Sample records for l-alpha-hydroxy acid oxidase

  1. Effects of glutamic acid analogues on identifiable giant neurones, sensitive to beta-hydroxy-L-glutamic acid, of an African giant snail (Achatina fulica Férussac).

    PubMed Central

    Nakajima, T.; Nomoto, K.; Ohfune, Y.; Shiratori, Y.; Takemoto, T.; Takeuchi, H.; Watanabe, K.

    1985-01-01

    The effects of the seven glutamic acid analogues, alpha-kainic acid, alpha-allo-kainic acid, domoic acid, erythro-L-tricholomic acid, DL-ibotenic acid, L-quisqualic acid and allo-gamma-hydroxy-L-glutamic acid were examined on six identifiable giant neurones of an African giant snail (Achatina fulica Férussac). The neurones studied were: PON (periodically oscillating neurone), d-RPLN (dorsal-right parietal large neurone), VIN (visceral intermittently firing neurone), RAPN (right anterior pallial neurone), FAN (frequently autoactive neurone) and v-RCDN (ventral-right cerebral distinct neurone). Of these, d-RPLN and RAPN were excited by the two isomers (erythro- and threo-) of beta-hydroxy-L-glutamic acid (L-BHGA), whereas PON, VIN, FAN and v-RCDN were inhibited. L-Glutamic acid (L-Glu) had virtually no effect on these neurones. alpha-Kainic acid and domoic acid showed marked excitatory effects, similar to those of L-BHGA, on d-RPLN and RAPN. Their effective potency quotients (EPQs), relative to the more effective isomer of L-BHGA were: 0.3 for both substances on d-RPLN, and 1 for alpha-kainic acid and 3-1 for domoic acid on RAPN. alpha-Kainic acid also had excitatory effects on FAN and v-RCDN (EPQ for both: 0.3), which were inhibited by L-BHGA but excited by gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Erythro-L-tricholomic acid showed marked effects, similar to those of L-BHGA, on VIN (EPQ: 0.3) and RAPN (EPQ: 3-1), but produced weaker effects on PON and d-RPLN (EPQ: 0.1). DL-Ibotenic acid produced marked effects, similar to those of L-BHGA, on PON, VIN (EPQ for both: 1) and RAPN (EPQ: 1-0.3), but had weak effects on d-RPLN (EPQ: less than 0.1) and FAN (EPQ: 0.1). It had excitatory effects on v-RCDN (EPQ: 0.1). This neurone was inhibited by L-BHGA but excited by GABA. L-Quisqualic acid showed the same effects as L-BHGA on all of the neurones examined (EPQ range 30-0.1). It was the most potent of the compounds tested on RAPN (EPQ: 30-10), FAN (EPQ: 30) and v-RCDN (EPQ: 3). alpha

  2. Production of alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acids and esters from higher sugars using tandem catalyst systems

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

    Orazov, Marat; Davis, Mark E.

    The present disclosure is directed to methods and composition used in the preparation of alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acids and esters from higher sugars using a tandem catalyst system comprising retro-aldol catalysts and Lewis acid catalysts. In some embodiments, these alpha-hydroxy carboxylic acids may be prepared from pentoses and hexoses. The retro-aldol and Lewis catalysts may be characterized by their respective ability to catalyze a 1,2-carbon shift reaction and a 1,2-hydride shift reaction on an aldose or ketose substrate.

  3. Comparison of alpha- and beta-hydroxy acid chemical peels in the treatment of mild to moderately severe facial acne vulgaris.

    PubMed

    Kessler, Edward; Flanagan, Katherine; Chia, Christina; Rogers, Cynthia; Glaser, Dee Anna

    2008-01-01

    Chemical peels are used as adjuvants for treatment of facial acne. No well-controlled studies have compared alpha- and beta-hydroxy acid peels in the treatment of mild to moderately severe facial acne. To compare the efficacy of alpha- and beta-hydroxy acid chemical peels in the treatment of mild to moderately severe facial acne vulgaris. Twenty patients were recruited in this split-face, double-blind, randomized, controlled study. An alpha-hydroxy acid (30% glycolic acid) was applied to one-half of the face and a beta-hydroxy acid peel (30% salicylic acid) was applied contralaterally every 2 weeks for a total of six treatments. A blinded evaluator performed quantitative assessment of papules and pustules. Both chemical peels were significantly effective by the second treatment (p<.05) and there were no significant differences in effectiveness between the two peels. At 2 months posttreatment, the salicylic acid peel had sustained effectiveness. More adverse events were reported with the glycolic acid peel after the initial treatment. The glycolic acid and salicylic acid peels were similarly effective. The salicylic acid peel had sustained effectiveness and fewer side effects. Alpha- and beta-hydroxy acid peels both offer successful adjunctive treatment of facial acne vulgaris.

  4. Determination of alpha-hydroxy acids in cosmetic products by high-performance liquid chromatography with a narrow-bore column.

    PubMed

    Nicoletti, I; Corradini, C; Cogliandro, E; Cavazza, A

    1999-08-01

    This paper reports the results of a study carried out to develop a simple, rapid and sensitive method for the separation, identification and quantitative measurement of alpha-hydroxy acids in commercial cosmetics using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This method is successfully applied to the simultaneous identification and quantitative determination of glycolic, lactic, malic, tartaric and citric acids employing a reversed phase narrow-bore column under isocratic condition and UV detection. The method is validated by determining the precision of replicate analyses and accuracy by analyzing samples with and without adding know amount of the alpha-hydroxy acids. The procedure is suitable for routine analyses of commercial cosmetics.

  5. Snake Venom L-Amino Acid Oxidases: Trends in Pharmacology and Biochemistry

    PubMed Central

    Izidoro, Luiz Fernando M.; Sobrinho, Juliana C.; Mendes, Mirian M.; Costa, Tássia R.; Grabner, Amy N.; Rodrigues, Veridiana M.; da Silva, Saulo L.; Zanchi, Fernando B.; Zuliani, Juliana P.; Fernandes, Carla F. C.; Calderon, Leonardo A.; Stábeli, Rodrigo G.; Soares, Andreimar M.

    2014-01-01

    L-amino acid oxidases are enzymes found in several organisms, including venoms of snakes, where they contribute to the toxicity of ophidian envenomation. Their toxicity is primarily due to enzymatic activity, but other mechanisms have been proposed recently which require further investigation. L-amino acid oxidases exert biological and pharmacological effects, including actions on platelet aggregation and the induction of apoptosis, hemorrhage, and cytotoxicity. These proteins present a high biotechnological potential for the development of antimicrobial, antitumor, and antiprotozoan agents. This review provides an overview of the biochemical properties and pharmacological effects of snake venom L-amino acid oxidases, their structure/activity relationship, and supposed mechanisms of action described so far. PMID:24738050

  6. Racemic resolution of some DL-amino acids using Aspergillus fumigatus L-amino acid oxidase.

    PubMed

    Singh, Susmita; Gogoi, Binod K; Bezbaruah, Rajib L

    2011-07-01

    The ability of Aspergillus fumigatus L-amino acid oxidase (L-aao) to cause the resolution of racemic mixtures of DL-amino acids was investigated with DL-alanine, DL-phenylalanine, DL-tyrosine, and DL-aspartic acid. A chiral column, Crownpak CR+ was used for the analysis of the amino acids. The enzyme was able to cause the resolution of the three DL-amino acids resulting in the production of optically pure D-alanine (100% resolution), D-phenylalanine (80.2%), and D-tyrosine (84.1%), respectively. The optically pure D-amino acids have many uses and thus can be exploited industrially. This is the first report of the use of A. fumigatus L: -amino acid oxidase for racemic resolution of DL-amino acids.

  7. Characteristics and formation of amino acids and hydroxy acids of the Murchison meteorite

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cronin, J. R.; Cooper, G. W.; Pizzarello, S.

    1995-01-01

    Eight characteristics of the unique suite of amino acids and hydroxy acids found in the Murchison meteorite can be recognized on the basis of detailed molecular and isotopic analyses. The marked structural correspondence between the alpha-amino acids and alpha-hydroxy acids and the high deuterium/hydrogen ratio argue persuasively for their formation by aqueous phase Strecker reactions in the meteorite parent body from presolar, i.e., interstellar, aldehydes, ketones, ammonia, and hydrogen cyanide. The characteristics of the meteoritic suite of amino acids and hydroxy acids are briefly enumerated and discussed with regard to their consonance with this interstellar-parent body formation hypothesis. The hypothesis has interesting implications for the organic composition of both the primitive parent body and the presolar nebula.

  8. OPHIDIAN L-AMINO ACID OXIDASE. THE NATURE OF THE ENZYME-SUBSTRATE COMPLEXES.

    PubMed

    ZELLER, E A; RAMACHANDER, G; FLEISHER, G A; ISHIMARU, T; ZELLER, V

    1965-04-01

    1. To investigate the kinetics of ophidian l-amino acid oxidase, V and K(m) were determined for phenylalanines that were substituted in every ring position with groups of various size and reactivity, and for a few ring-substituted tryptophans and histidines. The venom of one representative from each of three major classes of poisonous snakes, Naja melanoleuca, Vipera russelli and Crotalus adamanteus, served as a source of the ophidian l-amino acid oxidase. Both crude and crystalline enzyme from the venom of C. adamanteus were tested. 2. The introduction of a benzene ring into glycine and alanine caused some increase of V and a very marked depression of K(m). 3. With the exception of fluorine, residues in the ortho position of phenylalanine led to a decrease of V. The rates induced by various substitutions follow the pattern: meta >/= para >/= ortho. Within the halogen series, the effects become more pronounced with increasing atomic number. 4. Ring substitution in heterocyclic amino acids also affected the V values markedly. For methyl-substituted tryptophans the pattern was: 5-methyl >/= 6-methyl >/= 4-methyl. In a few instances ring substitution accounts for a considerable elevation of V, as shown for beta-quinol-4-ylalanine and its 6-methoxy derivative. 5. The kinetic constants appear to be unaffected by relatively high concentrations of the corresponding d-amino acids. 6. A general principle that permits a uniform interpretation of a vast body of information is suggested. It is based on the assumption that most substrates form not only eutopic but also dystopic complexes with the enzyme. The latter, in contrast with the former, do not permit the formation of reaction products. K values for eutopic and dystopic complexes are computed. Similar concepts have been presented to elucidate the action of alpha-chymotrypsin (Hein & Niemann, 1962) and of monoamine oxidase.

  9. Expression of Ascorbic Acid Oxidase in Zucchini Squash (Cucurbita pepo L.).

    PubMed

    Lin, L S; Varner, J E

    1991-05-01

    The expression of ascorbic acid oxidase was studied in zucchini squash (Cucurbita pepo L.), one of the most abundant natural sources of the enzyme. In the developing fruit, specific activity of ascorbic acid oxidase was highest between 4 and 6 days after anthesis. Protein and mRNA levels followed the same trend as enzyme activity. Highest growth rate of the fruit occurred before 6 days after anthesis. Within a given fruit, ascorbic acid oxidase activity and mRNA level were highest in the epidermis, and lowest in the central placental region. In leaf tissue, ascorbic acid oxidase activity was higher in young leaves, and very low in old leaves. Within a given leaf, enzyme activity was highest in the fast-growing region (approximately the lower third of the blade), and lowest in the slow-growing region (near leaf apex). High expression of ascorbic acid oxidase at a stage when rapid growth is occurring (in both fruits and leaves), and localization of the enzyme in the fruit epidermis, where cells are under greatest tension during rapid growth in girth, suggest that ascorbic acid oxidase might be involved in reorganization of the cell wall to allow for expansion. Based on the known chemistry of dehydroascorbic acid, the end product of the ascorbic acid oxidase-catalyzed reaction, we have proposed several hypotheses to explain how dehydroascorbic acid might cause cell wall "loosening."

  10. Enzymatic production of α-ketoglutaric acid from l-glutamic acid via l-glutamate oxidase.

    PubMed

    Niu, Panqing; Dong, Xiaoxiang; Wang, Yuancai; Liu, Liming

    2014-06-10

    In this study, a novel strategy for α-ketoglutaric acid (α-KG) production from l-glutamic acid using recombinant l-glutamate oxidase (LGOX) was developed. First, by analyzing the molecular structure characteristics of l-glutamic acid and α-KG, LGOX was found to be the best catalyst for oxidizing the amino group of l-glutamic acid to a ketonic group without the need for exogenous cofactor. Then the LGOX gene was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) in a soluble and active form, and the recombinant LGOX activity reached to a maximum value of 0.59U/mL at pH 6.5, 30°C. Finally, the maximum α-KG concentration reached 104.7g/L from 110g/L l-glutamic acid in 24h, under the following optimum conditions: 1.5U/mL LGOX, 250U/mL catalase, 3mM MnCl2, 30°C, and pH 6.5. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  11. Structure--activity studies for alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropanoic acid receptors: acidic hydroxyphenylalanines.

    PubMed

    Hill, R A; Wallace, L J; Miller, D D; Weinstein, D M; Shams, G; Tai, H; Layer, R T; Willins, D; Uretsky, N J; Danthi, S N

    1997-09-26

    Antagonists of alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropanoic acid (AMPA) receptors may have therapeutic potential as psychotropic agents. A series of mononitro- and dinitro-2- and 3-hydroxyphenylalanines was prepared, and their activity compared with willardiine, 5-nitrowillardiine, AMPA, and 2,4,5-trihydroxyphenylalanine (6-hydroxydopa) as inhibitors of specific [3H]AMPA and [3H]kainate binding in rat brain homogenates. The most active compounds were highly acidic (pKa 3-4), namely, 2-hydroxy-3,5-dinitro-DL-phenylalanine (13; [3H]AMPA IC50 approximately equal to 25 microM) and 3-hydroxy-2,4-dinitro-DL-phenylalanine (19; [3H]AMPA IC50 approximately equal to 5 microM). Two other dinitro-3-hydroxyphenylalanines, and 3,5-dinitro-DL-tyrosine, were considerably less active. Various mononitrohydroxyphenylalanines, which are less acidic, were also less active or inactive, and 2- and 3-hydroxyphenylalanine (o- and m-tyrosine) were inactive. Compounds 13 and 19, DL-willardiine (pKa 9.3, [3H]AMPA IC50 = 2 microM), and 5-nitro-DL-willardiine (pKa 6.4, [3H]AMPA IC50 = 0.2 microM) displayed AMPA > kainate selectivity in binding studies. Compound 19 was an AMPA-like agonist, but 13 was an antagonist in an AMPA-evoked norepinephrine release assay in rat hippocampal nerve endings. Also, compound 13 injected into the rat ventral pallidum antagonized the locomotor activity elicited by systemic amphetamine.

  12. Serum 7 alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one concentrations in the evaluation of bile acid malabsorption in patients with diarrhoea: correlation to SeHCAT test.

    PubMed

    Eusufzai, S; Axelson, M; Angelin, B; Einarsson, K

    1993-05-01

    The synthesis of bile acids is regulated by a homeostatic mechanism in which bile acids returning to the liver from the intestine inhibit their own synthesis. Serum concentrations of the bile acid intermediate 7 alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one reflect the rate of bile acid synthesis whereas bile acid malabsorption can be determined by the SeHCAT test. This study was done to evaluate the correlation between the two tests in humans. Twenty eight patients with chronic diarrhoea were included in the study. Fasting serum was collected for the determination of 7 alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one, and on the same day the gamma emitting bile acid analogue SeHCAT was given orally and its fractional catabolic rate assessed by repeated external counting over the upper abdomen during the next seven days. There was a highly significant positive correlation between the two tests (Rs = 0.80, p < 0.001). The results show a close relation between intestinal loss and hepatic synthesis of bile acids and imply that analysis of 7 alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one in serum should now be evaluated as a possible convenient method for assessing bile acid malabsorption in patients with diarrhoea.

  13. Deuterium Enrichment of Amino and Hydroxy Acids Found in the Murchison Meteorite: Constraints on Parent Body Conditions

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lerner, Narcinda R.; Chang, Sherwood (Technical Monitor)

    1997-01-01

    The alpha-amino and alpha-hydroxy acids found in the Murchison carbonaceous chondrite are deuterium enriched. These compounds are thought to have originated from common deuterium enriched carbonyl precursors, by way of a Strecker synthesis which took place in a solution of HCN, NH3, and carbonyl compounds during the period of aqueous alteration of the meteorite parent body. However, the hydroxy acids found on Murchison are less deuterium enriched than the amino acids. With the objective of determining if the discrepancy in deuterium enrichment between the amino acids and the hydroxy acids found on Murchison is consistent with their formation in a Strecker synthesis, we have measured the deuterium content of alpha-amino and alpha-hydroxy acids produced in solutions of deuterated carbonyl compounds, KCN and NH4Cl, and also in mixtures of such solutions and Allende dust at 263 K and 295 K. Retention of the isotopic signature of the starting carbonyl by both alpha amino acids and alpha hydroxy acids is more dependent upon temperature, concentration and pH than upon the presence of meteorite dust in the solution. The constraints these observations place on Murchison parent body conditions will be discussed.

  14. Novel alpha-hydroxy phosphonic acids via castor oil

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Hydroxy fatty acids (HFAs) have found a number of uses in today’s market, with uses ranging from materials to pharmaceuticals. Castor oil has served as a versatile HFA; its principle component, ricinoleic acid, can be isolated from castor oil and has been modified extensively for a number of applica...

  15. Serum 7 alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one concentrations in the evaluation of bile acid malabsorption in patients with diarrhoea: correlation to SeHCAT test.

    PubMed Central

    Eusufzai, S; Axelson, M; Angelin, B; Einarsson, K

    1993-01-01

    The synthesis of bile acids is regulated by a homeostatic mechanism in which bile acids returning to the liver from the intestine inhibit their own synthesis. Serum concentrations of the bile acid intermediate 7 alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one reflect the rate of bile acid synthesis whereas bile acid malabsorption can be determined by the SeHCAT test. This study was done to evaluate the correlation between the two tests in humans. Twenty eight patients with chronic diarrhoea were included in the study. Fasting serum was collected for the determination of 7 alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one, and on the same day the gamma emitting bile acid analogue SeHCAT was given orally and its fractional catabolic rate assessed by repeated external counting over the upper abdomen during the next seven days. There was a highly significant positive correlation between the two tests (Rs = 0.80, p < 0.001). The results show a close relation between intestinal loss and hepatic synthesis of bile acids and imply that analysis of 7 alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one in serum should now be evaluated as a possible convenient method for assessing bile acid malabsorption in patients with diarrhoea. PMID:8504974

  16. Quantitation of immunoadsorbed flavoprotein oxidases by luminol-mediated chemiluminescence.

    PubMed

    Hinkkanen, A; Maly, F E; Decker, K

    1983-04-01

    The detection of the flavoenzymes 6-hydroxy-L-nicotine oxidase and 6-hydroxy-D-nicotine oxidase at the sub-femtomol level was achieved by coupling the reaction of the immunoadsorbed proteins to the peroxidase-catalysed oxidation of luminol. The H2O2-producing oxidases retained their full activity when bound to the respective immobilized antibodies. This fact allowed the concentration of the enzymes from very dilute solutions and the quantitative assay of their activities in the microU range. Due to strict stereoselectivity and the absence of immunological cross-reactivity, the two flavoproteins could be determined in the same solution. This method was used to measure the 6-hydroxy-D-nicotine oxidase and 6-hydroxy-L-nicotine oxidase activities in Escherichia coli RR1 and different Arthrobacter strains cultured under non-inducing conditions. The same activity ratio of 6-hydroxy-L-nicotine oxidase/6-hydroxy-D-nicotine oxidase as in D L-nicotine-induced cells of A. oxidans was observed in non-induced wild type and in riboflavin-requiring (rf-) mutant cells of this aerob.

  17. Screening of Bothrops snake venoms for L-amino acid oxidase activity

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

    Pessati, M.L.; Fontana, J.D.; Guimaraes, M.F.

    1995-12-31

    Toxins, enzymes, and biologically active peptides are the main components of snake venoms from the genus Bothrops. Following the venom inoculation, the local effects are hemorrhage, edema, and myonecrosis. Nineteen different species of Brazilian Bothrops were screened for protein content and L-amino acid oxidase activity. B. cotiara, formerly found in the South of Brazil, is now threatened with extinction. Its venom contains a highly hemorrhagic fraction and, as expected from the deep yellow color of the corresponding lyophilized powder, a high L-amino acid oxidase (LAO) activity was also characterized. Flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) is its associate coenzyme. B. cotiara venommore » LAO catalyzed the oxidative deamination of several L-amino acids, and the best substrates were methionine, leucine, tryptophan, and phenylalanine, hence, its potential application for the use in biosensors for aspartame determination and for the removal of amino acids from plasma. High levels for LAO were also found in other species than B. cotiara. In addition, the technique of isoelectric focusing (IEF) was employed as a powerful tool to study the iso- or multi-enzyme distribution for LAO activity in the B. cotiara snake venom.« less

  18. Electrochemical l-Lactic Acid Sensor Based on Immobilized ZnO Nanorods with Lactate Oxidase

    PubMed Central

    Ibupoto, Zafar Hussain; Ali Shah, Syed Muhammad Usman; Khun, Kimleang; Willander, Magnus

    2012-01-01

    In this work, fabrication of gold coated glass substrate, growth of ZnO nanorods and potentiometric response of lactic acid are explained. The biosensor was developed by immobilizing the lactate oxidase on the ZnO nanorods in combination with glutaraldehyde as a cross linker for lactate oxidase enzyme. The potentiometric technique was applied for the measuring the output (EMF) response of l-lactic acid biosensor. We noticed that the present biosensor has wide linear detection range of concentration from 1 × 10−4–1 × 100 mM with acceptable sensitivity about 41.33 ± 1.58 mV/decade. In addition, the proposed biosensor showed fast response time less than 10 s, a good selectivity towards l-lactic acid in presence of common interfering substances such as ascorbic acid, urea, glucose, galactose, magnesium ions and calcium ions. The present biosensor based on immobilized ZnO nanorods with lactate oxidase sustained its stability for more than three weeks. PMID:22736960

  19. Electrochemical L-lactic acid sensor based on immobilized ZnO nanorods with lactate oxidase.

    PubMed

    Ibupoto, Zafar Hussain; Shah, Syed Muhammad Usman Ali; Khun, Kimleang; Willander, Magnus

    2012-01-01

    In this work, fabrication of gold coated glass substrate, growth of ZnO nanorods and potentiometric response of lactic acid are explained. The biosensor was developed by immobilizing the lactate oxidase on the ZnO nanorods in combination with glutaraldehyde as a cross linker for lactate oxidase enzyme. The potentiometric technique was applied for the measuring the output (EMF) response of l-lactic acid biosensor. We noticed that the present biosensor has wide linear detection range of concentration from 1 × 10(-4)-1 × 10(0) mM with acceptable sensitivity about 41.33 ± 1.58 mV/decade. In addition, the proposed biosensor showed fast response time less than 10 s, a good selectivity towards l-lactic acid in presence of common interfering substances such as ascorbic acid, urea, glucose, galactose, magnesium ions and calcium ions. The present biosensor based on immobilized ZnO nanorods with lactate oxidase sustained its stability for more than three weeks.

  20. Bile alcohol metabolism in man. Conversion of 5beta-cholestane-3alpha, 7alpha,12alpha, 25-tetrol to cholic acid.

    PubMed Central

    Salen, G; Shefer, S; Setoguchi, T; Mosbach, E H

    1975-01-01

    To study the role of C25-HYDROXY BILE ALCOHOLS AS PRECURSORS OF CHOlic acid, [G-3-H]5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha12alpha,25-tetrol was administered intravenously to two subjects with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) and two normal individuals. One day after pulse labeling, radioactivity was present in the cholic acid isolated from the bile and feces of the subjects with CTX and the bile of the normal individuals. In the two normal subjects, the sp act decay curves of [G-3-H]-cholic acid were exponential, and no traces of [G-3-H]-5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,12alpha,25-tetrol were detected. In contrast, appreciable quantities of labeled 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,-7aopha,12alpha,25-tetrol were present in the bile and feces of the CTX subjects. The sp act vs. time curves of fecal [G-3-H]5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,12alpha,25-tetrol and [G-3-H]-cholic acid showed a precursor-product relationship. Although these results suggest that 5beta-cholestane-3alpha,7alpha,12alpha,25-tetrol may be a precursor of cholic acid in man, the possibility that C26-hydroxy intermediates represent the normal pathway can not be excluded. PMID:1141434

  1. Biodegradable implants from poly-(alpha-hydroxy acid) polymers for isoniazid delivery.

    PubMed

    Hurley, L; Andersen, B R

    1999-11-01

    In vitro and in vivo study of an isoniazid (INH) drug delivery system. To develop a system for the treatment of tuberculosis using a subcutaneous polymer implant with a large drug load released slowly over a long period. INH delivery by biodegradable poly-(alpha-hydroxy acid) polymers was evaluated using ground polymer and compression molded implants. Rate of drug release and structural stability of the implant in an aqueous environment were measured, as were in vivo evaluations of the duration of measurable levels of INH in serum and urine. Factors that influenced the suitability of an implant in an in vitro system included polymer molecular weight and crystallinity, polymer and drug particle size, drug loading dose, and press temperature and pressure. The implant characteristics that most closely approached optimal conditions include a polymer of 100% L-lactide with low intrinsic viscosity, polymer particle size <75 micron, and INH particle = 126-180 micron, INH loading dose not to exceed 46%, and press conditions of 70 degrees C and 345000 kPa. Studies of subcutaneous implants in rabbits and baboons show that INH is released from the implant for 15 to 26 weeks. An INH-containing polymer was developed that was structurally stable in an aqueous environment and that released INH over a period of at least 15 weeks. Studies with infected animals will be necessary to determine the dose required for prophylaxis and treatment of active disease.

  2. Structure of alpha-glycerophosphate Oxidase from Streptococcus sp.: a Template for the Mitochondrial alpha-glycerophosphate Dehydrogenase

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

    T Colussi; D Parsonage; W Boles

    The FAD-dependent {alpha}-glycerophosphate oxidase (GlpO) from Enterococcus casseliflavus and Streptococcus sp. was originally studied as a soluble flavoprotein oxidase; surprisingly, the GlpO sequence is 30-43% identical to those of the {alpha}-glycerophosphate dehydrogenases (GlpDs) from mitochondrial and bacterial sources. The structure of a deletion mutant of Streptococcus sp. GlpO (GlpO{Delta}, lacking a 50-residue insert that includes a flexible surface region) has been determined using multiwavelength anomalous dispersion data and refined at 2.3 {angstrom} resolution. Using the GlpO{Delta} structure as a search model, we have also determined the intact GlpO structure, as refined at 2.4 {angstrom} resolution. The first two domains ofmore » the GlpO fold are most closely related to those of the flavoprotein glycine oxidase, where they function in FAD binding and substrate binding, respectively; the GlpO C-terminal domain consists of two helix bundles and is not closely related to any known structure. The flexible surface region in intact GlpO corresponds to a segment of missing electron density that links the substrate-binding domain to a {beta}{beta}{alpha} element of the FAD-binding domain. In accordance with earlier biochemical studies (stabilizations of the covalent FAD-N5-sulfite adduct and p-quinonoid form of 8-mercapto-FAD), Ile430-N, Thr431-N, and Thr431-OG are hydrogen bonded to FAD-O2{alpha} in GlpO{Delta}, stabilizing the negative charge in these two modified flavins and facilitating transfer of a hydride to FAD-N5 (from Glp) as well. Active-site overlays with the glycine oxidase-N-acetylglycine and d-amino acid oxidase-d-alanine complexes demonstrate that Arg346 of GlpO{Delta} is structurally equivalent to Arg302 and Arg285, respectively; in both cases, these residues interact directly with the amino acid substrate or inhibitor carboxylate. The structural and functional divergence between GlpO and the bacterial and mitochondrial GlpDs is also

  3. Molecular and isotopic analyses of the hydroxy acids, dicarboxylic acids, and hydroxydicarboxylic acids of the Murchison meteorite

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Cronin, J. R.; Pizzarello, S.; Epstein, S.; Krishnamurthy, R. V.

    1993-10-01

    The hydroxymonocarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, and hydroxydicarboxylic acids of the Murchison meteorite were analyzed as their tert-butyldimethylsilyl derivatives using combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The hydroxydicarboxylic acids have not been found previously in meteorites. Each class of compounds is numerous with carbon chains up to C8 or C9 and many, if not all, chain and substitution position isomers represented at each carbon number. The alpha-hydroxycarboxylic acids and alpha-hydroxydicarboxylic acids correspond structurally to many of the known meteoritic alpha-aminocarboxylic acids and alpha-aminodicarboxylic acids, a fact that supports the proposal that a Strecker synthesis was involved in the formation of both classes of compounds. Isotopic analyses show these acids to be D-rich relative to terrestrial organic compounds, as expected; however, the hydroxy acids appear to be isotopically lighter than the amino acids with respect to both carbon and hydrogen.

  4. Efficient enzymatic production of hydroxy fatty acids by linoleic acid Δ9 hydratase from Lactobacillus plantarum AKU 1009a.

    PubMed

    Takeuchi, M; Kishino, S; Park, S-B; Hirata, A; Kitamura, N; Saika, A; Ogawa, J

    2016-05-01

    This study aims to produce hydroxy fatty acids efficiently. Escherichia coli overexpressing linoleic acid Δ9 hydratase from Lactobacillus plantarum AKU 1009a was employed to produce hydroxy fatty acids with industrial potential. We found that 280 g l(-1) of linoleic acid (1 mol l(-1)) was converted into (S)-10-hydoxy-cis-12-octadecenoic acid (HYA) with a high conversion rate of 98% (mol/mol) and more than 99·9% enantiomeric excess (e.e.) by recombinant E. coli cells in the presence of FAD and NADH. In the same way, many kinds of C18 unsaturated fatty acids with Δ9 carbon double bond (280 g l(-1)) were converted into corresponding 10-hydroxy fatty acids with the conversion rates over 95% (mol/mol). We also produced HYA at a high rate of accumulation (289 g l(-1) ) with a high yield (97 mol%) in a reaction mixture that contained glucose instead of NADH. We developed a process for producing several types of hydroxy fatty acids with high accumulation rates and high yields. Hydroxy fatty acids are important materials for the chemical, food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, and thus they have recently attracted much interest in a variety of research fields. However, the mass production of hydroxy fatty acids has been limited. This method of hydroxy fatty acids production will facilitate the widespread application of hydroxy fatty acids in various industries. © 2016 The Society for Applied Microbiology.

  5. Structure of alpha-glycerophosphate oxidase from Streptococcus sp.: a template for the mitochondrial alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase.

    PubMed

    Colussi, Timothy; Parsonage, Derek; Boles, William; Matsuoka, Takeshi; Mallett, T Conn; Karplus, P Andrew; Claiborne, Al

    2008-01-22

    The FAD-dependent alpha-glycerophosphate oxidase (GlpO) from Enterococcus casseliflavus and Streptococcus sp. was originally studied as a soluble flavoprotein oxidase; surprisingly, the GlpO sequence is 30-43% identical to those of the alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenases (GlpDs) from mitochondrial and bacterial sources. The structure of a deletion mutant of Streptococcus sp. GlpO (GlpODelta, lacking a 50-residue insert that includes a flexible surface region) has been determined using multiwavelength anomalous dispersion data and refined at 2.3 A resolution. Using the GlpODelta structure as a search model, we have also determined the intact GlpO structure, as refined at 2.4 A resolution. The first two domains of the GlpO fold are most closely related to those of the flavoprotein glycine oxidase, where they function in FAD binding and substrate binding, respectively; the GlpO C-terminal domain consists of two helix bundles and is not closely related to any known structure. The flexible surface region in intact GlpO corresponds to a segment of missing electron density that links the substrate-binding domain to a betabetaalpha element of the FAD-binding domain. In accordance with earlier biochemical studies (stabilizations of the covalent FAD-N5-sulfite adduct and p-quinonoid form of 8-mercapto-FAD), Ile430-N, Thr431-N, and Thr431-OG are hydrogen bonded to FAD-O2alpha in GlpODelta, stabilizing the negative charge in these two modified flavins and facilitating transfer of a hydride to FAD-N5 (from Glp) as well. Active-site overlays with the glycine oxidase-N-acetylglycine and d-amino acid oxidase-d-alanine complexes demonstrate that Arg346 of GlpODelta is structurally equivalent to Arg302 and Arg285, respectively; in both cases, these residues interact directly with the amino acid substrate or inhibitor carboxylate. The structural and functional divergence between GlpO and the bacterial and mitochondrial GlpDs is also discussed.

  6. Identification of a novel bile acid in swans, tree ducks, and geese: 3alpha,7alpha,15alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholan-24-oic acid.

    PubMed

    Kakiyama, Genta; Iida, Takashi; Goto, Takaaki; Mano, Nariyasu; Goto, Junichi; Nambara, Toshio; Hagey, Lee R; Schteingart, Claudio D; Hofmann, Alan F

    2006-07-01

    By HPLC, a taurine-conjugated bile acid with a retention time different from that of taurocholate was found to be present in the bile of the black-necked swan, Cygnus melanocoryphus. The bile acid was isolated and its structure, established by (1)H and (13)C NMR and mass spectrometry, was that of the taurine N-acyl amidate of 3alpha,7alpha,15alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholan-24-oic acid. The compound was shown to have chromatographic and spectroscopic properties that were identical to those of the taurine conjugate of authentic 3alpha,7alpha,15alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholan-24-oic acid, previously synthesized by us from ursodeoxycholic acid. By HPLC, the taurine conjugate of 3alpha,7alpha,15alpha-trihydroxy-5beta-cholan-24-oic acid was found to be present in 6 of 6 species in the subfamily Dendrocygninae (tree ducks) and in 10 of 13 species in the subfamily Anserinae (swans and geese) but not in other subfamilies in the Anatidae family. It was also not present in species from the other two families of the order Anseriformes. 3alpha,7alpha,15alpha-Trihydroxy-5beta-cholan-24-oic acid is a new primary bile acid that is present in the biliary bile acids of swans, tree ducks, and geese and may be termed 15alpha-hydroxy-chenodeoxycholic acid.

  7. Enzymatic preparation of. cap alpha. - and. beta. -deuterated or tritiated amino acids with l-methionine. gamma. -lyase

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

    Esaki, N.; Sawada, S.; Tanaka, H.

    L-Methionine ..gamma..-lyase catalyzes the exchange of ..cap alpha..- and ..beta..-hydrogens of L-methionine and S-methyl-L-cysteine with deuterium or tritium of solvents. The rate of ..cap alpha..-hydrogen exchange with deuterium was about 40 times faster than that of the elimination reactions. The deuterium and tritium were exchanged also with the ..cap alpha..- and ..beta..-hydrogens of the straight-chain amino acids which do not undergo the elimination: L-alanine, L-..cap alpha..-aminobutyrate, L-norvaline, and L-norleucine. No exchange occurs for the D-isomers, acidic L-amino acids, basic L-amino acids, and branched-chain L-amino acids, although ..cap alpha..-hydrogen of glycine, L-trypotophan, and L-phenylalanine is exchanged slowly. These enzymatic hydrogen-exchange reactionsmore » facilitate specific labeling of the L-amino acids with deuterium and tritium.« less

  8. Properties of the branched-chain 2-hydroxy acid/2-oxo acid shuttle in mouse spermatozoa.

    PubMed

    Coronel, C E; Gallina, F G; Gerez de Burgos, N M; Burgos, C; Blanco, A

    1986-05-01

    Operation of the branched-chain 2-hydroxy acid/2-oxo acid shuttle for the transfer of reducing equivalents in mitochondria of mouse spermatozoa was studied in vitro in reconstituted systems. Results show that the branched-chain 2-oxo acids within the mitochondria are offered several metabolic pathways. (a) Decarboxylation: mouse sperm mitochondria possess high branched-chain 2-oxo acid decarboxylase activity. (b) Recycling to the cytosol by using a transport system which can be inhibited by alpha-cyano-3-hydroxycinnamate and pH 6.8. (c) Transamination to the corresponding amino acids: experiments presented indicate that leucine formed from 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoate may pass to the external phase, re-initiating the cycle. These two last possibilities would allow autocatalytic operation of the shuttle. The branched-chain 2-hydroxy acids apparently do not utilize the monocarboxylate carrier to penetrate the mitochondria.

  9. Acetyl-L-carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid: possible neurotherapeutic agents for mood disorders?

    PubMed

    Soczynska, Joanna K; Kennedy, Sidney H; Chow, Cindy S M; Woldeyohannes, Hanna O; Konarski, Jakub Z; McIntyre, Roger S

    2008-06-01

    Mood disorders are associated with decrements in cognitive function, which are insufficiently treated with contemporary pharmacotherapies. To evaluate the putative neurotherapeutic effects of the mitochondrial cofactors, L-carnitine, acetyl-L-carnitine, and alpha-lipoic acid; and to provide a rationale for investigating their efficacy in the treatment of neurocognitive deficits associated with mood disorders. A PubMed search of English-language articles published between January 1966 and March 2007 was conducted using the search terms carnitine and lipoic acid. L-carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid may offer neurotherapeutic effects (e.g., neurocognitive enhancement) via disparate mechanisms including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic regulation. Preliminary controlled trials in depressed geriatric populations also suggest an antidepressant effect with acetyl-L-carnitine. L-carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid are pleiotropic agents capable of offering neuroprotective and possibly cognitive-enhancing effects for neuropsychiatric disorders in which cognitive deficits are an integral feature.

  10. Ligand complex structures of l-amino acid oxidase/monooxygenase from Pseudomonas sp. AIU 813 and its conformational change.

    PubMed

    Im, Dohyun; Matsui, Daisuke; Arakawa, Takatoshi; Isobe, Kimiyasu; Asano, Yasuhisa; Fushinobu, Shinya

    2018-03-01

    l-Amino acid oxidase/monooxygenase from Pseudomonas sp. AIU 813 (l-AAO/MOG) catalyzes both the oxidative deamination and oxidative decarboxylation of the α-group of l-Lys to produce a keto acid and amide, respectively. l-AAO/MOG exhibits limited specificity for l-amino acid substrates with a basic side chain. We previously determined its ligand-free crystal structure and identified a key residue for maintaining the dual activities. Here, we determined the structures of l-AAO/MOG complexed with l-Lys, l-ornithine, and l-Arg and revealed its substrate recognition. Asp238 is located at the ceiling of a long hydrophobic pocket and forms a strong interaction with the terminal, positively charged group of the substrates. A mutational analysis on the D238A mutant indicated that the interaction is critical for substrate binding but not for catalytic control between the oxidase/monooxygenase activities. The catalytic activities of the D238E mutant unexpectedly increased, while the D238F mutant exhibited altered substrate specificity to long hydrophobic substrates. In the ligand-free structure, there are two channels connecting the active site and solvent, and a short region located at the dimer interface is disordered. In the l-Lys complex structure, a loop region is displaced to plug the channels. Moreover, the disordered region in the ligand-free structure forms a short helix in the substrate complex structures and creates the second binding site for the substrate. It is assumed that the amino acid substrate enters the active site of l-AAO/MOG through this route. The atomic coordinates and structure factors (codes 5YB6, 5YB7, and 5YB8) have been deposited in the Protein Data Bank (http://wwpdb.org/). 1.4.3.2 (l-amino acid oxidase), 1.13.12.2 (lysine 2-monooxygenase).

  11. Active site and loop 4 movements within human glycolate oxidase: implications for substrate specificity and drug design.

    PubMed

    Murray, Michael S; Holmes, Ross P; Lowther, W Todd

    2008-02-26

    Human glycolate oxidase (GO) catalyzes the FMN-dependent oxidation of glycolate to glyoxylate and glyoxylate to oxalate, a key metabolite in kidney stone formation. We report herein the structures of recombinant GO complexed with sulfate, glyoxylate, and an inhibitor, 4-carboxy-5-dodecylsulfanyl-1,2,3-triazole (CDST), determined by X-ray crystallography. In contrast to most alpha-hydroxy acid oxidases including spinach glycolate oxidase, a loop region, known as loop 4, is completely visible when the GO active site contains a small ligand. The lack of electron density for this loop in the GO-CDST complex, which mimics a large substrate, suggests that a disordered to ordered transition may occur with the binding of substrates. The conformational flexibility of Trp110 appears to be responsible for enabling GO to react with alpha-hydroxy acids of various chain lengths. Moreover, the movement of Trp110 disrupts a hydrogen-bonding network between Trp110, Leu191, Tyr134, and Tyr208. This loss of interactions is the first indication that active site movements are directly linked to changes in the conformation of loop 4. The kinetic parameters for the oxidation of glycolate, glyoxylate, and 2-hydroxy octanoate indicate that the oxidation of glycolate to glyoxylate is the primary reaction catalyzed by GO, while the oxidation of glyoxylate to oxalate is most likely not relevant under normal conditions. However, drugs that exploit the unique structural features of GO may ultimately prove to be useful for decreasing glycolate and glyoxylate levels in primary hyperoxaluria type 1 patients who have the inability to convert peroxisomal glyoxylate to glycine.

  12. Localization of ascorbic acid, ascorbic acid oxidase, and glutathione in roots of Cucurbita maxima L.

    PubMed

    Liso, Rosalia; De Tullio, Mario C; Ciraci, Samantha; Balestrini, Raffaella; La Rocca, Nicoletta; Bruno, Leonardo; Chiappetta, Adriana; Bitonti, Maria Beatrice; Bonfante, Paola; Arrigoni, Oreste

    2004-12-01

    To understand the function of ascorbic acid (ASC) in root development, the distribution of ASC, ASC oxidase, and glutathione (GSH) were investigated in cells and tissues of the root apex of Cucubita maxima. ASC was regularly distributed in the cytosol of almost all root cells, with the exception of quiescent centre (QC) cells. ASC also occurred at the surface of the nuclear membrane and correspondingly in the nucleoli. No ASC could be observed in vacuoles. ASC oxidase was detected by immunolocalization mainly in cell walls and vacuoles. This enzyme was particularly abundant in the QC and in differentiating vascular tissues and was absent in lateral root primordia. Administration of the ASC precursor L-galactono-gamma-lactone markedly increased ASC content in all root cells, including the QC. Root treatment with the ASC oxidized product, dehydroascorbic acid (DHA), also increased ASC content, but caused ASC accumulation only in peripheral tissues, where DHA was apparently reduced at the expense of GSH. The different pattern of distribution of ASC in different tissues and cell compartments reflects its possible role in cell metabolism and root morphogenesis.

  13. Effects of combined maternal administration with alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) on prenatal programming of skeletal properties in the offspring.

    PubMed

    Tatara, Marcin R; Krupski, Witold; Tymczyna, Barbara; Studziński, Tadeusz

    2012-05-11

    Nutritional manipulations during fetal growth may induce long-term metabolic effects in postnatal life. The aim of the study was to test whether combined treatment of pregnant sows with alpha-ketoglutarate and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate induces additive long-term effects on skeletal system properties in the offspring. The study was performed on 290 pigs obtained from 24 sows divided into 4 equal groups and subjected to experimental treatment during two weeks before delivery. The first group consisted of control sows, while the second group received alpha-ketoglutarate. The third group was treated with β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate and the fourth group underwent combined administration of alpha-ketoglutarate and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate. Piglets obtained from sows were reared until slaughter age to perform morphometric, densitometric and mechanical analyses of femur. Serum evaluations of growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin were performed in newborns and 90-day old piglets; additionally, plasma amino acid concentration was measured in newborns. Maternal treatment with alpha-ketoglutarate and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate significantly reduced fattening time and increased birth body weight, daily body weight gain, bone weight, volumetric bone mineral density, geometrical parameters and mechanical endurance of femur. These effects were associated with increased serum concentrations of growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin. Furthermore, alpha-ketoglutarate and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate administered solely or in combination significantly increased plasma level of 19 amino acids. Hormonal and amino acid evaluations in pigs indicate additive effects of AKG and HMB on systemic growth and development; however, determination of bone properties has not shown such phenomenon.

  14. Effects of combined maternal administration with alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) on prenatal programming of skeletal properties in the offspring

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Background Nutritional manipulations during fetal growth may induce long-term metabolic effects in postnatal life. The aim of the study was to test whether combined treatment of pregnant sows with alpha-ketoglutarate and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate induces additive long-term effects on skeletal system properties in the offspring. Methods The study was performed on 290 pigs obtained from 24 sows divided into 4 equal groups and subjected to experimental treatment during two weeks before delivery. The first group consisted of control sows, while the second group received alpha-ketoglutarate. The third group was treated with β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate and the fourth group underwent combined administration of alpha-ketoglutarate and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate. Piglets obtained from sows were reared until slaughter age to perform morphometric, densitometric and mechanical analyses of femur. Serum evaluations of growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin were performed in newborns and 90-day old piglets; additionally, plasma amino acid concentration was measured in newborns. Results Maternal treatment with alpha-ketoglutarate and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate significantly reduced fattening time and increased birth body weight, daily body weight gain, bone weight, volumetric bone mineral density, geometrical parameters and mechanical endurance of femur. These effects were associated with increased serum concentrations of growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor-1, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin. Furthermore, alpha-ketoglutarate and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate administered solely or in combination significantly increased plasma level of 19 amino acids. Conclusions Hormonal and amino acid evaluations in pigs indicate additive effects of AKG and HMB on systemic growth and development; however, determination of bone properties has not shown such phenomenon. PMID:22578071

  15. High resolution crystal structure of rat long chain hydroxy acid oxidase in complex with the inhibitor 4-carboxy-5-[(4-chlorophenyl)sulfanyl]-1, 2, 3-thiadiazole. Implications for inhibitor specificity and drug design.

    PubMed

    Chen, Zhi-wei; Vignaud, Caroline; Jaafar, Adil; Lévy, Bernard; Guéritte, Françoise; Guénard, Daniel; Lederer, Florence; Mathews, F Scott

    2012-05-01

    Long chain hydroxy acid oxidase (LCHAO) is responsible for the formation of methylguanidine, a toxic compound with elevated serum levels in patients with chronic renal failure. Its isozyme glycolate oxidase (GOX), has a role in the formation of oxalate, which can lead to pathological deposits of calcium oxalate, in particular in the disease primary hyperoxaluria. Inhibitors of these two enzymes may have therapeutic value. These enzymes are the only human members of the family of FMN-dependent l-2-hydroxy acid-oxidizing enzymes, with yeast flavocytochrome b(2) (Fcb2) among its well studied members. We screened a chemical library for inhibitors, using in parallel rat LCHAO, human GOX and the Fcb2 flavodehydrogenase domain (FDH). Among the hits was an inhibitor, CCPST, with an IC(50) in the micromolar range for all three enzymes. We report here the crystal structure of a complex between this compound and LCHAO at 1.3 Å resolution. In comparison with a lower resolution structure of this enzyme, binding of the inhibitor induces a conformational change in part of the TIM barrel loop 4, as well as protonation of the active site histidine. The CCPST interactions are compared with those it forms with human GOX and those formed by two other inhibitors with human GOX and spinach GOX. These compounds differ from CCPST in having the sulfur replaced with a nitrogen in the five-membered ring as well as different hydrophobic substituents. The possible reason for the ∼100-fold difference in affinity between these two series of inhibitors is discussed. The present results indicate that specificity is an issue in the quest for therapeutic inhibitors of either LCHAO or GOX, but they may give leads for this quest. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  16. 40 CFR 721.10107 - Naphthalenedisulfonic acid, [amino-hydroxy-[(substituted)azo-sulfo-naphthaleneyl]azo]-hydroxy...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 30 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Naphthalenedisulfonic acid, [amino... Specific Chemical Substances § 721.10107 Naphthalenedisulfonic acid, [amino-hydroxy-[(substituted)azo-sulfo... naphthalenedisulfonic acid, [amino-hydroxy-[(substituted)azo-sulfo-naphthaleneyl]azo]-hydroxy-[(methoxy-sulfophenyl)azo...

  17. 40 CFR 721.10107 - Naphthalenedisulfonic acid, [amino-hydroxy-[(substituted)azo-sulfo-naphthaleneyl]azo]-hydroxy...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Naphthalenedisulfonic acid, [amino... Specific Chemical Substances § 721.10107 Naphthalenedisulfonic acid, [amino-hydroxy-[(substituted)azo-sulfo... naphthalenedisulfonic acid, [amino-hydroxy-[(substituted)azo-sulfo-naphthaleneyl]azo]-hydroxy-[(methoxy-sulfophenyl)azo...

  18. Serum 7 alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one and selenohomocholyltaurine (SeHCAT) whole body retention in the assessment of bile acid induced diarrhoea.

    PubMed

    Brydon, W G; Nyhlin, H; Eastwood, M A; Merrick, M V

    1996-02-01

    To assess the reliability of serum 7 alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one (7 alpha-3ox-C) in the differential diagnosis of bile acid induced diarrhoea by comparison with 75selenohomocholyltaurine whole body retention (SeHCAT WBR). One hundred and sixty-four patients with chronic diarrhoea were investigated prospectively in two centres (Edinburgh and Sweden) by two different tests which measure bile acid loss or synthesis: the SeHCAT test which measures the 7-day SeHCAT WBR and serum 7 alpha-3ox-C which reflects the rate of bile acid synthesis. Forty-six patients had SeHCAT WBR of less than 10% (19 with ileal disease or resection, nine with idiopathic bile acid induced diarrhoea and 18 with miscellaneous causes for bile acid induced diarrhoea). All patients with ileal or idiopathic disease showed a favorable response to treatment as did 13 of the miscellaneous group. Serum 7 alpha-3ox-C was raised in all subjects with ileal disease/resection, seven patients with idiopathic disease and all subjects in the miscellaneous group who responded to treatment. Sixteen out of 118 patients with SeHCAT WBR greater than or equal to 10% had raised serum 7 alpha-3ox-C. The positive predictive value of serum 7 alpha-3ox-C was 74%. The high negative predictive value (98%) of serum 7 alpha-3ox-C indicates the possible use of this test for excluding bile acid malabsorption in this population. All but two subjects who responded to treatment had raised serum 7 alpha-3ox-C concentrations. The possibility that the sensitivity of the test can be improved by repeat testing needs to be further investigated. There was a significant correlation between fractional catabolic rate (FCR) SeHCAT and serum 7 alpha-3ox-C (r = 0.63, P < 0.0001). Further data are required to validate the reference range in women over 70 years of age.

  19. A novel L-amino acid oxidase from Trichoderma harzianum ETS 323 associated with antagonism of Rhizoctonia solani.

    PubMed

    Yang, Chia-Ann; Cheng, Chi-Hua; Lo, Chaur-Tsuen; Liu, Shu-Ying; Lee, Jeng-Woei; Peng, Kou-Cheng

    2011-05-11

    Trichoderma spp. are used as biocontrol agents against phytopathogens such as Rhizoctonia solani, but their biocontrol mechanisms are poorly understood. A novel L-amino oxidase (Th-LAAO) was identified from the extracellular proteins of Trichoderma harzianum ETS 323. Here, we show a FAD-binding glycoprotein with the best substrate specificity constant for L-phenylalanine. Although the amino acid sequence of Th-LAAO revealed limited homology (16-24%) to other LAAO members, a highly conserved FAD-binding motif was identified in the N-terminus. Th-LAAO was shown to be a homodimeric protein, but the monomeric form was predominant when grown in the presence of deactivated Rhizoctonia solani. Furthermore, in vitro assays demonstrated that Th-LAAO had an antagonistic effect against Rhizoctonia solani and a stimulatory one on hyphal density and sporulation in T. harzianum ETS 323. These findings further our understanding of T. harzianum as a biocontrol agent and provide insight into the biological function of l-amino acid oxidase.

  20. Effects of synthetic sphingosine-1-phosphate analogs on cytosolic phospholipase A2alpha-independent release of arachidonic acid and cell toxicity in L929 fibrosarcoma cells: the structure-activity relationship.

    PubMed

    Shimizu, Masaya; Muramatsu, Yuki; Tada, Eiko; Kurosawa, Takeshi; Yamaura, Erika; Nakamura, Hiroyuki; Fujino, Hiromichi; Houjyo, Yuuya; Miyasaka, Yuri; Koide, Yuuki; Nishida, Atsushi; Murayama, Toshihiko

    2009-03-01

    Sphingolipid metabolites including ceramide, sphingosine, and their phosphorylated products [sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) and ceramide-1-phosphate] regulate cell functions including arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism and cell death. The development of analogs of S1P may be useful for regulating these mediator-induced cellular responses. We synthesized new analogs of S1P and examined their effects on the release of AA and cell death in L929 mouse fibrosarcoma cells. Among the analogs tested, several compounds including DMB-mC11S [dimethyl (2S,3R)-2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-hydroxy-3-(3'-undecyl)phenylpropyl phosphate] and DMB-mC9S [dimethyl (2S,3R)-2-tert-butoxycarbonylamino-3-hydroxy-3-(3'-nonyl)phenylpropyl phosphate] released AA within 1 h and caused cell death 6 h after treatment. The release of AA was observed in C12 cells [a L929 variant lacking a type alpha cytosolic phospholipase A(2) (cPLA(2)alpha)] and L929-cPLAalpha-siRNA cells (L929 cells treated with small interference RNA for cPLA(2)alpha). Treatment with pharmacological inhibitors of secretory and Ca(2+)-independent PLA(2)s decreased the DMB-mC11S-induced release of AA. The effect of the S1P analogs tested on the release of AA was comparable to that on cell death in L929 cells, and a high correlation coefficient was observed. Two analogs lacking a butoxycarbonyl moiety [DMAc-mC11S (dimethyl (2S,3R)-2-acetamino-3-hydroxy-3-(3'-undecyl)phenylpropyl phosphate] and DMAm-mC11S [dimethyl (2S,3R)-2-amino-3-hydroxy-3-(3'-undecyl)phenylpropyl phosphate)] had inhibitory effects on the release of AA and cell toxicity induced by DMB-mC11S. Synthetic phosphorylated lipid analogs may be useful for studying PLA(2) activity and its toxicity in cells. [Supplementary Fig. 1: available only at http://dx.doi.org/10.1254/jphs.08284FP].

  1. Short- and long-term consequences on biochemical markers after fundectomy in pigs supplemented with 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyrate and alpha-ketoglutarate.

    PubMed

    Sliwa, Ewa; Adaszek, Łukasz; Tatara, Marcin; Dobrowolski, Piotr

    2010-01-01

    The aim of this study was to investigate short-term 4 and 14 weeks after fundectomy) and long-term (at the age of 8 months) postoperative effects of 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyrate and/or alpha-ketoglutarate on selected serum biochemical markers in fundectomized pigs. Experimental fundectomy was performed in 30 castrated male pigs of the Puławska breed who received placebo or 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyrate and/or alpha-ketoglutarate up to the age of 8 months. Plasma amino acid concentrations and selected blood parameters were analyzed. Main vital organs were weighed. Our study showed that the supplementations with alpha-ketoglutarate and/or 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyrate to fundectomized pigs significantly prevented the reduction of stomach, liver and spleen weights. However, results of this study, either positive or negative, cannot categorically establish a beneficial effect of AKG and HMB nutritional support after fundectomy in pigs.

  2. Glucuronidation of 6 alpha-hydroxy bile acids by human liver microsomes.

    PubMed Central

    Radomińska-Pyrek, A; Zimniak, P; Irshaid, Y M; Lester, R; Tephly, T R; St Pyrek, J

    1987-01-01

    The glucuronidation of 6-hydroxylated bile acids by human liver microsomes has been studied in vitro; for comparison, several major bile acids lacking a 6-hydroxyl group were also investigated. Glucuronidation rates for 6 alpha-hydroxylated bile acids were 10-20 times higher than those of substrates lacking a hydroxyl group in position 6. The highest rates measured were for hyodeoxy- and hyocholic acids, and kinetic analyses were carried out using these substrates. Rigorous product identification by high-field proton nuclear magnetic resonance and by electron impact mass spectrometry of methyl ester/peracetate derivatives revealed that 6-O-beta-D-glucuronides were the exclusive products formed in these enzymatic reactions. These results, together with literature data, indicate that 6 alpha-hydroxylation followed by 6-O-glucuronidation constitutes an alternative route of excretion of toxic hydrophobic bile acids. PMID:3110212

  3. Inhibitors of sterol synthesis. Chemical syntheses and spectral properties of 26-oxygenated derivatives of 3 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-cholest-8(14)-en-15-one and their effects on 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity in CHO-K1 cells.

    PubMed

    Siddiqui, A U; Wilson, W K; Ruecker, K E; Pinkerton, F D; Schroepfer, G J

    1992-11-01

    26-Oxygenated derivatives of delta 8(14)-15-ketosterols have been synthesized from (25R)-3 beta,26-diacetoxy-5 alpha-cholest-8(14)-en-15-one (IX) as part of a program to prepare potential metabolites and analogs of 3 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-cholest-8(14)-en-15-one (I), a potent regulator of cholesterol metabolism. Partial hydrolysis of IX gave a mixture, from which the 3 beta,26-diol II and the 26-acetate (XI) and 3 beta-acetate (X) monoesters were isolated. Mitsunobu reaction of XI followed by hydrolysis gave (25R)-3 alpha,26-dihydroxy-5 alpha-cholest-8(14)-en-15-one (VI). Oxidation of XI with pyridinium chlorochromate followed by hydrolysis of the acetate gave (25R)-26-hydroxy-5 alpha-cholest-8(14)-ene-3,15-dione (VII). Oxidation of X with Jones reagent followed by hydrolysis of the acetate gave (25R)-3 beta-hydroxy-15-keto-5 alpha-cholest-8(14)-en-26-oic acid (IVa). Jones oxidation of II gave (25R)-3,15-diketo-5 alpha-cholest-8(14)-en-26-oic acid (VII). 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance assignments and analyses of mass spectral fragmentation data are presented for each of the new compounds and their derivatives. The 3,15-diketone VII was found to be highly active in lowering the levels of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity in CHO-K1 cells, with a potency comparable to that of I. In contrast, 3 alpha,26-diol VI was less potent than I or VII. The two carboxylic acid analogs IVa and VIII were considerably less potent than VI in lowering the levels of HMG-CoA reductase activity.

  4. Improved synthesis with high yield and increased molecular weight of poly(alpha,beta-malic acid) by direct polycondensation.

    PubMed

    Kajiyama, Tetsuto; Kobayashi, Hisatoshi; Taguchi, Tetsushi; Kataoka, Kazunori; Tanaka, Junzo

    2004-01-01

    The development of synthetic biodegradable polymers, such as poly(alpha-hydroxy acid), is particularly important for constructing medical devices, including scaffolds and sutures, and has attracted growing interest in the biomedical field. Here, we report a novel approach to preparing high molecular weight poly(malic acid) (HMW--PMA) as a biodegradable and bioabsorbable water-soluble polymer. We investigated in detail the reaction conditions for the simple direct polycondensation of l-malic acid, including the reaction times, temperatures, and catalysts. The molecular weight of synthesized alpha,beta-PMA is dependent on both the reaction temperature and time. The optimum reaction condition to obtain alpha,beta-PMA by direct polycondensation using tin(II) chloride as a catalyst was thus determined to be 110 degrees C for 45 h with a molecular weight of 5300. The method for alpha,beta-PMA synthesis established here will facilitate production of alpha,beta-PMA of various molecular weights, which may have a potential utility as biomaterials.

  5. Variations of L- and D-amino acid levels in the brain of wild-type and mutant mice lacking D-amino acid oxidase activity.

    PubMed

    Du, Siqi; Wang, Yadi; Weatherly, Choyce A; Holden, Kylie; Armstrong, Daniel W

    2018-05-01

    D-amino acids are now recognized to be widely present in organisms and play essential roles in biological processes. Some D-amino acids are metabolized by D-amino acid oxidase (DAO), while D-Asp and D-Glu are metabolized by D-aspartate oxidase (DDO). In this study, levels of 22 amino acids and the enantiomeric compositions of the 19 chiral proteogenic entities have been determined in the whole brain of wild-type ddY mice (ddY/DAO +/+ ), mutant mice lacking DAO activity (ddY/DAO -/- ), and the heterozygous mice (ddY/DAO +/- ) using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). No significant differences were observed for L-amino acid levels among the three strains except for L-Trp which was markedly elevated in the DAO +/- and DAO -/- mice. The question arises as to whether this is an unknown effect of DAO inactivity. The three highest levels of L-amino acids were L-Glu, L-Asp, and L-Gln in all the three strains. The lowest L-amino acid level was L-Cys in ddY/DAO +/- and ddY/DAO -/- mice, while L-Trp showed the lowest level in ddY/DAO +/+ mice. The highest concentration of D-amino acid was found to be D-Ser, which also had the highest % D value (~ 25%). D-Glu had the lowest % D value (~ 0.01%) in all the three strains. Significant differences of D-Leu, D-Ala, D-Ser, D-Arg, and D-Ile were observed in ddY/DAO +/- and ddY/DAO -/- mice compared to ddY/DAO +/+ mice. This work provides the most complete baseline analysis of L- and D-amino acids in the brains of ddY/DAO +/+ , ddY/DAO +/- , and ddY/DAO -/- mice yet reported. It also provides the most effective and efficient analytical approach for measuring these analytes in biological samples. This study provides fundamental information on the role of DAO in the brain and may be relevant for future development involving novel drugs for DAO regulation.

  6. Uptake of L-nicotine and of 6-hydroxy-L-nicotine by Arthrobacter nicotinovorans and by Escherichia coli is mediated by facilitated diffusion and not by passive diffusion or active transport.

    PubMed

    Ganas, Petra; Brandsch, Roderich

    2009-06-01

    The mechanism by which l-nicotine is taken up by bacteria that are able to grow on it is unknown. Nicotine degradation by Arthrobacter nicotinovorans, a Gram-positive soil bacterium, is linked to the presence of the catabolic megaplasmid pAO1. l-[(14)C]Nicotine uptake assays with A. nicotinovorans showed transport of nicotine across the cell membrane to be energy-independent and saturable with a K(m) of 6.2+/-0.1 microM and a V(max) of 0.70+/-0.08 micromol min(-1) (mg protein)(-1). This is in accord with a mechanism of facilitated diffusion, driven by the nicotine concentration gradient. Nicotine uptake was coupled to its intracellular degradation, and an A. nicotinovorans strain unable to degrade nicotine (pAO1(-)) showed no nicotine import. However, when the nicotine dehydrogenase genes were expressed in this strain, import of l-[(14)C]nicotine took place. A. nicotinovorans pAO1(-) and Escherichia coli were also unable to import 6-hydroxy-l-nicotine, but expression of the 6-hydroxy-l-nicotine oxidase gene allowed both bacteria to take up this compound. l-Nicotine uptake was inhibited by d-nicotine, 6-hydroxy-l-nicotine and 2-amino-l-nicotine, which may indicate transport of these nicotine derivatives by a common permease. Attempts to correlate nicotine uptake with pAO1 genes possessing similarity to amino acid transporters failed. In contrast to the situation at the blood-brain barrier, nicotine transport across the cell membrane by these bacteria was not by passive diffusion or active transport but by facilitated diffusion.

  7. Neurite outgrowth of murine cerebellar granule cells can be enhanced by aniracetam with or without alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA).

    PubMed

    Fushiki, S; Matsumoto, K; Nagata, A

    1995-10-27

    To assess the neurotrophic effects of a nootropic drug, aniracetam, we studied neurite extension of mouse cerebellar granule cells in culture with low or with high K+ under different combinations of drugs and then immunohistochemically stained the cells with an antibody against L1, a neural cell adhesion molecule on cerebellar granule cells. Quantitative analyses using parameters of the total neurite length, maximal neurite length and number of branches disclosed that aniracetam, in the presence of high K+ and alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA), significantly enhanced neurite extension of cultured granule neurons. Aniracetam alone also stimulated neurite extension of cerebellar granule cells at a longer period of culture with low K+ showing a bell-shaped dose response curve with maximal effects at 10 microM. Aniracetam may influence remodeling of the neural network after injury.

  8. A thermostable L-aspartate oxidase: a new tool for biotechnological applications.

    PubMed

    Bifulco, Davide; Pollegioni, Loredano; Tessaro, Davide; Servi, Stefano; Molla, Gianluca

    2013-08-01

    L-Amino acid oxidases (LAAOs) are homodimeric flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD)-containing flavoproteins that catalyze the stereospecific oxidative deamination of L-amino acids to α-keto acids, ammonia, and hydrogen peroxide. Unlike the D-selective counterpart, the biotechnological application of LAAOs has not been thoroughly advanced because of the difficulties in their expression as recombinant protein in prokaryotic hosts. In this work, L-aspartate oxidase from the thermophilic archea Sulfolobus tokodaii (StLASPO, specific for L-aspartate and L-asparagine only) was efficiently produced as recombinant protein in E. coli in the active form as holoenzyme. This recombinant flavoenzyme shows the classical properties of FAD-containing oxidases. Indeed, StLASPO shows distinctive features that makes it attractive for biotechnological applications: high thermal stability (it is fully stable up to 80 °C) and high temperature optimum, stable activity in a broad range of pH (7.0-10.0), weak inhibition by the product oxaloacetate and by D-aspartate, and tight binding of the FAD cofactor. This latter property significantly distinguishes StLASPO from the E. coli counterpart. StLASPO represents an appropriate novel biocatalyst for the production of D-aspartate and a well-suited protein scaffold to evolve a LAAO activity by protein engineering.

  9. Physiological basis of tingling paresthesia evoked by hydroxy-alpha-sanshool.

    PubMed

    Lennertz, Richard C; Tsunozaki, Makoto; Bautista, Diana M; Stucky, Cheryl L

    2010-03-24

    Hydroxy-alpha-sanshool, the active ingredient in plants of the prickly ash plant family, induces robust tingling paresthesia by activating a subset of somatosensory neurons. However, the subtypes and physiological function of sanshool-sensitive neurons remain unknown. Here we use the ex vivo skin-nerve preparation to examine the pattern and intensity with which the sensory terminals of cutaneous neurons respond to hydroxy-alpha-sanshool. We found that sanshool excites virtually all D-hair afferents, a distinct subset of ultrasensitive light-touch receptors in the skin and targets novel populations of Abeta and C fiber nerve afferents. Thus, sanshool provides a novel pharmacological tool for discriminating functional subtypes of cutaneous mechanoreceptors. The identification of sanshool-sensitive fibers represents an essential first step in identifying the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying tingling paresthesia that accompanies peripheral neuropathy and injury.

  10. Preparation of ω-hydroxy pelargonic acid

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Hadi, Siti Faieza Abd; Salimon, Jumat

    2018-04-01

    Utilization of plant oil as renewable raw material for monomers and polymers in bioplastic industry has a great potential to replace conventional petroleum-based plastic usage especially in packaging and adhesive applications. One of useful monomer is ω-hydroxy pelargonic acid that can be polymerizing as biodegradable polyester. In this study, the aim is to synthesis ω-hydroxy pelargonic acid from oleic acid based on oxidation/ esterification/ saponification and reduction methodology. The yield obtained after aqueous workup is 53% and the compound structure is determined by FT-IR and 1H and 13C NMR.

  11. 2-Hydroxy Acids in Plant Metabolism

    PubMed Central

    Maurino, Veronica G.; Engqvist, Martin K. M.

    2015-01-01

    Glycolate, malate, lactate, and 2-hydroxyglutarate are important 2-hydroxy acids (2HA) in plant metabolism. Most of them can be found as D- and L-stereoisomers. These 2HA play an integral role in plant primary metabolism, where they are involved in fundamental pathways such as photorespiration, tricarboxylic acid cycle, glyoxylate cycle, methylglyoxal pathway, and lysine catabolism. Recent molecular studies in Arabidopsis thaliana have helped elucidate the participation of these 2HA in in plant metabolism and physiology. In this chapter, we summarize the current knowledge about the metabolic pathways and cellular processes in which they are involved, focusing on the proteins that participate in their metabolism and cellular/intracellular transport in Arabidopsis. PMID:26380567

  12. Thermal stability of L-ascorbic acid and ascorbic acid oxidase in broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica).

    PubMed

    Munyaka, Ann Wambui; Makule, Edna Edward; Oey, Indrawati; Van Loey, Ann; Hendrickx, Marc

    2010-05-01

    The thermal stability of vitamin C (including l-ascorbic acid [l-AA] and dehydroascorbic acid [DHAA]) in crushed broccoli was evaluated in the temperature range of 30 to 90 degrees C whereas that of ascorbic acid oxidase (AAO) was evaluated in the temperature range of 20 to 95 degrees C. Thermal treatments (for 15 min) of crushed broccoli at 30 to 60 degrees C resulted in conversion of l-AA to DHAA whereas treatments at 70 to 90 degrees C retained vitamin C as l-AA. These observations indicated that enzymes (for example, AAO) could play a major role in the initial phase (that is, oxidation of l-AA to DHAA) of vitamin C degradation in broccoli. Consequently, a study to evaluate the temperature-time conditions that could result in AAO inactivation in broccoli was carried out. In this study, higher AAO activity was observed in broccoli florets than stalks. During thermal treatments for 10 min, AAO in broccoli florets and stalks was stable until around 50 degrees C. A 10-min thermal treatment at 80 degrees C almost completely inactivated AAO in broccoli. AAO inactivation followed 1st order kinetics in the temperature range of 55 to 65 degrees C. Based on this study, a thermal treatment above 70 degrees C is recommended for crushed vegetable products to prevent oxidation of l-AA to DHAA, the onset of vitamin C degradation. The results reported in this study are applicable for both domestic and industrial processing of vegetables into products such as juices, soups, and purees. In this report, we have demonstrated that processing crushed broccoli in a temperature range of 30 to 60 degrees C could result in the conversion of l-ascorbic acid to dehydroascorbic (DHAA), a very important reaction in regard to vitamin C degradation because DHAA could be easily converted to other compounds that do not have the biological activity of vitamin C.

  13. Inhibitors of sterol synthesis. Synthesis and spectral properties of 3 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-cholestan-15-one and its 17 beta-epimer and their effects on 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity.

    PubMed

    Siddiqui, A U; Wilson, W K; Parish, E J; Gerst, N; Pinkerton, F D; Schroepfer, G J

    1994-10-20

    3 beta-Hydroxy-5 alpha-cholestan-15-one (2a) and its 14 beta-epimer 2b were prepared from 3 beta-acetoxy-5 alpha-cholest-8(14)-ene (3). Hydroboration of 3 at 45-50 degrees C gave a mixture of 5 alpha,14 alpha-cholestane-3 beta,15 alpha-diol and 5 alpha,14 beta-cholestane-3 beta,15 beta-diol, which were separated on silica gel as their 3 beta-tert-butyldimethylsilyl ethers 5a and 5b. Oxidation of 5a with pyridinium chlorochromate, followed by desilylation with tetrabutylammonium fluoride gave 2a. Analogous transformations of 5b gave 2b contaminated with 2a. Desilylation of 5b followed by oxidation with pyridinium chlorochromate resulted in a mixture composed mainly of 5 alpha,14 beta-cholestane-3,15-dione and 2b. Successive chromatographic separations on silica gel and reversed phase media gave 2b of high purity. Compound 2a was also prepared by lithium-ammonia reduction of 3 beta-hydroxy-5 alpha-cholest-8(14)-en-15-one (96% yield) and by selective reduction of 5 alpha-cholestane-3,15-dione with lithium tri-tert-butoxyaluminum hydride (90% yield). Isomers 2a and 2b were readily epimerized under acidic or basic conditions or under conditions used for gas chromatographic analysis. The purities of 2a and 2b were measured from nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra; chromatographic methods gave less reliable estimates of purity. NMR data also showed that ring C of the 14 beta sterols is predominantly in a chair conformation. The effects of 2a and 2b on the levels of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase have been studied in Chinese hamster ovary cells.

  14. Thermodynamic Parameters of the Dissolution of 4-Hydroxy-L-Proline and L-Phenylalanine in Mixed Aqueous Solvents at 298 K

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Smirnov, V. I.; Badelin, V. G.

    2018-01-01

    The enthalpies of solution of 4-hydroxy-L-proline and L-phenylalanine in binary mixed aqueous solvents containing acetonitrile (AN), 1,4-dioxane (1,4-DO), or acetone (AC) at mole fractions of 0 to 0.25 are determined at T = 298.15 K via isothermal calorimetry. The standard enthalpies of solution (Δsol H°) and transfer (Δtr H°) of 4-hydroxy-L-proline and L-phenylalanine from water to mixed aqueous solvents are calculated using the experimental calorimetric data, as are the enthalpy coefficients of paired interactions ( h xy ) between the molecules of the investigated amino acids and the organic solvents. The effects the mixed aqueous solvent composition and the structure of the organic solvent molecules have on the enthalpies of solution and transfer for the investigated amino acids are considered. The correlation between the enthalpy of solution of the amino acids and the electron-donating properties of the organic solvents in the mixed aqueous solvent systems is established.

  15. MipLAAO, a new L-amino acid oxidase from the redtail coral snake Micrurus mipartitus

    PubMed Central

    2018-01-01

    L-amino acid oxidases (LAAOs) are ubiquitous enzymes in nature. Bioactivities described for these enzymes include apoptosis induction, edema formation, induction or inhibition of platelet aggregation, as well as antiviral, antiparasite, and antibacterial actions. With over 80 species, Micrurus snakes are the representatives of the Elapidae family in the New World. Although LAAOs in Micrurus venoms have been predicted by venom gland transcriptomic studies and detected in proteomic studies, no enzymes of this kind have been previously purified from their venoms. Earlier proteomic studies revealed that the venom of M. mipartitus from Colombia contains ∼4% of LAAO. This enzyme, here named MipLAAO, was isolated and biochemically and functionally characterized. The enzyme is found in monomeric form, with an isotope-averaged molecular mass of 59,100.6 Da, as determined by MALDI-TOF. Its oxidase activity shows substrate preference for hydrophobic amino acids, being optimal at pH 8.0. By nucleotide sequencing of venom gland cDNA of mRNA transcripts obtained from a single snake, six isoforms of MipLAAO with minor variations among them were retrieved. The deduced sequences present a mature chain of 483 amino acids, with a predicted pI of 8.9, and theoretical masses between 55,010.9 and 55,121.0 Da. The difference with experimentally observed mass is likely due to glycosylation, in agreement with the finding of three putative N-glycosylation sites in its amino acid sequence. A phylogenetic analysis of MmipLAAO placed this new enzyme within the clade of homologous proteins from elapid snakes, characterized by the conserved Serine at position 223, in contrast to LAAOs from viperids. MmipLAAO showed a potent bactericidal effect on S. aureus (MIC: 2 µg/mL), but not on E. coli. The former activity could be of interest to future studies assessing its potential as antimicrobial agent. PMID:29900074

  16. MipLAAO, a new L-amino acid oxidase from the redtail coral snake Micrurus mipartitus.

    PubMed

    Rey-Suárez, Paola; Acosta, Cristian; Torres, Uday; Saldarriaga-Córdoba, Mónica; Lomonte, Bruno; Núñez, Vitelbina

    2018-01-01

    L-amino acid oxidases (LAAOs) are ubiquitous enzymes in nature. Bioactivities described for these enzymes include apoptosis induction, edema formation, induction or inhibition of platelet aggregation, as well as antiviral, antiparasite, and antibacterial actions. With over 80 species, Micrurus snakes are the representatives of the Elapidae family in the New World. Although LAAOs in Micrurus venoms have been predicted by venom gland transcriptomic studies and detected in proteomic studies, no enzymes of this kind have been previously purified from their venoms. Earlier proteomic studies revealed that the venom of M. mipartitus from Colombia contains ∼4% of LAAO. This enzyme, here named MipLAAO, was isolated and biochemically and functionally characterized. The enzyme is found in monomeric form, with an isotope-averaged molecular mass of 59,100.6 Da, as determined by MALDI-TOF. Its oxidase activity shows substrate preference for hydrophobic amino acids, being optimal at pH 8.0. By nucleotide sequencing of venom gland cDNA of mRNA transcripts obtained from a single snake, six isoforms of MipLAAO with minor variations among them were retrieved. The deduced sequences present a mature chain of 483 amino acids, with a predicted pI of 8.9, and theoretical masses between 55,010.9 and 55,121.0 Da. The difference with experimentally observed mass is likely due to glycosylation, in agreement with the finding of three putative N-glycosylation sites in its amino acid sequence. A phylogenetic analysis of MmipLAAO placed this new enzyme within the clade of homologous proteins from elapid snakes, characterized by the conserved Serine at position 223, in contrast to LAAOs from viperids. MmipLAAO showed a potent bactericidal effect on S. aureus (MIC: 2 µg/mL), but not on E. coli . The former activity could be of interest to future studies assessing its potential as antimicrobial agent.

  17. 40 CFR 721.10283 - Poly[oxy(methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)], .alpha.-sulfo-.omega.-hydroxy-, C12-13-branched and linear...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ...)], .alpha.-sulfo-.omega.-hydroxy-, C12-13-branched and linear alkyl ethers, sodium salts. 721.10283 Section... Substances § 721.10283 Poly[oxy(methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)], .alpha.-sulfo-.omega.-hydroxy-, C12-13-branched and.... (1) The chemical substance identified as poly[oxy(methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)], .alpha.-sulfo-.omega...

  18. 40 CFR 721.10284 - Poly[oxy(methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)], .alpha.-sulfo-.omega.-hydroxy-, C14-15-branched and linear...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ...)], .alpha.-sulfo-.omega.-hydroxy-, C14-15-branched and linear alkyl ethers, sodium salts. 721.10284 Section... Substances § 721.10284 Poly[oxy(methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)], .alpha.-sulfo-.omega.-hydroxy-, C14-15-branched and.... (1) The chemical substance identified as poly[oxy(methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)], .alpha.-sulfo-.omega...

  19. 40 CFR 721.10284 - Poly[oxy(methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)], .alpha.-sulfo-.omega.-hydroxy-, C14-15-branched and linear...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ...)], .alpha.-sulfo-.omega.-hydroxy-, C14-15-branched and linear alkyl ethers, sodium salts. 721.10284 Section... Substances § 721.10284 Poly[oxy(methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)], .alpha.-sulfo-.omega.-hydroxy-, C14-15-branched and.... (1) The chemical substance identified as poly[oxy(methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)], .alpha.-sulfo-.omega...

  20. 40 CFR 721.10283 - Poly[oxy(methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)], .alpha.-sulfo-.omega.-hydroxy-, C12-13-branched and linear...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ...)], .alpha.-sulfo-.omega.-hydroxy-, C12-13-branched and linear alkyl ethers, sodium salts. 721.10283 Section... Substances § 721.10283 Poly[oxy(methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)], .alpha.-sulfo-.omega.-hydroxy-, C12-13-branched and.... (1) The chemical substance identified as poly[oxy(methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)], .alpha.-sulfo-.omega...

  1. 40 CFR 721.10284 - Poly[oxy(methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)], .alpha.-sulfo-.omega.-hydroxy-, C14-15-branched and linear...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ...)], .alpha.-sulfo-.omega.-hydroxy-, C14-15-branched and linear alkyl ethers, sodium salts. 721.10284 Section... Substances § 721.10284 Poly[oxy(methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)], .alpha.-sulfo-.omega.-hydroxy-, C14-15-branched and.... (1) The chemical substance identified as poly[oxy(methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)], .alpha.-sulfo-.omega...

  2. 40 CFR 721.10283 - Poly[oxy(methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)], .alpha.-sulfo-.omega.-hydroxy-, C12-13-branched and linear...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ...)], .alpha.-sulfo-.omega.-hydroxy-, C12-13-branched and linear alkyl ethers, sodium salts. 721.10283 Section... Substances § 721.10283 Poly[oxy(methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)], .alpha.-sulfo-.omega.-hydroxy-, C12-13-branched and.... (1) The chemical substance identified as poly[oxy(methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)], .alpha.-sulfo-.omega...

  3. Novel L-amino acid oxidase with algicidal activity against toxic cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa synthesized by a bacterium Aquimarina sp.

    PubMed

    Chen, Wen Ming; Sheu, Fu Sian; Sheu, Shih Yi

    2011-09-10

    A brownish yellow pigmented bacterial strain, designated antisso-27, was recently isolated from a water area of saltpan in Southern Taiwan. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicate that strain antisso-27 belongs the genus Aquimarina in the family Flavobacteriacea and its only closest neighbor is Aquimarina spongiae (96.6%). Based on screening for algicidal activity, strain antisso-27 exhibits potent activity against the toxic cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa. Both the strain antisso-27 bacterial culture and its culture filtrate show algicidal activity against the toxic cyanobacterium, indicating that an algicidal substance is released from strain antisso-27. The algicidal activity of strain antisso-27 occurs during the late stationary phase of bacterial growth. Strain antisso-27 can synthesize an algicidal protein with a molecular mass of 190 kDa, and its isoelectric point is approximately 9.4. This study explores the nature of this algicidal protein such as L-amino acid oxidase with broad substrate specificity. The enzyme is most active with L-leucine, L-isoleucine, L-methionine and L-valine and the hydrogen peroxide generated by its catalysis mediates algicidal activity. This is the first report on an Aquimarina strain algicidal to the toxic M. aeruginosa and the algicidal activity is generated through its enzymatic activity of L-amino acid oxidase. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  4. Monoamine oxidase and head-twitch response in mice. Mechanisms of alpha-methylated substrate derivatives.

