will provide valuable information for the design of new antibiotics to treat C. jejuni-induced gastroenteritis. - Highlights: • cjPseH adopts a single-domain structure of a central β-sheet decorated by α-helices. • cjPseH features two continuously connected grooves on the protein surface. • Acetyl coenzyme A (AcCoA) binds into a deep groove of cjPseH in an ‘L’ shape. • The acetyl end of AcCoA points to a wide groove, a potential substrate-binding site.« less

  16. Depletion of histone N-terminal-acetyltransferase Naa40 induces p53-independent apoptosis in colorectal cancer cells via the mitochondrial pathway.

    PubMed

    Pavlou, Demetria; Kirmizis, Antonis

    2016-03-01

    Protein N-terminal acetylation is an abundant post-translational modification in eukaryotes implicated in various fundamental cellular and biochemical processes. This modification is catalysed by evolutionarily conserved N-terminal acetyltransferases (NATs) whose deregulation has been linked to cancer development and thus, are emerging as useful diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Naa40 is a highly selective NAT that acetylates the amino-termini of histones H4 and H2A and acts as a sensor of cell growth in yeast. In the present study, we examine the role of Naa40 in cancer cell survival. We demonstrate that depletion of Naa40 in HCT116 and HT-29 colorectal cancer cells decreases cell survival by enhancing apoptosis, whereas Naa40 reduction in non-cancerous mouse embryonic fibroblasts has no effect on cell viability. Specifically, Naa40 knockdown in colon cancer cells activates the mitochondrial caspase-9-mediated apoptotic cascade. Consistent with this, we show that caspase-9 activation is required for the induced apoptosis because treatment of cells with an irreversible caspase-9 inhibitor impedes apoptosis when Naa40 is depleted. Furthermore, the effect of Naa40-depletion on cell-death is mediated through a p53-independent mechanism since p53-null HCT116 cells still undergo apoptosis upon reduction of the acetyltransferase. Altogether, these findings reveal an anti-apoptotic role for Naa40 and exhibit its potential as a therapeutic target in colorectal cancers.

  17. 16th Annual School Construction Report, 2011

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Abramson, Paul

    2011-01-01

    Almost 73 percent of construction in 2009 was of new school buildings. New school buildings accounted for less than 60 percent of construction spending in 2010, suggesting a shift to using less abundant construction dollars to upgrade and add to existing buildings. While overall construction fell more than $1.8 billion in 2010, spending on…

  18. Characterization of the active site, substrate specificity and kinetic properties of acetyl-CoA:arylamine N-acetyltransferase from pigeon liver.

    PubMed

    Andres, H H; Kolb, H J; Schreiber, R J; Weiss, L

    1983-08-16

    It could be demonstrated that a sulfhydryl group is involved in the catalysis of acetyl-CoA:arylamine N-acetyltransferase from pigeon liver (EC 2.3.1.5). From ping-pong kinetics it was concluded that there is a covalent acetyl-enzyme intermediate. The respective intermediate could be isolated and chemically characterized as a cysteinyl thioester. Electrophoretically homogeneous acetyl-CoA:acylamine N-acetyltransferase from pigeon liver was able to acetylate a broad variety of aromatic and aliphatic amines from different acetyldonors such as acetyl-CoA, p-nitroacetanilide and p-nitrophenylacetate. Apparent Km values were determined for a number of acetyl donors and acetyl acceptors. Additionally, Ki values were evaluated for CoA, 3',5'-ADP and AMP. Correlation studies of basicity of acceptor amines and acetylation rate demonstrated that there is a limit of the pKa value (about pKa = 1) where the covalently-bound acetyl-enzyme intermediate can still be saponified. Testing crude liver homogenates of several animals including turkey, duck, chicken, cow, pig, horse, sheep, carp, trout and herring the outstanding nature of the pigeon liver enzyme in acetylating very weakly basic amines could be demonstrated. It is shown that the enzyme is quite flexible concerning sterically different acceptor amines, because arylamines whose amino group was effected by large o-substituents could be quantitatively acetylated. After enzymatic acetylation of the first amino group, 1,2-phenylendiamine formed the heterocyclic compound 2-methylbenzimidazole by a spontaneous condensation reaction. There is evidence that with distinct amines formation of heterocyclic compounds may also occur in vivo.

  19. Sulfonamide-Based Inhibitors of Aminoglycoside Acetyltransferase Eis Abolish Resistance to Kanamycin in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Garzan, Atefeh; Willby, Melisa J.; Green, Keith D.

    A two-drug combination therapy where one drug targets an offending cell and the other targets a resistance mechanism to the first drug is a time-tested, yet underexploited approach to combat or prevent drug resistance. By high-throughput screening, we identified a sulfonamide scaffold that served as a pharmacophore to generate inhibitors of Mycobacterium tuberculosis acetyltransferase Eis, whose upregulation causes resistance to the aminoglycoside (AG) antibiotic kanamycin A (KAN) in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Rational systematic derivatization of this scaffold to maximize Eis inhibition and abolish the Eis-mediated KAN resistance of M. tuberculosis yielded several highly potent agents. A crystal structure of Eis inmore » complex with one of the most potent inhibitors revealed that the inhibitor bound Eis in the AG-binding pocket held by a conformationally malleable region of Eis (residues 28–37) bearing key hydrophobic residues. These Eis inhibitors are promising leads for preclinical development of innovative AG combination therapies against resistant TB.« less

  20. The histone acetyltransferase MOF activates hypothalamic polysialylation to prevent diet-induced obesity in mice

    PubMed Central

    Brenachot, Xavier; Rigault, Caroline; Nédélec, Emmanuelle; Laderrière, Amélie; Khanam, Tasneem; Gouazé, Alexandra; Chaudy, Sylvie; Lemoine, Aleth; Datiche, Frédérique; Gascuel, Jean; Pénicaud, Luc; Benani, Alexandre

    2014-01-01

    Overfeeding causes rapid synaptic remodeling in hypothalamus feeding circuits. Polysialylation of cell surface molecules is a key step in this neuronal rewiring and allows normalization of food intake. Here we examined the role of hypothalamic polysialylation in the long-term maintenance of body weight, and deciphered the molecular sequence underlying its nutritional regulation. We found that upon high fat diet (HFD), reduced hypothalamic polysialylation exacerbated the diet-induced obese phenotype in mice. Upon HFD, the histone acetyltransferase MOF was rapidly recruited on the St8sia4 polysialyltransferase-encoding gene. Mof silencing in the mediobasal hypothalamus of adult mice prevented activation of the St8sia4 gene transcription, reduced polysialylation, altered the acute homeostatic feeding response to HFD and increased the body weight gain. These findings indicate that impaired hypothalamic polysialylation contribute to the development of obesity, and establish a role for MOF in the brain control of energy balance. PMID:25161885

  1. N-acetyltransferase gene polymorphisms & plasma isoniazid concentrations in patients with tuberculosis.

    PubMed

    Hemanth Kumar, A K; Ramesh, K; Kannan, T; Sudha, V; Haribabu, Hemalatha; Lavanya, J; Swaminathan, Soumya; Ramachandran, Geetha

    2017-01-01

    Variations in the N-acetyltransferase (NAT2) gene among different populations could affect the metabolism and disposition of isoniazid (INH). This study was performed to genotype NAT2 gene polymorphisms in tuberculosis (TB) patients from Chennai, India, and compare plasma INH concentrations among the different genotypes. Adult patients with TB treated in the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, were genotyped for NAT2 gene polymorphism, and two-hour post-dosing INH concentrations were compared between the different genotypes. Plasma INH was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Genotyping of the NAT2 gene polymorphism was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction method. Among the 326 patients genotyped, there were 189 (58%), 114 (35%) and 23 (7%) slow, intermediate and fast acetylators, respectively. The median two-hour INH concentrations in slow, intermediate and fast acetylators were 10.2, 8.1 and 4.1 μg/ml, respectively. The differences in INH concentrations among the three genotypes were significant (P<0.001). Genotyping of TB patients from south India for NAT2 gene polymorphism revealed that 58 per cent of the study population comprised slow acetylators. Two-hour INH concentrations differed significantly among the three genotypes.

  2. N-acetyltransferase gene polymorphisms & plasma isoniazid concentrations in patients with tuberculosis

    PubMed Central

    Hemanth Kumar, A. K.; Ramesh, K.; Kannan, T.; Sudha, V.; Haribabu, Hemalatha; Lavanya, J.; Swaminathan, Soumya; Ramachandran, Geetha

    2017-01-01

    Background & objectives: Variations in the N-acetyltransferase (NAT2) gene among different populations could affect the metabolism and disposition of isoniazid (INH). This study was performed to genotype NAT2 gene polymorphisms in tuberculosis (TB) patients from Chennai, India, and compare plasma INH concentrations among the different genotypes. Methods: Adult patients with TB treated in the Revised National TB Control Programme (RNTCP) in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, were genotyped for NAT2 gene polymorphism, and two-hour post-dosing INH concentrations were compared between the different genotypes. Plasma INH was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Genotyping of the NAT2 gene polymorphism was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction method. Results: Among the 326 patients genotyped, there were 189 (58%), 114 (35%) and 23 (7%) slow, intermediate and fast acetylators, respectively. The median two-hour INH concentrations in slow, intermediate and fast acetylators were 10.2, 8.1 and 4.1 μg/ml, respectively. The differences in INH concentrations among the three genotypes were significant (P<0.001). Interpretation & conclusions: Genotyping of TB patients from south India for NAT2 gene polymorphism revealed that 58 per cent of the study population comprised slow acetylators. Two-hour INH concentrations differed significantly among the three genotypes. PMID:28574024

  3. Molecular Evolution of Aralkylamine N-Acetyltransferase in Fish: A Genomic Survey.

    PubMed

    Li, Jia; You, Xinxin; Bian, Chao; Yu, Hui; Coon, Steven L; Shi, Qiong

    2015-12-31

    All living organisms synchronize biological functions with environmental changes; melatonin plays a vital role in regulating daily and seasonal variations. Due to rhythmic activity of the timezyme aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT), the blood level of melatonin increases at night and decreases during daytime. Whereas other vertebrates have a single form of AANAT, bony fishes possess various isoforms of aanat genes, though the reasons are still unclear. Here, we have taken advantage of multiple unpublished teleost aanat sequences to explore and expand our understanding of the molecular evolution of aanat in fish. Our results confirm that two rounds of whole-genome duplication (WGD) led to the existence of three fish isoforms of aanat, i.e., aanat1a, aanat1b, and aanat2; in addition, gene loss led to the absence of some forms from certain special fish species. Furthermore, we suggest the different roles of two aanat1s in amphibious mudskippers, and speculate that the loss of aanat1a, may be related to terrestrial vision change. Several important sites of AANAT proteins and regulatory elements of aanat genes were analyzed for structural comparison and functional forecasting, respectively, which provides insights into the molecular evolution of the differences between AANAT1 and AANAT2.

  4. Nucleosome Recognition by the Piccolo NuA4 Histone Acetyltransferase Complex†

    PubMed Central

    Berndsen, Christopher E.; Selleck, William; McBryant, Steven J.; Hansen, Jeffrey C.; Tan, Song; Demi, John M.

    2007-01-01

    The mechanisms by which multisubunit histone acetyltransferase (HAT) complexes recognize and perform efficient acetylation on nucleosome substrates are largely unknown. Here, we use a variety of biochemical approaches and compare histone-based substrates of increasing complexity to determine the critical components of nucleosome recognition by the MOZ, Ybf2/Sas3, Sas2, Tip60 family HAT complex, Piccolo NuA4 (picNuA4). We find the histone tails to be dispensable for binding to both nucleosomes and free histones and that the H2A, H3, and H2B tails do not influence the ability of picNuA4 to tetra-acetylate the H4 tail within the nucleosome. Most notably, we discovered that the histone-fold domain (HFD) regions of histones, particularly residues 21–52 of H4, are critical for tight binding and efficient tail acetylation. Presented evidence suggests that picNuA4 recognizes the open surface of the nucleosome on which the HFD of H4 is located. This binding mechanism serves to direct substrate access to the tails of H4 and H2A and allows the enzyme to be “tethered”, thereby increasing the effective concentration of the histone tail and permitting successive cycles of H4 tail acetylation. PMID:17274630

  5. Regulation of Histone Acetyltransferase TIP60 Function by Histone Deacetylase 3

    PubMed Central

    Yi, Jingjie; Huang, Xiangyang; Yang, Yuxia; Zhu, Wei-Guo; Gu, Wei; Luo, Jianyuan

    2014-01-01

    The key member of the MOZ (monocyticleukaemia zinc finger protein), Ybf2/Sas3, Sas2, and TIP60 acetyltransferases family, Tat-interactive protein, 60 kD (TIP60), tightly modulates a wide array of cellular processes, including chromatin remodeling, gene transcription, apoptosis, DNA repair, and cell cycle arrest. The function of TIP60 can be regulated by SIRT1 through deacetylation. Here we found that TIP60 can also be functionally regulated by HDAC3. We identified six lysine residues as its autoacetylation sites. Mutagenesis of these lysines to arginines completely abolishes the autoacetylation of TIP60. Overexpression of HDAC3 increases TIP60 ubiquitination levels. However, unlike SIRT1, HDAC3 increased the half-life of TIP60. Further study found that HDAC3 colocalized with TIP60 both in the nucleus and the cytoplasm, which could be the reason why HDAC3 can stabilize TIP60. The deacetylation of TIP60 by both SIRT1 and HDAC3 reduces apoptosis induced by DNA damage. Knockdown of HDAC3 in cells increased TIP60 acetylation levels and increased apoptosis after DNA damage. Together, our findings provide a better understanding of TIP60 regulation mechanisms, which is a significant basis for further studies of its cellular functions. PMID:25301942

  6. Nighttime construction: evaluation of construction operations : final report.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2004-05-01

    The different aspects that should be considered in making decisions on nighttime construction operations are identified and investigated in light of the current state of knowledge and practice. A state-of-the-art review was conducted of the current p...

  7. N-Acetyltransferase Polymorphism and Risk of Colorectal Adenoma and Cancer: A Pooled Analysis of Variations from 59 Studies

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Xiaoxue; Chen, Yizhi; Li, Rong; Zhang, Ying; Luo, Rongcheng

    2012-01-01

    Background There have been an increasing number of studies with evidence suggesting that the N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) and N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) genotypes may be implicated in the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) and colorectal adenoma (CRA). So far the published data on this association has remained controversial, however. We performed a meta-analysis of case-cohort and case-control studies using a subset of the published data, with an aim to derive a better understanding of the underlying relationship. Methods/Principal Findings A literature search was performed using Medline database for relevant studies published through October 31, 2011. A total of 39 publications were selected for this meta-analysis, including 11,724 cases and 16,215 controls for CRC, and 3,701 cases and 5,149 controls for CRA. In our pooled analysis of all these studies, the results of our meta-analysis suggested that the NAT1 genotype was not significantly associated with an elevated CRC risk (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.91–1.07). We also found that individuals with the rapid NAT2 genotype did have an elevated risk of CRC (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01–1.13). There was no evidence for an association between the NAT1 and 2 rapid genotype and an elevated CRA risk (NAT1: OR 1.14, 95% CI 0.99–1.29; NAT2: OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.86–1.03). Conclusion This meta-analysis suggests that individuals with NAT2 genotype had an elevated risk of CRC. There was no evidence for the association between NAT1 and 2 rapid genotype and CRA risk. PMID:22905173

  8. Choline acetyltransferase and organic cation transporters are responsible for synthesis and propionate-induced release of acetylcholine in colon epithelium.

    PubMed

    Bader, Sandra; Klein, Jochen; Diener, Martin

    2014-06-15

    Acetylcholine is not only a neurotransmitter, but is found in a variety of non-neuronal cells. For example, the enzyme choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), catalyzing acetylcholine synthesis, is expressed by the colonic epithelium of different species. These cells release acetylcholine across the basolateral membrane after luminal exposure to propionate, a short-chain fatty acid. The functional consequence is the induction of chloride secretion, measurable as increase in short-circuit current (Isc) in Ussing chamber experiments. It is unclear how acetylcholine is produced and released by colonic epithelium. Therefore, the aim of the present study was the identification (on mRNA and protein level) and functional characterization (in Ussing chamber experiments combined with HPLC detection of acetylcholine) of transporters/enzymes in the cholinergic system of rat colonic epithelium. Immunohistochemical staining as well as RT-PCR revealed the expression of high-affinity choline transporter, ChAT, carnitine acetyltransferase (CarAT), vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), and organic cation transporters (OCT 1, 2, 3) in colonic epithelium. In contrast to blockade of ChAT with bromoacetylcholine, inhibition of CarAT with mildronate did not inhibit the propionate-induced increase in Isc, suggesting a predominant synthesis of epithelial acetylcholine by ChAT. Although being expressed, blockade of VAChT with vesamicol was ineffective, whereas inhibition of OCTs with omeprazole and corticosterone inhibited propionate-induced Isc and the release of acetylcholine into the basolateral compartment. In summary, OCTs seem to be involved in regulated acetylcholine release by colonic epithelium, which is assumed to be involved in chemosensing of luminal short-chain fatty acids by the intestinal epithelium. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  9. A BAC-bacterial recombination method to generate physically linked multiple gene reporter DNA constructs.

    PubMed

    Maye, Peter; Stover, Mary Louise; Liu, Yaling; Rowe, David W; Gong, Shiaochin; Lichtler, Alexander C

    2009-03-13

    Reporter gene mice are valuable animal models for biological research providing a gene expression readout that can contribute to cellular characterization within the context of a developmental process. With the advancement of bacterial recombination techniques to engineer reporter gene constructs from BAC genomic clones and the generation of optically distinguishable fluorescent protein reporter genes, there is an unprecedented capability to engineer more informative transgenic reporter mouse models relative to what has been traditionally available. We demonstrate here our first effort on the development of a three stage bacterial recombination strategy to physically link multiple genes together with their respective fluorescent protein (FP) reporters in one DNA fragment. This strategy uses bacterial recombination techniques to: (1) subclone genes of interest into BAC linking vectors, (2) insert desired reporter genes into respective genes and (3) link different gene-reporters together. As proof of concept, we have generated a single DNA fragment containing the genes Trap, Dmp1, and Ibsp driving the expression of ECFP, mCherry, and Topaz FP reporter genes, respectively. Using this DNA construct, we have successfully generated transgenic reporter mice that retain two to three gene readouts. The three stage methodology to link multiple genes with their respective fluorescent protein reporter works with reasonable efficiency. Moreover, gene linkage allows for their common chromosomal integration into a single locus. However, the testing of this multi-reporter DNA construct by transgenesis does suggest that the linkage of two different genes together, despite their large size, can still create a positional effect. We believe that gene choice, genomic DNA fragment size and the presence of endogenous insulator elements are critical variables.

  10. Calcitonin gene-related Peptide and choline acetyltransferase colocalization in the human vestibular periphery.

    PubMed

    Popper, Paul; Ishiyama, Akira; Lopez, Ivan; Wackym, Phillip A

    2002-01-01

    Within the vestibular system, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) has been localized in the efferent terminals and their brainstem neuronal cell bodies in several animal models. Presently, very few studies have verified these findings in the vestibular system in adult primates or humans. CGRP immunoreactivity (CGRPi) and its colocalization with choline acetyltransferase immunoreactivity (ChATi) in human vestibular end organs and Scarpa's ganglion were studied using polyclonal antibodies against CGRP and ChAT, at the light-microscopic level. The CGRPi axons ramified to produce numerous CGRPi terminals throughout the neurosensory epithelium of the maculae and cristae, primarily in the basal and midbasal areas. Numerous CGRPi efferent terminals made contact with both type II vestibular hair cells and the afferent chalices surrounding type I vestibular hair cells. All CGRP immunoreactive fibers also exhibited ChATi. As in the animal models, no CGRPi was found within Scarpa's ganglion. This study provides evidence for CGRPi in the human vestibular periphery and validates the biomedical relevance of the current animal models. Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel

  11. A direct, ratiometric, and quantitative MALDI–MS assay for protein methyltransferases and acetyltransferases

    PubMed Central

    Richardson, Stacie L.; Hanjra, Pahul; Zhang, Gang; Mackie, Brianna D.; Peterson, Darrell L.; Huang, Rong

    2016-01-01

    Protein methylation and acetylation play important roles in biological processes, and misregulation of these modifications is involved in various diseases. Therefore, it is critical to understand the activities of the enzymes responsible for these modifications. Herein we describe a sensitive method for ratiometric quantification of methylated and acetylated peptides via MALDI-MS by direct spotting of enzymatic methylation and acetylation reaction mixtures without tedious purification procedures. The quantifiable detection limit for peptides with our method is approximately 10 fmol. This is achieved by increasing the signal-to-noise ratio through the addition of NH4H2PO4 to the matrix solution and reduction of the matrix α-cyanohydroxycinnamic acid concentration to 2 mg/ml. We have demonstrated the application of this method in enzyme kinetic analysis and inhibition studies. The unique feature of this method is the simultaneous quantification of multiple peptide species for investigation of processivity mechanisms. Its wide buffer compatibility makes it possible to be adapted to investigate the activity of any protein methyltransferase or acetyltransferase. PMID:25778392

  12. Ubiquitylation of the acetyltransferase MOF in Drosophila melanogaster

    PubMed Central

    Schunter, Sarah; Villa, Raffaella; Flynn, Victoria; Heidelberger, Jan B.; Classen, Anne-Kathrin; Beli, Petra; Becker, Peter B.

    2017-01-01

    The nuclear acetyltransferase MOF (KAT8 in mammals) is a subunit of at least two multi-component complexes involved in transcription regulation. In the context of complexes of the ‘Non-Specific-Lethal’ (NSL) type it controls transcription initiation of many nuclear housekeeping genes and of mitochondrial genes. While this function is conserved in metazoans, MOF has an additional, specific function in Drosophila in the context of dosage compensation. As a subunit of the male-specific-lethal dosage compensation complex (MSL-DCC) it contributes to the doubling of transcription output from the single male X chromosome by acetylating histone H4. Proper dosage compensation requires finely tuned levels of MSL-DCC and an appropriate distribution of MOF between the regulatory complexes. The amounts of DCC formed depends directly on the levels of the male-specific MSL2, which orchestrates the assembly of the DCC, including MOF recruitment. We found earlier that MSL2 is an E3 ligase that ubiquitylates most MSL proteins, including MOF, suggesting that ubiquitylation may contribute to a quality control of MOF’s overall levels and folding state as well as its partitioning between the complex entities. We now used mass spectrometry to map the lysines in MOF that are ubiquitylated by MSL2 in vitro and identified in vivo ubiquitylation sites of MOF in male and female cells. MSL2-specific ubiquitylation in vivo could not be traced due to the dominance of other, sex-independent ubiquitylation events and conceivably may be rare or transient. Expressing appropriately mutated MOF derivatives we assessed the importance of the ubiquitylated lysines for dosage compensation by monitoring DCC formation and X chromosome targeting in cultured cells, and by genetic complementation of the male-specific-lethal mof2 allele in flies. Our study provides a comprehensive analysis of MOF ubiquitylation as a reference for future studies. PMID:28510597

  13. Ubiquitylation of the acetyltransferase MOF in Drosophila melanogaster.

    PubMed

    Schunter, Sarah; Villa, Raffaella; Flynn, Victoria; Heidelberger, Jan B; Classen, Anne-Kathrin; Beli, Petra; Becker, Peter B

    2017-01-01

    The nuclear acetyltransferase MOF (KAT8 in mammals) is a subunit of at least two multi-component complexes involved in transcription regulation. In the context of complexes of the 'Non-Specific-Lethal' (NSL) type it controls transcription initiation of many nuclear housekeeping genes and of mitochondrial genes. While this function is conserved in metazoans, MOF has an additional, specific function in Drosophila in the context of dosage compensation. As a subunit of the male-specific-lethal dosage compensation complex (MSL-DCC) it contributes to the doubling of transcription output from the single male X chromosome by acetylating histone H4. Proper dosage compensation requires finely tuned levels of MSL-DCC and an appropriate distribution of MOF between the regulatory complexes. The amounts of DCC formed depends directly on the levels of the male-specific MSL2, which orchestrates the assembly of the DCC, including MOF recruitment. We found earlier that MSL2 is an E3 ligase that ubiquitylates most MSL proteins, including MOF, suggesting that ubiquitylation may contribute to a quality control of MOF's overall levels and folding state as well as its partitioning between the complex entities. We now used mass spectrometry to map the lysines in MOF that are ubiquitylated by MSL2 in vitro and identified in vivo ubiquitylation sites of MOF in male and female cells. MSL2-specific ubiquitylation in vivo could not be traced due to the dominance of other, sex-independent ubiquitylation events and conceivably may be rare or transient. Expressing appropriately mutated MOF derivatives we assessed the importance of the ubiquitylated lysines for dosage compensation by monitoring DCC formation and X chromosome targeting in cultured cells, and by genetic complementation of the male-specific-lethal mof2 allele in flies. Our study provides a comprehensive analysis of MOF ubiquitylation as a reference for future studies.

  14. 38. From Final Construction Report on the Haleakala Road ProjectNR7, ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    38. From Final Construction Report on the Haleakala Road Project--NR-7, Hawaii National Park, Island of Maui, Territory of Hawaii. BRIDGE AT STATION 85+. - Haleakala National Park Roads, Pukalani, Maui County, HI

  15. Pineal-specific expression of green fluorescent protein under the control of the serotonin-N-acetyltransferase gene regulatory regions in transgenic zebrafish.

    PubMed

    Gothilf, Yoav; Toyama, Reiko; Coon, Steven L; Du, Shao-Jun; Dawid, Igor B; Klein, David C

    2002-11-01

    Zebrafish serotonin-N-acetyltransferase-2 (zfAANAT-2) mRNA is exclusively expressed in the pineal gland (epiphysis) at the embryonic stage. Here, we have initiated an effort to study the mechanisms underlying tissue-specific expression of this gene. DNA constructs were prepared in which green fluorescent protein (GFP) is driven by regulatory regions of the zfAANAT-2 gene. In vivo transient expression analysis in zebrafish embryos indicated that in addition to the 5'-flanking region, a regulatory sequence in the 3'-flanking region is required for pineal-specific expression. This finding led to an effort to produce transgenic lines expressing GFP under the control of the 5' and 3' regulatory regions of the zfAANAT-2 gene. Embryos transiently expressing GFP were raised to maturity and tested for germ cell transmission of the transgene. Three transgenic lines were produced in which GFP fluorescence in the pineal was detected starting 1 to 2 days after fertilization. One line was crossed with mindbomb and floating head mutants that cause abnormal development of the pineal and an elevation or reduction of zfAANAT-2 mRNA levels, respectively. Homozygous mutant transgenic embryos exhibited similar effects on GFP expression in the pineal gland. These observations indicate that the transgenic lines described here will be useful in studying the development of the pineal gland and the mechanisms that determine pineal-specific gene expression in the zebrafish. Published 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  16. Distribution and co-localization of choline acetyltransferase and p75 neurotrophin receptors in the sheep basal forebrain: implications for the use of a specific cholinergic immunotoxin.

    PubMed

    Ferreira, G; Meurisse, M; Tillet, Y; Lévy, F

    2001-01-01

    The basal forebrain cholinergic system is involved in different forms of memory. To study its role in social memory in sheep, an immunotoxin, ME20.4 immunoglobulin G (IgG)-saporin, was developed that is specific to basal forebrain cholinergic neurons bearing the p75 neurotrophin receptor. The distribution of sheep cholinergic neurons was mapped with an antibody against choline acetyltransferase. To assess the localization of the p75 receptor on basal forebrain cholinergic neurons, the distribution of p75 receptor-immunoreactive neurons with ME20.4 IgG was examined, and a double-labeling study with antibodies against choline acetyltransferase and p75 receptor was undertaken. The loss of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons and acetylcholinesterase fibers in basal forebrain projection areas was assessed in ewes that had received intracerebroventricular injections of the immunotoxin (50, 100 or 150 microg) alone, as well as, in some of the ewes treated with the highest dose, with bilateral immunotoxin injections in the nucleus basalis (11 microg/side). Results indicated that choline acetyltransferase- and p75 receptor-immunoreactive cells had similar distributions in the medial septum, the vertical and horizontal limbs of the band of Broca, and the nucleus basalis. The double-labeling procedure revealed that 100% of the cholinergic neurons are also p75 receptor positive in the medial septum and in the vertical and horizontal limbs of the band of Broca, and 82% in the nucleus basalis. Moreover, 100% of the p75 receptor-immunoreactive cells of these four nuclei were cholinergic. Combined immunotoxin injections into ventricles and the nucleus basalis produced a near complete loss (80-95%) of basal forebrain cholinergic neurons and acetylcholinesterase-positive fibers in the hippocampus, olfactory bulb and entorhinal cortex. This study provides the first anatomical data concerning the basal forebrain cholinergic system in ungulates. The availability of a selective

  17. Acute murine colitis reduces colonic 5-aminosalicylic acid metabolism by regulation of N-acetyltransferase-2

    PubMed Central

    Ramírez-Alcántara, Verónica

    2014-01-01

    Pharmacotherapy based on 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) is a preferred treatment for ulcerative colitis, but variable patient response to this therapy is observed. Inflammation can affect therapeutic outcomes by regulating the expression and activity of drug-metabolizing enzymes; its effect on 5-ASA metabolism by the colonic arylamine N-acetyltransferase (NAT) enzyme isoforms is not firmly established. We examined if inflammation affects the capacity for colonic 5-ASA metabolism and NAT enzyme expression. 5-ASA metabolism by colonic mucosal homogenates was directly measured with a novel fluorimetric rate assay. 5-ASA metabolism reported by the assay was dependent on Ac-CoA, inhibited by alternative NAT substrates (isoniazid, p-aminobenzoylglutamate), and saturable with Km (5-ASA) = 5.8 μM. A mouse model of acute dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) colitis caused pronounced inflammation in central and distal colon, and modest inflammation of proximal colon, defined by myeloperoxidase activity and histology. DSS colitis reduced capacity for 5-ASA metabolism in central and distal colon segments by 52 and 51%, respectively. Use of selective substrates of NAT isoforms to inhibit 5-ASA metabolism suggested that mNAT2 mediated 5-ASA metabolism in normal and colitis conditions. Western blot and real-time RT-PCR identified that proximal and distal mucosa had a decreased mNAT2 protein-to-mRNA ratio after DSS. In conclusion, an acute colonic inflammation impairs the expression and function of mNAT2 enzyme, thereby diminishing the capacity for 5-ASA metabolism by colonic mucosa. PMID:24742986

  18. Deficiency of N-acetyltransferase increases the interactions of isoniazid with endobiotics in mouse liver.

    PubMed

    Wang, Pengcheng; Shehu, Amina I; Lu, Jie; Joshi, Rujuta H; Venkataramanan, Raman; Sugamori, Kim S; Grant, Denis M; Zhong, Xiao-Bo; Ma, Xiaochao

    2017-12-01

    Acetylation is the major metabolic pathway of isoniazid (INH) mediated by N-acetyltransferases (NATs). Previous reports suggest that slow acetylators have higher risks of INH hepatotoxicity than rapid acetylators, but the detailed mechanisms remain elusive. The current study used Nat1/2(-/-) mice to mimic NAT slow metabolizers and to investigate INH metabolism in the liver. We found that INH acetylation is abolished in the liver of Nat1/2(-/-) mice, suggesting that INH acetylation is fully dependent on NAT1/2. In addition to the acetylation pathway, INH can be hydrolyzed to form hydrazine (Hz) and isonicotinic acid (INA). We found that INA level was not altered in the liver of Nat1/2(-/-) mice, indicating that deficiency of NAT1/2 has no effect on INH hydrolysis. Because INH acetylation was abolished and INH hydrolysis was not altered in Nat1/2(-/-) mice, we expected an extremely high level of INH in the liver. However, we only observed a modest accumulation of INH in the liver of Nat1/2(-/-) mice, suggesting that there are alternative pathways in INH metabolism in NAT1/2 deficient condition. Our further studies revealed that the conjugated metabolites of INH with endobiotics, including fatty acids and vitamin B6, were significantly increased in the liver of Nat1/2(-/-) mice. In summary, this study illustrated that deficiency of NAT1/2 decreases INH acetylation, but increases the interactions of INH with endobiotics in the liver. These findings can be used to guide future studies on the mechanisms of INH hepatotoxicity in NAT slow metabolizers. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. Structure-activity relationships and colorimetric properties of specific probes for the putative cancer biomarker human arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1.

    PubMed

    Egleton, James E; Thinnes, Cyrille C; Seden, Peter T; Laurieri, Nicola; Lee, Siu Po; Hadavizadeh, Kate S; Measures, Angelina R; Jones, Alan M; Thompson, Sam; Varney, Amy; Wynne, Graham M; Ryan, Ali; Sim, Edith; Russell, Angela J

    2014-06-01

    A naphthoquinone inhibitor of human arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 (hNAT1), a potential cancer biomarker and therapeutic target, has been reported which undergoes a distinctive concomitant color change from red to blue upon binding to the enzyme. Here we describe the use of in silico modeling alongside structure-activity relationship studies to advance the hit compound towards a potential probe to quantify hNAT1 levels in tissues. Derivatives with both a fifty-fold higher potency against hNAT1 and a two-fold greater absorption coefficient compared to the initial hit have been synthesized; these compounds retain specificity for hNAT1 and its murine homologue mNat2 over the isoenzyme hNAT2. A relationship between pKa, inhibitor potency and colorimetric properties has also been uncovered. The high potency of representative examples against hNAT1 in ZR-75-1 cell extracts also paves the way for the development of inhibitors with improved intrinsic sensitivity which could enable detection of hNAT1 in tissue samples and potentially act as tools for elucidating the unknown role hNAT1 plays in ER+ breast cancer; this could in turn lead to a therapeutic use for such inhibitors. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  20. Catalytic Mechanism of Perosamine N-Acetyltransferase Revealed by High-Resolution X-ray Crystallographic Studies and Kinetic Analyses

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Thoden, James B.; Reinhardt, Laurie A.; Cook, Paul D.

    2012-09-17

    N-Acetylperosamine is an unusual dideoxysugar found in the O-antigens of some Gram-negative bacteria, including the pathogenic Escherichia coli strain O157:H7. The last step in its biosynthesis is catalyzed by PerB, an N-acetyltransferase belonging to the left-handed {beta}-helix superfamily of proteins. Here we describe a combined structural and functional investigation of PerB from Caulobacter crescentus. For this study, three structures were determined to 1.0 {angstrom} resolution or better: the enzyme in complex with CoA and GDP-perosamine, the protein with bound CoA and GDP-N-acetylperosamine, and the enzyme containing a tetrahedral transition state mimic bound in the active site. Each subunit of themore » trimeric enzyme folds into two distinct regions. The N-terminal domain is globular and dominated by a six-stranded mainly parallel {beta}-sheet. It provides most of the interactions between the protein and GDP-perosamine. The C-terminal domain consists of a left-handed {beta}-helix, which has nearly seven turns. This region provides the scaffold for CoA binding. On the basis of these high-resolution structures, site-directed mutant proteins were constructed to test the roles of His 141 and Asp 142 in the catalytic mechanism. Kinetic data and pH-rate profiles are indicative of His 141 serving as a general base. In addition, the backbone amide group of Gly 159 provides an oxyanion hole for stabilization of the tetrahedral transition state. The pH-rate profiles are also consistent with the GDP-linked amino sugar substrate entering the active site in its unprotonated form. Finally, for this investigation, we show that PerB can accept GDP-3-deoxyperosamine as an alternative substrate, thus representing the production of a novel trideoxysugar.« less

  1. 36. From Final Construction Report on the Haleakala Road ProjectNR7, ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    36. From Final Construction Report on the Haleakala Road Project--NR-7, Hawaii National Park, Island of Maui, Territory of Hawaii. TYPICAL RUBBLE MASONRY HEADWALL AND BOX CULVERT. - Haleakala National Park Roads, Pukalani, Maui County, HI

  2. The Construction of Stance in Reporting Clauses: A Cross-Disciplinary Study of Theses

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Charles, Maggie

    2006-01-01

    Using a corpus-based approach, this paper investigates the construction of stance in finite reporting clauses with "that"-clause complementation. The data are drawn from two corpora of theses in contrasting disciplines: a social science--politics--and a natural science--materials science. A network for the analysis of reporting clauses is…

  3. 35. From Final Construction Report on the Haleakala Road ProjectNR7, ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    35. From Final Construction Report on the Haleakala Road Project--NR-7, Hawaii National Park, Island of Maui, Territory of Hawaii. LOOKING BACK FROM STATION 335 AT RETURN CURVE. - Haleakala National Park Roads, Pukalani, Maui County, HI

  4. Lift-Shape Construction, An EFL Project Report.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Evans, Ben H.

    Research development of a construction system is detailed in terms of--(1) design and analysis, (2) construction methods, (3) testing, (4) cost analysis, and (5) architectural potentials. The system described permits construction of usual shapes without the use of conventional concrete formwork. The concrete involves development of a structural…

  5. Identification of cancer chemopreventive isothiocyanates as direct inhibitors of the arylamine N-acetyltransferase-dependent acetylation and bioactivation of aromatic amine carcinogens.