    PubMed

    Nakagawasai, Osamu; Arai, Yuichiro; Satoh, Shin-etsu; Satoh, Nobunori; Neda, Mitsuro; Hozumi, Masato; Oka, Ryusho; Hiraga, Hajime; Tadano, Takeshi

    2004-01-01

    It is well known that head-twitch response (HTR) in mice represents hallucinations, since administration of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) produces hallucinations in humans, and the HTR in mice is induced by administration of LSD as a hallucinogen. The HTR is produced by excitation of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)2A receptors. In this paper, we review the mechanisms of HTR induced by various drugs such as 5-HT precursor, 5-HT receptor agonist, 5-HT releaser, hallucinogenic compounds, benzodiazepins and cannabinoid. The response induced by HTR-inducers is significantly enhanced by combined treatment with a non-selective form of monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor. Thus, the relationship between MAO activity and HTR caused by these drugs (especially, alpha-methylated analogous compounds which 5-fluoro-alpha-methyltryptamine, 6-fluoro-alpha-methyltryptamine and p-hydroxyamphetamine) is presented in detail.

  5. Synthesis, spectral characterization and biological studies of some organotin(IV) complexes of L-proline, trans-hydroxy- L-proline and L-glutamine

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Nath, Mala; Jairath, Ruchi; Eng, George; Song, Xueqing; Kumar, Ashok

    2005-12-01

    New organotin(IV) complexes of the general formula R 3Sn(L) (where R = Me, n-Bu and HL = L-proline; R = Me, Ph and HL = trans-hydroxy- L-proline and L-glutamine) and R 2Sn(L) 2 (where R = n-Bu, Ph and HL = L-proline; R = Ph, HL = trans-hydroxy- L-proline) have been synthesized by the reaction of R nSnCl 4- n (where n = 2 or 3) with sodium salt of the amino acid (HL). n-Bu 2Sn(Pro) 2 was synthesized by the reaction of n-Bu 2SnO with L-proline under azeotropic removal of water. The bonding and coordination behavior in these complexes have been discussed on the basis of IR and 119Sn Mössbauer spectroscopic studies in the solid-state. Their coordination behavior in solution has been discussed with the help of multinuclear ( 1H, 13C and 119Sn) NMR spectral studies. The 119Sn Mössbauer and IR studies indicate that L-proline and trans-hydroxy- L-proline show similar coordination behavior towards organotin(IV) compounds. Pentacoordinate trigonal-bipyramidal and hexacoordinate octahedral structures, respectively, have been proposed for the tri- and diorganotin(IV) complexes of L-proline and trans-hydroxy- L-proline, in which the carboxylate group acts as bidentate group. L-Glutamine shows different coordination behavior towards organotin(IV) compounds, it acts as monoanionic bidentate ligand coordinating through carboxylate and amino group. The triorganotin(IV) complexes of L-glutamine have been proposed to have trigonal-bipyramidal environment around tin. The newly synthesized complexes have been tested for their antiinflammatory and cardiovascular activities. Their LD 50 values are >1000 mg kg -1.

  6. Methionine metabolism in piglets Fed DL-methionine or its hydroxy analogue was affected by distribution of enzymes oxidizing these sources to keto-methionine.

    PubMed

    Fang, Zhengfeng; Luo, Hefeng; Wei, Hongkui; Huang, Feiruo; Qi, Zhili; Jiang, Siwen; Peng, Jian

    2010-02-10

    Previous evidence shows that the extensive catabolism of dietary essential amino acids (AA) by the intestine results in decreased availability of these AA for protein synthesis in extraintestinal tissues. This raises the possibility that extraintestinal availability of AA may be improved by supplying the animal with an AA source more of which can bypass the intestine. To test this hypothesis, six barrows (35-day-old, 8.6 +/- 1.4 kg), implanted with arterial, portal, and mesenteric catheters, were fed a DL-methionine (DL-MET) or DL-2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutyrate (DL-HMTB) diet once hourly and infused intramesenterically with 1% p-amino hippurate. Although the directly available L-MET in DL-MET diet was about 1.2-fold that in DL-HMTB diet, the net portal appearance of L-MET was not different between the two diets. Compared with the low mRNA abundance and low activity of D-2-hydroxy acid dehydrogenase (D-HADH) and l-2-hydroxy acid oxidase (L-HAOX) in the intestine, the high mRNA abundance and high activity of D-AA oxidase (D-AAOX) indicated that the intestine had a relatively higher capacity of D-MET utilization than of dl-HMTB utilization to L-MET synthesis and its subsequent metabolism. However, in contrast to the much lower D-AAOX activity (nmol/g tissue) in the stomach than in the liver and kidney, both d-HADH and L-HAOX activity in the stomach was comparable with those in the liver and/or kidney, indicating the substantial capacity of the stomach to convert DL-HMTB to L-MET. Collectively, the difference in distribution of activity and mRNA abundance of D-AAOX, D-HADH, and L-HAOX in the piglets may offer a biological basis for the similar portal appearance of L-MET between DL-MET and DL-HMTB diets, and thus may provide new important insights into nutritional efficiency of different L-MET sources.

  7. Role of spinal cord alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors in complete Freund's adjuvant-induced inflammatory pain.

    PubMed

    Park, Jang-Su; Yaster, Myron; Guan, Xiaowei; Xu, Ji-Tian; Shih, Ming-Hung; Guan, Yun; Raja, Srinivasa N; Tao, Yuan-Xiang

    2008-12-30

    Spinal cord alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPARs) mediate acute spinal processing of nociceptive and non-nociceptive information, but whether and how their activation contributes to the central sensitization that underlies persistent inflammatory pain are still unclear. Here, we examined the role of spinal AMPARs in the development and maintenance of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA)-induced persistent inflammatory pain. Intrathecal application of two selective non-competitive AMPAR antagonists, CFM-2 (25 and 50 microg) and GYKI 52466 (50 microg), significantly attenuated mechanical and thermal hypersensitivities on the ipsilateral hind paw at 2 and 24 h post-CFA injection. Neither CFM-2 nor GYKI 52466 affected the contralateral basal responses to thermal and mechanical stimuli. Locomotor activity was not altered in any of the drug-treated animals. CFA-induced inflammation did not change total expression or distribution of AMPAR subunits GluR1 and GluR2 in dorsal horn but did alter their subcellular distribution. The amount of GluR2 was markedly increased in the crude cytosolic fraction and decreased in the crude membrane fraction from the ipsilateral L4-5 dorsal horn at 24 h (but not at 2 h) post-CFA injection. Conversely, the level of GluR1 was significantly decreased in the crude cytosolic fraction and increased in the crude membrane fraction from the ipsilateral L4-5 dorsal horn at 24 h (but not at 2 h) post-CFA injection. These findings suggest that spinal AMPARs might participate in the central spinal mechanism of persistent inflammatory pain.

  8. 4-Hydroxy cinnamic acid as mushroom preservation: Anti-tyrosinase activity kinetics and application.

    PubMed

    Hu, Yong-Hua; Chen, Qing-Xi; Cui, Yi; Gao, Huan-Juan; Xu, Lian; Yu, Xin-Yuan; Wang, Ying; Yan, Chong-Ling; Wang, Qin

    2016-05-01

    Tyrosinase is a key enzyme in post-harvest browning of fruit and vegetable. To control and inhibit its activity is the most effective method for delaying the browning and extend the shelf life. In this paper, the inhibitory kinetics of 4-hydroxy cinnamic acid on mushroom tyrosinase was investigated using the kinetics method of substrate reaction. The results showed that the inhibition of tyrosinase by 4-hydroxy cinnamic acid was a slow, reversible reaction with fractional remaining activity. The microscopic rate constants were determined for the reaction on 4-hydroxy cinnamic acid with tyrosinase. Furthermore, the molecular docking was used to simulate 4-hydroxy cinnamic acid dock with tyrosinase. The results showed that 4-hydroxy cinnamic acid interacted with the enzyme active site mainly through the hydroxy competed with the substrate hydroxy group. The cytotoxicity study of 4-hydroxy cinnamic acid indicated that it had no effects on the proliferation of normal liver cells. Moreover, the results of effects of 4-hydroxy cinnamic acid on the preservation of mushroom showed that it could delay the mushroom browning. These results provide a comprehensive underlying the inhibitory mechanisms of 4-hydroxy cinnamic acid and its delaying post-harvest browning, that is beneficial for the application of this compound. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  9. The lathyrus toxin, {beta}-N-oxalyl-L-{alpha},{beta}-diaminopropionic acid (ODAP), and homocysteic acid sensitize CA1 pyramidal neurons to cystine and L-2-amino-6-phosphonohexanoic acid

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

    Chase, L.A.; Peterson, N.L.; Koerner, J.F.

    2007-02-15

    A brief exposure of hippocampal slices to L-quisqualic acid (QUIS) sensitizes CA1 pyramidal neurons 30- to 250-fold to depolarization by certain excitatory amino acids analogues, e.g., L-2-amino-6-phosphonohexanoic acid (L-AP6), and by the endogenous compound, L-cystine. This phenomenon has been termed QUIS sensitization. A mechanism similar to that previously described for QUIS neurotoxicity has been proposed to describe QUIS sensitization. Specifically, QUIS has been shown to be sequestered into GABAergic interneurons by the System x{sub c} {sup -} and subsequently released by heteroexchange with cystine or L-AP6, resulting in activation of non-NMDA receptors. We now report two additional neurotoxins, the Lathyrusmore » excitotoxin, {beta}-N-oxalyl-L-{alpha},{beta}-diaminopropionic acid (ODAP), and the endogenous compound, L-homocysteic acid (HCA), sensitize CA1 hippocampal neurons > 50-fold to L-AP6 and > 10-fold to cystine in a manner similar to QUIS. While the cystine- or L-AP6-mediated depolarization can be inhibited by the non-NMDA receptor antagonist CNQX in ODAP- or QUIS-sensitized slices, the NMDA antagonist D-AP5 inhibits depolarization by cystine or L-AP6 in HCA-sensitized slices. Thus, HCA is the first identified NMDA agonist that induces phosphonate or cystine sensitization. Like QUIS sensitization, the sensitization evoked by either ODAP or HCA can be reversed by a subsequent exposure to 2 mM {alpha}-aminoadipic acid. Finally, we have demonstrated that there is a correlation between the potency of inducers for triggering phosphonate or cystine sensitivity and their affinities for System x{sub c} {sup -} and either the non-NMDA or NMDA receptor. Thus, the results of this study support our previous model of QUIS sensitization and have important implications for the mechanisms of neurotoxicity, neurolathyrism and hyperhomocystinemia.« less

  10. Production of 10S-hydroxy-8(E)-octadecenoic acid from oleic acid by whole recombinant Escherichia coli cells expressing 10S-dioxygenase from Nostoc punctiforme PCC 73102 with the aid of a chaperone.

    PubMed

    Kim, Min-Ji; Seo, Min-Ju; Shin, Kyung-Chul; Oh, Deok-Kun

    2017-01-01

    To increase the production of 10S-hydroxy-8(E)-octadecenoic acid from oleic acid by whole recombinant Escherichia coli cells expressing Nostoc punctiforme 10S-dioxygenase with the aid of a chaperone. The optimal conditions for 10S-hydroxy-8(E)-octadecenoic acid production by recombinant cells co-expressing chaperone plasmid were pH 9, 35 °C, 15 % (v/v) dimethyl sulfoxide, 40 g cells l -1 , and 10 g oleic acid l -1 . Under these conditions, recombinant cells co-expressing chaperone plasmid produced 7.2 g 10S-hydroxy-8(E)-octadecenoic acid l -1 within 30 min, with a conversion yield of 72 % (w/w) and a volumetric productivity of 14.4 g l -1 h -1 . The activity of recombinant cells expressing 10S-dioxygenase was increased by 200 % with the aid of a chaperone, demonstrating the first biotechnological production of 10S-hydroxy-8(E)-octadecenoic acid using recombinant cells expressing 10S-dioxygenase.

  11. Parallel nucleic acid recognition by the LNA (locked nucleic acid) stereoisomers beta-L-LNA and alpha-D-LNA; studies in the mirror image world.

    PubMed

    Christensen, Nanna K; Bryld, Torsten; Sørensen, Mads D; Arar, Khalil; Wengel, Jesper; Nielsen, Poul

    2004-02-07

    Two LNA (locked nucleic acid) stereoisomers (beta-L-LNA and alpha-D-LNA) are evaluated in the mirror-image world, that is by the study of two mixed sequences of LNA and alpha-L-LNA and their L-DNA and L-RNA complements. Both are found to display high-affinity RNA-recognition by the formation of duplexes with parallel strand orientation.

  12. γ-Dodecelactone production from safflower oil via 10-hydroxy-12(Z)-octadecenoic acid intermediate by whole cells of Candida boidinii and Stenotrophomonas nitritireducens.

    PubMed

    Jo, Ye-Seul; An, Jung-Ung; Oh, Deok-Kun

    2014-07-16

    Candida boidinii was selected as a γ-dodecelactone producer because of the highest production of γ-dodecelactone from 10-hydroxy-12(Z)-octadecenoic acid among the 11 yeast strains tested. Under the reaction conditions of pH 5.5 and 25 °C with 5 g/L 10-hydroxy-12(Z)-octadecenoic acid and 30 g/L cells, whole C. boidinii cells produced 2.1 g/L γ-dodecelactone from 5 g/L 10-hydroxy-12(Z)-octadecenoic acid after 6 h, with a conversion yield of 64% (mol/mol) and a volumetric productivity of 350 mg/L/h. The production of γ-dodecelactone from safflower oil was performed by lipase hydrolysis reaction and two-step whole-cell biotransformation using Stenotrophomonas nitritireducens and C. boidinii. γ-Dodecelactone at 1.88 g/L was produced from 7.5 g/L safflower oil via 5 g/L 10-hydroxy-12(Z)-octadecenoic acid intermediate by these reactions after 8 h of reaction time, with a volumetric productivity of 235 mg/L/h and a conversion yield of 25% (w/w). To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the highest volumetric productivity and conversion yield reported to date for the production of γ-lactone from natural oils.

  13. Novel strategy for phenyllactic acid biosynthesis from phenylalanine by whole cell recombinant Escherichia coli coexpressing L-phenylalanine oxidase and L-lactate dehydrogenase.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Jianzhi; Li, Xi

    2018-01-01

    To enhance the efficiency of phenyllactic acid (PLA) production from L-phenylalanine (L-Phe) by introducing a novel artificial pathway into Escherichia coli RESULTS: The production of PLA from L-Phe by recombinant E. coli (ldh-lpox) coexpressing L-phenylalanine oxidase and L-lactate dehydrogenase was studied. The new PLA synthesis pathway was confirmed to be efficient in recombinant E. coli. Subsequently, two different biocatalyst processes were carried out and optimized for PLA production. In the whole cell biosynthesis process at high cell density using collected recombinant cells as catalyst, at optimal conditions (L-Phe 6 g/l, pH 7.5, 35 °C, CDW 24.5 g/l and 200 rpm), the recombinant E. coli (ldh-lpox) produced 1.62 g PLA/l with a conversion of 28% from L-Phe. Similarly, during the two-temperature-stage fermentation process in flasks using IPTG-induced cells, the temperature in the second stage was increased to 35 °C to benefit the biocatalyst process, and comparable phenyllactic acid production of 1.47 g/l was obtained from 12 g L-Phe/l. Recombinant E. coli (ldh-lpox) was efficient in PLA production realizing a high titer of several folds compared with studies using L-Phe as substrate.

  14. Structure elucidation of two triterpenoid saponins from rhizome of Anemone raddeana Regel.

    PubMed

    Lu, Jincai; Xu, Beibei; Gao, Song; Fan, Li; Zhang, Hongfen; Liu, Runxiang; Kodama, Hiroyuki

    2009-09-01

    Two new 27-hydroxy-oleanolic acid type triterpenoid saponins, raddeanoside 20 (1) and raddeanoside 21(2) were isolated from the rhizome of Anemone raddeana Regel. The structures of the two compounds were elucidated as 27-hydroxy-oleanolic acid 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->2) [beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->4)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside (1) and 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-27-hydroxy-oleanolic acid 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl(1-->4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2) on the basis of chemical and spectral evidence.

  15. Novel human D-amino acid oxidase inhibitors stabilize an active-site lid-open conformation

    PubMed Central

    Terry-Lorenzo, Ryan T.; Chun, Lawrence E.; Brown, Scott P.; Heffernan, Michele L. R.; Fang, Q. Kevin; Orsini, Michael A.; Pollegioni, Loredano; Hardy, Larry W.; Spear, Kerry L.; Large, Thomas H.

    2014-01-01

    The NMDAR (N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor) is a central regulator of synaptic plasticity and learning and memory. hDAAO (human D-amino acid oxidase) indirectly reduces NMDAR activity by degrading the NMDAR co-agonist D-serine. Since NMDAR hypofunction is thought to be a foundational defect in schizophrenia, hDAAO inhibitors have potential as treatments for schizophrenia and other nervous system disorders. Here, we sought to identify novel chemicals that inhibit hDAAO activity. We used computational tools to design a focused, purchasable library of compounds. After screening this library for hDAAO inhibition, we identified the structurally novel compound, ‘compound 2’ [3-(7-hydroxy-2-oxo-4-phenyl-2H-chromen-6-yl)propanoic acid], which displayed low nM hDAAO inhibitory potency (Ki=7 nM). Although the library was expected to enrich for compounds that were competitive for both D-serine and FAD, compound 2 actually was FAD uncompetitive, much like canonical hDAAO inhibitors such as benzoic acid. Compound 2 and an analog were independently co-crystalized with hDAAO. These compounds stabilized a novel conformation of hDAAO in which the active-site lid was in an open position. These results confirm previous hypotheses regarding active-site lid flexibility of mammalian D-amino acid oxidases and could assist in the design of the next generation of hDAAO inhibitors. PMID:25001371

  16. Production of ω-hydroxy octanoic acid with Escherichia coli.

    PubMed

    Kirtz, Marko; Klebensberger, Janosch; Otte, Konrad B; Richter, Sven M; Hauer, Bernhard

    2016-07-20

    The present proof-of-concept study reports the construction of a whole-cell biocatalyst for the de novo production of ω-hydroxy octanoic acid. This was achieved by hijacking the natural fatty acid cycle and subsequent hydroxylation using a specific monooxygenase without the need for the additional feed of alkene-like precursors. For this, we used the model organism Escherichia coli and increased primarily the release of the octanoic acid precursors by overexpressing the plant thioesterase FatB2 from Cuphea hookeriana in a β-oxidation deficient strain, which lead to the production of 2.32mM (8.38mggcww(-1)) octanoic acid in 24h. In order to produce the corresponding ω-hydroxy derivative, we additionally expressed the engineered self-sufficient monooxygenase fusion protein CYP153AMaq(G307A)-CPRBM3 within the octanoic acid producing strain. With this, we finally produced 234μM (0.95mggcww(-1)) ω-hydroxy octanoic acid in a 20h fed-batch set-up. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  17. Effects of Alpha-Lipoic Acid on Oxidative Stress and Kinin Receptor Expression in Obese Zucker Diabetic Fatty Rats.

    PubMed

    Midaoui, Adil El; Talbot, Sébastien; Lahjouji, Karim; Dias, Jenny Pena; Fantus, I George; Couture, Réjean

    2015-06-01

    To investigate the impact of alpha-lipoic acid on superoxide anion production and NADPH oxidase activity as well as on the expression of kinin B1 and B2 receptors in key organs of obese Zucker Diabetic Fatty rats. Superoxide anion production was measured by lucigenin chemiluminescence. Kinin B1 and B2 receptors expression was measured at protein and mRNA levels by western blot and qRT-PCR in key organs of Zucker Diabetic Fatty and Zucker lean control rats treated for a period of 6 weeks with a standard diet or a diet containing the antioxidant α-lipoic acid (1 g/kg). Superoxide anion production and NADPH oxidase activity were significantly enhanced in aorta and adipose tissue of Zucker Diabetic Fatty rats. Kinin B1 and B2 receptors expression levels were also significantly increased in the liver and the gastrocnemius muscle of Zucker Diabetic Fatty rats. Expression of both receptors was not altered in the pancreas of Zucker Diabetic Fatty rats and was undetectable in white retroperitoneal adipose tissue. Alpha-lipoic acid prevented the rise in NADPH oxidase activity in aorta and epididymal adipose tissue of Zucker Diabetic Fatty rats and the upregulation of kinin B1 receptor in liver and gastrocnemius muscle and that of kinin B2 receptor in the liver. Alpha-lipoic acid treatment was found to prevent the final body weight increase without affecting significantly hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance index in Zucker Diabetic Fatty rats. Findings support the hypothesis that oxidative stress is implicated in the induction of kinin B1 receptor in Zucker Diabetic Fatty rats. The ability of α-lipoic acid to blunt the body weight gain appears to be mediated in part by preventing NADPH oxidase activity rise in adipose tissue and reversing the hepatic upregulation of kinin B1 receptor in Zucker Diabetic Fatty rats.

  18. Isoniazid cocrystals with anti-oxidant hydroxy benzoic acids

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mashhadi, Syed Muddassir Ali; Yunus, Uzma; Bhatti, Moazzam Hussain; Tahir, Muhammad Nawaz

    2014-11-01

    Isoniazid is the primary constituent of “triple therapy” used to effectively treat tuberculosis. In tuberculosis and other diseases, tissue inflammation and free radical burst from macrophages results in oxidative stress. These free radicals cause pulmonary inflammation if not countered by anti-oxidants. Therefore, in the present study cocrystals of isoniazid with four anti-oxidant hydroxy benzoic acids have been reported. Gallic acid, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, and 3-hydroxybenzoic acid resulted in the formation of cocrystals when reacted with isoniazid. Cocrystal structure analysis confirmed the existence of pyridine-carboxylic acid synthon in the cocrystals of isoniazid with Gallic acid, 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid and 3-hydroxybenzoic acid. While cocrystal of 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid formed the pyridine-hydroxy group synthon. Other synthons of different graph sets are formed between hydrazide group of isoniazid and coformers involving Nsbnd H⋯O and Osbnd H⋯N bonds. All the cocrystals were in 1:1 stoichiometric ratio.

  19. Plant sterol biosynthesis: identification of two distinct families of sterol 4alpha-methyl oxidases.

    PubMed Central

    Darnet, Sylvain; Rahier, Alain

    2004-01-01

    In plants, the conversion of cycloartenol into functional phytosterols requires the removal of the two methyl groups at C-4 by an enzymic complex including a sterol 4alpha-methyl oxidase (SMO). We report the cloning of candidate genes for SMOs in Arabidopsis thaliana, belonging to two distinct families termed SMO1 and SMO2 and containing three and two isoforms respectively. SMO1 and SMO2 shared low sequence identity with each other and were orthologous to the ERG25 gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae which encodes the SMO. The plant SMO amino acid sequences possess all the three histidine-rich motifs (HX3H, HX2HH and HX2HH), characteristic of the small family of membrane-bound non-haem iron oxygenases that are involved in lipid oxidation. To elucidate the precise functions of SMO1 and SMO2 gene families, we have reduced their expression by using a VIGS (virus-induced gene silencing) approach in Nicotiana benthamiana. SMO1 and SMO2 cDNA fragments were inserted into a viral vector and N. benthamiana inoculated with the viral transcripts. After silencing with SMO1, a substantial accumulation of 4,4-dimethyl-9beta,19-cyclopropylsterols (i.e. 24-methylenecycloartanol) was obtained, whereas qualitative and quantitative levels of 4alpha-methylsterols were not affected. In the case of silencing with SMO2, a large accumulation of 4alpha-methyl-Delta7-sterols (i.e. 24-ethylidenelophenol and 24-ethyllophenol) was found, with no change in the levels of 4,4-dimethylsterols. These clear and distinct biochemical phenotypes demonstrate that, in contrast with animals and fungi, in photosynthetic eukaryotes, these two novel families of cDNAs are coding two distinct types of C-4-methylsterol oxidases controlling the level of 4,4-dimethylsterol and 4alpha-methylsterol precursors respectively. PMID:14653780

  20. Computational study on the aminolysis of beta-hydroxy-alpha,beta-unsaturated ester via the favorable path including the formation of alpha-oxo ketene intermediate.

    PubMed

    Jin, Lu; Xue, Ying; Zhang, Hui; Kim, Chan Kyung; Xie, Dai Qian; Yan, Guo Sen

    2008-05-15

    The possible mechanisms of the aminolysis of N-methyl-3-(methoxycarbonyl)-4-hydroxy-2-pyridone (beta-hydroxy-alpha,beta-unsaturated ester) with dimethylamine are investigated at the hybrid density functional theory B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level in the gas phase. Single-point computations at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) and the Becke88-Becke95 1-parameter model BB1K/6-311++G(d,p) levels are performed for more precise energy predictions. Solvent effects are also assessed by single-point calculations at the integral equation formalism polarized continuum model IEFPCM-B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) and IEFPCM-BB1K/6-311++G(d,p) levels on the gas-phase optimized geometries. Three possible pathways, the concerted pathway (path A), the stepwise pathway involving tetrahedral intermediates (path B), and the stepwise pathway via alpha-oxo ketene intermediate due to the participation of beta-hydroxy (path C), are taken into account for the title reaction. Moreover, path C includes two sequential processes. The first process is to generate alpha-oxo ketene intermediate via the decomposition of N-methyl-3-(methoxycarbonyl)-4-hydroxy-2-pyridone; the second process is the addition of dimethylamine to alpha-oxo ketene intermediate. Our results indicate that path C is more favorable than paths A and B both in the gas phase and in solvent (heptane). In path C, the first process is the rate-determining step, and the second process is revealed to be a [4+2] pseudopericyclic reaction without the energy barrier. Being independent of the concentration of amine, the first process obeys the first-order rate law.

  1. Production of 8,11-dihydroxy and 8-hydroxy unsaturated fatty acids from unsaturated fatty acids by recombinant Escherichia coli expressing 8,11-linoleate diol synthase from Penicillium chrysogenum.

    PubMed

    Kim, Min-Ji; Seo, Min-Ju; Shin, Kyung-Chul; Oh, Deok-Kun

    2017-03-01

    Hydroxy unsaturated fatty acids can be used as antimicrobial surfactants. 8,11-Linoleate diol synthase (8,11-LDS) catalyzes the conversion of unsaturated fatty acid to 8-hydroperoxy unsaturated fatty acid, and it is subsequently isomerized to 8,11-dihydroxy unsaturated fatty acid by the enzyme. The optimal reaction conditions of recombinant Escherichia coli expressing Penicillium chrysogenum 8,11-LDS for the production of 8,11-dihydroxy-9,12(Z,Z)-octadecadienoic acid (8,11-DiHODE), 8,11-dihydroxy-9,12,15(Z,Z,Z)-octadecatrienoic acid (8,11-DiHOTrE), 8-hydroxy-9(Z)-hexadecenoic acid (8-HHME), and 8-hydroxy-9(Z)-octadecenoic acid (8-HOME) were pH 7.0, 25°C, 10 g/L linoleic acid, and 20 g/L cells; pH 6.0, 25°C, 6 g/L α-linolenic acid, and 60 g/L cells; pH 7.0, 25°C, 8 g/L palmitoleic acid, and 25 g/L cells; and pH 8.5, 30°C, 6 g/L oleic acid, and 25 g/L cells, respectively. Under these optimized conditions, the recombinant cells produced 6.0 g/L 8,11-DiHODE for 60 min, with a conversion of 60% (w/w) and a productivity of 6.0 g/L/h; 4.3 g/L 8,11-DiHOTrE for 60 min, with a conversion of 72% (w/w) and a productivity of 4.3 g/L/h; 4.3 g/L 8-HHME acid for 60 min, with a conversion of 54% (w/w) and a productivity of 4.3 g/L/h; and 0.9 g/L 8-HOME for 30 min, with a conversion of 15% (w/w) and a productivity of 1.8 g/L/h. To best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the biotechnological production of 8,11-DiHODE, 8,11-DiHOTrE, 8-HHME, and 8-HOME. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 33:390-396, 2017. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers.

  2. Occurrence and metabolism of 7-hydroxy-2-indolinone-3-acetic acid in Zea mays

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lewer, P.; Bandurski, R. S.

    1987-01-01

    7-Hydroxy-2-indolinone-3-acetic acid was identified as a catabolite of indole-3-acetic acid in germinating kernels of Zea mays and found to be present in amounts of ca 3.1 nmol/kernel. 7-Hydroxy-2-indolinone-3-acetic acid was shown to be a biosynthetic intermediate between 2-indolinone-3-acetic acid and 7-hydroxy-2-indolinone-3-acetic acid-7'-O-glucoside in both kernels and roots of Zea mays. Further metabolism of 7-hydroxy-2-[5-3H]-indolinone-3-acetic acid-7'-O-glucoside occurred to yield tritiated water plus, as yet, uncharacterized products.

  3. Electrospray ionization mass spectrometric investigations of [alpha]-dicarbonyl compounds--Probing intermediates formed in the course of the nonenzymatic browning reaction of l-ascorbic acid

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Schulz, Anke; Trage, Claudia; Schwarz, Helmut; Kroh, Lothar W.

    2007-05-01

    A new method is presented which allows the simultaneous detection of various [alpha]-dicarbonyl compounds generated in the course of the nonenzymatic browning reaction initiated by thermal treatment of l-ascorbic acid, namely: glyoxal, methylglyoxal, diacetyl, 3-deoxy-l-pentosone, and l-threosoneE 3-Deoxy-l-threosone was successfully identified as a new C4-[alpha]-dicarbonyl structure for the first time in the degradation of Vitamin C by application of this non-chromatographic mass spectrometric approach. Moreover, a more detailed elucidation of the mechanistic scenario with respect to the oxidative and nonoxidative pathways is presented by using dehydro-l-ascorbic acid and 2,3-diketo-l-gulonic acid instead of l-ascorbic acid as a starting material. Furthermore, the postulated pathways are corroborated with the aid of 13C-isotopic labeling studies. The investigations were extended to baby food, and the successful detection of [alpha]-dicarbonyl compounds characteristic for Vitamin C degradation proved the matrix tolerance of the introduced method.

  4. 40 CFR 721.9663 - Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha, alpha′-[thiobis (1-oxo-3,1-propanediyl)]bis [omega-hydroxy-,bis...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ..., alphaâ²-[thiobis (1-oxo-3,1-propanediyl)]bis [omega-hydroxy-,bis (C11-15 and C11-15-isoalkyl) ethers. 721... Substances § 721.9663 Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha, alpha′-[thiobis (1-oxo-3,1-propanediyl)]bis [omega...′-[thiobis (1-oxo-3,1-propanediyl)]bis [omega-hydroxy-,bis(C11-15 and C11-15-isoalkyl) ethers (PMN P-97-497...

  5. 40 CFR 721.9663 - Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha, alpha′-[thiobis (1-oxo-3,1-propanediyl)]bis [omega-hydroxy-,bis...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ..., alphaâ²-[thiobis (1-oxo-3,1-propanediyl)]bis [omega-hydroxy-,bis (C11-15 and C11-15-isoalkyl) ethers. 721... Substances § 721.9663 Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha, alpha′-[thiobis (1-oxo-3,1-propanediyl)]bis [omega...′-[thiobis (1-oxo-3,1-propanediyl)]bis [omega-hydroxy-,bis(C11-15 and C11-15-isoalkyl) ethers (PMN P-97-497...

  6. 40 CFR 721.9663 - Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha, alpha′-[thiobis (1-oxo-3,1-propanediyl)]bis [omega-hydroxy-,bis...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ..., alphaâ²-[thiobis (1-oxo-3,1-propanediyl)]bis [omega-hydroxy-,bis (C11-15 and C11-15-isoalkyl) ethers. 721... Substances § 721.9663 Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha, alpha′-[thiobis (1-oxo-3,1-propanediyl)]bis [omega...′-[thiobis (1-oxo-3,1-propanediyl)]bis [omega-hydroxy-,bis(C11-15 and C11-15-isoalkyl) ethers (PMN P-97-497...

  7. 40 CFR 721.9663 - Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha, alpha′-[thiobis (1-oxo-3,1-propanediyl)]bis [omega-hydroxy-,bis...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ..., alphaâ²-[thiobis (1-oxo-3,1-propanediyl)]bis [omega-hydroxy-,bis (C11-15 and C11-15-isoalkyl) ethers. 721... Substances § 721.9663 Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha, alpha′-[thiobis (1-oxo-3,1-propanediyl)]bis [omega...′-[thiobis (1-oxo-3,1-propanediyl)]bis [omega-hydroxy-,bis(C11-15 and C11-15-isoalkyl) ethers (PMN P-97-497...

  8. 40 CFR 721.9663 - Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha, alpha′-[thiobis (1-oxo-3,1-propanediyl)]bis [omega-hydroxy-,bis...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ..., alphaâ²-[thiobis (1-oxo-3,1-propanediyl)]bis [omega-hydroxy-,bis (C11-15 and C11-15-isoalkyl) ethers. 721... Substances § 721.9663 Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha, alpha′-[thiobis (1-oxo-3,1-propanediyl)]bis [omega...′-[thiobis (1-oxo-3,1-propanediyl)]bis [omega-hydroxy-,bis(C11-15 and C11-15-isoalkyl) ethers (PMN P-97-497...

  9. Iso-branched 2- and 3-hydroxy fatty acids as characteristic lipid constituents of some gliding bacteria.

    PubMed Central

    Fautz, E; Rosenfelder, G; Grotjahn, L

    1979-01-01

    The fatty acids present in the total hydrolysates of several gliding bacteria (Myxococcus fulvus, Stigmatella aurantiaca, Cytophaga johnsonae, Cytophaga sp. strain samoa and Flexibacter elegans) were analyzed by combined gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. In addition to 13-methyl-tetradecanoic acid, 15-methyl-hexadecanoic acid, hexadecanoic acid, and hexadecenoic acid, 2- and 3-hydroxy fatty acids comprised up to 50% of the total fatty acids. The majority was odd-numbered and iso-branched. Small amounts of even-numbered and unbranched fatty acids were also present. Whereas 2-hydroxy-15-methyl hexadecanoic acid was characteristic for myxobacteria, 2-hydroxy-13-methyl-tetradecanoic acid, 3-hydroxy-13-methyl-tetradecanoic acid, and 3-hydroxy-15-methyl-hexadecanoic acid were dominant in the Cytophaga-Flexibacter group. PMID:118159

  10. The alpha glycerophosphate cycle in Drosophila melanogaster V. molecular analysis of alpha glycerophosphate dehydrogenase and alpha glycerophosphate oxidase mutants.

    PubMed

    Carmon, Amber; Chien, Jeff; Sullivan, David; MacIntyre, Ross

    2010-01-01

    Two enzymes, alpha glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH-1) in the cytoplasm and alpha glycerophosphate oxidase (GPO-1) in the mitochondrion cooperate in Drosophila flight muscles to generate the ATP needed for muscle contraction. Null mutants for either enzyme cannot fly. Here, we characterize 15 ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS)-induced mutants in GPDH-1 at the molecular level and assess their effects on structural and evolutionarily conserved domains of this enzyme. In addition, we molecularly characterize 3 EMS-induced GPO-1 mutants and excisions of a P element insertion in the GPO-1 gene. The latter represent the best candidate for null or amorphic mutants in this gene.

  11. Synthesis of cis-4-trifluoromethyl- and cis-4-difluoromethyl-l-pyroglutamic acids.

    PubMed

    Qiu, Xiao-Long; Qing, Feng-Ling

    2003-05-02

    Efforts to synthesize 4-trifluoromethyl- and 4-difluoromethyl-l-pyroglutamic acids are described. After many arduous efforts, we successfully synthesized our target molecules cis-4-trifluoromethyl-l-pyroglutamic acid 25 and cis-4-difluoromethyl-l-pyroglutamic acid 26 from trans-4-hydroxy-l-proline through oxidation of fluorinated prolinates with RuO(4).

  12. The neurosteroid 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one affects dopamine-mediated behavior in rodents.

    PubMed

    Khisti, Rahul T; Deshpande, Laxmikant S; Chopde, Chandrabhan T

    2002-05-01

    The neurosteroid 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one (3alpha,5alpha-THP) has been previously shown to induce catalepsy in mice that is modified by GABAergic, dopaminergic, adenosinergic and serotonergic agents. In light of the interaction of this endogenous neurosteroid with GABAergic and dopaminergic transmission, there is potential interest in the possible role of 3alpha,5alpha-THP in psychotic disorders. This study assessed the effect of 3alpha,5alpha-THP in certain dopamine-mediated behavioral paradigms that are widely used to predict antipsychotic-like activity. 3alpha,5alpha-THP (1-8 microg per animal, i.c.v.), the classic neuroleptic (dopamine receptor antagonist) haloperidol (0.25 mg/kg, i.p.), and the benzodiazepine diazepam (7 mg/kg, i.p.) were injected into different groups of animals, and their behavior was screened using the following animal tests: conditioned avoidance response, apomorphine-induced climbing, and amphetamine-induced motor hyperactivity. Separate groups of mice that received 3alpha,5alpha-THP (1-8 microg per animal, i.c.v.) were screened for catalepsy. Furthermore, the effect of a sub-cataleptic dose (0.1 microg per mouse, i.c.v.) of 3alpha,5alpha-THP, either alone or in combination with the GABA(A) receptor antagonist picrotoxin (0.8 mg/kg, i.p.) was measured on haloperidol-induced catalepsy. 3alpha,5alpha-THP like haloperidol reduced conditioned avoidance, apomorphine-induced cage climbing and amphetamine-induced motor hyperactivity. Diazepam only affected conditioned avoidance. 3alpha,5alpha-THP also induced dose-dependent catalepsy. Furthermore, sub-cataleptic doses of 3alpha,5alpha-THP potentiated haloperidol-induced catalepsy. This potentiation was blocked by prior treatment with the GABA(A) receptor antagonist picrotoxin. These findings suggest that 3alpha,5alpha-THP, by its action at the GABA(A) receptors, increases GABAergic tone leading to a behavioral profile similar to that of dopamine receptor antagonists.

  13. alpha-L-iduronidase, beta-D-glucuronidase, and 2-sulfo-L-iduronate 2-sulfatase: preparation and characterization of radioactive substrates from heparin.

    PubMed

    Hopwood, J J

    1979-03-01

    Radioactive disaccharide substrates for alpha-L-iduronidase, beta-D-glucuronidase, and 2-sulfo-L-iduronate 2-sulfatase have been prepared from heparin by deaminative cleavage followed by reduction with NaBT4. Six disaccharides were isolated from this reaction mixture and identified. Acid hydrolysis of the major disaccharide, O-(alpha-L-idopyranosyluronic acid 2-sulfate)-(1 linked to 4)-(2,5-anhydro-D-mannitol-l-t 6-sulfate (IdAs--Ms), produced 48% of O-(alpha-L-idopyranosyluronic acid)-(1 linked to 4)-(2,5-anhydro-D-mannitol-l-t 6-sulfate) (IdA--Ms) and 25% of O-(alpha-L-idopyranosyluronic acid)-(1 linked to 4)-2,5-anhydro-D-mannitol-l-t. The most-sensitive substrate for determining alpha-L-iduronidase activity was IdA--Ms which, when incubated with leucocyte and skin-fibroblast homogenates prepared from patients having a deficiency of alpha-L-iduronidase (Mucopolysaccharidosis Type I; MPS-I), was hydrolysed to yield 2,5-anhydro-D-mannitol-l-t 6-sulfate at a rate 50-times less than that found for normal control-preparations. Similarly, O-(beta-D-glucopyranosyluronic acid)-(1 linked to 4)-(2,5-anhydro-D-mannitol-l-t 6-sulfate) was degraded by whole-cell homogenates prepared from beta-D-glucuronidase-deficient (Mucopolysaccharidosis, Type VII) fibroblasts, to yield 2,5-anhydro-D-mannitol-l-t 5-sulfate at a rate 60-times less that that found for MPS-I and normal control-preparations. IdAs--Ms was degraded by 2-sulfo-L-iduronate 2-sulfatase at a rate more than 45-times greater than that found for O-(alpha-L-idopyranosyluronic acid 2-sulfate)-(1 linked to 4)-2,5-anhydro-D-mannitol-l-t. C-6 Sulfation of the anhydro-D-mannitol-l-t residue is an important structural determinant in the mechanism of action of both alpha-L-iduronidase and 2-sulfo-L-iduronate 2-sulfatase on disaccharide substrates.

  14. Mirrors in the PDB: left-handed alpha-turns guide design with D-amino acids.

    PubMed

    Annavarapu, Srinivas; Nanda, Vikas

    2009-09-22

    Incorporating variable amino acid stereochemistry in molecular design has the potential to improve existing protein stability and create new topologies inaccessible to homochiral molecules. The Protein Data Bank has been a reliable, rich source of information on molecular interactions and their role in protein stability and structure. D-amino acids rarely occur naturally, making it difficult to infer general rules for how they would be tolerated in proteins through an analysis of existing protein structures. However, protein elements containing short left-handed turns and helices turn out to contain useful information. Molecular mechanisms used in proteins to stabilize left-handed elements by L-amino acids are structurally enantiomeric to potential synthetic strategies for stabilizing right-handed elements with D-amino acids. Propensities for amino acids to occur in contiguous alpha(L) helices correlate with published thermodynamic scales for incorporation of D-amino acids into alpha(R) helices. Two backbone rules for terminating a left-handed helix are found: an alpha(R) conformation is disfavored at the amino terminus, and a beta(R) conformation is disfavored at the carboxy terminus. Helix capping sidechain-backbone interactions are found which are unique to alpha(L) helices including an elevated propensity for L-Asn, and L-Thr at the amino terminus and L-Gln, L-Thr and L-Ser at the carboxy terminus. By examining left-handed alpha-turns containing L-amino acids, new interaction motifs for incorporating D-amino acids into right-handed alpha-helices are identified. These will provide a basis for de novo design of novel heterochiral protein folds.

  15. In-Gel Determination of L-Amino Acid Oxidase Activity Based on the Visualization of Prussian Blue-Forming Reaction

    PubMed Central

    Zhou, Ning; Zhao, Chuntian

    2013-01-01

    L-amino acid oxidase (LAAO) is attracting increasing attention due to its important functions. Diverse detection methods with their own properties have been developed for characterization of LAAO. In the present study, a simple, rapid, sensitive, cost-effective and reproducible method for quantitative in-gel determination of LAAO activity based on the visualization of Prussian blue-forming reaction is described. Coupled with SDS-PAGE, this Prussian blue agar assay can be directly used to determine the numbers and approximate molecular weights of LAAO in one step, allowing straightforward application for purification and sequence identification of LAAO from diverse samples. PMID:23383337

  16. Stereochemical analysis of the elimination reaction catalyzed by D-amino-acid oxidase.

    PubMed

    Cheung, Y F; Walsh, C

    1976-06-01

    The stereochemistry of the intramolecular proton transfer catalyzed by the flavoenzyme, D-amino-acid oxidase, during the elimination reaction of beta-chloro-alpha-amino acid substrates (Walsh et al. (1973), J. Biol. Chem. 248, 1964) has been established. Both D-erythro- and D-threo-2-amino-3-chloro(2-3H) butyrate have been shown to yield (3R)-2-keto (3-3H)-2- butyrate predominantly. Tritium kinetic isotope effects on the rate of the reaction (4.7 for the D-erythro, and 3.8 for the D-threo compound) and percentages of intramolecular triton transfer (7.2% for the D-erythro- and 2.6% for the D-threo compound) have been measured. Their implications on the mechanism of this unusual elimination reaction are discussed.

  17. Role of 3-Hydroxy Fatty Acid-Induced Hepatic Lipotoxicity in Acute Fatty Liver of Pregnancy

    PubMed Central

    Ibdah, Jamal A.

    2018-01-01

    Acute fatty liver of pregnancy (AFLP), a catastrophic illness for both the mother and the unborn offspring, develops in the last trimester of pregnancy with significant maternal and perinatal mortality. AFLP is also recognized as an obstetric and medical emergency. Maternal AFLP is highly associated with a fetal homozygous mutation (1528G>C) in the gene that encodes for mitochondrial long-chain hydroxy acyl-CoA dehydrogenase (LCHAD). The mutation in LCHAD results in the accumulation of 3-hydroxy fatty acids, such as 3-hydroxy myristic acid, 3-hydroxy palmitic acid and 3-hydroxy dicarboxylic acid in the placenta, which are then shunted to the maternal circulation leading to the development of acute liver injury observed in patients with AFLP. In this review, we will discuss the mechanistic role of increased 3-hydroxy fatty acid in causing lipotoxicity to the liver and in inducing oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and hepatocyte lipoapoptosis. Further, we also review the role of 3-hydroxy fatty acids in causing placental damage, pancreatic islet β-cell glucolipotoxicity, brain damage, and retinal epithelial cells lipoapoptosis in patients with LCHAD deficiency. PMID:29361796

  18. A novel electrochemical immunosensor using β-cyclodextrins functionalized silver supported adamantine-modified glucose oxidase as labels for ultrasensitive detection of alpha-fetoprotein.

    PubMed

    Gao, Jian; Ma, Hongmin; Lv, Xiaohui; Yan, Tao; Li, Na; Cao, Wei; Wei, Qin

    2015-09-17

    In this work, a novel sandwich-type electrochemical immunosensor based on host-guest interaction was fabricated for the detection of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). Due to the large specific surface area of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and the unique supramolecular recognition ability of β-cyclodextrins, ferrocenecarboxylic acid (Fc) was incorporated into this sensor platform by host-guest interaction to generate an electrochemical signal. And β-cyclodextrins functionalized silver supported adamantine-modified glucose oxidase (GOD-CD-Ag), was used as a label to improve the analytical performance of the immunosensor by the dual amplification strategy. The obtained GOD-CD-Ag conjugates could convert glucose into gluconic acid with the formation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). And then silver nanoparticles could in situ catalyze the reduction of the generated H2O2, dramatically improving the oxidation reaction of Fc. The developed immunosensor shows a wide linear calibration range from 0.001 to 5.0 ng/mL with a low detection limit (0.2 pg/mL) for the detection of AFP. The method, with ideal reproducibility and selectivity, has a wide application prospect in clinical research. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  19. 40 CFR 721.5293 - Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-(9Z)-9-octadecenyl-.omega.-hydroxy-, phosphate, ammonium salt.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-(9Z)-9... SUBSTANCES Significant New Uses for Specific Chemical Substances § 721.5293 Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha...), alpha-(9Z)-9-octadecenyl-.omega.-hydroxy-, phosphate, ammonium salt (PMN P-99-920; CAS No. 58857-49-1...

  20. 40 CFR 721.5293 - Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-(9Z)-9-octadecenyl-.omega.-hydroxy-, phosphate, ammonium salt.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-(9Z)-9... SUBSTANCES Significant New Uses for Specific Chemical Substances § 721.5293 Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha...), alpha-(9Z)-9-octadecenyl-.omega.-hydroxy-, phosphate, ammonium salt (PMN P-99-920; CAS No. 58857-49-1...

  1. 40 CFR 721.5293 - Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-(9Z)-9-octadecenyl-.omega.-hydroxy-, phosphate, ammonium salt.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-(9Z)-9... SUBSTANCES Significant New Uses for Specific Chemical Substances § 721.5293 Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha...), alpha-(9Z)-9-octadecenyl-.omega.-hydroxy-, phosphate, ammonium salt (PMN P-99-920; CAS No. 58857-49-1...

  2. 40 CFR 721.5293 - Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-(9Z)-9-octadecenyl-.omega.-hydroxy-, phosphate, ammonium salt.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-(9Z)-9... SUBSTANCES Significant New Uses for Specific Chemical Substances § 721.5293 Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha...), alpha-(9Z)-9-octadecenyl-.omega.-hydroxy-, phosphate, ammonium salt (PMN P-99-920; CAS No. 58857-49-1...

  3. Proline derivatives in fruits of bergamot (Citrus bergamia Risso et Poit): presence of N-methyl-L-proline and 4-hydroxy-L-prolinebetaine.

    PubMed

    Servillo, Luigi; Giovane, Alfonso; Balestrieri, Maria Luisa; Cautela, Domenico; Castaldo, Domenico

    2011-01-12

    The content of proline and various compounds deriving from its metabolism (4-hydroxy-L-proline, N-methyl-L-proline, N,N-dimethylproline, and 4-hydroxy-L-prolinebetaine) was determined in fruits and seeds of Bergamot (Citrus bergamia Risso et Poit), growing in the Calabria region (South Italy). A HPLC-ESI-tandem mass spectrometry method, which allowed rapid determination of L-proline, 4-hydroxy-L-proline, N-methyl-L-proline, N,N-dimethylproline, and 4-hydroxy-L-prolinebetaine in juice and extracts of bergamot fruit with minimum sample preparation and short analysis time (about 10 min), is presented. Proline and 4-hydroxy-L-proline levels in the samples were also determined by HPLC analysis with fluorescence detection and the results compared to those obtained with HPLC-ESI-tandem mass spectrometry. For the first time, the presence of N-methyl-L-proline and 4-hydroxy-L-prolinebetaine in the fruits of a plant of the Citrus genus is reported.

  4. 40 CFR 721.10556 - Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.- (2-methyl-2-propen-1-yl) -.omega.-hydroxy-,C12-15-alkyl ethers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ....- (2-methyl-2-propen-1-yl) -.omega.-hydroxy-,C12-16-alkyl ethers (PMN P-06-452; CAS No. 675869-05-3...-methyl-2-propen-1-yl) -.omega.-hydroxy-,C12-15-alkyl ethers. 721.10556 Section 721.10556 Protection of...-ethanediyl), .alpha.- (2-methyl-2-propen-1-yl) -.omega.-hydroxy-,C12-15-alkyl ethers. (a) Chemical substance...

  5. 40 CFR 721.10556 - Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.- (2-methyl-2-propen-1-yl) -.omega.-hydroxy-,C12-15-alkyl ethers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ....- (2-methyl-2-propen-1-yl) -.omega.-hydroxy-,C12-16-alkyl ethers (PMN P-06-452; CAS No. 675869-05-3...-methyl-2-propen-1-yl) -.omega.-hydroxy-,C12-15-alkyl ethers. 721.10556 Section 721.10556 Protection of...-ethanediyl), .alpha.- (2-methyl-2-propen-1-yl) -.omega.-hydroxy-,C12-15-alkyl ethers. (a) Chemical substance...

  6. 40 CFR 721.10558 - Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.- (2-methyl-2-propen-1-yl) -.omega.-hydroxy-,C12-16-alkyl ethers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ....- (2-methyl-2-propen-1-yl) -.omega.-hydroxy-,C12-16-alkyl ethers (PMN P-06-452; CAS No. 675869-05-3...-methyl-2-propen-1-yl) -.omega.-hydroxy-,C12-16-alkyl ethers. 721.10558 Section 721.10558 Protection of...-ethanediyl), .alpha.- (2-methyl-2-propen-1-yl) -.omega.-hydroxy-,C12-16-alkyl ethers. (a) Chemical substance...

  7. 40 CFR 721.10557 - Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.- (2-methyl-2-propen-1-yl) -.omega.-hydroxy-,C10-16-alkyl ethers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ....- (2-methyl-2-propen-1-yl) -.omega.-hydroxy-,C12-16-alkyl ethers (PMN P-06-452; CAS No. 675869-05-3...-methyl-2-propen-1-yl) -.omega.-hydroxy-,C10-16-alkyl ethers. 721.10557 Section 721.10557 Protection of...-ethanediyl), .alpha.- (2-methyl-2-propen-1-yl) -.omega.-hydroxy-,C10-16-alkyl ethers. (a) Chemical substance...

  8. 40 CFR 721.10558 - Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.- (2-methyl-2-propen-1-yl) -.omega.-hydroxy-,C12-16-alkyl ethers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ....- (2-methyl-2-propen-1-yl) -.omega.-hydroxy-,C12-16-alkyl ethers (PMN P-06-452; CAS No. 675869-05-3...-methyl-2-propen-1-yl) -.omega.-hydroxy-,C12-16-alkyl ethers. 721.10558 Section 721.10558 Protection of...-ethanediyl), .alpha.- (2-methyl-2-propen-1-yl) -.omega.-hydroxy-,C12-16-alkyl ethers. (a) Chemical substance...

  9. 40 CFR 721.10557 - Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), .alpha.- (2-methyl-2-propen-1-yl) -.omega.-hydroxy-,C10-16-alkyl ethers.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ....- (2-methyl-2-propen-1-yl) -.omega.-hydroxy-,C12-16-alkyl ethers (PMN P-06-452; CAS No. 675869-05-3...-methyl-2-propen-1-yl) -.omega.-hydroxy-,C10-16-alkyl ethers. 721.10557 Section 721.10557 Protection of...-ethanediyl), .alpha.- (2-methyl-2-propen-1-yl) -.omega.-hydroxy-,C10-16-alkyl ethers. (a) Chemical substance...

  10. Monoamine Oxidase and Dopamine β-Hydroxylase Inhibitors from the Fruits of Gardenia jasminoides

    PubMed Central

    Kim, Ji Ho; Kim, Gun Hee; Hwang, Keum Hee

    2012-01-01

    This research was designed to determine what components of Gardenia jasminoides play a major role in inhibiting the enzymes related antidepressant activity of this plant. In our previous research, the ethyl acetate fraction of G. jasminosides fruits inhibited the activities of both monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) and monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B), and oral administration of the ethanolic extract slightly increased serotonin concentrations in the brain tissues of rats and decreased MAO-B activity. In addition, we found through in vitro screening test that the ethyl acetate fraction showed modest inhibitory activity on dopamine-β hydroxylase (DBH). The bioassay-guided fractionation led to the isolation of five bio-active compounds, protocatechuic acid (1), geniposide (2), 6'-O-trans-p-coumaroylgeniposide (3), 3,5-d-ihydroxy-1,7-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) heptanes (4), and ursolic acid (5), from the ethyl acetate fraction of G. jasminoides fruits. The isolated compounds showed different inhibitory potentials against MAO-A, -B, and DBH. Protocatechuic acid showed potent inhibition against MAO-B (IC50 300 μmol/L) and DBH (334 μmol/L), exhibiting weak MAO-A inhibition (2.41 mmol/L). Two iridoid glycosides, geniposide (223 μmol/L) and 6'-O-trans-p-coumaroylgeniposide (127μmol/L), were selective MAO-B inhibitor. Especially, 6'-O-trans-p-coumaroylgeniposide exhibited more selective MAO-B inhibition than deprenyl, well-known MAO-B inhibitor for the treatment of early-stage Parkinson’s disease. The inhibitory activity of 3,5-di-hydroxy-1,7-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl) heptane was strong for MAO-B (196 μmol/L), modest for MAO-A (400 μmol/L), and weak for DBH (941 μmol/L). Ursolic acid exhibited significant inhibition of DBH (214 μmol/L), weak inhibition of MAO-B (780 μmol/L), and no inhibition against MAO-A. Consequently, G. jasminoides fruits are considerable for development of biofunctional food materials for the combination treatment of depression and neurodegenerative disorders

  11. Purification, characterization and amino acid content of cholesterol oxidase produced by Streptomyces aegyptia NEAE 102.

    PubMed

    El-Naggar, Noura El-Ahmady; Deraz, Sahar F; Soliman, Hoda M; El-Deeb, Nehal M; El-Shweihy, Nancy M

    2017-03-29

    There is an increasing demand on cholesterol oxidase for its various industrial and clinical applications. The current research was focused on extracellular cholesterol oxidase production under submerged fermentation by a local isolate previously identified as Streptomyces aegyptia NEAE 102. The crude enzyme extract was purified by two purification steps, protein precipitation using ammonium sulfate followed by ion exchange chromatography using DEAE Sepharose CL-6B. The kinetic parameters of purified cholesterol oxidase from Streptomyces aegyptia NEAE 102 were studied. The best conditions for maximum cholesterol oxidase activity were found to be 105 min of incubation time, an initial pH of 7 and temperature of 37 °C. The optimum substrate concentration was found to be 0.4 mM. The higher thermal stability behavior of cholesterol oxidase was at 50 °C. Around 63.86% of the initial activity was retained by the enzyme after 20 min of incubation at 50 °C. The apparent molecular weight of the purified enzyme as sized by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacryalamide gel electrophoresis was approximately 46 KDa. On DEAE Sepharose CL-6B column cholesterol oxidase was purified to homogeneity with final specific activity of 16.08 U/mg protein and 3.14-fold enhancement. The amino acid analysis of the purified enzyme produced by Streptomyces aegyptia NEAE 102 illustrated that, cholesterol oxidase is composed of 361 residues with glutamic acid as the most represented amino acid with concentration of 11.49 μg/mL. Taking into account the extracellular production, wide pH tolerance, thermal stability and shelf life, cholesterol oxidase produced by Streptomyces aegyptia NEAE 102 suggested that the enzyme could be industrially useful.

  12. PROLINE OXIDASES IN HANSENULA SUBPELLICULOSA

    PubMed Central

    Ling, Chung-Mei; Hedrick, L. R.

    1964-01-01

    Ling, Chung-Mei (Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago), and L. R. Hedrick. Proline oxidases in Hansenula subpelliculosa. J. Bacteriol. 87:1462–1470. 1964—Cells of Hansenula subpelliculosa can use l-proline as a carbon and a nitrogen source after a 6- to 8-hr induction period. However, they cannot use l-glutamate as both nitrogen and carbon sources unless the induction period is of several days' duration. Two l-proline oxidases were demonstrated in the mitochondrial preparation of this yeast. One forms the product Δ′-pyrroline-2-carboxylic acid (P2C), which is in equilibrium with α-keto-δ-amino-valeric acid; the other forms the product Δ′-pyrroline-5-carboxylic acid (P5C), which is in equilibrium with glutamic-γ-semialdehyde. The first-mentioned enzyme is induced when l-proline is the carbon source; the second appears to be constitutive, and is probably associated with the use of l-proline as a nitrogen source. The P2C-forming enzyme is specific for the l isomer of proline, and is inactive against l-hydroxyproline. The enzyme activity is at its peak when the mitochondria are prepared from logarithmically grown cells, and is rapidly reduced after cells reach the stationary phase of growth. Kinetic studies with varying concentrations of substrate indicate a Michaelis-Menten constant of 2.45 × 10−2m. Paper chromatographic studies, chemical tests with H2O2, sensitivity to freezing, and spectral measurements indicate that proline oxidase from H. subpelliculosa mitochondria forms a product from l-proline which is like, if not identical to, P2C formed by the action of sheep kidney d-proline oxidase upon dl-proline. The soluble portion of the cell extract contains NAD+ enzymes which use either P2C (α-keto-δ-amino-valeric acid) or P5C (glutamic-γ-semialdehyde) as substrates. No glutamic dehydrogenase activity could be detected when l-glutamic acid and the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) cofactor were added to the supernatant solution with the

  13. Binding of [alpha, alpha]-Disubstituted Amino Acids to Arginase Suggests New Avenues for Inhibitor Design

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

    Ilies, Monica; Di Costanzo, Luigi; Dowling, Daniel P.

    Arginase is a binuclear manganese metalloenzyme that hydrolyzes L-arginine to form L-ornithine and urea, and aberrant arginase activity is implicated in various diseases such as erectile dysfunction, asthma, atherosclerosis, and cerebral malaria. Accordingly, arginase inhibitors may be therapeutically useful. Continuing our efforts to expand the chemical space of arginase inhibitor design and inspired by the binding of 2-(difluoromethyl)-L-ornithine to human arginase I, we now report the first study of the binding of {alpha},{alpha}-disubstituted amino acids to arginase. Specifically, we report the design, synthesis, and assay of racemic 2-amino-6-borono-2-methylhexanoic acid and racemic 2-amino-6-borono-2-(difluoromethyl)hexanoic acid. X-ray crystal structures of human arginase Imore » and Plasmodium falciparum arginase complexed with these inhibitors reveal the exclusive binding of the L-stereoisomer; the additional {alpha}-substituent of each inhibitor is readily accommodated and makes new intermolecular interactions in the outer active site of each enzyme. Therefore, this work highlights a new region of the protein surface that can be targeted for additional affinity interactions, as well as the first comparative structural insights on inhibitor discrimination between a human and a parasitic arginase.« less

  14. Selective Production of 9R-Hydroxy-10E,12Z,15Z-Octadecatrienoic Acid from α-Linolenic Acid in Perilla Seed Oil Hydrolyzate by a Lipoxygenase from Nostoc Sp. SAG 25.82.

    PubMed

    Kim, Kyoung-Rok; An, Jung-Ung; Lee, Seon-Hwa; Oh, Deok-Kun

    2015-01-01

    Hydroxy fatty acids (HFAs) derived from omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have been known as versatile bioactive molecules. However, its practical production from omega-3 or omega-3 rich oil has not been well established. In the present study, the stereo-selective enzymatic production of 9R-hydroxy-10E,12Z,15Z-octadecatrienoic acid (9R-HOTE) from α-linolenic acid (ALA) in perilla seed oil (PO) hydrolyzate was achieved using purified recombinant 9R-lipoxygenase (9R-LOX) from Nostoc sp. SAG 25.82. The specific activity of the enzyme followed the order linoleic acid (LA) > ALA > γ-linolenic acid (GLA). A total of 75% fatty acids (ALA and LA) were used as a substrate for 9R-LOX from commercial PO by hydrolysis of Candida rugosa lipase. The optimal reaction conditions for the production of 9R-HOTE from ALA using 9R-LOX were pH 8.5, 15°C, 5% (v/v) acetone, 0.2% (w/v) Tween 80, 40 g/L ALA, and 1 g/L enzyme. Under these conditions, 9R-LOX produced 37.6 g/L 9R-HOTE from 40 g/L ALA for 1 h, with a conversion yield of 94% and a productivity of 37.6 g/L/h; and the enzyme produced 34 g/L 9R-HOTE from 40 g/L ALA in PO hydrolyzate for 1 h, with a conversion yields of 85% and a productivity of 34 g/L/h. The enzyme also converted 9R-hydroxy-10E,12Z-octadecadienoic acid (9R-HODE) from 40 g/L LA for 1.0 h, with a conversion yield of 95% and a productivity of 38.4 g/L. This is the highest productivity of HFA from both ALA and ALA-rich vegetable oil using LOX ever reported. Therefore, our result suggests an efficient method for the production of 9R-HFAs from LA and ALA in vegetable oil using recombinant LOX in biotechnology.

  15. Selective Production of 9R-Hydroxy-10E,12Z,15Z-Octadecatrienoic Acid from α-Linolenic Acid in Perilla Seed Oil Hydrolyzate by a Lipoxygenase from Nostoc Sp. SAG 25.82

    PubMed Central

    Kim, Kyoung-Rok; An, Jung-Ung; Lee, Seon-Hwa; Oh, Deok-Kun

    2015-01-01

    Hydroxy fatty acids (HFAs) derived from omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have been known as versatile bioactive molecules. However, its practical production from omega-3 or omega-3 rich oil has not been well established. In the present study, the stereo-selective enzymatic production of 9R-hydroxy-10E,12Z,15Z-octadecatrienoic acid (9R-HOTE) from α-linolenic acid (ALA) in perilla seed oil (PO) hydrolyzate was achieved using purified recombinant 9R-lipoxygenase (9R-LOX) from Nostoc sp. SAG 25.82. The specific activity of the enzyme followed the order linoleic acid (LA) > ALA > γ-linolenic acid (GLA). A total of 75% fatty acids (ALA and LA) were used as a substrate for 9R-LOX from commercial PO by hydrolysis of Candida rugosa lipase. The optimal reaction conditions for the production of 9R-HOTE from ALA using 9R-LOX were pH 8.5, 15°C, 5% (v/v) acetone, 0.2% (w/v) Tween 80, 40 g/L ALA, and 1 g/L enzyme. Under these conditions, 9R-LOX produced 37.6 g/L 9R-HOTE from 40 g/L ALA for 1 h, with a conversion yield of 94% and a productivity of 37.6 g/L/h; and the enzyme produced 34 g/L 9R-HOTE from 40 g/L ALA in PO hydrolyzate for 1 h, with a conversion yields of 85% and a productivity of 34 g/L/h. The enzyme also converted 9R-hydroxy-10E,12Z-octadecadienoic acid (9R-HODE) from 40 g/L LA for 1.0 h, with a conversion yield of 95% and a productivity of 38.4 g/L. This is the highest productivity of HFA from both ALA and ALA-rich vegetable oil using LOX ever reported. Therefore, our result suggests an efficient method for the production of 9R-HFAs from LA and ALA in vegetable oil using recombinant LOX in biotechnology. PMID:26379279

  16. Budesonide treatment is associated with increased bile acid absorption in collagenous colitis.

    PubMed

    Bajor, A; Kilander, A; Gälman, C; Rudling, M; Ung, K-A

    2006-12-01

    Bile acid malabsorption is frequent in collagenous colitis and harmful bile acids may play a pathophysiological role. Glucocorticoids increase ileal bile acid transport. Budesonide have its main effect in the terminal ileum. To evaluate whether the symptomatic effect of budesonide is linked to increased uptake of bile acids. Patients with collagenous colitis were treated with budesonide 9 mg daily for 12 weeks. Prior to and after 8 weeks of treatment, the (75)SeHCAT test, an indirect test for the active uptake of bile acid-s, measurements of serum 7alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one, an indicator of hepatic bile acid synthesis, and registration of symptoms were performed. The median (75)SeHCAT retention increased from 18% to 35% (P < 0.001, n = 25) approaching the values of healthy controls (38%). The 7alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one values decreased significantly among those with initially high synthesis (from 36 to 23 ng/mL, P = 0.04, n = 9); however, for the whole group the values were not altered (19 ng/mL vs. 13 ng/mL, P = 0.23, N.S., n = 19). The normalization of the (75)SeHCAT test and the reduction of bile acid synthesis in patients with initially high synthetic rate, suggests that the effect of budesonide in collagenous colitis may be in part due to decreased bile acid load on the colon.

  17. Antiproliferative activity of king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) venom L-amino acid oxidase.

    PubMed

    Li Lee, Mui; Chung, Ivy; Yee Fung, Shin; Kanthimathi, M S; Hong Tan, Nget

    2014-04-01

    King cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) venom L-amino acid oxidase (LAAO), a heat-stable enzyme, is an extremely potent antiproliferative agent against cancer cells when compared with LAAO isolated from other snake venoms. King cobra venom LAAO was shown to exhibit very strong antiproliferative activities against MCF-7 (human breast adenocarcinoma) and A549 (human lung adenocarcinoma) cells, with an IC50 value of 0.04±0.00 and 0.05±0.00 μg/mL, respectively, after 72-hr treatment. In comparison, its cytotoxicity was about 3-4 times lower when tested against human non-tumourigenic breast (184B5) and lung (NL 20) cells, suggesting selective antitumour activity. Furthermore, its potency in MCF-7 and A549 cell lines was greater than the effects of doxorubicin, a clinically established cancer chemotherapeutic agent, which showed an IC50 value of 0.18±0.03 and 0.63±0.21 μg/mL, respectively, against the two cell lines. The selective cytotoxic action of the LAAO was confirmed by phycoerythrin (PE) annexin V/7-amino-actinomycin (AAD) apoptotic assay, in which a significant increase in apoptotic cells was observed in LAAO-treated tumour cells than in their non-tumourigenic counterparts. The ability of LAAO to induce apoptosis in tumour cells was further demonstrated using caspase-3/7 and DNA fragmentation assays. We also determined that this enzyme may target oxidative stress in its killing of tumour cells, as its cytotoxicity was significantly reduced in the presence of catalase (a H2O2 scavenger). In view of its heat stability and selective and potent cytotoxic action on cancer cells, king cobra venom LAAO can be potentially developed for treating solid tumours. © 2013 Nordic Association for the Publication of BCPT (former Nordic Pharmacological Society).

  18. Characterization of polyphenol oxidase from Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana L.) fruit.

    PubMed

    Bravo, Karent; Osorio, Edison

    2016-04-15

    Cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana) is an exotic fruit highly valued, however it is a very rich source of polyphenol oxidase (PPO). In this study, Cape gooseberry PPO was isolated and biochemically characterized. The enzyme was extracted and purified using acetone and aqueous two-phase systems. The data indicated that PPO had the highest substrate affinity for chlorogenic acid, 4-methylcatechol and catechol. Chlorogenic acid was the most suitable substrate (Km=0.56±0.07 mM and Vmax=53.15±2.03 UPPO mL(-1) min(-1)). The optimal pH values were 5.5 for catechol and 4-methylcatechol and 5.0 for chlorogenic acid. Optimal temperatures were 40°C for catechol, 25°C for 4-methylcatechol and 20°C for chlorogenic acid. In inhibition tests, the most potent inhibitor was found to be ascorbic acid followed by L-cysteine and quercetin. This study shows possible treatments that can be implemented during the processing of Cape gooseberry fruits to prevent browning. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. Crystal structure of heterotetrameric sarcosine oxidase from Corynebacterium sp. U-96

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

    Ida, Koh; E-mail: idakoh@sci.kitasato-u.ac.jp; Moriguchi, Tomotaka

    2005-07-29

    Sarcosine oxidase from Corynebacterium sp. U-96 is a heterotetrameric enzyme. Here we report the crystal structures of the enzyme in complex with dimethylglycine and folinic acid. The {alpha} subunit is composed of two domains, contains NAD{sup +}, and binds folinic acid. The {beta} subunit contains dimethylglycine, FAD, and FMN, and these flavins are approximately 10 A apart. The {gamma} subunit is in contact with two domains of {alpha} subunit and has possibly a folate-binding structure. The {delta} subunit contains a single atom of zinc and has a Cys{sub 3}His zinc finger structure. Based on the structures determined and on themore » previous works, the structure-function relationship on the heterotetrameric sarcosine oxidase is discussed.« less

  20. Carboxylic Acids as Indicators of Parent Body Conditions

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lerner N. R.; Chang, Sherwood (Technical Monitor)

    1995-01-01

    Alpha-hydroxy and alpha-amino carboxylic acids found on the Murchison meteorite are deuterium enriched. It is postulated that they arose from a common interstellar scurce: the reaction of carbonyl compounds in an aqueous mixture containing HCN and NH3. Carbonyl compounds react with HCN to form alpha-hydroxy nitriles, RR'CO + HCN right and left arrow RR'C(OH)CN. If ammonia is also present, the alpha-hydroxy nitriles will exist in equilibrium with the alpha-amino nitriles, RR'C(OH)CN + NH3 right and left arrow - RRCNH2CN + H2O. Both nitrites are hydrolyzed by water to form carboxylic acids: RR'C(OH)CN + H2O yields RR'C(OH)CO2H and RR'C(NH2)CN + H2O yields RR'C(NH2)CO2H.

  1. Biotransformation of 5-hydroxy-methylfurfural into 2,5-furan-dicarboxylic acid by bacterial isolate using thermal acid algal hydrolysate.

    PubMed

    Yang, Chu-Fang; Huang, Ci-Ruei

    2016-08-01

    Thermal acid hydrolysis is often used to deal with lignocellulosic biomasses, but 5-hydroxy-methylfurfural (5-HMF) formed during hydrolysis deeply influences downstream fermentation. 2,5-Furan-dicarboxylic acid (FDCA), which is in the list of future important biomass platform molecules can be obtained using 5-HMF biotransformation. Based on the connection between 5-HMF removal in acid hydrolysate and FDCA production, the optimum thermal acid hydrolysis condition for macroalgae Chaetomorpha linum was established. Potential microbes capable of transforming 5-HMF into FDCA were isolated and characterized under various parameters and inoculated into algal hydrolysate to perform 5-HMF biotransformation. The optimum hydrolysis condition was to apply 0.5M HCl to treat 3% algal biomass under 121°C for 15min. Isolated Burkholderia cepacia H-2 could transform 2000mg/L 5-HMF at the initial pH of 7 at 28°C and 1276mg/L FDCA was received. Strain B. cepacia H-2 was suitable for treating the algal hydrolysate without dilution, receiving 989.5mg/L FDCA. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  2. Overexpression of Lactobacillus casei D-hydroxyisocaproic acid dehydrogenase in cheddar cheese.

    PubMed

    Broadbent, Jeffery R; Gummalla, Sanjay; Hughes, Joanne E; Johnson, Mark E; Rankin, Scott A; Drake, Mary Anne

    2004-08-01

    Metabolism of aromatic amino acids by lactic acid bacteria is an important source of off-flavor compounds in Cheddar cheese. Previous work has shown that alpha-keto acids produced from Trp, Tyr, and Phe by aminotransferase enzymes are chemically labile and may degrade spontaneously into a variety of off-flavor compounds. However, dairy lactobacilli can convert unstable alpha-keto acids to more-stable alpha-hydroxy acids via the action of alpha-keto acid dehydrogenases such as d-hydroxyisocaproic acid dehydrogenase. To further characterize the role of this enzyme in cheese flavor, the Lactobacillus casei d-hydroxyisocaproic acid dehydrogenase gene was cloned into the high-copy-number vector pTRKH2 and transformed into L. casei ATCC 334. Enzyme assays confirmed that alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase activity was significantly higher in pTRKH2:dhic transformants than in wild-type cells. Reduced-fat Cheddar cheeses were made with Lactococcus lactis starter only, starter plus L. casei ATCC 334, and starter plus L. casei ATCC 334 transformed with pTRKH2:dhic. After 3 months of aging, the cheese chemistry and flavor attributes were evaluated instrumentally by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and by descriptive sensory analysis. The culture system used significantly affected the concentrations of various ketones, aldehydes, alcohols, and esters and one sulfur compound in cheese. Results further indicated that enhanced expression of d-hydroxyisocaproic acid dehydrogenase suppressed spontaneous degradation of alpha-keto acids, but sensory work indicated that this effect retarded cheese flavor development.

  3. Demonstration of 3 alpha(17 beta)-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase distinct from 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in hamster liver.

    PubMed Central

    Ohmura, M; Hara, A; Nakagawa, M; Sawada, H

    1990-01-01

    NAD(+)-linked and NADP(+)-linked 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases were purified to homogeneity from hamster liver cytosol. The two monomeric enzymes, although having similar molecular masses of 38,000, differed from each other in pI values, activation energy and heat stability. The two proteins also gave different fragmentation patterns by gel electrophoresis after digestion with protease. The NADP(+)-linked enzyme catalysed the oxidoreduction of various 3 alpha-hydroxysteroids, whereas the NAD(+)-linked enzyme oxidized the 3 alpha-hydroxy group of pregnanes and some bile acids, and the 17 beta-hydroxy group of testosterone and androstanes. The thermal stabilities of the 3 alpha- and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities of the NAD(+)-linked enzyme were identical, and the two enzyme activities were inhibited by mixing 17 beta- and 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid substrates, respectively. Medroxyprogesterone acetate, hexoestrol and 3 beta-hydroxysteroids competitively inhibited 3 alpha- and 17 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities of the enzyme. These results show that hamster liver contains a 3 alpha(17 beta)-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase structurally and functionally distinct from 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Images Fig. 1. Fig. 2. PMID:2317205

  4. Production of a new D-amino acid oxidase from the fungus Fusarium oxysporum.

    PubMed

    Gabler, M; Fischer, L

    1999-08-01

    The fungus Fusarium oxysporum produced a D-amino acid oxidase (EC 1. 4.3.3) in a medium containing glucose as the carbon and energy source and ammonium sulfate as the nitrogen source. The specific D-amino acid oxidase activity was increased up to 12.5-fold with various D-amino acids or their corresponding derivatives as inducers. The best inducers were D-alanine (2.7 microkat/g of dry biomass) and D-3-aminobutyric acid (2.6 microkat/g of dry biomass). The addition of zinc ions was necessary to permit the induction of peroxisomal D-amino acid oxidase. Bioreactor cultivations were performed on a 50-liter scale, yielding a volumetric D-amino acid oxidase activity of 17 microkat liter(-1) with D-alanine as an inducer. Under oxygen limitation, the volumetric activity was increased threefold to 54 microkat liter(-1) (3,240 U liter(-1)).

  5. Nucleic Acid Homologies Among Oxidase-Negative Moraxella Species

    PubMed Central

    Johnson, John L.; Anderson, Robert S.; Ordal, Erling J.

    1970-01-01

    The deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) base composition and DNA homologies of more than 40 strains of oxidase-negative Moraxella species were determined. These bacteria have also been identified as belonging to the Mima-Herellea-Acinetobacter group and the Bacterium anitratum group, as well as to several other genera including Achromobacter and Alcaligenes. The DNA base content of these strains ranged from 40 to 46% guanine plus cytosine. DNA–DNA competition experiments distinguished five groups whose members were determined by showing 50% or more homology to one of the reference strains: B. anitratum type B5W, Achromobacter haemolyticus var. haemolyticus, Alcaligenes haemolysans, Achromobacter metalcaligenes, and Moraxella lwoffi. A sixth group comprised those strains showing less than 50% homology to any of the reference strains. Negligible homology was found between strains of oxidase-negative and oxidase-positive Moraxella species in DNA–DNA competition experiments. However, evidence of a distant relationship between the two groups was obtained in competition experiments by using ribosomal ribonucleic acid. PMID:5413826

  6. Alpha-lipoic acid improves subclinical left ventricular dysfunction in asymptomatic patients with type 1 diabetes.

    PubMed

    Hegazy, Sahar K; Tolba, Osama A; Mostafa, Tarek M; Eid, Manal A; El-Afify, Dalia R

    2013-01-01

    Oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a powerful antioxidant that may have a protective role in diabetic cardiac dysfunction. We investigated the possible beneficial effect of alpha-lipoic acid on diabetic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in children and adolescents with asymptomatic type 1 diabetes (T1D). Thirty T1D patients (aged 10-14) were randomized to receive insulin treatment (n = 15) or insulin plus alpha-lipoic acid 300 mg twice daily (n = 15) for four months. Age and sex matched healthy controls (n = 15) were also included. Patients were evaluated with conventional 2-dimensional echocardiographic examination (2D), pulsed tissue Doppler (PTD), and 2-dimensional longitudinal strain echocardiography (2DS) before and after therapy. Glutathione, malondialdhyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), Fas ligand (Fas-L), matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), and troponin-I were determined and correlated to echocardiographic parameters. Diabetic patients had significantly lower levels of glutathione and significantly higher MDA, NO, TNF-alpha, Fas-L, MMP-2, and troponin-I levels than control subjects. The expression of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was also increased in diabetic patients. Significant correlations of mitral e'/a' ratio and left ventricular global peak systolic strain with glutathione, MDA, NO, TNF-alpha, and Fas-L were observed in diabetic patients. Alpha-lipoic acid significantly increased glutathione level and significantly decreased MDA, NO, TNF-alpha, Fas-L, MMP-2, troponin-I levels, and TGF-beta gene expression. Moreover, alpha-lipoic acid significantly increased mitral e'/a' ratio and left ventricular global peak systolic strain in diabetic patients. These findings suggest that alpha-lipoic acid may have a role in preventing the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy in type 1 diabetes.

  7. Tautomerism in N-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthylidene)amino acids and the search for an answer to the difficult question about where the proton belongs

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Warncke, Gisela; Fels, Sabine; Brendler, Erica; Böhme, Uwe

    2016-08-01

    N-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthylidene)-L-valine 1, N-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthylidene)-L-phenylalanine 2, and N-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthylidene)-L-threonine 3 were prepared and characterized with spectroscopic methods, elemental analyses, and values of optical rotation. Compound 1 undergoes a solid state order-disorder phase transition at 231 K. The X-ray structures of the high and low temperature phase of 1 have been determined. Single crystal X-ray structures of 2 and 3 have been determined as well. The tautomerism of N-(2-hydroxy-1-naphthylidene)amino acid derivatives is discussed controversial in the literature. A bond lengths statistical analysis shows that all three compounds exist uniformly in the keto-amine form in the solid state. Quantum chemical calculations, NMR, and UV-Vis spectroscopy were used to obtain further insight into the existence of phenol-imine and keto-amine structures in this class of compounds.

  8. Simultaneous quantification of epoxy and hydroxy fatty acids as oxidation products of triacylglycerols in edible oils.

    PubMed

    Xia, Wei; Budge, Suzanne M

    2018-02-16

    Epoxy and hydroxy fatty acids are important intermediates during lipid oxidation; quantification of both structures may help evaluate the extent of competition among various lipid oxidation pathways. This article describes a method to simultaneously determine saturated- and unsaturated- epoxy and hydroxy fatty acids derived from oxidation of vegetable oils. The experimental procedures employed transesterification with sodium methoxide, separation of epoxy and hydroxy fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) using solid-phase extraction (SPE), and trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatization of hydroxy groups. GC-MS was used to identify the epoxy and hydroxy FAME in two different SPE fractions, while GC-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) was used to determine their quantities. Epoxy-octadecanoate/octadecenoate and hydroxy-octadecanoate/octadecenoate/octadecadienoate were determined as lipid oxidation products generated from oxidation of sunflower and canola oils. An isomer of methyl 13-hydroxyoctadeca-9,11-dienoate (13-HODE) TMS ether co-eluted with methyl 15-hydroxyoctadeca-9,12-dienoate TMS ether, which was only present in canola oil; thus, GC-MS-selected ion monitoring (GC-MS-SIM) was used to determine the concentration of 13-HODE. The proposed method has been successfully applied to monitor epoxy and hydroxy fatty acids in sunflower oil and canola oil oxidized at 40 °C. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  9. Minimizing the effects of oxygen interference on l-lactate sensors by a single amino acid mutation in Aerococcus viridansl-lactate oxidase.

    PubMed

    Hiraka, Kentaro; Kojima, Katsuhiro; Lin, Chi-En; Tsugawa, Wakako; Asano, Ryutaro; La Belle, Jeffrey T; Sode, Koji

    2018-04-30

    l-lactate biosensors employing l-lactate oxidase (LOx) have been developed mainly to measure l-lactate concentration for clinical diagnostics, sports medicine, and the food industry. Some l-lactate biosensors employ artificial electron mediators, but these can negatively impact the detection of l-lactate by competing with the primary electron acceptor: molecular oxygen. In this paper, a strategic approach to engineering an AvLOx that minimizes the effects of oxygen interference on sensor strips was reported. First, we predicted an oxygen access pathway in Aerococcus viridans LOx (AvLOx) based on its crystal structure. This was subsequently blocked by a bulky amino acid substitution. The resulting Ala96Leu mutant showed a drastic reduction in oxidase activity using molecular oxygen as the electron acceptor and a small increase in dehydrogenase activity employing an artificial electron acceptor. Secondly, the Ala96Leu mutant was immobilized on a screen-printed carbon electrode using glutaraldehyde cross-linking method. Amperometric analysis was performed with potassium ferricyanide as an electron mediator under argon or atmospheric conditions. Under argon condition, the response current increased linearly from 0.05 to 0.5mM l-lactate for both wild-type and Ala96Leu. However, under atmospheric conditions, the response of wild-type AvLOx electrode was suppressed by 9-12% due to oxygen interference. The Ala96Leu mutant maintained 56-69% of the response current at the same l-lactate level and minimized the relative bias error to -19% from -49% of wild-type. This study provided significant insight into the enzymatic reaction mechanism of AvLOx and presented a novel approach to minimize oxygen interference in sensor applications, which will enable accurate detection of l-lactate concentrations. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  10. Characterization of polyphenol oxidase from blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L.).

    PubMed

    Siddiq, M; Dolan, K D

    2017-03-01

    Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was extracted and characterized from high-bush blueberries. PPO showed an optimum activity at pH 6.1-6.3 and 35°C, with the enzyme showing significant activity over a wide temperature range (25-60°C). Catechol was the most readily oxidized substrate followed by 4-methylcatechol, DL-DOPA, and dopamine. Blueberry PPO showed a K m of 15mM and V max of 2.57 ΔA 420 nm/min×10 -1 , determined with catechol. PPO was completely inactivated in 20min at 85°C, however, after 30minat 75°C it showed about 10% residual activity. Thermal treatment at 55 and 65°C for 30min resulted in the partial inactivation of PPO. Ascorbic acid, sodium diethyldithiocarbamic acid, L-cysteine, and sodium metabisulfite were effective inhibitors of PPO at 1.0mM. Benzoic acid and cinnamic acid series inhibitors showed relatively weak inhibition of PPO (21.8-27.6%), even at as high as 2.0mM concentration. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  11. Biotechnology for improved hHydroxy fatty acid production in oilseed lesquerella

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    The conventional source of hydroxy fatty acid (HFA) is from castor (Ricinus communis), 90% of castor oil is ricinoleic acid (18:1OH). Ricinoleic acid and its derivatives are used as raw materials for numerous industrial products, such as lubricants, plasticizers and surfactants. The production of ca...

  12. Sensitive assay, based on hydroxy fatty acids from lipopolysaccharide lipid A, for Gram-negative bacteria in sediments.

    PubMed Central

    Parker, J H; Smith, G A; Fredrickson, H L; Vestal, J R; White, D C

    1982-01-01

    Biochemical measures have provided insight into the biomass and community structure of sedimentary microbiota without the requirement of selection by growth or quantitative removal from the sediment grains. This study used the assay of the hydroxy fatty acids released from the lipid A of the lipopolysaccharide in sediments to provide an estimate of the gram-negative bacteria. The method was sensitive to picomolar amounts of hydroxy fatty acids. The recovery of lipopolysaccharide hydroxy fatty acids from organisms added to sediments was quantitative. The lipids were extracted from the sediments with single-phase chloroform-methanol extraction. The lipid-extraction residue was hydrolyzed in 1 N HCl, and the hydroxy fatty acids of the lipopolysaccharide were recovered in chloroform for analysis by gas-liquid chromatography. This method proved to be about fivefold more sensitive than the classical phenol-water or trichloroacetic acid methods when applied to marine sediments. By examination of the patterns of hydroxy fatty acids, it was also possible to help define the community structure of the sedimentary gram-negative bacteria. PMID:6817712

  13. Seed development and hydroxy fatty acid biosynthesis in physaria lindheimeri

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Hydroxy fatty acids (HFAs) are valuable industrial raw materials used in many industries. Physaria lindheimeri (Pl) accumulates over 80% HFA, in the form of lesquerolic acid (20:1OH), in its seed oil. Understanding the seed development of Pl is an important step to utilizing this unique wild specie...

  14. Synthesis, characterization and crystal structure of (2RS,4R)-2-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Muche, Simon; Müller, Matthias; Hołyńska, Małgorzata

    2018-03-01

    The condensation reaction of ortho-vanillin and L-cysteine leads to formation of a racemic mixture of (2RS,4R)-2-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid and not, as reported in the available literature, to a Schiff base. The racemic mixture was fully characterized by 1D and 2D NMR techniques, ESI-MS and X-ray diffraction. Addition of ZnCl2 led to formation of crystals in form of colorless needles, suitable for X-ray diffraction studies. The measured crystals were identified as the diastereomer (2R,4R)-2-(2-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid 1. The bulk material is racemic. Thiazolidine exists as zwitterion in solid state, as indicated by the crystal structure.

  15. An antiaging skin care system containing alpha hydroxy acids and vitamins improves the biomechanical parameters of facial skin.

    PubMed

    Tran, Diana; Townley, Joshua P; Barnes, Tanya M; Greive, Kerryn A

    2015-01-01

    The demand for antiaging products has dramatically increased in recent years, driven by an aging population seeking to maintain the appearance of youth. This study investigates the effects of an antiaging skin care system containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) in conjunction with vitamins B3, C, and E on the biomechanical parameters of facial skin. Fifty two volunteers followed an antiaging skin care regimen comprising of cleanser, eye cream, day moisturizer, and night moisturizer for 21 days. Wrinkle depth (Ry ) and skin roughness (Ra ) were measured by skin surface profilometry of the crow's feet area, and skin elasticity parameters R2 (gross elasticity), R5 (net elasticity), R6 (viscoelastic portion), and R7 (recovery after deformation) were determined for facial skin by cutometer, preapplication and after 7, 14, and 21 days. Volunteers also completed a self-assessment questionnaire. Compared to baseline, Ry and Ra significantly improved by 32.5% (P<0.0001) and 42.9% (P<0.0001), respectively, after 21 days of antiaging skin care treatment. These results were observed by the volunteers with 9 out of 10 discerning an improvement in skin texture and smoothness. Compared to baseline, R2 and R5 significantly increased by 15.2% (P<0.0001) and 12.5% (P=0.0449), respectively, while R6 significantly decreased by 17.7% (P<0.0001) after 21 days. R7 increased by 9.7% after 21 days compared to baseline but this was not significant over this time period. An antiaging skin care system containing AHAs and vitamins significantly improves the biomechanical parameters of the skin including wrinkles and skin texture, as well as elasticity without significant adverse effects.

  16. 40 CFR 721.5252 - 2-Naphthalenecarboxylic acid, 4,4′-methylenebis [3-hydroxy-, zinc salt.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ...-methylenebis [3-hydroxy-, zinc salt. 721.5252 Section 721.5252 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL...′-methylenebis [3-hydroxy-, zinc salt. (a) Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to reporting. (1) The chemical substance identified as 2-Naphthalenecarboxylic acid, 4,4′-methylenebis [3-hydroxy-, zinc...

  17. 40 CFR 721.5252 - 2-Naphthalenecarboxylic acid, 4,4′-methylenebis [3-hydroxy-, zinc salt.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ...-methylenebis [3-hydroxy-, zinc salt. 721.5252 Section 721.5252 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL...′-methylenebis [3-hydroxy-, zinc salt. (a) Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to reporting. (1) The chemical substance identified as 2-Naphthalenecarboxylic acid, 4,4′-methylenebis [3-hydroxy-, zinc...

  18. Structure of {alpha}-Glycerophosphate Oxidase from Streptococcus sp.: A Template for the Mitochondrial {alpha}-Glycerophosphate Dehydrogenase

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

    Colussi,T.; Parsonage, D.; Boles, W.

    The FAD-dependent a-glycerophosphate oxidase (GlpO) from Enterococcus casseliflavus and Streptococcus sp. was originally studied as a soluble flavoprotein oxidase; surprisingly, the GlpO sequence is 30-43% identical to those of the a-glycerophosphate dehydrogenases (GlpDs) from mitochondrial and bacterial sources. The structure of a deletion mutant of Streptococcus sp. GlpO (GlpO?, lacking a 50-residue insert that includes a flexible surface region) has been determined using multiwavelength anomalous dispersion data and refined at 2.3 Angstroms resolution. Using the GlpO? structure as a search model, we have also determined the intact GlpO structure, as refined at 2.4 Angstroms resolution. The first two domains ofmore » the GlpO fold are most closely related to those of the flavoprotein glycine oxidase, where they function in FAD binding and substrate binding, respectively; the GlpO C-terminal domain consists of two helix bundles and is not closely related to any known structure. The flexible surface region in intact GlpO corresponds to a segment of missing electron density that links the substrate-binding domain to a {beta}a element of the FAD-binding domain. In accordance with earlier biochemical studies (stabilizations of the covalent FAD-N5-sulfite adduct and p-quinonoid form of 8-mercapto-FAD), Ile430-N, Thr431-N, and Thr431-OG are hydrogen bonded to FAD-O2a in GlpO?, stabilizing the negative charge in these two modified flavins and facilitating transfer of a hydride to FAD-N5 (from Glp) as well. Active-site overlays with the glycine oxidase-N-acetylglycine and d-amino acid oxidase-d-alanine complexes demonstrate that Arg346 of GlpO? is structurally equivalent to Arg302 and Arg285, respectively; in both cases, these residues interact directly with the amino acid substrate or inhibitor carboxylate. The structural and functional divergence between GlpO and the bacterial and mitochondrial GlpDs is also discussed.« less

  19. Process for producing peracids from aliphatic hydroxy carboxylic acids

    DOEpatents

    Chum, Helena L.; Ratcliff, Matthew A.; Palasz, Peter D.

    1986-01-01

    A process for producing peracids from lactic acid-containing solutions derived from biomass processing systems comprising: adjusting the pH of the solution to about 8-9 and removing alkaline residue fractions therefrom to form a solution comprised substantially of lower aliphatic hydroxy acids; oxidizing the solution to produce volatile lower aliphatic aldehydes; removing said aldehydes as they are generated; and converting said aldehydes to peracids.

  20. Fragrance material review on 16-hydroxy-7-hexadecenoic acid lactone.

    PubMed

    McGinty, D; Letizia, C S; Api, A M

    2011-12-01

    A toxicologic and dermatologic review of 16-hydroxy-7-hexadecenoic acid lactone when used as a fragrance ingredient is presented. 16-Hydroxy-7-hexadecenoic acid lactone is a member of the fragrance structural group macrocyclic lactone and lactide derivatives. The fragrance ingredient described herein is one of 12 structurally diverse C14, C15 and C16 compounds that include (1) saturated mono-and (2) saturated di-ester lactones and (3) unsaturated lactones. For the latter, the double bond is not adjacent to (in conjugation with) the ester group. This review contains a detailed summary of all available toxicology and dermatology papers that are related to 16-hydroxy-7-hexadecenoic acid lactone and is not intended as a stand-alone document. Available data were evaluated, then summarized, and include physical properties data. A safety assessment of the entire macrocyclic lactone and lactide derivatives will be published simultaneously with this document. Please refer to Belsito et al., 2011 for an overall assessment of the safe use of this material and all macrocyclic lactone and lactide derivatives in fragrances. Belsito, D., Bickers, D., Bruze, M., Calow, P., Dagli, M., Fryer, A.D., Greim, H., Hanifin, J.H., Miyachi, Y., Saurat, J.H., Sipes, I.G., 2011. A toxicologic and dermatologic assessment of macrocylic lactones and lactide derivatives when used as fragrance ingredients. Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  1. Reasons for the occurrence of the twenty coded protein amino acids

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Weber, A. L.; Miller, S. L.

    1981-01-01

    Factors involved in the selection of the 20 protein L-alpha-amino acids during chemical evolution and the early stages of Darwinian evolution are discussed. The selection is considered on the basis of the availability in the primitive ocean, function in proteins, the stability of the amino acid and its peptides, stability to racemization, and stability on the transfer RNA. It is concluded that aspartic acid, glutamic acid, arginine, lysine, serine and possibly threonine are the best choices for acidic, basic and hydroxy amino acids. The hydrophobic amino acids are reasonable choices, except for the puzzling absences of alpha-amino-n-butyric acid, norvaline and norleucine. The choices of the sulfur and aromatic amino acids seem reasonable, but are not compelling. Asparagine and glutamine are apparently not primitive. If life were to arise on another planet, it would be expected that the catalysts would be poly-alpha-amino acids and that about 75% of the amino acids would be the same as on the earth.

  2. Effect of astaxanthin in combination with alpha-tocopherol or ascorbic acid against oxidative damage in diabetic ODS rats.

    PubMed

    Nakano, Masako; Onodera, Aya; Saito, Emi; Tanabe, Miyako; Yajima, Kazue; Takahashi, Jiro; Nguyen, Van Chuyen

    2008-08-01

    The present study was performed to investigate the effect of astaxanthin in combination with other antioxidants against oxidative damage in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic Osteogenic Disorder Shionogi (ODS) rats. Diabetic-ODS rats were divided into five groups: control, astaxanthin, ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol, and tocotrienol. Each of the four experimental groups was administered a diet containing astaxanthin (0.1 g/kg), in combination with ascorbic acid (3.0 g/kg), alpha-tocopherol (0.1 g/kg), or tocotrienol (0.1 g/kg) for 20 wk. The effects of astaxanthin with other antioxidants on lipid peroxidation, urinary 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) excretion, serum creatinine (Cr) level, creatinine clearance (Ccr), and urinary protein content were assessed. The serum lipid peroxide levels and chemiluminescent (CL) intensity in the liver of the alpha-tocopherol and tocotrienol groups were significantly reduced in comparison to that of the control group. In the alpha-tocopherol group, urinary 8-OHdG excretion, serum Cr level, Ccr, urinary albumin excretion, and urinary protein concentration were significantly decreased as compared with those in the control group. Additionally, the CL intensity in the kidney of the alpha-tocopherol group was significantly lower, but that of the ascorbic acid group was significantly higher than that in the control group. These results indicate that dietary astaxanthin in combination with alpha-tocopherol has an inhibitory effect on oxidative stress. On the other hand, our study suggests that excessive ascorbic acid intake increases lipid peroxidation in diabetic rats.

  3. Multicomponent hydrogen-bonding organic solids constructed from 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid and N-heterocycles: Synthesis, structural characterization and synthon discussion

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Zong, Yingxia; Shao, Hui; Pang, Yanyan; Wang, Debao; Liu, Kang; Wang, Lei

    2016-07-01

    Seven novel multicomponent crystals involving various substituted organic amine molecules and 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid were prepared and characterized by using single crystal X-ray diffraction, infrared and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA). Crystal structures with 1,4-bis(imidazol) butane (L1) 1, 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene (L2) 2, 1-phenyl piperazine 3, 2-amino-4-hydroxy-6-methyl pyrimidine 4, 4,4'-bipyridine 5, 5,5'-dimethyl-2,2'-dipyridine 6, 2-amino-4,6-dimethyl pyrimidine 7 were determined. Among the seven molecular complexes, total proton transfer from 6-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid to coformer has occurred in crystals 1-4, while the remaining were cocrystals. X-ray single-crystal structures of these complexes reveal that strong hydrogen bonding O-H···O/N-H···O/O-H···N and weak C-H···O/C-H···π/π···π intermolecular interactions direct the packing modes of molecular crystals together. The analysis of supramolecular synthons in the present structures shows that some classical supramolecular synthons like pyridine-carboxylic acid heterosynthon R22 (7) and aminopyridine-carboxylic acid heterosynthon R22 (8), are again observed in constructing the hydrogen-bonding networks in this paper. Besides, we noticed that water molecules act as a significant hydrogen-bonding connector in constructing supramolecular architectures of 3, 4, 6, and 7.

  4. Role of L-lysine-alpha-ketoglutarate aminotransferase in catabolism of lysine as a nitrogen source for Rhodotorula glutinis.

    PubMed Central

    Kinzel, J J; Winston, M K; Bhattacharjee, J K

    1983-01-01

    Wild-type and saccharopine dehydrogenaseless mutant strains of Rhodotorula glutinis grew in minimal medium containing lysine as the sole nitrogen source and simultaneously accumulated, in the culture supernatant, large amounts of a product identified as alpha-aminoadipic-delta-semialdehyde. The saccharopine dehydrogenase and pipecolic acid oxidase levels remained unchanged in wild-type cells grown in the presence of ammonium or lysine as the nitrogen source. Lysine-alpha-ketoglutarate aminotransferase activity was demonstrated in ammonium-grown cells. This activity was depressed in cells grown in the presence of lysine as the sole source of nitrogen. PMID:6408065

  5. Seasonal variations of low molecular weight hydroxy-dicarboxylic acids and oxaloacetic acid in remote marine aerosols from Chichijima Island in the western North Pacific (December 2010-November 2011)

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Gowda, Divyavani; Kawamura, Kimitaka

    2018-05-01

    Concentrations of homologous hydroxy-dicarboxylic acids (diacids) (hC3-hC6) and keto-diacid (oxaloacetic acid) were measured in the atmospheric aerosols collected at Chichijima Island (27.04° N, 142.13° E) in the western North Pacific from December 2010 to November 2011. The monthly averaged concentrations of hydroxy-diacids and oxaloacetic acid were significantly higher in spring followed by winter and autumn. Molecular distributions of hydroxy-diacids demonstrated that malic acid was the most abundant species in all four seasons, followed by tartronic acid in winter and spring and 3- and 2-hydroxyglutaric acids in summer and autumn. Hydroxy-diacids and keto-diacid maximized in spring and winter when air masses originated from the Asian continent with westerly winds. The concentrations of total hydroxy-diacids and oxaloacetic acid ranged from 0.1 to 27.3 ng m-3 and <0.005 to 2 ng m-3, respectively. The enhanced concentrations of diacids and their intermediates in winter and spring are associated with a long-range atmospheric transport of pollutants from East Asia to remote Chichijima Island followed by photochemical processing of organic aerosols. Seasonal molecular distribution of hydroxy-diacids and oxaloacetic acid was found to be dependent on the source strengths and plausible photochemical processing to form smaller diacids. Moderate to strong correlations among hydroxy-diacids, oxaloacetic acid and low molecular weight (LMW) diacids suggest that hydroxy-diacids and oxaloacetic acid are the intermediates in the photochemical oxidation of LMW diacid. Hence, photochemical formation of the most abundant LMW diacids, i.e., oxalic acid, could be produced from hydroxy- and keto-diacid as intermediates.

  6. Process for producing peracids from aliphatic hydroxy carboxylic acids

    DOEpatents

    Chum, H.L.; Palasz, P.D.; Ratcliff, M.A.

    1984-12-20

    A process is described for producing peracids from lactic acid-containing solutions derived from biomass processing systems. It consists of adjusting the pH of the solution to about 8 to 9 and removing alkaline residue fractions therefrom to form a solution comprised substantially of lower aliphatic hydroxy acids. The solution is oxidized to produce volatile lower aliphatic aldehydes. The aldehydes are removed as they are generated and converted to peracids.

  7. Thermostable and highly specific L-aspartate oxidase from Thermococcus litoralis DSM 5473: cloning, overexpression, and enzymological properties.

    PubMed

    Washio, Tsubasa; Oikawa, Tadao

    2018-01-01

    We successfully expressed the L-aspartate oxidase homolog gene (accession no: OCC_06611) of Thermococcus litoralis DSM 5473 in the soluble fraction of Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) using a pET21b vector with 6X His tag at its C-terminus. The gene product (Tl-LASPO) showed L-aspartate oxidase activity in the presence of FAD in vitro, and this report is the first that details an L-aspartate oxidase derived from a Thermococcus species. The homologs of Tl-LASPO existed mainly in archaea, especially in the genus of Thermococcus, Pyrococcus, Sulfolobus, and Halobacteria. The quaternary structure of Tl-LASPO was homotrimeric with a subunit molecular mass of 52 kDa. The enzyme activity of Tl-LASPO increased with temperature up to 70 °C. Tl-LASPO was active from pH 6.0 to 9.0, and its highest activity was at pH 8.0. Tl-LASPO was stable at 80 °C for 1 h. The highest k cat /K m value was observed in assays at 70 °C. Tl-LASPO was highly specific for L-aspartic acid. Tl-LASPO utilized fumaric acid, 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol, and ferricyanide in addition to FAD as a cofactor under anaerobic conditions. The absorption spectrum of holo-Tl-LASPO exhibited maxima at 380 and 450 nm. The FAD dissociation constant, K d , of the FAD-Tl-LASPO complex was determined to be 5.9 × 10 -9 M.

  8. Biotechnology for improving hydroxy fatty acid production in lesquerella

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    P Lesquerella [Physaria fendleri (A. Gray)], formerly Lesquerella fendleri, (Brassicaceae), being developed as a new industrial oilseed crop in the southwestern region of the United States, is valued for its unusual hydroxy fatty acid (HFA) in seed. The majority of HFA in lesquerella is lesquerolic...

  9. Anti-allergic Hydroxy Fatty Acids from Typhonium blumei Explored through ChemGPS-NP

    PubMed Central

    Korinek, Michal; Tsai, Yi-Hong; El-Shazly, Mohamed; Lai, Kuei-Hung; Backlund, Anders; Wu, Shou-Fang; Lai, Wan-Chun; Wu, Tung-Ying; Chen, Shu-Li; Wu, Yang-Chang; Cheng, Yuan-Bin; Hwang, Tsong-Long; Chen, Bing-Hung; Chang, Fang-Rong

    2017-01-01

    Increasing prevalence of allergic diseases with an inadequate variety of treatment drives forward search for new alternative drugs. Fatty acids, abundant in nature, are regarded as important bioactive compounds and powerful nutrients playing an important role in lipid homeostasis and inflammation. Phytochemical study on Typhonium blumei Nicolson and Sivadasan (Araceae), a folk anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory medicine, yielded four oxygenated fatty acids, 12R-hydroxyoctadec-9Z,13E-dienoic acid methyl ester (1) and 10R-hydroxyoctadec-8E,12Z-dienoic acid methyl ester (2), 9R-hydroxy-10E-octadecenoic acid methyl ester (3), and 12R*-hydroxy-10E-octadecenoic acid methyl ester (4). Isolated compounds were identified by spectroscopic methods along with GC-MS analysis. Isolated fatty acids together with a series of saturated, unsaturated and oxygenated fatty acids were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic activities in vitro. Unsaturated (including docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids) as well as hydroxylated unsaturated fatty acids exerted strong anti-inflammatory activity in superoxide anion generation (IC50 2.14–3.73 μM) and elastase release (IC50 1.26–4.57 μM) assays. On the other hand, in the anti-allergic assays, the unsaturated fatty acids were inactive, while hydroxylated fatty acids showed promising inhibitory activity in A23187- and antigen-induced degranulation assays (e.g., 9S-hydroxy-10E,12Z-octadecadienoic acid, IC50 92.4 and 49.7 μM, respectively). According to our results, the presence of a hydroxy group in the long chain did not influence the potent anti-inflammatory activity of free unsaturated acids. Nevertheless, hydroxylation of fatty acids (or their methyl esters) seems to be a key factor for the anti-allergic activity observed in the current study. Moreover, ChemGPS-NP was explored to predict the structure-activity relationship of fatty acids. The anti-allergic fatty acids formed different cluster distant from

  10. Benzodiazepine-induced hippocampal CA1 neuron alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxasole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) receptor plasticity linked to severity of withdrawal anxiety: differential role of voltage-gated calcium channels and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptors.

    PubMed

    Xiang, Kun; Tietz, Elizabeth I

    2007-09-01

    Withdrawal from 1-week oral administration of the benzodiazepine, flurazepam (FZP) is associated with increased alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxasole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) receptor (AMPAR) miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) but reduction of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptor (NMDAR)-evoked (e)EPSCs in hippocampal CA1 neurons. A positive correlation was observed between increased AMPAR-mediated mEPSC amplitude and anxiety-like behavior in 1-day FZP-withdrawn rats. These effects were disrupted by systemic AMPAR antagonist administration (GYKI-52466, 0.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) at withdrawal onset, strengthening the hypothesis that CA1 neuron AMPAR-mediated hyperexcitability is a central component of a functional anatomic circuit associated with the expression of withdrawal anxiety. Abolition of AMPAR current upregulation in 2-day FZP withdrawn rats by GYKI-52466 injection also reversed the reduction in NMDAR-mediated eEPSC amplitude in CA1 neurons from the same rats, suggesting that downregulation of NMDAR function may serve a protective, negative-feedback role to prevent AMPAR-mediated neuronal overexcitation. NMDAR antagonist administration (MK-801, 0.25 mg/kg intraperitoneally) had no effect on modifying increased glutamatergic strength or on withdrawal anxiety, whereas injection of an L-type voltage-gated calcium channel antagonist, nimodipine (10 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) averted AMPAR current enhancement and anxiety-like behavior, suggesting that these manifestations may be initiated by a voltage-gated calcium channel-dependent signal transduction pathway. An evidence-based model of likely cellular mechanisms in the hippocampus contributing to benzodiazepine withdrawal anxiety was proposed implicating regulation of multiple CA1 neuron ion channels.

  11. Antioxidative characteristics and inhibition of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone-stimulated melanogenesis of vanillin and vanillic acid from Origanum vulgare.

    PubMed

    Chou, Tzung-Han; Ding, Hsiou-Yu; Hung, Wei Jing; Liang, Chia-Hua

    2010-08-01

    The antioxidant activities of vanillin and vanillic acid isolated from Origanum vulgare are investigated. These compounds may serve as agents for antimelanogenesis. Vanillic acid is a stronger antioxidant than vanillin, in terms of free radical scavenging activity, reducing power and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. The inhibition of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in H(2)O(2)-treated BNLCL2 cells by vanillic acid exceeds that of ascorbic acid (AA) or trolox. In B16F0 cells stimulated with alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), vanillic acid reduced cellular tyrosinase activity, DOPA oxidase and melanin contents, as well as down-regulated expressions of melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R), microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related proteins 2 (TRP-2) and TRP-1. Vanillin did not express inhibition of tyrosinase activity. These results supported that vanillic acid is a significantly stronger antioxidant than vanillin and exhibited stronger antimelanogenesis performance because of the structural presence of the carboxyl group.

  12. Cytotoxic, Anti-Proliferative and Apoptosis Activity of l-Amino Acid Oxidase from Malaysian Cryptelytrops purpureomaculatus (CP-LAAO) Venom on Human Colon Cancer Cells.

    PubMed

    Zainal Abidin, Syafiq Asnawi; Rajadurai, Pathmanathan; Hoque Chowdhury, Md Ezharul; Othman, Iekhsan; Naidu, Rakesh

    2018-06-08

    The aim of this study is to investigate the potential anti-cancer activity of l-amino acid oxidase (CP-LAAO) purified from the venom of Cryptelytrops purpureomaculatus on SW480 and SW620 human colon cancer cells. Mass spectrometry guided purification was able to identify and purify CP-LAAO. Amino acid variations identified from the partial protein sequence of CP-LAAO may suggest novel variants of these proteins. The activity of the purified CP-LAAO was confirmed with o-phenyldiamine (OPD)-based spectrophotometric assay. CP-LAAO demonstrated time- and dose-dependent cytotoxic activity and the EC 50 value was determined at 13 µg/mL for both SW480 and SW620 cells. Significant increase of caspase-3 activity, reduction of Bcl-2 levels, as well as morphological changes consistent with apoptosis were demonstrated by CP-LAAO. Overall, these data provide evidence on the potential anti-cancer activity of CP-LAAO from the venom of Malaysian C. purpureomaculatus for therapeutic intervention of human colon cancer.

  13. Cloning and characterization of the gene for L-amino acid oxidase in hybrid tilapia.

    PubMed

    Shen, Yubang; Fu, Gui Hong; Liu, Feng; Yue, Gen Hua

    2015-12-01

    Tilapia is the common name for a group of cichlid fishes. Identification of DNA markers significantly associated with important traits in candidate genes may speed up genetic improvement. L-Amino acid oxidase (LAO) plays a crucial role in the innate immune defences of animals. Previously, whether LAO variants were associated with economic traits had not been studied in fish. We characterized the cDNA sequence of the LAO gene of hybrid tilapia (Oreochromis spp.). Its ORF was 1536 bp, encoding a flavoenzyme of 511 amino acids. This gene consisted of seven exons and six introns. Its expression was detected in the intestine, blood, kidney, skin, liver. It was highly expressed in the intestine. After a challenge with a bacterial pathogen, Streptococcus agalactiae, its expression was up-regulated significantly in the liver, intestine and spleen (P < 0.05). We identified one SNP in the genomic sequence of the gene and found that this SNP was associated significantly with body length (P < 0.05), but not with resistance to S. agalactiae. The results of this study suggest that the LAO gene plays an important role in innate immune responses to the bacterial pathogen in tilapia. The investigation of relationship between polymorphism of LAO gene and disease resistance and growth in tilapia showed that one SNP was associated significantly with body length. Further experiments on whether SNPs in the LAO gene are associated with growth in tilapia and other populations could be useful in understanding more functions of the LAO gene.

  14. Screening of a thiamine-auxotrophic yeast for alpha-ketoglutaric acid overproduction.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Jingwen; Zhou, Haiyan; Du, Guocheng; Liu, Liming; Chen, Jian

    2010-09-01

    To obtain a thiamine-auxotrophic yeast strain that overproduces alpha-ketoglutaric acid (alpha-KG) from glycerol and to investigate nutrient effects on alpha-KG production. Yeast strain WSH-Z06, a thiamine auxotroph that gave high yields of alpha-KG from glycerol, was obtained by screening for ampicillin/kanamycin resistance and thiamine auxotrophy. The strain was identified as Yarrowia lipolytica based on physiological, chemical, and phylogenetic analysis. The ability of the strain to convert glycerol to alpha-KG was analysed by investigating the effects of nutritional factors, including thiamine, riboflavin, nitrogen sources, and calcium ion. Thiamine and calcium ion concentration had the greatest effect on alpha-KG accumulation. Under optimal conditions, a yield of 39.2 g l(-1)alpha-KG was obtained from 100 g l(-1) glycerol, with 16.84 g l(-1) pyruvate as a by-product. The current work provides a method for screening for an alpha-KG overproducer. Nutrients have a significant impact on alpha-KG production in the yeast strain presented here. The alpha-KG-overproducing yeast strain Y. lipolytica WSH-Z06 is a promising parent strain for further metabolic engineering to lower by-product accumulation and accelerate glycerol utilization.

  15. Transformation of bile acids into iso-bile acids by Clostridium perfringens: possible transport of 3 beta-hydrogen via the coenzyme.

    PubMed

    Batta, A K; Salen, G; Shefer, S

    1985-01-01

    We have examined the mechanism for the bacterial transformation of chenodeoxycholic acid and lithocholic acid into the corresponding 3 beta-hydroxy epimers with the use of 3 alpha- and 3 beta-tritiated bile acids. The 3-oxo bile acids were transformed into the 3 alpha- (85%) and 3 beta- (15%) hydroxy bile acids after 20-hr incubation with Clostridium perfringens. Approximately 75% radioactivity was recovered in the aqueous medium when [3 beta-3H]chenodeoxycholic acid or [3 beta-3H]lithocholic acid was incubated with the bacteria, and approximately 15% of radioactivity in the bile acid fraction was associated with the 3 alpha-position of the iso-bile acids. When [3 beta-3H]chenodeoxycholic acid was incubated with unlabeled 3-oxo-5 beta-cholanoic acid, tritiated litho- and iso-lithocholic acids were recovered. These results can be explained only when a 3-oxo intermediate is postulated, and the 3 beta-hydrogen in the bile acids is transferred by the bacterial coenzyme (NAD+ or NADP+) to the 3 alpha-position in the iso-bile acids during the reduction of the 3-oxo compounds.

  16. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors from Gentiana lutea.

    PubMed

    Haraguchi, Hiroyuki; Tanaka, Yasumasa; Kabbash, Amal; Fujioka, Toshihiro; Ishizu, Takashi; Yagi, Akira

    2004-08-01

    Three monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors were isolated from Gentiana lutea. Their structures were elucidated to be 3-3''linked-(2'-hydroxy-4-O-isoprenylchalcone)-(2'''-hydroxy-4''-O-isoprenyldihydrochalcone) (1), 2-methoxy-3-(1,1'-dimethylallyl)-6a,10a-dihydrobenzo(1,2-c)chroman-6-one and 5-hydroxyflavanone. These compounds, and the hydrolysis product of 1, displayed competitive inhibitory properties against MAO-B which was more effective than MAO-A.

  17. 40 CFR 721.5293 - Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-(9Z)-9-octadecenyl-.omega.-hydroxy-, phosphate, ammonium salt.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT SIGNIFICANT NEW USES OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES Significant New Uses for Specific Chemical Substances § 721.5293 Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), alpha-(9Z)-9-octadecenyl-.omega.-hydroxy-, phosphate, ammonium salt. (a) Chemical substance and significant...

  18. An antiaging skin care system containing alpha hydroxy acids and vitamins improves the biomechanical parameters of facial skin

    PubMed Central

    Tran, Diana; Townley, Joshua P; Barnes, Tanya M; Greive, Kerryn A

    2015-01-01

    Background The demand for antiaging products has dramatically increased in recent years, driven by an aging population seeking to maintain the appearance of youth. This study investigates the effects of an antiaging skin care system containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) in conjunction with vitamins B3, C, and E on the biomechanical parameters of facial skin. Methods Fifty two volunteers followed an antiaging skin care regimen comprising of cleanser, eye cream, day moisturizer, and night moisturizer for 21 days. Wrinkle depth (Ry) and skin roughness (Ra) were measured by skin surface profilometry of the crow’s feet area, and skin elasticity parameters R2 (gross elasticity), R5 (net elasticity), R6 (viscoelastic portion), and R7 (recovery after deformation) were determined for facial skin by cutometer, preapplication and after 7, 14, and 21 days. Volunteers also completed a self-assessment questionnaire. Results Compared to baseline, Ry and Ra significantly improved by 32.5% (P<0.0001) and 42.9% (P<0.0001), respectively, after 21 days of antiaging skin care treatment. These results were observed by the volunteers with 9 out of 10 discerning an improvement in skin texture and smoothness. Compared to baseline, R2 and R5 significantly increased by 15.2% (P<0.0001) and 12.5% (P=0.0449), respectively, while R6 significantly decreased by 17.7% (P<0.0001) after 21 days. R7 increased by 9.7% after 21 days compared to baseline but this was not significant over this time period. Conclusion An antiaging skin care system containing AHAs and vitamins significantly improves the biomechanical parameters of the skin including wrinkles and skin texture, as well as elasticity without significant adverse effects. PMID:25552908

  19. An efficient synthesis of tetramic acid derivatives with extended conjugation from L-Ascorbic Acid

    PubMed Central

    Singh, Biswajit K; Bisht, Surendra S; Tripathi, Rama P

    2006-01-01

    Background Tetramic acids with polyenyl substituents are an important class of compounds in medicinal chemistry. Both solid and solution phase syntheses of such molecules have been reported recently. Thiolactomycin, a clinical candidate for treatment of tuberculosis has led to further explorations in this class. We have recently developed an efficient synthesis of tetramic acids derivatives from L- ascorbic acid. In continuation of this work, we have synthesised dienyl tetramic acid derivatives. Results 5,6-O-Isopropylidene-ascorbic acid on reaction with DBU led to the formation of tetronolactonyl allyl alcohol, which on oxidation with pyridinium chlorochromate gave the respective tetranolactonyl allylic aldehydes. Wittig olefination followed by reaction of the resulting tetranolactonyl dienyl esters with different amines resulted in the respective 5-hydroxy lactams. Subsequent dehydration of the hydroxy lactams with p-toluene sulphonic acid afforded the dienyl tetramic acid derivatives. All reactions were performed at ambient temperature and the yields are good. Conclusion An efficient and practical method for the synthesis of dienyl tetramic acid derivatives from inexpensive and easily accessible ascorbic acid has been developed. The compounds bear structural similarities to the tetramic acid based polyenic antibiotics and thus this method offers a new and short route for the synthesis of tetramic acid derivatives of biological significance. PMID:17147830

  20. An efficient synthesis of tetramic acid derivatives with extended conjugation from L-ascorbic acid.

    PubMed

    Singh, Biswajit K; Bisht, Surendra S; Tripathi, Rama P

    2006-12-06

    Tetramic acids with polyenyl substituents are an important class of compounds in medicinal chemistry. Both solid and solution phase syntheses of such molecules have been reported recently. Thiolactomycin, a clinical candidate for treatment of tuberculosis has led to further explorations in this class. We have recently developed an efficient synthesis of tetramic acids derivatives from L-ascorbic acid. In continuation of this work, we have synthesised dienyl tetramic acid derivatives. 5,6-O-isopropylidene-ascorbic acid on reaction with DBU led to the formation of tetronolactonyl allyl alcohol, which on oxidation with pyridinium chlorochromate gave the respective tetranolactonyl allylic aldehydes. Wittig olefination followed by reaction of the resulting tetranolactonyl dienyl esters with different amines resulted in the respective 5-hydroxy lactams. Subsequent dehydration of the hydroxy lactams with p-toluene sulphonic acid afforded the dienyl tetramic acid derivatives. All reactions were performed at ambient temperature and the yields are good. An efficient and practical method for the synthesis of dienyl tetramic acid derivatives from inexpensive and easily accessible ascorbic acid has been developed. The compounds bear structural similarities to the tetramic acid based polyenic antibiotics and thus this method offers a new and short route for the synthesis of tetramic acid derivatives of biological significance.

  1. Design, synthesis, and molecular docking studies of N-(9,10-anthraquinone-2-carbonyl)amino acid derivatives as xanthine oxidase inhibitors.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Ting-Jian; Li, Song-Ye; Yuan, Wei-Yan; Zhang, Yi; Meng, Fan-Hao

    2018-04-01

    A series of N-(9,10-anthraquinone-2-carbonyl)amino acid derivatives (1a-j) was designed and synthesized as novel xanthine oxidase inhibitors. Among them, the L/D-phenylalanine derivatives (1d and 1i) and the L/D-tryptophan derivatives (1e and 1j) were effective with micromolar level potency. In particular, the L-phenylalanine derivative 1d (IC 50  = 3.0 μm) and the D-phenylalanine derivative 1i (IC 50  = 2.9 μm) presented the highest potency and were both more potent than the positive control allopurinol (IC 50  = 8.1 μm). Preliminary SAR analysis pointed that an aromatic amino acid fragment, for example, phenylalanine or tryptophan, was essential for the inhibition; the D-amino acid derivative presented equal or greater potency compared to its L-enantiomer; and the 9,10-anthraquinone moiety was welcome for the inhibition. Molecular simulations provided rational binding models for compounds 1d and 1i in the xanthine oxidase active pocket. As a result, compounds 1d and 1i could be promising lead compounds for further investigation. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

  2. RNA interference of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase (ACO1 and ACO2) genes expression prolongs the shelf life of Eksotika (Carica papaya L.) papaya fruit.

    PubMed

    Sekeli, Rogayah; Abdullah, Janna Ong; Namasivayam, Parameswari; Muda, Pauziah; Abu Bakar, Umi Kalsom; Yeong, Wee Chien; Pillai, Vilasini

    2014-06-19

    The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using RNA interference in down regulating the expression of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase gene in Eksotika papaya. One-month old embryogenic calli were separately transformed with Agrobacterium strain LBA 4404 harbouring the three different RNAi pOpOff2 constructs bearing the 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase gene. A total of 176 putative transformed lines were produced from 15,000 calli transformed, selected, then regenerated on medium supplemented with kanamycin. Integration and expression of the targeted gene in putatively transformed lines were verified by PCR and real-time RT-PCR. Confined field evaluation of a total of 31 putative transgenic lines planted showed a knockdown expression of the targeted ACO1 and ACO2 genes in 13 lines, which required more than 8 days to achieve the full yellow colour (Index 6). Fruits harvested from lines pRNAiACO2 L2-9 and pRNAiACO1 L2 exhibited about 20 and 14 days extended post-harvest shelf life to reach Index 6, respectively. The total soluble solids contents of the fruits ranged from 11 to 14° Brix, a range similar to fruits from non-transformed, wild type seed-derived plants.

  3. Identification of hydroxy fatty acid and triacylglycerol metabolism-related genes in lesquerella through seed transcriptome analysis

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Background: Castor oil is the only commercial source of hydroxy fatty acid which has industrial value. The production of castor oil is hampered by the presence of the toxin ricin in its seed. Lesquerella seed also accumulates hydroxy fatty acid and is free of ricin, thus it is being developed as a n...

  4. PKC delta and NADPH oxidase in retinoic acid-induced neuroblastoma cell differentiation.

    PubMed

    Nitti, Mariapaola; Furfaro, Anna Lisa; Cevasco, Claudia; Traverso, Nicola; Marinari, Umberto Maria; Pronzato, Maria Adelaide; Domenicotti, Cinzia

    2010-05-01

    The role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the regulation of signal transduction processes has been well established in many cell types and recently the fine tuning of redox signalling in neurons received increasing attention. With regard to this, the involvement of NADPH oxidase (NOX) in neuronal pathophysiology has been proposed but deserves more investigation. In the present study, we used SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells to analyse the role of NADPH oxidase in retinoic acid (RA)-induced differentiation, pointing out the involvement of protein kinase C (PKC) delta in the activation of NOX. Retinoic acid induces neuronal differentiation as revealed by the increased expression of MAP2, the decreased cell doubling rate, and the gain in neuronal morphological features and these events are accompanied by the increased expression level of PKC delta and p67(phox), one of the components of NADPH oxidase. Using DPI to inhibit NOX activity we show that retinoic acid acts through this enzyme to induce morphological changes linked to the differentiation. Moreover, using rottlerin to inhibit PKC delta or transfection experiments to overexpress it, we show that retinoic acid acts through this enzyme to induce MAP2 expression and to increase p67(phox) membrane translocation leading to NADPH oxidase activation. These findings identify the activation of PKC delta and NADPH oxidase as crucial steps in RA-induced neuroblastoma cell differentiation. 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  5. Production of α-keto acids Part I. Immobilized cells ofTrigonopsis variabilis containing D-amino acid oxidase.

    PubMed

    Brodelius, P; Nilsson, K; Mosbach, K

    1981-12-01

    Whole cells ofTrigonopsis variabilis were immobilized by entrapment in Ca(2+)-alginate and used for the production of α-keto acids from the corresponding D-amino acids. The D-amino acid oxidase within the immobilized cells has a broad substrate specificity. Hydrogen peroxide formed in the enzymatic reaction was efficiently hydrolyzed by manganese oxide co-immobilized with the cells. The amino acid oxidase activity was assayed with a new method based on reversed-phase HPLC. Oxygen requirements, bead size, concentration of cells in the beads, flow rate, and other factors were investigated in a " trickle-bed " reactor.

  6. 40 CFR 721.10300 - Benzeneacetic acid, .alpha.-chloro-.alpha.-phenyl-, ethyl ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Benzeneacetic acid, .alpha.-chloro-.alpha.-phenyl-, ethyl ester. 721.10300 Section 721.10300 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL... Significant New Uses for Specific Chemical Substances § 721.10300 Benzeneacetic acid, .alpha.-chloro-.alpha...

  7. 40 CFR 721.10300 - Benzeneacetic acid, .alpha.-chloro-.alpha.-phenyl-, ethyl ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Benzeneacetic acid, .alpha.-chloro-.alpha.-phenyl-, ethyl ester. 721.10300 Section 721.10300 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL... Significant New Uses for Specific Chemical Substances § 721.10300 Benzeneacetic acid, .alpha.-chloro-.alpha...

  8. 40 CFR 721.10300 - Benzeneacetic acid, .alpha.-chloro-.alpha.-phenyl-, ethyl ester.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Benzeneacetic acid, .alpha.-chloro-.alpha.-phenyl-, ethyl ester. 721.10300 Section 721.10300 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL... Significant New Uses for Specific Chemical Substances § 721.10300 Benzeneacetic acid, .alpha.-chloro-.alpha...

  9. [alpha]-Oxocarboxylic Acids

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Kerber, Robert C.; Fernando, Marian S.

    2010-01-01

    Several [alpha]-oxocarboxylic acids play key roles in metabolism in plants and animals. However, there are inconsistencies between the structures as commonly portrayed and the reported acid ionization constants, which result because the acids are predominantly hydrated in aqueous solution; that is, the predominant form is RC(OH)[subscript 2]COOH…

  10. Purification and characterization of polyphenol oxidase from banana (Musa sapientum L.) pulp.

    PubMed

    Yang, C P; Fujita, S; Ashrafuzzaman, M; Nakamura, N; Hayashi, N

    2000-07-01

    Polyphenol oxidase (EC 1.10.3.1, PPO) in the pulp of banana (Musa sapientum L.) was purified to 636-fold with a recovery of 3.0%, using dopamine as substrate. The purified enzyme exhibited a clear single band on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-PAGE. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be about 41000 and 42000 by gel filtration and SDS-PAGE, respectively. The enzyme quickly oxidized dopamine, and its K(m) value for dopamine was 2.8 mM. The optimum pH was at 6.5, and the enzyme activity was stable in the range of pH 5-11 at 5 degrees C for 48 h. The enzyme had an optimum temperature of 30 degrees C and was stable even after a heat treatment at 70 degrees C for 30 min. The enzyme activity was completely inhibited by L-ascorbic acid, cysteine, sodium diethyldithiocarbamate, and potassium cyanide. Under a low buffer capacity, the enzyme was also strongly inhibited by citric acid and acetic acid at 10 mM.

  11. 40 CFR 721.1705 - Benzoic acid, 3-amino-, diazotized, coupled with 6-amino-4-hydroxy-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Benzoic acid, 3-amino-, diazotized, coupled with 6-amino-4-hydroxy-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, diazotized, (3-aminophenyl)phosphonic acid and... Significant New Uses for Specific Chemical Substances § 721.1705 Benzoic acid, 3-amino-, diazotized, coupled...

  12. 40 CFR 721.1705 - Benzoic acid, 3-amino-, diazotized, coupled with 6-amino-4-hydroxy-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 30 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false Benzoic acid, 3-amino-, diazotized, coupled with 6-amino-4-hydroxy-2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, diazotized, (3-aminophenyl)phosphonic acid and... Significant New Uses for Specific Chemical Substances § 721.1705 Benzoic acid, 3-amino-, diazotized, coupled...

  13. The potential antifibrotic impact of apocynin and alpha-lipoic acid in concanavalin A-induced liver fibrosis in rats: Role of NADPH oxidases 1 and 4.

    PubMed

    Fayed, Mostafa R; El-Naga, Reem N; Akool, El-Sayed; El-Demerdash, Ebtehal

    2018-01-01

    Liver fibrosis results from chronic inflammation that precipitates excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix. Oxidative stress is involved in its pathogenesis. This study aimed to elucidate the potential antifibrotic effect of the NADPH oxidase (NOX) inhibitor, apocynin against concanavalin A (ConA)-induced immunological model of liver fibrosis, and to investigate the ability of the antioxidant, alpha-lipoic acid (α-LA) to potentiate this effect. Rats were treated with apocynin and/or α-LA for six weeks. Hepatotoxicity indices, oxidative stress, insulin, NOXs, inflammatory and liver fibrosis markers were assessed. Treatment of animals with apocynin and α-LA significantly ameliorated the changes in liver functions and histopathological architecture induced by ConA. Liver fibrosis induced by ConA was evident where alpha-smooth muscle actin and transforming growth factor- beta1 were elevated, which was further confirmed by Masson's trichrome stain and increased hydroxyproline. Co-treatment with apocynin and α-LA significantly reduced their expression. Besides, apocynin and α-LA significantly ameliorated oxidative stress injury evoked by ConA, as evidenced by enhancing reduced glutathione content, antioxidant enzymes activities and decreasing lipid peroxides. ConA induced a significant elevation in serum insulin level and inflammatory markers; tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6 and nuclear factor kappa b. Furthermore, the mRNA tissue expression of NOXs 1 and 4 was found to be elevated in the ConA group. All these elevations were significantly reduced by apocynin and α-LA co-treatment. These findings indicate that using apocynin and α-LA in combination possess marked antifibrotic effects, and that NOX enzymes are partially involved in the pathogenesis of ConA-induced liver fibrosis.

  14. 40 CFR 721.5280 - 2,7-Naphthalenedisulfonic acid, 4-amino-5-hydroxy-, coupled with diazotized 4-butylbenzenamine...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ... reporting. (1) The chemical substance identified as 2,7-naphthalenedisulfonic acid, 4-amino-5-hydroxy... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false 2,7-Naphthalenedisulfonic acid, 4-amino-5-hydroxy-, coupled with diazotized 4-butylbenzenamine, diazotized 4,4â²-cyclohexylidenebis...

  15. 40 CFR 721.5280 - 2,7-Naphthalenedisulfonic acid, 4-amino-5-hydroxy-, coupled with diazotized 4-butylbenzenamine...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... reporting. (1) The chemical substance identified as 2,7-naphthalenedisulfonic acid, 4-amino-5-hydroxy... 40 Protection of Environment 30 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false 2,7-Naphthalenedisulfonic acid, 4-amino-5-hydroxy-, coupled with diazotized 4-butylbenzenamine, diazotized 4,4â²-cyclohexylidenebis...

  16. Investigation on solubility of hydroxy dibasic acids in alkanolamine solutions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Du, M.

    2017-12-01

    Solubilities of three hydroxy dibasic (adipic, suberic, and sebacic) acids in alkanolamine solutions were measured within the 30-90℃ temperature range. It is found that solubility of these acids sharply grows with temperature and concentration of alkanolamine solvent. In addition, the study substantiates the adjustment of pH to optimize the CO2 absorption and desorption processes. The precipitation of added acids from alkanolamine solvents by cooling is found to be quite problematic, which makes the recovery of residual acids from lean alkanolamine solvents non-feasible and requires the application of alternative methods.

  17. Involvement of abscisic acid in regulating antioxidative defense systems and IAA-oxidase activity and improving adventitious rooting in mung bean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] seedlings under cadmium stress.

    PubMed

    Li, Shi-Weng; Leng, Yan; Feng, Lin; Zeng, Xiao-Ying

    2014-01-01

    In vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of abscisic acid (ABA) and Cd on antioxidative defense systems and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) oxidase during adventitious rooting in mung bean [Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek] seedlings. The exogenous ABA significantly enhanced the number and fresh weight of the adventitious roots. CdCl2 strongly inhibited adventitious rooting. Pretreatment with 10 μM ABA clearly alleviated the inhibitory effect of Cd on rooting. ABA significantly reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT) activities, as well as the levels of glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid (ASA) during adventitious rooting. ABA strongly increased IAA-oxidase activity during the induction (0-12 h) and expression (after 48 h) phases and increased the phenols levels. Cd treatment significantly reduced the activities of SOD, APX, POD, and IAA oxidase, as well as GSH level. Cd strongly increased ASA levels. ABA pretreatment counteracted Cd-induced alterations of certain antioxidants and antioxidative enzymes, e.g., remarkably rescued APX and POD activities, reduced the elevated SOD and CAT activities and ASA levels, and recovered the reduced GSH levels, caused by Cd stress. Thus, the physiological effects of the combination of ABA and Cd treatments were opposite of those obtained with Cd treatment alone, suggesting that ABA involved in the regulation of antioxidative defense systems and the alleviation of wounding- and Cd-induced oxidative stress.

  18. Biochemical, biological and molecular characterization of an L-Amino acid oxidase (LAAO) purified from Bothrops pictus Peruvian snake venom.

    PubMed

    Lazo, Fanny; Vivas-Ruiz, Dan E; Sandoval, Gustavo A; Rodríguez, Edith F; Kozlova, Edgar E G; Costal-Oliveira, F; Chávez-Olórtegui, Carlos; Severino, Ruperto; Yarlequé, Armando; Sanchez, Eladio F

    2017-12-01

    An L-amino acid oxidase from Peruvian Bothrops pictus (Bpic-LAAO) snake venom was purified using a combination of size-exclusion and ion-exchange chromatography. Bpic-LAAO is a homodimeric glycosylated flavoprotein with molecular mass of ∼65 kDa under reducing conditions and ∼132 kDa in its native form as analyzed by SDS-PAGE and gel filtration chromatography, respectively. N-terminal amino acid sequencing showed highly conserved residues in a glutamine-rich motif related to binding substrate. The enzyme exhibited optimal activity towards L-Leu at pH 8.5, and like other reported SV-LAAOs, it is stable until 55 °C. Kinetic studies showed that the cations Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ and Mn 2+ did not alter Bpic-LAAO activity; however, Zn 2+ is an inhibitor. Some reagents such as β-mercaptoethanol, glutathione and iodoacetate had inhibitory effect on Bpic-LAAO activity, but PMSF, EDTA and glutamic acid did not affect its activity. Regarding the biological activities of Bpic-LAAO, this enzyme induced edema in mice (MED = 7.8 μg), and inhibited human platelet aggregation induced by ADP in a dose-dependent manner and showed antibacterial activity on Gram (+) and Gram (-) bacteria. Bpic-LAAO cDNA of 1494 bp codified a mature protein with 487 amino acid residues comprising a signal peptide of 11 amino acids. Finally, the phylogenetic tree obtained with other sequences of LAAOs, evidenced its similarity to other homologous enzymes, showing two well-established monophyletic groups in Viperidae and Elapidae families. Bpic-LAAO is evolutively close related to LAAOs from B. jararacussu, B. moojeni and B. atrox, and together with the LAAO from B. pauloensis, form a well-defined cluster of the Bothrops genus. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  19. Antiulcerogenic activity of fractions and 3,15-dioxo-21alpha-hydroxy friedelane isolated from Maytenus robusta (Celastraceae).

    PubMed

    de Andrade, Sérgio Faloni; Comunello, Eros; Noldin, Vânia Floriani; Monache, Franco Delle; Cechinel Filho, Valdir; Niero, Rivaldo

    2008-01-01

    The hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous-soluble fractions from leaves of Maytenus robusta (Celastraceae) were evaluated for their protective actions against ethanol-induced gastric lesions in rats. The treatment with all fractions (150 mg/kg) and omeprazol (30 mg/kg) significantly reduced the lesion index, the total lesion area, and the percentage of lesion, in comparison with the control group (p<0.05). Since the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction was found to be most active in the pylorus ligated model, this fraction was further investigated and resulted in the isolation of triterpene 3,15-dioxo-21alpha-hydroxy friedelane. The triterpene was evaluated in the HCl/ethanol-induced ulcer model in mice. In this assay, both the groups treated with 3,15-dioxo-21alpha-hydroxy friedelane and omeprazol, at a dose of 30 mg/kg, presented a significant reduction in lesion index, total lesion area, and in the percentage of the lesion, when compared with the control group (p<0.05). The result suggests that the antiulcer effect observed in the extract and fractions may be attributed, at least in part, to this compound. Further experiments are underway to determine which antiulcer mechanisms involved in gastroprotection.

  20. Oxidation of C18 Hydroxy-Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids to Epoxide or Ketone by Catalase-Related Hemoproteins Activated with Iodosylbenzene.

    PubMed

    Teder, Tarvi; Boeglin, William E; Brash, Alan R

    2017-07-01

    Small catalase-related hemoproteins with a facility to react with fatty acid hydroperoxides were examined for their potential mono-oxygenase activity when activated using iodosylbenzene. The proteins tested were a Fusarium graminearum 41 kD catalase hemoprotein (Fg-cat, gene FGSG_02217), a Pseudomonas fluorescens Pfl01 catalase (37.5 kD, accession number WP_011333788.1), and a Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis 33 kD catalase (gene MAP-2744c). 13-Hydroxy-octadecenoic acids (which are normally unreactive) were selected as substrates because these enzymes react specifically with the corresponding 13S-hydroperoxides (Pakhomova et al. 18:2559-2568, 5; Teder et al. 1862:706-715, 14). In the presence of iodosylbenzene Fg-cat converted 13S-hydroxy-fatty acids to two products: the 15,16-double bond of 13S-hydroxy α-linolenic acid was oxidized stereospecifically to the 15S,16R-cis-epoxide or the 13-hydroxyl was oxidized to the 13-ketone. Products were identified by UV, HPLC, LC-MS, NMR and by comparison with authentic standards prepared for this study. The Pfl01-cat displayed similar activity. MAP-2744c oxidized 13S-hydroxy-linoleic acid to the 13-ketone, and epoxidized the double bonds to form the 9,10-epoxy-13-hydroxy, 11,12-epoxy-13-hydroxy, and 9,10-epoxy-13-keto derivatives; equivalent transformations occurred with 9S-hydroxy-linoleic acid as substrate. In parallel incubations in the presence of iodosylbenzene, human catalase displayed no activity towards 13S-hydroxy-linoleic acid, as expected from the highly restricted access to its active site. The results indicated that with suitable transformation to Compound I, monooxygenase activity can be demonstrated by these catalase-related hemoproteins with tyrosine as the proximal heme ligand.

  1. Chemical conversion of corticosteroids to 3 alpha,5 alpha-tetrahydro derivatives. Synthesis of 5 alpha-cortol 3-glucuronides and 5 alpha-cortolone 3-glucuronides.

    PubMed

    Hosoda, H; Osanai, K; Nambara, T

    1991-12-01

    The synthesis of the 3-glucuronides of 5 alpha-cortol-20 alpha, 5 alpha-cortolone-20 alpha and their 20 beta-epimers is described. The 5 alpha-cortol 20,21-diacetates (12, 17) and 5 alpha-cortolone 20,21-diacetates (14, 19) were the key intermediates. Sodium borohydride reduction of the carbonyl group at C-20 in 5 alpha-tetrahydrocortisol 3-tert-butyldimethylsilyl ether 17,21-acetonide (8) gave the 20 alpha-hydroxy-acetonide (9). Selective removal of the acetonide ring was successful when the 20 alpha-acetoxy-17 alpha,21-acetonide (10) was treated with 50% acetic acid. Subsequent acetylation with acetic anhydride in pyridine, followed by removal of the protecting group at C-3 in the silyl ether-acetate (11) gave the desired 20 alpha-intermediate (12). The 11-ketone (14) was prepared from 11 by oxidation with pyridinium chlorochromate, followed by desilylation. The 20 beta-acetates (17, 19) were synthesized from 21-acetoxy-3 alpha,11 beta,17 alpha-trihydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one 3-tert-butyldimethylsilyl ether (15). Introduction of the glucuronyl residue at C-3 was carried out by means of the Koenigs-Knorr reaction.

  2. Improved synthesis of 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha, 24 = xi-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid.

    PubMed

    Batta, A K; Tint, G S; Dayal, B; Shefer, S; Salen, G

    1982-06-01

    This paper describes three simple and short methods for the conversion of cholic acid into cholylaldehyde with protected hydroxyl groups. The first method involves lithium aluminum hydride reduction of the tetrahydropyranyl ether of methyl cholate and oxidation of the resulting primary alcohol with pyridinium chlorochromate. The second method employs diborane for the reduction of the -COOH group to the -CH2OH group, while the third method involves the reduction of 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-triformyloxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid (as the acid chloride) directly into 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha-triformyloxy-5 beta-cholan-24-al with TMA-ferride (tetramethylammonium hydridoirontetracarbonyl). The aldehyde obtained by any of the above methods underwent smooth Reformatsky reaction with ethyl alpha-bromopropionate to yield 3 alpha, 7 alpha, 12 alpha, 24 xi-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-26-oic acid.

  3. Novel Scheme for Biosynthesis of Aryl Metabolites from l-Phenylalanine in the Fungus Bjerkandera adusta

    PubMed Central

    Lapadatescu, Carmen; Giniès, Christian; Le Quéré, Jean-Luc; Bonnarme, Pascal

    2000-01-01

    Aryl metabolite biosynthesis was studied in the white rot fungus Bjerkandera adusta cultivated in a liquid medium supplemented with l-phenylalanine. Aromatic compounds were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry following addition of labelled precursors (14C- and 13C-labelled l-phenylalanine), which did not interfere with fungal metabolism. The major aromatic compounds identified were benzyl alcohol, benzaldehyde (bitter almond aroma), and benzoic acid. Hydroxy- and methoxybenzylic compounds (alcohols, aldehydes, and acids) were also found in fungal cultures. Intracellular enzymatic activities (phenylalanine ammonia lyase, aryl-alcohol oxidase, aryl-alcohol dehydrogenase, aryl-aldehyde dehydrogenase, lignin peroxidase) and extracellular enzymatic activities (aryl-alcohol oxidase, lignin peroxidase), as well as aromatic compounds, were detected in B. adusta cultures. Metabolite formation required de novo protein biosynthesis. Our results show that l-phenylalanine was deaminated to trans-cinnamic acid by a phenylalanine ammonia lyase and trans-cinnamic acid was in turn converted to aromatic acids (phenylpyruvic, phenylacetic, mandelic, and benzoylformic acids); benzaldehyde was a metabolic intermediate. These acids were transformed into benzaldehyde, benzyl alcohol, and benzoic acid. Our findings support the hypothesis that all of these compounds are intermediates in the biosynthetic pathway from l-phenylalanine to aryl metabolites. Additionally, trans-cinnamic acid can also be transformed via β-oxidation to benzoic acid. This was confirmed by the presence of acetophenone as a β-oxidation degradation intermediate. To our knowledge, this is the first time that a β-oxidation sequence leading to benzoic acid synthesis has been found in a white rot fungus. A novel metabolic scheme for biosynthesis of aryl metabolites from l-phenylalanine is proposed. PMID:10742235

  4. Metabolic Engineering for Improved Hydroxy Fatty Acid Production in Lesquerella

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Hydroxy fatty acids (HFA) from plant seed triacylglycerols (TAGs, oil molecule) are wildly used in manufacturing industrial products, such as lubricants, plasticizers and surfactants. Castor oil has 90% HFA which occupies all three sn positions of most TAGs, while lesquerella oil contains 60% HFA mo...

  5. Blood-brain barrier transport of the alpha-keto acid analogs of amino acids.

    PubMed

    Steele, R D

    1986-06-01

    A number of alpha-keto acid analogs of amino acids have been found to penetrate the blood-brain barrier (BBB). Pyruvate, alpha-ketobutyrate, alpha-ketoisocaproate, and alpha-keto-gamma-methiolbutyrate all cross the BBB by a carrier-mediated process and by simple diffusion. Under normal physiological conditions, diffusion accounts for roughly 15% or less of total transport. Aromatic alpha-keto acids, phenylpyruvate, and p-hydroxyphenylpyruvate do not penetrate the BBB, nor do they inhibit the transport of other alpha-keto acids. Evidence based primarily on inhibition studies indicates that the carrier-mediated transport of alpha-keto acids occurs via the same carrier demonstrated previously for propionate, acetoacetate, and beta-hydroxybutyrate transport, commonly referred to as the monocarboxylate carrier. As a group, the alpha-keto acid analogs of the amino acids have the highest affinity for the carrier, followed by propionate and beta-hydroxybutyrate. Starvation for 4 days induces transport of alpha-keto acids, but transport is suppressed in rats fed commercial laboratory rations and subjected to portacaval shunts. The mitochondrial pyruvate translocator inhibitor alpha-cyanocinnamate has no effect on the BBB transport of alpha-keto acids.

  6. Synthesis, structure and catechol-oxidase activity of copper(II) complexes of 17-hydroxy-16-(N-3-oxo-prop-1-enyl)amino steroids.

    PubMed

    Wegner, Rainer; Dubs, Manuela; Görls, Helmar; Robl, Christian; Schönecker, Bruno; Jäger, Ernst-G

    2002-09-01

    Copper is next to iron the most important element in the biological transport, storage and in redox reactions of dioxygen. A bioanalogous activation of dioxygen with copper complexes is used for catalytical epoxidation, allylic hydroxylation and oxidative coupling of aromatic substrates, for example. With stereochemical information in form of chiral ligands, enantioselective reactions may be possible. Another aspect of interest on copper catalyzed reactions with dioxygen is that the exact mechanism and biological function of some enzymes (especially catechol oxidase) is yet not fully clear. For studies mimicking the copper-containing catechol oxidase appropriate chiral steroid ligands with defined stereochemistry and conformation have been synthesized. The four diastereomeric 16,17-aminoalcohols of the 3-methoxy-estra-1,3,5(10)-triene series have been condensed with salicylic aldehyde and different beta-ketoenols to the chiral ligand types 1-5. These compounds with different steric and electronic properties and different arrangements of the neighboring hydroxy and nitrogen functions were reacted with copper(II) acetate to copper complexes. The structure of these complexes will be discussed. The bioanalogous oxidation of 3,5-di-tbutyl-catechol (dtbc) to the corresponding quinone was catalyzed by most of the complexes, indicating their ability to activate dioxygen. The trans configurations c and d showed an activity one magnitude higher than the cis configurations a and b. Comparing compounds with the same diastereomeric configuration, the main influence was that of the peripheral R(1-3) substituents at the beta-ketoenaminic group which are useful for the fine-tuning of the properties of the copper atoms like redox potential and Lewis acidity.

  7. THE PREPARATION AND PROPERTIES OF HIGHLY PURIFIED ASCORBIC ACID OXIDASE

    PubMed Central

    Powers, Wendell H.; Lewis, Stanley; Dawson, Charles R.

    1944-01-01

    1. A method is described for the preparation of a highly purified ascorbic acid oxidase containing 0.24 per cent copper. 2. Using comparable activity measurements, this oxidase is about one and a half times as active on a dry weight basis as the hitherto most highly purified preparation described by Lovett-Janison and Nelson. The latter contained 0.15 per cent copper. 3. The oxidase activity is proportional to the copper content and the proportionality factor is the same as that reported by Lovett-Janison and Nelson. 4. When dialyzed free of salt, the blue concentrated oxidase solutions precipitate a dark green-blue protein which carries the activity. This may be prevented by keeping the concentrated solutions about 0.1 M in Na2HPO4. 5. When highly diluted for activity measurements the oxidase rapidly loses activity (irreversibly) previous to the measurement, unless the dilution is made with a dilute inert protein (gelatin) solution. Therefore activity values obtained using such gelatin-stabilized dilute solutions of the oxidase run considerably higher than values obtained by the Lovett-Janison and Nelson technique. 6. The effect of pH and substrate concentration on the activity of the purified oxidase in the presence and absence of inert protein was studied. PMID:19873382

  8. Polyphenol oxidase activity and antioxidant properties of Yomra apple (Malus communis L.) from Turkey.

    PubMed

    Can, Zehra; Dincer, Barbaros; Sahin, Huseyin; Baltas, Nimet; Yildiz, Oktay; Kolayli, Sevgi

    2014-12-01

    In this study, firstly, antioxidant and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) properties of Yomra apple were investigated. Seventeen phenolic constituents were measured by reverse phase-high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Total phenolic compounds (TPCs), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging activities were performed to measure antioxidant capacity. Some kinetic parameters (Km, Vmax), and inhibition behaviors against five different substrates were measured in the crude extract. Catechin and chlorogenic acid were found as the major components in the methanolic extract, while ferulic acid, caffeic acid, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, quercetin and p-coumaric acid were small quantities. Km values ranged from 0.70 to 10.10 mM in the substrates, and also 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propanoic acid (HPPA) and L-DOPA showed the highest affinity. The inhibition constant of Ki were ranged from 0.05 to 14.90 mM against sodium metabisulphite, ascorbic acid, sodium azide and benzoic acid, while ascorbic acid and sodium metabisulphite were the best inhibitors.

  9. Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant and Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Activities of Amaranthus cruentus L. and Amaranthus hybridus L. Extracts

    PubMed Central

    Nana, Fernand W.; Hilou, Adama; Millogo, Jeanne F.; Nacoulma, Odile G.

    2012-01-01

    This paper describes a preliminary assessment of the nutraceutical value of Amaranthus cruentus (A. cruentus) and Amaranthus hybridus (A. hybridus), two food plant species found in Burkina Faso. Hydroacetonic (HAE), methanolic (ME), and aqueous extracts (AE) from the aerial parts were screened for in vitro antioxidant and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities. Phytochemical analyses revealed the presence of polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids, steroids, terpenoids, saponins and betalains. Hydroacetonic extracts have shown the most diversity for secondary metabolites. The TLC analyses of flavonoids from HAE extracts showed the presence of rutin and other unidentified compounds. The phenolic compound contents of the HAE, ME and AE extracts were determined using the Folin–Ciocalteu method and ranged from 7.55 to 10.18 mg Gallic acid equivalent GAE/100 mg. Tannins, flavonoids, and flavonols ranged from 2.83 to 10.17 mg tannic acid equivalent (TAE)/100 mg, 0.37 to 7.06 mg quercetin equivalent (QE) /100 mg, and 0.09 to 1.31 mg QE/100 mg, respectively. The betacyanin contents were 40.42 and 6.35 mg Amaranthin Equivalent/100 g aerial parts (dry weight) in A. cruentus and A. hybridus, respectively. Free-radical scavenging activity expressed as IC50 (DPPH method) and iron reducing power (FRAP method) ranged from 56 to 423 µg/mL and from 2.26 to 2.56 mmol AAE/g, respectively. Xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities of extracts of A. cruentus and A. hybridus were 3.18% and 38.22%, respectively. The A. hybridus extract showed the best antioxidant and xanthine oxidase inhibition activities. The results indicated that the phytochemical contents of the two species justify their traditional uses as nutraceutical food plants. PMID:24281664

  10. In Situ Enzymatically Generated Photoswitchable Oxidase Mimetics and Their Application for Colorimetric Detection of Glucose Oxidase.

    PubMed

    Cao, Gen-Xia; Wu, Xiu-Ming; Dong, Yu-Ming; Li, Zai-Jun; Wang, Guang-Li

    2016-07-09

    In this study, a simple and amplified colorimetric assay is developed for the detection of the enzymatic activity of glucose oxidase (GOx) based on in situ formation of a photoswitchable oxidase mimetic of PO₄(3-)-capped CdS quantum dots (QDs). GOx catalyzes the oxidation of 1-thio-β-d-glucose to give 1-thio-β-d-gluconic acid which spontaneously hydrolyzes to β-d-gluconic acid and H₂S; the generated H₂S instantly reacts with Cd(2+) in the presence of Na₃PO₄ to give PO₄(3-)-stabilized CdS QDs in situ. Under visible-light (λ ≥ 400 nm) stimulation, the PO₄(3-)-capped CdS QDs are a new style of oxidase mimic derived by producing some active species, such as h⁺, (•)OH, O₂(•-) and a little H₂O₂, which can oxidize the typical substrate (3,3,5,5-tetramethylbenzydine (TMB)) with a color change. Based on the GOx-triggered growth of the oxidase mimetics of PO₄(3-)-capped CdS QDs in situ, we developed a simple and amplified colorimetric assay to probe the enzymatic activity of GOx. The proposed method allowed the detection of the enzymatic activity of GOx over the range from 25 μg/L to 50 mg/L with a low detection limit of 6.6 μg/L. We believe the PO₄(3-)-capped CdS QDs generated in situ with photo-stimulated enzyme-mimicking activity may find wide potential applications in biosensors.

  11. Nitric oxide production and monoamine oxidase activity in cancer patients during interferon-alpha therapy.

    PubMed

    Fekkes, Durk; Van Gool, Arthur R; Bannink, Marjolein; Sleijfer, Stefan; Kruit, Wim H J; van der Holt, Bronno; Eggermont, Alexander M M; Hengeveld, Michiel W; Stoter, Gerrit

    2009-10-01

    Both increased and decreased nitric oxide (NO) synthesis have been reported in patients treated with interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha). Animal studies showed that IFN-alpha administration results in increased levels of biogenic amines, subsequent activation of monoamine oxidases (MAOs), and finally in a change in NO production due to the H(2)O(2) generated by MAOs. We examined the potential relationship between NO production in plasma and MAO-B activity in platelets of 43 cancer patients during 8 weeks of treatment with IFN-alpha. NO synthesis was quantitated by measuring both the ratio of citrulline and arginine (CIT/ARG-ratio) and total nitrite/nitrate (NOx) levels. Compared to baseline, MAO activity and NOx increased, while the CIT/ARG-ratio decreased. No associations were found between NOx, MAO and CIT/ARG-ratio. Only few associations were observed between changes in the biochemical parameters and changes in psychopathology induced by IFN-alpha, of which the association between changes in CIT and lassitude was the most consistent. The results suggest that peripheral NO production and MAO activity are unrelated to each other, and that peripheral changes in these biochemical parameters induced by IFN-alpha are unlikely to contribute to definite psychiatric disturbance.

  12. Unveiling of novel regio-selective fatty acid double bond hydratases from Lactobacillus acidophilus involved in the selective oxyfunctionalization of mono- and di-hydroxy fatty acids.

    PubMed

    Kim, Kyoung-Rok; Oh, Hye-Jin; Park, Chul-Soon; Hong, Seung-Hye; Park, Ji-Young; Oh, Deok-Kun

    2015-11-01

    The aim of this study is the first time demonstration of cis-12 regio-selective linoleate double-bond hydratase. Hydroxylation of fatty acids, abundant feedstock in nature, is an emerging alternative route for many petroleum replaceable products thorough hydroxy fatty acids, carboxylic acids, and lactones. However, chemical route for selective hydroxylation is still quite challenging owing to low selectivity and many environmental concerns. Hydroxylation of fatty acids by hydroxy fatty acid forming enzymes is an important route for selective biocatalytic oxyfunctionalization of fatty acids. Therefore, novel fatty acid hydroxylation enzymes should be discovered. The two hydratase genes of Lactobacillus acidophilus were identified by genomic analysis, and the expressed two recombinant hydratases were identified as cis-9 and cis-12 double-bond selective linoleate hydratases by in vitro functional validation, including the identification of products and the determination of regio-selectivity, substrate specificity, and kinetic parameters. The two different linoleate hydratases were the involved enzymes in the 10,13-dihydroxyoctadecanoic acid biosynthesis. Linoleate 13-hydratase (LHT-13) selectively converted 10 mM linoleic acid to 13S-hydroxy-9(Z)-octadecenoic acid with high titer (8.1 mM) and yield (81%). Our study will expand knowledge for microbial fatty acid-hydroxylation enzymes and facilitate the designed production of the regio-selective hydroxy fatty acids for useful chemicals from polyunsaturated fatty acid feedstocks. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  13. Non-methylene interrupted and hydroxy fatty acids in polar lipids of the alga Grateloupia turuturu over the four seasons.

    PubMed

    Kendel, Melha; Barnathan, Gilles; Fleurence, Joël; Rabesaotra, Vony; Wielgosz-Collin, Gaëtane

    2013-05-01

    Phospholipids (PL) and glycolipids (GL) FA in the edible Rhodophyta Grateloupia turuturu, from Brittany, France, were investigated over four seasons. The major lipid class was GL in all seasons (around 45 %). More than 80 FA occurred in polar lipids, with chains from C12 to C26, identified as methyl esters and N-acyl pyrrolidides by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). PUFA occurred at up to 47.1 % (summer) in PL, and up to 43.6 % (summer) in GL. The major PUFA were 20:5n-3 (12.2 % in PL and 29.0 % in GL) and 20:4n-6 (25.6 % in PL and 10.4 % in GL). The unusual 18:3n-7 acid was identified in PL up to 2.2 %. Several minor unsaturated FA were identified in PL and are previously unreported in seaweeds, namely 14-tricosenoic, 15-tetracosenoic, 5,11-octadecadienoic and 5,9-nonadecadienoic. Also unprecedented in seaweeds, ten 2-hydroxy and three 3-hydroxy FA occurred mainly in PL, 13.9 % in spring with the 3-hydroxyhexadecanoic acid as the major one (8.1 % winter). Three n-9 monounsaturated 2-hydroxy FA occurred in PL. The 2-hydroxy-15-tetracosenoic acid was characterized as the dimethyl disulfide adduct of its methyl ester. The 2-hydroxy-16-pentacosenoic and 2-hydroxy-17-hexacosenoic acids were identified by comparison of mass spectra and GC mobilities with those of the 2-hydroxy-15-tetracosenoic acid, and of other homogeneous FA series. These rare n-9 monounsaturated 2-hydroxy FA are unprecedented in seaweeds.

  14. Structure of aureobasidin A.

    PubMed

    Ikai, K; Takesako, K; Shiomi, K; Moriguchi, M; Umeda, Y; Yamamoto, J; Kato, I; Naganawa, H

    1991-09-01

    Aureobasidin A, a new antifungal antibiotic, was isolated from the culture medium of Aureobasidium pullulans R106. Aureobasidin A was a cyclic depsipeptide consisting of eight alpha-amino acid units and one hydroxy acid unit. The structures of the units were found by acid hydrolysis of the antibiotic to be 2(R)-hydroxy-3(R)-methylpentanoic acid, beta-hydroxy-N-methyl-L-valine, N-methyl-L-valine, L-proline, allo-L-isoleucine, N-methyl-L-phenylalanine, L-leucine, and L-phenyl-alanine. The sequence of the units was identified by NMR and FAB-MS of the products from the alkaline hydrolysis of aureobasidin A.

  15. Production of 13S-hydroxy-9(Z)-octadecenoic acid from linoleic acid by whole recombinant cells expressing linoleate 13-hydratase from Lactobacillus acidophilus.

    PubMed

    Park, Ji-Young; Lee, Seon-Hwa; Kim, Kyoung-Rok; Park, Jin-Byung; Oh, Deok-Kun

    2015-08-20

    Linoleate 13-hydratase from Lactobacillus acidophilus LMG 11470 converted linoleic acid to hydroxyl fatty acid, which was identified as 13S-hydroxy-9(Z)-octadecenoic acid (13-HOD) by GC-MS and NMR. The expression of linoleate 13-hydratase gene in Escherichia coli was maximized by using pACYC plasmid and super optimal broth with catabolite repression (SOC) medium containing 40mM Mg(2+). To optimize induction conditions, recombinant cells were cultivated at 37°C, 1mM isopropyl-β-d-thiogalactopyranoside was added at 2h, and the culture was further incubated at 16°C for 18h. Recombinant cells expressing linoleate 13-hydratase from L. acidophilus were obtained under the optimized expression conditions and used for 13-HOD production from linoleic acid. The optimal reaction conditions were pH 6.0, 40°C, 0.25% (v/v) Tween 40, 25gl(-1) cells, and 100gl(-1) linoleic acid, and under these conditions, whole recombinant cells produced 79gl(-1) 13-HOD for 3h with a conversion yield of 79% (w/w), a volumetric productivity of 26.3gl(-1)h(-1), and a specific productivity of 1.05g g-cells(-1)h(-1). To the best of our knowledge, the recombinant cells produced hydroxy fatty acid with the highest concentration and productivity reported so far. Crown Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  16. Microbial catabolism of sterols: focus on the enzymes that transform the sterol 3β-hydroxy-5-en into 3-keto-4-en.

    PubMed

    Kreit, Joseph

    2017-02-01

    An overview on the microbial sterol catabolism is described with a focus on the catabolic step of the 3β-hydroxy-5-en structure. Cholesterol oxidase transforms this structure into the corresponding 3-keto-4-en feature, and thus initiates the sterol molecule catabolism. The oxidase has been found in a large number of microorganisms, especially in Actinobacteria as species of Rhodococcus and Streptomyces. Other Actinobacteria as species of Mycobacterium and Nocardia possess NAD(P)-dependent dehydrogenase for this catabolic step. In Rhodococcus jostii, oxidation of the C26 of the sterol side chain is the initiating step. The resulting stenone or sterol-C26-oic acid is then catabolized according to two subpathways: cleavage of the sterol side chain and degradation of the steroid nucleus. Divergent items concerned with the enzymes that transform the sterol 3β-hydroxy-5-en are discussed. © FEMS 2017. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

  17. Effect of baseline plasma fatty acids on eicosapentaenoic acid levels in individuals supplemented with alpha-linolenic acid.