    PubMed

    Duval, Romain; Xu, Ximing; Bui, Linh-Chi; Mathieu, Cécile; Petit, Emile; Cariou, Kevin; Dodd, Robert H; Dupret, Jean-Marie; Rodrigues-Lima, Fernando

    2016-02-23

    Aromatic amines (AAs) are chemicals of industrial, pharmacological and environmental relevance. Certain AAs, such as 4-aminobiphenyl (4-ABP), are human carcinogens that require enzymatic metabolic activation to reactive chemicals to form genotoxic DNA adducts. Arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NAT) are xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes (XME) that play a major role in this carcinogenic bioactivation process. Isothiocyanates (ITCs), including benzyl-ITC (BITC) and phenethyl-ITC (PEITC), are phytochemicals known to have chemopreventive activity against several aromatic carcinogens. In particular, ITCs have been shown to modify the bioactivation and subsequent mutagenicity of carcinogenic AA chemicals such as 4-ABP. However, the molecular and biochemical mechanisms by which these phytochemicals may modulate AA carcinogens bioactivation and AA-DNA damage remains poorly understood. This manuscript provides evidence indicating that ITCs can decrease the metabolic activation of carcinogenic AAs via the irreversible inhibition of NAT enzymes and subsequent alteration of the acetylation of AAs. We demonstrate that BITC and PEITC react with NAT1 and inhibit readily its acetyltransferase activity (k(i) = 200 M(-1).s(-1) and 66 M(-1).s(-1) for BITC and PEITC, respectively). Chemical labeling, docking approaches and substrate protection assays indicated that inhibition of the acetylation of AAs by NAT1 was due to the chemical modification of the enzyme active site cysteine. Moreover, analyses of AAs acetylation and DNA adducts in cells showed that BITC was able to modulate the endogenous acetylation and bioactivation of 4-ABP. In conclusion, we show that direct inhibition of NAT enzymes may be an important mechanism by which ITCs exert their chemopreventive activity towards AA chemicals.

  6. Construction of Nationhood through Education in Malaya: Revisiting the Barnes and Fenn-Wu Reports

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Samuel, Moses; Khan, Mahmud Hasan

    2013-01-01

    This article provides an analysis of two colonial reports, the Barnes and the Fenn-Wu Reports on education in the British colony of Malaya. The popular stance on the Barnes and the Fenn-Wu Reports is that one is an effect or reply to the other. We argue on the contrary that the two reports construct a common argument on nation-building which…

  7. An Acetyltransferase Conferring Tolerance to Toxic Aromatic Amine Chemicals

    PubMed Central

    Martins, Marta; Rodrigues-Lima, Fernando; Dairou, Julien; Lamouri, Aazdine; Malagnac, Fabienne; Silar, Philippe; Dupret, Jean-Marie

    2009-01-01

    Aromatic amines (AA) are a major class of environmental pollutants that have been shown to have genotoxic and cytotoxic potentials toward most living organisms. Fungi are able to tolerate a diverse range of chemical compounds including certain AA and have long been used as models to understand general biological processes. Deciphering the mechanisms underlying this tolerance may improve our understanding of the adaptation of organisms to stressful environments and pave the way for novel pharmaceutical and/or biotechnological applications. We have identified and characterized two arylamine N-acetyltransferase (NAT) enzymes (PaNAT1 and PaNAT2) from the model fungus Podospora anserina that acetylate a wide range of AA. Targeted gene disruption experiments revealed that PaNAT2 was required for the growth and survival of the fungus in the presence of toxic AA. Functional studies using the knock-out strains and chemically acetylated AA indicated that tolerance of P. anserina to toxic AA was due to the N-acetylation of these chemicals by PaNAT2. Moreover, we provide proof-of-concept remediation experiments where P. anserina, through its PaNAT2 enzyme, is able to detoxify the highly toxic pesticide residue 3,4-dichloroaniline in experimentally contaminated soil samples. Overall, our data show that a single xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme can mediate tolerance to a major class of pollutants in a eukaryotic species. These findings expand the understanding of the role of xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme and in particular of NATs in the adaptation of organisms to their chemical environment and provide a basis for new systems for the bioremediation of contaminated soils. PMID:19416981

  8. Choline acetyltransferase expression during a putative developmental waiting period.

    PubMed

    Simmons, D D; Bertolotto, C; Kim, J; Raji-Kubba, J; Mansdorf, N

    1998-07-27

    The relationship between the cholinergic expression, morphological development, and target cell innervation of olivocochlear (OC) efferent neurons was investigated in the postnatal hamster. Similar to what was found in previous studies, tracer injections into the contralateral cochlea labeled cells bodies retrogradely in periolivary regions and labeled cell bodies only rarely in the lateral superior olive (LSO). Few morphological differences were found among cell bodies labeled between postnatal day 1 (P1) and P30. Tracer injections into the crossed OC bundles within the brainstem anterogradely labeled terminals below the inner hair cells of the cochlea prior to P5 and labeled terminals below outer hair cells after P5, consistent with a period of transient innervation, as hypothesized previously. Within the superior olive, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) was expressed differentially. In periolivary regions, ChAT was expressed as early as P0. ChAT-immunoreactive cell bodies in periolivary regions were similar morphologically to retrogradely labeled OC neurons. In contrast, within the LSO, ChAT was not expressed until after P2. Consistent with a medical OC projection to the cochlea at early postnatal ages, ChAT immunoreactivity was detected below inner hair cells as early as P2 but was not detected below outer hair cells until after P6. Our results suggest that medial OC neurons not only provide transient connections to inner hair cells but also may express ChAT when they are below inner hair cells. Furthermore, these results raise the possibility that OC neurons may be capable of acetylcholine synthesis and release prior to or simultaneous with their innervation of the cochlea.

  9. 12th Annual School Construction Report, 2007

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Abramson, Paul

    2007-01-01

    School construction completed in 2006 totaled just more than $20 billion, a drop of seven percent from the record $21.6 billion put in place in 2005. Even so, it was the sixth year in the last seven that annual construction exceeded $20 billion. During the seven years of the present century, school districts have completed construction projects…

  10. 13th Annual School Construction Report, 2008

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Abramson, Paul

    2008-01-01

    School construction completed in 2007--including new buildings, additions to existing buildings, and major retrofit of existing buildings--totaled almost $20.8B, a signifi cant increase over the $20.1B spent on construction completed in 2006. This marks the seventh year in the last eight that annual construction exceeded $20B. During the eight…

  11. Diverse point mutations in the human gene for polymorphic N-acetyltransferase

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Vatsis, K.P.; Martell, K.J.; Weber, W.W.

    1991-07-15

    Classification of humans as rapid or slow acetylators is based on hereditary differences in rates of N-acetylation of therapeutic and carcinogenic agents, but N-acetylation of certain arylamine drugs displays no genetic variation. Two highly homologous human genes for N-acetyltransferase NAT1 and NAT2, presumably code for the genetically invariant and variant NAT proteins, respectively. In the present investigation, 1.9-kilobase human genomic EcoRI fragments encoding NAT2 were generated by the polymerase chain reaction with liver and leukocyte DNA from seven subjects phenotyped as homozygous and heterozygous acetylators. Direct sequencing revealed multiple point mutations in the coding region of two distinct NAT2 variants.more » One of these was derived from leukocytes of a slow acetylator and was distinguished by a silent mutation (coden 94) and a separate G {r arrow} A transition (position 590) leading to replacement of Arg-197 by Gln; the mutated guanine was part of a CpG dinucleotide and a Taq I site. The second NAT2 variant originated from liver with low N-acetylation activity. It was characterized by three nucleotide transitions giving rise to a silent mutation (codon 161), accompanied by obliteration of the sole Kpn I site, and two amino acid substitutions. The results show conclusively that the genetically variant NAT is encoded by NAT2.« less

  12. Rational design and validation of a Tip60 histone acetyltransferase inhibitor

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gao, Chunxia; Bourke, Emer; Scobie, Martin; Famme, Melina Arcos; Koolmeister, Tobias; Helleday, Thomas; Eriksson, Leif A.; Lowndes, Noel F.; Brown, James A. L.

    2014-06-01

    Histone acetylation is required for many aspects of gene regulation, genome maintenance and metabolism and dysfunctional acetylation is implicated in numerous diseases, including cancer. Acetylation is regulated by histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases and currently, few general HAT inhibitors have been described. We identified the HAT Tip60 as an excellent candidate for targeted drug development, as Tip60 is a key mediator of the DNA damage response and transcriptional co-activator. Our modeling of Tip60 indicated that the active binding pocket possesses opposite charges at each end, with the positive charges attributed to two specific side chains. We used structure based drug design to develop a novel Tip60 inhibitor, TH1834, to fit this specific pocket. We demonstrate that TH1834 significantly inhibits Tip60 activity in vitro and treating cells with TH1834 results in apoptosis and increased unrepaired DNA damage (following ionizing radiation treatment) in breast cancer but not control cell lines. Furthermore, TH1834 did not affect the activity of related HAT MOF, as indicated by H4K16Ac, demonstrating specificity. The modeling and validation of the small molecule inhibitor TH1834 represents a first step towards developing additional specific, targeted inhibitors of Tip60 that may lead to further improvements in the treatment of breast cancer.

  13. 37. From Final Construction Report on the Haleakala Road ProjectNR7, ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    37. From Final Construction Report on the Haleakala Road Project--NR-7, Hawaii National Park, Island of Maui, Territory of Hawaii. HAND-LAID ROCK BERM ON RETURN CURVE TO PREVENT SCOUR AND SEEPAGE THROUGH FILLS. - Haleakala National Park Roads, Pukalani, Maui County, HI

  14. YopJ Family Effectors Promote Bacterial Infection through a Unique Acetyltransferase Activity

    PubMed Central

    2016-01-01

    SUMMARY Gram-negative bacterial pathogens rely on the type III secretion system to inject virulence proteins into host cells. These type III secreted “effector” proteins directly manipulate cellular processes to cause disease. Although the effector repertoires in different bacterial species are highly variable, the Yersinia outer protein J (YopJ) effector family is unique in that its members are produced by diverse animal and plant pathogens as well as a nonpathogenic microsymbiont. All YopJ family effectors share a conserved catalytic triad that is identical to that of the C55 family of cysteine proteases. However, an accumulating body of evidence demonstrates that many YopJ effectors modify their target proteins in hosts by acetylating specific serine, threonine, and/or lysine residues. This unique acetyltransferase activity allows the YopJ family effectors to affect the function and/or stability of their targets, thereby dampening innate immunity. Here, we summarize the current understanding of this prevalent and evolutionarily conserved type III effector family by describing their enzymatic activities and virulence functions in animals and plants. In particular, the molecular mechanisms by which representative YopJ family effectors subvert host immunity through posttranslational modification of their target proteins are discussed. PMID:27784797

  15. YopJ Family Effectors Promote Bacterial Infection through a Unique Acetyltransferase Activity.

    PubMed

    Ma, Ka-Wai; Ma, Wenbo

    2016-12-01

    Gram-negative bacterial pathogens rely on the type III secretion system to inject virulence proteins into host cells. These type III secreted "effector" proteins directly manipulate cellular processes to cause disease. Although the effector repertoires in different bacterial species are highly variable, the Yersinia outer protein J (YopJ) effector family is unique in that its members are produced by diverse animal and plant pathogens as well as a nonpathogenic microsymbiont. All YopJ family effectors share a conserved catalytic triad that is identical to that of the C55 family of cysteine proteases. However, an accumulating body of evidence demonstrates that many YopJ effectors modify their target proteins in hosts by acetylating specific serine, threonine, and/or lysine residues. This unique acetyltransferase activity allows the YopJ family effectors to affect the function and/or stability of their targets, thereby dampening innate immunity. Here, we summarize the current understanding of this prevalent and evolutionarily conserved type III effector family by describing their enzymatic activities and virulence functions in animals and plants. In particular, the molecular mechanisms by which representative YopJ family effectors subvert host immunity through posttranslational modification of their target proteins are discussed. Copyright © 2016, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

  16. Distinct localization of peripheral and central types of choline acetyltransferase in the rat cochlea.

    PubMed

    Kitanishi, Tsuyoshi; Aimi, Yoshinari; Kitano, Hiroya; Suzuki, Mikio; Kimura, Hiroshi; Saito, Atsushi; Shimizu, Takeshi; Tooyama, Ikuo

    2013-10-30

    We previously discovered a splice variant of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) mRNA, and designated the variant protein pChAT because of its preferential expression in peripheral neuronal structures. In this study, we examined the immunohistochemical localization of pChAT in rat cochlea and compared the distribution pattern to those of common ChAT (cChAT) and acetylcholinesterase. Some neuronal cell bodies and fibers in the spiral ganglia showed immunoreactivity for pChAT, predominantly the small spiral ganglion cells, indicating outer hair cell type II neurons. In contrast, cChAT- and acetylcholinesterase-positive structures were localized to fibers and not apparent in ganglion cells. After ablation of the cochlear nuclei, many pChAT-positive cochlear nerve fibers became clearly visible, whereas fibers immunopositive for cChAT and acetylcholine esterase disappeared. These results suggested that pChAT and cChAT are localized in different systems of the rat cochlea; pChAT in the afferent and cChAT in the efferent structures.

  17. Distinct Localization of Peripheral and Central Types of Choline Acetyltransferase in the Rat Cochlea

    PubMed Central

    Kitanishi, Tsuyoshi; Aimi, Yoshinari; Kitano, Hiroya; Suzuki, Mikio; Kimura, Hiroshi; Saito, Atsushi; Shimizu, Takeshi; Tooyama, Ikuo

    2013-01-01

    We previously discovered a splice variant of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) mRNA, and designated the variant protein pChAT because of its preferential expression in peripheral neuronal structures. In this study, we examined the immunohistochemical localization of pChAT in rat cochlea and compared the distribution pattern to those of common ChAT (cChAT) and acetylcholinesterase. Some neuronal cell bodies and fibers in the spiral ganglia showed immunoreactivity for pChAT, predominantly the small spiral ganglion cells, indicating outer hair cell type II neurons. In contrast, cChAT- and acetylcholinesterase-positive structures were localized to fibers and not apparent in ganglion cells. After ablation of the cochlear nuclei, many pChAT-positive cochlear nerve fibers became clearly visible, whereas fibers immunopositive for cChAT and acetylcholine esterase disappeared. These results suggested that pChAT and cChAT are localized in different systems of the rat cochlea; pChAT in the afferent and cChAT in the efferent structures. PMID:24194628

  18. Correlation of construction quality criteria with performance of asphaltic concrete pavements : final report.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1987-08-01

    This report is concerned with the detemination of the relationship between asphaltic concrete suface course specifications and the level of performance of pavements constructed under these specifications. The relationship was investigated through com...

  19. Fifth Annual Report: 2008 Pre-Construction Eelgrass Monitoring and Propagation for King County Outfall Mitigation

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Woodruff, Dana L.; Judd, Chaeli; Thom, Ronald M.

    2010-01-01

    This is the fifth and final report in a series documenting progress of the pre-construction eelgrass restoration and mitigation activities for the proposed King County Brightwater marine outfall, discharging to Puget Sound near Point Wells, Washington. King County began implementing a multiyear eelgrass monitoring and restoration program in 2004, with the primary goal of returning intertidal and shallow subtidal habitat and eelgrass to pre-construction conditions, after construction of the outfall. Major eelgrass mitigation program elements include: a) pre-construction monitoring, i.e., documenting initial eelgrass conditions and degree of fluctuation over a 5 year period prior to construction, b) eelgrass transplanting, includingmore » harvesting, offsite propagation and stockpiling of local plants for post-construction planting, and c) post-construction planting and subsequent monitoring, occurring in 2009 and beyond. The overall program is detailed in the Eelgrass Restoration and Biological Resources Implementation Workplan (King County 2008).« less

  20. The enhancing effect of genistein on apoptosis induced by trichostatin A in lung cancer cells with wild type p53 genes is associated with upregulation of histone acetyltransferase

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Wu, Tzu-Chin; Lin, Yi-Chin; Chen, Hsiao-Ling

    Genistein has been shown to enhance the antitumor activity of trichostatin A (TSA) in human lung carcinoma A549 cells. However, whether the combined treatment exerts the same effect in other lung cancer cells is unclear. In the present study we first compared the enhancing effect of genistein on the antitumor effect of TSA in ABC-1, NCI-H460 (H460) and A549 cells. Second, we investigated whether the effects of genistein are associated with increased histone/non-histone protein acetylation. We found that the enhancing effect of genistein on cell-growth-arrest in ABC-1 cells (p53 mutant) was less than in A549 and H460 cells. Genistein enhancedmore » TSA induced apoptosis in A549 and H460 cells rather than in ABC-1 cells. After silencing p53 expression in A549 and H460 cells, the enhancing effect of genistein was diminished. In addition, genistein increased TSA-induced histone H3/H4 acetylation in A549 and H460 cells. Genistein also increased p53 acetylation in H460 cells. The inhibitor of acetyltransferase, anacardic acid, diminished the enhancing effect of genistein on all TSA-induced histone/p53 acetylation and apoptosis. Genistein in combination with TSA increased the expression of p300 protein, an acetyltransferase, in A549 and NCI-H460 cells. Furthermore, we demonstrated that genistein also enhanced the antitumor effect of genistein in A549-tumor-bearing mice. Taken together, these results suggest that the enhancing effects of genistein on TSA-induced apoptosis in lung cancer cells were p53-dependent and were associated with histone/non-histone protein acetylation. - Highlights: • Genistein enhances the antitumor effect of TSA through p53-associated pathways. • Genistein enhances TSA-induced histone acetylation commonly. • An acetyltransferase inhibitor diminishes the antitumor effect of genistein + TSA. • TSA in combination with genistein increases the expression of p300. • Genistein given by i.p. injection increases the antitumor effect of TSA in

  1. 39. From Final Construction Report on the Haleakala Road ProjectNR7, ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    39. From Final Construction Report on the Haleakala Road Project--NR-7, Hawaii National Park, Island of Maui, Territory of Hawaii, T.H., by Merel S. Sager, Resident Landscape Architect, April 16, 1935. COVERING CONSPICOUS ROCK FILLS WITH SOIL. - Haleakala National Park Roads, Pukalani, Maui County, HI

  2. The histone acetyltransferase GCN5 and the transcriptional coactivator ADA2b affect leaf development and trichome morphogenesis in Arabidopsis.

    PubMed

    Kotak, Jenna; Saisana, Marina; Gegas, Vasilis; Pechlivani, Nikoletta; Kaldis, Athanasios; Papoutsoglou, Panagiotis; Makris, Athanasios; Burns, Julia; Kendig, Ashley L; Sheikh, Minnah; Kuschner, Cyrus E; Whitney, Gabrielle; Caiola, Hanna; Doonan, John H; Vlachonasios, Konstantinos E; McCain, Elizabeth R; Hark, Amy T

    2018-05-30

    The histone acetyltransferase GCN5 and associated transcriptional coactivator ADA2b are required to couple endoreduplication and trichome branching. Mutation of ADA2b also disrupts the relationship between ploidy and leaf cell size. Dynamic chromatin structure has been established as a general mechanism by which gene function is temporally and spatially regulated, but specific chromatin modifier function is less well understood. To address this question, we have investigated the role of the histone acetyltransferase GCN5 and the associated coactivator ADA2b in developmental events in Arabidopsis thaliana. Arabidopsis plants with T-DNA insertions in GCN5 (also known as HAG1) or ADA2b (also known as PROPORZ1) display pleiotropic phenotypes including dwarfism and floral defects affecting fertility. We undertook a detailed characterization of gcn5 and ada2b phenotypic effects in rosette leaves and trichomes to establish a role for epigenetic control in these developmental processes. ADA2b and GCN5 play specific roles in leaf tissue, affecting cell growth and division in rosette leaves often in complex and even opposite directions. Leaves of gcn5 plants display overall reduced ploidy levels, while ada2b-1 leaves show increased ploidy. Endoreduplication leading to increased ploidy is also known to contribute to normal trichome morphogenesis. We demonstrate that gcn5 and ada2b mutants display alterations in the number and patterning of trichome branches, with ada2b-1 and gcn5-1 trichomes being significantly less branched, while gcn5-6 trichomes show increased branching. Elongation of the trichome stalk and branches also vary in different mutant backgrounds, with stalk length having an inverse relationship with branch number. Taken together, our data indicate that, in Arabidopsis, leaves and trichomes ADA2b and GCN5 are required to couple nuclear content with cell growth and morphogenesis.

  3. Texas State Library: Library Services and Construction Act. Annual Report, FFY 1977.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Texas State Library, Austin. Dept. of Library Development.

    Texas State Library activities for 1977 which were funded under the Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) are reported, including administrative expenses for LSCA; administrative tape conversion--to duplicate books recorded on open reel tapes to cassettes for use by the blind; continuing education and consulting for librarians; special…

  4. Inference of Functionally-Relevant N-acetyltransferase Residues Based on Statistical Correlations.

    PubMed

    Neuwald, Andrew F; Altschul, Stephen F

    2016-12-01

    Over evolutionary time, members of a superfamily of homologous proteins sharing a common structural core diverge into subgroups filling various functional niches. At the sequence level, such divergence appears as correlations that arise from residue patterns distinct to each subgroup. Such a superfamily may be viewed as a population of sequences corresponding to a complex, high-dimensional probability distribution. Here we model this distribution as hierarchical interrelated hidden Markov models (hiHMMs), which describe these sequence correlations implicitly. By characterizing such correlations one may hope to obtain information regarding functionally-relevant properties that have thus far evaded detection. To do so, we infer a hiHMM distribution from sequence data using Bayes' theorem and Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling, which is widely recognized as the most effective approach for characterizing a complex, high dimensional distribution. Other routines then map correlated residue patterns to available structures with a view to hypothesis generation. When applied to N-acetyltransferases, this reveals sequence and structural features indicative of functionally important, yet generally unknown biochemical properties. Even for sets of proteins for which nothing is known beyond unannotated sequences and structures, this can lead to helpful insights. We describe, for example, a putative coenzyme-A-induced-fit substrate binding mechanism mediated by arginine residue switching between salt bridge and π-π stacking interactions. A suite of programs implementing this approach is available (psed.igs.umaryland.edu).

  5. The Histone Acetyltransferase MOF is a Key Regulator of the Embryonic Stem Cell Core Transcriptional Network

    PubMed Central

    Li, Xiangzhi; Li, Li; Pandey, Ruchi; Byun, Jung S.; Gardner, Kevin; Qin, Zhaohui; Dou, Yali

    2012-01-01

    SUMMARY Pluripotent embryonic stem cells (ESCs) maintain self-renewal and the potential for rapid response to differentiation cues. Both ESC features are subject to epigenetic regulation. Here we show that histone acetyltransferase Mof plays an essential role in the maintenance of ESC self-renewal and pluripotency. ESCs with Mof deletion lose characteristic morphology, alkaline phosphatase (AP) staining and differentiation potential. They also have aberrant expression of core transcription factors Nanog, Oct4 and Sox2. Importantly, the phenotypes of Mof null ESCs can be partially suppressed by Nanog overexpression, supporting that Mof functions as an upstream regulator of Nanog in ESCs. Genome-wide ChIP sequencing and transcriptome analyses further demonstrate that Mof is an integral component of ESC core transcription network and Mof primes genes for diverse developmental programs. Mof is also required for Wdr5 recruitment and H3 K4 methylation at key regulatory loci, highlighting complexity and interconnectivity of various chromatin regulators in ESCs. PMID:22862943

  6. Permissible weight limits for construction vehicles on finished and unfinished pavements : final report.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1979-01-01

    The report summarizes studies directed at developing guidelines for controlling the use of partially completed pavements by heavy construction equipment. It is shown that the damaging effects of flotation tires may be analyzed in the same manner as t...

  7. Final report, robotics in construction.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1985-01-01

    The use of programmable robots for various kinds of repetitive and hazardous jobs in manufacturing industries is well established. However, their use for other tasks, as in construction, is still in a developmental stage, but is growing rapidly. Desc...

  8. Early development of the enteric nervous system visualized by using a new transgenic zebrafish line harboring a regulatory region for choline acetyltransferase a (chata) gene.

    PubMed

    Nikaido, Masataka; Izumi, Saki; Ohnuki, Honoka; Takigawa, Yuki; Yamasu, Kyo; Hatta, Kohei

    2018-06-01

    The enteric nervous system (ENS) is the largest part of the peripheral nervous system in vertebrates. Toward the visualization of the development of the vertebrate ENS, we report our creation of a new transgenic line, Tg(chata:GGFF2) which has a 1.5-kb upstream region of the zebrafish choline acetyltransferase a (chata) gene followed by modified green fluorescent protein (gfp). During development, GFP + cells were detected in the gut by 60 h post-fertilization (hpf). In the gut of 6- and 12-days post-fertilization (dpf) larvae, an average of 92% of the GFP + cells were positive for the neuronal marker HuC/D, suggesting that GFP marks enteric neurons in this transgenic line. We also observed that 66% of the GFP + cells were choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-immunopositive at 1.5 months. Thus, GFP is expressed at the larval stages at which ChAT protein expression is not yet detected by immunostaining. We studied the spatiotemporal pattern of neural differentiation in the ENS by live-imaging of this transgenic line. We observed that GFP + or gfp + cells initially formed a pair of bilateral rows at 60 hpf or 53 hpf, respectively, in the migrating enteric neural crest cells. Most of the GFP + cells did not migrate, and most of the new GFP + cells were added to fill the space among the previously formed GFP + cells. GFP expression reached the anus by 72 hpf. New GFP + cells then also appeared in the dorsal and ventral sides of the initial GFP + rows, resulting in their distribution on the entire gut by 4 dpf. A small number of new GFP + cells were found to move among older GFP + cells just before the cells stopped migration, suggesting that the moving GFP + cells may represent neural precursor cells searching for a place for the final differentiation. Our data suggest that the Tg(chata:GGFF2) line could serve as a useful tool for studies of enteric neural differentiation and cell behavior. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  9. Aromatic amine metabolism: immunochemical relationships of N-acetyltransferase and N,O-acyltransferase

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Land, S.; Allaben, W.T.; King, C.M.

    1986-05-01

    Mutagenic and carcinogenic aromatic amines are acetylated in most organisms. Acetyl CoA and arylhydroxamic acids can serve as acetyl donors for N-Acetylation of amines to yield stable amides, or by O-acetylation of hydroxylamine derivatives to produce reactive metabolites that can react covalently with nucleic acid. Polyclonal antibodies against rat arylhydroxamic acid, N,O-acyltransferase (AHAT) have been compared for their abilities to react with this enzyme and the acetyl CoA-dependent N-acetyltransferase (NAT) of the rat, rabbit, hamster, mouse and human. Liver cytosols were treated with increasing quantities of antibodies from immune or control rabbits. Immune complexes were removed by treatment with proteinmore » A-Sepharose before assay of nucleic acid adduct formation by AHAT activation of N-hydroxy-2-acetylaminofluorene and the acetylation of 2-aminofluorene by NAT. Both rat activities, the AHAT of the hamster and the NAT of the mouse and human were removed by this treatment. No decrease in NAT activity of hamster, or of either rabbit cytosol activity was observed. Neither mouse nor human liver has appreciable AHAT activity. These data support the idea that AHAT and NAT of rat, AHAT of hamster and NAT of mouse and human liver are immunochemically related, but that NAT of the hamster is an immunochemically distinct peptide.« less

  10. Construct validity of self-reported historical physical activity.

    PubMed

    Bowles, Heather R; FitzGerald, Shannon J; Morrow, James R; Jackson, Allen W; Blair, Steven N

    2004-08-01

    The purpose of this study was to determine the construct-related validity of self-reported historical walking, running, and jogging (WRJ) activity on the basis of data from the Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study (Dallas, Texas). A total of 4,100 men and 963 women underwent at least one medical examination between 1976 and 1985 and completed a follow-up questionnaire in 1986. Levels of glucose, cholesterol, and triglycerides, resting systolic blood pressure, body mass index (weight (kg)/height (m)(2)), and cardiorespiratory fitness were measured at the time of the medical examination. The follow-up questionnaire assessed WRJ and other strenuous activities for each year from 1976 through 1985. Data analysis included Spearman and partial correlations, analysis of variance, analysis of covariance, and t tests. Results indicated significant correlations between recalled WRJ and treadmill times for each year throughout the 10-year period (r = 0.40-0.61). Participants were classified as historically either sufficiently physically active to receive a health benefit or insufficiently active for a health benefit. Engaging in sufficient levels of historical WRJ was associated with higher treadmill times and lower body mass indices for men and women and lower triglyceride levels for men. Self-reported historical WRJ can be assessed with reasonable validity in comparison with measured treadmill performance, with no decay in accuracy of reporting for up to 10 years in the past.

  11. Aminoglycoside acetyltransferase 3-IV (aacC4) and hygromycin B 4-I phosphotransferase (hphB) in bacteria isolated from human and animal sources.

    PubMed

    Salauze, D; Otal, I; Gomez-Lus, R; Davies, J

    1990-10-01

    Members of the family Enterobacteriaceae harboring an enzyme of the aminoglycoside acetyltransferase 3 class (AAC-3-IV) (apramycin and gentamicin resistance) and hygromycin B phosphotransferase 4 (HPH-4-I) (hygromycin B resistance) have been isolated from human clinical sources in Europe. A cluster of genes containing IS140, aacC4, and hphB was found in these strains. We demonstrate by Southern hybridization that this cluster is identical to the operon found in animals that also contains insertion sequences belonging to the ISO family. This provides another example of presumptive transfer of antibiotic resistance genes between bacteria of animal and human origin.

  12. N-acetyltransferase 2 polymorphism and breast cancer risk with smoking: a case control study in Japanese women.

    PubMed

    Hara, Akio; Taira, Naruto; Mizoo, Taeko; Nishiyama, Keiko; Nogami, Tomohiro; Iwamoto, Takayuki; Motoki, Takayuki; Shien, Tadahiko; Matsuoka, Junji; Doihara, Hiroyoshi; Ishihara, Setsuko; Kawai, Hiroshi; Kawasaki, Kensuke; Ishibe, Youichi; Ogasawara, Yutaka; Miyoshi, Shinichiro

    2017-03-01

    Recent studies have suggested that the association between smoking and breast cancer risk might be modified by polymorphisms in the N-acetyltransferase 2 gene (NAT2). Most of these studies were conducted in Western countries, with few reports from East Asia. We conducted a case-control study of 511 breast cancer cases and 527 unmatched healthy controls from December 2010 to November 2011 in Japan. Unconditional logistic regression was used to analyze the association of smoking with breast cancer risk stratified by NAT2 phenotype. In this population, 11 % of the cases and 10 % of the controls were classified as a slow acetylator phenotype. Compared to never smokers, current smokers had an increased breast cancer risk in multivariate analysis [odds ratio (OR) = 2.27, 95 % confidence interval (95 %CI) = 1.38-3.82]. Subgroup analyses of menopausal status indicated the same tendency. Subgroup analyses of NAT2 phenotype, the ORs in both of rapid and slow acetylator phenotype subgroups were comparable, and no interactions were observed between smoking status and NAT2 phenotype (p = 0.97). A dose-dependent effect of smoking on breast cancer risk was seen for the rapid acetylator phenotype, but not for the slow acetylator phenotype. Given the high frequency of the rapid acetylator phenotype, these results show that smoking is a risk factor for breast cancer among most Japanese women. It may be of little significance to identify the NAT2 phenotype in the Japanese population.

  13. 76 FR 55160 - Annual Materials Report on New Bridge Construction and Bridge Rehabilitation

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2011-09-06

    ... DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration Annual Materials Report on New Bridge Construction and Bridge Rehabilitation AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT. ACTION: Notice... for Users (SAFETEA-LU) (Pub. L. 109-59; 119 Stat. 1144) continued the highway bridge program to enable...

  14. 77 FR 53251 - Annual Materials Report on New Bridge Construction and Bridge Rehabilitation

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2012-08-31

    ... DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration Annual Materials Report on New Bridge Construction and Bridge Rehabilitation AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT. ACTION: Notice... for Users (SAFETEA-LU) (Pub. L. 109-59; 119 Stat. 1144) continued the highway bridge program to enable...

  15. 75 FR 62181 - Annual Materials Report on New Bridge Construction and Bridge Rehabilitation

    Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

    2010-10-07

    ... DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration Annual Materials Report on New Bridge Construction and Bridge Rehabilitation AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT. ACTION: Notice... for Users (SAFETEA-LU) (Pub. L. 109-59; 119 Stat. 1144) continued the highway bridge program to enable...

  16. Non-neuronal expression of choline acetyltransferase in the rat kidney.

    PubMed

    Maeda, Seishi; Jun, Jin Gon; Kuwahara-Otani, Sachi; Tanaka, Koichi; Hayakawa, Tetsu; Seki, Makoto

    2011-09-12

    Acetylcholine (ACh) has been shown to increase ion and water excretion in the kidneys, resulting in hypotension. However, no evidence of renal parasympathetic innervation has been shown, and the source of ACh acting on nephrons is still unknown. The aim of the present study was to identify ACh-producing cells in the rat kidney, by examining the expression of cholinergic agents and localization of an ACh-synthesizing enzyme, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), in the kidney. Adult mail Sprague-Dawley rats were used in this study. Expression of mRNA of cholinergic agents, ChAT, vesicular ACh transporter (VAChT), and high-affinity choline transporter (CHT-1), in the kidney was examined by RT-PCR. Localization of ChAT mRNA and protein was examined by in situ hybridization and tyramide-enhanced immunohistochemistry, respectively. RT-PCR showed the expression of ChAT, VAChT, and CHT-1. In situ hybridization demonstrated that ChAT mRNA is localized to the renal cortical collecting ducts (CCD). Immunohistochemistry showed that the ChAT-positive cells were principal cells, and that they were unevenly distributed in the tubules, and constituted approximately 15.2% of CCD in the cortex, and 3.6% and 1.5% in the outer and inner medulla, respectively. ChAT-positive immunoreactivity was localized to the apical side of principal cells, suggesting that ACh synthesis may occur in the apical compartment of these cells. These results suggest that the cholinergic effects in the nephron may be mediated at least in part by ACh originating from CCD principal cells and its expression may be locally regulated in the rat kidney. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  17. Frugal Construction Standards. Final [Report].

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    SMART Schools Clearinghouse, Tallahassee, FL.

    This booklet provides best practice recommendations for building functional and frugal schools in Florida. Seventeen best practice construction recommendations are addressed, including recommendations for sitework, concrete, masonry, metals, wood and plastics, thermal and moisture protection, doors and windows, finishes, equipment, furnishings,…

  18. 40. From Final Construction Report on the Haleakala Road ProjectNR7, ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    40. From Final Construction Report on the Haleakala Road Project--NR-7, Hawaii National Park, Island of Maui, Territory of Hawaii, T.H. GENERAL VIEW OT THE PROJECT SHOWING CONSPICUOUS SCARS. THE BEFORE PHOTO OF A BEFORE AND AFTER SET. AFTER PHOTO IS HI-52-41. - Haleakala National Park Roads, Pukalani, Maui County, HI

  19. Moco biosynthesis and the ATAC acetyltransferase engage translation initiation by inhibiting latent PKR activity.

    PubMed

    Suganuma, Tamaki; Swanson, Selene K; Florens, Laurence; Washburn, Michael P; Workman, Jerry L

    2016-02-01

    Molybdenum cofactor (Moco) biosynthesis is linked to c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling in Drosophila through MoaE, a molybdopterin (MPT) synthase subunit that is also a component of the Ada Two A containing (ATAC) acetyltransferase complex. Here, we show that human MPT synthase and ATAC inhibited PKR, a double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase, to facilitate translation initiation of iron-responsive mRNA. MPT synthase and ATAC directly interacted with PKR and suppressed latent autophosphorylation of PKR and its downstream phosphorylation of JNK and eukaryotic initiation factor 2α (eIF2α). The suppression of eIF2α phosphorylation via MPT synthase and ATAC prevented sequestration of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor eIF2B, which recycles eIF2-GDP to eIF2-GTP, resulting in the promotion of translation initiation. Indeed, translation of the iron storage protein, ferritin, was reduced in the absence of MPT synthase or ATAC subunits. Thus, MPT synthase and ATAC regulate latent PKR signaling and link transcription and translation initiation. © The Author (2015). Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Journal of Molecular Cell Biology, IBCB, SIBS, CAS. All rights reserved.