    PubMed

    DeFilippis, Andrew P; Harper, Charles R; Cotsonis, George A; Jacobson, Terry A

    2009-01-01

    We previously reported a >50% increase in mean plasma eicosapentaenoic acid levels in a general medicine clinic population after supplementation with alpha-linolenic acid. In the current analysis, we evaluate the variability of changes in eicosapentaenoic acid levels among individuals supplemented with alpha-linolenic acid and evaluated the impact of baseline plasma fatty acids levels on changes in eicosapentaenoic acid levels in these individuals. Changes in eicosapentaenoic acid levels among individuals supplemented with alpha-linolenic acid ranged from a 55% decrease to a 967% increase. Baseline plasma fatty acids had no statistically significant effect on changes in eicosapentaenoic levels acid after alpha-linolenic acid supplementation. Changes in eicosapentaenoic acid levels varied considerably in a general internal medicine clinic population supplemented with alpha-linolenic acid. Factors that may impact changes in plasma eicosapentaenoic acid levels after alpha-linolenic acid supplementation warrant further study.

  18. 15 beta-hydroxysteroids (Part IV). Steroids of the human perinatal period: the synthesis of 3 alpha,15 beta,17 alpha-trihydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one and its A/B-ring configurational isomers.

    PubMed

    Reeder, A Y; Joannou, G E

    1995-12-01

    In recent years several 15 beta-hydroxysteroids have emerged pathognomonic of adrenal disorders in human neonates of which 3 alpha,15 beta,17 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-pregnan-20-one (2) was the first to be identified in the urine of newborn infants affected with congenital adrenal hyperplasia. In this investigation we report the synthesis of the three remaining 3 xi,5 xi-isomers, namely 3 alpha,15 beta,17 alpha-trihydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one (3), 3 beta,15 beta,17 alpha-trihydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one (7) and 3 beta,15 beta,17 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-pregnan-20-one (8) for their definitive identification in pathological conditions in human neonates. 3 beta,15 beta-Diacetoxy-17 alpha-hydroxy-5-pregnen-20-one (11), a product of chemical synthesis was converted to the isomeric 3 and 7, while conversion of 15 beta,17 alpha-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3,20-dione (4), a product of microbiological transformation, resulted in the preparation of 8. In brief, selective acetate hydrolysis of 11 gave 15 beta-acetoxy-3 beta,17 alpha-dihydroxy-5-pregnen-20-one (12) which on catalytic hydrogenation gave 15 beta-acetoxy-3 beta,17 alpha-dihydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one (13) a common intermediate for the synthesis of the 3 beta(and alpha),5 alpha-isomers. Hydrolysis of the 15 beta-acetate gave 7, whereas oxidation with pyridinium chlorochromate gave 15 beta-acetoxy-17 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-3,20-dione (14) which on reduction with L-Selectride and hydrolysis of the 15 beta-acetate gave 3. Finally, hydrogenation of 4 gave 15 beta, 17 alpha-dihydroxy-5 beta-pregnan-3,20-dione (10) which on reduction with L-Selectride gave 8.

  19. EIMS Fragmentation Pathways and MRM Quantification of 7α/β-Hydroxy-Dehydroabietic Acid TMS Derivatives

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rontani, Jean-François; Aubert, Claude; Belt, Simon T.

    2015-09-01

    EI mass fragmentation pathways of TMS derivatives οf 7α/β-hydroxy-dehydroabietic acids resulting from NaBH4-reduction of oxidation products of dehydroabietic acid (a component of conifers) were investigated and deduced by a combination of (1) low energy CID-GC-MS/MS, (2) deuterium labeling, (3) different derivatization methods, and (4) GC-QTOF accurate mass measurements. Having identified the main fragmentation pathways, the TMS-derivatized 7α/β-hydroxy-dehydroabietic acids could be quantified in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode in sea ice and sediment samples collected from the Arctic. These newly characterized transformation products of dehydroabietic acid constitute potential tracers of biotic and abiotic degradation of terrestrial higher plants in the environment.

  20. Biosynthesis of o-succinylbenzoic acid in Bacillus subtilis: identification of menD mutants and evidence against the involvement of the alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex.

    PubMed Central

    Palaniappan, C; Taber, H; Meganathan, R

    1994-01-01

    The biosynthesis of o-succinylbenzoic acid (OSB), the first aromatic intermediate involved in the biosynthesis of menaquinone (vitamin K2) is demonstrated for the first time in the gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Cell extracts were found to contain isochorismate synthase, 2-succinyl-6-hydroxy-2,4-cyclohexadiene-1-carboxylic acid (SHCHC) synthase-alpha-ketoglutarate decarboxylase and o-succinylbenzoic acid synthase activities. An odhA mutant which lacks the decarboxylase component (usually termed E1, EC 1.2.4.2, oxoglutarate dehydrogenase [lipoamide]) of the alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase complex was found to synthesize SHCHC and form succinic semialdehyde-thiamine pyrophosphate. Thus, the presence of an alternate alpha-ketoglutarate decarboxylase activity specifically involved in menaquinone biosynthesis is established for B. subtilis. A number of OSB-requiring mutants were also assayed for the presence of the various enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of OSB. All mutants were found to lack only the SHCHC synthase activity. PMID:8169214

  1. Characterization and purification of polyphenol oxidase from artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.).

    PubMed

    Dogan, Serap; Turan, Yusuf; Ertürk, Hatibe; Arslan, Oktay

    2005-02-09

    In this study, the polyphenol oxidase (PPO) of artichoke (Cynara scolymus L.) was first purified by a combination of (NH(4))(2)SO(4) precipitation, dialysis, and a Sepharose 4B-L-tyrosine-p-aminobenzoic acid affinity column. At the end of purification, 43-fold purification was achieved. The purified enzyme migrated as a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that PPO had a 57 kDa molecular mass. Second, the contents of total phenolic and protein of artichoke head extracts were determined. The total phenolic content of artichoke head was determined spectrophotometrically according to the Folin-Ciocalteu procedure and was found to be 425 mg 100 g(-1) on a fresh weight basis. Protein content was determined according to Bradford method. Third, the effects of substrate specificity, pH, temperature, and heat inactivation were investigated on the activity of PPO purified from artichoke. The enzyme showed activity to 4-methylcatechol, pyrogallol, catechol, and L-dopa. No activity was detected toward L-tyrosine, resorsinol, and p-cresol. According to V(max)/K(m) values, 4-methylcatechol (1393 EU min(-1) mM(-1)) was the best substrate, followed by pyrogallol (1220 EU min(-1) mM(-1)), catechol (697 EU min(-1) mM(-1)), and L-dopa (102 EU min(-1) mM(-1)). The optimum pH values for PPO were 5.0, 8.0, and 7.0 using 4-methylcatechol, pyrogallol, and catechol as substrate, respectively. It was found that optimum temperatures were dependent on the substrates studied. The enzyme activity decreased due to heat denaturation of the enzyme with increasing temperature and inactivation time for 4-methylcatechol and pyrogallol substrates. However, all inactivation experiments for catechol showed that the activity of artichoke PPO increased with mild heating, reached a maximum, and then decreased with time. Finally, inhibition of artichoke PPO was investigated with inhibitors such as L-cysteine, EDTA, ascorbic

  2. Alpha Hydroxy Acids

    MedlinePlus

    ... Both? (or Is It Soap?) . Has FDA received reports of adverse events related to AHAs? FDA received a total of 114 adverse dermatologic experience reports for AHA-containing skin care products between 1992 ...

  3. Imino Acids in the Murchison Meteorite: Evidence of Strecker Reactions

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lerner, N. R.; Cooper, G. W.

    2003-01-01

    Both alpha-amino acids and alpha-hydroxy acids occur in aqueous extracts of the Murchison carbonaceous meteorite. The Strecker-cyanohydrin reaction, the reaction of carbonyl compounds, cyanide, and ammonia to produce amino and hydroxy acids, has been proposed as a source of such organic acids in meteorites. Such syntheses are consistent with the suggestion that interstellar precursors of meteoritic organic compounds accreted on the meteorite parent body together with other ices. Subsequent internal heating of the parent body melted these ices and led to the formation of larger compounds in synthetic reactions during aqueous alteration, which probably occurred at temperatures between 273K and 298K. In the laboratory, imino acids are observed as important by-products of the Strecker synthesis.

  4. Electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry differentiation of N-phosphoryl-[alpha]-, [beta]- and [gamma]-amino acids

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Qiang, Liming; Cao, Shuxia; Zhao, Xiaoyang; Mao, Xiangju; Guo, Yanchun; Liao, Xincheng; Zhao, Yufen

    2007-10-01

    The fragmentation patterns of N-diisopropyloxyphosphoryl-l-[alpha]-Ala (DIPP-l-[alpha]-Ala), N-diisopropyloxyphosphoryl-d-[alpha]-Ala (DIPP-d-[alpha]-Ala), N-diisopropyloxyphosphoryl-[beta]-Ala (DIPP-[beta]-Ala) and N-diisopropyloxyphosphoryl-[gamma]-amino butyric acid (DIPP-[gamma]-Aba) were investigated by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS). DIPP-d-[alpha]-Ala showed the same fragmentation pathways as DIPP-l-[alpha]-Ala. In the fragmentation of protonated DIPP-[beta]-Ala, the characteristic fragment ion [M + H - 2C3H6 - H2O - CH2CO]+ appeared and could be used to distinguish [beta]-Ala from l-[alpha]-Ala and d-[alpha]-Ala through tandem mass spectra, even though they possess the same molecular weight. In the fragmentation of protonated DIPP-[gamma]-Aba, the break of PN bond occurred and an interesting protonated lactam ion with five-membered ring was generated. Furthermore, in the MS3 spectrum of [M + Na - 2C3H6]+ ion of DIPP-[gamma]-Aba, a strong intensity of unique fragment ion, namely lactam-sodium adduct with five-membered ring, was observed, which could be considered as a mark for [gamma]-amino acids. The stepwise fragmentations of their [M + Na]+ ions and [M - H]- ions showed that they all underwent a PN to PO bond migration through a five-membered or six-membered or even seven-membered ring transition state, respectively, which supported the great affinity of hydroxyl for phosphoryl group.

  5. NAD(P)H oxidase mediates the endothelial barrier dysfunction induced by TNF-alpha.

    PubMed

    Gertzberg, Nancy; Neumann, Paul; Rizzo, Victor; Johnson, Arnold

    2004-01-01

    We tested the hypothesis that the NAD(P)H oxidase-dependent generation of superoxide anion (O2-*) mediates tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF)-induced alterations in the permeability of pulmonary microvessel endothelial monolayers (PMEM). The permeability of PMEM was assessed by the clearance rate of Evans blue-labeled albumin. The NAD(P)H oxidase subcomponents p47phox and p22phox were assessed by immunofluorescent microscopy and Western blot. The reactive oxygen species O2-* was measured by the fluorescence of 6-carboxy-2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetatedi(acetoxymethyl ester), 5 (and 6)-chloromethyl-2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate-acetyl ester, and dihydroethidium. TNF treatment (50 ng/ml for 4.0 h) induced 1) p47phox translocation, 2) an increase in p22phox protein, 3) increased localization of p47phox with p22phox, 4) O2-* generation, and 5) increased permeability to albumin. p22phox antisense oligonucleotide prevented the TNF-induced effect on p22phox, p47phox, O2-*, and permeability. The scrambled nonsense oligonucleotide had no effect. The TNF-induced increase in O2-* and permeability to albumin was also prevented by the O2-* scavenger Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (100 U/ml). The results indicate that the activation of NAD(P)H oxidase, via the generation of O2-*, mediates TNF-induced barrier dysfunction in PMEM.

  6. Domino syntheses of bioactive tetronic and tetramic acids.

    PubMed

    Schobert, Rainer

    2007-01-01

    Natural products containing tetronic acid or tetramic acid moieties continue to attract the interest of chemists, biologists, and physicians due to their challenging structures and to the wide range of biological activities they display. This review portrays the structural varieties of tetronic and tetramic acids and the spectrum of possible therapeutically relevant effects in man for exemplary derivatives. Their biosynthetic origin from alpha-amino and alpha-hydroxy acids is briefly discussed as is the relationship between their structures and their modes of interaction with biochemical effectors such as metal cations or enzymes. A short overview of laboratory syntheses of the heterocyclic core structures of tetramic and tetronic acids is provided with an emphasis on those emulating the biosynthesis. A synthesis from the alpha-amino or alpha-hydroxy esters and the cumulated phosphorus ylide Ph(3)PCCO based upon a domino addition-intra-Wittig alkenation sequence is presented with applications to the preparation of the antibiotics reutericyclin and tenuazonic acid, the cytotoxic melophlin B, and the enzyme inhibitor RK-682. Procedural advantages of immobilizing either starting component by attaching it to a resin and its exploitation in the parallel synthesis of libraries of potential drug candidates are described. The basic domino reaction can even be extended by further C-C bond forming steps when starting from suitable alpha-hydroxy or alpha-amino allyl esters. Depending on the chosen reaction conditions, bioactive intermediates of formally three to seven step long cascades can be obtained. Among them, herbicidal 3-alkyltetronic acids and lactone endoperoxides with antiplasmodial activity exceeding that of the natural antimalarial lead artemisinin. Hence, this domino reaction gives access to diversely functionalized derivatives of tetronic and tetramic acids. As it can also be ported to solid phase, it is ideally suited for parallel and combinatorial processing

  7. Optimization of disintegration behavior of biodegradable poly (hydroxy butanoic acid) copolymer mulch films in soil environment

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Mahajan, Viabhav

    Biodegradation of polymeric films used for mulch film applications in agriculture not only eliminates problems of sorting out and disposal of plastics films, but also ensures increased yields in crop growth and cost reduction. One such polymer which is completely biodegradable in the soil is poly 3-hydroxy butanoic acid copolymer, which is a promising alternative to non-biodegradable incumbent polyethylene mulch films. The purpose of mulch film made of poly 3-hydroxy butanoic acid copolymers is to sustain itself during the crop growth and disintegrate and eventually biodegrade back to nature after the crop cycle is over. The disintegration phase of the biodegradation process was evaluated for poly 3-hydroxy butanoic acid copolymer incorporated with no additive, antimicrobial additives, varying amount of crystallinities, another biodegradable polymer, and in different soils, with or without varying soil moisture content. The tools used for quantification were weight loss and visual observation. The test method was standardized using repeatability tests. The onset of disintegration was optimized with addition of right anti-microbial additives, higher crystallinity of film, blending with other biodegradable polymers, compared to virgin poly 3-hydroxy butanoic acid copolymer film. The onset of disintegration time was reduced when soil moisture content was reduced. After the onset of disintegration, the polymer film was physically and mechanically deteriorated, withering away in soil, which is possible to tailor with the crop growth cycle.

  8. The effects of hydroxy fatty acids on the hyphal branching of germinated spores of AM fungi.

    PubMed

    Nagahashi, Gerald; Douds, David D

    2011-01-01

    Two hydroxy fatty acids, tentatively identified previously in carrot root exudates, were tested for their effects on hyphal growth of the arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, Gigaspora gigantea (Nicol. and Gerd.) Gerdemann and Trappe. Best results were achieved with a long-term bioassay (7-8d) with nanomolar concentrations throughout the Petri dish in contrast to the rapid microinjection bioassay (16-24h) in which nanogram quantities were injected near growing hyphal tips. When 5nM 2-hydroxy fatty acids of various chain length were tested, the length of the hydroxyl fatty acid was significant since only 2-hydroxytetradecanoic acid (2OH-TDA) and to a slightly lesser degree, 2-hydroxydodecanoic acid (2OH-DDA) induced a hyphal growth response while 2-hydroxydecanoic acid (2OH-DA) and 2-hydroxyhexadecanoic (2OH-HDA) acid did not. The position of the hydroxyl group was critical since 5nM 3-hydroxytetradecanoic acid (3OH-TDA) had no effect on hyphal growth. The length of the non-hydroxy containing straight chain fatty acid, per se, did not appear significant since none of these fatty acids had an effect on hyphal growth. The morphological growth response promoted by 2OH-TDA consisted of multiple lateral branches, spaced fairly regularly apart, along the primary germ tubes as well as some lateral branch formation off the major secondary hyphae. This growth response was identical to that observed when germinated spores were allowed to grow towards cultured carrot roots in vitro. This response to 2OH-TDA also was observed with an unidentified Gigaspora species but no morphological response was observed with Glomus intraradices Schenck and Smith. The results indicate that 2-hydroxy fatty acids are another putative category of root exudate signals perceived by Gigaspora species, stimulating an increase in elongated lateral branches. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  9. Partial purification and characterization of polyphenol oxidase from banana (Musa sapientum L.) peel.

    PubMed

    Yang, C P; Fujita, S; Kohno, K; Kusubayashi, A; Ashrafuzzaman, M; Hayashi, N

    2001-03-01

    Polyphenol oxidase (EC 1.10.3.1, o-diphenol: oxygen oxidoreductase, PPO) of banana (Musa sapientum L.) peel was partially purified about 460-fold with a recovery of 2.2% using dopamine as substrate. The enzyme showed a single peak on Toyopearl HW55-S chromatography. However, two bands were detected by staining with Coomassie brilliant blue on PAGE: one was very clear, and the other was faint. Molecular weight for purified PPO was estimated to be about 41 000 by gel filtration. The enzyme quickly oxidized dopamine, and its Km value (Michaelis constant) for dopamine was 3.9 mM. Optimum pH was 6.5 and the PPO activity was quite stable in the range of pH 5-11 for 48 h. The enzyme had an optimum temperature at 30 degrees C and was stable up to 60 degrees C after heat treatment for 30 min. The enzyme activity was strongly inhibited by sodium diethyldithiocarbamate, potassium cyanide, L-ascorbic acid, and cysteine at 1 mM. Under a low buffer capacity, the enzyme was also strongly inhibited by citric acid and acetic acid at 10 mM.

  10. Cellular mechanism of resistance of human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells against apoptosis-induction by Russell's Viper venom L-amino acid oxidase (Rusvinoxidase).

    PubMed

    Mukherjee, Ashis K; Saviola, Anthony J; Mackessy, Stephen P

    2018-04-24

    The present study highlights the cellular mechanism of resistance in human adenocarcinoma (Colo-205) cells against apoptosis induction by Rusvinoxidase, an L-amino acid oxidase purified from Russell's Viper venom (RVV). The significantly lower cytotoxicity as well as apoptotic activity of Rusvinoxidase towards Colo-205 cells (compared to MCF-7 breast cancer cells) is correlated with lower depletion of cellular glutathione content and increased down-regulation of catalase activity of Colo-205 cells following Rusvinoxidase treatment. Exposure to Rusvinoxidase subsequently diminished reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and failed to impair mitochondrial membrane potential, resulting in apoptosis induction resistance in Colo-205 cells. Further, higher expression levels of caspase 8, compared to caspase 9, indicate that Rusvinoxidase preferentially triggers the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis in Colo-205 cells. A time-dependent lower ratio of the relative expression of Bax and Bcl-xL (pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins) in Colo-205 cells, compared to our previous study on MCF-7 cells, unambiguously supports a higher cellular resistance mechanism in Colo-205 cells against Rusvinoxidase-induced apoptosis. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  11. Cytochrome c oxidase inhibition in the rice weevil Sitophilus oryzae (L.) by formate, the toxic metabolite of volatile alkyl formates.

    PubMed

    Haritos, V S; Dojchinov, G

    2003-10-01

    Volatile alkyl formates are potential replacements for the ozone-depleting fumigant, methyl bromide, as postharvest insecticides and here we have investigated their mode of insecticidal action. Firstly, a range of alkyl esters, ethanol and formic acid were tested in mortality bioassays with adults of the rice weevil, Sitophilus oryzae (L.) and the grain borer, Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) to determine whether the intact ester or one of its components was the toxic moiety. Volatile alkyl formates and formic acid caused similar levels of mortality (LC(50) 131-165 micromol l(-1)) to S. oryzae and were more potent than non-formate containing alkyl esters and ethanol (LC(50)>275 micromol l(-1)). The order of potency was the same in R. dominica. Ethyl formate was rapidly metabolised in vitro to formic acid when incubated with insect homogenates, presumably through the action of esterases. S. oryzae and R. dominica fumigated with a lethal dose of ethyl formate had eight and 17-fold higher concentrations of formic acid, respectively, in their bodies than untreated controls. When tested against isolated mitochondria from S. oryzae, alkyl esters, alcohols, acetate and propionate salts were not inhibitory towards cytochrome c oxidase (EC 1.9.3.1), but sodium cyanide and sodium formate were inhibitory with IC(50) values of 0.0015 mM and 59 mM, respectively. Volatile formate esters were more toxic than other alkyl esters, and this was found to be due, at least in part, to their hydrolysis to formic acid and its inhibition of cytochrome c oxidase.

  12. Alpha-Hydroxylation of lignoceric and nervonic acids in the brain. Effects of altered thyroid function on postnatal development of the hydroxylase activity.

    PubMed

    Murad, S; Strycharz, G D; Kishimoto, Y

    1976-09-10

    Rat brain postnuclear preparations catalyzed the alpha-hydroxylation of nervonic acid with an apparent Km of 3 muM. Evidence has been presented which suggests that nervonic acid in the brain is hydroxylated by the same enzyme system which hydroxylates lignoceric acid. The hydroxylase activity in brains of normal (euthyroid) rats increased rapidly from a low in the period immediately following birth to a maximum at the 23rd day and then declined to a low level characteristic of the mature brain. Neonatal hypothyroidism retarded the development of the activity and shifted its peak to the 39th day after birth. Conversely, neonatal hyperthyroidism accelerated the entire developmental pattern and shifted the peak to the 16th day after birth. The hydroxylase activity in mouse brain was also increased by thyroid hormone administration from the 13th through the 18th day after birth. Unlike normal mice, the low activity in jimpy mice was not affected by this treatment. It is concluded that thyroid hormones play an important role in the control of brain fatty acid alpha-hydroxylation. The stimulation of alpha-hydroxy fatty acid synthesis in response to hyperthyroidism during the early postnatal period may be one of the major effects of thyroid hormones in accelerating myelination of the central nervous system.

  13. 40 CFR 721.5280 - 2,7-Naphthalenedisulfonic acid, 4-amino-5-hydroxy-, coupled with diazotized 4-butylbenzenamine...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... reporting. (1) The chemical substance identified as 2,7-naphthalenedisulfonic acid, 4-amino-5-hydroxy...-amino-5-hydroxy-, coupled with diazotized 4-butylbenzenamine, diazotized 4,4â²-cyclohexylidenebis[benzenamine] and m-phenylenediamine, sodium salt. 721.5280 Section 721.5280 Protection of Environment...

  14. Nucleic acid component analogues: synthesis of 2'-deoxynucleosides from 5-substituted-4-hydroxy-6(1H)-pyrimidinones.

    PubMed

    Khattab, Ahmed F; Abdel Megied, Ahmed E S; Pedersen, Erik B

    2003-01-01

    Condensation of the silylated pyrimidines 5a-c with methyl 2-deoxy-3,5-di-O-toluoyl-D-pentofuranoside 6, using trimethylsilyltriflate as catalyst gave anomeric mixtures of 2'-deoxynucleosides 7a-c, the pure alpha- and beta-anomers were separated and deprotected with sodium methoxide in methanol to give 1-(2'-deoxy-alpha-D-pentafuranosyl)-4-hydroxy-5-substituted-6(1H)-pyrimidinones 10a,b and 13a and their corresponding beta-anomers 11a,b and 13b.

  15. Purification and partial amino-acid sequence of gibberellin 20-oxidase from Cucurbita maxima L. endosperm.

    PubMed

    Lange, T

    1994-01-01

    Gibberellin (GA) 20-oxidase was purified to apparent homogeneity from Cucurbita maxima endosperm by fractionated ammonium-sulphate precipitation, gel-filtration chromatography and anion-exchange and hydrophobic-interaction high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Average purification after the last step was 55-fold with 3.9% of the activity recovered. The purest single fraction was enriched 101-fold with 0.2% overall recovery. Apparent relative molecular mass of the enzyme was 45 kDa, as determined by gel-filtration HPLC and sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, indicating that GA 20-oxidase is probably a monomeric enzyme. The purified enzyme degraded on two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, giving two protein spots: a major one corresponding to a molecular mass of 30 kDa and a minor one at 45 kDa. The isoelectric point for both was 5.4. The amino-acid sequences of the amino-terminus of the purified enzyme and of two peptides from a tryptic digest were determined. The purified enzyme catalysed the sequential conversion of [14C]GA12 to [14C]GA15, [14C]GA24 and [14C]GA25, showing that carbon atom 20 was oxidised to the corresponding alcohol, aldehyde and carboxylic acid in three consecutive reactions. [14C]Gibberellin A53 was similarly converted to [14C]GA44, [14C]GA19, [14C]GA17 and small amounts of a fourth product, which was preliminarily identified as [14C]GA20, a C19-gibberellin. All GAs except [14C]GA20 were identified by combined gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The cofactor requirements in the absence of dithiothreitol were essentially as in its presence (Lange et al., Planta 195, 98-107, 1994), except that ascorbate was essential for enzyme activity and the optimal concentration of catalase was lower.

  16. Poly-3-hydroxy butyric acid interaction with the transgenic flax fibers: FT-IR and Raman spectra of the composite extracted from a GM flax

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Wróbel-Kwiatkowska, Magdalena; Żuk, Magdalena; Szopa, Jan; Dymińska, Lucyna; Mączka, Mirosław; Hanuza, Jerzy

    2009-07-01

    The FT-IR and FT-Raman studies have been performed on commercial 3-hydroxy-butyric acid, commercial poly-3-hydroxy butyric acid as well as poly-3-hydroxy butyric acid (PHB) produced by bacteria. The data were compared to those obtained for poly-3-hydroxy butyric acid extracted from natural and genetically modified flax. Genetically modified flax was generated by expression of three bacterial genes coding for synthesis of poly-3-hydroxy butyric acid. Thus transgenic flaxes were enhanced with different amount of the PHB. The discussion of polymer structure and vibrational properties has been done in order to get insight into differences among these materials. The interaction between the cellulose of flax fibers and embedded poly-3-hydroxybutyric acid has been also discussed. The spectroscopic data provide evidences for structural changes in cellulose and in PHB when synthesized in fibers. Based on this data it is suggesting that cellulose and PHB interact by hydrogen and ester bonds.

  17. Time dependent inhibition of xanthine oxidase in irradiated solutions of folic acid, aminopterin and methotrexate

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

    Robinson, K.; Pilot, T.F.; Meany, J.E.

    1990-01-01

    The xanthine oxidase catalyzed oxidation of hypoxanthine was followed by monitoring the formation of uric acid at 290 nm. Inhibition of xanthine oxidase occurs in aqueous solutions of folic acid methotrexate and aminopterin. These compounds are known to dissociate upon exposure to ultraviolet light resulting in the formation of their respective 6-formylpteridine derivatives. The relative rates of dissociation were monitored spectrophotometrically by determining the absorbance of their 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine derivatives at 500 nm. When aqueous solutions of folic acid, aminopterin and methotrexate were exposed to uv light, a direct correlation was observed between the concentrations of the 6-formylpteridine derivatives existing inmore » solution and the ability of these solutions to inhibit xanthine oxidase. The relative potency of the respective photolysis products were estimated.« less

  18. Absorption of N-phenylpropenoyl-L-amino acids in healthy humans by oral administration of cocoa (Theobroma cacao).

    PubMed

    Stark, Timo; Lang, Roman; Keller, Daniela; Hensel, Andreas; Hofmann, Thomas

    2008-10-01

    Besides flavan-3-ols, a family of N-phenylpropenoyl-L-amino acids (NPAs) has been recently identified as polyphenol/amino acid conjugates in the seeds of Theobroma cacao as well as in a variety of herbal drugs. Stimulated by reports on their biological activity, the purpose of this study was to investigate if these amides are absorbed by healthy volunteers after administration of a cocoa drink. For the first time, 12 NPAs were quantified in human urine by means of a stable isotope dilution analysis with LC-MS/MS (MRM) detection. A maximum amount was found in the urine taken 2 h after the cocoa consumption. The highest absolute amount of NPAs excreted with the urine was found for N-[4'-hydroxy-(E)-cinnamoyl]-L-aspartic acid (5), but the highest recovery rate (57.3 and 22.8%), that means the percentage amount of ingested amides excreted with the urine, were determined for N-[4'-hydroxy-(E)-cinnamoyl]-L-glutamic acid (6) and N-[4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxy-(E)-cinnamoyl]-L-tyrosine (13). In order to gain first insights into the NPA metabolism in vivo, urine samples were analyzed by LC-MS/MS before and after beta-glucuronidase/sulfatase treatment. As independent of the enzyme treatment the same NPA amounts were found in urine, there is strong evidence that these amides are metabolized neither via their O-glucuronides nor their O-sulfates. In order to screen for caffeic acid O-glucuronides as potential NPA metabolites, urine samples were screened by means of LC-MS/MS for caffeic acid 3-O-beta-D-glucuronide and 4-O-beta-D-glucuronide. But not even trace amounts of one of these glucuronides were detectable, thus excluding them as major NPA metabolites and underlining the importance of future investigations on a potential O-methylation or reduction of the N-phenylpropenoyl moiety in NPAs.

  19. Free fatty acid (FFA) and hydroxy carboxylic acid (HCA) receptors.

    PubMed

    Offermanns, Stefan

    2014-01-01

    Saturated and unsaturated free fatty acids (FFAs), as well as hydroxy carboxylic acids (HCAs) such as lactate and ketone bodies, are carriers of metabolic energy, precursors of biological mediators, and components of biological structures. However, they are also able to exert cellular effects through G protein-coupled receptors named FFA1-FFA4 and HCA1-HCA3. Work during the past decade has shown that these receptors are widely expressed in the human body and regulate the metabolic, endocrine, immune and other systems to maintain homeostasis under changing dietary conditions. The development of genetic mouse models and the generation of synthetic ligands of individual FFA and HCA receptors have been instrumental in identifying cellular and biological functions of these receptors. These studies have produced strong evidence that several FFA and HCA receptors can be targets for the prevention and treatment of various diseases, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and inflammation.

  20. Hydroxy fatty acids in marine aerosols as microbial tracers: 4-year study on β- and ω-hydroxy fatty acids from remote Chichijima Island in the western North Pacific

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tyagi, Poonam; Ishimura, Yutaka; Kawamura, Kimitaka

    2015-08-01

    To better understand the long-range atmospheric transport of microbial aerosols from Asia to the western North Pacific, marine aerosols were collected from Chichijima Island (27°04‧N; 142°13‧E) on a biweekly basis during 1990-1993. These samples were investigated for β- and ω-hydroxy fatty acids (FAs) as terrestrial biomarkers of Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) and higher plants, respectively. The average concentrations of β-hydroxy (C8-C31) and ω-hydroxy (C11-C28) FAs show pronounced seasonal variability with maxima in spring (300 ± 70 pg m-3) and winter (650 ± 330 pg m-3), respectively. Airmass back trajectories clearly indicate the continental outflow from Asia during winter to spring, whereas maritime airmasses dominate in summer to autumn over Chichijima. It is noteworthy that atmospheric abundances of β-hydroxy FAs and, thus, the estimated mass concentration of GNB have not been significantly varied between polluted (continental) and pristine (oceanic) airmasses during the study period. However, the relative source strength observed from cluster analysis of β-hydroxy FAs in the polluted continental airmassess vary significantly among seasons (winter: 98%, spring: 63%, summer; 11%, autumn: 26%). In addition, there were distinguishable differences between polluted continental and pristine maritime airmasses with regard to C-number predominance. The even C-number predominance of β- and ω-hydroxy FAs (∼80 and 98% of total mass concentration, respectively) in marine aerosols could be due to their significant contribution from GNB, terrestrial plants and soil microorganisms. These results have implications towards assessing the atmospheric transport of bacterial and plant lipids in the continental outflow over the open ocean.

  1. Subcellular distribution of delta 5-3 beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase in the granulosa cells of the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus).

    PubMed Central

    Armstrong, D G

    1979-01-01

    1. The distribution of 3 beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase was examined in the subcellular fractions of granulosa cells collected from the ovary of the domestic fowl. 2. 3 beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase activity was observed in the mitochondrial (4000g for 20min) and microsomal (105 000g for 120min) fractions. 3. Approximately three times more 3 beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase activity was associated with the cytochrome oxidase activity (a mitochondrial marker enzyme) in anteovulatory-follicle granulosa cells than with that of the postovulatory follicle. 4. Comparison of the latent properties of mitochondrial 3 beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase with those of cytochrome oxidase and isocitrate dehydrogenase indicated that 3 beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase is located extramitochondrially. 5. This apparent distribution of 3 beta-hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase is explained on the basis that the mitochondrial activity is either an artefact caused by a redistribution in the subcellular location of the enzyme, occurring during homogenization, or by the existence of a functionally heterogeneous endoplasmic reticulum that yields particles of widely differing sedimentation properties. PMID:518548

  2. N-alpha-Cocoyl-L-arginine ethyl ester, DL-pyroglutamic acid salt, as an inactivator of hepatitis B surface antigen.

    PubMed Central

    Sugimoto, Y; Toyoshima, S

    1979-01-01

    N-alpha-Cocoyl-L-arginine ethyl ester, DL-pyroglutamic acid salt (CAE), exhibited a strong inactivating effect on hepatitis B surface antigen. Concentrations of CAE required for 50 and 100% inactivation of the antigen were 0.01 to 0.025% and 0.025 to 0.05% respectively. CAE completely inactivated hepatitis B surface antigen at the lowest concentration compared with various compounds including about 500 amino acid derivatives, sodium hypochlorite, 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether, and some detergents. Furthermore, CAE inactivated vaccinia virus, herpes simplex virus, and influenza virus, whereas poliovirus was not inactivated at all. The results suggest that the inactivating effects of CAE are related to interaction with lipid-containing viral envelopes. PMID:228595

  3. Catalytic asymmetric epoxidation of alpha,beta-unsaturated amides: efficient synthesis of beta-aryl alpha-hydroxy amides using a one-pot tandem catalytic asymmetric epoxidation-Pd-catalyzed epoxide opening process.

    PubMed

    Nemoto, Tetsuhiro; Kakei, Hiroyuki; Gnanadesikan, Vijay; Tosaki, Shin-Ya; Ohshima, Takashi; Shibasaki, Masakatsu

    2002-12-11

    The catalytic asymmetric epoxidation of alpha,beta-unsaturated amides using Sm-BINOL-Ph3As=O complex was succeeded. Using 5-10 mol % of the asymmetric catalyst, a variety of amides were epoxidized efficiently, yielding the corresponding alpha,beta-epoxy amides in up to 99% yield and in more than 99% ee. Moreover, the novel one-pot tandem process, one-pot tandem catalytic asymmetric epoxidation-Pd-catalyzed epoxide opening process, was developed. This method was successfully utilized for the efficient synthesis of beta-aryl alpha-hydroxy amides, including beta-aryllactyl-leucine methyl esters. Interestingly, it was found that beneficial modifications on the Pd catalyst were achieved by the constituents of the first epoxidation, producing a more suitable catalyst for the Pd-catalyzed epoxide opening reaction in terms of chemoselectivity.

  4. Evaluation of Environmentally Benign New Chemical Rust Removing Agent- Hydroxy Ethane Diphosphonic Acid (HEDPA)

    DTIC Science & Technology

    2012-12-15

    Removing Agent – Hydroxy Ethane Diphosphonic Acid (HEDPA) 1, A. Sarada Rao, 2, A. Yashodhara Rao, 3, Appajosula S. Rao Naval Surface Warfare...Abstract------------------------------------------------------------ In order to evaluate the adaptability of hydroxyethane diphosphonic acid (HEDPA...function of acid concentration in the range 2-20 vol. % and at different temperatures in the temperature range 23 o C -55°C. The results suggest

  5. Use of 5-deazaFAD to study hydrogen transfer in the D-amino acid oxidase reaction.

    PubMed

    Hersh, L B; Jorns, M S

    1975-11-25

    The apoprotein of hog kidney D-amino acid oxidase was reconstituted with 5-deazaflavin adenine dinucleotide (5-deazaFAD) to yield a protein which contains 1.5 mol of 5-deazaFAD/mol of enzyme. The deazaFAD-containing enzyme forms complexes with benzoate, 2-amino benzoate, and 4-aminobenzoate which are both qualitatively and quantitatively similar to those observed with native enzyme. The complex with 2-aminobenzoate exhibits a new long wavelength absorption band characteristic of a flavin charge-transfer complex. The reconstituted enzyme exhibits no activity when assayed by D-alanine oxidation. However, the bound chromophore can be reduced by alanine, phenylalanine, proline, methionine, and valine, but not by glutamate or aspartate, indicating the deazaFAD enzyme retains the substrate specificity of the native enzyme. Reduction of the enzyme by D-alanine exhibits a 1.6-fold deuterium isotope effect. Reoxidation of the reduced enzyme occurred in the presence of pyruvate plus ammonia, but not with pyruvate alone or ammonia alone. beta-Phenylpyruvate and alpha-ketobutyrate, but not alpha-ketoglutarate could replace pyruvate. Reduced enzyme isolated following reaction with [alpha-3H]alanine was found to contain 0.5 mol of tritium/mol of deazaFADH2. After denaturation of the tritium-labeled enzyme, the radioactivity was identified as deazaFADH2. Reaction of the reduced tritium-labeled enzyme with pyruvate plus ammonia prior to denaturation yields [alpha-3H]alanine and unlabeled deazaFAD. These results suggest that reduction and reoxidation of enzyme-bound deazaFAD involves the stereo-specific transfer of alpha-hydrogen from substrate to deazaFAD.

  6. Conformational free energies of methyl-alpha-L-iduronic and methyl-beta-D-glucuronic acids in water.

    PubMed

    Babin, Volodymyr; Sagui, Celeste

    2010-03-14

    We present a simulation protocol that allows for efficient sampling of the degrees of freedom of a solute in explicit solvent. The protocol involves using a nonequilibrium umbrella sampling method, in this case, the recently developed adaptively biased molecular dynamics method, to compute an approximate free energy for the slow modes of the solute in explicit solvent. This approximate free energy is then used to set up a Hamiltonian replica exchange scheme that samples both from biased and unbiased distributions. The final accurate free energy is recovered via the weighted histogram analysis technique applied to all the replicas, and equilibrium properties of the solute are computed from the unbiased trajectory. We illustrate the approach by applying it to the study of the puckering landscapes of the methyl glycosides of alpha-L-iduronic acid and its C5 epimer beta-D-glucuronic acid in water. Big savings in computational resources are gained in comparison to the standard parallel tempering method.

  7. Rapid identification of triterpenoid sulfates and hydroxy fatty acids including two new constituents from Tydemania expeditionis by LC-MS

    PubMed Central

    Zhang, Jian-Long; Kubanek, Julia; Hay, Mark E.; Aalbersberg, William; Ye, Wen-Cai; Jiang, Ren-Wang

    2011-01-01

    Tydemania expeditionis Weber-van Bosse (Udoteaceae) is a weakly calcified green alga. In the present paper, liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detection and electrospray mass spectrometry was developed to identify the fingerprint components. A total of four triterpenoid sulfates and three hydroxy fatty acids in the ethyl acetate fraction of the crude extract were structurally characterized on the basis of retention time, online UV spectrum and mass fragmentation pattern. Furthermore, detailed LC-MS analysis revealed two new hydroxy fatty acids, which were then prepared and characterized by extensive NMR analyses. The proposed method provides a scientific and technical platform for the rapid identification of triterpenoid sulfates and hydroxy fatty acids in similar marine algae and terrestrial plants. PMID:21915955

  8. Phytotoxic activity of Salvia x jamensis.

    PubMed

    Bisio, Angela; Fraternale, Daniele; Damonte, Gianluca; Millo, Enrico; Lanteri, Anna Paola; Russo, Eleonora; Romussi, Giovanni; Parodi, Brunella; Ricci, Donata; De Tommasi, Nunziatina

    2009-12-01

    A study has been carried out on the surface exudate of Salvia x jamensis, which showed a significant phytotoxic activity against Papaver rhoeas L. and Avena sativa L.. Bioguided separation of the exudate yielded active fractions from which 3 beta-hydroxy-isopimaric acid (1), hautriwaic acid (2), betulinic acid (3), 7,8 beta-dihydrosalviacoccin (4), isopimaric acid (5), 14 alpha-hydroxy-isopimaric acid (7), 15,16-epoxy-7 alpha, 10 beta-dihydroxy-clerod-3,13(16),14-trien-17,12;18,19-diolide (8), cirsiliol (5,3',4'-trihydroxy-6,7-dimethoxyflavone, 9) and two new neoclerodane diterpenes (6 and 10) were isolated. The structures of 6 and 10 were identified as 15,16-epoxy-10 beta-hydroxy-clerod-3,13(16),14-trien-17,12;18,19-diolide and 15,16-epoxy-7 alpha,10-dihydroxy-clerod-2,13(16),14-trien-17,12;18,19-diolide respectively on the basis of spectroscopic data analysis. All compounds, but 7, 8 and 10, were active in inhibiting the germination of the tested species.

  9. Dexamethasone but not indomethacin inhibits human phagocyte nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activity by down-regulating expression of genes encoding oxidase components.

    PubMed

    Condino-Neto, A; Whitney, C; Newburger, P E

    1998-11-01

    We investigated the effects of dexamethasone or indomethacin on the NADPH oxidase activity, cytochrome b558 content, and expression of genes encoding the components gp91-phox and p47-phox of the NADPH oxidase system in the human monocytic THP-1 cell line, differentiated with IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, alone or in combination, for up to 7 days. IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, alone or in combination, caused a significant up-regulation of the NADPH oxidase system as reflected by an enhancement of the PMA-stimulated superoxide release, cytochrome b558 content, and expression of gp91-phox and p47-phox genes on both days 2 and 7 of cell culture. Noteworthy was the tremendous synergism between IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha for all studied parameters. Dexamethasone down-regulated the NADPH oxidase system of cytokine-differentiated THP-1 cells as assessed by an inhibition on the PMA-stimulated superoxide release, cytochrome b558 content, and expression of the gp91-phox and p47-phox genes. The nuclear run-on assays indicated that dexamethasone down-regulated the NADPH oxidase system at least in part by inhibiting the transcription of gp91-phox and p47-phox genes. Indomethacin inhibited only the PMA-stimulated superoxide release of THP-1 cells differentiated with IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha during 7 days. None of the other parameters was affected by indomethacin. We conclude that dexamethasone down-regulates the NADPH oxidase system at least in part by inhibiting the expression of genes encoding the gp91-phox and p47-phox components of the NADPH oxidase system.

  10. 40 CFR 721.3152 - Ethanaminium, N-ethyl-2-hydroxy-N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-, diester with C12-18 fatty acids, ethyl...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ...-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-, diester with C12-18 fatty acids, ethyl sulfates (salts). 721.3152 Section 721... Ethanaminium, N-ethyl-2-hydroxy-N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-, diester with C12-18 fatty acids, ethyl sulfates... ethanaminium, N-ethyl-2-hydroxy-N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-, diester with C12-18 fatty acids, ethyl sulfates...

  11. 40 CFR 721.3152 - Ethanaminium, N-ethyl-2-hydroxy-N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-, diester with C12-18 fatty acids, ethyl...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ...-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-, diester with C12-18 fatty acids, ethyl sulfates (salts). 721.3152 Section 721... Ethanaminium, N-ethyl-2-hydroxy-N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-, diester with C12-18 fatty acids, ethyl sulfates... ethanaminium, N-ethyl-2-hydroxy-N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-, diester with C12-18 fatty acids, ethyl sulfates...

  12. 40 CFR 721.3152 - Ethanaminium, N-ethyl-2-hydroxy-N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-, diester with C12-18 fatty acids, ethyl...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ...-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-, diester with C12-18 fatty acids, ethyl sulfates (salts). 721.3152 Section 721... Ethanaminium, N-ethyl-2-hydroxy-N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-, diester with C12-18 fatty acids, ethyl sulfates... ethanaminium, N-ethyl-2-hydroxy-N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-, diester with C12-18 fatty acids, ethyl sulfates...

  13. 40 CFR 721.3152 - Ethanaminium, N-ethyl-2-hydroxy-N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-, diester with C12-18 fatty acids, ethyl...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ...-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-, diester with C12-18 fatty acids, ethyl sulfates (salts). 721.3152 Section 721... Ethanaminium, N-ethyl-2-hydroxy-N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-, diester with C12-18 fatty acids, ethyl sulfates... ethanaminium, N-ethyl-2-hydroxy-N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-, diester with C12-18 fatty acids, ethyl sulfates...

  14. Biotransformation of nitroso aromatic compounds and 2-oxo acids to N-hydroxy-N-arylacylamides by thiamine-dependent enzymes in rat liver.

    PubMed

    Yoshioka, T; Uematsu, T

    1998-07-01

    The formation of N-hydroxy-N-arylacylamides from nitroso aromatic compounds and 2-oxo acids was investigated using rat liver subcellular fractions. Activities were found in both mitochondria and cytosol, except for activities for phenylpyruvate and glyoxylate; the former did not produce N-hydroxy-N-phenylphenylacetamide and the latter nonenzymatically produced N-hydroxy-N-phenylformamide with nitrosobenzene (NOB). The cytosolic activity of N-hydroxy-N-phenylglycolamide formation was indicated to be due to transketolase, which utilized hydroxypyruvate as a glycolic aldehyde donor to NOB. With mitochondria, 2-oxo acids (including hydroxypyruvate) served as substrates for the biotransformation of NOB to the corresponding N-hydroxy-N-phenylacylamides. The substrate preference was 2-oxobutyrate > pyruvate > 2-oxoisovalerate > 2-oxoisocaproate > 2-oxovalerate > 2-oxo-3-methylvalerate, judging from Vmax/half-saturating concentration for mitochondria values. The half-saturating concentrations for NOB were nearly constant. The mitochondrial activity was due to pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and branched-chain 2-oxo acid dehydrogenase complex (BCDHC). By using partially purified BCDHC, pyruvate and 2-oxobutyrate were found to be common substrates for both of the enzymes, and 2-oxoisovalerate was shown to be the most effective substrate for BCDHC. Analysis by the Taft equation indicated that the polar effects, rather than the steric effects, of the alkyl groups of 2-oxo acids are important for BCDHC-catalyzed formation of N-hydroxy-N-phenylacylamides. A positive Hammett constant obtained for the formation of N-hydroxy-N-arylisobutyramides indicates that an electron-withdrawing substituent makes the nitroso compounds susceptible to BCDHC-catalyzed biotransformation.

  15. Identification of keto- and hydroxy-dicarboxylic acids in remote marine aerosols from the western North Pacific: GC and GC/TOF-MS measurements

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Vani, D.; Kawamura, K.; Tachibana, E.; Boreddy, S. K. R.

    2015-12-01

    Dicarboxylic acids (diacids) are dominant components of organic aerosols in the atmosphere. They contribute significantly to the total aerosol mass and have a serious impacts on global climate changes. However, studies on keto- and hydroxy-diacids in marine aerosols are limited. Compare to diacids, keto- and hydroxy-diacids are more hygroscopic due to the additional polar groups (OH and CO) and, hence, acts as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN). Molecular characterization of these compounds provides insight into organic aerosols sources and transformation pathways. We collected marine aerosols from remote Chichijima Island in the western North Pacific from December 2010 to November 2011 and studied for water-soluble keto- and hydroxy-diacids. Carboxyl groups were derivatized to dibutyl esters with 14% boron trifluoride/n-butanol, whereas hydroxyl groups were derivatized to trimethylsilyl ethers using N,O-Bis (trimethylsilyl) trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA). After two-step derivatization, samples were injected to GC, GC/MS and GC/TOF-MS. In the GC chromatogram, we detected several new peaks after BSTFA derivatization of dibutyl ester fraction. Based on mass spectral interpretation, we found these peaks as homologues series of hydroxy-diacids and keto-diacids. Some of these hydroxy-diacids have been individually reported in literature in the laboratory photo-oxidation experiments and forest environments samples. But, there are no evidences to prove their sources and formation mechanism in the atmosphere. Here, we report for the first time homologous series of hydroxy-diacids (hC3di-hC6di) and keto-diacid (oxaloacetic acid, enol and keto forms) in remote marine atmosphere. Molecular distributions of hydroxy-diacids generally showed the predominance of malic acid followed by tartronic acid. Both hydroxy- and keto-diacids show significant positive correlation with oxalic acid and SO42-, suggesting that they are generated in the atmosphere and play an important role in the

  16. Characterization of Bacillus thuringiensis l-Isoleucine Dioxygenase for Production of Useful Amino Acids▿†

    PubMed Central

    Hibi, Makoto; Kawashima, Takashi; Kodera, Tomohiro; Smirnov, Sergey V.; Sokolov, Pavel M.; Sugiyama, Masakazu; Shimizu, Sakayu; Yokozeki, Kenzo; Ogawa, Jun

    2011-01-01

    We determined the enzymatic characteristics of an industrially important biocatalyst, α-ketoglutarate-dependent l-isoleucine dioxygenase (IDO), which was found to be the enzyme responsible for the generation of (2S,3R,4S)-4-hydroxyisoleucine in Bacillus thuringiensis 2e2. Depending on the amino acid used as the substrate, IDO catalyzed three different types of oxidation reactions: hydroxylation, dehydrogenation, and sulfoxidation. IDO stereoselectively hydroxylated several hydrophobic aliphatic l-amino acids, as well as l-isoleucine, and produced (S)-3-hydroxy-l-allo-isoleucine, 4-hydroxy-l-leucine, (S)-4-hydroxy-l-norvaline, 4-hydroxy-l-norleucine, and 5-hydroxy-l-norleucine. The IDO reaction product of l-isoleucine, (2S,3R,4S)-4-hydroxyisoleucine, was again reacted with IDO and dehydrogenated into (2S,3R)-2-amino-3-methyl-4-ketopentanoate, which is also a metabolite found in B. thuringiensis 2e2. Interestingly, IDO catalyzed the sulfoxidation of some sulfur-containing l-amino acids and generated l-methionine sulfoxide and l-ethionine sulfoxide. Consequently, the effective production of various modified amino acids would be possible using IDO as the biocatalyst. PMID:21821743

  17. Method for conversion of .beta.-hydroxy carbonyl compounds

    DOEpatents

    Lilga, Michael A.; White, James F.; Holladay, Johnathan E.; Zacher, Alan H.; Muzatko, Danielle S.; Orth, Rick J.

    2010-03-30

    A process is disclosed for conversion of salts of .beta.-hydroxy carbonyl compounds forming useful conversion products including, e.g., .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carbonyl compounds and/or salts of .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carbonyl compounds. Conversion products find use, e.g., as feedstock and/or end-use chemicals.

  18. Chiral discrimination of α-hydroxy acids and N-Ts-α-amino acids induced by tetraaza macrocyclic chiral solvating agents by using 1H NMR spectroscopy.

    PubMed

    Lv, Caixia; Feng, Lei; Zhao, Hongmei; Wang, Guo; Stavropoulos, Pericles; Ai, Lin

    2017-02-21

    In the field of chiral recognition, reported chiral discrimination by 1 H NMR spectroscopy has mainly focused on various chiral analytes with a single chiral center, regarded as standard chiral substrates to evaluate the chiral discriminating abilities of a chiral auxiliary. Among them, chiral α-hydroxy acids, α-amino acids and their derivatives are chiral organic molecules involved in a wide variety of biological processes, and also play an important role in the area of preparation of pharmaceuticals, as they are part of the synthetic process in the production of chiral drug intermediates and protein-based drugs. In this paper, several α-hydroxy acids and N-Ts-α-amino acids were used to evaluate the chiral discriminating abilities of tetraaza macrocyclic chiral solvating agents (TAMCSAs) 1a-1d by 1 H NMR spectroscopy. The results indicate that α-hydroxy acids and N-Ts-α-amino acids were successfully discriminated in the presence of TAMCSAs 1a-1d by 1 H NMR spectroscopy in most cases. The enantiomers of the α-hydroxy acids and N-Ts-α-amino acids were assigned based on the change of integration of the 1 H NMR signals of the corresponding protons. The enantiomeric excesses (ee) of N-Ts-α-amino acids 11 with different optical compositions were calculated based on the integration of the 1 H NMR signals of the CH 3 protons (Ts group) of the enantiomers of (R)- and (S)-11 in the presence of TAMCSA 1b. At the same time, the possible chiral discriminating behaviors have been discussed by means of the Job plots of (±)-2 with TAMCSAs 1b and proposed theoretical models of the enantiomers of 2 and 6 with TAMCSA 1a, respectively.

  19. The effects of topically applied glycolic acid and salicylic acid on ultraviolet radiation-induced erythema, DNA damage and sunburn cell formation in human skin.

    PubMed

    Kornhauser, Andrija; Wei, Rong-Rong; Yamaguchi, Yuji; Coelho, Sergio G; Kaidbey, Kays; Barton, Curtis; Takahashi, Kaoruko; Beer, Janusz Z; Miller, Sharon A; Hearing, Vincent J

    2009-07-01

    alpha-Hydroxy acids (alphaHAs) are reported to reduce signs of aging in the skin and are widely used cosmetic ingredients. Several studies suggest that alphaHA can increase the sensitivity of skin to ultraviolet radiation. More recently, beta-hydroxy acids (betaHAs), or combinations of alphaHA and betaHA have also been incorporated into antiaging skin care products. Concerns have also arisen about increased sensitivity to ultraviolet radiation following use of skin care products containing beta-HA. To determine whether topical treatment with glycolic acid, a representative alphaHA, or with salicylic acid, a betaHA, modifies the short-term effects of solar simulated radiation (SSR) in human skin. Fourteen subjects participated in this study. Three of the four test sites on the mid-back of each subject were treated daily Monday-Friday, for a total of 3.5 weeks, with glycolic acid (10%), salicylic acid (2%), or vehicle (control). The fourth site received no treatment. After the last treatment, each site was exposed to SSR, and shave biopsies from all four sites were obtained. The endpoints evaluated in this study were erythema (assessed visually and instrumentally), DNA damage and sunburn cell formation. Treatment with glycolic acid resulted in increased sensitivity of human skin to SSR, measured as an increase in erythema, DNA damage and sunburn cell formation. Salicylic acid did not produce significant changes in any of these biomarkers. Short-term topical application of glycolic acid in a cosmetic formulation increased the sensitivity of human skin to SSR, while a comparable treatment with salicylic acid did not.

  20. Antibacterial action of a heat-stable form of L-amino acid oxidase isolated from king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) venom.

    PubMed

    Lee, Mui Li; Tan, Nget Hong; Fung, Shin Yee; Sekaran, Shamala Devi

    2011-03-01

    The major l-amino acid oxidase (LAAO, EC 1.4.3.2) of king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) venom is known to be an unusual form of snake venom LAAO as it possesses unique structural features and unusual thermal stability. The antibacterial effects of king cobra venom LAAO were tested against several strains of clinical isolates including Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Escherichia coli using broth microdilution assay. For comparison, the antibacterial effects of several antibiotics (cefotaxime, kanamycin, tetracycline, vancomycin and penicillin) were also examined using the same conditions. King cobra venom LAAO was very effective in inhibiting the two Gram-positive bacteria (S. aureus and S. epidermidis) tested, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.78μg/mL (0.006μM) and 1.56μg/mL (0.012μM) against S. aureus and S. epidermidis, respectively. The MICs are comparable to the MICs of the antibiotics tested, on a weight basis. However, the LAAO was only moderately effective against three Gram-negative bacteria tested (P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae and E. coli), with MIC ranges from 25 to 50μg/mL (0.2-0.4μM). Catalase at the concentration of 1mg/mL abolished the antibacterial effect of LAAO, indicating that the antibacterial effect of the enzyme involves generation of hydrogen peroxide. Binding studies indicated that king cobra venom LAAO binds strongly to the Gram-positive S. aureus and S. epidermidis, but less strongly to the Gram-negative E. coli and P. aeruginosa, indicating that specific binding to bacteria is important for the potent antibacterial activity of the enzyme. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  1. Unusual Nonterrestrial L-proteinogenic Amino Acid excesses in the Tagish Lake Meteorite

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Glavin, Daniel P.; Elsila, Jamie E.; Burton, Aaron S.; Callahan, Michael P.; Dworkin, Jason P.; Hilts, Robert W.; Herd, D. K.

    2012-01-01

    The distribution and isotopic and enantiomeric compositions of amino acids found in three distinct fragments of the Tagish Lake C2-type carbonaceous chondrite were investigated via liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection and time-of-flight mass spectrometry and gas chromatography isotope ratio mass spectrometry. Large L-enantiomeric excesses (L(sub ee) approximately 43-59%) of the alpha-hydrogen aspartic and glutamic amino acids were measured in Tagish Lake, whereas alanine, another alpha hydrogen protein amino acid, was found to be nearly racemic (D much approximately L) using both techniques. Carbon isotope measurements of D- and L-aspartic acid and 1)- and L-alanine in Tagish Lake fall well outside of the terrestrial range and indicate that the measured aspartic acid enantioenrichment is indigenous to the meteorite. Alternate explanations for the L-excesses of aspartic acid such as interference from other compounds present in the sample, analytical biases, or terrestrial amino acid contamination were investigated and rejected. These results can be explained by differences in the solid-solution phase behavior of aspartic acid, which can form conglomerate enantiopure solids during crystallization, and alanine, which can only form racemic crystals. Amplification of a small initial L-enantiomer excess during aqueous alteration on the meteorite parent body could have led to the large L-enrichments observed for aspartic acid and other conglomerate amino acids in Tagish Lake. The detection of non terrestrial L-proteinogenic amino acid excesses in the Tagish Lake meteorite provides support for the hypothesis that significant enantiomeric enrichments for some amino acids could form by abiotic processes prior to the emergence of life.

  2. General synthesis of C-glycosyl amino acids via proline-catalyzed direct electrophilic alpha-amination of C-glycosylalkyl aldehydes.

    PubMed

    Nuzzi, Andrea; Massi, Alessandro; Dondoni, Alessandro

    2008-10-16

    Non-natural axially and equatorially linked C-glycosyl alpha-amino acids (glycines, alanines, and CH2-serine isosteres) with either S or R alpha-configuration were prepared by D- and L-proline-catalyzed (de >95%) alpha-amination of C-glycosylalkyl aldehydes using dibenzyl azodicarboxylate as the electrophilic reagent.

  3. 40 CFR 721.1730 - Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-butyl-ω-hydroxy, ester with boric acid (H3BO3).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ...-hydroxy, ester with boric acid (H3BO3). 721.1730 Section 721.1730 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL..., ester with boric acid (H3BO3). (a) Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to reporting. (1) The chemical substance identified as poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-butyl-ω-hydroxy, ester with boric...

  4. 40 CFR 721.1730 - Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-butyl-ω-hydroxy, ester with boric acid (H3BO3).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ...-hydroxy, ester with boric acid (H3BO3). 721.1730 Section 721.1730 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL..., ester with boric acid (H3BO3). (a) Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to reporting. (1) The chemical substance identified as poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-butyl-ω-hydroxy, ester with boric...

  5. 40 CFR 721.1731 - Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-methyl-ω-hydroxy, ester with boric acid (H3BO3).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ...-hydroxy, ester with boric acid (H3BO3). 721.1731 Section 721.1731 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL..., ester with boric acid (H3BO3). (a) Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to reporting. (1) The chemical substance identified as poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-methyl-ω-hydroxy, ester with boric...

  6. 40 CFR 721.1731 - Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-methyl-ω-hydroxy, ester with boric acid (H3BO3).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ...-hydroxy, ester with boric acid (H3BO3). 721.1731 Section 721.1731 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL..., ester with boric acid (H3BO3). (a) Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to reporting. (1) The chemical substance identified as poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-methyl-ω-hydroxy, ester with boric...

  7. 40 CFR 721.1731 - Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-methyl-ω-hydroxy, ester with boric acid (H3BO3).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ...-hydroxy, ester with boric acid (H3BO3). 721.1731 Section 721.1731 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL..., ester with boric acid (H3BO3). (a) Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to reporting. (1) The chemical substance identified as poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-methyl-ω-hydroxy, ester with boric...

  8. 40 CFR 721.1731 - Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-methyl-ω-hydroxy, ester with boric acid (H3BO3).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ...-hydroxy, ester with boric acid (H3BO3). 721.1731 Section 721.1731 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL..., ester with boric acid (H3BO3). (a) Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to reporting. (1) The chemical substance identified as poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-methyl-ω-hydroxy, ester with boric...

  9. 40 CFR 721.1730 - Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-butyl-ω-hydroxy, ester with boric acid (H3BO3).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ...-hydroxy, ester with boric acid (H3BO3). 721.1730 Section 721.1730 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL..., ester with boric acid (H3BO3). (a) Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to reporting. (1) The chemical substance identified as poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-butyl-ω-hydroxy, ester with boric...

  10. 40 CFR 721.1731 - Poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-methyl-ω-hydroxy, ester with boric acid (H3BO3).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ...-hydroxy, ester with boric acid (H3BO3). 721.1731 Section 721.1731 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL..., ester with boric acid (H3BO3). (a) Chemical substance and significant new uses subject to reporting. (1) The chemical substance identified as poly(oxy-1,2-ethanediyl), α-methyl-ω-hydroxy, ester with boric...

  11. Docosahexaenoic Acid-Derived Fatty Acid Esters of Hydroxy Fatty Acids (FAHFAs) With Anti-inflammatory Properties.

    PubMed

    Kuda, Ondrej; Brezinova, Marie; Rombaldova, Martina; Slavikova, Barbora; Posta, Martin; Beier, Petr; Janovska, Petra; Veleba, Jiri; Kopecky, Jan; Kudova, Eva; Pelikanova, Terezie; Kopecky, Jan

    2016-09-01

    White adipose tissue (WAT) is a complex organ with both metabolic and endocrine functions. Dysregulation of all of these functions of WAT, together with low-grade inflammation of the tissue in obese individuals, contributes to the development of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) of marine origin play an important role in the resolution of inflammation and exert beneficial metabolic effects. Using experiments in mice and overweight/obese patients with type 2 diabetes, we elucidated the structures of novel members of fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids-lipokines derived from docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and linoleic acid, which were present in serum and WAT after n-3 PUFA supplementation. These compounds contained DHA esterified to 9- and 13-hydroxyoctadecadienoic acid (HLA) or 14-hydroxydocosahexaenoic acid (HDHA), termed 9-DHAHLA, 13-DHAHLA, and 14-DHAHDHA, and were synthesized by adipocytes at concentrations comparable to those of protectins and resolvins derived from DHA in WAT. 13-DHAHLA exerted anti-inflammatory and proresolving properties while reducing macrophage activation by lipopolysaccharides and enhancing the phagocytosis of zymosan particles. Our results document the existence of novel lipid mediators, which are involved in the beneficial anti-inflammatory effects attributed to n-3 PUFAs, in both mice and humans. © 2016 by the American Diabetes Association.

  12. Interaction of Alpha-Chymotrypsin with a Strained Cyclic Ester: An Undergraduate Experiment in Transient State Kinetics on a Slow Time Scale.

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Nitta, Yasunori; And Others

    1984-01-01

    Describes a set of experiments (for senior-level biochemistry students) which permit evaluation and estimation of rate and equilibrium constants involving an intermediate in the alpha-chymotrypsin mediated hydrolysis of ortho-hydroxy-alpha-toluenesulfonic acid (I). The only equipment required for the experiments is a well-thermostated double beam…

  13. Synthesis of 7-hydroxy-4'-methoxyflavanone and 7-hydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone as a candidate anticancer against cervical (HeLa) cancer cell and colon (WiDr) cancer cell by in vitro

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Matsjeh, Sabirin; Anwar, Chairil; Solikhah, Eti Nurwening; Farah, Harra Ismi; Nurfitria, Kurnia

    2017-03-01

    The compound 7-hydroxy-4'-methoxyflavanone and 7-hydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone have been synthesized through cyclization reaction of 2 ', 4'-dihydroxy-4-methoxychalcone (1,3-diphenyl-2-propene-1-one). The 2 ', 4'-dihydroxy-4-methoxychalcone were synthesized through Claisen-Schmidt condensation from 2,4-dihydroxyacetophenone and 4-methoxybenzaldehyde (anisaldehyde) in aqueous KOH as a catalyst in ethanol. The 7-hydroxy-4'-methoxyflavanone has been synthesized through cyclization reaction of 2 ', 4'-dihydroxy-4-methoxychalcone by Oxa-Michael addition reaction with sulfuric acid as a catalyst in ethanol. The 7-hydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone has been synthesized through oxidative cyclization reaction of 2 ', 4'-dihydroxy-4-methoxychalcone using I2 in DMSO as a catalyst with a mole ratio (1: 1) mol. All these producets were characterized by FT-IR, GC-MS, and 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectrometer. Both of these compounds were tested citotoxycity activity as an anticancer against cervical and colon cancer cells (HeLa and WiDr cell lines) using MTT assay in vitro. Dose series given test solution concentration on HeLa and WiDr cells starting from 0,78; 1,56; 3,12; 6,25; 12,50; 25; 50 and 100 µg/mL with a long incubation treatment for 24 hours. The results study showed that the 7-hydroxy-4'-methoxyflavanone as bright yellow crystals with a melting point 172-174 ° C and a yield of 56.67% and the 7-hydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone as bright yellow crystals with a yield of 88, 31%, and a melting point of 263-265 ° C. The test results cytotoxic 7-hydroxy-4-methoxyflavone showed active against HeLa cells with IC50 value of 25.73 µg/mL and was quite active in the WiDr cells with IC50 value of 83.75 µg/mL. The result of the activity of 7-hydroxy-4-methoxyflavanone show active cytotoxic activity against HeLa and WiDr cell growth with IC50 value of 40.13 µg/mL and 37.85 µg/mL. IC50 value indicated that 7-hydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone and 7-hydroxy-4'-methoxyflavanone potential as inhibitors in HeLa and

  14. Impact of biomass burning on soil microorganisms and plant metabolites: A view from molecular distributions of atmospheric hydroxy fatty acids over Mount Tai

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tyagi, Poonam; Kawamura, Kimitaka; Fu, Pingqing; Bikkina, Srinivas; Kanaya, Yugo; Wang, Zifa

    2016-10-01

    Biomass burning events (BBEs) in the North China Plain is one of the principal sources of airborne pollutants in China and also for the neighboring countries. To examine the impact of BBEs on soil bacteria and other higher plant metabolites, their tracer compounds, hydroxy fatty acids (FAs), were measured in the bulk particulate matter (total suspended particles (TSP)) over Mount Tai during the period of wheat residue burning in June 2006. Higher inputs of epicuticular waxes and soil microorganisms during high BBEs (H; 6-14 and 27 June) relative to low BBEs (L; 15-26 and 28 June) were characterized by increased concentrations of homologous series of α-(C9-C32), β-(C9-C32), and ω-(C12-C28) hydroxy FAs in TSP samples. However, their relative abundances were not significantly different between H-BBEs and L-BBEs, suggesting their common source/transport pathways. We also found higher concentrations of trehalose and mannitol (tracers of soil microbes), and levoglucosan (tracer of biomass combustion) during H-BBEs than L-BBEs. These results are consistent with hydroxy FAs, suggesting that they are associated with biomass combustion processes of agricultural wastes as well as re-suspension of mineral dust and plant pathogens. In addition, enhanced concentrations of endotoxin and mass loading of Gram-negative bacteria during H-BBEs (117 endotoxin units (EU) m-3 and 390 ng m-3, respectively) were noteworthy as compared to those in L-BBEs (22.5 EU m-3 and 75 ng m-3, respectively). Back trajectory analysis and fire spots together with temporal variations of hydroxy FAs revealed an impact of biomass burning on emissions and atmospheric transport of bacteria and plant metabolites.

  15. Engineering Escherichia coli for Conversion of Glucose to Medium-Chain ω-Hydroxy Fatty Acids and α,ω-Dicarboxylic Acids.

    PubMed

    Bowen, Christopher H; Bonin, Jeff; Kogler, Anna; Barba-Ostria, Carlos; Zhang, Fuzhong

    2016-03-18

    In search of sustainable approaches to plastics production, many efforts have been made to engineer microbial conversions of renewable feedstock to short-chain (C2-C8) bifunctional polymer precursors (e.g., succinic acid, cadaverine, 1,4-butanediol). Less attention has been given to medium-chain (C12-C14) monomers such as ω-hydroxy fatty acids (ω-OHFAs) and α,ω-dicarboxylic acids (α,ω-DCAs), which are precursors to high performance polyesters and polyamides. Here we engineer a complete microbial conversion of glucose to C12 and C14 ω-OHFAs and α,ω-DCAs, with precise control of product chain length. Using an expanded bioinformatics approach, we screen a wide range of enzymes across phyla to identify combinations that yield complete conversion of intermediates to product α,ω-DCAs. Finally, through optimization of culture conditions, we enhance production titer of C12 α,ω-DCA to nearly 600 mg/L. Our results indicate potential for this microbial factory to enable commercially relevant, renewable production of C12 α,ω-DCA-a valuable precursor to the high-performance plastic, nylon-6,12.

  16. 1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase reaction mechanism and putative post-translational activities of the ACCO protein

    PubMed Central

    Dilley, David R.; Wang, Zhenyong; Kadirjan-Kalbach, Deena K.; Ververidis, Fillipos; Beaudry, Randolph; Padmanabhan, Kallaithe

    2013-01-01

    1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) oxidase (ACCO) catalyses the final step in ethylene biosynthesis converting ACC to ethylene, cyanide, CO2, dehydroascorbate and water with inputs of Fe(II), ascorbate, bicarbonate (as activators) and oxygen. Cyanide activates ACCO. A ‘nest’ comprising several positively charged amino acid residues from the C-terminal α-helix 11 along with Lys158 and Arg299 are proposed as binding sites for ascorbate and bicarbonate to coordinately activate the ACCO reaction. The binding sites for ACC, bicarbonate and ascorbic acid for Malus domestica ACCO1 include Arg175, Arg244, Ser246, Lys158, Lys292, Arg299 and Phe300. Glutamate 297, Phe300 and Glu301 in α-helix 11 are also important for the ACCO reaction. Our proposed reaction pathway incorporates cyanide as an ACCO/Fe(II) ligand after reaction turnover. The cyanide ligand is likely displaced upon binding of ACC and ascorbate to provide a binding site for oxygen. We propose that ACCO may be involved in the ethylene signal transduction pathway not directly linked to the ACCO reaction. ACC oxidase has significant homology with Lycopersicon esculentum cysteine protease LeCp, which functions as a protease and as a regulator of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid synthase (Acs2) gene expression. ACC oxidase may play a similar role in signal transduction after post-translational processing. ACC oxidase becomes inactivated by fragmentation and apparently has intrinsic protease and transpeptidase activity. ACC oxidase contains several amino acid sequence motifs for putative protein–protein interactions, phosphokinases and cysteine protease. ACC oxidase is subject to autophosphorylaton in vitro and promotes phosphorylation of some apple fruit proteins in a ripening-dependent manner. PMID:24244837

  17. 40 CFR 721.1550 - Benzenediazonium, 4-(di-methyl-amino)-, salt with 2-hy-droxy-5-sul-fo-benzoic acid (1:1).

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

    2011-07-01

    ...-amino)-, salt with 2-hy-droxy-5-sul-fo-benzoic acid (1:1). (a) Chemical substance and significant new... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2011-07-01 2011-07-01 false Benzenediazonium, 4-(di-methyl-amino)-, salt with 2-hy-droxy-5-sul-fo-benzoic acid (1:1). 721.1550 Section 721.1550 Protection of Environment...

  18. Stereoconversion of amino acids and peptides in uryl-pendant binol schiff bases.

    PubMed

    Park, Hyunjung; Nandhakumar, Raju; Hong, Jooyeon; Ham, Sihyun; Chin, Jik; Kim, Kwan Mook

    2008-01-01

    (S)-2-Hydroxy-2'-(3-phenyluryl-benzyl)-1,1'-binaphthyl-3-carboxaldehyde (1) forms Schiff bases with a wide range of nonderivatized amino acids, including unnatural ones. Multiple hydrogen bonds, including resonance-assisted ones, fix the whole orientation of the imine and provoke structural rigidity around the imine C==N bond. Due to the structural difference and the increase in acidity of the alpha proton of the amino acid, the imine formed with an L-amino acid (1-l-aa) is converted into the imine of the D-amino acid (1-D-aa), with a D/L ratio of more than 10 for most amino acids at equilibrium. N-terminal amino acids in dipeptides are also predominantly epimerized to the D form upon imine formation with 1. Density functional theory calculations show that 1-D-Ala is more stable than 1-L-Ala by 1.64 kcal mol(-1), a value that is in qualitative agreement with the experimental result. Deuterium exchange of the alpha proton of alanine in the imine form was studied by (1)H NMR spectroscopy and the results support a stepwise mechanism in the L-into-D conversion rather than a concerted one; that is, deprotonation and protonation take place in a sequential manner. The deprotonation rate of L-Ala is approximately 16 times faster than that of D-Ala. The protonation step, however, appears to favor L-amino acid production, which prevents a much higher predominance of the D form in the imine. Receptor 1 and the predominantly D-form amino acid can be recovered from the imine by simple extraction under acidic conditions. Hence, 1 is a useful auxiliary to produce D-amino acids of industrial interest by the conversion of naturally occurring L-amino acids or relatively easily obtainable racemic amino acids.

  19. Amino Acid Isomerization in the Production of l-Phenylalanine from d-Phenylalanine by Bacteria1

    PubMed Central

    Chibata, Ichiro; Tosa, Tetsuya; Sano, Ryujiro

    1965-01-01

    To establish an advantageous method for the production of l-amino acids, microbial isomerization of d- and dl-amino acids to l-amino acids was studied. Screening experiments on a number of microorganisms showed that cell suspensions of Pseudomonas fluorescens and P. miyamizu were capable of isomerizing d- and dl-phenylalanines to l-phenylalanine. Various conditions suitable for isomerization by these organisms were investigated. Cells grown in a medium containing d-phenylalanine showed highest isomerization activity, and almost completely converted d- or dl-phenylalanine into l-phenylalanine within 24 to 48 hr of incubation. Enzymatic studies on this isomerizing system suggested that the isomerization of d- or dl-phenylalanine is not catalyzed by a single enzyme, “amino acid isomerase,” but the conversion proceeds by a two step system as follows: d-pheylalanine is oxidized to phenylpyruvic acid by d-amino acid oxidase, and the acid is converted to l-phenylalanine by transamination or reductive amination. PMID:14339270

  20. Highly diastereoselective reductive coupling of 2-bromo-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropanamide with aldehydes promoted by triphenylphosphine-titanium(IV) isopropoxide. An efficient route to the synthesis of erythro-alpha-fluoro-alpha-(trifluoromethyl)-beta-hydroxy amides.

    PubMed

    Sato, Kei; Sekiguchi, Takashi; Ishihara, Takashi; Konno, Tsutomu; Yamanaka, Hiroki

    2004-07-23

    The reductive coupling reaction of N-methoxy-N-methyl-2-bromo-2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropanamide (Weinreb amide) with various aldehydes under the influence of the combined reagent, 1.2 equiv each of triphenylphosphine and titanium(IV) isopropoxide, took place smoothly at ambient temperature to give the corresponding alpha-fluoro-alpha-(trifluoromethyl)-beta-hydroxy amides in a highly erythro-selective manner. The high erythro selectivity was also obtained even by employing a combination of triphenylphosphine (1.2 equiv) and a catalytic amount of titanium(IV) isopropoxide.

  1. Mutasynthesis of pyrrole spiroketal compound using calcimycin 3-hydroxy anthranilic acid biosynthetic mutant.

    PubMed

    Gou, Lixia; Wu, Qiulin; Lin, Shuangjun; Li, Xiangmei; Liang, Jingdan; Zhou, Xiufen; An, Derong; Deng, Zixin; Wang, Zhijun

    2013-09-01

    The five-membered aromatic nitrogen heterocyclic pyrrole ring is a building block for a wide variety of natural products. Aiming at generating new pyrrole-containing derivatives as well as to identify new candidates that may be of value in designing new anticancer, antiviral, and/or antimicrobial agents, we employed a strategy on pyrrole-containing compound mutasynthesis using the pyrrole-containing calcimycin biosynthetic gene cluster. We blocked the biosynthesis of the calcimycin precursor, 3-hydroxy anthranilic acid, by deletion of calB1-3 and found that two intermediates containing the pyrrole and the spiroketal moiety were accumulated in the culture. We then fed the mutant using the structurally similar compound of 3-hydroxy anthranilic acid. At least four additional new pyrrole spiroketal derivatives were obtained. The structures of the intermediates and the new pyrrole spiroketal derivatives were identified using LC-MS and NMR. One of them shows enhanced antibacterial activity. Our work shows a new way of pyrrole derivative biosynthetic mutasynthesis.

  2. L-beta-ODAP alters mitochondrial Ca2+ handling as an early event in excitotoxicity.

    PubMed

    Van Moorhem, Marijke; Decrock, Elke; Coussee, Evelyne; Faes, Liesbeth; De Vuyst, Elke; Vranckx, Katleen; De Bock, Marijke; Wang, Nan; D'Herde, Katharina; Lambein, Fernand; Callewaert, Geert; Leybaert, Luc

    2010-03-01

    The neurotoxin beta-N-oxalyl-L-alpha,beta-diaminopropionic acid (L-beta-ODAP) is an L-glutamate analogue at alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA)/kainate receptors in neurons and therefore acts as an excitotoxic substance. Chronic exposure to L-beta-ODAP present in Lathyrus sativus L. (L. sativus) seeds is proposed as the cause of the neurodegenerative disease neurolathyrism, but the mechanism of its action has not been conclusively identified. A key factor in excitotoxic neuronal cell death is a disturbance of the intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis, including changes in the capacity of intracellular Ca2+ stores like the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) or mitochondria. In this study, aequorin and other Ca2+ indicators were used in N2a neuroblastoma cells to investigate alterations of cellular Ca2+ handling after 24 h exposure to L-beta-ODAP. Our data demonstrate increased mitochondrial Ca2+ loading and hyperpolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential (Psi(m)), which was specific for L-beta-ODAP and not observed with L-glutamate. We conclude that L-beta-ODAP disturbs the ER-mitochondrial Ca2+ signaling axis and thereby renders the cells more vulnerable to its excitotoxic effects that ultimately will lead to cell death. 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  3. The noradrenaline precursor L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine exhibits antinociceptive activity via central alpha-adrenoceptors in the mouse.

    PubMed Central

    Kawabata, A.; Kasamatsu, K.; Umeda, N.; Takagi, H.

    1994-01-01

    1. Systemic (s.c. or p.o.) administration of L-threo-3,4-dihydroxyphenylserine (droxidopa, L-threo-DOPS; L-DOPS), a noradrenaline precursor, at a dose-range of 100-800 mg kg-1, produced naloxone-resistant antinociception in a dose-dependent manner in the mouse, as assessed by the tail flick test, kaolin-induced writhing test and formalin-induced nociception test. 2. Antinociception elicited by L-DOPS (400 mg kg-1, s.c.) was not affected by s.c. injection of benserazide, a peripherally preferential L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase inhibitor, but was suppressed by its intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection. 3. I.c.v. or intrathecal (i.t.) administration of the non-selective alpha-blocker, phentolamine, significantly reduced L-DOPS-induced antinociception. 4. I.c.v. administration of the alpha 1-blocker, prazosin, but not the alpha 2-blocker, yohimbine, abolished the antinociceptive effects of L-DOPS. In contrast, both blockers, when administered i.t., exhibited significant inhibitory effects. 5. These results suggest that systemic L-DOPS produces opioid-independent antinociception, mediated by supraspinal alpha 1-adrenoceptors and by spinal alpha 1- and alpha 2-adrenoceptors and may predict additional therapeutic applications of L-DOPS as an analgesic. PMID:7911717

  4. Influence of dietary long-chain n-3 fatty acids from menhaden fish oil on plasma concentrations of alpha-tocopherol in geriatric beagles.

    PubMed

    Hall, Jean A; Tooley, Katie A; Gradin, Joseph L; Jewell, Dennis E; Wander, Rosemary C

    2002-01-01

    To determine effects of dietary n-3 fatty acids from Menhaden fish oil on plasma alpha-tocopherol concentrations in Beagles. 32 female Beagles. For 82 days, dogs were fed diets that contained 1 of 2 ratios of n-6:n-3 fatty acids (40:1 [low n-3] and 1.4:1 [high n-3]) and 1 of 3 concentrations of all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (low, 17 mg/kg of diet; medium, 101 mg/kg; and high, 447 mg/kg) in a 2 X 3 factorial study. Diets high in n-3 fatty acids significantly increased total content of n-3 fatty acids in plasma (17.0 g/100 g of fatty acids), compared with low n-3 diets (2.02 g/100 g of fatty acids). Mean +/- SEM plasma concentration of cholesterol was significantly lower in dogs consuming high n-3 diets (4.59 +/- 0.48 mmol/L), compared with dogs consuming low n-3 diets (5.71 +/- 0.48 mmol/L). A significant interaction existed between the ratio for n-6 and n-3 fatty acids and amount of alpha-tocopheryl acetate in the diet (plasma alpha-tocopherol concentration expressed on a molar basis), because the plasma concentration of alpha-toco-pherol was higher in dogs consuming low n-3 diets, compared with those consuming high n-3 diets, at the 2 higher amounts of dietary alpha-tocopheryl acetate. Plasma alpha-tocopherol concentration expressed relative to total lipid content did not reveal effects of dietary n-3 fatty acids on concentration of alpha-tocopherol. Plasma alpha-tocopherol concentration is not dependent on dietary ratio of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids when alpha-tocopherol concentration is expressed relative to the total lipid content of plasma.