  20. Carnitine acetyltransferase (CRAT) expression in macrophages is dispensable for nutrient stress sensing and inflammation.

    PubMed

    Goldberg, Emily L; Dixit, Vishwa Deep

    2017-02-01

    Fatty acid oxidation in macrophages is thought to regulate inflammatory status and insulin-sensitivity. An important unanswered question in this field is whether carnitine acetyl-transferase (CrAT) that regulates fatty acid oxidation and mitochondrial acetyl-CoA balance is required to integrate nutrient stress sensing to inflammatory response in macrophages. Mice with myeloid lineage-specific Crat deletion were subjected to several metabolic stressors, including high-fat diet-induced obesity, fasting, and LPS-induced endotoxemia. Their metabolic homeostasis was compared to that of Crat-sufficient littermate controls. Inflammatory potential of Crat-deficient and Crat-sufficient macrophages were measured both in vitro and in vivo . Our studies revealed that ablation of CrAT in myeloid lineage cells did not impact glucose homeostasis, insulin-action, adipose tissue leukocytosis, and inflammation when animals were confronted with a variety of metabolic stressors, including high-fat diet, fasting, or LPS-induced acute endotoxemia. These findings demonstrate that unlike muscle cells, substrate switch mechanisms that control macrophage energy metabolism and mitochondrial short-chain acyl-CoA pools during nutrient stress are controlled by pathways that are not solely reliant on CrAT.

  1. Effects of intense tone exposure on choline acetyltransferase activity in the hamster cochlear nucleus.

    PubMed

    Jin, Yong-Ming; Godfrey, Donald A; Wang, Jie; Kaltenbach, James A

    2006-01-01

    Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity has been mapped in the cochlear nucleus (CN) of control hamsters and hamsters that had been exposed to an intense tone. ChAT activity in most CN regions of hamsters was only a third or less of the activity in rat CN, but in granular regions ChAT activity was similar in both species. Eight days after intense tone exposure, average ChAT activity increased on the tone-exposed side as compared to the opposite side, by 74% in the anteroventral CN (AVCN), by 55% in the granular region dorsolateral to it, and by 74% in the deep layer of the dorsal CN (DCN). In addition, average ChAT activity in the exposed-side AVCN and fusiform soma layer of DCN was higher than in controls, by 152% and 67%, respectively. Two months after exposure, average ChAT activity was still 53% higher in the exposed-side deep layer of DCN as compared to the opposite side. Increased ChAT activity after intense tone exposure may indicate that this exposure leads to plasticity of descending cholinergic innervation to the CN, which might affect spontaneous activity in the DCN that has been associated with tinnitus.

  2. Assessment of the Continuous Progress Report for the Early Learning Years (An Examination of Scale Construction).

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Tuck, Kathy D.

    An evaluation was conducted to examine the structure and design of the Continuous Progress Report (CPR), an observation scale used to measure students' early developmental skills in the District of Columbia public schools. Item construction and the relative consistency of measurement constructs in the CPR were the specific focus of the evaluation.…

  3. Delphinidin, a specific inhibitor of histone acetyltransferase, suppresses inflammatory signaling via prevention of NF-{kappa}B acetylation in fibroblast-like synoviocyte MH7A cells

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Seong, Ah-Reum; Yoo, Jung-Yoon; Choi, KyungChul

    Highlights: {yields} Delphinidin is a novel inhibitor of p300/CBP histone acetyltransferase. {yields} Delphinidin prevents the hyperacetylation of p65 by inhibiting the HAT activity of p300/CBP. {yields} Delphinidin efficiently suppresses the expression of inflammatory cytokines in MH7A cells via hypoacetylation of NF-{kappa}B. {yields} Delphinidin inhibits cytokine release in the Jurkat T lymphocyte cell line. -- Abstract: Histone acetyltransferase (HAT) inhibitors (HATi) isolated from dietary compounds have been shown to suppress inflammatory signaling, which contributes to rheumatoid arthritis. Here, we identified a novel HATi in Punica granatum L. known as delphinidin (DP). DP did not affect the activity of other epigenetic enzymesmore » (histone deacetylase, histone methyltransferase, or sirtuin1). DP specifically inhibited the HAT activities of p300/CBP. It also inhibited p65 acetylation in MH7A cells, a human rheumatoid arthritis synovial cell line. DP-induced hypoacetylation was accompanied by cytosolic accumulation of p65 and nuclear localization of IKB{alpha}. Accordingly, DP treatment inhibited TNF{alpha}-stimulated increases in NF-{kappa}B function and expression of NF-{kappa}B target genes in these cells. Importantly, DP suppressed lipopolysaccharide-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression in Jurkat T lymphocytes, demonstrating that HATi efficiently suppresses cytokine-mediated immune responses. Together, these results show that the HATi activity of DP counters anti-inflammatory signaling by blocking p65 acetylation and that this compound may be useful in preventing inflammatory arthritis.« less

  4. 34. From Final Construction Report on the Haleakala Road ProjectNR7, ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    34. From Final Construction Report on the Haleakala Road Project--NR-7, Hawaii National Park, Island of Maui, Territory of Hawaii, H.L. Handley, Assistant Highway Engineer, March 30, 1935. NOTE HOW THE LOCATION FITS THE CONTOUR OF THE HILL. LOOKING FROM STATION 382+00 ON HALEAKALA HIGHWAY. - Haleakala National Park Roads, Pukalani, Maui County, HI

  5. An unusual fatal construction site injury in India: a case report.

    PubMed

    Rautji, Ravi; Behera, C; Dogra, T D

    2009-07-01

    A 35-year-old male, employed at a construction site, accidentally injured himself when an iron rod, which he was handing up from the ground floor to a fellow worker standing on the first floor, fell backwards. It pierced his suprascapular fossa on the right side, damaging great vessels and the tricuspid valve, and entered the pericardial cavity after puncturing the posterior wall of the right ventricle. The iron rod was taken out by fellow workers at the site and the injured man was immediately taken to a nearby clinic where he was resuscitated and the wound was stitched. He was later transferred to a tertiary care hospital where he died about an hour after admission. Though many bizarre injuries have been reported at construction sites, a fatal injury of this nature deserves a mention in the forensic literature.

  6. 10th Annual School Construction Report, 2005

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Abramson, Paul

    2005-01-01

    School construction in the United States dipped below $20 billion in 2003, the first time that had happened in the 21st Century, setting off alarm bells that the school construction boom might be fading. That concern appears to be unfounded. In 2004, school districts in the United States once again completed more than $20 billion worth of…

  7. Up-regulation of miR-325-3p suppresses pineal aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase (Aanat) after neonatal hypoxia-ischemia brain injury in rats.

    PubMed

    Yang, Yuanyuan; Sun, Bin; Huang, Jian; Xu, Lixiao; Pan, Jian; Fang, Chen; Li, Mei; Li, Gen; Tao, Yanfang; Yang, Xiaofeng; Wu, Ying; Miao, Po; Wang, Ying; Li, Hong; Ren, Jing; Zhan, Meiqin; Fang, Yiping; Feng, Xing; Ding, Xin

    2017-08-01

    Survivors of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD), besides impairment of psychomotor development, often develop circadian rhythm disorders, although the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we first verified that mRNA and protein expression of pineal aralkylamine N-acetyltransferase (Aanat), a key regulator for melatonin (MT) synthesis, along with MT, were severely impaired after HIBD. In addition, we demonstrated that neonatal HIBD disrupted the circadian rhythmicity of locomotor activities in juvenile rats. Based on bioinformatics analysis of a high throughput screening of miRNA expression changes after HIBD (Ding et al., 2015), we identified one microRNA, miR-325-3p, as a potential candidate responsible for the down regulation of Aanat after HIBD. Luciferase reporter assays demonstrated a specific interaction between miR-325-3p and Aanat mRNA 3'-UTR. miR-325-3p blocked norepinephrine (NE) induced Aanat activation in cultured pinealocytes. In addition, miR-325-3p inhibition partially rescued Aanat induction by NE, which was significantly reduced under oxygen glucose deprivation. By elucidating the role of pineal miR-325-3p on Aanat expression upon injury, our study provides new insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of circadian dysfunction and potential therapeutic targets after HIBD. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  8. On-site monitoring of construction of Terror Lake hydroelectric project, Kodiak, Alaska. Final report

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Hosking, H.

    The report describes the effort by the Fish and Wildlife Service to monitor the construction of the first hydroelectric project built on national wildlife refuge lands under license by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Recommendations are offered for use in planning other projects. Fish and wildlife species of concern included brown bears, Sitka black-tailed deer, mountain goats, raptors (including bald eagles), and several species of salmonid fish. Construction practices relating to erosion control, contaminant management, culvert placement, and siting of project structures are covered.

  9. ABC's of Construction. Final Report.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Greater Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce, LA.

    The ABC's of Construction project was a demonstration project designed to integrate basic skills training with an industry-developed vocational-craft training program. The program was located at the central training facility of the Pelican Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), an organization made up of nearly 300 member companies…

  10. 1961-1968 New Construction Report.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    National Association of Physical Plant Administrators of Universities and Colleges, Richmond, IN.

    137 NAPPA colleges and universities provided data for this summary. Projects are summarized by thirteen building classifications. Under each classification the following information headings are used--(1) name of institution, (2) project completion date, (3) gross square feet, (4) net assignable area, (5) construction costs, (6) number of stories,…

  11. Construction comparison of Louisiana's conventional and alternative base courses under accelerated loading : final report.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2001-11-01

    This report describes the test results of the first project at the Louisiana Transportation Research Center's Accelerated Loading Facility (ALF). In 1995, 9 test lanes were constructed at the Louisiana Pavement Research Facility in Port Allen. These ...

  12. 42 CFR 137.352 - What is contained in a construction project progress report?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 42 Public Health 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false What is contained in a construction project progress report? 137.352 Section 137.352 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TRIBAL SELF-GOVERNANCE...

  13. Final Report: Self Consolidating Concrete Construction for Modular Units

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Gentry, Russell; Kahn, Lawrence; Kurtis, Kimberly

    This report outlines the development of a self-consolidating concrete (also termed “self-compacting concrete” or SCC) so that concrete placement can be made into steel plate composite (SC) modular structures without the need for continuous concrete placement. As part of the research, SCC mixtures were developed and validated to ensure sufficient shear capacity across cold-joints, while minimizing shrinkage and temperature increase during curing to enhance concrete bonding with the steel plate construction found in modular units. The self-roughening concrete produced as part of this research was assessed in SC structures at three scales: small-scale shear-friction specimens, mid-scale beams tested in in-planemore » and out-of-plane bending, and a full-scale validation test using an SC module produced by Westinghouse as part of the Plant Vogtle expansion. The experiments show that the self-roughening concrete can produce a cold-joint surface of 0.25 inches (6 mm) without external vibration during concrete placement. The experiments and subsequent analysis show that the shear friction provisions of ACI 318-14, Section 22.9 can be used to assess the shear capacity of the cold-joints in SC modular construction, and that friction coefficient of 1.35 is appropriate for use with these provisions.« less

  14. Final report: Constructing comprehensive models of grain boundaries using high-throughput experiments

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Demkowicz, Michael; Schuh, Christopher; Marzouk, Youssef

    2016-08-29

    This is the final report on project DE-SC0008926. The goal of this project was to create capabilities for constructing, analyzing, and modeling experimental databases of the crystallographic characters and physical properties of thousands of individual grain boundaries (GBs) in polycrystalline metals. This project focused on gallium permeation through aluminum (Al) GBs and hydrogen uptake into nickel (Ni) GBs as model problems. This report summarizes the work done within the duration of this project (including the original three-year award and the subsequent one-year renewal), i.e. from August 1, 2012 until April 30, 2016.

  15. RADON REDUCTION AND RADON-RESISTANT CONSTRUCTION DEMONSTRATIONS IN NEW YORK - VOLUME 1: TECHNICAL REPORT

    EPA Science Inventory

    The report gives results of radon reduction and radon-resistant construction demonstrations in New York. The existing house evaluation demonstrated radon mitigation techniques where indoor radon concentrations exceeded 4 pCi/L. Results demonstrated that sealing all accessible fou...

  16. N-acetyltransferase polymorphisms are associated with risk of lymphoma subtypes.

    PubMed

    Cocco, Pierluigi; Zucca, Mariagrazia; Sanna, Sonia; Satta, Giannina; Nonne, Tinucia; Angelucci, Emanuele; Gabbas, Attilio; Rais, Marco; Malpeli, Giorgio; Campagna, Marcello; Scarpa, Aldo; G Ennas, Maria

    2016-06-01

    Genes encoding for arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 and 2 (NAT1 and NAT2) have been investigated with alternate findings in relation to risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). We tested functional haplotype-based NAT1 and NAT2 gene polymorphisms in relation to risk of lymphoma overall and its major B cell subtypes, diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular lymphoma (FL) and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL). We used allele specific primers and multiplex PCR to detect NAT1 and NAT2 haplotypes in 248 patients with incident lymphoma and 208 population controls. We inferred the NAT1 rapid and slow acetylator and the NAT2 rapid, intermediate or slow acetylator phenotype, based on published functional data on the respective genotypes. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for lymphoma, B-NHL, DLBCL, FL, CLL, and other B-NHL combined associated with the inferred rapid NAT1 acetylator and with the intermediate and slow NAT2 acetylator phenotypes were estimated with unconditional and polytomous logistic regression analysis, adjusting for age, gender and education. NAT1 rapid acetylators showed a 2.8-fold excess risk (95% CI 1.5-5.2) for lymphoma (all subtypes combined). Risk was highest for CLL and FL, with significant heterogeneity detected across subtypes. Risk also increased with decreasing NAT2 acetylating capacity with no heterogeneity detected across B cell lymphoma subtypes. Risks did not vary by gender. Although poor statistical power was a major limitation in our study, larger studies and pooled analyses are warranted to test whether NAT1 and NAT2 gene polymorphisms might modulate risk of specific lymphoma subtypes through the varying metabolic activity of their products. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  17. N-acetyltransferase 1 and 2 polymorphisms and risk of diabetes mellitus type 2 in a Saudi population.

    PubMed

    Al-Shaqha, Waleed M; Alkharfy, Khalid M; Al-Daghri, Nasser M; Mohammed, Abdul Khader

    2015-01-01

    There have been inconsistent reports on N-acetyltransferase (NAT) gene polymorphism in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and data is particularly limited in the Arab population. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to identify whether the genetic polymorphisms of NAT1 and NAT2 play a role in susceptibility to T2DM in the Saudi population. A population-based, prospective genetic association case-control study on a Saudi population. Whole blood, anthropometric measurements and biochemistry data were collected from 369 Saudi individuals (186 T2DM patients and 183 healthy controls). DNA was isolated from the blood. Polymorphism of NAT1 and NAT2 SNPs [NAT2*7B, rs1041983(C > T); NAT2*7, rs1799931(G > A); NAT2*6A, rs1799930(G > A); NAT2*5A, rs1799929(C > T); and NAT1*11A, rs4986988(C > T)] were evaluated by allelic discrimination using real-time PCR. Subjects with T2DM had a significantly increased body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, sys.tolic and diastolic blood pressure, glucose, triglycerides, and LDL-cholesterol compared with healthy controls (P < .05). The rs1799931(G > A) genotype was detected in the control population but not in the T2DM population (P < .001). The wild type (G) allele frequency was higher in T2DM than controls (P=.038). The mutant allele (A) in rs1799931(G > A) had a protective effect for T2DM (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.16-0.62; P=.001). Regression analysis showed that BMI, systolic BP and triglycerides are potential risk factors for T2DM. The genotypes as well as the individual alleles of rs1799931(G > A) differed significantly be.tween the case and control populations. The variation in the data reported so far suggest that polymorphism of the NAT gene may vary among different geographical areas. Environmental or dietary factors may also contribute to disease manifestation.

  18. Role for human arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 in the methionine salvage pathway.

    PubMed

    Witham, Katey L; Minchin, Rodney F; Butcher, Neville J

    2017-02-01

    The Phase II drug metabolizing enzyme arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) has been implicated in the growth and survival of cancer cells, although the mechanisms that underlies these effects are unknown. Here, a focused metabolomics approach was used to identify changes in folate catabolism as well as the S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) cycle following NAT1 knockdown with shRNA. Although acetylation of the folate catabolite p-aminobenzoylglutamate (pABG) was significantly decreased, there were no changes in intracellular pABG or the various components of the SAM cycle. By contrast, the flux of homocysteine in the medium was different following NAT1 knockdown after the methionine content was exhausted suggesting a need for this metabolite in methionine synthesis. Analysis of the growth of various cancer cells in methylthioadenosine-supplemented medium showed that NAT1 knockdown inhibited the methionine salvage pathway in HT-29 cells but not in HeLa or MDA-MB-436 cells. The cause of this was a low level of expression of the isomerase MRI-1 in the HT-29 cells. Knocking down both NAT1 and MRI-1 in HeLa cells with siRNA further demonstrated a redundancy between these 2 enzymes, although direct isomerase activity by NAT1 could not be demonstrated. The present study has identified a novel endogenous role for human NAT1 that might explain some of its effects in cancer cell growth and survival. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  19. Identification and validation of N-acetyltransferase 2 as an insulin sensitivity gene.

    PubMed

    Knowles, Joshua W; Xie, Weijia; Zhang, Zhongyang; Chennamsetty, Indumathi; Chennemsetty, Indumathi; Assimes, Themistocles L; Paananen, Jussi; Hansson, Ola; Pankow, James; Goodarzi, Mark O; Carcamo-Orive, Ivan; Morris, Andrew P; Chen, Yii-Der I; Mäkinen, Ville-Petteri; Ganna, Andrea; Mahajan, Anubha; Guo, Xiuqing; Abbasi, Fahim; Greenawalt, Danielle M; Lum, Pek; Molony, Cliona; Lind, Lars; Lindgren, Cecilia; Raffel, Leslie J; Tsao, Philip S; Schadt, Eric E; Rotter, Jerome I; Sinaiko, Alan; Reaven, Gerald; Yang, Xia; Hsiung, Chao A; Groop, Leif; Cordell, Heather J; Laakso, Markku; Hao, Ke; Ingelsson, Erik; Frayling, Timothy M; Weedon, Michael N; Walker, Mark; Quertermous, Thomas

    2015-04-01

    Decreased insulin sensitivity, also referred to as insulin resistance (IR), is a fundamental abnormality in patients with type 2 diabetes and a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. While IR predisposition is heritable, the genetic basis remains largely unknown. The GENEticS of Insulin Sensitivity consortium conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for direct measures of insulin sensitivity, such as euglycemic clamp or insulin suppression test, in 2,764 European individuals, with replication in an additional 2,860 individuals. The presence of a nonsynonymous variant of N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) [rs1208 (803A>G, K268R)] was strongly associated with decreased insulin sensitivity that was independent of BMI. The rs1208 "A" allele was nominally associated with IR-related traits, including increased fasting glucose, hemoglobin A1C, total and LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and coronary artery disease. NAT2 acetylates arylamine and hydrazine drugs and carcinogens, but predicted acetylator NAT2 phenotypes were not associated with insulin sensitivity. In a murine adipocyte cell line, silencing of NAT2 ortholog Nat1 decreased insulin-mediated glucose uptake, increased basal and isoproterenol-stimulated lipolysis, and decreased adipocyte differentiation, while Nat1 overexpression produced opposite effects. Nat1-deficient mice had elevations in fasting blood glucose, insulin, and triglycerides and decreased insulin sensitivity, as measured by glucose and insulin tolerance tests, with intermediate effects in Nat1 heterozygote mice. Our results support a role for NAT2 in insulin sensitivity.

  20. Structures and functions of insect arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (iaaNAT); a key enzyme for physiological and behavioral switch in arthropods.

    PubMed

    Hiragaki, Susumu; Suzuki, Takeshi; Mohamed, Ahmed A M; Takeda, Makio

    2015-01-01

    The evolution of N-acetyltransfeases (NATs) seems complex. Vertebrate arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (aaNAT) has been extensively studied since it leads to the synthesis of melatonin, a multifunctional neurohormone prevalent in photoreceptor cells, and is known as a chemical token of the night. Melatonin also serves as a scavenger for reactive oxygen species. This is also true with invertebrates. NAT therefore has distinct functional implications in circadian function, as timezymes (aaNAT), and also xenobiotic reactions (arylamine NAT or simply NAT). NATs belong to a broader enzyme group, the GCN5-related N-acetyltransferase superfamily. Due to low sequence homology and a seemingly fast rate of structural differentiation, the nomenclature for NATs can be confusing. The advent of bioinformatics, however, has helped to classify this group of enzymes; vertebrates have two distinct subgroups, the timezyme type and the xenobiotic type, which has a wider substrate range including imidazolamine, pharmacological drugs, environmental toxicants and even histone. Insect aaNAT (iaaNAT) form their own clade in the phylogeny, distinct from vertebrate aaNATs. Arthropods are unique, since the phylum has exoskeleton in which quinones derived from N-acetylated monoamines function in coupling chitin and arthropodins. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity is limited in insects, but NAT-mediated degradation prevails. However, unexpectedly iaaNAT occurs not only among arthropods but also among basal deuterostomia, and is therefore more apomorphic. Our analyses illustrate that iaaNATs has unique physiological roles but at the same time it plays a role in a timezyme function, at least in photoperiodism. Photoperiodism has been considered as a function of circadian system but the detailed molecular mechanism is not well understood. We propose a molecular hypothesis for photoperiodism in Antheraea pernyi based on the transcription regulation of NAT interlocked by the circadian system

  1. Mycothiol acetyltransferase (Rv0819) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a potential biomarker for direct diagnosis of tuberculosis using patient serum specimens.

    PubMed

    Zeitoun, H; Bahey-El-Din, M; Kassem, M A; Aboushleib, H M

    2017-12-01

    Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection constitutes a global threat that results in significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Efficient and early diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) is of paramount importance for successful treatment. The aim of the current study is to investigate the mycobacterial mycothiol acetyltransferase Rv0819 as a potential novel biomarker for the diagnosis of active TB infection. The gene encoding Rv0819 was cloned and successfully expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant Rv0819 was purified using metal affinity chromatography and was used to raise murine polyclonal antibodies against Rv0819. The raised antibodies were employed for direct detection of Rv0819 in patient serum samples using dot blot assay and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum samples were obtained from 68 confirmed new TB patients and 35 healthy volunteers as negative controls. The dot blot assay showed sensitivity of 64·7% and specificity of 100%, whereas the competitive ELISA assay showed lower sensitivity (54·4%) and specificity (88·57%). The overall sensitivity of the combined results of the two tests was found to be 89·7%. Overall, the mycobacterial Rv0819 is a potential TB serum biomarker that can be exploited, in combination with other TB biomarkers, for efficient and reliable diagnosis of active TB infection. The early and accurate diagnosis of tuberculosis infection is of paramount importance for initiating treatment and avoiding clinical complications. Most current diagnostic tests have poor sensitivity and/or specificity and in many cases they are too expensive for routine diagnostic testing in resource-limited settings. In the current study, we examined a novel mycobacterial serum biomarker, namely mycothiol acetyltransferase Rv0819. The antigen was detectable in serum specimens of a significant number of tuberculosis patients. This article proves the importance of Rv0819 and paves the way towards its future use as a useful

  2. In-place cement stabilized base reconstruction techniques interim report : "construction and two year evaluation".

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2002-08-01

    The purpose of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness of soil cement shrinkage crack mitigation techniques. The contents of this report reflect an evaluation of the construction of the test sections and a two-year evaluation of the test sect...

  3. The Acetyl Group Buffering Action of Carnitine Acetyltransferase Offsets Macronutrient-Induced Lysine Acetylation of Mitochondrial Proteins.

    PubMed

    Davies, Michael N; Kjalarsdottir, Lilja; Thompson, J Will; Dubois, Laura G; Stevens, Robert D; Ilkayeva, Olga R; Brosnan, M Julia; Rolph, Timothy P; Grimsrud, Paul A; Muoio, Deborah M

    2016-01-12

    Lysine acetylation (AcK), a posttranslational modification wherein a two-carbon acetyl group binds covalently to a lysine residue, occurs prominently on mitochondrial proteins and has been linked to metabolic dysfunction. An emergent theory suggests mitochondrial AcK occurs via mass action rather than targeted catalysis. To test this hypothesis, we performed mass spectrometry-based acetylproteomic analyses of quadriceps muscles from mice with skeletal muscle-specific deficiency of carnitine acetyltransferase (CrAT), an enzyme that buffers the mitochondrial acetyl-CoA pool by converting short-chain acyl-CoAs to their membrane permeant acylcarnitine counterparts. CrAT deficiency increased tissue acetyl-CoA levels and susceptibility to diet-induced AcK of broad-ranging mitochondrial proteins, coincident with diminished whole body glucose control. Sub-compartment acetylproteome analyses of muscles from obese mice and humans showed remarkable overrepresentation of mitochondrial matrix proteins. These findings reveal roles for CrAT and L-carnitine in modulating the muscle acetylproteome and provide strong experimental evidence favoring the nonenzymatic carbon pressure model of mitochondrial AcK. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  4. The Acetyl Group Buffering Action of Carnitine Acetyltransferase Offsets Macronutrient-induced Lysine Acetylation of Mitochondrial Proteins

    PubMed Central

    Davies, Michael N.; Kjalarsdottir, Lilja; Thompson, J. Will; Dubois, Laura G.; Stevens, Robert D.; Ilkayeva, Olga R.; Brosnan, M. Julia; Rolph, Timothy P.; Grimsrud, Paul A.; Muoio, Deborah M.

    2016-01-01

    Lysine acetylation (AcK), a posttranslational modification wherein a two-carbon acetyl group binds covalently to a lysine residue, occurs prominently on mitochondrial proteins and has been linked to metabolic dysfunction. An emergent theory suggests mitochondrial AcK occurs via mass action rather than targeted catalysis. To test this hypothesis we performed mass spectrometry-based acetylproteomic analyses of quadriceps muscles from mice with skeletal muscle-specific deficiency of carnitine acetyltransferase (CrAT), an enzyme that buffers the mitochondrial acetyl-CoA pool by converting short-chain acyl-CoAs to their membrane permeant acylcarnitine counterparts. CrAT deficiency increased tissue acetyl-CoA levels and susceptibility to diet-induced AcK of broad-ranging mitochondrial proteins, coincident with diminished whole body glucose control. Sub-compartment acetylproteome analyses of muscles from obese mice and humans showed remarkable overrepresentation of mitochondrial matrix proteins. These findings reveal roles for CrAT and L-carnitine in modulating the muscle acetylproteome and provide strong experimental evidence favoring the nonenzymatic carbon pressure model of mitochondrial AcK. PMID:26748706

  5. Reduced 4-Aminobiphenyl-Induced Liver Tumorigenicity but not DNA Damage in Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase Null Mice

    PubMed Central

    Sugamori, Kim S.; Brenneman, Debbie; Sanchez, Otto; Doll, Mark A.; Hein, David W.; Pierce, William M.; Grant, Denis M.

    2012-01-01

    The aromatic amine 4-aminobiphenyl (ABP) is a liver procarcinogen in mice, requiring enzymatic bioactivation to exert its tumorigenic effect. To assess the role of arylamine N-acetyltransferase (NAT)-dependent acetylation capacity in the risk for ABP-induced liver tumors, we compared 1-year liver tumor incidence following the postnatal exposure of wild-type and NAT-deficient Nat1/2(−/−) mice to ABP. At an ABP exposure of 1200 nmoles, male Nat1/2(−/−) mice had a liver tumor incidence of 36% compared to 69% in wild-type males, and at 600 nmoles there was a complete absence of tumors compared to 60% in wild-type mice. Only one female wild-type mouse had a tumor using this exposure protocol. However, levels of N-deoxyguanosin-8-yl-ABP-DNA adducts did not correlate with either the strain or sex differences in tumor incidence. These results suggest that female sex and NAT deficiency reduce risk for ABP-induced liver tumors, but by mechanisms unrelated to differences in DNA-damaging events. PMID:22193722

  6. Anatomical mapping of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-like and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD)-like immunoreactivity in outer hair cell efferents in adult rats.

    PubMed

    Dannhof, B J; Roth, B; Bruns, V

    1991-10-01

    The distribution of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT)-like and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD)-like immunoreactivity in the cochleae of 15 adult Wistar white rats was investigated using the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) technique. A monoclonal antibody to ChAT and a polyclonal antiserum to GAD were used. Immunoreaction was investigated quantitatively, in the electron microscope, on tangential sections of the tunnel of Corti and the rows of outer hair cells. ChAT-like and GAD-like immunoreactivity was found in all efferent nerve fibres in the tunnel of Corti and in all efferent synapses on the outer hair cells. A coexistence of ChAT and GAD in the efferent system to the outer hair cells of the rat is therefore assumed.

  7. Metal Airplane Construction

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    1926-01-01

    It has long been thought that metal construction of airplanes would involve an increase in weight as compared with wood construction. Recent experience has shown that such is not the case. This report describes the materials used, treatment of, and characteristics of metal airplane construction.

  8. Analysis of the aac(3)-VIa gene encoding a novel 3-N-acetyltransferase.

    PubMed Central

    Rather, P N; Mann, P A; Mierzwa, R; Hare, R S; Miller, G H; Shaw, K J

    1993-01-01

    Biochemical analysis (G. A. Papanicolaou, R. S. Hare, R. Mierzwa, and G. H. Miller, abstr. 152, Program Abstr. 29th Intersci. Conf. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother., 1989) demonstrated the presence of a novel 3-N-acetyltransferase in Enterobacter cloacae 88020217. This organism was resistant to gentamicin, and the MIC of 2'-N-ethylnetilmicin for it was fourfold lower than that of 6'-N-ethylnetilmicin, a resistance pattern which suggested 2'-acetylating activity. However, high-pressure liquid chromatography analysis demonstrated that the enzyme acetylated sisomicin in the 3 position. We have cloned the structural gene for this enzyme from a large (> 70-kb) conjugative plasmid present in E. cloacae. Subcloning experiments have localized the aac(3)-VIa gene to a 2.1-kb Sau3A fragment. The deduced AAC(3)-VIa protein showed 48% amino acid identity to the AAC(3)-IIa protein and 39% identity to the AAC(3)-VII protein. Examination of the 5'-flanking sequences demonstrated that the aac(3)-VIa gene was located 167 bp downstream of the aadA1 gene and was present in an integron. In addition, the aac(3)-VIa gene is also downstream of a 59-base element often seen in an integron environment. Primer extension analysis has identified a promoter for the aac(3)-VIa gene downstream of both the aadA1 gene and a 59-base element. Images PMID:8257126

  9. Cloning and characterization of the serotonin N-acetyltransferase-2 gene (SNAT2) in rice (Oryza sativa).

    PubMed

    Byeon, Yeong; Lee, Hyoung Yool; Back, Kyoungwhan

    2016-09-01

    The penultimate enzyme in melatonin synthesis is serotonin N-acetyltransferase (SNAT), which exists as a single copy in mammals and plants. Our recent studies of the Arabidopsis snat-knockout mutant and SNAT RNAi rice (Oryza sativa) plants predicted the presence of at least one other SNAT isogene in plants; that is, the snat-knockout mutant of Arabidopsis and the SNAT RNAi rice plants still produced melatonin, even in the absence or the suppression of SNAT expression. Here, we report a molecular cloning of an SNAT isogene (OsSNAT2) from rice. The mature amino acid sequences of SNAT proteins indicated that OsSNAT2 and OsSNAT1 proteins had 39% identity values and 60% similarity. The Km and Vmax values of the purified recombinant OsSNAT2 were 371 μm and 4700 pmol/min/mg protein, respectively; the enzyme's optimal activity temperature was 45°C. Confocal microscopy showed that the OsSNAT2 protein was localized to both the cytoplasm and chloroplasts. The in vitro enzyme activity of OsSNAT2 was severely inhibited by melatonin, but the activities of sheep SNAT (OaSNAT) and rice OsSNAT1 proteins were not. The enzyme activity of OsSNAT2 was threefold higher than that of OsSNAT1, but 232-fold lower than that of OaSNAT. The OsSNAT1 and OsSNAT2 transcripts were similarly suppressed in rice leaves during the melatonin induction after cadmium treatment. Phylogenetic analyses indicated that OsSNAT1 and OsSNAT2 are distantly related, suggesting that they evolved independently from Cyanobacteria prior to the endosymbiosis event. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  10. Histone acetyltransferase Enok regulates oocyte polarization by promoting expression of the actin nucleation factor spire.

    PubMed

    Huang, Fu; Paulson, Ariel; Dutta, Arnob; Venkatesh, Swaminathan; Smolle, Michaela; Abmayr, Susan M; Workman, Jerry L

    2014-12-15

    KAT6 histone acetyltransferases (HATs) are highly conserved in eukaryotes and have been shown to play important roles in transcriptional regulation. Here, we demonstrate that the Drosophila KAT6 Enok acetylates histone H3 Lys 23 (H3K23) in vitro and in vivo. Mutants lacking functional Enok exhibited defects in the localization of Oskar (Osk) to the posterior end of the oocyte, resulting in loss of germline formation and abdominal segments in the embryo. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis revealed that spire (spir) and maelstrom (mael), both required for the posterior localization of Osk in the oocyte, were down-regulated in enok mutants. Chromatin immunoprecipitation showed that Enok is localized to and acetylates H3K23 at the spir and mael genes. Furthermore, Gal4-driven expression of spir in the germline can largely rescue the defective Osk localization in enok mutant ovaries. Our results suggest that the Enok-mediated H3K23 acetylation (H3K23Ac) promotes the expression of spir, providing a specific mechanism linking oocyte polarization to histone modification. © 2014 Huang et al.; Published by Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press.

  11. Flavonoids inhibit both rice and sheep serotonin N-acetyltransferases and reduce melatonin levels in plants.

    PubMed

    Lee, Kyungjin; Hwang, Ok Jin; Reiter, Russel J; Back, Kyoungwhan

    2018-05-31

    The plant melatonin biosynthetic pathway has been well characterized, but inhibitors of melatonin synthesis have not been well studied. Here, we found that flavonoids potently inhibited plant melatonin synthesis. For example, flavonoids including morin and myricetin significantly inhibited purified, recombinant sheep serotonin N-acetyltransferase (SNAT). Flavonoids also dose-dependently and potently inhibited purified rice SNAT1 and SNAT2. Thus, myricetin (100 μmol/L) reduced rice SNAT1 and SNAT2 activity 7- and 10-fold, respectively, and also strongly inhibited the N-acetylserotonin methyltransferase activity of purified, recombinant rice caffeic acid O-methyltransferase. To explore the in vivo effects, rice leaves were treated with flavonoids and then cadmium. Flavonoid-treated leaves had lower melatonin levels than the untreated control. To explore the direct roles of flavonoids in melatonin biosynthesis, we first functionally characterized a putative rice flavonol synthase (FLS) in vitro and generated flavonoid-rich transgenic rice plants that overexpressed FLS. Such plants produced more flavonoids but less melatonin than the wild-type, which suggests that flavonoids indeed inhibit plant melatonin biosynthesis. © 2018 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  12. Development of a Plant Transformation Selection System Based on Expression of Genes Encoding Gentamicin Acetyltransferases

    PubMed Central

    Hayford, Maria B.; Medford, June I.; Hoffman, Nancy L.; Rogers, Stephen G.; Klee, Harry J.

    1988-01-01

    The development of selectable markers for transformation has been a major factor in the successful genetic manipulation of plants. A new selectable marker system has been developed based on bacterial gentamicin-3-N-acetyltransferases [AAC(3)]. These enzymes inactivate aminoglycoside antibiotics by acetylation. Two examples of AAC(3) enzymes have been manipulated to be expressed in plants. Chimeric AAC(3)-III and AAC(3)-IV genes were assembled using the constitutively expressed cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter and the nopaline synthase 3′ nontranslated region. These chimeric genes were engineered into vectors for Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation. Petunia hybrida and Arabidopsis thaliana tissue transformed with these vectors grew in the presence of normally lethal levels of gentamicin. The transformed nature of regenerated Arabidopsis plants was confirmed by DNA hybridization analysis and inheritance of the selectable phenotype in progeny. The chimeric AAC(3)-IV gene has also been used to select transformants in several additional plant species. These results show that the bacterial AAC(3) genes will serve as useful selectable markers in plant tissue culture. Images Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Fig. 5 PMID:16666057

  13. Shale embankment construction criteria : experimental feature interim report.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1985-06-01

    The research was conducted in the summer of 1983 during the realignment construction of the Mystic Creek - Camas Valley section on the Coos Bay - Roseburg Highway. Construction is still in progress. As outlined in the experimental features work plan ...