  5. alpha-Ketoglutarate application in hemodialysis patients improves amino acid metabolism.

    PubMed

    Riedel, E; Nündel, M; Hampl, H

    1996-01-01

    In hemodialysis patients, free amino acids and alpha-ketoacids in plasma were determined by fluorescence HPLC to assess the effect of alpha-ketoglutarate administration in combination with the phosphate binder calcium carbonate on the amino acid metabolism. During 1 year of therapy in parallel to inorganic phosphate, urea in plasma decreased significantly, histidine, arginine and proline as well as branched chain alpha-ketoacids, in particular alpha-ketoisocaproate, a regulator of protein metabolism, increased. Thus, administration of alpha-ketoglutarate with calcium carbonate effectively improves amino acid metabolism in hemodialysis patients as it decreases hyperphosphatemia.

  6. 3 alpha-Hydroxylated bile acid profiles in clinically normal cats, cats with severe hepatic lipidosis, and cats with complete extrahepatic bile duct occlusion.

    PubMed

    Center, S A; Thompson, M; Guida, L

    1993-05-01

    Concentrations of 3 alpha-hydroxylated bile acids were measured in serum and urine of clinically normal (healthy) cats (n = 6), cats with severe hepatic lipidosis (n = 9), and cats with complete bile duct occlusion (n = 4). Bile acid concentrations were measured by use of a gradient flow high-performance liquid chromatography procedure with an acetonitrile and ammonium phosphate mobile phase and an in-line postanalytic column containing 3 alpha-hydroxy-steroid dehydrogenase and a fluorescence detector. Specific identification of all bile acid peaks was not completed; unidentified moieties were represented in terms of their elution time (in minutes). Significant differences in serum and urine bile acid concentrations, quantitative and proportional, were determined among groups of cats. Cats with hepatic lipidosis and bile duct occlusion had significantly (P > or = 0.05) greater total serum and urine bile acids concentrations than did healthy cats. The proportion of hydrophobic bile acids in serum, those eluting at > or = 400 minutes, was 1.9% for healthy cats, 3.3% for cats with lipidosis, and 5.4% for bile duct-obstructed cats. Both groups of ill cats had a broader spectrum of unidentified late-eluting serum bile acids than did healthy cats; the largest spectrum developed in bile duct-occluded cats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

  7. Normal or increased bile acid uptake in isolated mucosa from patients with bile acid malabsorption.

    PubMed

    Bajor, Antal; Kilander, Anders; Fae, Anita; Gälman, Cecilia; Jonsson, Olof; Ohman, Lena; Rudling, Mats; Sjövall, Henrik; Stotzer, Per-Ove; Ung, Kjell-Arne

    2006-04-01

    Bile acid malabsorption as reflected by an abnormal Se-labelled homocholic acid-taurine (SeHCAT) test is associated with diarrhoea, but the mechanisms and cause-and-effect relations are unclear. Primarily, to determine whether there is a reduced active bile acid uptake in the terminal ileum in patients with bile acid malabsorption. Secondarily, to study the linkage between bile acid malabsorption and hepatic bile acid synthesis. Ileal biopsies were taken from patients with diarrhoea and from controls with normal bowel habits. Maximal active bile acid uptake was assessed in ileal biopsies using a previously validated technique based on uptake of C-labelled taurocholate. To monitor the hepatic synthesis, 7alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one, a bile acid precursor, was assayed in blood. The SeHCAT-retention test was used to diagnose bile acid malabsorption. The taurocholate uptake in specimens from diarrhoea patients was higher compared with the controls [median, 7.7 (n=53) vs 6.1 micromol/g per min (n=17)] (P<0.01) but no difference was seen between those with bile acid malabsorption (n=18) versus diarrhoea with a normal SeHCAT test (n=23). The SeHCAT values and 7alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one were inversely correlated. The data do not support bile acid malabsorption being due to a reduced active bile acid uptake capacity in the terminal ileum.

  8. The absolute configurations of hydroxy fatty acids from the royal jelly of honeybees (Apis mellifera).

    PubMed

    Kodai, Tetsuya; Nakatani, Takafumi; Noda, Naoki

    2011-03-01

    9-Hydroxy-2E-decenoic acid (9-HDA) is a precursor of the queen-produced substance, 9-oxo-2E-decenoic acid (9-ODA), which has various important functions and roles for caste maintenance in honeybee colonies (Apis mellifera). 9-HDA in royal jelly is considered to be a metabolite of 9-ODA produced by worker bees, and it is fed back to the queen who then transforms it into 9-ODA. Recently we found that 9-HDA is present in royal jelly as a mixture of optical isomers (R:S, 2:1). The finding leads us to suspect that chiral fatty acids in royal jelly are precursors of semiochemicals. Rather than looking for semiochemicals in the mandibular glands of the queen bee, this study involves the search for precursors of pheromones from large quantities of royal jelly. Seven chiral hydroxy fatty acids, 9,10-dihydroxy-2E-decenoic, 4,10-dihydroxy-2E-decenoic, 4,9-dihydroxy-2E-decenoic, 3-hydroxydecanoic, 3,9-dihydroxydecanoic, 3,11-dihydroxydodecanoic, and 3,10-dihydroxydecanoic acids were isolated. The absolute configurations of these acids were determined using the modified Mosher's method, and it was revealed that, similar to 9-HDA, five acids are present in royal jelly as mixtures of optical isomers.

  9. Functional analysis of fructosyl-amino acid oxidases of Aspergillus oryzae.

    PubMed

    Akazawa, Shin-Ichi; Karino, Tetsuya; Yoshida, Nobuyuki; Katsuragi, Tohoru; Tani, Yoshiki

    2004-10-01

    Three active fractions of fructosyl-amino acid oxidase (FAOD-Ao1, -Ao2a, and -Ao2b) were isolated from Aspergillus oryzae strain RIB40. N-terminal and internal amino acid sequences of FAOD-Ao2a corresponded to those of FAOD-Ao2b, suggesting that these two isozymes were derived from the same protein. FAOD-Ao1 and -Ao2 were different in substrate specificity and subunit assembly; FAOD-Ao2 was active toward N(epsilon)-fructosyl N(alpha)-Z-lysine and fructosyl valine (Fru-Val), whereas FAOD-Ao1 was not active toward Fru-Val. The genes encoding the FAOD isozymes (i.e., FAOAo1 and FAOAo2) were cloned by PCR with an FAOD-specific primer set. The deduced amino acid sequences revealed that FAOD-Ao1 was 50% identical to FAOD-Ao2, and each isozyme had a peroxisome-targeting signal-1, indicating their localization in peroxisomes. The genes was expressed in Escherichia coli and rFaoAo2 showed the same characteristics as FAOD-Ao2, whereas rFaoAo1 was not active. FAOAo2 disruptant was obtained by using ptrA as a selective marker. Wild-type strain grew on the medium containing Fru-Val as the sole carbon and nitrogen sources, but strain Delta faoAo2 did not grow. Addition of glucose or (NH(4))(2)SO(4) to the Fru-Val medium did not affect the assimilation of Fru-Val by wild-type, indicating glucose and ammonium repressions did not occur in the expression of the FAOAo2 gene. Furthermore, conidia of the wild-type strain did not germinate on the medium containing Fru-Val and NaNO(2) as the sole carbon and nitrogen sources, respectively, suggesting that Fru-Val may also repress gene expression of nitrite reductase. These results indicated that FAOD is needed for utilization of fructosyl-amino acids as nitrogen sources in A. oryzae.

  10. Evaluation of GABAergic neuroactive steroid 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnane-20-one as a neurobiological substrate for the anti-anxiety effect of ethanol in rats.

    PubMed

    Hirani, Khemraj; Sharma, Ajay N; Jain, Nishant S; Ugale, Rajesh R; Chopde, Chandrabhan T

    2005-07-01

    Acute systemic ethanol administration is known to elevate plasma and cerebral levels of neuroactive steroid 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnane-20-one (3alpha, 5alpha-THP; allopregnanolone) to a concentration sufficient to potentiate GABA(A) receptors. We have earlier demonstrated that 3alpha, 5alpha-THP mediates the antidepressant-like effect of ethanol in Porsolt forced swim test. The aim of the present study is to explain the relationship between endogenous GABAergic neurosteroids and anxiolytic effect of ethanol in Sprague-Dawley rats. The mediation of 3alpha, 5alpha-THP in the anti-anxiety effect of ethanol was assessed by pharmacological interactions of ethanol with various endogenous neurosteroidal modulators and using simulated physiological conditions of altered neurosteroid content in elevated plus maze (EPM) test. Pretreatment of 3alpha, 5alpha-THP (0.5-2.5 mug/rat, i.c.v.) or neurosteroidogenic agents such as 3alpha, 5alpha-THP precursor progesterone (5 or 10 mg/kg, i.p.), 11-beta hydroxylase inhibitor metyrapone (50 or 100 mg/kg, i.p.) or the GABA(A) receptor agonist muscimol (25 ng/rat, i.c.v.) significantly potentiated the anti-anxiety effect of ethanol (1 g/kg, i.p.). On the other hand, the GABAergic antagonistic neurosteroid dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) (1 mg/kg, i.p.), the GABA(A) receptor blocker bicuculline (1 mg/kg, i.p.), the 5alpha-reductase inhibitor finasteride (50 x 2 mg/kg, s.c.) or the mitochondrial diazepam binding inhibitory receptor antagonist PK11195 (1 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced ethanol-induced preference of time spent and number of entries into open arms. Anti-anxiety effect of ethanol was abolished in adrenalectomized (ADX) rats as compared to sham-operated control. This ADX-induced blockade was restored by prior systemic injection of progesterone, signifying the contribution of peripheral steroidogenesis in ethanol anxiolysis. Socially isolated animals known to exhibit decreased brain 3alpha, 5alpha-THP and GABA(A) receptor

  11. The mechanism of action of aniracetam at synaptic alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors: indirect and direct effects on desensitization.

    PubMed

    Lawrence, J Josh; Brenowitz, Stephan; Trussell, Laurence O

    2003-08-01

    The mechanism of action of aniracetam on alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors was examined in outside-out patches and at glutamatergic synapses in neurons of the chick cochlear nucleus. A combination of rapid-flow analysis, using glutamate as an agonist, and kinetic modeling indicated that aniracetam slows both the rate of channel closing, and the microscopic rates of desensitization, even for partially liganded receptors. Little effect was observed on the rate of recovery from desensitization or on the response to the weakly desensitizing agonist kainate. Aniracetam's effects on receptor deactivation saturated at lower concentrations than its effects on desensitization, suggesting that cooperativity between homologous binding sites was required to regulate desensitization. Analysis of responses to paired pulses of agonist also indicated that AMPA receptors must desensitize partially even after agonist exposures too brief to permit rebinding. In the presence of aniracetam, evoked excitatory synaptic currents (EPSCs) and miniature EPSCs in low quantal-content conditions had decay times similar to the time course of receptor deactivation. Under these conditions, the time course of both transmitter release and clearance must be <1 to 2 ms. However, in high quantal-content conditions, the evoked EPSC in aniracetam decayed with a time course intermediate between deactivation and desensitization, suggesting that the time course of transmitter clearance is prolonged because of pooling of transmitter in the synaptic cleft. Moreover, by comparing the amounts of paired-pulse synaptic depression and patch desensitization prevented by aniracetam, we conclude that significant desensitization occurs in response to rebinding of transmitter to the AMPA receptors.

  12. Echinococcus granulosus: absorption of cycloleucine and alpha-aminoisobutyric acid by protoscoleces.

    PubMed

    Jeffs, S A; Arme, C

    1986-02-01

    Protoscoleces of Echinococcus granulosus absorb the amino acids cycloleucine and alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) by a combination of mediated uptake and diffusion. After correcting for the latter, values for Kt and Vmax of 0.124 mM and 0.947 nmoles/mg protein/2 min for cycloleucine were calculated; corresponding values for AIB were 0.039 mM and 0.139 nmoles/mg protein/2 min. Both amino acids were accumulated against a concentration gradient and a comparison of Kt and Ki values determined in mutual inhibition experiments suggested that both cycloleucine and AIB share a common uptake locus (loci). Cycloleucine uptake was pH-dependent and could be inhibited by a variety of other amino acids. Neither D- nor L-proline inhibited cycloleucine absorption but D-methionine, D-alanine, D-leucine, D-valine and D-serine were much more effective inhibitors than their L-counterparts.

  13. Variable clinical spectrum of the most common inborn error of bile acid metabolism--3beta-hydroxy-Delta 5-C27-steroid dehydrogenase deficiency.

    PubMed

    Subramaniam, Pushpa; Clayton, Peter T; Portmann, Bernard C; Mieli-Vergani, Giorgina; Hadzić, Nedim

    2010-01-01

    We studied the clinical features of children with 3beta-hydroxy-Delta 5-C27-steroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSDH) deficiency presenting to King's College and Great Ormond Street hospitals between 1989 and 2005. The diagnosis was made biochemically by detection of sulphated dihydroxycholenoic acids and trihydroxycholenoic acids in urine by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry or electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrophotometry and a plasma bile acid profile showing absent or low cholic and chenodeoxycholic acid levels and high concentrations of 3beta-7 alpha-dihydroxy-5-cholenoic acid and 3beta-7 alpha-12 alpha-trihydroxy-5-cholenoic acid. Eighteen children (12 male) with 3beta-HSDH deficiency were identified and diagnosed at a median age of 1.35 years (range 8 weeks-11 years). The presenting features included neonatal cholestasis (n = 11), rickets (n = 8, 1 of whom also had hypocalcaemic tetany, seizures, and normal liver biochemical markers), hepatomegaly (n = 7), pruritus (n = 3), and steatorrhoea and failure to thrive (n = 3). Ten children had low serum 25-OH vitamin D levels, of whom 8 also had low vitamin E and 6 had low vitamin A serum levels. Liver histology showed giant cell change and hepatocyte disarray in all with added features of cholestasis in 11, bridging fibrosis in 6, micronodular cirrhosis in 1, fatty change in 1, and active lobular and portal inflammation in 1. Five patients were treated with cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid (7 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1) of each), 7 with chenodeoxycholic acid only (7-18 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)), and 1 with cholic acid (8 mg x kg(-1) x day(-1)) only. Repeated liver biopsies performed in 4 patients 6 months after starting replacement therapy showed improved histological changes. Three children died untreated before 5 years of age. After a median follow-up of 5.5 years (range 1-17 years) 12 out of 13 treated children have no clinical signs of liver disease or of fat-soluble vitamin deficiency. 3beta

  14. Alpha cyano-4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis in human breast cancer cells.

    PubMed

    Hamdan, Lamia; Arrar, Zoheir; Al Muataz, Yacoub; Suleiman, Lutfi; Négrier, Claude; Mulengi, Joseph Kajima; Boukerche, Habib

    2013-01-01

    This study investigated the underlying mechanism of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid (ACCA), on the growth of breast cancer cells and normal immortal epithelial cells, and compared their cytotoxic effects responses. Treatment of breast cancer cells (MCF-7, T47D, and MDA-231) with ACCA resulted in dose- and time-dependent decrease of cell proliferation, viability in colony formation assay, and programmed cell death (apoptosis) with minimal effects on non-tumoral cells. The ability of ACCA to suppress growth in cancer cells not expressing or containing defects in p53 gene indicates a lack of involvement of this critical tumor suppressor element in mediating ACCA-induced growth inhibition. Induction of apoptosis correlated with an increase in Bax protein, an established inducer of programmed cell death, and the ratio of Bax to Bcl-2, an established inhibitor of apoptosis. We also documented the ability of ACCA to inhibit the migration and invasion of MDA-231 cells with ACCA in vitro. Additionally, tumor growth of MDA-231 breast cancer cells in vivo was dramatically affected with ACCA. On the basis of its selective anticancer inhibitory activity on tumor cells, ACCA may represent a promising therapeutic drug that should be further evaluated as a chemotherapeutic agent for human breast cancer.

  15. Alpha Cyano-4-Hydroxy-3-Methoxycinnamic Acid Inhibits Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis in Human Breast Cancer Cells

    PubMed Central

    Hamdan, Lamia; Arrar, Zoheir; Al Muataz, Yacoub; Suleiman, Lutfi; Négrier, Claude; Mulengi, Joseph Kajima; Boukerche, Habib

    2013-01-01

    This study investigated the underlying mechanism of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid (ACCA), on the growth of breast cancer cells and normal immortal epithelial cells, and compared their cytotoxic effects responses. Treatment of breast cancer cells (MCF-7, T47D, and MDA-231) with ACCA resulted in dose- and time-dependent decrease of cell proliferation, viability in colony formation assay, and programmed cell death (apoptosis) with minimal effects on non-tumoral cells. The ability of ACCA to suppress growth in cancer cells not expressing or containing defects in p53 gene indicates a lack of involvement of this critical tumor suppressor element in mediating ACCA-induced growth inhibition. Induction of apoptosis correlated with an increase in Bax protein, an established inducer of programmed cell death, and the ratio of Bax to Bcl-2, an established inhibitor of apoptosis. We also documented the ability of ACCA to inhibit the migration and invasion of MDA-231 cells with ACCA in vitro. Additionally, tumor growth of MDA-231 breast cancer cells in vivo was dramatically affected with ACCA. On the basis of its selective anticancer inhibitory activity on tumor cells, ACCA may represent a promising therapeutic drug that should be further evaluated as a chemotherapeutic agent for human breast cancer. PMID:24039831

  16. Rapid identification of triterpenoid sulfates and hydroxy fatty acids including two new constituents from Tydemania expeditionis by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

    PubMed

    Zhang, Jian-Long; Kubanek, Julia; Hay, Mark E; Aalbersberg, William; Ye, Wen-Cai; Jiang, Ren-Wang

    2011-09-01

    Tydemania expeditionis Weber-van Bosse (Udoteaceae) is a weakly calcified green alga. In the present paper, liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detection and electrospray mass spectrometry was developed to identify the fingerprint components. A total of four triterpenoid sulfates and three hydroxy fatty acids in the ethyl acetate fraction of the crude extract were structurally characterized on the basis of retention time, online UV spectrum, and mass fragmentation pattern. Furthermore, a detailed liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis revealed two new hydroxy fatty acids, which were then prepared and characterized by extensive nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses. The proposed method provides a scientific and technical platform for the rapid identification of triterpenoid sulfates and hydroxy fatty acids in similar marine algae and terrestrial plants. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

  17. Nanoparticle strategies for cancer therapeutics: Nucleic acids, polyamines, bovine serum amine oxidase and iron oxide nanoparticles (Review).

    PubMed

    Agostinelli, Enzo; Vianello, Fabio; Magliulo, Giuseppe; Thomas, Thresia; Thomas, T J

    2015-01-01

    Nanotechnology for cancer gene therapy is an emerging field. Nucleic acids, polyamine analogues and cytotoxic products of polyamine oxidation, generated in situ by an enzyme-catalyzed reaction, can be developed for nanotechnology-based cancer therapeutics with reduced systemic toxicity and improved therapeutic efficacy. Nucleic acid-based gene therapy approaches depend on the compaction of DNA/RNA to nanoparticles and polyamine analogues are excellent agents for the condensation of nucleic acids to nanoparticles. Polyamines and amine oxidases are found in higher levels in tumours compared to that of normal tissues. Therefore, the metabolism of polyamines spermidine and spermine, and their diamine precursor, putrescine, can be targets for antineoplastic therapy since these naturally occurring alkylamines are essential for normal mammalian cell growth. Intracellular polyamine concentrations are maintained at a cell type-specific set point through the coordinated and highly regulated interplay between biosynthesis, transport, and catabolism. In particular, polyamine catabolism involves copper-containing amine oxidases. Several studies showed an important role of these enzymes in developmental and disease-related processes in animals through the control of polyamine homeostasis in response to normal cellular signals, drug treatment, and environmental and/or cellular stress. The production of toxic aldehydes and reactive oxygen species (ROS), H2O2 in particular, by these oxidases suggests a mechanism by which amine oxidases can be exploited as antineoplastic drug targets. The combination of bovine serum amine oxidase (BSAO) and polyamines prevents tumour growth, particularly well if the enzyme has been conjugated with a biocompatible hydrogel polymer. The findings described herein suggest that enzymatically formed cytotoxic agents activate stress signal transduction pathways, leading to apoptotic cell death. Consequently, superparamagnetic nanoparticles or other

  18. Chemical constituents of Cichorium intybus and their inhibitory effects against urease and alpha-chymotrypsin enzymes.

    PubMed

    Saied, Sumayya; Shah, Shazia; Ali, Zulfiqar; Khan, Ajmal; Marasini, Bishnu P; Choudhary, Muhammad Iqbal

    2011-08-01

    Phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Cichorium intybus L. resulted in the isolation and identification of two new natural metabolites, 2,6-di[but-3(E)-en-2-onyl]naphthalene (1), and 3,3',4,4'-tetrahydroxychalcone (2), along with nine known compounds. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic techniques including 1D and 2D NMR. The known compounds were identified as scopoletin (3), 4-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (4), 3-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzoic acid (5), 4,4'-dihydroxychalcone (6), 6,7-dihydroxycoumarine (7), 1-triacontanol (8), lupeol (9), beta-sitosterol (10), and beta-sitosterol-3-O-beta-glucopyranoside (11). Compounds 4-6 and 8 are reported for the first time from C. intybus. Compounds 2 and 3 showed weak inhibitory activities against urease and alpha-chymotrypsin enzymes, respectively.

  19. 2-Hydroxy-succinaldehyde, a lipid peroxidation product proving that polyunsaturated fatty acids are able to react with three molecules of oxygen.

    PubMed

    Mlakar, A; Spiteller, G

    1997-01-01

    2-Hydroxy-succinaldehyde was detected by a GC/MS analysis of trapped aldehydic compounds obtained after Fe2+/ascorbate lipid peroxidation of arachidonic acid. Precursor molecules of aldehydes are hydroperoxy compounds. Thus the generation of the two aldehydic groups in 2-hydroxysuccinaldehyde requires a precursor molecule with two hydroperoxy groups. The hydroxy group in 2-position is generated by a third hydroperoxidation reaction. The detection of 2-hydroxysuccinaldehyde--although found only in traces--is the first example for triple dioxigenation of unsaturated fatty acid. Linolenic acid produces 2-hydroxysuccinaldehyde in much lower amounts than arachidonic acid. A similar oxidation of linoleic acid was not observed.

  20. Purification of the Alpha Glycerophosphate Oxidase from African Trypanosomes

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1987-02-02

    oxidase (GPO). This enzyme has not been purified or characterize in detail. Inhibition of this enzyme coupled with inhibition of the anaerobic...more manageable afterwards and remained in the procedure although it only slightly increased the yield. The stability of the solubilized enzyme was...whether the detergent was added during the assay or in the solubilization procedure. However, the successful assay for the enzyme was ubiquinol oxidase

  1. 7alpha- and 12alpha-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases from Acinetobacter calcoaceticus lwoffii: a new integrated chemo-enzymatic route to ursodeoxycholic acid.

    PubMed

    Giovannini, Pier Paolo; Grandini, Alessandro; Perrone, Daniela; Pedrini, Paola; Fantin, Giancarlo; Fogagnolo, Marco

    2008-12-22

    We report the very efficient biotransformation of cholic acid to 7-keto- and 7,12-diketocholic acids with Acinetobacter calcoaceticus lwoffii. The enzymes responsible of the biotransformation (i.e. 7alpha- and 12alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases) are partially purified and employed in a new chemo-enzymatic synthesis of ursodeoxycholic acid starting from cholic acid. The first step is the 12alpha-HSDH-mediated total oxidation of sodium cholate followed by the Wolf-Kishner reduction of the carbonyl group to chenodeoxycholic acid. This acid is then quantitatively oxidized with 7alpha-HSDH to 7-ketochenodeoxycholic acid, that was chemically reduced to ursodeoxycholic acid (70% overall yield).

  2. Efficient production of optically pure D-lactic acid from raw corn starch by using a genetically modified L-lactate dehydrogenase gene-deficient and alpha-amylase-secreting Lactobacillus plantarum strain.

    PubMed

    Okano, Kenji; Zhang, Qiao; Shinkawa, Satoru; Yoshida, Shogo; Tanaka, Tsutomu; Fukuda, Hideki; Kondo, Akihiko

    2009-01-01

    In order to achieve direct and efficient fermentation of optically pure D-lactic acid from raw corn starch, we constructed L-lactate dehydrogenase gene (ldhL1)-deficient Lactobacillus plantarum and introduced a plasmid encoding Streptococcus bovis 148 alpha-amylase (AmyA). The resulting strain produced only D-lactic acid from glucose and successfully expressed amyA. With the aid of secreting AmyA, direct D-lactic acid fermentation from raw corn starch was accomplished. After 48 h of fermentation, 73.2 g/liter of lactic acid was produced with a high yield (0.85 g per g of consumed sugar) and an optical purity of 99.6%. Moreover, a strain replacing the ldhL1 gene with an amyA-secreting expression cassette was constructed. Using this strain, direct D-lactic acid fermentation from raw corn starch was accomplished in the absence of selective pressure by antibiotics. This is the first report of direct D-lactic acid fermentation from raw starch.

  3. TNF-{alpha} upregulates the A{sub 2B} adenosine receptor gene: The role of NAD(P)H oxidase 4

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

    St Hilaire, Cynthia; Koupenova, Milka; Carroll, Shannon H.

    2008-10-24

    Proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), oxidative stress, and elevated inflammatory cytokines are some of the components that contribute to plaque formation in the vasculature. The cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-{alpha}) is released during vascular injury, and contributes to lesion formation also by affecting VSMC proliferation. Recently, an A{sub 2B} adenosine receptor (A{sub 2B}AR) knockout mouse illustrated that this receptor is a tissue protector, in that it inhibits VSMC proliferation and attenuates the inflammatory response following injury, including the release of TNF-{alpha}. Here, we show a regulatory loop by which TNF-{alpha} upregulates the A{sub 2B}AR in VSMC in vitromore » and in vivo. The effect of this cytokine is mimicked by its known downstream target, NAD(P)H oxidase 4 (Nox4). Nox4 upregulates the A{sub 2B}AR, and Nox inhibitors dampen the effect of TNF-{alpha}. Hence, our study is the first to show that signaling associated with Nox4 is also able to upregulate the tissue protecting A{sub 2B}AR.« less

  4. Theoretical and experimental studies on alpha/epsilon-hybrid peptides: design of a 14/12-helix from peptides with alternating (S)-C-linked carbo-epsilon-amino acid [(S)-epsilon-Caa((x))] and L-ala.

    PubMed

    Sharma, Gangavaram V M; Babu, Bommagani Shoban; Chatterjee, Deepak; Ramakrishna, Kallaganti V S; Kunwar, Ajit C; Schramm, Peter; Hofmann, Hans-Jörg

    2009-09-04

    An (S)-C-linked carbo-epsilon-amino acid [(S)-epsilon-Caa((x))] was prepared from the known (S)-delta-Caa. This monomer was utilized together with l-Ala to give novel alpha/epsilon-hybrid peptides in 1:1 alternation. Conformational analysis on penta- and hexapeptides by NMR (in CDCl(3)), CD, and MD studies led to the identification of robust 14/12-mixed helices. This is in agreement with the data from a theoretical conformational analysis on the basis of ab initio MO theory providing a complete overview on all formally possible hydrogen-bonded helix patterns of alpha/epsilon-hybrid peptides with 1:1 backbone alternation. The "new motif" of a mixed 14/12-helix was predicted as most stable in vacuum. Obviously, the formation of ordered secondary structures is also possible in peptide foldamers with amino acid constituents of considerable backbone lengths. Thus, alpha/epsilon-hybrid peptides expand the domain of foldamers and allow the introduction of desired functionalities via the alpha-amino acid constituents.

  5. Investigation of the presence of β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyric acid and α-hydroxyisocaproic acid in bovine whole milk and fermented dairy products by a validated liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry method.

    PubMed

    Ehling, Stefan; Reddy, Todime M

    2014-02-19

    A simple, rugged, quantitative, and confirmatory method based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was developed and comprehensively validated for the analysis of the leucine metabolites β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyric acid (HMB) and α-hydroxyisocaproic acid (HICA) in bovine whole milk and yogurt. Mean accuracy (90-110% for HMB and 85-115% for HICA) and total precision (<10% RSD in most cases, except for <20% RSD for HMB at the limit of quantitation) at four concentration levels across three validation runs have been determined. Limits of quantitation for HMB and HICA in whole milk were 20 and 5 μg/L, respectively. Measured concentrations of HMB and HICA were <20-29 and 32-37 μg/L, respectively, in bovine whole milk and <5 and 3.0-15.2 mg/L, respectively, in yogurt. These concentrations are insufficient by large margins to deliver any musculoskeletal benefits, and fortification of milk and dairy products with HMB and/or HICA appears to be justified.

  6. Hypotensive effect of alpha-lipoic acid after a single administration in rats.

    PubMed

    Dudek, Magdalena; Razny, Katarzyna; Bilska-Wilkosz, Anna; Iciek, Malgorzata; Sapa, Jacek; Wlodek, Lidia; Filipek, Barbara

    2016-05-01

    The effect of alpha-lipoic acid on blood pressure was investigated many times in chronic studies, but there are no studies on the effect of this compound after a single administration. Alpha-lipoic acid is a drug used in diabetic neuropathy, often in obese patients, to treat hypertension. Therefore, knowledge of the potential antihypertensive effect of alpha-lipoic acid even after a single dose and possibly too much pressure reduction is interesting and useful. The mechanism of the hypotensive effect of alpha-lipoic acid was examined in normotensive rats in vivo after a single intraperitoneal administration, blood pressure in the left carotid artery of the rats was measured prior to the administration of the compounds (alpha- lipoic acid and/or glibenclamide) and 80 min thereafter. Alpha-lipoic acid at a dosage of 50 mg/kg b.w. i.p. significantly decreased the blood pressure from the 50th min after drug administration. This cardiovascular effect of this compound was reversed by glibenclamide, a selective KATP blocker. Glibenclamide alone at this dose did not significantly affect the blood pressure. Statistical significance was evaluated using two-way ANOVA. This suggests that alpha-lipoic acid affects ATP-dependent potassium channels. It is possible that this is an indirect effect of hydrogen sulfide because alpha-lipoic acid can increase its concentration. The results obtained in this study are very important because the patients taking alpha-lipoic acid may be treated for co-existing hypertension. Therefore, the possibility of blood pressure lowering by alpha-lipoic acid should be taken into account, although it does not lead to excessive orthostatic hypotension.

  7. Inhibition of arginase in rat and rabbit alveolar macrophages by Nω-hydroxy-D,L-indospicine, effects on L-arginine utilization by nitric oxide synthase

    PubMed Central

    Hey, Claudia; Boucher, Jean-Luc; Vadon-Le Goff, Sandrine; Ketterer, Gabi; Wessler, Ignaz; Racké, Kurt

    1997-01-01

    Alveolar macrophages (AMΦ) exhibit arginase activity and may, in addition, express an inducible form of nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS). Both pathways may compete for the substrate, L-arginine. The present study tested whether two recently described potent inhibitors of liver arginase (Nω-hydroxy-D,L-indospicine and 4-hydroxyamidino-D,L-phenylalanine) might also inhibit arginase in AMΦ and whether inhibition of arginase might affect L-arginine utilization by iNOS. AMΦ obtained by broncho-alveolar lavage of rat and rabbit isolated lungs were disseminated (2.5 or 3×106 cells per well) and allowed to adhere for 2 h. Thereafter, they were either used to study [*H]-L-arginine uptake (37 kBq, 0.1 μM, 2 min) or cultured for 20 h in the absence or presence of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Cultured AMΦ were incubated for 1 h with [*H]-L-arginine (37 kBq, 0.1 μM) and the accumulation of [*H]-L-citrulline (NOS activity) and [*H]-L-ornithine (arginase activity) was determined. During 1 h incubation of rabbit AMΦ with [*H]-L-arginine, no [*H]-L-citrulline, but significant amounts of [*H]-L-ornithine (150 d.p.m.×1000) were formed. Nω-hydroxy-D,L-indospicine and 4-hydroxyamidino-D,L-phenylalanine, present during incubation, concentration-dependently reduced [*H]-L-ornithine formation (IC50: 2 and 45 μM, respectively). Nω-hydroxy-D,L-indospicine (up to 100 μM) had no effect on [*H]-L-arginine uptake into rabbit AMΦ, whereas 4-hydroxyamidino-D,L-phenylalanine caused a concentration-dependent inhibition (IC50: 300 μM). Rat AMΦ, cultured in the absence of LPS, formed significant amounts of [*H]-L-citrulline and [*H]-L-ornithine (133 and 212 d.p.m.×1000, respectively) when incubated for 1 h with [*H]-L-arginine. When AMΦ had been cultured in the presence of 0.1 or 1 μg ml−1 LPS, the formation of [*H]-L-citrulline was enhanced by 37±8.3 and 99±12% and that of [*H]-L-ornithine reduced by 21±8.7 and 70±2.5%, respectively

  8. Effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on C-reactive protein level: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled clinical trials.

    PubMed

    Saboori, S; Falahi, E; Eslampour, E; Zeinali Khosroshahi, M; Yousefi Rad, E

    2018-04-17

    The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on C-reactive protein (CRP) levels in clinical trial studies. A systematic search was carried out on clinical trial studies published in PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Scopus databases completed by manual search on reference list of eligible studies accomplished by November 4, 2017. Of a total number of 508 studies found in the first step of literature search, only 11 were included with 264 participants in supplementation groups and 287 in control groups. Estimated pooled random effects size analysis showed a significant reducing effect of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation on CRP level (-0.72 mg/l, 95% CI; -1.4, -0.04; P = 0.03) with a significant heterogeneity between the selected studies. Sub-group analysis showed that alpha-lipoic acid supplementation could significantly reduce serum CRP level when the baseline CRP level was greater than 3 mg/l (-1.02 mg/l, 95% CI: -1.3, -0.73) and when trial duration was >8 weeks (-0.99 mg/l, 95% CI: -1.29, -0.70). Results of subgroup analysis also showed that alpha lipoic acid supplementation could decrease CRP level only in non-diabetic patients (-1.02 mg/l, 95% CI: -1.31, -0.74). Results of the current meta-analysis study showed that alpha-lipoic acid supplementation could significantly decrease CRP level in patients with elevated levels of this inflammatory marker. Copyright © 2018 The Italian Society of Diabetology, the Italian Society for the Study of Atherosclerosis, the Italian Society of Human Nutrition, and the Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  9. Low-molecular-weight poly(alpha-methyl beta,L-malate) of microbial origin: synthesis and crystallization.

    PubMed

    Fernández, Carlos E; Mancera, Manuel; Holler, Eggehard; Bou, Jordi J; Galbis, Juan A; Muñoz-Guerra, Sebastián

    2005-02-23

    Low-molecular-weight poly(alpha-methyl beta,L-malate) made of approximately 25-30 units was prepared from microbial poly(beta,L-malic acid) by treatment with diazomethane. The thermal characterization of the polymalate methyl ester was carried out and its crystalline structure was preliminary examined. Its ability to crystallize both from solution and from the melt was comparatively evaluated.

  10. Arachidonic acid mediates the formation of abundant alpha-helical multimers of alpha-synuclein

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Iljina, Marija; Tosatto, Laura; Choi, Minee L.; Sang, Jason C.; Ye, Yu; Hughes, Craig D.; Bryant, Clare E.; Gandhi, Sonia; Klenerman, David

    2016-09-01

    The protein alpha-synuclein (αS) self-assembles into toxic beta-sheet aggregates in Parkinson’s disease, while it is proposed that αS forms soluble alpha-helical multimers in healthy neurons. Here, we have made αS multimers in vitro using arachidonic acid (ARA), one of the most abundant fatty acids in the brain, and characterized them by a combination of bulk experiments and single-molecule Fӧrster resonance energy transfer (sm-FRET) measurements. The data suggest that ARA-induced oligomers are alpha-helical, resistant to fibril formation, more prone to disaggregation, enzymatic digestion and degradation by the 26S proteasome, and lead to lower neuronal damage and reduced activation of microglia compared to the oligomers formed in the absence of ARA. These multimers can be formed at physiologically-relevant concentrations, and pathological mutants of αS form less multimers than wild-type αS. Our work provides strong biophysical evidence for the formation of alpha-helical multimers of αS in the presence of a biologically relevant fatty acid, which may have a protective role with respect to the generation of beta-sheet toxic structures during αS fibrillation.

  11. Characterization of the N-Acetyl-[alpha]-d-glucosaminyl l-Malate Synthase and Deacetylase Functions for Bacillithiol Biosynthesis in Bacillus anthracis

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

    Parsonage, Derek; Newton, Gerald L.; Holder, Robert C.

    2012-02-21

    Bacillithiol (Cys-GlcN-malate, BSH) has recently been identified as a novel low-molecular weight thiol in Bacillus anthracis, Staphylococcus aureus, and several other Gram-positive bacteria lacking glutathione and mycothiol. We have now characterized the first two enzymes for the BSH biosynthetic pathway in B. anthracis, which combine to produce {alpha}-D-glucosaminyl L-malate (GlcN-malate) from UDP-GlcNAc and L-malate. The structure of the GlcNAc-malate intermediate has been determined, as have the kinetic parameters for the BaBshA glycosyltransferase ({yields}GlcNAc-malate) and the BaBshB deacetylase ({yields}GlcN-malate). BSH is one of only two natural products reported to contain a malyl glycoside, and the crystal structure of the BaBshA-UDP-malate ternarymore » complex, determined in this work at 3.3 {angstrom} resolution, identifies several active-site interactions important for the specific recognition of L-malate, but not other {alpha}-hydroxy acids, as the acceptor substrate. In sharp contrast to the structures reported for the GlcNAc-1-D-myo-inositol-3-phosphate synthase (MshA) apo and ternary complex forms, there is no major conformational change observed in the structures of the corresponding BaBshA forms. A mutant strain of B. anthracis deficient in the BshA glycosyltransferase fails to produce BSH, as predicted. This B. anthracis bshA locus (BA1558) has been identified in a transposon-site hybridization study as required for growth, sporulation, or germination [Day, W. A., Jr., Rasmussen, S. L., Carpenter, B. M., Peterson, S. N., and Friedlander, A. M. (2007) J. Bacteriol. 189, 3296-3301], suggesting that the biosynthesis of BSH could represent a target for the development of novel antimicrobials with broad-spectrum activity against Gram-positive pathogens like B. anthracis. The metabolites that function in thiol redox buffering and homeostasis in Bacillus are not well understood, and we present a composite picture based on this and other recent

  12. Stereoselective synthesis of the 5'-hydroxy-5'-phosphonate derivatives of cytidine and cytosine arabinoside.

    PubMed

    Chen, Xuemei; Wiemer, Andrew J; Hohl, Raymond J; Wiemer, David F

    2002-12-27

    Both the (R)- and (S)-5'-hydroxy 5'-phosphonate derivatives of cytidine and cytosine arabinoside (ara-C) have been prepared via phosphite addition or a Lewis acid mediated hydrophosphonylation of appropriately protected 5'-nucleoside aldehydes. Phosphite addition to a cytosine aldehyde protected as the 2',3'-acetonide gave predominately the 5'R isomer, while phosphite addition to the corresponding 2',3'-bis TBS derivative favored the 5'S stereochemistry. In contrast, phosphite addition to the 2',3'-bis TBS protected aldehyde derived from ara-C gave only the 5'R adduct. However, TiCl(4)-mediated hydrophosphonylation of the same ara-C aldehyde favored the 5'S stereoisomer by a 2:1 ratio. Once all four of the diastereomers were in hand, the stereochemistry of these compounds could be assigned based on their spectral data or that obtained from their O-methyl mandelate derivatives. After hydrolysis of the phosphonate esters and various protecting groups, the four alpha-hydroxy phosphonic acids were tested for their ability to serve as substrates for the enzyme nucleoside monophosphate kinase and for their toxicity to K562 cells.

  13. Effect of alpha lipoic acid on leukotriene A4 hydrolase.

    PubMed

    Torres, María José; Fierro, Angélica; Pessoa-Mahana, C David; Romero-Parra, Javier; Cabrera, Gonzalo; Faúndez, Mario

    2017-03-15

    Leukotriene A 4 hydrolase is a soluble enzyme with epoxide hydrolase and aminopeptidase activities catalysing the conversion of leukotriene A 4 to leukotriene B 4 and the hydrolysis of the peptide proline-glycine-proline. Imbalances in leukotriene B 4 synthesis are related to several pathologic conditions. Currently there are no available drugs capable to modulate the synthesis of leukotriene B 4 or to block its receptors. Here we show the inhibitory profile of alpha lipoic acid on the activity of leukotriene A 4 Hydrolase. Alpha lipoic acid inhibited both activities of the enzyme at concentrations lower than 10μM. The 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor zileuton, or the 5-lipoxygenase activating protein inhibitor MK-886, were unable to inhibit the activity of the enzyme. Acute promyelocytic leukaemia HL-60 cells were differentiated to leukotriene A 4 hydrolase expressing neutrophil-like cells. Alpha lipoic acid inhibited the aminopeptidase activity of the cytosolic fraction from neutrophil-like cells but had no effect on the cytosolic fraction from undifferentiated cells. Docking and molecular dynamic approximations revealed that alpha lipoic acid participates in electrostatic interactions with K-565 and R-563, which are key residues for the carboxylate group recognition of endogenous substrates by the enzyme. Alpha lipoic acid is a compound widely used in clinical practice, most of its therapeutic effects are associated with its antioxidants properties, however, antioxidant effect alone is unable to explain all clinical effects observed with alpha lipoic acid. Our results invite to evaluate the significance of the inhibitory effect of alpha lipoic acid on the catalytic activity of leukotriene A 4 hydrolase using in vivo models. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  14. Production of a value-added hydroxy fatty acid, 7,10-dihydroxy-8(E)-octadecenoic acid from high oleic safflower oil by Pseudomonas aeruginosa PR3

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Hydroxy fatty acids (HFA), originally found in small amount mainly from plant systems, are good examples of the structurally modified lipids, rendering special properties such as higher viscosity and reactivity compared to normal fatty acids. Based on these properties, HFAs possess high industrial ...

  15. Alpha-helical hydrophobic polypeptides form proton-selective channels in lipid bilayers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Oliver, A. E.; Deamer, D. W.

    1994-01-01

    Proton translocation is important in membrane-mediated processes such as ATP-dependent proton pumps, ATP synthesis, bacteriorhodopsin, and cytochrome oxidase function. The fundamental mechanism, however, is poorly understood. To test the theoretical possibility that bundles of hydrophobic alpha-helices could provide a low energy pathway for ion translocation through the lipid bilayer, polyamino acids were incorporated into extruded liposomes and planar lipid membranes, and proton translocation was measured. Liposomes with incorporated long-chain poly-L-alanine or poly-L-leucine were found to have proton permeability coefficients 5 to 7 times greater than control liposomes, whereas short-chain polyamino acids had relatively little effect. Potassium permeability was not increased markedly by any of the polyamino acids tested. Analytical thin layer chromatography measurements of lipid content and a fluorescamine assay for amino acids showed that there were approximately 135 polyleucine or 65 polyalanine molecules associated with each liposome. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy indicated that a major fraction of the long-chain hydrophobic peptides existed in an alpha-helical conformation. Single-channel recording in both 0.1 N HCl and 0.1 M KCl was also used to determine whether proton-conducting channels formed in planar lipid membranes (phosphatidylcholine/phosphatidylethanolamine, 1:1). Poly-L-leucine and poly-L-alanine in HCl caused a 10- to 30-fold increase in frequency of conductive events compared to that seen in KCl or by the other polyamino acids in either solution. This finding correlates well with the liposome observations in which these two polyamino acids caused the largest increase in membrane proton permeability but had little effect on potassium permeability. Poly-L-leucine was considerably more conductive than poly-L-alanine due primarily to larger event amplitudes and, to a lesser extent, a higher event frequency. Poly-L-leucine caused two

  16. Preparation of 7-hydroxy-2-oxoindolin-3-ylacetic acid and its [13C2], [5-n-3H], and [5-n-3H]-7-O-glucosyl analogues for use in the study of indol-3-ylacetic acid catabolism

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Lewer, P.; Bandurski, R. S. (Principal Investigator)

    1987-01-01

    An improved synthesis of 7-hydroxy-2-oxoindolin-3-ylacetic acid via the base-induced condensation reaction between oxalate esters and 7-benzyloxyindolin-2-one is described. 7-Benzyloxyindolin-2-one was prepared in four steps and 50% overall yield from 3-hydroxy-2-nitrotoluene. The yield of the title compound from 7-benzyloxyindolin-2-one was 56%. This route was used to prepare 7-hydroxy-2-oxoindolin-3-yl[13C2]acetic acid in 30% yield from [13C2]oxalic acid dihydrate. The method could not be extended to the preparation of the corresponding [14C2]-compound. However, an enzyme preparation from Zea mays roots catalysed the conversion of carrier-free [5-n-3H]indol-3-ylacetic acid with a specific activity of 16.7 Ci mmol-1 to a mixture of 7-hydroxy-2-oxo[5-n-3H]indolin-3-ylacetic acid and its [5-n-3H]-7-O-glucoside in ca. 3 and 40% radiochemical yield respectively. The glucoside was converted into the 7-hydroxy compound in 80% yield by means of beta-glucosidase.

  17. Conformational restriction through C alpha i <--> C alpha i cyclization: Ac12c, the largest cycloaliphatic C alpha,alpha- disubstituted glycine known.

    PubMed

    Saviano, M; Iacovino, R; Menchise, V; Benedetti, E; Bonora, G M; Gatos, M; Graci, L; Formaggio, F; Crisma, M; Toniolo, C

    2000-02-01

    Two complete series of N-protected, monodispersed oligopeptide esters to the pentamer level from 1-aminocyclododecane-1-carboxylic acid (Ac(12)c), an alpha-amino acid conformationally constrained through C(alpha)(i) <--> C(alpha)(i) cyclization, and either L-Ala or Aib residues, along with the N-protected Ac(12)c homopeptide alkylamide series from monomer to trimer, have been synthesized by solution methods and fully characterized. The solution-preferred conformations of these peptides have been assessed by Fourier transform ir absorption and (1)H-nmr techniques. Moreover, the molecular structures of one derivative (Z-Ac(12)c-OH) and three peptides [the tripeptide ester Z-L-Ala-Ac(12)c-L-Ala-OMe, the tripeptide alkylamide Z-(Ac(12)c)(3)-NHiPr, and the tetrapeptide ester Z-(Aib)(2)-Ac(12)c-Aib-OtBu (Aib, alpha-aminoisobutyric acid)] have been determined in the crystal state by x-ray diffraction. The results obtained point to the conclusion that beta-bends and 3(10)-helices are preferentially adopted by peptides based on Ac(12)c, the largest cycloaliphatic C-disubstituted glycine known. A comparison with the structural tendencies extracted from published works on peptides from Aib, the prototype of C-disubstituted glycines, and the other extensively studied members of the class of 1-aminocycloalkane-1-carboxylic acids (Ac(n) c, with n = 3-9), is made and the implications for the use of the Ac(12)c residue in the Ac(n) c scan approach of conformationally restricted analogues of bioactive peptides are briefly discussed. Copyright 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

  18. Action of ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate, ornithine hydrochloride, and calcium alpha-ketoglutarate on plasma amino acid and hormonal patterns in healthy subjects.

    PubMed

    Cynober, L; Coudray-Lucas, C; de Bandt, J P; Guéchot, J; Aussel, C; Salvucci, M; Giboudeau, J

    1990-02-01

    Ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate (OKG) has been useful as an adjuvant of enteral and parenteral nutrition. However, its metabolism and mechanism of action remain unclear although it is known that alpha-ketoglutarate (alpha KG) and ornithine (ORN) follow, in part, common metabolic pathways. Six fasting healthy male subjects underwent three separate oral load tests: (i) they received 10 g of OKG (i.e., 3.6 g of alpha KG and 6.4 g of ORN); (ii) 6.4 g of ORN as ornithine hydrochloride, and (iii) 3.6 g of alpha KG as calcium alpha-ketoglutarate. Blood was drawn 15 times over a five-hour period for measurements of plasma amino acids, alpha KG, insulin, and glucagon. After OKG and ORN administration, plasma ORN peaked at 60-75 min (494 +/- 91 and 541 +/- 85 mumol/L). The increase in plasma alpha KG was very small. OKG, alpha KG, and ORN all increased glutamate concentrations at 60 min (mean: +43%, +68%, +68%, respectively, p less than 0.05 compared to basal values). However, only OKG increased proline and arginine levels at 60 min (mean: +35%, p less than 0.01 and mean: +41%, p less than 0.05). Furthermore, glutamate, proline, and arginine concentrations correlated linearly with ornithine levels at 60 min. Finally, OKG increased insulinemia and glucagonemia (mean: +24% at 15 min, p less than 0.05 and +30% at 60 min, p less than 0.01, respectively). These data provide evidence that the combination of ORN and alpha KG modifies amino acid metabolism in a way which is not observed when they are administered separately. In addition, the OKG-mediated increase in insulin levels probably does not appear to result from a direct action of ORN on pancreatic secretion.

  19. Geographical influences on content of 10-hydroxy-trans-2-decenoic acid in royal jelly in China.

    PubMed

    Wei, Wen-Ting; Hu, Yuan-Qiang; Zheng, Huo-Qing; Cao, Lian-Fei; Hu, Fu-Liang; Hepburn, H Randall

    2013-10-01

    The content of 10-hydroxy-trans-2-decenoic acid (10-HDA), a marker compound in royal jelly (RJ), is the most important criterion in grading RJ for commercial trade and varies with its origin. To identify the effect of geographical origin on 10-HDA content in RJ, 138 samples were collected from 19 provinces of China (divided into three groups) produced by either Apis mellifera ligustica Spinola, 1806 or a hybrid of A. m. ligustica and Apis mellifera carnica Pollman, 1879 and analyzed for moisture, sugar, crude protein, ash, acid, and 10-HDA concentration. The results show that RJ from western China has a significantly higher 10-HDA level (2.01 +/- 0.05%) than those from northeastern (1.87 +/- 0.05%) and eastern (1.75 +/- 0.03%) China. RJ secreted by hybrid bees contained more 10-HDA (1.89 +/- 0.03%) than that secreted by A. m. ligustica (1.78 +/- 0.03%). The 10-HDA content of RJ produced during flowering of rape (Brassica campestris L.), lime (Tilia amurensis Ruprecht), and vitex (Vitex negundo L. variety heterophylla (Franch.) Rehder) was 1.92, 1.80, and 1.68%, respectively. The results would be helpful during the process of price determination of RJ by providing some basis of geographical, bee strain, and botanical information for commercial trade.

  20. Scaleable catalytic asymmetric Strecker syntheses of unnatural alpha-amino acids.

    PubMed

    Zuend, Stephan J; Coughlin, Matthew P; Lalonde, Mathieu P; Jacobsen, Eric N

    2009-10-15

    Alpha-amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and are widely used as components of medicinally active molecules and chiral catalysts. Efficient chemo-enzymatic methods for the synthesis of enantioenriched alpha-amino acids have been developed, but it is still a challenge to obtain non-natural amino acids. Alkene hydrogenation is broadly useful for the enantioselective catalytic synthesis of many classes of amino acids, but it is not possible to obtain alpha-amino acids bearing aryl or quaternary alkyl alpha-substituents using this method. The Strecker synthesis-the reaction of an imine or imine equivalent with hydrogen cyanide, followed by nitrile hydrolysis-is an especially versatile chemical method for the synthesis of racemic alpha-amino acids. Asymmetric Strecker syntheses using stoichiometric amounts of a chiral reagent have been applied successfully on gram-to-kilogram scales, yielding enantiomerically enriched alpha-amino acids. In principle, Strecker syntheses employing sub-stoichiometric quantities of a chiral reagent could provide a practical alternative to these approaches, but the reported catalytic asymmetric methods have seen limited use on preparative scales (more than a gram). The limited utility of existing catalytic methods may be due to several important factors, including the relatively complex and precious nature of the catalysts and the requisite use of hazardous cyanide sources. Here we report a new catalytic asymmetric method for the syntheses of highly enantiomerically enriched non-natural amino acids using a simple chiral amido-thiourea catalyst to control the key hydrocyanation step. This catalyst is robust, without sensitive functional groups, so it is compatible with aqueous cyanide salts, which are safer and easier to handle than other cyanide sources; this makes the method adaptable to large-scale synthesis. We have used this new method to obtain enantiopure amino acids that are not readily prepared by enzymatic methods or by

  1. 4-Hydroxy-3-methyl-6-phenylbenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester derivatives as potent anti-tumor agents.

    PubMed

    Hayakawa, Ichiro; Shioya, Rieko; Agatsuma, Toshinori; Furukawa, Hidehiko; Naruto, Shunji; Sugano, Yuichi

    2004-01-19

    Based on the structure of 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-6-phenylbenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (1), which exhibits selective cytotoxicity against a tumorigenic cell line, (2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-(4-hydroxy-3-methyl-6-phenylbenzofuran-2-yl)-methanone (18m) was designed and synthesized as a biologically stable derivative containing no ester group. Although the potency of 18m was almost the same as our initial hit compound 1, 18m is expected to last longer in the human body as an anticancer agent.

  2. Synthesis of a new allelopathic agent from the biotransformation of ent-15α-hydroxy-16-kauren-19-oic acid with Fusarium proliferatum.

    PubMed

    Rocha, A D; Vieira, H da S; Takahashi, J A; Boaventura, M A D

    2017-11-01

    The use of kaurane diterpenes as substrates in fungal biotransformation to achieve bioactive compounds has been widely reported. In this work, the natural product kaurenoic acid, a diterpene widely distributed in the plant Kingdom, was chemically converted into ent-15α-hydroxy-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (1). Substrate 1 was subjected to biotransformation by the fungus Fusarium proliferatum, furnishing a new derivative, ent-2α,15α-dihydroxy-kaur-16-en-19-oic acid (2). The structure of metabolite 2 was deduced on the basis of spectroscopy and MS data. Derivative 2 showed allelopathic activity on germination and growth of root and stem of lettuce (Lactuca sativa), inhibiting 100% of germination and growth of roots and stem, at higher concentration assayed (10 -4  mol/L).

  3. Decreased levels of alpha-1-acid glycoprotein are related to the mortality of septic patients in the emergency department.

    PubMed

    Barroso-Sousa, Romualdo; Lobo, Romulo R; Mendonça, Patricia R; Memória, Renan R; Spiller, Fernando; Cunha, Fernando Q; Pazin-Filho, Antonio

    2013-01-01

    To determine the validity of alpha-1-acid glycoprotein as a novel biomarker for mortality in patients with severe sepsis. We prospectively included patients with severe sepsis or septic shock at the emergency department at a single tertiary referral teaching hospital. All of the patients were enrolled within the first 24 hours of emergency department admission, and clinical data and blood samples were obtained. As the primary outcome, we investigated the association of serum levels of alpha-1-acid glycoprotein and 96-hour mortality with logistic regression analysis and generalized estimating equations adjusted for age, sex, shock status and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score. Patients with septic shock had lower alpha-1-acid glycoprotein levels at the time of emergency department admission compared to patients without shock (respectively, 149.1 ±42.7 vs. 189.8 ±68.6; p = 0.005). Similarly, non-survivors in the first 96 hours were also characterized by lower levels of alpha-1-acid glycoprotein at the time of emergency department admission compared to survivors (respectively, 132.18 ±50.2 vs. 179.8 ±61.4; p = 0.01). In an adjusted analysis, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein levels ≤120 mg/dL were significantly associated with 96-hour mortality (odds ratio = 14.37; 95% confidence interval = 1.58 to 130.21). Septic shock patients exhibited lower circulating alpha-1-acid glycoprotein levels than patients without shock. Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein levels were independently associated with 96-hour mortality in individuals with severe sepsis.

  4. Salicylic Acid Regulation of Respiration in Higher Plants: Alternative Oxidase Expression.

    PubMed Central

    Rhoads, DM; McIntosh, L

    1992-01-01

    Alternative respiratory pathway capacity increases during the development of the thermogenic appendix of a voodoo lily inflorescence. The levels of the alternative oxidase proteins increased dramatically between D-4 (4 days prior to the day of anthesis) and D-3 and continued to increase until the day of anthesis (D-day). The level of salicylic acid (SA) in the appendix is very low early on D-1, but increases to a high level in the evening of D-1. Thermogenesis occurs after a few hours of light on D-day. Therefore, the initial accumulation of the alternative oxidase proteins precedes the increase in SA by 3 days, indicating that other regulators may be involved. A 1.6-kb transcript encoding the alternative oxidase precursor protein accumulated to a high level in the appendix tissue by D-1. Application of SA to immature appendix tissue caused an increase in alternative pathway capacity and a dramatic accumulation of the alternative oxidase proteins and the 1.6-kb transcript. Time course experiments showed that the increase in capacity, protein levels, and transcript level corresponded precisely. The response to SA was blocked by cycloheximide or actinomycin D, indicating that de novo transcription and translation are required. However, nuclear, in vitro transcription assays indicated that the accumulation of the 1.6-kb transcript did not result from a simple increase in the rate of transcription of aox1. PMID:12297672

  5. The fluorescent property of 3-[(2-hydroxy-1-naphthyl) methylideneamino]benzoic acid and its application as fluorescent chemosensor for Hg2 + and Al3 + ions

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Sun, Changyan; Sun, Jiayi; Qiu, Fazheng; Li, Wenjun; Chang, Zhidong; Zhang, Lijun

    2018-01-01

    This manuscript studies the fluorescent property of 3-[(2-hydroxy-1-naphthyl)methylideneamino]benzoic acid (H2L). Fluorescent spectra show that in different solvents, H2L displays different fluorescent properties, which can be attributed to the interaction between the solvents and H2L. Further study indicates that H2L exhibits a highly selective and sensitive recognition for Hg2 + ions in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), Al3 + ions in methanol and N,N‧-dimethylformamide/water (DMF/H2O, 1/1, v/v). The bonding modes and bonding ratio of H2L and metal ions in different solvents are explored by Job's plot, 1H NMR titration, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The probable mechanisms were discussed.

  6. Novel Enzyme Family Found in Filamentous Fungi Catalyzing trans-4-Hydroxylation of l-Pipecolic Acid

    PubMed Central

    Hibi, Makoto; Mori, Ryosuke; Miyake, Ryoma; Kawabata, Hiroshi; Kozono, Shoko; Takahashi, Satomi

    2016-01-01

    Hydroxypipecolic acids are bioactive compounds widely distributed in nature and are valuable building blocks for the organic synthesis of pharmaceuticals. We have found a novel hydroxylating enzyme with activity toward l-pipecolic acid (l-Pip) in a filamentous fungus, Fusarium oxysporum c8D. The enzyme l-Pip trans-4-hydroxylase (Pip4H) of F. oxysporum (FoPip4H) belongs to the Fe(II)/α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase superfamily, catalyzes the regio- and stereoselective hydroxylation of l-Pip, and produces optically pure trans-4-hydroxy-l-pipecolic acid (trans-4-l-HyPip). Amino acid sequence analysis revealed several fungal enzymes homologous with FoPip4H, and five of these also had l-Pip trans-4-hydroxylation activity. In particular, the homologous Pip4H enzyme derived from Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4 (AnPip4H) had a broader substrate specificity spectrum than other homologues and reacted with the l and d forms of various cyclic and aliphatic amino acids. Using FoPip4H as a biocatalyst, a system for the preparative-scale production of chiral trans-4-l-HyPip was successfully developed. Thus, we report a fungal family of l-Pip hydroxylases and the enzymatic preparation of trans-4-l-HyPip, a bioactive compound and a constituent of secondary metabolites with useful physiological activities. PMID:26801577

  7. Alternative Oxidase Isoforms Are Differentially Activated by Tricarboxylic Acid Cycle Intermediates.

    PubMed

    Selinski, Jennifer; Hartmann, Andreas; Deckers-Hebestreit, Gabriele; Day, David A; Whelan, James; Scheibe, Renate

    2018-02-01

    The cyanide-insensitive alternative oxidase (AOX) is a non-proton-pumping ubiquinol oxidase that catalyzes the reduction of oxygen to water and is posttranslationally regulated by redox mechanisms and 2-oxo acids. Arabidopsis ( Arabidopsis thaliana ) possesses five AOX isoforms (AOX1A-AOX1D and AOX2). AOX1D expression is increased in aox1a knockout mutants from Arabidopsis (especially after restriction of the cytochrome c pathway) but cannot compensate for the lack of AOX1A, suggesting a difference in the regulation of these isoforms. Therefore, we analyzed the different AOX isoenzymes with the aim to identify differences in their posttranslational regulation. Seven tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates (citrate, isocitrate, 2-oxoglutarate, succinate, fumarate, malate, and oxaloacetate) were tested for their influence on AOX1A, AOX1C, and AOX1D wild-type protein activity using a refined in vitro system. AOX1C is insensitive to all seven organic acids, AOX1A and AOX1D are both activated by 2-oxoglutarate, but only AOX1A is additionally activated by oxaloacetate. Furthermore, AOX isoforms cannot be transformed to mimic one another by substituting the variable cysteine residues at position III in the protein. In summary, we show that AOX isoforms from Arabidopsis are differentially fine-regulated by tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolites (most likely depending on the amino-terminal region around the highly conserved cysteine residues known to be involved in regulation by the 2-oxo acids pyruvate and glyoxylate) and propose that this is the main reason why they cannot functionally compensate for each other. © 2018 American Society of Plant Biologists. All Rights Reserved.

  8. [The research of 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid on experiment hyperlipoidemic rat].

    PubMed

    Xu, Donghui; Mei, Xueting; Xu, Shibo

    2002-05-01

    To study the pharmacological effect of 10-hydroxy-2-decenoic acid(10-HDA) in experiment hyperlipoidemic rat. Preventive and therapeutic effects of 10-HDA were tested on hyperlioidemic rat model induced by high fat food. 10-HDA could reduce the content of TC, TG and beta-lioprotein, raise the content of HDL, which showed 10-HDA had preventive and therapeutic effects on hyperlipoidemic rat. 10-HDA was functional factor of preventive and therapeutic effects of royal jelly on hyperlipoidemia.

  9. Development of 2-(Substituted Benzylamino)-4-Methyl-1, 3-Thiazole-5-Carboxylic Acid Derivatives as Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitors and Free Radical Scavengers.

    PubMed

    Ali, Md Rahmat; Kumar, Suresh; Afzal, Obaid; Shalmali, Nishtha; Sharma, Manju; Bawa, Sandhya

    2016-04-01

    A series of 2-(substituted benzylamino)-4-methylthiazole-5-carboxylic acid was designed and synthesized as structural analogue of febuxostat. A methylene amine spacer was incorporated between the phenyl ring and thiazole ring in contrast to febuxostat in which the phenyl ring was directly linked with the thiazole moiety. The purpose of incorporating methylene amine was to provide a heteroatom which is expected to favour hydrogen bonding within the active site residues of the enzyme xanthine oxidase. The structure of all the compounds was established by the combined use of FT-IR, NMR and MS spectral data. All the compounds were screened in vitro for their ability to inhibit the enzyme xanthine oxidase as per the reported procedure along with DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Compounds 5j, 5k and 5l demonstrated satisfactory potent xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities with IC50 values, 3.6, 8.1 and 9.9 μm, respectively, whereas compounds 5k, 5n and 5p demonstrated moderate antioxidant activities having IC50 15.3, 17.6 and 19.6 μm, respectively, along with xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity. Compound 5k showed moderate xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity as compared with febuxostat along with antioxidant activity. All the compounds were also studied for their binding affinity in active site of enzyme (PDB ID-1N5X). © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

  10. 40 CFR 721.10072 - Benzene, 1,1′-methylenebis[4-isocyanato-, polymer with benzenedicarboxylic acid, butyl dialkyl...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ...-isocyanato-, polymer with benzenedicarboxylic acid, butyl dialkyl ester, poly[oxy(methyl-1,2-ethanediyl)], .alpha.-hydro-.omega.-hydroxy-, oxirane, alkyl-, polymer with oxirane, ether with propanepolyol and...-isocyanato-, polymer with benzenedicarboxylic acid, butyl dialkyl ester, poly[oxy(methyl-1,2-ethanediyl...

  11. Metabolic Engineering for Enhanced Medium Chain Omega Hydroxy Fatty Acid Production in Escherichia coli

    PubMed Central

    Xiao, Kang; Yue, Xiu-Hong; Chen, Wen-Chao; Zhou, Xue-Rong; Wang, Lian; Xu, Lin; Huang, Feng-Hong; Wan, Xia

    2018-01-01

    Medium chain hydroxy fatty acids (HFAs) at ω-1, 2, or 3 positions (ω-1/2/3) are rare in nature but are attractive due to their potential applications in industry. They can be metabolically engineered in Escherichia coli, however, the current yield is low. In this study, metabolic engineering with P450BM3 monooxygenase was applied to regulate both the chain length and sub-terminal position of HFA products in E. coli, leading to increased yield. Five acyl-acyl carrier protein thioesterases from plants and bacteria were first evaluated for regulating the chain length of fatty acids. Co-expression of the selected thioesterase gene CcFatB1 with a fatty acid metabolism regulator fadR and monooxygenase P450BM3 boosted the production of HFAs especially ω-3-OH-C14:1, in both the wild type and fadD deficient strain. Supplementing renewable glycerol to reduce the usage of glucose as a carbon source further increased the HFAs production to 144 mg/L, representing the highest titer of such HFAs obtained in E. coli under the comparable conditions. This study illustrated an improved metabolic strategy for medium chain ω-1/2/3 HFAs production in E. coli. In addition, the produced HFAs were mostly secreted into culture media, which eased its recovery. PMID:29467747

  12. Polyphenol oxidase activity and differential accumulation of polyphenolics in seed coats of pinto bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) characterize postharvest color changes.

    PubMed

    Marles, M A Susan; Vandenberg, Albert; Bett, Kirstin E

    2008-08-27

    Postharvest darkening of pinto bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) was evaluated in a population of recombinant inbred lines derived from a cross between CDC Pintium (a regular-darkening line) and 1533-15 (a slow-darkening line). Flavonoid metabolite concentrations, polyphenol oxidase activity, lignin concentration, and seed coat anatomy characteristics were assessed for cosegregation with the darkening phenotype. Significantly lower kaempferol concentrations (p = 0.00001) together with differences in polyphenol oxidase activity (p = 0.0045) were two of the key findings associated with these recombinant inbred lines. In addition, two different assays (thioglycolic acid and Klason lignin) to quantify lignin together with an assessment of extractable condensed tannin were used to estimate the contribution of these polymers to changes in the seed coat tissue. This is the first report of precise biochemical characterization of polyphenolics that associate with postharvest darkening in legumes.

  13. Arabidopsis Deficient in Cutin Ferulate encodes a transferase required for feruloylation of ω-hydroxy fatty acids in cutin polyester.

    PubMed

    Rautengarten, Carsten; Ebert, Berit; Ouellet, Mario; Nafisi, Majse; Baidoo, Edward E K; Benke, Peter; Stranne, Maria; Mukhopadhyay, Aindrila; Keasling, Jay D; Sakuragi, Yumiko; Scheller, Henrik Vibe

    2012-02-01

    The cuticle is a complex aliphatic polymeric layer connected to the cell wall and covers surfaces of all aerial plant organs. The cuticle prevents nonstomatal water loss, regulates gas exchange, and acts as a barrier against pathogen infection. The cuticle is synthesized by epidermal cells and predominantly consists of an aliphatic polymer matrix (cutin) and intracuticular and epicuticular waxes. Cutin monomers are primarily C(16) and C(18) unsubstituted, ω-hydroxy, and α,ω-dicarboxylic fatty acids. Phenolics such as ferulate and p-coumarate esters also contribute to a minor extent to the cutin polymer. Here, we present the characterization of a novel acyl-coenzyme A (CoA)-dependent acyl-transferase that is encoded by a gene designated Deficient in Cutin Ferulate (DCF). The DCF protein is responsible for the feruloylation of ω-hydroxy fatty acids incorporated into the cutin polymer of aerial Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) organs. The enzyme specifically transfers hydroxycinnamic acids using ω-hydroxy fatty acids as acyl acceptors and hydroxycinnamoyl-CoAs, preferentially feruloyl-CoA and sinapoyl-CoA, as acyl donors in vitro. Arabidopsis mutant lines carrying DCF loss-of-function alleles are devoid of rosette leaf cutin ferulate and exhibit a 50% reduction in ferulic acid content in stem insoluble residues. DCF is specifically expressed in the epidermis throughout all green Arabidopsis organs. The DCF protein localizes to the cytosol, suggesting that the feruloylation of cutin monomers takes place in the cytoplasm.

  14. Jellyfish mesogloea collagen. Characterization of molecules as alpha 1 alpha 2 alpha 3 heterotrimers.

    PubMed

    Miura, S; Kimura, S

    1985-12-05

    The mesogloea collagen of a primitive animal, the jellyfish Stomolophus nomurai, belonging to the class Scyphozoa in the Coelenterata, was studied with respect to its chain structure. Most of the mesogloea collagen was solubilized by limited digestion with pepsin and isolated by selective precipitation at 0.9 m NaCl in 0.5 M acetic acid. Upon denaturation, the pepsin-solubilized collagen produced three distinct alpha chains, alpha 1, alpha 2, and alpha 3, in comparable amounts which were separable by CM-cellulose chromatography. The nonidentity of these alpha chains was confirmed by amino acid and carbohydrate analyses and peptide mapping. Furthermore, the introduction of intramolecular cross-links into native molecules by formaldehyde yielded a large proportion of gamma 123 chain with chain structure alpha 1 alpha 2 alpha 3, as judged by chromatographic behavior and peptide maps. We concluded that mesogloea collagen is comprised of alpha 1 alpha 2 alpha 3 heterotrimers and is chemically like vertebrate Type V collagen. On the other hand, sea anemone mesogloea collagen from the class Anthozoa was previously reported to comprise (alpha)3 homotrimers (Katzman, R. L., and Kang, A. H. (1972) J. Biol. Chem. 247, 5486-5489). On the basis of these findings, we assume that alpha 1 alpha 2 alpha 3 heterotrimers arose in evolution with the divergence of Scyphozoa and Anthozoa.

  15. 40 CFR 721.5253 - 2-Naphthalenecarboxylic acid, 4,4′-methylenebis [3-hydroxy-, strontium salt.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 30 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false 2-Naphthalenecarboxylic acid, 4,4â²-methylenebis [3-hydroxy-, strontium salt. 721.5253 Section 721.5253 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT SIGNIFICANT NEW USES OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES Significant New Uses for Specific...

  16. Effects of co-administration of dietary sodium arsenite and an NADPH oxidase inhibitor on the rat bladder epithelium.

    PubMed

    Suzuki, Shugo; Arnold, Lora L; Pennington, Karen L; Kakiuchi-Kiyota, Satoko; Cohen, Samuel M

    2009-06-30

    Arsenite (As(III)), an inorganic arsenical, is a known human carcinogen, inducing tumors of the skin, urinary bladder and lung. It is metabolized to organic methylated arsenicals. Oxidative stress has been suggested as a mechanism for arsenic-induced carcinogenesis. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can be important factors for carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase is known to produce intracellular ROS, therefore, we investigated the ability of apocynin (acetovanillone), an NADPH oxidase inhibitor, to inhibit the cytotoxicity and regenerative cell proliferation of arsenic in vitro and in vivo. Apocynin had similar effects in reducing the cytotoxicity of As(III) and dimethylarsinous acid (DMA(III)) in rat urothelial cells in vitro. When tested at the same concentrations as apocynin, other antioxidants, such as l-ascorbate and N-acetylcysteine, did not inhibit As(III)-induced cytotoxicity but they were more effective at inhibiting DMA(III)-induced cytotoxicity compared with apocynin. In vivo, female rats were treated for 3 weeks with 100ppm As(III). Immunohistochemical staining for 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) showed that apocynin reduced oxidative stress partially induced by As(III) treatment on rat urothelium, and significantly reduced the cytotoxicity of superficial cells detected by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). However, based on the incidence of simple hyperplasia and the bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling index, apocynin did not inhibit As(III)-induced urothelial cell proliferation. These data suggest that the NADPH oxidase inhibitor, apocynin, may have the ability to partially inhibit arsenic-induced oxidative stress and cytotoxicity of the rat bladder epithelium in vitro and in vivo. However, apocynin did not inhibit the regenerative cell proliferation induced by arsenite in a short-term study.

  17. The arachidonic acid-binding protein S100A8/A9 promotes NADPH oxidase activation by interaction with p67phox and Rac-2.

    PubMed

    Kerkhoff, Claus; Nacken, Wolfgang; Benedyk, Malgorzata; Dagher, Marie Claire; Sopalla, Claudia; Doussiere, Jacques

    2005-03-01

    The Ca2+- and arachidonic acid-binding S100A8/A9 protein complex was recently identified by in vitro studies as a novel partner of the phagocyte NADPH oxidase. The present study demonstrated its functional relevance by the impaired oxidase activity in neutrophil-like NB4 cells, after specific blockage of S100A9 expression, and bone marrow polymorphonuclear neutrophils from S100A9-/- mice. The impaired oxidase activation could also be mimicked in a cell-free system by pretreatment of neutrophil cytosol with an S100A9-specific antibody. Further analyses gave insights into the molecular mechanisms by which S100A8/A9 promoted NADPH oxidase activation. In vitro analysis of oxidase activation as well as protein-protein interaction studies revealed that S100A8 is the privileged interaction partner for the NADPH oxidase complex since it bound to p67phox and Rac, whereas S100A9 did interact with neither p67phox nor p47phox. Moreover, S100A8/A9 transferred the cofactor arachidonic acid to NADPH oxidase as shown by the impotence of a mutant S100A8/A9 complex unable to bind arachidonic acid to enhance NADPH oxidase activity. It is concluded that S100A8/A9 plays an important role in phagocyte NADPH oxidase activation.

  18. Hydroxy fatty acids in remote marine aerosols as microbial tracers: Long term study on β-hydroxy fatty acids from the remote marine Island, Chichi-Jima

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tyagi, P.

    2014-12-01

    To better understand the long-range atmospheric transport of microbial aerosols from Southeast Asia to the western North Pacific, marine aerosols were collected at a remote Island, Chichi-Jima on a biweekly basis during 1990-1993. These samples were investigated for the atmospheric abundances of hydroxy fatty acids (OH FAs). β-OH FAs are the major structural components of endotoxins in the outer membrane of Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) whereas w-OH FAs are present in cell walls of higher plants. Thus, we tested the applicability of the β-OH FAs (C10-C18) and ω-OH FAs (C16-C26) to assess the Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) and contribution of terrestrial higher plants, respectively. The average concentrations of β- and ω-OH FAs show pronounced seasonal variability with spring maximum (~301 ng/m-3 and ~ 272 ng/m-3, respectively). The concentrations of total OH FAs increased in winter/spring and decreased in summer/autumn, except for 1992-93. This seasonal trend can be interpreted by the atmospheric transport of microbial soil dust and higher plant metabolites from the Asian continent during winter/spring, when westerly winds dominate over the western North Pacific. The even carbon predominance of β- and ω-OH FAs (80 and 74 % of total) in marine aerosols could be explained by their significant contribution from GNB and terrestrial higher plants. These results have implications towards assessing the bacterial transport in the continental outflows. This study also confirms that β-OH FAs can be used as bacterial tracers in ambient aerosol samples.Keywords: β- and ω-hydroxy fatty acids, terrestrial biomarkers, marine aerosols, GC-MS

  19. Analgesic effects of intrathecally-administered 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one in a rat mechanical visceral pain model.

    PubMed

    Winfree, C J; Coombs, D W; DeLeo, J A; Colburn, R W

    1992-01-01

    Recent studies in animals have demonstrated that the steroid, 3 alpha-hydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one (3A5P), is a potent analgesic when given intracerebroventricularly. Several studies in humans report that spinal steroids are effective in the treatment of chronic low-back pain when given in combination with morphine. The spinal antinociceptive effect of steroids, in particular a progesterone metabolite has not been studied in a visceral pain model. The experiments in the following study were designed to test, first, if the intrathecally-administered (i.t.) steroid, 3A5P, has analgesic properties in a mechanical visceral nociceptive assay, and second, if the intrathecal coadministration of this steroid and morphine is more effective than either therapy alone. Our mechanical visceral pain model (VPM) consists of a chronic indwelling duodenal balloon catheter implanted in the rat. The balloon is inflated to elicit a writhing response. Protection values are defined as the percentage of rats in each group which did not writhe. In this model, 3A5P was found to provide a dose-independent, though significant (p less than 0.01), antinociception when administered alone (33-67% protection vs. 0-25% for controls). Yet, protection offered by the coadministration of 3A5P and morphine (79%) was not significantly greater than that offered by morphine alone (85%). Unlike a dose and time-dependent response observed in a thermal cutaneous nociceptive assay, the antinociception of 3A5P was not dose-dependent when challenged with a mechanical visceral noxious stimulus.

  20. 3'-hydroxy-ε,ε-caroten-3-one inhibits the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells to adipocytes.

    PubMed

    Kotake-Nara, Eiichi; Hase, Megumi; Kobayashi, Miyuki; Nagao, Akihiko

    2016-01-01

    An oxidative metabolite of lutein, 3'-hydroxy-ε,ε-caroten-3-one, inhibited the differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells to adipocytes and the subsequent triacylglycerol production, but lutein did not. The α,β-unsaturated carbonyl structure of 3'-hydroxy-ε,ε-caroten-3-one was considered to participate in the inhibitory effect, suggesting that this lutein metabolite has the potential to prevent metabolic syndrome.

  1. Mechanism of alpha-lipoic acid in attenuating kanamycin-induced ototoxicity☆

    PubMed Central

    Wang, Aimei; Hou, Ning; Bao, Dongyan; Liu, Shuangyue; Xu, Tao

    2012-01-01

    In view of the theory that alpha-lipoic acid effectively prevents cochlear cells from injury caused by various factors such as cisplatin and noise, this study examined whether alpha-lipoic acid can prevent kanamycin-induced ototoxicity. To this end, healthy BALB/c mice were injected subcutaneously with alpha-lipoic acid and kanamycin for 14 days. Auditory brainstem response test showed that increased auditory brainstem response threshold shifts caused by kanamycin were significantly inhibited. Immunohistochemical staining and western blot analysis showed that the expression of phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase in mouse cochlea was significantly decreased. The experimental findings suggest that phosphorylated p38 and phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase mediated kanamycin-induced ototoxic injury in BALB/c mice. Alpha-lipoic acid effectively attenuated kanamycin ototoxicity by inhibiting the kanamycin-induced high expression of phosphorylated p38 and phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase. PMID:25317129

  2. Ascorbic Acid Metabolism in Pea Seedlings. A Comparison of d-Glucosone, l-Sorbosone, and l-Galactono-1,4-Lactone as Ascorbate Precursors1

    PubMed Central

    Pallanca, Jane E.; Smirnoff, Nicholas

    1999-01-01

    l-Ascorbic acid (AsA) accumulates in pea (Pisum sativum L.) seedlings during germination, with the most rapid phase of accumulation coinciding with radicle emergence. Monodehydroascorbate reductase and dehydroascorbic acid reductase were active in the embryonic axes before AsA accumulation started, whereas AsA oxidase and AsA peroxidase activities increased in parallel with AsA. Excised embryonic axes were used to investigate the osone pathway of AsA biosynthesis, in which d-glucosone and l-sorbosone are the proposed intermediates. [U-14C]Glucosone was incorporated into AsA and inhibited the incorporation of [U-14C]glucose (Glc) into AsA. A higher d-glucosone concentration (5 mm) inhibited AsA accumulation. l-Sorbosone did not affect AsA pool size but caused a small inhibition in the incorporation of [U-14C]Glc into AsA. Oxidase and dehydrogenase activities capable of converting Glc or Glc-6-phosphate to glucosone were not detected in embryonic axis extracts. The osones are therefore unlikely to be physiological intermediates of AsA biosynthesis. l-Galactono-1,4-lactone, recently proposed as the AsA precursor (G.L. Wheeler, M.A. Jones, N. Smirnoff [1998] Nature 393: 365–369), was readily converted to AsA by pea embryonic axes. Although l-galactono-1,4-lactone did not inhibit [14C]Glc incorporation into AsA, this does not mean that it is not a precursor, because competition between endogenous and exogenous pools was minimized by its very small pool size and rapid metabolism. PMID:10364396

  3. d-Aspartate oxidase influences glutamatergic system homeostasis in mammalian brain.