  14. Structures of the N-acetyltransferase domain of Xylella fastidiosa N-acetyl-L-glutamate synthase/kinase with and without a His tag bound to N-acetyl-L-glutamate.

    PubMed

    Zhao, Gengxiang; Jin, Zhongmin; Allewell, Norma M; Tuchman, Mendel; Shi, Dashuang

    2015-01-01

    Structures of the catalytic N-acetyltransferase (NAT) domain of the bifunctional N-acetyl-L-glutamate synthase/kinase (NAGS/K) from Xylella fastidiosa bound to N-acetyl-L-glutamate (NAG) with and without an N-terminal His tag have been solved and refined at 1.7 and 1.4 Å resolution, respectively. The NAT domain with an N-terminal His tag crystallized in space group P4(1)2(1)2, with unit-cell parameters a=b=51.72, c=242.31 Å. Two subunits form a molecular dimer in the asymmetric unit, which contains ∼41% solvent. The NAT domain without an N-terminal His tag crystallized in space group P21, with unit-cell parameters a=63.48, b=122.34, c=75.88 Å, β=107.6°. Eight subunits, which form four molecular dimers, were identified in the asymmetric unit, which contains ∼38% solvent. The structures with and without the N-terminal His tag provide an opportunity to evaluate how the His tag affects structure and function. Furthermore, multiple subunits in different packing environments allow an assessment of the plasticity of the NAG binding site, which might be relevant to substrate binding and product release. The dimeric structure of the X. fastidiosa N-acetytransferase (xfNAT) domain is very similar to that of human N-acetyltransferase (hNAT), reinforcing the notion that mammalian NAGS is evolutionally derived from bifunctional bacterial NAGS/K.

  15. Arylamine N-acetyltransferases: from drug metabolism and pharmacogenetics to drug discovery

    PubMed Central

    Sim, E; Abuhammad, A; Ryan, A

    2014-01-01

    Arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NATs) are polymorphic drug-metabolizing enzymes, acetylating arylamine carcinogens and drugs including hydralazine and sulphonamides. The slow NAT phenotype increases susceptibility to hydralazine and isoniazid toxicity and to occupational bladder cancer. The two polymorphic human NAT loci show linkage disequilibrium. All mammalian Nat genes have an intronless open reading frame and non-coding exons. The human gene products NAT1 and NAT2 have distinct substrate specificities: NAT2 acetylates hydralazine and human NAT1 acetylates p-aminosalicylate (p-AS) and the folate catabolite para-aminobenzoylglutamate (p-abaglu). Human NAT2 is mainly in liver and gut. Human NAT1 and its murine homologue are in many adult tissues and in early embryos. Human NAT1 is strongly expressed in oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer and may contribute to folate and acetyl CoA homeostasis. NAT enzymes act through a catalytic triad of Cys, His and Asp with the architecture of the active site-modulating specificity. Polymorphisms may cause unfolded protein. The C-terminus helps bind acetyl CoA and differs among NATs including prokaryotic homologues. NAT in Salmonella typhimurium supports carcinogen activation and NAT in mycobacteria metabolizes isoniazid with polymorphism a minor factor in isoniazid resistance. Importantly, nat is in a gene cluster essential for Mycobacterium tuberculosis survival inside macrophages. NAT inhibitors are a starting point for novel anti-tuberculosis drugs. Human NAT1-specific inhibitors may act in biomarker detection in breast cancer and in cancer therapy. NAT inhibitors for co-administration with 5-aminosalicylate (5-AS) in inflammatory bowel disease has prompted ongoing investigations of azoreductases in gut bacteria which release 5-AS from prodrugs including balsalazide. PMID:24467436

  16. Risks on N-acetyltransferase 2 and bladder cancer: a meta-analysis.

    PubMed

    Zhu, Zongheng; Zhang, Jinshan; Jiang, Wei; Zhang, Xianjue; Li, Youkong; Xu, Xiaoming

    2015-01-01

    It is known that bladder cancer disease is closely related to aromatic amine compounds, which could cause cancer by regulating of N-acetylation and N-acetyltransferase 1 and 2 (NAT1 and NAT2). The NAT2 slowed acetylation and would increase the risk of bladder cancer, with tobacco smoke being regarded as a risk factor for this increased risk. However, the relationship between NAT2 slow acetylation and bladder cancer is still debatable at present. This study aims to explore preliminarily correlation of NAT2 slow acetylation and the risk of bladder cancer. The articles were searched from PubMed, Cochran, McGrane English databases, CBM, CNKI, and other databases. The extraction of bladder cancer patients and a control group related with the NAT2 gene were detected by the state, and the referenced articles and publications were also used for data retrieval. Using a random effects model, the model assumes that the studies included in the analysis cases belong to the overall population in the study of random sampling, and considering the variables within and between studies. Data were analyzed using STATA Version 6.0 software, using the META module. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria of the literature study, 20 independent studies are included in this meta-analysis. The results showed that the individual differences of bladder cancer susceptibility might be part of the metabolism of carcinogens. Slow acetylation status of bladder cancer associated with the pooled odds ratio was 1.31 (95% confidence interval: 1.11-1.55). The status of NAT2 slow N-acetylation is associated with bladder cancer risks, and may increase the risk of bladder cancer.

  17. Evaluating the Construct-Coverage of the e-rater[R] Scoring Engine. Research Report. ETS RR-09-01

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Quinlan, Thomas; Higgins, Derrick; Wolff, Susanne

    2009-01-01

    This report evaluates the construct coverage of the e-rater[R[ scoring engine. The matter of construct coverage depends on whether one defines writing skill, in terms of process or product. Originally, the e-rater engine consisted of a large set of components with a proven ability to predict human holistic scores. By organizing these capabilities…

  18. Method to produce acetyldiacylglycerols (ac-TAGs) by expression of an acetyltransferase gene isolated from Euonymus alatus (burning bush)

    DOEpatents

    Durrett, Timothy; Ohlrogge, John; Pollard, Michael

    2016-05-03

    The present invention relates to novel diacylglycerol acyltransferase genes and proteins, and methods of their use. In particular, the invention describes genes encoding proteins having diacylglycerol acetyltransferase activity, specifically for transferring an acetyl group to a diacylglycerol substrate to form acetyl-Triacylglycerols (ac-TAGS), for example, a 3-acetyl-1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerol. The present invention encompasses both native and recombinant wild-type forms of the transferase, as well as mutants and variant forms. The present invention also relates to methods of using novel diacylglycerol acyltransferase genes and proteins, including their expression in transgenic organisms at commercially viable levels, for increasing production of 3-acetyl-1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerols in plant oils and altering the composition of oils produced by microorganisms, such as yeast, by increasing ac-TAG production. Additionally, oils produced by methods of the present inventions comprising genes and proteins are contemplated for use as biodiesel fuel, in polymer production and as naturally produced food oils with reduced calories.

  19. Evaluation of experimental flexible pavements : interim report no. 1, construction of Altavista Bypass experimental pavement.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1974-01-01

    Deflection tests conducted during the construction and shortly after the completion of a large experimental pavement project are reported. Four different pavement designs, as follows, are compared: 1. 6-inch cement stabilized subgrade, 6-inch crushed...

  20. Fatal falls and PFAS use in the construction industry: Findings from the NIOSH FACE reports

    PubMed Central

    Dong, Xiuwen Sue; Largay, Julie A.; Choi, Sang D.; Wang, Xuanwen; Cain, Chris Trahan; Romano, Nancy

    2017-01-01

    This study analyzed the Construction FACE Database (CFD), a quantitative database developed from reports of the Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) program conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The CFD contains detailed data on 768 fatalities in the construction industry reported by NIOSH and individual states from 1982 through June 30, 2015. The results show that falls accounted for 42% (325) of the 768 fatalities included in the CFD. Personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) were not available to more than half of the fall decedents (54%); nearly one in four fall decedents (23%) had access to PFAS, but were not using it at the time of the fall. Lack of access to PFAS was particularly high among residential building contractors as well as roofing, siding, and sheet metal industry sectors (~70%). Although the findings may not represent the entire construction industry today, they do provide strong evidence in favor of fall protection requirements by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In addition to stronger enforcement, educating employers and workers about the importance and effectiveness of fall protection is crucial for compliance and fall prevention. PMID:28292698

  1. Wife-Battering: A Theoretical Construct and Case Report.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Guerney, Bernard, Jr.; And Others

    1987-01-01

    Presents a theoretical construct (prostrate-detonate-dominate-ingratiate) to explain the development and maintenance of wife-battering. Ties the construct to research evidence and, along with clinical observations, uses it to develop a rationale for a type of therapy deemed effective with wife-batters: group marital Relationship Enhancement.…

  2. Genetic variation in aryl N-acetyltransferase results in significant differences in the pharmacokinetic and safety profiles of amifampridine (3,4-diaminopyridine) phosphate.

    PubMed

    Haroldsen, Peter E; Garovoy, Marvin R; Musson, Donald G; Zhou, Huiyu; Tsuruda, Laurie; Hanson, Boyd; O'Neill, Charles A

    2015-02-01

    The clinical use of amifampridine phosphate for neuromuscular junction disorders is increasing. The metabolism of amifampridine occurs via polymorphic aryl N-acetyltransferase (NAT), yet its pharmacokinetic (PK) and safety profiles, as influenced by this enzyme system, have not been investigated. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of NAT phenotype and genotype on the PK and safety profiles of amifampridine in healthy volunteers (N = 26). A caffeine challenge test and NAT2 genotyping were used to delineate subjects into slow and fast acetylators for PK and tolerability assessment of single, escalating doses of amifampridine (up to 30 mg) and in multiple daily doses (20 mg QID) of amifampridine. The results showed that fast acetylator phenotypes displayed significantly lower C max, AUC, and shorter t 1/2 for amifampridine than slow acetylators. Plasma concentrations of the N-acetyl metabolite were approximately twofold higher in fast acetylators. Gender differences were not observed. Single doses of amifampridine demonstrated dose linear PKs. Amifampridine achieved steady state plasma levels within 1 day of dosing four times daily. No accumulation or time-dependent changes in amifampridine PK parameters occurred. Overall, slow acetylators reported 73 drug-related treatment-emergent adverse events versus 6 in fast acetylators. Variations in polymorphic NAT corresponding with fast and slow acetylator phenotypes significantly affects the PK and safety profiles of amifampridine.

  3. LSCA (Library Services and Construction Act, Title I) Special Project Reports, Fiscal Year 1976.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Massachusetts State Board of Library Commissioners, Boston.

    This collection of reports provides the objectives, background information, project descriptions, and evaluations for 16 public library programs funded through the Library Services and Construction Act in Massachusetts during FY 1976. The projects reflect the efforts being made by librarians to provide services to segments of their population who…

  4. Nanoparticle abraxane possesses impaired proliferation in A549 cells due to the underexpression of glucosamine 6-phosphate N-acetyltransferase 1 (GNPNAT1/GNA1).

    PubMed

    Zhao, Minzhi; Li, Haiyun; Ma, Yan; Gong, He; Yang, Shu; Fang, Qiaojun; Hu, Zhiyuan

    2017-01-01

    Abraxane (Abr), a US Food and Drug Administration-approved albumin-bound nanoparticle applied for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer, has been reported to be more effective than paclitaxel (PTX). To further understand the molecular mechanisms that produce this superior drug efficacy of Abr, a quantitative proteomic approach has been applied to investigate the global protein expression profiles of lung cancer cell A549 treated with Abr and PTX. Only one protein, namely, glucosamine 6-phosphate N-acetyltransferase 1 (GNA1), showed significant differential expression ( P <0.05) in the cutoff of 2.0 fold, suggesting that Abr can be used safely as a substitute for PTX. GNA1 is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of uridine diphosphate-N-acetylglucosamine, which is an important donor substrate for N-linked glycosylation and has several important functions such as embryonic development and growth. Albumin plays a major role in the regulation of this protein. In summary, this study first shows that the superior drug effect of Abr is mainly due to the downregulation of GNA1, which causes proliferative delay and cell adhesion defect. It is also noteworthy that the deficiency of GNA1 might reduce insulin secretion which correlates with type 2 diabetes.

  5. Importance of the Evaluation of N-Acetyltransferase Enzyme Activity Prior to 5-Aminosalicylic Acid Medication for Ulcerative Colitis.

    PubMed

    Matthis, Andrea L; Zhang, Bin; Denson, Lee A; Yacyshyn, Bruce R; Aihara, Eitaro; Montrose, Marshall H

    2016-08-01

    5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) is a classic anti-inflammatory drug for the treatment of ulcerative colitis. N-acetyltransferase (NAT) enzymes convert 5-ASA to its metabolite N-acetyl-5-ASA, and it is unresolved whether 5-ASA or N-acetyl-5-ASA is the effective therapeutic molecule. We previously demonstrated that colonic production of N-acetyl-5-ASA (NAT activity) is decreased in dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis. Our hypothesis is that 5-ASA is the therapeutic molecule to improve colitis, with the corollary that altered NAT activity affects drug efficacy. Since varying clinical effectiveness of 5-ASA has been reported, we also ask if NAT activity varies with inflammation in pediatric or adult patients. Acute colonic inflammation was induced in C57BL/6 NAT wild-type (WT) or knockout mice, using 3.5% dextran sulfate sodium (w/v) concurrent with 5-ASA treatment. Adult and pediatric rectosigmoid biopsies were collected from control or patients with ulcerative colitis. Tissue was analyzed for NAT and myeloperoxidase activity. Dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis was of similar severity in both NAT WT and knockout mice, and NAT activity was significantly decreased in NAT WT mice. In the setting of colitis, 5-ASA significantly restored colon length and decreased myeloperoxidase activity in NAT knockout but not in WT mice. Myeloperoxidase activity negatively correlated with NAT activity in pediatric patients, but correlation was not observed in adult patients. Inflammation decreases NAT activity in the colon of mice and human pediatric patients. Decreased NAT activity enhances the therapeutic effect of 5-ASA in mice. A NAT activity assay could be useful to help predict the efficacy of 5-ASA therapy.

  6. N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) gene polymorphism as a predisposing factor for phenytoin intoxication in tuberculous meningitis or tuberculoma patients having seizures - A pilot study.

    PubMed

    Adole, Prashant S; Kharbanda, Parampreet S; Sharma, Sadhna

    2016-05-01

    Simultaneous administration of phenytoin and isoniazid (INH) in tuberculous meningitis (TBM) or tuberculoma patients with seizures results in higher plasma phenytoin level and thus phenytoin intoxication. N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) enzyme catalyses two acetylation reactions in INH metabolism and NAT2 gene polymorphism leads to slow and rapid acetylators. The present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of allelic variants of N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) gene as a predisposing factor for phenytoin toxicity in patients with TBM or tuberculoma having seizures, and taking INH and phenytoin simultaneously. Sixty patients with TBM or tuberculoma with seizures and taking INH and phenytoin simultaneously for a minimum period of seven days were included in study. Plasma phenytoin was measured by high performance liquid chromatography. NAT2 gene polymorphism was studied using restriction fragment length polymorphism and allele specific PCR. The patients were grouped into those having phenytoin intoxication and those with normal phenytoin level, and also classified as rapid or slow acetylators by NAT2 genotyping. Genotypic analysis showed that of the seven SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) of NAT2 gene studied, six mutations were found to be associated with phenytoin intoxication. For rs1041983 (C282T), rs1799929 (C481T), rs1799931 (G857A), rs1799930 (G590A), rs1208 (A803G) and rs1801280 (T341C) allelic variants, the proportion of homozygous mutant was higher in phenytoin intoxicated group than in phenytoin non-intoxicated group. Homozygous mutant allele of NAT2 gene at 481site may act as a predisposing factor for phenytoin intoxication among TBM or tuberculoma patients having seizures.

  7. N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) gene polymorphism as a predisposing factor for phenytoin intoxication in tuberculous meningitis or tuberculoma patients having seizures - A pilot study

    PubMed Central

    Adole, Prashant S.; Kharbanda, Parampreet S.; Sharma, Sadhna

    2016-01-01

    Background & objectives: Simultaneous administration of phenytoin and isoniazid (INH) in tuberculous meningitis (TBM) or tuberculoma patients with seizures results in higher plasma phenytoin level and thus phenytoin intoxication. N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) enzyme catalyses two acetylation reactions in INH metabolism and NAT2 gene polymorphism leads to slow and rapid acetylators. The present study was aimed to evaluate the effect of allelic variants of N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) gene as a predisposing factor for phenytoin toxicity in patients with TBM or tuberculoma having seizures, and taking INH and phenytoin simultaneously. Methods: Sixty patients with TBM or tuberculoma with seizures and taking INH and phenytoin simultaneously for a minimum period of seven days were included in study. Plasma phenytoin was measured by high performance liquid chromatography. NAT2 gene polymorphism was studied using restriction fragment length polymorphism and allele specific PCR. Results: The patients were grouped into those having phenytoin intoxication and those with normal phenytoin level, and also classified as rapid or slow acetylators by NAT2 genotyping. Genotypic analysis showed that of the seven SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) of NAT2 gene studied, six mutations were found to be associated with phenytoin intoxication. For rs1041983 (C282T), rs1799929 (C481T), rs1799931 (G857A), rs1799930 (G590A), rs1208 (A803G) and rs1801280 (T341C) allelic variants, the proportion of homozygous mutant was higher in phenytoin intoxicated group than in phenytoin non-intoxicated group. Interpretation & conclusions: Homozygous mutant allele of NAT2 gene at 481site may act as a predisposing factor for phenytoin intoxication among TBM or tuberculoma patients having seizures. PMID:27488001

  8. The histone acetyltransferase component TRRAP is targeted for destruction during the cell cycle.

    PubMed

    Ichim, G; Mola, M; Finkbeiner, M G; Cros, M-P; Herceg, Z; Hernandez-Vargas, H

    2014-01-09

    Chromosomes are dynamic structures that must be reversibly condensed and unfolded to accommodate mitotic division and chromosome segregation. Histone modifications are involved in the striking chromatin reconfiguration taking place during mitosis. However, the mechanisms that regulate activity and function of histone-modifying factors as cells enter and exit mitosis are poorly understood. Here, we show that the anaphase-promoting complex or cyclosome (APC/C) is involved in the mitotic turnover of TRRAP (TRansformation/tRanscription domain-Associated Protein), a common component of histone acetyltransferase (HAT) complexes, and that the pre-mitotic degradation of TRRAP is mediated by the APC/C ubiquitin ligase activators Cdc20 and Cdh1. Ectopic expression of both Cdh1 and Cdc20 reduced the levels of coexpressed TRRAP protein and induced its ubiquitination. TRRAP overexpression or stabilization induces multiple mitotic defects, including lagging chromosomes, chromosome bridges and multipolar spindles. In addition, lack of sister chromatid cohesion and impaired chromosome condensation were found after TRRAP overexpression or stabilization. By using a truncated form of TRRAP, we show that mitotic delay is associated with a global histone H4 hyperacetylation induced by TRRAP overexpression. These results demonstrate that the chromatin modifier TRRAP is targeted for destruction in a cell cycle-dependent fashion. They also suggest that degradation of TRRAP by the APC/C is necessary for a proper condensation of chromatin and proper chromosome segregation. Chromatin compaction mediated by histone modifiers may represent a fundamental arm for APC/C orchestration of the mitotic machinery.

  9. 42 CFR 137.351 - Is a Self-Governance Tribe required to submit construction project progress and financial reports...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-10-01

    ... 42 Public Health 1 2012-10-01 2012-10-01 false Is a Self-Governance Tribe required to submit construction project progress and financial reports for construction project agreements? 137.351 Section 137.351 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES...

  10. 42 CFR 137.351 - Is a Self-Governance Tribe required to submit construction project progress and financial reports...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-10-01

    ... 42 Public Health 1 2014-10-01 2014-10-01 false Is a Self-Governance Tribe required to submit construction project progress and financial reports for construction project agreements? 137.351 Section 137.351 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES...

  11. 42 CFR 137.351 - Is a Self-Governance Tribe required to submit construction project progress and financial reports...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-10-01

    ... 42 Public Health 1 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Is a Self-Governance Tribe required to submit construction project progress and financial reports for construction project agreements? 137.351 Section 137.351 Public Health PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES...

  12. Physiological role of D-amino acid-N-acetyltransferase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: detoxification of D-amino acids.

    PubMed

    Yow, Geok-Yong; Uo, Takuma; Yoshimura, Tohru; Esaki, Nobuyoshi

    2006-03-01

    Saccharomyces cerevisiae is sensitive to D-amino acids: those corresponding to almost all proteinous L-amino acids inhibit the growth of yeast even at low concentrations (e.g. 0.1 mM). We have determined that D-amino acid-N-acetyltransferase (DNT) of the yeast is involved in the detoxification of D-amino acids on the basis of the following findings. When the DNT gene was disrupted, the resulting mutant was far less tolerant to D-amino acids than the wild type. However, when the gene was overexpressed with a vector plasmid p426Gal1 in the wild type or the mutant S. cerevisiae as a host, the recombinant yeast, which was found to show more than 100 times higher DNT activity than the wild type, was much more tolerant to D-amino acids than the wild type. We further confirmed that, upon cultivation with D-phenylalanine, N-acetyl-D-phenylalanine was accumulated in the culture but not in the wild type and hpa3Delta cells overproducing DNT cells. Thus, D-amino acids are toxic to S. cerevisiae but are detoxified with DNT by N-acetylation preceding removal from yeast cells.

  13. Spatial learning in rats: correlation with cortical choline acetyltransferase and improvement with NGF following NBM damage.

    PubMed

    Mandel, R J; Gage, F H; Thal, L J

    1989-06-01

    Rats display an acquisition deficit in a circular water maze following excitotoxic lesions of the nucleus basalis magnocellularis (NBM). Experiments were therefore performed to determine if acquisition behavior on this task could predict the degree of cortical cholinergic deafferentation and if the acquisition deficit could be pharmacologically reversed. Performance on acquisition was highly correlated with the lesion-induced reduction in cortical choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity. Accuracy of spatial behavior was highly correlated to percentage ChAT depletion (r = 0.75). Neither lesioned rats nor controls displayed a retention deficit after a 9-day interval, nor did either group display a passive-avoidance retention deficit. To test the causal relationship between cholinergic dysfunction and spatial behavior, the central nervous system cholinergic enhancer nerve growth factor (NGF) was intraventricularly infused for 4 weeks. NGF infusion resulted in improved acquisition of the water maze task compared to NBM-lesioned rats receiving vehicle infusion and untreated rats with NBM lesions. These studies indicate that the decrease in cortical ChAT activity is likely to be responsible for the observed acquisition deficit and that pharmacological manipulations can be successfully used to improve behavior following NBM lesions.

  14. Osage River Basin, Osage River, Missouri, Harry S. Trumman Dam & Reservoir. Multiple-Purpose Project. Operation and Maintenance Manual. Appendix 7, Volume 2. Construction Foundation Report.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1984-01-01

    PROJECT S TYPE OF REPORT & PERIOD COVEREDOSAGE RIVER BASIN ConStruction Foundation OSAGE RIVER MISSOURI Report from September 1966 HARRY S. TRUMAN DAM...OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE MANUAL HARRY S. TRUMAN DAM AND RESERVOIR OSAGE RIVER, MISSOURI APPENDIX VII CONSTRUCTION FOUNDATION REPORT VOLUME II TABLE OF...09r IWNI’(ANSAS CITY M?5OU ....... 11 1 O IA R, MISSOURI HARRY S TRUMA DAM & 1K5(V01 = CONSTRUCT"ON FOUNDATION REPORT IGEOLOGIC UNIT DESCRIPTIONS

  15. Fatal falls and PFAS use in the construction industry: Findings from the NIOSH FACE reports.

    PubMed

    Dong, Xiuwen Sue; Largay, Julie A; Choi, Sang D; Wang, Xuanwen; Cain, Chris Trahan; Romano, Nancy

    2017-05-01

    This study analyzed the Construction FACE Database (CFD), a quantitative database developed from reports of the Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) program conducted by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). The CFD contains detailed data on 768 fatalities in the construction industry reported by NIOSH and individual states from 1982 through June 30, 2015. The results show that falls accounted for 42% (325) of the 768 fatalities included in the CFD. Personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) were not available to more than half of the fall decedents (54%); nearly one in four fall decedents (23%) had access to PFAS, but were not using it at the time of the fall. Lack of access to PFAS was particularly high among residential building contractors as well as roofing, siding, and sheet metal industry sectors (∼70%). Although the findings may not represent the entire construction industry today, they do provide strong evidence in favor of fall protection requirements by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). In addition to stronger enforcement, educating employers and workers about the importance and effectiveness of fall protection is crucial for compliance and fall prevention. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  16. Differential Effects of Histone Acetyltransferase GCN5 or PCAF Knockdown on Urothelial Carcinoma Cells

    PubMed Central

    Koutsogiannouli, Evangelia A.; Hader, Christiane; Pinkerneil, Maria; Hoffmann, Michèle J.; Schulz, Wolfgang A.

    2017-01-01

    Disturbances in histone acetyltransferases (HATs) are common in cancers. In urothelial carcinoma (UC), p300 and CBP are often mutated, whereas the GNAT family HATs GCN5 and PCAF (General Control Nonderepressible 5, p300/CBP-Associated Factor) are often upregulated. Here, we explored the effects of specific siRNA-mediated knockdown of GCN5, PCAF or both in four UC cell lines (UCCs). Expression of various HATs and marker proteins was measured by qRT-PCR and western blot. Cellular effects of knockdowns were analyzed by flow cytometry and ATP-, caspase-, and colony forming-assays. GCN5 was regularly upregulated in UCCs, whereas PCAF was variable. Knockdown of GCN5 or both GNATs, but not of PCAF alone, diminished viability and inhibited clonogenic growth in 2/4 UCCs, inducing cell cycle changes and caspase-3/7 activity. PCAF knockdown elicited GCN5 mRNA upregulation. Double knockdown increased c-MYC and MDM2 (Mouse Double Minute 2) in most cell lines. In conclusion, GCN5 upregulation is especially common in UCCs. GCN5 knockdown impeded growth of specific UCCs, whereas PCAF knockdown elicited minor effects. The limited sensitivity towards GNAT knockdown and its variation between the cell lines might be due to compensatory effects including HAT, c-MYC and MDM2 upregulation. Our results predict that developing drugs targeting individual HATs for UC treatment may be challenging. PMID:28678170

  17. Environmental History Modulates Arabidopsis Pattern-Triggered Immunity in a HISTONE ACETYLTRANSFERASE1-Dependent Manner.

    PubMed

    Singh, Prashant; Yekondi, Shweta; Chen, Po-Wen; Tsai, Chia-Hong; Yu, Chun-Wei; Wu, Keqiang; Zimmerli, Laurent

    2014-06-01

    In nature, plants are exposed to a fluctuating environment, and individuals exposed to contrasting environmental factors develop different environmental histories. Whether different environmental histories alter plant responses to a current stress remains elusive. Here, we show that environmental history modulates the plant response to microbial pathogens. Arabidopsis thaliana plants exposed to repetitive heat, cold, or salt stress were more resistant to virulent bacteria than Arabidopsis grown in a more stable environment. By contrast, long-term exposure to heat, cold, or exposure to high concentrations of NaCl did not provide enhanced protection against bacteria. Enhanced resistance occurred with priming of Arabidopsis pattern-triggered immunity (PTI)-responsive genes and the potentiation of PTI-mediated callose deposition. In repetitively stress-challenged Arabidopsis, PTI-responsive genes showed enrichment for epigenetic marks associated with transcriptional activation. Upon bacterial infection, enrichment of RNA polymerase II at primed PTI marker genes was observed in environmentally challenged Arabidopsis. Finally, repetitively stress-challenged histone acetyltransferase1-1 (hac1-1) mutants failed to demonstrate enhanced resistance to bacteria, priming of PTI, and increased open chromatin states. These findings reveal that environmental history shapes the plant response to bacteria through the development of a HAC1-dependent epigenetic mark characteristic of a primed PTI response, demonstrating a mechanistic link between the primed state in plants and epigenetics. © 2014 American Society of Plant Biologists. All rights reserved.

  18. Disposition, Metabolism and Histone Deacetylase and Acetyltransferase Inhibition Activity of Tetrahydrocurcumin and Other Curcuminoids

    PubMed Central

    Novaes, Júlia T.; Sayre, Casey L.; Majeed, Muhammed; Ho, Emmanuel A.; Oliveira, Ana Luísa de P.; Martinez, Stephanie E.; Davies, Neal M.; Lakowski, Ted M.

    2017-01-01

    Tetrahydrocurcumin (THC), curcumin and calebin-A are curcuminoids found in turmeric (Curcuma longa). Curcuminoids have been established to have a variety of pharmacological activities and are used as natural health supplements. The purpose of this study was to identify the metabolism, excretion, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties of these curcuminoids and to determine disposition of THC in rats after oral administration. We developed a UHPLC–MS/MS assay for THC in rat serum and urine. THC shows multiple redistribution phases with corresponding increases in urinary excretion rate. In-vitro antioxidant activity, histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity, histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity and anti-inflammatory inhibitory activity were examined using commercial assay kits. Anticancer activity was determined in Sup-T1 lymphoma cells. Our results indicate THC was poorly absorbed after oral administration and primarily excreted via non-renal routes. All curcuminoids exhibited multiple pharmacological effects in vitro, including potent antioxidant activity as well as inhibition of CYP2C9, CYP3A4 and lipoxygenase activity without affecting the release of TNF-α. Unlike curcumin and calebin-A, THC did not inhibit HDAC1 and PCAF and displayed a weaker growth inhibition activity against Sup-T1 cells. We show evidence for the first time that curcumin and calebin-A inhibit HAT and PCAF, possibly through a Michael-addition mechanism. PMID:29023392

  19. Cloning and characterization of a serotonin N-acetyltransferase from a gymnosperm, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda).

    PubMed

    Park, Sangkyu; Byeon, Yeong; Lee, Hyoung Yool; Kim, Young-Soon; Ahn, Taeho; Back, Kyoungwhan

    2014-10-01

    Serotonin N-acetyltransferase (SNAT) is the penultimate enzyme in melatonin biosynthesis in both animals and plants. SNAT catalyzes serotonin into N-acetylserotonin, an immediate precursor for melatonin biosynthesis by N-acetylserotonin methyltransferase (ASMT). We cloned the SNAT gene from a gymnosperm loblolly pine (Pinus teada). The loblolly pine SNAT (PtSNAT) gene encodes 255 amino acids harboring a transit sequence with 67 amino acids and shows 67% amino acid identity with rice SNAT when comparing the mature polypeptide regions. Purified recombinant PtSNAT showed peak activity at 55°C with the K(m) (428 μM) and Vmax (3.9 nmol/min/mg protein) values. As predicted, PtSNAT localized to chloroplasts. The SNAT mRNA was constitutively expressed in all tissues, including leaf, bud, flower, and pinecone, whereas the corresponding protein was detected only in leaf. In accordance with the exclusive SNAT protein expression in leaf, melatonin was detected only in leaf at 0.45 ng per gram fresh weight. Sequence and phylogenetic analysis indicated that the gymnosperm PtSNAT had high homology with SNATs from all plant phyla (even with cyanobacteria), and formed a clade separated from the angiosperm SNATs, suggestive of direct gene transfer from cyanobacteria via endosymbiosis. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  20. Testicular dysfunction in experimental chronic renal insufficiency: a deficiency of nocturnal pineal N-acetyltransferase activity.

    PubMed Central

    Holmes, E. W.; Hojvat, S. A.; Kahn, S. E.; Bermes, E. W.

    1989-01-01

    Biochemical correlates of neuroendocrine/gonadal function and nocturnal levels of serotonin N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity were determined in partially nephrectomized (PNx), male, Long Evans rats following a 5-week period of chronic renal insufficiency (CRI). PNx animals demonstrated two to four-fold elevations in urea nitrogen and three to four-fold reductions (P less than 0.02) in plasma total testosterone concentrations as compared to sham-operated controls. The pituitary LH contents of PNx rats were decreased to approximately 60% of the control value (P less than 0.05). There were no differences in plasma prolactin levels between the control and PNx groups either at mid-day or in the middle of the night. Nocturnal pineal NAT activity in PNx rats was markedly reduced to approximately 20% of the control value (P less than 0.001). Similar evidence of gonadal dysfunction (reduced plasma total testosterone and testes testosterone content) and a significant decrease in night-time levels of pineal NAT activity were also observed after 13 weeks of CRI in PNx rats of the Sprague-Dawley strain that were housed under a different photoperiod. These results suggest that pineal gland dysfunction is a feature of CRI in the PNx model. Such an abnormality might contribute to the pathogenesis of gonadal dysfunction in CRI. PMID:2765391

  1. Structures and functions of insect arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (iaaNAT); a key enzyme for physiological and behavioral switch in arthropods

    PubMed Central

    Hiragaki, Susumu; Suzuki, Takeshi; Mohamed, Ahmed A. M.; Takeda, Makio

    2015-01-01

    The evolution of N-acetyltransfeases (NATs) seems complex. Vertebrate arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (aaNAT) has been extensively studied since it leads to the synthesis of melatonin, a multifunctional neurohormone prevalent in photoreceptor cells, and is known as a chemical token of the night. Melatonin also serves as a scavenger for reactive oxygen species. This is also true with invertebrates. NAT therefore has distinct functional implications in circadian function, as timezymes (aaNAT), and also xenobiotic reactions (arylamine NAT or simply NAT). NATs belong to a broader enzyme group, the GCN5-related N-acetyltransferase superfamily. Due to low sequence homology and a seemingly fast rate of structural differentiation, the nomenclature for NATs can be confusing. The advent of bioinformatics, however, has helped to classify this group of enzymes; vertebrates have two distinct subgroups, the timezyme type and the xenobiotic type, which has a wider substrate range including imidazolamine, pharmacological drugs, environmental toxicants and even histone. Insect aaNAT (iaaNAT) form their own clade in the phylogeny, distinct from vertebrate aaNATs. Arthropods are unique, since the phylum has exoskeleton in which quinones derived from N-acetylated monoamines function in coupling chitin and arthropodins. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity is limited in insects, but NAT-mediated degradation prevails. However, unexpectedly iaaNAT occurs not only among arthropods but also among basal deuterostomia, and is therefore more apomorphic. Our analyses illustrate that iaaNATs has unique physiological roles but at the same time it plays a role in a timezyme function, at least in photoperiodism. Photoperiodism has been considered as a function of circadian system but the detailed molecular mechanism is not well understood. We propose a molecular hypothesis for photoperiodism in Antheraea pernyi based on the transcription regulation of NAT interlocked by the circadian system

  2. The Abbott School Construction Program: Report on the NJ Department of Education Proposed Regulations on Long-Range Facilities Plans

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Ponessa, Joan

    2004-01-01

    This report on Long Range Facilities Plans (LRFPs) analyzes regulations proposed by the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) to implement the Educational Facilities Construction and Financing Act. (EFCFA). EFCFA, which authorizes and governs New Jersey's public school construction program, was enacted in July 2000 to implement the State…

  3. Mechanistic and Structural Analysis of a Drosophila melanogaster Enzyme, Arylalkylamine N-Acetyltransferase Like 7, an Enzyme That Catalyzes the Formation of N-Acetylarylalkylamides and N-Acetylhistamine.