    PubMed

    Cristino, Luigia; Luongo, Livio; Squillace, Marta; Paolone, Giovanna; Mango, Dalila; Piccinin, Sonia; Zianni, Elisa; Imperatore, Roberta; Iannotta, Monica; Longo, Francesco; Errico, Francesco; Vescovi, Angelo Luigi; Morari, Michele; Maione, Sabatino; Gardoni, Fabrizio; Nisticò, Robert; Usiello, Alessandro

    2015-05-01

    We have investigated the relevance of d-aspartate oxidase, the only enzyme known to selectively degrade d-aspartate (d-Asp), in modulating glutamatergic system homeostasis. Interestingly, the lack of the Ddo gene, by raising d-Asp content, induces a substantial increase in extracellular glutamate (Glu) levels in Ddo-mutant brains. Consistent with an exaggerated and persistent N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) stimulation, we documented in Ddo knockouts severe age-dependent structural and functional alterations mirrored by expression of active caspases 3 and 7 along with appearance of dystrophic microglia and reactive astrocytes. In addition, prolonged elevation of d-Asp triggered in mutants alterations of NMDAR-dependent synaptic plasticity associated to reduction of hippocampal GluN1 and GluN2B subunits selectively located at synaptic sites and to increase in the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid-to-N-methyl-d-aspartate ratio. These effects, all of which converged on a progressive hyporesponsiveness at NMDAR sites, functionally resulted in a greater vulnerability to phencyclidine-induced prepulse inhibition deficits in mutants. In conclusion, our results indicate that d-aspartate oxidase, by strictly regulating d-Asp levels, impacts on the homeostasis of glutamatergic system, thus preventing accelerated neurodegenerative processes. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  4. Molecular mechanism of cell death induced by king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) venom l-amino acid oxidase.

    PubMed

    Fung, Shin Yee; Lee, Mui Li; Tan, Nget Hong

    2015-03-01

    Snake venom LAAOs have been reported to exhibit a wide range of pharmacological activities, including cytotoxic, edema-inducing, platelet aggregation-inducing/platelet aggregation-inhibiting, bactericidal and antiviral activities. A heat-stable form of l-amino acid oxidase isolated from king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) venom (OH-LAAO) has been shown to exhibit very potent cytotoxicity against human tumorigenic cells but not in their non-tumorigenic counterparts, and the cytotoxicity was due to the apoptosis-inducing effect of the enzyme. In this work, the molecular mechanism of cell death induced by OH-LAAO was investigated. The enzyme exerts its apoptosis-inducing effect presumably via both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways as suggested by the increase in caspase-8 and -9 activities. Oligonucleotide microarray analysis showed that the expression of a total of 178 genes was significantly altered as a result of oxidative stress induced by the hydrogen peroxide generated by the enzyme. Of the 178 genes, at least 27 genes are involved in apoptosis and cell death. These alterations of gene expression was presumably caused by the direct cytotoxic effect of H2O2 generated during the enzymatic reaction, as well as the non-specific oxidative modifications of signaling molecules that eventually lead to apoptosis and cell death. The very substantial up-regulation of cytochrome P450 genes may also contribute to the potent cytotoxic action of OH-LAAO by producing excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS). In conclusion, the potent apoptosis inducing activity of OH-LAAO was likely due to the direct cytotoxic effect of H2O2 generated during the enzymatic reaction, as well as the non-specific oxidation of signalling molecules. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  5. Isolation of oxalic acid tolerating fungi and decipherization of its potential to control Sclerotinia sclerotiorum through oxalate oxidase like protein.

    PubMed

    Yadav, Shivani; Srivastava, Alok K; Singh, Dhanajay P; Arora, Dilip K

    2012-11-01

    Oxalic acid plays major role in the pathogenesis by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum; it lowers the pH of nearby environment and creates the favorable condition for the infection. In this study we examined the degradation of oxalic acid through oxalate oxidase and biocontrol of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. A survey was conducted to collect the rhizospheric soil samples from Indo-Gangetic Plains of India to isolate the efficient fungal strains able to tolerate oxalic acid. A total of 120 fungal strains were isolated from root adhering soils of different vegetable crops. Out of 120 strains a total of 80 isolates were able to grow at 10 mM of oxalic acid whereas only 15 isolates were grow at 50 mM of oxalic acid concentration. Then we examined the antagonistic activity of the 15 isolates against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. These strains potentially inhibit the growth of the test pathogen. A total of three potential strains and two standard cultures of fungi were tested for the oxalate oxidase activity. Strains S7 showed the maximum degradation of oxalic acid (23 %) after 60 min of incubation with fungal extract having oxalate oxidase activity. Microscopic observation and ITS (internally transcribed spacers) sequencing categorized the potential fungal strains into the Aspergillus, Fusarium and Trichoderma. Trichoderma sp. are well studied biocontrol agent and interestingly we also found the oxalate oxidase type activity in these strains which further strengthens the potentiality of these biocontrol agents.

  6. Antimicrobial activity of α-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)-ω-(2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl) polymethylene from caesalpinia bonducella (L.) Flem

    PubMed Central

    Sagar, Kavitha; Vidyasagar, G. M.

    2010-01-01

    The compound, α-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)-ω-(2-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)polymethylene, isolated from ethyl acetate leaf extract of Caesalpinia bonducella (L.) Flem. was evaluated for antimicrobial activity against clinical isolates, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella sp., Staphylococcus citrus, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Candida albicans and Rhodotorula sp. using agar diffusion method. The compound exerted inhibitory zone at all concentrations and revealed the concentration-dependent activity against all tested bacterial and yeast strains comparable to standards streptomycin sulphate and gentamycin for bacteria and fluconazole and griseofulvin for Candida albicans and Rhodotorula sp. The inhibition zones were wider and clear for C. albicans and Rhodotorula sp. (IZ >20 mm) and for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, P. vulgaris and E. coli zones were greater than standards tested, whereas, zones for Klebsiella sp. and S. aureus were similar to standards. PMID:21218063

  7. 40 CFR 721.5252 - 2-Naphthalenecarboxylic acid, 4,4′-methylenebis [3-hydroxy-, zinc salt.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

    2013-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false 2-Naphthalenecarboxylic acid, 4,4â²-methylenebis [3-hydroxy-, zinc salt. 721.5252 Section 721.5252 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT SIGNIFICANT NEW USES OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES Significant New Uses for Specific Chemical...

  8. 40 CFR 721.5252 - 2-Naphthalenecarboxylic acid, 4,4′-methylenebis [3-hydroxy-, zinc salt.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

    2014-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 31 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false 2-Naphthalenecarboxylic acid, 4,4â²-methylenebis [3-hydroxy-, zinc salt. 721.5252 Section 721.5252 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT SIGNIFICANT NEW USES OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES Significant New Uses for Specific Chemical...

  9. 40 CFR 721.5252 - 2-Naphthalenecarboxylic acid, 4,4′-methylenebis [3-hydroxy-, zinc salt.

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

    2012-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 32 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false 2-Naphthalenecarboxylic acid, 4,4â²-methylenebis [3-hydroxy-, zinc salt. 721.5252 Section 721.5252 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED) TOXIC SUBSTANCES CONTROL ACT SIGNIFICANT NEW USES OF CHEMICAL SUBSTANCES Significant New Uses for Specific Chemical...

  10. Metabolism of 4-N-Hydroxy-Cytidine in Escherichia coli

    PubMed Central

    Trimble, R. B.; Maley, Frank

    1971-01-01

    4-N-hydroxy-cytidine was found to substitute for uridine as a pyrimidine supplement for the growth of Escherichia coli Bu−. Measurement of the incorporation of 4-N-hydroxy-cytidine-2-14C into ribonucleic acid and deoxyribonucleic acid revealed that this compound was converted to cytidine or uridine before utilization. Two pathways for metabolism were considered: (i) the reduction of 4-N-hydroxy-cytidine to cytidine followed by deamination, (ii) the direct hydrolysis of hydroxylamine from 4-N-hydroxy-cytidine to yield uridine. A threefold increase in cytidine (deoxycytidine) deaminase (EC 3.5.4.5) activity, when the cells were grown on 4-N-hydroxy-cytidine, suggested the involvement of this enzyme. More direct proof was obtained by purifying the deaminase 185-fold and finding that it released hydroxylamine from 4-N-hydroxy-cytidine at one-fiftieth the rate at which ammonia was removed from cytidine. This result is consistent with the slower rate of growth of the Bu− cells on 4-N-hydroxy-cytidine than cytidine and suggests that the second pathway is the major route for utilization of this compound. PMID:4941553

  11. Dissociation of branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase kinase (BDK) from branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex (BCKDC) by BDK inhibitors.

    PubMed

    Murakami, Taro; Matsuo, Masayuki; Shimizu, Ayako; Shimomura, Yoshiharu

    2005-02-01

    Branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase kinase (BDK) phosphorylates and inactivates the branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase complex (BCKDC), which is the rate-limiting enzyme in the branched-chain amino acid catabolism. BDK has been believed to be bound to the BCKDC. However, recent our studies demonstrated that protein-protein interaction between BDK and BCKDC is one of the factors to regulate BDK activity. Furthermore, only the bound form of BDK appears to have its activity. In the present study, we examined effects of BDK inhibitors on the amount of BDK bound to the BCKDC using rat liver extracts. The bound form of BDK in the extracts of liver from low protein diet-fed rats was measured by an immunoprecipitation pull down assay with or without BDK inhibitors. Among the BDK inhibitors. alpha-ketoisocaproate, alpha-chloroisocaproate, and a-ketoisovalerate released the BDK from the complex. Furthermore, the releasing effect of these inhibitors on the BDK appeared to depend on their inhibition constants. On the other hand, clofibric acid and thiamine pyrophosphate had no effect on the protein-protein interaction between two enzymes. These results suggest that the dissociation of the BDK from the BCKDC is one of the mechanisms responsible for the action of some inhibitors to BDK.

  12. Decreased levels of alpha-1-acid glycoprotein are related to the mortality of septic patients in the emergency department

    PubMed Central

    Barroso-Sousa, Romualdo; Lobo, Romulo R.; Mendonça, Patricia R.; Memória, Renan R.; Spiller, Fernando; Cunha, Fernando Q.; Pazin-Filho, Antonio

    2013-01-01

    OBJECTIVE: To determine the validity of alpha-1-acid glycoprotein as a novel biomarker for mortality in patients with severe sepsis. METHODS: We prospectively included patients with severe sepsis or septic shock at the emergency department at a single tertiary referral teaching hospital. All of the patients were enrolled within the first 24 hours of emergency department admission, and clinical data and blood samples were obtained. As the primary outcome, we investigated the association of serum levels of alpha-1-acid glycoprotein and 96-hour mortality with logistic regression analysis and generalized estimating equations adjusted for age, sex, shock status and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score. RESULTS: Patients with septic shock had lower alpha-1-acid glycoprotein levels at the time of emergency department admission compared to patients without shock (respectively, 149.1±42.7 vs. 189.8±68.6; p = 0.005). Similarly, non-survivors in the first 96 hours were also characterized by lower levels of alpha-1-acid glycoprotein at the time of emergency department admission compared to survivors (respectively, 132.18±50.2 vs. 179.8±61.4; p = 0.01). In an adjusted analysis, alpha-1-acid glycoprotein levels ≤120 mg/dL were significantly associated with 96-hour mortality (odds ratio = 14.37; 95% confidence interval = 1.58 to 130.21). CONCLUSION: Septic shock patients exhibited lower circulating alpha-1-acid glycoprotein levels than patients without shock. Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein levels were independently associated with 96-hour mortality in individuals with severe sepsis. PMID:24037010

  13. An evaluation of the use of serum 7-alpha-hydroxycholestenone as a diagnostic test of bile acid malabsorption causing watery diarrhea

    PubMed Central

    Brydon, W Gordon; Culbert, Pearl; Kingstone, Kathleen; Jarvie, Ann; Iacucci, Marietta; Tenhage, Merel; Ghosh, Subrata

    2011-01-01

    BACKGROUND: Bile acid malabsorption (BAM) is a recognized cause of watery diarrhea, often diagnosed empirically based on clinical response to cholestyramine. The radionuclide selenium-labelled homocholic acid-taurine whole body retention test is expensive, labour intensive and of limited availability. OBJECTIVE: To report on the clinical performance of serum 7-alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one (7HCO) as a test of BAM in adult patients with unexplained diarrhea. METHODS: Patients with unexplained diarrhea were investigated over a three-year period. Final diagnosis was determined based on medical history and investigations, serum levels of 7HCO and response to cholestyramine. ROC analysis was used to determine the ideal upper reference range cut-off value to optimize sensitivity/specificity for BAM. Time of blood specimen collection was recorded to investigate possible variation in results throughout the working day. RESULTS: ROC analysis yielded a sensitivity/specificity of 90%/77% for type 1 BAM (ileal disease/resection) and 97%/74% for type 2 BAM (idiopathic) using 30 ng/mL as the upper limit of normal for serum 7HCO when compared with all other patients. Of 813 patients, 196 tested positive. Serum 7HCO levels were significantly higher in blood specimens that were collected between 12:00 and 13:00 (median 24 ng/mL) than in specimens collected between 09:00 and 10:00 (median 17 ng/mL) (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Serum 7HCO testing is a simple, sensitive, noninvasive, inexpensive alternative to other more commonly used tests for BAM. Time of specimen collection, however, resulted in small but significant result variations and, although unlikely to have much impact on test value, it should ideally be standardized. PMID:21766092

  14. Boric acid inhibits LPS-induced TNF-alpha formation through a thiol-dependent mechanism in THP-1 cells.

    PubMed

    Cao, Jun; Jiang, Liping; Zhang, Xiaomei; Yao, Xiaofeng; Geng, Chengyan; Xue, Xiangxin; Zhong, Laifu

    2008-01-01

    Oxidative stress plays an important role during inflammatory diseases and antioxidant administration to diminish oxidative stress may arrest inflammatory processes. Boron has been implicated to modulate certain inflammatory mediators and regulate inflammatory processes. Here we investigated the role of the tripeptide glutathione (GSH) in modulating the effects of boric acid (BA) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) formation in THP-1 monocytes. Interestingly, we found that BA had no significant effects on both TNF-alpha production and intracellular GSH contents, whereas it could inhibit LPS-induced TNF-alpha formation and ameliorated the d,l-buthionine-S,R-sulfoximine (BSO)-induced GSH depletion. Twenty-four hour incubation with BSO induced a decrease of the intracellular GSH and an increase of TNF-alpha. Treatment with N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) did not significantly increase intracellular content of GSH but significantly reduced the secretion of TNF-alpha. BSO-pretreatment for 24h enhanced the LPS-induced secretion and mRNA expression of TNF-alpha further. BA inhibited LPS-stimulated TNF-alpha formation was also seen after GSH depletion by BSO. These results indicate that BA may have anti-inflammatory effect in the LPS-stimulated inflammation and the effect of BA on TNF-alpha secretion may be induced via a thiol-dependent mechanism.

  15. Electron transfer between cytochrome. alpha. and copper A in cytochrome c oxidase: A perturbed equilibrium study

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

    Morgan, J.E.; Li, P.M.; Jang, D.J.

    1989-08-22

    Intramolecular electron transfer in partially reduced cytochrome c oxidase has been studied by the perturbed equilibrium method. The authors have prepared a three-electron-reduced, CO-inhibited form of the enzyme in which cytochrome a and copper A are partially reduced and in an intramolecular redox equilibrium. When these samples were irradiated with a nitrogen laser to photodissociate the bound CO, changes in absorbance at 598 and 830 nm were observed which were consistent with a fast electron transfer from cytochrome a to copper A. The absorbance changes at 598 nm gave an apparent rate of 17,000 {plus minus} 2,000 s{sup {minus}1} (1more » {sigma}), at pH 7.0 and 25.5{degree}C. These changes were not observed in either the CO mixed-valence or the CO-inhibited fully reduced forms of the enzyme. The rate was fastest at about pH 8.0, falling off toward both lower and higher pHs. There was a small but clear temperature dependence. The process was also observed in the cytochrome c-cytochrome c oxidase high-affinity complex. The electron equilibration measured between cytochrome {alpha} and copper A is far faster than any rate measured or inferred previously for this process.« less

  16. 40 CFR 180.1281 - S-Abscisic Acid, (S)-5-(1-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxo-1-cyclohex-2-enyl)-3-methyl-penta-(2Z,4E...

    Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

    2010-07-01

    ... 40 Protection of Environment 23 2010-07-01 2010-07-01 false S-Abscisic Acid, (S)-5-(1-hydroxy-2,6... Exemptions From Tolerances § 180.1281 S-Abscisic Acid, (S)-5-(1-hydroxy-2,6,6-trimethyl-4-oxo-1-cyclohex-2... from the requirement of a tolerance is established for residues of S-Abscisic Acid in or on all food...

  17. Induction of sister chromatid exchanges and cell division delays in human lymphocytes by the anti-tumour agent homo-aza-steroidal ester of p-bis(2-chloroethyl)aminophenoxy acetic acid.

    PubMed

    Tselepi, M R; Demopoulos, N A; Catsoulacos, P

    1989-09-01

    3 beta-Hydroxy-13 alpha-amino-13,17-seco-5 alpha-androstan-17-oic-13,17-lactam-p-bis(2-chloroethyl) aminophenoxyacetate (NSC 294859) is a new modified steroidal alkylating agent. This compound was given by i.p. administration to mice bearing different types of tumour. It was found to exhibit good activity in L1210 and P388 leukaemias with maintenance of activity against advanced tumours. The treatment of colon 26 tumour and B16 melanoma resulted in positive antineoplastic activity. The drug was not shown to be active in a melphalan-resistant P388 line. In this study, NSC 294859 was found to be effective in causing statistically significant increases in sister-chromatid exchange (SCE) rates and cell division delays. The alkylating agent component, p-bis-(2-chloroethyl)aminophenoxy acetic acid, was shown to be less effective than the parent compound, while the modified steroid component, 3 beta-hydroxy-13 alpha-amino-13,17-seco-5 alpha-androstan-17-oic-13,17-lactam, showed no effect. There were no statistically significant differences among donors regarding the induction of SCEs and replication indices (RIs) for the compounds tested.

  18. Steroid catechol degradation: disecoandrostane intermediates accumulated by Pseudomonas transposon mutant strains.

    PubMed

    Leppik, R A

    1989-07-01

    Eleven transposon mutant strains affected in bile acid catabolism were each found to form yellow, muconic-like intermediates from bile acids. To characterize these unstable intermediates, media from the growth of one of these mutants with deoxycholic acid was treated with ammonia, then the crude product was methylated with diazomethane. Four compounds were subsequently isolated; spectral evidence suggested that they were methyl 12 alpha-hydroxy-3-oxo-23,24-dinorchola-1,4-dien-22-oate, methyl 4-aza-12 beta-hydroxy-9(10)-secoandrosta-1,3,5-triene-9,17-dione-3-carboxyl ate, 4-aza-9 alpha, 12 beta-dihydroxy-9(10)-secoandrosta-1,3,5-trien-17-one-3- methyl carboxylate and 4 alpha-[3'-propionic acid]-5-amino-7 beta-hydroxy-7 alpha beta-methyl- 3a alpha, 4,7,7a-tetrahydro-1-indanone-delta-lactam. It is proposed that the mutants are blocked in the utilization of such muconic-like compounds as the 3,12 beta-dihydroxy-5,9,17-trioxo-4(5),9(10)- disecoandrostal (10),2-dien-4-oic acid formed from deoxycholic acid. A further mutant was examined, which converted deoxycholic acid to 12 alpha-hydroxyandrosta-1,4-dien-3,17-dione, but accumulated yellow products from steroids which lacked a 12 alpha-hydroxy function, such as chenodeoxycholic acid. The products from the latter acid were treated as above; spectral evidence suggested that the two compounds isolated were methyl 4-aza-7-hydroxy-9(10)-secoandrosta-1,3,5- triene-9,17-dione-3-carboxylate and 4 alpha-[1'alpha-hydroxy-3'-propionic acid]-5-amino-7a beta-methyl-3a alpha,4,7,7a-tetrahydro-1-indanone-delta-lactam.

  19. Structures of hydroxy fatty acids as the constituents of triacylglycerols in Philippine wild edible mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Edible Philippine mushrooms including Ganoderma lucidum have many health benefits. We have recently reported the identities and the contents of 77 molecular species of acylglycerols containing hydroxy fatty acids (HFA) in this mushroom. The structures of these HFA were proposed using the electrospra...

  20. Identification of the molecular species of acylglycerols containing hydroxy fatty acids in wild edible mushroom Ganoderma lucidum

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Edible Philippine mushrooms including Ganoderma lucidum have many health benefits. Seventy-two molecular species of triacylglycerols and five molecular species of diacylglycerols containing hydroxy fatty acids (FA) in the lipid extract of this mushroom were identified by HPLC and MS. The mono-, di- ...

  1. A library synthesis of 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-6-phenylbenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester derivatives as anti-tumor agents.

    PubMed

    Hayakawa, Ichiro; Shioya, Rieko; Agatsuma, Toshinori; Furukawa, Hidehiko; Naruto, Shunji; Sugano, Yuichi

    2004-09-06

    As a result of a hit-to-lead program using a technique of solution-phase parallel synthesis, a highly potent (2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-[6-(3-fluorophenyl)-4-hydroxy-3-methylbenzofuran-2-yl]methanone (15b) was synthesized as an optimized derivative of 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-6-phenylbenzofuran-2-carboxylic acid ethyl ester (1), which was discovered as a screening hit from small-molecule libraries and exhibited selective cytotoxicity against a tumorigenic cell line.

  2. A heuristic approach to the analysis of enzymic catalysis: reaction of delta-(L-alpha-aminoadipoyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-alpha-aminobutyrate and delta-(L-alpha-aminoadipoyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-allylglycine catalyzed by isopenicillin N synthase isozymes.

    PubMed

    Blackburn, J M; Sutherland, J D; Baldwin, J E

    1995-06-06

    Isopenicillin N synthase (IPNS) catalyzes the oxidative cyclization of delta-(L-alpha-aminoadipoyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-valine to isopenicillin N. It is proposed that the multiple products produced from certain substrate analogues result from pathway branching after formation of a ferryl oxene intermediate. We have been interested in ascertaining the reasons for multiple product formation. One possibility is that the products are predisposed toward formation once the beta-lactam ring and the ferryl oxene are produced. Alternately, the products may be persuaded into being by the enzyme restricting conformations such that otherwise less favorable chemistry can take place. With the existing description of the IPNS catalytic cycle, this fundamental question has not been answerable. We describe here the application of a heuristic method to resolve this key issue. It was reasoned that by comparing the ratios of products formed by a set of perturbed IPNS variants it might be possible to generate qualitative information about the relative magnitude of certain activation parameters. If certain product ratios are affected but others are not, then it should be possible to say which steps in the reaction are dictated merely by chemical fundamentals and which steps are directly effected by the enzyme. In this paper we report the high-level expression, purification, and characterization of four IPNS isozymes. Comparison of the product ratios obtained on incubation of unnatural substrate analogues with four IPNS isozymes corresponding to perturbed active site variants shows substantial variation in some cases and little in others. Interpretation of the results obtained with delta-(L-alpha-aminoadipoyl)-L-cysteinyl-D-alpha-aminobutyrate (ACAB) allows conclusions to be drawn regarding the role of the enzyme in restricting available conformations of the natural substrate to disfavor certain otherwise chemically favorable pathways and hence products. The results obtained with delta-(L-alpha-aminoadipoyl)-L

  3. 5,6-de-epoxy-5-en-7-one-17-hydroxy withaferin A, a new cytotoxic steroid from Withania somnifera L. Dunal leaves.

    PubMed

    Siddique, Amreen A; Joshi, Pallavi; Misra, Laxminarain; Sangwan, Neelam S; Darokar, Mahendra P

    2014-01-01

    From the leaves of Withania somnifera L. Dunal, a new withasteroid named as 5,6-de-epoxy-5-en-7-one-17-hydroxy withaferin A (6) was isolated along with several known compounds, namely 16β-acetoxy-6α,7α-epoxy-5α-hydroxy-1-oxowitha-2,17(20),24-trienolide (1), withanone (2), 16-en-27-deoxy withaferin A (3), 27-deoxy withaferin A (4), withaferin A (5), withanolide D (7) and 27-hydroxy withanone (8). Its structure was determined using spectroscopic methods, namely IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, COSY, HMBC and HRMS. Among the known compounds, 16β-acetoxy-6α,7α-epoxy-5α-hydroxy-1-oxowitha-2,17(20),24-trienolide (1) was previously reported from the roots of W. somnifera. Now, it has been isolated from the leaves, as well. The cytotoxic activity of the new steroid was carried out using the MTT assay against a panel of cancer cell lines, namely MCF-7 (breast), WRL-68 (liver), PC-3 (prostate) and CACO-2 (colon). The results showed that the new compound possesses strong cytotoxic activity against liver and breast cancer with an IC50 of 1.0 μg/mL and a moderate activity against colon (IC50 3.4 μg/mL) and prostate (IC50 7.4 μg/mL) cancer cells.

  4. The effect of alpha-lipoic acid on mitochondrial superoxide and glucocorticoid-induced hypertension.

    PubMed

    Ong, Sharon L H; Vohra, Harpreet; Zhang, Yi; Sutton, Matthew; Whitworth, Judith A

    2013-01-01

    To examine the effect of alpha-lipoic acid, an antioxidant with mitochondrial superoxide inhibitory properties, on adrenocorticotrophic hormone- (ACTH-HT) and dexamethasone-induced hypertensions (DEX-HT) in rats and if any antihypertensive effect is mediated via mitochondrial superoxide inhibition. In a prevention study, rats received ground food or alpha-lipoic-acid-laced food (10 mg/rat/day) for 15 nights. Saline, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH, 0.2 mg/kg/day), or dexamethasone (DEX, 10  μ g/rat/day) was injected subcutaneously from day 5 to day 11. In a reversal study, rats received alpha-lipoic-acid-laced food 4 days after commencement of saline or DEX. Tail-cuff systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured second daily. Kidney mitochondrial superoxide was examined using (MitoSOX) Red (MitoSOX) via flow cytometry. SBP was increased by ACTH (P < 0.0005) and DEX (P < 0.0005). Alpha-lipoic acid alone did not alter SBP. With alpha-lipoic acid pretreatment, SBP was increased by ACTH (P' < 0.005) but not by DEX. Alpha-lipoic partially prevented ACTH-HT (P' < 0.0005) and fully prevented DEX-HT (P' < 0.0005) but failed to reverse DEX-HT. ACTH and DEX did not increase MitoSOX signal. In ACTH-hypertensive rats, high-dose alpha-lipoic acid (100 mg/rat/day) did not decrease SBP further but raised MitoSOX signal (P < 0.001), suggesting prooxidant activity. Glucocorticoid-induced hypertension in rats is prevented by alpha-lipoic acid via mechanisms other than mitochondrial superoxide reduction.

  5. Alpha-lipoic acid treatment of acetaminophen-induced rat liver damage.

    PubMed

    Mahmoud, Y I; Mahmoud, A A; Nassar, G

    2015-01-01

    Acetaminophen (paracetamol) is a well-tolerated analgesic and antipyretic drug when used at therapeutic doses. Overdoses, however, cause oxidative stress, which leads to acute liver failure. Alpha lipoic acid is an antioxidant that has proven effective for ameliorating many pathological conditions caused by oxidative stress. We evaluated the effect of alpha lipoic acid on the histological and histochemical alterations of liver caused by an acute overdose of acetaminophen in rats. Livers of acetaminophen-intoxicated rats were congested and showed centrilobular necrosis, vacuolar degeneration and inflammatory cell infiltration. Necrotic hepatocytes lost most of their carbohydrates, lipids and structural proteins. Liver sections from rats pre-treated with lipoic acid showed fewer pathological changes; the hepatocytes appeared moderately vacuolated with moderate staining of carbohydrates and proteins. Nevertheless, alpha lipoic acid at the dose we used did not protect the liver fully from acetaminophen-induced acute toxicity.

  6. Activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-{alpha} enhances fatty acid oxidation in human adipocytes

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

    Lee, Joo-Young; Hashizaki, Hikari; Goto, Tsuyoshi

    2011-04-22

    Highlights: {yields} PPAR{alpha} activation increased mRNA expression levels of adipocyte differentiation marker genes and GPDH activity in human adipocytes. {yields} PPAR{alpha} activation also increased insulin-dependent glucose uptake in human adipocytes. {yields} PPAR{alpha} activation did not affect lipid accumulation in human adipocytes. {yields} PPAR{alpha} activation increased fatty acid oxidation through induction of fatty acid oxidation-related genes in human adipocytes. -- Abstract: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-{alpha} (PPAR{alpha}) is a key regulator for maintaining whole-body energy balance. However, the physiological functions of PPAR{alpha} in adipocytes have been unclarified. We examined the functions of PPAR{alpha} using human multipotent adipose tissue-derived stem cells as a humanmore » adipocyte model. Activation of PPAR{alpha} by GW7647, a potent PPAR{alpha} agonist, increased the mRNA expression levels of adipocyte differentiation marker genes such as PPAR{gamma}, adipocyte-specific fatty acid-binding protein, and lipoprotein lipase and increased both GPDH activity and insulin-dependent glucose uptake level. The findings indicate that PPAR{alpha} activation stimulates adipocyte differentiation. However, lipid accumulation was not changed, which is usually observed when PPAR{gamma} is activated. On the other hand, PPAR{alpha} activation by GW7647 treatment induced the mRNA expression of fatty acid oxidation-related genes such as CPT-1B and AOX in a PPAR{alpha}-dependent manner. Moreover, PPAR{alpha} activation increased the production of CO{sub 2} and acid soluble metabolites, which are products of fatty acid oxidation, and increased oxygen consumption rate in human adipocytes. The data indicate that activation of PPAR{alpha} stimulates both adipocyte differentiation and fatty acid oxidation in human adipocytes, suggesting that PPAR{alpha} agonists could improve insulin resistance without lipid accumulation in adipocytes. The

  7. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha regulates fatty acid utilization in primary human skeletal muscle cells.

    PubMed

    Muoio, Deborah M; Way, James M; Tanner, Charles J; Winegar, Deborah A; Kliewer, Steven A; Houmard, Joseph A; Kraus, William E; Dohm, G Lynis

    2002-04-01

    In humans, skeletal muscle is a major site of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-alpha) expression, but its function in this tissue is unclear. We investigated the role of hPPAR-alpha in regulating muscle lipid utilization by studying the effects of a highly selective PPAR-alpha agonist, GW7647, on [(14)C]oleate metabolism and gene expression in primary human skeletal muscle cells. Robust induction of PPAR-alpha protein expression occurred during muscle cell differentiation and corresponded with differentiation-dependent increases in oleate oxidation. In mature myotubes, 48-h treatment with 10-1,000 nmol/l GW7647 increased oleate oxidation dose-dependently, up to threefold. Additionally, GW7647 decreased oleate esterification into myotube triacylglycerol (TAG), up to 45%. This effect was not abolished by etomoxir, a potent inhibitor of beta-oxidation, indicating that PPAR-alpha-mediated TAG depletion does not depend on reciprocal changes in fatty acid catabolism. Consistent with its metabolic actions, GW7647 induced mRNA expression of mitochondrial enzymes that promote fatty acid catabolism; carnitine palmityltransferase 1 and malonyl-CoA decarboxylase increased approximately 2-fold, whereas pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 increased 45-fold. Expression of several genes that regulate glycerolipid synthesis was not changed by GW7647 treatment, implicating involvement of other targets to explain the TAG-depleting effect of the compound. These results demonstrate a role for hPPAR-alpha in regulating muscle lipid homeostasis.

  8. Characteristic lipids of Bordetella pertussis: simple fatty acid composition, hydroxy fatty acids, and an ornithine-containing lipid.

    PubMed Central

    Kawai, Y; Moribayashi, A

    1982-01-01

    The lipids and fatty acids of Bordetella pertussis (phases I to IV) were analyzed by thin-layer chromatography, gas-liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry and compared with those of B. parapertussis and B. bronchiseptica. The major lipid components of the three species were phosphatidylethanolamine, cardiolipin, phosphatidylglycerol, lysophosphatidylethanolamine, and an ornithine-containing lipid. The ornithine-containing lipid was characteristic of the genus Bordetella. The fatty acid composition of the total extractable cellular lipids of B. pertussis was mostly hexadecanoic and hexadecenoic acids (90%) in a ratio of about 1:1. The hexadecenoic acid of B. pertussis was in the cis-9 form. The fatty acid composition of the residual bound lipids was distinctly different from that of the extractable lipids, and residual bound lipids being mainly 3-hydroxytetradecanoic, tetradecanoic, and 3-hydroxydecanoic acids, with 3-hydroxydodecanoic acid occurring in some strains. It was determined that the 3-hydroxy fatty acids were derived from lipid A. The fatty acid composition of the total extractable cellular lipids of B. parapertussis and B. bronchiseptica, mainly composed of hexadecanoic and heptadecacyclopropanoic acid, differed from that of B. pertussis. Although the fatty acid composition of the residual bound lipids of B. parapertussis was similar to that of the residual bound lipids of B. pertussis, 2-hydroxydodecanoic acid was detected only in the bound lipids of B. bronchiseptica. Images PMID:6284719

  9. Characteristic lipids of Bordetella pertussis: simple fatty acid composition, hydroxy fatty acids, and an ornithine-containing lipid.

    PubMed

    Kawai, Y; Moribayashi, A

    1982-08-01

    The lipids and fatty acids of Bordetella pertussis (phases I to IV) were analyzed by thin-layer chromatography, gas-liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry and compared with those of B. parapertussis and B. bronchiseptica. The major lipid components of the three species were phosphatidylethanolamine, cardiolipin, phosphatidylglycerol, lysophosphatidylethanolamine, and an ornithine-containing lipid. The ornithine-containing lipid was characteristic of the genus Bordetella. The fatty acid composition of the total extractable cellular lipids of B. pertussis was mostly hexadecanoic and hexadecenoic acids (90%) in a ratio of about 1:1. The hexadecenoic acid of B. pertussis was in the cis-9 form. The fatty acid composition of the residual bound lipids was distinctly different from that of the extractable lipids, and residual bound lipids being mainly 3-hydroxytetradecanoic, tetradecanoic, and 3-hydroxydecanoic acids, with 3-hydroxydodecanoic acid occurring in some strains. It was determined that the 3-hydroxy fatty acids were derived from lipid A. The fatty acid composition of the total extractable cellular lipids of B. parapertussis and B. bronchiseptica, mainly composed of hexadecanoic and heptadecacyclopropanoic acid, differed from that of B. pertussis. Although the fatty acid composition of the residual bound lipids of B. parapertussis was similar to that of the residual bound lipids of B. pertussis, 2-hydroxydodecanoic acid was detected only in the bound lipids of B. bronchiseptica.

  10. Strain improvement and metabolic flux analysis in the wild-type and a mutant Lactobacillus lactis strain for L(+)-lactic acid production.

    PubMed

    Bai, Dong-Mei; Zhao, Xue-Ming; Li, Xin-Gang; Xu, Shi-Min

    2004-12-20

    The effects of initial glucose concentration and calcium lactate concentration on the lactic acid production by the parent strain, Lactobacillus lactis BME5-18, were studied. The results of the experiments indicated that glucose and lactate repressed the cell growth and the lactic acid production by Lactobacillus lactis BME5-18. A L(+)-lactic acid overproducing strain, Lactobacillus lactis BME5-18M, was screened by mutagenizing the parent strain with ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation and selecting the high glucose and lactate calcium concentration repression resistant mutant. Starting with a concentration of 100g L(-1) glucose, the mutant produced 98.6 g L(-1) lactic acid after 60 h in flasks, 73.9% higher than that of the parent strain. The L(+)-lactic acid purity was 98.1% by weight based on the amount of total lactic acid. The culture of the parent strain could not be analyzed well by conventional metabolic flux analysis techniques, since some pyruvate were accumulated intracellularly. Therefore, a revised flux analysis method was proposed by introducing intracellular pyruvate pool. Further studies demonstrate that there is a high level of NADH oxidase activity (12.11 mmol mg(-1) min(-1)) in the parent strain. The molecular mechanisms of the strain improvement were proposed, i.e., the high level of NADH oxidase activity was eliminated and the uptake rate of glucose was increased from 82.1 C-mmol (g DW h)(-1) to 98.9 C-mmol (g DW h)(-1) by mutagenizing the parent strain with UV, and therefore the mutant strain converts mostly pyruvate to lactic acid with a higher productivity (1.76 g L(-1) h(-1)) than the parent strain (0.95 g L(-1) h(-1)).

  11. Effects of omega-3 fatty acid plus alpha-tocopherol supplementation on malnutrition-inflammation score, biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in chronic hemodialysis patients.

    PubMed

    Asemi, Zatollah; Soleimani, Alireza; Shakeri, Hossein; Mazroii, Navid; Esmaillzadeh, Ahmad

    2016-11-01

    The current study was carried out to assess the effects of omega-3 fatty acid and alpha-tocopherol co-supplementation on malnutrition-inflammation score (MIS), biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients. In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, 120 patients with chronic HD were included. Patients were randomly allocated into four groups to receive: (1) 1250 mg/day omega-3 fatty acid containing 600 mg EPA and 300 mg DHA + alpha-tocopherol placebo (n = 30); (2) 400 IU/day alpha-tocopherol + omega-3 fatty acids placebo (n = 30); (3) 1250 mg omega-3 fatty acids/day + 400 IU/day alpha-tocopherol (n = 30); and (4) omega-3 fatty acids placebo + alpha-tocopherol placebo (n = 30) for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks of intervention, all three groups of alpha-tocopherol only, individual omega-3 fatty acids, and combined omega-3 fatty acids and alpha-tocopherol experienced a significant improvements in MIS compared with the placebo group; however, improvements were much greater in the individual omega-3 fats (-1.4 ± 1.4) and combined omega-3 fats and alpha-tocopherol (-1.1 ± 2.3) groups compared with alpha-tocopherol group alone (-0.5 ± 1.7, P = 0.004). Furthermore, both individual and combined intervention with omega-3 fats and alpha-tocopherol led to a significant increase in plasma nitric oxide (NO) (combined group: +17.6 ± 29.3; alpha-tocopherol: +43.1 ± 36.3; omega-3 fats: +31.0 ± 40.0; and placebo: -0.5 ± 18.5 µmol/L, respectively, P < 0.001) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (+64.9 ± 113.6, +53.0 ± 144.6, +57.6 ± 157.8 and -69.9 ± 215.1 mmol/L, respectively, P = 0.004) levels. Overall, omega-3 fatty acids and alpha-tocopherol co-supplementation for 12 weeks among HD patients improved MIS, plasma NO and TAC levels. Future studies with longer duration of the intervention are needed to confirm the validity of our findings. CLINICAL REGISTRATION

  12. Ursolic acid suppresses TGF-β1-induced quiescent HSC activation and transformation by inhibiting NADPH oxidase expression and Hedgehog signaling

    PubMed Central

    Yu, Shan-Shan; Chen, Biao; Huang, Chen-Kai; Zhou, Juan-Juan; Huang, Xin; Wang, An-Jiang; Li, Bi-Min; He, Wen-Hua; Zhu, Xuan

    2017-01-01

    Activation of quiescent hepatic stellate cells (q-HSCs) and their transformation to myofibroblasts (MFBs) is a key event in liver fibrosis. Hedgehog (Hh) signaling stimulates q-HSCs to differentiate into MFBs, and NADPH oxidase (NOX) may be involved in regulating Hh signaling. The author's preliminary study demonstrated that ursolic acid (UA) selectively induces apoptosis in activated HSCs and inhibits their proliferation in vitro via negative regulation of NOX activity and expression. However, the effect of UA on q-HSCs remains to be elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of UA on q-HSC activation and HSC transformation and to observe alterations in the NOX and Hh signaling pathways during q-HSC activation. q-HSC were isolated from adult male Sprague-Dawley rats. Following culture for 3 days, the cells were treated with or without transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1; 5 µg/l); intervention groups were pretreated with UA (40 µM) or diphenyleneiodonium chloride (DPI; 10 µM) for 30 min prior to addition of TGF-β1. mRNA and protein expression of NOX and Hh signaling components and markers of q-HSC activation were examined by western blotting and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. TGF-β1 induced activation of q-HSCs, with increased expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and type I collagen. In addition, expression of NOX subunits (gp91phox, p67phox, p22phox, and Rac1) and Hh signaling components, including sonic Hh, sterol-4-alpha-methyl oxidase, and Gli family zinc finger 2, were upregulated in activated HSCs. Pretreatment of q-HSCs with UA or DPI prior to TGF-β1 significantly downregulated expression of NOX subunits and Hh signaling components and additionally inhibited expression of α-SMA and type I collagen, thereby preventing transformation to MFBs. UA inhibited TGF-β1-induced activation of q-HSCs and their transformation by inhibiting expression of NOX subunits and the downstream Hh pathway. PMID:29042951

  13. Attenuation of NADPH oxidase activation and glomerular filtration barrier remodeling with statin treatment.

    PubMed

    Whaley-Connell, Adam; Habibi, Javad; Nistala, Ravi; Cooper, Shawna A; Karuparthi, Poorna R; Hayden, Melvin R; Rehmer, Nathan; DeMarco, Vincent G; Andresen, Bradley T; Wei, Yongzhong; Ferrario, Carlos; Sowers, James R

    2008-02-01

    Activation of reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase by angiotensin II is integral to the formation of oxidative stress in the vasculature and the kidney. 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibition is associated with reductions of oxidative stress in the vasculature and kidney and associated decreases in albuminuria. Effects of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibition on oxidative stress in the kidney and filtration barrier integrity are poorly understood. To investigate, we used transgenic TG(mRen2)27 (Ren2) rats, which harbor the mouse renin transgene and renin-angiotensin system activation, and an immortalized murine podocyte cell line. We treated young, male Ren2 and Sprague-Dawley rats with rosuvastatin (20 mg/kg IP) or placebo for 21 days. Compared with controls, we observed increases in systolic blood pressure, albuminuria, renal NADPH oxidase activity, and 3-nitrotryosine staining, with reductions in the rosuvastatin-treated Ren2. Structural changes on light and transmission electron microscopy, consistent with periarteriolar fibrosis and podocyte foot-process effacement, were attenuated with statin treatment. Nephrin expression was diminished in the Ren2 kidney and trended to normalize with statin treatment. Angiotensin II-dependent increases in podocyte NADPH oxidase activity and subunit expression (NOX2, NOX4, Rac, and p22(phox)) and reactive oxygen species generation were decreased after in vitro statin treatment. These data support a role for increased NADPH oxidase activity and subunit expression with resultant reactive oxygen species formation in the kidney and podocyte. Furthermore, statin attenuation of NADPH oxidase activation and reactive oxygen species formation in the kidney/podocyte seems to play roles in the abrogation of oxidative stress-induced filtration barrier injury and consequent albuminuria.

  14. Glycyrrhizin and glycyrrhetinic acid inhibits alpha-naphthyl isothiocyanate-induced liver injury and bile acid cycle disruption.

    PubMed

    Wang, Haina; Fang, Zhong-Ze; Meng, Ran; Cao, Yun-Feng; Tanaka, Naoki; Krausz, Kristopher W; Gonzalez, Frank J

    2017-07-01

    Alpha-naphthyl isothiocyanate (ANIT) is a common hepatotoxicant experimentally used to reproduce the pathologies of drug-induced liver injury in humans, but the mechanism of its toxicity remains unclear. To determine the metabolic alterations following ANIT exposure, metabolomic analyses was performed by use of liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) of liver, serum, bile, ileum, and cecum of vehicle- and ANIT-treated mice revealed significant alterations of individual bile acids, including increased tauroursodeoxycholic acid, taurohydrodeoxycholic acid, taurochenodeoxycholic acid, and taurodeoxycholic acid, and decreased ω-, β- and tauro-α/β- murideoxycholic acid, cholic acid, and taurocholic acid in the ANIT-treated groups. In accordance with these changes, ANIT treatment altered the expression of mRNAs encoded by genes responsible for the metabolism and transport of bile acids and cholesterol. Pre-treatment of glycyrrhizin (GL) and glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) prevented ANIT-induced liver damage and reversed the alteration of bile acid metabolites and Cyp7a1, Npc1l1, Mttp, and Acat2 mRNAs encoding bile acid transport and metabolism proteins. These results suggested that GL/GA could prevent drug-induced liver injury and ensuing disruption of bile acid metabolism in humans. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  15. The Effect of Alpha-Lipoic Acid on Mitochondrial Superoxide and Glucocorticoid-Induced Hypertension

    PubMed Central

    Ong, Sharon L. H.; Vohra, Harpreet; Zhang, Yi; Sutton, Matthew; Whitworth, Judith A.

    2013-01-01

    Aims. To examine the effect of alpha-lipoic acid, an antioxidant with mitochondrial superoxide inhibitory properties, on adrenocorticotrophic hormone- (ACTH-HT) and dexamethasone-induced hypertensions (DEX-HT) in rats and if any antihypertensive effect is mediated via mitochondrial superoxide inhibition. Methods. In a prevention study, rats received ground food or alpha-lipoic-acid-laced food (10 mg/rat/day) for 15 nights. Saline, adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH, 0.2 mg/kg/day), or dexamethasone (DEX, 10 μg/rat/day) was injected subcutaneously from day 5 to day 11. In a reversal study, rats received alpha-lipoic-acid-laced food 4 days after commencement of saline or DEX. Tail-cuff systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured second daily. Kidney mitochondrial superoxide was examined using (MitoSOX) Red (MitoSOX) via flow cytometry. Results. SBP was increased by ACTH (P < 0.0005) and DEX (P < 0.0005). Alpha-lipoic acid alone did not alter SBP. With alpha-lipoic acid pretreatment, SBP was increased by ACTH (P′ < 0.005) but not by DEX. Alpha-lipoic partially prevented ACTH-HT (P′ < 0.0005) and fully prevented DEX-HT (P′ < 0.0005) but failed to reverse DEX-HT. ACTH and DEX did not increase MitoSOX signal. In ACTH-hypertensive rats, high-dose alpha-lipoic acid (100 mg/rat/day) did not decrease SBP further but raised MitoSOX signal (P < 0.001), suggesting prooxidant activity. Conclusion. Glucocorticoid-induced hypertension in rats is prevented by alpha-lipoic acid via mechanisms other than mitochondrial superoxide reduction. PMID:23533693

  16. Acetyl-L-carnitine supplementation to old rats partially reverts the age-related mitochondrial decay of soleus muscle by activating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1alpha-dependent mitochondrial biogenesis.

    PubMed

    Pesce, Vito; Fracasso, Flavio; Cassano, Pierluigi; Lezza, Angela Maria Serena; Cantatore, Palmiro; Gadaleta, Maria Nicola

    2010-01-01

    The age-related decay of mitochondrial function is a major contributor to the aging process. We tested the effects of 2-month-daily acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR) supplementation on mitochondrial biogenesis in the soleus muscle of aged rats. This muscle is heavily dependent on oxidative metabolism. Mitochondrial (mt) DNA content, citrate synthase activity, transcript levels of some nuclear- and mitochondrial-coded genes (cytochrome c oxidase subunit IV [COX-IV], 16S rRNA, COX-I) and of some factors involved in the mitochondrial biogenesis signaling pathway (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma [PPARgamma] coactivator-1alpha [PGC-1alpha], mitochondrial transcription factor A mitochondrial [TFAM], mitochondrial transcription factor 2B [TFB2]), as well as the protein content of PGC-1alpha were determined. The results suggest that the ALCAR treatment in old rats activates PGC-1alpha-dependent mitochondrial biogenesis, thus partially reverting the age-related mitochondrial decay.

  17. Rationale and design of a multicenter randomized study for evaluating vascular function under uric acid control using the xanthine oxidase inhibitor, febuxostat: the PRIZE study.

    PubMed

    Oyama, Jun-Ichi; Tanaka, Atsushi; Sato, Yasunori; Tomiyama, Hirofumi; Sata, Masataka; Ishizu, Tomoko; Taguchi, Isao; Kuroyanagi, Takanori; Teragawa, Hiroki; Ishizaka, Nobukazu; Kanzaki, Yumiko; Ohishi, Mitsuru; Eguchi, Kazuo; Higashi, Yukihito; Yamada, Hirotsugu; Maemura, Koji; Ako, Junya; Bando, Yasuko K; Ueda, Shinichiro; Inoue, Teruo; Murohara, Toyoaki; Node, Koichi

    2016-06-18

    Xanthine oxidase inhibitors are anti-hyperuricemic drugs that decrease serum uric acid levels by inhibiting its synthesis. Xanthine oxidase is also recognized as a pivotal enzyme in the production of oxidative stress. Excess oxidative stress induces endothelial dysfunction and inflammatory reactions in vascular systems, leading to atherosclerosis. Many experimental studies have suggested that xanthine oxidase inhibitors have anti-atherosclerotic effects by decreasing in vitro and in vivo oxidative stress. However, there is only limited evidence on the clinical implications of xanthine oxidase inhibitors on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in patients with hyperuricemia. We designed the PRIZE study to evaluate the effects of febuxostat on a surrogate marker of cardiovascular disease risk, ultrasonography-based intima-media thickness of the carotid artery in patients with hyperuricemia. The study is a multicenter, prospective, randomized, open-label and blinded-endpoint evaluation (PROBE) design. A total of 500 patients with asymptomatic hyperuricemia (uric acid >7.0 mg/dL) and carotid intima-media thickness ≥1.1 mm will be randomized centrally to receive either febuxostat (10-60 mg/day) or non-pharmacological treatment. Randomization is carried out using the dynamic allocation method stratified according to age (<65, ≥65 year), gender, presence or absence of diabetes mellitus, serum uric acid (<8.0, ≥8.0 mg/dL), and carotid intima-media thickness (<1.3, ≥1.3 mm). In addition to administering the study drug, we will also direct lifestyle modification in all participants, including advice on control of body weight, sleep, exercise and healthy diet. Carotid intima-media thickness will be evaluated using ultrasonography performed by skilled technicians at a central laboratory. Follow-up will be continued for 24 months. The primary endpoint is percentage change in mean intima-media thickness of the common carotid artery 24 months after baseline, measured by

  18. Fatty acids and hypolipidemic drugs regulate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors alpha - and gamma-mediated gene expression via liver fatty acid binding protein: a signaling path to the nucleus.

    PubMed

    Wolfrum, C; Borrmann, C M; Borchers, T; Spener, F

    2001-02-27

    Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) is a key regulator of lipid homeostasis in hepatocytes and target for fatty acids and hypolipidemic drugs. How these signaling molecules reach the nuclear receptor is not known; however, similarities in ligand specificity suggest the liver fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) as a possible candidate. In localization studies using laser-scanning microscopy, we show that L-FABP and PPARalpha colocalize in the nucleus of mouse primary hepatocytes. Furthermore, we demonstrate by pull-down assay and immunocoprecipitation that L-FABP interacts directly with PPARalpha. In a cell biological approach with the aid of a mammalian two-hybrid system, we provide evidence that L-FABP interacts with PPARalpha and PPARgamma but not with PPARbeta and retinoid X receptor-alpha by protein-protein contacts. In addition, we demonstrate that the observed interaction of both proteins is independent of ligand binding. Final and quantitative proof for L-FABP mediation was obtained in transactivation assays upon incubation of transiently and stably transfected HepG2 cells with saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids as well as with hypolipidemic drugs. With all ligands applied, we observed strict correlation of PPARalpha and PPARgamma transactivation with intracellular concentrations of L-FABP. This correlation constitutes a nucleus-directed signaling by fatty acids and hypolipidemic drugs where L-FABP acts as a cytosolic gateway for these PPARalpha and PPARgamma agonists. Thus, L-FABP and the respective PPARs could serve as targets for nutrients and drugs to affect expression of PPAR-sensitive genes.

  19. Towards control of aggregational behaviour of alpha-lactalbumin at acidic pH.

    PubMed

    Pedersen, Jane B; Fojan, Peter; Sorensen, John; Petersen, Steffen B

    2006-07-01

    alpha-Lactalbumin (alpha-La) undergoes considerable structural changes upon loss of bound Ca2+ at acidic pH, leaving alpha-La in a molten globule structure. Using fluorescence the present work provides more insight into the structural transition of alpha-La at acidic pH leading to protein aggregation, most likely caused by a combination of hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions. The rate of aggregation is determined by the protein concentration and temperature applied. Availability of Ca2+ stabilises the protein, and thus prevent aggregation at pH values as low as pH 2.9. In contrast, presence of Cu2+ induces a destabilisation of the protein, which can be explained by a binding to the Zn2+ binding site in alpha-La, possibly resulting in structural alterations of the protein. In general, presence of anions destabilize alpha-La at pH values below pI, with SO4(2-) exhibiting the strongest effect on the protein stability, thus correlating well with the Hofmeister series. At more acidic pH values far from pI, alpha-La becomes more stable towards ion induced aggregation, since higher ion activity is required to efficiently screen the charges on the protein surface. The results presented in this paper provide detailed knowledge on the external parameters leading to aggregation of alpha-La at acidic pH, thus permitting rational design of the aggregation process.

  20. Lactic acid peeling in superficial acne scarring in Indian skin.

    PubMed

    Sachdeva, Silonie

    2010-09-01

    Chemical peeling with both alpha and beta hydroxy acids has been used to improve acne scarring with pigmentation. Lactic acid, a mild alpha hydroxy acid, has been used in the treatment of various dermatological indications but no study is reported in acne scarring with pigmentation. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of full strength pure lactic acid 92% (pH 2.0) chemical peel in superficial acne scarring in Indian skin. Seven patients, Fitzpatrick skin type IV-V, in age group 20-30 years with superficial acne scarring were enrolled in the study. Chemical peeling was done with lactic acid at an interval of 2 weeks to a maximum of four peels. Pre- and post-peel clinical photographs were taken at every session. Patients were followed every month for 3 months after the last peel to evaluate the effects. At the end of 3 months, there was definite improvement in the texture, pigmentation, and appearance of the treated skin, with lightening of scars. Significant improvement (greater than 75% clearance of lesions) occurred in one patient (14.28%), good improvement (51-75% clearance) in three patients (42.84%), moderate improvement (26-50% clearance) in two patients (28.57%), and mild improvement (1-25% clearance) in one patient (14.28%). © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  1. Adverse effects of the classic antioxidant uric acid in adipocytes: NADPH oxidase-mediated oxidative/nitrosative stress.

    PubMed

    Sautin, Yuri Y; Nakagawa, Takahiko; Zharikov, Sergey; Johnson, Richard J

    2007-08-01

    Uric acid is considered a major antioxidant in human blood that may protect against aging and oxidative stress. Despite its proposed protective properties, elevated levels of uric acid are commonly associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease and mortality. Furthermore, recent experimental studies suggest that uric acid may have a causal role in hypertension and metabolic syndrome. All these conditions are thought to be mediated by oxidative stress. In this study we demonstrate that differentiation of cultured mouse adipocytes is associated with increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and uptake of uric acid. Soluble uric acid stimulated an increase in NADPH oxidase activity and ROS production in mature adipocytes but not in preadipocytes. The stimulation of NADPH oxidase-dependent ROS by uric acid resulted in activation of MAP kinases p38 and ERK1/2, a decrease in nitric oxide bioavailability, and an increase in protein nitrosylation and lipid oxidation. Collectively, our results suggest that hyperuricemia induces redox-dependent signaling and oxidative stress in adipocytes. Since oxidative stress in the adipose tissue has recently been recognized as a major cause of insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease, hyperuricemia-induced alterations in oxidative homeostasis in the adipose tissue might play an important role in these derangements.

  2. Alpha-2-macroglobulin and hyaluronic acid as fibromarkers in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

    PubMed

    Pitekova, B; Kupcova, V; Uhlikova, E; Mojto, V; Turecky, L

    2017-01-01

    Liver fibrosis is the final common pathway of chronic liver diseases of various etiology. From the practical standpoint, it would be ideal to have a noninvasive fibromarker. The aim of our study was to investigate the levels of alpha-2-macroglobulin, potential fibromarker, in correlation to histological staging and another potential fibromarker, hyaluronic acid, in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Population groups in this study consisted of 51 healthy volunteers and 54 patients with chronic hepatitis C. Liver biopsies were obtained under ultrasound guidance. Alpha-2-macroglobulin was determined by electroimmunodiffusion and hyaluronic acid with enzyme-linked binding protein assay. Both potential fibromarkers, alpha-2-macroglobulin and hyaluronic acid, were increased in patients with chronic hepatitis C. The alpha-2-macroglobulin levels were not significantly increased in the groups F0-F1. In the groups F2-F4, alpha-2-macroglobulin levels were significantly higher than in the control group. The changes of hyaluronic acid were similar to changes of alpha-2-macroglobulin. Regression analysis showed a significant correlation between hyaluronic acid and alpha-2-macroglobulin levels. According to the results of our study, it can be concluded that alpha-2-macroglobulin and hyaluronic acid might be useful markers of liver fibrosis (Tab. 2, Ref. 15).

  3. Influence of arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD), integrins (alphaV and alpha5) and osteopontin on bovine sperm-egg binding, and fertilization in vitro.

    PubMed

    Gonçalves, R F; Wolinetz, C D; Killian, G J

    2007-02-01

    Osteopontin (OPN), a phosphoprotein containing an arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) sequence, has been identified in cow oviduct epithelium and fluid. To investigate the potential role OPN in fertilization, we evaluated the ability of RGD peptide (arginine-glycine-aspartic), RGE peptide (arginine-glycine-glutamic acid), integrins alphaV and alpha5 antibodies and OPN antibody to influence bovine in vitro sperm-egg binding and fertilization. Treatment of sperm or oocytes with the RGD peptide prior fertilization significantly decreased in vitro sperm-egg binding and fertilization compared to the non-treated controls or those treated with RGE peptide. Binding and fertilization were also significantly decreased when in vitro matured bovine oocytes or sperm were pre-incubated with integrins alphaV and alpha5 antibodies at concentration ranging from 5 to 20 microg/mL. Addition of a rabbit polyclonal IgG antibody against purified bovine milk OPN with sperm or/and oocytes decreased (P<0.05) fertilization compared to the in vitro-fertilized control. These data provided evidence that integrin ligands existed on bovine oocytes and spermatozoa that contained RGD recognition sequences, and that antibody to OPN, a protein that contains that RGD sequence, was capable of reducing sperm-egg binding and fertilization in vitro.

  4. Biochemical, functional and structural characterization of Akbu-LAAO: a novel snake venom L-amino acid oxidase from Agkistrodon blomhoffii ussurensis.

    PubMed

    Sun, Ming-Zhong; Guo, Chunmei; Tian, Yuxiang; Chen, Duo; Greenaway, Frederick T; Liu, Shuqing

    2010-04-01

    An L-amino acid oxidase (Akbu-LAAO) was isolated from the venom of Agkistrodon blomhoffii ussurensis snake using DEAE Sephadex A-50 ion-exchange, Sephadex G-75 gel filtration, and high performance liquid chromatographies. The homogeneity and molecular mass of Akbu-LAAO were analyzed by SDS-PAGE and MALDI-TOF spectrometry. The sequences of ten peptides from Akbu-LAAO were established by HPLC-nESI-MS/MS analysis. Protein sequence alignment indicated that i) that Akbu-LAAO is a new snake venom LAAO, and ii) Akbu-LAAO shares homology with several LAAOs from the venoms of Calloselasma rhodost, Agkistrodon halys, Daboia russellii siamensis, and Trimeresurus stejnegeri. Akbu-LAAO is a homodimer with a molecular mass of approximately 124.4 kDa. It reacts optimally with its enzymatic substrate, Leu, at pH 4.7 with a K(m) of 2.1 mM. ICP-AES measurements showed that Akbu-LAAO contains four Zn(2+) per dimer that are unessential for the hydrolytic activity of the enzyme. The emission fluorescence intensity of Akbu-LAAO decreases by 61% on removal of Zn(2+) indicating that the zinc probably helps maintain the structural integrity of the enzyme. The addition of exogenous metal ions, including Mg(2+), Mn(2+), Ca(2+), Ce(3+), Nd(3+), Co(2+) and Tb(3+), increases the l-Leu hydrolytic activity of the enzyme. Akbu-LAAO shows apparent anti-aggregation effects on human and rabbit platelets. It exhibits a strong bacteriostasis effect on Staphylococcus aureus, eighteen fold that of cephalosporin C under the same conditions. Taken together, the biochemical, proteomic, structural and functional characterizations reveal that Akbu-LAAO is a novel LAAO with promise for biotechnological and medical applications. Copyright (c) 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

  5. Protective effects of L-type fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) in proximal tubular cells against glomerular injury in anti-GBM antibody-mediated glomerulonephritis.

    PubMed

    Kanaguchi, Yasuhiko; Suzuki, Yusuke; Osaki, Ken; Sugaya, Takeshi; Horikoshi, Satoshi; Tomino, Yasuhiko

    2011-11-01

    In glomerulonephritis (GN), an overload of free fatty acids (FFA) bound to albumin in urinary protein may induce oxidative stress in the proximal tubules. Human liver-type fatty acid-binding protein (hL-FABP) expressed in human proximal tubules, but not rodents, participates in intracellular FFA metabolism and exerts anti-oxidative effects on the progression of tubulointerstitial damage. We examined whether tubular enhancement of this anti-oxidative action modulates the progression of glomerular damage in immune-mediated GN in hL-FABP chromosomal gene transgenic (Tg) mice. Anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody-induced glomerulonephritis (anti-GBM GN) was induced in Tg and wild-type mice (WT). Proteinuria, histopathology, polymorphonuclear (PMN) influx, expression of tubulointerstitial markers for oxidative stress 4-hydroxy-2-Nonenal (HNE) and fibrosis (α-smooth muscle actin), proximal tubular damage (Kim-1), Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ (PPAR γ) and inflammatory cytokines [Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)] were analyzed. The mice were also treated with an angiotensin type II receptor blocker (ARB). The urinary protein level in Tg mice decreased significantly during the acute phase (~Day 5). Tg mice survived for a significantly longer time than WT mice, with an attenuation of tubulointerstitial damage score and expression of each tubulointerstitial damage marker observed at Day 7. Expression of inflammatory cytokines on Day 7 was higher in WT mice than Tg mice and correlated strongly with PPARγ expression in WT mice, but not in Tg mice. Interestingly, Tg mice showed insufficient PMN influx at 3 and 6 h, with simultaneous elevation of urinary L-FABP and reduction in HNE expression. The two strains of mice showed different types of glomerular damage, with mild mesangial proliferation in Tg mice and severe endothelial swelling with vascular thrombosis in WT mice

  6. Method for high specific bioproductivity of .alpha.,.omega.-alkanedicarboxylic acids

    DOEpatents

    Mobley, David Paul; Shank, Gary Keith

    2000-01-01

    This invention provides a low-cost method of producing .alpha.,.omega.-alkanedicarboxylic acids. Particular bioconversion conditions result in highly efficient conversion of fatty acid, fatty acid ester, or alkane substrates to diacids. Candida tropicalis AR40 or similar yeast strains are grown in a medium containing a carbon source and a nitrogen source at a temperature of 31.degree. C. to 38.degree. C., while additional carbon source is continuously added, until maximum cell growth is attained. Within 0-3 hours of this point, substrate is added to the culture to initiate conversion. An .alpha.,.omega.-alkanedicarboxylic acid made according to this method is also provided.

  7. Myeloperoxidase amplified high glucose-induced endothelial dysfunction in vasculature: Role of NADPH oxidase and hypochlorous acid.

    PubMed

    Tian, Rong; Ding, Yun; Peng, Yi-Yuan; Lu, Naihao

    2017-03-11

    Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), have emerged as important molecules in the pathogenesis of diabetic endothelial dysfunction. Additionally, neutrophils-derived myeloperoxidase (MPO) and MPO-catalyzed hypochlorous acid (HOCl) play important roles in the vascular injury. However, it is unknown whether MPO can use vascular-derived ROS to induce diabetic endothelial dysfunction. In the present study, we demonstrated that NADPH oxidase was the main source of ROS formation in high glucose-cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and played a critical role in high glucose-induced endothelial dysfunction such as cell apoptosis, loss of cell viability and reduction of nitric oxide (NO). However, the addition of MPO could amplify the high glucose-induced endothelial dysfunction which was inhibited by the presence of apocynin (NADPH oxidase inhibitor), catalase (H 2 O 2 scavenger), or methionine (HOCl scavenger), demonstrating the contribution of NADPH oxidase-H 2 O 2 -MPO-HOCl pathway in the MPO/high glucose-induced vascular injury. In high glucose-incubated rat aortas, MPO also exacerbated the NADPH oxidase-induced impairment of endothelium-dependent relaxation. Consistent with these in vitro data, in diabetic rat aortas, both MPO expresion and NADPH oxidase activity were increased while the endothelial function was simultaneously impaired. The results suggested that vascular-bound MPO could amplify high glucose-induced vascular injury in diabetes. MPO-NADPH oxidase-HOCl may represent an important pathogenic pathway in diabetic vascular diseases. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. In vitro antioxidant, lipoxygenase and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities of fractions from Cienfuegosia digitata Cav., Sida alba L. and Sida acuta Burn f. (Malvaceae).

    PubMed

    Konaté, K; Souza, A; Coulibaly, A Y; Meda, N T R; Kiendrebeogo, M; Lamien-Meda, A; Millogo-Rasolodimby, J; Lamidi, M; Nacoulma, O G

    2010-11-15

    In this study polyphenol content, antioxidant activity, lipoxygenase (LOX) and Xanthine Oxidase (XO) inhibitory effects of n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions of aqueous acetone extracts from S. alba L., S. acuta Burn f and Cienfuegosia digitata Cav. were investigated. The total phenolics, flavonoids, flavonols and total tannins were determined by spectrophotometric methods using Folin-ciocalteu, AlCl3 reagents and tannic acid, respectively. The antioxidant potential was evaluated using three methods: inhibition of free radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydramzyl (DPPH), ABTS radical cation decolorization assay and Iron (III) to iron (II) reduction activity (FRAP). For enzymatic activity, lipoxygenase and xanthine oxidase inhibitory activities were used. This study shows a relationship between polyphenol contents, antioxidant and enzymatic activities. Present results showed that ethyl acetate and dichloromethane fractions elicit the highest polyphenol content, antioxidant and enzymatic activities.

  9. Host Factors Contributing to Disability Following Sulfur Mustard Exposure

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1992-03-30

    800 bp EGF fragment inserted (now called pGEGF), (c) pGEMEX with the larger pmEGF-26F12 4000 bp fragment, ( d ) pGEMEX with 8 DAMD17-90-C-0037 - March...xanthine oxidase, 21 DAMD17-90-C-0037 -- March 1992 - Midterm Report -- Arthur M. Dannenberg, Jr., M.D. D -amino acid oxidase, monoamine oxidase and alpha...mouse. J. Immunol. 141: 3081-3095, 1988. 4. Cooper, C.L., Mueller, C., Sinchaisri, T-A., Pirmez, D ., Chan, J., Kaplan, G., Young, S.M.M., Weissman, I.L

  10. New Complexity-Building Reactions of Alpha-Keto Esters

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Bartlett, Samuel L.

    I. Introduction: Importance of Asymmetric Catalysis and the Reactivity Patterns of alpha-Keto Esters. II. Synthesis of Complex Tertiary Glycolates by Enantioconvergent Arylation of Stereochemically Labile alpha-Keto Esters. Enantioconvergent arylation reactions of boronic acids and racemic ?-stereogenic alpha-keto esters have been developed. The reactions are catalyzed by a chiral (diene)Rh(I) complex and provide a wide array of beta-stereogenic tertiary aryl glycolate derivatives with high levels of diastereo- and enantioselectivity. Racemization studies employing a series of sterically differentiated tertiary amines suggest that the steric nature of the amine base additive exerts a significant influence on the rate of substrate racemization. III. Palladium-Catalyzed beta-Arylation of alpha-Keto Esters . A catalyst system derived from commercially available Pd2(dba) 3 and PtBu3 has been applied to the coupling of alpha-keto ester enolates and aryl bromides. The reaction provides access to an array of beta-stereogenic alpha-keto ester derivatives. When the air stable ligand precursor PtBu 3˙HBF4 is employed, the reaction can be carried out without use of a glovebox. The derived products are of broad interest given the prevalence of the alpha-keto acid substructure in biologically important molecules. IV. Catalytic Enantioselective [3+2] Cycloaddition of alpha-Keto Ester Enolates and Nitrile Oxides. An enantioselective [3+2] cycloaddition reaction between nitrile oxides and transiently generated enolates of alpha-keto esters has been developed. The catalyst system was found to be compatible with in situ nitrile oxide generation conditions. A versatile array of nitrile oxides and alpha-keto esters could participate in the cycloaddition, providing novel 5-hydroxy-2-isoxazolines in high chemical yield with high levels of diastereo- and enantioselectivity. Notably, the optimal reaction conditions circumvented concurrent reaction via O-imidoylation and hetero-[3

  11. Substrate promiscuity of a rosmarinic acid synthase from lavender (Lavandula angustifolia L.).

    PubMed

    Landmann, Christian; Hücherig, Stefanie; Fink, Barbara; Hoffmann, Thomas; Dittlein, Daniela; Coiner, Heather A; Schwab, Wilfried

    2011-08-01

    One of the most common types of modification of secondary metabolites is the acylation of oxygen- and nitrogen-containing substrates to produce esters and amides, respectively. Among the known acyltransferases, the members of the plant BAHD family are capable of acylating a wide variety of substrates. Two full-length acyltransferase cDNAs (LaAT1 and 2) were isolated from lavender flowers (Lavandula angustifolia L.) by reverse transcriptase-PCR using degenerate primers based on BAHD sequences. Recombinant LaAT1 exhibited a broad substrate tolerance accepting (hydroxy)cinnamoyl-CoAs as acyl donors and not only tyramine, tryptamine, phenylethylamine and anthranilic acid but also shikimic acid and 4-hydroxyphenyllactic acid as acceptors. Thus, LaLT1 forms esters and amides like its phylogenetic neighbors. In planta LaAT1 might be involved in the biosynthesis of rosmarinic acid, the ester of caffeic acid and 3,4-dihydroxyphenyllactic acid, a major constituent of lavender flowers. LaAT2 is one of three members of clade VI with unknown function.

  12. Xanthine oxidase and uric acid as independent predictors of albuminuria in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2.

    PubMed

    Klisic, Aleksandra; Kocic, Gordana; Kavaric, Nebojsa; Jovanovic, Milovan; Stanisic, Verica; Ninic, Ana

    2018-05-01

    Xanthine oxidase (XO) is an important enzyme responsible for conversion of purine bases to uric acid and represents the major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in circulation. Since pathophysiological mechanism of the relationship between XO activity and urinary albumin excretion (UAE) rate is not well elucidated, we aimed to investigate this association in patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2). In addition, we wanted to examine whether uric acid itself plays an independent role in albuminuria onset and progression, or it is only mediated through XO activity. A total of 83 patients with DM2 (of them 56.6% females) were included in this cross-sectional study. Anthropometric, biochemical parameters and blood pressure were obtained. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that uric acid and XO were the independent predictors for albuminuria onset in patients with DM2 [odds ratio (OR) 1.015, 95% CI (1.008-1.028), p = 0.026 and OR 1.015, 95% CI (1.006-1.026), p = 0.040, respectively]. Rise in uric acid for 1 µmol/L enhanced the probability for albuminuria by 1.5%. Also, elevation in XO activity for 1 U/L increased the probability for albuminuria for 1.5%. A total of 66.7% of variation in UAE could be explained with this Model. Both XO and uric acid are independently associated with albuminuria in diabetes. Better understanding of pathophysiological relationship between oxidative stress and albuminuria could lead to discoveries of best pharmacological treatment of XO- and/or uric acid-induced ROS, in order to prevent albuminuria onset and progression.

  13. Purification and characterization of monoclonal antibodies to alpha-linolenic acid.

    PubMed

    Buffière, F; Cook-Moreau, J; Gualde, N; Rigaud, M

    1989-01-01

    The covalently linked antigenic complex, bovine serum albumin-alpha-linolenic acid, was used to immunize Balb/c mice against the hapten. Hybridization between splenocytes and the myeloma cell line, P 3 X63 Ag 8,651, resulted in stable clones synthesizing monoclonal antibodies (Mab) that were subsequently purified and characterized. Four Mab (A, B, C, D) were retained and their specificities studied by ELISA. Antibody D only recognized 18-carbon fatty acids having a cis,cis,-cis-1,4,7 unsaturated system in the omega-3 position: it was specific for alpha-linolenic acid. B recognized all fatty acids containing the structure cis,cis,cis-1,4,7-octatriene. A and C recognized polyunsaturated fatty acids with a degree of unsaturation superior to two double bonds.

  14. Hydroxy decenoic acid down regulates gtfB and gtfC expression and prevents Streptococcus mutans adherence to the cell surfaces

    PubMed Central

    2012-01-01

    Background 10-Hydroxy-2-decenoic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid is the most active and unique component to the royal jelly that has antimicrobial properties. Streptococcus mutans is associated with pathogenesis of oral cavity, gingivoperiodontal diseases and bacteremia following dental manipulations. In the oral cavity, S. mutans colonize the soft tissues including tongue, palate, and buccal mucosa. When considering the role of supragingival dental plaque in caries, the proportion of acid producing bacteria (particularly S. mutans), has direct relevance to the pathogenicity of the plaque. The genes that encode glucosyltransferases (gtfs) especially gtfB and gtfC are important in S. mutans colonization and pathogenesis. This study investigated the hydroxy-decenoic acid (HDA) effects on gtfB and gtfC expression and S. mutans adherence to cells surfaces. Methods Streptococcus mutans was treated by different concentrations of HPLC purified HDA supplied by Iran Beekeeping and Veterinary Association. Real time RT-PCR and western blot assays were conducted to evaluate gtfB and gtfC genes transcription and translation before and after HDA treatment. The bacterial attachment to the cell surfaces was evaluated microscopically. Results 500 μg ml-1 of HDA inhibited gtfB and gtfC mRNA transcription and its expression. The same concentration of HDA decreased 60% the adherence of S. mutans to the surface of P19 cells. Conclusion Hydroxy-decenoic acid prevents gtfB and gtfC expression efficiently in the bactericide sub-concentrations and it could effectively reduce S. mutans adherence to the cell surfaces. In the future, therapeutic approaches to affecting S. mutans could be selective and it’s not necessary to put down the oral flora completely. PMID:22839724

  15. Hydroxy decenoic acid down regulates gtfB and gtfC expression and prevents Streptococcus mutans adherence to the cell surfaces.

    PubMed

    Yousefi, Behnam; Ghaderi, Shahrooz; Rezapoor-Lactooyi, Alireza; Amiri, Niusha; Verdi, Javad; Shoae-Hassani, Alireza

    2012-07-28

    10-Hydroxy-2-decenoic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid is the most active and unique component to the royal jelly that has antimicrobial properties. Streptococcus mutans is associated with pathogenesis of oral cavity, gingivoperiodontal diseases and bacteremia following dental manipulations. In the oral cavity, S. mutans colonize the soft tissues including tongue, palate, and buccal mucosa. When considering the role of supragingival dental plaque in caries, the proportion of acid producing bacteria (particularly S. mutans), has direct relevance to the pathogenicity of the plaque. The genes that encode glucosyltransferases (gtfs) especially gtfB and gtfC are important in S. mutans colonization and pathogenesis. This study investigated the hydroxy-decenoic acid (HDA) effects on gtfB and gtfC expression and S. mutans adherence to cells surfaces. Streptococcus mutans was treated by different concentrations of HPLC purified HDA supplied by Iran Beekeeping and Veterinary Association. Real time RT-PCR and western blot assays were conducted to evaluate gtfB and gtfC genes transcription and translation before and after HDA treatment. The bacterial attachment to the cell surfaces was evaluated microscopically. 500 μg ml-1 of HDA inhibited gtfB and gtfC mRNA transcription and its expression. The same concentration of HDA decreased 60% the adherence of S. mutans to the surface of P19 cells. Hydroxy-decenoic acid prevents gtfB and gtfC expression efficiently in the bactericide sub-concentrations and it could effectively reduce S. mutans adherence to the cell surfaces. In the future, therapeutic approaches to affecting S. mutans could be selective and it's not necessary to put down the oral flora completely.

  16. Lipase catalyzed methanolysis of tri-(12-hydroxy stearoyl)-glycerol in organic solvents

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Castor oil is the source of numerous products and is the only commercial source of the fatty acid ricinoleate, 12-hydroxy-oleate. Hydrogenated castor oil is similarly useful as the source of 12-hydroxy-stearic acid, best known as a component of lithium grease. Mono- and diacylglycerols derived from ...

  17. Identification in Marinomonas mediterranea of a novel quinoprotein with glycine oxidase activity.

    PubMed

    Campillo-Brocal, Jonatan Cristian; Lucas-Elio, Patricia; Sanchez-Amat, Antonio

    2013-08-01

    A novel enzyme with lysine-epsilon oxidase activity was previously described in the marine bacterium Marinomonas mediterranea. This enzyme differs from other l-amino acid oxidases in not being a flavoprotein but containing a quinone cofactor. It is encoded by an operon with two genes lodA and lodB. The first one codes for the oxidase, while the second one encodes a protein required for the expression of the former. Genome sequencing of M. mediterranea has revealed that it contains two additional operons encoding proteins with sequence similarity to LodA. In this study, it is shown that the product of one of such genes, Marme_1655, encodes a protein with glycine oxidase activity. This activity shows important differences in terms of substrate range and sensitivity to inhibitors to other glycine oxidases previously described which are flavoproteins synthesized by Bacillus. The results presented in this study indicate that the products of the genes with different degrees of similarity to lodA detected in bacterial genomes could constitute a reservoir of different oxidases. © 2013 The Authors. Microbiology Open published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

  18. Synthesis of lesquerella a-hydroxy phosphonates

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Hydroxy fatty acids (HFAs) have found a number of uses in today’s market, with uses ranging from industrial materials to pharmaceuticals. Castor oil, which is obtained from castor seeds, has served as a source of a versatile HFA; its principle component, ricinoleic acid, can be isolated from castor ...

  19. Oxidation of phenolic acid derivatives by soil and its relevance to allelopathic activity.

    PubMed

    Ohno, T

    2001-01-01

    Previous studies have suggested that phenolic acids from legume green manures may contribute to weed control through allelopathy. The objectives of this study were to investigate the oxidation reactions of phenolic acids in soil and to determine the subsequent effects of oxidation upon phytotoxicity. Soils were reacted for 18 h with 0.25 mmol L(-1) benzoic and cinnamic acid derivative solutions and Mn release from the suspension was used as a marker for phenolic acid oxidation. The extent of oxidation in soil suspensions was in the order of 3,4dihydroxy- > 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy- > 4-hydroxy-approximately 2-hydroxy-substituted benzoic and cinnamic acids. The same ranking was observed for cyclic voltammetry peak currents of the cinnamic acid derivatives. This suggests that the oxidation of phenolic acids is controlled by the electron transfer step from the sorbed phenolic acid to the metal oxide. A bioassay experiment showed that the 4-hydroxy-, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-, and 3,4-dihydroxy-substituted cinnamic acids were bioactive at 0.25 mmol L(-1) concentration. Reaction with soil for 18 h resulted in the elimination of bioactivity of these three cinnamic acids at the 5% significance level. The oxidative reactivity of phenolic acids may limit the potential of allelopathy as a component of an integrated weed management system. However, the initial phytotoxicity after soil incorporation may coincide with the early, critical stage of weed emergence and establishment, so that allelopathic phenolic acids may still play a role in weed management despite their reactivity in soil systems.

  20. Immunostimulatory effects of natural human interferon-alpha (huIFN-alpha) on carps Cyprinus carpio L.

    PubMed

    Watanuki, Hironobu; Chakraborty, Gunimala; Korenaga, Hiroki; Kono, Tomoya; Shivappa, R B; Sakai, Masahiro

    2009-10-15

    Human interferon-alpha (huIFN-alpha) is an important immunomodulatory substance used in the treatment and prevention of numerous infectious and immune-related diseases in animals. However, the immunostimulatory effects of huIFN-alpha in fish remain to be investigated. In the current study, the immune responses of the carp species Cyprinus carpio L. to treatment with huIFN-alpha were analyzed via measurement of superoxide anion production, phagocytic activity and the expression of cytokine genes including interleukin-1beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin 10. Low doses of huIFN-alpha were administered orally once a day for 3 days, and sampling was carried out at 1, 3 and 5 days post-treatment. Our results indicate that a low dose of huIFN-alpha significantly increased phagocytic activity and superoxide anion production in the carp kidney. The huIFN-alpha-treated fish also displayed a significant upregulation in cytokine gene expression. The current study demonstrates the stimulatory effects of huIFN-alpha on the carp immune system and highlights the immunomodulatory role of huIFN-alpha in fish.

  1. Influence of (9Z)-12-hydroxy-9-dodecenoic acid and methyl jasmonate on plant protein phosphorylation.

    PubMed

    Tarchevsky, I A; Karimova, F G; Grechkin, A N; Moukhametchina, N U

    2000-12-01

    The products of the lipoxygenase pathway, methyl jasmonic acid (MeJA) and (9Z)-12-hydroxy-9-dodecenoic acid (HDA), hardly changed the relative level of phosphorylated polypeptides (RLPPs) during 2 h of incubation: 15 and 17 kDa RLPPs were enhanced by HDA, but decreased by MeJA. RLPPs of 73 and 82 kDa were increased by both compounds. MeJA and HDA treatment induced specific and unspecific effects in some RLPPs. It was shown that HDA and MeJA increased protein kinase activity in the presence of 1 microM cAMP.