    PubMed

    Dempsey, Daniel R; Jeffries, Kristen A; Handa, Sumit; Carpenter, Anne-Marie; Rodriguez-Ospina, Santiago; Breydo, Leonid; Merkler, David J

    2015-04-28

    Arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase like 7 (AANATL7) catalyzes the formation of N-acetylarylalkylamides and N-acetylhistamine from acetyl-CoA and the corresponding amine substrate. AANATL7 is a member of the GNAT superfamily of >10000 GCN5-related N-acetyltransferases, many members being linked to important roles in both human metabolism and disease. Drosophila melanogaster utilizes the N-acetylation of biogenic amines for the inactivation of neurotransmitters, the biosynthesis of melatonin, and the sclerotization of the cuticle. We have expressed and purified D. melanogaster AANATL7 in Escherichia coli and used the purified enzyme to define the substrate specificity for acyl-CoA and amine substrates. Information about the substrate specificity provides insight into the potential contribution made by AANATL7 to fatty acid amide biosynthesis because D. melanogaster has emerged as an important model system contributing to our understanding of fatty acid amide metabolism. Characterization of the kinetic mechanism of AANATL7 identified an ordered sequential mechanism, with acetyl-CoA binding first followed by histamine to generate an AANATL7·acetyl-CoA·histamine ternary complex prior to catalysis. Successive pH-activity profiling and site-directed mutagenesis experiments identified two ionizable groups: one with a pKa of 7.1 that is assigned to Glu-26 as a general base and a second pKa of 9.5 that is assigned to the protonation of the thiolate of the coenzyme A product. Using the data generated herein, we propose a chemical mechanism for AANATL7 and define functions for other important amino acid residues involved in substrate binding and regulation of catalysis.

  4. Histone acetyltransferase activity of MOF is required for MLL-AF9 leukemogenesis

    PubMed Central

    Valerio, Daria G.; Xu, Haiming; Chen, Chun-Wei; Hoshii, Takayuki; Eisold, Meghan E.; Delaney, Christopher; Cusan, Monica; Deshpande, Aniruddha J.; Huang, Chun-Hao; Lujambio, Amaia; Zheng, George; Zuber, Johannes; Pandita, Tej K.; Lowe, Scott W.; Armstrong, Scott A.

    2017-01-01

    Chromatin-based mechanisms offer therapeutic targets in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that are of great current interest. In this study, we conducted an RNAi-based screen to identify druggable chromatin regulator-based targets in leukemias marked by oncogenic rearrangements of the MLL gene. In this manner, we discovered the H4K16 histone acetyltransferase (HAT) MOF to be important for leukemia cell growth. Conditional deletion of Mof in a mouse model of MLL-AF9-driven leukemogenesis reduced tumor burden and prolonged host survival. RNA sequencing showed an expected downregulation of genes within DNA damage repair pathways that are controlled by MOF, as correlated with a significant increase in yH2AX nuclear foci in Mof-deficient MLL-AF9 tumor cells. In parallel, Mof loss also impaired global H4K16 acetylation in the tumor cell genome. Rescue experiments with catalytically inactive mutants of MOF showed that its enzymatic activity was required to maintain cancer pathogenicity. In support of the role of MOF in sustaining H4K16 acetylation, a small molecule inhibitor of the HAT component MYST blocked the growth of both murine and human MLL-AF9 leukemia cell lines. Furthermore Mof inactivation suppressed leukemia development in a NUP98-HOXA9 driven AML model. Taken together, our results establish that the HAT activity of MOF is required to sustain MLL-AF9 leukemia and may be important for multiple AML subtypes. Blocking this activity is sufficient to stimulate DNA damage, offering a rationale to pursue MOF inhibitors as a targeted approach to treat MLL-rearranged leukemias. PMID:28202522

  5. Final Report: Self-Consolidating Concrete Construction for Modular Units

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Gentry, Russell; Kahn, Lawrence; Kurtis, Kimberly

    This report focuses on work completed on DE-NE0000667, Self-Consolidating Concrete for Modular Units, in connection with the Department of Energy Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies (DOE-NEET) program. This project was completed in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, with Westinghouse Corporation as the industrial partner. The primary objective of this project was to develop self-consolidating concrete (also termed “self-compacting concrete” or SCC) mixtures so that concrete placement can be made into steel plate composite (SC) modular structures without the need for continuous concrete placement. As part of the research, SCC mixtures were developed andmore » validated to ensure sufficient shear capacity across cold-joints, while minimizing shrinkage and temperature increase during curing to enhance concrete bonding with the steel plate construction found in modular units. The SCC mixtures developed were able to carry shearing forces across the cold-joint boundaries. This “self-roughening” was achieved by adding a tailored fraction of lightweight aggregate (LWA) to the concrete mix, some of which raised to the surface during curing, forming a rough surface on which subsequent concrete placements were made. The self-roughening behavior was validated through three sets of structural tests. Shear friction on small-scale specimens with cold joints was assessed using varying fractions of LWA and with varying amounts of external steel plate reinforcement. The results show that the shear friction coefficient, to be used with the provisions of ACI 318-14, Section 22.9, can be taken as 1.35. Mid-scale beam tests were completed to assess the cold-joint capacity in both in-plane and out-of-plane bending. The results showed that the self-roughened joints performed as well as monolithic joints. The final assessment was a full-scale test using a steel composite module supplied by Westinghouse and similar in

  6. 10 CFR 51.50 - Environmental report-construction permit, early site permit, or combined license stage.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... costs of the proposed action or an evaluation of alternative energy sources. (3) For other than light... 10 Energy 2 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Environmental report-construction permit, early site permit, or combined license stage. 51.50 Section 51.50 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (CONTINUED...

  7. 10 CFR 51.50 - Environmental report-construction permit, early site permit, or combined license stage.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-01-01

    ... costs of the proposed action or an evaluation of alternative energy sources. (3) For other than light... 10 Energy 2 2013-01-01 2013-01-01 false Environmental report-construction permit, early site permit, or combined license stage. 51.50 Section 51.50 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (CONTINUED...

  8. 10 CFR 51.50 - Environmental report-construction permit, early site permit, or combined license stage.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-01-01

    ... costs of the proposed action or an evaluation of alternative energy sources. (3) For other than light... 10 Energy 2 2010-01-01 2010-01-01 false Environmental report-construction permit, early site permit, or combined license stage. 51.50 Section 51.50 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (CONTINUED...

  9. 10 CFR 51.50 - Environmental report-construction permit, early site permit, or combined license stage.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-01-01

    ... costs of the proposed action or an evaluation of alternative energy sources. (3) For other than light... 10 Energy 2 2014-01-01 2014-01-01 false Environmental report-construction permit, early site permit, or combined license stage. 51.50 Section 51.50 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (CONTINUED...

  10. 10 CFR 51.50 - Environmental report-construction permit, early site permit, or combined license stage.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... costs of the proposed action or an evaluation of alternative energy sources. (3) For other than light... 10 Energy 2 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Environmental report-construction permit, early site permit, or combined license stage. 51.50 Section 51.50 Energy NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (CONTINUED...

  11. New spectrophotometric and radiochemical assays for acetyl-CoA: arylamine N-acetyltransferase applicable to a variety of arylamines

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Andres, H.H.; Klem, A.J.; Szabo, S.M.

    1985-03-01

    Simple and sensitive spectrophotometric and radiochemical procedures are described for the assay of acetyl-CoA:arylamine N-acetyltransferase (NAT), which catalyzes the reaction acetyl-CoA + arylamine----N-acetylated arylamine + CoASH. The methods are applicable to crude tissue homogenates and blood lysates. The spectrophotometric assay is characterized by two features: (i) NAT activity is measured by quantifying the disappearance of the arylamine substrate as reflected by decreasing Schiff's base formation with dimethylaminobenzaldehyde. (ii) During the enzymatic reaction, the inhibitory product CoASH is recycled by the system acetyl phosphate/phosphotransacetylase to the substrate acetyl-CoA. The radiochemical procedure depends on enzymatic synthesis of (/sup 3/H)acetyl-CoA in the assaymore » using (/sup 3/H)acetate, ATP, CoASH, and acetyl-CoA synthetase. NAT activity is measured by quantifying N-(/sup 3/H)acetylarylamine after separation from (/sup 3/H)acetate by extraction. Product inhibition by CoASH is prevented in this system by the use of acetyl-CoA synthetase.« less

  12. Lysine acetyltransferase NuA4 and acetyl-CoA regulate glucose-deprived stress granule formation in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

    PubMed Central

    Huard, Sylvain; Morettin, Alan; Fullerton, Morgan D.; Côté, Jocelyn

    2017-01-01

    Eukaryotic cells form stress granules under a variety of stresses, however the signaling pathways regulating their formation remain largely unknown. We have determined that the Saccharomyces cerevisiae lysine acetyltransferase complex NuA4 is required for stress granule formation upon glucose deprivation but not heat stress. Further, the Tip60 complex, the human homolog of the NuA4 complex, is required for stress granule formation in cancer cell lines. Surprisingly, the impact of NuA4 on glucose-deprived stress granule formation is partially mediated through regulation of acetyl-CoA levels, which are elevated in NuA4 mutants. While elevated acetyl-CoA levels suppress the formation of glucose-deprived stress granules, decreased acetyl-CoA levels enhance stress granule formation upon glucose deprivation. Further our work suggests that NuA4 regulates acetyl-CoA levels through the Acetyl-CoA carboxylase Acc1. Altogether this work establishes both NuA4 and the metabolite acetyl-CoA as critical signaling pathways regulating the formation of glucose-deprived stress granules. PMID:28231279

  13. Gallic Acid Decreases Inflammatory Cytokine Secretion Through Histone Acetyltransferase/Histone Deacetylase Regulation in High Glucose-Induced Human Monocytes.

    PubMed

    Lee, Wooje; Lee, Sang Yeol; Son, Young-Jin; Yun, Jung-Mi

    2015-07-01

    Hyperglycemia contributes to diabetes and several diabetes-related complications. Gallic acid is a polyhydroxy phenolic compound found in various natural products. In this study, we investigated the effects and mechanism of gallic acid on proinflammatory cytokine secretion in high glucose-induced human monocytes (THP-1 cells). THP-1 cells were cultured under normoglycemic or hyperglycemic conditions, in the absence or presence of gallic acid. Hyperglycemic conditions significantly induced histone acetylation, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation, and proinflammatory cytokine release from THP-1 cells, whereas gallic acid suppressed NF-κB activity and cytokine release. It also significantly reduced CREB-binding protein/p300 (CBP/p300, a NF-κB coactivator) gene expression, acetylation levels, and CBP/p300 histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity. In addition, histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) expression was significantly induced. These results suggest that gallic acid inhibits hyperglycemic-induced cytokine production in monocytes through epigenetic changes involving NF-κB. Therefore, gallic acid may have potential for the treatment and prevention of diabetes and its complications.

  14. Multimedia techniques for construction education and training : final report.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2017-02-01

    The current profession of civil engineering often focuses education and training on code compliance rather than constructability and construction techniques. Also, it is well accepted that it takes a decade or more for engineers to develop a high-lev...

  15. Design of Online Report Writing Based on Constructive and Cooperative Learning for a Course on Traditional General Physics Experiments

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Lo, Hao-Chang

    2013-01-01

    The objective of this study was to develop an online report writing activity that was a constructive and cooperative learning process for a course on traditional general physics experiments. Wiki, a CMC authoring tool, was used to construct the writing platform. Fifty-eight undergraduate students (33 men and 25 women), working in randomly assigned…

  16. Benzodiazepines: rat pinealocyte binding sites and augmentation of norepinephrine-stimulated N-acetyltransferase activity

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Matthew, E.; Parfitt, A.G.; Sugden, D.

    1984-02-01

    Studies of (/sup 3/H)diazepam binding to intact rat pineal cells were carried out in tissue culture preparations. The binding was saturable, reversible and proportional to the number of cells used. Scatchard analysis resulted in a linear plot (Kd . 23 nM, maximum binding sites (Bmax) . 1.56 pmol/mg of protein for cells in monolayer culture; Kd . 7 nM, Bmax . 1.3 pmol/mg of protein for cells in suspension culture). Inhibition constants (Ki) for clonazepam (500 nM), flunitrazepam (38 nM) and Ro-5-4864 (5 nM) indicated that the binding sites were probably of the ''peripheral'' type. In addition, the effects ofmore » diazepam on norepinephrine-stimulated N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity were studied in organ culture and dissociated cell culture. Diazepam (10-50 microM) both prolonged and increased the magnitude of the norepinephrine-induced increase in NAT activity but did not affect the initial rate of rise of enzyme activity. The effect was dose-dependent and was also seen with clonazepam, flunitrazepam and Ro-5-4864, but not with Ro-15-1788. Diazepam, by itself, at these concentrations, had no effect on NAT, but enzyme activity was increased by higher concentrations (0.1-1 mM). Although a relationship between the (/sup 3/H)diazepam binding sites described here and the effect of benzodiazepines on NAT cannot be established from these studies, the data suggest that the benzodiazepines may alter melatonin levels through their action on NAT.« less

  17. Task Inventory Construction. Evaluation of the Marine Corps Task Analysis Program. Technical Report No. 14.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kishi, Akemi

    To aid in the construction of effective task analysis inventories, this technical report discusses: (1) an optimum questionnaire length that adequately covers Marine tasks without unduly fatiguing respondents; (2) procedures for the phrasing of task statements to avoid ambiguities and be understandable to as broad a range of Marines as is…

  18. A Report on the Design and Construction of the University of Massachusetts Computer Science Center.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Massachusetts State Office of the Inspector General, Boston.

    This report describes a review conducted by the Massachusetts Office of the Inspector General on the construction of the Computer Science and Development Center at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. The office initiated the review after hearing concerns about the management of the project, including its delayed completion and substantial…

  19. Treatment of Rats with Apocynin Has Considerable Inhibitory Effects on Arylamine N-Acetyltransferase Activity in the Liver.

    PubMed

    Francis, Sheena; Laurieri, Nicola; Nwokocha, Chukwuemeka; Delgoda, Rupika

    2016-05-31

    The effect of apocynin on the activity of arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NATs) in excised liver samples was examined using eighteen Sprague-Dawley rats. Three groups of six animals each were fed a normal diet alone or a treatment of 50 or 100 mg/kg/day of apocynin via gavages for eight (8) weeks. Chronic in vivo administration of apocynin led to significant (p < 0.001) reduction of in vitro liver NAT activity up to 93% as compared with untreated rats (18.80 ± 2.10 μmols p-anisidine/min/μg liver protein). In vitro exposure of untreated liver homogenates to apocynin led to a dose-dependent inhibition of NAT activity with IC50 = 0.69 ± 0.02 mM. In silico modelling of apocynin tautomers and radical species into human NAT crystal structures supported the hypothesis that thiol functionalities in NAT enzymes may be crucial in apocynin binding. The involvement of human NAT enzymes in different pathological conditions, such as cancer, has encouraged the research for selective NAT inhibitors in both humans and animal models with possible chemopreventive properties.

  20. Subunits of ADA-two-A-containing (ATAC) or Spt-Ada-Gcn5-acetyltrasferase (SAGA) Coactivator Complexes Enhance the Acetyltransferase Activity of GCN5.

    PubMed

    Riss, Anne; Scheer, Elisabeth; Joint, Mathilde; Trowitzsch, Simon; Berger, Imre; Tora, László

    2015-11-27

    Histone acetyl transferases (HATs) play a crucial role in eukaryotes by regulating chromatin architecture and locus specific transcription. GCN5 (KAT2A) is a member of the GNAT (Gcn5-related N-acetyltransferase) family of HATs. In metazoans this enzyme is found in two functionally distinct coactivator complexes, SAGA (Spt Ada Gcn5 acetyltransferase) and ATAC (Ada Two A-containing). These two multiprotein complexes comprise complex-specific and shared subunits, which are organized in functional modules. The HAT module of ATAC is composed of GCN5, ADA2a, ADA3, and SGF29, whereas in the SAGA HAT module ADA2b is present instead of ADA2a. To better understand how the activity of human (h) hGCN5 is regulated in the two related, but different, HAT complexes we carried out in vitro HAT assays. We compared the activity of hGCN5 alone with its activity when it was part of purified recombinant hATAC or hSAGA HAT modules or endogenous hATAC or hSAGA complexes using histone tail peptides and full-length histones as substrates. We demonstrated that the subunit environment of the HAT complexes into which GCN5 incorporates determines the enhancement of GCN5 activity. On histone peptides we show that all the tested GCN5-containing complexes acetylate mainly histone H3K14. Our results suggest a stronger influence of ADA2b as compared with ADA2a on the activity of GCN5. However, the lysine acetylation specificity of GCN5 on histone tails or full-length histones was not changed when incorporated in the HAT modules of ATAC or SAGA complexes. Our results thus demonstrate that the catalytic activity of GCN5 is stimulated by subunits of the ADA2a- or ADA2b-containing HAT modules and is further increased by incorporation of the distinct HAT modules in the ATAC or SAGA holo-complexes. © 2015 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

  1. Identification, characterization and use of two tick promoters for construction of a dual luciferase reporter vector

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Dual luciferase reporter systems are valuable tools for functional genomic studies, but have not previously been developed for use in tick cell culture. We evaluated expression of available luciferase constructs in tick cell cultures derived from Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, an important vec...

  2. A novel method to quantify the activity of alcohol acetyltransferase Using a SnO2-based sensor of electronic nose.

    PubMed

    Hu, Zhongqiu; Li, Xiaojing; Wang, Huxuan; Niu, Chen; Yuan, Yahong; Yue, Tianli

    2016-07-15

    Alcohol acetyltransferase (AATFase) extensively catalyzes the reactions of alcohols to acetic esters in microorganisms and plants. In this work, a novel method has been proposed to quantify the activity of AATFase using a SnO2-based sensor of electronic nose, which was determined on the basis of its higher sensitivity to the reducing alcohol than the oxidizing ester. The maximum value of the first-derivative of the signals from the SnO2-based sensor was therein found to be an eigenvalue of isoamyl alcohol concentration. Quadratic polynomial regression perfectly fitted the correlation between the eigenvalue and the isoamyl alcohol concentration. The method was used to determine the AATFase activity in this type of reaction by calculating the conversion rate of isoamyl alcohol. The proposed method has been successfully applied to determine the AATFase activity of a cider yeast strain. Compared with GC-MS, the method shows promises with ideal recovery and low cost. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  3. Drosophila variable nurse cells encodes Arrest defective 1 (ARD1), the catalytic subunit of the major N-terminal acetyltransferase complex

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Ying; Mijares, Michelle; Gall, Megan D.; Turan, Tolga; Javier, Anna; Bornemann, Douglas J; Manage, Kevin; Warrior, Rahul

    2010-01-01

    Mutations in the Drosophila variable nurse cells (vnc) gene result in female sterility and oogenesis defects, including egg chambers with too many or too few nurse cells. We show that vnc corresponds to Arrest Defective1 (Ard1) and encodes the catalytic subunit of NatA, the major N-terminal acetyl-transferase complex. While N-terminal acetylation is one of the most prevalent covalent protein modifications in eukaryotes, analysis of its role in development has been challenging since mutants that compromise NatA activity have not been described in any multicellular animal. Our data show that reduced ARD1 levels result in pleiotropic oogenesis defects including abnormal cyst encapsulation, desynchronized cystocyte division, disrupted nurse cell chromosome dispersion and abnormal chorion patterning, consistent with the wide range of predicted NatA substrates. Further we find that loss of Ard1 affects cell survival/proliferation and is lethal for the animal, providing the first demonstration that this modification is essential in higher eukaryotes. PMID:20882681

  4. Arylamine N-acetyltransferase activity in bronchial epithelial cells and its inhibition by cellular oxidants

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Dairou, Julien; Petit, Emile; Ragunathan, Nilusha

    2009-05-01

    Bronchial epithelial cells express xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes (XMEs) that are involved in the biotransformation of inhaled toxic compounds. The activities of these XMEs in the lung may modulate respiratory toxicity and have been linked to several diseases of the airways. Arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NAT) are conjugating XMEs that play a key role in the biotransformation of aromatic amine pollutants such as the tobacco-smoke carcinogens 4-aminobiphenyl (4-ABP) and {beta}-naphthylamine ({beta}-NA). We show here that functional human NAT1 or its murine counterpart Nat2 are present in different lung epithelial cells i.e. Clara cells, type II alveolar cells and bronchial epithelial cells, thus indicating thatmore » inhaled aromatic amines may undergo NAT-dependent biotransformation in lung epithelium. Exposure of these cells to pathophysiologically relevant amounts of oxidants known to contribute to lung dysfunction, such as H{sub 2}O{sub 2} or peroxynitrite, was found to impair the NAT1/Nat2-dependent cellular biotransformation of aromatic amines. Genetic and non genetic impairment of intracellular NAT enzyme activities has been suggested to compromise the important detoxification pathway of aromatic amine N-acetylation and subsequently to contribute to an exacerbation of untoward effects of these pollutants on health. Our study suggests that oxidative/nitroxidative stress in lung epithelial cells, due to air pollution and/or inflammation, could contribute to local and/or systemic dysfunctions through the alteration of the functions of pulmonary NAT enzymes.« less

  5. Saccharomyces cerevisiae Atf1p is an alcohol acetyltransferase and a thioesterase in vitro.

    PubMed

    Nancolas, Bethany; Bull, Ian D; Stenner, Richard; Dufour, Virginie; Curnow, Paul

    2017-06-01

    The alcohol-O-acyltransferases are bisubstrate enzymes that catalyse the transfer of acyl chains from an acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) donor to an acceptor alcohol. In the industrial yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae this reaction produces acyl esters that are an important influence on the flavour of fermented beverages and foods. There is also a growing interest in using acyltransferases to produce bulk quantities of acyl esters in engineered microbial cell factories. However, the structure and function of the alcohol-O-acyltransferases remain only partly understood. Here, we recombinantly express, purify and characterize Atf1p, the major alcohol acetyltransferase from S. cerevisiae. We find that Atf1p is promiscuous with regard to the alcohol cosubstrate but that the acyltransfer activity is specific for acetyl-CoA. Additionally, we find that Atf1p is an efficient thioesterase in vitro with specificity towards medium-chain-length acyl-CoAs. Unexpectedly, we also find that mutating the supposed catalytic histidine (H191) within the conserved HXXXDG active site motif only moderately reduces the thioesterase activity of Atf1p. Our results imply a role for Atf1p in CoA homeostasis and suggest that engineering Atf1p to reduce the thioesterase activity could improve product yields of acetate esters from cellular factories. © 2017 The Authors. Yeast published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. © 2017 The Authors. Yeast published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  6. Construction manpower management system.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1990-01-01

    This report traces the development of and explains the operation of a Construction Manpower Management System (CMMS) developed for the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). Initial direction for this project was received from the Construction...

  7. Effects of cochlear ablation on choline acetyltransferase activity in the rat cochlear nucleus and superior olive.

    PubMed

    Jin, Yong-Ming; Godfrey, Donald A; Sun, Yizhe

    2005-07-01

    Using microdissection and quantitative microassay, choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity was mapped in the cochlear nucleus (CN) and in the source nuclei of the olivocochlear bundle, the lateral superior olive and ventral nucleus of the trapezoid body. In control rats, gradients of ChAT activity were found within the major subdivisions of the CN and in the lateral superior olive. These gradients correlated with the known tonotopic organizations, with higher activities corresponding to locations representing higher sound frequencies. No gradient was found in the ventral nucleus of the trapezoid body. In rats surviving 7 days or 1 or 2 months after cochlear ablation, ChAT activity was increased 1 month after ablation in the anteroventral CN by 30-50% in most parts of the lesion-side and by 40% in the contralateral ventromedial part. ChAT activity in the lesion-side posteroventral CN was increased by approximately 40-50% at all survival times. Little change was found in the dorsal CN. Decreases of ChAT activity were also found ipsilaterally in the lateral superior olive and bilaterally in the ventral nucleus of the trapezoid body. Our results suggest that cholinergic neurons are involved in plasticity within the CN and superior olive following cochlear lesions. Copyright 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

  8. Substrate-Induced Allosteric Change in the Quaternary Structure of the Spermidine N-Acetyltransferase SpeG.

    PubMed

    Filippova, Ekaterina V; Weigand, Steven; Osipiuk, Jerzy; Kiryukhina, Olga; Joachimiak, Andrzej; Anderson, Wayne F

    2015-11-06

    The spermidine N-acetyltransferase SpeG is a dodecameric enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of an acetyl group from acetyl coenzyme A to polyamines such as spermidine and spermine. SpeG has an allosteric polyamine-binding site and acetylating polyamines regulate their intracellular concentrations. The structures of SpeG from Vibrio cholerae in complexes with polyamines and cofactor have been characterized earlier. Here, we present the dodecameric structure of SpeG from V. cholerae in a ligand-free form in three different conformational states: open, intermediate and closed. All structures were crystallized in C2 space group symmetry and contain six monomers in the asymmetric unit cell. Two hexamers related by crystallographic 2-fold symmetry form the SpeG dodecamer. The open and intermediate states have a unique open dodecameric ring. This SpeG dodecamer is asymmetric except for the one 2-fold axis and is unlike any known dodecameric structure. Using a fluorescence thermal shift assay, size-exclusion chromatography with multi-angle light scattering, small-angle X-ray scattering analysis, negative-stain electron microscopy and structural analysis, we demonstrate that this unique open dodecameric state exists in solution. Our combined results indicate that polyamines trigger conformational changes and induce the symmetric closed dodecameric state of the protein when they bind to their allosteric sites. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  9. Lack of association between arylamine N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) polymorphism and systemic lupus erythematosus.

    PubMed

    Zschieschang, Petra; Hiepe, Falk; Gromnica-Ihle, Erika; Roots, Ivar; Cascorbi, Ingolf

    2002-10-01

    The slow arylamine -acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) phenotype frequently has been assumed to be associated with an elevated risk to develop a lupus-like syndrome after administration of drugs such as procainamide or hydralazine. Moreover, there are conflicting data on the role of acetylator phenotype as a susceptibility factor for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Because most investigations have previously been conducted with relatively small sample sizes, the present study was performed to clarify the possible association between genotypes and SLE among a large European cohort. In a case-control study, 209 patients with SLE (194 women, 15 men) were enrolled and matched by gender to 209 controls without clinical signs of inflammatory diseases. All SLE patients fulfilled at least four of the revised American College of Rheumatology classification criteria of SLE. was genotyped for seven known mutations by polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism. The frequency of slow acetylation genotypes in SLE patients (59.8%) did not differ significantly from controls (56.5%). The adjusted odds ratio (OR) was 0.95 (95% confidence interval, 0.59-1.53). Further differentiation to gender, cigarette consumption, allergic disorders and specific SLE manifestations revealed an equal distribution of genotypes in all subgroups. We conclude that this large genotyping study in a Caucasian population demonstrated a lack of evidence for an association of the slow acetylator genotype with SLE.

  10. Substrate-induced allosteric change in the quaternary structure of the spermidine N-acetyltransferase SpeG

    DOE PAGES

    Filippova, Ekaterina V.; Weigand, Steven J.; Osipiuk, Jerzy; ...

    2015-09-26

    The spermidine N-acetyltransferase SpeG is a dodecameric enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of an acetyl group from acetyl coenzyme A to polyamines such as spermidine and spermine. SpeG has an allosteric polyamine-binding site and acetylating polyamines regulate their intracellular concentrations. The structures of SpeG from Vibrio cholerae in complexes with polyamines and cofactor have been characterized earlier. Here, we present the dodecameric structure of SpeG from V. cholerae in a ligand-free form in three different conformational states: open, intermediate and closed. All structures were crystallized in C2 space group symmetry and contain six monomers in the asymmetric unit cell. Twomore » hexamers related by crystallographic 2-fold symmetry form the SpeG dodecamer. The open and intermediate states have a unique open dodecameric ring. This SpeG dodecamer is asymmetric except for the one 2-fold axis and is unlike any known dodecameric structure. Using a fluorescence thermal shift assay, size-exclusion chromatography with multi-angle light scattering, small-angle X-ray scattering analysis, negative-stain electron microscopy and structural analysis, we demonstrate that this unique open dodecameric state exists in solution. As a result, our combined results indicate that polyamines trigger conformational changes and induce the symmetric closed dodecameric state of the protein when they bind to their allosteric sites.« less

  11. AC/CRC adjacent lane surfacing : construction report.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1991-06-01

    Asphaltic Concrete (AC) and Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) are common roadway materials used in Oregon. In a recent construction project -- Poverty Flats/Mecham Section -- the Oregon State Highway Division (OSHD) designed, as part of the project, a "...

  12. Phage-mediated Delivery of Targeted sRNA Constructs to Knock Down Gene Expression in E. coli.

    PubMed

    Bernheim, Aude G; Libis, Vincent K; Lindner, Ariel B; Wintermute, Edwin H

    2016-03-20

    RNA-mediated knockdowns are widely used to control gene expression. This versatile family of techniques makes use of short RNA (sRNA) that can be synthesized with any sequence and designed to complement any gene targeted for silencing. Because sRNA constructs can be introduced to many cell types directly or using a variety of vectors, gene expression can be repressed in living cells without laborious genetic modification. The most common RNA knockdown technology, RNA interference (RNAi), makes use of the endogenous RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) to mediate sequence recognition and cleavage of the target mRNA. Applications of this technique are therefore limited to RISC-expressing organisms, primarily eukaryotes. Recently, a new generation of RNA biotechnologists have developed alternative mechanisms for controlling gene expression through RNA, and so made possible RNA-mediated gene knockdowns in bacteria. Here we describe a method for silencing gene expression in E. coli that functionally resembles RNAi. In this system a synthetic phagemid is designed to express sRNA, which may designed to target any sequence. The expression construct is delivered to a population of E. coli cells with non-lytic M13 phage, after which it is able to stably replicate as a plasmid. Antisense recognition and silencing of the target mRNA is mediated by the Hfq protein, endogenous to E. coli. This protocol includes methods for designing the antisense sRNA, constructing the phagemid vector, packaging the phagemid into M13 bacteriophage, preparing a live cell population for infection, and performing the infection itself. The fluorescent protein mKate2 and the antibiotic resistance gene chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) are targeted to generate representative data and to quantify knockdown effectiveness.

  13. Study of the potential impacts of highway construction on selected birds with emphasis on the golden-cheeked warbler : final report 2008-2011.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2012-07-01

    This report summarizes the 20082011 field seasons for the Highway 71 impact assessment of : highway construction noise and activity on golden-cheeked warblers (Setophaga chrysoparia). Researchers : examined if construction activity and noise alter...

  14. Histone Acetyltransferase Activity of MOF Is Required for MLL-AF9 Leukemogenesis.

    PubMed

    Valerio, Daria G; Xu, Haiming; Chen, Chun-Wei; Hoshii, Takayuki; Eisold, Meghan E; Delaney, Christopher; Cusan, Monica; Deshpande, Aniruddha J; Huang, Chun-Hao; Lujambio, Amaia; Zheng, YuJun George; Zuber, Johannes; Pandita, Tej K; Lowe, Scott W; Armstrong, Scott A

    2017-04-01

    Chromatin-based mechanisms offer therapeutic targets in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that are of great current interest. In this study, we conducted an RNAi-based screen to identify druggable chromatin regulator-based targets in leukemias marked by oncogenic rearrangements of the MLL gene. In this manner, we discovered the H4K16 histone acetyltransferase (HAT) MOF to be important for leukemia cell growth. Conditional deletion of Mof in a mouse model of MLL-AF9 -driven leukemogenesis reduced tumor burden and prolonged host survival. RNA sequencing showed an expected downregulation of genes within DNA damage repair pathways that are controlled by MOF, as correlated with a significant increase in yH2AX nuclear foci in Mof -deficient MLL-AF9 tumor cells. In parallel, Mof loss also impaired global H4K16 acetylation in the tumor cell genome. Rescue experiments with catalytically inactive mutants of MOF showed that its enzymatic activity was required to maintain cancer pathogenicity. In support of the role of MOF in sustaining H4K16 acetylation, a small-molecule inhibitor of the HAT component MYST blocked the growth of both murine and human MLL-AF9 leukemia cell lines. Furthermore, Mof inactivation suppressed leukemia development in an NUP98-HOXA9 -driven AML model. Taken together, our results establish that the HAT activity of MOF is required to sustain MLL-AF9 leukemia and may be important for multiple AML subtypes. Blocking this activity is sufficient to stimulate DNA damage, offering a rationale to pursue MOF inhibitors as a targeted approach to treat MLL -rearranged leukemias. Cancer Res; 77(7); 1753-62. ©2017 AACR . ©2017 American Association for Cancer Research.

  15. Construction. A Report on the Industry

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2004-06-01

    Transportation and Tres Urbano Subway Project, San Juan, Puerto Rico U.S. Corps of Engineers, San Juan, Puerto Rico U.S. Corps of Engineers, Mobile...recently approved a plan to privatize construction of over 6,000 miles of expressways through the use of a build, transfer, and operate options.xl...security standards in Federal facilities, including an aggressive plan to build and renovate embassies and consular offices worldwide.xlv The

  16. Highway construction cost comparison survey : final report

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2002-04-01

    Over the past few years the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has been asked numerous questions related to the cost of highway construction in Washington State as compared to other states. In order to address these questions, WSDO...

  17. 40 CFR 60.1385 - What reports must I submit after I submit my notice of construction and in what form?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... SOURCES Standards of Performance for Small Municipal Waste Combustion Units for Which Construction is... may submit electronic reports. (c) Keep a copy of all reports required by §§ 60.1400, 60.1410, and 60...

  18. 40 CFR 60.1385 - What reports must I submit after I submit my notice of construction and in what form?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... SOURCES Standards of Performance for Small Municipal Waste Combustion Units for Which Construction is... may submit electronic reports. (c) Keep a copy of all reports required by §§ 60.1400, 60.1410, and 60...

  19. 40 CFR 60.1385 - What reports must I submit after I submit my notice of construction and in what form?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... SOURCES Standards of Performance for Small Municipal Waste Combustion Units for Which Construction is... may submit electronic reports. (c) Keep a copy of all reports required by §§ 60.1400, 60.1410, and 60...

  20. 40 CFR 60.1385 - What reports must I submit after I submit my notice of construction and in what form?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... SOURCES Standards of Performance for Small Municipal Waste Combustion Units for Which Construction is... may submit electronic reports. (c) Keep a copy of all reports required by §§ 60.1400, 60.1410, and 60...

  1. 40 CFR 60.1385 - What reports must I submit after I submit my notice of construction and in what form?

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... SOURCES Standards of Performance for Small Municipal Waste Combustion Units for Which Construction is... may submit electronic reports. (c) Keep a copy of all reports required by §§ 60.1400, 60.1410, and 60...

  2. Tissue-specific expression of FoxD reporter constructs in amphioxus embryos.

    PubMed

    Yu, Jr-Kai; Holland, Nicholas D; Holland, Linda Z

    2004-10-15

    Cephalochordates (amphioxus), the closest living invertebrate relatives of the vertebrates, are key to understanding the evolution of developmental mechanisms during the invertebrate-to-vertebrate transition. However, a major impediment to amphioxus as a model organism for developmental biology has been the inability to introduce transgenes or other macromolecules into the embryos. Here, we report the development of a reproducible method for microinjection of amphioxus eggs. Specifically, we show that expression of a LacZ reporter construct including 6.3 kb of AmphiFoxD upstream regulatory DNA recapitulates expression of the endogenous gene in the nerve cord, somites, and notochord. We have also identified the 1.6 kb at the 5' end of this region as essential for expression in the first two of these domains and the 4.7 kb at the 3' end as sufficient for expression in the notochord. This study, which is the first report of a method for introduction of large molecules such as DNA into amphioxus embryos, opens the way for studies of gene regulation and function in amphioxus and for comparative studies with vertebrates to understand the relationship between the extensive gene duplications that occurred within the vertebrate lineage and the evolution of vertebrate innovations such as neural crest.

  3. 41. From Final Construction Report on the Haleakala Road ProjectNR7, ...

    Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

    41. From Final Construction Report on the Haleakala Road Project--NR-7, Hawaii National Park, Island of Maui, Territory of Hawaii, T.H. VIEW FROM APPROXIMATELY THE SAME SPOT SHOWING HOW COVERING THE ROCK FILLS WITH SOIL HAS ALMOST OBLITERATED THESE SCARS. TO IDENTIFY A POINT FOR COMPARISON NOTICE THE BRIDE GULCH JUST TO THE LEFT OF THE CENTER IN THE UPPER PICTURE AND COMPARE WITH THE SAME GULCH IN THE LOWER PICTURE. THE AFTER PHOTO OF A BEFORE AND AFTER SET. BEFORE PHOTO IS HI-52-40. - Haleakala National Park Roads, Pukalani, Maui County, HI

  4. A heterologous hormone response element enhances expression of rat beta-casein promoter-driven chloramphenicol acetyltransferase fusion genes in the mammary gland of transgenic mice.