  2. Arabidopsis Deficient in Cutin Ferulate Encodes a Transferase Required for Feruloylation of ω-Hydroxy Fatty Acids in Cutin Polyester1[W][OA

    PubMed Central

    Rautengarten, Carsten; Ebert, Berit; Ouellet, Mario; Nafisi, Majse; Baidoo, Edward E.K.; Benke, Peter; Stranne, Maria; Mukhopadhyay, Aindrila; Keasling, Jay D.; Sakuragi, Yumiko; Scheller, Henrik Vibe

    2012-01-01

    The cuticle is a complex aliphatic polymeric layer connected to the cell wall and covers surfaces of all aerial plant organs. The cuticle prevents nonstomatal water loss, regulates gas exchange, and acts as a barrier against pathogen infection. The cuticle is synthesized by epidermal cells and predominantly consists of an aliphatic polymer matrix (cutin) and intracuticular and epicuticular waxes. Cutin monomers are primarily C16 and C18 unsubstituted, ω-hydroxy, and α,ω-dicarboxylic fatty acids. Phenolics such as ferulate and p-coumarate esters also contribute to a minor extent to the cutin polymer. Here, we present the characterization of a novel acyl-coenzyme A (CoA)-dependent acyl-transferase that is encoded by a gene designated Deficient in Cutin Ferulate (DCF). The DCF protein is responsible for the feruloylation of ω-hydroxy fatty acids incorporated into the cutin polymer of aerial Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) organs. The enzyme specifically transfers hydroxycinnamic acids using ω-hydroxy fatty acids as acyl acceptors and hydroxycinnamoyl-CoAs, preferentially feruloyl-CoA and sinapoyl-CoA, as acyl donors in vitro. Arabidopsis mutant lines carrying DCF loss-of-function alleles are devoid of rosette leaf cutin ferulate and exhibit a 50% reduction in ferulic acid content in stem insoluble residues. DCF is specifically expressed in the epidermis throughout all green Arabidopsis organs. The DCF protein localizes to the cytosol, suggesting that the feruloylation of cutin monomers takes place in the cytoplasm. PMID:22158675

  3. The effect of dietary trans alpha-linolenic acid on plasma lipids and platelet fatty acid composition: the TransLinE study.

    PubMed

    Sébédio, J L; Vermunt, S H; Chardigny, J M; Beaufrère, B; Mensink, R P; Armstrong, R A; Christie, W W; Niemelä, J; Hénon, G; Riemersma, R A

    2000-02-01

    To collect (i) baseline data and (ii) execute a large multicentre study examining the effect of trans alpha-linolenic acid on its incorporation into plasma lipids and on risk factors for coronary heart disease. Male volunteers were recruited and the habitual diet assessed by a 4-d weighed record. Fatty acid composition of plasma and platelet lipids were determined by gas chromatography at baseline. After a 6 week run-in period on a trans 'free' diet, male volunteers were randomised to consume 0.6 % of energy trans alpha-linolenic acid or to continue with a diet 'low' in trans alpha-linolenic acid for 6 weeks. Three European university research departments supported by the research and development departments of the food industry. Male volunteers (88) recruited by local advertisement. Replacement of 30 % of the fat of the habitual diet by margarine, oil and foods. Rapeseed oil was deodorised especially to produce the trans 'free' and 'high' trans foods for this study. The incorporation and conversion of trans alpha-linolenic acid into plasma lipids and platelets was assessed by gas chromatography and dietary compliance was verified by 4-d weighed record. Less trans alpha-linolenic acid isomers are incorporated into human plasma lipids in French volunteers than in Dutch or Scottish volunteers consuming their habitual diets. Trans 'free' alpha-linolenic acid-rich oil can be produced by careful deodorization during refining. The 'high' trans diet provided 1410+/-42 mg/d trans isomers of alpha-linolenic acid, whilst the 'low' trans group consumed 60+/-75 mg/d. The change in plasma lipid and platelet fatty acid composition documented that trans linolenic isomers are incorporated and converted to a trans isomer of eicosapentaenoic acid. Only the 15-trans alpha-linolenic acid is incorporated into plasma cholesteryl esters. The group consuming low trans diet had a slightly higher intake of fat, especially saturated and monounsaturated fat. Trans 'free' rapeseed oil, rich in

  4. Simultaneous determination and pharmacokinetics of danshensu, protocatechuic aldehyde, 4-hydroxy-3-methyloxyphenyl lactic acid and protocatechuic acid in human plasma by LC-MS/MS after oral administration of Compound Danshen Dripping Pills.

    PubMed

    Li, Wei; Zhou, Hongjie; Chu, Yang; Wang, Xiangyang; Luo, Ruizhi; Yang, Liu; Polachi, Navaneethakrishnan; Li, Xiao; Chen, Min; Huang, Luqi; Yan, Xueying; Guo, Zhixin; Sun, He

    2017-10-25

    Compound Danshen Dripping Pills (CDDP), a herbal patent medicine, is widely used in China for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. A simple, sensitive and reliable method for simultaneous determination of danshensu (DSS), protocatechuic aldehyde (PCA), and their related metabolites, 4-hydroxy-3-methyloxyphenyl lactic acid (HMLA) and protocatechuic acid (PAA) in human plasma was developed and validated based on liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The analytes and internal standard (IS), vanillic acid (VAA), were extracted from plasma with ethyl acetate and separated on a C 18 column by using the mobile phase consisted of methanol-0.1% formic acid via gradient elution. The electrospray ionization (ESI) source was applied and operated under the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The linear calibration curves were obtained at the concentration ranges of 0.46-1000ng/mL for DSS and PAA, and 1.38-1000ng/mL for PCA and HMLA, respectively. The inter- and intra-day precisions (RSD%) were less than 13.5%, and the accuracy (±RE%) was within 13.4%. The described method was successfully applied for the clinical pharmacokinetics of CDDP in Chinese healthy volunteers. Copyright © 2017. Published by Elsevier B.V.

  5. Determination of (alpha)-dialkylamino acids and their Enantiomers in Geological Samples by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography after Dervatization with a Chiral Adduct of (omicron)-Phthaldialdehyde

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Zhoa, Meixun; Bada, Jeffrey L.

    1995-01-01

    Derivatization with (omicron)-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) and the chiral thiol N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) is a convenient and sensitive technique for the HPLC detection and resolution of protein amino acid enantiomers. The kinetics of the reaction of OPA-NAC with (alpha)-dialkylamino acids was investigated. The fluorescence yield of (alpha)-dialkylamino acids was only about 10% of that of protein amino acids when the derivatization was carried out at room temperature for 1-2 min, which is the procedure generally used for protein amino acid analyses. The fluorescence yield of (alpha)-dialkylamino acids can be enhanced by up to ten-fold when the derivatization reaction time is increased to 15 min at room temperature. The OPA-NAC technique was optimized for the detection and enantiomeric resolution of a-dialkylamino acids in geological samples which contain a large excess of protein amino acids. The estimated detection limit for a-dialkylamino acids is 1-2 pmol, comparable to that for protein amino acids.

  6. A new pyruvate oxidase biosensor based on 3-mercaptopropionic acid/6-aminocaproic acid modified gold electrode.

    PubMed

    Bayram, Ezgi; Akyilmaz, Erol

    2014-12-01

    In the biosensor construction, 3-mercaptopropionic acid (3-MPA) and 6-aminocaproic acid (6-ACA) were used for forming self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on a gold disc electrode and pyruvate oxidase was immobilized on the modified electrode surface by using glutaraldehyde. Biosensor response is linearly related to pyruvate concentration at 2.5-50 μM, detection limit is 1.87 μM and response time of the biosensor is 6 s for differential pulse voltammograms. From the repeatability studies (n = 6) for 30.0 μM pyruvate revealed that the average value ([Formula: see text]), standard deviation (S.D) and coefficient of variation (CV %) were calculated to be 31.02 μM, ± 0.1914 μM and 0.62%, respectively.

  7. Conformational characterization of peptides rich in the cycloaliphatic C alpha,alpha-disubstituted glycine 1-aminocyclononane-1-carboxylic acid.

    PubMed

    Gatos, M; Formaggio, F; Crisma, M; Valle, G; Toniolo, C; Bonora, G M; Saviano, M; Iacovino, R; Menchise, V; Galdiero, S; Pedone, C; Benedetti, E

    1997-01-01

    A series of N- and C-protected, monodispersed homo-oligopeptides (to the pentamer level) from the cycloaliphatic C alpha,alpha-dialkylated glycine 1-aminocyclononane-1-carboxylic acid (Ac9c) and two Ala/Ac9c tripeptides have been synthesized by solution methods and fully characterized. The conformational preferences of all the model peptides were determined in deuterochloroform solution by FT-IR absorption and 1H-NMR. The molecular structures of the amino acid derivatives mCIAc-Ac9c-OH and Z-Ac9c-OtBu, the dipeptide pBrBz-(Ac9c)2-OtBu, the tetrapeptide Z-(Ac9c)4-OtBu, and the pentapeptide Z-(Ac9c)5-OtBu were determined in the crystal state by X-ray diffraction. Based on this information, the average geometry and the preferred conformation for the cyclononyl moiety of the Ac9c residue have been assessed. The backbone conformational data are strongly in favour of the conclusion that the Ac9c residue is a strong beta-turn and helix former. A comparison with the structural propensity of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid, the prototype of C alpha,alpha-dialkylated glycines, and the other extensively investigated members of the family of 1-aminocycloalkane-1-carboxylic acids (Acnc, with n = 3-8) is made and the implications for the use of the Ac9c residue in conformationally constrained analogues of bioactive peptides are briefly examined.

  8. Molecular cloning, expression and purification of L-amino acid oxidase from the Malayan pit viper Calloselasma rhodostoma.

    PubMed

    Kommoju, Phaneeswara Rao; Macheroux, Peter; Ghisla, Sandro

    2007-03-01

    A cDNA encoding LAAO from the Malayan pit viper (Calloselasma rhodostoma) was cloned into an expression vector of the methylotropic yeast Pichia pastoris. The LAAO open reading frame was inserted after the alpha-MF-signal sequence. Upon induction soluble and active LAAO is produced and exported into the culture supernatant at a concentration of up to 0.4 mg/L. Recombinant LAAO was purified from this by ion exchange and molecular sieve chromatography to yield apparently homogeneous protein in quantities of approximately 0.25 mg/L growth medium. Expressed LAAO exhibits the same electrophoretic mobility as native LAAO (62 kDa) and exhibits approximately the same extent of glycosylation as authentic LAAO from snake venom. Catalytic properties and substrate specificity of recombinant LAAO are similar to those of native enzyme.

  9. Safety of oral alpha-lipoic acid treatment in pregnant women: a retrospective observational study.

    PubMed

    Parente, E; Colannino, G; Picconi, O; Monastra, G

    2017-09-01

    Alpha-lipoic acid is a natural molecule, which directly or by means of its reduced form, dihydrolipoic acid, exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activities, very helpful also in preventing miscarriage and preterm delivery. Used as dietary supplement alpha-lipoic acid was demonstrated to be safe for living organisms even when administered at high doses. However, no study was made so far to verify the safety of its continuous administration on a substantial number of pregnant women. The present investigation was performed to answer this issue. An observational retrospective study was carried out analyzing 610 expectant mothers. They had been treated daily by oral route with 600 mg alpha-lipoic acid, for at least 7 weeks during gestation. The primary outcome was to verify alpha-lipoic acid safety in the mother and infant. Maternal safety was assessed by monitoring for adverse reactions, physical and clinical examination, including a morbidity assessment. Laboratory and clinical examinations were performed monthly. Neonatal safety was assessed by the evaluation of birth weight, gestational age, Apgar scores, neonatal death with the related cause of death. Data collected from the Birth Registry of Campania Region were used as control. This study provided a very clear and reassuring picture about the safety of alpha-lipoic acid oral treatment during pregnancy. No adverse effect was noticed in mothers or newborns. The two sets of monitored data, from treated and controls, were completely superimposable or, in some cases, better in alpha-lipoic acid group. Our results open a reassuring scenario regarding the administration of alpha-lipoic acid during pregnancy.

  10. Reactive oxygen species are involved in regulating alpha1-adrenoceptor-activated vascular smooth muscle contraction.

    PubMed

    Tsai, Ming-Ho; Jiang, Meei Jyh

    2010-08-23

    Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were shown to mediate aberrant contractility in hypertension, yet the physiological roles of ROS in vascular smooth muscle contraction have remained elusive. This study aimed to examine whether ROS regulate alpha1-adrenoceptor-activated contraction by altering myosin phosphatase activities. Using endothelium-denuded rat tail artery (RTA) strips, effects of anti-oxidants on isometric force, ROS production, phosphorylation of the 20-kDa myosin light chain (MLC20), and myosin phosphatase stimulated by alpha1-adrenoceptor agonist phenylephrine were examined. An antioxidant, N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), and two NADPH oxidase inhibitors, apocynin and VAS2870, dose-dependently inhibited contraction activated by phenylephrine. Phenylephrine stimulated superoxide anion production that was diminished by the pretreatment of apocynin, VAS2870, superoxide scavenger tiron or mitochondria inhibitor rotenone, but not by xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol or cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin. Concurrently, NADPH oxidase activity in RTA homogenates increased within 1 min upon phenylephrine stimulation, sustained for 10 min, and was abolished by the co-treatment with apocynin, but not allopurinol or rotenone. Phenylephrine-induced MLC20 phosphorylation was dose-dependently decreased by apocynin. Furthermore, apocynin inhibited phenylephrine-stimulated RhoA translocation to plasma membrane and phosphorylation of both myosin phosphatase regulatory subunit MYPT1Thr855 and myosin phosphatase inhibitor CPI-17Thr38. ROS, probably derived from NADPH oxidase and mitochondria, partially regulate alpha1-adrenoceptor-activated smooth muscle contraction by altering myosin phosphatase-mediated MLC20 phosphorylation through both RhoA/Rho kinase- and CPI-17-dependent pathways.

  11. Effects of alpha lipoic acid on acrylamide-induced hepatotoxicity in rats.

    PubMed

    Al-Qahtani, F A; Arafah, M; Sharma, B; Siddiqi, N J

    2017-07-31

    Acrylamide (ACR) is a neurotoxicant, reproductive toxicant, and carcinogen in animal species.  It is used in many industries and has been found to form naturally in foods cooked at high temperatures. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is a naturally occurring antioxidant whose therapeutic effect has been related to its antioxidant activity.  This study was carried out to study the protective effect of alpha lipoic acid on acrylamide induced perturbations in rat liver.  Four groups of rats were studied viz., control rats, acrylamide treated rats, alpha lipoic acid treated rats, and alpha lipoic acid plus acrylamide treated rats. ACR and ALA treatment alone and together caused a signifi-cant increase in hepatic reduced glutathione content while a decrease in hepatic ascorbic content was observed when compared to control group.  ALA pretreatment of acrylamide exposed rats caused no a signifi-cant alteration in superoxide dismutase activity but resulted in a tendency towards restoration of glutathione peroxidase and catalase activity to near normal levels.  Gel electrophoresis showed fragmentation of DNA in the treated groups.  The dose of ALA used in the present study afforded partial restoration of oxidative indices altered by ACR in rat liver.

  12. Preparation of .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acids and esters

    DOEpatents

    Gogate, Makarand Ratnakar; Spivey, James Jerry; Zoeller, Joseph Robert

    1998-01-01

    Disclosed is a process for the preparation of .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acids and esters thereof which comprises contacting formaldehyde or a source of formaldehyde with a carboxylic acid, ester or anhydride in the presence of a catalyst comprising an oxide of niobium.

  13. Preparation of {alpha},{beta}-unsaturated carboxylic acids and esters

    DOEpatents

    Gogate, M.R.; Spivey, J.J.; Zoeller, J.R.

    1998-09-15

    Disclosed is a process for the preparation of {alpha},{beta}-unsaturated carboxylic acids and esters thereof which comprises contacting formaldehyde or a source of formaldehyde with a carboxylic acid, ester or anhydride in the presence of a catalyst comprising an oxide of niobium.

  14. Direct electrochemistry and intramolecular electron transfer of ascorbate oxidase confined on L-cysteine self-assembled gold electrode.

    PubMed

    Patil, Bhushan; Kobayashi, Yoshiki; Fujikawa, Shigenori; Okajima, Takeyoshi; Mao, Lanqun; Ohsaka, Takeo

    2014-02-01

    A direct electrochemistry and intramolecular electron transfer of multicopper oxidases are of a great importance for the fabrication of these enzyme-based bioelectrochemical-devices. Ascorbate oxidase from Acremonium sp. (ASOM) has been successfully immobilized via a chemisorptive interaction on the l-cysteine self-assembled monolayer modified gold electrode (cys-SAM/AuE). Thermodynamics and kinetics of adsorption of ASOM on the cys-SAM/AuE were studied using cyclic voltammetry. A well-defined redox wave centered at 166±3mV (vs. Ag│AgCl│KCl(sat.)) was observed in 5.0mM phosphate buffer solution (pH7.0) at the fabricated ASOM electrode, abbreviated as ASOM/cys-SAM/AuE, confirming a direct electrochemistry, i.e., a direct electron transfer (DET) between ASOM and cys-SAM/AuE. The direct electrochemistry of ASOM was further confirmed by taking into account the chemical oxidation of ascorbic acid (AA) by O2 via an intramolecular electron transfer in the ASOM as well as the electrocatalytic oxidation of AA at the ASOM/cys-SAM/AuE. Thermodynamics and kinetics of the adsorption of ASOM on the cys-SAM/AuE have been elaborated along with its direct electron transfer at the modified electrodes on the basis of its intramolecular electron transfer and electrocatalytic activity towards ascorbic acid oxidation and O2 reduction. ASOM saturated surface area was obtained as 2.41×10(-11)molcm(-2) with the apparent adsorption coefficient of 1.63×10(6)Lmol(-1). The ASOM confined on the cys-SAM/AuE possesses its essential enzymatic function. © 2013.

  15. [Isolation and purification of alpha-glycerophosphate oxidase in a polyethylene glycol/(NH4 )2SO4 aqueous two-phase system].

    PubMed

    Meng, Yao; Jin, Jiagui; Liu, Shuangfeng; Yang, Min; Zhang, Qinglian; Wan, Li; Tang, Kun

    2014-02-01

    Alpha-glycerophosphate oxidase (alpha-GPO) from Enterococcus casseli flavus was successfully isolated and purified by using polyethylene glycol (PEG)/(NH4)2SO4 aqueous two-phase system (ATPS). The results showed that the chosen PEG/(NH4)2SO4 ATPS could be affected by PEG molecular weight, pH, concentration of PEG and (NH4)2SO4, and inorganic salt as well as additional amount of crude enzyme. After evaluating these influencing factors, the final optimum purification strategy was formed by 16.5% (m/m) PEG2000, 13.2% (m/m) (NH4)2SO4, pH 7.5 and 30% (m/m) additive crude enzyme, respectively. The NaCl was a negative influencing factor which would lead to lower purification fold and activity recovery. These conditions eventually resulted in the activity recovery of 89% (m/m), distribution coefficient of 1.2 and purification fold of 7.0.

  16. Role of ascorbic acid in the inhibition of polyphenol oxidase and the prevention of browning in different browning-sensitive Lactuca sativa var. capitata (L.) and Eruca sativa (Mill.) stored as fresh-cut produce.

    PubMed

    Landi, Marco; Degl'Innocenti, Elena; Guglielminetti, Lorenzo; Guidi, Lucia

    2013-06-01

    Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and, to a minor extent, peroxidase (POD) represent the key enzymes involved in enzymatic browning, a negative process induced by cutting fresh-cut produce such as lettuce (Lactuca sativa) and rocket salad (Eruca sativa). Although ascorbic acid is frequently utilised as an anti-browning agent, its mechanism in the prevention of the browning phenomenon is not clearly understood. The activity of PPO and POD and their isoforms in lettuce (a high-browning and low-ascorbic acid species) and rocket salad (a low-browning and high-ascorbic species) was characterised. The kinetic parameters of PPO and in vitro ascorbic acid-PPO inhibition were also investigated. In rocket salad, PPO activity was much lower than that in lettuce and cutting induced an increase in PPO activity only in lettuce. Exogenous ascorbic acid (5 mmol L(-1)) reduced PPO activity by about 90% in lettuce. POD did not appear to be closely related to browning in lettuce. PPO is the main enzyme involved in the browning phenomenon; POD appears to play a minor role. The concentration of endogenous ascorbic acid in rocket salad was related to its low-browning sensitivity after cutting. In lettuce, the addition of ascorbic acid directly inhibited PPO activity. The results suggest that the high ascorbic acid content found in rocket salad plays an effective role in reducing PPO activity. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry.

  17. STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL INTERACTION OF FATTY ACIDS WITH HUMAN LIVER FATTY ACID BINDING PROTEIN (L-FABP) T94A VARIANT

    PubMed Central

    Huang, Huan; McIntosh, Avery L.; Martin, Gregory G.; Landrock, Kerstin K.; Landrock, Danilo; Gupta, Shipra; Atshaves, Barbara P.; Kier, Ann B.; Schroeder, Friedhelm

    2014-01-01

    The human liver fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) T94A variant, the most common in the FABP family, has been associated with elevated liver triglyceride (TG) levels. How this amino acid substitution elicits these effects is not known. This issue was addressed with human recombinant wild-type (WT, T94T) and T94A variant L-FABP proteins as well as cultured primary human hepatocytes expressing the respective proteins (genotyped as TT, TC, and CC). T94A substitution did not or only slightly alter L-FABP binding affinities for saturated, monounsaturated, or polyunsaturated long chain fatty acids (LCFA), nor did it change the affinity for intermediates in TG synthesis. Nevertheless, T94A substitution markedly altered the secondary structural response of L-FABP induced by binding LCFA or intermediates of TG synthesis. Finally, T94A substitution markedly diminished polyunsaturated fatty acid, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), induction of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) - regulated proteins such as L-FABP, fatty acid transport protein 5 (FATP5), and PPARα itself in cultured primary human hepatocytes. Thus, while T94A substitution did not alter the affinity of human L-FABP for LCFAs, it significantly altered human L-FABP structure and stability as well as conformational and functional response to these ligands. PMID:24628888

  18. Lower growth temperature increases alternative pathway capacity and alternative oxidase protein in tobacco.

    PubMed

    Vanlerberghe, G C; McIntosh, L

    1992-09-01

    Suspension cells of NT1 tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv bright yellow) have been used to study the effect of growth temperature on the CN-resistant, salicylhydroxamic acid-sensitive alternative pathway of respiration. Mitochondria isolated from cells maintained at 30 degrees C had a low capacity to oxidize succinate via the alternative pathway, whereas mitochondria isolated from cells 24 h after transfer to 18 degrees C displayed, on average, a 5-fold increase in this capacity (from 7 to 32 nanoatoms oxygen per milligram protein per minute). This represented an increase in alternative pathway capacity from 18 to 45% of the total capacity of electron transport. This increased capacity was lost upon transfer of cells back to 30 degrees C. A monoclonal antibody to the terminal oxidase of the alternative pathway (the alternative oxidase) from Sauromatum guttatum (T.E. Elthon, R.L. Nickels, L. McIntosh [1989] Plant Physiology 89: 1311-1317) recognized a 35-kilodalton mitochondrial protein in tobacco. There was an excellent correlation between the capacity of the alternative path in isolated tobacco mitochondria and the levels of this 35-kilodalton alternative oxidase protein. Cycloheximide could inhibit both the increased level of the 35-kilodalton alternative oxidase protein and the increased alternative pathway capacity normally seen upon transfer to 18 degrees C. We conclude that transfer of tobacco cells to the lower temperature increases the capacity of the alternative pathway due, at least in part, to de novo synthesis of the 35-kilodalton alternative oxidase protein.

  19. Histochemical Demonstration of Protein-Bound Alpha-Acylamido Carboxyl Groups

    PubMed Central

    Barrnett, Russell J.; Seligman, Arnold M.

    1958-01-01

    A method has been developed to demonstrate the alpha-acylamido carboxyl groups of protein, taking advantage of the fact that acylamido carboxyl groups are converted to ketonic carbonyls by the action of acetic anhydride and absolute pyridine. The method utilizes deparaffinized sections of tissues fixed in a variety of fixatives. Following the conversion of carboxyls to the methyl ketones, the latter are stained with 2-hydroxy-3-naphthoic acid hydrazide. Control experiments have indicated that methylation of carboxyls prevented staining, as did carbonyl reagents after the carboxyls were transformed to methyl ketones. Leucofuchsin did not stain the ketonic carbonyls, and only elastic tissue stained with 2-hydroxy-3-naphthoic acid hydrazide without the previous use of the catalyzed reaction with anhydride. A brief survey of the reaction on various tissues of the albino rat was made, and the effects of various fixatives were assayed. Of particular interest were certain sites, such as acidophiles of the anterior pituitary gland, where an intense reaction occurred. The possibility exists that certain specific proteins rich in terminal acylamido carboxyl groups, by virtue of their protein side chains or low molecular weight, may be demonstrated by this method. PMID:13525430

  20. A new mechanism for bile acid diarrhea: defective feedback inhibition of bile acid biosynthesis.

    PubMed

    Walters, Julian R F; Tasleem, Ali M; Omer, Omer S; Brydon, W Gordon; Dew, Tracy; le Roux, Carel W

    2009-11-01

    Primary (idiopathic) bile acid malabsorption (BAM) is a common, yet underrecognized, chronic diarrheal syndrome. Diagnosis is difficult without selenium homocholic acid taurine (SeHCAT) testing. The diarrhea results from excess colonic bile acids, but the pathogenesis is unclear. Fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19), produced in the ileum in response to bile acid absorption, regulates hepatic bile acid synthesis. We proposed that FGF19 is involved in bile acid diarrhea and measured its levels in patients with BAM. Blood was collected from fasting patients with chronic diarrhea; BAM was diagnosed by SeHCAT. Serum FGF19 was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Serum 7alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one (C4) was determined using high-performance liquid chromatography, to quantify bile acid synthesis. Data were compared between patients and subjects without diarrhea (controls). Samples were taken repeatedly after meals from several subjects. The median C4 level was significantly higher in patients with primary BAM than in controls (51 vs 18 ng/mL; P < .0001). The median FGF19 level was significantly lower in patients with BAM (120 vs 231 pg/mL; P < .0005). There was a significant inverse relationship between FGF19 and C4 levels (P < .0004). Low levels of FGF19 were also found in patients with postcholecystectomy and secondary bile acid diarrhea. Abnormal patterns of FGF19 levels were observed throughout the day in some patients with primary BAM. Patients with BAM have reduced serum FGF19 which may be useful in diagnosis. We propose a mechanism whereby impaired FGF19 feedback inhibition causes excessive bile acid synthesis that exceeds the normal capacity for ileal reabsorption, producing bile acid diarrhea.

  1. Supplementation with beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) and alpha-ketoisocaproic acid (KIC) reduces signs and symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage in man.

    PubMed

    van Someren, Ken A; Edwards, Adam J; Howatson, Glyn

    2005-08-01

    This study examined the effects of beta-hydroxyl-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) and alpha-ketoisocaproic acid (KIC) supplementation on signs and symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage following a single bout of eccentrically biased resistance exercise. Six non-resistance trained male subjects performed an exercise protocol designed to induce muscle damage on two separate occasions, performed on the dominant or non-dominant arm in a counter-balanced crossover design. Subjects were assigned to an HMB/KIC (3 g HMB and 0.3 g alpha-ketoisocaproic acid, daily) or placebo treatment for 14 d prior to exercise in the counter-balanced crossover design. One repetition maximum (1RM), plasma creatine kinase activity (CK), delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS), limb girth, and range of motion (ROM) were determined pre-exercise, at 1h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h post-exercise. DOMS and the percentage changes in 1RM, limb girth, and ROM all changed over the 72 h period (P < 0.05). HMB//IC supplementation attenuated the CK response, the percentage decrement in 1RM, and the percentage increase in limb girth (P < 0.05). In addition, DOMS was reduced at 24 h post-exercise (P < 0.05) in the HMB/KIC treatment. In conclusion, 14 d of HMB and KIC supplementation reduced signs and symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage in non-resistance trained males following a single bout of eccentrically biased resistance exercise.

  2. Structural and functional comparison of two human liver dihydrodiol dehydrogenases associated with 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity.

    PubMed Central

    Deyashiki, Y; Taniguchi, H; Amano, T; Nakayama, T; Hara, A; Sawada, H

    1992-01-01

    Two monomeric dihydrodiol dehydrogenases with pI values of 5.4 and 7.6 were co-purified with androsterone dehydrogenase activity to homogeneity from human liver. The two enzymes differed from each other on peptide mapping and in their heat-stabilities; with respect to the latter the dihydrodiol dehydrogenase and 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities of the respective enzymes were similarly inactivated. The pI 5.4 enzyme was equally active towards trans- and cis-benzene dihydrodiols, and towards (S)- and (R)-forms of indan-1-ol and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphth-1-ol and oxidized the 3 alpha-hydroxy group of C19-, C21- and C24-steroids, whereas the pI 7.6 enzyme showed high specificity for trans-benzene dihydrodiol, (S)-forms of the alicyclic alcohols and C19- and C21-steroids. Although the two enzymes reduced various xenobiotic carbonyl compounds and the 3-oxo group of C19- and C21-steroids, and were A-specific in the hydrogen transfer from NADPH, only the pI 5.4 enzyme showed reductase activity towards 7 alpha-hydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-3-one and dehydrolithocholic acid. The affinity of the two enzymes for the steroidal substrates was higher than that for the xenobiotic substrates. The two enzymes also showed different susceptibilities to the inhibition by anti-inflammatory drugs and bile acids. Whereas the pI-5.4 enzyme was highly sensitive to anti-inflammatory steroids, showing mixed-type inhibitions with respect to indan-1-ol and androsterone, the pI 7.6 enzyme was inhibited more potently by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and bile acids than by the steroidal drugs, and the inhibitions were all competitive. These structural and functional differences suggest that the two enzymes are 3 alpha-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isoenzymes. Images Fig. 2. PMID:1554355

  3. Salicylic acid inhibits enzymatic browning of fresh-cut Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima) by competitively inhibiting polyphenol oxidase.

    PubMed

    Zhou, Dan; Li, Lin; Wu, Yanwen; Fan, Junfeng; Ouyang, Jie

    2015-03-15

    The inhibitory effect and associated mechanisms of salicylic acid (SA) on the browning of fresh-cut Chinese chestnut were investigated. Shelled and sliced chestnuts were immersed in different concentrations of an SA solution, and the browning of the chestnut surface and interior were inhibited. The activities of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) extracted from chestnuts were measured in the presence and absence of SA. SA at concentrations higher than 0.3g/L delayed chestnut browning by significantly inhibiting the PPO activity (P<0.01), and the POD activity was not significantly affected (P>0.05). The binding and inhibition modes of SA with PPO and POD, determined by AUTODOCK 4.2 and Lineweaver-Burk plots, respectively, established SA as a competitive inhibitor of PPO. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  4. Bile acid synthesis is increased in Chilean Hispanics with gallstones and in gallstone high-risk Mapuche Indians.

    PubMed

    Gälman, Cecilia; Miquel, Juan Francisco; Pérez, Rosa Maria; Einarsson, Curt; Ståhle, Lars; Marshall, Guillermo; Nervi, Flavio; Rudling, Mats

    2004-03-01

    Gallstone disease is an important, costly health-care problem in Western societies. It is still unclear whether hepatic lipid regulatory enzymes play primary or secondary roles in gallstone formation. In this study, the aim was to investigate whether the synthesis of bile acids and cholesterol is increased in gallstone disease and to test whether such a metabolic change, if present, might occur before gallstone formation. A total of 125 Chilean Hispanic women (80 without gallstones and 45 with gallstones) matched for age and body mass index were investigated, along with 40 Chilean Mapuche Indian women (20 without gallstones and 20 with gallstones), a population group in which the prevalence for gallstone disease is very high. Fasting blood plasma samples were assayed for 7 alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one and lathosterol, 2 strong indicators for hepatic bile acid and body cholesterol synthesis, respectively. Plasma 7 alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one levels, corrected for plasma cholesterol, were significantly increased by 50% in Hispanic women with gallstones as compared with gallstone-free Hispanics (P < 0.006). As compared with Hispanic women without gallstones, plasma 7 alpha-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one levels were increased by > or =100% (P < 0.002) in Mapuche Indian women, independently of whether gallstones were present. Plasma lathosterol, corrected for plasma cholesterol, was significantly increased by 22% in Hispanic women with gallstones and in Mapuche Indian women compared with Hispanic women. The results indicate that the synthesis of bile acids and cholesterol is induced in gallstone disease and precedes gallstone development. These inductions presumably occur as a response to an increased intestinal loss of bile acids.

  5. Catalase deficiency may complicate urate oxidase (rasburicase) therapy.

    PubMed

    Góth, László; Bigler, N William

    2007-09-01

    Patients with low (inherited and acquired) catalase activities who are treated with infusion of uric acid oxidase because they are at risk of tumour lysis syndrome may experience very high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. They may suffer from methemoglobinaemia and haemolytic anaemia which may be attributed either to deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase or to other unknown circumstances. Data have not been reported from catalase deficient patients who were treated with uric acid oxidase. It may be hypothesized that their decreased blood catalase could lead to the increased concentration of hydrogen peroxide which may cause haemolysis and formation of methemoglobin. Blood catalase activity should be measured for patients at risk of tumour lysis syndrome prior to uric acid oxidase treatment.

  6. Surface reactions of iron - enriched smectites: adsorption and transformation of hydroxy fatty acids and phenolic acids

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Polubesova, Tamara; Olshansky, Yaniv; Eldad, Shay; Chefetz, Benny

    2014-05-01

    Iron-enriched smectites play an important role in adsorption and transformation of soil organic components. Soil organo-clay complexes, and in particular humin contain hydroxy fatty acids, which are derived from plant biopolymer cutin. Phenolic acids belong to another major group of organic acids detected in soil. They participate in various soil processes, and are of concern due to their allelopathic activity. We studied the reactivity of iron-enriched smectites (Fe(III)-montmorillonite and nontronite) toward both groups of acids. We used fatty acids- 9(10),16-dihydroxypalmitic acid (diHPA), isolated from curtin, and 9,10,16-trihydroxypalmitic acid (triHPA); the following phenolic acids were used: ferulic, p-coumaric, syringic, and vanillic. Adsorption of both groups of acids was measured. The FTIR spectra of fatty acid-mineral complexes indicated inner-sphere complexation of fatty acids with iron-enriched smectites (versus outer-sphere complexation with Ca(II)-montmorillonite). The LC-MS results demonstrated enhanced esterification of fatty acids on the iron-enriched smectite surfaces (as compared to Ca(II)-montmorillonite). This study suggests that fatty acids can be esterified on the iron-enriched smectite surfaces, which results in the formation of stable organo-mineral complexes. These complexes may serve as a model for the study of natural soil organo-clay complexes and humin. The reaction of phenolic acids with Fe(III)-montmorillonite demonstrated their oxidative transformation by the mineral surfaces, which was affected by molecular structure of acids. The following order of their transformation was obtained: ferulic >syringic >p-coumaric >vanillic. The LC-MS analysis demonstrated the presence of dimers, trimers, and tetramers of ferulic acid on the surface of Fe(III)-montmorillonite. Oxidation and transformation of ferulic acid were more intense on the surface of Fe(III)-montmorillonite as compared to Fe(III) in solution due to stronger complexation on

  7. Simultaneous Determination of Oxysterols, Cholesterol and 25-Hydroxy-Vitamin D3 in Human Plasma by LC-UV-MS

    PubMed Central

    Narayanaswamy, Rohini; Iyer, Vignesh; Khare, Prachi; Bodziak, Mary Lou; Badgett, Darlene; Zivadinov, Robert; Weinstock-Guttman, Bianca; Rideout, Todd C.; Ramanathan, Murali; Browne, Richard W.

    2015-01-01

    Background Oxysterols are promising biomarkers of neurodegenerative diseases that are linked with cholesterol and vitamin D metabolism. There is an unmet need for methods capable of sensitive, and simultaneous quantitation of multiple oxysterols, vitamin D and cholesterol pathway biomarkers. Methods A method for simultaneous determination of 5 major oxysterols, 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 and cholesterol in human plasma was developed. Total oxysterols were prepared by room temperature saponification followed by solid phase extraction from plasma spiked with deuterated internal standards. Oxysterols were resolved by reverse phase HPLC using a methanol/water/0.1% formic acid gradient. Oxysterols and 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 were detected with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry in positive ion mode; in-series photodiode array detection at 204nm was used for cholesterol. Method validation studies were performed. Oxysterol levels in 220 plasma samples from healthy control subjects, multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders patients were quantitated. Results Our method quantitated 5 oxysterols, cholesterol and 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 from 200 μL plasma in 35 minutes. Recoveries were >85% for all analytes and internal standards. The limits of detection were 3-10 ng/mL for oxysterols and 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 and 1 μg/mL for simultaneous detection of cholesterol. Analytical imprecision was <10 %CV for 24(S)-, 25-, 27-, 7α-hydroxycholesterol (HC) and cholesterol and ≤15 % for 7-keto-cholesterol. Multiple Sclerosis and other neurological disorder patients had lower 27-hydroxycholesterol levels compared to controls whereas 7α-hydroxycholesterol was lower specifically in Multiple Sclerosis. Conclusion The method is suitable for measuring plasma oxysterols levels in human health and disease. Analysis of human plasma indicates that the oxysterol, bile acid precursors 7α-hydroxycholesterol and 27-hydroxycholesterol are lower in Multiple Sclerosis and

  8. Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects of alpha-lipoic acid in experimentally induced acute otitis media.

    PubMed

    Tatar, A; Korkmaz, M; Yayla, M; Gozeler, M S; Mutlu, V; Halici, Z; Uslu, H; Korkmaz, H; Selli, J

    2016-07-01

    To investigate the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative and tissue protective effects, as well as the potential therapeutic role, of alpha-lipoic acid in experimentally induced acute otitis media. Twenty-five guinea pigs were assigned to one of five groups: a control (non-otitis) group, and otitis-induced groups treated with saline, penicillin G, alpha-lipoic acid, or alpha-lipoic acid plus penicillin G. Tissue samples were histologically analysed, and oxidative parameters in tissue samples were measured and compared between groups. The epithelial integrity was better preserved, and histological signs of inflammation and secretory metaplasia were decreased, in all groups compared to the saline treated otitis group. In the alpha-lipoic acid plus penicillin G treated otitis group, epithelial integrity was well preserved and histological findings of inflammation were significantly decreased compared to the saline, penicillin G and alpha-lipoic acid treated otitis groups. The most favourable oxidative parameters were observed in the control group, followed by the alpha-lipoic acid plus penicillin G treated otitis group. Alpha-lipoic acid, with its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and tissue protective properties, may decrease the clinical sequelae and morbidity associated with acute otitis media.

  9. The CYP88A cytochrome P450, ent-kaurenoic acid oxidase, catalyzes three steps of the gibberellin biosynthesis pathway

    PubMed Central

    Helliwell, Chris A.; Chandler, Peter M.; Poole, Andrew; Dennis, Elizabeth S.; Peacock, W. James

    2001-01-01

    We have shown that ent-kaurenoic acid oxidase, a member of the CYP88A subfamily of cytochrome P450 enzymes, catalyzes the three steps of the gibberellin biosynthetic pathway from ent-kaurenoic acid to GA12. A gibberellin-responsive barley mutant, grd5, accumulates ent-kaurenoic acid in developing grains. Three independent grd5 mutants contain mutations in a gene encoding a member of the CYP88A subfamily of cytochrome P450 enzymes, defined by the maize Dwarf3 protein. Mutation of the Dwarf3 gene gives rise to a gibberellin-responsive dwarf phenotype, but the lesion in the gibberellin biosynthesis pathway has not been identified. Arabidopsis thaliana has two CYP88A genes, both of which are expressed. Yeast strains expressing cDNAs encoding each of the two Arabidopsis and the barley CYP88A enzymes catalyze the three steps of the GA biosynthesis pathway from ent-kaurenoic acid to GA12. Sequence comparison suggests that the maize Dwarf3 locus also encodes ent-kaurenoic acid oxidase. PMID:11172076

  10. Urate oxidase for the prevention and treatment of tumour lysis syndrome in children with cancer.

    PubMed

    Cheuk, Daniel Kl; Chiang, Alan Ks; Chan, Godfrey Cf; Ha, Shau Yin

    2017-03-08

    under the curve of uric acid at four days (MD -201.00 mg/dLhr, 95% CI -258.05 mg/dLhr to -143.95 mg/dLhr; P < 0.00001) were significantly better in the treatment group.One CCT evaluated the primary outcome; no clear evidence of a difference was identified between the treatment and the control groups (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.44 to 1.33; P = 0.34). Pooled results of three CCTs showed significantly lower mortality due to TLS in the treatment group (RR 0.05, 95% CI 0.00 to 0.89; P = 0.04); no clear evidence of a difference in all-cause mortality was identified between the groups (RR 0.19, 95% CI 0.01 to 3.42; P = 0.26). Pooled results from five CCTs showed significantly lower incidence of renal failure in the treatment group (RR 0.26, 95% CI 0.08 to 0.89; P = 0.03). Results of CCTs also showed significantly lower uric acid in the treatment group at two days (three CCTs: MD -3.80 mg/dL, 95% CI -7.37 mg/dL to -0.24 mg/dL; P = 0.04), three days (two CCTs: MD -3.13 mg/dL, 95% CI -6.12 mg/dL to -0.14 mg/dL; P = 0.04), four days (two CCTs: MD -4.60 mg/dL, 95% CI -6.39 mg/dL to -2.81 mg/dL; P < 0.00001), and seven days (one CCT: MD -1.74 mg/dL, 95% CI -3.01 mg/dL to -0.47 mg/dL; P = 0.007) after therapy, but not one day (three CCTs: MD -3.00 mg/dL, 95% CI -7.61 mg/dL to 1.60 mg/dL; P = 0.2), five days (one CCT: MD -1.02 mg/dL, 95% CI -2.24 mg/dL to 0.20 mg/dL; P = 0.1), and 12 days (one CCT: MD -0.80 mg/dL, 95% CI -2.51 mg/dL to 0.91 mg/dL; P = 0.36) after therapy. Pooled results from three CCTs showed higher frequency of adverse effects in participants who received urate oxidase (RR 9.10, 95% CI 1.29 to 64.00; P = 0.03).Another included RCT, with 30 participants, compared different doses of rasburicase (0.2 mg/kg versus 0.15 mg/kg). The primary outcome was not evaluated. No clear evidence of a difference in mortality (all-cause mortality (Fisher's exact test P = 1.0) and mortality due to TLS (no deaths in both groups)) and renal failure (no renal failure in both groups) was identified

  11. Synthesis, Structural Characterization and Physicochemical Properties of Polymers Formed by Diazotization of 3-Amino-L-tyrosine and Closely Related Compounds

    DTIC Science & Technology

    1998-07-06

    the possibility that a diazotization at the aliphatic (alpha) amino group might lead to deamination with the formation of a cinnamic acid derivative...symmetric chlorinated/nitrated cinnamic acid derivative, and might not provide unequivocal connectivity information, although it could suggest ring...substituted aromatic ring, i.e., it is more like the spectrum of p-coumaric acid than the desired 3-amino-4-hydroxy- cinnamic acid , which would be

  12. 27-Hydroxyoleanolic acid type triterpenoid saponins from Anemone raddeana rhizome.

    PubMed

    Fan, Li; Lu, Jin-Cai; Xue, Jiao; Gao, Song; Xu, Bei-Bei; Cao, Bai-Yi; Zhang, Jing-Jing

    2010-02-01

    Two new 27-hydroxyoleanolic acid type triterpenoid saponins were isolated from the rhizomes of Anemone raddeana Regel. The structures of the two compounds were elucidated as 27-hydroxyoleanolic acid 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1 --> 2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside (1) and 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1 --> 2)[beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1 --> 4)]-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-27-hydroxyoleanolic acid 28-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranosyl (1 --> 4)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1 --> 6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2) on the basis of chemical and spectral evidence.

  13. L-alpha intensity in coronal streamers

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Noci, G.; Poletto, G.; Suess, S. T.; Wang, A.-H.; Wu, S. T.

    1993-01-01

    White-light images are presently the primary source of information on physical conditions in the solar corona at distances greater than a few tenths of a solar radius above the limb. As a consequence, we still only have an incomplete description of structures extending beyond the solar limb. In particular, streamers, although observed for decades, represent a poorly known phenomenon. SOHO, to be launched in 1995, will be able to make long-term observations of these features up to heights of a few solar radii, both in white light and UV. In this paper we present simulations of L-alpha intensity in coronal streamers, based on the two-dimensional (2D) model developed by Wang et at. (1992, 1993) via a time-dependent numerical relaxation approach. Because the model is 2D, we make an a priori hypothesis about the extension of streamers in the third dimension. L-alpha data, obtained from a rocket (Kohl et al., 1983), allowed us to identify a shape which fits the observations.

  14. Effect of alpha lipoic acid on intracerebroventricular streptozotocin model of cognitive impairment in rats.

    PubMed

    Sharma, Monisha; Gupta, Y K

    2003-08-01

    In the present study, the effect of alpha lipoic acid, a potent free radical scavenger, was investigated against the intracerebroventricular streptozotocin model of cognitive impairment in rats, which is characterized by a progressive deterioration of memory, cerebral glucose and energy metabolism, and oxidative stress. Wistar rats were injected with intracerebroventricular streptozotocin bilaterally. The rats were treated chronically with alpha lipoic acid (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) orally for 21 days starting from day 1 of streptozotocin injection in separate groups. The learning and memory behavior was evaluated and the rats were sacrificed for estimation of oxidative stress. The intracerebroventricular streptozotocin rats treated with alpha lipoic acid (200 mg/kg, p.o.) showed significantly less cognitive impairment as compared to the vehicle treated rats. There was also an insignificant increase in oxidative stress in the alpha lipoic acid treated groups. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of alpha lipoic acid in preventing cognitive impairment and oxidative stress induced by intracerebroventricular streptozotocin and its potential in dementia associated with age and age related neurodegenerative disorders where oxidative stress is involved such as Alzheimer's disease.

  15. Levels and interactions of plasma xanthine oxidase, catalase and liver function parameters in Nigerian children with Plasmodium falciparum infection.

    PubMed

    Iwalokun, B A; Bamiro, S B; Ogunledun, A

    2006-12-01

    Elevated plasma levels of xanthine oxidase and liver function parameters have been associated with inflammatory events in several human diseases. While xanthine oxidase provides in vitro protection against malaria, its pathophysiological functions in vivo and interactions with liver function parameters remain unclear. This study examined the interactions and plasma levels of xanthine oxidase (XO) and uric acid (UA), catalase (CAT) and liver function parameters GOT, GPT and bilirubin in asymptomatic (n=20), uncomplicated (n=32), and severe (n=18) falciparum malaria children aged 3-13 years. Compared to age-matched control (n=16), significant (p<0.05) elevation in xanthine oxidase by 100-550%, uric acid by 15.4-153.8%, GOT and GPT by 22.1-102.2%, and total bilirubin by 2.3-86% according to parasitaemia (geometric mean parasite density (GMPD)=850-87100 parasites/microL) was observed in the malarial children. Further comparison with control revealed higher CAT level (16.2+/-0.5 vs 14.6+/-0.4 U/L; p<0.05) lacking significant (p>0.05) correlation with XO, but lower CAT level (13.4-5.4 U/L) with improved correlations (r=-0.53 to -0.91; p<0.05) with XO among the asymptomatic and symptomatic malaria children studied. 75% of control, 45% of asymptomatic, 21.9% of uncomplicated, and none of severe malaria children had Hb level>11.0 g/dL. Multivariate analyses further revealed significant (p<0.05) correlations between liver function parameters and xanthine oxidase (r=0.57-0.64) only in the severe malaria group. We conclude that elevated levels of XO and liver enzymes are biochemical features of Plasmodium falciparum parasitaemia in Nigerian children, with both parameters interacting differently to modulate the catalase response in asymptomatic and symptomatic falciparum malaria.

  16. alpha-(Phenylazo)-4-nitrobenzyl cyanide, a new acid-base indicator.

    PubMed

    Légrádi, L

    1970-02-01

    A new acid-base indicator, alpha-(phenylazo)-4-nitrobenzyl cyanide, is proposed. The indicator changes colour from yellow to violet in the presence of alkali owing to the formation of a nitronic acid structure. This indicator is applicable for the titration of weak acids in acetone and ethanol media or in a mixture of these organic solvents and water, with 0.1M aqueous sodium hydroxide as titrant. The absorption spectra have been recorded for the indicator in 25%, 50% and 75% aqueous ethanol and acetone. By means of the spectra the dissociation constants in these media have been determined. The pK value of alpha-(phenylazo)-4-nitrobenzyl cyanide is 12.10 in water, and is decreased considerably in acetone but only slightly in ethanol. This behaviour is similar to that of positively charged weak acids and irregular for a weak acid carrying no charge or a negative charge.

  17. Hydroxy fatty acids in fresh snow samples from northern Japan: long-range atmospheric transport of Gram-negative bacteria by Asian winter monsoon

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tyagi, P.; Yamamoto, S.; Kawamura, K.

    2015-08-01

    Hydroxy fatty acids (FAs) in fresh snow from Sapporo, one of the heaviest snowfall regions in the world, have been studied to ascertain the airborne bacterial endotoxin concentrations and their biomass. The presence of β-hydroxy FAs (C9-C28), constituents of Gram-negative bacteria (GNB), suggests long-range transport of soil microbes. Likewise, the occurrence of α- and ω-hydroxy FAs (C9-C30 and C9-C28, respectively) in snow reveals their contribution from epicuticular waxes and soil microorganisms. Estimated endotoxin and GNB mass can aid in assessing their possible impacts on the diversity and functioning of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, as well as lethal effects on pedestrians through dispersal of microbes. Air mass back trajectories together with hydroxy FAs unveil their sources from Siberia, Russian Far East and North China by the Asian monsoon. This study highlights the role of fresh snow that reduces the human health risk of GNB and endotoxin by scavenging from the air.

  18. Hydroxy fatty acids in fresh snow samples from northern Japan: long-range atmospheric transport of Gram-negative bacteria by Asian winter monsoon

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Tyagi, P.; Yamamoto, S.; Kawamura, K.

    2015-12-01

    Hydroxy fatty acids (FAs) in fresh snow from Sapporo, one of the heaviest snowfall regions in the world, have been studied to ascertain the airborne bacterial endotoxin concentrations and their biomass. The presence of β-hydroxy FAs (C9-C28), constituents of the Gram-negative bacterium (GNB), suggests long-range transport of soil microbes. Likewise, the occurrence of α- and ω-hydroxy FAs (C9-C30 and C9-C28, respectively) in snow reveals their contribution from epicuticular waxes and soil microorganisms. Estimated endotoxin and GNB mass can aid in assessing their possible impacts on the diversity and functioning of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, as well as lethal effects on pedestrians through dispersal of microbes. Air mass back trajectories together with hydroxy FAs reveal their sources from Siberia, the Russian Far East and northern China by the Asian monsoon. This study highlights the role of fresh snow that reduces the human health risk of GNB and endotoxin by the scavenging from air.

  19. Reduction of N-hydroxy-sulfonamides, including N-hydroxy-valdecoxib, by the molybdenum-containing enzyme mARC.

    PubMed

    Havemeyer, Antje; Grünewald, Sanja; Wahl, Bettina; Bittner, Florian; Mendel, Ralf; Erdélyi, Péter; Fischer, János; Clement, Bernd

    2010-11-01

    Purification of the mitochondrial enzyme responsible for reduction of N-hydroxylated amidine prodrugs led to the identification of two newly discovered mammalian molybdenum-containing proteins, the mitochondrial amidoxime reducing components mARC-1 and mARC-2 (Gruenewald et al., 2008). These 35-kDa proteins represent a novel group of molybdenum proteins in eukaryotes as they form a molybdenum cofactor-dependent enzyme system consisting of three separate proteins (Havemeyer et al., 2006). Each mARC protein reduces N-hydroxylated compounds after reconstitution with the electron transport proteins cytochrome b(5) and b(5) reductase. In continuation of our drug metabolism investigations (Havemeyer et al., 2006; Gruenewald et al., 2008), we present data from reconstituted enzyme systems with recombinant human and native porcine enzymes showing the reduction of N-hydroxy-sulfonamides (sulfohydroxamic acids) to sulfonamides: the N-hydroxy-sulfonamide N-hydroxy-valdecoxib (N-hydroxy-4-[5-methyl-3-phenyl-4-isoxazolyl]-benzenesulfonamide) represents a novel cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor and is therefore a drug candidate in the treatment of diseases associated with rheumatic inflammation, pain, and fever. It was synthesized as an analog of the known COX-2 inhibitor valdecoxib (4-[5-methyl-3-phenyl-4-isoxazolyl]-benzenesulfonamide) (Talley et al., 2000). N-Hydroxy-valdecoxib had low in vitro COX-2 activity but showed significant analgesic activity in vivo and a prolonged therapeutic effect compared with valdecoxib (Erdélyi et al., 2008). In this report, we demonstrate that N-hydroxy-valdecoxib is enzymatically reduced to its pharmacologically active metabolite valdecoxib. Thus, N-hydroxy-valdecoxib acts as prodrug that is activated by the molybdenum-containing enzyme mARC.

  20. Mouse d-Amino-Acid Oxidase: Distribution and Physiological Substrates

    PubMed Central

    Koga, Reiko; Miyoshi, Yurika; Sakaue, Hiroaki; Hamase, Kenji; Konno, Ryuichi

    2017-01-01

    d-Amino-acid oxidase (DAO) catalyzes the oxidative deamination of d-amino acids. DAO is present in a wide variety of organisms and has important roles. Here, we review the distribution and physiological substrates of mouse DAO. Mouse DAO is present in the kidney, brain, and spinal cord, like DAOs in other mammals. However, in contrast to other animals, it is not present in the mouse liver. Recently, DAO has been detected in the neutrophils, retina, and small intestine in mice. To determine the physiological substrates of mouse DAO, mutant mice lacking DAO activity are helpful. As DAO has wide substrate specificity and degrades various d-amino acids, many d-amino acids accumulate in the tissues and body fluids of the mutant mice. These amino acids are d-methionine, d-alanine, d-serine, d-leucine, d-proline, d-phenylalanine, d-tyrosine, and d-citrulline. Even in wild-type mice, administration of DAO inhibitors elevates D-serine levels in the plasma and brain. Among the above d-amino acids, the main physiological substrates of mouse DAO are d-alanine and d-serine. These two d-amino acids are most abundant in the tissues and body fluids of mice. d-Alanine derives from bacteria and produces bactericidal reactive oxygen species by the action of DAO. d-Serine is synthesized by serine racemase and is present especially in the central nervous system, where it serves as a neuromodulator. DAO is responsible for the metabolism of d-serine. Since DAO has been implicated in the etiology of neuropsychiatric diseases, mouse DAO has been used as a representative model. Recent reports, however, suggest that mouse DAO is different from human DAO with respect to important properties. PMID:29255714

  1. Identification of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid (HMG) as a hypoglycemic principle of Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides).

    PubMed

    Witherup, K M; McLaughlin, J L; Judd, R L; Ziegler, M H; Medon, P J; Keller, W J

    1995-08-01

    Bioactivity-directed fractionation, using brine shrimp lethality and murine hypoglycemia, of an ethanol extract prepared from Tillandsia usneoides, led to the isolation of four apparently bioactive compounds from the water-soluble fraction. The compounds were identified as citric acid, succinic acid, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaric acid (HMG), and 3,6,3',5'-tetramethoxy-5,7,4'-trihydroxyflavone-7-O-beta-D-g lucoside. The brine shrimp lethality of the acids was simply due to acidity; however, HMG elicited significant hypoglycemic responses in fasting normal mice. Ethyl and methyl esters of citric acid were prepared and tested in the murine hypoglycemic assay. Five of the predominant sugars were identified by tlc. Free thymidine was also isolated. Further evaluation of HMG and other potential inhibitors of HMG CoA lyase, in the treatment of symptoms of diabetes mellitus, is suggested.

  2. Membrane remodeling, an early event in benzo[alpha]pyrene-induced apoptosis

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

    Tekpli, Xavier; Rissel, Mary; Huc, Laurence

    2010-02-15

    Benzo[alpha]pyrene (B[alpha]P) often serves as a model for mutagenic and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Our previous work suggested a role of membrane fluidity in B[alpha]P-induced apoptotic process. In this study, we report that B[alpha]P modifies the composition of cholesterol-rich microdomains (lipid rafts) in rat liver F258 epithelial cells. The cellular distribution of the ganglioside-GM1 was markedly changed following B[alpha]P exposure. B[alpha]P also modified fatty acid composition and decreased the cholesterol content of cholesterol-rich microdomains. B[alpha]P-induced depletion of cholesterol in lipid rafts was linked to a reduced expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMG-CoA reductase). Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and B[alpha]P-related H{submore » 2}O{sub 2} formation were involved in the reduced expression of HMG-CoA reductase and in the remodeling of membrane microdomains. The B[alpha]P-induced membrane remodeling resulted in an intracellular alkalinization observed during the early phase of apoptosis. In conclusion, B[alpha]P altered the composition of plasma membrane microstructures through AhR and H{sub 2}O{sub 2} dependent-regulation of lipid biosynthesis. In F258 cells, the B[alpha]P-induced membrane remodeling was identified as an early apoptotic event leading to an intracellular alkalinization.« less

  3. Synthesis and mutagenicity of a ring-A-aromatized bile acid, 3-hydroxy-19-nor-1,3,5(10)-cholatrien-24-oic acid.

    PubMed

    Namba, T; Hirota, T; Hayakawa, S

    1988-06-01

    It has been presumed that ring-A-aromatized bile acids are produced from biliary bile acids by intestinal flora and the acids thus formed participate in the large bowel carcinogenesis. One of these acids is probably 3-hydroxy-19-nor-1,3,5(10)-cholatrien-24-oic acid, judged from the literatures. Consequently, this acid was synthesized from previously prepared 3-methoxy-19-nor-1,3,5(10)-cholatrien-24-ol. The phenolic ether was successively oxidized with pyridinium chlorochromate and wet silver oxide to give 3-methoxy-19-nor-1,3,5(10)-cholatrien-24-oic acid in high yield, which, after successive treatments with methanol containing a catalytic amount of p-toluenesulfonic acid, a combination of aluminum chloride and ethanethiol, and alkali, gave the desired compound in satisfactory yield. The compound was not mutagenic in Salmonella tester strains TA 98 and TA 100, but it increased the mutagenicity of 2-aminoanthracene when both were applied to plates together. When compared with cholic, deoxycholic, and lithocholic acids, the investigated compound exhibited about two to threefold increase of mutagenicity in the latter assay.

  4. Lower Growth Temperature Increases Alternative Pathway Capacity and Alternative Oxidase Protein in Tobacco 1

    PubMed Central

    Vanlerberghe, Greg C.; McIntosh, Lee

    1992-01-01

    Suspension cells of NT1 tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L. cv bright yellow) have been used to study the effect of growth temperature on the CN-resistant, salicylhydroxamic acid-sensitive alternative pathway of respiration. Mitochondria isolated from cells maintained at 30°C had a low capacity to oxidize succinate via the alternative pathway, whereas mitochondria isolated from cells 24 h after transfer to 18°C displayed, on average, a 5-fold increase in this capacity (from 7 to 32 nanoatoms oxygen per milligram protein per minute). This represented an increase in alternative pathway capacity from 18 to 45% of the total capacity of electron transport. This increased capacity was lost upon transfer of cells back to 30°C. A monoclonal antibody to the terminal oxidase of the alternative pathway (the alternative oxidase) from Sauromatum guttatum (T.E. Elthon, R.L. Nickels, L. McIntosh [1989] Plant Physiology 89: 1311-1317) recognized a 35-kilodalton mitochondrial protein in tobacco. There was an excellent correlation between the capacity of the alternative path in isolated tobacco mitochondria and the levels of this 35-kilodalton alternative oxidase protein. Cycloheximide could inhibit both the increased level of the 35-kilodalton alternative oxidase protein and the increased alternative pathway capacity normally seen upon transfer to 18°C. We conclude that transfer of tobacco cells to the lower temperature increases the capacity of the alternative pathway due, at least in part, to de novo synthesis of the 35-kilodalton alternative oxidase protein. Images Figure 3 Figure 4 PMID:16652932

  5. Slow-Binding Inhibition: A Theoretical and Practical Course for Students

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Golicnik, Marko; Stojan, Jure

    2004-01-01

    Tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1) catalyzes the oxidation of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) to 2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-5,6-dioxo-1H-indole-2-carboxylate (dopachrome), according to the classical Michaelis-Menten kinetic mechanism. The enzyme is strongly but slowly inhibited by alpha-amino-beta-[N-(3-hydroxy-4-pyridone)] propionic acid (L-mimosine), a…

  6. Involvement of polyamine oxidase in abscisic acid-induced cytosolic antioxidant defense in leaves of maize.

    PubMed

    Xue, Beibei; Zhang, Aying; Jiang, Mingyi

    2009-03-01

    Using pharmacological and biochemical approaches, the role of maize polyamine oxidase (MPAO) in abscisic acid (ABA)-induced antioxidant defense in leaves of maize (Zea mays L.) plants was investigated. Exogenous ABA treatment enhanced the expression of the MPAO gene and the activities of apoplastic MPAO. Pretreatment with two different inhibitors for apoplastic MPAO partly reduced hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) accumulation induced by ABA and blocked the ABA-induced expression of the antioxidant genes superoxide dismutase 4 and cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase and the activities of the cytosolic antioxidant enzymes. Treatment with spermidine, the optimum substrate of MPAO, also induced the expression and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes, and the upregulation of the antioxidant enzymes was prevented by two inhibitors of MPAO and two scavengers of H2O2. These results suggest that MPAO contributes to ABA-induced cytosolic antioxidant defense through H2O2, a Spd catabolic product.

  7. An economically and environmentally acceptable synthesis of chiral drug intermediate L-pipecolic acid from biomass-derived lysine via artificially engineered microbes.

    PubMed

    Cheng, Jie; Huang, Yuding; Mi, Le; Chen, Wujiu; Wang, Dan; Wang, Qinhong

    2018-05-10

    Deficiency in petroleum resources and increasing environmental concerns have pushed a bio-based economy to be built, employing a highly reproducible, metal contaminant free, sustainable and green biomanufacturing method. Here, a chiral drug intermediate L-pipecolic acid has been synthesized from biomass-derived lysine. This artificial bioconversion system involves the coexpression of four functional genes, which encode L-lysine α-oxidase from Scomber japonicus, glucose dehydrogenase from Bacillus subtilis, Δ 1 -piperideine-2-carboxylase reductase from Pseudomonas putida, and lysine permease from Escherichia coli. Besides, a lysine degradation enzyme has been knocked out to strengthen the process in this microbe. The overexpression of LysP improved the L-pipecolic acid titer about 1.6-folds compared to the control. This engineered microbial factory showed the highest L-pipecolic acid production of 46.7 g/L reported to date and a higher productivity of 2.41 g/L h and a yield of 0.89 g/g. This biotechnological L-pipecolic acid production is a simple, economic, and green technology to replace the presently used chemical synthesis.

  8. Effect of high pressure on peanut allergens in the presence of polyphenol oxidase and caffeic acid

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    High pressure (HP) enhances enzymatic reactions. Because polyphenol oxidase (PPO) is an enzyme, and reduces IgE binding of peanut allergens in presence of caffeic acid (CA), we postulated that a further reduction in IgE binding can be achieved, using HP together with PPO and CA. Peanut extracts cont...

  9. Purification and characterization of polyphenol oxidase from cauliflower (Brassica oleracea L.).

    PubMed

    Rahman, Andi Nur Faidah; Ohta, Mayumi; Nakatani, Kazuya; Hayashi, Nobuyuki; Fujita, Shuji

    2012-04-11

    Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) of cauliflower was purified to 282-fold with a recovery rate of 8.1%, using phloroglucinol as a substrate. The enzyme appeared as a single band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The estimated molecular weight of the enzyme was 60 and 54 kDa by SDS-PAGE and gel filtration, respectively. The purified enzyme, called phloroglucinol oxidase (PhO), oxidized phloroglucinol (K(m) = 3.3 mM) and phloroglucinolcarboxylic acid. The enzyme also had peroxidase (POD) activity. At the final step, the activity of purified cauliflower POD was 110-fold with a recovery rate of 3.2%. The PhO and POD showed the highest activity at pH 8.0 and 4.0 and were stable in the pH range of 3.0-11.0 and 5.0-8.0 at 5 °C for 20 h, respectively. The optimum temperature was 55 °C for PhO and 20 °C for POD. The most effective inhibitor for PhO was sodium diethyldithiocarbamate at 10 mM (IC(50) = 0.64 and K(i) = 0.15 mM), and the most effective inhibitor for POD was potassium cyanide at 1.0 mM (IC(50) = 0.03 and K(i) = 29 μM).

  10. [Safety and structural analysis of polymers produced in manufacturing process of alpha-lipoic acid].

    PubMed

    Shimoda, Hiroshi; Tanaka, Junji; Seki, Azusa; Honda, Haruya; Akaogi, Seiichiro; Komatsubara, Hirobumi; Suzuki, Nobuo; Kameyama, Mayumi; Tamura, Satoru; Murakami, Nobutoshi

    2007-10-01

    Alpha-Lipoic acid has recently been permitted for use in foodstuffs and is contained in tablets and capsules. Although alpha-lipoic acid is synthesized from adipic acid, the safety of polymers produced during the purification and drying processes has been an issue of concern. Hence, we examined the safety profiles of thermally denatured polymer (LAP-A) and ethanol-denatured polymer (LAP-B) produced in the manufacturing process of alpha-lipoic acid. Furthermore, we conducted structural analysis of these polymers by 1H-NMR and FAB-MS spectroscopy. In a consecutive ingestion test, male and female mice ingested diet containing 0.1 and 0.2% LAP-A and -B for 4 weeks. Blood uric acid, potassium and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) tended to increase without dose-dependency. Relative liver weights were also increased. However, male dogs that were orally administered LAP-B (500 mg/kg) once did not show any abnormalities in blood parameters or general condition. These findings indicate that alpha-lipoic acid polymers are not acutely toxic; however, chronic ingestion of these polymers may affect liver and kidney functions.

  11. In vitro study of 6-mercaptopurine oxidation catalysed by aldehyde oxidase and xanthine oxidase.

    PubMed

    Rashidi, Mohammad-Reza; Beedham, Christine; Smith, John S; Davaran, Soodabeh

    2007-08-01

    In spite of over 40 years of clinical use of 6-mercaptopurine, many aspects of complex pharmacology and metabolism of this drug remain unclear. It is thought that 6-mercaptopurine is oxidized to 6-thiouric acid through 6-thioxanthine or 8-oxo-6-mercaptopurine by one of two molybdenum hydroxylases, xanthine oxidase (XO), however, the role of other molybdenum hydroxylase, aldehyde oxidase (AO), in the oxidation of 6-mercaptopurine and possible interactions of AO substrates and inhibitors has not been investigated in more details. In the present study, the role of AO and XO in the oxidation of 6- mercaptopurine has been investigated. 6-mercaptopurine was incubated with bovine milk xanthine oxidase or partially purified guinea pig liver molybdenum hydroxylase fractions in the absence and presence of XO and AO inhibitor/substrates, and the reactions were monitored by spectrophotometric and HPLC methods. According to the results obtained from the inhibition studies, it is more likely that 6- mercaptopurine is oxidized to 6-thiouric acid via 6-thioxanthine rather than 8-oxo-6-mercaptopurine. The first step which is the rate limiting step is catalyzed solely by XO, whereas both XO and AO are involved in the oxidation of 6-thioxanthine to 6-thiouric acid.

  12. Alpha lipoic acid in obstetrics and gynecology.

    PubMed

    Di Tucci, Chiara; Di Feliciantonio, Mara; Vena, Flaminia; Capone, Carmela; Schiavi, Michele Carlo; Pietrangeli, Daniela; Muzii, Ludovico; Benedetti Panici, Pierluigi

    2018-05-04

    Alpha-Lipoic acid (ALA) is a natural antioxidant synthetized by plants and animals, identified as a catalytic agent for oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate and α-ketoglutarate. In this review, we analyzed the action of ALA in gynecology and obstetrics focusing in particular on neuropathic pain and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory action. A comprehensive literature search was performed in PubMed and Cochrane Library for retrieving articles in English language on the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of ALA in gynecological and obstetrical conditions. ALA reduces oxidative stress and insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The association of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), and bromelain (Br) is used for prevention and treatment of endometriosis. In association with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) with amitriptyline is used for treatment of vestibulodynia/painful bladder syndrome (VBD/PBS). A promising area of research is ALA supplementation in patients with threatened miscarriage to improve the subchorionic hematoma resorption. Furthermore, ALA could be used in prevention of diabetic embryopathy and premature rupture of fetal membranes induced by inflamation. In conclusion, ALA can be safely used for treatment of neuropatic pain and as a dietary support during pregnancy.

  13. Neuroprotective Properties of Compounds Extracted from Dianthus superbus L. against Glutamate-induced Cell Death in HT22 Cells.

    PubMed

    Yun, Bo-Ra; Yang, Hye Jin; Weon, Jin Bae; Lee, Jiwoo; Eom, Min Rye; Ma, Choong Je

    2016-01-01

    Dianthus superbus L. has been used in Chinese herbal medicine as a diuretic and anti-inflammatory agent. In this study, we isolated ten bioactive compounds from D. superbus and evaluated their neuroprotective activity against glutamate-induced cell death in the hippocampal neuronal HT22 cells. New compound, (E)-methyl-4-hydroxy-4-(8a-methyl-3-oxodecahydronaphthalen-4a-yl) (1) and, nine known compounds, diosmetin-7-O (2'',6''-di-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-pentyl ester benzenepropanoic acid (3), vanillic acid (4), 4-hydroxy-benzeneacetic acid (5), 4-methoxybenzeneacetic acid (6), (E)-4-methoxycinnamic acid (7), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethanol (8), hydroferulic acid (9), and methyl hydroferulate (10), were isolated by bioactivity-guided separation. Structures of the isolated compounds were identified on the basis of (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), (13)C NMR, and two-dimensional NMR spectra, while their neuroprotective properties were evaluated by performing the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. D. superbus extract had a neuroprotective effect and isolated 10 compounds. Among the compounds, compounds 5 and 6 effectively protected HT22 cells against glutamate toxicity. In conclusion, the extract of D. superbus and compounds isolated from it exhibited neuroprotective properties, suggesting therapeutic potential for applications in neurotoxic diseases. D. superbus extract significantly protected on glutamate-induced cell death in HT22 cellsNew compound, (E)-methyl-4-hydroxy-4-(8a-methyl-3-oxodecahydronaphthalen-4a-yl) (1) and, nine known compounds, diosmetin-7-O(2'',6''-di-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-pentyl ester benzenepropanoic acid (3), vanillic acid (4), 4-hydroxy-benzeneacetic acid (5), 4-methoxybenzeneacetic acid (6), (E)-4-methoxycinnamic acid (7), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethanol (8), hydroferulic acid (9), and methyl hydroferulate (10

  14. AtFXG1, an Arabidopsis gene encoding alpha-L-fucosidase active against fucosylated xyloglucan oligosaccharides.

    PubMed

    de La Torre, Francisco; Sampedro, Javier; Zarra, Ignacio; Revilla, Gloria

    2002-01-01

    An alpha-L-fucosidase (EC 3.2.1.51) able to release the t-fucosyl residue from the side chain of xyloglucan oligosaccharides has been detected in the leaves of Arabidopsis plants. Moreover, an alpha-L-fucosidase with similar substrate specificity was purified from cabbage (Brassica oleracea) leaves to render a single band on SDS-PAGE. Two peptide sequences were obtained from this protein band, and they were used to identify an Arabidopsis gene coding for an alpha-fucosidase that we propose to call AtFXG1. In addition, an Arabidopsis gene with homology with known alpha-L-fucosidases has been also found, and we proposed to name it as AtFUC1. Both AtFXG1 and ATFUC1 were heterologously expressed in Pichia pastoris cells and the alpha-L-fucosidase activities secreted to the culture medium. The alpha-L-fucosidase encoded by AtFXG1 was active against the oligosaccharides from xyloglucan XXFG as well as against 2'-fucosyl-lactitol but not against p-nitrophenyl-alpha-L-fucopyranoside. However, the AtFUC1 heterologously expressed was active only against 2'-fucosyl-lactitol. Thus, the former must be related to xyloglucan metabolism.

  15. In vitro assessment of anticholinesterase and NADH oxidase inhibitory activities of an edible fern, Diplazium esculentum.

    PubMed

    Roy, Subhrajyoti; Dutta, Somit; Chaudhuri, Tapas Kumar

    2015-07-01

    Diplazium esculentum is the most commonly consumed edible fern throughout Asia and Oceania. Several studies have been performed so far to determine different functional properties of this plant, but there have been no reports on the anticholinesterase and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) oxidase inhibitory activities of this plant. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the anticholinesterase and NADH oxidase inhibitory activities of 70% methanolic extract of D. esculentum. The D. esculentum extract was investigated for its acetylcholinesterase and NADH oxidase inhibitory activities as well as its free radical scavenging and total antioxidant activities in the linoleic acid system. The free radical scavenging activity of the extract was determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl (DPPH) method. The total antioxidant activity of the extract was evaluated by ferric thiocyanate (FTC) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) methods. The D. esculentum extract inhibited acetylcholinesterase and NADH oxidase in a dose-dependent manner, with IC50 values of 272.97±19.38 and 265.81±21.20 μg/mL, respectively. The extract also showed a potent DPPH radical scavenging activity with an IC50 value of 402.88±12.70 μg/mL. Moreover, the extract showed 27.41% and 33.22% of total antioxidant activities determined by FTC and TBA methods, respectively. Results indicated that 70% methanolic extract of D. esculentum effectively inhibited the enzymes acetylcholinesterase and NADH oxidase and acted as a potent antioxidant and free radical scavenger. These in vitro assays indicate that this plant extract is a significant source of natural antioxidants, which may be helpful in preventing the progression of various neurodegenerative disorders associated with oxidative stress.

  16. Role of two alpha-L-arabinofuranosidases in arabinoxylan degradation and characteristics of the encoding genes from shochu koji molds, Aspergillus kawachii and Aspergillus awamori.

    PubMed

    Koseki, Takuya; Okuda, Masaki; Sudoh, Shigetoshi; Kizaki, Yasuzo; Iwano, Kimio; Aramaki, Isao; Matsuzawa, Hiroshi

    2003-01-01

    Two different alpha-L-arabinofuranosidases from Aspergillus kawachii were purified and characterized. The two enzymes acted synergically with xylanase in the degradation of arabinoxylan and resulted in an increase in the amount of ferulic acid release by feruloyl esterase. Both enzymes were acidophilic and acid stable enzymes which had an optimum pH of 4.0 and were stable at pH 3.0-7.0. The general properties of the enzymes including pH optima and pH stability were similar to those of Aspergillus awamori. These results suggest that the alpha-L-arabinofuranosidases contribute to an increase in cereal utilization and formation of aroma in shochu brewing. Two different genes encoding alpha-L-arabinofuranosidases from A. kawachii, designated as AkabfA and AkabjB, and those from A. awamori, designated as AwabfA and AwabjB, were also cloned and characterized. The difference between the sequences of AkabfA and AwabfA was only one nucleotide, resulting in an amino acid difference in the sequence, and the enzymes were assigned to family 51 of glycoside hydrolases. On the other hand, the differences between the sequences of AkabjB and AwabjB and between their encoding proteins were two nucleotides and one amino acid residue, respectively, and the enzymes were assigned to family 54 of glycoside hydrolases. On comparison of the abfA and abjB genes among A. kawachii, A. awamori, and A. niger, the relationship between the two genes for A. kawachii and A. awamori was much closer than those between A. niger and the others. Northern analyses showed that transcription of AkabfB was greater than that of AkabfA in the presence of L-arabitol and L-arabinose, and that transcriptions of both genes were not induced in the presence of sucrose and glucose.

  17. Human serum-derived hydroxy long-chain fatty acids exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activity

    PubMed Central

    2011-01-01

    Background Circulating levels of novel long-chain hydroxy fatty acids (called GTAs) were recently discovered in the serum of healthy subjects which were shown to be reduced in subjects with colorectal cancer (CRC), independent of tumor burden or disease stage. The levels of GTAs were subsequently observed to exhibit an inverse association with age in the general population. The current work investigates the biological activity of these fatty acids by evaluating the effects of enriched human serum extracts on cell growth and inflammation. Methods GTAs were extracted from commercially available bulk human serum and then chromatographically separated into enriched (GTA-positive) and depleted (GTA-negative) fractions. SW620, MCF7 and LPS stimulated RAW264.7 cells were treated with various concentrations of the GTA-positive and GTA-negative extracts, and the effects on cell growth and inflammation determined. Results Enriched fractions resulted in poly-ADP ribose polymerase (PARP) cleavage, suppression of NFκB, induction of IκBα, and reduction in NOS2 mRNA transcript levels. In RAW264.7 mouse macrophage cells, incubation with enriched fractions prior to treatment with LPS blocked the induction of several pro-inflammatory markers including nitric oxide, TNFα, IL-1β, NOS2 and COX2. Conclusions Our results show that human serum extracts enriched with endogenous long-chain hydroxy fatty acids possess anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative activity. These findings support a hypothesis that the reduction of these metabolites with age may result in a compromised ability to defend against uncontrolled cell growth and inflammation, and could therefore represent a significant risk for the development of CRC. PMID:21586136

  18. Protective effects of L-type fatty acid-binding protein (L-FABP) in proximal tubular cells against glomerular injury in anti-GBM antibody-mediated glomerulonephritis

    PubMed Central

    Kanaguchi, Yasuhiko; Suzuki, Yusuke; Osaki, Ken; Sugaya, Takeshi; Horikoshi, Satoshi

    2011-01-01

    Background. In glomerulonephritis (GN), an overload of free fatty acids (FFA) bound to albumin in urinary protein may induce oxidative stress in the proximal tubules. Human liver-type fatty acid-binding protein (hL-FABP) expressed in human proximal tubules, but not rodents, participates in intracellular FFA metabolism and exerts anti-oxidative effects on the progression of tubulointerstitial damage. We examined whether tubular enhancement of this anti-oxidative action modulates the progression of glomerular damage in immune-mediated GN in hL-FABP chromosomal gene transgenic (Tg) mice. Methods. Anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody-induced glomerulonephritis (anti-GBM GN) was induced in Tg and wild-type mice (WT). Proteinuria, histopathology, polymorphonuclear (PMN) influx, expression of tubulointerstitial markers for oxidative stress 4-hydroxy-2-Nonenal (HNE) and fibrosis (α-smooth muscle actin), proximal tubular damage (Kim-1), Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor γ (PPAR γ) and inflammatory cytokines [Monocyte Chemotactic Protein-1, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)] were analyzed. The mice were also treated with an angiotensin type II receptor blocker (ARB). Results. The urinary protein level in Tg mice decreased significantly during the acute phase (∼Day 5). Tg mice survived for a significantly longer time than WT mice, with an attenuation of tubulointerstitial damage score and expression of each tubulointerstitial damage marker observed at Day 7. Expression of inflammatory cytokines on Day 7 was higher in WT mice than Tg mice and correlated strongly with PPARγ expression in WT mice, but not in Tg mice. Interestingly, Tg mice showed insufficient PMN influx at 3 and 6 h, with simultaneous elevation of urinary L-FABP and reduction in HNE expression. The two strains of mice showed different types of glomerular damage, with mild mesangial proliferation in Tg mice and severe endothelial swelling with

  19. Effect of chemical substitutions on photo-switching properties of 3-hydroxy-picolinic acid studied by ab initio methods

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Rode, Michał F.; Sobolewski, Andrzej L.

    2014-02-01

    Effect of chemical substitutions to the molecular structure of 3-hydroxy-picolinic acid on photo-switching properties of the system operating on excited-state intramolecular double proton transfer (d-ESIPT) process [M. F. Rode and A. L. Sobolewski, Chem. Phys. 409, 41 (2012)] was studied with the aid of electronic structure theory methods. It was shown that simultaneous application of electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substitutions at certain positions of the molecular frame increases the height of the S0-state tautomerization barrier (ensuring thermal stability of isomers) and facilitates a barrierless access to the S1/S0 conical intersection from the Franck-Condon region of the S1 potential-energy surface. Results of study point to the conclusion that the most challenging issue for practical design of a fast molecular photoswitch based on d-ESIPT phenomenon are to ensure a selectivity of optical excitation of a given tautomeric form of the system.