    PubMed

    Greenberg, N M; Reding, T V; Duffy, T; Rosen, J M

    1991-10-01

    Previous studies have demonstrated that the entire rat beta-casein (R beta C) gene and a -524/+490 R beta C fragment-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) fusion gene are expressed preferentially in the mammary gland of transgenic mice in a developmentally regulated fashion. However, transgene expression was infrequent, less than 1% of that observed for the endogenous gene, and varied as much as 500-fold, presumably due to the site of chromosomal integration. To determine whether a heterologous hormone-responsive enhancer could be used to increase both the level and frequency of expression in the mammary gland, a fragment derived from the mouse mammary tumor virus long terminal repeat containing four hormone response elements (HREs) was inserted into the R beta C promoter at a site not known to contain transcriptional regulatory elements. Transgenic mice generated which carried HRE-enhanced R beta C-CAT fusion genes expressed CAT activity in the mammary glands of all founder lines examined at levels that were on average 13-fold greater than for lines generated with similar constructs not carrying HREs. In the highest expressing line, the level of HRE-enhanced transgene expression was found to be developmentally regulated, increasing 14-fold in the mammary gland from virgin to day 10 of lactation. In this line, expression was also observed in the thymus and spleen; however, the level of CAT activity was 4-fold lower than in the mammary gland and was not developmentally regulated. In adrenalectomized mice, the administration of dexamethasone stimulated CAT expression in the mammary gland but not in the thymus and spleen. These studies demonstrate that in the context of the R beta C promoter, the HRE functions in the mammary gland to increase both the frequency and level of transgene expression.

  5. Third Annual Report: 2006 Pre-Construction Eelgrass Monitoring and Propagation for King County Outfall Mitigation

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Woodruff, Dana L.; Southard, Susan S.; Cullinan, Valerie I.

    2007-02-01

    King County proposes to build a new sewer outfall discharging to Puget Sound near Point Wells, Washington. Construction is scheduled for 2008. The Point Wells site was selected to minimize effects on the nearshore marine environment, but unavoidable impacts to eelgrass (Zostera marina) beds are anticipated during construction. To mitigate for these impacts and prepare for post-construction restoration, King County began implementation of a multi-year eelgrass monitoring and restoration program in 2004, with the primary goal of returning intertidal and shallow subtidal habitat and eelgrass to pre-construction conditions. Major program elements are a) pre-construction monitoring, i.e., documenting initial eelgrass conditionsmore » and degree of fluctuation over 5 years prior to construction, b) eelgrass transplanting, including harvesting, offsite propagating and stockpiling of local plantstock, and post-construction planting, and c) post-construction monitoring. The program is detailed in the Eelgrass Restoration and Biological Resources Implementation Workplan (King County 2006). This report describes calendar year 2006 pre-construction activities conducted by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in support of King County. Activities included continued propagation of eelgrass shoots and monitoring of the experimental harvest plots in the marine outfall corridor area to evaluate recovery rates relative to harvest rates. Approximately 1500 additional shoots were harvested from the marine outfall corridor in August 2006 to supplement the plants in the propagation tank at the PNNL Marine Sciences Laboratory in Sequim, Washington, bringing the total number of shoots to 4732. Eelgrass densities were monitored in the five experimental harvest plots established in the marine outfall corridor. Changes in eelgrass density were evaluated in year-to-year comparisons with initial harvest rates. Net eelgrass density decreased from 2004 post-harvest to 2006 in all plots

  6. Experimental evaluation and design of unfilled and concrete-filled FRP composite piles : Task 4B : material & construction specifications : final report.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2015-07-01

    The overall goal of this project is the experimental evaluation and design of unfilled and concrete-filled FRP composite piles for load-bearing in bridges. This report covers Task 4B, Materials and Construction Specifications. : This technical report...

  7. Association between N-acetyltransferase 2 polymorphisms and pancreatic cancer risk: a meta-analysis.

    PubMed

    Liang, J X; Gao, W; Liang, Y; Zhou, X M

    2015-12-17

    N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) is an essential phase II enzyme in the metabolism of aromatic and heterocyclic amines and of hydrazines. NAT2 activity can be divided into three phenotypes: rapid, intermediate, and slow. Studies identifying an association between NAT2 polymorphism and the risk of pancreatic cancer have shown conflicting results. In order to assess this relationship comprehensively, we performed a meta-analysis that involved 1607 patients with pancreatic cancer and 1682 controls from six studies, which were selected from a group of ten, identified by a search of PubMed and Embase databases up to July 2014. Relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to evaluate the relationships. In the overall analysis, no significant associations between NAT2 rapid acetylation genotypes and pancreatic cancer risk (RR = 0.93, 95%CI = 0.73-1.19) were found; however, the results showed significant heterogeneity (I2 = 55.0%). The results from subgroup analysis suggested that the rapid genotypes might decrease the risk of pancreatic cancer (RR = 0.56, 95%CI = 0.38-0.84) in Turkey, although the association was not significant in the United States population (RR = 0.97, 95%CI = 0.71-1.34) or in the multi-center studies (RR = 1.10, 95%CI = 0.90-1.34). Analysis of the slow acetylation genotypes demonstrated the converse outcomes. In conclusion, the results of our study suggested that the NAT2 slow acetylation genotypes might increase the susceptibility to pancreatic cancer in Europe but that these have no significant effects in the United States and multi-center populations.

  8. NuA4 Lysine Acetyltransferase Complex Contributes to Phospholipid Homeostasis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

    PubMed

    Dacquay, Louis; Flint, Annika; Butcher, James; Salem, Danny; Kennedy, Michael; Kaern, Mads; Stintzi, Alain; Baetz, Kristin

    2017-06-07

    Actively proliferating cells constantly monitor and readjust their metabolic pathways to ensure the replenishment of phospholipids necessary for membrane biogenesis and intracellular trafficking. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae , multiple studies have suggested that the lysine acetyltransferase complex NuA4 plays a role in phospholipid homeostasis. For one, NuA4 mutants induce the expression of the inositol-3-phosphate synthase gene, INO1 , which leads to excessive accumulation of inositol, a key metabolite used for phospholipid biosynthesis. Additionally, NuA4 mutants also display negative genetic interactions with sec14-1 ts , a mutant of a lipid-binding gene responsible for phospholipid remodeling of the Golgi. Here, using a combination of genetics and transcriptional profiling, we explore the connections between NuA4, inositol, and Sec14 Surprisingly, we found that NuA4 mutants did not suppress but rather exacerbated the growth defects of sec14-1 ts under inositol-depleted conditions. Transcriptome studies reveal that while loss of the NuA4 subunit EAF1 in sec14-1 ts does derepress INO1 expression, it does not derepress all inositol/choline-responsive phospholipid genes, suggesting that the impact of Eaf1 on phospholipid homeostasis extends beyond inositol biosynthesis. In fact, we find that NuA4 mutants have impaired lipid droplet levels and through genetic and chemical approaches, we determine that the genetic interaction between sec14-1 ts and NuA4 mutants potentially reflects a role for NuA4 in fatty acid biosynthesis. Altogether, our work identifies a new role for NuA4 in phospholipid homeostasis. Copyright © 2017 Dacquay et al.

  9. Potential for utilizing industrial wastes and by-products in construction of transportation facilities in Virginia : final report.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1979-01-01

    This report constitutes: (a) a survey to determine the availability in Virginia of waste materials or by-products that may have a potential for use in highway construction, (b) a summary of published literature concerning the use of waste materials i...

  10. Occupational Competencies Report. The Electronics, Health Service and Construction Industries as Surveyed by the Trade Associations.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    National Council on Vocational Education, Washington, DC.

    This report presents comments from working groups in the electronics, health services, and construction industries regarding what occupational competencies are and will be needed by current and future employees. It is intended for use by state and local advisers and administrators to evaluate the relevance and quality of vocational-technical…

  11. Association between N-Acetyltransferase 2 Polymorphism and Bladder Cancer Risk: a Meta-Analysis in a Single Ethnic Group.

    PubMed

    Xu, Wan-Jiang; Wen, Li-Ping; Jiang, Xiang-Xin; Ye, Li-Yin; Meng, Fan-Hua; Guan, Sheng; Qian, Ying-Jun; Wei, Jing-Feng

    2017-02-01

    Many studies have evaluated the correlation between N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) slow acetylation genotype and bladder cancer risk. However, the results are inconsistent and remain to be confirmed in each ethnic group. To assess the effects of NAT2 acetylation status on the risk of bladder cancer in the Chinese population, a meta-analysis was performed. Studies were identified using PubMed and Chinese databases through February 2016. The associations were assessed with pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). This meta-analysis included 10 studies with 896 bladder cancer cases and 1188 controls. In the overall analysis, NAT2 slow acetylation phenotype was significantly associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer in the Chinese population (OR = 1.68, 95% CI = 1.11 - 2.53). In the subgroup analyses by geographic areas and sources of controls, significant risk was found in Mainland China (OR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.04 - 3.20) and hospitalbased studies (OR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.27 - 2.38), but not in Taiwan China. This meta-analysis suggested that the NAT2 slow acetylation genotype is associated with an increased bladder cancer risk in Chinese individuals.

  12. Fourth Annual Report: 2007 Pre-Construction Eelgrass Monitoring and Propagation for King County Outfall Mitigation

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Woodruff, Dana L.; Kohn, Nancy P.; Cullinan, Valerie I.

    2007-10-04

    King County proposes to build a new sewer outfall discharging to Puget Sound near Point Wells, Washington. Construction is scheduled for 2008. The Point Wells site was selected to minimize effects on the nearshore marine environment, but unavoidable impacts to eelgrass (Zostera marina) beds are anticipated during construction. To mitigate these impacts and prepare for post-construction restoration, King County began implementing a multiyear eelgrass monitoring and restoration program in 2004, with the primary goal of returning intertidal and shallow subtidal habitat and eelgrass to pre-construction conditions. Major program elements related to eelgrass are (a) pre-construction monitoring, i.e., documenting initial eelgrassmore » conditions and degree of fluctuation over 5 years prior to construction, (b) eelgrass transplanting, including harvesting, offsite propagating, and stockpiling of local plants for post-construction planting, and (c) post-construction planting and subsequent monitoring. The program is detailed in the Eelgrass Restoration and Biological Resources Implementation Workplan (King County 2006). This report describes calendar year 2007 pre-construction activities conducted by Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) for King County. Activities included continued propagation of eelgrass shoots at the PNNL Marine Sciences Laboratory (MSL) in Sequim, Washington, and monitoring of the experimental harvest plots in the marine outfall corridor area to evaluate recovery rates relative to harvest rates. In addition, 490 eelgrass shoots were also harvested from the Marine Outfall Corridor in July 2007 to supplement the plants in the propagation tank at the MSL, bringing the total number of shoots to 1464. Eelgrass densities were monitored in four of five experimental harvest plots established in the Marine Outfall Corridor. Changes in eelgrass density were evaluated in year-to-year comparisons with initial harvest rates. A net increase in eelgrass

  13. A pilot study of the modulation of sirtuins on arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 and 2 enzymatic activity.

    PubMed

    Turiján-Espinoza, Eneida; Salazar-González, Rául Alejandro; Uresti-Rivera, Edith Elena; Hernández-Hernández, Gloria Estela; Ortega-Juárez, Montserrat; Milán, Rosa; Portales-Pérez, Diana

    2018-03-01

    Arylamine N -acetyltransferase (NAT; E.C. 2.3.1.5) enzymes are responsible for the biotransformation of several arylamine and hydrazine drugs by acetylation. In this process, the acetyl group transferred to the acceptor substrate produces NAT deacetylation and, in consequence, it is susceptible of degradation. Sirtuins are protein deacetylases, dependent on nicotine adenine dinucleotide, which perform post-translational modifications on cytosolic proteins. To explore possible sirtuin participation in the enzymatic activity of arylamine NATs, the expression levels of NAT1, NAT2, SIRT1 and SIRT6 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy subjects were examined by flow cytometry and Western blot. The in situ activity of the sirtuins on NAT enzymatic activity was analyzed by HPLC, in the presence or absence of an agonist (resveratrol) and inhibitor (nicotinamide) of sirtuins. We detected a higher percentage of positive cells for NAT2 in comparison with NAT1, and higher numbers of SIRT1+ cells compared to SIRT6 in lymphocytes. In situ NAT2 activity in the presence of NAM inhibitors was higher than in the presence of its substrate, but not in the presence of resveratrol. In contrast, the activity of NAT1 was not affected by sirtuins. These results showed that NAT2 activity might be modified by sirtuins.

  14. Melatonin production in Escherichia coli by dual expression of serotonin N-acetyltransferase and caffeic acid O-methyltransferase.

    PubMed

    Byeon, Yeong; Back, Kyoungwhan

    2016-08-01

    Melatonin is a well-known bioactive molecule produced in animals and plants and a well-studied natural compound. Two enzymatic steps are required for the biosynthesis of melatonin from serotonin. First, serotonin N-acetyltransferase (SNAT) catalyzes serotonin to N-acetylserotonin (NAS) followed by the action of N-acetylserotonin O-methyltransferase (ASMT), resulting in the synthesis of O-methylated NAS, also known as melatonin. Attempts to document melatonin production in Escherichia coli have been unsuccessful to date due to either low enzyme activity or inactive ASMT expression. Here, we employed caffeic acid O-methyltransferase (COMT) instead of ASMT, as COMT is a multifunctional enzyme that has ASMT activity as well. Among several combinations of dual expression cassettes, recombinant E. coli that expressed sheep SNAT with rice COMT produced a high quantity of melatonin, which was measured in a culture medium (1.46 mg/L in response to 1 mM serotonin). This level was several orders of magnitude higher than that produced in transgenic rice and tomato overexpressing sheep SNAT and ASMT, respectively. This heterologous expression system can be widely employed to screen various putative SNAT or ASMT genes from animals and plants as well as to overproduce melatonin in various useful microorganisms.

  15. Choline acetyltransferase, glutamate decarboxylase and tyrosine hydroxylase in the cochlea and cochlear nucleus of the guinea pig.

    PubMed

    Fex, J; Wenthold, R J

    1976-06-18

    Activities of choline acetyltransferase (ChAC), glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), enzymes catalyzing the synthesis of acetylcholine (ACh), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and catecholamines, respectively, were measured in the cochlea and cochlear nucleus of the guinea pig. ChAc activity in the organ of Corti, third turn, was 1270 pmole ACh formed/min/mg protein (ChAc, 1270) and was higher than in turn 4 (ChAc, 543). ChAc activity was higher when the preparation included the inner hair cell region than when not. GAD activity in samples of turn 3 and 4 combined was low, 0.17 nmole GABA formed/min/mg protein (GAD, 0.17). All 3 enzymes were low in auditory nerve: ChAc, 1.7, GAD, 0.10 and TH, 1.0 pmole DOPA formed/min/mg protein. In the cochlear nucleus, the values were: ChAc, 129, GAD, 1.70 and TH, 2.7. The findings on the distribution of ChAc activity in the organ of Corti fit the hypothesis that the olivocochlear nerve fibers are cholinergic. Because of low GAD in the cochlea, GABA is unlikely to be transmitter in the organ of Corti. Similarly, it is unlikely that ACh, GABA or a catecholamine is a transmitter between the auditory nerve and the cochlear nucleus.

  16. Acetate ester production by Chinese yellow rice wine yeast overexpressing the alcohol acetyltransferase-encoding gene ATF2.

    PubMed

    Zhang, J; Zhang, C; Qi, Y; Dai, L; Ma, H; Guo, X; Xiao, D

    2014-11-27

    Acetate ester, which are produced by fermenting yeast cells in an enzyme-catalyzed intracellular reaction, are responsible for the fruity character of fermented alcoholic beverages such as Chinese yellow rice wine. Alcohol acetyltransferase (AATase) is currently believed to be the key enzyme responsible for the production of acetate ester. In order to determine the precise role of the ATF2 gene in acetate ester production, an ATF2 gene encoding a type of AATase was overexpressed and the ability of the mutant to form acetate esters (including ethyl acetate, isoamyl acetate, and isobutyl acetate) was investigated. The results showed that after 5 days of fermentation, the concentrations of ethyl acetate, isoamyl acetate, and isobutyl acetate in yellow rice wines fermented with EY2 (pUC-PIA2K) increased to 137.79 mg/L (an approximate 4.9-fold increase relative to the parent cell RY1), 26.68 mg/L, and 7.60 mg/L, respectively. This study confirms that the ATF2 gene plays an important role in the production of acetate ester production during Chinese yellow rice wine fermentation, thereby offering prospects for the development of yellow rice wine yeast starter strains with optimized ester-producing capabilities.

  17. A Naturally-Occurring Histone Acetyltransferase Inhibitor Derived from Garcinia indica Impairs Newly Acquired and Reactivated Fear Memories

    PubMed Central

    Maddox, Stephanie A.; Watts, Casey S.; Doyère, Valérie; Schafe, Glenn E.

    2013-01-01

    The study of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the consolidation and reconsolidation of traumatic fear memories has progressed rapidly in recent years, yet few compounds have emerged that are readily useful in a clinical setting for the treatment of anxiety disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Here, we use a combination of biochemical, behavioral, and neurophysiological methods to systematically investigate the ability of garcinol, a naturally-occurring histone acetyltransferase (HAT) inhibitor derived from the rind of the fruit of the Kokum tree (Garcina indica), to disrupt the consolidation and reconsolidation of Pavlovian fear conditioning, a widely studied rodent model of PTSD. We show that local infusion of garcinol into the rat lateral amygdala (LA) impairs the training and retrieval-related acetylation of histone H3 in the LA. Further, we show that either intra-LA or systemic administration of garcinol within a narrow window after either fear conditioning or fear memory retrieval significantly impairs the consolidation and reconsolidation of a Pavlovian fear memory and associated neural plasticity in the LA. Our findings suggest that a naturally-occurring compound derived from the diet that regulates chromatin function may be useful in the treatment of newly acquired or recently reactivated traumatic memories. PMID:23349897

  18. [Immunolocalization of choline acetyltransferase in 2 types of efferent synapses of the organ of Corti].

    PubMed

    Eybalin, M; Pujol, R

    1985-01-01

    The efferent (olivo-cochlear) innervation of the organ of Corti was studied using a monoclonal antibody against choline acetyltransferase (ChAT). In the inner spiral bundle (ISB), below the inner hair cells (IHCs), the anti-ChAT immunoreactivity was observed within unvesiculated fibers and vesiculated varicosities. Unreactive varicosities, at least as numerous as the immunoreactive ones, were also detected. Both types of vesiculated varicosities synapsed with the dendrites of the primary auditory neurons (afferent fibers) connected to the IHCs. At the outer hair cell (OHC) level, nearly all the vesiculated terminals making axo-somatic synapses with the OHCs were anti-ChAT immunoreactive. Only few terminals synapsing with the OHCs were unreactive. These findings allowed the differentiation of at least three types of efferent synapses in the organ of Corti. In the ISB, a first population of axo-dendritic synapses seems to be cholinergic whereas a second population might use another neurotransmitter. At the OHC level, our results support the hypothesis that acetylcholine is the neurotransmitter of nearly all the large axo-somatic synapses. The rare unreactive axo-somatic synapses could constitute a fourth and minor type of efferent synapse. Thus, it would be helpful to subclassify the efferent innervations of the organ of Corti according to their neurochemical nature. A re-evaluation of the whole body of available electrophysiological data would be also necessary, as until now, acetylcholine was considered as being the only efferent cochlear neurotransmitter.

  19. Choline acetyltransferase in the hippocampus is associated with learning strategy preference in adult male rats.

    PubMed

    Hawley, Wayne R; Witty, Christine F; Daniel, Jill M; Dohanich, Gary P

    2015-08-01

    One principle of the multiple memory systems hypothesis posits that the hippocampus-based and striatum-based memory systems compete for control over learning. Consistent with this notion, previous research indicates that the cholinergic system of the hippocampus plays a role in modulating the preference for a hippocampus-based place learning strategy over a striatum-based stimulus--response learning strategy. Interestingly, in the hippocampus, greater activity and higher protein levels of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), the enzyme that synthesizes acetylcholine, are associated with better performance on hippocampus-based learning and memory tasks. With this in mind, the primary aim of the current study was to determine if higher levels of ChAT and the high-affinity choline uptake transporter (CHT) in the hippocampus were associated with a preference for a hippocampus-based place learning strategy on a task that also could be solved by relying on a striatum-based stimulus--response learning strategy. Results confirmed that levels of ChAT in the dorsal region of the hippocampus were associated with a preference for a place learning strategy on a water maze task that could also be solved by adopting a stimulus-response learning strategy. Consistent with previous studies, the current results support the hypothesis that the cholinergic system of the hippocampus plays a role in balancing competition between memory systems that modulate learning strategy preference. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  20. Installation report : thick lift bituminous base : construction and materials phase.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1972-01-01

    During the 1970 construction season, the Basic Construction Company of Newport News, laid a 9-inch bituminous concrete base course in a single lift directly on an unimproved subgrade on a section of Route 31 just southwest of Williamsburg, as specifi...

  1. [Construction and function identification of luciferase reporter gene vectors containing SNPs in NFKBIA gene 3'UTR].

    PubMed

    Yang, Shuo; Li, Jia-li; Bi, Hui-chang; Zhou, Shou-ning; Liu, Xiao-man; Zeng, Hang; Hu, Bing-fang; Huang, Min

    2016-01-01

    This study aims to investigate the function of two SNPs (rs8904C > T and rs696G >A) in 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of NFKBIA gene by constructing luciferase reporter gene. A patient's genomic DNA with rs8904 CC and rs696 GA genotype was used as the PCR template. Full-length 3'UTR of NFKBIA gene was amplified by different primers. After sequencing validation, these fragments were inserted to the luciferase reporter vector, pGL3-promoter to construct recombinant plasmids containing four kinds of haplotypes, pGL3-rs8904C/rs696G, pGL3-rs8904C/rs696A, pGL3-rs8904T/rs696G and pGL3-rs8904T/rs696A. Then these plasmids were transfected into LS174T cells and the luciferase activity was detected. Compared with pGL3-vector transfected cells (negative control), the luciferase activity of the four kinds of recombinant plasmids was significantly decreased (P < 0.001). For rs696G > A, the luciferase activity of the recombinant plasmids containing A allele (pGL3-rs8904C/rs696A and pGL3-rs8904T/rs696A) was about 45.1% (P < 0.05) and 56.1% (P < 0.001) lower than those containing G allele (pGL3-rs8904C/rs696G and pGL3-rs8904T/rs696G), respectively. For rs8904C > T, there were no significant differences in the luciferase activity between the recombinant plasmids containing T allele and those with C allele. Together, the luciferase reporter gene vectors containing SNPs in NFKBIA gene 3'UTR were constructed successfully and rs696G > A could decrease the luciferase activity while rs8904C >T didn't have much effect on the luciferase activity.

  2. Indonesia--Innovation in the Management of Primary School Construction: A Case Study. Education Building Report 8.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Hussin

    This UNESCO report describes the progress of primary school building development under the second Five Year Plan of the Government of Indonesia. The main objective of the construction program was to increase the enrollement of children of primary school age to 85 per cent of all eligible children. Chapter I provides an historical perspective on…

  3. Technical report on the potential impacts on business revenues during construction of the central corridor light rail project

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2011-02-01

    This report investigates the potential impacts to business revenues along the Central Corridor resulting from the construction of the Central Corridor Light Rail Project. This study addresses the potential loss of revenue by local businesses during t...

  4. Constructing Student Problems in Phylogenetic Tree Construction.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Brewer, Steven D.

    Evolution is often equated with natural selection and is taught from a primarily functional perspective while comparative and historical approaches, which are critical for developing an appreciation of the power of evolutionary theory, are often neglected. This report describes a study of expert problem-solving in phylogenetic tree construction.…

  5. Arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 gene (TcAANAT1) is required for cuticle morphology and pigmentation of the adult red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum.

    PubMed

    Noh, Mi Young; Koo, Bonwoo; Kramer, Karl J; Muthukrishnan, Subbaratnam; Arakane, Yasuyuki

    2016-12-01

    In the insect cuticle tanning pathway (sclerotization and pigmentation), the enzyme arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) catalyzes the acetylation of dopamine to form N-acetyldopamine (NADA), which is one of the major precursors for quinone-mediated tanning. In this study we characterized and investigated the function of TcAANAT1 in cuticle pigmentation of the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. We isolated a full length TcAANAT1 cDNA that encodes a protein of 256 amino acid residues with a predicted GCN5-related acetyltransferase domain containing an acetyl-CoA binding motif. TcAANAT1 transcripts were detected at all stages of development with lowest expressions at the embryonic and pharate pupal stages. We expressed and purified the encoded recombinant TcAANAT1 protein (rTcAANAT1) that exhibited highest activity at slightly basic pH values (for example, pH 7.5 to 8.5 using dopamine as the substrate). In addition, rTcAANAT1 acts on a wide range of substrates including tryptamine, octopamine and norepinephrine with similar substrate affinities with K m values in the range of 0.05-0.11 mM except for tyramine (K m  = 0.56 mM). Loss of function of TcAANAT1 caused by RNAi had no effect on larval and pupal development. The tanning of pupal setae, gin traps and urogomphi proceeded normally. However, the resulting adults (∼70%) exhibited a roughened exoskeletal surface, separated elytra and improperly folded hindwings. The body wall, elytra and veins of the hindwing of the mature adults were significantly darker than those of control insects probably due to the accumulation of dopamine melanin. A dark pigmentation surrounding the bristles located on the inter-veins of the elytron was evident primarily because of the underlying darkly pigmented trabeculae that partition the dorsal and ventral layers of the elytron. These results support the hypothesis that TcAANAT1 acetylates dopamine and plays a role in development of the morphology and pigmentation of T

  6. N-Acetyltransferase-2 Genotypes Among Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis Attending Jordan University Hospital

    PubMed Central

    Oqal, Muna K.; Mustafa, Khader N.

    2012-01-01

    Aim: To determine the frequency of major N-acetyltransferase (NAT2) alleles and genotypes among Jordanian patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: The study was approved by the IRB of the Jordan University Hospital. An informed consent was signed by every patient. DNA samples from 150 healthy volunteers and 108 patients with RA were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction followed by a restriction fragment length polymorphism assay (PCR-RFLP) to determine the frequency of four major alleles: NAT2*4, NAT2*5, NAT2*6, and NAT2*7. Results: The most prevalent genotypes are those that encode the slow acetylation phenotype. About 59.3% of the patients with RA carried the slow, 33.3% the intermediate, and 7.4% the fast-encoding genotypes. The frequency of NAT2 alleles was 0.241 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.184–0.298) for NAT2*4, 0.449 (95% CI 0.383–0.515) for NAT2*5, 0.273 (95% CI 0.214–0.332) for NAT2*6, and 0.037 (95% CI 0.012–0.062) for NAT2*7 allele. The overall frequency of the slow acetylation genotype in patients with RA is similar to that in healthy Jordanian volunteers. However, the NAT2*5/7 genotype was found in seven patients (6.5%) with RA and was absent in Jordanian volunteers, and the z test revealed that the difference was statistically significant. This genotype constituted 10.9% of the genotypes encoding slow acetylation. Conclusion: The overall acetylator genotype in RA is similar to that in healthy volunteers. The overall slow acetylator genotypes do not seem to be a genetic risk factor for RA among Jordanians. However, the NAT2*5/7 genotype seems to be related to RA. The nature of this relationship needs further clarification. PMID:22731637

  7. The cysteine synthase complex from plants. Mitochondrial serine acetyltransferase from Arabidopsis thaliana carries a bifunctional domain for catalysis and protein-protein interaction.

    PubMed

    Wirtz, M; Berkowitz, O; Droux, M; Hell, R

    2001-02-01

    Serine acetyltransferase (SAT) catalyzes the rate-limiting step of cysteine biosynthesis in bacteria and plants and functions in association with O-acetylserine (thiol) lyase (OAS-TL) in the cysteine synthase complex. Very little is known about the structure and catalysis of SATs except that they share a characteristic C-terminal hexapeptide-repeat domain with a number of enzymatically unrelated acyltransferases. Computational modeling of this domain was performed for the mitochondrial SAT isoform from Arabidopsis thaliana, based on crystal structures of bacterial acyltransferases. The results indicate a left-handed parallel beta-helix consisting of beta-sheets alternating with turns, resulting in a prism-like structure. This model was challenged by site-directed mutagenesis and tested for a suspected dual function of this domain in catalysis and hetero-oligomerization. The bifunctionality of the SAT C-terminus in transferase activity and interaction with OAS-TL is demonstrated and discussed with respect to the putative role of the cysteine synthase complex in regulation of cysteine biosynthesis.

  8. Constructed Response Tests in the NELS:88 High School Effectiveness Study. National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 Second Followup. Statistical Analysis Report.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Pollock, Judith M.; And Others

    This report describes an experiment in constructed response testing undertaken in conjunction with the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 (NELS:88). Constructed response questions are those that require students to produce their own response rather than selecting the correct answer from several options. Participants in this experiment…

  9. 14th Annual School Construction Report, 2009

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Abramson, Paul

    2009-01-01

    School construction remains high, but not as high as it has been over the last eight years. Projections for the future (projects expected to be completed and/or started in 2009) show a significant decline. Capital budgets may be in place, but the economic hard times and forced cuts in many local school programs are having an effect on construction…

  10. 18th Annual School Construction Report, 2013

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Abramson, Paul

    2013-01-01

    The bottom line on school construction in 2012 is that total spending edged up slightly from the previous year, (to $12.9 billion from $12.2 billion), but the spending for new schools declined from $6.9 billion to $6.177 billion. The increase in overall spending was attributable to more spending for additions and a major increase in spending for…

  11. Heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein R regulates arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase synthesis via internal ribosomal entry site-mediated translation in a circadian manner.

    PubMed

    Lee, Hwa-Rim; Kim, Tae-Don; Kim, Hyo-Jin; Jung, Youngseob; Lee, Dohyun; Lee, Kyung-Ha; Kim, Do-Yeon; Woo, Kyung-Chul; Kim, Kyong-Tai

    2015-11-01

    Rhythmic arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) synthesis is a prominent circadian-controlled response that occurs in most mammals. AANAT is the core enzyme in melatonin production; because melatonin participates in many physiological processes, the regulation of AANAT is an important research topic. In this study, we focused on the role of heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein R (hnRNP R) in the translation of AANAT. A novel RNA-binding protein hnRNP R widely interacted with the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of AANAT mRNA and contributed to translation through an internal ribosomal entry site (IRES). Fine-tuning of AANAT protein synthesis occurred in response to knockdown and overexpression of hnRNP R. Nocturnal elevation of AANAT protein was dependent on the rhythmic changes of hnRNP R, whose levels are elevated in the pineal gland during nighttime. Increases in hnRNP R additionally improved AANAT production in rat pinealocytes under norepinephrine (NE) treatment. These results suggest that cap-independent translation of AANAT mRNA plays a role in the rhythmic synthesis of melatonin through the recruitment of translational machinery to hnRNP R-bound AANAT mRNA. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  12. Training and certification for construction inspectors : final report.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2016-11-01

    Construction inspectors are an important asset to the success of a Department of Transportation; they provide quality control for state- and federally funded transportation infrastructure projects. A majority of departments of transportation in the U...

  13. Structural Studies of the pRB Tumor Suppressor Complexed with Human Papillomavirus E7 Proteins.

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1999-06-01

    HAT 1 (yeast histone acetyltransferase 1) and SmAAT ( Serratia marcescens aminoglycoside 3 N-acetyltransferase), implicates the mode of substrate...of PCAF appears to be similar for both free and nuclecsomal histories . Surprisingly, PCAF has also been reported to acetylate noa-histone substrates...FAX +44 1865 267798 OUP SMJ JNLS @009 Cd\\c> s Crystal structurt of th« PCAF-eoenzym« A complex B Fig. 4. Historie ncetyltransferwe active site

  14. Early Returns: Tax Credit Bonds and School Construction? Policy Report.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Mead, Sara

    A small federal program piloting tax credit bonds to support school construction, the Qualified Zone Academy Bond (QZAB), has existed since 1997--providing evidence of how tax credit bonds could work. This paper analyzes the results of QZABs to date in order to inform policymakers, advance the debate over federal school construction aid, and…

  15. Histone acetyltransferase TGF-1 regulates Trichoderma atroviride secondary metabolism and mycoparasitism.

    PubMed

    Gómez-Rodríguez, Elida Yazmín; Uresti-Rivera, Edith Elena; Patrón-Soberano, Olga Araceli; Islas-Osuna, María Auxiliadora; Flores-Martínez, Alberto; Riego-Ruiz, Lina; Rosales-Saavedra, María Teresa; Casas-Flores, Sergio

    2018-01-01

    Some filamentous fungi of the Trichoderma genus are used as biocontrol agents against airborne and soilborne phytopathogens. The proposed mechanism by which Trichoderma spp. antagonizes phytopathogens is through the release of lytic enzymes, antimicrobial compounds, mycoparasitism, and the induction of systemic disease-resistance in plants. Here we analyzed the role of TGF-1 (Trichoderma Gcn Five-1), a histone acetyltransferase of Trichoderma atroviride, in mycoparasitism and antibiosis against the phytopathogen Rhizoctonia solani. Trichostatin A (TSA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor that promotes histone acetylation, slightly affected T. atroviride and R. solani growth, but not the growth of the mycoparasite over R. solani. Application of TSA to the liquid medium induced synthesis of antimicrobial compounds. Expression analysis of the mycoparasitism-related genes ech-42 and prb-1, which encode an endochitinase and a proteinase, as well as the secondary metabolism-related genes pbs-1 and tps-1, which encode a peptaibol synthetase and a terpene synthase, respectively, showed that they were regulated by TSA. A T. atroviride strain harboring a deletion of tgf-1 gene showed slow growth, thinner and less branched hyphae than the wild-type strain, whereas its ability to coil around the R. solani hyphae was not affected. Δtgf-1 presented a diminished capacity to grow over R. solani, but the ability of its mycelium -free culture filtrates (MFCF) to inhibit the phytopathogen growth was enhanced. Intriguingly, addition of TSA to the culture medium reverted the enhanced inhibition growth of Δtgf-1 MFCF on R. solani at levels compared to the wild-type MFCF grown in medium amended with TSA. The presence of R. solani mycelium in the culture medium induced similar proteinase activity in a Δtgf-1 compared to the wild-type, whereas the chitinolytic activity was higher in a Δtgf-1 mutant in the absence of R. solani, compared to the parental strain. Expression of mycoparasitism

  16. Histone acetyltransferase TGF-1 regulates Trichoderma atroviride secondary metabolism and mycoparasitism

    PubMed Central

    Patrón-Soberano, Olga Araceli; Islas-Osuna, María Auxiliadora; Flores-Martínez, Alberto; Riego-Ruiz, Lina; Rosales-Saavedra, María Teresa

    2018-01-01

    Some filamentous fungi of the Trichoderma genus are used as biocontrol agents against airborne and soilborne phytopathogens. The proposed mechanism by which Trichoderma spp. antagonizes phytopathogens is through the release of lytic enzymes, antimicrobial compounds, mycoparasitism, and the induction of systemic disease-resistance in plants. Here we analyzed the role of TGF-1 (Trichoderma Gcn Five-1), a histone acetyltransferase of Trichoderma atroviride, in mycoparasitism and antibiosis against the phytopathogen Rhizoctonia solani. Trichostatin A (TSA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor that promotes histone acetylation, slightly affected T. atroviride and R. solani growth, but not the growth of the mycoparasite over R. solani. Application of TSA to the liquid medium induced synthesis of antimicrobial compounds. Expression analysis of the mycoparasitism-related genes ech-42 and prb-1, which encode an endochitinase and a proteinase, as well as the secondary metabolism-related genes pbs-1 and tps-1, which encode a peptaibol synthetase and a terpene synthase, respectively, showed that they were regulated by TSA. A T. atroviride strain harboring a deletion of tgf-1 gene showed slow growth, thinner and less branched hyphae than the wild-type strain, whereas its ability to coil around the R. solani hyphae was not affected. Δtgf-1 presented a diminished capacity to grow over R. solani, but the ability of its mycelium -free culture filtrates (MFCF) to inhibit the phytopathogen growth was enhanced. Intriguingly, addition of TSA to the culture medium reverted the enhanced inhibition growth of Δtgf-1 MFCF on R. solani at levels compared to the wild-type MFCF grown in medium amended with TSA. The presence of R. solani mycelium in the culture medium induced similar proteinase activity in a Δtgf-1 compared to the wild-type, whereas the chitinolytic activity was higher in a Δtgf-1 mutant in the absence of R. solani, compared to the parental strain. Expression of mycoparasitism

  17. Evaluation of stone/RAP interlayers under accelerated loading : construction report : interim report.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2001-03-01

    Three test lanes were constructed at the Louisiana Pavement Research Facility to study the performance of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) as a stress relieving layer between the cement treated base and asphalt concrete layers in lieu of crushed ston...

  18. Corridor reservation : implications for recouping a portion of the "unearned increment" arising from construction of transportation facilities : final report.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1994-01-01

    This report examines the phenomenon of the unearned increment, which is the often substantial increase in private land values resulting from transportation facility construction, and possible attempts to recoup it to finance transportation projects. ...

  19. Preadolescents' Emotional and Prosocial Responses to Negative TV News: Investigating the Beneficial Effects of Constructive Reporting and Peer Discussion.

    PubMed

    Kleemans, Mariska; Schlindwein, Luise F; Dohmen, Roos

    2017-09-01

    Watching news is important for preadolescents, but it may also harm their well-being. This study examined whether applying insights from positive psychology to news production can reduce this potential harm, by reducing negative emotional responses and enhancing positive emotional responses to negative news, and by encouraging prosocial intentions. Moreover, we explored whether peer discussion strengthened these effects. Preadolescents (n = 336; 9-13 years old; 48.5% female) were exposed to either constructive (solution-based news including positive emotions) or nonconstructive news. Subsequently, half of the children assigned to the constructive and the nonconstructive condition participated in a peer discussion. The findings showed that exposure to constructive news resulted in more positive emotional responses and less negative emotional responses as compared to nonconstructive news. Moreover, discussing the news with peers led to more positive and less negative emotional responses among preadolescents who watched the nonconstructive newscast, and to more prosocial intentions among preadolescents who watched constructive news. In all, constructive news reporting and peer discussion could function as tools to make negative news less harmful for preadolescents.

  20. Expression Levels of the Yeast Alcohol Acetyltransferase Genes ATF1, Lg-ATF1, and ATF2 Control the Formation of a Broad Range of Volatile Esters

    PubMed Central

    Verstrepen, Kevin J.; Van Laere, Stijn D. M.; Vanderhaegen, Bart M. P.; Derdelinckx, Guy; Dufour, Jean-Pierre; Pretorius, Isak S.; Winderickx, Joris; Thevelein, Johan M.; Delvaux, Freddy R.

    2003-01-01

    Volatile aroma-active esters are responsible for the fruity character of fermented alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine. Esters are produced by fermenting yeast cells in an enzyme-catalyzed intracellular reaction. In order to investigate and compare the roles of the known Saccharomyces cerevisiae alcohol acetyltransferases, Atf1p, Atf2p and Lg-Atf1p, in volatile ester production, the respective genes were either deleted or overexpressed in a laboratory strain and a commercial brewing strain. Subsequently, the ester formation of the transformants was monitored by headspace gas chromatography and gas chromatography combined with mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). Analysis of the fermentation products confirmed that the expression levels of ATF1 and ATF2 greatly affect the production of ethyl acetate and isoamyl acetate. GC-MS analysis revealed that Atf1p and Atf2p are also responsible for the formation of a broad range of less volatile esters, such as propyl acetate, isobutyl acetate, pentyl acetate, hexyl acetate, heptyl acetate, octyl acetate, and phenyl ethyl acetate. With respect to the esters analyzed in this study, Atf2p seemed to play only a minor role compared to Atf1p. The atf1Δ atf2Δ double deletion strain did not form any isoamyl acetate, showing that together, Atf1p and Atf2p are responsible for the total cellular isoamyl alcohol acetyltransferase activity. However, the double deletion strain still produced considerable amounts of certain other esters, such as ethyl acetate (50% of the wild-type strain), propyl acetate (50%), and isobutyl acetate (40%), which provides evidence for the existence of additional, as-yet-unknown ester synthases in the yeast proteome. Interestingly, overexpression of different alleles of ATF1 and ATF2 led to different ester production rates, indicating that differences in the aroma profiles of yeast strains may be partially due to mutations in their ATF genes. PMID:12957907

  1. Horizontal gene transfer of acetyltransferases, invertases and chorismate mutases from different bacteria to diverse recipients.

    PubMed

    Noon, Jason B; Baum, Thomas J

    2016-04-12

    Hoplolaimina plant-parasitic nematodes (PPN) are a lineage of animals with many documented cases of horizontal gene transfer (HGT). In a recent study, we reported on three likely HGT candidate genes in the soybean cyst nematode Heterodera glycines, all of which encode secreted candidate effectors with putative functions in the host plant. Hg-GLAND1 is a putative GCN5-related N-acetyltransferase (GNAT), Hg-GLAND13 is a putative invertase (INV), and Hg-GLAND16 is a putative chorismate mutase (CM), and blastp searches of the non-redundant database resulted in highest similarity to bacterial sequences. Here, we searched nematode and non-nematode sequence databases to identify all the nematodes possible that contain these three genes, and to formulate hypotheses about when they most likely appeared in the phylum Nematoda. We then performed phylogenetic analyses combined with model selection tests of alternative models of sequence evolution to determine whether these genes were horizontally acquired from bacteria. Mining of nematode sequence databases determined that GNATs appeared in Hoplolaimina PPN late in evolution, while both INVs and CMs appeared before the radiation of the Hoplolaimina suborder. Also, Hoplolaimina GNATs, INVs and CMs formed well-supported clusters with different rhizosphere bacteria in the phylogenetic trees, and the model selection tests greatly supported models of HGT over descent via common ancestry. Surprisingly, the phylogenetic trees also revealed additional, well-supported clusters of bacterial GNATs, INVs and CMs with diverse eukaryotes and archaea. There were at least eleven and eight well-supported clusters of GNATs and INVs, respectively, from different bacteria with diverse eukaryotes and archaea. Though less frequent, CMs from different bacteria formed supported clusters with multiple different eukaryotes. Moreover, almost all individual clusters containing bacteria and eukaryotes or archaea contained species that inhabit very similar

  2. 10 CFR 60.72 - Construction records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 2 2011-01-01 2011-01-01 false Construction records. 60.72 Section 60.72 Energy NUCLEAR..., Reports, Tests, and Inspections § 60.72 Construction records. (a) DOE shall maintain records of construction of the geologic repository operations area in a manner that ensures their useability for future...

  3. 10 CFR 60.72 - Construction records.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-01-01

    ... 10 Energy 2 2012-01-01 2012-01-01 false Construction records. 60.72 Section 60.72 Energy NUCLEAR..., Reports, Tests, and Inspections § 60.72 Construction records. (a) DOE shall maintain records of construction of the geologic repository operations area in a manner that ensures their useability for future...

  4. Construct Validation of Analytic Rating Scales in a Speaking Assessment: Reporting a Score Profile and a Composite

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Sawaki, Yasuyo

    2007-01-01

    This is a construct validation study of a second language speaking assessment that reported a language profile based on analytic rating scales and a composite score. The study addressed three key issues: score dependability, convergent/discriminant validity of analytic rating scales and the weighting of analytic ratings in the composite score.…

  5. No Association Between Variant N-acetyltransferase Genes, Cigarette Smoking and Prostate Cancer Susceptibility Among Men of African Descent

    PubMed Central

    Kidd, La Creis Renee; VanCleave, Tiva T.; Doll, Mark A.; Srivastava, Daya S.; Thacker, Brandon; Komolafe, Oyeyemi; Pihur, Vasyl; Brock, Guy N.; Hein, David W.

    2011-01-01

    Objective We evaluated the individual and combination effects of NAT1, NAT2 and tobacco smoking in a case-control study of 219 incident prostate cancer (PCa) cases and 555 disease-free men. Methods Allelic discriminations for 15 NAT1 and NAT2 loci were detected in germ-line DNA samples using Taqman polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Single gene, gene-gene and gene-smoking interactions were analyzed using logistic regression models and multi-factor dimensionality reduction (MDR) adjusted for age and subpopulation stratification. MDR involves a rigorous algorithm that has ample statistical power to assess and visualize gene-gene and gene-environment interactions using relatively small samples sizes (i.e., 200 cases and 200 controls). Results Despite the relatively high prevalence of NAT1*10/*10 (40.1%), NAT2 slow (30.6%), and NAT2 very slow acetylator genotypes (10.1%) among our study participants, these putative risk factors did not individually or jointly increase PCa risk among all subjects or a subset analysis restricted to tobacco smokers. Conclusion Our data do not support the use of N-acetyltransferase genetic susceptibilities as PCa risk factors among men of African descent; however, subsequent studies in larger sample populations are needed to confirm this finding. PMID:21709725

  6. Comparison of Navy and Private-Sector Construction Costs

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1997-09-01

    contracts are comparable to private - sector construction costs. This report compares those costs. The report includes a description of the methodology...costs of complying with federal contracting requirements as compared with the costs of similar projects completed under typical private - sector contracts...The study found that the costs of facilities constructed under Navy contracts compare favorably to private - sector construction costs for similar

  7. Choline-acetyltransferase-like immunoreactivity in the organ of Corti of the rat during postnatal development.

    PubMed

    Merchán Pérez, A; Gil-Loyzaga, P; Eybalin, M; Fernández Mateos, P; Bartolomé, M V

    1994-10-14

    The mammalian cochlea receives efferent innervation from neurons located in the superior olivary complex. This efferent olivocochlear innervation is divided in two separate systems, lateral and medial, which mainly innervate afferent dendrites connected to inner hair cells and the cell body of outer hair cells, respectively. Besides other substances, lateral and medial efferent terminals of the adult cochlea use acetylcholine (ACh) as a neurotransmitter. In this study, we have used immunocytochemistry to detect the presence of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), the synthesizing enzyme of ACh, in efferent olivocochlear terminals during the development of the rat. The appearance and distribution of immunoreactivity to ChAT has been studied in developing rat cochleas from birth (postnatal day 1, P1) to adulthood. Attention was paid to the temporal relationships between the expression of ChAT, the presence of other putative neuroactive substances, the onset of hearing and other developmental phenomena. Our results indicate that ChAT-like immunoreactivity is already present at birth (P1) in the region of inner hair cells, that it appears at P3 in the outer hair cell area and that it reaches an adult pattern of distribution by P15. ACh may thus be present early in the developing cochlea, before the onset of hearing, as it also occurs with other putative transmitters/modulators such as enkephalins, CGRP or GABA. It is suggested that ACh could be involved in the modulation of sound-evoked potentials as soon as they appear, and in the regulation of other developmental phenomena such as neurite outgrowth or synaptogenesis.

  8. Slow acetylator mutations in the human polymorphic N-acetyltransferase gene in 786 Asians, blacks, Hispanics, and whites: Application to metabolic epidemiology

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Lin, H.J.; Chunya Han; Lin, B.K.

    1993-04-01

    The aim was to determine the population frequencies of the major slow acetylator alleles of the polymorphic N-acetyltransferase (NA T2) gene, whose locus maps to chromosome 8. The authors used allele-specific PCR amplification on 786 dried blood spots obtained from Hong Kong Chinese, US Koreans, US blacks, US Hispanics, Germans, and US whites. Their results show that four slow acetylator alleles can be detected as mutations at positions 481, 590, and 857 in the NA T2 gene. Recognized base substitutions at positions 341 and 803 need not be determined, because they were almost always associated with the 481T mutation. Themore » known mutation at position 282 was strongly associated with the 590A mutation. The 481T, 590A, and 857A mutations accounted for virtually all of the slow acetylator alleles in Asian and white populations. The 857A mutation proved to be an Asiatic allele. The results will be useful in large-scale epidemiologic studies of cancer and other conditions potentially associated with the acetylator polymorphism. 20 refs., 3 figs., 4 tabs.« less

  9. Histone posttranslational modifications and cell fate determination: lens induction requires the lysine acetyltransferases CBP and p300

    PubMed Central

    Wolf, Louise; Harrison, Wilbur; Huang, Jie; Xie, Qing; Xiao, Ningna; Sun, Jian; Kong, Lingkun; Lachke, Salil A.; Kuracha, Murali R.; Govindarajan, Venkatesh; Brindle, Paul K.; Ashery-Padan, Ruth; Beebe, David C.; Overbeek, Paul A.; Cvekl, Ales

    2013-01-01

    Lens induction is a classical embryologic model to study cell fate determination. It has been proposed earlier that specific changes in core histone modifications accompany the process of cell fate specification and determination. The lysine acetyltransferases CBP and p300 function as principal enzymes that modify core histones to facilitate specific gene expression. Herein, we performed conditional inactivation of both CBP and p300 in the ectodermal cells that give rise to the lens placode. Inactivation of both CBP and p300 resulted in the dramatic discontinuation of all aspects of lens specification and organogenesis, resulting in aphakia. The CBP/p300−/− ectodermal cells are viable and not prone to apoptosis. These cells showed reduced expression of Six3 and Sox2, while expression of Pax6 was not upregulated, indicating discontinuation of lens induction. Consequently, expression of αB- and αA-crystallins was not initiated. Mutant ectoderm exhibited markedly reduced levels of histone H3 K18 and K27 acetylation, subtly increased H3 K27me3 and unaltered overall levels of H3 K9ac and H3 K4me3. Our data demonstrate that CBP and p300 are required to establish lens cell-type identity during lens induction, and suggest that posttranslational histone modifications are integral to normal cell fate determination in the mammalian lens. PMID:24038357

  10. Elongator subunit 3 positively regulates plant immunity through its histone acetyltransferase and radical S-adenosylmethionine domains

    PubMed Central

    2013-01-01

    Background Pathogen infection triggers a large-scale transcriptional reprogramming in plants, and the speed of this reprogramming affects the outcome of the infection. Our understanding of this process has significantly benefited from mutants that display either delayed or accelerated defense gene induction. In our previous work we demonstrated that the Arabidopsis Elongator complex subunit 2 (AtELP2) plays an important role in both basal immunity and effector-triggered immunity (ETI), and more recently showed that AtELP2 is involved in dynamic changes in histone acetylation and DNA methylation at several defense genes. However, the function of other Elongator subunits in plant immunity has not been characterized. Results In the same genetic screen used to identify Atelp2, we found another Elongator mutant, Atelp3-10, which mimics Atelp2 in that it exhibits a delay in defense gene induction following salicylic acid treatment or pathogen infection. Similarly to AtELP2, AtELP3 is required for basal immunity and ETI, but not for systemic acquired resistance (SAR). Furthermore, we demonstrate that both the histone acetyltransferase and radical S-adenosylmethionine domains of AtELP3 are essential for its function in plant immunity. Conclusion Our results indicate that the entire Elongator complex is involved in basal immunity and ETI, but not in SAR, and support that Elongator may play a role in facilitating the transcriptional induction of defense genes through alterations to their chromatin. PMID:23856002

  11. Epigenetic Regulation of Axonal Growth of Drosophila Pacemaker Cells by Histone Acetyltransferase Tip60 Controls Sleep

    PubMed Central

    Pirooznia, Sheila K.; Chiu, Kellie; Chan, May T.; Zimmerman, John E.; Elefant, Felice

    2012-01-01

    Tip60 is a histone acetyltransferase (HAT) enzyme that epigenetically regulates genes enriched for neuronal functions through interaction with the amyloid precursor protein (APP) intracellular domain. However, whether Tip60-mediated epigenetic dysregulation affects specific neuronal processes in vivo and contributes to neurodegeneration remains unclear. Here, we show that Tip60 HAT activity mediates axonal growth of the Drosophila pacemaker cells, termed “small ventrolateral neurons” (sLNvs), and their production of the neuropeptide pigment-dispersing factor (PDF) that functions to stabilize Drosophila sleep–wake cycles. Using genetic approaches, we show that loss of Tip60 HAT activity in the presence of the Alzheimer’s disease-associated APP affects PDF expression and causes retraction of the sLNv synaptic arbor required for presynaptic release of PDF. Functional consequence of these effects is evidenced by disruption of the sleep–wake cycle in these flies. Notably, overexpression of Tip60 in conjunction with APP rescues these sleep–wake disturbances by inducing overelaboration of the sLNv synaptic terminals and increasing PDF levels, supporting a neuroprotective role for dTip60 in sLNv growth and function under APP-induced neurodegenerative conditions. Our findings reveal a novel mechanism for Tip60 mediated sleep–wake regulation via control of axonal growth and PDF levels within the sLNv-encompassing neural network and provide insight into epigenetic-based regulation of sleep disturbances observed in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease. PMID:22982579

  12. Elongator subunit 3 positively regulates plant immunity through its histone acetyltransferase and radical S-adenosylmethionine domains.

    PubMed

    Defraia, Christopher T; Wang, Yongsheng; Yao, Jiqiang; Mou, Zhonglin

    2013-07-16

    Pathogen infection triggers a large-scale transcriptional reprogramming in plants, and the speed of this reprogramming affects the outcome of the infection. Our understanding of this process has significantly benefited from mutants that display either delayed or accelerated defense gene induction. In our previous work we demonstrated that the Arabidopsis Elongator complex subunit 2 (AtELP2) plays an important role in both basal immunity and effector-triggered immunity (ETI), and more recently showed that AtELP2 is involved in dynamic changes in histone acetylation and DNA methylation at several defense genes. However, the function of other Elongator subunits in plant immunity has not been characterized. In the same genetic screen used to identify Atelp2, we found another Elongator mutant, Atelp3-10, which mimics Atelp2 in that it exhibits a delay in defense gene induction following salicylic acid treatment or pathogen infection. Similarly to AtELP2, AtELP3 is required for basal immunity and ETI, but not for systemic acquired resistance (SAR). Furthermore, we demonstrate that both the histone acetyltransferase and radical S-adenosylmethionine domains of AtELP3 are essential for its function in plant immunity. Our results indicate that the entire Elongator complex is involved in basal immunity and ETI, but not in SAR, and support that Elongator may play a role in facilitating the transcriptional induction of defense genes through alterations to their chromatin.

  13. HISTONE ACETYLTRANSFERASE p300 MODULATES GENE EXPRESSION IN AN EPIGENETIC MANNER AT HIGH BLOOD ALCOHOL LEVELS

    PubMed Central

    Bardag-Gorce, Fawzia; French, Barbara A.; Joyce, Michael; Baires, Mercedes; Montgomery, Rosalyn O.; Li, Jun; French., Samuel

    2007-01-01

    When rats are fed ethanol intragastrically at a constant rate for 1 month, the urinary alcohol level (UAL) cycles over 7–9 day intervals. At the peak UAL, the liver is hypoxic shifting from a redox state to a reduced rate. Microarray analysis done on livers at the UAL peaks shows changes in ~1300 gene expression compared to the pair-fed controls. To determine the mechanism of the gene expression changes, histone acetylation regulation was investigated in liver nuclear extracts at the peaks and troughs of the UAL and their pair-fed controls. No change occurred in SirT-1. P300, a histone acetyltransferase (HAT), which acetylates histone H3 on lysine 9, was increased at the peaks. Histone 3 acetylated at lysine 9 was also increased at the peaks. This indicates that the up regulated genes at the UAL peaks resulted from an increase in p300 transcription regulation, epigenetically. P300 activates transcription of numerous genes in response to signal transcription factors such as H1F 1α, increased in the nucleus at UAL peaks. Signal transduction pathways, such as NFκB, AP-1, ERK, JNK, and p38 were not increased at the peaks. β-catenin was increased in the nuclear extract at the UAL peaks and troughs, where increased gene expression was absent. The increase in gene expression at the peaks was due, in part, to increased acetylation of histone 3 at lysine 9. PMID:17208223

  14. Low melatonin production by suppression of either serotonin N-acetyltransferase or N-acetylserotonin methyltransferase in rice causes seedling growth retardation with yield penalty, abiotic stress susceptibility, and enhanced coleoptile growth under anoxic conditions.

    PubMed

    Byeon, Yeong; Back, Kyoungwhan

    2016-04-01

    Serotonin N-acetyltransferase (SNAT) and N-acetylserotonin methyltransferase (ASMT) are the last two key enzymes for melatonin biosynthesis in living organisms. In this study, we demonstrated that transgenic rice (Oryza sativa L.) plants, in which expression of either endogenous SNAT or ASMT was suppressed, had reduced melatonin synthesis, confirming that both SNAT and ASMT are functionally involved in melatonin synthesis. The melatonin-deficient SNAT rice had retarded seedling growth, which was partially restored by exogenous melatonin application, suggesting melatonin's role in seedling growth. In addition, the plants were more sensitive to various abiotic stresses, including salt and cold, compared with the wild type. Melatonin-deficient SNAT rice had increased coleoptile growth under anoxic conditions, indicating that melatonin also inversely regulates plant growth under anaerobic conditions with the concomitant high expression of alcohol dehydrogenase genes. Similarly, the melatonin-deficient ASMT rice exhibited accelerated senescence in detached flag leaves, as well as significantly reduced yield. These loss-of-function studies on the melatonin biosynthetic genes confirmed most previous pharmacological reports that melatonin not only promotes plant growth but also mitigates various abiotic stresses. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  15. Revisiting the Nucleotide and Aminoglycoside Substrate Specificity of the Bifunctional Aminoglycoside Acetyltransferase(6′)-Ie/Aminoglycoside Phosphotransferase(2″)-Ia Enzyme*

    PubMed Central

    Frase, Hilary; Toth, Marta; Vakulenko, Sergei B.

    2012-01-01

    The bifunctional aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme aminoglycoside acetyltransferase(6′)-Ie/aminoglycoside phosphotransferase(2″)-Ia, or AAC(6′)-Ie/APH(2″)-Ia, is the major source of aminoglycoside resistance in Gram-positive bacterial pathogens. In previous studies, using ATP as the cosubstrate, it was reported that the APH(2″)-Ia domain of this enzyme is unique among aminoglycoside phosphotransferases, having the ability to inactivate an unusually broad spectrum of aminoglycosides, including 4,6- and 4,5-disubstituted and atypical. We recently demonstrated that GTP, and not ATP, is the preferred cosubstrate of this enzyme. We now show, using competition assays between ATP and GTP, that GTP is the exclusive phosphate donor at intracellular nucleotide levels. In light of these findings, we reevaluated the substrate profile of the phosphotransferase domain of this clinically important enzyme. Steady-state kinetic characterization using the phosphate donor GTP demonstrates that AAC(6′)-Ie/APH(2″)-Ia phosphorylates 4,6-disubstituted aminoglycosides with high efficiency (kcat/Km = 105-107 m−1 s−1). Despite this proficiency, no resistance is conferred to some of these antibiotics by the enzyme in vivo. We now show that phosphorylation of 4,5-disubstituted and atypical aminoglycosides are negligible and thus these antibiotics are not substrates. Instead, these aminoglycosides tend to stimulate an intrinsic GTPase activity of the enzyme. Taken together, our data show that the bifunctional enzyme efficiently phosphorylates only 4,6-disubstituted antibiotics; however, phosphorylation does not necessarily result in bacterial resistance. Hence, the APH(2″)-Ia domain of the bifunctional AAC(6′)-Ie/APH(2″)-Ia enzyme is a bona fide GTP-dependent kinase with a narrow substrate profile, including only 4,6-disubstituted aminoglycosides. PMID:23115238

  16. Trichothecene 3-O-acetyltransferase protects both the producing organism and transformed yeast from related mycotoxins. Cloning and characterization of Tri101.

    PubMed

    Kimura, M; Kaneko, I; Komiyama, M; Takatsuki, A; Koshino, H; Yoneyama, K; Yamaguchi, I

    1998-01-16

    Trichothecene mycotoxins such as deoxynivalenol, 4,15-diacetoxyscirpenol, and T-2 toxin, are potent protein synthesis inhibitors for eukaryotic organisms. The 3-O-acetyl derivatives of these toxins were shown to reduce their in vitro activity significantly as assessed by assays using a rabbit reticulocyte translation system. The results suggested that the introduction of an O-acetyl group at the C-3 position in the biosynthetic pathway works as a resistance mechanism for Fusarium species that produce t-type trichothecenes (trichothecenes synthesized via the precursor trichotriol). A gene responsible for the 3-O-acetylation reaction, Tri101, has been successfully cloned from a Fusarium graminearum cDNA library that was designed to be expressed in Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Fission yeast transformants were selected for their ability to grow in the presence of T-2 toxin, and this strategy allowed isolation of 25 resistant clones, all of which contained a cDNA for Tri101. This is the first drug-inactivating O-acetyltransferase gene derived from antibiotic-producing organisms. The open reading frame of Tri101 codes for a polypeptide of 451 amino acid residues, which shows no similarity to any other proteins reported so far. TRI101 from recombinant Escherichia coli catalyzes O-acetylation of the trichothecene ring specifically at the C-3 position in an acetyl-CoA-dependent manner. By using the Tri101 cDNA as a probe, two least overlapping cosmid clones that cover a region of 70 kilobase pairs have been isolated from the genome of F. graminearum. Other trichothecene biosynthetic genes, Tri4, Tri5, and Tri6, were not clustered in the region covered by these cosmid clones. These new cosmid clones are considered to be located in other parts of the large biosynthetic gene cluster and might be useful for the study of trichothecene biosynthesis.

  17. Distribution factors for construction loads and girder capacity equations, final report.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2017-03-01

    During the process of constructing a highway bridge, there are several construction stages that warrant : consideration from a structural safety and design perspective. The first objective of the present study was to use analytical : models of prestr...

  18. Energy efficiency in light-frame wood construction

    Treesearch

    Gerald E. Sherwood; Gunard Hans

    1979-01-01

    This report presents information needed for design and construction of energy-efficient light-frame wood structures. The opening section discusses improving the thermal performance of a house by careful planning and design. A second section of the report provides technical information on the thermal properties of construction materials, and on the basic engineering...

  19. Analysis of required fleet size and private sector cost comparisons for the USCG inland construction tender fleet : final report

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1994-05-01

    This report documents an analysis performed in support of the United States Coast Guard in managing its fleet of construction tenders (WLICs). The project was sponsored by the Coast Guard's Office of Navigation Safety and Waterway Services, Short Ran...

  20. Report of CEC Study Committee on Construction Management.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Consulting Engineers Council of the U.S., Washington, DC.

    Changing times place new demands on those involved in the implementation of construction projects. Within a relatively few years, the size and complexity of projects has grown substantially. Environmental and other public and social considerations are increasingly significant. With growing complexity, the requirements for effective project…

  1. L.S.C.A. Library Services & Construction Act Report for 1994. Information Partners for the 21st Century.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Michigan Library, Lansing.

    This annual report, consisting of 16 district summaries, demonstrates how federal Library Services and Construction Act (LSCA) funds have supported a wide range of 1994 projects to improve services in Michigan libraries. Most often these projects involved getting connected to the Internet, making the library accessible to the handicapped,…

  2. Comparative Genomics and Reverse Genetics Analysis Reveal Indispensable Functions of the Serine Acetyltransferase Gene Family in Arabidopsis[W][OA

    PubMed Central

    Watanabe, Mutsumi; Mochida, Keiichi; Kato, Tomohiko; Tabata, Satoshi; Yoshimoto, Naoko; Noji, Masaaki; Saito, Kazuki

    2008-01-01

    Ser acetyltransferase (SERAT), which catalyzes O-acetyl-Ser (OAS) formation, plays a key role in sulfur assimilation and Cys synthesis. Despite several studies on SERATs from various plant species, the in vivo function of multiple SERAT genes in plant cells remains unaddressed. Comparative genomics studies with the five genes of the SERAT gene family in Arabidopsis thaliana indicated that all three Arabidopsis SERAT subfamilies are conserved across five plant species with available genome sequences. Single and multiple knockout mutants of all Arabidopsis SERAT gene family members were analyzed. All five quadruple mutants with a single gene survived, with three mutants showing dwarfism. However, the quintuple mutant lacking all SERAT genes was embryo-lethal. Thus, all five isoforms show functional redundancy in vivo. The developmental and compartment-specific roles of each SERAT isoform were also demonstrated. Mitochondrial SERAT2;2 plays a predominant role in cellular OAS formation, while plastidic SERAT2;1 contributes less to OAS formation and subsequent Cys synthesis. Three cytosolic isoforms, SERAT1;1, SERAT3;1, and SERAT3;2, may play a major role during seed development. Thus, the evolutionally conserved SERAT gene family is essential in cellular processes, and the substrates and products of SERAT must be exchangeable between the cytosol and organelles. PMID:18776059

  3. Airborne sound transmission loss characteristics of wood-frame construction

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rudder, F. F., Jr.

    1985-03-01

    This report summarizes the available data on the airborne sound transmission loss properties of wood-frame construction and evaluates the methods for predicting the airborne sound transmission loss. The first part of the report comprises a summary of sound transmission loss data for wood-frame interior walls and floor-ceiling construction. Data bases describing the sound transmission loss characteristics of other building components, such as windows and doors, are discussed. The second part of the report presents the prediction of the sound transmission loss of wood-frame construction. Appropriate calculation methods are described both for single-panel and for double-panel construction with sound absorption material in the cavity. With available methods, single-panel construction and double-panel construction with the panels connected by studs may be adequately characterized. Technical appendices are included that summarize laboratory measurements, compare measurement with theory, describe details of the prediction methods, and present sound transmission loss data for common building materials.

  4. Interactions of Histone Acetyltransferase p300 with the Nuclear Proteins Histone and HMGB1, As Revealed by Single Molecule Atomic Force Spectroscopy.

    PubMed

    Banerjee, S; Rakshit, T; Sett, S; Mukhopadhyay, R

    2015-10-22

    One of the important properties of the transcriptional coactivator p300 is histone acetyltransferase (HAT) activity that enables p300 to influence chromatin action via histone modulation. p300 can exert its HAT action upon the other nuclear proteins too--one notable example being the transcription-factor-like protein HMGB1, which functions also as a cytokine, and whose accumulation in the cytoplasm, as a response to tissue damage, is triggered by its acetylation. Hitherto, no information on the structure and stability of the complexes between full-length p300 (p300FL) (300 kDa) and the histone/HMGB1 proteins are available, probably due to the presence of unstructured regions within p300FL that makes it difficult to be crystallized. Herein, we have adopted the high-resolution atomic force microscopy (AFM) approach, which allows molecularly resolved three-dimensional contour mapping of a protein molecule of any size and structure. From the off-rate and activation barrier values, obtained using single molecule dynamic force spectroscopy, the biochemical proposition of preferential binding of p300FL to histone H3, compared to the octameric histone, can be validated. Importantly, from the energy landscape of the dissociation events, a model for the p300-histone and the p300-HMGB1 dynamic complexes that HAT forms, can be proposed. The lower unbinding forces of the complexes observed in acetylating conditions, compared to those observed in non-acetylating conditions, indicate that upon acetylation, p300 tends to weakly associate, probably as an outcome of charge alterations on the histone/HMGB1 surface and/or acetylation-induced conformational changes. To our knowledge, for the first time, a single molecule level treatment of the interactions of HAT, where the full-length protein is considered, is being reported.

  5. Differential association for N-acetyltransferase 2 genotype and phenotype with bladder cancer risk in Chinese population.

    PubMed

    Quan, Lei; Chattopadhyay, Koushik; Nelson, Heather H; Chan, Kenneth K; Xiang, Yong-Bing; Zhang, Wei; Wang, Renwei; Gao, Yu-Tang; Yuan, Jian-Min

    2016-06-28

    N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) is involved in both carcinogen detoxification through hepatic N-acetylation and carcinogen activation through local O-acetylation. NAT2 slow acetylation status is significantly associated with increased bladder cancer risk among European populations, but its association in Asian populations is inconclusive. NAT2 acetylation status was determined by both single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and caffeine metabolic ratio (CMR), in a population-based study of 494 bladder cancer patients and 507 control subjects in Shanghai, China. The CMR, a functional measure of hepatic N-acetylation, was significantly reduced in a dose-dependent manner among both cases and controls possessing the SNP-inferred NAT2 slow acetylation status (all P-values<5.0×10-10). The CMR-determined slow N-acetylation status (CMR<0.34) was significantly associated with a 50% increased risk of bladder cancer (odds ratio = 1.50, 95% confidence interval = 1.10-2.06) whereas the SNP-inferred slow acetylation statuses were significantly associated with an approximately 50% decreased risk of bladder cancer. The genotype-disease association was strengthened after the adjustment for CMR and was primarily observed among never smokers. The apparent differential associations for phenotypic and genetic measures of acetylation statuses with bladder cancer risk may reflect dual functions of NAT2 in bladder carcinogenesis because the former only measures the capacity of carcinogen detoxification pathway while the latter represents both carcinogen activation and detoxification pathways. Future studies are warranted to ascertain the specific role of N- and O-acetylation in bladder carcinogenesis, particularly in populations exposed to different types of bladder carcinogens.

  6. Visualizing the enteric nervous system using genetically engineered double reporter mice: Comparison with immunofluorescence.

    PubMed

    Jiang, Yanfen; Dong, Hui; Eckmann, Lars; Hanson, Elaine M; Ihn, Katherine C; Mittal, Ravinder K

    2017-01-01

    The enteric nervous system (ENS) plays a crucial role in the control of gastrointestinal motility, secretion and absorption functions. Immunohistochemistry has been widely used to visualize neurons of the ENS for more than two decades. Genetically engineered mice that report specific proteins can also be used to visualize neurons of the ENS. The goal of our study was to develop a mouse that expresses fluorescent neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), the two proteins expressed in 95% of the ENS neurons. We compared ENS neurons visualized in the reporter mouse with the wild type mouse stained using classical immunostaining techniques. Mice hemizygous for ChAT-ChR2-YFP BAC transgene with expression of the mhChR2:YFP fusion protein directed by ChAT promoter/enhancer regions on the BAC transgene were purchased commercially. The Cre/LoxP technique of somatic recombination was used to construct mice with nNOS positive neurons. The two mice were crossbred and tissues were harvested and examined using fluorescent microscopy. Immunostaining was performed in the wild type mice, using antibodies to nNOS, ChAT, Hu and PGP 9.5. Greater than 95% of the ENS neurons were positive for either nNOS or ChAT or both. The nNOS and ChAT neurons and their processes in the ENS were well visualized in all the regions of the GI tract, i.e., esophagus, small intestine and colon. The number of nNOS and ChAT neurons was approximately same in the reporter mouse and immunostaining method in the wild type mouse. The nNOS fluorescence in the reporter mouse was seen in both cytoplasm as well as nucleus but in the immunostained specimens it was seen only in the cytoplasm. We propose that the genetically engineered double reporter mouse for ChAT and nNOS proteins is a powerful tool to study of the effects of various diseases on the ENS without the need for immunostaining.

  7. Palisade endings in extraocular muscles of the monkey are immunoreactive for choline acetyltransferase and vesicular acetylcholine transporter.

    PubMed

    Konakci, Kadriye Zeynep; Streicher, Johannes; Hoetzenecker, Wolfram; Haberl, Ines; Blumer, Michael Josef Franz; Wieczorek, Grazyna; Meingassner, Josef Gottfried; Paal, Szabolcs Levente; Holzinger, Daniel; Lukas, Julius-Robert; Blumer, Roland

    2005-12-01

    To analyze palisade endings in extraocular muscles (EOMs) of a primate species and to examine our previous findings in cat that palisade endings are putative effector organs. Eleven monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) of both sexes, between 4 and 6 years of age were analyzed. Whole EOM myotendons were immunostained with four combinations of triple-fluorescent labeling and examined by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Labeling included antibodies against choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT), neurofilament, and synaptophysin. Muscle fibers were counterstained with phalloidin. Palisade endings were observed in all monkey EOMs. Nerve fibers extended from the muscle into the tendon and looped back to divide into a terminal arborization (palisade ending) around a single muscle fiber tip. In approximately 30% of the cases, nerve fibers supplying palisade endings often established motor terminals outside the palisade complex. Nerve fibers forming palisade endings were ChAT-neurofilament positive. Axonal branches of palisade endings were ChAT-neurofilament positive as well. All palisade nerve terminals exhibited ChAT-synaptophysin immunoreactivity. Within the palisade complex, palisade nerve terminals exhibited VAChT immunoreactivity. All palisade nerve terminals were VAChT-synaptophysin immunoreactive. The results confirm that in the monkey, palisade endings contain acetylcholine and are therefore most likely effector organs. Palisade endings are also present in human EOMs and because of their location at the myotendinous junction, these organs are of crucial interest for strabismus surgery.

  8. Synergism between the N-acetyltransferase 2 gene and oxidant exposure increases the risk of idiopathic male infertility.