  20. Oleic, Linoleic and Linolenic Acids Increase ROS Production by Fibroblasts via NADPH Oxidase Activation

    PubMed Central

    Hatanaka, Elaine; Dermargos, Alexandre; Hirata, Aparecida Emiko; Vinolo, Marco Aurélio Ramirez; Carpinelli, Angelo Rafael; Newsholme, Philip; Armelin, Hugo Aguirre; Curi, Rui

    2013-01-01

    The effect of oleic, linoleic and γ-linolenic acids on ROS production by 3T3 Swiss and Rat 1 fibroblasts was investigated. Using lucigenin-amplified chemiluminescence, a dose-dependent increase in extracellular superoxide levels was observed during the treatment of fibroblasts with oleic, linoleic and γ-linolenic acids. ROS production was dependent on the addition of β-NADH or NADPH to the medium. Diphenyleneiodonium inhibited the effect of oleic, linoleic and γ-linolenic acids on fibroblast superoxide release by 79%, 92% and 82%, respectively. Increased levels of p47phox phosphorylation due to fatty acid treatment were detected by Western blotting analyses of fibroblast proteins. Increased p47phox mRNA expression was observed using real-time PCR. The rank order for the fatty acid stimulation of the fibroblast oxidative burst was as follows: γ-linolenic > linoleic > oleic. In conclusion, oleic, linoleic and γ-linolenic acids stimulated ROS production via activation of the NADPH oxidase enzyme complex in fibroblasts. PMID:23579616

  1. CPT1{alpha} over-expression increases long-chain fatty acid oxidation and reduces cell viability with incremental palmitic acid concentration in 293T cells

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

    Jambor de Sousa, Ulrike L.; Koss, Michael D.; Fillies, Marion

    2005-12-16

    To test the cellular response to an increased fatty acid oxidation, we generated a vector for an inducible expression of the rate-limiting enzyme carnitine palmitoyl-transferase 1{alpha} (CPT1{alpha}). Human embryonic 293T kidney cells were transiently transfected and expression of the CPT1{alpha} transgene in the tet-on vector was activated with doxycycline. Fatty acid oxidation was measured by determining the conversion of supplemented, synthetic cis-10-heptadecenoic acid (C17:1n-7) to C15:ln-7. CPT1{alpha} over-expression increased mitochondrial long-chain fatty acid oxidation about 6-fold. Addition of palmitic acid (PA) decreased viability of CPT1{alpha} over-expressing cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Both, PA and CPT1{alpha} over-expression increased cell death. Interestingly,more » PA reduced total cell number only in cells over-expressing CPT1{alpha}, suggesting an effect on cell proliferation that requires PA translocation across the mitochondrial inner membrane. This inducible expression system should be well suited to study the roles of CPT1 and fatty acid oxidation in lipotoxicity and metabolism in vivo.« less

  2. Process for the generation of .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acids and esters using niobium catalyst

    DOEpatents

    Gogate, Makarand Ratnakav; Spivey, James Jerome; Zoeller, Joseph Robert

    1999-01-01

    A process using a niobium catalyst includes the step of reacting an ester or carboxylic acid with oxygen and an alcohol in the presence a niobium catalyst to respectively produce an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated ester or carboxylic acid. Methanol may be used as the alcohol, and the ester or carboxylic acid may be passed over the niobium catalyst in a vapor stream containing oxygen and methanol. Alternatively, the process using a niobium catalyst may involve the step of reacting an ester and oxygen in the presence the niobium catalyst to produce an .alpha.,.beta.-unsaturated carboxylic acid. In this case the ester may be a methyl ester. In either case, niobium oxide may be used as the niobium catalyst with the niobium oxide being present on a support. The support may be an oxide selected from the group consisting of silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, titanium oxide and mixtures thereof. The catalyst may be formed by reacting niobium fluoride with the oxide serving as the support. The niobium catalyst may contain elemental niobium within the range of 1 wt % to 70 wt %, and more preferably within the range of 10 wt % to 30 wt %. The process may be operated at a temperature from 150 to 450.degree. C. and preferably from 250 to 350.degree. C. The process may be operated at a pressure from 0.1 to 15 atm. absolute and preferably from 0.5-5 atm. absolute. The flow rate of reactants may be from 10 to 10,000 L/kg.sub.(cat) /h, and preferably from 100 to 1,000 L/kg.sub.(cat) /h.

  3. Diabetes and Alpha Lipoic Acid

    PubMed Central

    Golbidi, Saeid; Badran, Mohammad; Laher, Ismail

    2011-01-01

    Diabetes mellitus is a multi-faceted metabolic disorder where there is increased oxidative stress that contributes to the pathogenesis of this debilitating disease. This has prompted several investigations into the use of antioxidants as a complementary therapeutic approach. Alpha lipoic acid, a naturally occurring dithiol compound which plays an essential role in mitochondrial bioenergetic reactions, has gained considerable attention as an antioxidant for use in managing diabetic complications. Lipoic acid quenches reactive oxygen species, chelates metal ions, and reduces the oxidized forms of other antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and glutathione. It also boosts antioxidant defense system through Nrf-2-mediated antioxidant gene expression and by modulation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptors-regulated genes. ALA inhibits nuclear factor kappa B and activates AMPK in skeletal muscles, which in turn have a plethora of metabolic consequences. These diverse actions suggest that lipoic acid acts by multiple mechanisms, many of which have only been uncovered recently. In this review we briefly summarize the known biochemical properties of lipoic acid and then discussed the oxidative mechanisms implicated in diabetic complications and the mechanisms by which lipoic acid may ameliorate these reactions. The findings of some of the clinical trials in which lipoic acid administration has been tested in diabetic patients during the last 10 years are summarized. It appears that the clearest benefit of lipoic acid supplementation is in patients with diabetic neuropathy. PMID:22125537

  4. Characterization and expression analysis of a banana gene encoding 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate oxidase.

    PubMed

    Huang, P L; Do, Y Y; Huang, F C; Thay, T S; Chang, T W

    1997-04-01

    A cDNA encoding the banana 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) oxidase has previously been isolated from a cDNA library that was constructed by extracting poly(A)+ RNA from peels of ripening banana. This cDNA, designated as pMAO2, has 1,199 bp and contains an open reading frame of 318 amino acids. In order to identify ripening-related promoters of the banana ACC oxidase gene, pMAO2 was used as a probe to screen a banana genomic library constructed in the lambda EMBL3 vector. The banana ACC oxidase MAO2 gene has four exons and three introns, with all of the boundaries between these introns and exons sharing a consensus dinucleotide sequence of GT-AG. The expression of MAO2 gene in banana begins after the onset of ripening (stage 2) and continuous into later stages of the ripening process. The accumulation of MAO2 mRNA can be induced by 1 microliter/l exogenous ethylene, and it reached steady state level when 100 microliters/l exogenous ethylene was present.

  5. Phosphatidic acid as a second messenger in human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Effects on activation of NADPH oxidase.

    PubMed Central

    Agwu, D E; McPhail, L C; Sozzani, S; Bass, D A; McCall, C E

    1991-01-01

    Receptor-mediated agonists, such as FMLP, induce an early, phospholipase D (PLD)-mediated accumulation of phosphatidic acid (PA) which may play a role in the activation of NADPH oxidase in human PMN. We have determined the effect of changes in PA production on O2 consumption in intact PMN and the level of NADPH oxidase activity measured in a cell-free assay. Pretreatment of cells with various concentrations of propranolol enhanced (less than or equal to 200 microM) or inhibited (greater than 300 microM) PLD-induced production of PA (mass and radiolabel) in a manner that correlated with enhancement or inhibition of O2 consumption in PMN stimulated with 1 microM FMLP in the absence of cytochalasin B. The concentration-dependent effects of propranolol on FMLP-induced NADPH oxidase activation was confirmed by direct assay of the enzyme in subcellular fractions. In PA extracted from cells pretreated with 200 microM propranolol before stimulation with 1 microM FMLP, phospholipase A1 (PLA1)-digestion for 90 min, followed by quantitation of residual PA, showed that a minimum of 44% of PA in control (undigested) sample was diacyl-PA; alkylacyl-PA remained undigested by PLA1. Propranolol was also observed to have a concentration-dependent enhancement of mass of 1,2-DG formed in PMN stimulated with FMLP. DG levels reached a maximum at 300 microM propranolol and remained unchanged up to 500 microM propranolol. However, in contrast to PA levels, the level of DG produced did not correlate with NADPH oxidase activation. Exogenously added didecanoyl-PA activated NADPH oxidase in a concentration-dependent manner (1-300 microM) in a reconstitution assay using membrane and cytosolic fractions from unstimulated PMN. In addition, PA synergized with SDS for oxidase activation. Taken together, these results indicate that PA plays a second messenger role in the activation of NADPH oxidase in human PMN and that regulation of phospholipase D is a key step in the activation pathway. Images

  6. Determination of branched chain amino acids, methionine, phenylalanine, tyrosine and alpha-keto acids in plasma and dried blood samples using HPLC with fluorescence detection.

    PubMed

    Kand'ár, Roman; Záková, Pavla; Jirosová, Jana; Sladká, Michaela

    2009-01-01

    The determination of branched chain amino acids [BCAA; valine (Val), leucine (Leu), isoleucine (Ile)], alpha-keto acids derived from BCAA [BCKA; alpha-ketoisovaleric acid (KIV), alpha-ketoisocaproic acid (KIC), alpha-ketomethylvaleric acid (KMV)], methionine (Met), phenylalanine (Phe) and tyrosine (Tyr) is currently the most reliable approach for the diagnosis of maple syrup urine disease (MSUD), hypermethioninemia, phenylketonuria (PKU) and tyrosinemia. The aim of this study was to develop rapid and simple HPLC methods for measurement of BCAA, Met, Phe, Tyr and BCKA in plasma and dried blood samples. Samples of peripheral venous blood with EDTA as anticoagulant were obtained from a group of healthy blood donors (n=70, 35 females, 27-41 years of age and 35 males, 28-43 years of age). Blood-spot samples from a group of newborns (n=80, 40 girls and 40 boys 3-5 days of age) were collected onto #903 Specimen Collection Paper and allowed to dry for at least 24 h before analysis. Prior to separation, the amino acids (AA) were derivatized with o-phthaldialdehyde (OPA) and BCKA with o-phenylenediamine (OPD). Reverse phase column chromatography (LiChroCart 125-4 Purospher RP-18e, 5 microm) was used for separation and fluorescence detection used to monitoring of effluent. For AA analysis, 25 mmol/L sodium hydrogenphosphate-methanol (90:10, v/v), pH 6.5+/-0.1 was used as mobile phase A and 100% methanol was used as mobile phase B. Measurement of BCKA used a mixture of methanol and deionized water (55:45, v/v) as mobile phase A and mobile phase B consisted of 100% methanol. Analytical performance of these methods was satisfactory for the determination of all AA and BCKA. The intra-assay and inter-assay coefficients of variation were below 10% and recovery ranged from 90%-110%. We have developed simple, rapid and selective HPLC methods with fluorescence detection for the determination of BCAA, Met, Phe, Tyr and BCKA in plasma and dried blood samples.

  7. A sulfated alpha-L-fucan from sea cucumber.

    PubMed

    Ribeiro, A C; Vieira, R P; Mourão, P A; Mulloy, B

    1994-03-04

    A purified sulfated alpha-L-fucan from the sea cucumber body wall was studied, before and after almost complete desulfation, using methylation analysis and NMR spectroscopy. NMR analysis indicates that 2,4-di-O-sulfo-L-fucopyranose and unsubstituted fucopyranose are present in equal proportions, and that 2-O-sulfo-L-fucopyranose is present in twice that proportion. There is some NMR evidence that a regular repeating sequence of four residues comprises most or all of the polysaccharide chain.

  8. Xanthine Oxidase Induces Foam Cell Formation through LOX-1 and NLRP3 Activation.

    PubMed

    Dai, Yao; Cao, Yongxiang; Zhang, Zhigao; Vallurupalli, Srikanth; Mehta, Jawahar L

    2017-02-01

    Xanthine oxidase catalyzes the oxidation of xanthine to uric acid. This process generates excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play an important role in atherogenesis. Recent studies show that LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3), a component of the inflammasome, may be involved in the formation of foam cells, a hallmark of atherosclerosis. This study was designed to study the role of various scavenger receptors and NLRP3 inflammasome in xanthine oxidase and uric acid-induced foam cell formation. Human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and THP-1 macrophages were treated with xanthine oxidase or uric acid. Xanthine oxidase treatment (of both VSMCs and THP-1 cells) resulted in foam cell formation in concert with generation of ROS and expression of cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) and oxidized low density lipoprotein (lectin-like) receptor 1 (LOX-1), but not of scavenger receptor A (SRA). Uric acid treatment resulted in foam cell formation, ROS generation and expression of CD36, but not of LOX-1 or SRA. Further, treatment of cells with xanthine oxidase, but not uric acid, activated NLRP3 and its downstream pro-inflammatory signals- caspase-1, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18. Blockade of LOX-1 or NLRP3 inflammasome with specific siRNAs reduced xanthine oxidase-induced foam cell formation, ROS generation and activation of NLRP3 and downstream signals. Xanthine oxidase induces foam cell formation in large part through activation of LOX-1 - NLRP3 pathway in both VSMCs and THP-1 cells, but uric acid-induced foam cell formation is exclusively through CD36 pathway. Further, LOX-1 activation is upstream of NLRP3 activation. Graphical Abstract Steps in the formation of foam cells in response to xanthine oxidase and uric acid. Xanthine oxidase stimulates LOX-1 expression on the cell membrane of macrophages and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and increases generation of ROS, which activate NLRP3 inflammasome and downstream pro

  9. The Pneumococcal Alpha-Glycerophosphate Oxidase Enhances Nasopharyngeal Colonization through Binding to Host Glycoconjugates.

    PubMed

    Mahdi, Layla K; Higgins, Melanie A; Day, Christopher J; Tiralongo, Joe; Hartley-Tassell, Lauren E; Jennings, Michael P; Gordon, David L; Paton, Adrienne W; Paton, James C; Ogunniyi, Abiodun D

    2017-04-01

    Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is a major human pathogen, causing a broad spectrum of diseases including otitis media, pneumonia, bacteraemia and meningitis. Here we examined the role of a potential pneumococcal meningitis vaccine antigen, alpha-glycerophosphate oxidase (SpGlpO), in nasopharyngeal colonization. We found that serotype 4 and serotype 6A strains deficient in SpGlpO have significantly reduced capacity to colonize the nasopharynx of mice, and were significantly defective in adherence to human nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells in vitro. We also demonstrate that intranasal immunization with recombinant SpGlpO significantly protects mice against subsequent nasal colonization by wild type serotype 4 and serotype 6A strains. Furthermore, we show that SpGlpO binds strongly to lacto/neolacto/ganglio host glycan structures containing the GlcNAcβ1-3Galβ disaccharide, suggesting that SpGlpO enhances colonization of the nasopharynx through its binding to host glycoconjugates. We propose that SpGlpO is a promising vaccine candidate against pneumococcal carriage, and warrants inclusion in a multi-component protein vaccine formulation that can provide robust, serotype-independent protection against all forms of pneumococcal disease. Copyright © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  10. Confirmatory and quantitative analysis of fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids in serum by solid phase extraction coupled to liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

    PubMed

    López-Bascón, María Asunción; Calderón-Santiago, Mónica; Priego-Capote, Feliciano

    2016-11-02

    A novel class of endogenous mammalian lipids endowed with antidiabetic and anti-inflammatory properties has been recently discovered. These are fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFAs) formed by condensation between a hydroxy fatty acid and a fatty acid. FAHFAs are present in human serum and tissues at low nanomolar concentrations. Therefore, high sensitivity and selectivity profiling analysis of these compounds in clinical samples is demanded. An automated qualitative and quantitative method based on on-line coupling between solid phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry has been here developed for determination of FAHFAs in serum with the required sensitivity and selectivity. Matrix effects were evaluated by preparation of calibration models in serum and methanol. Recovery factors ranged between 73.8 and 100% in serum. The within-day variability ranged from 7.1 to 13.8%, and the between-days variability varied from 9.3 to 21.6%, which are quite acceptable values taking into account the low concentration levels at which the target analytes are found. The method has been applied to a cohort of human serum samples to estimate the concentrations profiles as a function of the glycaemic state and obesity. Statistical analysis revealed three FAHFAs with levels significantly different depending on the glycaemic state or the body mass index. This automated method could be implemented in high-throughput analysis with minimum user assistance. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  11. Radiation-induced cognitive dysfunction and cerebellar oxidative stress in mice: protective effect of alpha-lipoic acid.

    PubMed

    Manda, Kailash; Ueno, Megumi; Moritake, Takashi; Anzai, Kazunori

    2007-02-12

    Reactive oxygen species are implicated in neurodegeneration and cognitive disorders due to higher vulnerability of neuronal tissues. The cerebellum is recently reported to be involved in cognitive function. Therefore, present study aimed at investigating the role alpha-lipoic acid against radiation-induced oxidative stress and antioxidant status in cerebellum and its correlation with cognitive dysfunction. We observed spontaneous motor activities and spatial memory task of mice using pyroelectric infrared sensor and programmed video tracking system, respectively. Whole body X-irradiation (6 Gy) of mice substantially impaired the reference memory and motor activities of mice. However, acute intraperitoneal treatment of mice with alpha-lipoic acid prior to irradiation significantly attenuated such cognitive dysfunction. Alpha-lipoic acid pretreatment exerted a very high magnitude of protection against radiation-induced augmentation of protein carbonyls and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) in mice cerebellum. Further, radiation-induced deficit of total, nonprotein and protein-bound sulfhydryl (T-SH, NP-SH, PB-SH) contents of cerebellum and plasma ferric reducing power (FRAP) was also inhibited by alpha-lipoic acid pre-treatment. Moreover, alpha-lipoic acid treated mice showed an intact cytoarchitecture of cerebellum, higher counts of intact Purkinje cells and granular cells in comparison to untreated irradiated mice. Results clearly indicate that alpha-lipoic acid is potent neuroprotective antioxidant.

  12. Two new compounds from Helichrysum arenarium (L.).

    PubMed

    Zhang, Yu-Wei; Sun, Wu-Xing; Li, Xian; Zhao, Chun-Chao; Meng, Da-Li; Li, Ning

    2009-01-01

    Two new compounds were isolated from the whole plant of Helichrysum arenarium (L.) Moench. By means of spectroscopic data (IR, UV, 1D and 2D NMR, HR-MS, ESI-MS, and NOESY) and chemical evidence, the structures were established as 6,7-dimethoxy-4-hydroxy-1-naphthoic acid (1) and (Z)-5-hydroxy-7-methoxy-4-[3-methyl-4-(O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl)but-2-enyl]isobenzofuran-1(3H)-one (2).

  13. Characterization and evaluation of an oral microemulsion containing the antitumor diterpenoid compound ent-11alpha-hydroxy-15-oxo-kaur-16-en-19-oic-acid

    PubMed Central

    Lu, Yingnian; Wu, Kefeng; Li, Li; He, Yuhui; Cui, Liao; Liang, Nianci; Mu, Bozhong

    2013-01-01

    The objective of this study was to develop an oral microemulsion formulation of the antitumor diterpenoid agent, ent-11α-hydroxy-15-oxo-kaur-16-en-19-oic-acid (henceforth referred to as 5F), to enhance its bioavailability and evaluate its hepatotoxicity. Pseudoternary phase diagrams showed that the optimal microemulsion formulation contained 45% water, 10% castor oil as the oil phase, 15% Cremophor EL as the surfactant, and 30% as a cosurfactant mixture of 1,2-propanediol and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-400 (2:1, w/w). The microemulsion preparation was characterized and its droplet diameter was within 50 nm. Release of 5F in vitro from the microemulsion was slightly increased compared with a suspension containing the same amount of active drug. Pharmacokinetic parameters in vivo indicated that bioavailability was markedly improved, with the relative bioavailability being 616.15% higher for the microemulsion than for the suspension. Toxicity tests showed that the microemulsion had no hepatotoxicity in mice. These results suggest the potential for 5F microemulsion to be administered by the oral route. PMID:23690685

  14. Characterization and evaluation of an oral microemulsion containing the antitumor diterpenoid compound ent-11alpha-hydroxy-15-oxo-kaur-16-en-19-oic-acid.

    PubMed

    Lu, Yingnian; Wu, Kefeng; Li, Li; He, Yuhui; Cui, Liao; Liang, Nianci; Mu, Bozhong

    2013-01-01

    The objective of this study was to develop an oral microemulsion formulation of the antitumor diterpenoid agent, ent-11α-hydroxy-15-oxo-kaur-16-en-19-oic-acid (henceforth referred to as 5F), to enhance its bioavailability and evaluate its hepatotoxicity. Pseudoternary phase diagrams showed that the optimal microemulsion formulation contained 45% water, 10% castor oil as the oil phase, 15% Cremophor EL as the surfactant, and 30% as a cosurfactant mixture of 1,2-propanediol and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-400 (2:1, w/w). The microemulsion preparation was characterized and its droplet diameter was within 50 nm. Release of 5F in vitro from the microemulsion was slightly increased compared with a suspension containing the same amount of active drug. Pharmacokinetic parameters in vivo indicated that bioavailability was markedly improved, with the relative bioavailability being 616.15% higher for the microemulsion than for the suspension. Toxicity tests showed that the microemulsion had no hepatotoxicity in mice. These results suggest the potential for 5F microemulsion to be administered by the oral route.

  15. Simultaneous Analysis of Malondialdehyde, 4-Hydroxy-2-hexenal, and 4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal in Vegetable Oil by Reversed-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography.

    PubMed

    Ma, Lukai; Liu, Guoqin

    2017-12-27

    A group of toxic aldehydes such as, malondialdehyde (MDA), 4-hydroxy-2-hexenal (HHE), and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE) have been found in various vegetable oils and oil-based foods. Then simultaneous determination of them holds a great need in both the oil chemistry field and food field. In the present study, a simple and efficient analytical method was successfully developed for the simultaneous separation and detection of MDA, HHE, and HNE in vegetable oils by reversed-phase-high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) coupled with photodiode array detector (PAD) at dual-channel detection mode. The effect of various experimental factors on the extraction performance, such as coextraction solvent system, butylated hydroxytoluene addition, and trichloroacetic acid addition were systematically investigated. Results showed that the linear ranges were 0.02-10.00 μg/mL for MDA, 0.02-4.00 μg/mL for HHE, and 0.03-4.00 μg/mL for HNE with the satisfactory correlation coefficient of >0.999 for all detected aldehydes. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of MDA, HHE, and HNE were ∼0.021and 0.020 μg/mL, ∼0.009 and 0.020 μg/mL, and ∼0.014 and 0.030 μg/mL, respectively. Their recoveries were 99.64-102.18%, 102.34-104.61%, and 98.87-103.04% for rapeseed oil and 96.38-98.05%, 96.19-101.34%, and 96.86-99.04% for French fries, separately. Under the selected conditions, the developed methods was successfully applied to the simultaneous determination of MDA, HHE, and HNE in different tested vegetable oils. The results indicated that this method could be employed for the quality assessment of vegetable oils.

  16. Gustatory sensation of (L)- and (D)-amino acids in humans.

    PubMed

    Kawai, Misako; Sekine-Hayakawa, Yuki; Okiyama, Atsushi; Ninomiya, Yuzo

    2012-12-01

    Amino acids are known to elicit complex taste, but most human psychophysical studies on the taste of amino acids have focused on a single basic taste, such as umami (savory) taste, sweetness, or bitterness. In this study, we addressed the potential relationship between the structure and the taste properties of amino acids by measuring the human gustatory intensity and quality in response to aqueous solutions of proteogenic amino acids in comparison to D-enantiomers. Trained subjects tasted aqueous solution of each amino acid and evaluated the intensities of total taste and each basic taste using a category-ratio scale. Each basic taste of amino acids showed the dependency on its hydrophobicity, size, charge, functional groups on the side chain, and chirality of the alpha carbon. In addition, the overall taste of amino acid was found to be the combination of basic tastes according to the partial structure. For example, hydrophilic non-charged middle-sized amino acids elicited sweetness, and L-enantiomeric hydrophilic middle-sized structure was necessary for umami taste. For example, L-serine had mainly sweet and minor umami taste, and D-serine was sweet. We further applied Stevens' psychophysical function to relate the total-taste intensity and the concentration, and found that the slope values depended on the major quality of taste (e.g., bitter large, sour small).

  17. LC-MS/MS quantification of 7α-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one (C4) in rat and monkey plasma.

    PubMed

    Kang, Lijuan; Connolly, Thomas M; Weng, Naidong; Jian, Wenying

    2017-10-01

    7α-hydroxy-4-cholesten-3-one (C4) is an oxidative enzymatic product of cholesterol metabolism via cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase, an enzyme also known as cholesterol 7-alpha-monooxygenase or cytochrome P450 7A1 (CYP7A1). C4 is a stable intermediate in the rate limiting pathway of bile acid biosynthesis. Previous studies showed that plasma C4 levels correlated with CYP7A1 enzymatic activity and could serve as a biomarker for bile acid synthesis. Here we developed and qualified a simple and robust high-throughput method using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) to quantify C4 in rat and monkey plasma. As C4 being an endogenous compound, this method used calibration standards in 50/50: acetonitrile/water (v/v). In order to mimic the incurred samples, quality control samples were prepared in the authentic plasma. Stable isotope labeled C4 (C4-d 7 ) was used as the internal standard. The sample volume for analysis was 20μL and the sample preparation method was protein precipitation with acetonitrile. The average endogenous C4 concentrations, from 10 different lots of rat and monkey plasma, were 53.0±16.5ng/mL and 6.8±5.6ng/mL, respectively. Based on these observed endogenous C4 levels, the calibration curve ranges were established at 1-200ng/mL and 0.5-100ng/mL for rat assay and monkey assay, respectively. The method was qualified with acceptable accuracy, precision, linearity, and specificity. Matrix effect, recovery, and plasma stability of bench-top, freeze-thaw, and long-term frozen storage were also evaluated. The method has been successfully applied to pre-clinical studies. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  18. Geometrical behavior of hydrogen bonding patterns in the alpha-dodecyl-omega-hydroxy-tris(oxyethylene)-water system monitored by near infrared spectroscopy.

    PubMed

    Ohno, Keiichi; Takao, Hiroshi; Katsumoto, Yukiteru

    2006-03-01

    Changes in the geometry of hydrogen bonding patterns in the alpha-dodecyl-omega-hydroxy-tris(oxyethylene) (C(12)E(3))-water system have been investigated by near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. In the 5,300-4,600 cm(-1) region, the characteristic bands for C(12)E(3) and water can be separately investigated, since the combination bands of the OH stretching and its COH bending of alcohols are observed at 5,000-4,650 cm(-1), whereas the combination bands of the OH stretching and its HOH bending of water, at 5,300-5,000 cm(-1). The NIR result has revealed that the addition of water to C(12)E(3) promotes the formation of the OHcdots, three dots, centeredOHcdots, three dots, centeredO hydrogen bonds.

  19. Development and validation of an LC-MS/MS method to quantify lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), iso-LSD, 2-oxo-3-hydroxy-LSD, and nor-LSD and identify novel metabolites in plasma samples in a controlled clinical trial.

    PubMed

    Dolder, Patrick C; Liechti, Matthias E; Rentsch, Katharina M

    2018-02-01

    Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a widely used recreational drug. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method for the quantification of LSD, iso-LSD, 2-oxo-3-hydroxy LSD (O-H-LSD), and nor-LSD in plasma samples from 24 healthy subjects after controlled administration of 100 μg LSD in a clinical trial. In addition, metabolites that have been recently described in in vitro studies, including lysergic acid monoethylamide (LAE), lysergic acid ethyl-2-hydroxyethylamide (LEO), 2-oxo-LSD, trioxylated-LSD, and 13/14-hydroxy-LSD, should be identified. Separation of LSD and its metabolites was achieved on a reversed phase chromatography column after turbulent-flow online extraction. For the identification and quantification, a triple-stage quadrupole LC-MS/MS instrument was used. The validation data showed slight matrix effects for LSD, iso-LSD, O-H-LSD, or nor-LSD. Mean intraday and interday accuracy and precision were 105%/4.81% and 105%/4.35% for LSD, 98.7%/5.75% and 99.4%/7.21% for iso-LSD, 106%/4.54% and 99.4%/7.21% for O-H-LSD, and 107%/5.82% and 102%/5.88% for nor-LSD, respectively. The limit of quantification was 0.05 ng/mL for LSD, iso-LSD, and nor-LSD and 0.1 ng/mL for O-H-LSD. The limit of detection was 0.01 ng/mL for all compounds. The method described herein was accurate, precise, and the calibration range within the range of expected plasma concentrations. LSD was quantified in the plasma samples of the 24 subjects of the clinical trial, whereas iso-LSD, O-H-LSD, nor-LSD, LAE, LEO, 13/14-hydroxy-LSD, and 2-oxo-LSD could only sporadically be detected but were too low for quantification. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

  20. 5-(2-18F-fluoroethoxy)-L-tryptophan as a substrate of system L transport for tumor imaging by PET.

    PubMed

    Krämer, Stefanie D; Mu, Linjing; Müller, Adrienne; Keller, Claudia; Kuznetsova, Olga F; Schweinsberg, Christian; Franck, Dominic; Müller, Cristina; Ross, Tobias L; Schibli, Roger; Ametamey, Simon M

    2012-03-01

    Large neutral l-amino acids are substrates of system L amino acid transporters. The level of one of these, LAT1, is increased in many tumors. Aromatic l-amino acids may also be substrates of aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC), the level of which is enhanced in endocrine tumors. Increased amino acid uptake and subsequent decarboxylation result in the intracellular accumulation of the amino acid and its decarboxylation product. (18)F- and (11)C-labeled neutral aromatic amino acids, such as l-3,4-dihydroxy-6-(18)F-fluorophenylalanine ((18)F-FDOPA) and 5-hydroxy-l-[β-(11)C]tryptophan, are thus successfully used in PET to image endocrine tumors. However, 5-hydroxy-l-[β-(11)C]tryptophan has a relatively short physical half-life (20 min). In this work, we evaluated the in vitro and in vivo characteristics of the (18)F-labeled tryptophan analog 5-(2-(18)F-fluoroethoxy)-l-tryptophan ((18)F-l-FEHTP) as a PET probe for tumor imaging. (18)F-l-FEHTP was synthesized by no-carrier-added (18)F fluorination of 5-hydroxy-l-tryptophan. In vitro cell uptake and efflux of (18)F-l-FEHTP and (18)F-FDOPA were studied with NCI-H69 endocrine small cell lung cancer cells, PC-3 pseudoendocrine prostate cancer cells, and MDA-MB-231 exocrine breast cancer cells. Small-animal PET was performed with the respective xenograft-bearing mice. Tissues were analyzed for potential metabolites. (18)F-l-FEHTP specific activity and radiochemical purity were 50-150 GBq/μmol and greater than 95%, respectively. In vitro cell uptake of (18)F-l-FEHTP was between 48% and 113% of added radioactivity per milligram of protein within 60 min at 37°C and was blocked by greater than 95% in all tested cell lines by the LAT1/2 inhibitor 2-amino-2-norboranecarboxylic acid. (18)F-FDOPA uptake ranged from 26% to 53%/mg. PET studies revealed similar xenograft-to-reference tissue ratios for (18)F-l-FEHTP and (18)F-FDOPA at 30-45 min after injection. In contrast to the (18)F-FDOPA PET results, pretreatment with the

  1. Optimal production of 7,10-dihydroxy-8(E)-hexadecenoic acid from palmitoleic acid by Pseudomonas aeruginosa PR3.

    PubMed

    Bae, Jae-Han; Suh, Min-Jung; Kim, Beom-Soo; Hou, Ching T; Lee, In-Jung; Kim, In-Hwan; Kim, Hak-Ryul

    2010-09-30

    The hydroxylation of unsaturated fatty acids by bacterial strains is one type of value-adding bioconversion processes. This process generates new hydroxy fatty acids (HFA) carrying special properties such as higher viscosity and reactivity compared with normal fatty acids. Among microbial strains tested for HFA production, Pseudomonas aeruginosa PR3 is well known to utilize various unsaturated fatty acids to produce mono-, di- and tri-hydroxy fatty acids. Previously we reported that strain PR3 could produce a novel value-added hydroxy fatty acid 7,10-dihydroxy-8(E)-hexadecenoic acid (DHD) from palmitoleic acid (Bae et al. (2007) Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 75, 435-440). In this study, we focused on the development of the optimal nutritional and environmental conditions for DHD production from palmitoleic acid by PR3. Optimal carbon and nitrogen sources for DHD production were fructose and yeast extract, respectively. Optimal initial medium pH and incubation temperature were pH 8.0 and 30 degrees C and magnesium ion was essentially required for DHD production. Substrate concentration and time of substrate addition were also optimized. Under optimized conditions, maximal DHD production was 1600mg/l representing 26.7% conversion yield. Copyright 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

  2. Synthesis of 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,25-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-24-one, an intermediate in the 25-hydroxylation pathway of cholic acid biosynthesis from cholesterol.

    PubMed

    Dayal, B; Tint, G S; Batta, A K; Shefer, S; Salen, G; Bose, A K; Pramanik, B N

    1983-02-01

    This paper describes the chemical synthesis of 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,25-tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-24-one via selective oxidation of 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha, 24 xi,25-pentol with silver carbonate on celite. The structure of this 24-keto bile alcohol was confirmed by gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Synthesis of this compound via pyridinium chlorochromate oxidation of the triacetoxy derivative of 5 beta-cholestane-3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,24 xi,25-pentol followed by saponification further established its structure. 3 alpha,7 alpha,12 alpha,25-Tetrahydroxy-5 beta-cholestan-24-one was required for the in vivo and in vitro studies of side-chain oxidation and cleavage in the 25-hydroxylation pathway of cholic acid biosynthesis.

  3. Decomposition of hydroxy amino acids in foraminiferal tests; kinetics, mechanism and geochronological implications

    USGS Publications Warehouse

    Bada, J.L.; Shou, M.-Y.; Man, E.H.; Schroeder, R.A.

    1978-01-01

    The diagenesis of the hydroxy amino acids serine and threonine in foraminiferal tests has been investigated. The decomposition pathways of these amino acids are complex; the principal reactions appear to be dehydration, aldol cleavage and decarboxylation. Stereochemical studies indicate that the ??-amino-n-butyric acid (ABA) detected in foraminiferal tests is the end product of threonine dehydration pathway. Decomposition of serine and threonine in foraminiferal tests from two well-dated Caribbean deep-sea cores, P6304-8 and -9, has been found to follow irreversible first-order kinetics. Three empirical equations were derived for the disappearance of serine and threonine and the appearance of ABA. These equations can be used as a new geochronological method for dating foraminiferal tests from other deep-sea sediments. Preliminary results suggest that ages deduced from the ABA kinetics equation are most reliable because "species effect" and contamination problems are not important for this nonbiological amino acid. Because of the variable serine and threonine contents of modern foraminiferal species, it is likely that the accurate age estimates can be obtained from the serine and threonine decomposition equations only if a homogeneous species assemblage or single species sample isolated from mixed natural assemblages is used. ?? 1978.

  4. Effects of lipid-lowering pharmaceuticals bezafibrate and clofibric acid on lipid metabolism in fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas).

    PubMed

    Weston, Anna; Caminada, Daniel; Galicia, Hector; Fent, Karl

    2009-12-01

    The lipid-lowering agents bezafibrate and clofibric acid, which occur at concentrations up to 3.1 and 1.6 microg/L, respectively, are among the most frequently found human pharmaceuticals in the aquatic environment. In contrast to knowledge about their environmental occurrence, little is known about their effects in the environment. The aim of the present study was to analyze effects of these lipid-lowering agents in fish by focusing on their modes of action, lipid metabolism. Fathead minnows were exposed in aquaria to measured concentrations of 0.1, 1.27, 10.18, 101.56, and 106.7 mg/L bezafibrate and to 1.07, 10.75, and 108.91 mg/L clofibric acid for 14 and 21 d, respectively. After exposure, fish liver was analyzed for expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and the PPAR-regulated enzyme fatty acyl-coenzyme-A oxidase (FAO) involved in fatty acid oxidation. Bezafibrate had no effect, either on PPARalpha expression or on FAO activity, at all concentrations. In contrast, clofibric acid induced FAO activity in male fathead minnows at 108.91 mg/L. No increase in expression of PPARalpha messenger ribonucleic acid was observed. Egg production was apparently decreased after 21 d of exposure to 108.91 mg/L clofibric acid. The present study demonstrates that bezafibrate has very little or no effect on PPARalpha expression and FAO activity, but clofibric acid affects FAO activity.

  5. Genipin Cross-Linked Glucose Oxidase and Catalase Multi-enzyme for Gluconic Acid Synthesis.

    PubMed

    Cui, Caixia; Chen, Haibin; Chen, Biqiang; Tan, Tianwei

    2017-02-01

    In this work, glucose oxidase (GOD) and catalase (CAT) were used simultaneously to produce gluconic acid from glucose. In order to reduce the distance between the two enzymes, and therefore improve efficiency, GOD and CAT were cross-linked together using genipin. Improvements in gluconic acid production were due to quick removal of harmful intermediate hydrogen peroxide by CAT. GOD activity was significantly affected by the proportion of CAT in the system, with GOD activity in the cross-linked multi-enzyme (CLME) being 10 times higher than that in an un-cross-linked GOD/CAT mixture. The glucose conversion rate after 15 h using 15 % glucose was also 10 % higher using the CLME than was measured using a GOD/CAT mixture.

  6. Accumulation of hydroxyl lipids and 4-hydroxy-2-hexenal in live fish infected with fish diseases.

    PubMed

    Tanaka, Ryusuke; Shigeta, Kazuhiro; Sugiura, Yoshimasa; Hatate, Hideo; Matsushita, Teruo

    2014-04-01

    Hydroxy lipids (L-OH) and 4-hydroxy-2-hexenal (HHE) levels as well as other parameters such as lipid level, lipid class, fatty acid composition, and other aldehydes levels in the liver of diseased fish were investigated. Although significant differences in lipid level, lipid class, fatty acid composition, and other aldehyde levels were not always observed between normal and diseased fish, L-OH and HHE levels were significantly higher in the liver of the diseased fish than in that of the normal fish cultured with the same feeds under the same conditions. In the liver of puffer fish (Fugu rubripes) infected with Trichodina, L-OH and HHE levels significantly increased from 25.29±5.04 to 47.70 ± 5.27 nmol/mg lipid and from 299.79±25.25 to 1,184.40±60.27 nmol/g tissue, respectively. When the levels of HHE and other aldehydes in the liver of the normal and diseased puffer fish were plotted, a linear relationship with a high correlation coefficient was observed between HHE and propanal (r2=0.9447). Increased L-OH and HHE levels in the liver of the diseased fish and a high correlation between HHE and propanal in the liver of the normal and diseased fish were also observed in flat fish (Paralichthys olivaceus) infected with streptococcus, yellowtail (Seriola quinqueradiata) infected with jaundice, and amberjack (S. purpurascens) infected with Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida.

  7. Expression cloning of a gibberellin 20-oxidase, a multifunctional enzyme involved in gibberellin biosynthesis.

    PubMed Central

    Lange, T; Hedden, P; Graebe, J E

    1994-01-01

    In the biosynthetic pathway to the gibberellins (GAs), carbon-20 is removed by oxidation to give the C19-GAs, which include the biologically active plant hormones. We report the isolation of a cDNA clone encoding a GA 20-oxidase [gibberellin, 2-oxoglutarate:oxygen oxidoreductase (20-hydroxylating, oxidizing) EC 1.14.11.-] by screening a cDNA library from developing cotyledons of pumpkin (Cucurbita maxima L.) for expression of this enzyme. When mRNA from either the cotyledons or the endosperm was translated in vitro using rabbit reticulocyte lysates, the products contained GA12 20-oxidase activity. A polyclonal antiserum was raised against the amino acid sequence of a peptide released by tryptic digestion of purified GA 20-oxidase from the endosperm. A cDNA expression library in lambda gt11 was prepared from cotyledon mRNA and screened with the antiserum. The identity of positive clones was confirmed by the demonstration of GA12 20-oxidase activity in single bacteriophage plaques. Recombinant protein from a selected clone catalyzed the three-step conversions of GA12 to GA25 and of GA53 to GA17, as well as the formation of the C19-GAs, GA1, GA9, and GA20, from their respective aldehyde precursors, GA23, GA24, and GA19. The nucleotide sequence of the cDNA insert contains an open reading frame of 1158 nt encoding a protein of 386 amino acid residues. The predicted M(r) (43,321) and pI (5.3) are similar to those determined experimentally for the native GA 20-oxidase. Furthermore, the derived amino acid sequence includes sequences obtained from the N terminus and two tryptic peptides from the native enzyme. It also contains regions that are highly conserved in a group of non-heme Fe-containing dioxygenases. Images PMID:8078921

  8. Physical and catalytic properties of alpha-amylase from Tenebrio molitor L. larvae.

    PubMed Central

    Buonocore, V; Poerio, E; Silano, V; Tomasi, M

    1976-01-01

    The amylase from Tenebrio molitor L. larvae (yellow mealworm) was characterized according to a number of its molecular and catalytic properties. The insect amylase is a single polypeptide chain with mol.wt. 68000, an isoelectric point of 4.0 and a very low content of sulphur-containing amino acids. The enzyme is a Ca2+-protein and behaves as an alpha-amylase. Removal of Ca2+ by exhaustive dialysis against water causes the irreversible inactivation of the enzyme. Moreover, the enzyme is activated by the presence in the assay mixture of Cl-, or some other inorganic anions that are less effective than Cl-, and is inhibited by F-. Optimal conditions of pH and temperature for the enzymic activity are 5.8 and 37 degrees C. The insect amylase exhibits an identical kinetic behaviour toward starch, amylose and amylopectin; the enzyme hydrolyses glycogen with a higher affinity constant. Compared with the non-insect alpha-amylases described in the literature, Tenebrio molitor amylase has a lower affinity for starch. PMID:942374

  9. Synthesis of 3 alpha, 5 alpha-tetrahydroaldosterone.

    PubMed

    Harnik, M; Kashman, Y; Morris, D J

    1984-06-01

    3 alpha, 5 alpha-Tetrahydroaldosterone (12a), a metabolite of aldosterone, has been synthesized from the lactone 2a or, preferably 11 beta, 21-dihydroxy-5-pregnene-3,20-dione-18-oic acid 3,20-di-(ethylene glycol)-ketal (18----11) lactone 21-acetate (6b), via 11 beta, 21-dihydroxy-5 alpha-pregnane-3,20-dione-18-oic acid 3,20-di-(ethylene glycol) ketal (18----11) lactone 21-acetate (4b). Selective hydrolysis of the latter at C-3 furnished the monoketal 5 which, on reduction with potassium tri-sec-butylborohydride, yielded predominantly 3 alpha, 11 beta, 21-trihydroxy-5 alpha-pregnan-20-one-18-oic acid 20-(ethylene glycol)-ketal (18----11) lactone (8a) and its acetate 8b. Further reduction with diisobutylaluminum hydride afforded 3 alpha, 5 alpha-tetrahydroaldosterone-20-ketal (10a), which was directly hydrolyzed to 12a with dilute acid in tetrahydrofuran-dioxan. Periodate oxidation led to the gamma-etiolactone 14a, which was then further converted into 5 alpha-dihydroaldosterone-gamma-etiolactone (14c).

  10. Distribution of C22-, C24- and C26-alpha-unit-containing mycolic acid homologues in mycobacteria.

    PubMed

    Kaneda, K; Imaizumi, S; Yano, I

    1995-01-01

    There are three mycolic acid homologues with C22-, C24- and C26-alpha-units in Mycobacterium. In order to reveal the composition and distribution of these homologues in each subclass and molecular species of mycolic acids and to compare them with the composition of constitutive non-polar fatty acids (free and bound forms), we have separated non-polar fatty acids and each subclass of mycolic acids from 21 mycobacterial species by thin-layer chromatography, and analyzed non-polar fatty acid methyl esters by gas chromatography (GC) and the cleavage products of methyl mycolate by pyrolysis GC. We further performed mass chromatographic analysis of trimethylsilyl (TMS) ether derivatives of mycolic acid methyl esters by monitoring [B-29]+ ions (loss of CHO from the alpha-branched-chain structure of mycolic acids) of m/z 426, 454 and 482 which are attributed to C22-, C24- and C26-alpha-units of TMS ether derivatives of methyl mycolates, respectively, (Kaneda, K. et al, J. Clin. Microbiol. 24: 1060-1070, 1986). By pyrolysis GC, C22:0, C24:0 and C26:0 fatty acid methyl esters generated by the C2-C3 cleavage of C22-, C24- and C26-alpha-unit-containing mycolic acid methyl esters, respectively, were detected. Their proportion was almost the same among subclasses of mycolic acids in every Mycobacterium and also similar to the proportion of constitutive non-polar C22:0, C24:0 and C26:0 fatty acids. By mass chromatography, the composition and distribution of C22- and C24-alpha-unit-containing homologues were revealed to be similar between alpha- and alpha'-mycolic acids in every Mycobacterium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

  11. Transepithelial transport of alpha-lipoic acid across human intestinal Caco-2 cell monolayers.

    PubMed

    Takaishi, Naoki; Yoshida, Kazutaka; Satsu, Hideo; Shimizu, Makoto

    2007-06-27

    Alpha-lipoic acid (LA) is used in dietary supplements or food with antioxidative functions. The mechanism for the intestinal absorption of alpha-lipoic acid was investigated in this study by using human intestinal Caco-2 cell monolayers. LA was rapidly transported across the Caco-2 cell monolayers, this transport being energy-dependent, suggesting transporter-mediated transport to be the mechanism involved. The LA transport was strongly dependent on the pH value, being accelerated in the acidic pH range. Furthermore, such monocarboxylic acids as benzoic acid and medium-chain fatty acids significantly inhibited LA transport, suggesting that a proton-linked monocarboxylic acid transporter (MCT) was involved in the intestinal transport of LA. The conversion of LA to the more antioxidative dihydrolipoic acid was also apparent during the transport process.

  12. Preferential inhibition of xanthine oxidase by 2-amino-6-hydroxy-8-mercaptopurine and 2-amino-6-purine thiol

    PubMed Central

    Kalra, Sukirti; Jena, Gopabandhu; Tikoo, Kulbhushan; Mukhopadhyay, Anup Kumar

    2007-01-01

    Background The anticancer drug, 6-mercaptopurine (6MP) is subjected to metabolic clearance through xanthine oxidase (XOD) mediated hydroxylation, producing 6-thiouric acid (6TUA), which is excreted in urine. This reduces the effective amount of drug available for therapeutic efficacy. Co-administration of allopurinol, a suicide inhibitor of XOD, which blocks the hydroxylation of 6MP inadvertently enhances the 6MP blood level, counters this reduction. However, allopurinol also blocks the hydroxylation of hypoxanthine, xanthine (released from dead cancer cells) leading to their accumulation in the body causing biochemical complications such as xanthine nephropathy. This necessitates the use of a preferential XOD inhibitor that selectively inhibits 6MP transformation, but leaves xanthine metabolism unaffected. Results Here, we have characterized two such unique inhibitors namely, 2-amino-6-hydroxy-8-mercaptopurine (AHMP) and 2-amino-6-purinethiol (APT) on the basis of IC50 values, residual activity in bi-substrate simulative reaction and the kinetic parameters like Km, Ki, kcat. The IC50 values of AHMP for xanthine and 6MP as substrate are 17.71 ± 0.29 μM and 0.54 ± 0.01 μM, respectively and the IC50 values of APT for xanthine and 6MP as substrates are 16.38 ± 0.21 μM and 2.57 ± 0.08 μM, respectively. The Ki values of XOD using AHMP as inhibitor with xanthine and 6MP as substrate are 5.78 ± 0.48 μM and 0.96 ± 0.01 μM, respectively. The Ki values of XOD using APT as inhibitor with xanthine and 6MP as substrate are 6.61 ± 0.28 μM and 1.30 ± 0.09 μM. The corresponding Km values of XOD using xanthine and 6MP as substrate are 2.65 ± 0.02 μM and 6.01 ± 0.03 μM, respectively. The results suggest that the efficiency of substrate binding to XOD and its subsequent catalytic hydroxylation is much superior for xanthine in comparison to 6MP. In addition, the efficiency of the inhibitor binding to XOD is much more superior when 6MP is the substrate instead of

  13. Preferential inhibition of xanthine oxidase by 2-amino-6-hydroxy-8-mercaptopurine and 2-amino-6-purine thiol.

    PubMed

    Kalra, Sukirti; Jena, Gopabandhu; Tikoo, Kulbhushan; Mukhopadhyay, Anup Kumar

    2007-05-18

    The anticancer drug, 6-mercaptopurine (6MP) is subjected to metabolic clearance through xanthine oxidase (XOD) mediated hydroxylation, producing 6-thiouric acid (6TUA), which is excreted in urine. This reduces the effective amount of drug available for therapeutic efficacy. Co-administration of allopurinol, a suicide inhibitor of XOD, which blocks the hydroxylation of 6MP inadvertently enhances the 6MP blood level, counters this reduction. However, allopurinol also blocks the hydroxylation of hypoxanthine, xanthine (released from dead cancer cells) leading to their accumulation in the body causing biochemical complications such as xanthine nephropathy. This necessitates the use of a preferential XOD inhibitor that selectively inhibits 6MP transformation, but leaves xanthine metabolism unaffected. Here, we have characterized two such unique inhibitors namely, 2-amino-6-hydroxy-8-mercaptopurine (AHMP) and 2-amino-6-purinethiol (APT) on the basis of IC50 values, residual activity in bi-substrate simulative reaction and the kinetic parameters like Km, Ki, kcat. The IC50 values of AHMP for xanthine and 6MP as substrate are 17.71 +/- 0.29 microM and 0.54 +/- 0.01 microM, respectively and the IC50 values of APT for xanthine and 6MP as substrates are 16.38 +/- 0.21 microM and 2.57 +/- 0.08 microM, respectively. The Ki values of XOD using AHMP as inhibitor with xanthine and 6MP as substrate are 5.78 +/- 0.48 microM and 0.96 +/- 0.01 microM, respectively. The Ki values of XOD using APT as inhibitor with xanthine and 6MP as substrate are 6.61 +/- 0.28 microM and 1.30 +/- 0.09 microM. The corresponding Km values of XOD using xanthine and 6MP as substrate are 2.65 +/- 0.02 microM and 6.01 +/- 0.03 microM, respectively. The results suggest that the efficiency of substrate binding to XOD and its subsequent catalytic hydroxylation is much superior for xanthine in comparison to 6MP. In addition, the efficiency of the inhibitor binding to XOD is much more superior when 6MP is the

  14. 3-hydroxy-2(1H)-pyridinone chelating agents

    DOEpatents

    Raymond, K.N.; Xu, J.

    1997-04-29

    Disclosed is a series of improved metal chelating agents, which are highly effective upon both injection and oral administration; several of the most effective are of low toxicity. These chelating agents incorporate within their structure 1-hydroxy-2-pyridinone (1,2-HOPO) and 3-hydroxy-2-pyridinone (3,2-HOPO) moieties with a substituted carbamoyl group ortho to the hydroxy or oxo groups of the hydroxypyridinone ring. The electron-withdrawing carbamoyl group increases the acidity of the hydroxypyridinones. In the metal complexes of the chelating agents, the amide protons form very strong hydrogen bonds with its adjacent HOPO oxygen donor, making these complexes very stable at physiological conditions. The terminal N-substituents provides a certain degree of lipophilicity to the 3,2-HOPO, increasing oral activity. Also disclosed is a method of making the chelating agents and a method of producing a known compound, 3-hydroxy-1-alkyl-2(1H)pyridinone, used as a precursor to the chelating agent, safely and in large quantities. 2 figs.

  15. 3-hydroxy-2(1H)-pyridinone chelating agents

    DOEpatents

    Raymond, Kenneth N.; Xu, Jide

    1997-01-01

    Disclosed is a series of improved metal chelating agents, which are highly effective upon both injection and oral administration; several of the most effective are of low toxicity. These chelating agents incorporate within their structure 1-hydroxy-2-pyridinone (1,2-HOPO) and 3-hydroxy-2-pyridinone (3,2-HOPO) moieties with a substituted carbamoyl group ortho to the hydroxy or oxo groups of the hydroxypyridinone ring. The electron-withdrawing carbamoyl group increases the acidity of the hydroxypyridinones. In the metal complexes of said chelating agents, the amide protons form very strong hydrogen bonds with its adjacent HOPO oxygen donor, making these complexes very stable at physiological conditions. The terminal N-substituents provides a certain degree of lipophilicity to said 3,2-HOPO, increasing oral activity. Also disclosed is a method of making the chelating agents and a method of producing a known compound, 3-hydroxy-1-alkyl-2(1H)pyridinone, used as a precursor to the chelating agent, safely and in large quantities.

  16. Beta-alanine/alpha-ketoglutarate aminotransferase for 3-hydroxypropionic acid production

    DOEpatents

    Jessen, Holly Jean [Chanhassen, MN; Liao, Hans H [Eden Prairie, MN; Gort, Steven John [Apple Valley, MN; Selifonova, Olga V [Plymouth, MN

    2011-10-04

    The present disclosure provides novel beta-alanine/alpha ketoglutarate aminotransferase nucleic acid and protein sequences having increased biological activity. Also provided are cells containing such enzymes, as well as methods of their use, for example to produce malonyl semialdehyde and downstream products thereof, such as 3-hydroxypropionic acid and derivatives thereof.

  17. Beta-alanine/alpha-ketoglutarate aminotransferase for 3-hydroxypropionic acid production

    DOEpatents

    Jessen, Holly Jean; Liao, Hans H; Gort, Steven John; Selifonova, Olga V

    2014-11-18

    The present disclosure provides novel beta-alanine/alpha ketoglutarate aminotransferase nucleic acid and protein sequences having increased biological activity. Also provided are cells containing such enzymes, as well as methods of their use, for example to produce malonyl semialdehyde and downstream products thereof, such as 3-hydroxypropionic acid and derivatives thereof.

  18. Identification of N-Hydroxy-para-aminobenzoic acid in a cyanotic child after benzocaine exposure.

    PubMed

    Spiller, H A; Russell, J L; Casavant, M J; Ho, R Y; Gerona, R R

    2014-11-01

    Methemoglobinemia (MetHb) after exposure to benzocaine (BZC) has been reported for more than 50 years, however the pathophysiologic mechanism has not been previously established. Direct administration of BZC to blood does not produce MetHb. After topical use, due to the lipophilicity and rapid acetylation in the tissue, little BZC reaches the liver for hepatic biotransformation. However, isolated human livers have been shown to produce MetHb forming N-hydroxyl metabolites from BZC. We report a case of BZC-induced MetHb with the first identification and quantification of the reactive metabolite responsible for the oxidative stress: N-Hydroxy-Para-amino benzoic acid (N-OH-PABA). An 8 year old male was admitted to a hospital for an appendectomy. Several applications of BZC spray were used during multiple attempts at nasogastric tube placement. In various attempts to achieve local anesthesia, benzocaine spray was used in both nares and through the mouth aimed at the posterior oropharynx. The patient subsequently became cyanotic with an initial MetHb level of 32.9 %. Methylene blue was administered and the patient promptly responded with resolution of cyanosis. Blood taken within 20 min of the initial symptoms contained benzocaine (5.2ug/mL), bupivacaine (740ng/mL), lidocaine (530ng/mL), acetaminophen (12ug/mL), midazolam (60ng/mL), PABA and N-OH-PABA (35ng/mL). Serum was analyzed using Liquid Chromatography- Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry. Mass spectrometry was done using an electrospray ionization source run in negative and positive polarities. A reference standard for N-OH-PABA was synthesized for confirmation and quantification. The rare and idiopathic nature of methemoglobinemia after benzocaine use has made study of the pathophysiologic mechanism in humans difficult. Lack of understanding has brought calls for restriction of use of the widely used medication that may not be based on evidence. Our case presents several unique features: 1) benzocaine

  19. Synthesis of alpha-amino acids

    DOEpatents

    Davis, Jr., Jefferson W.

    1983-01-01

    A method for synthesizing alpha amino acids proceeding through novel intermediates of the formulas: R.sub.1 R.sub.2 C(OSOCl)CN, R.sub.1 R.sub.2 C(Cl)CN and [R.sub.1 R.sub.2 C(CN)O].sub.2 SO wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each selected from hydrogen monovalent substituted and unsubstituted hydrocarbon radicals of 1 to 12 carbon atoms. The use of these intermediates allows the synthesis steps to be exothermic and results in an overall synthesis method which is faster than the synthesis methods of the prior art.

  20. Synthesis of alpha-amino acids

    DOEpatents

    Davis, Jr., Jefferson W.

    1983-01-01

    A method for synthesizing alpha amino acids proceding through novel intermediates of the formulas: R.sub.1 R.sub.2 C(OSOCl)CN, R.sub.1 R.sub.2 C(Cl)CN and [R.sub.1 R.sub.2 C(CN)O].sub.2 SO wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each selected from hydrogen monovalent substituted and unsubstituted hydrocarbon radicals of 1 to 10 carbon atoms. The use of these intermediates allows the synthesis steps to be exothermic and results in an overall synthesis method which is faster than the snythesis methods of the prior art.

  1. Synthesis of alpha-amino acids

    DOEpatents

    Davis, Jr., Jefferson W.

    1983-01-01

    A method for synthesizing alpha amino acids proceding through novel intermediates of the formulas: R.sub.1 R.sub.2 C(OSOCl)CN, R.sub.1 R.sub.2 C(Cl)CN and [R.sub.1 R.sub.2 C(CN)O].sub.2 SO wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are each selected from hydrogen monovalent substituted and unsubstituted hydrocarbon radicals of 1 to 12 carbon atoms. The use of these intermediates allows the synthesis steps to be exothermic and results in an overall synthesis method which is faster than the synthesis methods of the prior art.

  2. A rational approach to predict and modulate stereolability of chiral alpha substituted ketones.

    PubMed

    Cirilli, Roberto; Costi, Roberta; Di Santo, Roberto; Gasparrini, Francesco; La Torre, Francesco; Pierini, Marco; Siani, Gabriella

    2009-01-01

    An effective strategy to assess and modulate the stereolability of chiral alpha substituted ketones (C alpha SKs) is presented. The tendency of C alpha SKs to retain or change their configuration in water is analyzed as a function of thermodynamic proton-release attitude of alpha asymmetric atoms inside the structures by linear Brønsted correlations. A molecular modeling procedure was developed to analyze and suggest chemical modifications of C alpha SKs in view to obtain the desired grade of stereochemical stability. The approach was employed to predict the tendency to enantiomerize in water of two ketones (1 and 2) endowed with inhibitory activity against monoamine oxidases (MAOs) and the results were confirmed by experimental kinetics measurements performed in organic medium. As a demonstration of practical potentialities of the approach, four new structures, conceived as simple chemical modifications of 1 and 2, were designed to improve/reduce the stereostability grade of the starting anti-MAO ketones. The possibility to extend easily the procedure to other classes of C-H acids appears of interest.

  3. Reactivity of the Monoterpenoid Nerol with p-Toluenesulfonic and Chlorosulfonic Acids: Selective Syntheses of alpha-Terpineol and alpha-Cyclogeraniol. An Activity for the Undergraduate Organic Lab

    ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

    Linares-Palomino, Pablo J.; Salido, Sofia; Altarejos, Joaquin; Nogueras, Manuel; Sanchez, Adolfo

    2006-01-01

    The selective syntheses of the cyclic monoterpenoids alpha-terpineol or alpha-cyclogeraniol from the acyclic monoterpenoid nerol using p-toluenesulfonic acid or chlorosulfonic acid as cyclizing agents, respectively, are described. The different behavior of nerol under diverse experimental conditions such as nature of the acid agents, solvents, and…

  4. H NMR studies of substrate hydrogen exchange reactions catalyzed by L-methionine gamma-lyase

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

    Esaki, N.; Nakayama, T.; Sawada, S.

    Hydrogen exchange reactions of various L-amino acids catalyzed by L-methionine gamma-lyase (EC 4.4.1.11) have been studied. The enzyme catalyzes the rapid exchange of the alpha- and beta-hydrogens of L-methionine and S-methyl-L-cysteine with deuterium from the solvent. The rate of alpha-hydrogen exchange was about 40 times faster than that of the enzymatic elimination reaction of the sulfur-containing amino acids. The enzyme also catalyzes the exchange reaction of alpha- and beta-hydrogens of the straight-chain L-amino acids which are not susceptible to elimination. The exchange rates of the alpha-hydrogen and the total beta-hydrogens of L-alanine and L-alpha-aminobutyrate with deuterium followed first-order kinetics. Formore » L-norvaline, L-norleucine, S-methyl-L-cysteine, and L-methionine, the rate of alpha-hydrogen exchange followed first-order kinetics, but the rate of total beta-hydrogen exchange decreased due to a primary isotope effect at the alpha-position. L-Phenylalanine and L-tryptophan slowly underwent alpha-hydrogen exchange. The pro-R hydrogen of glycine was deuterated stereospecifically.« less

  5. Neuroprotective Properties of Compounds Extracted from Dianthus superbus L. against Glutamate-induced Cell Death in HT22 Cells

    PubMed Central

    Yun, Bo-Ra; Yang, Hye Jin; Weon, Jin Bae; Lee, Jiwoo; Eom, Min Rye; Ma, Choong Je

    2016-01-01

    Background: Dianthus superbus L. has been used in Chinese herbal medicine as a diuretic and anti-inflammatory agent. Objective: In this study, we isolated ten bioactive compounds from D. superbus and evaluated their neuroprotective activity against glutamate-induced cell death in the hippocampal neuronal HT22 cells. Materials and Methods: New compound, (E)-methyl-4-hydroxy-4-(8a-methyl-3-oxodecahydronaphthalen-4a-yl) (1) and, nine known compounds, diosmetin-7-O (2’’,6’’-di-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-pentyl ester benzenepropanoic acid (3), vanillic acid (4), 4-hydroxy-benzeneacetic acid (5), 4-methoxybenzeneacetic acid (6), (E)-4-methoxycinnamic acid (7), 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylethanol (8), hydroferulic acid (9), and methyl hydroferulate (10), were isolated by bioactivity-guided separation. Structures of the isolated compounds were identified on the basis of 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), 13C NMR, and two-dimensional NMR spectra, while their neuroprotective properties were evaluated by performing the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Results: D. superbus extract had a neuroprotective effect and isolated 10 compounds. Among the compounds, compounds 5 and 6 effectively protected HT22 cells against glutamate toxicity. Conclusion: In conclusion, the extract of D. superbus and compounds isolated from it exhibited neuroprotective properties, suggesting therapeutic potential for applications in neurotoxic diseases. SUMMARY D. superbus extract significantly protected on glutamate-induced cell death in HT22 cellsNew compound, (E)-methyl-4-hydroxy-4-(8a-methyl-3-oxodecahydronaphthalen-4a-yl) (1) and, nine known compounds, diosmetin-7-O(2’’,6’’-di-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), 4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-pentyl ester benzenepropanoic acid (3), vanillic acid (4), 4-hydroxy-benzeneacetic acid (5), 4-methoxybenzeneacetic acid (6), (E)-4-methoxycinnamic acid (7), 3

  6. The first 3':5'-cyclic nucleotide-amino acid complex: L-His-cIMP.

    PubMed

    Slepokura, Katarzyna

    2012-08-01

    In the crystal structure of the L-His-cIMP complex, i.e. L-histidinium inosine 3':5'-cyclic phosphate [systematic name: 5-(2-amino-2-carboxyethyl)-1H-imidazol-3-ium 7-hydroxy-2-oxo-6-(6-oxo-6,9-dihydro-1H-purin-9-yl)-4a,6,7,7a-tetrahydro-4H-1,3,5,2λ(5)-furo[3,2-d][1,3,2λ(5)]dioxaphosphinin-2-olate], C(6)H(10)N(3)O(2)(+)·C(10)H(10)N(4)O(7)P(-), the Hoogsteen edge of the hypoxanthine (Hyp) base of cIMP and the Hyp face are engaged in specific amino acid-nucleotide (His···cIMP) recognition, i.e. by abutting edge-to-edge and by π-π stacking, respectively. The Watson-Crick edge of Hyp and the cIMP phosphate group play a role in nonspecific His···cIMP contacts. The interactions between the cIMP anions (anti/C3'-endo/trans-gauche/chair conformers) are realized mainly between riboses and phosphate groups. The results for this L-His-cIMP complex, compared with those for the previously reported solvated L-His-IMP crystal structure, indicate a different nature of amino acid-nucleotide recognition and interactions upon the 3':5'-cyclization of the nucleotide phosphate group.

  7. Increase of EPA-derived hydroxy, epoxy and dihydroxy fatty acid levels in human plasma after a single dose of long-chain omega-3 PUFA.

    PubMed

    Schuchardt, Jan Philipp; Schneider, Inga; Willenberg, Ina; Yang, Jun; Hammock, Bruce D; Hahn, Andreas; Schebb, Nils Helge

    2014-06-01

    Several supplementation studies with long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFA) describe an increase of EPA-derived hydroxy, epoxy and dihydroxy fatty acids in blood, while changes in levels of other LC n-3 and n-6 PUFA-derived oxylipins were minor. In order to investigate the kinetics of changes in oxylipin levels in response to LC n-3 PUFA ingestion, we conducted a single dose treatment study with healthy subjects. In the present kinetic study, we compared patterns of hydroxy, epoxy and dihydroxy fatty acids in plasma of 6 healthy men before and after 6, 8, 24, and 48h of fish oil (1008mg EPA and 672mg DHA) ingestion. Levels of EPA- as well as other LC PUFA-derived hydroxy, epoxy and dihydroxy fatty acids were analyzed in plasma by LC-MS. Additionally, levels of these oxylipins were compared with their parent PUFA levels in plasma phospholipids. All EPA-derived oxylipin levels were significantly increased 6h after LC n-3 PUFA ingestion and gradually drop thereafter reaching the baseline levels about 48h after treatment. The relative increase in EPA plasma phospholipid levels highly correlated with the increase of plasma EPA-derived oxylipin levels at different time points. In contrast, plasma levels of arachidonic acid- and DHA-derived oxylipins as well as parent PUFA levels in plasma phospholipids were hardly changed. Our findings demonstrate that a single dose of LC n-3 PUFAs can rapidly induce a shift in the EPA oxylipin profile of healthy subjects within a few hours. Taking the high biological activity of the EPA-derived epoxy fatty acids into account, even short-term treatment with LC n-3 PUFAs may cause systemic effects, which warrant further investigation. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

  8. A study on the spectroscopy and photophysics of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid in different solvents, pH and β-cyclodextrin

    NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

    Stalin, T.; Rajendiran, N.

    2006-08-01

    Effect of solvents, buffer solutions of different pH and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) on the absorption and fluorescence spectra of 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzoic acid (vanillic acid, HMB) have been investigated and compared with 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzoic acid (HDMB). The inclusion complex of β-CD with HMB is investigated by UV-vis, fluorimetry, FT-IR, 1H NMR, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and semiempirical methods. The thermodynamic parameters (Δ G, Δ H and Δ S) of inclusion process are also determined. Solvent study shows in the S 0 state, HMB is more polar than HDMB, whereas the polarity is same in the S 1 state. pH studies suggest proton transfer reactions follow the same trend in HMB and HDMB molecules. β-CD studies indicates (i) HMB forms 1:1 inclusion complex with β-CD and (ii) unusual blue shift of hydroxyl ion (dianion) in the β-CD medium confirms OH group present in the interior part of the β-CD cavity and COOH group present in the upper part of the β-CD cavity. A mechanism is proposed to explain the inclusion process.

  9. The use of glucose oxidase and catalase for the enzymatic reduction of the potential ethanol content in wine.

    PubMed

    Röcker, Jessica; Schmitt, Matthias; Pasch, Ludwig; Ebert, Kristin; Grossmann, Manfred

    2016-11-01

    Due to the increase of sugar levels in wine grapes as one of the impacts of climate change, alcohol reduction in wines becomes a major focus of interest. This study combines the use of glucose oxidase and catalase activities with the aim of rapid conversion of glucose into non-fermentable gluconic acid. The H2O2 hydrolysing activity of purified catalase is necessary in order to stabilize glucose oxidase activity. After establishing the adequate enzyme ratio, the procedure was applied in large-scale trials (16L- and 220L-scale) of which one was conducted in a winery under industrial wine making conditions. Both enzyme activity and wine flavour were clearly influenced by the obligatory aeration in the different trials. With the enzyme treatment an alcohol reduction of 2%vol. was achieved after 30h of aeration. However the enzyme treated wines were significantly more acidic and less typical. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

  10. New derivatives of 3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid with free-radical scavenging, D-amino acid oxidase, acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase inhibitory activity.

    PubMed

    Solecka, Jolanta; Guśpiel, Adam; Postek, Magdalena; Ziemska, Joanna; Kawęcki, Robert; Lęczycka, Katarzyna; Osior, Agnieszka; Pietrzak, Bartłomiej; Pypowski, Krzysztof; Wyrzykowska, Agata

    2014-09-30

    A series of 3,4-dihydroisoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid derivatives were synthesised and tested for their free-radical scavenging activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH·), 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) radical (ABTS·+), superoxide anion radical (O2·-) and nitric oxide radical (·NO) assays. We also studied d-amino acid oxidase (DAAO), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) inhibitory activity. Almost each of newly synthesised compounds exhibited radical scavenging capabilities. Moreover, several compounds showed moderate inhibitory activities against DAAO, AChE and BuChE. Compounds with significant free-radical scavenging activity may be potential candidates for therapeutics used in oxidative-stress-related diseases.

  11. Secretion of alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor is impaired by amino acid deletion in a small region of the molecule.

    PubMed

    Toyota, S; Hirosawa, S; Aoki, N

    1994-02-01

    Alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor (alpha 2PI) deficiency Okinawa results from defective secretion of the inhibitor from the liver and appears to be a direct consequence of the deletion of Glu137 in the amino acid sequence of alpha 2PI. To examine the effects of replacing the amino acid occupying position 137 or deleting its neighboring amino acid on alpha 2PI secretion, we used oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis of alpha 2PI cDNA to change the codon specifying Glu137 or delete a codon specifying its neighboring amino acid. The effects were determined by pulse-chase experiments and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of media from transiently transfected COS-7 cells. Replacement of Glu137 with an amino acid other than Cys had little effect on alpha 2PI secretion. In contrast, deletion of an amino acid in a region spanning a sequence of less than 30 amino acids including positions 127 and 137 severely impaired the secretion. The results suggest that structural integrity of the region, rather than its component amino acids, is important for the intracellular transport and secretion of alpha 2PI.

  12. Nature and position of functional group on thiopurine substrates influence activity of xanthine oxidase--enzymatic reaction pathways of 6-mercaptopurine and 2-mercaptopurine are different.

    PubMed

    Tamta, Hemlata; Kalra, Sukirti; Thilagavathi, Ramasamy; Chakraborti, Asit K; Mukhopadhyay, Anup K

    2007-02-01

    Xanthine oxidase-catalyzed hydroxylation reactions of the anticancer drug 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) and its analog 2-mercaptopurine (2-MP) as well as 6-thioxanthine (6-TX) and 2-thioxanthine (2-TX) have been studied using UV-spectroscopy, high pressure liquid chromatography, photodiode array, and liquid chromatography-based mass spectral analysis. It is shown that 6-MP and 2-MP are oxidatively hydroxylated through different pathways. Enzymatic hydroxylation of 6-MP forms 6-thiouric acid in two steps involving 6-TX as the intermediate, whereas 2-MP is converted to 8-hydroxy-2-mercaptopurine as the expected end product in one step. Surprisingly, in contrast to the other thiopurines, enzymatic hydroxylation of 2-MP showed a unique hyperchromic effect at 264 nm as the reaction proceeded. However, when 2-TX is used as the substrate, it is hydroxylated to 2-thiouric acid. The enzymatic hydroxylation of 2-MP is considerably faster than that of 6-MP, while 6-TX and 2-TX show similar rates under identical reaction conditions. The reason why 2-MP is a better substrate than 6-MP and how the chemical nature and position of the functional groups present on the thiopurine substrates influence xanthine oxidase activity are discussed.

  13. Glyphosate-resistant and conventional canola (Brassica napus L.) responses to glyphosate and Aminomethylphosphonic Acid (AMPA) treatment

    USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

    Glyphosate-resistant (GR) canola expresses two transgenes: 1) the microbial glyphosate oxidase gene (gox) encoding the glyphosate oxidase enzyme (GOX) that metabolizes glyphosate to aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) and 2) cp4 that encodes a GR form of the glyphosate target enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshiki...

  14. Synergistic effect of Aspergillus tubingensis CTM 507 glucose oxidase in presence of ascorbic acid and alpha amylase on dough properties, baking quality and shelf life of bread.

    PubMed

    Kriaa, Mouna; Ouhibi, Rabeb; Graba, Héla; Besbes, Souhail; Jardak, Mohamed; Kammoun, Radhouane

    2016-02-01

    The impact of Aspergillus tubingensis glucose oxidase (GOD) in combination with α-amylase and ascorbic acid on dough properties, qualities and shelf life of bread was investigated. Regression models of alveograph and texture parameters of dough and bread were adjusted. Indeed, the mixture of GOD (44 %) and ascorbic acid (56 %) on flour containing basal improver showed its potential as a corrective action to get better functional and rheological properties of dough and bread texture. Furthermore, wheat flour containing basal additives and enriched with GOD (63.8 %), ascorbic acid (32 %) and α- amylase (4.2 %) led to high technological bread making parameters, to decrease the crumb firmness and chewiness and to improve elasticity, adhesion, cohesion and specific volume of bread. In addition to that, the optimized formulation addition significantly reduced water activity and therefore decreased bread susceptibility to microbial spoilage. These findings demonstrated that GOD could partially substitute not only ascorbic acid but also α-amylase. The generated models allowed to predict the behavior of wheat flour containing additives in the range of values tested and to define the additives formula that led to desired rheological and baking qualities of dough. This fact provides new perspectives to compensate flour quality deficiencies at the moment of selecting raw materials and technological parameters reducing the production costs and facilitating gluten free products development. Graphical abstractᅟ.

  15. Synthesis and biological evaluation of 2-heteroarylthioalkanoic acid analogues of clofibric acid as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha agonists.

    PubMed

    Giampietro, Letizia; Ammazzalorso, Alessandra; Giancristofaro, Antonella; Lannutti, Fabio; Bettoni, Giancarlo; De Filippis, Barbara; Fantacuzzi, Marialuigia; Maccallini, Cristina; Petruzzelli, Michele; Morgano, Annalisa; Moschetta, Antonio; Amoroso, Rosa

    2009-10-22

    A series of 2-heteroarylthioalkanoic acids were synthesized through systematic structural modifications of clofibric acid and evaluated for human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) transactivation activity, with the aim of obtaining new hypolipidemic compounds. Some thiophene and benzothiazole derivatives showing a good activation of the receptor alpha were screened for activity against the PPARgamma isoform. The gene induction of selected compounds was also investigated in the human hepatoma cell line.

  16. Enantiomeric excesses in meteoritic amino acids

    NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

    Cronin, J. R.; Pizzarello, S.

    1997-01-01

    Gas chromatographic-mass spectral analyses of the four stereoisomers of 2-amino-2,3-dimethylpentanoic acid (dl-alpha-methylisoleucine and dl-alpha-methylalloisoleucine) obtained from the Murchison meteorite show that the L enantiomer occurs in excess (7.0 and 9.1%, respectively) in both of the enantiomeric pairs. Similar results were obtained for two other alpha-methyl amino acids, isovaline and alpha-methylnorvaline, although the alpha hydrogen analogs of these amino acids, alpha-amino-n-butyric acid and norvaline, were found to be racemates. With the exception of alpha-amino-n-butyric acid, these amino acids are either unknown or of limited occurrence in the biosphere. Because carbonaceous chondrites formed 4.5 billion years ago, the results are indicative of an asymmetric influence on organic chemical evolution before the origin of life.

  17. Transformation of alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) and related chromanol model compounds into their phenoxonium ions by chemical oxidation with the nitrosonium cation.

    PubMed

    Lee, Stephen B; Lin, Ching Yeh; Gill, Peter M W; Webster, Richard D

    2005-12-09

    [reaction: see text] Alpha-tocopherol (alpha-TOH), the main oil component making up vitamin E, and its nonnatural solid 6-hydroxy-2,2,5,7,8-pentamethylchroman and 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid structurally related analogues were oxidized quantitatively with 2 mol equiv of NO+ SbF6(-) in CH3CN at 233 K to form phenoxonium cations (alpha-TO+ SbF6(-)) in a chemically reversible two-electron/one-proton process. Solution-phase infrared spectroscopy, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, and corresponding theoretical calculations of the spectroscopic data using density-based and wave-function-based models support the identity of the remarkably stable phenoxonium cations. The presence of an oxygen atom in the para position to the hydroxyl group and the chromanol ring structure appear to be important factors in stabilization of the phenoxonium ions, which raises the interesting possibility that the cations play a crucial role in the mode of action of vitamin E in biological systems. Although the phenoxonium cations are reactive toward nucleophiles such as water, they may be moderately stable in the hydrophobic (lipophilic) environment where vitamin E is known to occur naturally.

  18. Transport mechanism for L-lactic acid in human myocytes using human prototypic embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma cell line (RD cells).

    PubMed

    Kobayashi, Masaki; Fujita, Itaru; Itagaki, Shirou; Hirano, Takeshi; Iseki, Ken

    2005-07-01

    Monocarboxylate transporter (MCT), which cotransport L-lactic acid and protons across cell membranes, are important for regulation of muscle pH. However, it has not been demonstrated in detail whether MCT isoform contribute to the transport of L-lactic acid in skeletal muscle. The aim of this study was to characterize L-lactic acid transport using an human rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cell line as a model of human skeletal muscle. mRNAs of MCT 1, 2 and 4 were found to be expressed in RD cells. The [14C] L-lactic acid uptake was concentration-dependent with a Km of 1.19 mM. This Km value was comparable to its Km values for MCT1 or MCT2. MCT1 mRNA was found to be present markedly greater than that MCT2. Therefore, MCT1 most probably acts on L-lactic acid uptake at RD cells. [14C] L-Lactic acid efflux in RD cells was inhibited by alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate (CHC) but not by butyric acid, a substrate of MCT1. Accordingly, MCT2 or MCT4 is responsible for L-lactic acid efflux by RD cells. MCT4 mRNA was found to be present significantly greater than that MCT2. We conclude that MCT1 is responsible for L-lactic acid uptake and L-lactic acid efflux is mediated by MCT4 in RD cells.

  19. Does alpha 1-acid glycoprotein act as a non-functional receptor for alpha 1-adrenergic antagonists?

    PubMed

    Qin, M; Oie, S

    1994-11-01

    The ability of a variety of alpha 1-acid glycoproteins (AAG) to affect the intrinsic activity of the alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist prazosin was studied in rabbit aortic strip preparations. From these studies, the activity of AAG appears to be linked to their ability to bind the antagonist. However, a capability to bind prazosin was not the only requirement for this effect. The removal of sialic acid and partial removal of the galactose and mannose residues by periodate oxidation of human AAG all but eliminated the ability of AAG to affect the intrinsic pharmacologic activity of prazosin, although the binding of prazosin was not significantly affected. The presence of bovine AAG, a protein that has a low ability to bind prazosin, reduced the effect of human AAG on prazosin activity. Based upon these results, we propose that AAG is able to bind in the vicinity of the alpha 1-adrenoceptors, therefore extending the binding region for antagonists in such a way as to decrease the ability of the antagonist to interact with the receptor. The carbohydrate side-chains are important for the binding of AAG in the region of the adrenoceptor.

  20. Some distinguishable properties between acid-stable and neutral types of alpha-amylases from acid-producing koji.

    PubMed

    Suganuma, Toshihiko; Fujita, Kiyotaka; Kitahara, Kanefumi

    2007-11-01

    The highly humid climate of Japan facilitates the growth of various molds. Among these molds, Aspergillus oryzae is the most important and popular in Japan, and has been used as yellow-koji in producing many traditional fermented beverages and foods, such as Japanese sake, and soy sauce. Taka-amylase A (TAA), a major enzyme produced by the mold, is well known worldwide to be a leading enzyme for industrial utilization and academic study, since many extensive studies have been carried out with TAA. In southern Kyushu, the other koji's of citric acid-producing molds have often been used, such as in the production of a traditional distilled liquor of shochu. The koji molds black-koji and white-koji produce two types of alpha-amylase, namely, acid-stable (AA) and common neutral (NA). The latter enzyme is enzymatically and genetically similar to TAA. In this review, we investigate AA from three molds, Aspergillus niger, A. kawachii and A. awamori, and the yeast Cryptococcus sp. regarding the distinguishable properties between AA and NA. (i) The N-terminus amino acid sequences of AA determined by molecular cloning started with the sequence of L-S-A-, whereas those of NA started with A-T-P-. (ii) Most of the full sequences of AA were composed of, besides a core catalytic domain, an extra domain of a hinge region and a carbohydrate binding domain, which could be responsible for raw-starch-digestibility. The AA from A. niger has no exceptionally extra domain, similarly to NA. (iii) Simple methods for distinguishing AA from NA using CNP-alpha-G3 and G5 as substrates were developed by our group. (iv) The number of subsite in AA on the basis of its cleavage pattern of maltooligosaccharides was estimated to be five, which differs from that of TAA, 7-9. AA has many advantages in industrial applications, such as its acid-stability, thermostability, and raw-starch digesting properties.