    PubMed

    Yarosh, Sergey L; Kokhtenko, Elena V; Churnosov, Mikhail I; Ataman, Alexander V; Solodilova, Maria A; Polonikov, Alexey V

    2014-09-01

    N-acetyltransferase (NAT2) is a phase-II xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme participating in the detoxification of toxic arylamines, aromatic amines and hydrazines. The present study was designed to investigate whether two common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of the NAT2 gene (481C>T, rs1799929; 590G>A, rs1799930) are associated with susceptibility to idiopathic male infertility and to assess if the risk is modified by oxidant and antioxidant exposures. A total 430 DNA samples (203 infertile patients and 227 fertile men) were genotyped for the polymorphisms by PCR and restriction fragment length polymorphism. No association was found between the NAT2 polymorphisms and idiopathic male infertility. However, gene-environment interaction analysis revealed that a low-acetylation genotype, 590GA, was significantly associated with increased disease risk in men who had environmental risk factors such as cigarette smoking (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.02-2.87, P = 0.042), alcohol abuse (OR 2.14, 95% CI 1.08-4.27, P = 0.029) and low fruit/vegetable intake (OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.01-2.79, P = 0.04). This pilot study found, as far as is known for the first time, that the polymorphism 590G>A of NAT2 is a novel genetic marker for susceptibility to idiopathic male infertility, but the risk is potentiated by exposure to various environmental oxidants. Copyright © 2014 Reproductive Healthcare Ltd. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  9. The histone acetyltransferases CBP and Chameau integrate developmental and DNA replication programs in Drosophila ovarian follicle cells

    PubMed Central

    McConnell, Kristopher H.; Dixon, Michael; Calvi, Brian R.

    2012-01-01

    DNA replication origin activity changes during development. Chromatin modifications are known to influence the genomic location of origins and the time during S phase that they initiate replication in different cells. However, how chromatin regulates origins in concert with cell differentiation remains poorly understood. Here, we use developmental gene amplification in Drosophila ovarian follicle cells as a model to investigate how chromatin modifiers regulate origins in a developmental context. We find that the histone acetyltransferase (HAT) Chameau (Chm) binds to amplicon origins and is partially required for their function. Depletion of Chm had relatively mild effects on origins during gene amplification and genomic replication compared with previous knockdown of its ortholog HBO1 in human cells, which has severe effects on origin function. We show that another HAT, CBP (Nejire), also binds amplicon origins and is partially required for amplification. Knockdown of Chm and CBP together had a more severe effect on nucleosome acetylation and amplicon origin activity than knockdown of either HAT alone, suggesting that these HATs collaborate in origin regulation. In addition to their local function at the origin, we show that Chm and CBP also globally regulate the developmental transition of follicle cells into the amplification stages of oogenesis. Our results reveal a complexity of origin epigenetic regulation by multiple HATs during development and suggest that chromatin modifiers are a nexus that integrates differentiation and DNA replication programs. PMID:22951641

  10. School Construction Defies Fiscal Doldrums

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Sack, Joetta L.

    2004-01-01

    This paper constitutes the first of a three part series examining the boom in the construction and renovation of K-12 schools and the continuing challenges that communities face in getting the facilities their students and educators need. Part 1 reports on the increase of school construction and renovation that began in 2002, despite a sagging…

  11. Compilation of accelerated bridge construction (ABC) bridges : final report.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2016-01-01

    Development of accelerated bridge construction (ABC) technologies has been occurring across the country, many times in : isolation. Although FHWA and others have worked to facilitate communication between these efforts, there was not a : comprehensiv...

  12. Evaluation and use of the Materials and Test (MATT) Data System for quality of construction and management review : final report.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1985-12-01

    This report documents the review of the MATerials and Test (MATT) Data System to check the validity of data within the system. A computer program to generate the quality level of a construction material was developed. Programs were also developed to ...

  13. Inhibition of histone/lysine acetyltransferase activity kills CoCl2-treated and hypoxia-exposed gastric cancer cells and reduces their invasiveness

    PubMed Central

    Rath, Suvasmita; Das, Lopamudra; Kokate, Shrikant Babanrao; Ghosh, Nilabh; Dixit, Pragyesh; Rout, Niranjan; Singh, Shivaram P.; Chattopadhyay, Subhasis; Ashktorab, Hassan; Smoot, Duane T.; Swamy, Mahadeva M.; Kundu, Tapas K.; Crowe, Sheila E.; Bhattacharyya, Asima

    2017-01-01

    Hypoxia enhances immortality and metastatic properties of solid tumors. Deregulation of histone acetylation has been associated with several metastatic cancers but its effect on hypoxic responses of cancer cells is not known. This study aimed at understanding the effectiveness of the hydrazinocurcumin, CTK7A, an inhibitor of p300 lysine/histone acetyltransferase (KAT/HAT) activity, in inducing apoptosis of gastric cancer cells (GCCs) exposed to cobalt chloride (CoCl2), a hypoxia-mimetic chemical, or 1% O2. Here, we show that CTK7A-induced hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) generation in CoCl2-exposed and invasive gastric cancer cells (GCCs) leads to p38 MAPK-mediated Noxa expression and thereafter, mitochondrial apoptotic events. Noxa induction in normal immortalized gastric epithelial cells after CTK7A and hypoxia-exposure is remarkably less in comparison to similarly-treated GCCs. Moreover, hypoxia-exposed GCCs, which have acquired invasive properties, become apoptotic after CTK7A treatment to a significantly higher extent than normoxic cells. Thus, we show the potential of CTK7A in sensitizing hypoxic and metastatic GCCs to apoptosis induction. PMID:27890795

  14. Unexpected Function of the Glucanosyltransferase Gas1 in the DNA Damage Response Linked to Histone H3 Acetyltransferases in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

    PubMed Central

    Eustice, Moriah; Pillus, Lorraine

    2014-01-01

    Chromatin organization and structure are crucial for transcriptional regulation, DNA replication, and damage repair. Although initially characterized in remodeling cell wall glucans, the β-1,3-glucanosyltransferase Gas1 was recently discovered to regulate transcriptional silencing in a manner separable from its activity at the cell wall. However, the function of Gas1 in modulating chromatin remains largely unexplored. Our genetic characterization revealed that GAS1 had critical interactions with genes encoding the histone H3 lysine acetyltransferases Gcn5 and Sas3. Specifically, whereas the gas1gcn5 double mutant was synthetically lethal, deletion of both GAS1 and SAS3 restored silencing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The loss of GAS1 also led to broad DNA damage sensitivity with reduced Rad53 phosphorylation and defective cell cycle checkpoint activation following exposure to select genotoxins. Deletion of SAS3 in the gas1 background restored both Rad53 phosphorylation and checkpoint activation following exposure to genotoxins that trigger the DNA replication checkpoint. Our analysis thus uncovers previously unsuspected functions for both Gas1 and Sas3 in DNA damage response and cell cycle regulation. PMID:24532730

  15. Construction accidents: identification of the main associations between causes, mechanisms and stages of the construction process.

    PubMed

    Carrillo-Castrillo, Jesús A; Trillo-Cabello, Antonio F; Rubio-Romero, Juan C

    2017-06-01

    To identify the most frequent causes of accidents in the construction sector in order to help safety practitioners in the task of prioritizing preventive actions depending on the stage of construction. Official accident investigation reports are analysed. A causation pattern is identified with the proportion of causes in each of the different possible groups of causes. Significant associations of the types of causes with accident mechanisms and construction stages have been identified. Significant differences have been found in accident causation depending on the mechanism of the accident and the construction stage ongoing. These results should be used to prioritize preventive actions to combat the most likely causes for each accident mechanism and construction stage.

  16. Rapid Generation of Marker-Free P. falciparum Fluorescent Reporter Lines Using Modified CRISPR/Cas9 Constructs and Selection Protocol.

    PubMed

    Mogollon, Catherin Marin; van Pul, Fiona J A; Imai, Takashi; Ramesar, Jai; Chevalley-Maurel, Séverine; de Roo, Guido M; Veld, Sabrina A J; Kroeze, Hans; Franke-Fayard, Blandine M D; Janse, Chris J; Khan, Shahid M

    2016-01-01

    The CRISPR/Cas9 system is a powerful genome editing technique employed in a wide variety of organisms including recently the human malaria parasite, P. falciparum. Here we report on further improvements to the CRISPR/Cas9 transfection constructs and selection protocol to more rapidly modify the P. falciparum genome and to introduce transgenes into the parasite genome without the inclusion of drug-selectable marker genes. This method was used to stably integrate the gene encoding GFP into the P. falciparum genome under the control of promoters of three different Plasmodium genes (calmodulin, gapdh and hsp70). These genes were selected as they are highly transcribed in blood stages. We show that the three reporter parasite lines generated in this study (GFP@cam, GFP@gapdh and GFP@hsp70) have in vitro blood stage growth kinetics and drug-sensitivity profiles comparable to the parental P. falciparum (NF54) wild-type line. Both asexual and sexual blood stages of the three reporter lines expressed GFP-fluorescence with GFP@hsp70 having the highest fluorescent intensity in schizont stages as shown by flow cytometry analysis of GFP-fluorescence intensity. The improved CRISPR/Cas9 constructs/protocol will aid in the rapid generation of transgenic and modified P. falciparum parasites, including those expressing different reporters proteins under different (stage specific) promoters.

  17. Rapid Generation of Marker-Free P. falciparum Fluorescent Reporter Lines Using Modified CRISPR/Cas9 Constructs and Selection Protocol

    PubMed Central

    Mogollon, Catherin Marin; van Pul, Fiona J. A.; Imai, Takashi; Ramesar, Jai; Chevalley-Maurel, Séverine; de Roo, Guido M.; Veld, Sabrina A. J.; Kroeze, Hans; Franke-Fayard, Blandine M. D.; Janse, Chris J.

    2016-01-01

    The CRISPR/Cas9 system is a powerful genome editing technique employed in a wide variety of organisms including recently the human malaria parasite, P. falciparum. Here we report on further improvements to the CRISPR/Cas9 transfection constructs and selection protocol to more rapidly modify the P. falciparum genome and to introduce transgenes into the parasite genome without the inclusion of drug-selectable marker genes. This method was used to stably integrate the gene encoding GFP into the P. falciparum genome under the control of promoters of three different Plasmodium genes (calmodulin, gapdh and hsp70). These genes were selected as they are highly transcribed in blood stages. We show that the three reporter parasite lines generated in this study (GFP@cam, GFP@gapdh and GFP@hsp70) have in vitro blood stage growth kinetics and drug-sensitivity profiles comparable to the parental P. falciparum (NF54) wild-type line. Both asexual and sexual blood stages of the three reporter lines expressed GFP-fluorescence with GFP@hsp70 having the highest fluorescent intensity in schizont stages as shown by flow cytometry analysis of GFP-fluorescence intensity. The improved CRISPR/Cas9 constructs/protocol will aid in the rapid generation of transgenic and modified P. falciparum parasites, including those expressing different reporters proteins under different (stage specific) promoters. PMID:27997583

  18. The collective construction of a guide for caregivers of bedridden patients: experience report.

    PubMed

    Mendes, Vera Lucia Ferreira; Molini-Avejonas, Daniela Regina; Ribeiro, Allyne; Souza, Luiz Augusto de Paula

    2011-09-01

    This is a qualitative descriptive-exploratory study that adopts as data gathering method the participant observation of healthcare processes carried out by caregivers of bedridden patients from the coverage area of a Family Health Team of a Basic Health Unit (BHU) in São Paulo (SP), Brazil. The aim of this study was to report the construction of a guide for caregivers of bedridden patients and/or patients confined to the home. This guide was prepared based in a partnership among the Family Healthcare (FHT) and the speech-language pathologists and audiologists teams, and the caregivers of patients from the BHU. The guide was motivated by the construction of a common knowledge, with the aim to contribute with the creation of collaborative networks, apt to be places of discussion and exchange of knowledge, in order to optimize the ability of caregivers to early identify situations that require intervention. The networks also contributed to the valorization of caregivers' role; their knowledge on how to perform in daily living activities; overcoming of limitations; demonstration of actions aimed at the physical and mental well-being of the sick person; expansion of the capacity of ownership of processes of illnesses, autonomy and co-responsibility in healthcare. The guide was printed and delivered to FHT members, healthcare professionals and the community. The feedback was positive and, therefore, the guide was successful for the proposed objective.

  19. Airborne sound transmission loss characteristics of woodframe construction

    Treesearch

    Fred F. Rudder

    1985-01-01

    This report summarizes the available data on the airborne sound transmission loss properties of wood-frame construction and evaluates the methods for predicting the airborne sound transmission loss. The first part of the report comprises a summary of sound transmission loss data for wood-frame interior walls and floor-ceiling construction. Data bases describing the...

  20. Ground vibration investigation at highway construction sites : final report.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1975-06-01

    The purpose of this study was to measure vibration magnitudes on construction projects in terms of particle velocity rather than particle displacement or acceleration. Peak particle velocity was chosen as the best means of measurement after the U.S. ...

  1. Two-course bonded concrete bridge deck construction : interim report no. 2, concrete properties and deck condition prior to opening to traffic.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1976-01-01

    Presented in this report is information concerning the characteristics of the concretes used to construct six experimental two-course bonded bridge decks in Virginia. The quality of the overlay concretes produced under standard specifications supplem...

  2. Evaluation of fuel usage factors in highway construction in Oregon : final report.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    2010-05-01

    Prices for different construction materials change frequently. In recent years, the price for these different materials has dramatically increased. This result leads contractors to inflate the bid price for a construction project in order to cover th...

  3. Specifications for Supplementary Classroom Units "Standard Construction" and "Preframed Construction".

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Waring, Robert B.; And Others

    The standards that should be applied to the construction of supplementary classroom units are discussed in this report. Areas dealt with are--(1) general mechanical and electrical work, (2) concrete, (3) masonry, (4) miscellaneous steel and iron, (5) metal windows, (6) carpentry at site, (7) millwork, (8) acoustic treatment, (9) thermal…

  4. Small molecule inhibition of arylamine N-acetyltransferase Type I inhibits proliferation and invasiveness of MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Tiang, Jacky M.; Butcher, Neville J., E-mail: n.butcher@uq.edu.au; Minchin, Rodney F.

    2010-02-26

    Arylamine N-acetyltransferase 1 is a phase II metabolizing enzyme that has been associated with certain breast cancer subtypes. While it has been linked to breast cancer risk because of its role in the metabolic activation and detoxification of carcinogens, recent studies have suggested it may be important in cell growth and survival. To address the possible importance of NAT1 in breast cancer, we have used a novel small molecule inhibitor (Rhod-o-hp) of the enzyme to examine growth and invasion of the breast adenocarcinoma line MDA-MB-231. The inhibitor significantly reduced cell growth by increasing the percent of cells in G2/M phasemore » of the cell cycle. Rhod-o-hp also reduced the ability of the MDA-MB-231 cells to grow in soft agar. Using an in vitro invasion assay, the inhibitor significantly reduced the invasiveness of the cells. To test whether this effect was due to inhibition of NAT1, the enzyme was knocked down using a lentivirus-based shRNA approach and invasion potential was significantly reduced. Taken together, the results of this study demonstrate that NAT1 activity may be important in breast cancer growth and metastasis. The study suggests that NAT1 is a novel target for breast cancer treatment.« less

  5. Inhibition of choline acetyltransferase by excitatory amino acids as a possible mechanism for cholinergic dysfunction in the central nervous system.

    PubMed

    Loureiro-Dos-Santos, N E; Reis, R A; Kubrusly, R C; de Almeida, O M; Gardino, P F; de Mello, M C; de Mello, F G

    2001-05-01

    Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity was reduced by more than 85% in cultured retina cells after 16 h treatment with 150 microM kainate (T(1/2) : 3.5 h). Glutamate, AMPA and quisqualate also inhibited the enzyme in equivalent proportion. Cell lesion measured by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide - thiazolyl blue (MTT) reduction and microscopic observation was not detected even after 48 h with kainate. Other retina neurochemical markers were not affected by kainate and full recovery of the enzyme was achieved 9 days after kainate removal. Moreover, hemicolinium-3 sensitive choline uptake and hemicolinium-3 binding sites were maintained intact after kainate treatment. The immunoblot and immunohistochemical analysis of the enzyme revealed that ChAT molecules were maintained in cholinergic neurons. The use of antagonists showed that ionotropic and group 1 metabotropic receptors mediated the effect of glutamate on ChAT inhibition, in a calcium dependent manner. The quisqualate mediated ChAT inhibition and part of the kainate effect (30%) was prevented by 5 mM N(G)-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). Veratridine (3 microM) also reduced ChAT by a Ca(2+) dependent, but glutamate independent mechanism and was prevented by 1 microM tetrodotoxin.

  6. Effects of human arylamine N-acetyltransferase I knockdown in triple-negative breast cancer cell lines

    PubMed Central

    Tiang, Jacky M; Butcher, Neville J; Minchin, Rodney F

    2015-01-01

    Expression of human arylamine N-acetyltransferase I (NAT1) has been associated with various cancer subtypes and inhibition of this enzyme with small molecule inhibitors or siRNA affects cell growth and survival. Here, we have investigated the role of NAT1 in the invasiveness of breast cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. We knocked down NAT1 using a lentivirus-based shRNA approach and observed marked changes in cell morphology in the triple-negative breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-436, and BT-549. Most notable was a reduction in the number and size of the filopodia protrusions on the surface of the cells. The loss of filopodia could be rescued by the reintroduction of NAT1 into the knockdown cells. NAT1 expression was localized to the lamellipodia and extended into the filopodia protrusions. In vitro invasion through Geltrex was significantly inhibited in both the MDA cell lines but not in the BT-549 cells. The expression of Snail increased when NAT1 was knocked down, while other genes associated with mesenchymal to epithelial transition (vimentin, cytokeratin-18, and Twist) did not show any changes. By contrast, both N-cadherin and β-catenin were significantly reduced. When MDA-MB-231 cells expressing shRNA were injected in vivo into BALB/c nu/nu nude mice, a significant reduction in the number of colonies that formed in the lungs was observed. Taken together, the results show that NAT1 can alter the invasion and metastatic properties of some triple-negative breast cancer cells but not all. The study suggests that NAT1 may be a novel therapeutic target in a subset of breast cancers. PMID:25627111

  7. Effects of human arylamine N-acetyltransferase I knockdown in triple-negative breast cancer cell lines.

    PubMed

    Tiang, Jacky M; Butcher, Neville J; Minchin, Rodney F

    2015-04-01

    Expression of human arylamine N-acetyltransferase I (NAT1) has been associated with various cancer subtypes and inhibition of this enzyme with small molecule inhibitors or siRNA affects cell growth and survival. Here, we have investigated the role of NAT1 in the invasiveness of breast cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo. We knocked down NAT1 using a lentivirus-based shRNA approach and observed marked changes in cell morphology in the triple-negative breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-436, and BT-549. Most notable was a reduction in the number and size of the filopodia protrusions on the surface of the cells. The loss of filopodia could be rescued by the reintroduction of NAT1 into the knockdown cells. NAT1 expression was localized to the lamellipodia and extended into the filopodia protrusions. In vitro invasion through Geltrex was significantly inhibited in both the MDA cell lines but not in the BT-549 cells. The expression of Snail increased when NAT1 was knocked down, while other genes associated with mesenchymal to epithelial transition (vimentin, cytokeratin-18, and Twist) did not show any changes. By contrast, both N-cadherin and β-catenin were significantly reduced. When MDA-MB-231 cells expressing shRNA were injected in vivo into BALB/c nu/nu nude mice, a significant reduction in the number of colonies that formed in the lungs was observed. Taken together, the results show that NAT1 can alter the invasion and metastatic properties of some triple-negative breast cancer cells but not all. The study suggests that NAT1 may be a novel therapeutic target in a subset of breast cancers. © 2015 The Authors. Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  8. Molecular Structure of WlbB, a Bacterial N-Acetyltransferase Involved in the Biosynthesis of 2,3-Diacetamido-2,3-dideoxy-d-mannuronic Acid

    DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

    Thoden, James B.; Holden, Hazel M.

    2010-09-08

    The pathogenic bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bordetella pertussis contain in their outer membranes the rare sugar 2,3-diacetamido-2,3-dideoxy-D-mannuronic acid. Five enzymes are required for the biosynthesis of this sugar starting from UDP-N-acetylglucosamine. One of these, referred to as WlbB, is an N-acetyltransferase that converts UDP-2-acetamido-3-amino-2,3-dideoxy-D-glucuronic acid (UDP-GlcNAc3NA) to UDP-2,3-diacetamido-2,3-dideoxy-D-glucuronic acid (UDP-GlcNAc3NAcA). Here we report the three-dimensional structure of WlbB from Bordetella petrii. For this analysis, two ternary structures were determined to 1.43 {angstrom} resolution: one in which the protein was complexed with acetyl-CoA and UDP and the second in which the protein contained bound CoA and UDP-GlcNAc3NA. WlbB adopts a trimericmore » quaternary structure and belongs to the L{beta}H superfamily of N-acyltransferases. Each subunit contains 27 {beta}-strands, 23 of which form the canonical left-handed {beta}-helix. There are only two hydrogen bonds that occur between the protein and the GlcNAc3NA moiety, one between O{sup {delta}1} of Asn 84 and the sugar C-3{prime} amino group and the second between the backbone amide group of Arg 94 and the sugar C-5{prime} carboxylate. The sugar C-3{prime} amino group is ideally positioned in the active site to attack the si face of acetyl-CoA. Given that there are no protein side chains that can function as general bases within the GlcNAc3NA binding pocket, a reaction mechanism is proposed for WlbB whereby the sulfur of CoA ultimately functions as the proton acceptor required for catalysis.« less

  9. Neural restrictive silencer factor and choline acetyltransferase expression in cerebral tissue of Alzheimer’s Disease patients: A pilot study

    PubMed Central

    González-Castañeda, Rocío E.; Sánchez-González, Víctor J.; Flores-Soto, Mario; Vázquez-Camacho, Gonzalo; Macías-Islas, Miguel A.; Ortiz, Genaro G.

    2013-01-01

    Decreased Choline Acetyltransferase (ChAT) brain level is one of the main biochemical disorders in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). In rodents, recent data show that the CHAT gene can be regulated by a neural restrictive silencer factor (NRSF). The aim of the present work was to evaluate the gene and protein expression of CHAT and NRSF in frontal, temporal, entorhinal and parietal cortices of AD patient brains. Four brains from patients with AD and four brains from subjects without dementia were studied. Cerebral tissues were obtained and processed by the guanidine isothiocyanate method for RNA extraction. CHAT and NRSF gene and protein expression were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting. CHAT gene expression levels were 39% lower in AD patients as compared to the control group (p < 0.05, U test). ChAT protein levels were reduced by 17% (p = 0.02, U test). NRSF gene expression levels were 86% higher in the AD group (p = 0.001, U test) as compared to the control group. In the AD subjects, the NRSF protein levels were 57% higher (p > 0.05, U test) than in the control subjects. These findings suggest for the first time that in the brain of AD patients high NRSF protein levels are related to low CHAT gene expression levels. PMID:23569405

  10. Implication of an Aldehyde Dehydrogenase Gene and a Phosphinothricin N-Acetyltransferase Gene in the Diversity of Pseudomonas cichorii Virulence

    PubMed Central

    Tanaka, Masayuki; Wali, Ullah Md; Nakayashiki, Hitoshi; Fukuda, Tatsuya; Mizumoto, Hiroyuki; Ohnishi, Kouhei; Kiba, Akinori; Hikichi, Yasufumi

    2011-01-01

    Pseudomonas cichorii harbors the hrp genes. hrp-mutants lose their virulence on eggplant but not on lettuce. A phosphinothricin N-acetyltransferase gene (pat) is located between hrpL and an aldehyde dehydrogenase gene (aldH) in the genome of P. cichorii. Comparison of nucleotide sequences and composition of the genes among pseudomonads suggests a common ancestor of hrp and pat between P. cichorii strains and P. viridiflava strains harboring the single hrp pathogenicity island. In contrast, phylogenetic diversification of aldH corresponded to species diversification amongst pseudomonads. In this study, the involvement of aldH and pat in P. cichorii virulence was analyzed. An aldH-deleted mutant (ΔaldH) and a pat-deleted mutant (Δpat) lost their virulence on eggplant but not on lettuce. P. cichorii expressed both genes in eggplant leaves, independent of HrpL, the transcriptional activator for the hrp. Inoculation into Asteraceae species susceptible to P. cichorii showed that the involvement of hrp, pat and aldH in P. cichorii virulence is independent of each other and has no relationship with the phylogeny of Asteraceae species based on the nucleotide sequences of ndhF and rbcL. It is thus thought that not only the hrp genes but also pat and aldH are implicated in the diversity of P. cichorii virulence on susceptible host plant species. PMID:24704843

  11. Construction and Quantitative Validation of Chicken CXCR4 Expression Reporter.

    PubMed

    Es-Haghi, Masoumeh; Bassami, Mohammadreza; Dehghani, Hesam

    2016-03-01

    Site directional migration is an important biological event and an essential behavior for latent migratory cells. A migratory cell maintains its motility, survival, and proliferation abilities by a network of signaling pathways where CXCR4/SDF signaling route plays crucial role for directed homing of a polarized cell. The chicken embryo due to its specific vasculature modality has been used as a valuable model for organogenesis, migration, cancer, and metastasis. In this research, the regulatory regions of chicken CXCR4 gene have been characterized in a chicken hematopoietic lymphoblast cell line (MSB1). A region extending from -2000 bp upstream of CXCR4 gene to +68 after its transcriptional start site, in addition to two other mutant fragments were constructed and cloned in a promoter-less reporter vector. Promoter activity was analyzed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR and flow cytometry techniques. Our findings show that the full sequence from -2000 to +68 bp of CXCR4 regulatory region is required for maximum promoter functionality, while the mutant CXCR4 promoter fragments show a partial promoter activity. The chicken CXCR4 promoter validated in this study could be used for characterization of directed migratory cells in chicken development and disease models.

  12. Inhibition of choline acetyltransferase as a mechanism for cholinergic dysfunction induced by amyloid-β peptide oligomers.

    PubMed

    Nunes-Tavares, Nilson; Santos, Luís Eduardo; Stutz, Bernardo; Brito-Moreira, Jordano; Klein, William L; Ferreira, Sérgio T; de Mello, Fernando G

    2012-06-01

    Dysregulated cholinergic signaling is an early hallmark of Alzheimer disease (AD), usually ascribed to degeneration of cholinergic neurons induced by the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ). It is now generally accepted that neuronal dysfunction and memory deficits in the early stages of AD are caused by the neuronal impact of soluble Aβ oligomers (AβOs). AβOs build up in AD brain and specifically attach to excitatory synapses, leading to synapse dysfunction. Here, we have investigated the possibility that AβOs could impact cholinergic signaling. The activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT, the enzyme that carries out ACh production) was inhibited by ~50% in cultured cholinergic neurons exposed to low nanomolar concentrations of AβOs. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction, lactate dehydrogenase release, and [(3)H]choline uptake assays showed no evidence of neuronal damage or loss of viability that could account for reduced ChAT activity under these conditions. Glutamate receptor antagonists fully blocked ChAT inhibition and oxidative stress induced by AβOs. Antioxidant polyunsaturated fatty acids had similar effects, indicating that oxidative damage may be involved in ChAT inhibition. Treatment with insulin, previously shown to down-regulate neuronal AβO binding sites, fully prevented AβO-induced inhibition of ChAT. Interestingly, we found that AβOs selectively bind to ~50% of cultured cholinergic neurons, suggesting that ChAT is fully inhibited in AβO-targeted neurons. Reduction in ChAT activity instigated by AβOs may thus be a relevant event in early stage AD pathology, preceding the loss of cholinergic neurons commonly observed in AD brains.

  13. Rubber modified concrete (METRO RUMAC) Evaluation : N. Marine Drive in Portland, Oregon , S.E. Stark Street in Gresham, Oregon : construction report.

    DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

    1992-11-01

    This report covers the construction in 1991 of two test pavements using asphalt modified crumb rubber form scrap tires. The pavements are on arterial roadways in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. : Both test pavements use a dense-graded rubber ...

  14. Influence of fatigue on construction workers’ physical and cognitive function

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, M.; Murphy, L. A.; Fang, D.

    2015-01-01

    Background Despite scientific evidence linking workers’ fatigue to occupational safety (due to impaired physical or cognitive function), little is known about this relationship in construction workers. Aims To assess the association between construction workers’ reported fatigue and their perceived difficulties with physical and cognitive functions. Methods Using data from a convenience sample of US construction workers participating in the 2010–11 National Health Interview Survey two multivariate weighted logistic regression models were built to predict difficulty with physical and with cognitive functions associated with workers’ reported fatigue, while controlling for age, smoking status, alcohol consumption status, sleep hygiene, psychological distress and arthritis status. Results Of 606 construction workers surveyed, 49% reported being ‘tired some days’ in the past 3 months and 10% reported ‘tired most days or every day’. Compared with those feeling ‘never tired’, workers who felt ‘tired some days’ were significantly more likely to report difficulty with physical function (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.03; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.17–3.51) and cognitive function (AOR = 2.27; 95% CI 1.06–4.88) after controlling for potential confounders. Conclusions Our results suggest an association between reported fatigue and experiencing difficulties with physical and cognitive functions in construction workers. PMID:25701835

  15. Association of N-acetyltransferase-2 and glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms with idiopathic male infertility in Vietnam male subjects.

    PubMed

    Trang, Nguyen Thi; Huyen, Vu Thi; Tuan, Nguyen Thanh; Phan, Tran Duc

    2018-04-25

    N-acetyltransferase-2 (NAT2) and Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are phase-II xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes participating in detoxification of toxic arylamines, aromatic amines, hydrazines and reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are produced under oxidative and electrophile stresses. The purpose of this research was to investigate whether two common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of NAT2 (rs1799929, rs1799930) and GSTP1 (rs1138272, rs1695) associated with susceptibility to idiopathic male infertility. A total 300 DNA samples (150 infertile patients and 150 healthy control) were genotyped for the polymorphisms by ARMS - PCR. We revealed a significant association between the NAT2 variant genotypes (CT + TT (rs1799929), (OR: 3.74; p < 0.001)) and (GA + AA (rs1799930), (OR: 3.75; p < 0.001)) or GSTP1 variant genotypes (GA + AA (rs1695), (OR: 5.11; p < 0,001)) and (CT + TT (rs1138272), (OR: 7.42; p < 0,001) with idiopathic infertility risk. Our findings rate the effect of single-nucleotide polymorphisms of GSTP1 and/or NAT2 in modulation of the risk of male infertility in subjects from Vietnam. This pilot study is the first (as far as we know) to reveal that polymorphisms of NAT2 (rs1799929, rs1799930) and GSTP1 (rs1138272, rs1695) are some novel genetic markers for susceptibility to idiopathic male infertility. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  16. Nerve growth factor levels and choline acetyltransferase activity in the brain of aged rats with spatial memory impairments.

    PubMed

    Hellweg, R; Fischer, W; Hock, C; Gage, F H; Björklund, A; Thoenen, H

    1990-12-24

    Nerve growth factor (NGF) and choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity levels were measured in 7 different brain regions in young (3-month-old) and aged (2-years-old) female Sprague-Dawley rats. Prior to analysis the spatial learning ability of the aged rats was assessed in the Morris' water maze test. In the aged rats a significant, 15-30%, increase in NGF levels was observed in 4 regions (septum, cortex, olfactory bulb and cerebellum), whereas the levels in hippocampus, striatum and the brainstem were similar to those of the young rats. The NGF changes did not correlate with the behavioral performance within the aged group. Minor 15-30%, changes in ChAT activity were observed in striatum, brainstem and cerebellum, but these changes did not correlate with the changes in NGF levels in any region. The results indicate that brain NGF levels are maintained at normal or supranormal levels in rats with severe learning and memory impairments. The results, therefore, do not support the view that the marked atrophy and cell loss in the forebrain cholinergic system that is known to occur in the behaviorally impaired aged rats is caused by a reduced availability of NGF in the cholinergic target areas. The results also indicate that the slightly increased levels of NGF are not sufficient to prevent the age-dependent atrophy of cholinergic neurons, although they might be important for the stimulation of compensatory functional changes in a situation where the system is undergoing progressive degeneration.

  17. High Life: 17th Annual Residence Hall Construction Report

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Agron, Joe

    2006-01-01

    Residence hall construction continues to be a priority for colleges and universities. With enrollments on the upswing, higher-education institutions are spending more and building larger facilities to entice students to live on campus. This article presents the findings of "American School & University's" 17th annual Residence Hall Construction…

  18. Brief Report: Preliminary Reliability, Construct Validity and Standardization of the Auditory Behavior Questionnaire (ABQ) for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Egelhoff, Kelsey; Lane, Alison E.

    2013-01-01

    The Auditory Behavior Questionnaire (ABQ) evaluates abnormal behavioral responses to auditory stimulation in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This study reports preliminary reliability, construct validity and standardization of the ABQ. Parents of children with ASD aged 7-21 years (n = 165) completed the ABQ on-line. Cronbach's alpha…

  19. Regulated Extracellular Choline Acetyltransferase Activity— The Plausible Missing Link of the Distant Action of Acetylcholine in the Cholinergic Anti-Inflammatory Pathway

    PubMed Central

    Aeinehband, Shahin; Behbahani, Homira; Grandien, Alf; Nilsson, Bo; Ekdahl, Kristina N.; Lindblom, Rickard P. F.; Piehl, Fredrik; Darreh-Shori, Taher

    2013-01-01

    Acetylcholine (ACh), the classical neurotransmitter, also affects a variety of nonexcitable cells, such as endothelia, microglia, astrocytes and lymphocytes in both the nervous system and secondary lymphoid organs. Most of these cells are very distant from cholinergic synapses. The action of ACh on these distant cells is unlikely to occur through diffusion, given that ACh is very short-lived in the presence of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), two extremely efficient ACh-degrading enzymes abundantly present in extracellular fluids. In this study, we show compelling evidence for presence of a high concentration and activity of the ACh-synthesizing enzyme, choline-acetyltransferase (ChAT) in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma. We show that ChAT levels are physiologically balanced to the levels of its counteracting enzymes, AChE and BuChE in the human plasma and CSF. Equilibrium analyses show that soluble ChAT maintains a steady-state ACh level in the presence of physiological levels of fully active ACh-degrading enzymes. We show that ChAT is secreted by cultured human-brain astrocytes, and that activated spleen lymphocytes release ChAT itself rather than ACh. We further report differential CSF levels of ChAT in relation to Alzheimer’s disease risk genotypes, as well as in patients with multiple sclerosis, a chronic neuroinflammatory disease, compared to controls. Interestingly, soluble CSF ChAT levels show strong correlation with soluble complement factor levels, supporting a role in inflammatory regulation. This study provides a plausible explanation for the long-distance action of ACh through continuous renewal of ACh in extracellular fluids by the soluble ChAT and thereby maintenance of steady-state equilibrium between hydrolysis and synthesis of this ubiquitous cholinergic signal substance in the brain and peripheral compartments. These findings may have important implications for the role of cholinergic signaling in states

  20. Breast cancer, heterocyclic aromatic amines from meat and N-acetyltransferase 2 genotype.

    PubMed

    Delfino, R J; Sinha, R; Smith, C; West, J; White, E; Lin, H J; Liao, S Y; Gim, J S; Ma, H L; Butler, J; Anton-Culver, H

    2000-04-01

    Breast cancer risk has been hypothesized to increase with exposure to heterocyclic aromatic amines (HAAs) formed from cooking meat at high temperature. HAAs require enzymatic activation to bind to DNA and initiate carcinogenesis. N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) enzyme activity may play a role, its rate determined by a polymorphic gene. We examined the effect of NAT2 genetic polymorphisms on breast cancer risk from exposure to meat by cooking method, doneness and estimated HAA [2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazole[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), 2-amino-3,8-dimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (MeIQx) and 2-amino-3,4,8-trimethylimidazo[4,5-f]quinoxaline (DiMeIQx)] intake. Women were recruited with suspicious breast masses and questionnaire data were collected prior to biopsy to blind subjects and interviewers to diagnoses. For 114 cases with breast cancer and 280 controls with benign breast disease, NAT2 genotype was determined using allele-specific PCR amplification to detect slow acetylator mutations. HAAs were estimated from interview data on meat type, cooking method and doneness, combined with a quantitative HAA database. Logistic regression models controlled for known risk factors, first including all controls, then 108 with no or low risk (normal breast or no hyperplasia) and finally 149 with high risk (hyperplasia, atypical hyperplasia, complex fibroadenomas). Meat effects were examined within NAT2 strata to assess interactions. We found no association between NAT2 and breast cancer. These Californian women ate more white than red meat (control median 46 versus 8 g/day). There were no significant associations of breast cancer with red meat for any doneness. White meat was significantly protective (>67 versus <26 g/day, OR 0.46, 95% CI 0.23-0.94, P for trend = 0.02), as was chicken, including well done, pan fried and barbecued chicken. MeIQx and DiMeIQx were not associated with breast cancer. A protective effect of PhIP was confounded after controlling for well done chicken